Miami, Hispanicize & What I Am Wearing {Personal Style}

With less than a week before I head out to Miami for Hispanicize, the biggest conference for Latin influencers, I'm trying to be smart and plan ahead of time. I've downloaded their new app on my iPhone that lists the agenda of the conference, I can pick what sessions I attend and put it in a calendar. I think it makes for packing a bit easier. I know I don't have much time from when I arrive in Miami to when I need to catch the shuttle to the first event so I now know I can relax and hail a cab instead. It also helps me plan what days I will wear what and what shoes. Wednesday will be a busy day so I've planned a comfy but chic outfit for the day but their are a few events that I plan on attending in the evening and something like this skirt that I found at Target for only $8, would work. I wear a lot of neutrals in Chicago but I've had this skirt now for almost two months and the tags are still attached. I've been waiting for warmer weather here but wait no more because I'm off to Miami. Don't worry, I'll have quite a few outfits to share when I return. Be sure to follow along on twitter with the hashtag #Hispz13 for all the details on Latinos in Social Media, and well...this mom.


If you like this skirt and want something similar, check out the few I've selected below.

More Calvin Klein...

Make a Statement

"Join us in giving aid to families coping with gun-violence tragedies." This is the first line in the about section of Wear It Don't Bear It, a non-profit helping to raise awareness and promoting gun control. No, I am not anti-gun per say, but that is irrelevant as this is not a political blog but I am a mom and this is a blog about me, moms like me and women, just like me. I am a mom who sat and cried as she watched the news develop around the Newtown tragedy. I am a mom who cried Christmas morning for the gifts that were never open, and the hugs that were not given that day. I am a mom who never understood why anyone feels the right to bear military grade weapons when not actively in the military. I am a mom who doesn't want to see arm guards at her daughter's school, but I am a mom who wants her child safe. I am a mom raising a child in city of Chicago. We have some of the toughest gun control laws here, unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be working very well. Hopefully, if we get that conversation started, we can get our lawmakers to stop trying to one up each other and finally join forces to help our children. Something must be done. Toby Milstein, a junior at Barnard College, designed and produce these special necklaces and now bracelets with the slogan Wear It Don't Bear It with 100% of the profits going to the organization, the Bereaved Parents of the USA, a nation-wide organization dedicated to helping parents and families who have lost children. I am a mom, who after 5 consecutive miscarriages became one. I know that loss, I couldn't dare imagine losing one I've already held in my arms. Let's get this conversation started. Peacefully.




Of all the post I have written, this is one I ask you share.

Busy

I know, this isn't a beauty post, per say. I always said that as a freelancer, being busy was amazing. You paid bills that month and if you were extremely busy, you could eat too. I have been extremely busy and you know what? It is not awesome. It is not even borderline great. It is exhausting. It is physically, emotionally and creatively draining. I've been here before also, back when I decided to cut back on this blog to only 3 days a week, but now I curate content for the fan page, pitch ideas to other avenues, run social for myself (two accounts each site), run social for another person, relaunching a business, running a household, housework that is more often than not forgotten, freelance as an artist 25 hours per week, write for others, amongst a million other things. My body was in so much pain when I woke up Sunday, I hid. I hid in my couch. I grabbed an eye mask, covered myself with a throw and slept. I sat outside, on my patio with my husband as he enjoyed a cigar and talked about how quiet it was. We had lunch at 5 guys and came home. The baby spent the day with my family, Easter egg hunting and the church thing but I took a few hours for me. Not to work, not to get my hair done, not to watch TV but to sit and do nothing. The world shut down on Sunday, so no errand runs to Target and no work. I told everyone I worked but I didn't. I woke up and saw my schedule was blank. It was blank. I took advantage of my actual day off that I wanted to do nothing, no birthday parties, no family dinners, no get togethers, no errands, NOTHING. Being so busy you forget to breathe is not a good thing and being so young and feeling like your body may give out is worse. But you know what was great? Having 3 hours of doing absolutely nothing to myself. Just like that, I'm back to me.  I may just take a few hours on Sundays just for me from now on.

This "beauty" post is brought to you by my achy back, my swollen feet and the splitting head that is no more ;). Remember to take time for you. I did.

{Recipe Box} and Making Life Easier with Peapod

Tried a new recipe, well, semi new recipe and let me tell you. I'm in love. We were running low on groceries and with nothing but dinosaur nuggets in the house, an adult meal didn't seem likely. I have been working like a mad woman lately so I decided to try the PeaPod app, placed an order during a conference call and had my groceries delivered. I ordered the minimum, found a coupon to take $15 off (code: Truck, 1st time users only) and here is what I found. Don't worry, I'll get to the recipes soon.

PROS: It was easy. Like shopping online for clothes.

             Communication, was impeccable. 

             Driver was so sweet considering I made him wait 10 mins, since I didn't hear my phone.

             I was given free delivery for the next 60 days.

Cons: Broken eggs. 3 to be exact. Now I have to call customer service.
(If you have any problems or questions call 1-800-5-PEAPOD)

Would I order again from PeaPod, most likely. The prices aren't much different and the delivery fees are what I pay for coffee so it is worth saving myself the 2 hours it takes to get my monkey ready, drive to the store, shop, carry everything back to my car, load the toddler back in, park in the garage, unload a toddler and several bags and take them to the elevator and to my unit. It takes time. I'd rather, save the time, use it to spend time with her instead.

Well, once I got my groceries, I planned dinner. I eyeball and make up everything as I go along so bare with me as I guess-timate portions.


My Americano Style Fajitas
Serves 2

2 Chicken Breasts, sliced in the middle and then cut in strips
1 small red pepper
1 small orange pepper
3/4 of a white onion
2 cups fresh spinach
2 large flour tortillas
2 tbs ketchup
1 tbs minced garlic
1 Goya Sazon packet
1 tsp Cumin
salt (eyeball it)
1/2 cup water

In a hot skillet or a wok (what I used), I added 1 tablespoon of margarine, 2 of EVOO. Added the chicken and seasoned with salt and cumin. Add the onions, a pinch more salt (work in small amounts), garlic, ketchup, sazon and water. Cover. After about 5 mins, add the peppers. Keep tossing and making sure nothing sticks. Meanwhile, heat your tortillas. Once the chicken is done and the water is gone, onions are clear and the peppers are very soft, add fresh spinach to your tortilla and then layer on the chicken. Devour. I did.

Rockin Robin {Personal Style}

 top: H&M | blazer: Kohl's | skirt: JcPenney

 on him: Michael Kors & Bloomindale's Men

Deborah Lippman* Nail Polish in Rockin' Robin

Two outfit posts (sort of) in a row? Yes, ma'am. So last Thursday, I went to Cheeky's Real People of Style Fashion Show. It fell on date night, so I brought one (wink). I was able to sport my new blazer that I got on clearance at Kohl's just the day before for only $18! I got an at home manicure, layered on the liner and threw on an updo and had a genuinely nice time networking, catching up with old friends and pigging out on Thai food after. All in all, a good time. Today, I am going to find a 24 hour Starbucks and work late. I'll drag him out to that also, I mean, it's still date night even if I have to work.

I've always been a fan of Deborah Lippman and while the price is a bit steep for polish, a little luxury every now and then is well worth the tiny splurge. This 'polka dot' polish has the longest lasting power of her polishes yet. With that said, I was not compensated by any brand mentioned here and bought everything myself. Happily.

deborah lippman

Casual Day {Personal Style}

I'm shooting a video today for a PR firm regarding what my audience needs from a certain budget brand. The project is in such beginning stages that all I can share is that for now. They did ask, I dress casually, so I chose my chambray top from JcPenney, my $6 harem pants from Target and my comfy "mom" wedges from Aerosoles. I've worn this top at least 3x a month since I got it and it is time for a new one so I found the same one in a lighter color here. What do you think? Should I go for the lighter one?

Chambray Tops

Springtime Beauty Buys Under $10

I've worked as a make up artist for some of the finest lines so naturally, I have a ton of great products just piling up as if getting ready to compete with Nordstroms in a matter of days. However, when I go into the drugstore, I just cannot help but pick up a few things here and there. This Spring, I've been obsessing over a few "budget buys" at the drugstore. Some, I've used for years, others I am new to but love them just the same.

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara $7. I am a lash snob. I layer two, three kinds, add falsies but on a nice day where I just want to run out the door, this one gives me all that volume without all the fuss. Dare I say, I traded in my DiorShow for this? 

NYX Matte Nail Polish in Teal Light Blue $6. I've never been a pastel girl but something hit me like a ton of bricks this season...oh yeah, the pastel craze. I'm not sure what I love more the color, or the fact that this nail polish is all matte.

L'Oreal Tru Match Concealer $9. I know, I use Bobbi Brown concealer now and it works great but in a pinch and on a budget, I really have always loved this concealer. I used it for years and it has yet to fail me.

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush $12.99. I know, that is NOT under ten but on drugstore.com if you buy 1, you get 1 half off so yes, that would make it under ten. Why do I love it? Because it is cream, makes your cheeks just glow and if I want that "wow", I could just add powder blush on top for an extra punch.

EOS Organic Lip Balm $3. I am not going to lie, after taking off to an indoor water resort with the baby, my lips were dryer than the Sahari desert. But after a few days of using this, my lips healed beautifully.

Rimmel Waterproof Gel Eyeliner $6. I've said it a million times, I will take a bullet for black. I have a drawer full of pencils, gels, creme and liquid eyeliners. I know, it is a sick obsession. This one stays on. The end.

Mane 'N Tail Shampoo and Conditioner 32 oz $7 & 12 oz $4. I used this when I was younger and my hair was long so I bought it again. I got ripped a new one when I picked up my Oribe so I thought I would soften the blow with this one. It soften more than just that for sure. Careful with the conditioner, it is very protein rich so try a clarifying shampoo in between washes to avoid protein build up. The larger size is usually $7 but I found it at Walgreens for $2.99 right now.

CoverGirl WetSlicks $7 (Currently buy 1, get 1 50% off). I am a gloss junkie. I have 3, at least, in every single purse I own. I like this one because it makes my lips look really shiny, yeah wet almost but it is not sticky which I love.

Wet & Wild Brow and Eyeliner $1. No look ever looks complete without brows, I don't care how full yours are, they are not perfect without the finishing touch. For the greater good, add the finishing touch.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Hand Creme $9. Dear goodness my hands are dry and coming out of the cold season just makes them worse. I like to carry a bit of this in my purse. Not only does it feel good, it smells amazing.

I'm loving my new 'budget buys' and want you to love them as well that is why I am giving one lucky reader a CoverGirl* LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara for you to see for yourself. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*CoverGirl is not sponsoring this post nor did they pay me to write this review. They did, however, send me this mascara to try out and since I already use/have it, I thought I would share. You see? I am nice.