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 fiancé 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!)

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!!!!

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.

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!

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.

Point, Click, don't delete!

A disposable, one-time-use Kodak camera in 1998 turned into an iPod in 2011. Remember when Eckerd would sell their re-usable cameras? Those were a hit for a period of time. Remember when Polaroid’s instant film was still sold in stores? Yeah, that was back in the day, too.

When I was in high school, I took a photography class – a memorable photography class. It wasn’t much; nothing fancy. No state-of-the-art dark room, but it did what we wanted. I took some photos and developed them myself. I gained some friends and learned some things, but that was that. Through those years, my friends and I would take an endless amount of photographs… ENDLESS. We were obsessed with capturing everything we did, no matter what it was. To this day, I photograph the most random things. Time flies and shoe boxes fill up. I have roughly 10 shoeboxes full of photos, memories, thoughts, people I love and some I don’t know anymore, times of when things were for the young, for the careless and carefree – a photograph can capture those images… those feelings. I love to photograph what I feel is special to me. An event? A wound? A drawing? A movement, a gesture? Sure, I’ll take it. My older sister let me borrow (then have) her old 35mm manual SLR camera. I think the lens was 80mm. It’s broken now (no thanks to someone who shall remain nameless!). That was my camera of choice. It went with me to Austin, TX and back, S.L.P., Mexico and back, and then it retired, as was the film those photos were burned onto. Film, where are you? Come back to me at a decent price. Thanks.

Fast forward a decade or so. I’m still here, doing what I did a decade ago: taking pictures of things that interest me, and people I love and care about. Nothing will change that about me. I love pictures, photographs, encapsulating those special moments that our brains can only hold so much of into a little square-digital these days, but a square on the screen nonetheless. Sure there are benefits of this digital age… just don’t hit delete by accident or forget to back-up your precious memories.

I wish there were a way I could upload those 5K plus photos I have in those shoeboxes, but I don’t think I can live long enough to do it. Maybe when I retire, too, but by then I would have more than I could handle… that’s a good thing.

My little gadget has helped me while being on-the-go and taking a quick flick at a moment’s notice. I love it. Being a mother, I need a camera at my fingertips at all times. Little boo can surprise me when I least expect it and I need to be ready for it.

You, too, shouldn’t let any moment pass you by.

miT and me,guitarist for 311!! back of Bronco Bowl, 2001...

My eldest niece, Natalie, 2006...

T.N., S.L.P., MX 2006...one of the best trips I've been taken on...

Emily and I...2006...I was still in shock after announcing our newest addition...daddy in the background

boo has grown up in art galleries all his life, yes ALL....in utero, 2007...

fun in the summer...2011

Boo's POV...taking photos is in his blood...2011

be quiet and drive...2011

A Dream....

Overslept! Bahhhh! That’s what happens when you are a vampire and your body refuses to see the light of day. Lately, this schedule has been taking such a toll on my body that I just don’t feel normal anymore. Things must change, but more on that some other day. For now, my apologies for the lateness of this post.

The topic of today….. my dream.

Some of the best times during my crazy days are spent in the shower. That is where I find my stage and become that star. Once upon a time, I had these dreams to sing but never had enough confidence or courage to do so. I loved the idea of bringing happiness to people through music and having all sorts of awesome clothes! I went from being an indie wanna-be singer to a rock en español wanna-be - I even thought about opera! It was the stage that I yearned for, and at the same time dreaded! I remember spending hours of my day just writing and listening to my fav songs to gather inspiration. Then I would hit the shower and test them out. Emo style! I loved surrounding myself with music, so I followed local bands around and stuck by one for a long time… shout out to KILOMETRO! They were living my dream, so I tagged along living vicariously through them. After jam sessions, I would linger around in hopes that I could grab that mic... and one day I did.

I had a little over 5 songs written out and recorded about 3 that I can recall. I loved every minute in the studio where I was finally able to come out of the shower. Thanks to the help of my friend with his mad instrument skills and only fellow band member, Auggie, I was able to live a dream that I had dreamt for many years. I never went as far as hitting the stage but, for me, having my songs recorded was enough.

As time went on, new dreams arose and I placed this one back in its location. After all, I knew that chasing this dream was going to bring many years of struggle, and I had bigger things to catch. I do often wonder what if I would have just stepped a little more into it, but I remember why I made my decision to leave it and I smile.

Well, I shall take off now. My iPhone is on the dock and I hear my audience calling behind all the water drops. I must hit the stage!

Yeah I sing in the shower!!! So what? It's my dream.

-this girl, di

Meddlesome Mondays

 

From Sylvia, to you:

This is one of my many-visited cooking sites.

When I become a nurse, this is where I want to provide my skills.


From Ana, to you:

First, join Sole Society for free!

Then check out all the shoes and newly-added boots Sole Society has to offer this month.


From Linda, to you:

I think I want to make a similar colorblock skirt.

Look at these dreamy dresses, sleek hair, and red lipstick. Love!

Tell your ego to shut it.  

What Next?

I've been thinking about what I want my next series of paintings to look like. Lately, I've been working with fabric more than usual. Now I'm thinking why not try something new? I saw some of my old paintings at my cousin's house, and that's when it hit me: why not go back and try some of the techniques I tried when I was in undergrad? My paintings had so much meaning back then. They were much more colorful and abstract. I want to experiment and make a body of work that is out of my norm. Also, I would like to go to larger scale. Most of my work has been small, but I feel it's time for me to go big!

I want to make some new paintings because I would like to build my body of work for grad school. I finally decided that it's time for me to go back to school. I'm not going to apply right away because I want to make some new work for my application. Maybe by next year I will be ready to start applying. I guess it's time for me to hit the studio. I'm glad the weather is going to change because that means the studio will be nice and fresh!

This is some of my new work. The medium is all fabric.

Running: Love/Hate

Me and Running? We have a love/hate relationship. Our affair was off to a great start in 2008, when Running and I were first introduced. Those were some good times - probably our best times. I would bear the 100-degree heat just to see him. And there were benefits to spending so much time with Running: he made my legs more shapely and my waist looked amazing in a pencil skirt. I was on a high every time we saw each other. We were inseparable. I was in love.

Sadly, after a couple of years, Running and I broke up. I started having an intense affair with school, and he wasn't too happy about that. Something about me not making time for him. We did the exchanging of things: he returned my love-handles, and I gave him back the calf muscles he gifted me.

Without Running in my life, I became moody and listless... I missed him. I tried to get back together with him, but he wasn't having it. With so much time apart, we were no longer in sync. I'd go full-throttle and give it my all, but he'd just wear me out. And gosh, Running is so needy! If I didn't see him a few times a week, our relationship got rocky. We fought every time we hung out. I wanted to give up; I hated Running.

But somehow, we're still together. I know he'll make me feel guilty if I skip our dates, so I do my best to show up. There are days when I dread seeing him. Sometimes we'll be hanging out, and I just wanna go home. But we finish doing what we're doing, and I'm happy. The rest of my day is all smiles, and I wonder when I'm gonna see him again. I keep coming back for more. Me and Running? We're back together. I'm in love.

Now, here are some pearls of wisdom I've learned over the course of our relationship:

1. Make the most bad-ass running playlist, and update it often. Anything upbeat will do the trick. Sing. And don't forget your headphones.

2. Breathe through your nose, and make your belly puffy with air when you inhale. Make your stomach tight when you exhale. This takes practice.

3. Shades. Sunscreen. Chapstick. A quality sports bra. Water. These are non-negotiable. Trust.

4. Nike+ keeps things interesting. For me, tracking the pace, mileage, and time of my runs is motivation. You can see your progress, and even challenge friends.

5. Speaking of friends: invite them. You don't need to run side-by-side, but at least show up together to hold each other accountable.

6. Replace your running shoes every 6 months or 300-500 miles! Not doing so causes shin splints, and prevents you from performing your best. I like these. And tie your shoes right!

7. Eat food for energy. I like apples or bananas with peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs, or chicken. Also, coffee helps. Let your food go down, lest you collapse from a stomach ache mid-run.

8. Stretch. Now this is up for debate: I say don't stretch a cold muscle, so I stretch after a run (I warm-up by walking first). But others think it's best to stretch before a run. I'm no expert, so do as you please.

9. Don't start off running all fast like a bat out of hell, only to burn out and quit. Pace yourself. You can even do intervals of walking/sprinting. With time, you'll build speed and endurance. Patience, my little darlings. Patience.

10. It's all mind-control. Challenge yourself by going a certain distance, even if you're tired. Keep your mind on your breathing and scenery, not on how hard it is. With running, you have to tune out. That's why it's the greatest stress-reliever.

11. Make time for running and keep going. If you miss a few days, start up again. Just do the damn thang.

So there you have it, folks! If you have any tips, or would like to dish on your running/workout process, I'd love to hear! Take it to the comments section! Happy running!