Fun in the NYC Sun

I’m so glad I decided to extend my HLS weekend and stop in NYC for a few days!  I don’t get to see either of my brothers that often (the one I’ve been visiting is a busy musician and the other one lives in the San Fran area) so I take any opportunity I can get to see them.

Yesterday I went for a run in Prospect Park.  Hello amazing.  One thing I love about a lot of  the cities I’ve visited is that there are plenty of parks and designated pedestrian and cyclist paths.  I can only dream of something like this back home in the country.

I had a few hours to myself while my bro was doing some mixing- ah, the life of a fabulous musician.

I bummed around Union Square for awhile.  It was HOT outside, so I ducked into the nearest shop to escape the heat.  It happened to be a Lululemon.  What are the chances? 

It was my first time in one of their stores.  I bought a headband and a wrist cuff and am now $25 poorer.  It was a gift to myself.  Their clothes are as awesome as they’re made out to be.   I’m over it.

There was an impressive farmer’s market happening yesterday!

Yet again, I can only dream.

Pete took me to a great little burrito shop for lunch, and then indulged me in my quest to find a certain cupcake shop.

I made it to Babycakes!  It was amazing.  I loved everything about it.  Especially the girls behind the counter, dressed like they were from the ’40′s.  So. freakin. cute.

The shop itself was much smaller and much less flashy than I was expecting, and I was happily surprised.  It felt super vintage, and it was nice to see that their fame and fortune had not gone to their heads.  They have a tiny kitchen, a tiny display, and this small operation is why their product is so fabulous.

I took a few pictures inside before I noticed their sign about not taking photos or videos in the shop.  I’m sorry, Babycakes.  I meant no disprespect.  Thanks for not yelling at me.

We got three cupcakes to share (a friend of Pete’s was also with us).

Carrot cake w/vanilla frosting

Banana w/maple frosting

Chocolate w/chocolate frosting

Banana Maple was my favorite (no surprise there), Carrot was my second favorite, and surprisingly the chocolate was my least fav.  The cake itself had some strange flavor to it (maybe from the spelt flour? It was gluten-free), but the frosting was delectable.

If you’re one of those people who thinks that vegan sweets are going to taste gross, these cupcakes would convert you.  They are every bit as decadent, moist, and full of flavor as conventional cupcakes.  Probably more so, since they’re made from scratch with real ingredients.  My banana cupcakes had chunks of real banana in it.  Lots of bakeries (and supermarkets, obviously) are using packaged cake mixes so you really have to seek out the bakeries that are the real deal.

Pete and I had a late dinner at a nearby sushi restaurant.  We used a Groupon and our bill was $5.75.  What?!

I slept like a boulder last night.  I was exhausted after being out in the sun, running 5-ish miles and walking who knows how many more yesterday.

Pete made me breakfast!

Not sure what he sprinkled on top of the avocado, but it was spicy.  That’ll wake a girl up.

Now for a few hours of relax-and-do-nothing before I head back to my real life.

-Annie

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