random musings

.....miss blogging...life is getting in the way of blogging about, well, life.....

.....worrying about my son's health has left me a closet basket-case...ugh.....

.....so many ideas floating around in my head, can't concentrate long enough to write one down.....

.....must start re-defining what "normal" means for me.....

.....feeling incredibly sad for the people of Japan today...random devastation is a tough and bitter pill to swallow...gonna give to the international red cross...hope it helps.....

My Etsy Shop is Finally OPEN!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

I'm so insanely excited! My shop is officially open! There's only one listing up, but it's a start. I'll be putting more listings up throughout the week as I finish photographing the items. Hope you'll stop by the shop to see what's available :-))))

Trata Threads: Adorable (and cheeky!) Latin-Inspired Baby Bibs



I was recently contacted by Taina from Trata Threads regarding her baby bib store. I no longer have kids of bib-using age, but I visited her Etsy store because the concept behind her bibs intrigued me.

Taina brought up a very good point in her email:

As a Latina Mom I'm sure you've walked into BabiesRUs or Target and have seen all of the bibs and onesies celebrated Mommies and Daddies, Grandma's and Grandpas. If you're anything like me you searched through the loads of novelty bibs and wondered, what about Abuelita and Tio? What about Madrina and Padrino? I've spent tons of time scouring the internet for baby gifts for my primos that could represent the things that I wanted to say, the inside jokes we have, or just something with MY name on it. I'm a Titi and a Madrina and I just want my favorite babies to be able to celebrate the people in their lives the way other kids get to. That's when my hermana del alma and I decided that there was entirely too many exclusions in the baby apparel industry and create Trata Threads.

I will admit I've had the same thought myself on countless occasions. There are so many cute bibs with funny phrases or slogans out there, and trust me, latins have just as many, if not more! I'm so happy there are people out there like Taina and her best friend Tracy who realize there is an untapped market for latin-inspired baby gear.

I urge you to visit their website Trata Threads. You can follow the "shop" link to their Etsy shop and browse the absolutely adorable and fresh selection of baby bibs.

Pins, Clips and Earrings - Oh My!

Tons of new items are up at Handmade Contessa. By "up" I mean, you can check out what I've been working on and what will be available at my new Etsy store come January. So stop by and check them out. Let me know what you think. I LOVE FEEDBACK!

Freezing My Tush In Miami

It was 36 degrees this morning in Miami. Huh? This Cuban mama was officially freezing her big Cuban tush off! Mother Nature certainly has a funny sense of humor. Doesn't she know we So FL natives can't handle anything below 55? Well, at least I can wear my "real" winter clothes for one day ;-)

Have a great day everyone.

More Etsy Shop Stuff: What Do You Think?

Aside from hair accessories and a host of other handmade goodies, my new Etsy shop {which will hopefully be up and running by January} will carry fabric flower brooches in several styles.

Take a look at what I've been cooking up here and tell me what you think of my latest creations? I really do appreciate your input while I tweak my products to get them listed.

Input Request on My Etsy Shop Items

If you get the chance, I'd love if you could stop by Handmade Contessa. I have a preview of what I'm working on for my new Etsy shop, and would love to read your thoughts on my finished products before I list them.

Thanks :-)

Ornament Wreath

Look who's been busy decorating for the holidays?!?! I made a lovely Christmas wreath using the very first ornaments I bought when we first got married. We've added new ones this year, and I couldn't bear getting rid of the old ones. So, voila, recycled ornaments and a new family Christmas heirloom.

You can find a tutorial to make a wreath like this one here. It really is easy to make, even if you're not the craftiest person ;-)

Are you a big decorator during the holidays? What are your decorating traditions? Do tell!

Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons

The holidays always bring out the baker in me. It's the perfect setting to whip up a batch or two of chocolate chip coconut macaroons. Oh the yummy goodness of chocolate and coconut together!

Yummy Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons!

Wanna make a batch for yourself or as a holiday gift? Here's what you'll need:

1 bag of coconut shavings (I like to use Mounds, but any brand will do)
1 can of condensed milk
1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1/2 tbsp of kosher salt

Mix the coconut shavings and condensed milk until both are well-blended together. Add the vanilla extract and egg whites (whipped). Fold the chocolate chips in slowly, and finish off with salt.

Place 2 inch wide spoonfuls of the mix (should look like little "hills") on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

What I Wore Wednesday

I'm awfully late linking up this week with Lindsey's What I Wore Wednesday blog hop but it was a crazy weekend. Little man came down with a mysterious "virus" that no one could figure out. High fevers and no other symptoms - jeesh! A shot weekend put me way behind this week and I, of course, have no pics of what I wore EXCEPT for what my entire family wore for our annual Christmas portrait. Don't my men look adorbs?!?!

In case you care about what I'm wearing, here's a rundown:

white tank top - Avenue
grey ruffled sweater - Old Navy
jeans - I.N.C.
grey knit scarf - Old Navy
cranberry Petal Pusher - The Pleated Poppy
"whoo do you love?" necklace - Lisa Leonard Designs
bling butterfly ring - Forever 21

Have a great week ya'll !

What I Wore Wednesday

Well, I mustered enough courage to link up again with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday. You know, I think there might be something to this taking pictures of what one wears. Why? For one, I noticed I wear alot of the same clothes time and again. And there's not that much color in my closet either. Ugh! Guess it's time to go shopping for some new items. Yay!!!

1) sheer blouse, white tank top...old navy
    tommy hilfiger boot-cut jeans
    white socks...express
    brown close-toe wedges...target
    fabric earrings, locket...Christine Kangas Jewelry Design
    poppy-accented gold bracelets...Forever 21
   white acrylic watch...fossil

2) gray cardigan w/ ruffled trim...target
    white tank top...old navy
    skinny jeans (a total oxymoron in my case)...I.N.C.
    blue flip flops...old navy

3) blue t-shirt...old navy
    skinny jeans...I.N.C.
    black gladiator sandals...D.S.W.
    crystal heart earrings (can remember where I got them)
    "from up here" necklace...Lisa Leonard Designs
    silver/black bangles...forever 21
    white acrylic watch...fossil
    stains on my shirt courtesy of my 2 year old ragamuffin

4) cream sheer peasant top, white tank top...old navy
    skinny jeans...I.N.C.
    brown close-toe wedges...target
    "from up here" necklace...Lisa Leonard Designs
    white acrylic watch...fossil

Here's hoping next week will be better and more colorful!

look at that punum!

Don't you just want to hug and squeeze that adorable little punum?!?!

What I Wore Wednesday

So I've been secretly pouring over countless "What I Wore Wednesday" posts from around the web for MONTHS. The voyeur in me just loves to see what my fellow bloggers are wearing. As much as I wanted to join in the fun, I was terrified of showing others what I wear. Frankly, I think my wardrobe sucks. Mommyhood has severely impaired my personal fashion sense. How sad {:-( } But the crazy Cuban in me can't resist a challenge. So I'm linking up for the very first time with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for my inaugural What I Wore Wednesday post. I only have a couple of outfits to share because my camera is acting a bit wonky lately {which is why I'll be buying a nice, new dslr camera VERY soon!}

So here we go:

midnight blue tank with rosette appliqués - I.N.C., Macy's
gray cardigan sweater with rosette trim - Target
jeans - I.N.C., Macy's
brown closed-toe wedges, Target (on clearance for $12.99! So comfy!)
white daisy earrings, So Good
heart necklace, Simply Silver Boutique in Coral Gables (now defunct :-( )
white acrylic watch, Fossil

gray tank dress, Target
jeeans, I.N.C., Macy's
brown close-toe wedges, Target (did I mention how comfy they are?)
from up here necklace, Lisa Leonard Designs
pearl earrings, Macy's
white acrylic watch, Fossil
petal pusher, The Pleated Poppy
charcoal bow-accented headband, Forever 21

my five favorite examples of the written word

The Raven

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good night

Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca

Invictus

Green Eggs and Ham

(and, yes, i am totally serious about the last one { :)}