Carlo's Bake Shop

Ever wish you could experience the delectable pastries of traditional Italy without ever leaving the city. Well, you can and you only have to travel one subway stop away from Manhattan. Hidden in the hometown of the ever famous Frank Sinatra, Hoboken, New Jersey is also home to the most well-known and recently famous Carlo's Bake Shop. This amazing bakery known for its homemade from scratch baked goods and beyond elaborate wedding cakes has become a house-hold name due to its hit show on TLC. Cake Boss first aired on TLC April 19, 2009 and took the nation by storm. Starring Buddy Valastro and his quirky fun-loving, sometimes hot-tempered Italian family, this show gives America an up close and personal look into the kitchen of this family-run bakery. Bought in 1964 by Buddy's parents Mary and Buddy Sr., this bake shop prides itself on tradition and is, in the opinion of almost everyone who's ever tried it, the best bakery around, hands-down. Buddy, who took over the shop at the ripe age of 17 after his father's passing, has become the cream of the crop of bakers at just 32 years old. Since the shows success, this once hometown favorite bake shop has become a nationally renowned destination with tourists lined up around the block all days of the week waiting to have a taste and catch a glimpse of the Valastro clan. From the traditional Italian favorite, the cannoli to the most scrumptious chocolate cake you've ever sunk you teeth into you can't go wrong with a single dessert here. Although, I highly recommend the lobster tails. They're the most delicious puff pastry with the richest, most incredible cream filling you've ever had. So make sure and head west of the Hudson River and stop in Hoboken, NJ. Because this is a treat you don't want to miss!

Love Knows No Bounds

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share an inspirational story about the mystery and intrigue we've come to know as love. This is my personal love story, written shortly after my husband and I's August wedding. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by the true beauty of love...


The moment I laid eyes on him, my heart came to a momentary halt. His smile was infectious, his laugh contagious. I couldn’t help but stare as he and his friends danced playfully amongst themselves. Our eyes met from across the room and the connection was instantaneous. He walked over to me and asked me to dance. Speechless, I gave him a quick nod and shyly followed him to the dance floor.  As he pulled me close, I stopped him.

“I’m a good girl,” I stated, matter of factly.

“And I’m a bad boy,” he replied, with a smile.

His name was Thamer. Born in the states but of Libyan descent he currently lived in Columbus, Ohio as did I. He was studying to be a dentist. He seemed so level-headed and confident. He was tall, about 6’1” with short black hair, tan skin, and big chocolate brown eyes. The exact opposite of me and I loved it!

The more we talked the more perfect he seemed. He was exactly what I was looking for in a man. Until, wait! “What’s that, again?” I asked as I leaned my ear towards his lips to make sure I heard exactly what I thought he had said.

And again he spoke the same words, “I’m Muslim.”

I knew this was too good to be true, I thought to myself, and this was his fatal flaw.

You see, I, being a devout Roman Catholic all my life, never imagined my “prince charming” as a Muslim man. In fact, I deemed a romance of such impossible. Millions of thoughts flashed through my head: how would my parents feel about this, how would his parents feel about this, how could we get married in the Catholic Church, how would we raise kids…and the list went on.

All that aside, there was just something inside of me that would not completely let go of even the slightest possibility. I just had an overwhelming feeling of comfort ability with him.

But three weeks after we met, Thamer moved to California for dental school. Part of me was relieved. “Good,” I thought “3,000 miles in between us should definitely help me get over this crazy notion.”

But I just couldn’t. I moved on, so to speak, but Thamer would always find a way to call me or send me a text the second I’d seem to forget about him. Granted, it was just on a friendly basis but my feelings for him were so different from anything I’d ever felt before.

Then, one day, out of the blue he called me. “Cali-boy’s coming home,” he said, “how about getting together for dinner next week?”

Dinner’s harmless, I tried to fool myself. “Yea, sure, why not,” I answered.

When I opened my front door and saw him standing there it was like I was seeing him for the first time all over again. My heart melted. It was that moment I realized there was something so special about him and I couldn’t let him go.

We started dating and, like all relationships, we went through many ups and downs. We discussed religion daily, trying to uncover ways we could make it work. We found that, though the practices of our religions were quite different, the morals and ideals were all perfectly aligned. In essence, our daily lives were in sync, just our worship days and holidays would be spent differently.

Though, we saw light at the end of the tunnel, I sometimes felt so hopeless and disheartened. I even broke up with him twice. It was so sad to me that two people so in love, whom shared the same love of God and lived daily under God’s will could not be together because of the different practices of worshiping. After all, it is the same God!!!

I sought guidance from a priest as Thamer sought guidance from an imam, a holy man of Islam. We prayed and prayed and asked our families to pray for us and, after many prayers and religious studies, came to the conclusion that God brought us together for a reason and we were going to make this work.

We married August 1^st, 2009 at St. Peter’s Church in Mansfield, Ohio where three generations of my family married before me. It was a big Catholic/Muslim wedding—two ceremonies in one, something we never thought possible. It was a cultural fantasy. The priest and the imam collaborated, bringing the two faiths together in what our guests deemed: the best wedding they’d ever been to.

We know the path ahead for us will be challenging but we also know our love for each other and for God will stand the tests of time. We brought two cultures and religions together in the most beautiful way and it was nothing short of inspirational to all who were there. We must never forget that God created and loves us all and he works in mysterious ways. We feel that we are an example of that and our story should allow others to open their hearts to people of different faiths around them. We can learn so much by doing so, even strengthen our own faith.

As for our story, we finally got our happy ending, though our fairy tale has just begun. And we couldn’t be happier or feel more blessed!

Times Square

"Lights, camera,..action!" Typically when we hear these words we automatically think of all the glamour of a Hollywood movie. But I thinks it perfectly sums up one of the most fascinating landmarks in NYC--Times Square. Sometimes known as the "Crossroads of the World," Times Square has become an iconic world landmark known for its spectacular digital advertisements and has become symbolic of NYC. Located at one of the most well known intersections in Manhattan at Broadway and 7th Ave. and stretching from W 42nd to W 47th Streets, Times Square lights up the city blocks better than a 4th of July display of even the most advanced fireworks. The streets are always crowded, tourist's cameras always snapping shots, and there is always more than enough action to keep even the most picky people watchers busy for hours at a time. Plus, the streets are lined with some of the greatest NYC stores and restaurants. The experience is nearly impossible to put into words as it is like nothing you have ever seen before. I'll never forget the first moment I emerged from that subway on 42nd St. and caught my first glimpse of Times Square. My jaw dropped to the floor and my eyes opened wider than they ever had before as I fervently explored this dynamic phenomenon. You have to see it to believe it and I highly suggest you do! So, hop on the subway and take it to 42nd Street. You won't be disappointed.

Uninvited Guest: AKA "Mouse in the House"

This one's for my father whose constant love and support, especially in all my writing endeavors, means the world to me. I love you dad!

It was a cold winter day. The brisk chill in the air bit at my face as I walked home, juggling several hefty bags of groceries in my arms. Finally home, I dropped the bags in relief just as I swung open the front door. I wrestled with the key in the old antique-like lock until it finally released. I, then grabbed the bags once again with one giant swoop and plopped them on top of the white kitchen counter. As I walked to the closet and quickly placed my coat and scarf, I heard a faint squeaking noise. Barely laudable, I dismissed it and walked to the bedroom to continue to undo my layers of winter clothing. I whipped off my hat and boots, only to hear a slight scampering of what seemed like tiny feet. As I turned my head to check, "ahhhh!", I screamed as I dropped my hat to the floor and jumped what amazingly appeared to be a good 3 feet onto the bed. And there he stood. His beady little eyes and twitching nose were almost endearing as he just paused and looked up at me in awe. And then, within seconds, he was off, under the dresser to hide. I, startled and initially deathly afraid of this minuscule furry creature, began to laugh hysterically at myself. He was actually quite charming. I could only imagine what he was thinking, just as Remy from Disney's Pixar film Ratatouille would have thought, "seriously, what's she afraid of? I'm the one who should be running for dear life!" And that's exactly what he did and I never saw him again. I learned a lesson that day--things aren't always as they appear to be. In this fast-pace life, we often "jump" without really analyzing the situation first. So, remember, always take a step back in any given situation for things are not always as scary as they may seem!

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

After a long, tumultuous day of touring the city, it's time to sit back, unwind and relax, and enjoy some delicious food. And there's no better place than this one, located right in the heart of Time's Square. Inspired by the 1994 Paramount Pictures classic film Forrest Gump, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. serves a mouthwatering Cajun/seafood mix, all the while sticking to its heartwarming theme. The restaurant is named after the movies two main character's Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue and Forrest Gump. In the film Bubba suggested the shrimp business to Forrest who went on to pursue the idea after Bubba's death while they served in the Vietnam War together. The restaurant is carefully themed, including in the entrance the bench and box of chocolates from perhaps the most famous scene in the movie in which Forrest says, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." On the tables there are signs you can flip to let your waitstaff know if you need something. "Run, Forrest, Run!" if you don't need assistance. And "Stop, Forrest, Stop!" if you do. There is also a gift shop in which you can choose from an assortment of adorable movie memorabilia. Plus, the restaurant overlooks all of the glory of Time's Square, giving you the most amazing view and overall dining experience. Not to mention the food is fantastic. Having tried several items from the menu, I couldn't begin to choose a favorite. Just be sure and include the shrimp because theirs is one of the best around! And to top it all off, the staff is friendly and provides service with good old Southern hospitality, making this place the perfect end to a crazy NYC day!