my perfect NY weekend

I don't think that when Elizabeth Smith and I spent our recess time in 4th grade wandering around the Hillside Playground talking about our lives when we were grown up we ever imagined ourselves spending a weekend romping New York together, but we did, and it was great, and I wish it has been even longer.

So, since my good friend Elizabeth is spending her summer interning in New York, I decided it had been a little too long since we had spent some time together and headed up to the city to see her. My best friend and a city full of adventure. This weekend had nothing but potential, and boy did it come through. 

You know I hate to give a play by play of the day, but here is my entire day Friday...all in selfies

So to sum it up--Elizabeth had work, I went to the High Line (ate gelato, read my book, took selfies). We met for lunch at Shake Shack (nom nom nom), went to the MoMA (even if I didn't get to go into the Rain Room I got to see it--look it up). We went to FAO Shwarz cause we are children at heart, then took a break because we are not children in body. We got cupcakes, saw Once, ate dinner, and went to bed to rest for another brilliant day. 

You seriously can't even imagine how excited I was to see Once. I was so jealous when my parents went and saw it this winter since I was the one to introduce them to the music from this. I first saw the film version of Once when it was just a little Irish indie film, and I feel in love. I have listened to the music ever since and also fallen in love with the band that came out of the film, The Swell Season. When I heard there was a musical version of this I knew that I NEEDED to see it. Every second was magical. I had goosebumps because I was so in awe (and not just because the theater was freezing). Embarrassing fact: I have never seen a show on Broadway that I did not cry in. The culmination of my excitement, the beauty of the music, and the heart breaking story made this show no exception to that. 

And here we are at Saturday. Saturday involved some of my most favorite things in the world...

 Carousels. I have a deep love for them and whenever I see one, I MUST ride it. (Note the look of pure excitement and happy on my face.)

City romping. If you know me, you know I am absolutely passionately in love with wandering cities and seeing what adventures they hold.  

 The Zoo. I love love love animals so I therefore love love love going to the Zoo (plus Zoos generally have Carousels so it's an all around win). 

And then, following a delicious French dinner, Elizabeth and I walked across the Brooklyn bridge, and got caught in the rain half way across. So, if you are looking to add to the list of things I love: dressing up to go out, French food, beautiful views, getting caught in the rain, and long walks. 

And the last perfect day of my weekend in New York: Sunday

 TREAT! One of our other best friends was in New York this weekend. Caroline Fisher came to get brunch with us and then played around for a little until she had to leave to catch her train back to D.C. But, I am SO glad that 3/4 of Core Four was able to come together for a beautiful morning in the city. 

 Well, I didn't have a pic here, but next I went and saw Peter and the Starcatcher. Another INCREDIBLE show. It is like an adults' prequel to Peter Pan (obviously another thing I am in love with) and I laughed so hard I cried, and then I just cried...cause well, you know, we talked about this. But, this show is just starting to tour and I highly recommend that anyone who loves theater, or just likes theater, or really everyone should go see this cause everything about it is brilliant and funny and perfect, and did I mention brilliant?

Oh you know, just some best friends riding the Staten Island Ferry. A perfect ending to a perfect weekend. (Have I said the word perfect a lot in this post. Woops. But, not really, cause everything was perfect.)

Thank you New York for being so wonderful to me, and to my dear friend Elizabeth for showing me around the city. Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me so many brilliant things on this Earth to explore. You really knew what you were doing when you were putting this magical planet together, didn't you? I feel so blessed to have enjoyed such a perfect (yeah I said it again) weekend. 

peace. love. and New York.

Paris is still the greatest city ever though....