Yes, I've been home from New York for over a week, but it seems that this life thing just never stops and blogging, while a total gas, has taken a back seat. We took 2 cameras and of course some pictures haven't even been saved to my computer. YOu'll have to stay tuned to see more highlight photos. Anyway, on to the fun stuff...
New York was awesome!! So much fun and even more exhausting. I didn't have a minute - make that a second to get over jet lag. Daniel and I flew in to Newark, delayed several hours because of strong winds and the horrible plane crash the day before! (Just awesome for poor Daniel who is petrified to fly). We hit the ground running and met my very dear friend Eileen in Midtown East for a fantastic dinner at Mia Dona (which is owned by some big wig whose last name I can't even pronounce). Eileen and Daniel hit it off, which I knew they would. I hadn't seen Eileen in a horrendous amount of time; since last June when we took our Vegas trip!
From that dinner on, it was nonstop action. Setting up the booth at the biggest industry event in the country (arguably the world) was nerve racking, or so I thought. Then I began to actually work the booth and would occasionally take a peek at the person's badge in front of me and see their renowned company's name and think "I am SOOOOO not qualified to be talking to him/her..." But I think I did well and more importantly, my boss thinks I did well. So I guess I passed the test of Toy Fair.
I also passed the test of the 40th Anniversary party which was held at TOWN in Midtown East. The invitations were incredible, the venue was great, the drinks were awesome and the reviews... well, I don't want to toot my own horn... :) It was quite difficult to get up the next morning and work the booth, but I figured, it's NYC, I'll sleep when I'm dead.
Rather than regale you with every moment of every day, I think I'll give some highlights:
1) Dinner with Eileen at Mia Dona
2) Daniel's Birthday dinner at Gramercy Tavern - the most perfect evening!
3) Valentine's Day atop the Empire State Building - soooo Sleepless in Seattle
4) The success of the 40th anniversary party
(getting a little crazy with the W hotel's mini bar after the party
5) The street hot dog and pretzel that Dan and I shared after our disappointment with the "heavy" appetizers
6) Wicked on broadway
7) Lunch with Eileen at Le Cirque
8) Realizing we got in on the Restaurant Week menu at Le Cirque!!
9) FINALLY meeting Eileen's boyfriend (they've been together over a year!)
10) Having successful chats with several big time buyers
(obviously, I do very serious work)
11) Walking the floor of Toy Fair and playing with some pretty fun stuff.
(this is one of Dan's favorites - Yes! That is an action figure!)
12) Our swanky hotel - the W New York Times Square
(this was right outside)
13) The farewell dinner with the whole crew at the NYC restaurant staple - Gotham Bar and Grill
14) Late night cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery
(Carrie and the girls would be proud!)
14) Taking pictures with Daniel on the Brooklyn Bridge (I think this was my favorite over all)
