Much more fun to be had on Day Two - shopping in Soho according to my pre-planned itinerary.

We got up late. Those steaks made us sleep a really long time - plus being on vacation we felt we deserved to sleep until 9 am Vancouver time. After gazing up at the beauty of Grand Central station like the tourists we were, we managed to figure out who to ask about how we take the subway to Soho.

Confident that we understood what the info guy told us, we tried to buy a MetroPass for the week. Thanks to that nice girl who explained we were trying to feed the wrong machines. That was helpful. So, once we figured out the correct machines, we managed to get a card for the week and get on the correct subway train.

Before we could even get into the depths of Soho, there was Crate and Barrel to check out. Then Urban Outfitters. So much to look at!

Soho brought me to a whole new level of retail therapy with the standard chains like H & M and Anne Taylor, mixed with sensory overload in Sephora (how was I supposed to decide which glitter eye liner was better??). Kate’s Papererie was like shopping heaven, even though somehow I didn’t buy a single journal and managed to leave with a new case for my Ipod instead.

We had a nice, organic lunch at the Spring Street Natural Restaurant on Lafayette, and headed down spring on my quest for the rice pudding store. Yes, Rice to Riches sells only rice pudding in many flavours. I had caramel, but it was a tough call. Cutest bowls for the pud too!

Ellie (now a very native NYC chick) hooked up with us before we hit one of my favourites - Agent Provocateur, or was it Kate Spade I loved more? Luckily I didn’t have to decide.

After working up an appetite with all the glories of Soho, we joined Ellie in her Gramercy Park neighbourhood haunt - Novita - for some Italian. I had a lobster with linguine that was divine. And wine. I sure do like wine.

After dinner we headed down to the village to Marie’s Crisis for some show tunes. We got a great table close to the piano where those who had boring jobs like accountants by day joined in the singing and fulfilled their dreams of performing on Broadway. I have to admit that my knowledge of show tunes is pretty limited and I was waiting for the Sound of Music or at least Grease all night, but no go. It was still a blast.

The wine may have helped as apparently I entertained myself back at the hotel with an imitation of Letterman’s Oscar chorus of “Uma/Oprah” that also include MOMA in the mix. MOMA/Uma/Oprah. I thought it was funny. Gees.