NYC with the Girls

There is something about Christmas in Manhattan. It is a fun time to get together and celebrate and enjoy all that Manhattan has to offer while enjoying in the company of good friends. Last weekend was our first Holiday trip of the season. My Mom and I made plans to get together with my Aunt Liz and cousin Emily. We had planned to meet up at Emily's internship in the city and start our day in the city there. Emily was finishing up her internship with Heart Publishing Corporation, and since the head of security at the company is also a very good friend of my parents and my Aunt Liz, he offered to give us a tour of the building.

I have to say the building itself was quite impressive. I've seen other corporate buildings before but this one was particularly fun and had a lot of cool history to it. The shell of the building is actually an original building dating back to the early 1900s but since it had been deemed a historical site Hearst could not change it, so instead they worked with what they had an building inside of the shell. The first six floors of the building shell are the original old building but with a completely modern feel. The building has beautiful views of the city, including Central Park, which is only a block away, the Tower is located right near Columbus Circle. As part of the tour we got to see all the test rooms, and kitchens were they test all the products that have the Goodhouse Keeping Seal of Approval. As well as the private dining room which every first lady (since I believe he said the early 1900s) has eaten at, including Michelle Obama (just a few weeks prior). It was a lot of fun seeing the building, of course this made sitting in my basement every day seem even more dull than it already is, cause man did it make me jealous!

After our tour, we were starving and headed a block over to the Time Warner building to get some lunch. We ended up at the Landmarc restaurant inside. It wound up being a terrific lunch, the food, atmosphere, and view were all terrific. They had a very nice light lunch menu, affordably priced as well. For lunch Mom and I went halves on a delicious croque monsieur sandwich and a grilled chicken cabiatta sandwich. Both were delicious, I love a good croque monsieur (that was one of my favorite things to eat when visited Paris). I highly recommend checking out the landmarc if you're ever looking for a nice lunch in that area.

Of course I had to save room for dessert at bouchon bakery for one of their famous macaroons. Emily and I each ordered one, I got the pistachio one again and Emily indulged in one of their chocolate ones. I personally love the pistachio one, although my mom wasn't a fan and preferred the chocolate. I think any way you can't really go wrong and it's a great cookie to enjoy any time no matter what flavor you choose! 

Finally we made our way over to the tree, but not before we walked through the Columbus Circle Christmas market. Oh and one the way Aunt Liz wanted to take her picture with that statue and her touching his butt, oh Aunt Liz, LOL.....  The tree was beautiful as it always is, and we were lucky it wasn't too crowded or cold for that matter. Although we couldn't get a full shot of the tree, it was fun to stop by and see it. Overall not a bad way to start the Holiday season off in Manhattan.

And Aunt Liz made a new friend. We saw this adorable Pomeranian named Titou (he even has his own facebook page) and Aunt Liz got her picture taken with him. I will say, he was pretty cute, although not as cute as my Rocky of course.