Setting Real Goals for a Really Awesome Life

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We all make these long crazy resolutions that we never keep, so this year I will keep it simple so I have no choice but to follow through. In fact, since I am the crazy list making lady, I will even break it down by category. I'll be honest, they are not resolutions filled with inspiring quotes and deeper meaning. This resolutions are simple and meant to make my life easier. They are real, attainable and can make my life just simply awesome. So without further adieu...


My 2013 Resolutions

Source: everythingbobbi.com via Yanira on Pinterest

Beauty-

Get my dry skin under control

Deep condition my hair at LEAST once a month

Get a facial (yup just one)

Take better care of my nails

Source: becauseitsawesome.blogspot.com via Yanira on Pinterest

Style-

Buy only investment pieces or thrift, no shopping JUST to shop

Sell off the items I never use

Source: designers.elledecor.com via Yanira on Pinterest

Home-

Make both my pillows and my curtains, I have until 12/31/13!

Grow an herb garden in the summer

Buy fresh flowers once a month ( hence why I cut down my shopping)

Buy one AMAZING piece of art

Source: blogs.babble.com via Yanira on Pinterest

Health-

More veggies, more greens, less sugar

More water

More home cooked meals

Breakfast...always

Source: sblzk.tumblr.com via Yanira on Pinterest

Lifestyle-

When the weather is nice, go for more walks

Take Analiese to the beach on Sundays (summer of course)

Visit my family in Puerto Rico, I miss them so much it hurts

Meditate, exercise and open windows

Say I love you every day and mean it every time


See you in the new year...

Our Christmas

Yes, I have been a bad blogger but this season I was the perfect wife and an awesome mommy! Here is a quick glimpse into my Christmas.

 My little family...Instagramed! I wore my new shoes for Christmas Eve, the hubs went the cashmere route and my little princess wore pearls!

 Analiese has been addicted to this "snowman soup". Her teachers handed of the recipe with enough ingredients to make to cups. I have since made one almost every night. All it is...one Hershey Kiss at the bottom of the mug, pour hot cocoa (or hot chocolate) over throw in marshmallows and stir with a candy cane!

This is the darling image we used for our Christmas cards. It took me over 100 shots to get one where she wasn't moving, making silly faces or running out of the shot. This was the only one out of 100! I am tired just remembering. 

She met a Princess at Winter Wonderland at Navy Pier and for once was shy! How will she be when she goes to Disney World?

My mom and my nephew, Chunckers at my niece's 9th birthday party.

Girl's only Holiday party. The gal in my arm is my cousin as in real cousin, not the the typical "I'm a Latina so all my girls are my cousins", we really are related. The other two would be the typical Latin "all my girls are my cousins". The farthest married in, the middle is her sister and so now we are all one big happy family. That makes it legit! I can't wait until this girls party next year. It is always a blast.

My two trouble makers...making trouble! I love my readers but when my husband said he was taking some time off, I didn't hesitate to shut off the computer and spend some time with my little family. How was your holiday?


All images taken with the iPhone 5, an early Christmas gift from my husband.

Work Wear

shoes: Nicole Miller for JcPenny | skirt: JcPenny | sweater: H&M | blazer: Banana Republic | necklace: THS

Wearing the mandatory all black for work use to be so hard, now I find it hard to do anything else but. Of course, you see me wearing all sorts of color but when you spend most of your time in black like I have to for work, you learn to love nothing else. How is your work day so far?

My 5 Minute Makeup Routine

So I bit the bullet and did my first make up how to video. You can tell I am nervous because I do not smile. Ha...I swear I am usually smiling. Below are links to the products use and other options. Go ahead, press play!

Liquid eyeliner in black
Used: Bobbi Brown (Limited Edition) | Option: Le Metier de Beaute Precision Liquid Liner in Black 

Pencil Liner
Artisty Beauty in Lagoon

Eyeshadow:
Used: Bobbi Brown (Color Discontinued)| Option: Lorac in Deep Emerald Green

Concealer:
Bobbi Brown

Foundation:
Bobbi Brown

Blush:
Sin Cosmetics

ChiTown Fashionista and Bevel

So Tuesday, the weather was so pleasant that I headed to Bucktown's Roslyn Boutique  to attend a Bevel trunk show preview hosted by blogger (and new mom) Nikia Jefferson of Chi Town Fashionista. I was really impressed with their "12 days of Christmas" collection. You can shop on their trunk shows using access code "CHI100". You're welcome. Below are a few snaps from the event.

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With Melvin Jefferson II & Gabriel Charles Tyler

Nikia Jefferson

Hair tie bangle by Katie Schloss (c/o). I haven't taken it off since.

View more images of the event on Facebook.

Animal Instinct {Snapped: Street Style}

This week on Snapped:

There are just some people and some things that always catch my eye. Animal prints and people wearing animal prints usually do the trick. Walking to Lincoln Center back in September, I saw Erica from LP Fashion Philosophy. After checking out her  website  with styling partner David Pena ( and super cool etsy shop btw), I realized why else I was drawn to her. She just makes you want to be her or at least have her wardrobe. 

Holiday Decor

So we did a little decorating for the Holidays. We aren't done but really after moving twice in two months, packing, unpacking, decorating, painting...well...I think we may have to be done because we are tired. This Christmas it is as good as it gets.

The Sick Bug {Mommy Moments}

Since the start of Fall, I have been sick three times back to back. It was painful but it was worse was watching my little get sick as well because of me. Now here we are just in time to start our holiday fun like Winter Wonderland at Navy Pier, viewing the Macy's State St. window displays and holiday baking but Analiese was sick...again! She woke up last week with a horrible cough, stuffy and runny nose. This time I am prepared for the sick bug with hugs, kisses, soup and kleenex. We spent her sick days in bed. The only good thing about my princess being sick is how she hangs on me all day long and brings me a kleenex to clean her up. She even wants me to carry her around like a baby and wants no one else but me. Selfishly, I live for that. I live for being the one she runs to, follows around because when she is a teenager who knows what she would be like. She won't be a toddler for long and it has been a while since she was a baby so I have to cherish these moments...even if she is contagious. 

After staying home from school for two days, she finally went back and had to learn her Holiday songs for her concert in 2 hours. Guess what? She nailed it. She sang her little heart out and was so proud. Unfortunately, a few of her little friends were coughing up a storm so it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get her teachers a Care Pack and Share pack from Kleenex. During cold and flu season, everyone could use a little comfort and I can just feel like this little sick bug of mine will be sick again in no time.

DISCLAIMER: This post is compensated and in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Kleenex but who are we kidding? We all know that moms use kleenex for little noses anyway. 

Young Republic Holiday Collection

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2012

Yesterday {personal style}

 shoes: JcPenny | jeans: Express | shirt: Sears | vest: Beacon's Closet (Brooklyn) | pashmina: THS

Laundry, writing, gift wrapping, yesterday was a busy day. Then after "play" school, my little one insisted we go to Target and get a brand new dress for her Holiday concert that took place last night. She said she needed to look beautiful because she would be on stage and famous then refused to take it off when we got home and almost went to bed with it on. Diva.

Pinned & Perfected: Holiday Hair

I found this hairstyle somewhere on Pinterest and tried it out. I cannot find the original pin but it is super easy and only two steps.

Step 1: With your hair down, put on a stretch head band that goes all around like this one.

Step 2: Start tucking hair into head band.

Done.




This is a repost that I thought would be great for this season.

Look for Less by Kmart

I got this email for a great look for less by Kmart. Here is what the text says:

Not only can R&B/soul's rising starlet Elle Varner carry a tune, she also has a mean passion for fashion. She can go from fun and flirty to chic and classy within the blink of an eye. See how this season’s versatile peplum shirt is paired with a simple black skirt and glitzy t-strap sandals and “VOILA!” you are ready for a night out on the town. Check out how you can get this soulful songstress’ look for less at Kmart. You can find great deals within Kmart’s exclusive list of brands that include Sofia by Sofia Vergara, Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer and more.

1. Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez  Junior's Peplum Knit Top $12.00
2. Jaclyn Smith Women’s Little Black Skirt $19.99
3. Jaclyn Smith Necklace 3 Row Chain Shell Multicolored $14.99
4. Qupid Women’s Edana Open Toe T-Strap Sandal $19.99
5. Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez Junior’s Beaded Rhinestone Headband $5.24

To see more of Kmart’s stylish looks, visit www.kmart.com . 

Disclaimer: I do not work for nor am I getting paid by Kmart to post this but it is the Holidays and we all need to budget our looks this season as these children get more expensive every year. Next year we may have to knit our own clothing just to afford another season. Happy Shopping.