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Fall Decoration

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I couldn't be lazier when it comes to decorate according to the Seasons. Having lived most of my life in a tropical country where there is no snow, falling leaves, flowers blooming all at the same time or a short summer, Seasons were just inside Charles Dickens books. Now I am trying to follow Nature as it changes, with the little touches that make them feel special.

Like picking apples in the Fall (I have never done that, plan to do this year), skiing in the Winter (another item for my to do list), wearing rain boots in the Spring (a whole new concept, trying to take that in) and doing long car trips around the Country in the Summer (not in love with long car trips, so also working on this one!)

Anyway, I decided to be proactive this year with what I can, like a little bit of Fall Decoration here and there. Trying not to spend money, this is what I got so far...





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Ready to Launch

Tuesday, September 27, 2011


Today was Luke's first day of school. He had been on the waiting list for the public PK-3 and his name was chosen in the Lottery last Friday. I could not sleep well last night, so anxious of his first day. I could feel myself going back to my own first days in school filled with terror, screams, to the point of trowing up (how gross!). I had this love and hate relationship with school. Loved to study, learn, even take tests. But I hated to have to leave my mom for all of that. And yet, at 31 years old, I still felt that tightening inside my chest just of the thought of a first day.

When Luke was younger and went to a half day preschool, a few days a week, he experienced some crying at the beginning, but after a while he got used with the idea of going to school. But now, after being at home for an entire year, I wasn't sure how he would take in the whole experience of a full day preschool 5 days a week. 

To my surprise, he was ready to launch. When I kissed him goodbye at the classroom and said that I would come back to pick him up later, he said "Yup", sounding like I had just dropped my 15 year old at the movie theater to have some fun with his friends. No kissing, hugs, teary eyes, nothing. 

When I went back to pick him up, he gentled waved as he saw me. No running in tears, no shouting "Mommy" from across the room. And then he did not want to leave! I had gotten him a chocolate candy as a prize for being such a big boy and also in case he started to tell me that he never wanted to come to school again, like he does after some drop-in classes around town. But instead, I had to use that chocolate candy to bribe him out of the classroom! Should I start looking for a boarding school to keep him happy around the clock?!

I can't believe that this is the same boy that 2 weeks ago, in a drop-in movement class had his face on the floor, so embarrassed he was to stand up and repeat the movements after the teacher, with me right next to him holding his hand! Who in the World can understand a 3 year old? But yet, he was ready to launch today.

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Who can resist a marshmallow?

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The reward is great, but the waiting, so hard...



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Playground friendly fashion

Friday, September 23, 2011



I thought I could start adding some fashion finds that besides being playground friendly and comfortable, look really cute. The most common t-shirt, jeans and sneaker mom outfit has its benefits: very comfortable, easy to wash and resistant enough to food stains, and brainless (you don't even have to be awake to get dressed in the morning!).

But it lacks a lot in personality, cuteness and style. Like if you were wearing an uniform everyday. Besides, to play dress up used to be most moms' childhood delight, so why not to keep the fun going? I find that fashion should be about making art with colors, textures and cuts, boosting creativity and enjoying the process. So, forget everything that you have heard about how to get dressed and just look into your closet and mix and match the pieces as you wish. Play dress up again, and you will look forward getting dressed every morning.

The hardest part that I find about fitting fashion into motherhood, are the shoes. Of course any outfit looks good with some heels on. But when that option is off the table, and you know that style is a price too high to pay for your sore feet, what to wear?

So, I just got this cheap, super comfortable and cute pair of shoes from Soda Shoes. And they have proved to me that it was money well spent. Playground proof, stain proof and a lot brainless as they match with almost anything. The store where I got them from, did not have many options of colors, so I got a basic black. But I can see adding other colors and styles in the future.



Now if you want to splurge, you can get something like these cute loafers from J.Crew. Maybe someday when they run out of style I can get them on ebay for a steal...

Darby studded tweed loafers

Darby calf hair loafers
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If the past could talk

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Do you wish you could cook just like your grandmother? Now you can. Just download these recipe books from www.openlibrary.org and you are headed to the past!


And if you want to suggest your husband a gift to get for your birthday, why not this one? I am sure he will be as happy as he can be! (I just wish they had one called "A thousand ways to please a toddler" - I would try every single recipe)


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Tuesday message



We used to live on a lake and sometimes we miss it, specially in the Summer. But we enjoy city living now, and when it gets cold outside, I love being cosy, inside our apartment. O love vintage signs like this one.
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Taste of Fall Fun

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The kids had fun at our mini photo shoot to capture them wearing the tunics I made out of this pattern. Their constant movements help to hide my sewing mistakes.

And my favorite one...

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For all moms out there


This video made me smile!
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First Sleepover

Friday, September 16, 2011




"Everybody needs a little time away, I heard her say, from each other..." was playing in the radio today and it reminded me of Luke's first sleepover last week. His first, officially. He had no problems with other people coming over, but never went somewhere for the night, without us. We were wondering if he was going to be a big boy. He went to sleep in a place which he loves, his grandparents house, but still, it would be his first solo flight away from the nest. 

Next morning, to our surprise, he did not want to come back. The bird had found other trees to explore. Our baby has grown up and can take care of himself. Maybe everybody really "needs a little time away, from each other". But what about the "You're just a part of me, I can't let go"? A mother's heart will always struggle with the balance between stay and go.

Hard to say I'am sorry
(Chicago)

Everybody needs a little time away
I've heard her say
From each other

Even lovers need a holiday
Far away from each other

Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
And after all that you've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise you, baby

And after all thats been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go

Couldn't stand to be kept away
Not for a day
From your body
Wouldn't want to be swept away 
Far away from the one that I love

Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now
I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go

And after all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise you

And after all that's been said and done
You're just a part of me I can't let go

I can't let go.



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How cool is that?

Thursday, September 15, 2011





This mom has a great tutorial on how to make these pajama eaters. What a great idea to keep the kids' pajamas always in the same place and looking cute!
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Making house, home

I am trying to make the apartment we have been living for the past year, home. My husband and I have moved so many times since we got married that to "make our house, home" stayed behind in the list of priorities. But specially when you have kids, you long for the visual beauty of decorating a place to look like a piece of you. And nothing better than some inspiration.

Lonny Magazine is an online design magazine that captures ideas to inspire the rest of us. Enjoy!

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September 11

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Living across the river from Manhattan, I felt like keeping an eye on the city during September 11. That quick look over there, once in a while, just to make sure everything was fine. In the evening, we headed to the Hoboken Italian Festival and it was packed with people and good food. And yet beyond the sound of music and fun there it was, in the background, the proof that the towers were missing and with them all the people not present anymore.




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Missing the green

Sunday, September 11, 2011

When you live in a city your brain lights up in the morning in an unusual rush, as if you are going to miss a big meeting or your TV interview is about to start in 2 hours. Maybe it is just the view of the fast walking career people, passing my window, reminding me that city life is all about keep moving, working, networking, achieving.

But sometimes you've got to stop and smell the rain, the Earth, listen to the silence and be still, wonder before Nature's beauty, stop getting somewhere and just be, for that moment. And for that we try to go for day trips. Quick outgoings, away from the buzz, closer to Nature, to remind the kids that there is more, behind the buildings, calling your name when you want a piece of peace.

This Summer we dipped our heads in history and our feet in sand at Ringwood State Park, went hiking at the Delaware Gap and egg collecting at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture .

Of course with small kids the "listen to silence" and "be still" lasts for about 2 seconds, but still it is better than nothing, right?




















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Summer days

Thursday, September 8, 2011


They say that as you get older, your fell the passing of time speeding up. Except for Winter's long and cold days that no matter how old you are, will aways fell more than it should be. As Fall knocks at the door, bringing in cool morning breeze and as light jackets make their come back, I wonder where did summer go.

Thankfull for the advent of camera, I can keep my sunny memories safe, ready to bring warmth in the future cold days when once again I flip through my online photo albuns and wonder how come my boys grew up so fast.

CHAD AND JEREMY
"A Summer Song"         

Trees swayin' in the summer breeze
Showin' off their silver leaves
As we walked by
Soft kisses on a summer's day
Laughing all our cares away
Just you and I
Sweet sleepy warmth of summer nights
Gazing at the distant lights
In the starry sky
They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don't you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn't have to go
No no no no
And when the rain
Beats against my window pane
I'll think of summer days again
And dream of you
They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don't you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn't have to go
No no no no
And when the rain
Beats against my window pane
I'll think of summer days again
And dream of you
And dream of you




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Renaissance Fair

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

So this past weekend we decided to visit the Renaissance Fair in New York State. For one, I wasn't prepared at all for the experience, quite overwhelming. And I did not think that so many visitors were going to be dressed up as much as the workers there.

In the school books, Renaissance always sounded so romantic, and I am sure it was. But when you are under the summer sun, walking around a Renaissance town (the stores, by the way, don't have air conditioner and don't accept credit card, in case you were wondering) you start to wonder how you can exist inside so many long layers of clothing, without the advent of deodorant and washing machine, and fell inspired to paint as Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo. That is the real challenge!

The Fair was quite nice, with many presentations happening at the same time in different locations around the little make shift town, and being our first visit there we made sure to make it to as many presentations as we could 3 minutes before their grand finale. That just adds to the mystery and excitement of going again next year to see everything we missed this year.











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