Hoboken ● New Jersey

Little known fact: I am possibly one of the biggest Cake Boss fans ever. So if there was ever a reason to go to Hoboken, my mom and I found it on Sunday. A 25-minute trip on the PATH train later, we were at Carlo's Bakery -- the site where Buddy Valastro and his family make their extravagant and famous cakes and pastries. The line was already 30 deep by the time we arrived, but we still scored our chocolate rugula cookies, biscotti, Lobster Tail (famous at Carlo's) and chocolate covered canoli (minus the filling) in decent time. Plus, the beautiful chocolate ganache cakes that lined the glass cases were a pretty good distraction while we waited.

Doing the tourist thing, obviously.

Famous Lobster Tail 

Sprinkles ● NYC

After trying a cupcake from Sprinkles a few weeks ago at work, I was sold. Hands down, it was the most delicious cupcake I've ever tasted. Naturally, I found any excuse to get to the Upper East Side to snag another one (okay, a few more) of these babies.  

Salted Caramel Cupcake

Dark chocolate Belgian cake & dark chocolate frosting

Columbus Circle ● NYC

Welcome to what very well may be the coolest restaurant in the city: Robert, on the 9th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design. 

Killer views of Columbus Circle and Central Park and amazing food.

MoMA ● NYC

At the Museum of Modern Art on Target Free Friday. 

Where the art is so simple that it's hard to understand.

The Hudson ● NYC

Barbeque in Queens (view of Manhattan from Queens above), fireworks at the Hudson and a rooftop bar. 

A very happy Fourth of July.

Fireworks at the Hudson

Ben and I at the Macy's Fireworks Show

Celebrating with Kara and Matt

Ending the night on the rooftop of Brass Monkey

Levain Bakery ● NYC

Afternoon treat: a massive Walnut & Chocolate Chip Cookie from Levain Bakery

[167 W 74th Street, NYC]