Gals' Guide

A Big Trip to NYC Turned into a Big DinnerOur Night with Chris Noth, The Real Mr. Big

I just returned from a field trip to New York City. While I typically travel for work alone, I decided to turn the trip into a Sex and the City episode, bringing along a girlfriend for a long weekend of shopping, dining and dancing.  Ironically, it actually turned into a Sex and the City episode when we met Mr. Big on the subway, and he invited us to a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Fabulously, the restaurant was instantly recognizable from a season 2 Sex and the City episode.While I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not this serendipitous invitation was exclusive to Laura and me, or, if other subway girls would make their way over to the restaurant the next evening, we decided to enjoy the interesting company anyway. Mr. Big, ahem, I mean Chris, was actually pleasant company, very intelligent, insightful and I learned that, like me, he majored in English in college, loves Europe, Hemingway, and we even recited a few Frost poems. Oh, and of course, you certainly don’t make six seasons of a series based on love and sex without absorbing a few things on life and relationships as well. Of course I asked a few juicy questions!

While I had originally planned to stop by the sight of Carrie’s brownstone, I suppose this was a little bit better. Not bad for a gal’s first time in Manhattan…

The Civil Rights MuseumA Humbling Experience with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Before last Saturday's wedding, we each had time to relax, explore Memphis and enjoy the weather. Some of the gang went to Graceland. I would have loved to join them, but thought I'd save that experience for me and Michael - he hasn't seen Graceland either.

Instead, I ventured to downtown Memphis and explored the National Civil Rights Museum.  The museum was created from the Lorraine Motel - the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968.

The museum celebrates all civil rights and details the plight of those that were oppressed, and continue to be oppressed. I was mesmerized by the artifacts, old audio tapes and how moved I was by the progression of change over the years. What left me winded and surprisingly, in tears, was toured the end of the tour - standing outside of the very place where Dr. King was shot.

Exploring Memphis' Beale StreetDancing with Elvis

I headed to Memphis last weekend for a wedding. I joined a group of fun past and present Orbitz friends and discovered Beale street. We ran into an Elvis impersonator, listened to a fantastic band and enjoyed some southern hospitality.

Congratulations to Angela and Stephen! It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception took place at the Pink Palace Museum.

Tips
-No mass transit from the airport. A cab to downtown Memphis will run about $30
-Spend some time at Blues City Pastry Shop & Coffee Bar (they make their own pastries and brew their own coffee)
-Spend some time at the Civil Rights Museum (look for a post on this later this week)
-If you are in town for a wedding and don't want to drive, be sure to organize taxis ahead of time. Memphis is spread out.

Here is a quick video recap of our night on Beale Street. Thank you, Elvis!

The Wine Country/San Francisco Video Montage

Here's a little video I put together with some of our California highlights. Michael helped with some commentary. :)

Hope this montage inspires all of you to take a little break, go some place and relax. Even if it's for a weekend, new scenery can do wonders for your well being - even if it's a getaway to another suburb.

Understanding Wine: From the Vine Up Next GG Event-How About Wine Basics?

From Wine Country...

First, please don't worry:). I'm having a terrific time on our 'delayed honeymoon'. We actually decided to stop calling it a honeymoon because we are realizing that it's more of an exploration into new towns, new wines, etc.  Our first few days in Wine Country were PACKED full of winery tastings and education.

I cannot wait to go into more depth about what I learned about the wine making process. All and all, I now think that if more people, including you fine ladies, knew more about how wine is made, you'd have a new appreciation for the beverage - and sometimes splurge on a higher end bottle of wine.

Which brings me to my next idea...Michael is a Sommelier. As we visited these vineyards and I helped sort grapes before they were pressed, an idea came to me...what if one of the next Gals' Guide events was a mini intro to wine?

Thoughts?

Reporting From San Francsico

Hi Ladies, Yours truly in spending the week out in San Francisco/Sonoma.  Believe it or not, it's my delayed honeymoon:).

Here is a picture from our hotel room - Le Meridian. I'm a Starwood Hotels member and was pleasantly surprised that we got a top floor room overlooking the bay - gorgeous!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we head to Sonoma and explore wine country.

Today's interesting observation? I counted four women eating solo. No books, no magazines, no journals. Just a gal eating a fabulous dish, with wine, outside. Alone. I've never seen that in Chicago. I found it refreshing to see it!

New Signs at Midway Airport

Are you an expert traveler?  New signs at Chicago's Midway Airprot cracked me UP this afternoon.

I had a quick business trip to Columbus today and saw this sign, in addition to signs that read, ' Casual Traveler' at the front of the security line.

I'm happy to report that I flew by through the line, but at the same time, thought it was comical with the amount of Business Type folks that were still in the Casual line.

Here's to another funny category that separates us into different lines...
By the way, there was a water leak in the Southwest Airlines bathroom. And THIS is why I roll up my pants whenever I go into a public bathroom. Gross. You don't want your pant bottoms touching any of that now, do you?

Anyone Been to Columbus? Cafe or Boutique Recos?

I head to Columbus for an in and out day business trip on Tuesday. Staying at the Hyatt. Any tips for cafes, etc. if I have a some time to explore? I doubt I'll have time, but you never know.

Thanks in advance!