Expat Wife does NYC - Day 2

Day 2 was a day of pampering and luxury. We started things out at one of my favorite place, Le Pain Qouqidan (or something like that). Good thing Summer loves it too! Then we met up with all the bridesmaids and mothers for pampering mani/pedis at Dashing Divas. Side note on that, my nail polish has never lasted longer - I don't know what they put in it to make it last so long!

Here Jami and the two Katies relax during their divalicious pedicures!!! Highly recommended!

While drying, Dinah came in and had just been to a place where she got her eyebrows threaded. Always one to try something new (just reference the cannibal fish blog). . . we scooted on over to try this wonderful alternative to waxing. Again, highly recommended!

Now that the pampering and beauty regimen was complete, Summer and I could focus our energies on other, just as important matters - no we weren't hungry yet. BUT we were invited to a swanky to-do for an upper eastsider's birthday (neither of us actually knew him, but were invited my an acquaintance) but had nothing to wear!!!! So, shopping was on the docket.

We found appropriate outfits and ran back up to 161st street to grab our belongings, makeup, and pj's. Summer's teaching friend, Rachel, was the one who had invited us to this shindig and she was picking us up (in her car that she has in the city!!!) to go get ready at her apartment (which happens to be in the same building as Ed Westwick from GOSSIP GIRL!!!!!!!!!!) Sorry, I'm a huge fan!

We were looking hot and headed out for dinner (at 10ish) at Bar Pitti. Now for those of you who aren't in the know, like I was before I went to Bar Pitti, it is a place to see and be seen. Beyonce, Jay Z, Seal, etc all eat here. There are no reservations, not even a list to put your name down on. You stand out front and the owner comes out and scans the crowd, then he decides who comes in to eat and when. We were looking good so we got in in about 10 minutes. I'd like to thank my new bra from Linda's for helping with that situation - the girls looked great!

As we are walking in, we notice this scarily thin blond woman walking away from us. We all comment on how she should order the fattiest thing on the menu. Ha ha ha . . . When we get seated, we are near her table. Summer looks over and says "Isn't that Ann Coulter?". Now, I don't care your stance on politics, my mother taught me it isn't nice to discuss them, and still won't tell me who she votes for to this day. But, you have to admit, for a girl from Texas, seeing anyone recognizable, even Ann Coulter, is a huge deal!!!!

DISCLAIMER: Sorry there are no pictures of any of the celebrity sitings as Rachel was a little embarrassed when Summer and I whipped out our phones to text everyone we knew - I can only imagine if I whipped out my camera.

So, then a gorgeous blond girl walks in carrying a little dog. No, it wasn't Paris Hilton, it was the model Agnes Deyn.

If you don't know who she is here is a little info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agyness_Deyn

I'm sure there were plenty of other celebs there, but they were going incognito and I didn't recognize them. Despite it being a hot spot, Bar Pitti actually had wonderful food (you know how I love to eat!). The mozzerella ball ap is fabulous! If this had completed my day of pampering and luxury, I could have died a happy woman . . . but no, it continues!!!!

So off we tromp thru the West Village to the Birthday Party at Casa La Femme on Charles Street. This place was amazing. First off, it has real grass as it's floor!!! Yep, and the bartender told me that they replace it every week (not very "green" but definitely chic).

It was too dark to get any good pics of the decor so here is the website :

http://www.casalafemmeny.com/

Pretty swanky! I have this bad habit that I picked up while working at Design Associates, we take pictures of things that strike us as interesting, no matter where we are to show the other designers as inspiration. This is the light fixture in one of the bathrooms - love it!!!

So, after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I met the birthday boy, David, who gave me a VIP card. This little card gave me more power than I should be in control of, an open bar on his tab!!! So, it would be rude not to partake - so we partook!

I met all of his friends and soon realized that I was in the real-life Gossip Girl. I met a guy named Charlie, who is Chuck Bass (sorry if you don't watch the show, you will be lost for the next little while). There was a Georgina there too. I caught her in the bathroom speaking with a horrible fake British accent to someone on the phone and then 10 minutes later she was chatting to me in a nasal new york snob, no hint of British!

It was so surreal that I didn't even really realize what I was witnessing until the next day. My one night of membership in that oh so sought after society was truly amazing. And not entirely without true character, not just characters.

Meet my new best friends, Eric and Christine. Summer and I chatted with them for a long time and found them funny, charming, and interesting.

Sadly, that part of the evening had to end, but that doesn't mean I'm still not making friends! While casing the lobby of Rachel's building hoping to catch Ed on his way back in (yes I am shameless), I made friends with Jerry the doorman.

Love ya Jerry!!!!

Stay tuned for Day 3 - it just gets better and better!