NAMOWENO

Valentine's Day Lunch...

2012-02-13T19:27:00.001-08:00

I thought I'd make her favorite almond butter and jelly for lunch tomorrow, so I bought this heart shaped sandwich cutter. But I changed my mind...arroz con pollo instead! So what could I do for a special Valentine lunchbox surprise? Cookies & Cantaloupe! I used the sandwich cutter for both! Can't wait for her to open her lunch bag at school tomorrow!

SOPA

2012-01-17T23:58:00.001-08:00

http://www.reddit.com/r/SOPA/

Growing Up Brianlily...

2012-01-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

Pig Newton...

2012-01-09T01:33:00.000-08:00

Assuming the bit was true, its cute that Louis C.K. named his production company after his daughter's take on a Fig Newton.

Growing Up Brianlily...

2012-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Black Moon - How Many M.C.'s

2012-01-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed some of this with my Bota Box Mini last night.

Danu Tigerlily...

2012-01-08T01:38:00.002-08:00

"Danu! Danu where are you!?"

This is what I found a few minutes later.

Sneaky Kitty.

Work Desk Revamp...

2012-01-08T00:57:00.000-08:00

Plain white IKEA desk. Needs Help. I should say, I could not lay the paper without creases and bubbles. How frustrating. The iron was just to get it nice and flat. And. Don't set your laptop on a decoupaged desk without something beneath it...my laptop ripped it off!

Photo shoot time. Love my new desk.

Sweet As Hell...

2012-01-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

So yea, there are lots of reasons to love Louis C.K., but the way he talks about his girls is at the top.

I've got these two terrific girls. They are nothing like what I represent on stage, which is, you know - they're just sweet as hell, and bright and smart. They are the next generation of Americans. I have confidence and optimism for America because of my daughters. I really mean that. - Louis C.K.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Here's to my baby girl.

Love My Danu Tigerlily...

2012-01-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

Never had a cat, but Brianlily really needed a pet. And dogs aren't allowed in our complex. So I searched Craigslist, and found her. She was six weeks old and the most perfect little thing ever. Now she's my other little girl. I love my girls. I wanted a lap cat, and I got an up-your-ass-never-leave-you-alone-can't-be-happy-unless-one-of-her-paws-are-touching-you-jump-out-from-nowhere-and-attack-you cat. Danu Tigerlily is the sweetest, most loving, hippest cat around.

She totally doesn't give a shit that she doesn't fit in the box.

Belgian vs Classic...

2012-01-03T02:03:00.000-08:00

We bought a Belgian waffle press a month ago. Turns out I don't love Belgian waffles that much. I suppose it's not often that one eats a Belgian waffle, so the idea was just romantic. They're too big for regular consumption (by that I mean the amount my daughter requests them). And I realized that on the last day to exchange the damn thing. Picked up our classic waffle press...and I am in LURVE! I'm really frackin happy that I don't have to purchase frozen waffles anymore. I fall over for Emril's Belgian waffle recipe - it's to die for. Made lots, popped some in the freezer, and when my little mama puts in a request, I pop'em in the toaster. Easy peasy.

Robyn - Cobrastyle

2012-01-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

Love Her.

Decoupage Power Wheels???

2012-01-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yup. I frackin decoupaged Brianlily's Power Wheels! I went with the blue Hot Wheels Power Wheels because my other choice was pink Barbie. She's a girl. I know that, she knows that, but she doesn't need a pink car because of it, and don't even get me started on Barbie. But I didn't want flames on it either. So what am I supposed to do? Oh yeaaaa...it's Mod Podge time (also found out the inventor used it on her VW Beetle in the 60's!)! Really simple and didn't have to ruin the car. The front window had Hot Wheels written across it, so I just cut that part off, then used anything else that didn't have flames. Then I printed out some color images of one of her favorite characters (Olivia. Man who doesn't love that piglet?), and decoupaged them onto the car. I also added some polka dots because I thought it would look cool on the VW Beetle. A racing number, and I was done. Came out adorable! Brianlily loves it, and it's a one of a kind.

Can anyone say Oliviaaaaaaaaaaa!?

P.S. So decoupage crazy these days...in love with these shoes from Corinne @ Craftovision!

I'm Sew Cool...

2012-01-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

yea boyyy

Even Better Chocolate Chip Cookie...

2011-12-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

I can't even believe it, but I have to update this post. Sine then, I have found The chewy to be cakey, and I don't like cakey cookies. For a chocolate chip cookie lover like myself, it's a constant search for THE best homemade cookie. And I've found it (for now). Not too crazy about Bobby Flay (I think his personality stinks), but OMG this cookie recipe is insane!! They're soft and chewy on the inside, and crisp on the edges...mouthwatering. Seriously though, it's all in the bake time too. It's like cooking bacon, you have to ake them out just a little raw, so they finish cooking on the pan. LOVE! check it out, try it out, love it, eat it!

DIY Mailer/Envelope...

2011-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

Saw this really cute and useful way to send mail and creatively personalize your package. It comes from Whitney @ Whitney Sews. Mine is much smaller, and I didn't line mine with plastic. I actually just used it in place of an envelope. The item (my very first etsy sale! woo hoo!) was inside and I sewed around it, sealing the package. I loved it! Hope to use it more! Especially since plastic bags are banned here now...lots of paper for crafting!

Vloggie Vlog...

2011-12-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

First vlog posts...For Lisa :o)

youtube.com/namoweno

Revamp Your Tomato Pincusion...

2011-12-29T13:35:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking of making a pincushion, because my tomato just doesn't stay put! I need something with weight. I did think about just gluing some non slip grippy pads on the bottom of the tomato, but didn't think it would really hold up. Not sure if anyone else has the same problem of their pincushion just dancing around their work station when using it, but it drives me insane! So when I poked around for some ideas I found out that the tomato isn't just stuffing. It's wool filled, and the strawberry that hangs from it is actually emery (like your nail file). Apparently the wool keeps your needles from rusting, and poking your pins and needles through the strawberry (say before and after each use) keeps them sharp too. Gertie @ Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing did some research and found out some really cool facts about the tomato pincushion's history.

In my frustration, and after finding out that it's better to just stick to the tomato, I had to come up with something that would allow me to keep it, and get it to stay put. I found these super cute jar ideas, (don't forget, you're not limited to ball jars...check this IKEA jar, a baby food jar, or just use a sauce jar!) and took it a step backward. I just hot glued the tomato on top of the jar! I wanted the jar to be useful for storage, but not for something I need all the time (it would get really annoying really quickly having to take that top off). So I added weight and used it as storage for buttons! I also snipped the strawberry's string and glued it directly onto the tomato. That way it would be a one hand job, instead of two handed. I added a ribbon, and done. Love, love, love my new (old) tomato pincushion!!!

My First Tee Shirt Recon...

2011-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about doing a tee shirt reconstruction for a long time now, and today I finally got around to it, and it only took 5 hours! I used my super cool Portlandchucks tee shirt. I searched around looking for something that would work for me, but everything was skimpy and just not for me. If I never see another shredded t-shirt or Adam Saaks, it'll be too soon. I'm a full size woman and need the right shape, the right sleeve, and the right fit, so I had to come up with something on my own. I started with some ideas from Guaya's recon, then edited and altered. I really wish I had taken photos of the process, but of course- as usual, I was so caught up in the work I forgot!

Basically I turned a huge boxy tee shirt into an empire waisted one. A few pleats, some reconstruction of the sleeves (they were so long I had to refashion them), a new neck line, and about 6 inches off the bottom and voila!

PS By removing the sleeve and reattaching them upside down, gives you a super cute flutter sleeve! Didn't keep them because the empire waist with the flutter sleeve just didn't look good. Can't wait for the next one....can anyone say SI*SE!?

Great way to take your prized band tee shirt and make it fashionable :o)

BEFORE

AFTER

Sorbet!

2011-05-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Wanted to try something new for the girls, so why not sorbet!? I pureed some honey dew in the food processor, added some sugar, squeezed some lemon in, and a little water. Froze it for 1/3, then stirred it up, and froze for an hour. Served in the cored melon. Oh and I added a bit of ginger...amazing!

Homemade Breadcrumbs!

2011-05-16T00:31:00.000-07:00

Oh man, I love breaded things! lol I mentioned wanting to make homemade breadcrumbs, and Brian went to the beach with it! Thankfully! He makes some great crumbs (and I'm not talking about the ones all over the counter every morning!) He toasted a couple of slices of whole wheat bread, then put it in the food processor, added some seasoning (insert your favorites here). And voila! Crusted chicken breast grilled in EVOO.

Parents vs Irresponsible Dog Owners...

2011-05-02T10:13:00.001-07:00

I had a very disturbing experience this weekend with a dog owner at Sauvie Island's Walton Beach. I saw the dog owner walk onto the beach with a big dog and noticed she had little control over the dog, which ALWAYS makes me worry when my little one is around. As she got closer I saw that it was a Pit Bull. I'm not afraid of Pit Bulls (everyone knows Pit Bulls need the right kind of owner- dedicated and super hard working to keep up with such an active dog. I don't think anyone would be afraid of Cesar Milan's Pit Bulls! Who didn't love Daddy! lol), I'm afraid of any dog not properly trained or that the owner clearly has no control over,no matter the breed.

So this is what happened. She walks onto the beach and the dog is pulling her around. The woman clearly had no control over the dog. The woman decides to set up camp about 30 feet from where my 2 year old daughter was playing in the shore. I could hear the woman pleading with the dog to get it's ball. I mean, if you have to beg your dog to get it's ball, you've got some things to worry about. So I glanced over at the dog and the poor thing was shivering with her ears down. As I looked at her, children near by shouted, and the dog looked in their direction franticly. And everyone knows a scared dog, is a dangerous dog. The woman, tired of the dog not heeding her command, says "Dumb dog" then proceeds to pick up the ball and throw it in the water.

By this point I was fuming. I couldn't contain myself and had to say something. I was worried about my daughter. I'm sorry, but there were MANY dogs on the beach that day, and not one of them looked the way this dog did. The other dogs were playing and relaxed- this dog was not. So I turn to look at the owner and she quickly says, "Is there a problem". Clearly she knew there was one, and I take it by her defensive attitude she assumed I was a Pit Bull Hater or something. I said "It just looks like your dog isn't having a good time." And she defensively says, "Have you ever owned a dog before?! What does a dog that's not having a good time look like?! Um, if she wasn't having a good time she'd be growling." Ok, so this is were I want to have an all out argument with this crazy lady, but I didn't. She raised her voice for the people nearby to hear, and I'm thinking she wanted to be a "Pit Bull Activist" which is why she was so defensive, but you can't just rescue or adopt one and not know how to handle the dog. And what's even funnier is her response..."if she wasn't having a good time she'd be growling" UM EXCUSE ME, but if a dog was not happy they would not be growling! If it was aggressive it would be growling!

Once I saw where this crazy lady was heading with her irrational argument and complete defensiveness, I dismissed her with an "OK", turned my back on her, hovered over my daughter as she ran back and forth in the shore, and gave the woman some time before I would have moved us elsewhere. It took about 8 minutes of her throwing the ball into the river for the dog to retrieve (which by the way, was the only way for her to get the dog to do what she wanted it to do- entice it with throwing the ball!) before she picked up and walked farther down the beach.

So my question to you parents...how do you feel about dogs in play areas??? Parks too! And how would you handle it!? I just have to say, I'm not afraid of dogs attacking my daughter, it's as simple as a dog to just go speeding into my little one and hurting her.

SEW CRAZY!

2011-04-30T10:47:00.001-07:00

I FINALLY GOT THE MACHINE OUT, UP, AND RUNNING, AND HAVEN'T STOPPED SINCE! I'M A SEWING FOOL!!

Photos to come! When pull myself away from the machine!

Only in PDX...

2011-03-30T01:19:00.000-07:00

While on the MAX the other day, a chick asked to borrow my cell phone to make a call.

And when I first moved to PDX, a man harassed a woman for a bite of her slice of pizza- "just one bite"

Only in PDX

The Grilling Has Commenced!

2011-03-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Our old grill was on it's last legs, so we finally purchased a new one. And boy am I happy as hell! I love my new grill; so pretty, and new, and shiny. We use our grill at least 3 times a week, so not having one was the pits! I found this one for a great price and am very happy!

Ain't She Sexy!

Ooh It's the L-I-Y-A-H...

2011-03-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Riding home on the MAX today, this group of kids (maybe 17 years old) get on blasting Aaliyah on their phone (with NO EARBUDS!). The girl playing the tunes says "She died, her name is Aaliyah..A-A-liyah" She spells it out for her friends. The guy in the group says "Isn't she the one from the movie Queen of The Damned?", and the girl blasting the music says, "No, that was someone else." These youngans don't know a thing about MY music.

Aaliyah is greatly missed.

Big Girl Car Seat!

2011-03-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

We finally did it...we've moved to a forward facing car seat. I am proud to say Brianlily was in a rear-facing seat until she was 2 years old. The great debate was really between the Graco Nautilus Elite and the Britax Frontier 85. The only difference between the Elite and orginal Nautilus is the adjustable head rest, but the damn thing didn't work! It's the first of it's kind, and it's a great feature, but it just really has to be imporved. It was hard deciding on the right car seat, but in the end we went with the Britax Frontier 85. The Britax has a max weight of 120lbs, compared to the 100lbs of the Graco. Plus, I found that with her infant Graco Safe Seat, the harness ran a little small. It was just too snug, and I worried that the Nautilus would be no different. The reviews for the Graco Nautilus weren't too great, but the Britax has consistanly great reviews. The thing I'm most proud of is paying $100 less than the actual price! We sold our infant car seat for $60, and purchased our new one during the BabiesRus Great Trade-In Event and saved 25%! We traded in the stroller attachment for the infant seat. It worked out wonderfully!

Britax Frontier 85 Wins!

P.S. As an emotionally attached mother (and by this I mean I get so emotional when I have to let go of ANYTHING of Brianlily's), I had a hard time seeing her infant seat go, especially since it was her first stroller...but she's a big girl now! Thank you for all your hard work and for taking care of my baby Graco!

Coming Home From The Hospital

Really...A Hair Clip???

2011-03-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

I purchased an orchid from Ikea, for my spanish instructor as a thank you gift. I know that sounds strange, but she was cooking us a feast for an end of term celebration. What's funny is the way Ikea keeps them upright...with hair accessories! LOL I would have thought a small stake and some string or something of that nature. But no, they chose a tiny claw clip! Funny and clever!

P.S. I told a couple of people that I was going to be purchasing the plant for my instructor, and one classmate said she wanted to be a part of it and split the cost. I agreed. The day of the celebration I came in with the orchid, and the classmate told me she didn't have the cash, but promised to have it the following class. Since she said she would have it, I took it that she still wanted to be a part of the gift, so when I presented the gift to our instructor I said it was from the both of us. The following class came, but the classmate was nowhere to be found. No phone call, no text, no email. I'm pretty pissed about it. Not because of the money, because I had intended to do it with no help from anyone in class. It's about the lack of principle. She just wanted to be a part of the great gesture, and backed out when it came time to give me a lousy $6!? Now here is where I stomp my feet like a child and yell, "IT WAS MY IDEA AND YOU JUST WANTED TO RIDE ON MY COAT TAILS!" There. I said it and I feel so much better. Sucka!

Put a Bird On It...

2011-03-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm talking about Portlandia AGAIN! LOL It's hilariously funny and sooooo right on!

Tuality Hospital/8th Avenue MAX Station

Fuller Road MAX Station

This Post Is Dedicated to Lucidendings...

2011-03-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

Blessing to you...

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fy6yz/51_hours_left_to_live/

Arroz Con Pollo Recipe...

2011-02-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

I HATE GETTING RECIPES TOGETHER! I just don't cook with measurements...it's so hard figuring it all out...but in the end...as promised, I present to you a RECIPE, AND A VIDEO "HOW TO"! hahahahaha The video is just for my geekness. Please keep in mind; Latino food is super forgiving; it doesn't take French culinary precision! It's pretty much suited for your own likes and dislikes. Add spices you prefer, add olives, pimento, ham, hard salami...the possibilies are endless. The best way to finish off this dish is with AVOCADO! And us younger generation loooove it with KETCHUP! lol Just don't let any vieja's find out!

Arroz Con Pollo a La Lucena-Matos

Ingredients:
1/2 Boiled Chicken- Keep Broth (skinned, and boned if you prefer)
16 oz. Chicken broth (be sure to skim excess fat from broth before using)
3 cups Rice (brown or white, your preference)
2 tbs Adobo (amount is your preference)
1/4 tps Oregano (amount is your preference)
2 Sazon Packets (amount is your preference)
4 cubes Sofrito (amount is your preference) *HOMEMADE RECIPE TO COME!
1/4 cup Tomato Sauce
3 tbs Olive Oil

Instructions:
Cook chicken, set aside. In pot (rice will be cooked in this pot, so make sure it's big enough for chicken and rice to be added) heat olive oil. Then add tomato sauce, sofrito (if frozen, wait until defrosted before adding dry ingredients), dry ingredients, and simmer for 2-5 minutes on med/high heat. Add rice, stir, and then add chicken and broth. You may add water if not enough broth. Use your spoon to feel for the surface of rice beneath water. Water should be about 1/2 deep for white rice, and 3/4 for brown rice. But again, this depends on your preference. Turn up heat to high, and simmer until water is almost completely evaporated. Turn heat down to low, stir, cover. Cook on low for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, check rice by folding from inside out. This brings any uncooked rice to the center, while bringing cooked rice from the bottom of pot to the top. Re-cover and cook until done- 5-10 mintues. Remember, brown rice has a longer cook time. PS This recipe is pretty big...latinos always cook for leftovers and an army! lol So trim as you like.

¡WATCH THE VIDEO "HOW TO" HERE!

My Amazing Toddler!

2011-02-21T18:24:00.000-08:00

My little girl is so amazing! She's singing, talking up a storm, counting, and pretty much telling us who's the boss. She's definitely going through the terrible two's, and I guess we couldn't expect anything less than perfection...I mean, she IS great at everything she does, so why would the terrible two's be any different. She's just really good at it!

Hippe Town USA- Portlandia...

2011-02-21T01:19:00.000-08:00

Yes I've been watching Portlandia on IFC and it's HILARIOUSLY FUNNY (so happy IFC is picking up a second season..woo hoo.)! Not to mention, sooooo dead on! I HAVE to take pictures of all the birds here..."Put A Bird On It" is no joke in PDX!

But this post is about something else. A whole lotta hippies goin on here and it totally rubs off on us less hippyish types. So here's proof that I live in Portland and have hippie tendencies...

1. I am reusing my daughter's (who, buy the way is two years old and has not drank formula in over a year) formula holder for my home made trail mix.

2. I reuse pasta jars or any kind of jars for my lunch- yogurt & yummy wheat germ :o)

3. I reuse pasta jars or any kind of jars for my to go beverages.

I'll fill you in if I start reusing bread bags for sandwiches. Don't laugh. There was a guy in one of my classes who was eating his trail mix from a reused Dave's Killer Bread bag. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Dave's Killer Bread, but not sure about reusing the bag. Just make your own bread dude.

Next assignment...bread making 101.

Peace, Love, & Light from PDX

One Night Stand...

2011-02-19T00:30:00.001-08:00

the excitement

the sheer euphoria of gluttony

the sun sets, the moon rises

as the night turns black

the repenting begins

vows to never fall again

disgust

self loathing

the sun rises, the moon sets

there is light

and with the new day comes forgetfulness

of the night before, and we begin again

*what the hell is it about food that makes me feel like I've just had a one night stand*

SHUT YOUR...

2011-02-17T23:13:00.000-08:00

PHONE OFF! Yo, seriously what the hell is wrong with people today and their stupid ass phones!? I mean seriously, listening to the latest rap song (while singing the horrendous lyrics!) on your phone WITHOUT headphones (not that that matters, because even when they do use them I CAN STILL HEAR THAT A MILE AWAY!) is not cute. Not to mention the fact that you look stupid sitting there with this tiny little thing up to your ear...it's not like the 80's when the originators lugged around whole boom boxes! It's also HELLA disrespectful to everyone else that is FORCED to listen to it! It just makes me so angry! All it does is show all of us how ignorant you are, and how little social skills you possess!

YOU'RE WACK! GO READ A BOOK IN SILENCE!

Arroz Marrones Con Pollo!?

2011-02-17T23:04:00.001-08:00

I can still hear my mother's voice when I told her for the first time that I make arroz con pollo with brown rice...there was silence (all I heard were coqui's)! "You make arroz con pollo with BROWN RICE?!", "Yes Ma." Even when she came to visit she didn't let me use brown rice! She went to the supermarket and bought a huge bag of white rice...just for her cooking.

I hate writing recipes, but I'll get around to this one because it's just too damn good!

Recipe to follow this weekend, so check back!

Baby's 2nd Birthday Cake!

2011-02-15T16:22:00.000-08:00

Finally getting around to this post. For baby's 2nd birthday I wanted to make it special. Now that she's older, and has a pretty good idea that birthday's are loads of fun from reading birthday books, it just made sense to make a big deal over it! lol I wanted her cake to be larger than life for her, something she could enjoy taking apart! So I decided to make it myself...a big...fondant covered...monsterpiece! Well, not actually a monster, but a pretty princess looking cake. I've never made homemade cake before, let alone fondant! I found this Wilton recipe for marshmallow fondant and added almond extract. It seemed pretty easy after reading it, but once I was actually doing it, it got sticky (in every sense of the word!). In the end, the fondant worked- or at least did what I wanted it to do. It was a little too stiff and I didn't roll it out thin enough, but what the hell! It tasted great! The cake was this one from Martha (probably should have used this simpler one), and the frosting I chose was this Hershey one (I added almond extract...hands down best frosting ever!). Hershey Especially Dark Chocolate Cocoa is what I used for the cake as well as the frosting. I guess I wasn't thinking, because I didn't make the frosting layer thick enough, so it was mostly cake and fondant! What a debacle! It was tough, but worth every bit! Brianlily loved it, and I felt so accomplished (not to be confused with "I'll do this again next year").

Battlestar Galactica...

2011-02-10T01:47:00.000-08:00

I've been going through withdrawls recently. I mean, I was years late in begining to watch, but when I did finally come through (thanks to my apple tv and netflix) I dedicated hours and hours to watching every single epsiode of every single season. So when I began to get the icky feeling inside about a week ago, I realized it was postpartum depression of the worst kind- the BSG kind. I've just been searching the net trying to quench my thirst, really hoping I don't start watching all over again (because that's actually what I really want to do). I came across this blog post and had a warm fuzzy moment. Plus all the obsessing over Starbuck and Katee Sackhoff. I swear I'm Starbuck. Like Katee is actually from my neck of the woods, and after visiting her blog found out that we both wanted to be marine biologists as children! lol Little obsessed. It's all good.

[EDIT] Great Portlandia Depiction Of How It All Began...

JOAN RIVERS @ THE OREGON SYMPHONY!

2011-01-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it! I did it! I found out about her performance the day before the show! As much as I had going on this Saturday, I still made it! My first ever symphony and Ms. Joan Rivers! God I love her! What an amazing night of firsts for me! There was a pair of chatty Cathy's sitting next to me, but quickly got shushed by a women behind them! lol Then right in the middle of the theme from The Pink Panther, there's an all out brawl that began and ended with some guy screaming "HE ASSAULTED MY BOYFRIEND!" hahahaha Intense and insane! Joan brought out all "the gays", as she and my other love Ms. Kathy Griffin would say it, so there must have been lots of boy trouble that night! lol I just cannot believe she's 70-freaking-8! The woman was non-stop, back & forth, and even threw herself on the stage floor (and got back up all on her own! lol). I love her vulgarity! She told most of us to "get the fuck out" a few times! hahahahhaaha The conductor was TO DIE FOR!! Gerald Steichen! He was amazing! So lively and hilarious! I just always thought of conductors as old, serious, mean, men. Again, this was my first ever symphony (or orchestra for that matter!) and I know nothing about music, but I was moved and had such a blast with his line up: Overture to Gypsy, Holiday for Strings, March Past of the Kitchen Utensils, Mission Theme for NBC, The Pink Panther, The Producers, The Stripper. The shows theme was a walk through Joan's life as told through music. It was fabulous!

Sooooo excited to have been a part of such an amazing one night only event! Ballet & Opera here I come!!!

Love My Latest Facebook Status...

2010-12-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

I Love Me Some Empire!

2010-12-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

That's Boardwalk Empire! Sooooo gooood!!!

Tortilla Pizza!

2010-12-07T14:57:00.001-08:00

I love making these for the girls and they loooove them! Super easy and quick! I used flour tortilla here, but we usually use whole wheat tortilla and they're awesome! When I was a kid, we used to make these with English Muffins! Great toddler food!! Add anything you like! Here I added mushrooms, garlic & oregano powder.

PS Be sure to toast the tortilla or english muffin before you add toppings so that it doesn't get soggy!

Puerto Rican Holiday...

2010-11-30T15:01:00.000-08:00

Alright people! I seriously think I will be making traditional Puerto Rican holiday dishes this year. It's really for no one other than us, but I really feel like I need to pass on our traditions to Brianlily as soon as possible! I want her to watch and help make it all the way I've done with my grandmother.

I'm talking about some serious hard work- Pasteles (scroll down to read about Puerto Rico)! And of course some Alcapurrias! Now all I have to do is find all the ingredients here in West Bubba! I really want to make it happen though. I called family members to get family recipes, I have my grocery list, now all I need is to begin my scavenger hunt!

I will be sure to keep any Puerto Ricans in the state posted by updating this! lol I swear I'm the only Puerto Rican in Portland!!!

I Wish I Knew About These!!

2010-11-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Not sure how I landed on this website, but I found Czelablue and I wish I would have known about them when I gave birth! This would have made a world of difference. Before I left the hospital, I made sure to get a bunch of those mesh not-really-underware-but-so-comfortable things that were supplied. The site says that some woman continue to wear them long after they heal. Pretty interesting, considering I still have super sensitivity at my scar. I should try these!

Adorable Turkey Headdress...Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

I want to make every holiday fun for the girls, so I look for crafts all the time, but finding things that are suitable for a toddler is tough. I found a few headdresses, but nothing that I loved. So I tweaked the mainstream and came up with this!

I used fall colored construction paper, glue, eyes, a roll of brown packaging paper, masking tape (the best kids craft tool EVERR), toddler hand prints, and scissors.

Trace and cut out hand prints in different colors. Measure a 5 inch head band of packaging paper around little ones head. Cut out a large tear drop shape for turkey head, a red waddle, and triangle beak. Secure head band to work surface with masking tape, then have your toddlers glue away! Let dry, and use a little masking tape to secure the head band together.

First Term @ PSU...

2010-11-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe my first term is coming to an end already! I only enrolled for 6 credits (the minimum to receive FAFSA). I'm really happy about the way my schedule turned out for me. It was a nice and easy way to get back into school after being out for about 4 years. Plus, this time around I have a toddler and my own business to take care of! I'm still pretty new, and don't have all the complaints that most of the people I speak to have about PSU (financial aid & horrible administration), but I do have one huge one...they do not take care of working professionals. Seriously, how can you consider a 4:00pm class evening!? Most people don't get out of work until 5 or 6pm, and still have to travel to class. At BMCC I was taking classes that started at 7 or 8pm! I have had a rude awakening. It's made it really tough and super stressful trying to work around my schedule and Brian's. How much is his job going to allow? He's going to have to change his schedule every term! OMG I don't even want to think about it...because you DO know I'm going to be in school for a few years yet! So that's my biggest concern right now, but other than that it's been amazing! I feel like an adult again, like I'm using my brain for something other than cooking, cleaning, baby-caring, chores, bills...endless. Plus, I've actually made friends! lol I can't believe it. I've been having trouble with getting out there and meeting people, and I guess college turned out to be the best place! Very happy about that. All in all, I'm super happy and proud of myself, and proud of the roll model I'm going to be for my daughter!

Phaedra, Phaedra, Phaedra!

2010-11-22T22:31:00.001-08:00

Ugh, what a horrible person that woman is!

I'm a bit in love with the BRAVO lineup, and of course The Real Housewives of...is high on my list. But this season on Atlanta, I can seriously do without that Ghetto-Ass-Shallow-Ass-Gross-Looking-Phaedra Parks! Seriously, has anyone told her she's wack? She has no emotional connection with the child that grows inside her; all she cares about is whether or not she looks good- and honey YOU DON'T! I saw the episode where she gives birth and she actually said "GROSS" when they showed her her son for the first time! I don't even understand how her husband is with her. She insults him all the time, and when he tried to talk to her about how they would raise their child, she just let her projectish self shine! Apollo had the right idea about not hitting his child, and she brought up the fact that he grew up in a white home. What the hell! That man needs to run from that woman...and fast! I just can't stand the sight of her and whenever she's on I just flip the channel...I hope she's out for next season.

H&M Opening Day...

2010-11-22T22:26:00.000-08:00

It was pretty crazy! I didn't shop opening day, but I was in the neighborhood. I stopped in the day after and it was still a mad house. Welcome to Portland! Picked up a cute Winter coat for baby, and a few other things, but the tuxedo shirt I want for her won't be in for a while! Ugh!

My Amazing Toddler!

2010-11-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's almost that time again...when my little honey is another year older. In just a few months she'll be 2! I cannot cannot believe it. When I think of where she was a year ago, and where she is now I'm thrilled, proud, and super exhausted! lol My big girl is talking up a storm and so amazing us every single day with her intelligence!

Cheers to my perfect little daughter!

Brianlily :o)

H&M Countdown...11/11/10

2010-11-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned back in August, the Grand Opening of H&M in Downtown Portland, Oregon is almost here!!!

November 11, 2010

Check out store details here!

Trolls and those of the same likeness...

2010-11-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I need to do a little venting about Internet Trolls and all the other people that use internet anonymity as shield for their cowardliness! If you're going to call someone out, then have the gall and the spine to state your name! Seriously, all these people want to do it start a fight and walk away. I visited a blog that I follow on Facebook, and decided to comment on a post. I, of course, use my name and attach my blog to my post; I'm not here to start petty online arguments, so why hide? I ended up feeling completely attacked, and wanted to fight back but to what end? The low lives that pick fights have all the time in the world and all the anonymity in the world to pick at a fight until you're throwing your laptop at the wall with frustration. So, I walked away. It was my first time posting on that blog and it will be my last. Fighting forums...that's my new name for places like that. They are places were people that have nothing better to do than pick fights for a thrill. I have much better things to do with my time than play into it.

My first attempt at Zucchini Bread!

2010-09-24T19:52:00.000-07:00

It as on my list of things to make for the kids, but I've never actually had it before so I was super shocked when I looked at the reciepe...it's sweet!? Cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar??? I seriously had no idea. I liked the recipe I found (again, not sure where I got it from...I know, I have to be better about sources!) but it called for 3 freaking cups of sugar! What the hell!? Are they trying to kill us!? Well, I cut it down to 2 cups, and by the taste of it I could have done 1 cup! I also used Whole Wheat Flour for 2 of the 3 1/4 it calls for, and didn't have a lemon on had so I figured it was just for some acidity and used OJ. Oh yea, and I didn't add nuts because of the kids. And even with all those tweaks it was a pleasant surprise! It was a big hit...with everyone!

ZUCCHINI BREAD  RECIPE
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup water
2 cups grated zucchini
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in. Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Alternately, bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes.

Hamantash, Hamentasch, Homentash, Homentasch, Humentash...

2010-09-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

However you spell it, however you say it, it's all the same yummy goodness! I'm representing the Jewish Princess inside me!

I went to the farmer's market today and found some Italian Prunes and had to have them. In an instant I knew what I wanted to make...Humentashen!

This is the recipe I used for the filing.

Here is the recipe I used for the cookie.

I tweaked them a little. For the filing I added some blueberries (just because I picked them up today as well), and added corn starch to make it really thick. Then for the cookie dough I used half Crisco and half bacon grease! lol I guess they're not Kosher!

They're delishious and I totally had a nice flashback to my childhood...Lower East Side Manhattan with my mother and grandmother enjoying amazing Jewish snacks! YUMMY!

Cindy's Corn Casserole...

2010-09-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Recipe Here : Cindy's Corn Casserole

Believe me, I've had it before and it's delish! So I decided to make mini versions for the kids, minus the heat! I don't think I followed the directions to the T, and they came out a little too moist. Tasted great, but I wanted them to come together more, so I just added some corn meal to the left over batter and the second time was the charm!

BTW...everyone loved them! Asking for the recipe! I'll pass it on! Thanks MEI!!

Food...

2010-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

I've been cooking so much food in the last few weeks for the kids, and I haven't taken a single photo! I'm so upset with myself! I MUST REMEMBER TO SHARRRRE!

31...

2010-09-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm 31...

H&M!

2010-08-22T02:18:00.000-07:00

I was downtown the other day, on the Red Line, which I NEVER take, and I saw it...it's coming...I can't even believe it!

H&M IS COMING TO PORTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!

Estate Sales!!!!

2010-08-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

I needed some good cookware, especially since I have a few new mouths to feed! :o) I looked around for some Pyrex Bakeware, and it was just too spendy for me. So I did what I always do...headed straight to Craigslist! lol And it worked! I found this amazing guy selling all kinds of amazing things. He buys from estate sales for dirt cheap, then sells them himself! His collection was insanely wonderful! I just wish he had cutlery, knives, and electroics (like the KitchenAid mixer I'm dying to own!) He said his family always gets the good knives! They wipe him out when they come to visit! Lucky them! I was lucky though, he had an Oster blender with a glass jar in great shape...and it was only 5 bucks! AMAZING!

So here's my loot...and it was only $53 for everything! I cannot cannot wait to go back!

I Tweaked This Oatmeal Cookie!

2010-08-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe (for the life of me I can't remember where I found it online!) and really liked it, but I HAD to make some changes. First it calls for 1 1/2 cups flour, but I substituted 1/2 cup unbleached flour with whole wheat flour (next time all go for more!). Then it called for 1 cup peanut butter, but I used equal parts peanut, almond, and NUTELLA! lol I can't enjoy anything unless there's chocolate involved! I also used old fashioned oats...I like them better. They came out so abso-freakin-lutely delicious! It's also my first time using a cookie recipe that calls for shorting. I think it gave the cookies a nice gooey texture, with a slight crisp on the outside...LOVE IT!

Here is the original recipe:

PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together shortening, margarine, brown sugar, white sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the oats until just combined. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until just light brown. Don't over-bake. Cool and store in an airtight container.

The Final Countdown...

2010-08-14T04:07:00.000-07:00

My two little ones will join us in a little over a week! I seriously feel like my year long vacation is coming to an end and I'm NERVOUS! lol I want to enjoy these last few precious days of unadulterated free time!

Lots Goin On...

2010-08-08T23:47:00.000-07:00

So much going on right now. The nursery is taking off, I've got two enrolled and I'm so excited; they're great kids! Brianlily will finally have playmates, I'll have an income, and best of all...I get to be home with my daughter. I'm trying to work school into the mix, I just don't know how. I need classes that are late evening and nothing is offered later than 5:30. Ugh!

Life is starting to feel like the motion of a train...starts off slow, then full steam ahead; hard, fast, loud, and seemingly out of control, but on the right track.

Google Analytics...

2010-08-05T02:05:00.000-07:00

Damn I love my Analytics accounts!

Children's Place...

2010-08-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

Am I the only mother that didn't know about "adjustable waistbands"?! I'm in love! It's genius! I've been buying clothes from Children's Place for Brianlily since she was born, but not until she's been a toddler have I noticed their adjustable waistband. It's incredible! It totally works! I always buy her clothes bigger so she has room to grow, but her pants fall. Now with these adjustable bands, I can cinch them in the beginning, then let them out as she fills the pant in! LOVES IT!! Just checked out BabyGap online and they offer the same feature! I'm sure everyone is on this band wagon!

Photo to come!

Continued...

2010-07-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted! Sheesh! I've been hella busy with getting my daycare up and running, and preparing for my family's 2 week stay!

I've been getting lots of inquiries about my child care services, but all outside of the age range I was hoping for (16-24 months). I wanted to keep ages close to Brianlily's so that no one would be too far behind or ahead. I haven't had too much luck with my "restrictions" so I'm opening it up to children under 3. Frustrating. No one enrolled yet. Here is my website: Lily's Pad Day Nursery.

As for my family visiting...well...it was as well as expected. My grandfather stayed one week, and my mother, sister and nephew stayed the second week. I still can't get over the fact that my grandfather came all the way to Portland! I love that man! It was amazing having the kids together and having my mother and sister here. And we didn't have TOO much fighting between us. The trip did make things hardER on me and Brian. The whole "this is my house" thing made it hard for us to deal with having everyone over. I guess we moved from NYC for lots of reasons and having it all come back to us was tough to deal with. It was nice showing them my "West Coast" life, but I was definitely happy to have some quite when everyone was back home. We got to do and see a lot, which was super cool for me because I've been wanting to do this stuff since we moved to Portland. We showed them the Coast, or at least a little of it. We visited Multnomah Falls, Mount Saint Helens, and the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Bruce Lee's grave (really for my grandfather...he's a HUGE fan) in Seattle. There was lots of driving, and with 7 people in tow this was not an easy task! In the end, we made lots of memories, and have loads of great photos of our trips.

PIKE PLACE FISH MARKET- SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

VIEW FROM THE HILLS NEAR LAKEVIEW CEMETERY- SEATTLE, WASHTINGTON

SCIENCE FICTION MUSEUM- SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

I HAD TO DO IT!

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

SPACE NEEDLE- SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

MULTNOMAH FALLS. COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, OREGON

MOUNT SAINT HELENS- WASHINGTON

WHAT THE HELL WAS UP WITH MY HAIR!? MUST HAVE BEEN ALL THE DRIVING THAT I DID...ALL BY MYSELF!!!

MY BABY HAD SUCH A HARD TIME WITH THE DRIVE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS

THIS WAITER GETS NO TIP FOR THIS LOUSY SHOT! WHAT THE HELL!? WAS THERE AN EARTHQUAKE IN THE RESTAURANT!?
THE OREGON COAST- SEASIDE & CANNON BEACH

FOOT BRIDGE AT UNION STATION- PORTLAND, OREGON

JAMESON PARK- PORTLAND, OREGON

UNION STATION- PORTLAND, OREGON

Oh How I've Missed You!

2010-07-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Blogger, Oh Blogger, How I've Missed You So!

What the hell happened to me?! Where the hell did I go?

To be continued...

Potato Stamps...

2010-06-21T01:58:00.000-07:00

Potatoes have been on sale for some time now, so I have way to many on hand. What could I do with potatoes???? Make stamps! Brianlily had a blast using these stamps to paint with. They offered a nice alternative to brushes and fingers! lol

Smoker...

2010-06-19T01:34:00.000-07:00

I started smoking in 7th grade (12-13 years old), and I smoked pretty steadily through life. I considered myself a chain smoker. I smoked more than any of my smoking friends, and even more when I drank alcohol. I quit a couple of times, but it never worked. My smoking career was over like it never happened the second I saw my EPT pregnancy test read POSITIVE! In that instant it was over and I haven't smoked since, nor do I care to.

Just a little intro before I complain about something that I may even have been guilty of...

Those damn smokers that hold the next cigarette in their hands before they can smoke it! OMG I hate it! Not only is it ghetto, it's so insane to think you need it so bad that you have to have the damn thing in your hand ready to fire! Now, like I said, I may be guilty of doing this when I was a smoker...but I don't remember. I see it everyday. A person on the train, holding a damn cigarette in their hand! Sometimes they even have the lighter too!

Put the cigarette away! It's ok, once you get outside you can pull out the pack and take one out and everything will be just fine!

Strength...

2010-06-18T02:23:00.000-07:00

"This too shall pass."

"God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."

$2 Tuesday!

2010-06-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

So excited that today, $2 Tuesday at the Oregon Zoo, turns out to be .50¢ Tuesday when you present your TRIMET pass! Woo Hoo! There aren't very many things to do in Portland, and with the weather being rainy most of the year, when you do have a chance to go out...ALLL OF PORTLAND IS DOING THE SAME THING! So every second Tuesday of the month, Walmart sponsors $2 admission at the Zoo! It's super packed on those days, but for .50¢ you can't go wrong. I actually didn't mind missing some exhibits because it was so cheap! lol Another cool deal is the first Friday of the month, Target sponsors FREE admission to the Portland Children's Museum. Now that's amazing because admission is $8 for anyone over the age of 1! I spent so much money there the first time I went. Now I only go the 1st Friday of the month!

BTW...had this post been written over 2 years ago...$2 Tuesday would have been the best night to get drunk! lolol

Brianlily's Bookcase...

2010-06-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! Brianlily has her very own bookcase! I did a little shopping around and ended up buying this one from Target. I had lots of trouble deciding on one. Babiesrus and Walmart didn't really give me anything I had to have, and on the day I went to Target this was the only one they had. It worked well though. It's much smaller than I imagined it to be, but it's cute watching Brianlily take out her books and put them back! lol It has a space under the books for a storage box which is nice, and I love the fabric shelves. My little girl loves to read! Thank god! I'm obsessed with reading to her and now she sits in her room and reads on her own!!! LOVE IT!!!

The Grill...

2010-06-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

Thank heavens! We finally got a grill! We've only had it a week or so and we've cooked on it almost every night! Food just tastes sooooo much better off the grill!

The SEX in Sex and the City...

2010-05-27T02:01:00.000-07:00

I was never a fan of the show, so watching the movie never interested me. Yes they're fabulous, but I just could never get into the show. Tonight while flipping the channels, I found the movie playing on HBO. It was the scene where Big is leaving Carrie at the alter. I was shocked; I had no idea he'd stoop so low. So I kept watching, and my favorite part was just thereafter. It was just when Charlotte and Miranda are getting Carrie into a car to get away, and Big doubles back. Carrie hops out of the car, pummels Big with her bouquet, and as he walks toward her Charlotte lets out the fiercest "NO!" to him. It was the best thing I've seen in a long time. I really felt like that would be me. The sheer protectiveness and anger! Charlotte was an animal for one second, and not the tender little OCD kitten.

On a whole other note...what the hell was up with the sex scenes??? Did I become the biggest prude or were they wayyyyy to vulgar!? Are they for real with this shit? Then they showed a real penis! I couldn't take it. It just made it seem like they needed to make the movie over the top risque because the movie itself wasn't so great. It totally cheapened it for me.

So yea...I'm super late, seeing as the sequel was just released, but whatever.

I'm a Viking!

2010-05-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Finally got my acceptance letter from Portland State University! I'm a Viking! In the acceptance packet came this temporary tattoo...how funny is that?

BABY VIKING

Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect...

2010-05-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Just got done with one of the last training courses for my licensing, and what a hard class to sit through. I had to hold back tears for most of it. I've always felt strongly about abuse of children, but once I had my own child it turned into this huge monster that puts knots in my stomach. I can't imagine what makes people do harm to children, and I cannot imagine what abused children must go through. Just absolutely horrible.

Empanadas...

2010-05-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

I go crazy everyday thinking about what to do for dinner. I saw some recipes for hand pies, which sounds great, but it made me remember making and eating empanadas with my grandmother. I can't tell you how long it's been since I had an empanada. So I decided to make some. I made the dough following these directions, minus the vinegar (didn't have any). It came out just fine. The filling was some salmon I sauteed in butter with asparagus spears, and a cheddar and monterey cheese sauce. Btw...I loooove cheese sauce. It's the best way to fake a home made mac and cheese, and it's great as a spread and topping for just about everything! I made the empanadas small, I used a coffee cup for the cut outs. I figured Brianlily would be better eating little ones. I fried them and they came out great! So good, and totally brought me back to my childhood! I still have to make some mini hand pies!

VOODOO...

2010-05-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

We've been here almost a year, and we just went to VOODOO DONUT yesterday for the first time. The line was to the end of the block at 1pm, we decided to pass and try again later, came back at 5pm and it was still the same! Unbelieveable! We waited the second time around, and had the VOODOO expirence. I'm not a big donut fan, so it just tasted like any donut, but it's all about the experience.

Excuse the cam-cording...Brian has yet to figure out how to successfully use a video camera!

Salt & Pepper...

2010-05-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

I noticed some serious breakage at my hairline and didn't know what was causing it. Until I realized that ever since I was pregnant, I've used head bands to keep my hair out of my face. I ALWAYS have a headband on and I'm sure that's the reason for all the breakage. BUT even more shocking, was the amount of white hair I have! HAHAHA I love my "grays". I actually wish there was a way to dye my hair and keep them! lol I just can't get over how much I have now. In less than a year my white hair has doubled! Then I remembered this post. Stress kills!

Mascara...

2010-05-16T00:05:00.001-07:00

I've never been one to purchase expensive makeup, I could never afford the MAC's of the world. I've always loved makeup and LOVE eye makeup. Once I became pregnant I totally stopped wearing makeup completely. I just didn't have the energy. Then I just didn't bother, and when we moved to Portland I left any makeup I had behind. But recently I decided to start trying it again. I noticed Rite Aid having BOGO offers on all the major commercial brands like Maybelline, L'OREAL, Cover Girl, and Revlon. How could I resist BOGO!? I loved the idea of trying each brand to find my favs, and not to mention ridiculous prices with a BOGO. I started with mascara. As far as I'm concerned; if there is only one thing you have time for it should always be curling your lashes and putting on mascara. So I tried Cover Girl's Waterproof Exact Eyelights, and Revlon's Waterproof Fabulash. Cover Girl is the hands down winner here. Revlon's Fabulash came out of the tube thick and clumpy, so I knew it wasn't going to go well. And once it dried it flaked off. Cover Girl's Exact Eyelights came out perfectly. No mess, no extra, no lumps. After applying I had to remove clumps and separate with Fabulash, but had no problem with Exact Eyelights. With Exact Eyelights my lash just looked darker and fuller, without looking like I had loads of mascara on. I should warn you, Eyelights does have shimmer in it, but I really don't notice it at all. The brush is amazing! It's little plastic or rubber like spikes-not a traditional brush which probably just gets loads of mascara in it. It also dried really nicely. It felt light and I could run my fingers over my lashes and no flakes! Take a look!

Beautiful! Perfect lashes! No clumps, even color, and dark! LOVE!

Cool brush! Look at how nice and clean it looks!

I really hope you can see the clumps here! And they're not even dark!

Total cake brush! Messy and wayyyy too much mascara on the brush!

Small Business Owner!!!

2010-05-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way to becoming a small business owner! I cannot believe that I'm here, but it seems like I was meant to go this route...for now.

I've been a stay at home mom for almost a year now, and wanting a second income is huge right now. When I left New York I thought it was going to be soooooo easy to make extra money and still be able to stay home with Brianlily, but that has NOT been the case. I wanted to take on a few little ones in to care for, sitting. But after Sittercity.com, Care.com, Craigslist, and flyers all around town including PSU, with no luck I had to think of going back out into the work force and placing Brianlily into daycare. DAUNTINGGGG! It just didn't make sense in the end. The income I would need to cover the cost ($1000/mo the cheapest), plus enough to save and enjoy ourselves was way more than I could make without my degree.

A woman responded to my ad on Craigslist, came to visit, was interested but in the end went with someone licensed. total bummer. So I thought, why can't I get licensed? I know that by law I would be exempt from licensing if I only care for three children, not including my own. But wouldn't being licensed be a great way to get business?! So I called and started the process. It's crazy to think it'll be a full fledged BUSINESS! It's great though, it's everything I love...work for myself, organize, be detailed, teach, children, and activities!!! hahahaha I'm such a geek! I want to run a Martha Stewart Daycare! lol Crafts, crafts, crafts!

It's going to be a load of work, but the benefit is being home with my daughter! And that's more than enough reason. Maybe I'll just do it until she's in school. Either way, I'm on my way. Another great thing is my location. Turns out there aren't any registered family child care providers in my area!!! Woo Hoo for me!

Here is a quick breakdown of the process here in Oregon:

1. I visited The Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network and The Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County. They give you all the training and helpful information you need for licensure.

Training consists of:
a. Overview of licensure process
b. CPR/First Aid
c. Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
d. Food handler certification
e. Enrollment in the Central Background Registry

2. After completing these trainings, you will send in photo copies of certificates along with the application for becoming a Registered Family Child Care Provider.

3. Once your application is processed, including listing in the Central Background Registry, you will have an in home safety and regulation inspection. Upon satisfactory evaluation, your license is active the following day.

4. Naming your business. You can search here for business naming information.

5. After you are officially licensed and naming is done, you will then need to apply for a business license; get more information at your local City Hall.

It's a lot of work, but it's all worth it! All of the information here was shared with me during my Overview course at CCR&R of Multnomah County. The people there are amazingly helpful, kind, super informative, and answer ALL your questions (and I have a lot!). There is so much more information, and still more to come, so I will continue updating the process.

I Love You, Goodnight...

2010-05-04T01:34:00.000-07:00

I Love You Like Bears Love Kisses And Cuddles...

That's when Brianlily plants a big wonderful kiss on me.

The best goodnight routine EVAH!

Coupla...

2010-05-03T00:36:00.000-07:00

Coupla cool things happened this weekend.

First we went for our very first bike ride as a family! Brian was paranoid, as he always is. It almost wasn't fun because of it, but he loosened up. Brianlily did great! I kind of expected her to be more excited, but she didn't cry which is really all that matters! HA The child carrier felt fine, and my bike did well. I really like having Brianlily so close to me. I know a trailer is THE most safe, but I can't get over her being so low and so far from me. Brian really thinks we should just get a trailer. Not too sure what we'll do yet. It's hard enough trying to store my bike inside, let alone a trailer! All in all we had a good time, and baby girl did wonderfully!

The we finally had our picnic table delivered. I was having trouble deciding on what patio set to get, seeing as our patio is small, and I found this guy on Craigslist (you know me an my CL addiction!) who was selling hand made picnic tables. I told him the size I needed and it was only going to be $80, plus I liked knowing it was going to be super sturdy...not like the Ikea set I was thinking of purchasing. Here it is!

We'll seal it sometime in the next few weeks, but I'd like to do something special to it before we do. Maybe carve our initials into it, or have Brianlily paint all over it. We are soooo in love with it! The weather needs to get a little warmer so we can eat out there!!!

Teething...

2010-05-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

My poor little honey is teething so bad for the past week. It's gotten so bad for the past few nights, that she's actually waking up screaming! Brianlily is the best sleeper in the world, besides me of course. But in the past few nights she's been waking up in the middle of her usual 10 hour doze fests to scream her head off. I hate it. I just tell myself that I had to do the same thing. I don't give her meds for it, I just think they should be left for fevers. She's done amazing with frozen foods like melon, grapes, and applesauce. It's just hard to do that when she's basically asleep and crying. I used to use Boiron Camilia when she was much younger, and still do when it's bad like it's been lately. I just think it's a lot better than pumping her with Tylenol or Motrin. Chamomile tea helps too. There are lots of people that use Humphreys, and Hyland's but I take one look at the word Belladonna and freak. All I think about is the scene in Practical Magic when Gillian tells Sally "the belladonna's in my bag" ~ damn I love that movie! It's scary...even if I thought it would be my daughter's name when I was much younger! I wouldn't use Orajel either. It doesn't last long, and the thought of numbing my baby's mouth is crazy. So we just give her frozen foods, distract her, and give her lots of hugs & kisses! My trooper is super tough!

Strollers, Strollers, Strollers...

2010-05-01T00:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I did it, but I now own 3 strollers! From the moment I found out I was pregnant, it became the hardest task to find the perfect stroller. I had conditions that had to be met.

1. Face me when Brianlily was a newborn.
2. Have a good recline.
3. Be super light.
4. Be sturdy.

I would have loved to have had a Bugaboo from the start, but who the hell had that kind of money. So I oped for a Graco Safe Seat car seat with the SnugRider stroller, and knew that once she was older we would get something light like a Maclaren. The car seat idea was great, even though we didn't own a car! lol It was nice to have her upright when she was so little, snug like a bug, super huge storage, and facing me.

It wasn't until she was about 3 months that I purchased her Maclaren Quest. I got a great deal on it because it was a model from the year before; think I paid $140 or so. It was the best model for my needs. Three positions, light enough to lug up and down the subway stairs, and compact enough to take on the bus. The only problem was the super small canopy, but I solved that with this amazing shade by Kiddopotamus. I cannot, cannot live without this shade. Another thing you'll have to do without is storage space. I purchased an organizer like this one to help, and always used the handles for holding bags (just be super careful about weight distribution...the stroller falls back super easily). The Quest did a great job for us, and I still use it on the days that we'll be taking a bus because it's so compact.

My sister purchased the Maclaren Techno XLR once Trevor was born. This model could be used from birth, unlike the Quest. It's wayyyy bigger than the Quest and heavier. It does however have a pretty close to flat recline and a little bigger storage, but it's pretty much the same stroller just wider and taller. One thing I did notice that was super different was the seat position. On the Quest Brianlilly's bottom rested farther back than in the Techno. She almost looked like she was sitting outside of the stroller. I'd rather have her snug sitting farther back, but my sister LOVES her stroller. The problem she's had with it all along (and still does) is the weight. She's still in New York City, and finds it impossible to carry up and down the subway stairs. Not to mention that fact that Trevor is a biggg boy! She's now thinking about buying a Quest! HA!

Once we moved to Portland, I realized I could now have a big old caddy of a stroller. Brianlily was bigger and needed more room, so I started my search. I wasn't concerned about purchasing it new, so I headed straight to Craigslist! I came across a stroller that I loved from the first days of searching for strollers, Bumbleride. It had everything that I wanted. A woman was selling the Bumbleride Flyer for $100!!! I jumped on it and couldn't be happier with it! It's big, but not huge, it's comfy, reclines completely flat, has a big storage basket, easy to push and turn, and just lovely! My model is older, maybe a 2004? It didn't have a rain cover, but I just used the rain cover I had for the car seat stroller, all I had to do was alter it a bit. I cut a foot long piece off the backside, and hot glued it to the foot area to give it more length so it would cover her feet. Since it's wider and longer, it actually gives her more leg room when the cover is on so that it's not right on her legs. The handle bar is great for carrying bags with this carabiner hook from Home Depot. Babiesrus sells The Mommy Hook for $7.99! Insane...it's the same thing! I'm so in love with this stroller!

Those are my 3 strollers, and I'm sticking to it! I just wonder what I'll do when baby number two comes around...one day!

My Happy 101 Award!

2010-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thank You Ladies of Cookng! Super exciting. Only thing is I haven't really made any friends in the blogiverse yet, so won't be sending this award out just yet! I will however send it right back to Lishapisa, Hungrysmurf, Bananee, and Biggiefood!!!Thanks again loves!!!

xoxo

My Top 10 Things That Make Me HAPPY!

one ~ BRIANLILY & TREVOR
two ~ BRIAN...on a good day!
three ~ FAMILY & FRIENDS
four ~ CHOCOLATE
five ~ A GOOOOOOD BOOK
six ~ GOOD FOOD
seven ~ ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES wink,wink
eight ~ ORGANIZATION & TIDINESS
nine ~ WEST COAST WEATHER
ten ~ GOSSIP & REALITY TV

Da-Da...

2010-04-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Brian has really stepped up to the daddy plate in the past few weeks. Maybe it's because Brianlily is getting older and he is able to do more with her, but the two are now inseparable. The first thing out of her mouth when she wakes up is "Da-Da!" hahahaha Very sweet!

Trevor...

2010-04-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Haven't introduced the little man...

This is Trevor, my adorable nephew who is 5 days younger than Brianlily! Isn't he adorable!? I just wish he lived on this side of the country!

Unsolicited Kisses...

2010-04-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

For the past week Brianlily has leaned in during story time and planted big kisses on me! They're not asked for, and totally of her own free will...not like the ones she gives me when I beeeeeeg for kisses & cuddles! lol She is the sweetest story!

Best damn kisses around!

My New Riiiiiide...

2010-04-29T15:16:00.001-07:00

I finally have my wheels!!! lol Brianlily and I have been patiently (not really) waiting for our bicycle to come together so we can get on the road! Here it is!

Isn't she the cutest!? It ONLY took me 5 hours to put it together! It's my early Mother's Day gift from Brian, and I'm so in love! Can't wait for some sun this weekend!

I was originally going to go with the Schwinn Southport bike from Target, but found out the shipping and tax would be an extra $80 & I freaked! What the hell!? The point of purchasing this bike was because of the price. So I checked out Walmart and found, what looked like the same bike just different name and some fenders, the Schwinn Landmark. I purchased it for $129, plus $2.97 for shipping! Can you believe that!? The price has actually gone up for the bike, it's now $148.54! Pretty cool that I got it for such a steal! The reviews were pretty good too. Although I had the added stress of wondering if the child carrier I purchased for Brianlily would fit on the bike, it worked out just fine. I went with this Bell Cocoon Carrier from Target. The price was ok and the reviews were good. I see this carrier on the road a bunch, so I figured it would be good. This too gave me hours of work to put together, but it could just be the nerves; knowing that you're putting something together that you have to trust with your child's saftey.

We're going for our inaugural ride this weekend, so I'll be sure to get back with some reviews of both!

My Big Girl...

2010-04-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoying some homemade split pea soup! YUM

Project Runway 7...

2010-04-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that I am over the moon that Seth Aaron won! Cheers to him!!

But I really want to share how much I cannot, cannot stand Emilo Sosa! What an arrogant, pompous, sore loser! The whole season he was so full of himself because he kept winning challenges. His attitude made him and his designs shitty! Then to top is off, tonights recap with the whole cast proved what and ASSHOLE he is! He went so low and basically stomped his feet and had a tantrum about why he didn't win....SO LOW CLASS!! Who the hell does that! Kudos to Tim Gunn for putting Emilio in his place!! And am I the only one who thinks he stole Seth Aaron's idea with the branding!!!!!!!!!!! SA was doing that from the beginning of the show, he always added his initials to his clothes. Then they work together on a challenge, and all of a sudden ES gets this great idea to use his initials! GOD!

And what the hell was up with Jay!? I really liked him, but his comment to Cerri was insane!!! "Hello, my name is Bitter!"

GOD I LOVE PROJECT RUNWAY!!!

Chopsticks & Wrinkles...

2010-04-20T15:44:00.002-07:00

We finally had chinese! In Chinatown! lol It wasn't great, and it sure as hell didn't come close to NYC chinese food. The exciting part was Brianlily's first chopstick lesson! It was adorable...until I got home and looked at the picture. O M G! I'm hideous! I cannot believe how much I have changed physically in two years! Between new mommyhood, family and relationship drama, and not working or going to school, I have lost so many years physically. I can actually see wrinkles (I think they're called crows feet) and a crease in my forehead!!! Not to mention tons and tons of weight! My god, I've got to do something STAT!!! My swimsuit is on the way, so I'll at least be able to get into a pool (not too much exercise with baby though) and I finally got Brianlily's bike seat, so I'll be able to ride with her soon. I'm just a little (ok a lotta) taken back by this aging process. I really look and feel OLD! It's super scary. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that I'd be worried about aging, but here I am freaking out. Not sure if it's all superficial though, it also has to do with reevaluating my life and now that I'm a mother things are totally different. Do I have the things I had dreamed about, have I accomplished the things I had set out to? Plus...I think about death a lot. It sounds crazy but I mean like how much of my daughters life will I get to see? How long will my grandfather be around? My parents? I guess when I think of myself getting older, it inevitably makes me think about everyone else getting older too. *Sigh*

Ack! I'm a Virgo...we think toooooo much!

Feel like sharing II...

2010-04-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

My pregnancy nightmare.

I shared my horrible birth story, and I wanted to share what was labeled a "threatened miscarriage" when I was in my first trimester.

Brian and I had decided to take a road trip when I was just about to be 3 months pregnant. We were headed to Niagara Falls. It was the our first time to the falls, and were pretty excited to be getting away. It was a pretty long drive, more than 7 hours. It was hard because I had such bad morning sickness, so we had to stop a bunch for me to eat and pee. But we made it, and it was still daytime so we dropped off our bags at the hotel and headed out to check out the falls. There was a walkway along the Niagara River that lead to the falls, so we followed that for a few minutes taking pictures, and I thought I felt pee soak my pants. I was shocked, but thought it was just because of my pregnancy. I quickly pulled my pants away from the stomach and saw blood. It wasn't spotting, it was all out blood. I freaked and told Brian we had to get back to the hotel. I was trying to stay calm, but inside I was a hysterical mess. I just thought back to when I was 18 and suffered a miscarriage but was too young and stupid to see a doctor so it was never diagnosed. There is no other way to explain what happened when I was 18, and with that knowledge I feared my new pregnancy could be at risk too. I called my midwife back in NYC and she told me to just head to the nearest hospital and get back to her as soon as possible. We went back to the hotel where I cleaned up and changed, then headed to the hospital, but first I needed to put something in my stomach. It sounds insane to worry about something like that at such a scary time, but my morning sickness was so bad that I would have passed out and vomitted violently. Brian hated me for making him stop for food. Just more added stress to the already insanely scary first night at Niagara Falls. Once we were at the hospital Brian armed himself with his iPhone, checked the internet for possible causes for my bleeding...other than the obvious. All I could think would be the cause was we had sex a few days before for the first time during the pregnancy. I had read that there could be spotting or bleeding, so I just prayed that was the reason. Once a bed opened up for me we waited to have an ultrasound taken. Apparently they had to call the technician at her home where she was fast asleep. By this time it must have been midnight or so. I was already seen by a doctor. She asked me if I had just done lots of walking and I told her I had done the opposite...lots of sitting. She didn't see a connection between the sitting or even the sex, and really couldn't do much until the ultrasound was taken. We waited hours for this tech to get to the hospital. I think she may have went back to sleep, and ended up arguing with the staff, then ended up coming in anyway. Insane. She wasn't nice at all, and didn't even let Brian watch the monitor while she worked. All that mattered was what I saw on that screen...my baby floating around safe and sound! Exhale... She said it seemed ok, but the doctor would have to go over the results. After some more waiting we were told everything was fine. I had to stay in bed for a few days and the only way medically to diagnose the ordeal was calling it a "threatened miscarriage" She told me something that I will never forget...once a miscarriage begins, there is no stopping it. So rest was crucial. I spent the rest of our trip trapped in our hotel room, bleeding heavily, and terrified of a miscarriage. Our last day in Niagara my bleeding slowed and I decided to see the falls. It was bitter sweet. The falls were amazing, but the only thing on my mind was my child.
For weeks after the bleeding began I had spotting. My midwife and docotors back home did lots of testing and ultrasounds to make sure everything continued to be ok. And every time I could see my beautiful little baby floating in my tummy. They could only tell me I had a hematoma and the most likely cause was the loss of a twin. I couldn't then, and cannot now accept that I had twins or lost one. It's too painful to believe. Brian believes it. He had told me during our first sonogram at 8 weeks that he saw two, but I couldn't see it. So in the end, he could have been right, we could have had twins and lost one. It really doesn't matter now. The love of my life was born healthy, and couldn't be any more perfect. My star sent from the heavens!

H&M...

2010-04-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

So I got this great suggestion from Hungrysmurf over at Cookng, to try H&M for Brianlily's clothes. Hungrysmurf knows I love Target and said the fashion is great and so are the prices...only problem is there isn't an H&M for 3 hours!!! The closest would be Seattle, Washington! So I'm missing NYC right now. I told my sister and she stopped by H&M today and fell in love!! Dammit!!! lolol.

If you're near one, check out the kids department!

Burgerville, YAY!...

2010-04-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

Not only are the burgers really good (for being fast food), but their mission is great! You have to check out their website and see what they're all about...it's pretty damn cool! If you're in the Pacific Northwest, and want great tasting fast food, check'em out. Plus, they have SUPER cool kids "toys"...seeds and a pot to plant their very own salad greens!! I mean come on, is that not the coolest thing ever!!!???

Sucky Shower Curtain Hook Review...

2010-04-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

I needed new shower curtain hooks, and didn't want to spend a bunch of money. I usually do all of my houseware shopping at Ikea (addict) but I didn't fall in love with their hooks. On a trip to the Depot I found these hooks. I liked the simple design, how hefty they felt, and they were actually cheaper in price than the ones at Ikea. The set at Ikea, called LILLHOLMEN also looked a little cheapy. So I bought the the set from Home Depot, and found out quickly that they're crap!!! They don't slide across the curtain rod smoothly, so they end up unhooking themselves. Take a look

I guess I should take a stab at LILLHOLMEN. UGH!

Baby Hair...

2010-04-13T02:45:00.001-07:00

I never used to brush Brianlily's hair. There just never seemed to be enough hair to worry about it, but a few months ago I started to brush her hair and something I thought was an old wives tale seems true! Brianlily's hair is sooooo much longer than it was before I started brushing. I brush once a day, after her bedtime bath. I really can't believe how long it is so quickly...shoot if I would have thought of it when she was little her hair could be even longer! lol.

Easter...

2010-04-09T02:16:00.001-07:00

My baby loved her Easter Basket!

G Y M B O R E E ! !

2010-04-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

God...

I did it again...

And I will do it again soon...

Gymbucks...Gymboree...why do you hurt me so???

I swear, Gymboree kills me! I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE THEMMM! I just wish I had the money to shop there allll the time! My cheap, cute favorite is Target. My luxury is Gymboree, and sometimes BabyGap.

But seriously, it's all about BOREEE!!! It's all about Glamor Safari right now! I am on a first name basis with my sales girl (I love that about the place, whether I'm in NY or OR they are AMAZING sales people!), and when I angrily asked her why it seemed that there was a new line every week, she said "every two weeks sweetie!" WTEEFFFF!! Whoever is designing for Gymboree is a GOD/DESSSSS!

Check out my baby's summer suit!

Syrup...

2010-04-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Why does Brianlily smell like syrup all day after eating pancakes??? After one hundred hand washings, and a night time bath, her hands still smell like syrup!

Oh..

I know...

It's because she's scrumptiously sweet!!

Weelicious Recipe #2...

2010-04-04T00:23:00.001-07:00

Chewy Granola Balls

I didn't have time to make my own granola (soooo have been dying to make some for so long and haven't!) So I used a coconut almond granola that I picked up in the bulk section of Safeway's produce isle. I added wheat germ, almond & sunflower seed butter, cranberries & raisins. Wowy Wowy!!!! Soooo good! Actually...I'm heading to the kitchen to have another bite!!!

Ciao!