Mama Mia...

A big congratulations to my boyfriend Kyle, who just signed on to play basketball for a team in Athens, Greece. I am so proud of him and can't wait to see him excel over there. The name of the team is Ikaros BC and there are two other Americans playing on the squad.

I can't wait to go out there and see him in action. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated! Way to go K-MAC!

Life is different with an iPad.

This past Friday my boyfriend surprised me with an early Birthday present, an iPad. I've been begging him for one of these for the past three months, going as far as to try and give up drinking coffee on a bet in order to get one. I failed miserably on the first day drinking three coffees, what can I say I'm addicted to caffeine. My boyfriend finally gave in and got one for me, and I am one happy girl because of it.

With the iPad, I can do so much more then what I was limited to on my iPhone. Now, I can update my blog on the go, read books from the awesome iBook application, watch video, shop online, edit pictures and movies, and play some highly addicted games.

I recommend to iPad to anyone who travels a lot, they are perfect for a long flight. Battery life is 10 hours, which is clutch. Stop by your local Apple store and check it out, you will not be disappointed.

Best thing about Fall Saturdays...College Football

College Football is one of the things I love most about Fall. It's so great to relax on a Saturday with good company, a cold beer and some yummy food of course and watch some football, Notre Dame football to be exact.

The Irish might not be the best team out there but they are so steeped in tradition and history that you can't help but love them. I may be a little bias though since my boyfriend is a Notre Dame Alum.

Hearing the sound of the fans and the band playing the famous Notre Dame Fight song gives me goosebumps, and to actually be out in South Bend, Indiana and witness the hysteria that is their tailgate is something you will never forget. It is definitely something you should put on your bucket list or just watch Rudy.

Some give their hearts to the Lord, I give my heart to the Irish.

Go Irish!

A Dessert That Could Kill.

I love dessert, but sometimes a dessert comes along, that is so dangerous, so rich, so intimidating,and so yummy that it could actually put you into a food coma.

Recently I came across one of these "killer" desserts, and it left me speechless! There was so much involved in this masterpiece, that it should be up for an award of some sort.I discovered this dessert at Eddie Merlot's, which is a fantastic steakhouse in the Midwest.

Below are the steps to making this beastly dessert, I must add that you should eat at your own risk because the contents are so amazing you might think you've died and gone to heaven.

Step 1. A chocolate fudge brownie right out of the oven, still gooey inside and crisp on the out and a scoop of

vanilla bean ice cream.

Step 2. Add flaming vanilla rum.

Step 3. Pour on some hot fudge.

Step 4. Add creme brulee sauce.

Step 5. Sprinkle some fresh raspberries on there.

Step 6. Top it off by adding candied pecans.

Dig in, but don't say you haven't been warned!

Living out a childhood dream.

1. Run the Boston Marathon
2. Run Five Marathons under the age of Twenty Five
3. Finish an Ironman
4. Be on the cover of Runner's World
5. Do a Nike Running Campaign!

One of my life long dreams in coming true tomorrow, I'm shooting a Nike Running Ad! I still can't believe this is happening.

 I have to thank my manager Gaby for giving me the heads up about Nike casting runners for an upcoming campaign. So I sent an email, got a response, sent some pictures, got a response, then received an email asking if I was free to shoot on Thursday the 23rd, I almost fainted. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a Nike freak, I live for Nike running.

I'm not exactly sure what the Ad is for, possibly the Chicago Marathon in October or the New York City Marathon in November. I do know that I will be in heaven tomorrow, taking every moment in and carrying it with me the rest of my life.

As my mom said,"Pre is smiling for you today."

A Kiss with a Fist.

If you haven't already had a listen, I suggest you do.

Florence + the Machine's album Lungs is off the chart. Her now famous song Dog Days are Over is great and her voice is very different compared to anything else on the radio or iTunes these days. Check it out, you'll be sure to love it.

My Personal Favorites

1. Dog Days are Over
2. Kiss with a Fist
3. Cosmic Love
4. You've got the Love

Fall for Boots.

One of my favorite things about fall are the clothes, especially the footwear. All spring and summer I'm usually sporting a pair of flip flops or Sperry's, but fall is all about boots!

 I've had my eye on a pair of Frye Harness boots for quite sometime now, and I think I may have to wander into Bloomies and pick up pair.Frye are a little pricey but the best thing about them is that they are classic, so you can wear them fall after fall and be in fashion.

The Frye Harness Boot, which will hopefully be on my little feet very soon. As Rachel Zoe says,"I die" for these boots.

You're the Apple of My Eye.

I love to travel, and I think my favorite type of travel is a weekend getaway. Something not to far, right in your own backyard waiting to be discovered. I'm always searching for places to visit and add to my personal bucket list.

Since the weather is getting crisp and everyone walking down Fifth Avenue has a Pumpkin Spice Latte in their hand, it has really put me in a fall mood. So what better way to celebrate the new season, then by going apple picking.

Battleview Orchards in Freehold, New Jersey

The Orchard

Golden Delicious

Empire Red

My boyfriend scoping out the orchard for the best picks.

Some of our yummy apples.

Apple picking is tough, we deserved a treat, which was a hot apple cider doughnut.

The staff was very friendly and the orchard was beautiful. They boasted a wide variety of apples and also had pumpkin picking, as well as hay rides. The pricing for the apples was relatively cheap. Down the road from the Battleview orchard,they had their own market, where they sold pies, cider, jams, and probably the best hot apple cider doughnut I have ever tasted.

Happy Picking!

Books are Good for the Heart...

If anyone is looking for a really good read check out 

Nicole Krauss's 

The History of Love

I'm quite the nerd when it comes to books, and this is by far one of my favorite love stories of all time. The author takes two stories and entwines them into one, which leaves you wondering what will happen next.

Grab the tissues and enjoy!

10-10-10

On October 10th I'll be participating in the Chicago Marathon, this will be my fifth marathon and this one is particularly speical to me. Last year I set a goal to run five marathons under the age of twenty five. At that point I had only run two marathons, the New York City Marathon in 2007 and 2009.

So with this new goal in mind, I chose three marathons to get me there. On April 19th, I ran the Boston Marathon which was a huge dream come true, on June 26th I competed in the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon, which was very challenging but also rewarding. Last on this list is Chicago, now only three weeks away, I can see the light at the end of this awesome journey. I can't wait to cross the finish line in Chi Town and begin to dream of a new goal to conquer.

Sweet Treats = Yummy

My sister Becky has a gift, she is one of the best bakers I know. Some of the best desserts I've ever had, have come from her kitchen. She specializes in cupcakes and boy oh boy are they delicious! She is always trying new things with her cupcakes, taking some risks and creating some masterpieces. Recently she came up for a visit and I always look forward to this for two reasons I get to see her and my amazing nephews, and I also get to eat her yummy creations.

Here are some pictures of what she whipped up.

Pumpkin Maple Cinnamon Bacon Cupcakes

The Combination of the sweet from the pumpkin cake and maple icing mixed with the saltiness of the bacon was ridiculously yummy.

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These cupcakes are definitely one of my favorites. The moist vanilla cake and vanilla creamcheese buttercream icing along with the egg free cookie dough are so delicious, just looking at this picture makes my mouth water.

I strongly suggest that you check out her blog for some great recipes and ideas.

http://fatbottomcupcakes.blogspot.com

And as my sister always says, happy baking!

Ray.Bans

One of the greatest loves of my life are Ray.Bans, something about this classic brand always has me searching for a new pair. I'll actually go so far as to coordinate my outfit around my Rays. I can't get enough of them and they are reasonably priced, which is always good on my wallet.

 The newest addition to my Ray Ban family are the new SIGNET, they are combination of the Clubmaster, Aviator and Wayfarer. I am so in love with these new baby Rays, the best part about the glasses are their polarized lenses.

The beauty about Ray Bans is that they are timeless, I could wear this shades twenty years from now, and they will not be out of fashion.

Here are a few pairs of Rays from my personal collection.

Ray Ban Wayfarer Rare Prints

Ray Ban Aviator Large Metal II

Ray Ban Clubmaster II

Ray Ban Wayfarer in White, for when I'm feeling funky.