I NEVER need an excuse to visit New York (in my heart I AM a New Yorker), but when I read that The Roots were hosting a Roots Picnic at Bryant Park; I said “LET’S DO THIS!” A weekend in the city that holds my heart, AND D’Angelo, John Meyer, Nile Rodgers with Chic, AND! AND! The Wu Tang Clan?!?! How could I go wrong?

The weekend started at the AMAZING Bryant Park Hotel, which is my new go-to hotel in New York. The building is beautiful, but the rooms are both modern and comfortable. The service from the doorman to the front desk was IMPECCABLE! Throughout my stay the hotel also provided turn down service with chocolates and house shoes. And, a bottle of sparkling wine that was just what I needed to end my day after hitting the pavement!

After running around doing my New York errands; getting pizza from my favorite place Patzeria Perfect, stopping by the new Kellogg’s Café in Times Square, and popping into the Eloise Shop at The Plaza Hotel, I headed over to Bryant Park to get my music on!

This was my first Roots Picnic and it was AWESOME! Everything was set-up nicely and conveniently, and the food and drink options were on point! Can we say champagne and mimosas!

My second day in New York consisted of hitting up a St. John’s Knits Sample Sale in Soho and having breakfast at Laduree. Can I just say that the offerings at Laduree were tremendous and the drinks were potent AND delicious.

After checking in to Macy’s, I headed over to day two of the Roots Picnic and was blessed to purchase albums from the collection of QuestLove and Gene Brown.

The music for Day 2 was as amazing as Day 1, with Swizz Beatz, and some special guests like Big Daddy Kane, Dave Chappelle, and Alicia Keys singing my jam “You Don’t Know My Name”.

But let me tell you, Wu-Tang Clan?!? It was like being at the male equivalent of a Beyonce concert! They were HYPE, and so was I! You have to see Wu Tang at least once! It is a necessity!

Before hopping on my flight; I got the chance to check something off of my bucket list, and that was visiting the Today Show! Who doesn't LOVE AL Roker and the gang?!?

Heading out of the city on Monday was sad, as usual, but knowing I’ll get to go back soon always lifts the mood. Long live NYC!