Merry Christmas!

Ok, the last two pies are in the oven as I type, several others on the counter. Flan de queso came out riquisimo! Coquito a plenty in the fridge.  Pasteles on tap.  Masa for alcapurrias.  Turkey wrapped up and seasoned, (I usually make pernil but that's a story for another time).  I got my queso blanco, pasta de guayaba, and galletas all ready.  It's time for Noche Buena (Christmas Eve).  Let's get it started!

I have been so busy these last few days, but still and all I love this time of year! So excited to party tonight as we wait for St. Nick to arrive.  From my Familia to yours, I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a very merry, merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad!

Enjoy your families, enjoy your kids, enjoy your food, and enjoy your drinks! And don't forget the reason for the season!





Love you all!  God Bless!

Until Next time Mi Gente!

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

A Comer Pasteles, Comer Lechon!

Yesterday evening I made a spur of the moment decision. What was that decision you asked?  Well, while I was perusing the aisles of my favorite ghetto supermarket (Western Beef! ) Only my NYC peeps will get that one.  But if you're not from NYC you know the spot. It's the only place that has your favorite "ethnic" foods and ingredients that you really can't find in the burbs.  While they do have more and more things in my local Shop Rite and WalMart super center, only places like my Western Beef have certain things like culantro (yes culantro, not cilantro), yautilla, papel para pasteles, etc...I think you get the picture.  Anyway....back to what I was saying yeah so I was wandering around Western Beef and I decided that I was going to make Pasteles! Puerto Rican pasteles, just to clarify.  There's all other sorts of pastels (pastries), but I'm talking Puerto Rican pasteles. These are not a pastry of any kind.

I'm not going to do a big thing but I decided that I must take up the flag and keep the tradition going.  There are many bits and pieces of my PR culture that are dying away in this country, like the language, music, & food.  But gosh darn it, I will keep some of it alive for as long as I can.  I will teach my children the traditions that were passed to me through my parents and grandparents.  

I just had a talk with my oldest son about how when he gets married I will teach his wife some of our dishes just like my husbands grandmother and mother taught me about my husband's favorite dishes.  And so, in the spirit of tradition, culture, Christmas, and just straight up banging food, I will play El Gran Combo and yes Yes, I Mad Mommy to all of you out there in blog land will make pasteles! (I'll let you know how they came out tomorrow)

Until next time mi gente!  Enjoy this tune!

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Coquito!!

It's Christmas Week!!! 

Halo mi gente! Hello my people. No I didn't spell hola wrong it's spanglish...Haaloo!  This is the week of  Christmas and what needs to get done? Probably a lot, like wrapping, shopping for dinner, helping my sister with her dinner, making multiple pies, helping G with Coquito and some more ayacas (not sure if I spelled that right). One thing that will not happen is me stressing out! I do what I can.  

Speaking of coquito....Check out all this coquito! Love it.  Check out Gio's "Not So Secret" super simple  Coquito recipe.  Very simple, quick, and delish.    Prepare this for your gatherings this weekend and for New Year's it will be a hit.  For our non-latinos, if you can't pronounce coquito....just call it Puerto Rican egg-nog.

Ingredients:

1 can Condensed Sweetened Milk

1 can Evaporated Milk

1 can Cream of Coconut (Coco Lopez and Goya Crema de Coco are both good)

Cinnamon to taste (apply liberally)

2 egg yolks (optional, you can substitute or leave them out all together will be good either way.  Gio doesn't use them)

Rum to taste (we usually use white Bacardi, the Bacardi gold, or 151 is also good any rum you like will work)

6 - 8 oz Water***

Blend all ingredients together and dassit my friends.  Hubby likes to add ice to blender to drink it right away, but if you are chilling there's no need to add ice.  If you like it thinner add more water, if you like it thicker...use less.  If you have fresh coco, feel free to add some in or a cinnamon stick it's up to you.  Some people add coconut shavings but trust me, you will have a great coquito just by using the basic recipe above.

Enjoy!

Until next time.

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Hot Holiday Party Shoes!

Just real quick guys, I've been online all day browsing and shopping and stumbled upon these two beauties at a really great price, you wouldn't believe me if I posted it here.  If you are still looking for shoes for your holiday parties, check out 6pm.com for these two lovelies you can use my banner at the top of this page.   These are both very festive with the bow details on the back.  You're welcome. xoxoxo

 Diana by Fergalicious in Red Satin

Briar by DV Dolce Vita

OK...I'm Back!

Ok, so I'm sorry.  I kind of left for a few days and have been MIA and to top that off I left off on a gloomy note. So ok yeah, I'm back and I'm sorry.  I have been feeling pretty crumby but I'm feeling good today so I will fill you in!

Guess what?  My Christmas shopping is D-O-N-E!  (Sticking my big fat tongue out!) Yes! I promised myself that I would not get stressed over shopping this year and I did not. I am usually shopping all the way to the very, very, very end and so I got a week to spare, I'm good.  I do have to shop for Christmas dinner, but that's no big deal.  I really only bought presents for children this year my budget is really tight and we booked the Vegas trip already so that is it! I am looking forward to shopping for Vegas now!

Now, let me ask you all a question.  Have you seen Payless.com lately?  What? Do yourself a favor and check it out.  I am not really a payless "person".  Don't get me wrong I love a good bargain, but I want good quality for what I'm getting.  But I never completely rule them out because well, there's always that diamond in the rough that you can find there once in a while.  Anyways, I get their emails on sales and I opened it up and I saw a really cute pair of shoes which made me want to check out the website and I must say Wow! Impressive.  Payless is stepping up their game!   I did see a few things that I would definitely buy.   They even have a few really good designers with exclusive lines like Christian Siriano and Leila Rose.  I thought that I would share with you guys a few pairs that I thought would make you stand out at any holiday party!

For you ladies who wear a "kitten" heel, the Women's Influence Bow Pump is adorable. This shoe comes in red and black and is  on sale right now for $19.99.  It is a limited edition shoe and also comes in a wide width.

This next shoe is so hot.  It is really pretty. This is a patent leather peep toe with a  cute knot detail. This 4" heel will have everyone staring at you! (In a good way) This shoe is also available in wide width and is retailing right now for $29.99.

Now this is my favorite and I will probably be buying them.  I love them they are so dressy and feminine. I can see myself wearing these with an LBD and let my shoes be the stars.  This shoe has a chunky 5" heel and a 1.5" platform that should help with comfort.  These come in red as well and are also a limited edition.  It is retailing for $34.99.

I will try to get pics soon of what I'm wearing for the holidays and if I do, I will post on  my Facebook page.  Feel free to send me pics of what you're wearing especially if you got something fierce! I'd love to see it.  If you got any amazing deals I'd love to hear about them also! 

So I hope you can forgive me and I hope I made up for it today. = ) 

Until next time my people!

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

When You Just Don't Know

When you just don't know what tomorrow holds, when the future is unclear.  When you just don't know all you have to do is hold your loved ones near. 

Forget about yesterday and look forward to now.  When you live for today that's the only way how.

Sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind, losing sight of what should be first  in mind.  

Sometimes it takes something scary to put things in perspective, so don't wait for the scary, the things that are not important should never be your elective.

This journey through life is always a mystery,  those that live scared will never make history.

So live free, live proud, live happy, live loud. Live like you want to be remembered, Loving, laughing, silliness, happiness, glory surrendered.

Choose not to be prisoner of the past, choose to be free of the old chains at last.  Choose to forgive and you will be forgiven.

Dear Readers: I am just feeling reflective and wrote what was on my mind.  I am dealing with some health concerns right now and I am a little scared.  I am not ready to share details yet until I know more.  Am hoping to have some answers soon but I just don't know how things will play out.  Hopefully I will feel better soon but unfortunately I am not feeling so good right now.  If I have to say "no" more often it's only because I really can't.  I am trying to be positive and hopefully this episode will pass and I can feel well soon. Please don't ask me what's wrong and when I know more and when I'm ready I will tell you. Promise.   Anyway.... don't mean to bring you all down, I will continue to bring you more of my crazy adventures...because as you know life goes on and mine is crazy enough for a few of us at least! 

Until next time....

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Oh Pizza Night, Oh Pizza Night!

Oh pizza night, oh pizza night, oh how I love thee pizza night.   Your greasy pepperoni smell, the way you make my belly swell. Oh pizza night oh pizza night for you my kids do anything! 

Friday is pizza night in the Mad Mommy's household and guess what? I love it! My kids just love pizza night and they look forward to it and so do I.  And why not?  You get home from work on a Friday evening with the week just biting you in the arse and when you get home all you want to do is fall flat on your face and release the week.  It feels real good to dial that trusty number to your local pizzeria.  To know that the delivery person will come and save your evening with their greasy goodness in a box.  When that pizza gets to your door, you become a hero to your kids and you just want to hug the delivery person for saving you from having to cook!  You serve up the slices on paper plates mind you and voila...minimal clean up and your kids are happy and fed and you can enjoy them and relax at the same time.  

Just the little things in life like pizza night that makes it all worth it. One of the best $15 I spent all week.  Anyway, now that the kids ate their pizza they are relaxing and enjoying each other and their Friday night without having to worry about going to school tomorrow and I also get to relax and enjoy the rest of my night.  I hope you all enjoy yours as well.  Get some shopping done if you can, but most of all take care of you and enjoy whatever your "pizza night" is!

Until next time.....

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

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Confessions of an Inappropriate?? Mommy...

Another late posting, but I guess its par for the course for this time of year if I get anything out! I just got home from a crazy rainy commute, two stops at Toys R Us and a stop at Walmart.  Finally home, hubby got take-out and the kids are all bathed, fed, homework done, and in pajamas! Love it!  Ok, to my story.

This past Saturday I went with the girls to celebrate a friend's birthday.  We went to the city to see a drag show.  It was my first time to a drag show and we had a ball.  Of course we went to the 11pm show which was entitled "The Dirty Show" and it was raunchy and nasty and dirty and extremely funny.  We had a great time. This diva right over here made some raunchy souvenirs for the birthday girl.  Namely some balloons that went on her head in the shape of...well, lets just say it rhymes with rock and falls.  I hope I don't have to explain further.

Anyway, I was the designated driver, so I didn't drink except for a glass of wine with dinner.  I drove everyone home, drove myself home and looked in the back seat and noticed that one of the girls left a souvenir in the back seat.

Monday morning I pack Julian in the car to get ready for work and I strap him in his car seat.  I ran to the front door to lock up and what in the rock and falls do you think Julian has in his hands?!?! And he's all like "Mommy, I like my balloons!" Wow, I wanted to die laughing.  I didn't have the heart to take it away and he had no idea what was in his hands....right? So, I hop in the drivers seat and said what the heck.  As I'm backing out of the driveway (Did I ever tell you that the bus stop for everyone is in front of MY HOUSE!) back to the driveway, neighbors are out waiting with their kids for the bus and I couldn't see out the window because it was foggy, I had to lower the window and Julian is just lifting the balloon up to the window and as I'm backing out I'm smiling at the neighbors trying to get Julian to lower the balloon! Whew....

What could I have done?  Would you have taken the balloon away from your kid.  Oh well! It is what it is.  Just another day in my crazy life.

Until next time!

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Random Ramblings

Sorry this post is so late! But hey I got it out and that's what counts....right? Well, hopefully someone actually reads it.  I took the day off to go shopping and I've been out all day making a list, checking it twice, and crossing some things off as well.  So that's good, but you know when I'm productive in some areas, other areas slide.... (Hence, backlog in housework).  Look, it is what it is and I can only do the best I can.  

I've got so much going on right now, but I always say right now.  What it really means is I always have so much going on.  I want to do everything and more and my body just won't keep up.  It's a very hard thing for me to accept because I have young children and I don't consider myself old I'm only 33 years old.  I've always been a pretty active person, I'm in excellent health, I'm not over weight (medically speaking), but yet I feel tired and in pain all the time.  Still and all I run circles around most people I know who are younger than I am but I don't feel well. It really bothers me.  Feeling a little blue because I'm not myself lately, and going back and forth to the doctors is annoying.  Hopefully it will all be over soon.  

Enough depressing stuff, Other than shopping I'm busy planning my annual trip to Vegas baby! I can't wait.  I really enjoy going to Vegas, it's not a restful trip at all, but it is just so much fun.  It's like a whirlwind though and at the end you are so utterly exhausted and ready to go home.  Vegas is one of those places where you can't stay for very long or you will 1) go broke 2) go broke and 3) have to start going to AA meetings.  I will let you all know my itinerary when it's done. If you have been to Vegas and have suggestions I'm always open. I'm going from Jan 13 - 16th.  Trying to figure out what show I'm going to see this time.

Anyhoo, sorry I took you down a depressing road for a minute, but if nothing else I will always just be real with you.  I'll be fine.  Off to cook dinner, do some more shopping (online), do a little bit of housework, and hopefully settle in early and catch the season finale of my favorite show right now Sons of Anarchy baby! 

Until next time....

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Embarrassing!

Ok, wow! Twice in one week.  I'm sorry, I'm new at this and I am having a hard time keeping up....I'm just being honest.  But on the bright side, I accomplished a few things and I'm so, so, happy.  Friday was just too much after all.  I did what I set out to do and I got my TREE UP! YAY!  What do you think?  I think it came out cool, even since the reason behind the colors are the NY JETS thanks to hubby.  The kids were so happy that I finally put up the tree, threw some lights outside and decorated.  I am so happy I got it done.  

Also this weekend I got caught up on my coupon organizing and I'm thrilled about that! Because I've been so busy I haven't been able to organize my coupons and last week I didn't even go out for any deals at all.  So, I spent all of yesterday organizing and getting caught up.  I only have yesterday's coupons to sort through and then I can plan my extreme deals for this week.  Whew! 

So, let me tell you about the title for today's entry... I had something really embarrassing happen to me yesterday.  So.......Yesterday evening, I went outside to go adjust a setting on the timer for the lights.  It was early evening and pretty dark outside already.  I went outside in a cami and pajama pants.  As I bent over to adjust the timer well....I had a little boobage incident. Boob slips out of cami unnoticed by me. Yeah, I didn't notice. When I look at the lights in the front I noticed that one of the trees lights weren't on so, I stood up....(with the boobage) and stared towards the front of the lawn and just stood there.  I noticed a lady two houses down staring at me and I wondered what was wrong and then I looked down and I hear her tell her kid,  just hurry up! OMGoodness! Did she notice?  Was I just standing on the front lawn oblivious to the world with my boob hanging out?  Did the neighbor notice or was that my paranoia?  I don't know but I wanted to die.  So, I slipped the old girl back in and just continued with my business....what else could I do? Lol

Until next time!

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Holiday Pressure!

With holiday time as always there is an increased amount of pressure, to shop, to get things done, etc. With 4 children and 2 that are in elementary school and one 3 year old....the pressure just seems to be getting excessive!

I felt that pressure begin as soon as I walked out of my house on Black Friday and watched the neighbors all start putting up their lights.  The first thought that came to mind was "Thanks alot!" and I went back in the house in my pajamas to continue my lazy Friday.  Why do I have to feel pressured....yesterday morning Jonah asks me, "When are we getting a tree?", I answer "probably this weekend".  He goes on "oh", and then he says "almost everyone in the whole world already has a tree" and I say, "not everyone Jonah".  And he goes on to say "Well, when I ride the school bus I see all of the houses and they all have Christmas decorations already."  PRESSURE! Ok, coming home from work with Julian in my car, it's dark outside (gets dark around 4 in NY this time of year) and lights are on outside all the neighbors houses...and he's like "Mommy I like Christmas, Mommy I like Christmas, look at all the Christmas!" PRESSURE!  Last night, calling the boys to come and watch the Rockefeller tree lighting on television "Boys, come let's watch the tree lighting", Chorus of boys "WE GOT A TREE?!?!?!" and some more PRESSURE! 

So you see, as if I don't have enough to do, I need to make sure that I hurry up already and decorate the outside of the house for Christmas and put up a tree.  Mind you....I'm frustrated as all get out about that and let me explain why.  OK, well first of all If you know me well you know I have what I like to call a black thumb.  Gardening, flowers, plants all of it has been a real challenge for me and being a homeowner with a big lawn that had the previous owner with a Shining Green thumb there was this pressure on me when I moved into the neighborhood to keep up with what the previous owner used to do.  I actually had neighbors come up to me and say "well you know Diana was so good with her flowers, she would be out here every morning working on the roses or something else" ok, well that's not me, even my hanging flower baskets die! Anyhoo, with that said, I wanted to make sure I was on my game this year, well, I started the spring off not so good.  My father-in-law tried to help my husband and I out with everything and bought and planted flowers, but unfortunately he wasn't familiar with how the sun was around my house.  So Spring....fail.  Ok, summer comes around I think I have an idea and I get my fertilizers my miracle grow, the right plants/flowers for the sunlight in my area and go at it again.  Success! I managed to do the flowers, get my furniture on the porch, get the pavers done, and have my house beautiful for the summertime!  I kept that momentum up and did a nice job (in my humble opinion) for the fall as well.  Not only did it look nice, but my flowers bloomed and grew really well.  I was proud...and then BOOM! Snow in October! Well, my mums couldn't take it, any left over summer flowers were doomed.  Believe it or not, what's held up the most were my little pansies.  They are still blooming.  The worst part is that everything would have held up really nicely because we've had a very mild fall bar the craziness in October.  Anyhoo, I had to redecorate the house for Thanksgiving as best I could and that's it...I only get one day! Blah, then I have to decorate for Christmas...mind you it was 70 degrees the other day.

Well, this weekend, I plan on getting my decorating done. At the very least a tree for the kids.  I am feeling the pressure, but I know that when my kids reaction to the tree and decorations will be well worth it.   I guess I just needed to vent.

Until next time.

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Confessions of a FAT Mommy!

Ok, on my outward appearance I'm not what most people consider "fat" or overweight.  But to me, fat is a state of mind.  And let me tell you folks I am FAT.  It's battle that I have to struggle with for the rest of my life.  I am fat in my heart and soul.  I love food.  I love it, I love it, I love it.  Unfortunately for me, I was never one of those people that can eat whatever I want.  In fact I am the exact OPPOSITE of those people.  Anything I eat "sticks" as they say.  So for me, keeping my weight in control is a part of my life that I have to deal with and struggle with.  Especially since I'm a teensy bit vein...OK ! (Yes I'll admit it)  But also since I want to live a healthy lifestyle.

Anyway, enough about that I'm sure I have enough material about my weight struggles for days and days.  (I used to keep a blog on MySpace)  Back to FAT is a state of mind and it determines how you will behave in certain situations.....like what I'm about to confess....

OK, so after stuffing my face for 4 days straight from Thursday to Sunday I decided that I've eaten enough and that I actually felt like a stuffed Turkey.  I had enough to eat.  I'm swollen from the sodium and looks like my waist size is expanding.  If you remember I said I was going to go on an extreme diet until Thanksgiving and well I didn't.  So I'm all resolved and stuff.  My sister told me about this 17 day diet plan that she's doing now and I figure it couldn't hurt.  Just a different spin on every other diet.  I have been through them all and once you know the basics of healthy eating, weight loss and your body, you can pretty much do any of them....or even make up your own.  So I started on Monday...like I said I'm resolved here!  I bought my yogurts, made sure I had fruits for the day, drank my Green tea. Side Bar - I HATE TEA! Maybe it's because Americans stink at making tea, but I hate it.  Back to it, so anyway like I said, I'm prepared and I start my day and I'm good, but when I got home I was HUNGRY.  What happened after that was not pretty.  I ate everything in sight.  It was nasty.  But it was oh so good.  I convinced myself at that moment that it would be ok, to eat those chips because they would be gone after that and I won't have to worry about them again.  I also convinced myself that the stuffed mushrooms won't be too bad to eat and it went on like that until I ate a piece of chocolate cake and then my stomach hurt.   It was a horrible act of gluttony, not to mention a total loss of will power. =(

Why do I confess this to you all...the simple fact is that this is the daily struggle for people like me.  A constant battle of will power goes on in my head from the moment I wake up.  If I didn't have that struggle I'd be a lot less healthy, let's just leave it at that.  Well today is Wednesday, I'm back on track for now, and hopefully I'll stay that way until the next big function.  The holidays are the worst for foodies like me because there is always a function or excuse to mess up.  All any of us can do is just take it one day at a time and do the best we can.  Now back to my salad!

Until next time.

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Even Superman gets tired! Right?

Sleeping Julian...Oops I mean Superman!

What's going on guys?  In my research about blogging, one of the number one rules to not losing your readers is to post consistently.  In fact I saw a posting the other day about not getting too overwhelmed with the holidays and make sure to keep up with your blog (wishing I could remember where I read it so I could link back).  I failed! I am so sorry, last night I was pooped and didn't come through.

Yes, I get tired.  I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open past 9 o'clock but my 9 year old son was STILL doing homework.  I had some deals that I wanted to check out, some shoes I wanted to buy, I wanted to finish yesterday's entry and what did I do?...I fell asleep. My son went to sleep without finishing his homework, there were dishes in the sink, and the tv stayed on all night.  I was supposed to be working on booking my Vegas trip and that didn't get done either and I may have missed out on an amazing deal.  SIGH......

I think I'm going to make a list of all of the things I need to get done over the next few weeks and try to start planning things out and checking off my list as I go.  The holiday's are usually a time when I really get overwhelmed and I need to organized so I don't lose myself.  I will let you all know how I do.  What do you all do to stay organized this time of year??

Anyway, today is another day and I get another chance so, hopefully I will make good going forward!

Thanks for sticking with me!  Stay tuned and hopefully you'll continue coming back.

Until next time....

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

Black Friday!

Cousins playing Football

After slaving around the house for about two days, I must say it was worth it because we had such a fantastic Thanksgiving!  The food was excellent, the company was great and the drinks were good!

But here were are and it's the day after....Black Friday.  If you know me or have been reading my blog, you know that I love a good deal as much and frankly better than the next guy, but when you live in the Black Friday shopping Mecca.....well....you could care less.  See for me Black Friday has nothing to do with retail shopping. I hate it.  I hate the lines.  I hate the traffic and all of the tourists and crazy shoppers that crowd my area starting Thursday night.

But I do love this day.  Why? What is black Friday to me?  Well it's leftovers, getting to stay in pajamas all day!  Black Friday is relaxing on the couch watching TV and movies, eating turkey sandwiches, watching my kids and nephews play outside on a crisp, clear, autumn day.  Black Friday is family games, laughing, and enjoying one another.

Listen, I'm a working mom.  I'm constantly running around.  Days like this are rare and I'm not spending them shopping and fighting through crowded stores and backed up parking lots.  I'm spending the time where it counts.  (Maybe I'll do some shopping online! shhh)

That is all.  Happy Black Friday!

Until next time.

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow! I am thankful.  I know probably everything that you read today will be similar, but I am thankful for my family, for my beautiful home, for my friends, for my health, the health of my children and husband, I'm thankful for the wonderful smells coming out of my kitchen right now.

This year though, I have something else to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for all of you.  I have been blogging for a little less than a month and you all have been faithfully reading, coming back and in less than a month you've done it about a THOUSAND times.  I know to bloggers who have been around for a while who get thousands of hits a day or more, but to me, I'm just thankful that you may have giggled when reading my posts or if I've given you some helpful tips, or if you've been able to relate to anything I'm saying and realized that you are not alone and that you are NOT crazy! I'm thankful for you guys allowing me to have a new outlet and to share my thoughts and ideas with you.

Thank you!  Listen,  If you like what you read on this blog then share it with someone.

Have a wonderful, blessed, and very Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time.

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

Asking for a raise?

If you do a google search on  "Asking for a raise" you will come up with  pages and pages of search results.  Everyone has advice on how to do it. But how many of us actually do it?  I have a very hard time to do this in a very straight forward manner.  In fact, I have a very hard time doing this at all.   

Why do I bring this up?  Every year around this time the major activities of the year are completed or are about to wrap up.  I start thinking of all of the  things that my team and I have been able to accomplish and how successful we've been this year.  And as I sat there  late on a Monday afternoon going through a very boring training on a huge operational project that will take place starting now through the duration of next year...I know I deserve a raise.

I love where I work, I enjoy what I do, and gosh darn it, I am good at what I do!  That's why I'm here, that's why I've been here for so long, and that is why year after year I produce results.  I've tried to wait for the right time, bad economy, premium revenue losses, etc etc have held me back.  But when do I say enough is enough.  When do I actually say ok, this is the last time?  When is that time?  Back to the question at hand....How do I do it?

Have you asked your boss for a raise?  How did you do it?  I would love some feedback on this one.  Please leave comments.... (DEEP Sigh)

(By the way.....if you do happen to Google asking for a raise....most of the articles or blogs say that if its not during your annual review, most of the time the answer will be no! LOL!)

Until next time.....

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Weekend in Review

I had a busy weekend as usual.  This weekend included the usual busy, busy, busy.  Starting from a wake, to shopping, to soccer, to team pizza party, to cleaning out my rental property all the way to cooking my glazed ham with Rice and beans last night!

I must say though that the highlight of my weekend was my son Jonah's soccer game on Saturday afternoon.  I was so very proud of him on Saturday because he put his all into his game and performed so well.  He was so proud of himself and just so happy!

Jonah got to play his favorite position to start the game as goalie and he was amazing.  If you don't know Jonah, he's small for his age and very skinny, but he's very fast and has been working hard to get faster and faster and not only that, he doesn't quit.  With that said, he is usually the smallest out there in soccer and Lacrosse as well so he has to work harder.  But let me tell you NOTHING WAS GETTING PAST THAT KID! He was all over that ball and protecting his goal.  Next quarter they bring him on the field and he dribbles the ball about 1/3 of the field with full control and he scores the only goal of the game to lead his team to victory!  It was so thrilling for him.  He fought his heart out for the entire game and got banged up in the process, but he was happy.

As a mom, when you see your kids happy, there is no more rewarding feeling.  To know that all of the running around and sacrifice and early morning practices and weekends with no rest....well its all worth it!  So yes I complain that I'm tired, yes I'm yelling when we're late.  Yes I give up my sleep and well, you've heard me gripe before...but I wouldn't trade that in for anything in the world.  

Until next time my dears...

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

P.S. 6pm.com has a holiday blitz going on and a new item is drastically reduced every day.  So check in daily for the holiday blitz and of course you can access that on that little banner up there.

Shopping Review

I told you and I told you and I told you to check out the 11-11-11 sale on 6pm.com.  But did you listen?  Well, to be honest I'm not sure.  Anyway...I really made out.  I got 12 items, 9 of which were gifts which will really help my budget this year.  My total was $132 plus tax made it $140.32.  I could not be happier.  We are not talking about junk here.  I just got my box in last night and I was super excited, so much so that decided to brag today. 

Unfortunately, I will not write about everything I got because most of them are gifts like I said, but I will write about what I bought for myself.  

Ok, I bought two pair of Romantic Soles black pumps.  I was just cleaning out my closet the other day and told my husband (as if he cares)  "I NEED BLACK PUMPS!" Picture my delight when I saw these shoes for $11 a piece.  I got them in last night and I must say, they are not only beautiful, but the quality and fit are amazing. They feel very, very, very comfortable as well (as pumps go).  This is the first time I buy this brand but they now have a new customer for sure! I also picked up a great pair of O'Neill sunglasses, but those were like adding gravy to my delicious mashed potatoes.

The first pair are the "Emily" by Romantic Soles in black Microsuede. They are a pointed toe that has great space in the front  I bought them in a size 7.  These shoes usually retail for about $45 and are still available at 6pm.com at an amazing price. I love them so.  They are perfect for work because the heel has just the right amount of sexy without being inappropriate for the office.

The second pair are the "Emitate" by Romatic Soles.  They are black with a "snake" texture also a size 7. I love them!! They are beautiful.  The snake outer adds texture to any outfit and gives you a little edge.  They have a rounded toe and 1/2" platform which makes these 4 1/2" heels a little more comfortable.  These shoes retail for about $40 and are also still available and at a price that you must jump on!  You can never go wrong with a great pair of black pumps.  You can add them to almost any outfit to add some style,  sophistication, and well they are just plain sexy! ;)

I also picked up these fabulous sunglasses by O'Neill. They are the Tamarindo's in Green Tortoise/Black.  O'Neill is a surfer brand and they have some really cool shades.  The Tamarindo's usually retail for about $80.  They are actually still available on 6pm.com.  Not for $11, but of course significantly reduced. I love oversized shades.  They go with my round face.  I have to have shades that are big enough NOT to make my face look fatter. Which is what tends to happen when I don't have the right proportioned glasses for my shape face.  

Listen...if you want to buy ANYTHING ANYTIME from 6pm.com for your convenience I've added a banner to the top of my page.  Please click on that link and voila.....happy shopping!

Ok, I'm going to leave it at that for today, but next time take my advice! =P 

Until next time, have a great weekend.  Stay fabulous my friends!!

Ciao,

Londi

xoxoxo

Reflecting on a love story

Our love story is one that is still happening, but a day like today only helps me to remember how we started out.   Two kids, literally in High School. It was real love, and it's hard as we get older to understand that two kids can really be in love and understand what kids are going through but its true. It was powerful and it was real, it was Love.  

Back in 1993, I thought I knew it all.  He thought he was hot stuff. This was the kid that was taking trumpet lessons from my Dad for crying out loud.  I worked after school in my father's record shop and  my dad didn't want me working in the store all alone and he wanted someone there with me.  Apparently Gio wanted a part time job and so, being that my father knew and liked him he thought it would be a good idea.  Well, he was in for a surprise!  

Putting two kids together alone that are full of raging hormones for hours at a time day after day may not be such a good idea if you are not trying to make a love connection.  Well...it was there in that place in that record shop that it happened.  The songs from the store, still part of the soundtrack to my life.  When I hear those songs they bring me back to time when nothing else mattered.  

Fast forward......18 years later, 2 weddings, 4 kids........and so much life, bad times, good times, amazing fantabulous times....and so much love! Here we are.  Here we are looking forward to make more stories, our stories, our kids stories.

November 17,  1994

Confessions of a Potty Mouth =X

Ok, Ok, OK!!! S#%@  YES I ADMIT IT!!! I have a POTTY MOUTH!!

Goodness gracious already enough with the bad looks and yes, you over there I said it so close your mouth already.

I'm like a sailor.  Worse than a sailor, I'm like a drunk sailor.  I'm like a tractor trailer driver who was cut off by a bicyclist! I'm in with the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Yosemite Sam. Worse yet, I do it in front of my kids.  Yes, I said it.  I try not to, but it's almost like second nature.  I'm trying to use more fudge nuggets and cruds than well....but I have barely any self discipline with this.  F bombs are like second nature! God forbid my kids are in the car with me then all bets are off!  It's like "oooh Mom, you said a bad word!" And I'm all like "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it and don't you ever say that word!".  Talk about confusing your kids!

I totally blame my parents who were worse than I could ever be.  It's completely ugly and unattractive, it's almost like second nature.  I feel a little better for getting this off of my chest, but at the same time totally embarrassed.  Does this make me a bad parent?

My husband always asks if I have to curse so much and I hate it.  How do I change this ugly habit of mine?  When my kids get older they will blame Gio and I for their foul mouths as well.  Hopefully they will be a little better than I am because well, at least I try.  That has to count for something.  Doesn't it?

Well, I had to do some research and found this great article on momlogic.com, (please, please, please click this link and read it!) and you know what? It made my day! HA! So there after all is said and done....yeah, I SAID IT!

Until next time...this has been my Confessions of a Mad Mommy!

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

Toothless Tuesday!

So, most of the time I write my entries the night before and then I review them, correct, and post them in morning. But last night my computer decided it was going to go on strike and I decided not to fight it. So when I got up this morning and started reading what I had written and adding to it, I got frustrated and scrapped the whole thing.  So  I had to start from scratch.  But I was hit with inspiration by something that made me smile just now.  You ready, here goes!

Jonah 6 years old!

Now doesn't that just make you smile? It makes me smile, but I could be prejudiced. Lol.  Anyway, I told my sister this story but thought you'd all appreciate it as well. So Jonah lost his tooth on Sunday. He's been waiting for that tooth to come out for the longest! So, on Sunday night he takes his tooth, puts it under his pillow and waits for the tooth fairy.  Well, Monday morning he wakes up and all I hear is screams coming from his bedroom.  When I go to check what happened, Jonah was yelling and said "Mom...it's Elijah!! He wanted money so he took my tooth and put it under his pillow!!!" Well something like that makes you want to just literally laugh out loud, but being the sensible mom that I am...I laughed quietly! I told Jonah, not to worry that the tooth fairy didn't take his tooth and give money to Elijah because she knows it's not his tooth and blah blah blah.  So I take the tooth and hide it until the evening comes.  When Jonah's ready to go to bed, I give him his tooth again and he puts it under the pillow and awaits the tooth fairy in his dreams.  Well she came.  And as I sat down here drinking my coffee, I heard a totally different sound.  I heard "Yes! Yes! Yes! Finally! Yes!" and then quiet.  All I could do was smile and my heart was swollen.

After all of the craziness day in and day out, those little things just make you feel like its all worth it.  That you know you're doing the right thing as a mom when you make your children HAPPY!

That is all for today.  Until next time....

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

Saturday Morning!

The following was my FaceBook post on Saturday morning:

Sometimes when I'm in a rush or stressed out I get a little crazy. When I get a little crazy I start yelling, then forgetting things. I even start changing the times I'm supposed to be at places which leads to even greater hysteria when I start THINKING I have to be everywhere half an hour earlier! Good grief! I really need to relax a little!
And after all the craziness ur at ur destination early and the DAMN photographers are LATE! It's freezing at this field!

Second from the left in the back row is my little Julian

This will give you a good idea of how my Saturday morning started.   Let me give you a quick rundown of my madness!  First of all I don't know if you all remembered that I mentioned on Friday that I would be going to see SpiderMan Turn off the Dark on Broadway on Saturday.  The show was an afternoon show, I figured afternoon was good at the time I bought the tickets in September, but here we are in November and the kids STILL HAVE SOCCER.  Why do they still have soccer?  Well simple because of all of the cancellations due to rain and yes you said it even SNOW.  Not only was there soccer this Saturday, but they needed to be there for the team pictures. So I had to make it to two different fields for two different kids, between 9:30 am to 11:30 am. To make things more hectic their fields are twenty minutes apart and I had to get myself ready and beautiful to go and be on the road to the city by 12 pm. Yeah....you try that! 


Well, I did it.  So I head out to the Bronx to go pick up Gio (my husband) and I call to tell him that I'm around the corner and I find out that he's not there, that he was at his father's house.  Well thanks for telling me?? Anyway, he got a ride over and got to me pretty quickly and we head downtown.  We got downtown rather quickly and made good time but if you're from New York you should know that driving cross-town in midtown Manhattan is a nightmare on a Saturday.  We ended up parking the car a few blocks in between the theatre and where we planned on having dinner. We practically ran to the theatre and made it just in time for the show! It was pretty insane.   By the time 2pm came and we were comfortably in our seats with a nice Heineken and settled in to see the show, I had been running around for 8 hours!


I promised I would tell you about my date, but I've rambled on so much about my morning that I'll leave it at that for today.  We'll leave my date night for another day.   Also, I can't wait to show you guys what I bought from from the 6pm.com 11-11-11 sale!


Until next time loveys...thanks for coming along with me day after day.


Ciao,


Londi
xoxoo

Holiday Gift Ideas...

With the holidays approaching I thought it would be cool to start helping with gift ideas....(No, I haven't even gotten started with my Christmas shopping!!)  So, if you are anything like me or like the rest of the country for that matter, you are probably on a tight budget. You may also be pressed for time so it's hard to actually spend time going to the mall or multiple stores to shop around. With that in mind I'll be focusing on quality gifts at a great price and hopefully that will help you save some shopping time also!  Today is about the ladies...

EXPRESS...I recently got my EXPRESS Holiday Catalog in and I must say, I found these really cute wristlets for $15.90 in the catalog. They come in 5 different colors and are 30% off right now and are priced at a steal at $11.13!! There's a pretty decent assortment of all types of wristlets you can choose from  on EXPRESS.com ranging from $11.13 to $24.00.

Right now they have a really good sale going on at EXPRESS, including $15 off every $60 you spend.  If you have the catalog you get an even better deal with $30 off $75 and $40 off $120.



For the make-up artist in your life Ulta is the place to go.  They have a 73-pc eyes, lips, and face set for $24.99. This kit has everything you need and is good for someone looking to start up as well. I love the Cheetah box which is extremely trendy.  This is only around while supplies last so hurry up if you want it.  If you got this Sunday's paper there is a coupon for an additional $3.50 off any purchase of $10 or more.  If you are going to purchase online at Ulta.com...consider this a gift from me....use the coupon code 60303.  Also, if you are shopping online you can get FREE shipping for any purchase of $25 or more plus 10 FREE samples with a $25 online order as well!

Check out the 11-11-11 on 6pm.com, let me know if you get anything!

This Saturday I'm going on a hot date to see SpiderMan Turn off the Dark on Broadway...I'll let you know how my date went on Monday ;) Have a fantastic weekend and Happy Shopping!!!!

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo

Fashion Trends I'm feeling....

Earrings!!

I have two pairs in my collection that I'm really feeling and are in heavy rotation (so what!).

The first pair is totally on trend right now with the feathers.  I actually copped this pair of earrings for only $10 from a vendor at Oktoberfest Bear mountain.  No, you can't get yours at Oktoberfest anymore, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding a similar pair or a pair that you like that is with the whole feather trend that is very popular right now.  Why do I love these?  I can wear them with anything.  I love pieces that are versatile that I can dress up or down.  I can wear these with my hair slicked back and a hot LBD (little black dress for my male readers).  I can also wear them casually with some neutral earthy tones.  I think they are fly.

This second pair pictured here are my absolute FAVORITE right now.  They are on-trend...well, have been on trend for some time now, but I wasn't blogging when this trend started up again and I'm still rocking them so there! lol Anyway, these are trendy bamboo earrings with a hint of bling.  I bought 2 pairs of them (1 for back up) on bebe.com for $19.99.  I don't think these are available any longer but they do have some cute trendy pieces there right now.  Why do I love these?  Apart from the fact that I can wear them with anything and they are completely versatile....well bamboo earrings are trendy again!  I was wearing bamboo earrings back in the day when LL Cool J was rapping about them.  I stayed with at least 2 pair! To see them out again and rocked all over is nostalgic and it's nice to see such an urban look be so popular.  I feel like an around the way girl all over again!

Now go forth and be fabulous.....

Ciao,

Londi
xoxoxo