Love and Lust for Life: NYE Traditions to usher in The New Year right!!!

OK…OK… so they are more like superstitions than traditions or maybe it’s all one of the same in the end, but being that I come from a long line of highly superstitious women, I’m not gonna take any chances and simply prefer to follow these “traditions” to insure I start off the New Year right ;)

#1        House must be dusted/cleaned and trash taken out before New Years, since after midnight nothing else can leave the House until after the First of the Year or you’ll be without the rest of the year.

#2        Stuff a handful of lentils in your pockets, purse, etc…Its suppose to insure abundance the following year.

#3        Wear yellow colored underwear to attract good luck or a new piece of clothing to insure new stuff will abound in the coming year.

#4        Jump off a chair or other piece of furniture and land on both feet, right at midnight, to make sure you are jumping into the New Year right.

#5        Make lots of noise and burn some sandalwood incense to chase negative energies and bad luck out of your home.

#6        Grab a piece of luggage and run around the block if you want to travel in the New Year.

#7        Eats 12 grapes right before midnight and have some champagne, be sure to toast and kiss/hug a loved one to keep your good fortune and love going all through the following year.

And while I may be ushering 2012 in by staying home nursing a case of the stomach flu :& uughh :& I will not be kept from doing all of the above to keep my traditions going, and with any luck, my good fortune as well ;)

Feliz Año Nuevo!!!

May 2012 be full of love, light and luck for all…Muchos xoxo’s and Ciao for now :*

Daily Life Loves: Out The Door Outfit…Yesterday!

This is what I wore “OTD” yesterday…Loving the pattern clash of Leopard vs. Ikat 0.0 Talk about a contrast that somehow worked!!! Simmered down by the black top and blazer combo and a pair of classic black pointy kitten heels…

Wore this to the office end of year luncheon, where per usual I ate waaaay too much :& Couldn’t be helped, we went to Javier’s on PCH which happens to be one of my favorite spots in town, their Shrimp Ceviche is DIVINO…by the end of lunch my leopard prints were looking a bit more like tiger prints all stretched out…PLOP! New Year’s resolution #1 – M-O-D-E-R-A-T-I-O-N!!!

Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…Number Twelve!

...and finally a Gift that keeps on Giving through the Holidays and hopefully beyond, thanks to amazing organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) A chance to help someone less fortunate this time of year! starting with the very basics of human necessities, yet millions go without, while many of us go with so much by comparison.

Each year, 90 million people are fed by WFP, 58 million of whom are children. Your donation goes a long way – every $1 you give provides a meal for 4 children...AMAZING!!!

And while you may not choose to endorse WFP like I do, there are many other fantastic groups doing work to better the life of others on this planet...all you need is a desire to give back, so try Paying it Forward this Holiday! You and someone you don’t even know will be glad you did ;)

Wishing you all Feliz Navidad and may your Gift comeback to you tenfold in Holiday blessings <3<3<3

Cheers and Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…Numbers 9, 10, and 11!

As last minute gifts, books never fail…I love giving them and getting them, plus wrapping is a cinch!

#9

A beautiful compilation of vintage biology prints that would appeal to any science buff as much as to an art and design one…

#10

A true classic, "El Principito" is a must for kids and adults alike in any language…

#11

For anyone who loved this now out of print magazine, and really who didn’t, this book is the Best of …I never get sick of looking at my copy and I promise you won’t either ;)

Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…Numbers 6, 7, and 8!

#6

To Market we go...CARRY your GOODS to market or really anywhere in this big but super light linen tote…Total coolness in its simplicity!

#7

This is what I call a party top!!! Super versatile with jeans for a Family Holiday Dinner Party or with wide legged velvet pants for a New Years Eve blowout!

#8

No gift guide of mine would be complete without some arm candy, this art decoish cuff  is swoon worthy, timeless and just perfect to spruce up any outfit, any season…my kind of gift ;)

Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…Number 5!

Five Gooolden Riiiiings!!! Great for stacking on your ring finger! or wearing individually as pretty lil’ things!! or one on each finger for a ghetto fab look!!!  0.0

Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…Numbers 2, 3, and 4!

#2

Amy Winehouse may no longer be of this Earth, but she left us with the heavenly gift of Lioness: Hidden Treasures …Gracias Amy <3<3<3

#3

Another one that captured my Heart…Literally! how lovely, quirky and cool is this Gotta Have Heart print…Thump-Thump is right!!!

#4

If my obsession with everything owls continues I may need to seek professional help from a Zoologist w/ a minor in Psychology…PLOP!!! In the meantime…aren’t these lil’ babies just a hoot, totally affordable and would spruce up any kitchen counter! Mine won’t go without this Navidad ;)

Ciao for now :*

Style Loves: 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas…

OK, so unlike some more seasoned bloggers whom come up with extensive Holiday Gift Guides weeks in advance… all fancy, catalog style, color coded, etc…etc! I’ve decided to oversimplify my version for my legions of fans…aka Mi Mami, lil’ Sis and Niece…thanks for reading guys, this one’s for you ;)

I’m calling it the 12 Days of XMAS Gift Guide…but don’t worry there are no Partridges in a Pear Tree (sorry :$ couldn’t help myself) and since this is a down economy my peeps, none of the 12 items suggested between now and Sweet Baby Jesus’ Birthday will be over $100 buckaroos!!! So, let’s get started…here goes #1:

                                                                                                     

Love the concept of this necklace, dainty yet carries the strength of 100 well wishes and gold plating to boot! Nice!!!

Ciao for now :*

Love and Lust for Life: Holiday Frenzy…

Aaahhh!!! Life has been a bit of a blur this week!!! Between the start of year end work, holiday travel preparations and throwing a Baby Shower for a dear friend this weekend... "Holiday Frenzy" takes on new meaning for me and it’s only December 2nd...PLOP!!!

Keep reminding myself to take mini breaks to avoid a mega breakdown...”Take a deep breath Mamma” as D would say and Exhale!!! Plus indulging in the occasional Holiday libation if everything else fails ;)

Cheers!!! Feliz Fin and Ciao for now :*

Daily Life Loves: Grateful for a few more things…

Now and Always! Thankful for a few more things…Blessed with Health, Happiness and a wonderful Holiday Meal!!!!

I’ve always believed that as long as I had my health I could do anything and be happy in life able to do the things I love! But now I cherish more the health of my Family and my sweet Son above all…

I’ve come to realize that if I had to choose between my own health and that of my child, I would without hesitation sacrifice my own well being to insure he was healthy and happy forever…Fortunately, we are both blessed with good health at the moment and for that I’m grateful and happy now and always!

Last but not least, grateful to be able to prepare and share a wonderful Holiday Meal with my loved ones…sometimes we are a large, boisterous bunch, up until all hours of the night…other times it’s just a few of us, quietly and comfortably sharing that Holiday meal and tucking into bed early or whenever the tryptophan kicks in...Grateful for either occasion and blessed they both are special and inolvidable now and always!

Feliz Fin and Ciao for now  :*

Daily Life Loves: Grateful…Now and Always!

It’s Thanksgiving Week along these parts and I decided to share throughout the things I’m grateful for. I’ve come to truly cherish this most North American of traditions and value its ability to bring people together to celebrate the cornucopia of life and help us all remember even in a “down economy” how blessed most of us truly are!

Now and Always grateful for my immediate Family…Blessed with Amazing Parents and the Coolest Siblings any big sister could ask for!

Plus a Loving Husband; and the most Fantástico Kid EVER!!!! Truly blessed! Ahhh, let’s not forget mi Lola too ;)

Gracias again Universe, God, Virgen del Valle…

Ciao for now  :*

Style Loves: Owls Everywhere…

I’m seeing owls everywhere and I love it!!! I'm not a bird person per say, but these marvelous creatures have always mystified and delighted me and I love how they can be represented as cute and cuddly or strong and wise...totally obsessed with them at the moment <3

As home décor: I'll take numbers 1,6 and 8 to start...

 Via: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/interior-design/owls-everywhere-all-things-owl-for-your-home-160768

As Arm Candy: Beyond Hot...but then again everything the Alkemie Jewelry folks make is supah caliente good!

Via: http://www.alkemiejewelry.com/collections/cuffs/products/owl-mask-cuff

...and finally As some Ink Inspiration…well maybe after I get my protective hamsa one, first things first peeps, gotta be sure to keep el mal de ojo at bay!!! and logically, what better way than tattooing a protective talisman somewhere on my body...Right! who's with me??? :$ 

Via: http://data.whicdn.com/images/12414568/My_Owl_Tattoo__by_MarenLPhotography_thumb.jpg

Have a Hootin Feliz Fin!!! and Ciao for now  :*

Tunes & Reads Loves: The other MK…

On my nightstand now is one very funny chica…Mindy Kaling’s book “Is everyone hanging out without me? and other concerns” has me cracking up before bedtime with insights into her life and hilarious, dead on observations on romance, friendships and Hollywood…

Just the right antidote to neutralize the effects of Tinseltown’s 10 o'clock evening newscast :&

Ciao for now  :*

Love and Lust for Life: Mean Girls…

OK! ¡OJO! This one's gonna be a bit long ;)

So, I get it we currently live in a society bombarded by images of The “Real” Housewives of Wherever, Jersey Shore, Bad Girls Club, etc..etc, but come on chicas, when did these mean girl antics become the norm and commonly accepted practice other than on "reality" TV…when did becoming a meany or worse a total biotch become socially acceptable in our day to day lives? I fear that one day, as historians look back on this generation of females, the footage that may define us is that of women in skimpy outfits, screaming obscenities and tearing each other’s hair out…PLOP!!!

Via: http://www.planet13.com.au/4346/Meany%2520Doodles-Badges-b.jpg

Just the other night I was at the gym for some usually fun Zumba Fitness. When I got to class there was a sub instructor that announced she would be teaching us “Hustle” instead… I decided to stay and make the best of it even though Hip-Hop influenced dance classes make me look like an even bigger super dork ;) Anyhoo, I figured who cares, we are all just here to have fun and get some cardio while at it….RIGHT?

 Via: http://craftside.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55007f5938834012877a718b0970c-320wi

WRONG!!! as soon as the class started I began to witness mean girl antics all around me…First, some of the hard core “Zumba ladies” walked out of the class while loudly and rudely expressing their dissatisfaction; then others started to tell the instructor how the class should be led and finally another “lady” actually went up to the stage, stopped the instructor mid routine to vociferously complain that the music was way loud and that the instructor kept repeating the same moves over and over again “in Zumba we move on to new routines quicker” she yelled…she ended her tirade with “STEP IT UP and TURN THE VOLUME DOWN…THIS MUSIC IS HURTING MY EARS!!!”

Via: http://www.planet13.com.au/4346/Meany%2520Doodles-Badges-b.jpg

The poor instructor was visibly upset, and this is a girl that looks like she wouldn’t normally be someone you could bully…At that point, I had had enough, not only were they interrupting everyone's workout but they were behaving horribly to this poor girl!!! So in the steadiest, firmest voice I could muster, I proceeded to remind all the “ladies” to “Mind their Manners” and show some respect for the instructor as well as the rest of the class that might still like to HUSTLE…Oh boy! did I get the dirtiest looks ever…but I remained unwavered! In the end a few more mean girls walked out, but this time they did so quietly and the rest of us got to get our HUSTLE on right ;) 

Mean Girls = 0

Nice Girls = 1

Ciao for now  :*

Product Lust: Peridot…The Color of the Season!

Have become obsessed with yet another freaking fantastico Chanel nail polish…Peridot is my latest vernis colour compulsion <3

Time and time again, the folks at Chanel make-up, turn out the most amazing nail colors and this is no exception…it’s a metallic golden hue w/ green undertones. The color reminds me of the patina of a beautiful piece of vintage brass!

I have not stopped wearing it since I bought it a few weeks back, the effect is just magical…under a certain light the polish registers as pure gold but as soon as the angle changes the wonderful green metallic undertones play up in the most amazing way…a bit edgy while still lovely and festive.

The perfect combo!!! I plan on wearing it all through this Holiday season…like little brass jewels for my fingertips ;)

Ciao for now  :*

Lil’ Loves: La Lola…

Introducing our other lil’ love, our four legged oldest child…La Lola ;) Ahhhh! but a la Puss in Boots, don’t be fooled by those big brown puppy dog eyes…She’s a full grown, very boisterous, borderline bitchy, 7 year old, West Highland Terrier (Westy for short); whom refuses to get off the bed or your lap until she’s damn good and ready and if you dare try…watch out!!! where’s Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, when you need him? :&

Still we love her to pieces!!! even if her high pitched, take me out for a walk NOW! bark, can peel paint off walls…Note to self: should research my choice of breeds more thoroughly next time, rather than “Honey, let’s get one like that totally cute puppy in the dog food commercials”….PLOP! 

Ciao for now  :*

Style Love: Happy Halloween en mi Casa...

As I mentioned before, I love Halloween and so I decked out mi casita to match… The vibe I was going for was Dia de los Muertos meets Goth Chic ;)

For the sake of safety, had to swap some of the real candles for the battery operated kind and a few string lights, not my fave, but definitely safer for the lil’ guy :)    

             

It’s just the right amount of creepy! but not so scary that I’m too freaked out to  go downstairs to get a glass of water in the middle of the night :& let’s be honest who wants that amount of bad juju in their home??? not me folks, no creo en brujas pero de que vuelan, vuelan!!!

Happy Trick or Treating and Ciao for now  :*

Daily Life Loves: Weekend Rewind…Buckle up!

Lots going on este fin de semana...Felt like I was going-going-going all weekend long and the non-stop roller coaster hasn't let up much after the beginning of the week either...Uffffff!!!

At least was able to get the wig did…yeay!!! had been a while too :& I do so love the feeling and look of salon did hair, but hate that it never stays that way for long, so unfair ;) This was followed by some Halloween fun in the Sun with my lil' Zorro…

Squeezed in putting the últimos touches on my Halloween Décor…more shots later this week as practice makes perfect with La Nikon ;)

All just in time for a Mucha Suerte Party for the Hubby! as we kick off our new Family Adventure…Let the ride begin! so "buckle up" or “please, seat belt Mamma” as D. says :)

Ciao for now  :*

Daily Life Loves: Out The Door Outfit…

This is what I wore “OTD” today…As predicted, the picture quality has yet to improve even while yielding La Nikon...oh well!!! Fell in love with the color of this dress, even if pleats are a bootylicious girl's worst enemy as c'est moi ;)

Paired it with the most comfortable platform ankle boots ever, that make me go from 5’6” to a towering 5’10” in 2.5 seconds...I feel for my vertically challenged male counterparts that can’t climb onto these babies and reap the benefits of a few additional inches in stature…sorry boys ;)

Topped it all off with a cozy, beautifully tie dyed infinity scarf and a white pinstriped blazer to make it all a bit more office appropriate…Gonna catch up with a dear girlfriend tonight over a couple of glasses of Vino and some delicious Tapas…GNO yeay!!!

Ciao for now  :*