Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant Review!

Check out http://www.thelvscene.com/ for my latest restaurant review of Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant in Hellertown, PA! The food, drink and hospitality will keep you going back for more. It is a non-smoking venue so that is a nice plus. Kenny and I love the Braveheart and have brought family there who have raved about it as well. Go try it out for yourself. Slainte!

Check out www.thelvscene.com!

Check out www.thelvscene.com for the Liu's House Restaurant review. I really enjoyed writing this review and I'm currently working on another one! Exciting things happening in the Lehigh Valley! This is a site to check out the hype on what's going on in the Lehigh Valley, whether it be an event, restaurant, store opening....anything and everything!!

I'm alive, really I am.

Okay, so I haven't actually been home for the month of October and found little time to sit and blog. November proves to be just as busy. Traveling wise that is. Wedding out of state, visiting working husband in Miami for a few days, and making time to visit my parents has me exhausted! It was a no brainer to do all these things, as these are the most important people in my life. Having not been home (State College) since July, it was great to see the "rents" and my "kids" aka my niece and nephews if only for a few moments. I'm also trying to make more time to do some writing, and more photography. It's coming slowly, and is time consuming, but I'm excited to be learning more and more! I'm doing the dreaded job search of course....but as most of us know, it's not so good out there! Still hoping to win the lottery...which reminds me, I have to be in it to win it!

The holidays are fast approaching, which seems crazy to me!! I say the same thing every year...so I should just suck it up!! Well, hoping to post some floral photos I took outside over the Spring...nothing too crazy but it's a start. I will post some news about some writing aspects as well. Those will come soon...

Motivation or lack there of!

Motivation has been hard this week. Last week I got so much done. I gave 4 bags of "very nice'" clothes I don't wear anymore to Goodwill, 2 bags of books and a handful of shoes as well. It felt so good to give it away to those who need it, and to get it out of the house. I can't stand clutter and lack of organization. I also worked out and did "two a day" workouts 3 out of the 5 days. I have yet to workout this week. I have one more day to remedy that and go walk a few miles. I think I will.

I have also been trying to shoot more and try to learn my camera. ( Nikon DSLR) thanks to lifelong photographer friends...Jeff and Dana Sipper). You can visit their website at http://www.sipperphotography.com/. They have upgraded their equipment and sold me the Nikon D70 that I'm hoping to learn on my own. I am so addicted to photography blogs and the photojournalistic aspect. I love that style and hope to master it. Too bad wedding photojournalism wasn't on the forefront back in 2003 when I got married. There's always the renewal of vows!!! (which will happen...hopefully on a beach, barefoot, with a flower in my hair)

I also love all aspects of design...so I'm hoping to get involved in interior design/fashion/typography at some point. Not sure what I like the most. I'm a lover of all things Stationery!!! (Started with my frequent trips to the Hello Kitty Store on 5th Ave. in Brooklyn). My mom used to take us there and let us choose a few items. I would buy notepads, stationery, pencils, erasers, etc. I would NEVER use them. I didn't want to write on them or get them dirty. I loved the style/design and that they were "new".

Anyway, hopefully I will be energized and motivated to start a new chapter in my life and do things that I enjoy and get excited about!!

Cheers to that!

Sunday Mornings

I really have to be consistent with my blog posts! It has been one month without a post. I guess life does take over sometimes. Right now, I'm actually sitting on my back deck, on a beautiful Sunday morning...well it's actually 1pm now. Drinking an iced latte....thinking about my Nana. She loves iced coffee. She will be 95 this August.

It might sound a bit weird, but on Sunday mornings, I really do a lot of thinking/pondering about my life. I have so much on my mind lately. Where I should be, what I should be doing, etc. Kenny will be going away for 10 weeks to Charlotte,NC. for the Wachovia/Wells Fargo merger. He's a Corporate Trainer, where travel is common, but this is a bit much. I feel that we never get that couple of days of just enjoying eachother without any worries. Whether it be travel, money, jobs, house...etc.

I know that's life...but it seems so hard sometimes to just "be" happy. There are a lot of things that make me happy...of course. Sometimes I feel that I can't be happy for myself, if other things in my life aren't fulfilled. I know I have to get over that, and take the plunge. I must do what I feel in my heart is right for me and my soul. I need to feed my soul....Once I start doing so...I believe everything will fall into place...

***One of the things that makes me happy. Fav pic from San Juan, P.R. last summer.

Birthday weekend!

This year has flown by. Another anniversary and another birthday. My 33rd b-day to be exact and I'm not afraid to say it. I do feel that we all get better with age. I had my actual birthday off this past friday June 12th, 2009. It was a pleasant morning. I kissed the husband goodbye and he was off to work. He gave me a very sweet card before he left, he always finds the best cards. For some reason I have been getting up very early in the morning and that is sooo not me, if you know me. I got up around 8:30 am and just read a book in bed. I never, never take the time to just read and relax without the computer or blackberry by my side. It was so NICE!!! I then decided to treat myself to a pedicure. Haven't done that in over a year. It was a good time. Erica was my girl and she was awesome, I will definitely be going back to her at Olivers Salon and Day Spa. Traci is my esthetician there...she is fabulous! Don't know what I will do if when I move out of the area!!!

Anyway, it was a very stress-free afternoon. Kenny took a half-day and we just went to the mall and walked around...did the Barnes and Noble thing as usual. I love those kinds of days. Nothing planned, no major priorities. Saturday night, my sister Denise came up to celebrate my birthday. We went to dinner at Pacifico restaurant at the Saucon Valley Promenade. My meal was fabulous. We had shrimp tacos for an appetizer, and then I had the swordfish with 2 enchiladas as did Kenny. Denise had the Mahi Mahi, which was a bit dry, but enjoyable. The drinks were fabulous. A Brazilian Cosmo, and the Caiprinihi ( SP?). Strong...but fab! We found out that they have Salsa night there every other Saturday! They stop serving dinner at 11pm, take away the tables and the dance floor gets crazy!! What a great idea! Love!

Well, here's hoping that this is the best year ever. For many different reasons! Happy Birthday to my twin sister Anne. Love you and Miss you dearly.

Bethlehem Sands Casino and Emeril's Chop House Restaurant!

As you can see from the previous post, last weekend was my 6th wedding Anniversary! Kenny and I decided to go to the new Bethlehem Sands Casino opening that weekend in the Lehigh Valley, and eat at Emeril's new restaurant. Little did we know that he would be cooking our meal!!!!!! That's right, Emeril was in the kitchen! He was also out and about talking to the hosts and waitstaff, and he came out to greet a few people asking to speak with him...don't know if they had an "in" or not. Even though we were only 10-50 feet away at times...it was very hard to get a picture without being intrusive. He did wave to everybody outside the restaurant that could visibly see him cooking in the kitchen, because that part is visible to the public...you can see part of the kitchen from the exterior of the restaurant. Emeril also had an Eat-In area by the kitchen, like he does on his show. A select 8 diners get to see the chefs in action. Not sure how you get to those seats.

The food was delicious. We had the BBQ shrimp appetizer, I had the Grilled Salmon and Kenny had the steak. Everything was delicious and worth the money for one night at least. I also had a drink called the Sand Island Iced Tea...this has local ties to Music Fest (which is held in Bethlehem every August). Sand Island is where a lot of the popular bands play. This iced tea had Rasberry rum in it...it was fabulous!!!

If you want to see the phone pic of Emeril that I got, you'll have to go to Facebook and look me up under Mary Sullivan Dunlap. No link for it at the moment.

We didn't win anything at the slots or virtual blackjack. That was a new thing. I've never seen virtual blackjack before. I think they have the Hottie Asian and Blond chicks to distract players....very wise business move I must say. Definitley making money there.

All in all it was a fun night! It's nice to get dressed up every once and a while. It would have been nicer to win a boatload!!! Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

Another year gone by...Happy 6th Anniversary!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. I have actually been writing this blog for more than a year. That's awesome! Although, I do wish I had time to update it more! To be honest, I have so much on my mind and lots of things I would like to do, or at least start to do in the coming months. I will discuss that in a future post I promise!

Today is my 6 year wedding anniversary! It's a pretty mellow day. We did some yard work and will be going to the Bethlehem Sands Casino tonight. It's the opening weekend, and we will be dining at Emeril's new restaurant called the "Chop House". I'm amazed we got a reservation, even if it is at 10:30 pm!

I'm kind of glad we didn't have anything major planned. It was nice to just hang out and enjoy the fruits and labor of our house/yard work! We started talking about how long we've been together and how old we are getting!! HA!

I seriously can't understand why the years go by so fast. Please slow down : )

Oh, the picture is from Larraine and Brian's wedding last September. I was a bridesmaid...it was a fun time!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ethan!

I didn't get the chance to post anything on his actual birthday, March 6th, but I know he enjoyed his day with his Emma, Caleb and Mom and Dad. I can't believe how fast time goes. He's such a little man now! I haven't been home since Christmas and I miss them dearly. These are the times that I wish I lived closer to my family. It's tough, because everyone has to live their own life and go where life takes you. Here's my Ethan. He loves to pose for pictures!

San Antonio photos...finally.

Hey! I'm finally getting around to posting some photos from my weekend in San Antonio. So, it's a few weeks after the fact...so what : ) Kenny and I went down to the Riverwalk and ate at "La Paloma" Restaurant and "La Casa Rio" which has different colored umbrellas to sit under and it's the most popular spot on the Riverwalk. We got serenaded by a Mariachi Band...which was awesome!!! No picture of that unfortunately. I'll always remember it though!

We also went to Market Square which is a huge shopping ground for anything and everything...and lots of entertainment with local singers/bands/dancers. Great food! La Margherita was the best meal of the weekend! I do wish the weather was a bit warmer that 5o degrees, but I'll take it!

My time was short there...but it was so much fun. I hope we can go back again soon! Ken really enjoyed it there and he enjoyed the people the most. They requested him (this 2nd time) around...so we'll see what happens in the future.

Enjoy the photos...more to come. Happy Spring...can't wait!

Weekend Getaway to San Antonio!

Hello!

To the select few that follow my blog, you all know that Kenny is in San Antonio again for another 3 weeks. I have decided go visit for the weekend. I'm sad it is only for 2 full days, but excited nonetheless! I've heard great things about San Antonio. Not just the Riverwalk and Entertainment, but the Art, and History of the area is beautiful and a sight to see and experience. I'm sure we'll have to make countless trips back to experience it all.

I will try to post some pictures next week. I'll be back Monday afternoon!

Here's a picture of the Alamo. Ken took it his first day out on the town during his last 3-week stay!

Chat soon!

Happy 2009!

Well, it is 2009. Crazy. Just wanted to write a little something before I wind down...and prepare for another work day. I'm excited for what 2009 will bring. I hope it brings new and exciting things for Kenny and I. Ken will be making another trip to San Antonio in the middle of January and I will be visiting for a weekend this time. I can't miss out on the "Riverwalk" experience and that of the fabulous food in the San Antonio area. I love eating at outside restaurants and being in on the "action" of the downtown atmosphere.

I have to keep reminding myself to do something for me...and stop worrying about everyone else all the time. That's just me though. I don't think that will every change but I can tweek it a bit I hope. I must take care of myself better in 2009. I have not being doing that.

I know 2009 will be a better year for me professionally and emotionally. I will be writing down goals I would like to achieve and other to-do's on my list. There will be no "fear of the unknown" in 2009.....

I will share those goals soon...night night.