These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New...

......... or really, really old. At this point it's a toss up.

Yes, I am officially home from the fabulous and dreamlike place that they call Manhattan. While it is great to be home, I must say I had more fun in the last 5 days than I probably had in the last 10 years. Yeah, it was that good. I went down with my sister, who is newly 21, to visit my SIL who moved to the area about 8 months ago. To say that we partied like rock stars would be a bit of an overstatement, but to say we partied like it was 1999, doesn't really do our time justice either. Let's just say an amazing time was has by all, and I'll be looking back at the past week with a smile on my face that will last the next few decades.

I know they say what happens in New York, stays in New York (hmmmm that might be Vegas) but being the good blogger that I am, I am more than happy to share some of the highlights with you.

So let's see.

I "met" my two celebrity loves Anderson Cooper and Matt Lauer.

(Seriously don't we make a cute couple?)

Did the touristy stuff like posing for pics in Rockefeller Plaza and Central Park.

While we were in the park I fulfilled a life long dream of mine of "playing a dead body" from Law and Order. Honestly, where is Dick Wolf when you need him?

We spent most of our time on the roof top of the Standard Hotel. They have a Jacuzzi that I may or may not have gone in (don't worry mom.... I was wearing "clothes") Moreover, I just couldn't get over the fact that the sofas were actually water beds. I think I may have slept there more than anywhere else that weekend!

Source

We also visited the site of the original Coyote Ugly, Hogs and Heifers, and after not too much persuasion we found ourselves on the bar. I am happy to report that ALL bras came back home with us. (If you've ever been there you know what I am talking about. )

You would think that sparkly shorts wouldn't be that big of a hit in a motorcycle bar... but you'd be wrong.

We also saw Usher perform for one of the morning shows, ate the most amazing pasta that was made in house... twice. Had brunch at Pastis and Cafe Cluny, my two favorite places, and of course went back to Alta for that amazing crab relleno that I have been dreaming about since my last visit (this time we also sampled the extremely dangerous Sangria... yum.) We saw Eat, Pray, Love for the 2nd time, which was immediately followed by me wanting to see it for the 3rd. We did a little shopping where I found the dress of my dreams (more on this later) and some much more practical pieces...and steals! If that wasn't enough we walked almost every square inch of the city, and I can finally say I saw some true New York attractions like the empire state building, grand central station, the park, Macy's...etc.

I went down there and partied like I was 21, came back feeling like I was 81, and I'm pretty sure that soon I will be back to my old thirty-something self.

When I came home I was met by a sick little boy who gave Dad and Grandma quite the hard time while Mom was off. Needless to say I don't think there will be too many weeks away for the next year or two... as an aside my Little Man turned three yesterday and right now is napping for the first time in his big boy bed. My catch phrase for the weekend was, "I'm someones mother," and jumping back into reality I am quickly reminded that yes, yes, I am, but that doesn't mean I can't be a little wild and free... at least for a few days.