Quote of the day.

I am sitting here in Athens watching Eat, Pray, Love and thinking about how I am turning twenty five this weekend. So many thoughts about this birthday, I guess it is a milestone and it's a point in your life where you evaluate where you've been and where you're going. 

My main focus in life, is to be a good person, give more, judge less, win respect of others by being a good person. This is something I am constantly working on and I hope one day to perfect it. I found today's quote within the movie Eat, Pray, Love and no it isn't a quote from my favorite Elizabeth Gilbert, it's from a song they use in the movie, Neil Young's Heart of Gold. I love the words to this song, you can interpret it in many ways, for me this song is about becoming a better you. 

Enjoy.

I've been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood

I crossed the ocean

for a heart of gold

I've been in my mind,

it's such a fine line

That keeps me searching

for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

Keeps me searching

for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

-Neil Young, Heart of Gold

Such a Great Song! Take a Listen.

Quote of the day.

This weekend I forced my poor manfriend into watching Sex and the City II. He put up with it and I think he kind of enjoyed some scenes (ex: Nanny that wears no bra), I appreciate that he puts up with my girliness. Living with a member of the opposite sex can be very funny, challenging at times and down right gross at others. But as I found in the quote below, if you can find someone that loves you and puts up with you and your shenanigans well he or she is a keeper.

Enjoy.

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.
-Sex and the City

Quote of the day.

This quote hung in my home room sophomore year in high school, I read it everyday falling in love with it more and more each time I read it. We all choose a path in life, and this quote let me know that it's ok to take a different route.

Enjoy.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

Love me some CAKE.

I love CAKE, big cakes, cupcakes, mini cakes, bunt cake,pound cake, fruit cake, you name it I love it. This started at an early age and as I got older my addiction has only gotten worse. I love cake so much that I tattooed a cupcake on my foot, which has made me hungry on numerous occasions. So when the subject of my 25th birthday came up, the only thing I cared about was PARTY CAKE, and maybe a little booze let's not kid ourselves here. Who doesn't love a good piece of party cake, you are lying if you say you don't. 

So with party cake on the brain only one person came to mind that would be able to fill my need and bake this little piece of heaven for me,  and that is my sister Becky. If you didn't know my sister is one bad ass baker, I've posted some of her creations in past posts but if you haven't seen them check them out here FatBottomCupcakes, she is amazing so I thought what better person to make my birthday cake. 

I've been dreaming about this cake for weeks, one of the things I miss most being in Greece is my sisters baking. So on December 11th when my family and I celebrate my 25th birthday, I will be chowing down on some of Becky's most marvelous baking creations, I can't wait!

I've sent her some ideas for the cake, trying to encompass all I love. This was hard to do because the more cakes I google'd the more ideas I got.  I think we found a winner or two after I sent her the pictures. I'll just have to wait until the party to see what she came up with. My sister knows she holds the key to my happiness in the yummy goodness that is her baking. 

Below are the pictures I sent her. Please don't judge me! 

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, as long as they aren't, "you have to much time on your hands."

Happy Caking!

The Cobi Cake. Yes, that would be a cake of my beloved puppy Cobi. 

The Starbucks Cake...Need I say more?

The Tiffany Box Cake. I would prefer a real diamond, but I don't want to get carried away.

The Nikon Camera Cake. Because I am quite snap happy.

The Running Cake. Well that's because I am an avid jogger. (I think the "j" is silent.)

Bloomingdales Cake. I would love if there was a gift certificate inside. 

New York City Cake. Because I love this city, my city!

A Kyle Cake. Haha, I'm just kidding! I mean I love the guy but to eat him, that would be a little weird.

A Snookie Cake, because who wouldn't want a Snookie Cake!

Quote of the day.

Today's quote is about taking chances, whether you know it or not, you are constantly taking chances. Life is one big game of chance, sometimes the chance is worth it, other times hmm not so much but you live and you learn. 

I was talking to my manfriend on Thanksgiving about how even though I am quite homesick, I wouldn't have it any other way. I took a chance when I came to Greece, I was leaving my family, my job, my brand new car, New York City and my dog of course to go live in another country with my guy, and we never lived together, I was shaking in my pants. It was a big chance to take, but once I took that initial step I knew it was the right one. Life can be a little scary sometimes and if you aren't willing to take a chance or two,  life might get stale, it's supposed to be bumpy so enjoy the ride.

Enjoy.

At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep people out - they fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your life drawing lines, or, you can live your life crossing them. But, there are some lines that are way too dangerous to cross. Here's what I know. If you are willing to take the chance, the view from the other side is spectacular. -Grey's Anatomy

Quote of the day.

Everyone should be required to read the Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You'll Go! It has some very good insight about life and the future. I absolutely love this quote. 

Enjoy.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." 
— Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Quote of the day.

Happy Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for and I find myself truly blessed. Even though this is a one day holiday, one must try and be thankful every day of his or her life, because life after all is the most precious thing.

Enjoy.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Someday I'll fly away.

My sister and I have been planning for the last two years to get matching seagull tattoos to pay tribute to our favorite book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. We will finally be getting our tats when I come back to New York in a few weeks. 

I love tattoos, this will be my sixth. I try and make sure they are small and tasteful since I am a lady, and I keep thinking down the line that I don't want to be the crazy tat'ed up granny, even though that is pretty bad ass.

Here are some pictures that have been inspiring me. 

(Picture source unknown)


You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn’t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn’t have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.
-Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Quote of the day.

Last year for Christmas my mom asked her children and their significant others all for the same gift, she asked us for a quote that represented each of us. I thought this was a great idea and we all came through and delivered a bunch of framed quotes to my mother on Christmas morning, which now hang in my parents living room. 

One quote in particular stood out from all the rest, my sister selected a poem by Shel Silverstein, his words really moved me. I read this quote every once in a while, to remind me that impossible is nothing. 

Enjoy. 

Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
— Shel Silverstein

PS22 Chorus in Staten Island and Greyson Chance...Beasting

Love this Chorus, and when I found out they are from Staten Island it made me love them even more. Way to represent in a positive way! And this kid Greyson Chance is a freaking beast, enjoy!

Quote of the day.

I got this quote from a really great read, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It's a great story about a young man's journey to achieve a dream, I definitely encourage you to read this book. You won't be able to put it down, it is so beautifully written.

Enjoy. 

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Motivated.

Anytime I need a little extra boost of motivation before a run or workout I sign on to YouTube and watch one particular video that always gets me in the right state of mind. I may be a little bias because I know this person, in fact I live with this person but even if I didn't this clip would most certainly grab my attention.

I most likely contributed the majority of the hits on this video because I watch it so frequently. I find it's so impressive and beautiful. I say beautiful because it's like watching an artist at work.(barf for my corniness)Enough of my blabbing, enjoy the clip.

Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative.
-Steve Prefontaine

Quote of the day.

This quote was taken from a Nike ad, the words are very powerful and aren't just relative to people who play sports. Quotes like this one get me so pumped up that I want to go out and tackle any dream I have.

Enjoy.

All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. They will tell you no, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. And you will tell them yes.
-Nike

Quote of the day.

This quote comes from the John Lennon song, Beautiful Boy. It's such a beautifully sweet song and quite sad knowing the fate of John. The song was about him and his son and all they had to look forward to. One of my favorite lyrics/quotes comes from this song. 

Its message as clear as day, don't get so caught up in what is to come, enjoy the now because the present is a gift. 

Enjoy. 

Life is just what happens to you, 

While your busy making other plans.

-John Lennon, Beautiful Boy

Quote of the day.

I absolutely love this quote! It's from one of my favorite books, Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I know I've used quotes from this book already but this chick is wise and I love her words.

I find that it is so important to develop yourself as an individual, you may be nervous that people might think  what your passionate about is weird or silly but I say do it anyway. 

Take this blog for example sometimes after I post something, I'll get responses like,"you have to much time on your hands." To that I say, thanks for knocking my hobby but I'm still going to blog anyway, because as long as I love doing it and it isn't harming anyone why the hell wouldn't I do it. So be yourself, don't be what you think people want you to be, you'll find that people will find you more interesting when you step out of the box.

Enjoy.

"Tis' better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly." 

— Elizabeth Gilbert

My Friday Favorites.

The following things helped make my week a little sweeter. 

The Park in Nea Smyrni.

This is where is run, I'm finally back into a running routine after the Chicago Marathon. This park is a runner's utopia, nice gravel paths, some hills, so well kept and coverage from the heat here in Greece. There are runners here at all hours of the day, the park even has exercise equipment. 

Malamatina Greek wine. 


This was a great find when we went to a local restaurant on Sunday. It's so refreshing and very strong. I couldn't wait to try it again, we hit the jackpot when we found it at our grocer, we were sure to stock up. Don't judge, I just read that it's good for a woman to have one or two glasses a day, haha!

Yoga.


I've been practicing everyday and it's becoming so natural to do. I can't wait to see how much knowledge I gain by May. Hopefully I'll be a bad ass Yogi.
Namaste. 

Ferrero Rocher.


These have become quite the guilty pleasure of mine. These yummy chocolates are everywhere I turn in Greece, which makes curbing my habit almost impossible. 

Glee Christmas Album.


I had to purchase this, to celebrate my boyfriend coming home for Christmas. The poor guy has to put up with my listening to these holiday jams for the next few weeks.


Happy Friday! 

Quote of the day.

Today's quote is actually one of my own. I was the student body president in high school and when it was time to graduate I had to make a farewell speech. I ended the speech with a corny little quote that I came up with, and I truly try to live by these words.

Enjoy and Happy Friday.

Live a Little.

Be a Risk Taker.

And Eat Some Cake.

-Me 

Highlights...Ikaros vs. Marousi

My guy is number #12 in Red...Way to go Ikaros!

My Style Muse for the Holidays...Sienna.

When Alfie came out in 2004, I fell in love with Sienna Miller. Her style on and off screen is so iconic, such a fashionista. 

I am heavily considering bringing back my bangs for the Holidays after looking at these sexy pictures.

Enjoy.

Quote of the day.

I love all things sport and I took this quote from a Jordan basketball commercial. The great thing about this quote is that you can relate it to so many things in life, not just athletics. The main message is that you should never be afraid to fail because failing leads to success.  

Enjoy. 

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. 
-Michael Jordan 

Here's the commercial...I love it.

He'll be home for Christmas.

I know it's only November 17th, but I already received the best Christmas gift, my boyfriend will be home in the United States for Christmas. Since he signed with his team in Greece we were worried that he wouldn't get time off for the holidays.

Best time of the year.

We tried our hardest to avoid the subject as best as possible, but as we were getting deeper into November and hadn't heard anything, thoughts drifted to the worst circumstance, he'd be in Greece while I was home with our families. This was something I didn't want to face, but I knew there would be a good possibility that even if he did get a few days off, it wouldn't be enough to fly home and back for Christmas. So we each kept a brave face but were both thinking the same thing. 

Yesterday, Kyle was very uneasy about the situation, bringing it up at lunch and I said, "Let's just think positive and in a perfect world I will be picking you up at JFK in a few weeks, and if not it's just another day."But he and I both knew it wasn't just another day, it was Christmas and it's a time to be with the people you love, not thousands of miles away by yourself. I told him we shouldn't talk about it anymore until his coach makes the announcement, but Kyle had other plans. 

When he arrived at practice he asked one of the assistant coaches if they would have time off, enough time to go home, his coach said he would ask and let him know soon. After practice as Kyle was getting ready to leave he received the verdict, you will be able to go home from December 20th to the 27th. What a treat, Kyle hadn't been home for that long around the holidays in six years. 

He raced back to the apartment, anxious to tell me the news. When he came in, he blew past me and rushed to the computer. I followed him to the bedroom and asked if everything was ok, he said everything was fine. All of a sudden I hear Frank Sinatra singing, I'll be Home for Christmas. My ditzy self didn't get it at first, then when I saw the title on youtube, I tackled the poor guy. This was the best news ever, I couldn't help but cry.

Last night I realized what's most important to me, it's family. Christmas might be just another day and yeah sometimes we get stressed about presents and all of that, but nothing is better then being with your family during this time of year. Being together and sharing in the memories of another year is something I find truly special and I am so lucky to be able to have everyone I love around me this year, I know it's not always going to be the case, so I will take full advantage.

Kyle and I Christmas 2008 

Love and Light. 

Quote of the day.

Today I have two quotes for you taken from my favorite band, The Beatles. I am such a happy cat today because The Beatles are finally on iTunes, this has been a long thing coming. I already started downloading some of my favorite tunes from this timeless band, so I can enjoy their company while in Greece.

The first quote is from the song, Hey Jude, which  is my absolute favorite Beatles song, I love the words and when Paul McCartney really gets into it towards the end, the passion gives me goosebumps. 

Enjoy. 

Anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain

Don't carry the world up on your shoulders

For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder. 

-The Beatles, Hey Jude

This quote is from the song, Here Comes the Sun. This tune always reminds me of the first warm day in New York City after a cold winter, when things start to look alive and bright again letting us know Spring is on its way. My favorite time of year in New York.

Enjoy. 

Little darling, I feel the ice is slowly melting

Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear.

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun, and I say

It's alright.

-The Beatles, Here Comes the Sun 

Twelve days of dresses.

I am loving Urban Outfitters Twelve Days of Dresses campaign, I think it's a really cute twist on the classic song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. 

The twelve dresses that they feature are on trend with this season's glitter and shimmer. I love the variety in the dresses, some more fancy then others, also the prices rage from moderate to pricy. Perfect for all the Holiday parties during the upcoming weeks.

Enjoy.

(Pictures courtesy of UrbanOutfitters.com)

My personal favorites that I'll be ordering.

Day 3 the French Dress

 Perfect for my families annual Christmas Tea with Nana. 

Day 6 the Gosling Dress

 Is a perfect dress to ring in the New Year.

Check out all these dresses and many more on UrbanOutfitters.com

Happy Dressing!