Vanessa and Company

Bye, Blogger....

2009-09-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of http://www.ed2010.com

I'll miss you, I really will. Even though, I've been a lackluster blogger these last couple of months, we really had a good thing going. Don't be sad though, it's not you, it's me. I know, I know, that's such a crappy "break-up" line, but well, it's true....mostly.

See, I just gave my website a makeover, and integrated a blog into the new site.
I really wanted to keep using you, but I had to switch over to Wordpress.
It's all Go Daddy's fault. Yeah. They don't offer you as one of their platforms.
I had no choice, I swear.
Oscar made me do it.

Can we still be friends?
Okay, okay, I understand. At least we'll have our memories.

P.S. Come visit, over at my new home!!

Celebration

2009-07-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Baby Chloe at CHOC the day we brought her home. She was so tiny, only five pounds.

It's exactly midnight, July 29, 2009, as I type this.
It's just another day to many, but it's a day of great significance to me and my little family.
Six years ago today, our Chloe came into the world.
SIX YEARS. I cannot believe it.

Sabrina and Chloe, first day home.

You may be thinking, "Yeah, yeah, it's your kid's birthday, big deal.."
But, you see, it is indeed a BIG deal. Huge.
It's a big deal because when Chloe was born, we didn't know how long she would be with us.
She was born with medical issues, lots of them.
We didn't know there would be any problems with her health, beforehand, and were caught completely by surprise.

Parenthood is already a roller coaster ride, but for parents of children with special needs, it is doubly so. I have never been a fan of surprises, but the situation that we found ourselves faced with, ultimately brought out our best.
Our support system has been phenomenal. To all of you, my heart is filled to the brim with love and gratitude. You will never know how much, truly. You mean the world to us.

Chloe's is one year old here. What a cutie pie!

As I look at my sleeping baby (well, six year old, not really a "baby" anymore), I am awed at all she has accomplished. If you know her, you know, that it's been a long journey, but an amazing one, an eye-opening one, a cathartic one.

I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to raise this little person.

Happy, Happy Birthday Chloe.
Here's to many, many more.

My big girl.
Having lunch at Shoreline Village last week.

Summer Lovin'

2009-07-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

A Margarita made by my brother-in-law Bruce, heaven in a glass.
(Photo taken by and borrowed from Monica)

The summer is flying, flying by crazy fast. It's already July, soon it will be August, and then September, which means time for the little people to go back to school...though Sabrina is already itching to go back...nutty kid!

There are lots of things I love about summer, as it's slowly evolving into one of my favorite seasons.
Okay, so lets see....summer love is:

Backyard BBQ's
Running through the sprinklers
Frozen yogurt with mini M&M's
Nana's Potato Salad
Blue skies
Slip 'N Slides
Margaritas with extra salt
The smell of Sunscreen

I love summer! Hope you're lovin' it too.

LOL

2009-06-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

Sabrina and I have an agreement.
She's allowed to have fast food once a week.
It started out as Fast Food Friday, but I have since thrown caution to the wind, and let her pick whatever day of the week she wants, to have fast food.

Last week, we were pulling out of the drive thru at Carl's Jr, when I glanced at the girls in the rear view mirror, and happened to catch a glimpse of Sabrina examining her arm.

"Sabrina," I said "How many times do I have to tell you to put lotion on your arms?"
"You really need to put lotion everywhere," I continued. "I tell you that ev-..."
"I know, I know," she interrupted me, "I have dyslexia!"
"What?" I said, confused.
"Sabrina, do you even know what dyslexia means?"
"Of course I do!" she said exasperatedly "It means I have really dry skin!"
After a couple of seconds of silence, I erupted into a fit of giggles so fierce, I almost had to pull over to avoid getting into a car accident.
"Mama, what is so funny?" she demanded.
After I caught my breath, I said "Sabrina, you don't have dyslexia, you have eczema!
"Oh," she said "That's what I meant, eczema."

When the giggles finally died down, I explained what dyslexia was, and told her that I wasn't laughing at people that have dyslexia, it was the confusion between the two words, that got me going.

LOL indeed. I haven't laughed that hard in years.

A Melange of Sorts

2009-06-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have to say this gloomy weather is killing me.
I am usually digging the gloom, but since June is reaching it's middle point, my brain is seriously confused. I mean, it's supposed to be warm, sunny even, umm, you know, summery.
No, luck though.
It's been overcast and rainy going on two weeks now, with no end in sight.
Oh well, another excuse to fire up the 'ole oven, and bake with abandon.

The other night, Sabrina casually mentions that the 4th/5th grade "Hoedown" is coming up, and would I be so kind as to pick up a "few" things at the market, you know, our contribution to the party.

"Coming up?" I ask, "What does that mean exactly? When do you need to bring this stuff to school?"
She looks away from my piercing death stare, and mumbles,
"Um, let me go get the note."
She hands me a crumbled piece of paper, and as I'm reading it, I notice the deadline to bring in hoedown items is today.
"Sabrina," I say "When did you get this note? The deadline was today."
"Oh," she says quickly, "It's okay, Mrs. V. said we could bring stuff in tomorrow too."
"Well, that's a relief," I say sarcastically.
Then she adds, "Mama, do you think you can make me some of those jeans with the patches, and a cowboy shirt?"

Okay, I love my kid, I swear, but this is Wednesday night, and the hoedown is Friday.
I am many things, but I ain't no miracle worker.
Not to mention, I have been working like a dog on a wholesale order I need to deliver soon.

I promptly tell her she's crazy, and there is no way I can produce an outfit with such little notice.

"Okay mama," she says in a sweet and gentle tone, "I understand."

Can you say, "bad mother"?

I of course, buy the hot dogs and lemonade for the hoedown, and proceed to descend into the realm of guilt, where even the best of mamas end up occasionally.

Yesterday afternoon, giving in to my guilty conscience, I attempt to produce a "cowgirl-ish" outfit for the hoedown.
I have to say, the fact that she would even want to wear an outfit made by me (she is almost ten, which says it all), is a victory in itself, and well worth the extra effort on my part, to sew it all at the last minute.
She looked adorable, and was so grateful, that I really felt like a heel for my initial reluctance.

Here's my girl:

Bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Love the jeans.

Ready to get down at the hoedown.

On another topic entirely, I have to give some props to Oscar for his transformation of my fabric cabinet. In a nutshell, I got the cabinet from Monica, who graciously gave it to me gratis.
It originally had glass panels, because I believe it was intended to be used as a china cabinet.
I kept the panels for quite some time, but since I used it to store my fabric, which most of the time, was not a pretty site, I longed for a solution that would keep everything inside, hidden.
I tried papering the glass, which was okay, but I didn't like it as a permanent solution.
Mirrors? Antiqued mirrors? It was brilliant, but I continued to drag my feet.

Recently, I asked Oscar if it would be possible to put beadboard in place of the glass.
"Sure," he said "No problem."
No offense to my lovely husband, but sometimes "projects" take a while to get done around here.
To my delight, a week later, he completed this project for me, and happily, I might add.

Here is the cabinet in its various stages of metamorphosis:

The original glass.

The papered glass.

The new and improved cabinet, with beadboard panels.

Ooh pretty.

Love the birdies.

One more birdie in flight, and check out those boss rose knobs.

I think it turned out well. You?
The knobs are from here, and the birdies, from here.

It's Friday, yay!
Enjoy.

Please forget the lyrics.

2009-06-02T14:52:00.001-07:00

(pic borrowed from LadyGaga.com)

A couple of weeks ago, Sabrina, Chloe and I were watching Dancing with the Stars, the finale.
Sabrina is crazy for that show, and by default, I guess I am too, a little.

My favorite part though, is the results show, mostly because of the guest appearances by some pretty cool singers/artists, whatever they call themselves these days.

Anyway, the DWTS (as it will hereafter be known) finale was no different.
Lady Gaga was on.
Okay, I have seen her perform here and there, even live (although at the time I hadn't heard of her, and since she was one of the opening acts for New Kids on the Block, her performance was lost on me anyway).
I'm not sure whether to love her or hate her...until the DWTS performance.

She sang two songs, I'm not sure if the first one was "Puh-puh-puh-puh-poker Face", or "Let's Dance" but no matter, since it was the second song that won me over.

"Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."

I thought nothing of it, only that it was a mighty catchy tune, and the girls agreed with me.
Well, not Chloe so much, but she's only five, and still worships Barney, so what does that tell you?
Sabrina thought Lady Gaga, and the "Disco Stick" song were awesome.

The next day, as Sabrina re-watched the DWTS finale, for like the fifteenth time, Oscar happened to be in the room, right as the delightful Lady G was doing her thing.

"Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."

Sabrina was also getting her groove on, belting out the lyrics, at the top of her lungs.
"I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."

Oscar looked at me, his eyebrow raised, and whispered under his breath,
"We can't let her keep singing that."
I quietly whispered back,
"Oh?"
"Well. you know," he said, "It sounds dirty."
"What do you mean?" I said, still oblivious to the reason for Oscar's mortification.

Boy, am I slow.

"Oh crap, " I said, "Disco stick, that does sound bad."
I'm sure our minds didn't mean to take a naughty turn into the gutter, it just happened.
Don't judge me.

Our worries were in vain however, since the next day, Lada Gaga and her now notorious song were quickly forgotten, as Sabrina's main concern shifted to what the school cafeteria was going to serve for lunch.

Until today.

Chloe and I picked Sabrina up from school, and as I was fiddling around with the radio stations, I heard the song, that apparently we all had been longing to hear...

"Let's have some fun, that beat is sick,
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick."

"Let's play a love game, play a love game,
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game."

"Mama, I love this song!" Sabrina exclaimed
"Uh yeah, me too," I said "It's called Love Game."
"Really?" Sabrina said, "I just call it Disco Stick."

Sweaty Summer

2009-05-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

I love this picture.
When I see it, I definitely think of Summer, not sweat.

It's almost June, which means that in twenty-two short days it will "officially" be summer, though most people mark summer's beginning as right after Memorial Day.
Either way, summer.

Don't get me wrong, I love summer.
Longer days, warm weather, the sun.
It's all good.

The problem is, that along with the heat, comes the sweat.
I have the very unfortunate problem of being a "sweat-er"
No, not a sweater, like the kind you wear, but a "sweat-er," as in one who sweats...a lot.

I don't know why, but I have always had this, um you know, issue.
It's pretty embarrassing, and it gets worse if I am particularly stressed out.

Example:
I am getting ready for a _________(fill in the blank with an important event here).
Wedding, birthday party, confession, you name it.
It never fails. As soon as the adrenaline starts flowing, so does the sweat.
Once those initial drops start to make their way down my face/back/whatever, I try to relax, deep breathe, think of something or someone, like my fantasy boyfriend Michael Buble.

Nothing works, and I'm doomed to ride out the sweaty wave, until it subsides on its own.

So, what to do?
After lots of analyzing and research, I've come up with a brilliant solution.

Crank up the A/C full blast, and strip down to the bare minimum, while employing deep breathing techniques, and a Michael Buble fantasy.

Relaxation will ensue, and the "sweats" will be no more.
Standing in front of the open freezer door, with a spoon, and a giant pint of ice cream work too.

Ahh summer, can't wait.

I Feel Pretty

2009-05-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Me and Monica on my birthday, at the very end of our Disney day.

Smart.
Pretty.
Hot.
Cute.
Beautiful.
Sassy.
Sweet.
Kind.
Generous.
Sexy.

There are many words we can use to describe ourselves.
The way we see ourselves.
The way we think others see us.

As girls...women, we are always climbing the slippery slope of self-confidence and self-doubt whether we admit it or not. It's true.

I'd like to think that I am not defined by the too dark shade of lipstick I choose to wear, or the "cutting off my circulation" jeans I'm too lazy to change out of.

Don't judge me if I pick up my kids from school today, wearing sweats and an
"I Love Bear Hugs" tee shirt.

Don't make assumptions about me, if I have my hair in a ponytail or happen to have a zit (or two) on my chin.

Those things do not define who I am.
They are just incidental things, things that happen on a sometimes daily basis.
Things, I am okay with.

Sometimes I have a great hair day.
Sometimes my skin is almost totally clear.
Sometimes my "skinny" jeans are my "these fit me without having to hold my breath" jeans.
Sometimes I eat salad and feel good about it.
Sometimes I don't.

There are so many cool and uncool things about being female.
Today, I choose to embrace the cool parts.

Like, Omigod, I'm so sure!"

2009-05-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of words.

I like writing them, speaking them, reading them.

I especially love the generational slang that I've spoken and witnessed over the years.

I was born in 1975, and grew up mostly in the eighties, so there was a lot of this...

"Um, like yeah, that's totally awesome!"

"Oh grotey, gag me!"

"Like, Omigod, that is so totally rad."

The words "like" and "totally" were such a constant part of my vocabulary, my parents probably thought it was all I was capable of saying.

Though "like" is now an infrequent visitor in my speech, I can't seem to ditch "totally."

Of course, the eighties were almost thirty years ago, and seem like the dark ages to the youth of today...like my Sabrina, who is partial to words like "chillax."

Me? I'm partial to words like "shenanigans."

As in..."Omigod, you guys need to totally stop your shenaningans, and just chillax."

Wedded Bliss

2009-05-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

The new Mr. and Mrs.

It's Tuesday.
It's Cinco de Mayo.
It's also two days after my cousin, Araceli's wedding (she's on her way to Hawaii as I write this).

I arrive at the topic of this post.
CUPCAKES.
If you have had it up to here, with cupcakes, and all they represent, I heartily apologize.
I am just about nearing the point of needing a cupcake hiatus myself...

Where was I? Oh, Cupcakes.
Glorious cupcakes.

I am quite a fan, but have found that a really good cupcake, can be elusive.
I have spent countless hours in my kitchen, perfecting recipes, while slaving over a hot oven.
So, when Araceli asked me (or maybe it was my suggestion, my memory is fuzzy) if I could make her a cupcake wedding "cake" it sounded like a good idea....at the time.

I thought it would be a piece of cake.
Easy as pie.
No problemo.

As her wedding date approached, I baked cupcakes.
I baked some more.
We even had a cupcake dress rehearsal.
I was prepared, ready.

The problem is, that I have never executed such a task, and there is a big difference between thinking you are capable of doing something, and actually doing it.

The week of the wedding, I began to panic.
What was I thinking suggesting a cupcake wedding cake?
For the love of all things good and pure....her wedding day.
Kind of important.

Okay, okay, I know, it's just the cake, it's not like I was in charge of making her wedding dress or anything, but still.

The day before the wedding, I dragged my good friend Peggy, (who is married to my cousin Andy) downtown, to the flower mart. She was so gracious, as we wandered through what seemed like thousands of flowers, finally finding some that were deemed worthy of Araceli's wedding cupcakes.

On Sunday, the day of the wedding, I woke up bright and early (okay, it was like 10 o'clock, but the wedding wasn't until six...), and began baking.

I would love to say that everything went off without a hitch, but sadly, that was not the case.
I was nervous. I had stage fright. I forgot things, and almost really botched the job, over and over again.

About half way through, I finally snapped out of my my nervous, fumbling haze, and became a cupcake wielding machine.

Peggy called to see how I was faring, and politely asked if I needed any help...setting up the cupcakes. Normally, I am all about politely refusing help, because I'm just weird and stubborn, that way, but not this time.
There were alot of shenanigans involved in transporting the cupcakes to the wedding site, and in the whole "cake" set up, so I wasted no time in accepting her offer.

We arrived at the restaurant on time...which was a welcome surprise, and got to work.
It took about forty-five minutes total, and I have to say, was relieved when we were done.

I finally breathed...after awhile.
And the cupcakes...well they weren't too shabby.
See for yourself.

A view of the cake table, in the last bits of the afternoon sun.

The center stand. The cupcakes were Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting.

One of the cake pedestals.

Oh, and the cupcake consensus at the wedding was favorable, yay.

Amish Friendship Bread

2009-04-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

A couple slices of the finished product.
I'm no food stylist or photographer, but take my word for it this is good stuff

I'm an average cook, but love to bake, and as far as I know, nobody has ever had to go to the emergency room after consuming any of my baked goods, which in itself, is a victory.

Recently, my brother-in-law, Bruce, gifted me with a "starter" batch of Amish Friendship Bread.

I have known Monica and Bruce for a long time now. I'm pretty sure I've received a "starter" batch of this bread at least once before, which I never saw through to the end....if I'd only known what I was missing.

So, I get this Ziploc bag full of goopy batter, along with instructions to make the bread.
It's a ten day process, which of course I thought was a crazy amount of time, but decided to give it a shot.

I got the batter last Saturday, and the ten days were finally up yesterday.
I waited until eleven o'clock last night to finish the bread (typical me), and since it takes an hour to bake, was up until 1:00 A.M.
I waited for it to cool, and helped myself to a slice.
My word, it was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.
Not exaggerating, honest.

After ten days, and a ton of steps, I was beginning to think there was no recipe, Amish or not, worth all those shenanigans.

I stand corrected.

Try it, you'll like it...unless you hate cinnamon....then you won't like it (this recipe has lots of cinnamon, though there are other versions of it here).

I found the "starter" recipe here, but am going to re-post it, so you'll have all the instructions, handily in one spot.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter
**Important: Do not use any type of metal bowl or spoon for mixing. Plastic or glass will have to do...a wooden spoon is okay too.**

Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.
2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.
3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.

For the next 10 days handle the starter according to the instructions below for Amish Friendship Bread.

Amish Friendship Bread
Again, no metal bowls or spoons for mixing and do not refrigerate.
It is normal for the batter to rise, bubble and ferment
Day 1: The day you make the "starter"
Day 2: Stir the batter
Day 3: Stir the batter
Day 4: Stir the batter
Day 5: Stir the batter
Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk to the bowl, stir the batter.
Day 7: Stir the batter
Day 8: Stir the batter
Day9: Stir the batter
Day 10: Follow the instructions below.

1. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and 1 1/2 cups milk to the batter, mix well.
2. Measure out four separate batters of 1 cup each into four one gallon Ziploc bags.
Keep a "starter" for yourself (if you want), and give the other three to friends, along with a copy of this recipe. If you don't pass the "starter" batter to friend on the first day, make sure to tell them which day the bag is on when they get it. Mark the bag with a start date, and make a note of the dates and the corresponding action.

3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

4. To the remaining batter add:

3 eggs
1 cup oil (or 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup applesauce)
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1 large box vanilla pudding
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

5. Grease two large loaf pans, and in a separate bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Dust the loaf pans with half this mixture.

6. Pour the batter into the two pans and sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top.

7. Bake for one hour. Cool until the bread loosens evenly from the pan (about ten minutes).
Turn out onto a cooling rack. Serve warm or cold, and preferably with an icy glass of milk.

If you keep a starter for yourself, you will be baking every ten days.
If not, just enjoy your bread, and hope that some sweet soul will gift you with the batter again someday.

Excuse Me Ma'am, How Old Are You?

2009-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sabrina, the tween.

I have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks.

I used to really love my birthday. I'd look forward to it, relish it.

I'm not sure when the warm and fuzzy feelings toward the day of my birth, turned cold and un-fuzzy, but I would imagine it was after I turned t-h-i-r-t-y.

"Gimme a break," you may be thinking.
"Thirty is young, it's the new twenty."
Sadly though, I am inching closer to the big 4-0, rather than 3-0, which is slightly terrifying.

Drama aside, I don't really feel too much different than I did in my twenties.
I still think of myself as young, youthful, hip, even.

A couple of nights ago, Oscar, Sabrina, Chloe and I were watching Dancing with the Stars, Sabrina's favorite show (she's almost ten, what you would call a tween).

I am particularly hooked on Gilles Marini, the super hot Frenchman that is paired with Cheryl Burke.

I was watching him, uh, I mean them intently, and when they were finished dancing said,

"Wow, they rocked."

To which Sabrina replied, with a somewhat pitying look,

"Mom, no one says "rocked" anymore."

"Really?" I said, "No one says that anymore, since when?"

"Um, since like, forever," she said, just a little too smugly for my taste.

"Oh, well," I said "I still say that."

To which her response was an exaggerated eye roll.

"Oh my goodness," I thought to myself. "Maybe I am old, or worse, un-hip."
A familiar feeling of dread came over me, you know the one.
It's the one you get when some well meaning young lad bagging your groceries, calls you "Ma'am."

I guess I could just embrace my impending birthday, with grace and class.
Let my hair go gray, without a care in the world.
Say words like "Rock" and "Cool" and "Radical" with wild abandon, while my daughter cringes inwardly at her "old" mother.

I have to admit, though, that I secretly enjoy watching Sabrina get riled up, when I sing too loud, or say something she thinks is kooky and old lady-ish.
I am also too vain to not cover up my gray hair, which thanks to genetics (and probably some stress ie:kids) happens to be way more than I deserve for my age.

So for now, I will continue making appointments at the hair salon for my dye jobs, and try not to go ballistic when the perky cashier at Trader Joes, asks if I need help out with my groceries.

Chick Flicks

2009-04-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

I don't really know why I have them on the brain, but I've been watching alot of movies lately that I suppose, could be considered "Chick Flicks."

Now, I've never been one for horror movies, and I usually don't find myself watching many action films, unless, I've dragged Oscar to something like, um let's say Twilight, and I owe him a turn.

My favorites, have always been the ones that make me cry, make me swoon, make me laugh, and/or all of the above.

At the risk of seeming like a complete sap, I do enjoy the occasional psychological thriller, but only if I am not watching it alone, as I have an overactive imagination, and will be looking over my shoulder for days afterward.

So, I thought I would share my Top Five "girly" movie go-to's, guaranteed to chase away even the crabbiest of moods...you may even share my enthusiasm.

1. Dirty Dancing (1987).
Okay, you may be thinking, how totally cheesy this one is (if you are, stop it, that's crazy talk.), but you gotta love it. I mean, dancing, shirtless dance teacher, all that bumping and grinding...good girl falls for bad boy....It's a classic, really.
I just saw it again recently, and it still does it for me, just like it did back in 1987, when it was first released. Patrick Swayze, shirtless equals H.O.T.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)
I hadn't seen this one in years, and it was on Showtime last week.
So you can imagine my delight, when I discovered Oscar had TIVO-ed it for me.
I loved Julia Roberts in that movie, and Richard Gere, was of course, nice eye candy. I also got a huge kick out of seeing the giant cell phone he toted around during parts of the movie.
My favorite character has to be Vivian's friend Kit. One of my favorite movie moments occurs while Kit is waiting for Vivian in the "Reg-Bev-Wil" hotel lobby, and spots a conservative looking couple eyeing her curiously. "Fifty bucks Grandpa, for seventy-five, the wife can watch."
I laugh my ass off every time.

3. You've Got Mail (1998)
I really loved Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle, but this one remains at the top of my list, mostly because I love the contrast between their internet relationship, and their real-life one. There's also something to be said about a man who is so devoted to his dog, though I guess that could be good and bad. Another plus is the chuckle it gives me, to watch it now, because of the whole internet dial-up thing. Crazy how fast things become yesterday's news.

4. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
I know that this storyline is somewhat of a stretch (wishing dust), but come on, it's not a documentary, and who couldn't use a little wishing dust from time to time?
I was almost thirty when this movie was released, and I could totally relate to all of the eighties throwbacks, uh, since that was also when my formative years took place.
Mark Rufalo is a cutie-pie and has that sexy-smart vibe going on (which I like), and I thought Jennifer Garner was really endearing. My favorite scene is where they all do the Thriller dance, while at the big Poise magazine party. Thriller was the bomb, and I may have engaged in those very moves, a time or two.

5. Twilight (2008)
Okay, this one is a no brainer. I started reading this series right before the movie was released, and was instantly addicted. I'm not obsessed or anything though....really. I can stop anytime I want. I know these books are geared toward teens, and all, but I really loved them. I can't explain, without sounding incredibly lame, but if you've read them, you know what I mean.
The movie, though not as good as the book, is still worth a look (maybe more than once).
And Edward, well don't get me started, but let's just say, I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers....(although, technically he doesn't eat, but oh well, you get the point).

I know I said this was a Top Five list, but an Honorable Mention goes to another one of my favorites, Music and Lyrics (2007). Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, are adorable together, though he is a tad older than she, which seems a little creepy, but Hugh is boyishly charming, and a little charm goes a long way in my book. I really love the movie's premise too, and that POP! music video has me rolling, every time I see it.

I have way more of these in my Chick Flick movie arsenal, but will quit while I'm ahead.
I suggest you grab some microwave popcorn, heavy on the butter, some Red Vines, and your remote, and enjoy several hours camped out in front of your television....exercise, schmexercise.

If anyone gives you any lip, just crank up the volume, and threaten to start reciting lines from one of the above mentioned flicks. Guaranteed to clear the room, fast.

Where the Heart is

2009-04-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

A sweet vignette.

I've always loved houses, homes. I thoroughly enjoy visiting peoples homes, because there is usually so much of them in there.
The decor, the things that people surround themselves with, it all speaks volumes about who they are.

Lots of cookboks.

The front porch...a sleepy gnome.

I live in a small suburb in Southern California. My neighborhood and I have a unique relationship. I wasn't too keen on living here at first. When we moved here a few years ago, it was a move inspired more by necessity than choice.

Our home has undergone quite a transformation over the years, and still could use more, you know, always room for improvement, and all.

Home sweet home.

However, I have come to the realization that I really love my home.
There are many reasons why.

Our bougainvillea tree

The house is small.
It doesn't have any architectural details, or anything grand about it to speak of.
The neighborhood is not fancy, and the neighbors are not high-falutin' types.
The lawns are not perfectly manicured, and you don't see high end strollers, being pushed by moms in matchy tracksuits.

The backyard

What is it then?

The best way to describe my feelings about the house is simply a feeling of being Home, of knowing that this is where we were meant to be.

Sabrina

I hear the roosters crowing, and I think of Grandpa.
All the quirks of this place are what I have come to love about it.

Grandpa's milkbottles.

Sometimes, when I'm outside, and looking at the large expanse of our backyard,
I can't help but hope that if Grandpa and Grandma were still with us, they'd be proud.

A little piece of paradise.

All of these beautiful pictures were taken by the lovely Monica. Thanks sis.

What's in a Name?

2009-04-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

Me and Osc

If you know me, in real life, or even online, you probably know, I am a fairly modest person.

In all aspects (mostly).

I came across this website today, maybe you've seen it, maybe you even check it out on a regular basis. I guess I'm behind the times or something, because it's a first for me.

Urban Dictionary.
H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.

I have to say though this is my favorite definition.
For obvious reasons, because well, you know, my modesty and all.

Here Comes the Bride...

2009-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

The Pretty Bride-to Be

I must have been a party planner or even a party girl in one of my previous lives.

I love to plan parties.

Birthday Parties, Holiday Parties, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers...
I could seriously plan a party for almost any reason.

After Chloe was born, I found myself lacking a key element in party planning, t.i.m.e.
The party gene was wiped out completely for awhile, but has slowly come out of hibernation over the last couple of years.

Lucky for me, my cousin Araceli is getting hitched in a mere five weeks.

Since she is sweet as can be, and really more like a sister, I (actually my mom and I) graciously (since I'm such a great hostess and all) volunteered to host her bridal shower.

I started my planning fairly early (which is rare for me), and ordered some totally awesome invitations from the super nice and really talented Vanessa. Her shop is chock full of some really cool paper goodies. Super reasonable prices and the best customer service.

Since I am so, umm, shall I say "particular," I kindly asked if she would make some labels, inserts, and even Thank You tags to match. This is the invite I chose for Araceli's soiree.

Pretty, huh?

My mom was kind enough to host the party at her casa so, my job was mainly to decorate and bake like a whirling dervish.

Here's the Party Table. Lots of cookies and sweets.

My favorite half of the table. I fashioned a tablecloth out of Heather Bailey's Pop Garden.

Araceli's favorite cupcakes. Red Velvet.
I found those vintage bride and groom picks on Etsy.

Aren't these roses gorgeous? Wow, gotta love Costco.

And look at these babies...they'll put any fancy flower shop's flowers, to shame.

Party Favors.
You can kind of see the matchy Thank You tags.

Araceli and her mama.

The ladies enjoying the gift opening.
There's my mama in the glasses.

Ina Garten. Love her.
Time to break out those new pots and pans, girl.

Me and Ara.

I have to say, it was a lovely shower.
Appropriate, for a truly lovely person.

Inhale, Exhale, Breathe

2009-03-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

I feel as bad as this room looks.
This is an old picture though, really. My bedroom is no longer this color, and I swear it's clean-ish.

I'm sick.
Ugh.
I.hate.being.sick.
I.rarely.get sick.

I spent last week camping out with Chloe at CHOC, and caught who knows what.

I am congested.
My nose is runny.
I am coughing up a lung.

I have no motivation to do any type of housework
(Ha,ha,ha! I never do, but now I actually have an excuse).

I would love a nap, but alas, the duties of motherhood, await me.

I really miss being able to smell stuff.

Colds suck.

I could really use some homemade chicken soup right about now.

Boo-tay Call

2009-03-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Frida Kahlo and Minnie Mouse last Halloween.
No correlation between this photo and this post. It's just a spunky pic, ya know?

Sabrina caught a cold last week, and stayed home from school on Friday.
She wasn't totally "out of commission" sick, but had all the standard cold-like symptoms. Congestion, sore throat, cough.

Since Chloe catches pretty much everything, I quarantined Sabrina to the far side of the living room, where she could hack to her hearts content, and I wouldn't nag her too much about staying away from her sister.

Sabrina, agreed to the quarantine, on one condition.
"You know I don't do deals, Sabrina," I told her.
"It's not a deal mama," she said
"I just want to bring my bean bag chair into the living room."

Pay no mind, that there is a perfectly good chair, expressly for the purpose of sitting, curled up with your blankey, when you don't feel good.

We went back and forth for a few minutes, until finally the bean bag won out.

She dragged it, along with the book she was reading for school, to her little "corner" of the room, and happily ensconced herself in it's comfy embrace.

About an hour went by, maybe more, and things were quiet.
The television was on, but Sabrina, Chloe and I were each doing our own thing.

"I'm sorry Boo-tay," I heard Sabrina say.

At first, I thought I heard her wrong.

"Sabrina," I said, "Did you just apologize to your butt?"

"Yes, mama," she said nonchalantly.

"Why, in the world, would you need to say sorry to your booty," I ask.

"Well," she said matter of factly "I took a break from sitting on my bean bag, and was sitting on the floor, but after a while my booty started to hurt, so...," her voice trailed off. "I just thought I should say I was sorry."

"What?" she said, as I looked at her, my eyebrow raised,
"Why are you looking at me like that?"

She promptly got up from the floor, and plopped herself back onto the bean bag chair.

"Ahh," she said, "that's better."

Hooray for beanbags.

Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly, lolly, lolly....

2009-03-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

I love that old song by the Chordettes...you know the one....it's been around awhile.

I always feel it necessary to stick the 'ole thumb in my mouth and pop it out, to make the "Pop" sound. Weird, I know.

That song may be old but there's another set of Lollipopz that are new, brand spankin' new.
These.

It's a new design group on Ebay that I am a member of. Yup. New, new, new.
The debut launch is today, and will run until March 26.
All the lollipoppy listings can be found here.

If you are interested in a ton of FREE stuff, as in GRATIS, skidaddle on over the the groups BLOG. Someone is going to make out like a bandit. Actually a few someone's will, maybe you'll be one of them.

And well, since this is a shameless pluggy type of post, I've got these auctions running NOW, as I type this, as you read this post.

Feliz Lunes!
Now go spend your hard earned money on some cute clothes for your kids!

To Hamster or not to Hamster...that is the Question

2009-03-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Istock.com

I have mentioned before that the only pets we currently own, are fish.

Sabrina, begs for a dog almost on a daily basis. She's been doing it for months now.
A couple of weeks ago, she announced that she wanted a hamster.
Hmmm...

"Sabrina," I say, "I thought you wanted a dog? Why all of a sudden do you want a hamster?"

"I just do," she says matter of factly.
"Can we maybe go to Petco...umm, not today, but maybe tomorrow and get one?"

"No way, " I say. "A hamster is not a toy, we have to talk to Daddy, and see what he says about the whole thing."

She half-heartedly agrees, and begins asking me if I need her to do anything. You know, like chores.

"I can clean my room," she says brightly.
"How about I wash the dishes for you?"
"Can I make your bed?"

Ordinarily I'm all about the kid picking up my slack around here.
However, I know her sudden interest in "helping" me out, is hamster-related.

*********************************

Fast forward to Saturday.
Oscar agrees to take Sabrina to Petco. Hamster research.
I make him promise not to bring any furry creatures home.
He agrees, and instead comes home with lots of Hamster literature.

Sabrina is pretty jazzed at the prospect of learning more about her potential future pet.
She eagerly shows me the pamphlets.

"Hamster Care"
"Hamsters sleep during the day. They are awake at night"

"Hamsters have high metabolisms, and should have constant access to food and water"

"Hamsters can be cranky if disturbed during their daytime sleeping hours. So try to schedule daily cage cleanings in the late afternoon or evening."

The list goes on and on and on....

Don't get me wrong. I love animals. I had pets growing up, although not until I was about twelve, but that's neither her nor there.
The point being, that pets, in general, are alot of work, and once the novelty wears off (which it will), who will be stuck on Hamster duty?
One guess, moi.

I can barely handle the "duties" I already have.....cleaning, "cooking" taking care of kids and husbands and laundry...need I say more?
Adding a hamster to the list may prove disastrous, for both of us.

Oscar tells Sabrina, after patiently listening to her read the pamphlet,

"So, let me get this straight. The hamster sleeps during the day, will be awake at night, making all kinds of racket, while you are trying to sleep,"

"You won't be able to take him out of his cage and play with him during the day, as he will be sleeping (and cranky, no less),"

Oscar continues rattling off the 101 things the brochure advises, is necessary, to be a responsible hamster owner.

Sabrina is unfazed.
"I will daddy, uh-huh, I know daddy, I understand daddy, okay....uh-huh, okay...okay...."

Needless to say, the hamster negotiations are still going on.
We have all agreed to wait until, Sabrina's next report card, for the final decision.
Fingers crossed.

Tie One On

2009-03-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

I know I already posted today, but this deserves a shout out.

My poor sister Monica (she is actually my sister-in-law but after sixteen years, the in-law part, kind of gets blurry), has been sick, yet the trooper that she is, has bestowed upon me the most delicious pictures.

I made these little girl aprons, in a somewhat futile effort to use up some of my enormous fabric stash. I took my own pictures, and they were, let's just say, craptastic, and that is being generous.
I begged Monica to re-photograph the aprons for me, as well, I wanted to actually sell them.

And look...

Bunny Tea

Hello Monkey

Sparkle Spring

Man, she is a miracle worker. Not to mention her kids are pretty easy on the eyes...!
So, on the off chance you need an apron for a diminutive person in your life they are here.
You rock Monica.

Feliz Cumpleanos

2009-03-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

The birthday girl and Sabrina

Yesterday was my mama's birthday.
In her honor, I threw her a pretty rad shindig.....

I'm not exactly a "social butterfly," so in my book a rad shindig is usually a small(ish) one.

Tia Sylvia and the party table

My mama and pretty Araceli

Chloe and the Jokester

Two of my favorite ladies

Good food (green chile enchiladas, rice, chorizo beans and green salad),
Birthday cake (lemon cooler cake=store bought),
Sweet treats (sparkle sugar and chocolate chip cookies=homemade),
Presents,
My favorite people,
and
Kooky jokes, as told by my dad,
equal a totally awesome time.
Fur sure.

The Curse

2009-03-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

Mom and Papa in all their glory.

We all have our own version of what a "curse" is, and it's not too often I throw that word around. I mean how often do you use the word "curse" in everyday conversation?

A few months ago, right after Sabrina started the fourth grade, she was busily doing her spelling or vocabulary homework. I don't remember which one.

She spent about half an hour writing sentences using the words that were on her list that week.

Sabrina is a very meticulous and detail oriented person.
So, it came as no surprise, when she asked me to double check her sentences, to make sure everything was on the up and up.

They were all very good sentences.
Witty, clever even, and well they all made sense, which is ultimately the goal, when you are in the fourth grade.

I made my way down the page, and stopped at one of the last sentences she had written.
I read it once, then twice.

"My Grandpa says when I grow up, I will get the curse."

I tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle my laughter.

"Sabrina," I asked, "Do you know what the curse is?"

"No," she said, "but Papa says I will get it when I'm older."

"Do, you want to know what it is?"

"Sure," she said, "What is it?"

You probably know what "curse" my Dad was referring to.
You know the one..."Aunt Flow" or the "Monthly Visitor," or (insert your favorite term for "the curse" here).

As I started to explain "the curse" that would someday befall her, she held up her hand,

"Ewww Mom, that's gross."

Thanks Dad.

One Fish, Two Fish, Third Time's A Charm Fish

2009-03-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

Goldie and Pearl, our gargantuan pets.

The only pets we currently own are fish.
Two humongous, Little Shop of Horrors-like, goldfish.
One is aptly named Goldie, and the other one, not actually gold, is named Pearl (see photo).

Sabrina won Goldie at her school carnival, almost two years ago.
Yes. You read that correctly. Two years.

These are the tiny "feeder" fish they give away at carnivals for winning the ring toss game.
The ones you are usually attending a toilet bowl funeral for, after a couple of days.
A week, tops.

"Don't get your hopes up, Sabrina," I said.
"These fish, don't usually live that long."

Way to crush the kid, you may be thinking, but she had experienced a couple of prior fish deaths, so our expectations were low.

Oscar bought a small fish tank. He filled it with clean-ish water, a small filter and pretty blue rocks.
He followed all of the instructions dutifully given to him by the Petco clerk.
Goldie was deposited into her new home, and we all sat around on pins and needles....waiting....

Would there be a third fish funeral in our future?

Goldie, about a week old, the new fish on the block

Every morning I would wake up and inquire about Goldie's status.
And every morning, would be the same.
A -L-I-V-E.

A few months passed. Oscar decided it was time to get a friend for Goldie.
Another trip to Petco, and $150 bucks later, we had a fancy new aquarium and two new fish.
Aquarium and accompanying bits.....$149.50.
Fish.....$.50.
No kidding.

Unfortunately, the Petco clerk forgot to mention that new fish usually need to be quarantined because they carry around a fish virus called ICK.
So, the new fish infected our robust Goldie with the ICK virus.
After some internet research, Oscar discovered that ICK had a cure.
Fish antibiotics.
Seriously.
So, off to Petco I went. To purchase fish medicine.
Sadly, one of the newbie fish didn't make it...fish funeral number three.
The other one, Pearl, did.

Two years.

Goldie and Pearl happily co-exist.
Both of them Huge, and eagerly anticipating their next meal.

Goldie and Pearl hiding from my camera.

Goldie, age two.

No Hablo Espanol

2009-02-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

My familia last Thanksgiving (please excuse my lovehandles).

I'm an American, and proud of it.
I am also of Mexican descent.
Both of my parents were born in Mexico, and came to these great United States in their youth.

I learned how to speak Spanish, only because my (Grandma) Abuelita Clemen who took care of me when I was little, did not speak English. She spoke to me only in Spanish, thus I learned to speak the language.

My parents spoke only English at home. No espanol.

I am a child of the eighties.
Teased hair, Z. Cavarrici pants, blue eyeliner and frosted pink lipstick.
I went to a Catholic High School, and was a typical American teenager.

In my youth I got a job working for Pacific Bell, in the Hispanic Center.
The Hispanic Center was a call center, that took customer service calls from all of PacBell's Spanish-speaking customers.

I spoke Spanish all day, every day, and really began to master the language.
Even my Abuelito Adal was impressed. We had many conversations about telephone service. My Grandpa and I would talk about long distance carriers and about why his bill was so high. I would relate some humorous story or another about this customer and that customer.
Those were some good times, good memories...and all because I was a Spanish-speaking machine.

After I left that job, my awesome Spanish skills began to wane. I tried to "practice" by speaking in only Spanish to Oscar (who does not speak Spanish), but that didn't last long.

He would look at me blankly until I would just give up, and revert back to good old ingles (english...see, I still got it).

After Sabrina was born, I would constantly get the riot act from my Grandma.

Her: "Mija, porque no le hablas en espanol a la nina?"
(Why don't you speak Spanish to Sabrina)

Me: (Sheepishly) "Pues, si le hablo en espanol...."
(I do speak Spanish to her) Liar, Liar pants on fire.....

Her: "Pues no creo que le estas hablando en espanol...por que no me entiende!"
(I don't think you are speaking to her in Spanish because she doesn't understand me)

Me: "Ummmm.....no se por que....."
(Ummm, I don't know why..)

But of course I knew why the girl didn't understand my Abuelita, because I really wasn't speaking to her in Spanish. Aye, ya yay!
So everytime I would see my Grandma, she would tell me what a dis-service I was doing my daughter. Dios mio, the guilt, but she was right.

So now, Sabrina is almost ten, and asks me constantly why she doesn't know how to speak Spanish, except what she learned by watching Dora the Explorer as a toddler.
You know the words, probably the same ones you or your own toddler know...

"Vamonos"
"Bate, bate chocolate"
"Amigo" and
"Si se puede" (this one, sadly ironic, since it means "Yes you can").

Lucky for me, my Abuelita is still around. She's 86 years old, and as sharp as a tack. I adore that lady more than I can put into words.
When her and Sabrina get together, it is quite an interesting scene as the communication dance starts between them, but somehow they manage.
I still say a few Hail Mary's every night to lessen my guilt though.

Sabrina and Abuelita Clemen last Christmas.

C is for Cookie....and that's good enough for me

2009-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

"Cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C."
Sometimes that song gets stuck in my head.
Cookie Monster has the right idea.

I love cookies.
I love to bake.
I love it when my pants fit, without me having to lie down on the bed, while sucking it in, so I can zip them up.
Sometimes my first love (of cookies), results in the latter.

In an effort to slim down, I told myself I would no longer buy any "ready-made" cookies or baked goods from the supermarket.
"If I want cookies, I will just have to bake them myself."
That became my mantra.
I figured the effort of having to bake the sweets I so desired, would deter me from eating said sweets.
Uh...that was a total bust.
I became a baking fool, and found myself constantly pre-heating my oven.

Since I am such selfless person, a real giver, I have decided to share one of my favorite and extremely easy to make, cookie recipes.

The recipe comes from this book:

I borrowed the picture from this totally awesome Flicker pool, but my mom has one exactly like it.

The reason I love this recipe so much is that it only requires five ingredients.
I also dig that it's made with cake mix. Genuis.

You can substitute the Yellow cake mix for any kind of cake mix out there.
Chocolate, Strawberry, White, Devils Food...

Cream Cheese Cookies
1 box yellow cake mix (any brand will do)
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (I usually just use the store brand)
1/4 cup butter
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream butter and cheese. Blend in egg yolk and vanilla. Add cake mix (dry) 1/3 cup at a time. Make sure to mix well, after each addition. Cover and chill thirty minutes, or if you are pressed for time, you can chill it in the freezer for 15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Drop by level tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. I would also recommend using a cookie scoop, if you have one, and lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper. The parchment paper will guarantee nice evenly baked cookies, and your cookie sheets will remain clean. Just a thought.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned. Another tip, I always bake them for the least amount of time, but that's just me, and I guess that would also depend on how well your oven is calibrated. Let them cool for a bit.

Here is the finished product. I know, I'm not sure why I didn't remove them from the cookie sheet, and arrange them prettily for this photo, but it is what it is.

Give 'em a try. They might become your new fave.

Wait, wait, wait, your turn....

2009-02-20T10:22:00.000-08:00

(Preface:This picture has nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was funny, and characteristic of how things look around here sometimes...kids strewn about on the floor, stray crayons, stuffed animals...)

Waiting. It's an interesting concept. Sometimes, a hard one to grasp.

Case in point:
This morning, I made my way to Tar-jay. I had to pick up a couple of prescriptions at the pharmacy. It opens at 9AM, while the store opens at 8AM.

Oscar was working from home this morning, so after I dropped Sabrina off at school, I headed straight to the big "T." The idea of an entire hour to aimlessly wander through their aisles, had me practically drooling. I arrived in the parking lot promptly at 8:00, stood in line at Starbucks, (conveniently located inside the front entrance), bought myself a Cafe Mocha, grabbed a shopping cart, and began my leisurely stroll through the store.

I cannot say, how great it was to not really have a purpose, to just walk, and look, and maybe spot something cool, ie:the 75% off section of Valentines Day stuff. I am a sucker for holiday decorations, particularly if they are way discounted.

As the clock neared nine, I made my way to the register, and paid for the odds and ends I had picked up along the way.

Easy Breezy.

I calmly headed over to the Pharmacy Department.
There were two little old ladies already there.
The Pharmacist was helping one, while the other waited her turn.

Lady Number One, and the Pharmacist, Peter, seemed to be playing a game of Twenty Questions.

"What's best for my cold?"
"How much is this one again?"
"I'm out of my vitamins, where are those?"
"I think I called in another prescription.....not sure when, can you check?"

Peter was extremely patient. Really, sweetly patient.

Lady Number Two, however, not so much.

I think I counted about ten sighs, and at least three very exaggerated glances at her watch before, another employee showed up at the pharmacy counter to help old Pete out.

Lady Number two, was swiftly asked how she could be helped, and was taken care of straight-away. At about the same time, Lady Number One, completed her transaction.

It was then my turn.

I used to be quite easily annoyed by the likes of Lady Number One.
Those pesky little "Inconveniences."
You know the ones, Unsure Lady (the one who can't seem to make up her mind, similar to Twenty Questions Lady), The Sunday Driver, The Lady With 101 Coupons, The Person in the Drive-Thru, who while waiting in the long line of cars, still doesn't know what they want when they get to the window.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Today though, I was not annoyed. Not bothered in the least. I didn't impatiently sigh, or glance at my watch (though I don't wear a watch, but if I did...), or roll my eyes, or mutter naughty words under my breath.

You know what?

It felt good. I felt good.
Score one for learning how to be more patient.
That's progress, my friends.

Freedom

2009-02-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

I am a proud mama. I have two little girls, Sabrina, who will be ten this year, and Chloe, who will be six. I think kids are great. Growing up, I was the neighborhood babysitter. I raked in the dough. Two bucks an hour, my friends, a pretty penny.
I fancied myself to be quite patient.

Well, mostly...usually.

As I get older, I have what Oscar, refers to affectionately as a "short fuse."
I really don't agree....but will admit to occasionally losing my patience.
I mean, motherhood is a tough job.

Sabrina is super smart (what mother's child isn't), and quirky.
She has a personality totally unlike my own. She is independent, outspoken and gregarious. Sassy, but not disrespectful, and a great conversationalist.
She is kindhearted, very patient, and sensitive.

I dig this kid. Really, dig her.

Chloe is a whiz at the computer. She can maneuver game after game, like a pro.
She can show you how to get to the websites for Noggin, Nick Jr., Webkinz, Club Penguin, and Barney (her personal favorite) in no time flat.
She has loads of bookmarks, and can start up or shut down the computer like nobody's business.

I am in awe of her.

Chloe is special. She cannot walk. She cannot speak. She cannot sit up unassisted. She is a prisoner of her own body, but her brain is unaffected. She is intelligent, and amazes me every day.

Chloe recently became the proud owner of a new wheelchair. It has a shiny black frame that glitters in the sun, and is a snazzy shade of purple (her choice). Her name is embroidered on the seat in bright pink. Chloe loves to go out. She loves the mall, which we try and visit often.
Total hardship, I know...Mall...shopping..hmmm....tough.

The first time she used her chair was last month.
I parked my van in the Macy's parking lot at the mall.
I unloaded the chair, and sat her down.
I buckled her seat belt.
She smiled.
Sabrina asked if she could push her.
"Sure, " I said "Just not too fast."
Walking beside Sabrina, I watched as she carefully pushed her sister.
Chloe's eyes were wide, but her smile was priceless.
Freedom.

In the beginning, it was hard. I couldn't help but wonder why I was chosen to be her mother.
I am just an ordinary woman. No special talents or skills. I couldn't do it. I knew I would fail.
Almost six years have gone by. I am still here, we all are. Oscar, Sabrina, Chloe and me.

I used to constantly pray for strength, and patience, BC (before Chloe).
I believe I got what I asked for.

I'm lovin' it...

2009-02-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

I think that's the advertising tag line from the McDonald's commercials that seem to always be on the telly. They may have a new tag line now though...not sure as I don't keep up with the Mickey-Dees ad campaigns too much (I do love a QP w/cheese now and again).

I am loving lots of things lately, and since Valentines's Day just passed, belated though I may be in my loving, I figured it would be appropriate to share.

I'm loving the weather we've been having here in SoCal. Rainy. Cold. Crisp. Winter-ey.

Don't get me wrong, one of the perks of living in Southern California, is the weather. It's always nice, and warm. Sunny, even. When it's supposed to be winter though, I like to actually experience a seasonal change in the weather, call me crazy, but I love that.

I'm loving the fact that as I'm typing this, it's quiet. No TV, no noise, other than the tip-tap of my fingers hitting the keyboard, and Chloe quietly playing on her computer (more on that later).

I'm loving that my bed is made.

I'm loving that I cleaned the house over the weekend, and don't have to do it today.

I'm loving that I have Apple Jacks in my pantry, and will be enjoying a bowl for breakfast.

I'm loving my bluebird cookie jar.

I'm loving my new Webkinz Love Monkey, affectionately named Coco-nut.

I'm loving that you're still reading this...

There's so much more to love, but for today, I'm good.

Hoping there's lots of things you're loving today too.

Paradise...found.

2009-02-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post today...a shameless plug of sorts.

I haven't made anything new in some time. Actually, that is not entirely true. I just haven't made any new children's things since December. So, here's a little number I cooked up for a launch on Ebay with the design group Gallerybay.

I call it Mermaid Paradise. You can find it here.
I think it's one of my new favorites.

Super crazy props to Monica for the totally radical pictures.

Blue skies, green grass, rockin' view....it's paradise alright.

Chocolate Corks and Bouchon Pans

2009-02-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

I've been sick, since Friday. Not deathly ill, but enough to be semi-miserable. I jinxed myself. All of the fam has been sick for weeks, one after another. As each person came down with whatever mysterious cold/flu/infection they each had, I marveled at my awesome immune system.

"I can't believe I'm not sick, being around all these sick people," I thought. Well, apparently, my immune system, is slightly less than awesome, and I finally came down with a quite offensive cold.

On Saturday, Oscar took Sabrina to the movies, and then brought her home so he could do some man errands (ie:get a haircut, buy insoles for his shoes etc). By the time he made it back to the good ole casa, it was almost 9:00PM, and I was ready to keel over.

He excitedly announced that he had bought me a Pre-Valentines Day gift. Despite my poor frame of mind, and cold medicine induced fog, I was intrigued. I'm always down for a good present. He handed me a Williams-Sonoma bag. I'm always down with Williams-Sonoma too. With an anxious smile, he waited as I took out the gift he'd lovingly chosen for me. Inside the bag, was a Silicon Bouchon Pan, and a sugar shaker. I love to bake, but had no clue what a bouchon was. To boot, on the back of the box, was a recipe for Chocolate Corks (which at the time sounded slightly inappropriate to me, who knows why...). Oscar suggested I make the Corks right then. I suggested we wait until, I didn't feel like coughing up a lung. He agreed.

Last night, while watching 24, Oscar reminded me about my promise to bake the Chocolate Corks. Since I felt heaps better, I set about this task with good intentions, but low expectations. Any recipe with the word "cork" in it, sounds slightly dodgy to me. I also Googled the word "Bouchon", and found out it's French for none other than.....cork. Brilliant.

The Bouchon pan is interesting. The wells for the bouchons are tiny. I mean, really small. I followed the directions on the back of the box, filled the pan, and popped them into the oven. The baking time, was twenty-one minutes, according to the box. Fifteen minutes to cool on the wire rack in the pan, and another thirty minutes cooling, on the wire rack, out of the pan. I thought that sounded like too much effort for such a tiny baked good, but it was too late to turn back. I was committed to the Corks for the long haul.

I watched, I waited. The timer beeped, and I took them out of the oven. I followed the cooling instructions. I attempted to remove them from the pan. They did not budge. Hmmm, I checked the box to see if I was supposed to have greased the pan beforehand...nope. OK. I grabbed a butter knife in another attempt to spring them loose. I turned the pan upside down. Still, no budge. After about five minutes of trying to extract them, one popped out. Or should I say, half of one popped out. They were not cool enough...still....even after forty-five minutes of cooling. So, I waited some more.

Oscar was on the second installment of 24 by this time.
"Hey honey, are the Corks done yet?" No answer from me.

Another fifteen minutes went by. I went in for the final cork extraction, and only managed to get like three or four intact corks. The rest were missing bottoms, or tops. I grabbed a napkin, plopped down on the couch next to Oscar, and handed him one of the non-decapitated Corks.

"Mmm, he said, tastes just like a brownie."
My sentiments exactly.

Lesson learned:
Next time, just spread the batter into a brownie pan, and call it a night.

Big Jugs

2009-02-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

OK, this is not that kind of blog, but the word "jug" is hi-larious to me, I don't know why, I'm just nutty that way. Anyway, in reference to this here post, you may be wondering, "What the heck??" I will spill.

A couple of weeks ago, Oscar came home with a jug of wine. Yes, that's right, a jug. Considering that he does not drink wine, ever, I thought it was a tad odd. The conversation went kinda like this:

Me: Hey, what's up with the jug of wine?

Osc: Huh? Oh, I'm going to start drinking a glass of red wine every day.

Me: Oh. Ummm, why didn't you buy the good kind, then? The kind, not in a jug.

Osc: Well, grandpa used to drink a glass of this (insert super sale jug of wine brand name here) wine every day, and he lived to be 90.

Me: Okay then.

And there you have it, the hubs' reasoning for buying (and drinking), the big jug of wine. I thought, it was just a phase, It'll pass, I said to myself, but here we are, weeks later, still drinking from the jug (well, not literally, he uses a wine glass....at least).

Sooo, here's my bright and oh-so-humble, retro-ey kitchen.

The stove....ahhh nice, very-stove-ey....

A cute chalkboard, sweet....

A few of my cabinets, very kitchen-ey....

and at last.....there it is. "Big Jugs" as I have affectionately nick-named, the big jug-o-wine.

Ain't she a beaut?

Two weeks equals Too Long...

2009-02-04T21:05:00.000-08:00

It's February now. It has seriously taken me this long to finally get out from under all that laundry. Not. Kidding. Clean clothes rock, man.

Dirty laundry aside, I have been nursing sick kids, which is always a big bunch-o-fun. I think my new first name should be Psycho Lysol Wipe Lady. I need to buy some stock in that company. There have been alot of sickies around here, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't be joining that club anytime soon....

I made a few new things, some dishtowels...which is freaking hilarious since I hate washing dishes, ha! I like pretty dishtowels though, I have lots. Here are a few...

Senorita Trio

and of course everyone needs one of these...

They are here.

In honor of being clean, and laundry-less, I'm baking some brownies for me....uh...I mean "Us" (the hubs and myself)...the chocolate smell is wafting towards me, as I am hurriedly trying to finish typing this sentence. Off to get my chocolate fix.

Oh woe is me.....the laundry

2009-01-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

Ugh....anyone who knows me, knows how much I detest doing laundry. I can stomach most domestic chores, but there is something about doing the laundry, that makes me want to hurl.

The thing with hating to wash the fam's clothes, is the pesky little problem, of not having anything clean to wear. I mean, the hubs shouting "Do I have any clean chonis (pronounced cho-nees, for the uni-lingual), at six in the morning, as he is scurrying to get ready for work, is not even enough for me to get my act together, and just wash the dang things already.

I don't know what it is. Since it's January and all, new year, blah, blah, blah, I figured I should at least devote a few minutes to pondering why, I almost need a death threat, to get the laundry done.

1. I like clean clothes.
2. Doing laundry equals clean clothes.
3. I do not like folding clean clothes....or dirty ones for that matter.
4. I do not like putting aforementioned clothes away.

The last two points equal this:

I have no shame! Sabrina's pink Christmas tree is also a casualty of my lack of motivation. See it's branches peeking out...Aye, ya, yay! What's a girl to do?
What I really need is a laundress, one that comes once a week, washes, dries, folds and puts away all our dirty clothes, all while I lounge on the couch eating bon bons and watching HGTV.

That would be the bomb, but since there is no chance of that happening anytime soon, I am resigned to doing this lousy task myself. So, I will resolve to do the laundry, at least every three days, so I don't end up with laundry baskets full of grotey clothes, I am loathing to wash, and wanting to cry my eyes out.

For now, I will channel the domestic-laundry-loving-goddess that is buried deep within me...so deep that only a crowbar, and the hub's bribe of a dinner date, if I promise to wash his chonis, will unearth.

Addiction is a good thing....sort of

2009-01-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

I am an avid blog reader. There is a long list of blogs I read faithfully...nothing like a hot cup of coffee, and my computer, to start the day off right. I was browsing this morning, and one of my faves Fabrichound, is celebrating it's one year b-day. Myrinda is giving away free stuff, and there is almost nothing I like more than freebies!

Because I am such a fabric ho, and want as a big a chance as I can get, to win something cool, I am going to post some pics of my sewing "studio." What's with the quotes around studio, you ask? Well, my house is pretty small, and because of this sad fact, no square inch of space remains unused. I have learned to be creative in lots of ways, hence my multi-purpose "studio." It is actually a small nook, in my dining area. My hubs installed the cabinets, and my sewing table, is one of those cool ones that offers a ton of space while sewing, but is quite compact, when not in use, which is really handy.

Here is the view from the adjacent kitchen:

Despite my efforts to remain neat, tidy and organized, my area is a mess. I try, really I do, to keep things under control, but I am just not capable of this, and don't fight it anymore.

Here are a couple more angles:

My fabric, is actually in another cabinet in the living room...again creative storage. Here is the fabric cabinet closed...

Here is is open:

I am lucky that my peeps, have learned to live with ( and ignore) all the stray threads, scissors, and the occasional pin (aye, sorry!) strewn about, and that they just step over all the works in progress that find themselves in various spots throughout our pad. Because of course, my sewing projects, cannot be confined to only the studio space.

One of my favorite things though, are these three. They have taken up residence in one of my shelves. Cuteness.

Hopefully one day, before I turn old and gray, and can no longer sew, I will have an actual room to work in, but until then, welcome to my sewing happy place.

Lemon Pound Cake and The Little Chef

2009-01-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

I may be a "just-getting-by" cook, but I love to bake, and let's just say, no one who's been a recipient of my baking, has gotten food poisoning yet. I guess it's wanting and thoroughly enjoying the baking process, that produces pretty tasty treats. I'm not tooting my own horn, by any means, but I'm not half bad as a baker.

Over the holidays I bought the Handmade Holiday Christmas magazine that Martha Stewart puts out, and had high hopes of making several of the mouth watering items, shown in Martha's cool mag. Of course, I didn't get around to it, until today.

One recipe in particular, made me start salivating almost immediately, as I love lemon and lemony recipes. This one is called Glazed Mini Lemon Pound Cakes, but since I didn't have any heavy cream in the house (fresh out...hahaha), I opted not to make the glaze. They are really quite good without the glaze, and you'll save yourself a few hundred calories....not that I'm counting.

A food photographer, I'm not. Actually I'm not good at photography in general, and don't have a burning desire to learn, so these pics will just have to suffice.

As a side note, how much do you love that birdie dish towel? My wonderfully sweet Tia Sylvia made it, and gave it to me for Christmas, along with two other equally fabulous towels. I almost can't bring myself to use them for something so mundane as drying the dishes....but I'll manage. I love the dish towels that Anthropologie sells too, and these remind me of those, only better, since they were hand made by my favorite aunt.

As I was photographing the pound cakes, I had to stop, and admire my Little Chef, also a gift...from my lovely Grandma Clemen. He is actually part of a set of several little chefs, and my Abuelita has had them displayed in her kitchen since I was a little girl . The chefs and I have had a mutually exclusive love affair since then, and a few years ago, she gave them to me. They are "well-loved" and I count them among my most prized possessions.

Talk about going off on a tangent... If you are still reading, and want to try making the glazed (or not) mini pound cakes, which I highly recommend, the recipe (taken from Martha Stewart's 2008 Holiday magazine) follows below:

Glazed Mini Lemon Pound Cakes
Makes 9

For The Cakes:
Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice plus three more for brushing
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tables spoons poppy seeds, plus more for garnish

For The Glaze:
1 cup plus three tablespoons confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 table spoon fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat over to 325 degrees. Coat nine 2 1/4 by 4 inch mini loaf pans with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, salt, lemon zest and juice; beat until combined.
Add eggs one a time, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add flour and poppy seeds, and beat on low speed just until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans, dividing evenly, and filling almost to the top. Transfer pans to a large baking sheet.

3. Bake until a cake tester (aka toothpick) inserted into the center of cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.. Immediately brush tops of cakes with lemon juice. Let cool thirty minutes in pans, then unmold and remove to a wire rack. Cool completely, top sides up.

4. Make the glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar, cream and lemon juice until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve into another bowl. Drizzle cakes with icing (about two tablespoons per cake) and garnish with poppy seeds. Cakes can be stored in airtight container, at room temperature for up to three days.

Another side note: I did not have the small mini loaf pans that the recipe called for. Mine were a little bigger, still mini though. It took another thirty minutes or so, for the cakes to be done. You can probably even use the standard size loaf pans (not sure of the dimensions, off hand), just keep your eye on the oven, so they don't burn.

Happy Thursday and Happy Baking!

Is it 2009 already?

2009-01-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!
Wow, it's January...and it's cold, at least for SoCal, and well for me. I know, what a whiner, but I've lived here all my life, and it's usually pretty mild in the weather department during the winters. It's still lovely though.

I've decided I like January. I never have. I am one of those crazy Christmas people, who starts playing Christmas carols in October, and breaks out holiday decorations, as soon as November hits. So, I usually have major Christmas withdrawl once all the holiday hoopla is over. This year, however, the season really snuck up on me. The carols, the decorating, and well, the entire thing. When January first rolled around, I actually found myself looking forward to a new year, and gasp, my decorations are even put away! I may be hanging up the crazy Christmas lady apron, at least for a while.

It's crazy how retailers switch from one holiday to the next without waiting for the current holiday to end. I was shopping on Christmas Eve (another first for me) at Target, and to my dismay, and sort of delight, they had already started to display a few Valentines Day things. I was slightly put off, until I got a good look at the cuteness they came up with this year for V-day. I am partial to owls, and it seems I am not the only one. I picked up this cute little guy, along with some totally adorable place mats, and some hand towels for my bathroom.

I hesitated at first, since Christmas hadn't even happened yet, but then I came to my senses, and snatched these guys up. Yesterday, I happened to be at Target (again, yes I love that place), and what do you know, no cute owl stuff to be found....huh? It was January 6....! I hope they get some more, I am kicking myself for not getting more place mats.

I have not been sewing lately, not for lack of desire, but mostly for lack of time. I am inspired and ready to get back to it though, and will be making more home decor stuff, as I have really missed the aprons, dishtowels and such. Funny, since I am a lousy cook, and hate washing the dishes....hahaha! I will post pics of my new things, once I have some new things to share.

Happy Wednesday!

Catch Up

2008-10-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been like four months since I've posted anything....I know, I know....bad blogger....slap on the hand....sigh.....I had been on a roll, posting pretty regularly, so I am on a new mission to reform, and cure myself of "Bad Blogger Syndrome."

These last few months have been pretty busy, with summer activities, and then school starting again, it has proved harder than I expected to get back into a "normal" routine. I think I'm almost there, though. Sabrina started fourth grade this year, which she really likes....so far. I'm hoping she will keep that enthusiasm up, as the months go on. Chloe has also started communication therapy, and is doing great! She is getting to be a whiz at the computer. I'm pretty amazed at what she can do, given her limitations, pretty cool.

To my dismay however, both of my lovely girls are obsessed with Webkinz. In case you are not in the know, as to what Webkinz are, they are virtual pets. There is this whole Webkinz phenomenon, that apparently, I need to get in on, but so far, I have preferred to participate on the DL, helping Chloe manuever through Webkinz World when she needs help. I complain quite heartily about the annoying-ness of all things Webkinz, but secretly, I fear I am becoming a tad obsessed with the little devils myself....shhh...don't tell the kidlets!

Wicked

2008-05-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

In my youth and singlehood I was quite a planner. I have tons of pictures documenting the places I would drag Oscar to on a regular basis. After we got married and had kids, I was not as...how should I say....industrious, in my planning. Translation equals outings became few and far between. This year, for whatever reason, I have gotten back into planning mode, and we even took a small mini vacay to Arizona a couple of months ago.

I have been clamoring to go see a play of some sort. We live in SoCal, close to LA and lots of other neat-o places, so there is really no excuse. I have been particularly itching to see Wicked, as it's playing at the Pantages Theatre, and I'm not sure how long it will be in town.

I just had a birthday a couple of weeks ago, and my sweet cousin Araceli, gifted me with two tickets to Wicked. I have been beside myself, anticipating this outing. This past Sunday, Oscar and I headed to the Pantages, and witnessed the most spectacular show, I cannot even begin to describe it! We had fantastic seats, front and center, and it was absolutely FAB-U-LOUS!

I know it's been around for awhile, but I thought the story was so clever, the acting believable, and the songs, so beautiful! Ack! Go see it...hurry...before it leaves town forever!!

Thank You Araceli for the AWESOME birthday gift!!

Kawaii Guy and The Moco

2008-05-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, ordinarily "mocos" (boogers in Spanish), are not anywhere near my favorite topic of conversation.....BUT, I recently acquired a new roomie for Kawaii Guy, and I have to say, I have not laughed so hard in a loooong time. God bless the Mucinex people, especially the marketing genius who, when asked to come up with a freebie to promote their product, brilliantly said "Hmmm, how about a small stuffed mucus?" Hey, sounds good to me, LOL! I do not blame my niece Brooke for kicking the Moco to the curb, as most small children do not associate Mocos with being cute and cuddly.

When Monica originally shared the Moco story with me, I thought she was pulling my leg. We were having breakfast at Marie Callendar's, as she casually began to recount the Moco saga. I had just put a delicious bite of chilaquile in my mouth, when she got to the "gist" of the story. Luckily I had just swallowed my food, because I laughed hysterically for what seemed like ages...maybe a couple of minutes. I could not imagine what a stuffed Moco looked like, and begged her to give him to me.

Mother's Day weekend we all got together to celebrate at my MIL's house. I had mostly forgotten about the Moco by that time. After dinner, Monica presented me with my birthday present (it usually falls near Mother's Day) or maybe it was a Mother's Day present, who knows , but I opened the bag, pulled out the lovely gifts, and graciously thanked Monica. She furrowed her brow, and said "Is that all that was in there?" I reached into the bag one more time, and pulled out a small bundle wrapped in tissue. How could I have missed that? I held my breath, slowly unwrapped the tissue....and found none other than the Moco.

He is now happily ensconced in his new home, my fabric cubby, with his new friend Kawaii Guy.

Ahhh....The Professor

2008-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, will tell you that I love Pop Culture, and usually can spout tons of useless facts about random people, places and things. As a kid growing up in the 80's, when cable TV was "new" and my parents didn't believe in having to pay to watch television, I spent countless weekend hours watching the telly in my living room. Our local TV stations loved the re-runs, and there were some pretty cool ones! The Monkees, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, Laverne and Shirley, and Gilligan's Island, just to name a few. I loved these shows! So when the Vende Girls decided to do a launch based on the character's of Gilligans Island, I thought it was brilliant!

My first idea, was to make a fabulous dress inspired by Ginger, the "Movie Star." That chick was hot! She was always made up to a tee, and looked like a pretty "together" lady. I had big plans for my dress, and spent a good amount of time working on it. To my dismay, and stupidity, I screwed it up right at the end, and deemed it "un-sellable." I had also planned to make a "Preppy" set, since I love that look as well (I have some cool pink and green plaid fabric, that reminds me of the "Preppy Eighties" look). I was pretty disgusted with myself, by this time, but was committed to the launch, and had to make something to list. I always thought "The Professor" on Gilligan's was pretty hot too, so I ran with the "Preppy Professor Chic" idea, and this was the result...

I love this picture! Emme's expression is priceless! Click on the pic to see the auction. It's not your typical "boutique wear" set, but the colors are so pretty, and you cannot beat the price for what you are getting!!

So, that brings my Gilligan's Island saga to an end. I'm working on some simple, yet stylish dresses for a new VendeMia launch coming up called VendeMia Market Place. You won't want to miss this one! The listings will be up in a couple of weeks...I think! I'll post more about that later!

Happy Hump Day!

Fabric Intervention

2008-05-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

My name is Vanessa, and I am a fabric addict. There. I said it. It's true, I am hopelessly addicted to fabric. I can't help myself. I love the stuff. Don't get me started on trims, and embellishments either. I can't really explain or justify my fabric addiction, it just is.

This past Saturday, Monica and I took a trip downtown, to L.A'.s garment district, and paid a visit to Michael Levine's. If you live in L.A. or any of the surrounding suburbs, you've probably made a few trips downtown. It is not pretty, or really that safe, but it is so worth the trek into L.A.'s urban jungle. I have been to Michael Levine's before, but it's been years. This enormous fabric store has been around for years. My grandma, who is in her eighties, and was a professional seamstress, remembers shopping at ML's for all of her sewing supplies. The only way to describe this place is one word....heaven... for fabric addicts like myself! I have never seen so much fabric in one place. I'm talking about the good stuff...every designer under the sun. Bolt after bolt of deliciously beautiful fabric. It took us a while to orient ourselves, but once we did, it was the most fun. We spent almost three hours in there, and probably could have closed the place down. I came away with about 25 yards of fabric, and probably close to the same amount of trim...

Here's my booty...

It doesn't look like much, but it is!

It will be joining the rest of it's fabric siblings soon, LOL!

It seems like alot of fabric to me, but I'm sure some of you could blow me away, with the amount of fabric you have! I really need to clean this out soon....ah well, maybe tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

Polka Dot Spots

2008-04-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember, I have loved polka dots. I guess they give me a nostalgic feeling, and make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I'm not sure why, but they crop up alot in my sets. They go with everything, and just work, ya know?!?

My latest set is aptly called Polka Dot Princess...

You can find it here

As usual Monica's pictures are beautiful! This my favorite.

Happy Monday!

P.S. Thanks Amy for your blog help!

Monkey See Monkey Do

2008-04-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Monkeys, monkeys, monkeys...it seems they are everywhere! I must confess though, I have never really loved them, but after my girls were born, I found myself liking, even loving things, that wouldn't even have given me a giggle, in my life "before kids."
Big purple dinosaurs, a singing group of grown men wearing different colored shirts, and a little "explorer" girl whose best friend is, you guessed it, a boot wearing monkey. My point being, that monkeys have slowly grown on me over the last few years, and though I may not looove them, I find them cute, and highly enjoyable!!

That buildup, brings me to share my latest set...I call it Tropical Princess, Monkey Princess doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but hey, you get my drift!

I wish I could figure out how to link the picture to my auction listing..!
If you want to a peek at the auction, click on the VendeMia auction link on the side of this blog. If you love monkeys, or just like them alot, you'll find some fun monkey stuff listed.

I must say, I do love Monica's pictures. The girl has some serious skills. This is my favorite from this shoot.

Happy Tuesday!

Daisy Crazy

2008-04-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Not too much going on around here lately...in a good way! Things have been pretty quiet, the girls are happy, and the weather's been nice and warm...and my sewing machine's been workin' overtime!

This is my latest set.

I love these fabrics, and all the bright colors...I may just be the only one though, LOL!
I also love Monica's pictures! Man, they are so gorgeous!

Here is another one of my favorites from this shoot...

Happy Monday!

Arizona Holiday

2008-04-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister-in-law live in Arizona, and I have been promising, since they moved there about three years ago, to go down for a visit. The logistics of going on a five and half hour (which really took us seven hours, stops and all) car trip with the girls, was something tricky that required some serious planning.

Oscar took some time off from work, the same week as Sabrina's spring break and we headed to the Grand Canyon State for a quick getaway. We stayed at the most rockin' place called the Kierland Resort and Spa, and had a blast. The resort is in North Scottsdale, a super nice suburb, a few miles outside of Phoenix.

I am not the best photographer (not even close), but nevertheless, snapped a few pictures along the way.

Sabrina, in the hotel courtyard, steps away from the golfcourse.

Oscar

Chloe

Me and Sabrina

Already thinking about the next trip!

Ode to Oscar

2008-04-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

I love my husband. He is the coolest...but I'm not one to sing his praises from the highest mountain to anyone who will listen. I usually find myself a tad annoyed when I am subjected (or when I subject myself) to women who openly gush about how great their man is. I mean, mine is great too, but well, you know...
That may sound harsh, though I don't mean it to, it's just a thing I have.

OK, that being said, I am about to become one of those annoying husband praising women!! Oscar is pretty handy around the house, and I always just assume he can do everything, well because, he can. Lighting project? He can do it. Plumbing issue? No problem. Re-tiling the bathroom floor, piece of cake. The thing is, that for the last few years, his workload has become increasingly large, and the time for household projects has become less and less. Where I am going with this?? Oh...the husband praising! Almost there.

We live in a tiny house, about 1150 square feet. With two kids, and all of our stuff it can get crazy cramped, but I have become a master as utilizing every inch of unused space. I have my sewing "studio" and I use that word loosely, set up in my dining room. With no storage, I have stuff everywhere, fabric, patterns, thread scissors etc. It kinda takes over. About two weeks ago, I was at Ikea, shopping for who knows what, when I got the brilliant idea, to use the wall space above my sewing station for some much needed storage. Oscar is very particular, and when I called him from the store, he agreed it was a good idea, but insisted he be the one to tackle the project. Wondering when he would find the time, I resigned myself to a storage-less existence for a while longer.

Fast forward to the point of this long winded post. My awesome, wonderfully handy and hardworking husband, completed this project for me over the weekend! I wish I had a picture of the space before...oh well, just picture a blank, painted blue wall.

My Muse (j/k but he sure makes me smile)

I am thrilled with the storage, and have vowed to try and stay organized. The pictures I snapped this morning, are not that great, and it is not very neat, as I am working on some things, at the moment, but I am so happy with my space, and my man.

OK, husband gushing is officially over.

Squirrels and Cheetos

2008-04-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know I haven't posted anything since November. What is my problem? I really am not sure, but I aim to reform (again) and change my inconsistent blogging ways. I have had lots of blog-worthy moments since November, but have not kept up with posting. Ugh, what's a girl to do? Any-hoo, it's all water under the virtual bridge now.

What's with the squirrel you might ask? On New Years Day, Oscar, the girls and I spent a lovely morning at one of the local parks near our house. We were minding our own beeswax, enjoying a bag Cheetos, when Sabrina spotted a tiny squirrel, not too far away from where we were sitting. The crazy thing was that the squirrel, kept inching closer and closer to us, or possibly to the Cheetos. I was kinda worried, since squirrels, though cute, are still wild rodents, but we stayed put, and continued to crunch away.
After several minutes of squirrel watching, Sabrina, pipes up and says to Oscar, "Daddy, I think the squirrel wants your Cheeto." I quickly told her that squirrels don't like Cheetos, but she persisted, and Oscar, being a big softy for both of the girls, proceeded to put the Cheeto in his hand, to see if the squirrel was interested. Lo and behold, well...you see the picture. The squirrel ate not one, but like five of those darn things! Luckily, no rabies shots were required, after this Cheeto love-fest.

Crafty-ness

2007-11-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of craft fairs...as in I love going and buying stuff, and I really love handmade things. Now, seeing that I am also a crafter, and love making handmade things, it is only natural that I would eventually want to participate in the craft fairs I love so much! Soooo, this Saturday...two days from today, Monica and I will be selling our wares at "Craft Republic."

There will be about 45 vendors exhibiting their handmade treasures, and if you have never bought handmade lovelies before, you really must check it out! The CR Fair will be held at the Pomona Fairplex, home of the LA County Fair, in the Millard Sheets Center for the Performing Arts 1101 W. McKinley Ave- Gate 1 Pomona, CA. 91768. It is this Saturday, November 10, from 11AM-7PM. Admission is $2.00 for Adults and Kids under 11 are free (Fairplex Parking is $8.00). You can't beat that for a day out! For more information, check out the Craft Repulic website, click on the image above.

I have, as usual, been frantically trying to finish up stuff for the show, and will have lots of new stuff to sell. Lots of tees, Tooth Fairy Pillows, Holiday Pillows, and even a few Aprons, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello! We will be at Booth 15. Happy Thursday!!

Halloween parties and such

2007-11-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

So fast forward from September, to the end of October, and what is becoming one of my favorite holidays...Halloween! If you know me, you might say lots of things about me...LOL...but one of the things I have always thought about myself, is that I am not extremely social. You may even call me a bit anti-social...anyhoo...that being said, for an anti-social introvert, I sure love to entertain, and love having gatherings of all kinds. I promised Sabrina, that we would have a smallish Halloween party, and that she could invite a few of her school friends. She was really excited about that prospect, as most eight year olds would be. I was too, as her life currently revolves around Hannah Montana, and High School Musical, and I thought that running around outside, and doing Halloweeny stuff would be a nice change. Party day was really lovely, although a bit warm ( not even close to the oven-like temperatures of craft show day, though). I love seeing all the kid's costumes, and we had some pretty cute ones. Although I loved them all, my favorite costume was Emme's. She was a "Scary Fairy" er, excuse me, a "Scary Pixie", as she quickly corrected me, when I told her how much I liked her fairy costume.

Me: "Emme, I love your fairy costume! You look so pretty!

Emme: (smiling coyly) "No, Aunt Vanessa, I'm a Scary Pixie!"

Well, OK then, I stand corrected! She is so darn cute, I can hardly stand it!

What kind of mother am I, you may ask, ooohing and ahhing, over someone else's child...although she is my niece so she is practically like my own babies...! Sabrina dressed as a witch, and has rather outgrown, the princess/fairy stage (boo-hoo for me). I thought she looked pretty cool, and witchy, just as she wanted. Chloe, was a Ladybug, but didn't last too long wearing her costume, as it was too hot...sigh. Celeste was a Candy Corn Fairy, which I also thought was quite ingenious! I have a particular affinity for CandyCorn, and even dressed as one for Halloween, several years ago. Brooke, was a flower fairy, and looked so delicious, I just wanted to bite her (I refrained), Gloria, my lovely MIL, was a Nightmare Fairy, and my dear Monica was a "Desperate Housewife." How do you dress up as a desperate housewife, you may wonder? Well, you take a very pretty lady, add a cleavage baring dress, and some nice boobies, and voila! A Desperate Housewife...LOLOL (loved it)!!!
I dressed up, which normally, I would never in a million years do, but I said what the hay!!!??! I was a witch too. Here are some pics of our Halloween bash.

"Spiderman, spiderman...does whatever a spider can.."

"Nightmare Fairy"

"Oscar and the LadyBug"

"The Scary Pixie"

"Sabrina, Emme and Celeste"

"The girls again"

There you have it. Quite a smashingly fun Halloween!

Little Monster Market.

2007-11-06T08:36:00.001-08:00

Monica and I did our first craft show back in early September, and I had been meaning and wanting to share some pics, and blog in general about our experience. First, let me start by saying we had a lovely time, and it was overall a great intro to the craft show world. Now, that being said, I think it had to be the hottest day of the year, hotter than hot...the kind of hot where you start sweating the instant you set foot outside...yikes! Monica had Brooke with her, and we managed to lug, what seemed like endless amounts of stuff...inventory...clothes racks...shelves...up a flight of stairs to our spot. Up and down...up and down....you get my drift. I am definitely a sweat-er...as in, I can work up a sweat just by think thinking too much...well slight exaggeration, but not really. I sweat super, super easily, and by the time we got everything set up, my eyes were burning, from all the sweat that kept running into them. Monica is so beautiful, and just got a rosy glow, from all the sweating...but me, it was not pretty! I looked like I had been working in a field all day, in the blazing sun...all before 9AM!! Did I mention, it was HOT???!? Luckily we had one of those pop up tents. so once it was set up, we were able to get some respite from the sun. We settled ourselves in for the afternoon, and had a highly enjoyable time! I didn't get a chance to check out the rest of the vendors, but Monica did, and said there were some great ones! I did snap a few pics of our adventure...

So there you have it! Our first crafty show.
We have another craft show this weekend, on Saturday. I will post more about that later.

Catch Up...

2007-11-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Whew! It's November 6th...What???? I have no idea where all my time goes...! I'm playing major catch up here, but who cares!! Throw caution to the wind I say...blog away about what's been going on these last few months. Here goes...

Little Monster Market

2007-08-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

I have been busily sewing, well, like a busy little bee, because Monica and I were chosen as one of the vendors, for the coolest little craft show, this side of the Valley! It's called the Little Monster Market and will be held this TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th at Sunnyside Preschool in Studio City, CA. The neat thing about this show, is that the participating vendors cater specifically to babies, kids and mommies! They are going to have kid music and yummy food, so if you are in the area, please come and check it out! Visit their website for more info, www.littlemonstermarket.com.

What I've been doing these last few months!

2007-08-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

Man, for someone that used write all the time, I sure haven't utilized this blog to its fullest potential!! I've sewing, and sewing, and sewing, and occasionally paying attention to Oscar and the girls....have to throw them a bone now and then, LOL! I'm in the process of updating my website and my ETSY shop. I will adding lots of new things over the course of the next month, and clearing out other things. All my my summer tanks, and pillows are reduced so check out either place for some good deals.

I will be adding a children's clothing line to both locations. Simple and comfy, yet stylish clothes,that kids will love wearing. I will also be introducing a baby/layette line. I will still carry a large variety of embellished tees for ladies, babies, girls, and now little boys too! And of course, lots of Tooth Fairy Pillows, also for girls and boys. I will still carry a select amount of hostess aprons and decorative pillows as well. Here are some sneak peeks...

These are a few of my new Tooth Fairy Pillow designs

Here are a couple of tee dresses. Really cute and comfy!!

A few of my new bib and burpie sets

This is one of the new Halloween tees for the mamas...and the non-mamas too!

New Superhero Tees for the little guys

Another Superhero Style

Lots more stuff to come!

Let me call you Sweetheart

2007-05-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

A skirt set I finished a few days ago for my neighbor Sarah's friend, Eva. It was actually not for Eva, but for Eva's friend's daughter....!!! The skirt fabric is one of my absolute favorites ever! So cute, and vintage-y. These classic, comfy and wearable skirt and tank/tee sets always rank super high on my list.

I have lots of new ideas, and am working on some new stuff. Will post pics soon!!

My new "studio"!!!

2007-05-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

Fabricland

Ok, I agree studio is a stretch, but when your house is teeny tiny like mine, space is at a premium. Sure, it may be in my kitchen...sort of...really more like my dining area...but it's all mine!!! My parents gave me the most awesome birthday gift, and sew and serge table. It came yesterday, and Oscar set it up last night. I haven't filled it up yet or organized myself, but it's a start. Osc is going to build me a cabinet that will be mounted on the wall, to store all of my ribbons, trims and notions, finally in one spot!! I will share more pics as things take shape.

I also inherited a lovely cabinet from Monica (my sis)...yay fabric storage! I "organized" things a couple of days ago, but I don't think it will last too long,LOL!! I am going to try and keep things neat as a pin...

Goldie...er....Lucy...er...Fishy?

2007-05-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sabrina's fish!!! It's name has changed, I think daily. Goldie...at least for today...has been with us for about two weeks. Sabrina won her (although I'm not sure if it's really a "her" but anyway...!) at her school fair. We have had a couple of fish in the past, that didn't fare so well, be but this one seems to be OK...she's still alive and swimming around! Although her water is looking a little murky..but Oscar insists that it's perfectly normal. We'll see...!

Long time no write....

2007-05-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

I generally love to talk...write...chat...I am by nature a chatterbox! That's why it bums me out that I haven't really gotten my groove on when it comes to this Blog. I am turning over a new leaf though...and will be making a concerted effort to blog more!! That said, I have been busy sewing, and have also given my website, a mini-makeover over the last couple of weeks. I'm stocking my webstore, with lots of new stuff, and having a big clearance sale too! If you get a chance, check it out. You can click the link under "Favorite websites" www.vanessaandcompany.com.

The weather is getting nicer around here, signaling that inevitable time of year...when school is almost out. Pretty soon I'll be hearing..."I'm so bored"...."There's nothing for me to do"...and similar phrases, that may begin or end with my favorite of all kid speak....."It's so unfair....!" I am bracing myself for a long sumer vacation, but hoping to entertain my lovely seven (going on seventeen) year old daughter with a few summer activities. There's nothing like turning on the water outside, and having a good run through the sprinklers on a hot day, or breaking out the "Slip'n Slide" for some slippery fun. Luckily these are things that Sabrina is still down for...although just barely! I did promise her some tennis lessons though...so I must make good on my word. Ahhh...the joys of summer.

I finally listed some stuff!

2007-04-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

I must be part turtle, because I have been moving so slow lately, LOL! I have finally posted some stuff on Ebay. My favorite tanks for summer and some cool hostess aprons. Here are some pics...

The "Senorita" tanks are the coolest, I have them in a few different styles and colors. The "Loteria" tanks are also pretty neat. Some of you may remember that game. Alrighty then.....that's it for now...off to cut fabric!

Happy Wednesday!
XOXOX0
Vanessa

P.S. Just go to www.ebay.com and do an advanced search by seller vanessa*and*company OR just e-mail me! I will send you the link to any of the listings! I will also be posting the links on my website, so you can check there too!!

Las Senoritas

2007-03-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since my last post! I have been chained to my sewing machine, LOL! Well not really, but I have been busy sewing, my favorite! I will be listing lots of new stuff on Ebay very soon, including these very cool and comfy tanks. I am in love with this fabric in a major way! It is called "Las Senoritas" and is by Alexander Henry. Las senoritas are so beautiful, and just too cool. I will be offering these in adult (ladies...although I could do this for a man too...) sizes S-XL. Here's a preview...

I could also do this in child's sizes 4 and up. I have some other cool fabric on the way...so be on the lookout for more funky and fun tanks and tees!

Happy Wednesday!
XOXO, Vanessa

Do you still believe in the Tooth Fairy?

2007-03-06T18:48:00.000-08:00

My Sabrina does! We've lost lots of teeth lately, and it got me thinking...I love pillows so much, why not make Tooth Fairy Pillows? I've only made a couple so far, but I had so much fun making these, I will definitely be making more. Check 'em out!

Chirp Chirp!

2007-03-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

The weather here is finally getting a little nicer, yay! With the official start of Spring only a few weeks away, it's hard not be inspired by the beautiful season that lies ahead. This is my new favorite pillow. Love the baby chick! Happy Sunday!

Another Picture...

2007-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another picture of my "store!" It's a little bit closer up than the first one!
Happy Post Valentines Day! Hope everyone had fun!

It's official, I'm blogging....!!

2007-02-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new blog for Vanessa & Company! I love chatting in general, and now I can do it, through this neat-o blog. I have been busy as a bee, sewing away, creating lots of new stuff for spring. Vanessa & Co.'s website has been up for a couple of months now. I am in the process of creating a web gallery of some design samples for the site, and hope to have that up soon.

Ooooh some cool news!!! Vanessa & Co. items can now be found locally! I am the newest vendor at "Magnolia" 310 E. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra. I have about a 5x5 foot space, and am so excited! Please come visit soon!