The Queen Suggests...

One step inside Queen City Cupcakes, and you'll think you have died and gone to pinterest heaven. You won't be able to resist snapping a few photos with your smartphone. I know I couldn't, as you'll play witness to my lack of restraint below.

While it's name, Queen City Cupcakes, may be deceiving, those of you who love a little indulgence will be pleasantly surprised that you can indulge in not only cupcakes, but also hot sellers like Carol's (the shop's owner) specialty vegan bars. And, if you're looking for a treat that's just a sweet, but not as sugary then you're also in the right place. Carol has her specialty shop set up to perfection, so that everyone who wanders in from Main Street will be greeted with an eyeful of enchantment.

One of my favorite pieces from the Dusk & Rubies
"How Country Feels"
Fall Collection 2013

There's Dusk & Rubies' Necklace and Earrings on Display!

Outdoor seating perfect for gabbing with girlfriends over coffee.

There is even more to see and taste, so come on down and meet Carol, the shop's owner and curator who is lovely and beyond friendly! Order a coffee and peruse the store at your leisure, maybe even snap a few photos. I can't imagine a better way to unwind after a long day of work...

...except for adding a turtle cupcake to your order. It might make it a smidge better...just a smidge.

Stats

Web: http://queencitypatchogue.com

62 West Main Street

Patchogue, New York 11772

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

------------------------------------------- 
Part of the WSWP: Women Support Women Project

Know someone who is starting a small business and is looking for press? E-mail us your story, and your business may be chosen to have an article written about it [duskandrubies@gmail.com]

Written by: Danielle A. Rufrano
NYS Teacher Certification in English Language Arts
Freelance writer for: yourzenlife.com and getfesty.com
BA in English, 2010

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3 Reasons We Love Greenport, Long Island In The Fall

 

You may think that Long Island is only a summer destination, because of our beautiful beaches, haute Hampton's shopping, funk music festivals, and iconic venues like Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. And even though summer's on Long Island are what I dream about in the spring, my favorite time of year on Long Island is actually the Fall! There is so much to do, to see, and towns to visit. One of my favorite towns to wander around, on a crisp but comfortable fall Saturday, is Greenport. Here, let me show you why:

1. Picturesque Impromptu Stops:

On your way out to the North Fork town of Greenport you'll pass beautiful fields, farm stands, tea cottages, and my favorite... yard sales. There is always cars pulled over to the side of the road to pick their own fresh produce, apples, pumpkins or to play in the corn maze, or taste a homemade apple pie mmm. And let's not forget there are vineyards, after vineyards, after vineyards. Getting to Greenport is half the fun!

 

2. Tall Ships Festival

 

This is one of my favorite fall festivals, and it is happening this weekend September 20th-22nd! There are beautiful ships that you can tour, chowder contests, live music, parades, street venders, blacksmith workshops, beer tasting, and more! Speaking of beverages...

 

3. The Greenport Brewery

 

 

Tastings are free, and flights are $8. Plus, they throw in a free pint glass as a souvenir! Relax in their tasting room that duels as an art exhibit. The exhibit they're hosting right now is based on Moby Dick, which is fitting because Greenport was a huge whaling town during the early 1800s.

 

So, if you're free this weekend and you live on Long Island, then start up your fall festivities and take a deserved day trip, and if you're not from Long Island and free turn your weekend into a little vaca, and check out the festival schedule here:

 24th Annual Greenport Maritime Festival

 

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog

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Weekend Staycations...Shelter Island

Fourth of July weekend brings thousands of people from the hot city streets of Manhattan out to the hot sandy beaches of the Hamptons, and Sunrise Highway becomes flooded with bumper to bumper traffic. Usually I play it safe, and stay far away from the frustrations by lounging by the pool, but this past weekend I decided to (with my siblings) take a chance and voyage to Greenport where we could take the ferry to Shelter Island. We hit no traffic on Sunday, and the trip was so affordable, and relaxing! Take a look at some pictures below.

 Ferry prices are so affordable, and parking for the ferry is free. I opted not to take my car, and we walked from the ferry terminal to Crescent Beach.

While walking to the beach we took the scenic route. We saw sail boats docked, beautiful houses, tennis courts, and on their main street there was a gas station, general store, bike rentals, a bar, liquor store, and café. We also passed a golf course, and a deli.  



 

Crescent Beach is one of the most highly visited beaches on Shelter Island. Although this beach is located directly in front of the Sunset Beach Hotel and Restaurant, it is open to the public. Their are lounge chairs, and umbrellas for the guests of the hotel only, but their is paddle boarding for everyone to rent. They charge $30 per hour and two people can go out on one board.



Photo From Sunset Hotel Brochure



Photo From Sunset Beach Brochure



1. Bring single dollar bills with you because ferry rides take tokens, and one token is worth $2 dollars. (If you put in a ten dollar bill, then you will receive four tokens, not change. You only need two tokens: one there, and one for the return trip.)

2. It is pretty affordable to take your vehicle, but there is no guarantee that there will be parking. Plus, you will have to wait on the sometimes grueling ferry line.

3. We chose to walk it, but the scenic route was 2.2 miles long. My brother called it suburban hiking. We found biking as the number one way to get around the island, because even though we chose to walk there were very few people walking, and most roads lacked sidewalks. There were plenty of bikers who biked to get around, and just for exercise.

4. If you choose to walk or bike the easiest way to carry your items is with a backpack. If you bring a cooler, then somehow bring one that is easy to carry or tie to your bicycle.

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

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Foodie Reviews: The Wall's Wharf

I am a huge foodie, and I put myself in the line of fire for that pairing of adjective and noun. All jokes aside it is absolutely true. There's nothing better to me, than the exciting anticipation I feel in the car ride to a new restaurant. I'm an optimist so I am always hoping that my pallet is going to EXPLODE with flavor. One date night, after a day spent at the Oyster Bay Arboretum, we found ourselves driving around Bayville looking for the Wall's Wharf. It was a restaurant, recommended for us to try by a friend, so we decided to try it. My review of the Wall's Wharf is based on the following criteria:

Cleanliness and Appearance of Restaurant.... #/5
Service and Promptness of Staff.... #/5
Price.... #/5
Portion Size.... #/5
Taste.... #/5
Plating and Visual Appeal.... #/5
Perfect Score 30/30
Here we go....

Cleanliness and Appearance of Restaurant: 4/5
This was a category that this restaurant scored extremely high on. The restaurant had a beautiful dining room with views of the breathtaking oyster bay, as well as a nautical themed wood embellished bar that overlooked the outside dining deck. We sat outside on the deck that was, if you took the few steps down right on the beach. I felt as if I was at a beach club, like the one's we've seen on Saved by the Bell or 90210. I will post pictures below of the wonderful view.

Service and Promptness of Staff: 2/5
As a former server, bus girl, as well as caterer it pains me to say anything negative about staff and service because being a server is far from a glamorous job, sometimes you have to deal with people who are just, well, miserable. There are very limited ways of making those types of people happy, but my boyfriend and I we are extremely good natured and just happy to be out doing something new. So it's unfortunate to have to report that our waitress was not attentive to our drinks, she took a long time to bring refills (my boyfriend went without a drink for our entire dinner). Water and bread basket should be placed on a table as soon as possible, and we did have to wait for at least ten minutes before anyone came up to us. Making us feel as if the staff weren't sure of their section or who was taking on our table. There was plenty of staff standing around, and not that many diners so it was frustrating. There was also a problem with my appetizer, and it our waitress didn't come back over to us until she was serving our dinner.

Price: 3/5
Appetizer's price was great. The price for the amount of food and quality was on par, but the dinner's quality and quantity didn't warrant the price.

I ordered: Appetizer-Clams Oreganata Seasoned Breadcrumbs, Garlic, Oregano, Parmesan $10, Dinner- Caesar Salad $8 Romaine Hearts, Caesar Dressing, Herb Croutons, Asiago Cheese Add To Any Salad: Chicken $6

He ordered: Appetizer-Quesadilla Chicken, Onion, Peppers, Jack Cheese $15 Dinner-Five Cheese Ravioli $21 Classic Pomodoro, Basil Leaf, Melted Mozzarella, (Parmesan, Asiago, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Provolone)

Dinner portions were small, five ravioli which is standard, but they weren't of high quality. The grilled chicken was not a high quality cut.

Great restaurant for drinks and appetizers, I actually suggest to order appetizer's for dinner. Pictures Below.

Portion Size: 3/5

Appetizer: too large of a portion for an appetizer

Dinner: accurate size, but overpriced.

Taste: 3/5

This is a place to order fish, everything else we tried fell short. We decided to go somewhere else for dessert, and that's never a good sign.

Plating and Visual Appeal: 3/5

We didn't go to the restaurant thinking it was going to be a five star experience, but the plating of the appetizers was professional and well planned, once again the entrees lacked in creativity, taste, as well as presentation.

Short notes: Great place for beautiful views, and drinks and appetizer's for groups. Rating of 18/30.

Click here to be directed to the Walls Wharf Website

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

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Day Date Ideas: Tall Ships Festival

Looking for a fun day to spend relaxin' with your man, or hangin' with your lady while on Long Island? Well here's a suggestion for you...The Tall Ships Festival in Greenport. Great street fairs, plenty of booths, good eats, and of course if you pay $15 dollars you can board any of the Tall Ships. Check out pictures below, along with a link to Greenport's other

Summer events.

They let me drive...navigate. Okay you caught me I'm just posing.

On one of the five boats in the living quarters.

Sitting in the crew's bedrooms. Behind me is one of the bunks.



Checking out some of the chowder from one of the vendors.Click here for a list of things to do in Greenport
and check out their Calendar for events and schedules!


Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies


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Day Date Ideas: Oyster Bay Arboretum

Looking for a great day date? Then I suggest the Oyster Bay Arboretum. Only $8 to park and so many gorgeous views, you'll think your in the private gardens of the Long Island Elite. Plus, it's a great way to get in some exercise. Enjoy the pictures below:

 

Click Here for more information and directions to the Planting Fields Oyster Bay Arboretum

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

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Day Date Ideas: Riverhead Aquarium



Looking for a fun day date idea with your significant other? Well, because of my inability to sit still during the day I am always looking for places to visit that is out of my normal element. This week I was headed to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead.

 

My favorite things to see? The octopus that wanted to give my a high-five, the three finger sloth, the bat caves, and the replica of the wetlands that you can walk through all along an actual picturesque canal.

 

Oh, and ladies I know you want to take a few photos with your beau, and fellas I know some of you can't stand having to pose for photo after photo, so compromise. The entire place is camera worthy, you can take a few photos and they will all come out gorgeous! Take a look for yourself below:

See what I mean about picturesque views?

How cute is a fish who is camera shy?

This is the front of the aquarium that you will see when you park across the street.

High-5...or should I say 6,7,8?

America's Next Top Model

Oh, and don't forget to sit for the Sea Lion show...I am always a sucker for a good sea lion show. Check out their website in the link above for ticket, and other visitor information!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

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