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.