Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Music Festivities

Folks who know me are probably tired of hearing me speak of my upcoming trip to Tennesee to experience the Bonnaroo music festival - so many great bands. But today, the Austin City Limits line up was released and OMG!- it is spec-freakin-tacular. I hope more bands decide to join up. But as of now, The freakin Eagles are headlining - how cool is that? Their concerts are crazy pricey so Im thrilled to see them, when otherwise I would probably never do so. Muse, who I recently got to see in Fort worth (and I must say were so so fantastic), is also headlining. Some of the must sees for me include - The Strokes/ Band of Horses (they Played at SXSW but were at a venue we could not get into)/ Spoon/ Vampire Weekend/ BEACH HOUSE!!/ Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros/ Local Natives/ Norah Jones. Check out www.aclfestival.com for the full line up. Are you going this year? And if so, what are your must sees?

P.S. I'll have to add pictures later. This is not working. Probably a work restriction. Im posting during lunch. :-/

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Happiness

I’ve decided to delve into the topic of happiness today. My childhood was a happy one. I have the most amazing parents and sisters and brother that any girl could ever ask for. Each and every one of these people would do anything for me. It’s been proven. And I would do anything for them. As I got older, life wasn’t so peachy. I went through some things that I would not want even my worst enemy to go through. When I was young, I was naive and hadn’t seen or experienced or even heard of alot of things (I was very sheltered). Experiencing the world was a not so positive thing. It depressed me, actually. Literally, I had to be on pills to make things seem more manageable. Lately however, I have been so happy.
Happiness, however, is different for everybody, I know. In this posting, I’m going to list the top 9 aspects in my life that have to be in order so that I can feel truly happy.
1. Number 1 is having a healthy relationship with God, being in his good graces. It’s the only time I’m truly happy and I honestly think that anybody who has a relationship with God agrees. I know there’s plenty of folks out there that don’t believe in God. But by golly, there are way too many reasons to believe in him. We didn’t just appear out of the blue. We were intelligently designed and built. I want to live the way God wants me to....it keeps me out of trouble....unnecessary drama! Ughhh. NO need.
2. Having the support and love of my family is also a major factor in my happiness. As I mentioned before, I’ve always had it. I have a big family - 5 kids! Despite any mistake, as minor or major as it may be, they are always there to support or help me correct it. There are many of folks that don’t appreciate that and I’m sure and it can be overwhelming at times when you just want to be left alone, but all in all, I appreciate it. I also have more love in one little package than I can possibly deserve. Having my little boy has made my life feel fuller and more blissful. I probably would’ve gone crazy if I didn’t have my little shishkebob.
3. Being comfortable in my own skin - I know we should be proud of ourselves whatever shape we are in, but when I gain a little weight and my clothes aren’t fitting, I’m sorry, but I can’t stand it. It’s the most uncomfortable feeling to me and I don’t want to wear anything but mumus. That awful thing about my body is that nothing gets bigger but my belly and my back (back fat is the worst!). It’s disgusting and I can’t take it. I am happiest when I’m in shape and my clothes lay right and fit well. I’m a bad example to young girls when I say I’m fat when I’m somewhat thin, but when I have muffin-top – IM NOT HAPPY!!!!
4. Lets move on to numero quarto, yes? I find that keeping myself busy in the things that I love such as decorating or painting or sewing or whatever gets my creative juices flowing makes me extremely happy. I wish I could do it for a living but that require me going back to school and at the moment, with a 5 year old kid, its nearly impossible.
5. Having beautiful music playing at all times makes life a lot better. I listen to my ipod all day at work, on my 2.5 hr commute to and from work, while working out and boy does it make those times a lot more enjoyable. When I get a good mix going, it is just so exciting and keeps me alert and smiling and singing along. One of the best things ever is discovering a new (to me) mind-blowingly amazing band, listening and then seeing exactly how incredible they are. Another of my favorite things to do is see bands in concert. You can feel the music inside you. I’ve been going to shows since my teens and to this day its probably one of my all-time favorite hobbies. I don’t know what I would do without music.
6. Financial stability – Sad to say but money does affect the way we live. If I owe everybody, I’m anxious and worried until the debt is payed off. So when I’m somewhat debt free and able to save, of course I’m a lot happier. Not only that, but I’m able to shop which is one of my favorite past-times. I’m a thrifty shopper though. I rarely buy full price, unless I just have to have it (more than likely a phenomenal pair of shoes/ boots) . It’s usually on sale or second-hand, which is ok with me. You know I read something hilarious the other day. Yahoo listed the top 10 degrees that have the lowest starting to mid salaries. I believe second or third on the list was a degree in Fine Arts. It was so funny because it mentioned that only an artist could make thrift store clothing look like a million bucks….and its true! Ha. Good times.
7. Non-platonic LOVE. Ok, this is somewhat of a sore subject for me. Haha. Honestly, at this moment, I feel that I don’t need it. I have loved in the past/ made my mistakes and learned from them. Tthose in turn, made me know what I want in a future husband. I won’t settle for less. This is the person I’m going to spend the rest of my life with and he has to be my best friend and enjoy the things I do and we have to laugh at the same craziness and, of course, still be able to learn from each other. Sigh!!! I’m not expecting it any time soon. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a fantastic guy to come home to. I can see us dancing to my favorite Built to Spill song at our wedding. J But, I can wait for that amazing moment. I’m patient.
8. Experiencing new places – As of lately, I have been trying to travel as much as I can. I simply love the way I feel when I’m in a new place I’ve never been to or visiting a familiar place far from home that I love. I adore how hotel pillows feel and even the smell of a hotel room (I‘m not counting the hotel in Austin we stayed at with the broken shower stall and the overflowing toilet.) Coming across new and different folks and their appreciating their styles is also really neat to see…
9. Finding an amazing deal while shopping - Haha. I know it’s ridiculous to some, but when I buy something that is spectacular and I saved money, or finding a unique, gorgeous treasure (clothes/ shoes/ home décor in particular), I’m on cloud nine. I’m really not materialistic, guys. I just love beautiful things. It’s not like I want the best or most expensive things! Gahhhh!

That covers my top 9. What makes you happy?
It has been ages since I have been truly happy, so please don’t rain on my parade. Don’t give me any bad news right now or bring me down. I want to feel like I’m floating on a cloud for a little while longer.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boy. Darling Sebastien








Every once in a blue moon, I am in spectacular moods where almost nothing can bring me down. Today is one of those days. Things are just looking up. I have resolved to do things and I will not dissappoint.
When I am feeling blue, however, I am fortunate, no lucky (I dont beleive in those things so that can't be it), blessed rather that I have the most amazing little guy we all know as Sebastien. He is my 5, nearly 6 year old little boy that, without a doubt, makes everything better. He has the most amazing, goofy personality. He wows me everyday with the things he says and does. Im sure that is how all mothers feel about their kids, but I do think that Sebastien is exceptional and extraordinary in every way and he will be someone special when he grows up.
Last Saturday, we had a chance to go to the park, which gave me the opportunity to take some great shots of him. He is one of the happiest little guys. As he should be...He has so many people that love him. He can be a bit rambuncious, but honestly, altho sometimes frustrating, its one of the qualities that makes him who he is. Ya know?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Argggg! Anger and then Sadness











Im confused. So angry. 3 times already I have lost all my numbers/ all my pictures/ all my memos/ my music download list because of my iphone. I dont know why I keep having freak accidents where Im losing all my data! Its so frustrating.
Otherwise, today was a decent day. I get a little annoyed when folks at work make fun of my outfits or say obnoxious little remarks. It doesnt matter...I like my style and I think I look goooood. The start of my healthier lifestyle was today too...I had less that 1400 calories Im sure and I start going to the gym as often as possible next week starting with a personal training session on Tuesday. Im getting over my allergies/ cold, so things are looking up for the weekend. I really want to spend quality time with my darling, Sebby, because he will be with his daddy a full month in June. Im going to miss him so so so much. He is the most beautiful/ amazing/ special thing in my life and Im not looking forward to that. But hopefully he will learn how to swim and get to play with the neighborhood children and miss me so much too!
My sister, Karina, was nice enough to photograph me with Nikon D200 and you can see such a difference in quality. In this set of shots, Im wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier for Target dress and necklace and tank from Buffalo Exchange. Shoes are Seychelles


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A Resolution






Pink Forever 21 Dress Purchased at Buffalo Exchange
Butterfly Necklace purchased at Buffalo Exchange
Pink Tank from Target
Nine West shoes
Soooo, I have amaaazzaaazziing news! Im going to Bonnaroo this year! Im so excited....its going to be such a great trip. Right now, its just me and my sister going. We will blast the music all the way up to TN and attend 4 days of heavenly blissful concerts and after a full day of greatness, camp out under the stars each nite!
But before we go, I need to lose a good 15 lbs so that I am comfortable in my own skin. Im the biggest I have ever been in my whole 28.9 years of life and I hate it. My sister was nice enough to photograph me this weekend and I was completely dissappointed in how I looked. Made me a little sick to my stomach actually. I know thats pathetic, but dang, thats just how I work/ how I feel. I have decided in the next month or so, Im going to document my weight loss thru pictures and work out hard/ eat well and work the last few sessions of personal training to obtain my man muscle goals. Ok, maybe not man muscles, but substantial weigh loss and maybe in a year or so definition. We will see how that goes. :-/ So here are pictures of myself - Day 1, per se' of my journey to healthy. I can do dis!!!