SAVING MONEY, TIME & MAYBE EVEN CALORIES

I think most moms like me are always looking for ways to save money on the things they need and especially on stuff they "just want" and is not a necessity. For me, one of the many things I "just want" (all the time) is smoothies. I have recently caught myself spending $5, $6, even $7 on these delicious snacks - especially during work hours. Wow! That can really add up in even just one work week, and  honestly I would rather spend that money on something else. So I thought, if only I could make my own smoothie at the office..hmmmm... I would  need a blender, frozen fruit, and some juice or milk which are items that I often keep in the little fridge at work anyway.  I kept putting that idea off,  our "kitchenette" does not  have much room for a big blender.  So when I saw this at the store, I thought PERFECT, and didn't think twice and bought it. Now I can conveniently enjoy a fresh smoothie at a fraction of the price and without having to leave the office, saving time, money, gas and maybe even calories.  



Hamilton Beach Single Serve Blender with Travel Lid TARGET $15.99

 

Baby Shower Fun

The family is super excited to welcome the newest addition; a baby boy due this May. My sisters in law and I put together this wonderful little shower this past weekend. We didn't allow the horrible weather to ruin our fun. We had lots of laughs, hugs, and even some tears.....all in all it was a great day. I thank God for these wonderful moments. 

Invitations made by me, with help from a very cool friend. Thanks Isela!

Polk a dot cup cake liners, I purchased from Quaintly Amusing. Thanks Adri!

The centerpieces, my sister loved them so much she wants me to make some for her bridal shower.

The ever so popular tissue poms!

Another great find from Adri's Etsy Shop.

Wedding Invitations

Wow, it's been a while since my last post, but here I am today.  I've been busy with a few projects. One of them my sister's wedding invitiations. I am so glad we are done with this. She chose a ready to print kit we found at Joanns, which I thought would make things easy, but boy was I wrong. She felt it was a little plain for her taste, and wanted to incorporate her wedding colors, so we had to figure out a way to customize them a little bit. This is what we came up with:

Wilton  Daisy Premium Pocket Wedding Invitation Kit - In it's original form.



We added black cardstock and coral paper to give it a layered look.



An open view of the invite.



To give it the finishing touch, we added a coral satin ribbon.   

and baby makes three...: The Launch of Quaintly Amusing & Giveaway!

and baby makes three...: The Launch of Quaintly Amusing & Giveaway!: "Celebrating! The Launch of Quaintly Amusing I am happy to announce that after countless trials and much hard work hunting for the perfect pa..."

I LOVE MICKEY!!

It's a new year, and I hope everyone had a joyful holiday season, as I did with my family and friends.  This is my first post of the year, and I'm going to share with you a little fun fact about me, I LOVE MICKEY! Ever since I could remember, I have always been attracted to anything Mickey Mouse.  Disneyland was and IS my absolute favorite place to visit. I can never get enough of it. Yeah I know it's a little childish at my age, and that is why my taste for everything "Mickey" has changed a bit. While I still love all the classic bright colors Mickey stuff has to offer, I now prefer and look for the subdued, more reserved designs. While out Christmas shopping, I found a couple of things, I could not resist to buy.  I found this Mickey Mouse Expressions Collection in the housewares department of Target, of all places. The dinnerware is perfect for every day use, and kid friendly too!  Check it out: 



I purchased a couple of these......



and these.....

and these.









I will be going back for these appetizer plates.......

 





and these serving bowls.......

 



and definetely this cute water bottle.



I HEAR WEDDING BELLS

I'm so excited and happy, that I want to share the news!! My baby sister is ENGAGED!! Her wedding is being planned for May of next year.  As a baby and small child, she was very close to me, and I to her. Our mother and I were her main caregivers. I was 9 years old when she was born, and I will never forget the day she came home. I immediately took on the"big sister role" and was excited to help out in any way possible. We have had our differences throughout recent  years, but deep down, I understand it is not her fault that "things" are the way they are in our family.  I wish her nothing but happiness, and I am very excited for her and also because she asked me to help her with the plans. Here are some ideas I really like, of course she will be the final decision maker on all, but not without my input, *hehe*. Also, PLEASE I welcome any ideas, suggestions and/or advice with the wedding plans. Right now, I am in search of her invites. We have decided to print them ourselves. I am actually going to ask a very good friend of mine to help witht this. *hehe* Her colors are CORAL, GOLD with a touch of BLACK.

MYSTERY HOUSE -

Give up??? ........The house in my previous post is the actual house and movie set used in the 1978 movie "Halloween".  It is where young Michael Myers murders his sister on Halloween night. When the movie was filmed, it was located in a residential area of S.Pasadena, however, it was later moved and renovated to it's current location and condition. Today it is situated at 1000 Mission St. in Pasadena, CA. It is being used as an office building. The house is not open for showings or viewing, however there is a replica of the house in South Carolina if you are ever in the area. The house is shown by appointment only, for more information check out their site: http://www.myershousenc.com/



A scene from the movie.





The house at it's current location.



MYSTERY HOUSE - Can you guess who's house this is?

Since I'm into HOUSES, I came across this one while doing some research. It's not on the market or anything, but it has a very interesting story to it.  Does it look familiar to you? Where have you seen it before?

THE COSTUME MAKER IN ME

I have always had a love and interest for sewing. Some way or another I have un officially become my niece's personal costume maker. From her first Halloween to this year's, yours truly has created and sewn all her costumes, all three of them! (hahaha)  From Tinkerbell, to Snow White, to the this year's  Minnie Mouse! 

I love the bow, it's perfect.

Made with LOVE by her Tia Vero

This is Daisy, trying on her costume, isn't she cute?

Home Improvement Projects

Last weekend, my husband and I finally painted our family room!!! I've been wanting and waiting to do this for years (literally), and since most (ALL) home improvement projects in my home only happen if I initiate them, I decided to buy myself (meaning separate from my husbands heavy duty ones) a few tools that will help me initiate a few more I have on my list.  With freshly painted walls, the interior decorator in me came out, and new window treatments, among other stuff, were a must!! The tools have definitely come in handy.  I can't wait to get started on my, I mean OUR next project.  I can't believe I'm so excited over it, but I just can't help it.  The full force interior decorator in me has not been out in a while, so watch out! I want to re-do every room in my house now. I just hope I don't run out of steam.  Here are the tools I gifted myself:


Black & Decker 4.8V Pivot Point Screwdriver

$29.99 - Target



Black & Decker Laser Level with Wall Mounting Access

$15.99 - Target

Visiting Abuelito y Abuelita

This past August, Benny and I took a much needed, heartwarming trip to my mother's hometown of Talpa. Talpa is your typical Mexican little town or "pueblo", whose main attraction is Our Lady of the Rosary of Talpa, a "Sister Virgin" who is adored by many devoted catholic people from all over, including me!! Talpa has several "Fiestas" throughout the year, this is when thousands take pilgrim trips to visit the virgin.

We visited Talpa during it's "off" season, which I personally prefer. Being in Talpa was refreshing, physically, mentally, and spiritually. We stayed at my grandparent's home and spend lots of quality time with them. The lifestyle in Talpa is very different than here in L.A. It's much more laid back and people seem very friendly. Computers and cell phones are seldom used for communicating and socializing. It's a place of cobblestone streets and where everyone knows everyone, outsiders are easily spotted. Church bells tell you the time of day and call the next mass. 

This was Benny's first visit, and I was happy that we both were able to connect with our family culture and traditions.  I look forward to visiting again soon.

My sister's Roaring 20s Birthday Party

When the idea first came up, I asked myself, how the heck am I going to pull this off? Well, lucky for me, Adriana came to the rescue. Without her help, my sister's 30th party would not have been as AMAZING as it turned out. Thanks so much Adri!! Here are some awesome pictures taken by Adriana.

Adventures in Real Estate - Irvine Condo $339,900

Check it out, I have a listing:
2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms, 1016 Sq Ft. Beautiful Condo in the city of IRVINE, one of the safest cities in California. If you know of anyone who is looking for a great starter property, this is the one.

Click here for more Details: Irvine Condo

THEY WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABIES

Sometimes I feel like I'm letting time just pass right by me. My life can be real fast paced, so I have to constantly remind myself to stop and enjoy the present, and enjoy my children at whatever age they happen to be. I have to admit, I loved it when my boys were babies, being a mom was a little more simple then. Today, I look at my boys, and I just can't believe how much they have grown. I know it's such a cliche, but it really does feels like it was just yesterday when I was bringing them home from the hospital. No matter how old and grown up they get, they will ALWAYS be my BABIES.

Mikey

Joey

Benny