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Sunday, December 25, 2011

3 Pretty Things...

One pretty tree skirt...for my tree...
One pretty DIY shirt...for my little girl...
One pretty and organized mud room...for my sanity...


Merry Christmas!!!

I love Christmas morning!!!
I love those smiles!!!...
 I got a new handbag and matching wallet! Thanks Santa!!!
...Merry Christmas everybody...!!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Work it Wednesday

Untitled #11

I know I posted about ankle boots a few weeks ago, but...I just got THESE boots this weekend!...I'm starting to buy things with a 'different' mentality...  In order for me to buy something, I have to think of at least three different ways I could style the piece...Words of wisdom from Kendi...  So, here are three more ways to style these!

We hosted a dinner party on Saturday night...this is how I styled my new boots...pearls and everything...I LOVE pearls, I love my new boots!!!





Sweater: Loft, Tank Top: H&M, Necklace: Charlotte Russe, Jeans: Banana Republic, Boots: JCPenney

Work it Wednesday!!!  Check out Good Life for Less!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Cooking in Heels...

Last Saturday night we went to a Surprise Birthday-Dinner Party.  A friend surprised her husband with an Interactive Cooking Class for them and 6 other couples.  She hired a private Italian Chef who taught us how to make from fresh pasta to Tiramisu cake.  It was a great night, plus I was so happy to 'cook' while wearing my new glittery shoes...talk about multi-tasking...he,he!!!

Top: Old Navy, Skinny Jeans: Banana Republic
 Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft


Cheers!!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Work it Wednesday: Ankle Booties...

Ankle Booties...

I soooooo want a pair of ankle booties!!!  As a matter of fact, it's on my tomorrow's to-do list...I'm serious!  I wrote 'buy ankle booties' and it's right under 'volunteering at my daughter's classroom'...that way I don't feel as guilty of buying yet another pair of shoes...

I hope I find them so I can wear them on Saturday night!  We have a dinner party and I'm thinking they will look cute paired with my new faux fur vest and skinny jeans.  I will post a picture this time!  I promise!

Make sure you check out Good Life for Less to see what others ladies have styled this week!

My Christmas Wish List...

My Christmas Wish List

Here are some of the things that could make me really happy on Christmas morning!!!  Obviously I don't NEED any of them...but...I can always buy the things I need myself...like a new rice cooker or a new set of sheets for my bed...those are things I NEED!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Hello Lover!!!

It's here!!!!  My package!!!  I feel such a rush whenever I get a package in the mail!  There's something about that little (or big) brown box on my front door!  This was totally an impulse/last minute buy...I would call it a 'Cyber Monday Treat'!

I LOVE Ann Taylor Loft!  The quality of the clothes is amazing, plus it's a great place to shop for both basic and trendy pieces.  I never pay full price!  I always shop the sales racks, which are always great!  For Cyber Monday, loft.com was offering a 50 % off discount on everything in the store.

I have been wanting a pair of really sparkly/glittery shoes to wear during the Holidays.  (This year is looking good!  We've been invited to around 5 parties/events already!).  I've seen this type of shoe everywhere, but always think they either look cheap, uncomfortable or too high, plus the glitter...the glitter!!!!  It's everywhere!!!...So...when I saw these babies at loft.com I had to have them!  I figured they HAD to be of better quality than any of those other cheap versions.  And here they are!!!  They're sparkly, glittery (a good-stay-on-glittery), comfortable and they look elegant and expensive...for $40.00, they had me at hello...




I plan to wear these with everything, from skinny jeans to my New Year's Eve dress...but that's another post!


Friday, December 2, 2011

Finally! Our Casa is ready for Christmas!

This week I have been busy 'dressing' my house for the Holidays.  I usually like to have my house decorated by Thanksgiving weekend.  But this year, since we traveled for Turkey Day, I was running a little bit late...  Being a little OCD myself, I couldn't take it anymore!  Now that my home is 'Overdressed' for Christmas, maybe I can start breathing and eating normally again...maybe I can even start dressing myself properly...! (I have been wearing pj bottoms ever since we got back from our trip!)  Yes, I know, that's not what I would call 'Overdressed'... ;)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cream Cheese Birthday Cake - Best Cake Ever!

A few weeks ago we celebrated my good friend Tina's 40th birthday!  It was a total surprise for her, she didn't have a clue... especially since her birthday was back in July!!!...  We never got to celebrate it with her during the summer so our friend Ana, planned a nice evening at her house and we told Tina it was a housewarming party. It really kind of was too, since Ana just moved to a beautiful new house at the lake.

It's been a while since I baked a cake, a 'real' cake, I mean!  But this cake is my all time favorite.  It's rich and dense and tastes like the cakes your grandmother made when you were a child.  It's totally a splurge in terms of calories, so don't even think about counting them!  To top it, I used a regular butter cream frosting.

In terms of decoration, I used a technique I learned from one of my favorite baking blogs, I am Baker.  These roses were really easy to make and they made the cake look, classy and expensive.  I didn't use a real color for my frosting this time.  I wanted an elegant, clean look.  So I just 'tinted' my really white frosting with Wilton's Color Icing Brown.  The brown made the white turn a very pretty shade of off-white or bone color.  I was really happy with the results!!!...and my friend Tina loved it!!!  Mission accomplished!!!


Cream Cheese Birthday Cake
(Makes a 12" cake)

Ingredients:
2    (8 oz.) cream cheese packages
4    unsalted butter sticks
4    cups  self rising flour
4    cups granulated sugar
12  medium eggs
1    tsp. vanilla extract

Procedure:
1.  Mix cheese, butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy.
2.  Add vanilla extract.
3.  Add half of the eggs (6) and half of the flour (2 cups).
4.  Continue mixing until well incorporated.
4.  Add remaining eggs and flour.
5.  Spread the batter into a prepared (well greased) 12" pan, tap lightly against the counter to remove   air bubbles.
6.  Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Happy birthday Tina!!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Two-Toned Ballerina Flats

Two-Toned Ballerina Flats

These are my new favorite shoes!  Why?  Because they're classy, timeless, neutral and comfortable!   Check out what other ladies have styled for this week at Good Life for Less.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

F21 Peekaboo Polka Dot Dress Remix


F21 Peekaboo Polka Dot Dress Remix


This is how I wore this dress on Saturday night!  Gold jewerly, brown tights and pumps!  I apologize for the terrible quality of this picture!  As you can see I took it with my iphone... I'm still figuring out my 'photographic' skills...if any!  I do own a camera, so I have no excuse!


Go ahead and check Good Life to see what others have styled for this week!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Packing for Puerto Rico...

Packing for Puerto Rico...
Ever since I moved from Puerto Rico (almost 4 yrs. ago) I always have the hardest time packing to go back to visit family and friends.  It's like all of a sudden I forget about all the clothes I own or how people dress living on an Island where it's summer all year long. It shouldn't be this difficult!...Duh!  Especially since I lived there 34 yrs. of my life!  The thing is that Puerto Rican women are the trendiest most fashion forward women I've ever known.  They dress up even if it's just to go to Walgreens...  So that means, I feel the need to look my best everyday while I'm visiting.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Airplane Fashion...

Airplane Fashion...

I don't like airplanes! It's not that I'm scared of flying...it's just because it is so uncomfortable! Especially if you travel coach! For me there always comes that time during each flight when I just don't know what to do with my legs, my arms or my head if I'm trying to sleep! Ever since we moved to MN we travel more often than before to visit our family in PR. This means I've learned to put together my 'perfect' airplane outfit. It always includes leggings, flats, Peds socks (security check point disgusting floor), cozy socks for the plane, a pashmina that doubles as scarf and throw and an oversize handbag to fill with magazines, book and snacks, and of course, my iphone for movies and music. Oh how I wish I could always travel First Class!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Exactly what I WASN'T looking for!!!

Missoni for Target
The Missoni for Target collection is long gone...It was available at Target from early September through Oct. 22.

For some reason I can't explain, I didn't buy anything from the collection! Not one piece!...  Last week I went to Target to pick a few things and...there it was! The Missoni for Target SALE corner!!!...Only a few pieces left, mostly little girls' clothes and rain boots. Between the girls' rain boots I spotted a very lonely box...and there they were: Missoni wide pumps in size 9.5!!!! Score!!!! The best part? They were reduced at $19.98!!!!    Love, love, love them!!!  I think they would look great with a dress or skirt, paired with black or colored tights...I'm thinking burgundy or winter green.... We'll see!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

From: MSP To: SJU

We just booked a trip to Puerto Rico!  It was kind of last minute since we usually like to go during Spring break.  But this time it's different.  My father in law is not doing well...he's very sick with Cancer.  What a bittersweet trip this will be...

On a lighter note, I've just realized I have already put all our summer clothes away!  We're having a Minnesota fall and in Puerto Rico people have an eternal summer...so I guess the Uggs will not be making the trip! 

What to pack?  That is the question!

cold & hot all in the same week!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Leopards and Murderers...


My kids ages are 10 and 7 years old.  Their age difference is usually not that noticeable.  It is times like these (Halloween) that you can actually tell they are 3+ years apart!  Gian wanted to dress up as a scary character.  His options were Chucky (yuck!) or the now classic Scream murderer.  Anna, for a change, was happy to dress up as anything Mommy picked for her!  So there goes Mom and picks the Leopard costume...Anna loved it, especially since we did a few 'adjustments' to it, such as adding the big poofy skirt, leopard socks, full leotard, etc...