Parents move to smaller home

via google Thanks to Olga Quinn My parents have definitely gotten a lot older. I know they get older and older as each year passes, but lately they have started losing their independence. I find myself having to help them more and more. I don’t mind because I knew this day would come, but I just didn’t realize how much work it would be. I finally convinced them to move into a smaller home. I didn’t want them to move, but their house was too big and it didn’t make sense. We sold the old house and bought a new one. Wow has it been a lot of work. I have basically done everything. I found the realtor and even looked at all the houses. I told my parents the top three and they chose from those. I had all the utilities hooked up and supervised the movers. I even supervised the Glendale home security install. Basically, all my parents did was sign the papers and walk in the door. I love them so much, but I think I might need a vacation after this.

Dino-Rawr-Party

                Well my big boy is oficially  five!!!

And of course we celebrated in true dino-ROAR style, his new favorite. I've been thinking, planning and shopping  shopped for just the right fabric, props, gifts, favors, etc  I would say at the 5 month mark… Yes I know, I am a little nuts when it comes to planning my kids' birthday parties, what can I say; I have a little planner inside me ... Here are a few of the things I came up with:

Let’s start at the candy table, of course this was the kids’ favorite… and maybe a few parents favorite too and as usual the dessert table stole the show!  Bright and colorful, it literally makes my heart happy to see how this came together!  

While putting together my ideas for the party, I decided to incorporate a green and blue color palette, but something with fabric too... Polka dots, gingham

So I used green and blue polka dots cups for some desserts, clear cups for another, and the mini chocolate cups (my personal favorite...) Also cookies, brownies gluten free, green lollypops and of course blue and green m&m's

My mom made the beautiful runner with dinosaurs and also the best typical desserts "Arroz con Leche" and "Majarete" and the designs were made by our designer Alma at IPS Studios. A round of applause for both please!! Everybody loves it!!!! Because a cute presentation is everything, right?

Ready to step into a WORLD of colorful cuteness? This fabulous painting was specially made by Edgardo for my big boy, it's to die for, I used this painting  for my dessert table's background.

This photography was not taken by my photographer :) (that's why it's blurry)

I really love to think of new ideas to customize every detail!   Aside from the details, I put a lot of thought into the experience for the host and the guest!  I like to come up with things that set apart from other events! For that reason I wanted to do something a bit original with the kids table... I made a dinosaur menu, with burlap fabric and a green fabric dino on top! My talented friend Maria Beatriz helped me with the little details...The name tags were dinosaur bones cookies with the kids name on it...  and  I also made the dinosaur cupcake toppers and his birthday banner. 

Two centerpieces with Dinosaur Cookies were part of the decoration and I think everything turned out really super cute! Even the napkins were personalized with dinos and everything and just for fun some dinosaur masks :)

And another view

I used a lot of burlap fabric in the early planning stages and it made me think of the undergrowth forest and the path of the dinosaurs. C'mon people you need to use your imagination a little and you’ll be able to see it. Let’s face it, my Dinosaurs are blue and green so why can’t my forest be elegant with a splash of whimsy. {wink}

The favors? Personalized Cotton Bags.  I think they 
turned out quite cute

The food for the adults  was served as a buffet with Coordinating food tent cards labeled yummy eats such as mini paninis, asian style spring rolls, quesadilla and trio hummus.

The fabulous  backdrop with a burlap banners that says Gianmarco is Five! defined the space and an amazing cake from Jacqueline Ramos, she made all the beautiful dinosaurs and what about the cake knife that  I found  and it has its own dinoish personality... don't you agree?

and now one picture of the birthday boy... How cute is this little model of mine? What a Happy Boy!

and one more...

and the last one.. promise....

and his little sister of course :)

The party was a huge success and everyone enjoyed the food, the beautiful place  and all the little details of the event. I want to say a huge thank you to my family and friends (you know who you are) for helping me out to make Gianmarco’s birthday a success. A shout out to my talented photographer Marco for capturing all these great memories.
And a big, big, big thank you to my lovely husband.. Thank you for your support :)

Credits:

Event Planning: IPS Event Planners

Cake: Jackeline Ramos cakes

Photography: Marco Palmieri

Designs: Ips Studio/Alma Betancourt and Polka Dot Prints

Desserts: Dalia Sterling

Runners: Dalia Sterling

Favors: Ips Studio

Dino Painting: Edgardo Lopez

Location: Cool de Sac, Miami Fl

Happy Birthday to my SON!!!

Today is my son's birthday... and I just need it to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON.. I love you 

I am so glad that God gave a son like you and so proud to have you.

No matter how many birthdays come and go, you'll always be my little boy.

HAPPY 5ht Birthday Gianmarco

Love,

Mom

Also I've been wanting to apologise profusely for the lack of updates in the last days or so. I've missed quite a few days here and there and I've also been particularly bad with answering emails... BIG apologies! Also I have a lot of work and details or my son's Birthday Party and also working with another clients...  And, yes, like always  I'm big on the details! There are quite a few DIY elements involved so, needless to say, I've been flat out. The party is this upcoming sunday and my kids and I are incredibly excited!!

But of course I want

Thanksgiving Planning

Thanksgiving is one of my favorites time of year. We celebrate with the family what everyone brings to the table: Love, Laughter and every little detail to celebrate life and be grateful for what we have, for so many blessings, I can't help but reflect on the last year.  I am so very appreciative of all the wonderful things happening in our lives. Today I will post some  tips for a celebration that blend cherished traditions and creative new ideas of course all serve with your own unique style. 


Remember to set the table with a mix of tradition, creativity and seasonal color.
I found these super cute turkey candlelight holder in Crate and Barrel... i just love it!!

Put the names of friends and family in autumn leafs, so you can capture the season with clusters of autumm botanicals... Use a sharpie in a contrast color and you will have a very creative and inexpensive place card :)

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For a centerpiece just fill tall cylinder glass vases with season items, like fall leaves, apples, pears but you can use what you have on hand.

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Now let's talk about food:

                       Food? Forget about food and lets talk about dessert
If you’re like me, desserts always show up on my tables at holiday gatherings and pot lucks.  This creme brulee it's a  "Thanksgiving version"  from ivillage and creme brulee are  always a hit and favorite in family.

Ingredients:
2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar 
pinch ginger
pinch nutmeg
4 large egg yolks
1/3 cup fresh pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon


Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, heat the cream and the spices over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to boil. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the yolks with 1/2 cup sugar, whisk until light in color and the sugar has dissolved. Pour in the warm cream, whisking continually. Whisk in the pumpking and vanilla.
Place the ramekins in a roasting pan. Fill the ramekins with the pumpkin mixture. Place the roasting pan on the center shelf of the oven. Carefully pout hot water into the roasting pan, beign careful not to get any into the ramekins. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the custard is set but still jiggles slightly. Remove from the oven an cool. Refrigerate overnight.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 sugar over the tops of the chilled custard. Use a pastry torch to brown the sugar. Let cool for for 3 minutes and serve.


Remember you can pair this dessert with d'Arenberg The Nuble Mud Pie, 2009


And  am going to take the opportunity to highlight some of the things I am most thankful for,  I'm especially grateful for my wonderful friends and dear readers.  Hugs to you old friends, and a warm welcome to the new followers and friends :) 




CHEERS!!
















Credits:
Dessert: from http://www.ivillage.com






But if you want to use a 

10 things to do in November before Xmas

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Well today it's 11/12/11 and I am done with this 11ish thing... it's Saturday the 12th and that means that we have 13 months until 12/12/12, let see if before the Mayan end of the world something else happens *wink 


ok.. now seriously I was thinking I need to make my list of things  to do before Xmas.....


This is what I did so far....

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1.- Clean my closets... Take away those baggy jeans that you don't use and  mmm ....and make space for the new clothes that Santa will bring me :) ... Also donate some old toys, I am thinking about the new toys that are coming...  because I really hate to have small toys and parts  all over my house... I think there is a night elf  around my house with a part time job 

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2.- Have you heard of a bucket list? Well Do one with the things you want to do in Xmas!!

3.- I really want to watch 24 Xmas movies  with my kids, in pj's, with hot chocolate and of course cookies and cupcakes...  can't wait to start !
So far this is my list: Polar Express, Grinch, "Tovellita in Xmas" (that's the name that my daughter gave to a movie of Shaun the Sheep), The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3, Peanuts in Christmas, Mickey Mouse Xmas, Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Train Express, Frosty the Snowman... sigh, need to think, think, think a few more

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4.-  Have my Christmas Photo Taken... :) and make my christmas cards

5. Do all the Xmas Shopping before the mall gets too packed... THIS IS ALMOST DONE!! Just a few things here and there... I love to go to the malls but in Xmas, I  really try to avoid the stress... I just want to go to say HI to Santa :)

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6.-  Buying all the essentials to do my christmas cookin': Pan de Jamon, Panettone, Gluten Free Panettone, Hallacas, Cookies, Cupcakes, and some bread :)

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7. LOSE WEIGHT!! I am losing 20 pounds so when I gain 25 in Xmas.. I only gained 5 :) 

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8. Doing all my Salon stuff.. Hair, eyebrows etc... before it gets packed.... 

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9. Buy Christmas Outfits for my family : DONE

10. Finish some home decor, tags and enjoy a glass of wine... Cheers!!

By the way if you are in Orlando , the forecast is calling for sunny weather today and tomorrow and it is the last two days of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. A big Bon Appétit to all the foodies out there! Don't miss this... 

Have a great weekend!!!

Birds on a wire - {Finding Fridays}

Evelyn Diaz - Photography

Can you believe it's November 11?  And you know what else means? ... That Thanksgiving it's around the corner but today I just want to tell about this finding, the reason I am so excited to share this because 
I always Loved birds on a wire and this is something too cut not to share

You can find this and more nice stuff  in this page

xox

Thanksgiving traditions

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Does anyone else feel that Thanksgiving craftiness gets lost between Halloween and Christmas? I can hardly stand it, so I had to find a bunch of craft ideas to celebrate the day of gratitude, i do that for two reasons... first my son was born on thanksgiving day and my second reason it's just because ... they're always a reason to thanks!!!




Set the table and mood. Let your table reflect the warm colors of the season.

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Cute napkins always make a very cute table....

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Maintaining Thanksgiving Traditions help keeps every year special :) and in my house, we love to create memories...


Have a great night and hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!