Nervous as all He-double Hockey Sticks about Central Park...

Ok kiddies.  So this is a completely self-serving post.  I am going with my fiance this weekend to get our engagement photos taken.  Since this seems to be the new trend, we jumped on the "let's get our engagement photos taken" wagon.  We decided on Central Park for many reasons.  The main ones being that we just absolutely adore all things Central Park, we had our first "away" date there, and so it's filled with romantic memories for us.  While cheesey, I believe that the park truly is a magical place, and I do feel a bit like bursting into song whenever I meander through it.  It is a giddy feeling that I get whenever I step foot in the park.  Truly special. 

There are four parts of the park which are absolutely lovely that we are considering for our photo shoot.  We only get 2 hours of time with Ed Hafizov, our incredibly talented photographer - http://www.zorzstudios.com/ .  So here are the top five places that we are hoping to fit into our photo session!


#4:  Shakespeare Garden - West Side Btwn 79th & 80th Streets

 We love this area of the park simply because it is gorgeous.  This garden is called Shakespeare Garden for two reasons- the first being is that it is directly attached to the Shakespearian Theater which puts on professional Shakespeare plays with "regular" stage actors and movies stars who are trying to prove that they are still "legit" stage actors.  The second reason for the name is because all of the plants and flowers in the garden are named in Shakespeare's plays.  It's a lovely four acre oasis in the middle of the park, and it would be a gorgeous spot for some romantic photos. 


#3  Belvedere Castle - Mid-Park at 79th Street

Yes kiddies, there is a real-live mini castle nestled inside of the park called Belvedere Castle.  It overlooks both the Turtle Pond and the Shakespeare Theater.  You can see for miles and miles from the highest vantage point seen in the picture.  My lovie and I were up there last summer, and let me tell you, it's higher than it appears to the eye.  While it was a lovely view, the chicken in me is terrified of the height!  We took a photo in one of the little side turrets - gorgeous but scary!!


#2 Bethesda Terrace - Mid-Park at 72nd Street


This terrace includes Bethesda Fountain,which is also known as the Angel of the Waters Fountain (where we also want to take some photos), and the Arcade, which have both been featured in many movies and TV shows.  One of my absolute favorites has to be from the movie "Enchanted", when they all dance and sing throughout Central Park!  The theater chick in me wants to recreate that scene, but sadly I don't think it's in the cards just yet.  This part of the park is just lovely.  There are usually roving musicians, street performers, tourists snapping away with their expensive cameras, and it never fails to see a wedding party taking their photos here.  There really is no more picturesque fountain in the park than Bethesda Fountain. 

#1  Gapstow Bridge - East Side at 62nd Strret



This gorgeous bridge, situated at the beginning of Central Park, has been filmed and photographed hundreds of thousands of times.  It is by far, in my humble opinion, one of the most picturesque bridges in NYC.  It's small, out-of-the-way, and absolutely beautiful.  There is just something so fairytale magic-y about it, don't you agree?  I had always hoped to have photos taken at this location, and I really hope that we will be able to work it into our session!


Well, that's it for now kiddies!  Please feel free to explore Central Park as soon as possible!  It is full of possibilities!    Here are some extra photos of places that I love, but that I cannot fit into our engagement session this coming weekend!

Central Park Carousel



Alice in Wonderland


The Children's Zoo



Victorian Gardens


Happy Hunting Kiddies!!

Ghouls are People Too!

Hello kiddies.  With October finally arriving, I find myself a bit nostalgic for the days when I would venture into Manhattan to see all of the adorable Village Halloween Parade revelers.  If you are looking to be brave and venture into NYC during what is perhaps the most enjoyable time (second only to Christmas in my book) - Halloween!  Not the actual day of Halloween, because you'd have to be eight kinds of crazy to venture into NYC on that day (trust me on this one kiddies-it's not for the faint of heart).  There are four places which will help get you into the Halloween spirit, without breaking the bank. 

Scare Yourself Silly:  Blood Manor
(no photos available - deemed too FREAKY and SCARY by this blogger)
Yes, you read it correctly- BLOOD MANOR.  Sounds ominous, right?  Well kiddies, this place is guaranteed to scare your petticoats right off!  I don't want to spoil the fun for you, but this is the scariest haunted house that I have EVER been to...and I have been to many in my 29 years.  You can visit bloodmanor.com for more info.   And do NOT go alone...you may not make it back...



Not Just a Clever Name:  The Slaughtered Lamb Pub



Located in the heart of the East Village, the Slaughtered Lamb Pub gets its name from the cult classic film "An American Werewolf in London", and boy does it live up to it's name.  As the website states,

"Drink and dine in the Pub Room,
sit by the fire in the Werewolf Lounge,
or enjoy a game of darts in
the game room of the Dungeon"

These are not just pretty words...this place really delivers!  Make sure that you do not miss the Pumpkin Tortellini (a Slaughtered Lamb Pub specialty) to celebrate all things October.  Wash it all down with a Snakebite.  You'll just have to trust me on this one.


While the food is decent and the international beer menu is extensive, what people really go to the Pub for is the ambiance.  It's Halloween every day, but the best time to visit this well-loved establishment is during the month of October!  For more info, you can visit them at http://www.slaughteredlambpub.com/





Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde In Person:  The (World Famous) Jekyll and Hyde Pub




Okay kiddies, this one is my all-time FAVE for having an eerie time in NYC.  The Jekyll and Hyde Pub - not to be confused with the Jekyll and Hyde CLUB (uptown NYC) - is located in the heart of Greenwich Village.   This pub is by far one of the most fun and kitchy places I've ever been to.  The beer list is extensive, and the food is delicous.  I highly recommend sitting at the bar and having a drink.  Why sit at the bar you ask?  Well folks, there is a "trick" barstool at the bar.  That's right.  A TRICK BARSTOOL.  The bartender has complete control of the barstool from behind the bar.  He or she slowly lowers the stool while you are sitting on it...so slowly that you don't even notice it is happening until you are a foot off of the ground.  Of course, the illusion is best when you are having a brew or two and you are having too good of a time with your friends to notice that your seat is slowly sinking.  Trust me on this one - I know from personal experience!




A Theme Restaurant Where Frankenstein's Monster Comes to Life:  The Jekyll and Hyde CLUB


Not to be confused with the Jekyll and Hyde Pub, this place is located far enough away from Greenwich village that you could not get the two places mixed up.  Ok, well, you COULD, but it would take a special kind of effort to make that big of a mistake.  You may ask, "Why, oh why, Smitten Kitten, would we know the difference between the two restaurants?"  Well kiddies, the biggest difference is, the Jekyll and Hyde Pub is a small little PUB in the village, and it's only one story.  The Jekyll and Hyde CLUB, is four stories of pure Halloween-Themed kitsch all the way. 

There are hidden rooms behind bookshelves (that lead to the bathroom), there are zombies and ghoulies galore who have the job of your undead servers, there is a MAJOR floor show going on every twenty minutes or so in the Main Salon.  The Club is set up as an old-fashioned, late 19th - early 20th century adventureres club.  So there are many sections to explore.  There are three levels of seating, and one level with a small bar. 

Be forewarned, kiddies - this place only takes American Express or cash.  There is an ATM in the lobby, but it is wicked expensive to take money out of.  That being said, this place is not to be missed!  You can witness Frankenstein's monster coming to life a few times a day.  Keep your eye on the giant rotating statue of Atlas in the middle of the restaurant.  This lucky chickie had the great fortune of sitting at a booth underneath the statue...and let me tell you...untilyou have a seemingly inanimate statue commenting on your dinner selection, and then using a pick-up line on you, you just simply have not lived.   Remember to keep your eye on the seemingly dead skeletons decorating the restaurant.  The ones with the instruments in their "hands" are worth taking a good peek at.  Oh, and be sure to try the Lab Experiment No.8213.  It's got a wicked punch to it! 
http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/locations.htm



While these four places are indeed what the doctor ordered for Halloween goodness, there are plenty more places to venture out to in NYC for Halloween.  More later kiddies!