Welcome to guest check
Aka, the ultimate guide to becoming the best version of yourself—and to New York City. I'm so happy you're here!!
Let’s kick things off with a little re-introduction. Hi, I’m Laila! You may know me from Instagram & TikTok @laila_elnaggar, where I share mini vlogs romanticizing life in New York City. I’ve been creating short-form video content since 2021 and I’m excited to explore a new creative medium in my life. I consider myself a homebody who also loves to eat, drink, and go out (I call it ~balance). guest check is where my thoughts and recommendations will live, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
Before I dive into what guest check is all about…. make sure to hit that subscribe button below (I promise you’ll want to stay in the loop 👀).
What is guest check?
guest check is a weekly newsletter where I’ll serve you the best version of yourself and New York City — from the perfect AM routine to the top PM dining spots. We’ll chat about all the routines — morning, evening, self care, you name it (the list truly never ends). And for me, my daily routine doesn’t just stop at my apartment.
For all my New York City girlies, get ready for an inside look at my favorite dining spots, fun weekend activities (because let’s be real, I can’t be the only one running out of things to do other than eat & drink — this newsletter is for me, too) and weekly community events where you can make new friends or treat yourself to a solo date.
So grab your coffee (or martini) and let’s get into it!
My Ideal Morning Routine
For me, a fun night out starts with the perfect morning routine. Our mornings really set the tone for the whole day, so here are a few things that make my mornings a little brighter.
Wake Up to a Loftie or Hatch Alarm Clock
Waking up to the sound of birds chirping and a bit of sunlight has really helped me avoid that rush of anxiety first thing in the morning (there’s something about a phone alarm that’s triggering to me). Plus, I get to avoid looking at my phone for a few extra minutes.
Sip a Cup of Coffee in Silence
Sitting in silence is definitely easier said than done, especially if you don’t live alone, but honestly, nothing makes me happier than my first sip of coffee in the morning. I still haven’t quite figured out how to use my De’Longhi espresso machine (send help, please), so here’s what I’ve been loving lately:
La Colombe Cold Brew Coffee, Medium Roast
fairlife 2% Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk (makes it extra creamy)
Chobani Coffee Creamer, Sweet Cream (my creamer of choice always changes with the season)
Splash of Vanilla Syrup & LOTS of ice
Morning Movement
You guys know how much I swear by morning movement. Whether it’s a walk (walking to work counts!) or a group fitness class, getting some fresh air and moving my body sets my day up for success. My workout of choice has been Pilates and Hot Sculpt, here are some of my favorites:
Natural Pilates: Truly my favorite reformer Pilates class I’ve ever taken (UES, SoHo)
practice room: I LOVED their hot sculpt class, and this is coming from a girl who used to hate heated workouts (NoHo)
Fuze House: Same notes as practice room — take Makena Rae Diehl’s class! (Chelsea)
Nofar Method: Great full-body Pilates class that’s split between reformer and the cadillac (Flatiron, TriBeCa)
I know how hard it can be to stick to a full morning routine, especially when you’re juggling a demanding corporate job. I’ll never forget thinking I signed up for a 9-to-5 straight out of college, only to end up working 3pm to 3am — LOL, that was terrible for my mental health. You don’t need to rebuild your entire routine in one day if you’re feeling unmotivated. I’d recommend incorporating one thing at a time until you find a good rhythm. Hopefully, you found something above helpful, and as always, my Instagram DMs are open :)
Date Night, Done Right
Where I went this week…
This week, I checked out the brand new OASES Restaurant & Bar — a wellness-focused restaurant on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue. They serve New American cuisine with a subtle nod to the owner’s Tibetan roots.
The space is absolutely stunning and so calming — it feels like a spa. No surprise there, as they even hosted a Sound Bath this past weekend at their café next door. I’ll be sure to let you guys know when they host the next one.
Here’s what we ordered:
Cocktail: Lemongrass Mule
Appetizer: Roasted Mushroom MOMOS (Himalayan Wheat Dumpling), Tuna Tartare
Main: Oases Burger with Seasoned Fries, Faroe Island Coriander Seared Salmon
Dessert: Mille-feuille
Where I want to go…
At the top of my Resy notify list is The Portrait Bar, a cocktail bar tucked inside The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The chic interior had me sold immediately — fingers crossed I snag a reservation this week. If you’ve been, let me know your thoughts! If not, here’s another spot to add to your list.
What’s Happening This Week
(1/13-1/19)
At the end of each newsletter, I’ll share a curated list of the best events happening in New York City that I think you’ll love. If you check any of them out, let me know!
That’s all for this week! I love you all, and thank you for being here. If you have any suggestions on how to improve guest check, I’m all ears!
xo,
Laila
Instagram: @laila_elnaggar
TikTok: @laila_elnaggar
Love your writing
Yes Laila!!!!