Destination Bride Part Seven

As you may recall, I spent the first few months of my engagement searching for the perfect venue abroad in which to get married.  I now believe I know some of the coolest places in the world to get married.  And of course, I have picked one.  Which I will reveal to you after sharing a few more of my favourite discoveries!

Destination #7:  Scotland

Scotland is a bride's fantasy world of romance and wild beauty.  I mean, hello?  Braveheart?  Men in skirts?  CASTLES ON ROCKS????  This was actually in the very top tier of my wedding choices but bad weather and the strong pound weren't in my favour.  I am one-half Scottish and have always dreamt of being piped in to my ceremony.  The castles and churning sea were also in the fantasy.  But I couldn't risk looking like a wet sheep on my wedding day.

I will always wonder if I had chosen Scotland if I could have gotten the Engineer in a kilt.

My first choice was Eilean Donan Castle in the Isle of Skye.

Then we could all gather at the cosy Eilean Iarmain and toast to our future alongside a roaring fire holding a glass of local scotch.  Except I would still want champagne.

In Scotland, you can even rent a castle or a country home that sleeps all of your family and friends.  Most of them were way out of our price range but we did have this affordable gem near St. Andrews, Birkhill Castle.  So close to the famous golf course that I believe my wedding would have enticed my mum's brothers and their families.

An amazing resource I found in my Highland wedding search was a blog from a Highland wedding planner called, oddly enough Highland Country Weddings.  They have loads of pictures brimming with Scot romance.

Don't think Scotland is romantic?  Then you haven't been to Edinburgh.  I don't know exactly what it is about this city that makes it so amazing, but it feels mysterious, romantic and magical all at the same time.

Perhaps it is the fact that there is a castle on a rock.

And you can always hear bagpipes somewhere in the distance (for the tourists I know but it really adds to the atmosphere).

And you can get married at the castle or at the terribly haunting and romantic hotel and restaurant, The Witchery.  All the rooms have been refit to appear as they would have done in the 16th/17th/18th Century with modern comforts.  

Ummm, sumptuous romance perfect for a wedding right?

Even as I write this I feel a wee pang of sadness that Scotland was not my destination of choice.  Only because it is so beautiful, wild and romantic.  I guess I'll just have to honeymoon there.

Or have a bagpipe at my wedding.

Let Them Eat Cupcakes

It’s no secret that I love cake.  I especially love cake in the cup form.  Perfect bite size morsels of chocolate, moist goodness topped with sweet and cheerful, (thank you food colouring!) icing.

Therefore, I gave myself a mission to find the best cupcakes in New York City. I love giving myself assignments.  Especially food ones, because, like vacations, work assignments do not have calories!

Mr. Mop embarked with me on my cupcake adventure - you thought the pink bike was cute?  Check this out!  

Mr. Mop sat happily in the front basket as we wheeled down Brooklyn's tree-lined streets - I so wish I had rode a bike in BK earlier, it is positively the best place to cycle at my leisurely pace.  And there are no hills.  

Back to Mop.  The wind blew threw his ears making them stand up on end.  He loved it!  Well, until I lost my balance and/or he tried to jump out which sent the bike flying as I jumped off to catch my beloved dog before I ran over him.  I scooped him up as three bystanders came to my rescue, gathering up my bike, my purse, and, unfortunately a sadly crumbled cupcake.

So we will judge this cupcake first.

This cupcake is from Baked which is top of the list to any NYC in the know cupcake conniseur.  I couldn't believe I had never had one before!  Then again, it's quite a mission to get there.  Unless you have a car or a bike there would be no reason or ability.  Red Hook is a weird area.  Mostly old warehouses and factories from the days when tycoons used Brooklyn to get themselves rich due to the fact this area is right on the water.  They have a promenade with an amazing view on Lady Liberty and a super cool grocery store.  But that's about it.

Oh and crabby ladies who yelled at me on my bike.  I still don't know why but I yelled at her to 'leave me the hell alone' - sometimes I am so New York

And of course Baked, and their famous cupcakes.

This place is packed in the morning.  I have no idea where these trendy people come from because there appears to be no housing around the area.  My expectations were set very high.

Baked gets kudos for decor and creative baked goods.  The 'Brookie' is a chocolate chip cookie baked into a brownie.  Ummmm, YES!

They also get price points:  $2 for a cupcake. And nice service, iced coffee and air conditioning.

The cupcake?  Meh.  It was okay but not the best cupcake I have had in the city.  And certainly not worth the ride out to the somewhat dodgy area.  But that could have been the fact it was somewhat squished and I was sweaty.  

Damn sweat, it always gets in the way of my eating.

Next.  Butter Lane Cupcakes.

Located in the East Village on one of my favourite eating streets, 7th Street.  

I had high expectations due to the adorable website and cute music. Plus, like Baked, it rates high on NY mag lists.

The shop is cute, clean and you get a ton of simple choices.  Like your favourite cake flavour and your favourite icing flavour.  I was supposed to get chocolate on chocolate, or vanilla cupcakes to keep the playing field open.  But I couldn't resist the coconut icing because coconut icing rocks.

Thoughts?  Again, meh.  First of all, the service was terrible.  One of those places that makes you feel like a loser for entering their awesome domain.  Maybe I hit them on an 'off' day.  The cupcake wasn't exactly dry, but it had a dryish texture.  It was weird.  Also, they come in at $3 so on the higher end of cupcakes.  Except now that I write it, that doesn't seem to be too much. 

I still encourage you to check out 7th for all the amazing restaurants and shops - just head somewhere else for a cupcake!

Next we have to very famous Magnolia Bakery made famous because of 'Sex and the City' and the fact it was pretty much the first bakery to jump on the cupcake trend. Oh wait, that means Magnolia started the cupcake trend.

These cupcakes are sadly, meh.  And my 'meh' is actually pretty  good. Cupcakes are the same as pizza for me, even if they aren't that great they are still pretty yummy.

I believe Magnolia was excellent several years ago when the blonde cupcake lady was still in charge.  I had one in 2004 and it was amazing in my recollection.  Plus the Village location is adorable.  But then blonde cupcake lady sold the business to someone else and now they are overpriced, manufactured-tasting concoctions.  There are several locations in Manhattan to serve you and they are under $3 - so that is good!  If you are hell bent on a SATC experience, head to the village, snap up a vanilla cupcake and sit on a bench.

The other chain of cupcake stores that dot Manhattan (as well as parts of California) is Crumbs.  

At Crumbs they have the basic cupcakes that are normal size but are fairly pricey ($4.50) and they are pretty good.  But if you are trekking to Crumbs, you want to try their larger cupcakes that come in fun flavours.  Like Cookies and Cream - which has crumbled oreo and cream cheese icing with two oreos shoved on top.  It is quite delicious.

I also enjoy the Blackout that is stuffed with chocolate buttercream mixed with ganache and then iced with more ganache.  It's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. It is also huge and not exactly easy to eat whilst walking through Union Square.  These are less cupcakes and more large cake desserts.  So perhaps not exactly on the cupcake tour that I am taking you on.

Now I am sure there are still more cupcakes to go, but I had to stop somewhere.  My legs were suffering from the friction of my thighs rubbing together in the heat.  

But I did save the best for last.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine located on the Lower East Side on Rivington (so bonus points for being in my favourite area).

Now this is the cupcake bakery that I would return to again and again.  So should you!

First off, it's cosy and adorable.  Secondly the staff are super sweet and lovely - I talked to them about cupcakes for about a half an hour.  They gave me samples of all the different flavours so I could try their range.

And it was good.

The cupcakes are moist, sweet and taste JUST LIKE GRANDMA made them!  Like I thought I was 6 years old again at my birthday party when I bit into the chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. Happy memories tickled my tastebuds.

All for $1.50!  A DOLLAR FIFTY!   I thought she had made a mistake.  

My lovely baker made me try the Bob - a yellow cake with almond buttercream icing.  I thought that would be a weird combo but it was AMAZING.  The almond added a lovely flavour and cut the sweetness from the cupcakes.  

I took home a Sunshine, the basic yellow with vanilla buttercream, and Black and White done Right, chocolate with vanilla buttercream.  They were so delicious and happy and wonderful that I actually wiggled my toes in utter satisfaction.  I can't stress enough how great these cupcakes are!  They taste homemade (which they are) and are filled with love :)

Honourable mention:

Babycakes a vegan bakery on the LES that uses no sugar!  But it's not fair to compare a sugar-free cupcake with a sugar-filled one.  They are pretty good for being good for you - in fact they are pretty damn good. And expensive.  

I just ate a nectarine.  It was sweet and juicy but it wasn't a cupcake.  

Now I am on the mission to find the best cupcake in Vancouver before cupcakes go out of style (they are on the 'out' list).  And the best cake.  And burger.  Cheese.  Dumplings.  Coconut buns. Really, the list just goes on.

A Bridesmaid Grows in Brooklyn

On the eve of my last day in New York city, I write this from my fire escape with a glass of chilled red wine (yes, that's right, I like red chilled) listening to the cicadas buzz.  I love how the breeze is cooling off this hot New York air.

Melancholy?

Slightly.

It's not like I am leaving New York with my feet dug into the ground, but it's pretty close.  I mean how can I not?  It's New York.  And like Carrie says, it's fabulous.

Except she is talking about Manhattan and I am talking about that borough Brooklyn.  The one that used to be the 'hood' but is actually a treasure of tree-lined Brownstone streets, cool cafes, adorable boutiques and people so friendly you'd swear you were in the prairies.

I felt an instant connection to Brooklyn.  Manhattan took a few tries to get me hooked (which it did) but Brooklyn was instantaneous.  Maybe because it has all those Manhattan things we love to think of (above mentioned cafes and boutiques) complete with brick-exposed walls and yellow cabs - but on a much softer scale.  It's like the small-town version on Manhattan.

Manhattan can kick your ass.  After a day of pounding the pavement, it wears you out.  Busting your way through gawking tourists, waiting for the 'F' train in a stinking hot (and full) station, getting shoved around by impatient assholes.  Brooklyn offers an oasis of calm in a storm.  When I pop my head out at Bergen Street station I feel as though I have come . . . home.

So it's with great sadness that I leave this place.

I am more lucky that most. In the 18 months the Engineer spent at NYU, I was here for the better half.  Which doesn't seem like long at all.  Not long enough to feel at home.  Or call this home.

How come I feel like it's home then?

In those 9-10 months, I wandered both Brooklyn and Manhattan endlessly.  Usually by myself.  Sadly when the Engineer and I recounted our favourite memories from this place, rarely were they together.

That's just fine.  New York was mine to discover and play and wander and explore.

I found pickles to die for.  The best cupcakes in the world.  I got lost at museums that house world wonders.  I was present on Broadway for 'magic time' (what I refer to as 8:00 pm when the lights go on for countless plays, ballets, symphonies, comedies - it's amazing to think what magic happens at 8:00 across this town) countless times.  I spotted stars on the subway.  I discovered tea shops in back rooms that were once speakeasies.  I had picnics in the only graveyard on the island.  I saw the full moon on a crisp winter's night from a castle.  I skated on Rockefeller and hated it.  I claimed lawn space for an outdoor movie and had a pizza delivered to a park.  I listened to my favourite authors at bookstores.  I did yoga on a hammock.  I ate a real New York slice the New York way.  I found a love for restaurants with back gardens.  I became a regular at a deli.  I saw thunderstorms over the Statue of Liberty.  I walked in the footsteps of those that built this country.

I fell in love with this city, with the Engineer, and, as cheesy as this is, with myself.  I discovered so much about myself in these past two years.  The trials of a long-distance relationship, finally getting a job after years of dead-ends, becoming a bride, publishing articles for the first time, raising two dogs responsibly.  So much has happened since the Engineer came here.  We've evolved and changed - our outlook on life and our expectations are totally different.  I think this city had something to do with it.

I soaked up this city like a sponge.  And yet there are still countless restaurants to try (just walking down East 7th yesterday made me CRAZY for food!).  More museums to see.  Plays that open in the fall.  This city sleeps,  honestly it does, but never slumbers. I would say it takes cat naps.

Around every corner there is a new discovery.  I have never felt so inspired at my keyboard to write like I do here.  The possibilities are endless.

I mean isn't that what Frank Sinatra said?  If you can make it here, you'll make it anywhere.

It's true.  If you can't find your passion, your drive, the things that make you tick here - then New York has failed you.  There is so much drive in this city you can feel it pulsate.  Every day I talk to someone interesting.  From the lady across the street who wears her curlers when she walks her bulldog to the writer who spent time in the Peace Corps.

In this giant city where millions of people walk, play, run, work, dance, laugh, cry - I found a haven in 478 Warren Street, Brooklyn, New York.  A little area where I felt welcome from day one and have called home for two years.  A little piece of this great city that was mine.

Thank you New York.  It's been swell.

Dog Days of Summer

Due to a miscommunication with West Jet, I was forced to leave Brooklyn with my mum in Calgary and bring Mr. Mop by himself to New York.

When we first got here, Mop was listless and lethargic.  I assumed it was because he missed his little buddy.  I now know it is the heat.

I think he does miss Brookie though - he has no one's head to bite and no one to wrestle with.  And my oh my, he is sooooooooo well-behaved.  I am now forced to conclude that Brooklyn is the ringleader in their wacky behaviour.

My mum enjoys taking care of Brooklyn I think.  I mean, she'll complain that he gets up early or that he is being naughty, but I know she thoroughly enjoys his antics.

To prove this I would like to share some exerts from her emails.

Brooklyn is nicely settled in.  He's taking full advantage of the views from the balconies and the squirrel gazing in the back yard.  I move his bed outside so he can view them in comfort.  At night I put the bed on my bed and it is working very well.

The big black squirrel was up early this morning, munching on what looked like a peanut, on the fence right by the backdoor.  When B went out he must have found the peanut shell dropping, he sniffed them for ages before finally peeing on them.  He then found a fir cone, brought it in and attacked it.  I had just vacuumed the rug yesterday, so had to grab it before it was spread all over.

He also found a dead bee yesterday, which occupied him for ages till I discovered what he had and took it away.

He went with me to the Co-op to get gas, it's not self serve and the nice attendant gave him a treat.

This makes me laugh - the image of Brookie rolling around with a dead bee or a fir cone is hilarious.  Why does he choose to play with garbage and not his toys?  Is it because Mop usually takes them from him so he is now accustomed to dust bunnies and lint?  Sometimes he wakes up the morning and plays with himself until the rest of us get up.  In his little life I have found him playing with a deflated balloon, a wool pill from my sweater, foil from a wine bottle, and an empty chocolate bar wrapper.

B's ears are getting the drops and this morning I put the neck stuff on.  He's cottoned on REALLY FAST when I want to do something.  This morning we played the game of wait and try and trick her.  I put a cookie down near me and he kept trying to get it fast enough so I couldn't grab him.  It was a tie, but I did finally win.

He's smart, the second time he got a treat, he heard the crackle of the bag and came flying into the kitchen.

Those cookies have some cinnamon in them and I'm almost tempted to try one.

I don't have to explain why this one makes me laugh.

Brooklyn is now on the wake up at 6 30 cycle, oh joy.

Played cat and mouse with him for ages this morning, come and get the treat so I can grab you, on my part, and, how fast can I fool her with my amazing speed and dexterity on his part.

Needless to say, I won.  So his ears are getting the medicine.  I first wash his face and ears with a nice warm facecloth, that sends him into a state of obvious joy and doziness, then I do the drops and rub gently.

Since he likes it, I have no idea why he tries to avoid the necessary.

This one makes me laugh because I can not only picture Brooklyn lying on his back with his eyes closed and his teeth showing but my mum making little kissy noises in the voice she used to use when I was four and had the flu.

Can now sit, both in the back and in the front in comfort.

So after dinner, Brooklyn and I have been sitting in front watching amazing cloud formations, cats and other stuff.  He really likes the front verandah, lots to see, at least from his point of view.

HE LOVES THESE COOKIE TREATS.  I went to homesense today, but they were all gone.

I've put his bed on my bed.  Last night he was downstairs in it, and came up early in the morning.  He's now all snuggled up and asleep.  Watching squirrels has worn him out.

Right. Brooklyn likes the cloud formations.

Brookie just had a bath.  I used some VERY EXPENSIVE, EXCLUSIVE SHAMPOO on him, he was very good, and his ears seem to be guck free now.

He got a nice rubdown with a fluffy towel, then tore around the house for 10 mins at full tilt.

He's enjoying his brushing, now that he is almost dry, and sits there with a swoony look on his face.

Yesterday he spotted a waskilly wabbit, near the hydrant at the end of the street.  He gazed for several minutes then tried to attack.  He would have given the wabbit (who was his size) a good run for his money, except I held on tight.  So instead he had to content himself with sniffing the ground the wabbit was sitting on, which he seemed to really enjoy.

He's now snoozing on my fluffy blue shawl. he's becoming attached to it.

Funny on many levels.  The first being my mother referring to a rabbit as a 'wabbit'.  The second being that Brook gets super hyper when wet - after a bath he goes sort of mental.  I also enjoy him getting a rubdown with an oversized bath towel.  He's nine pounds.

It's not that I don't love him, but I think he needs Mr Mop around to bug. He's a little bored.

Today, after rising, as usual at 6ish, he was eating his brekkie near the doors in the family room, when Mr Squirrel descended down the fence.  They both stared at each other, eye to eye, for about a minute.  B finally gave chase, but my bag barrier (I don't know what this is) is holding and Mr S. got away.

I've put some dog food on top of the fence, hopefully this will provide entertainment later in the day for B.

He did have fun at Ron's (a farmer friend on my dad's).  We got him to run around alot, he got to eat some nice fresh grass, and he had his first meeting with Red Angus cattle.  It was quite funny, he was running along and then all of a sudden he realized that there were some big red shapes on the other side of the barbed wire fence.  He came to an abrupt halt, stared, then woofed at them.  Being curious creatures, they got up and headed closer to the fence.  B backed off a little, kept glancing round to see if we were there, we were, so then he let out some pretty feeble growls.

The cows kept watching, B got a little braver, took a step closer,growled a little louder, but then gave up.  So I guess he brought some excitement into their boring day, and they into his.

Brooklyn is a regular farmer Joe!  HA!

Mop has been having his own adventures - very much the tale of the Country Dog vs the City Dog.  Brooklyn met some cows, Mop met some pigeons at Central Park.  Mop has also become very good at riding the F train and enjoys Greenwich Village but hates Midtown.  He might even join me today for a veil fitting in the Meatpacking district.

I'll let you know how the reunion goes tomorrow night.  Should be cute.  And there should be lots of head biting.

Speaking of Art

I was at the MET the other day.  And last week.  And the week before that.

I am so in love with the MET.  If it were a person, the Engineer would have some pretty stiff competition. Luckily, it's just a really big building housing some of the world's greatest art, sculpture, artifacts, furniture . . . . the list literally goes on.

The only thing I am not so into at the MET are the mummies. I am not kidding, looking at mummies makes me sick.  I literally get nauseous.  It sort of makes sense.  They are, after all, decomposed bodies.

I also get the chills in the armoury.  Those men on the horses are so amazing.  Amazingly real that is.  Creepy crawlies thinking of being in a war with those things coming at you.

Anyhoo, the MET makes me really happy inside.  I decided just to check out my Impressionist friends.  I found it so inspiring - I plugged in my iPod, selected some classical music and really let myself get lost in the brushstrokes of genius.

I was also inspired watching people.  There was a little girl with her grandma and mum.  She wanted to see a Van Gogh closer.  It made me want to cry.  She is barely in school and recognized beauty.

There was another mother there with her sleeping toddler and daughter of about ten or eleven.  I may or may not have stalked them to get this fuzzy photo.  I am such a creep.  But I loved them!  The daughter would find a painting she liked then her mum would ask her questions.  What do you like?  How do you think he painted it?  What do you think it means?

HELLO?  AMAZING!!!!!  Asking questions like those to a child makes them aware of culture and the world on so many levels.  She may grow up to be a lawyer who loves art.  She's a killer in the courtroom because she asks the tough questions.  Then she uses her big pay cheque to support an artist on the Lower East Side.  Or maybe she is the next Georgia O'Keefe.

That is what makes art galleries exciting!

I also loved this duo.  A tattoo-covered biker dude with a shirt that says 'Up Yours' - who knew he had a thing for Serat?  His buddy flitted around the rooms (literally) practically jumping for joy when he could explain art to his friend.  It was pretty awesome/cute.

Then I happened upon 'American Woman'.

OH

MY

GOD

I  . . . don't . . .  have the words.

The MET has this temporary exhibit from the Brooklyn Museum and they have done an amazing job.  They take you from the Heiress and her star-embroidered, tiny waistline gowns through to suffragettes to glamorous 30's film stars.

I took some illegal photos but there is a great resource on the MET website as well as a fabulous video.

This was such a magical display I returned twice!  I loved watching the Suffragettes walk down New York streets on the amazing video the MET has.  I loved picking my favourite flapper dress.  The display was truly stunning.

Walking out of the museum I had an extra bounce to my step!  Well, how could one not after seeing amazing art and then stepping into Central Park?  The world looks like a bright and wonderful canvas after a day at the MET.

Just don't bring pickles from the LES like I did. The only reason the security guard let me keep them was because she knew the value of a Pickle Guy pickle.

Only in New York