It’s been about three months since I gave birth to our son. It has been such an emotionally overwhelming, difficult but beautiful experience! So much has happened in the last three months that I could write a whole book about it! It’s crazy how life changes in an instant. I love being a mom and every day brings new challenges. I would like to take this opportunity and share how it all went down the day our baby boy decided to join us. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this story too! Ready for this long post? Here we go…
On Monday June 8th 2015 I headed out to work just like every other day. My thoughts were on my husband, Frankie Frankie “FF”, and the importance of that day for his career. It was the first day of the 2015 MLB Draft. (For more info on the story behind my hubby’s career and how it affects the family you can click on this link here). He had already been in Arizona for two weeks at the Draft Meetings preparing for this big day and this was it. For all the marbles. All he needed were these three more days in Phoenix, AZ to start and finish the official MLB draft. I took a look at my maternity bag on the floor next to my bed but opted not to take it with me this time. (Of course). You think you know where this story is going…?? Read on…
Straight from The Baking Corner, here comes the November recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Logs adapted from the book “Cookiemania – 100 Irresistible Recipes for Cookiemaniacs“. These delicious cookies are the perfect combination of crunchy and soft. So easy to bake and so delicious. I bet you already have the ingredients at home! The part where you dip the cookies in chocolate is my favorite! Perfect recipe for kids! Enjoy! ¡Buen Provecho! Continue reading “Chocolate Shortbread Logs”
To wrap up the summer, I’m rounding up the best posts from the season. It was a great season here at Zania.net and I hit my first blog post goal of 25 posts! Next goal is blog post #50 and it is coming up soon!! Thank you so much for being a part of this blog. It’s you who keeps me wanting to share more content with you!!
One click away from the #1 spot is How do YOU Define Success? This is one of my favorite posts too! Along with the post I added this very informative infographic regarding today’s views on Success. I know you like Infographics!!
Credit: HuffingtonPost.com Third Metric Infographic
Next one received a lot of comments on all social media platforms. It was Arregla tu maquillaje roto | How to Fix Broken Makeup. It really is very useful and it was so much fun to make. There’s an added blooper on the post too.
Tied for fourth place are Organiza tu joyas |Jewelry Branch and Checking in on Week 19. I wasn’t expecting to get so many hits on my “Checking in” post but I’m glad to see that you like hearing about my milestones. I share them because I believe that you too can achieve your true potential and if we share our motivation then it can spread like wildfire and encourage us to keep going.
Lastly, at position #5 is Your Guide to Temporary Wallpaper. This was a hit! You sent in lots of emails and questions regarding these. So glad you liked it!
“Soprano Teal Wallpaper Elixir Graham & Brown” www.designyourwall.com
Remember, you can always leave a reply on any post or contact me through the “Contact” page and let me know if there’s anything you’d like for me to blog about. Thanks again for all your support and I hope you had a great Summer!!!
I’m happy to announce that the Miss Ideas series on Yahoo! En Español got renewed for another 7 episodes! Woo hoo! So exciting! We’ve already been recording the episodes and I am so excited for what’s to come. You will love the new projects we’re working on. Thanks again for all your support and please vote for you favorite episode of the first season on the poll below! You can also watch all of them HERE.
Me da muchísima alegría anunciar que la serie de Miss Ideas en Yahoo! En Español se renovó para una segunda temporada con 7 episodios nuevos!!! Woo hoo!!! Que emoción! Ya hemos grabado varios episodios y estoy segurísima que les van a encantar las ideas nuevas. Nuevamente, les doy las gracias por apoyarnos a diario y porfa voten por su episodio favorito abajo. Para ver todos lo episodios de Miss Ideas de la primera temporada vayan AQUI.
Every once in a while it’s good to check in with yourself to see if your goals are in alignment with your efforts at work and in your life. Nineteen weeks ago I left my corporate job to embark on a much needed journey in search for significance in my career and these weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and challenges (not surprisingly) that have helped me shape the life I want. I knew the transition to freelance & self-employment was going to be difficult but I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve loved this period in my life. That leap of faith hasn’t failed on me yet.
So far, I’ve been able to do everything I set myself to do including some ups and downs. Below I highlight my personal milestones:
Getting a talent agency that will actually call me for auditions and boy have they hooked me up! Check!
Got booked for my first TV commercial last week. Check!
Set out to write a blog and I’ve loved it! Now I’m writing from the heart, learning more about blogging and growing an audience. Check & Working on it! (Thx to you)
Participated in another blogger’s blog. You can view my entry about turning 30 HERE. I was crying while writing that entry. So happy I could share it with you.
Miss Ideas is going strong on Yahoo! En Español in Latin America and the US Hispanic market. GOOD NEWS: Miss Ideas got renewed for 7 more episodes! YAY! Check!
Spending more time with my husband. Check!
Working on posting more about my music projects and songs. Pending!
Styling the stage for my very own music video! Details soon!
I completed my Interior Decorator certification. Check!
Started the planning stage of a very awesome project in Puerto Rico for women. Details soon! So excited!
New pics for myself to go with my new marketing strategy (like the one seen on this site) By the talented Gaby Sanchez. Check!
And so much more!
Writing these down makes me feel so happy and accomplished. Work never felt so good! Needless to say, I do get what I call ‘freak my freak’ moments here and there just like the picture on this post (I found this on a friend’s wall in her office and I thought it was fitting for my situation). I think it’s very important to tell you that my life is not glamourous. It might look like it, but my hubby and I have had to cut back on a lot of spending to adjust to our change in financial situation. (Shout out to my hubs for his unconditional support. Love ya’) There’s a difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ and we are seriously practicing this nowadays. However, life could not be simpler and more rewarding. Finally, I feel like I’m working with a purpose. Gotta love that.
Have you checked in with yourself lately? Tell me about it! I’d love to hear how you are doing and what makes you thrive! Leave a reply to this post and let’s get the conversation going!
Remember to sign up to receive my posts via email by clicking on the “Follow Zania.net” button on the top right of the page. Also, vote for your favorite Miss Ideas episode right HERE.
Hello beautiful readers!
For some time now, I’ve been very intrigued by the Huffington Post’s Third Metric initiative to transform the definition of Success. Not so many years ago, success was defined as Money + Power = Success! After a recession that made us reflect our true needs for survival and truth, the definition of success has taken a turn and is not completely seen as the result of Money + Power anymore. We are slowly but steadily shifting the meaning of success. Would you agree? Take a look at the infographic below for example:
Credit: HuffingtonPost.com Third Metric Infographic
Isn’t it interesting? I bet you hear lots of people say that achieving happiness is their ultimate definition of success. However, don’t you think that attempting to reach happiness is somewhat unattainable if you can’t be happy NOW?! If you want happiness in life, then you have to live happy everyday. Look around you and notice the things that give you joy. That’s where you find happiness! I look around and see success in my loving husband, my cute apartment, my morning green tea, the nice breeze and the fact that I am alive. I believe I’m already successful but I must keep working at being successful, at being happy, to remain happy. Just remember, we can only use the present moment to change or improve our future. Now a question for you: How do YOU define success?
Attached are a few links that I found interesting:
One of the perks of being a baseball wife is that I get the opportunity to accompany my husband on some work trips. This past 4th of July, I had the pleasure of spending the week in Cape Cod, MA while my husband covered the Summer League. Remember the movie Summer Catch with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jessica Biel? That’s the league I’m talking about! Anyhow, I fell in love with the Cape’s charm. It’s filled with marine antique stores, great seafood and very friendly people. While the locals complained about the gloomy and wet weather, I was imagining being a character in a Nicholas Sparks novel waiting for the fog over the ocean to lift to see if my husband would arrive alive on the only fishing boat that was out at sea during the perfect storm. Total sidetrack, but in my head it was real.
Three Buoys Store in Chatham, MAShore Drive, Chatham, MA
I highly recommend you go to Cape Cod if you haven’t been there yet. Have you visited the Cape? Tell me all about it! What are your favorite spots? Here are some of my pictures from the trip. Enjoy!
Turn of the century cribbage board found at Teacher’s Antique in Chatham, MAFishing boat from my imaginary storyMarconi Beach in Wellfleet. The Beachcomber is a great hang out spot in front of this beach.
In this week’s Miss Ideas episode on Yahoo! en Español we show you how to organize your jewelry in a fun and budget friendly way! A jewelry branch! Click on the image to see the video. Do you store your jewelry in a creative way? Show me! Leave a comment below. Thank you for watching the Miss Ideas videos! We’re loving your comments and your reactions!
Esta semana en Miss Ideas en Yahoo! En Español te enseñamos como organizar tus prendas de forma decorativa y sin gastar mucho dinero. Hazle click a la imagen para ver el video. ¿Guardas tus prendas de forma creativa? ¡Quiero ver como lo haces! Dejame un comentario abajo. Muchísimas gracias por ver los videos de Miss Ideas. Nos encanta que estan dejando comentarios en la pagina de Yahoo!
Ever since I posted the “Before & After” post on covering my wall-to-wall mirrors with removable wallpaper, I’ve received several emails and questions regarding the options. (You can read the post here). I’m so glad you asked! Using temporary wallpaper is a great way to add personal style to any area of your home without making a full-blown commitment. This is a perfect alternative for renters, kids’ rooms and for those designers that consider their homes a work-in-progress and are always changing their homes. Uhm, me… Here is your guide to temporary wallpaper!
“Soprano Teal Wallpaper Elixir Graham & Brown” www.designyourwall.com“Sexy Hexy” www.ChasingPaper.com
Looking for temporary wallpaper on your search engine can get a little convoluted. You may want to use some of these terms in your search engine; temporary wallpaper, removable wallpaper, wall tiles, wall decals, peel n’ stick tiles, wall stickers, wall murals. The list goes on but these are the most popular names. If you want to cover a large space or an accent wall, I recommend you use the wall tiles or the murals. The decals and stickers tend to be smaller in scale and are usually in the shape of an object or words/phrases.
WallCandy “Hot Air Balloons” www.2modern.com
There are many options when it comes to temporary wallpaper. Solid colors, patterns, prints, words, borders and they all have one thing in common. They are easy to install and easy to remove. You don’t need to call a professional and no adhesive or scraper is necessary. Some other great uses for temporary wallpaper include adhering it to a piece of furniture like a tabletop, or as a backdrop inside bookshelves, sticking it to a wall niche, and even attaching it to kitchen appliances! You can put these stickers just about anywhere!
“Olives Linen” by Holli Zollinger www.spoonflower.com
Where to find temporary wallpaper?
Here are some of my favorite online stores that offer fabulous temporary wallpaper: Chasing Paper, Wallpops!, Spoonflower, Design Your Wall & 2Modern. Their designs have all been shown on this post. You can click on the images and it will take you directly to the item’s location on the site. Decals are also available in a store near you! I’ve found that the best selections are in Target and Ikea. Take this Jonathan Adler Decal from Target, for example. So pretty!
Setting up a mini bar is simple when you have all the right ingredients. Watch this Miss Ideas video on Yahoo! en Español to set up a classy and stylish bar! Click on the image below to view the video! I hope you like it! Thanks for viewing.
Armando tu mini bar no tiene que ser dificil. Vea este video de Miss Ideas en Yahoo! en Español para aprender como armar una barra elegante y completa. ¡Asi impresionas a cualquiera! Hazle click a la imagen para ver el video. ¡Gracias!
