New York City - My Weekend ExcursionHey there!! How’s your Monday working out? I really had such a nice couple of days in New York City this weekend, celebrating my birthday!  The world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel Staying at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel was a first for me! It’s funny because when I travel overseas I have a mindset for paying a lot at the best hotels. But, somehow, paying so much for an overnight stay in my own wonderful city, at a world famous iconic hotel like the Waldorf felt so exorbitant. It’s ridiculous how we hold different standards and expectations when things are familiar. Now in response to Tanya regarding whether or not to stay at the Waldorf when she visits next month...DEFINITELY DO! It's just such a nice experience staying in this New York landmark! My advice would be to get a room in the towers. They are a little more modest but you do have 24-hour concierge service, complementary wifi and access to the Lounge with complementary breakfast and food throughout the day.  Waiting to enter
 Trisha Yearwood singing Well, let me say it was so worth every penny! I’d like to strongly suggest to everyone that you take the time to be a tourist in your own city and state to truly appreciate the wonder of it. As part of my birthday celebration, we went to the Food and Wine Festival’s Down-Home Brunch with Trisha Yearwood. The event was held at the New York Hilton and it was fantastic!  Me & Tedd with Trisha Yearwood - beautiful & talented There was something in the air and everyone there was just so friendly and happy. The ballroom was filled and from the line to get a picture with Ms. Yearwood, to the applause when she sang a few songs for the crowd - these were true fans of both her music and her Food Network Show, "Trisha's Southern Kitchen." I love her show! Me and the girls watch it all the time. In fact, I shared with Trisha how Kelsey did a great impression of her. She said she loves to do impressions and asked me what my daughter's name was. She said "You tell Kelsey that I said HI" in a very exaggerated southern drawl!! After a great sampling of lots of southern cooked food, baked goods and drinks, we were graced with a special performance by Ms. Yearwood - and what a treat it was to see her perform live in such an intimate setting! Please catch my full article on this truly enjoyable event, Down-Home Country Brunch with Trisha Yearwood at the NYC Wine & Food Festival!
 The weather couldn't have been better yesterday! As I've said over and over on this blog - there is nothing like Autumn in New York. A cool breeze and lots of sunshine made it perfect for walking around the city. After leaving the Hilton, we walked down 6th Avenue, turned left at Radio City and headed to Rockefeller Center. I was surprised to the see the skating rink opened and a number of folks making their way around the ice.
It was as I was watching the skaters and taking pictures that I decided I was going to come into the city in early November with the kids to dine at Rock Center Cafe, go skating and even take a double decker tour bus for the hell of it around for great photo ops!  I usually plan my NYC visits during the Christmas season when the Rockefeller tree is up, but the crowds make it impossible to skate or enjoy the surroundings. This year, I'm going to do things differently! I'm planning to go into the city the first Sunday in November, eat at the Rock Center Cafe and go on an actual bus tour! I grabbed one of the brochures being handed out to tourists, which have a a plethora of tours to choose from. I'm looking forward to being a tourist in my own home town!! Well, that's all for now. Hope you have a super rest of your day!! -E P.S.: Please remember to click the "Top Mommy Blog" logo to the left!! Thanks! -------> “Chapter 1. | It's a Brand New Week!!Welcome to Monday! I'm so glad that you are here with us to kick off a brand new week! I wake up everyday and it's like opening a present; and you know how much I love presents!! It's so exciting to have a whole entire new day/week/month/year to mold and make it your own!  Speaking of presents/gifts, I hit the mall yesterday and was semi successful at finding a few lovely gift items for Dominic, something for Cosette, even found something for myself!! But Dave B was the real winner in yesterday's shopping excursion...he found a very handsome Michael Kors Jacket, and several very attractive shirts to add to his collection!  Before going shopping we had stopped to enjoy some tea time at Mother's Market & Cafe, and then after we were finished shopping (only because the mall was closing) we decided that we were going to enjoy tea time once again, this time at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf! I'm telling you, I really got addicted to tea time while traveling throughout the UK this past summer! Read more about the UK trip HERE! The kids couldn't come out Christmas shopping with us and I think they were actually quite content at staying home with their dad, relaxing and throughly enjoyed themselves. So much so that they didn't even want to come out and join us for tea time! But of course Cosette managed to put in a to-go order for me to bring back home! That's my girl ;) Well, as we all know that today is Monday, how many of you realize that on Mondays is when we publish our Entertainment Reviews??? This week we are all in for a real special treat! Elisa went to the NYC Wine & Food Festival’s Down-Home Brunch with Trisha Yearwood just yesterday! And just from chatting with her and reading her daily - it's obvious that she had a GREAT time!!! Read all about the event and check out the awesome pictures here: Down-Home Country Brunch with Trisha Yearwood at the NYC Wine & Food Festival!  Well, as for today I have a bunch of things to do for this website (behind the scenes type of stuff that you "the reader" may not even notice). I also have some work that I'll be doing with Elisa for this weeks Travelin' Cousins edition of Travelin' Tuesday - be sure to come back here tomorrow to check that out! And I embarrassingly as it is...I still have to unpack...ugh! I have some online shopping to take care of and hopefully some bookings for a few future upcoming trips! Lastly, for the past 10 years every monday night (that we are in town) we go to choir rehearsal with The International Peace Choir! Gonna keep it short and sweet and encourage that you are always reading both sides of the page here on the Daily Scoop! One last thing, PLEASE vote for us on the Top Mommy Blogs link - one click is all it takes :)  Thanks for being here and I look forward to seeing you all back here tomorrow! -T  |
