holiday decor

Last year I wanted to decorate our tree all gold for Christmas. But since we were going to Perú for the holidays there was really no point in decorating. We put a little Christmas tree to keep the holiday spirit and left it there.

This year is different. We’ll be hosting our first Christmas. And although I like the gold look for Christmas, after seeing this images, I think I’ll stick to the classic, red and white.

{image via here}

{image via here}

{image via here}

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{image via here}

Our tree is up but needs more ornaments. This year we went Christmas tree cutting {as part of our Christmas countdown activities} and when choosing our tree under the sky, I guess we didn’t realize how big it was. The ornaments we had are not enough to fill it, so we’ll need to get {or make} some more. We put up some lights and some decorations here and there, but I still have some projects in my list, like making Christmas stockings and sewing some Christmas pillow covers. All that on top of our family Christmas countdown activities list. Oh boy, it’s going to be a busy, but happy, happy, month!

december is here!

It’s been a while, isn’t it? The end of the year is getting busy as usual. We celebrated L’s birthday before Thanksgiving and just had his birthday party with school friends on the weekend, we went to Boston for Thanksgiving and we just started getting ready for Christmas.

I was a little sad because we were not going to be all together for Christmas this year. I have spent a couple of Christmas away from my family since I moved to the States, and really, it was fine. But now that I have kids it’s different. I want them to share this special holiday with my family. I want them to grow up having nice memories of Holidays spent and shared with grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. Because those are the memories I have. But then my sister and brother-in-law somehow made it work and are coming, too! We’re going to have a full house and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been looking into ideas about how to decorate the house, how to set our Christmas table and I’ve planned a full itinerary of Holiday activities. And I put together our Countdown to Christmas. A tradition I started last year and that hopefully I’ll keep up for years to come.

{images via smashing magazine}

It’s going to be a hectic, chaotic, maybe a little stressful, month, but it’s going to be fun and joyful. A great way to end the year, with all the people I love. Here, together. All I want for Christmas is that!

give thanks

It’s been a while, isn’t it? The end of the year is getting busy, and hectic, as usual. We just celebrated L’s birthday and still have his birthday party with school friends coming in a couple of weeks {we had to change it to a later day because of Sandy}. The madness of the Holidays is almost here, but we wanted to take some days to relax. We are in Boston, spending time with some great friends.

image via pinterest

Today, more than ever, I’m grateful for my kind husband, my beautiful boys, my amazing family and my great friends. I’ve been blessed with so many great things happening in my life and even though I shouldn’t take anything for granted, I confess sometimes I do. So here I’m, making a conscious effort to give thanks, not just today, but every day, for ALL I have in my life.

Wishing everyone had a happy, healthy, joy-filled Thanksgiving 2012!

november after sandy

I completely lost track of time while dealing with the lack of power at home. I finally realized it was November when ConEd gave us an estimated power restoration time as Nov, 4th. Of course that didn’t happen and we’re still without power. It’s been a week now. A new date was said to be tomorrow by 11 pm. However, rumors are the real date is Nov 9th. At this point we don’t want to keep our hopes up. We’re just trying to make the best out of this situation and focus on keeping the kids nice and warm. After all, losing power is nothing compared to losing your possessions, or even worse losing a loved one. Without power and all, we are the lucky ones. And we’re thankful for that.

The house is a mess but I’m trying to get ready for some upcoming events. L’s birthday party, which I think we’ll change for a later day, a trip to Boston for Thanksgiving, and the Holidays. I can’t believe it’s almost December again! It’s going to be a bittersweet Holiday season, though. My family is coming to spend the Holidays with us, but my sister and brother-in-law, due to work schedules, won’t be able to make it this time.  It’s sucks we won’t be able to be all together, especially for Christmas. But we’ll try to handle it as best we can and I’m sure we’ll have a great time.

images via smashing magazine

All media has covered all the devastation Sandy has caused here in the East Coast. But let’s not forget that before Sandy hit the States, it slammed the Caribbean, causing lots of destruction there, too. There are many organizations trying to bring some relief to the affected areas, International Medical Corps, Direct Relief, Red Cross, among others. Please, consider a donation.

Hope you all are safe and warm.

black & white halloween

In three years I’ve never decorated our house for Halloween. You see, back in my country, Halloween is not that big of a deal. I mean, yes, kids dress-up in costumes and they go out trick or treating, and even some adults attend Halloween parties. But houses decorated? No. Being in the States for almost 7 years now {wow!} I’ve seen how special Halloween can be for the little ones here. They love wearing their costumes, trick or treating, going to Halloween parties, making Halloween crafts and more. So I wanted to add to the excitement of this Holiday this year throwing a Halloween party for the kids. And of course decorating the house, a little, according to the occasion.

G is still to little to understand, but L does, and Halloween is one of his favorite Holidays. So starting tomorrow I’ll {try to} have some type of Halloween decor up by the time he comes home from school. I decided on simple decorations. Nothing fancy, and if possible, made not bought. Black and white with little touches of orange. I already finished {well, almost} my first Halloween wreath!

Here is some of inspiration around the web.

{image via the decorated house}

{image via apartment therapy}

{image via diynetwork}

{image via that’s smart deco}

{image via craft-o-maniac}

{image via etsy}

{image via a pumpkin and a princess}

Stay tuned for my $4 wreath! Happy Wednesday!

spooky october!

What can I say. Life happens. Remember this post? Well, it’s been another month with no house makeover pictures. No, I’m not teasing you. I swear, I don’t know where time goes. I’ve been busy with other little projects and with a certain little one {He’s going through a “clingy” phase} and I haven’t even tried to photograph the house. Oh well. I’m not going to say anything this time. I’ll just post pictures when I have them. Hopefully this year.

We had a busy September {and August, July, June…you know the deal} celebrating my birthday and other events. I’m not gonna lie. I was feeling a little bummed out about my birthday this year because of some aches and pains {ankle and knee tendonitis, a glandion cyst, oh yeah, fun} that seemed to happen all at once. It’s nothing serious but they prevent me from doing something I really enjoy: crossfit. I haven’t been able to go to the gym in about two months. I’m much better now, but I’m still not sure when I’ll be able to go back since I still feel some pain. It’s really frustrating.

But then I look at my beautiful family, my kind husband and my crazy but happy kids, my family in Peru, my friends, and I know I’m lucky and blessed. And that’s the best gift ever.

So I’m excited about what this month brings: Halloween!. I’m planning a little party for the kids, I’m making some Halloween decorations for the house and I’m sewing L’s costume. I’m not sure how I’ll pull it off , but I already committed and I’ll try my best. I can’t wait, it’s going to be fun.

 

images via smashing magazine

 

today…

is my birthday…and this little space second anniversary! Happy birthday to us!

image via the light fantastic

Happy Friday!

G’s 1st birthday party in hostess with the mostess

Giacomo’s first birthday party was featured in Hostess with the Mostess last week. I know, I’m so bad at keeping up with all these things. You can still head over there to check out all the details about this party that was planned with much love and joy. All for my little man. We love you G!

setiembre

I have no excuse. I didn’t post a thing all August. A whole month! Like I said two months ago we’ve done some improvements in the house. But instead of enjoying those advances, by taking pictures for example, I tend to focus on the unfinished projects and the million things to do. I also have a serious problem with starting new projects before others are completely finished. But no more. This month I’m going to focus on finishing the last details in some of the rooms that are done and taking pictures. Yes, pictures please!

In another note, we’ve been busy trying to enjoy Summer and getting ready for back to school and all that. We went on our last Summer vacation last week. And although he had a great time, it was exhausting. Now we need a vacation from our vacation!

We still have some more weeks of Summer but I’m so ready for Fall. I’m looking forward to the cool weather and the color changing leaves. This is going to be a great month.

via smashing magazine

Happy Labor Day!

agosto

We’re having such a busy Summer. And although, hectic at times, it’s been fun so far. This month we have many celebrations but it’s also a little sad. My mom is leaving left yesterday, after three months of taking care of us. Because that’s what she did. Not only did she helped us with baby G but also cooked delicious Peruvian food for us, spoiled us with yummy desserts, spent time with L and did a lot of house chores. Which of course she didn’t have to do. But she’s seen firsthand that life can be a little chaotic in our household sometimes and she just wanted to make things easier for us. And we really appreciate that. I’m very grateful she was able to come and stay with us all this time.

But above all, I’m very grateful she’s been able to spend all this time with G, building memories that I’ll hold dear, keep forever in my heart. I know G is little and probably he won’t remember but she will and I will. She’s seen his first steps, his first music class, his first road trip and of course his first birthday. His first trip to an amusement park, his first trip to the city. She’s been cooking and trying to feed him new foods, playing with him, singing new songs, reading to him, teaching him new things. I’ve tried to document one and each of these moments, so when G is older I can show him photos of these beautiful moments and tell him about his Peruvian Nona.

Having her with us was a blessing. Now we are going back to our routines because life goes on. And because soon, in some months we’ll be together again. We love you Nona, thanks for everything. You are the best Nona ever!!!

images via smashing magazine