Stuff A Stocking for $25 at Walmart!

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It isn't until recently that my family started filling up the stocking that decorated our fireplace. Yeah, we started filling up our stockings once the amount of presents under the tree started getting smaller hahaha. As a family, we usually put our names in a hat and each person draws a name...and that's the person who's stocking you have to fill, with a limit of $25. And for the other 6 that you didn't draw, you have to stuff with an item(s) valued at $5. So you can imagine our stockings get pretty stuffed hehehe.

This year I picked out my sister, Gabriela for the stocking stuffer draw, so right away I knew I'd be stuffing that sock with beauty products and some sweets! It's always a good idea to stuff stockings with things that the recipient will enjoy, I know my sister will love anything in the beauty department, since she is always trying and buying beauty products.

The task of buying stocking stuffers can be difficult because you don't want to throw just any thing in; you want the stuffers to be things that the recipient will love, while still being affordable. Right?

Just because you are purchasing stocking stuffers, doesn't mean you can't wrap'em up or make mini gift packs. One of my favorite things to do is make just that, mini gift packs. Like I mentioned previously, my sister is really into beauty/cosmetics so I decided that I would make her three beauty packs, each dedicated to something specific; nails, lips and hair. 

Now when I'm making these mini gift packs, I have to go to a store that will have everything I am looking for aka a one stop shop! In this particular case, I went to Walmart, they always have a wide variety of beauty products at affordable prices!
I spent about a good hour at Walmart getting the perfect stocking stuffers for my sister. 

I walked through the aisles of the beauty department looking for any good deals for any nails, lips and hair products since I was going to make her three beauty packs. In the "hair" aisle there were several boxes marked Goody $1, which totally caught my attention! We all know Goody is a reliable hair brand, so I just had to pick up a vent brush and 12 no metal hair ties. Oh, and a pack of Goody bobby pins because a girl can never have enough bobby pins hehehe. Hair pack done!

My sister takes very good care of her nails, so I wanted to get her a couple of things that she could use. I think this part was the most overwhelming, I didn't realize that just about every cosmetic brand has nail polish...in every colour imaginable, in a wide variety of prices too! I got her a cute shade of pink NYC polish for $1, a pastel-purple polish from Maybelline for $2, nail filer pack for $2, cutcile sticks for $1.38 and a mini bottle of nail polish remover for 89 cents.

And for the last mini gift pack, lips, I decided I would get her a lip moisturizer, lipsticks and lipgloss. I know my sister likes pinks and reds on her lips so I picked out Maybelline's big hit, BABY LIPS in Pink Shock (tinted moisturizer) for $4, NYC's Plumping Lip Gloss in Supersized Red for $4 and a Wet'n'Wild lipstick in Cherry Frost for $1.57.
And last but not least, I bought a 3 pack of Ferrero Rocher. My total for the 12 items came out to $24.91! I think I did a pretty good job with these mini beauty packs, don't you? My sister's stocking will be beautifully stuffed for $25!!! 

Now what are you waiting for to get started on stuffing a stocking with great goodies that the recipient will love for $25?

Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'd like to wish you a very merry Christmas surrounded by those you love and cherish. May it be full of love, laughter and peace. ~Besos, bendiciones y buenas vibras~

Christmas Memories [Honduras]

Christmas in Honduras has always been my favorite, there's just something about being in a tropical country with the extended family, reventando cuetes [blasting firecrackers]. Can't forget about the delicious comida tipica that is eaten on this special day!

Some of the typical foods that will be eaten on Christmas (and  New Year's Eve) are tamales. Mmmm, my mom makes the best ones, and I really need to learn how to make them because when she's not home for the holidays, we're left wishing! LOL.

So what are tamales? Tamales Hondure~os are made with a masa which is filled with pieces of pork or chicken, and veggies: carrots, garbanzos, rice, green peas, green olives and potato cubes. They are wrapped in banana leaves and are steamed. Some people eat them with lemon, hot sauce, or ketchup. In my family, we like to eat tamales with all three! My husband, who is from Mexico, eats the plain and thinks it's funny that we add ketchup to our tamales.

Ticucos are like tamales, except they are steamed in corn husks and only filled with beans. Ticucos are eaten with mantequilla. Also SO DELICIOUS.

Another awesome Christmas tradition in Honduras is blowing up firecrackers at midnight! We usually buy enough to last us a couple hours. And it's cool because the whole village is blowing up firecrackers. I know that some people like to fire shots in the air, but I don't want to advocate that since it is pretty dangerous.

Music is another important part to Christmas in Honduras, it is always playing! In our case, it would be blasting from the stereo, as we boogy down to some punta. Gotta work off all those calories ;) Hehehe.
The last Christmas (2008) I spent in Honduras was the last time I saw my grandpa Moncho alive.  Beautiful memories, that will live with me forever.

My parents are currently in Honduras, and I know they are having a blast!!! I can feel their positive energy, and am so happy they get to spend it with their siblings, parents, nieces and nephews!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Spread the #Holiday Cheer: Share What You Can!

For some, Christmas is the happiest time of the year; families and friends come together, have dinners/parties and exchange gifts. But for other's it's like any other day, a struggle, a worry, a doubt. What will they eat, how long will they live, where will they sleep, how will they tell their child Santa "forgot" their present...?

This Holiday season, why not try to go the extra mile to share with those whom need it most? Here are some ideas:

DONATE:

1+3: Thermal socks and winter coats to a homeless shelter, women/men's shelter. 

2: Canned goods to a homeless shelter or food bank. Make sure they are not expired!

4: New toy(s) to a family in need. There are usually hampers collecting new toys for families in need at school and community centers.

VOLUNTEER:

1: Soup Kitchen. Help prep/serve food on Christmas Day.

2: Hospital Ward. Visit those who were forgotten. Read Christmas stories or simply converse. Call your local hospital and ask how you can help!

3: Animal Shelter. Help feed, clean and play with abandoned and/or abused animals.

It's important to stop in the midst of the Holiday Buzz to count the blessings; love, family, friendships, food, health, a home and so on...

Promise me you'll spread the holiday cheer by sharing what you can?

Christmas Party Outfit

Brainstorming Christmas Outfit

For Christmas parties I like to be comfortable and cute! I make sure to wear some comfortable heels since we usually do a lot of dancing, and a dress that has some elasticity  since I like to eat, eat and eat. Hahaha.

This year I am thinking of wearing a little black dress, a velvet one to be exact. It's a little long, so I have to make chop some length off ASAP! I won't make it as short as the cute NastyGal one pictured above tho.

I'd really love to wear a pair of coloured heels, preferably green, like these Lolita inspired one. But, in reality I won't be buying a pair of shoes just to make an outfit for Christmas, so lets see what I come up with! Hmmm DIY maybe?

As for my makeup, I'll probably go with red lips, smokey eyes and glittery nails! 

What are you wearing for Christmas this year?