Say What??

The fact that I'm getting married in 2 days, seems to have gotten lost, somewhere in my brain. Yes, it's November 1st. And instead of stressing about my wedding dress, shoes, and the last minute details.....I was decorating for Christmas!!

I know. I swear to you, I probably, should have gotten married, closer to Christmas. But I spent my day decorating. Manny and I scored the best Christmas tree last year.....for $15!! Originally $200 at Hobby Lobby. :)

And I remembered these little gems. From last year. I dug it out. And made my way to Target. Picked up a few things. I'd already scored a HUGE container, of red and white ornaments at Wal-Mart. I know! But they were only $10.

 

I have a beautiful white angel. And striped stockings. All 'After Christmas' scores. :) There are a few things I'd like to pick up. But that will have to wait. You know, until I'm a Mrs. :) That 'Love' sign.....I ordered one on Etsy. Months ago!! For our wedding. I'll put it up, in our home, after the wedding.

This time of year, just makes me so happy inside!! Tomorrow, I NEED to focus on wedding stuff. But it feels so good, to have part of our home decorated, for Christmas. :) Now I just need to learn how to bake. That would be perfect. All in due time!

Bridal Inspiration

Last week, one of my favorite blogs had a post that hit home for me. :) It was all about 'Bridal Accessories.' This mujer was quite pleased!!

I'm still getting all my things in order. I know!! Let's not talk about it. But when I saw these earrings, I about died. With a big smile on my face!! Oh, and those shoes. Gente, do you see the shoes??

 

I have personally been hunting down the last minute details. I have a gorgeous pair of red heels. But now that I see these flats, I feel like I should have a pair of red flats, for the reception. I don't want my feet hurting. When I'm supposed to be dancing the night away!! :)

About a month ago, I order the perfect little clutch. In the most perfect shade of red. I sorta wish, that I had seen this picture first. Could you imagine this bag, in red?? It would look like roses. Oh, so pretty!!

If my budget allowed, I'd be all over 5 of these items. The shoes and bag, in red. Those breathtaking earrings. But honestly, I needed this shot of inspiration. You know, to get me out of the house. To pick up those last minute details. The ones that will make our day so special!! Thank you The Perfect Palette!!

I NEED Some!!

Pretty sure, most people know, I'm not too great in the cocina. I try. I really do. But it's definitely not my forte.

There is just something about Fall, that makes me crave warm, homemade food.....in my belly. No lie! I dream of soups, stews, roasts, fresh bread, and all things in those categories.

On top of warm, comfort food, I crave sweets. All. the. time. Right now, it's a little ridiculous, just how much I want homemade, baked goods. It's really not good, that Chiquitita is out of town. Come home please!!

On Friday, I was doing this marathon of blog reading. Finding new blogs. Enjoying old ones. Then I found this lovely recipe. All I could think about, were these bars. I even went out and bought all the ingredients!!

I'm 100% certain, that I've said this before. I'm sorta in love with Mix and Match Mama. Shay has some good recipes. I MUST make these bars. Wedding diet or not. I NEED these in my life. ASAP!! Mostly because, they just shout Fall to me. :)

On another note, Manny and I seem to be buried in wedding stuff. Less than 2 weeks until our big day!! And I certainly can't believe it. We've been looking forward to this day, for an awfully long time. Now we're just trying to enjoy every minute.

Inspired.....

Tonight, Manny is working. It shouldn't shock anyone. It's part of being a musician. You work almost every weekend, night, and holiday. I'm still not used to it. But I'm getting better.

I guess I could have met up with some of my friends. You know, we all share the same schedule. Our hombres work, we stay home. Wondering how to pass the weekend. Looking forward to Monday morning, the way most look forward to Friday night. :)

Instead, I'm curled up on our couch. With a bowl of my favorite ice cream. Tin roof by the way. :) And episode of 'International Mysteries' is on. I'm catching up on my favorite blogs. All of which, is making me smile. But I know, I should be doing some last minute wedding stuff. Tonight, I just don't have it in me. But I am enjoying 'Blogland' very much!!

Part of which, is because I'm reading a ton of 'Fashion Blogs' tonight. One of my favorites, is xoxo, Trina. Yes, she is a doll! And I do love her style. Something this thirty something can relate to. :) And after tonight's post, I have a little shopping list going on.

Oh yes! Manny might just regret, his full day of work manana! Because I want to recreate Trina's look. Perfect for our Fall weather.....it's still incredibly hot here. Target is calling my name! Sweet heaven, if I wasn't in my pjs right this minute, I'd be strolling through Target. Looking for these pieces! What are you doing on this Friday night??

What a 4 Year Old Teaches You.....

This past week, has tested many of our friends. In ways, that I'm sure, only God would do. Just to make sure, that we still believe. One of our good friends, broke his foot. While doing some good deeds for his grandma. During his vacation. Looks like his vacation, just went from a few weeks, to a possibly a few months.....

Then on Saturday morning, Marissa came down with something. While she was trying to 'nurse her uncle back to good health.' Her words, not mine! It was so serious, that Marissa landed herself in the hospital. For 2 nights.

It was tough. Being that her daddy was working. Over an hour away. He's in the same mariachi as Manny. Selena was home alone, with 5 kids. For most of Saturday. Well, we all jumped in, when Sals decided to take Marissa to the ER. Everyone offered to take a ninito. Or in Jels case, 2! I happened to be in the area. So I met up with Jel, and took Miss Mariella. I figured, we could handle her for the night. She's only 4. What could go wrong?

Not much, when I spent the evening with Jels, Baby Jelly, Maribel, and Mariella. We ordered in pizza. Called the hospital, to check on Marissa. Assured Sancho, that things were going ok. There may have also been a little Disney Princess movie action going on. :)

Mariella and I headed home. She fell asleep on the way. Who would blame the sweet girl? It was a 45 minute drive. In the dark. After an exciting day. Manny knew that I had Mariella. On the way home, he picked up a few toys for her. Since we don't have any at home.

It was a fairly easy night. Mariella slept all night, in our spare room. She insisted that she could sleep on the 'big bed,' without falling off. :) I made a quick call to Sals, to make sure. Who knew she was such a big girl?

In the morning, Manny and I decided to make the 45 minute drive, to our friends' regular church. That way, Mariella could see her sisters. And hopefully, feel a bit more comfortable with the situation. A complete bonus, we ran into her grandparents. It made her day!

But before church, girlfriend got up, before the sun. Sign numero uno, that we're not quite ready for kids. I just couldn't believe it!! The thing about Sals' kids is, they have their routine. 'A well oiled machine,' as our friend calls it.

Mariella was up before the sun. In her pjs. Ready for 'cereals and toons.' Madeline to be exact. And preferably anything sugary. Because as I learned, they don't get those sort of treats at home. :) I put the coffee on, got a bowl of Lucky Charms for our guest, and went about trying to find Madeline on tv. Yes, we have Lucky Charms on hand. We're still kids at heart!

I was unsuccessful with finding Madeline. But Mariella went and found it for us. On This TV. Have you ever heard of that channel? I hadn't. Well, she found 'Emily of New Moon' first. Had never heard of that show. But it was cute. Something like PBS's 'Anne of Green Gables.' I thought it a bit old, for my 4 year old friend. But she enjoyed it. Ate up 2 bowls of cereal. Not even dropping a single piece of cereal, or drop of milk. She eats better than Manny and I!!

After watching Madeline, Mariella sat back and told me just how happy she was. When I asked why, she told me, 'Cause Madeline has a family. She doesn't have a mom, or dad. But those girls are her family. I'm happy for her.' She sat there, so happy for Madeline. It made my heart smile.

I remember Madeline, from when I was small. I don't remember this cartoon. But I remember the books. Very well!! They were one of my favorites to check out from the library. Deep down inside, I think I wanted to be Madeline. :)

After watching our shows, and me finally waking up, with the aid of 3 cups of coffee, I remembered those toys. The ones Manny brought home. I went and got them for Mariella. 'Tia I think I'm going to save them. To share with my sisters. My brother can't play with Barbies. But I'll hug him. Thank you!' Girl was so happy! We might have sat and played with 2 Barbies, until Manny woke up. :)

In those few hours, that we had Mariella, it taught me a lot. How kids just soak up everything. How incredibly smart they are. Just how much, I want kids. How we're not quite ready for kids of our own. And how much responsibility, goes into raising good kids. With good hearts, and morals. I applaud our friends, for the incredible job they are doing.

Turns out Marissa ate something bad at school. She traded her lunch, with a friend. Most likely, peanut butter. But she was able to go home today. Her parents are relieved, her sisters and brother.....are so excited!! All of us, are just happy for our friends. Sancho is relieved, that he had nothing to do with Marissa's illness. Despite the fact that the 2 of them, polished off a pie Friday night. :)

Oh My Apples!!

Manny had an early morning gig.That's why I'm up and blogging this early, on a Saturday. I got up, and made him some breakfast. I'm trying. Although, I've never in my life, seen eggs that looked so.....well 'cooked!'

Now that I can't sleep, I decided to get some blog reading in. The Perfect Palette has the most perfect post up!! Two things you should know, red is my favorite color. And I LOVE Fall!! That's why are wedding color is red. And we're getting married in the Fall. That and it's better for all our musician friends. :)

With that, I just about died when I saw this post!! Peeps, I don't know what I love more!! Those shoes, I just want them. Just to wear, all the time. Like when I'm home, doing the dishes. :) The cake.....wow!! It's perfection!! And cider. We just might have to add that to our special day.

I sorta wish, that I had seen these pictures earlier. Our invites are gorgeous. And red. Of course! I'm glad we agreed, to have them addressed in red too. :) The idea of adding apples to the wedding, just makes me smile. I should have thought of this. Who knows, I might go with a little bag of apples, as a gift too. I'm sure our guest will enjoy them. You know, with our M&Ms. :)

Sweet Spring

If we were getting married in Spring or Summer, this would be the inspiration for my wedding. No lie!! The second I laid eyes on these pictures, my heart was skipping a beat!!

I would have never thought that poppies, could be a wedding flower. Or that you could incorporate yellow, with red. Or have darling bridesmaids dresses, like these. I'm 100% positive, that you could wear these pieces, long after the wedding.

Poppies, polka dots, and delicious fruit. I couldn't think of a more appropriate way, to wed. In warm weather. Oh, it would be lovely! It almost, almost makes me want to change the date, of our wedding. And now, I want some nectarines and cherries. :) Thank you The Perfect Palette!!

Cozy Red

It's not an 'if,' but more of a 'when' Manny and I decide to get married.....this is my inspiration!! Isn't it perfect!! Red, my favorite color. With the warm brown, to be inviting. Oh, this is just perfect!!

Remember, I said when. Not right now. But when the day comes. Sorta wish I had seen this sooner. Would have LOVED to decorate our house, with these colors. For Christmas. There is always next year!! I certainly can't wait. Until then, maybe I can find a blanket like this one. Or have our friend make us one. :)

Christmas Cheer

Yes, I'm one of those people. You know the ones. That anxiously wait for Christmas, since February. You know the type. The ones that leave their Christmas trees up, until February 1st. :) And want them back up, at the end of the month. Yes, I'm that person!!

That being said, our Christmas tree, has been up a few weeks. I personally wanted to start decorating November 1st. But Manny said that was overkill. I waited as long as I could. And the Monday after the Conference, November 14th, our Christmas decorations started going up.

Now that Christmas music, has been playing for weeks. And the house is sparkling with lights, I've found a bit of holiday inspiration. What do you think?

 

I adore this simple, and classic color palette. I want to to decorate the outside of our home, in fresh greens. With tons of red ribbons. And lots of white lights. At least next year. I'm almost positive, that Manny won't take down, and redecorate this year. :)