Let's get Organized! Ideas {From the Archives}

How about a little round-up of past ideas I have shared on organizing around the home?

In the kids room:

Use vintage suitcases to keep all that fun dress-up organized.

Organize your kids Lego manuals.

In the craftroom:

Empty toilet paper rolls, perfect to organize lace and trims

Make an inspirational cork board using an old frame.

Keep those precious vintage laces and trims tidy in a vintage travel case.

In the office:

Make a weekly color-coded family calendar!

In the bathroom:

Use empty candle jars to organize your make-up.

I'll admit, since we are in this temporary apartment,  I haven't been doing any major organizing, but I do find myself constantly organizing bits and pieces here and there.  

Have fun organizing!

Epic: Review and Giveaway

I did not received any compensation aside from a copy of the movie for review purposes.  All words and opinions are my own. 

Yes, oh yes, do I have a nice little giveaway for you, but before that let me update you a bit on what has been going on around here.

We moved.  Yes, we are officially residents of Texas.  We are still trying to sell our lovely home in VA, (crossing fingers!) and unpacking like crazy.  Unpacking can seem like such an unending task, especially moving from such a large home/property to an apartment (our temporary home until we find the house of our dreams.)  So you can just imagine how crazy our lives have been, that and getting the kids ready for school and making sure they are safe.  (More on that later.)  The important thing is that they started school Monday and they are loving it.  I'm still a bit nervous, but I know the school (and us) have done everything possible to keep my little guy safe from having any anaphalactic reactions to food that may harm him. 

So on to that review shall we.

Have you seen the movie Epic yet?  Oh boy, we did when it first came out in theaters and the kids and I loved it!  And then again before the release of the movie on DVD/Blue Ray.  We fell in love with it all over again! 

 Epic Trailer

It's the perfect family movie.  There's plenty of action for the boys in the family, silliness to keep you laughing, and a whole lot of awesome girl power.  I like it when females are portrayed as strong and independent.  Which is the case of the main character, the forest Queen, and the young flower.  All portrayed strong willed, yet feminine.  If you look closely at some of the battle scenes you can also see some female warriors (now that is cool!  Not that I like war or anything of the sort.  But the truth is there are women warriors.  Just think of our military.)  Exactly the types of movies I like to show my kids.  I also like that, although it is a fantasy, the ending is a bit unexpected (and somewhat realistic.)   

Needless to say you need to get your hands on that movie!

What was that?  What about that giveaway?  Well, that's right.  If you would like to win a DVD/Blue Ray combo courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment, leave a comment telling me what values do you instill in your child to raise her to be a strong independent female and if you have a boy to teach them to respect females? That's it! One comment please.  Make sure to include your name and an email address where I can contact you with.  Giveaway closes on Friday midnight.  Winner will be announced Monday Morning.

On the meantime how about a fun games for your little one?

Epic Bird Race (who can make the fastest folding bird?)

Can You Match That (Epic matching game)

Good luck!

Sidewalk Chalk Paint (Kids Craft for Modern Mami)

 Well Hello there!

I've been such a stranger, haven't I?

This summer my goal was to try to keep up with the posting of this lovely space of mine and the move at the same time.  As you can see, ahem, it hasn't been possible.  We're moving you ask?  Well, yes.  As of August we will no longer be Virginians, but instead Texans.  Exiting and sad all at the same time yes.  We'll be closer to my family which is why we decided to go for this move in the first place, but sad (so very sad) to leave such wonderful friends, and part of hubby's family, behind.  Truth be told we love it here, I love it here!  But nothing beats being closer to family, don't you agree?  Anyway, I will try to stop by here every so often to keep you updated or if you want a more sudden gratification (*wink*) you can follow me on Instagram (@lisarenata).  

Now for that kids craft.

I'm over at Modern Mami sharing a super duper easy (not exaggerating really) recipe to make sidewalk chalk paint.  Oh, I can't believe we hadn't done this before.  The kids love it and the best part it's all non toxic. 

So what are you waiting for?  Go on over and make your own.  The kids will LOVE ya for it.

Happy sunny days!

Pom Pom Friends (Kids Craft)

(Para español hacer click aqui.)

Oh it's a rainy day.  

The skies are covered in clouds.  The drip drip drip sound everywhere.  Happy trees and happy plants (and happy me...the pollen is being washed away.) But lots of rain also means that little ones are stuck in doors.  

Yes, it is the kind of day where lots of crafting goes on around here.  

The kind of days where the craft closet opens and closes a gazillion times.  The kind of day where the craft room gets messier than the usual.  The kind of day where creativity (sometimes with Mami's help) floats through the air.

So I  thought what better than to share a fun and easy craft to keep your little one's hands busy on such a day.

I remember making these as a child.  Do you?  No?  Well, here you go then.

What you need:

*Pom Pom balls
*Felt 
*Feathers
*googly eyes
*glue
*scissors

How to make:

Begin by cutting small hearts out of the felt.  This will become the base (feet) of the pom pom friends.  Then glue the base on to the bottom of the pompom.  Next, glue the googly eyes and finally add a little touch with a feather on top, or make a cute little hat out of felt.  That's it!  Didn't I tell you it was easy?!

Make one.

Or make a whole lot of friends!

What ever you choose have fun with it.  My little ones after making a lot of them decided to also make them a home out of old shoe boxes, and furniture out of recycled materials. 

It would also be a sweet mother's day gift.  Have them create out of pom poms  each member of the family, place them on top of a stand (or in a jar upside down) and write sweet words to mom.  I'm sure she would love it! 

Happy Crafting!

Christmas Inspiration: Tutorials & Crafts ♥ Inspiracion Navideña: Tutoriales y Manualidades

I'm sure you are wondering what happened to me.  I've been gone from this oh so lovely space of mine since October.  That's a pretty darn long time, isn't it?  Well, I haven't been...well.  Which is why as much as I love this space of mine I have been in a great need of a break and healing.  I don't know when I will fully be back on track to share with you crafting goodness, but do know that while I am gone I will be missing you all dearly.  

Me imagino que han de estar pensando que mentados a pasado con migo, pues he estado lejos de este mi lindo espacio desde Octubre.  Mucho tiempo ¿No  crees? Les cuento que...no me he sentido bien.  Por lo cual me he mantenido lejos de este querido espacio.  No se cuando regresare para poder compartir con ustedes mas manualidades y creatividad, pero se que por el momento necesito descansar y recuperarme.  Sepan que durante mi ausencia los extrañare mucho.

For now I leave you with a little round up of Holiday ideas & tutorials I've shared in the past.  I hope it helps you get inspired to be a little creative this Christmas.

Por lo tanto hoy los dejo con una lista de manualidades navideñas que he compartido con ustedes en mi blog.  Espero te inspire a crear un poco esta Navidad.

GET INSPIRED  ♥ INSPIRA TE

 Get you're little ones crafting with this Cotton Ball Wreath ♥ Inspira a tus pequeños a crear esta Coronita de algodon:

Make your own Wooden Traveling Nativity ♥ Has tu propio Nacimento de Madera:

Felt Dove ornament ♥ Paloma de feltro un adorno Navideño:

Advent Calendar Tutorial....It's never too late to start one ♥ Nunca es muy tarde para empezar un Calendario de Adviento:
 

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and magical Holiday season.

Deseándote a ti y a tus seres queridos unos días festivos llenos de bendiciones y magia.

Girl Power: Raising Her With Confidence ♥ Poder de Mujer: Creando a mi Niña Segura de Si Misma

I have a four year old.  She's beautiful, she's smart, she's daring, silly, and full of energy. She's sensitive and stubborn.  Loving and caring.  She's confident, but shy at times. She is this and so much more.  She's my four year old and my responsibility.  

Tengo una pequeña de cuatro añitos.  Es inteligente, valiente, chistosa,  y llena de energía.  También es sensible y necia.  Amorosa y cariñosa.  Es segura de si misma, pero de ves en cuando tímida.  Es esto y mucho mas.  Es mi pequeña de cuatro añitos y mi responsabilidad.

It is up to me to show her that:

De mi depende enseñarle:

She can be a fairy if is she wants to...

 Que puede ser un hada si quiere...

Or a super hero, why not?

También un super héroe, ¿Por que no?

She can be anything she wants to, as long as she is happy. As happy as can be.

Puede ser lo que ella desee, siempre y cuando sea feliz.  Feliz como lombriz.

But mainly what I want is for her to see...

Pero lo que yo mas quiero es que ella vea...

That being herself is the best thing she can ever be.  To love herself and respect herself.  To see that what counts is not what you see, but what's inside that shines through.  To remember that being beautiful on the outside is not as important as being beautiful on the inside. 

Que ser ella misma es lo mejor que puede ser.  Que se ame y se respete a si misma.  Que vea que lo que cuenta no es lo que vemos por fuera, si no lo que brilla por dentro.  Y que recuerde que ser bella por fuera no es tan importante, como ser bella por dentro. 

And no matter how old she gets...

Y no importa que tan grande este...

 

My baby she'll always be.  

Mi bebe siempre va a ser.

And no matter what path she chooses to take, what role she chooses to play, what life she chooses to live, I will always always be there for her and love her no matter what. 

Y no importa que camino escoja, que rol escoja actuar, que vida escoja vivir, yo siempre siempre estaré ahí para ella y siempre la amare.  

It is up to me as her mother, her role model, her friend, to teach her all this and more.  To listen, to advice, but most importantly to be an example.  So she can grow up to be the confident, daring and loving girl she now is.

De mi depende como madre, ser su modelo principal, su amiga.  De enseñarle todo esto y mucho mas.  De escucharla, aconsejarla, pero mas que nada de ser un ejemplo para ella.  Para que así ella llegue a ser una mujer segura, cariñosa y amorosa, tal y como lo es ahorita de niña.

What about you? What are you doing to raise your little girl to be confident and strong? 

¿Que tal tu? ¿Que estas haciendo para crear a una hija segura de si misma?    

Did you know that Dove believes beauty should be a source of confidence, not anxiety?  They are committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential.

¿Sabias tu que Dove cree en un mundo en el que la belleza debe ser una fuente de seguridad y confianza, no de ansiedad?  Dove se compromete a inspirar a todas las mujeres y niñas a que logren todo su potencial.

If you would like to start the conversation you can follow #DoveIspired on Twitter, Vive Mejor on Facebook and/or ViveMejor.com.

Si te gustas empezar la conversación puedes seguir #DoveIspired en Twitter, Vive Mejor en Facebook y/o ViveMejor.Com.

This post is compensated and in collaboration with Dove and Latina Bloggers Connect. 

Este post fue compensado en colaboración con Dove y Latina Bloggers Connect.

Love Notes For My Little Guy

When he opens his lunch box the first thing I want for him to see is a love note from me.  Sometimes I write a word here and there, other times I simply draw him a picture.  I don't do it every day, but often enough that he expects it.  He likes it.  He says it makes him happy.  I like making him happy.

What I love the most is that he's been collecting every.single.one.of.them.  First he stuck them on his wall.  Lately he's been trying to figure out where to put them (they only stick to the wall for so long.)  I suggested he could put them in a mini photo album, but he didn't seem to keen on the idea.  

Any suggestions?

Happy Monday!

 

Trastesitos

Did you have any trastesitos de barro when you were little?  These were mine.  I took them out for them to play with the other day.  They loved them. 

Looking at them brought back so many beautiful memories.

Memories of my carefree childhood days.  Memories of my abuelita, Mama Lisa (because she considered her self too young to be called abuela.)  Memories of warm summer days spent by the beach tasting the sweet warm salt in the air.  Memories of Christmases filled with piñatas, villancicos, ponche and lots of familia.  Memories of a younger sister and I, dressed alike pretending to be twins (she's a fair skin redhead, I'm not.)  Memories of tias and tios, primas and primos.  Memories of long trips across the Mexican country side and the clickity clack sound of a train rocking me to sleep.  Memories.  Beautiful, wonderful, memories that I don't ever want to forget.

Happy Thursday.  May your memories live on.

It's Crazy Around Here!

Oh yes indeed!  The full time crafting craze has begun.  Last year my friend Noelle and I decided to give it a try and sell our creations at local craft shows.  We liked it, it went well.  So this year we signed up for many, many more. 

My original plan was to craft through out the year, that way come fall I would have a nice selection of items to sell.  A stress free life, no worries about getting everything done weeks before the show.  REALITY CHECK!  Though I did craft a bit here and there, there is no way near enough merchandise ready for my firs craft show of the year (which just so happens to be in two weeks!)  Yes, so here I am crafting away.  Cutting, sewing, cutting and sewing some more.  Gluing and labeling.  All fun, but definitely keeping me busier than busy. 

My life.

Always running around,

Always doing.

I wouldn't change  it one bit.

That is just who I am.

And I embrace it just the same.

Me.

While keeping myself busy so has my super fairy chiquita.  Now that her brother is in back in school  you will often find her in the craft room by my side working on her own little projects.  I don't guide her, I let her be.  She never seizes to amaze me.  I love seeing what she'll come up with. 

My chiquito too.  Look at all those wool felt scraps, I mean, pasta in the making? 

May your week be filled with fun busy days.

Now I better get back to work!