Nothing like a quick hop across the pond to catch up with friends! A good excuse this time: Nicole, one of my good friends from Kennedy Center days, is getting married tomorrow and today is her birthday!

Naturally we’re in the uber-hip neighbourhood of Williamsburg, and the hotel is all artisanal free range brick and salvaged wood.

There’s a party downstairs and views of Manhattan out the balcony.

The flight had left me with a massive headache that threatened to wreck the night, but I had just enough time for a quick lie-down, a run to CVS for some Excedrin, and a long steamy shower that left me feeling like new.

Nicole’s birthday soirée was just up the street and I absolutely loved catching up with all the friends there.

A few of us who were staying at the same hotel ended up leaving together and getting a late dinner with another friend who we ran into in the restaurant.

Fun times!