last day in NYC, paparazzi, and celebrities....

Our last day was by far my favorite day! Again, no plans:) We decided just to walk around 5th Ave a little bit and then spend the majority of the day in Central Park. As we were walking to the park, I really had to go to the bathroom so we went in Trump Towers...As we were walking, Kaz said, "is that?" I knew immediately who it was and say YES! It was George Ross[Executive Vice President and Senior Counsel for Trump, also an advisor on the Apprentice!]. I SO BADLY wanted to talk to him...I even told Kaz we could just sit outside the restaraunt until he leaves, but Kaz wouldn't let me:( We were both pretty excited to see him because we LOVE the apprentice!

photo credit

After our first celebrity sighting, we made our way to Central Park...We walked through the zoo, watched the sea lions play, and just enjoyed taking our time....We made our way over to my favorite part of the park, the mall. We sat for a good hour watching people walk by, and then we heard a lot of clapping behind us. We turned around and it appeared to be a lot of film equipment...We started walking that way and the closer we got, the more I saw they were filming a movie...I saw a couple men with cameras so I asked what was going on. One man said they were filming, Thanks for Sharing. I googled it and saw that Pink, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mark Ruffalo were in the movie. We sat for awhile out of the way just watching to see what would happen...and then I RECOGNIZED a few people that I had seen the day before...I recognized the PAPARAZZI! Within a matter of about 15 minutes, they went from being a group of 5 to 30! I was so excited....Moments later, a black SUV pulled up with Gwyneth Paltrow. Kaz and I split up so we could try and scout out the best place to watch...I even had people ask me if I was apart of the paparazzi. I should have fibbed because then I would have got a closer spot to watch:) We watched them film the movie for about 3 hours...We saw different scenes, outfits, etc. It was probably one of the neatest things I've ever done and made the perfect ending to our trip!

the paparazzi...

 Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo...

 pictures I found online from the paparazzi:)

 photo credit for both pictures...

NYC and Kim Kardashian...

We did a lot while we were in NYC...again, we had no schedule and it was absolutely the best! Kaz kept asking me what I wanted to do and I kept saying just walk around and do whatever we want! We had brunch with his aunt and uncle Sunday morning at the Eatery. It was a really fun time catching up with them. Then we decided to walk the Brooklyn bridge and spend sometime in Dumbo. This is something I have never done in all my trips to NYC and it was a blast! There were so many people walking the bridge and Dumbo was a very cool little area across the water from NYC! We took our time walking back and that started the trek that we ended up doing 2-3xs a day....what I’m talking about is walking from 3rd street to 50th street:) We had subway passes but we walked the majority of the time, and by doing so we got to see so much! We walked about 7-8 miles that day so we decided to end the night with pizza at my FAVORITE place John’s Pizza! If you are ever in NYC you must go! We walked around Time Square just for a few minutes...and then called it an early night:)

The shirt is just a little bright:) the weather surprised us so I had to pull out the tank from under my 80s outfit and wear it;) The whole day I kept thinking about how blinding my shirt was, but at least I wasn't hot:)

On Monday, we decided to spend the day down in the Meat Packing district, SoHo, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea. These are my favorite places in NYC. I love going and could walk around at these places everyday! We walked the highline. I loved it so much, I will probably want to do this every time I go to New York now. It’s an old exposed subway track that they remodeled, landscaped, and made a little park. It’s very neat and pretty cool being able to walk through the buildings. 

 photo credit

On our way back to the hotel, Kaz happened to see a group of people standing around and asked me if I thought something was going on. Of course, I was curious so I went over to see what was going on. I didn’t even have to ask anyone once I saw where we were! We were at the Gansevoort Hotel...The hotel where the Kardashians stay on their reality show in NYC! There were tons of paparazzi around so I knew someone famous was coming out! We waited for about 15 minutes and sure enough...Kim Kardashian! I was very excited to see her, even though I can get tired of her quick on Keeping Up with the Kardashians:) She was beautiful! It was just the beginning of our celebrity sightings:) 

 These were taken with my phone, so the flashes from everyone else effected the pictures!

That night we went to eat at Butter. One of my favorite restaurants:) Then we walked the famous 43 streets again, found a yummy little dessert place, and enjoyed the cool crisp NYC air! 

Tomorrow I'll tell you about our last day...WHICH happens to be my favorite day....and we saw 3 celebrities!!!

what I'm loving...

1. Eco Cup on Ice-I bought one of these cups for my cousin Pam for christmas. My mom also bought one for herself and I used it while I was home over Christmas. I mentioned that I liked it and mom told me to take it. I fought her for awhile and said no, I won't use it. Finally, I took it and I haven't used anything since! This cup is perfect! It doesn't sweat AT ALL, it has a lid, it's very easy to clean, AND you can carry it with you everywhere! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cup!

2. Choosing to SEE-by Mary Beth Chapman

My mom bought me this book as a stocking stuffer...I actually asked her to buy it while we were at Wal-Mart a few days before Christmas. Once we got home, I asked her if I could read it until Christmas and then she could wrap it up and put it in my stocking..[we do this a lot! If my dad only knew HOW MUCH use I get out of presents before mom wraps them....:) Ha!]

This book is INCREDIBLE! I read it in 2 days. I could NOT put it down! Mary Beth's testimony is amazing. Her heart for the Lord, her family, and adoption is written on every page! I laughed and cried throughout the whole book. I honestly felt like I knew Mary Beth personally after reading her book...It is so personal that I have found myself reading her blog the last few weeks! You SHOULD DEFINITELY read this book! 

On a side note, I joked around with Kaz a lot while reading this book...You see a couple years ago I was in Tennessee at a coffee shop with some friends listening to a band. Very small setting...We got there late so we just stood at the back. At some point[I don't remember why], I looked to see who was standing to the left of me...AND it was none other THAN STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN! The same thing happened with Beth Moore one time on a street corner! SO I always joke with Kaz that I know them personally! Ha! Kaz sure puts up with a lot from me:)

3. Tables by WhipperBerry-This blog is so inspiring! If you are planning a party or dinner[or even want decorating tips] you should definitely check out this blog for inspiration!

4. tinyprints - I got so many Christmas Cards from people who used tinyprints. I thought the quality and designs of the cards were incredible so of course I checked out their website! They have so many different options from birth announcements, calendars, stationary, to photo books! I'm always creating photo books both personally and professionally, so I decided to order one through tinyprints. I LOVE it! It was so easy to create and again great quality!

5. Amazon Kindle app-I wasn't quite sure I would like reading on my iPad and to be honest I didn't at first because I was using iBooks. I was disappointed because their choice of books to download is very minimal. Someone told me about the kindle app and I LOVE it! I have found every book I've wanted to read. It's a very easy process of downloading the books, not to mention cost effective. When I'm finished reading for the day, I can mark the page I'm on and then easily pull that page back up the next time. I can highlight sentences and make notes! It's a pretty incredible app! 

those are just a few things I'm loving right now....

a GRAND VEGAS vacation....

Kaz and I have been talking the last few weeks about our vacation for 2011. It’s no secret that we LOVE to travel. We have a lot of little trips planned throughout the year but we’ve been talking about “our bigger trip”. We would LOVE to be able to take a vacation before a baby comes, it’s Kaz’s 30th birthday this year, and our 5 year anniversary. So 2011 has the potential[and looks like it will] to be a very big year!

We threw some ideas back and forth about different places in California[our favorite state:)] but all the places we wanted to go early on was in their snowy season. We are movers...We love to be on the go all the time on vacation to see as much as we can.

Kaz has always wanted to base a vacation around a race, so that’s what we’ve decided to do!

We are going to do the Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon the beginning of March in Las Vegas! This half is probably going to kill me! The first 6 miles are up hill not to mention the change in elevation:( BUT I think it will be so much fun and definitely a beautiful run!

Red Rock Canyon

photo credit: www.Ivig.com

We are going to stay in Vegas 2 nights, then go to the Grand Canyon and stay there, and then make our way back to Vegas for the last night! While we are there we are hoping to see Death Valley, Mount Charleston and hopefully the Hoover Dam! 

 Death Valley

 photo credit:  http://blog.lib.umn.edu/anton089/architecture/2006/10/the_moving_rocks_of_death_vall.html 

Mount Charleston

photo credit: www.lasvegasharley.wordpress.com

I’m SOOO excited!!! I can’t wait!

In Vegas we are staying at 2 different hotels...Trump Las Vegas for 2 nights and the Hard Rock Hotel the last night! I’m super pumped about Trump. There is a tv in the bathroom mirror:)

 photo credit: www.trumplasvegashotel.com

 photo credit: www.activerain.com

photo credit: www.hardrockhotel.com 

We have never been to Vegas or that area so we are both really excited! It’s definitely more of an outdoors trip which makes Kaz extremely happy! BUT NO WORRIES...I will STILL have my celebrity goggles ON! Ha!

Any other ideas on things we should do?

photo credit: www.zdnet.com

a little bit of everything…...

-I LOVE CSN stores! I cannot stop looking at all of the wonderful items they have! CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, to a leather briefcase, or great cookware! I especially love looking at all the baby items and have created a “wish list” :)


-We had a great thanksgiving. Kaz’s brother Peter [wife Emily and baby Matias] along with his dad Cy, came in to stay with us. They stayed for about 4 days. While they were here we shopped a little, ate a LOT, and were able to take a few pictures!

-All of the stress is finally catching up with me. I now officially have about 30 gray hairs:( You can see them all on the top of my head:( I’m ONLY 27 well at least for a few more days anyway!


-Running, Running, Running. That’s what I’ve been doing a lot of! Thanksgiving morning Kaz and I ran 8 miles! This week I’m up to 9 miles! I’ve really enjoyed training for the half marathon:) AND the best part….I wore a pair of jeans on Saturday that I haven’t fit into in the last 2 years!


-Last night, Kaz and I had a little date:) He cooked spaghetti and we watched the blind side! One of my favorite movies:)


-My sweet Miley mopes around all the time and is SPOILED! She’s spent a good amount of time this last month at my parent’s house and they SPOIIL her rotten. They feed her marshmallows ALL the time! This is a picture my dad sent me over Thanksgiving! She’s spoiled rotten!

-Hello Chicago! We are going to Chicago some of Christmas! I LOVE visiting! I’m trying to think of new things to do besides shop down Michigan Ave! Do you know of anything I should do while I’m there? Well, besides of course put on my celebrity goggles and look for Juliana and Bill Rancic :) Ha!

miscellany monday...

1. Do you remember how I told you that I had planned a "very productive" Saturday? How I was going to decorate for fall?

WELL, my productive Saturday looked something like this:

I stayed in my pjs until around 415pm. I played on the computer, watched 2 movies and then finally decided AT 5PM to get dressd for dinner at Moes with our friends Kelly and Carissa.

Needless to say, the house still isn't clean and there aren't any fall decorations up! BUT I sure enjoyed my Saturday!!!

2. I bought myself a Christmas present on Saturday from my parents. I tend to do that a lot....BUT I love my NEW rain jacket! I've been wanting one for awhile because my current Marmouth rain jacket is just about worn out. So here's my new jacket[The color isn't great b/c of the lighting]...It's Hot pink and Grey!

3. I've REALLY REALLY REALLY been wanting to go back to California. Our anniversary is October 29th and every year we take our Big vacation at our anniversary. The last 2 years we've gone to California. Because of the adoption and the uncertainty of our days, we decided not to take a big trip. Really because we didn't want to spend the $ and then if we do get a baby loose it. So we've decided instead to go to the mountains BUT I AM TERRIBLY MISSING California. I WANT to go SO bad. I think about it almost every day.....

Last year, Kaz and I went to Hollywood and Laguna Beach. Oh Laguna Beach....I miss you

4. Speaking of California and fall....I've never been to a pumpkin patch before last year in Hollywood. It was the 1 thing I wanted to do. So we went to Mr. Bones. Partly because I really wanted to go and take a picture of all the pumpkins to display this year for fall decorations, AND because ALL the celebrities go there every October! I always see their pictures in the gossip magazines and I was hoping to see one:)

5. 90210 starts back tonight!!!! I'm SO excited!

6. I started hard core working out again yesterday and I'm hoping to loose 10 more pounds...Me and my friend Bythe ran sprints yesterday and let me tell you-It almost killed me! If you really want to see how out of shape you are RUN SPRINTS!

7. CAN YOU TELL that I LOVE FALL, CELEBRITIES, and CALIFORNIA? Have I talked about them enough in this post?

Have a GREAT Monday!!!