Several weeks ago we were asked to participate in a promotional event for LG and their new TrueSteam Dishwasher. Not only did I get the privilege of reviewing this incredible dishwasher, we also hosted a Giveaway here and one lucky reader by the name of Mia White won an all-expenses paid trip to join me in NYC for the Food Network Wine and Food Festival!
No…I had never been to New York.
Yes….I did pinch myself several times throughout this experience!
So, when Oct. 12th rolled around, I found myself on a plane heading to the Big Apple and feeling a bit like the “country mouse” going to the city.
Had to leave those yoga pants at home for this one!
As I buzzed (a much nicer word for my terrifying car riding experiences) through the city I was in absolute shock that I was finally getting to see Manhattan.
Friday evening we met up with our group and headed to an amazingly cool loft in SoHo for the Godiva “Sweet” event hosted by Sandra Lee.
I didn’t even know that was where we were until someone mentioned it after we left.
To which I replied, “I was just in a loft in SoHo? Really???!!!”
LG had this awesome kitchen set up and we got to see more of their amazing appliances including the TrueSteam dishwasher. Here I am with Mia, the winning reader. Isn’t she darling???
We had so much fun!
The next morning we awoke (3 hour time change required serious amounts of coffee!) and headed to Basketball City on Pier 36 for the Fun & Fit in the City Event hosted by Guy Fieri.
This was the view outside!
While there, Mia and I participated in a Dishwasher Loading Competition where the goal was to win a dishwasher for her.
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We’ll never know who truly won (pretty sure it wasn’t going to be us…we might have called ourselves “Laverne and Shirley” all weekend!) but as you can tell by the next photo, it didn’t matter.
That man there is Dave, Director of Brand Marketing for LG, and he generously gave a TrueSteam Dishwasher to all of the competitors! Can you tell how thrilled I was for Mia?!!
I think she was in shock, which was pretty much how we both felt all weekend long.
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You might recognize a couple of other faces who were there…
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Once we left the event, we were given a block of time to do whatever we wanted in the city.
And what did I want to do?
Why, finally meet in person my wonderful friend Judy from DIY By Design, of course!
She graciously drove into the city and played tour guide to us all afternoon.
I had a few butterflies right before we met…”what if she doesn’t like me?”…things like that.
But I shouldn’t have worried one bit! Judy was absolutely lovely and I truly felt like I had known her forever. We could have talked all day!
It was so wonderful to get to give her a hug and it only confirmed for me that blogging friendships are REAL friendships and it just seemed so normal to be hanging out with Judy at the Plaza Hotel.
I mean, that’s just an everyday occurrence, right?
We did the Readers Digest condensed version tour of NYC before heading back to our hotel to get ready for the next event.
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Saturday night found us back at the SoHo loft for the Tacos & Tequila event hosted by none other than Bobby Flay! We tasted some of the most amazing tacos and I may or may not have dropped a fried chickpea down the front of my blouse sometime during the evening…just sayin’.
We also managed to connect with a few other familiar faces…
Sunday morning dawned and I had just enough time before heading to the airport to walk with Mia to a neighborhood bakery that smelled so divine I wish I could have bottled it up!
A chocolate croissant and a strong cup of coffee?
What better way to end such an amazing weekend?!
Now, would you like to participate in a fun game?
WOW!!!!!!
That’s all I can say is WOW!
Love NYC to visit, and you had an amazing time rubbing elbows with the big peeps.
So happy for you!
How fun! I adore NYC — it’s my go-to for fun-filled weekends; having a BFF that lives there helps. 🙂
So glad you got to go experience the city!
xo heidi
What a great whirlwind trip for you, Vanessa! That had to be a lot of fun and amazing to attend. How cool that Mia wound up with a dishwasher. I read Judy’s post about you two meeting and I think that was great. I can’t wait to meet some blogger buds myself. I’m hoping to do Haven next year.
Wow! What a wonderful opportunity! I’m so happy that the weather cooperated. NYC is beautiful this time of year and it looks like you had a wonderful time! xo, Kimberly
What an awesome opportunity!! I’m so glad you enjoyed your weekend in the city & how great to have been able to meet up with Judy too!
So glad you had such an amazing time in NYC – only wish I could have been in town to hang out! What a great experience – now get back here soon! I’m off to vote for Share Our Strength & the NYC Food Bank!
Kelly
Vanessa, thanks for all the pictures of your trip. We enjoyed so much getting to see all that you did in NYC! Pretty cool!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Wow, that is so awesome, Vanessa! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and experience. I’m so thrilled for you to have had this opportunity. Yes, I voted!
Carol
Vanessa
What an amazing experience! Loved seeing NYC through your eyes! Lovely post and so happy that you had this truly wonderful experience.
xoxo
Kate
VAnessa,
What a fabulous trip! I am so excited that you had such a wonderful time and got to meet your blog friend! I love DIY by Design! Such a great blog.
Have a wonderful day, Elizabeth
Vanessa, you are too cute! Loved all your pictures, it’s as if we got to go along for the fun! So glad you and Judy got to spend some time together. Love NY this time of year! XOXO ~Liz
what a fantastic weekend!! love your pics and sharing all the fun!
Oh my gosh Vanessa! What an amazing trip you had. So excited for you to have been able to have this experience!!
Vanessa- I had the best time meeting up with you and I’m so excited to see all of your photos from the rest of your NYC whirlwind weekend. Looks like the rest of it was a blast as well. Hope to see you again soon my friend.
What fun always good when something unexpected happens and you win.
Merle….
Looks like you guys had a blast! So fabulous 🙂
It’s so great to see where the traveling pants took the other half of the sisterhood! You two have really and truly been blessed lately. That’s the only way to look at it, and frankly, it couldn’t have happened to two more likable people. Mean it. Really.
And btw to Heather: My mother was so excited to get her BHG mag and find your feature. She showed me her copy the minute I got to the door of her house with a big old grin.
How great that you had such a fun visit – I really should go more – its so close! Take care, Laura
There is nothing like NYC….I am so happy that you and Mia had such a wonderful time….the folks at LG are certainly so wonderful and generous to have made certain that you have the experience of a lifetime….you two must have been pinching yourselves all the time..making sure it was not a dream!…and how wonderful that Judy from DIY Design so generously met you and took you on a tour…love her blog…she is such a gracious person….So glad you and Mia were able to experience NYC and meet so many wonderful people!…I am sure you are happy to be back home with your family and your yoga pants!!!…Thanks for sharing your beautiful experience!!
Voted!
You look so beautiful, Vanessa! I bet you had a blast! I’ve never been before either.
How fun for you to visit Manhattan. We used to live an hour away in CT. A couple of times a year we would go see something new there. I was so glad to go home, though – so much! So many people. A fun place to visit – for sure!!! I love the country or suburbs a lot better for living. Great post!
I just loved every single second. Hooray for LG and Vanessa!!!
Wow! How incredible and so exciting! So glad you got to go to NYC. I’d still be pinching myself too.
Sharon
What a wonderful trip! So glad you had the opportunity – looks like you really enjoyed it.
You go girl! I LOVE it! You and Mia looked like you had so much fun! That was the trip of a lifetime! And no one deserved it more than you!
blessings,
karianne
WOWZIE! Looks like you had such a wonderful time. Mia looked very happy too! That is amazing that she received a brand new DW…WOW! Then to drop chick peas down your shirt, drink T. and meet Robert Ervine!!!! GET OUT!…that sounds like Heaven to me Vanessa! I love that man. I think Rick has a man crush too!!! So happy it went well for you. My hubby travels to NYC a lot, he’s there right now-we want to take Daphne & Val…hopefully one day. Thanks for sharing! ~ Julie
Vanessa, how exciting!!
Looks like you had a really fun time.
Wow, Vanessa! First of all, I love that you don’t do yoga but make yogapants an outfit staple…me too. Second, WHAT A TRIP! Looks like you had the trip of a lifetime! Congrats on such a sweet opportunity! 🙂
This is so awesome! I’m glad you had so much fun and I LOVE that picture of you being surprised that she’d also one a dishwasher!!! What a fun trip! 🙂
Anna
SO awesome! Glad to hear you had such a great trip! I see that your daughter got an American Girl doll 😉 or is that something Santa’s bringing?
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures from your fabulous trip, Vanessa–it looks like you had a blast! The Plaza Hotel–it used to house The Persian Room, where some of the most famous nightclub acts in history and entertainers performed back in the 1950s–I would love to see that hotel some day!
WOW! Looks like you had an amazing trip!! I’m glad the weather was so nice. October in NYC has been known to bring snow before!
Way to take a bite out of the Big Apple! It looks like you had an amazing time, but I bet your yoga pants missed you dearly. Welcome home!
You look like you had the time of your life Vanessa. I am so happy you were able to meet up with Judy too:)
Beautiful emo girls