Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Things Women Should Not Do



Girl Power is super in this year. Actually, it's been around since our female role models drilled it in our heads when we were growing up that we could do anything. It's turned some females into self-entitled hardheads, but I digress. Contrary to what yo mama says, there are some things you just can't do:

1. Feel guilty for wearing flats. I've known (shallow) dudes that have gotten salty with women for wearing flats. Oh, so we're supposed to teeter through life in some 5-inch stilettos? No, sir. I love heels and I'd wear them every moment if they were practical. They hurt after hours of wear. I'm not gonna wear heels to Six Flags or to walk across campus. I know guys want us to constantly bring pleasure to the eye, but it's not possible. Embrace flats. They make you less cranky and more cutesy. When some of these "men" grow seven inches, manage to wear jeans with no holes, or caps without hologram stickers on them, then maybe we can reconsider this.

2. Wear heels to Six Flags. As much as I wish this memo will be received by the masses, it won't. I'm gonna see a chick awkwardly strolling through an amusement park, thinking she looks fine and is making her man proud. No. And I wish I was joking about these women's lack of common sense.

3. Con a dude into buying you a drink/flat-out asking for a drink. These women are brave. Y'all are on that whole independent, I-pay-my-own-bills tip on Twitter during the week, but come the weekend, you're scamming dudes to save $10. You know what you need to save? Your dignity. Ditch the fake smile and buy your own damn drink.

4. Take 27 self-camera-shots in a car or bathroom mirror. Honey, that's what your friends are for: to take pictures of your everlasting beauty for all to covet. That's not your job. (Side-note: isn't it always pleasingly awkward to catch someone taking a picture of themselves when they think no one is looking?)

5. Drive trucks [they can't drive]. If you're struggling to successfully park or reverse a truck, you do not need to be driving that monstrous thing. If you're constantly on the fritz about running over a small person when you're driving a truck, you do not need to drive it. If these things are no sweat to you, you may drive that truck and may god have mercy on all of our souls.

6. Hide your crazy from your friends. You beat on the door of your ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend's house in the middle of the night. You might have said he had syphilis (not true). And you might have let on that you were pregnant (also untrue?). Do not hide these tales from your friends. Re-telling the story while someone laughs at the situation makes you feel like you're not crazy, you're just reeeeaaally funny! And then they'll start spilling their own crazy confessions! Suddenly, you don't feel so alone anymore! We're all crazy!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

This is not a phase

It began with a 1966 Ford F-150: sea foam green, rustic but running. I hated that truck when I was younger, freshman in high school. I was embarrassed to say the least. By graduation, I didn’t care what everyone else thought - about anything. I saw that truck and saw potential. I loved that my dad kept it running by whatever means necessary. I loved that the radio was still there, knobs and numbers, but got no reception whatsoever. Everything inside was original, except he made it a standard. When I mean everything, I mean everything! The seal on the windows, the seat, and the door handles, the mirrors, the engine! Have you ever seen the engine of a classic truck? Well, you could see the ground straight through, unlike today’s vehicles. I would have loved to see that truck restored and on the road with my dad driving it. I tried once, ordered us a parts magazine: LMC Truck. They have everything I could imagine!
Knobs, seals, decals! I enjoyed the times when my dad would work on his truck and I would be nosy and watch to learn. He would shoo me away, stubborn as I am, I stayed.


Next in the family: a 1956 Chevy, dark blue. I never saw it running, for it was sold before restorations were made to it. That classic had potential as well; it was never given a chance.

I’ve been to many classic car shows since those days and it makes me want to restore one of my own more and more. When I get my chance, I would keep it simple, clean, classic. No CD players inside, no fancy air conditioning (if it never had it), no low-rider status. I want to keep the vehicle as it was in its heyday. Then, I want to drive around in it on the weekends and cruise the town with Benny and his friends in tow. Maybe even drop him off at school in it. Dreams!

Have you even seen the movie: CARS? If you have kids, you probably have. It’s a great movie; make sure to watch the bonus material. This is the scene that I love.


Here are a few shots of the latest classic car show I went to:




I don't agree with the wheel choice on this one so much...


reminds me of the one on Beetlejuice!


Driving Benny around in this one, with his friends!



In my driveway,one day!







notice the "air conditioner" love!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Another Edition of DIY Di

Its time to let you guys see another one of my fave DIY loves! This little project was one of the first homemade fixtures I completed when we moved into our place. It has MADE my little sunroom into a little piece of heaven. It’s a place we can relax and read our books to find more great ideas and inspiration!! It provides a soothing place to sit back and listen to our music to unwind from the day. Its OUR little room.
The project was brought to us by the Salvage Sisters' awesome book! My fiancĂ© found them while we lived in the apartments, and bought the book for me to gather inspirational ideas (he’s sweet like that). Once we turned to page 66, we knew it had to belong in our soon-to-be new home. 

So off we went to find some of these:

I found these on the side of the road! I love love love curb-side shopping!!!! Don’t be a judger!

And turn them into this:
you can use it to store all sorts of stuff! we decided to use ours as a book shelf but you can store your knick-knacks, plants, vases, records, dvds - anything!

Supplies are super easy to find, and fast to assemble. Do yourself a favor and go buy this book if you love the idea as much as we do! These ladies are so creative and, throughout their book, they share many of their DIY projects. What I loved about them the most was that they love curb-side shopping as much as I do! They have such an eye for designing with found/FREE stuff! So next time - before you throw away that dresser/curtain/chair/table/anything - take a good long look at it and imagine a new beginning!

they provide step-by-step guidance on how to build your new shelves and have many more DIY inspirations too!

My apologies about not providing pics over the process, but we built it on a late night, and completely forgot to capture the awesomeness! OK, OK... when I say "we" I mean the fiancé with the man power tools in hand and me directing and designing it.

We plan on and can continue adding on if space is needed. That's another reason why this project is so awesome! So if you guys have drawers that need a home, I am adopting!
I love our room!
go ahead...you know you want to....love and admire!

Now go home and build something out of nothing!!!! Restore and reuse people! And please, please, let this girl know if you run into something awesome to DIY... I'm always looking for the design high!

-this girl (DIY DI!)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Getting ready for the holidays!


I'm really excited about all the upcoming holidays! I love the smell of fall. You get to burn pumpkin spice candles, and set up all your decorations. I found these really cute lights at Target - they are mummy lights. I'm definitely going to get those. Also, the pumpkin patch at the farmers market will be setting up soon. I can't wait to get Ari's first pumpkin!

Halloween is the first to come, and Ari's costume is on its way (thanks, Di)! Every year we go to my mother-in-law's house and pass out candy. That is the place to be on that particular day. Hundreds of kids come out to trick-or-treat. It's so much fun to see all the different costumes. Some are very creative! We just have to make sure to be prepared for all the traffic. It seriously gets crazy!!!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Ladies, This Is an Intervention

Ladies. Ladies. Ladies.

Wear a gosh darn bra that fits. Y'all are driving me crazy when y'all walk around with sagging boobs, "wide" boobs, or spillage at the top/sides of the bra. I know y'all spend enough time in the mirror to catch these blunders. You girls at the club are the worst... maybe you think you're cute struttin' your stuff to Drake in your little leopard-print strapless, but girl,your rack... that strapless bra is doing you no favors, and your boobs are down to your belly button. Hell. No. Ain't no boy buying you a drink that night.

But I can help you.

First, you need to accept your bra size. Whether you think you're too big, or too small, it is what it is and you need to own it. I like to ask people their bra sizes because I'm nosy. Some of y'all straight up claim a C-cup when it's evident that your breasts are larger than two toddler heads. Not only do you lie to me, but you lie to yourself when you buy a 34C bra. You're looking a hot mess because you don't want to face that you're a 36DD. Skinny little straps make you sag. Wearing smaller cups because you think they lift is non-sense, because now you're spilling. And only smaller-busted people can get away with a strapless and avoid sagging (sorry to crush your dreams). None of that is cute, or flattering.

Secondly, fork over the money. Bras should be pretty and bras should do their job. Always. Cheap bras usually only have the cuteness down, so you're going to have to pay a little more to look sexy and have support. But the beauty of this is that you never need to pay full-price for a good bra. Money shouldn't be an issue when there are sales galore at department stores, and especially online. A bra is an investment.

Lastly, quit being lazy. You need to go get yourself measured. Department stores and Victoria's Secret do it for free. Those ladies are so nice and have soft hands and mousy voices and they're your fitting room slaves. Try bras on. And know that it takes time to find The One. Don't settle on a bra that is not cute or not supportive. Keep looking for a perfect match for yourself - there's a bra for everyone. And you'll fall in love when you find it. The whole universe aligns and it's magic. Promise.

So there's my rant! Give in, ladies. Ill-fitting bras make you look "unsmooth" and actually make you look bigger than you are. You don't want that, do you? Then invest in a great brassiere - there are few greater joys. It will make you feel more confident and comfortable, and I swear your clothes will look better. Let's do our amazing bodies some justice and wear only things that compliment us. And then shake it in the club, you little vixen.

Resources:

Lululemon sports bras for the busty gals. You need one of these.

Figleaves is bra paradise. And underwear paradise. And swimwear paradise. I want a gift card for my birthday. Please? Thanks.

Oprah is passionate about bras that fit. Here. Here. And here.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Going Back to Pre-K!

I have to go back to Pre-Kinder! I started a new job last week as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher's aide! Back to blocks, and ABC's and 123's! I love it! I love the way kids look at me with big eyes. They think I have all the answers and know how to do it all. Most of all, I love the way they say my name, Mrs. Gonalez, as Mrs. Gonalez (somehow they lose the Z).

I've noticed a few things being a Pre-K TA. A big one is not being able to wear heels! I have to wear comfortable clothing and lots of cotton, as I do a lot of dancing and walking around!


Also, a lot of the kids have accidents... lots of 'em. Potty accidents are the worst kind. And they love to put everything in their mouths! Glue, paste, crayons, paint, and play-doh are all materials of choice. A few other things I've noticed: they love to color and do puzzles.

Now you guys know how I love to compile lists, so I've compiled a list to help you with your own little one starting Pre-K:

  • First: potty train them! Kids have way too many accidents at school.
  • Read to your child! The more kids are read to, the better they will understand letters.
  • Let them color at home! Buy them crayons and coloring books. It develops motor skills.
  • Most importantly: let them learn. A lot of times I see parents trying to baby their 4-year-olds! They can do more than you think.
  • And lastly: be careful what your kids hear/see. They repeat it all at school! Things like "my dad works at night 'cause he's a robber!" or "I'm peeing outside 'cause that's what my dad taught me to do."
    Hopefully I'll survive the year at Pre-K!

    Monday, October 3, 2011

    Meddlesome Mondays

    Blushing Dames was on a little hiatus last week... we've been busy gals. But worry not, our dear readers, because we'll be back soon with more posts. Hang tight!


    Check out some pretty/inspiring/cool things I found for you to peep!

    Hey, you. Dude. In skinny jeans. Make sure the jeans fit. The jeans. Make sure they fit. And other guidelines for menswear.

    Move. Eat. Learn. 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38,000 miles, and 1 hot guy. Check out these amazing videos. The filming is amazing. I'm wanderlusting like a motha!

    Hair, skin, and make-up tips for women and men.

    Quick! Take me somewhere fancy so I can wear this gown.

    Alyson Fox is one talented lady. Aside from her gorgeous artwork (just gets better the more you scroll), she also photographs. She's releasing a new book, A Shade of Red, containing portraits of more than 100 women with only a single shade of red lipstick linking them together. Lovely.

    And your game-plan to make it through the week? Simply.