Alright... so most of the time this blog is for recipes and DIY projects but every once in a while I'm going to use it as a personal journal. That's exactly what this post is going to be, a diary entry from our trip to NYC. I might go into a bit more detail than you'd care to read, but I mean, what if some day I have no memory left... I'll want to remember these times. And then I'll make Blain read me this entry to make those memories come back. Come on people, I'm re-creating my own version of the Notebook, duh. If you aren't really interested in the details, just scroll through and check out the pictures/slideshows. So here I go. I know I'm a bit late on the NYC post, but life has been just a tid bit crazy since we got back. But holy. moly. It was probably the best trip of my life. I'll walk you through the weekend...
First, Friday morning, we hopped on a little plane early early early (like got up at 4:45 early) Friday morning and jet setted our way to a happy little place we like to call NYC.
First, Friday morning, we hopped on a little plane early early early (like got up at 4:45 early) Friday morning and jet setted our way to a happy little place we like to call NYC.
Once we were there we met up with our friends Everett and Natalie, and embarked on our self guided tour around town. Natalie used to live in NYC so she was our own personal tour guide. It was ah-mazing.
We stopped at our hotel to drop our bags, hopped on the subway, and got all sorts of touristy walking around Time Square. (check out the lobby lighting in our sweet little boutique hotel in Chelsea, so trendy).
We stopped at our hotel to drop our bags, hopped on the subway, and got all sorts of touristy walking around Time Square. (check out the lobby lighting in our sweet little boutique hotel in Chelsea, so trendy).
Then Natalie remembered this awesome little burger joint she used to go to that's super local and super hidden, ironically called "The Burger Joint." The place was DELISH. And it was just cool because you walk into this ridiculously fancy hotel, all white marble floors and walls, go past the front desk, go behind a curtain, and walk down this secret dark little hallway. You get to the end and theres a neon burger sign with an arrow to go through one last door. It opens up and all of a sudden you're in this hole in the wall burger joint! Like, 3 seconds previous to this you're in a high end classy hotel lobby, and next thing you know you're in a loud burger place the size of my closet. Nat and I saved a booth (since there was only like 5 booths total and probably 60 people all crammed into this closet sized room) while the boys got food. It was PACKED; all locals. I'd tell you where it is, but then I'd have to kill you. Oh, and I wrote on the wall like I was 13 years old. No big deal.
After our stellar burger-filled lunch, Blain mentioned going to see his NY office. So the 4 of us ventured over to the NYC Warner Chappell. After 10 minutes of passing security and identity checks, we got our visitor passes and went up to the 923048th floor at Rockefeller center. It was just a tidddd bit different than walking into Warner in Nashville where I just say hi and they tell me "your boys upstairs!" But anyway - the WC NYC guys there were awesome. They gave us a full tour of the Warner office, then we sat in one guy's office and talked for probably 2 hours. I freaking love New Yorkers. I could listen to them talk for hours, and we did. He was hysterical. After about an hour and a half one of the NY guys mentioned an artist he's been working with lately. He was in the studio that day and asked if we'd like to go watch him cut a few tracks. Of course, we obliged. We all hopped on the subway and went to the Atlantic Recording studio they share with Warner. Turns out... this kid who was in the studio is like a 14 year old rap protégée. His name is Chris Miles and he's a little rap version of Bieber, but like, wayyyy way cooler. And raps like a beast. Listing to people cut rap is soooo different than hearing someone lay down a country track. Like, it's almost comical to witness the differences. But it was killer. We hung there for about an hour, then had to head back to the hotel to get ready for the night. If you want to hear some of Chris, check out his youtube page here.
We got back to the hotel, got ready, then went right back out into the NY cold to a trendy little venue called the Cutting Room. My lovely, fabulously talented friend Kelleigh Bannen was doing a radio showcase there that night and she rocked. the. freaking. house. Oh, and she did this insaneeeee cover of Justin Timberlake's "Drink You Away" that literally Blew Me Away. Girl has PIPES. If you haven't heard her music, you need to check it out. It was also really cool to walk into a small NYC music venue and see all of Nashville in one place, almost 1000 miles from home. And there was an open bar, which never ever ever ever hurts. To say the least, we had a blast. And Kelleigh provided some topppp notch entertainment to make it even better!
After the showcase, we headed across town to a little place the Warner Chappel guys earlier had described as the "NYC version of Nashville's Tin Roof" called Rockwood Music Hall in lower Manhattan. It was soooo packed we could only get into the side with the bar, not the side with the live music. We didn't complain. If I'm being completelyyyy honest, this is where the night begins to get a little hazy sooooooo, I'm pretty sure it was fun. The 4 of us were huddled into the back corner of this little bar and decided to hit the next spot the Warner guys had told us about earlier. They said there was this really cool underground type bar that's very local called Fat Cat. We were told it'd be this sick little Jazz Bar, we were so in. We hopped on a subway (maybe?) and went down to Fat Cat over in the West Village. Y'all. This place was SO weird. We get there and go down a big staircase to the basement of this building where the bar was located. They only serve beer, no liquor, and the entire place is like gaming central. I'm not kidding, there were probably 10 ping pong tournaments going on, pool tables, people playing checkers, AND NATALIE AND I EVEN SPOTTED PEOPLE PLAYING BACKGAMMON AND SCRABBLE. Talk about the definition of Hipsters. Who goes to a bar and plays BACK GAMMON?! Hipsters. That's who. All while there was a loud jazz band rocking out with disco lights and strobes flashing. It was a very interesting place to say the least, and we probably stayed a total of 15 minutes.
Like THIS WAS A BAR?! WHAT!
Oh and somewhere between Kelleigh's showcase and these 2 bars, we stopped at a local pizza joint and it was unreal. I'm surprised we were not kicked out of the restaurant because we were not exactly a quiet group. After the pingpong bar, we got a call from a few friends of ours from Universal saying they were at this place by their hotel called Tavern 29 near Chelsea/Midtown. We spent the rest of our evening there with our good ole Nashville buddies, which definitely beat out the hipster jazz bar. It was a blast. *Sidenote: Blain was so tired (which he had every right to be because we woke up that morning at like 4 am for the plane) but he had been saying he wanted to go back to the hotel since our first stop at Rockwood... Natalie, Everett and I just kept dragging him around with us. On our way to Tavern 29 we told him we'd drop him off at the hotel... we didn't. We forced him to come to Tavern with us and he wasn't happy. But when we got there, guess who danced pretty much the entire time with Michelle?! Blain. ha!!!! God I wish I had a picture of that. He definitely caught his 2nd wind once we were surrounded by familiar faces*
Pictured below, left photo: Carlos, NYC photographer and Waylon the bday boy, day-to-day manager for Luke
right photo: JoJo and I (Joanna is head of creative at Universal and pretty much my fave person ever)
Oh and somewhere between Kelleigh's showcase and these 2 bars, we stopped at a local pizza joint and it was unreal. I'm surprised we were not kicked out of the restaurant because we were not exactly a quiet group. After the pingpong bar, we got a call from a few friends of ours from Universal saying they were at this place by their hotel called Tavern 29 near Chelsea/Midtown. We spent the rest of our evening there with our good ole Nashville buddies, which definitely beat out the hipster jazz bar. It was a blast. *Sidenote: Blain was so tired (which he had every right to be because we woke up that morning at like 4 am for the plane) but he had been saying he wanted to go back to the hotel since our first stop at Rockwood... Natalie, Everett and I just kept dragging him around with us. On our way to Tavern 29 we told him we'd drop him off at the hotel... we didn't. We forced him to come to Tavern with us and he wasn't happy. But when we got there, guess who danced pretty much the entire time with Michelle?! Blain. ha!!!! God I wish I had a picture of that. He definitely caught his 2nd wind once we were surrounded by familiar faces*
Pictured below, left photo: Carlos, NYC photographer and Waylon the bday boy, day-to-day manager for Luke
right photo: JoJo and I (Joanna is head of creative at Universal and pretty much my fave person ever)
This night ended somewhere around 3 am, and having been up for almost 24 hours at this point, we were exhausted. The next morning, we ate breakfast at our hotel and Natalie and Everett went to work out. Everett plays pro ball for the Kansas City Royals so he had one of their strength trainers meet us at breakfast. We were all so pumped to be trained by this guy, he was such a beast. I swear on my life I had every intention of working out... but I'll be honest, I went and took a nap after breakfast. I could hardly move after the night before. And I'm pretty sure the strength trainer judged me. Oops!
Later that day we ventured around the city. Of course, we had to make a trip to Central Park. It was pretty freezing the entire time we were in NYC, like single digits freezing... but it really didn't snow the entire weekend. EXCEPT during our walk through Central Park, which honestly - kind of made for a pretty setting!
Later that day we ventured around the city. Of course, we had to make a trip to Central Park. It was pretty freezing the entire time we were in NYC, like single digits freezing... but it really didn't snow the entire weekend. EXCEPT during our walk through Central Park, which honestly - kind of made for a pretty setting!
There's also a few other Central Park photos you can scroll through or watch the slide show of, here. (The icy hill did not condone beautiful photos)
After Central Park, it was time to get ready for the big show. And if you're just now tuning in and don't follow me on any social media - this is the entire reason we were in NYC in the first place. 2 of our good friends played a little show at Madison Square Garden that we just couldn't miss. Hence, the trip to NYC.
Now - let me explain. Cole Swindell opened the show, followed by Lee Brice, and the main event was Luke Bryan. Hellloooo country in the city. Blain and Cole were roommates until Blain and I started living in sin and moved in together. Blain and Cole have been best friends since college and before Blain and I started living together, I practically lived with them at their house for months. Also - Blain, Cole and Luke were all fraternity brothers at Georgia Southern (yay Sigma Chi). So the 3 of them have known each other for years and years. Cole used to be Luke's merch guy on the road. When Cole left that position, Blain filled it. So then, Blain did merch for Luke on the road. All while all 3 of them live in Nashville and are good buddies. Does that explain it? So to say the least... seeing 2 of his best friends play Madison Square Garden was a pretty huge moment. Now - onto the concert.
Everett, Natalie, Blain & I got ready and hopped back on the subway. MSG was literally 5 blocks from our hotel, but it was COLD. We didn't have tickets so when we got to the venue, we waited at the back door until someone came out and brought us our passes. Then the fun began!
We hung in the green room while the boys did press and all that fun stuff.
Now - let me explain. Cole Swindell opened the show, followed by Lee Brice, and the main event was Luke Bryan. Hellloooo country in the city. Blain and Cole were roommates until Blain and I started living in sin and moved in together. Blain and Cole have been best friends since college and before Blain and I started living together, I practically lived with them at their house for months. Also - Blain, Cole and Luke were all fraternity brothers at Georgia Southern (yay Sigma Chi). So the 3 of them have known each other for years and years. Cole used to be Luke's merch guy on the road. When Cole left that position, Blain filled it. So then, Blain did merch for Luke on the road. All while all 3 of them live in Nashville and are good buddies. Does that explain it? So to say the least... seeing 2 of his best friends play Madison Square Garden was a pretty huge moment. Now - onto the concert.
Everett, Natalie, Blain & I got ready and hopped back on the subway. MSG was literally 5 blocks from our hotel, but it was COLD. We didn't have tickets so when we got to the venue, we waited at the back door until someone came out and brought us our passes. Then the fun began!
We hung in the green room while the boys did press and all that fun stuff.
I went out into the arena and immediately got goose bumps. I mean, it was probably still 30 minutes until the show started and Madison Square Garden was starting to fill up. Pure. Craziness.
Then it was showtime.
Y'all. I can't even describe the feelings I had when Cole came out. After being friends for years, I've probably only seen him actually preform a handfull of times. And to see him come out on stage, the crowd ROARING, at MADISON SQUARE FREAKING GARDEN was one of the most surreal moments of my life.
I mean like, 2 years ago I was making he and Blain dinner every night at home and now I'm in NYC while he plays to a PACKED house at Madison Square Garden? One of the biggest venues in America? WHAT?!?!
Goosies.
I mean like, 2 years ago I was making he and Blain dinner every night at home and now I'm in NYC while he plays to a PACKED house at Madison Square Garden? One of the biggest venues in America? WHAT?!?!
Goosies.
Oh, and he killed it.
After Cole finished, we went back to the green room for a couple cocktailssss.. on the way, I saw my good friend Mike for the first time of the evening, and we kind of shrieked w excitement. And Everett came in with the best photo bomb of the night.
After Cole finished, we went back to the green room for a couple cocktailssss.. on the way, I saw my good friend Mike for the first time of the evening, and we kind of shrieked w excitement. And Everett came in with the best photo bomb of the night.
Around this same time, Cole had his meet and greet. That... was cool. Seeing a line a mile long, so so so excited to take a picture with and shake Cole's hand was just another notch on the "is this real life" tally board of the weekend. I was a proud momma.
Then Luke came out. And I mean, I don't have words. Nor do I have many photos because I was too engrossed in the show. It was incredible. There was honest to God, not ONE vacant seat in the 20,000 seat house. Luke had that entire place rocking. And it was unbelievable.
Oh! And a really funny moment of the concert... since we didn't have actual tickets to the show we just stood in the pit with our backstage passes. We were towards the back side of the pit, not right up on the stage, so there wasn't a ton of people around us. During one of the songs, Luke is walking down the stage and spots Blain. I think he was so shocked to see a familiar face at that moment he pointed at Blain and laughed, mid-song. It was just a funny moment, out of 20,000 people in an arena, he looks out and spots us. Kind of surreal.
Cole came out from backstage and joined us in the pit after he wrapped up to watch the rest of Luke's show. Another funny moment of the concert... Cole came out to stand with us in the pit in a beanie instead of his signature cap. Not one person noticed him while we watched the show! Even though 20 minutes prior to this, he preformed to this entire crowd and had 20,000 people singing along to his songs, screammmmming for him. It's magical what a beanie can do!
Cole came out from backstage and joined us in the pit after he wrapped up to watch the rest of Luke's show. Another funny moment of the concert... Cole came out to stand with us in the pit in a beanie instead of his signature cap. Not one person noticed him while we watched the show! Even though 20 minutes prior to this, he preformed to this entire crowd and had 20,000 people singing along to his songs, screammmmming for him. It's magical what a beanie can do!
After the show, Luke gave a touching speech in the green room, thanking everyone for being there on his big night. Then went to tuck his kids into bed! The rest of us took a bus to the after party... and if I remembered the name of the bar, I'd insert it now.
We got to the bar and it was just pure celebration from there on out. I'll leave out the details for everyone's sake, but it was a blast to say the least.
The next day I woke up freakishly early for some reason, and waited for the others to rise!
Then, you guessed it, we hopped back on the subway. This time we headed downtown to Tribecca / Greenwich Village. We had the most amazing lunch at some place called the Ivy Cafe? I think? It was incredible. Then we headed down to Ground Zero. It was our last day in NYC but we didn't fly out until that evening so we had a full day to spend sight seeing. We did the Ground Zero museum and memorial. To say it was touching/sad/emotional/inspiring would be an understatement.
Then, you guessed it, we hopped back on the subway. This time we headed downtown to Tribecca / Greenwich Village. We had the most amazing lunch at some place called the Ivy Cafe? I think? It was incredible. Then we headed down to Ground Zero. It was our last day in NYC but we didn't fly out until that evening so we had a full day to spend sight seeing. We did the Ground Zero museum and memorial. To say it was touching/sad/emotional/inspiring would be an understatement.
After that, we went to see Lady Liberty. (if you look really hard in the photos with the lamp post, you can see her standing in the back left corner!)
Later that evening, we hopped into our Uber (which of course, made me feel like Gossip Girl, traveling around NYC in a black town car) and sadly headed to Laguardia.
We got on our plane just about the same time the Grammys started (which, if you know me, was very sad... bc one of my passions in life is live-tweeting award shows - sad but true) and we brought our happy little asses back to Nashville.
I'd like to take a moment and just say a HUGE thank you to Everett Teaford who made this NYC extravaganza possible for Blain and I. It was the best wedding surprise of a lifetime and we love you so much Dupree!
Hope you enjoyed my very detailed dairy entry of NYC. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and we made such great memories along the way.
Now... I'll get back to recipes and DIY projects, I swear.
[[Until next time]]
xox,
L
I'd like to take a moment and just say a HUGE thank you to Everett Teaford who made this NYC extravaganza possible for Blain and I. It was the best wedding surprise of a lifetime and we love you so much Dupree!
Hope you enjoyed my very detailed dairy entry of NYC. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and we made such great memories along the way.
Now... I'll get back to recipes and DIY projects, I swear.
[[Until next time]]
xox,
L