When I got to New York City I realized I hadn’t made any plans or done any research on what I wanted to do other than go to the Weddingbee party and do some photoshoots. I frantically sent out inquiries to those I know who are from NYC or have spent some time there and asked for their favorite things to do  and see. The bees provided me with some great suggestions, and Naomi was kind enough to email me her favorites as well. After a very bad culinary experience in Washington DC I knew I wanted to make food the focus of this trip,  and because I did so I had a fantastic time. I look forward to going back someday, hopefully with That Husband in tow.

This post will be a bit long, but I wanted to provide a nice review of my favorites (and not so favorites) for those who are planning a trip to NYC themselves.

FRIDAY

I ended up staying Friday-Sunday night at the Westin Jersey City and so the trip from JFK to my hotel using public transportation took several hours. 3 hours in fact. I dropped my stuff off at the hotel, collapsed on the bed for a few minutes, and then made my way back onto the subway for my engagement session in Brooklyn at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge.

It went well, to say the least. Even if I was holding an umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other the entire time.

On my way back to the hotel I walked past ground zero. There were roses and flower stuffed all along the fence and people huddled in front of candles and signs.

SATURDAY

Naomi suggested the pork buns at Momofuku and so I made my way over and ordered myself pork buns for $12.

Yes these two little things cost me $12, but they were worth every nickel.  Go there and get some.

Naomi also raved about Doughnut Plant and so I walked over for a taste. I ordered two doughnuts, Creme Brulee and Tres Leches.

Tres Leches was good, but I don’t know if it would have won me over as  Doughnut Plant fan if it had been the only thing I ordered.

How do you think they put this ring of creme inside of a doughnut?

It was the Creme Brulee that did it for me.

Imagine taking a really amazing doughnut, and dipping it in cremee brulee. Heavenly.

Finally it was time for me to make my way over to the Weddingbee party, the yellow ballon and loud laughter heard from the street told me where to go.

I wish I could say every single one of these bees was in attendance that night, but there were about 20 of us there that night.

We made our own name tags on these pieces of scrapbook paper.

Bee headbands!

Bee favor cookies.

The ceiling was filled with balloons and paster colored bunting.

I left the party for about two hours to photograph the bridal shower of the lovely lady on the right.

I made my way back to the WB  party where I made sure to get pictures with all of the bees, including Peony, whose 8 weeks pregnant, only 2 weeks behind me!

The gorgeous Bee!

SUNDAY

I bargained my photography skills for some free meals with a family who just moved from Dallas to NYC. I’ve photographed this little girl before and I can never get enough.

We grabbed a few family photos in Central Park.

And I insisted that we get one of the two of them alone together. It went pretty well considering we had the oldest running around like a madman and the youngest strapped into a stroller to keep her from wandering off.

I could just eat her up!

MONDAY

Monday was my free day, and I planned things out so I could get the most out of my culinary purchases.

Mrs. Penguin once linked to NY Magazine’s list of Best Neighborhood Bagels and I chose to visit Murray’s Bagels.

I chose walnut raisin cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel. Does anyone actually eat this much cream cheese on their bagel? It was delicious though and I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area.

Naomi said the Empire State Building was one of her favorite places to visit in the city so I dug up my student ID, paid $18, and made my way up.

Can anyone find the typo?

The view was beautiful and it was perfect weather for taking photos.

Central Park is enormous! Look how much space it takes up!

I found someone I thought I could trust to hold my camera and take my photo. So here I am on top of NYC.

NYC is random.

Naomi said her favorite cupcakes in the city are found at Billy’s Bakery and she had been spot on so far so I ventured out for a taste.

I’m not usually a fan of red velvet (because I think it’s silly to eat something pumped full of food coloring), but I chose this one because it had cream cheese icing and I can never get enough cream cheese. It was the perfect blend of lemon juice and cream cheese and there was plenty of it to be had which made me happy.

Mrs. Dahlia from WB recommended the pizza at No. 28 Carmine. I couldn’t order the pizza because they only sold whole pies, but I did have one of the best Caprese Salads I have ever had. Absolutely make it a priority to visit this place if you are in the area.

Next stop was Murray’s Cheese, raved about by all of the bees.

I brought home two kinds Farmhouse Cheddar and Podda Classico, which TH and I will be indulging in at our 1st wedding anniversary celebration this weekend.

Across the street I found Grom gelato, also highly recommended by the bees. I was seriously disappointed.  It was the priciest and blandest gelato I’ve ever had. As someone whose had gelato across the world (even gelato in Poland beat this place!) I cannot recommend it.

After some serious deliberating with my friends on Twitter (follow me!) I decided to buy a discounted ticket to Mary Poppins at the TKTS Discount Booth. I sat 10th row back for $66 and cried several times. Musicals always make me cry because I think they are so magical and went by in a flash.

You know that scene in the movie where Mary goes into the children’s nursery for the first time and pulls things out of her bag that should NOT be able to fit inside? They do that on stage! I actually gasped when she pulled a tall plant out that couldn’t possibly have fit inside. I hope I can take my babies to go see it one day.

TUESDAY

Tuesday I woke up early to be at Central Park by 6:45 am for an engagement session. The couple was gorgeous, the light was buttery, and the park was just empty enough to keep my job from being really difficult.

On my way to the airport I stopped into Amy’s Bread for a quick lunch and some airplane snacks.

I had no choice but to order the grilled ham and cheese sandwhich, you know, because I’m not allowed to have anything but cooked lunch meat now. It was delicious, and a great way to end my trip.

Thanks to Naomi and the bees for all of their awesome reccomendations. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bee for hosting a terrific party. Thanks to the Whites for putting me up for a day so I didn’t have to eat out on Sunday! (And to Abbie for talking to me about birth, one of my favorite subjects)

And, last but not least, thanks to my NYC clients who really made this trip possible when they hired me to take their pictures.

Also:

• Florence: Where We Stayed
• Florence: What We Did
• Bologna: What We Ate