Love Me Some Family Time and Sopapillas

My family found a restaurant that serves New Mexican style food.  Parents got to eat there and loved it.  Then my sister found it and got to eat there.....and loved it.  So finally, this summer my sister and mom took me....and I loved it.

However, my mom's sopapillas are better.

Shower Power

I had the opportunity of a lifetime.  I got to look for a shower design, pick out materials, and watch this vision turn into reality.  Expensive, but amazing.

I found this bathroom design.   I loved the different tile colors and that it looked like wood.

Found the tiles I liked and went home to design the pattern on my computer.

Went back to the tile place to order the tile and floor tile.  I also found out the sales lady had gone home and drew a map to help her figure out the square footage of each tile.  So sweet.

Next the contractor needed to start building and framing.

I still need fixtures and a glass wall.  But I have to pinch myself every time I see this work of art that I created.  It's so pretty I don't know if I even want to take a shower in it......but cleanliness over impracticality will win any day of the week.  Luckily, I will have a soaking tub also put in....so I can soak while drinking in the beauty of my creation.  I will need to soak all my worries away once I pay the contractor's bill.

Makeup Tutorial

I got in a little phase of watching makeup tutorials.  I find it fascinating how these people are able to transform themselves and their bone structure.  And, I thought it would be fun to do this with my sister (Mom chickened out).
Made a trip to Ross.....because who doesn't like to spend money but feel like you saved money at the same time.
Then we sent my Sabrina off to her first dance....very exciting.  My sister and I got out the computer, poured our makeup on the counter, and laughed through our first makeup tutorial.

Before makeup......

Yikes.....after Makeup!

 I don't think I changed any visual look to my bone structure.  But definitely made my eyes and lips so dramatic that it over powers any chance of someone trying to see my bone structure.

 A little snap chat to soften the drastic change.

I can't wait till my Sobrina comes over to play with my makeup and dress up in my clothes; like I did with my Aunts.  Wonderful memories.

Eating Around the World....(on a budget)

I love trying new places to eat.  Especially, with my Sobrinos.  They are coming into their own and expressing their dreams of future adventures.  So I see it as my Aunt Duty to foster these dreams and help them build  a pathway so they can chase after those adventures.

It also helped that their parents went away for a week and I was left in charge of activities!


French Bakery because my Sobrina wants to go to Paris.

Italian pizza

 Cubanos, Empanadas, Aquas Frescas, Street tacos

Pandaria......Yo Yo pastery are my favorites!

Thai food...in a PINEAPPLE!

Sushi......because my Sobrino wants to go to Japan.

Belgian waffles

American cook out....Fried chicken and Lays potato chips.

Until the next time your parents leave me in charge for a week!  The Tía train is always ready for the next adventure.   I'm still waiting to try some camel's milk chocolate.......

Summer of Deals!

Not only did my mom find me chairs but also Mexican dishes.  I love her dishes from Mexico.  Ken Edwards.  Hard to find when you are so far away from Mexico.  I thought these were going to be a little too busy for me...but for $100 and never used.....I am happy as a clam.

 Love how Ken Edwards makes animal designs on the bottom of his dishes.

 Birds are precious....  Do I have a hidden obsession with birds?

What a Find!

Mom found me some Hitchcock chairs!  Unusual because these have a cushioned bottom.  Made in the 80's, they were originally made with velvet bottoms.  I went with a more modern look.  And a deal.

And you can see why they were a great deal.....dirty and outdated.

 Well, I splurged on the fabric, since I was doing the upholstering the chairs with my mom.

I still like my mom's chairs better.  But these will do in the meantime.

Love snuggling with this purrrrring princess

Love it when I get to house sit this affectionate feline.

 She is like.....please don't go....

 I'm going to sit on you so you can't move......

 Wait......What's that?  They're home?  Yay!!!!  See you later!

Remodel......or Breaking The Bank

I have learned a lot in this remodel.....over communicate the budget.  But in about a week I will finally have a closet that is over due by 4 years.

However, we need to start at the beginning.  My kitchen.  In May, my sister decided to redo her kitchen and get a new countertop.....well as you can see from the pictures below....my Formica wasn't cutting it for me.  And I couldn't let my sister get a deal on a countertop before me.  

 Couldn't stand the color of the walls either.

 The inspector posing for his photo-op.....

 The kitchen sink was in bad shape.

 In such a bad shape I had to double bag it in a Hazardous waste contain when taking it to the dump!

 I was so mad!!!!!!!!!!

So mom and I went where she got her countertop, because that is how we roll.......keep it in the family.

It was a great deal.  But if I'm going to get new countertops then I'll need a new sink, backsplash....and a good paint job on the cabinets..........because remember; I'm suppose to be getting a CLOSET!!!

 Dad had to build a support system for the sink.  And a support system for the cabinets I took out. 

 I had to sand all the oil based yellowed paint that was on the cabinets and put fresh paint on.  I'm still cleaning the dust.

I cut this one all by myself!!!!  And look at all the different colors on the back wall.

Took off the doors because I wanted to show off all my family heirloom dishes!

Plus, I couldn't afford new cabinets; I would like to get doors with glass in the middle.

Putting in the sink!

 Filling in the one seam.

Then it was down to knobs and lace curtains.

 Pulling the curtains back with pins my uncle found in a dumpster.

Backsplash....

And I love the change!