Jersey Girls: Sarah & Laura at Carlo's Bakery

One thing we knew we really wanted to do while in NYC was visit Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey. We have watched Cake Boss, and the competition show, and love Buddy, his bakery, and.. well, cake, frankly - we love cake.

So one sunny morning we left the Upper West Side and got the train out to New Jersey. Hilariously, everyone we had spoken to in New York had kind of a ‘New Jersey? Why would you go there? Why would I know how to get there?’ attitude haha, so we guessed ‘going to Jersey’ isn't something that is regularly done by New Yorkers unless they live there!

We managed, however, to make our way from Penn Station to Secaucus, then to Hoboken. I think our experience with the train system in the UK helped, because it was so confusing!

Once we stepped out in New Jersey, we set about trying to find Carlo’s Bakery. Thank goodness we found ‘Carlo’s Bakery Way’ – that street pointed us the right way!

When we arrived we were surprised to find that, despite the freezing temperatures, there was a line to get into the bakery starting at the end of the block! We were still happy though, considering we’d heard it sometimes wraps around the entire block.

So we waited for about 30 minutes to get in – it was spent taking photos of the outside of the bakery, of course – Laura couldn’t miss this photo opp! We were surprised at how many people came out with giant bags – surely you couldn’t buy that much in a bakery! We judged.

Once we were allowed inside, we were given a ticket – and when our number was called, we would have to yell out in the packed shop what we wanted, and it would be rung up for us.

So we had about 15 minutes to squeeze by the people filling the shop to figure out what we wanted. We got one strawberry cheesecake, two giant cannoli’s, a rainbow sprinkle cookie, two heart cookies, a few other cookies, an apron, and a mug. And guess what – we came out with a giant bag too!

From there, we stopped at a bagel shop, and got the SINGLE MOST AMAZING BAGEL WE HAVE EVER HAD, AND LIKELY WILL EVER HAVE. We walked to Frank D Sinatra Park, which is beautiful and has a stunning view of Upper and Lower Manhattan, and ate our meatball parmiagana bagel together.

On the way home, we thought about how much we loved Hoboken. It is really pretty and quaint, the people are so friendly, and of course the food we had there was AMAZING. We heart New Jersey!

Back in the apartment that night we ate all of our bakery goodies. All of them. Hey, we were on holiday! The cannoli’s were great, we’d never had them before, they were so creamy and fantastic – but hands down the best thing we got was our strawberry cheesecake. I’m tearing up just thinking about how good it was. Oh man.

So in conclusion, go to Carlo’s Bakery. And watch Cake Boss. And watch this video.

xoxoxo

A Rant + How Everything Comes Down to Equal Marriage

I've noticed over the last few months, since the lead-up to the US election that everything is about one thing for me - marriage equality.

As one half of an engaged lesbian couple looking to get married next year, of course it makes sense that it's a big issue for me, but I can say that marriage equality has a hand in pretty much everything these days.

For instance, who did I support in the Super Bowl this year (you know, besides Beyonce)? Leading up to it I wanted the San Francisco 49ers to win, because I've been a West Coaster (mostly) for most of my life, and because San Fran is the Brighton of the USA (it's gay!). However, a few days before the big game, a few members of the team said in the press they did not make their It Gets Better video, or in fact that it wasn't an anti-gay bullying video, just anti-bullying. One player who appears in the video denied being in it!! How ridiculous, and how disappointing, from a team whose city represents acceptance, love and revolution towards the LGBT community.

So instead, I was for the Ravens, who come from a state where gay marriage is legal, and whose player, Brendon Ayanbadejo, has proudly been a part of the NOH8 campaign. And hey, they won!

I mean, how amazing is this guy? He's actually used the publicity from his Super Bowl win to speak out for more support for marriage equality.

Our hero! We need more awesome allies like Brendon at the height of their careers coming out in support of equality!!

I choose not to purchase music or support in any way music from anyone who is caught doing/saying homophobic things *cough* Chris Brown *cough* (to be fair, he's just horrible to everyone) and instead I support awesome bands and artists who are actively pro-equality, like Lady Gaga, Fun. and Macklemore.

I'm much more likely to support brands like JC Penney and Mamas and Papas who use gay couples and people in their ads, and to boycott those like Chic-Fil-A who support hate and bigotry.

I've been watching the equal marriage debate in Parliament for the last 3 hours, hell I'd be down there if I wasn't currently in bed with a chest infection, so instead I'm listening and writing down the places I will never go, and places I will frequent more often to spend my money.

You could argue that there is no reason not to go to Christchurch or Aldershot based on the horrid and outdated views of their MP, but as they are supposed to be the representatives of their communities, why should we, as gay people and/or supporters, waste our time and money heading to these places for holidays, to support local businesses.

On the other hand, we really do have some great places and MPs in this country. Battersea, Tottenham, Finchley, Arundel, and heck Croydon is looking much more appealing than it did pre-debate. And Fulham's MP voted yes!! Yay!!

I don't believe that I'm alone in this. I think that, gay or straight, the issue of equality is a big one now around the world - and I think that voices on the wrong side of history are starting to leave a bad taste in people's mouths. I'm not really sure why I wrote this post, except that I believe the tide is turning, in the USA as well as the UK, it is more beneficial for people as well as companies to be on the right side of the marriage equality debate.

Update, fantastic news - the debate was successful, we won 400 to 175!! SO excited!! Can't WAIT until we can be legally married in the UK!!

The Worst Proposal Ever.

As few of you know, my original plan was to propose to Sarah in New York City, on the Brooklyn Promenade, overlooking the city at sunset. The lovely Steph & Corrine agreed to help by setting up some photos of us along the promenade, and filming it for us. Sounds amazing, right?

Well, a few days into our trip, we went to Garden Valley to look at a wedding venue, and it snowed. You should have seen how excited Sarah was to see snow. Whenever there are flakes of white stuff falling from the sky, she turns into a wide-eyed excitable child - she is without a doubt her happiest self in the snow, and I love that so much about her.

Exhibit A

It was after that that my Mum suggested a McCall proposal, and it made perfect sense - we were driving up there to go see another venue, and there was 1.5 feet of snow (46 cm's for you Brits who measure in tiny snow measurements) - coupled with the fact that Sarah has loved McCall from the first time I took her there in 2009, it was perfect, and much more 'Sarah' of a proposal than New York.

So when we got to NYC, we decided to re-inact the proposal exactly as I would have done it, on the day, and time. Which is how I learned it would have been the WORST PROPOSAL EVER!

Boarded up Brooklyn Bridge

New Years Day at about 3:00pm, we got to Brooklyn Bridge, which was... a tad more crowded than I expected, considering it was below freezing. The plan had been to take loads of photos of the beautiful view the whole way along, but half the bridge was boarded up so we couldn't see anything! Instead it was just graffiti for half the bridge.

Halfway along, we were greeted with a nice surprise - a beautiful lesbian couple were getting married on the bridge!! So lovely, and like every other tourist there, I took a picture.

Anyone happen to know who they are?

Thank goodness the views on the second half of the bridge didn't disappoint - they were stunning, and you could see all of the breathtaking city of New York.

Photobombed by the most unimpressed looking tourist ever.

I'd thought the promenade would be easy to get to from the end of the Brooklyn Bridge, but unfortunately it was the opposite - we had to go through a building site, and the Bridge spat us out in the middle of an intersection with no signs! We made our way down to the river past empty parking lots and traffic - not very romantic, in fact the area made Sarah a little nervous!

More views from the bridge

Once we made it to the promenade, I realised the restaurant I had planned to take Sarah to (The  River Cafe) was closed, unfortunately due to Hurricane Sandy damages. It turned out, all the restaurants in the area were closed except Grimaldi's Pizza, which had a line around the block!

Way to toot your own horn, Brooklyn

The bathrooms were closed too, and I had to use one of the grossest porta-potties I've ever seen. It would have been horrible to take Sarah's ring in there haha!

We made our way out onto the Promenade, and complainy-Sarah didn't want to sit down and enjoy the view, because 'it was too cold' - way to ruin a moment, S! We took a few photos, I thought about how happy I was I hadn't proposed there, we were waiting for the sunset, and the unbelievable happened.

You can kind of see what I was going for, it's pretty, right?

On top of all of that disaster already, a police car came around at that moment with a loudspeaker, kicking people out of the park!! WE WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN MADE IT TO SUNSET BEFORE WE GOT KICKED OUT!!!

As we were getting kicked out of the park

I told you, worst proposal ever.

I was happy before knowing this that I had proposed in McCall, but that day I was thanking my lucky stars.

Fun Fact Friday - The Revival - Tips for life!!

Happy Friday one and all - I hope your February has got off to a good start. My beautiful lady is currently ill in bed so I thought I'd take some time while she's resting to share some random but hopefully useful facts - It's been a while! Now don't quote me on any of this, it is a combination of old wives tales and things I've picked up along the way.

The reason for this topic was cooking dinner I was reminded of a trick that helps pans avoid boiling over - did you know if you place a wooden spoon across the top of the pan it stops the water overflowing!

So simple, so useful!

These are conkers :)

Did you know spiders are afraid of conkers, or don't like the smell! Whatever the reason if you don't like spiders make sure you have a conker in the room. Only problem is this will only work in places where you have conkers, I'm not sure you get conkers in the USA? Weird!!!

Lemonade revives flowers! I'm no Martha Stewart but on the occasions I do buy Laura flowers I like to see them last as long as possible and nothing perks them up like a few drops of lemonade (fizzy lemonade, Sprite in the USA)!

As well as flowers I do try to use the odd candle to be romantic, but when it comes to getting the last bit of candle out the holder it's never easy. In fact we probably throw quite a few out, or we did until we found out that if you place glass candle holders in the freezer for a few hours the wax freezes. Once frozen, the wax will shrink just enough to pop right out. Easy!!

If you haven't got a scented candle around to create a lovely smell then there is the alternative of a few drops of tea tree oil and a drop of vodka in a spray bottle! Refreshing!! Tea tree oil is also a great antiseptic - in case you need it.  

A final tip on the scent front, if you don't have candles or tea tree oil but you do have perfume then put a few drops on the light-bulb, as the bulb heats up it will smell will fill the room!

Back on the cleaning front, this tip came from our days back in Australia when we cleaned domestically part time - when cleaning mirrors, glass or windows after putting whatever cleaning product you are using on the surface use newspaper - not cloths - to wipe it off. It works best if the newspaper is scrunched up.

If it's your microwave that has a few stubborn stains then good old vinegar is the best solution. Heat a small bowl of it for a few seconds and it should allow you to wipe away any stain - just don't breathe in too much :)

I also find it quite funny that if you put marmite / vegemite on a windowsill it will keep flies way - they, like me, dislike the smell! Something about the vitamin B! Oh and ants won't come in if you wipe vinegar across the doorstep! It also works as a cleaner. Full of tips me!!!

OK so I better get going and check on Laura but one final tip - did you know if you tap the top of a fizzy can it will disperse the bubbles and stop it fizzing when you open it? A tip that has saved us more than a few times.

Not in our world!!!

Oh and if you want more kind of facts like this check out this page: I'm still recovering from the banana one - mind blown - officially!!

Have a great weekend!