Santa...Read Here!

I should start this post by saying, I'm not the most stylish woman. I lean heavily, on my friends. To you know, show me the ropes. I'm not kidding! After my separation, my friends took me to NYC. For a makeover, and shopping. Because, I had no style!

That doesn't mean, that I want to look frumpy. I like dressing up. I like feeling put together. And feeling like a woman. I just need help! But I do look at lots of magazines, I read many fashion blogs, and seek help from friends.

To be 100% honest though, the last year, I've lived in sweats. Sometimes leggings. And even days and days of PJs. I'm not proud. But I'm honest! Most of all, I like to be comfy. My clothes need to function. I have a sick baby. And a broken body of my own. That means, complicated clothes, don't fit into my lifestyle. Just plain and simple.

My Bestie has this great style. She is so cool and comfy. All the time! She has this ladylike look when she works. Most stylish doctor I know! Then she has these fun and funky clothes, when she performs. You should hear her sing! So I ask her a lot of questions. ;) A while back, my Bestie blogged about this cape. Love it!

Looks sorta like a jacket. Totally comfy. Just my style! Um, Santa if you are reading this...I want this for Christmas. And I swear, I've been a good girl! :) This cape, would totally dress up my usual outfit. And I might just try a little harder, to put on a pair of jeans...a few times a week!

Winter White

Over the weekend, we started decorating for the holidays. Everything looks so beautiful! My Baby Girl and I spent many hours today, watching the twinkling lights. :) It's so nice to watch the miracle of the holiday, through my daughter's eyes.

I'm still looking for some specific details. I want to buy some little lambs. A few vases, to fill with ornaments. I've seen those all over the internet! They are so perfect. I'm still searching for our stockings. And a wreath. Actually 2 wreaths. For our front door.

That's when I found this wreath. Darn google! The page is expired. Had I found it, I would have ordered 2. Immediately! But I didn't. So I called my Bestie. Who told me, these are super easy to make. She gave me a list of supplies, that I need. And explained to me, in plenty of detail, how to make this wreath.

You see, I'm in love with this color palette. It reminds me of "Winter White." And matches the decorations in our living room. The first "real room," when you enter the front doors. I really want this wreath. But I'm not too crafty. Actually, I was more crafty, when I was 6 years old! But I'm going to try. And well, if I doesn't turn out right, I might just pay my Bestie to make me 2! :)

GumDrops Save the Day!

Way back when, I called my Bestie. I wanted to pick at her brain. I wanted to know everything that she knew. Every single thing about babies. She works in the PICU/NICU at a hospital. My Bestie is also all about nutrition, and teaches about breastfeeding. So I called. A lot!!! Poor my friend. I probably called 20 times a  day. For my entire pregnancy! But my Bestie was so sweet to me. She helped me pick the best cloth diapers, nursery essentials, and breast pump.

I researched everything like a nut! I was a single mommy-to-be. Pregnant, alone, and scared. My Bestie lives across the country from me. I'd just moved 2 1/2 hours away, from everyone that I knew. And money was tight. But I wanted the best, that I could provide, for my daughter.

I was determined to breastfeed. I researched and researched. I needed some bottles. Because after 6 weeks, I'd have to go back to work. My Baby Girl would be in Daycare. Just down the road, from where I was working. My Bestie told me about some awesome bottles. And she gave me a few packs of GumDrops.

This would change everything! These pacifiers were supposed to be good for breastfeeding babies. A design that wouldn't confuse a baby. I ordered a few more things. Then this Guy, showed up with enough supplies, to last a few years! No lie!

GumDrops have definitely been lifesavers for us. When my Baby Girl had to learn how to suckle, GumDrops were the key. She LOVES GumDrops! They've helped in so many ways. And I've suggested them, for my friends' babies too. Lots of them have babies, a little older than my daughter. Right now, they're using them to chew on. Because they're teething. I'm telling you GumDrops are straight from heaven! If you have a baby, I'd definitely recommend these pacifiers. There are so many fun colors, and flavors. :)

De Colores

Let's start of with a little background info. I was born and raised, until I was 15, in the southwest. There were only 2 blond kids in my entire elementary school! I was one of them. The other was popular. Greg's grandma was a volunteer at our school. He was golden because of this. I on the other hand, was a total outcast. My only friend, was this gal. I was cool with that. She has been an amazing friend to me. I can't even begin to tell you, just how much she means to me.

At our school, we always did fun class performances. Things like Spanish Dancing, or singing Spanish Music. It was always a lot of fun. Our teachers would put up these props and houses. We'd practice for weeks. Then we'd put on our show. Most of the time at our school. But also at the local high school, or the Mall!

When I was 6 or 7, we were having a Holiday Show. I practiced hard. Learned all the music. Which was hard. It was all in Spanish. But my grandparents helped me. I begged my mom for a new dress. I wasn't asking for much. Something that she could make me. I didn't care. I just wanted something new. Everyone else was getting something new. Not me.

I wore black tights with this ugly, long pink sweater. It had a dog on the front. And had a hole on the side. My mom did manage to get me this embarrassingly huge bow for my hair. It was the 80s. There we were. Me and all my classmates. Everyone in new Christmas clothes. Me in my pink sweater. I was so nervous. We walked up the stage. We started singing. My favorite song, De Colores.



And I accidentally pushed over the "Hacienda." I had 3 teachers screaming at me. But I kept singing. With my "white accent" and all. As loud as I could. I'm pretty sure, everyone else had stopped singing. What could I do? I'll never forget that day. My mom wouldn't talk to me for days. My dad said I was an embarrassment. But I sang my favorite song. That's all that mattered. At least, that day.

Jump ahead. I'm 27, and pregnant. My Bestie is throwing me and my Baby Girl a Baby Shower. I'm happy as can be. As happy as a 8 month, pregnant mommy can be. I could barely move. But I was so happy! And I opened 1 of the many gifts, that my Bestie got us. It was this book...

I cried. It's the best book ever! I've read it many, many times to my Baby Girl. We've sat and talked about it. I've told her my funny story. Played her the song. Heck, I've even sang it to her a few hundred times. :) I might only be 1/4 Hispanic. But it still matters.

I want my Baby Girl to know about our family. Our roots. I want to share with her, a little bit of our history and culture. It's such a colorful, wonderful, and fun culture. This is just the beginning. But it's such a great place to start. I'm glad we have De Colores to share. :)

The Lion King

I was in elementary when the Lion King came out. I loved it! My Bestie and I, went out to watch it. It was a big deal to go to the movie theater. Especially together. It didn't happen often. But when it did, it was a big deal!

At the time, Disney was coming out with big movies every few months. And while my Bestie's favorite was Beauty and the Beast, mine was the Lion King. I liked all the animals, colors, and the music! The music was the best. I still enjoy listening to the soundtrack.

When I heard that Disney was re-releasing it, I was so excited! I've always wanted to share my favorite Disney movies, with my Baby Girl. I wish that we could go to the theaters to watch it. But the second best, we're going to buy this movie. And have lots of family movie nights.

Isn't that what having kids is all about? Sharing the things that you enjoy. Teaching them, loving them, and just enjoying the simple things in life. That's the way I feel. I want to share as many positive memories with my daughter as I can. Between, this picture of Simba, that face, reminds me of my Baby Girl.

My One True Love

My one true love is mascara. It never, ever let's me down. It makes me feel better. Every time I put it on, mascara just makes me feel better! Yes. It has such magical powers. Makes my blond, barely there eyelashes, look absolutely amazing!

Mascara and I have had the longest relationship. Ever! We've been going steady, for 18 years now. Great Lash was my first. And only love. Until I was 16. Then I tried out tons of different brands. I cried really hard when Max Factor, moved across the pond. Oh, he was my favorite!

Yes, when I'm not feeling so great, a new tube of mascara, just makes me happy. It doesn't matter if I pay $5 or $20 for my mascara. Just as long as it does the job! If I can get it for $5, it just adds to my happiness! Yes, mascara is just that magical thing for me. Way better than any kind of drink. :)

My Favorite Cookie Ever!

My favorite cookies ever, are chocolate chip cookies. Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookies! Yes, they are so good. Especially the ones right out of the oven. Warm and gooey. Yum!

When I was little, I'd beg my grandma to bake them for me. Then we'd eat them all! With ice cold milk. :) Those were the days. I can still taste them. Months ago, I baked them. They weren't as good as grandma's but they were still yummy! The only recipe that I baked, for a long time! If only I had a place, and some time, to bake a batch. But here is the recipe for anyone who wants to make some yummy cookies.

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.