Dating My Husband Diaries-Perfect Gift

My husband and I have been together for over 10 years now.  We are thankful everyday to have found each other.  Dating my husband has never been hard.  But buying him gifts, now that is another story.

Thanks to TheBroBasket sending sample product for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I have a great husband who loves to surprise and buy me things for no special reason.  He always finds the perfect gifts.  He buys me things I never would have bought myself that I find I cannot live without.  When we first started dating I always got him the perfect gifts.  I think I have lost my touch, though.  I have a couple of gift fails under my belt.  I like to get everyone the perfect gifts.  But what do you get the guy who has everything?

TheBroBasket is the perfect gift for any guy in your life.  My hubby does not like chocolate, he is not into the mushy stuff, and I'm tired of wasting my money on gift fails.  TheBroBasket has a variety of guy-friendly gift baskets like Viva Tequila, The Junk Foodie Party Package, The Cali Craft Beer Sampler and A Bite of Bourbon.  What guy would not want this delivered to them?

You can create custom baskets where you choose all the cool stuff you want in your guy's BroBasket and make it one awesome drinkable arrangement.  From whiskey samplers, craft beer, fine wines and all kinds of snacks, TheBroBasket is sure to please. There are lots of non-alcohol baskets to choose from too! and its breezy online shopping experience means no more stress at the mall!  Especially if you are busy and can't get away.  This gift is perfect for birthdays or for no reason at all.  Make your guy's day, any day of the week by sending him a surprise to his door.

Got a golfer in your life, check out the Golfer Gift BroBox.  Fitness buff no worries, the Fitness BroBox is perfect for them.  The College Care BroBox is perfectly filled with yummy snacks.  There are several options that are reasonably priced and under $50.

Cinderella Birthday Party

I am a little late with sharing my daughter's birthday day from December but I have to share.  I love how everything came together.  The day was magical and my daughter was so happy.  My daughter was not even one when I decided that her 5th birthday party theme would be Cinderella.  I want it to be magical.  Years ago when my son was five a mom was sharing her birthday party plans for her daughter with me.  She said in Mexican tradition they celebrate their daughter's at age 5 by throwing them a huge birthday party like a Quinceañera but it is called a Cincociera.  I was sold.  If I ever had a daughter, she was going to have one.  Years went by and I finally had my baby girl.  If you don't remember I call her my miracle baby because I almost lost her at 15 weeks when I was having a miscarriage.  Each year we celebrate this beautiful gift we received.

For the party decorations, I want to take everyone on a journey of her five years of life.  Flashback of some of our favorite memories we have had throughout the years with our Lil Bit.

Entrance-I had this sign cut out of corrugated.  We spray painted it silver.  We had blue birds cut out as well.  I added blue strips of ribbon for each year she has lived.

The main table had the cake, cake pops, and candy.  I had several candy stations throughout the house for everyone to enjoy.  I made candy centerpieces that everyone got to take home.  I did not even get a change to take a picture of those. 

I used paper flowers for the background, thanks to Joanna from Flores De Madame Mariposa. 

The birthday cake was made by my coworker.  Her cakes are delicious.  All the kids enjoyed the Cinderella cake pops.

We even had a photo booth section for all the guests to take pictures with Cinderella and Prince Charming.  The crown we had cut out and used for a previous birthday party.  We spray painted it gold for this party.  We also cut a carriage out and spray painted it with the theme colors.  It took many coats of glitter to get this affect but it was perfect.  Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with our Princess.

We set up a tent to keep the cold out.  The centerpieces were fabric pumpkins I found at the At Home Store right after Halloween.  They were the perfect color.  I had enough to give each Madrina/Padrino (sponsor).  I also printed pictures of the birthday girl that I put in silver and gold frames that we also gave to family members with thank you cards my daughter had personally signed.  I had big glitter blue bows on the columns of the tent that I got from the dollar store at Christmas time.

Even the piñata was a life-size Cinderella.  It was custom made for my daughter's birthday party.

Our princess loved every part of her birthday party.  She did not want to take her dress off even after the clock stroke midnight.  I think the best gift was daddy being her Prince Charming.

It was a lot of hard work to pull this off.  The vision I had in my head came to life.  And seeing how happy this made her was all the thank you I needed.  This was my gift to her. 

Happy 5th Birthday Lil Bit

Today, we celebrate my Lil Bit's 5th birthday.  How time flies!

To my free spirit,

You keep us on our toes.  Everyday is an adventure with you.  You help us see the world with different eyes.  Time stopped when you were born.  Our lives will never be the same.  And this is why we celebrate you. 

Happy Birthday my sweet princess!

Wordless Wednesday-Indoor Skydiving

Birthday Chalkboard Sign

Remember when I redid my kitchen, Kitchen Makeover  in 2012.  Well doing my chalkboard wall has been the best DIY idea.  It has a great purpose.  I use it for everything.  I use it for notes to the family.  I use it to decorate for parties.  I get good use out of my wall.  And it looks like this is the new trend this year to have chalkboard signs at parties.  So this is the sign I did for my daughter's birthday, today!

The great part about it was that if I messed up, I could start all over.  I personalized it with information about my daughter.  I used colors she likes.  It was the perfect backdrop for her party.  I also cut out a picture to add because I was not about to try and draw a princess.  It turned out great and I really had fun coming up with things to fill up the wall.

Happy 3rd Birthday to our little Princess Lil Bit!

Toddler Photo Shoot with Girls Costumes

***Disclosure-Costume was received for review purposes.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I love dress up time with my daughter.  She loves to pretend she is a princess, and sometimes I don't think she is pretending.  She, like most little girls her age, love to play dress up.  Do you have a little girl or boy who loves to play pretend?  Of course, when playing pretend you need to be in character. 

Costumes can also be used for great photo shoot options for birthdays, holidays, and everyday pictures.  We recently decided to take our daughter to a new play land that has a castle, dragons, and beautiful landscapes to take pictures.  Who would of thought that the play land in the mall would be a perfect place to take pictures of your kids?  When thinking photo shoot, think about just letting your kiddo have fun and you capturing those moments.

-I have learned that with our daughter it is just better to let her do her thing than asking her to pose and smile.

-With any toddler, be prepared for all things going wrong.

-Bring help.  Mamis, papis, big brothers, and sisters can all join in the fun too!  But they can also be a helping hand when needed.

-Don't get frustrated when the shot your are looking for isn't working.  You can always edit the pictures later.  Just keep the camera shooting, one shot might come out great out of all the outtakes.

We let our daughter just run around this play land and I just shot pictures of her all over.  In some pictures there were kids or parents in the way.

-Remember to pick a time that works out good for you, your kid, and the place you will be using.  I thought showing up early would be perfect but this place is popular as it was already full at opening time.

Everyone loved seeing my daughter in her costume at the play land.  No one else was dressed up except for her.  But her costume was so cute and it went with the castle play land.  We have a poised, little girl who loves the camera, dress up, and the attention!

We had not done a photo shoot with our toddler.  It was fun until it was time to go.  She did not want to leave the onsite location.  But who would want to leave a beautiful play land like this one.  Makes pretending to be a princess so much more real than playing at your house.



   

five below is Now in Houston

***Disclosure-I received a gift card.  All opinions stated are my own based on my own experience.

There is a new store in town, five below

located at Memorial City in the Hedwig Village at 9403 Katy Freeway.

They offer a broad range of trendy, high-quality merchandise, all priced at $5 and below, including select brands and licensed merchandise across a number of categories: Style, Room, Sports, Media, Crafts, Party, Candy, and Now (holidays, seasonal goods, etc.).

Beats by Dre headphones? Licensed LEGO movie merchandise? The latest headphones, flip flops, home décor, school supplies, sporting goods, licensed merchandise, yoga mats, beauty accessories, candy and DVDs?  for five dollars or less.

This store has so much.  I was finding so many items I had to have and for only under $5.  My bassket was get fuller and fuller with so many things for the entire family.  Clothes and shoes for $5.  

I like to do candy bar stations and get all creative with parties and this place had so much candy I could work with.  And if you are looking for a birthday present, last minute like many of us, you can run in here grab a bag, tissue, and the present for less than other others.

This is going to be my "IT" store so many good finds.  

Sofia the First Birthday Party

Today is my daughter's birthday.  She turns 2 years old.  Celebrating her life and what a blessings she has been is always fun for me to plan.  But it can get a little stressful when party planning especially when I am too busy.  I have been working like crazy.  I never have been so behind than this year.  Even the year when I was about to give birth to my beautiful baby, I was not this behind.  But my princess in training should not be left out because mommy is too busy. 

So let the party planning begin.  Order party supplies - check

invite guest - check

party time - check

 

Birthday in a Box had everything I need all included.

Sofia The First Deluxe Kit (Serves 8) - Price: $13.21

Kit Includes:

• 8 Sofia the First Cake Plates
• 8 Sofia the First Luncheon Napkins
• 8 Sofia the First 9oz Cups
• 1 Sofia the First Table Cover
• 8 Forks/Spoons/Knives
• 1 Set Candles
• 2 Sets Streamers

 Everything came out great.  The party was a great success.  I loved that my daughter loved all her Sofia the First and everything matched and was coordinated.

 

My Birthday Toga Party

Another year has come and I am turning a year older is all I kept thinking in my head.  Why do we dread turning another year?  I have a lot to be thankful for and celebrating life and all the blessings we have received should be enough for a celebration.  I decided I wanted to celebrate turning another year, my BIG 3-5.  Yeah, most people don't celebrate 35.  But again, I have a lot to celebrate and I love to throw parties.

Picking a theme was not hard at all since I have been wanting to throw a Toga Party since I can remember.  I talked to my hubby and he was on board and said give some instructions and we will go from there.  I told him to leave it all to me, even though it was my birthday I love to party plan.

First you need food.  I decided to go with grapes, breads, cheese, olives, greek/italian/ceasar salads, etc...

For the decorations.  I used some columns, gold, green, and greenery like ivys in gold pots.  I also used the food and drinks for decor.  I bought wine, all kinds of wine, which by the way no one drank.  They said it looked like decorations so no one touched it.  And my sister in law made me this beautiful cake.

But the most important thing I was most worried about was my outfit-my toga.  I didn't know exactly what I wanted to wear but I did want to look like a goddess.  This is the costume I ended up going with:

I loved it.  It was so comfortable.It even came with the head band that match the toga design as well.

Here are some pics from the party:

We had a blast!  Turning 35 is not that bad.  And throwing a toga party was not hard at all, it was easy.  Everyone had fun, enjoyed all the food, and wore togas!

Have you ever thrown a toga party?