Cue the music because — We are COMING TO AMERICA! The city that never sleeps to be specific. Farewell Beijing (well…for 10 days or so).
I am so excited to SEE, EAT, BUY or DO the following:
1. Blue Sky (sans loads of smog)
2. Cafe Habana Corn
3. Visiting with old friends & family
4. Pink Berry (there is just something a little funky about Chinese frozen yoghurt…Although, I can’t put my finger on it)
5. Buy smalls and mediums (trying to fit my non-chinese caboose usually involves buying XL over here)
6. Easter Brunch in a land that celebrates the true meaning of Easter! (That would be our risen Lord, not bottomless bubbly – although there is no harm in that.)
7. Magnolia Cupcakes, any legitimate NY cheesecake, and Crumbs Black & White cookies (a pretty even tie…and the reason that I may have to buy XLs after all)
9. Window shopping (the concept really doesn’t exist over here – unless you consider getting mobbed every 5 seconds with relentless offers such as, “Hey lady, I give you good price!” to be the same as cruising in Nolita or up Madison Ave). Personally – I do not. Although…don’t get me wrong, I do love to bargain at the markets…but you just can’t beat strolling the city streets in the fresh spring air.
10. Happy Hour at the Carlyle – Bemelmans Bar to be exact. Our special spot!
11. Duane Reade…I am allotting at least a 2-hour window to peruse their glorious shelves. The Easter candy and card aisles alone will keep me entertained for quite a while.
12. Weekend get-away to the Hampton’s – it will still be chilly…but seeing the ocean and snuggling by the fire with my husband is a MUST!
13. Being on the same time zone with my mom and the twins
14. Uncensored news (although I must admit, I have enjoyed not being bombarded with campaign nonsense!)
15. Zero calorie, orange flavored vitamin water (it’s the small things in life…)
16. Toothpaste that doesn’t taste like lavender
17. High speed internet
18. MAGAZINES!!!!
19. Yankees game!
20. Vintage Shopping (though the Chinese have a far older and more intricate history than the USA…they have nothing on our vintage fashion)
AND…too many other wonderful things to mention!
A Blonde in Beijing 
I knew you were going to say Magnolia Bakery! Who doesn’t love that place! My other favorite place in NYC is the beautiful, little niche perfume shop Aedes de Venustas in the West Village. They carry niche, hard-to-find perfumes from around the world in goergous vintage style bottles. The owners are fabulous characters & the story is beautifully designed. If you have a chance I highly recommend a visit! I’m so jealous I love visiting New York! Enjoy!
http://www.aedes.com/
I love your list! Makes me a rejuvenated New Yorker…”oh yeah, there ARE great things about this city!” 😉
Can’t wait to see you in just a few days!