When a girl gets a phone call that says “pack your bags – you are going to NYC with one of your closest friends, Kimberly, for a weekend away with Bethenny!” the reaction includes “shut up!”, “no I’m not” and “I’m dying!”. That paired along with screaming down the office hallway was the exact response I had when I found out I was heading to NYC to help Bethenny wrap up her Calling All My Girls tour.

Thursday, Kimberly and I boarded an early morning flight to NYC (as in, I was awake when my radio friends were heading into work….way too early) and hit the Big Apple. We had PSLs in Time Square, shopped down 5th, visited the Allure Lounge at Fashion Week, hit up Central Park and got dressed up for a night out on the town. Seriously. Can I just move to NYC?

An NYC Welcome

Friday was all Bethenny, all day. We were able to attend the taping of her show (which provided so many laughs) and that evening hit up her premiere party. Bethenny knows how to throw a party – cute boys, great music, fantastic Skinnygirl Cocktails and…wait for it…

Salt ‘N Pepa!

CLE invades Bethenny and NYC.

We wrapped our trip up with a visit to Times Square, people watching at NY Fashion Week, a walk and cocktail in Central Park and visiting Chef Hodge’s former stomping ground – The Spotted Pig. The entire weekend, Kimberly and I both kept looking at each other asking if this was real life. To say that the entire weekend was filled with gratitude is an understatement.

Could a girl ask for a better weekend? I mean honestly?

In honor of Bethenny’s new show and new book, I’m going to host a giveaway for her latest book, Skinnygirl Solutions. I’ve just finished reading my copy and it’s so great. Essentially it’s a “how to” book. From throwing a fab party, to staying organized, Bethenny gives all of her tips on how to be Skinnygirl Fabulous.

A few ways to enter:
1. Tweet: Hook me up with Skinnygirl Solutions by @bethenny, @cacoughlin! http://wp.me/p1o7Bm-yX
You can tweet everyday for a chance to win (be sure to leave me a comment below letting me know that you’ve tweeted).

2. Like Bethenny TV on Facebook and let me know you’ve liked the page.

3. Like Life in the CLE on Facebook and again, let me know you’ve liked the page.

4. Follow @Bethenny on Twitter and you got it – let me know in the comments.

5. Tell me why you admire Bethenny!

I’ll select a winner next week on the 24th at midnight.

image c/o Bethenny TV

Thank you so much to Bethenny and her amazing team for the best weekend experience I’ve had in awhile. As I’ve said, Bethenny is my “life idol” and just being in her presence is being in “rare air” (a Bethenny saying).

Disclaimer: I was invited by the Bethenny TV team to attend the taping. I did receive the trip for free, but all opinions are my own.