Memorial Day Relaxing and Grilling

At the beginning of the memorial day weekend, it looked like I had a boring weekend ahead. We were supposed to go out to my friend's place on the lake, but all of my girl friends weren't going, so I stayed home too. I thought the whole weekend would be a bust, but I ended up being super busy and having a blast.

Source: Luqieme (view)

Kicked things off by playing tennis with my mom and having dinner with my parents.

Then, I went out and met my friends to see Hangover 2.

 It was sooo funny. I didn't really think the first one was so amazing, but this one was hilarious. I loved the monkey and Chow. I recommend seeing it, even if you didn't like the first one.

After the movie, my friends and I went out for drinks. It was really chill - no drama or craziness. We just sat outside on one of the patios and relaxed.

Source: Lexington Travel (view)

 I didn't get to bed until 4 on Saturday night, so Sunday included an 8 mile run in the 80 degree weather. I didn't get started until noon, so it was HOT. I had to finish the last 2 miles inside on my treadmill.

After the run, I recovered by grilling with friends. We made grilled salmon and it was delish.

Source: McCormick (view)

Monday we went to my in-law's place on Skaneateles Lake. It's beautiful there. Check out this picture from the town website:

Hope everyone else had a great weekend too!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Did anyone else get locked out of blogger for the past few days? I'm glad to be back.

Delicious :-)

I tried out the new Kitchenaid mixer  that my parents gave me this week! I made Apple Cinnamon Muffins, and they were delish!

Here is the recipe I used:

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• chopped walnuts (optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease six muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. Stir together 1 1/2 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt, baking powder and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix in oil, egg and milk. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling to the top of the cup.
3. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and chopped walnuts. Mix together with fork and sprinkle over unbaked muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.      

This recipe comes from Mindy on AllRecipes.com.

Fashionista

I also got to see Lacey of Lacey in the City this week. I wish she and Mikey lived closer, since they are one of my favorite couples in the whole world :-) We got coffee at Freedom of Espresso, an independent coffee place in Syracuse. 

Lacey is a fashionista, and I am jealous. I need to go shopping with her. She works for Lodis, which has amazing patterns for handbags, wallets, etc. Check out some of these styles:

Which patterns do you like?

Have a nice, long weekend, everyone!

Chicken Pesto Pizza

Tim and I made chicken pesto pizza for dinner last night. It was pretty amazing.

Here are the ingredients:

1. Pizza Dough
2. Pesto (we made it fresh- most of the jarred kinds aren't good)
3. Chicken (we used a Morningstar chicken)
4. Portabella mushrooms
5. Chopped Roma Tomatos
6. Olives
7. Mozzarella (we used a lactose free kind - it's healthier)

Thanks to everyone who recommended stores for me yesterday. I decided to buy from Express online, because they have free shipping today. Check it out. ;-)

Let the Summer Shopping Begin

This weekend I went shopping with my co-worker. We found this cute tank at American Eagle:

Front

Back

Notice the little buttons that run up the back.

I am so excited to start shopping for summer gear. I really need some new skirts. Any suggestions for a good store?

Mother-Daughter Day

Mom came over today to play tennis and we hung out all afternoon.

Source: Tennis Repair (view)

It was a beautiful day for tennis! Neither of us had played in a really long time. Considering that, we both played really well! I can't wait for the next match :-)

Source: Bubblegenius (view)

After tennis, Mom treated me to strawberry dole whip, which is like frozen yogurt, but even healthier I think... We also walked by the swan pond in my town and went to a book sale. 

Mom also dropped off my birthday present from her and my dad- A KITCHENAID MIXER!!! You know I will be baking tomorrow! Stay tuned for some great recipes or send me your favorite muffin, cookie, cupcake, etc. recipes!! I'm so excited! It was such a nice gift, especially since they already threw a birthday party for me! THANKS MOM AND DAD!

I love mother-daughter days. What do you like to do with your mom?

New Running Shorts and FREE Overnight Shipping!!

I had a 5 mile run yesterday morning and realized I needed new running shorts. I was just using regular cotton ones, and for a long run, that's just not great. I hopped right on my computer when I got home, and picked out these running shorts. The best part? Zappos is doing FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING!! So, I will have them by tomorrow, and I didn't even pay for rush shipping. It's all too wonderful.

I'm also super psyched because these shorts have the DRI-fit material, and they have a little pocket in them that I can put my house key in :-)

Have you used Zappos? If not, I recommend bouncing over there right away.

Half Marathon Training

I've been training for a half marathon. I haven't been telling people, because I was worried that I wouldn't actually be able to do it. But now I'm getting close. I'm more than half way there:

I got this plan from Hal Higdon's half marathon training. I'm super excited to be so close.

Gotta go do my Thursday 4.5 mile. Is anyone else training for a new distance?

Race for the Cure and Movie Night!!

This weekend was a blast between Race for the Cure and movie night with my bff Kus.

Saturday morning the husband and I woke up early for Race for the Cure - we ran on my company's team. Tim's parents joined us, too, and I ran the 5K with his dad. It was a fun, easy run. When we were done, I felt like I could have run 3 more miles. Not surprising, since I'm now running 6-7 miles for my long runs :-)

I haven't done a public race in a long time, and I forgot how fun it is!! Everyone is all about the cause and super friendly. It was a first 5K for a girl who was running with us, and other racers were cheering her on and encouraging her to finish, which she did!!

Saturday night was movie night with Kus! We saw Bridesmaids, which I totally recommend. The characters were hilarious.

What did you do this weekend? Did anyone else Bridesmaids?

Birthday Weekend Continued

The birthday weekend has been a total blast. Today is my real birthday, but we celebrated all weekend.

My friends threw a little party for me on Saturday. Thanks girls :-)

On Sunday, Tim gave me my second birthday gift: a gift certificate to Mirbeau, my favorite spa.

I decided I want to use the gift certificate to get a couples massage with him and then go to dinner in their restaurant.

On Sunday, for mothers day, my mom and grandmother and dad came over for brunch. I made cake, mimosas, and we had tons of other food.

Love my mom :-)

Let the Birthday Weekend Begin!

My birthday is on Monday, so I am celebrating all weekend.

Tim is giving me one present every day. Today was the first:

The Social Network

I love this movie :-) I definitely recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. People have said that Mark Zuckerberg is made out to be a jerk in this movie. I don't think he is. He comes off as socially complex and ambitious, but not greedy or mean. I also don't think he is guilty of stealing anyone's idea. So much of business is getting there first and marketing your product well. He succeeded at that, the Winkelvii did not. If you've seen this movie, what do you think about the way they portrayed him?

Tim and I are also going to go shopping as part of my present. Hmmm what to buy...

In other news, I went running yesterday and got lost! I ended up running an extra mile, which would be no big deal, but I am not used to that much pavement running yet.

I did get to see some new neighborhoods though :-)

Source: Condotron (view)

When you run in the morning, do you ever see kids walking to school and feel bad for them?

Source: CityofBartlesville (view)

I would not go back to being a kid in school if you paid me. So, I always feel bad for them...

Okay, that's enough blogging for today because it's almost time to go shopping :-)

Blue Sapphire by BCBG

Source: Amazon (view)

Blog Challenge: a Recent Purchase

My husband bought me this dress for Christmas- he has good taste :-) It's from BCBG. I absolutely love it!! I haven't worn it yet, because I haven't had the right occasion. I have a wedding in July to wear it to. I'm also thinking of wearing it this weekend for my birthday, but I would be super overdressed for the restaurant we are going to. Should I wear it anyway?

Birthday in the City

Drove down to NYC to celebrate my friend Heather's 25th bday. We had a blast!

We went out to dinner at Sambuca's, which is an Italian family style restaurant. We got a bunch of plates to share and heather had an awesome cake!

The restaurant

Our Group

Cake!

After Dinner, we went to the half pint, which is known for their beer.

Source: The Half Pint (view)

Tim and I stayed at the Millenium Hotel, right in Times Square! Thanks Husband :-)

Times Square

Sunday morning, we got breakfast at Sarabeth's on central park south.

Source: Sarabeth's (view)

After brunch, we stopped in Columbus circle to pick up some wall art. Ours are in sepia, but these pictures will give you the general idea :-)

Source: All posters (view)

Happy Birthday Heather!