It's good to be back in New York because I get to do fun things like soak up some sun in my mom's backyard while rolling my eyes though an awful summer read (no, not 50 Shades..), drink Skinny Girl cocktails, gossip with my mom, and catch up with girlfriends, including my favorite New York blogger!
On Friday night, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a blogger that I have been dying to meet; the one and only Miss Cara, femme extraordinaire and creator of The Champagne Diaries! Running a bit late and charging down 14th street in my Dr. Scholls platforms, not once did I worry if we were going to hit it off, I just knew we would. Cara and I have a lot in common; we both come from Italian families, have experienced a Russo's on the Bay reception where the guests of honor come out of the wall floating on a cloud that's complimented by disco lights, dried ice smoke and TKA, and have wickedly inappropriate senses of humor. What more could I ask for in a happy hour meeting?
Wanting to choose a spot that reflects both of us as well as our uber-girly pinky pink blogs, the choice was painfully clear; the shimmery-walled, salon-turned-bar, American hipster staple Beauty Bar for manicures, martinis and girl talk.
The interior, that reminds me of the old Roseland Ballroom before it was renovated in the late 90s takes me back to another time, making me almost nostalgic for memories I've never had. Cara and I lived up to the ladies who salon cliche and gabbed endlessly during our champagne-colored glitter manis. If it weren't so hot, I would have worn something a little more festive and vintage for the occasion, but the sweltering city heat was having none of that and a yellow cotton romper it was.After getting polished up, Cara went to the bar to order another round while I dried my nails and watched our bags. A man by the name of John took this as an opportunity to sit in Cara's seat...and just look at me. "Hi," I turned to him while blowing on my fingernails. "Hey," he responded, looking back at me, my fingernails, and then back at Cara who was still at the bar. "I like your friend's blouse." he declared. Cara was in fact wearing a lovely sheer, flowing blouse with gray flowers, parfait for summer...and apparently for John as well. "You should definitely tell her that when she comes back," I suggested, and then turned away to look at nothing in particular. "I will." John confirmed. Okay, good thing that was settled.
I anxiously kept eying the packed bar, hoping that Cara would return soon because John wasn't going to release me from his presence until he told Cara that he liked her blouse. She finally arrived with our summery martinis, looking at me with concern, wondering if John was a lunatic. She sat beside me, John across from us, and we all shared about five minutes of awkward silence as Cara and I sipped on our fruity drinks waiting for John to stop staring at us like we were zoo animals. "So John, tell Cara what you told me." I said, jump starting the conversation. "I don't know how to tell her," he responded, looking only at me. "Go on," I insisted, "She'll be really happy." Hey, what girl doesn't like a compliment, right? At this point Cara is looking at us both like we were out of our damn minds, and rightfully so. "Okay," John said, in a way as if he was about to deliver some really bad news, "I like your top." And there it was, he said it. Thank God. Cara, who was clearly flattered by his admiration of her top but at the same time completely confused by the drama surrounding this proclamation.
Moving on, we continued making small talk with John, who seemed harmless until I asked him a question that appeared to have really offended him. Did I ask him what he did for a living? No. I understand, people can get a bit touchy when asked what they do for a living, and know better to avoid asking that question, especially at a bar in New York City. Did I ask him if his parents were still alive or anything extremely personal? No, why would I? So what question sent John over the edge, so much that he called me a mean girl who ruined his evening? After John told me he was from Manhattan, all I did was ask him what high school he went to, and apparently I was asking too much, because this triggered his rage and he wanted nothing more to do with me. He told Cara, who by the way is married, that I had ruined any chances she may have had with enjoying his company, and stormed off into the night...or rather to the other end of the bar. What the hell happened? I'm still lost.
At the bar taking to another woman, John actually looked less uncomfortable than he did with us. Perhaps he was just warming up with us or he was right, I am a nasty bitch. Either way, I appreciated his departure. I guess we weren't meant to be...
Like Paris, it's never a dull moment and the next looney bin is around the corner. Perhaps Dr. Becky was right, I attract these types! Who knows. Friday night was the perfect way to spend a warm summer night in New York! Cheers Cara, and thank you for the ultimate, laughter-filled girl's night out at one of my favorite haunts in the city!
I'm now heading to the airport for a few days in Buenos Aires! This will be my first trip to South America. I hope I come back!
What was going on a year ago today? Creepy dudes!
