Busy Vee Activities

Invitation Design

2009-11-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

Hello ya'll!

After much encouraging from my friend Getting my Mrs. Degree, I have posted photos of the invitaions I have designed thus far. This is just the beginning and will turn into an

official name for my design company
Facebook Fan page
Website

For now, here is the dedicated facebook album, send me your comments!

Facebook Invitation Photo Album

xoxo,
Busy Vee

Tell me sumthin sweet, Suga'!: Cupcake Craft Night! October 9th:: 6:30pm - 9:30

2009-10-07T10:54:00.001-04:00

All my South Florida bloggers, Check in out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell me sumthin sweet, Suga'!: Cupcake Craft Night! October 9th:: 6:30pm - 9:30

Daily Drop Cap

2009-10-06T10:09:00.004-04:00

Thanks to MaeMae Paperie, found Daily Drop cap. A cool way to add flare to your blog post! njoy! xoxo, usy Vee

The talented MaeMae

2009-09-11T13:53:00.002-04:00

If you all aren't familiar with Mae Mae Paperie, I highly suggest you go over there now for some serious creative inspiration!!!! She's incredibly talented!!!! Great paper eye candy!!!

Mystery 'Stache Bash

2009-09-03T10:27:00.017-04:00

appy 26th to me and my husband! Jose and I recently celebrated our latest and greatest birthday around a moustache theme! In the blog world I saw a lot of moustache post and moustaches used in just about EVERYTHING. Well on the utterly fabulous Twig & Thistle blog, the absolutely creatvie and talented graphic designer created a 'stache bash competition at her company. She posted tons of ideas and a moustache template. Well when she posted the PDF I saved it (I save all cool templates from most blogs like the interent is going out of style LOL Honestly, i need an external hard drive for all the extra files I've downloaded from blogs, my computer is SUPER sloooow! LOL) Well when the Moustache idea popped in my head, I wanted to take it a step further and host a Mystery Themed party and use the moustaches as the disguises! Disclaimer****All Moustache shaped used in the party were courtesy of the Twig & Thistle template. The mystery idea and the ways in which the Moustaches were used are my creative twist on the 'stache idea!********** Party Details-

Felt Plush Moustache Disguises for the guys
Cardstock "Mascarade-Style" Moustaches for the ladies
Disguise Kit bag to hold digusies and favor
Cupcake Favor Box with Moustache shiloutte cut-out
Custom Utensil wrap and Cup label made from reminants of invitations
One Eyed Jack game custom Victim & Killer cards
Pendant banner made from invite misprint

my attempt at product photography! a collection of all the details I created for the party. Disguise Kit bag with disguises included

Felt Plush 'Stache Disguise

One Eyed Jack Game - Victim Card

Backside of pendant banner made from Invite Misprints

A victim of the One Eyed Jack game...blinked to death!

More One Eyed Jack Victims! Dangerous game!

Guess Who Game.....Hilarious!

Guess Who....can only ask Yes or No questions to guess the name on your forehead.

The Birthday Couple! I love that he supports my crazy ideas!

He Did It/ She Did It Hanging Photo Station

Happy Birthday to Us!

Pendant banner set up

Front Door Hanging 'Stache garland!

Details- Favor Box and Disguise bag

Homemade Chocolate Chip cookies used for Ice Cream cookies

Homemade Tiramisu cake in the shape of a 'Stache...of course =)

and yet another death from One Eyed Jack

My Party Coordinator! My dad sewed all the Felt Plush 'Staches

The Birthday Girl I definately didn't invent this 'Stache idea....check out all the other creatives using this fun theme!

Labbit

{Blog Love} Vale Designs

2009-08-18T01:08:00.005-04:00

Check out Vale Design for AWESOME free printables!!! She's an amazing designer with free printable list for just about anything!!! Check this free download for a golf loving husband...this gives me tons of ideas! (all images from Vale Designs blog)

$ FREE.99

2009-05-22T16:45:00.003-04:00

For the organization enthusiast, run over to Simplify 101 for a FREE, yeah, FREE workshop!

Craft Inc

2009-05-22T09:43:00.004-04:00

As a gift for our 7 year anniversary, my husband bought me Craft Inc, by Meg Mateo Ilasco This book is EXCELLENT! It's a comprehensive book for any crafter looking to make a business from their talent! It gives great step by step tips and insider perspectives! The latest release is the Craft Inc Planner had me in Barnes and Noble taking note and notes and more notes (no worries, I will buy the book or get it as a gift, hint hint!) These books rank high on Busy Vee's Book List! Don't forget about my other recommendations Handmade Nation and Martha's Rules.

DIY Inspiration

2009-05-22T09:37:00.013-04:00

Project to come: Rice paper capiz lamp

Contents expire, creativity does not - reuse food jar and spray paint - I have been saving any type of jar, container, egg carton and more for an art project! I think it would be cool to enter into a unique art gallery! Ever since I made this... I'm obsessed with sewing pillows and I've found some more idea... I have been DYING to do this project for a long while... and eventually I'll get to this project too....

DIY - Office Desk

2009-05-22T09:36:00.009-04:00

Here's the process of the office desk I renovated!

First I found this baby at Habitat for Humanity ReStore and saw it's potential...

Then I went searching for taller table legs. Since individual legs were priced at $12 and more, it would have cost more than the original table!!! So, I went to my beloved Faith Farm and found this table for $8 aka $2 per leg, oh and a couple other cool finds =)

My oh-so-cool dad helped me through the entire process! We have a history of strapping items to tops of cars with the doors CLOSED and then could only get in the car via the window SO we wanted to document that we OPENED the doors this time!!!! Back at home, we removed the legs off all the tables we bought! Without any proper tools, it was a creative process to say the least... We then put the taller legs on the first desk we purchased! Dogh---6" shy of the height we wanted for the table! So, when in need you find nice people that can do what you cannot and who have the proper tools and do it for FREE and progress is eventually made! I wanted to contribute and add the extra 6" we needed by using scrap 4x4 wood at a friends shop! Viola! The height I needed but looking a little hod-podge so..... with some crisp white paint, I hope the table looks like it was always made this way! A labor of love to get what you want using creative thinking!!!!! Oh, remember that table I bought for $8, I used the top, bought two cheap legs at habitat for humanity and $5 filing cabinet back at Faith Farm and made an office desk for my husband!!!! Gotta love getting creative!!!! This process took a lot of searching and changing plans according the the problems we faced but laughed the entire time! I so enjoy overcoming the obstacles when i get myself into a creative mess LOL These desks took me 4+ visits to Home Depot, in the same day! I got covered in white spray paint, literally! My eyelashes were white but that's what I get for spray painting on top of a 7 story garage, 3 miles from the beach, it's BREEZY! LOL Lesson learned!!!

Overall, I happy with my desks and look forward to more projects!

Laid-Off Liberation Pt. 2

2009-05-22T09:34:00.017-04:00

My Laid-Off Liberation is given me time that I have yearned for!!! I can go to the gym and NOT miss the sign up sheet for the Spinning class or go to a 945am yoga class! The thought of that was only a dream and now it has become a reality! I have also found my schedule to be BUSIER than when I was working full time. Instead of packing as much as I could in the few hours after work and before I went to bed, now I am on the go from the minute I wake up to the minute I go to bed! I'm finally able to accomplish the items on my to-do list that kept getting put off! As for the project I have been able to make a reality, the first one I was able to cross off my list was our Closet. When we moved into our new 2 bedroom apartment, we moved in one weekend and pretty much left everything where I was placed. Since we were back to work the next Monday, and I could only tackle smaller projects after work. Our place was pretty much in shambles since we moved in on March 1. I was able to improve my closet in May. With two months of pure clutter and always finding only ONE shoes and not the other, I was motivated to FINALLY overhaul when we had a first Mouse experience! I spotted it in the kitchen and for about an hour, my husband fought and finally tamed the beast into a brown paper bag! During the hour struggle, the mouse ran into our room and found the most perfect hiding place in our horrible messy closet (I know, you're squirming by now). Well, since I was totally grossed out that closet got cleaned and I had my opportunity to re-do!!! Here is a before shot (this was before we moved in) And the after.... I took advantage and painted a bold color in a small space and it's like a very PERKY good morning every time I walk in!!!! I got the idea of painting my closet from a promo commercial of the show Closet Cases on the FLN Network (MY favorite channel). I also used Mythic Paint, a low VOC paint! They can color match ANY color and the store in Fort Lauderdale is excellent! We picked up the very inexpensive boxes from Ikea and I love the crisp contrast again the bright blue! My shoes just look prettier against the painted closet wall! I repurposed my shoe shelf from my previous closet. My previous closet was a lot smaller so that is why the shelves are so narrow. Since I didn't want to spend much money I utilized what I had. Plus it creates a void in the space that helps to make it feel bigger rather than packed in floor to ceiling on all walls. I wanted to bring attention to my purse cubby holder on the right side of the picture. I used a hanging shoe holder to store my smaller and foldable purses! I loved the idea and hope it helps anyone else in the closet storage! I am also slowly converting to wooden hangers. Every trip to Ikea, I throw in two or three wooden hanger pack to help add to the boutique look! As for my jewelry nook, it has been a back and forth debate in my mind as to what was the best jewelry storage. I don't like tangled necklaces or loosing earrings but I don't have to space to hang each piece separately. Ikea to the rescue! I used the silver containers normally used to store spices to hold my earrings that I divided by color. I have this metal door to cover some wires for the wireless connection in our building and thought it would be PERFECT to stick my earring holders. In the hooks and storage section, I picked up strips of wood with the knobs already screwed on. I then hung my necklaces in the most perfect place for me to decide what necklace would look great with my outfit. And there you have it, project 1=complete! Now we're off to the Office!!!!

Laid-Off Liberation Pt. 1

2009-05-22T09:31:00.002-04:00

As of August 22 (my 26th birthday) I will be celebrating my 4 month anniversary of being laid off. The days following being laid off, i was surprisingly happier than expected. I was surprised that it happened but not really surprised. I wasn't very happy and it showed. I was also the last person hired, at the very bottom of the totem pole, so last one in, first one out applied to me. When my husband got home, I got the most encouraging card, supporting me and telling me that it's all a part of God's plan. So now that I have had so much free time, I have packed my time with my never ending To Do List and plan to post my various project I've had ACTUALLY had the time to complete! Stay Tuned!

Name that Design Company

2009-05-19T18:57:00.002-04:00

Found here. Hilarious way to name your design company, or name anything for that matter! Have funny and enjoy! From the newly named... PEACH KANGAROO DESIGN Go here. xoxo, Busy Vee

Tagity Tagged! (2)

2009-04-19T21:11:00.027-04:00

Golly! I have been Tagged (Image Link)by the oh so fab blogger JennyLo of Home Sweet Home and More. Thanks for thinking of me! The Rules are as Follows: 1. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs for brilliance in content/design. 2. Show the winners and let them know. 3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself. Ok! heeeeeeeeeeeeeere we go: 1- I hate being bored. No matter how much I complain of being too BUSY, I always add projects and volunteer myself for anything possible even though I know I'm already overloaded. 2- I always say YES! lol I don't like telling people that I can't participate in anything. I have forced myself to create "Sacred Sundays" where we go to Mass on Saturday night and stay in all day Sunday to hang out, just the two of us. That's has not totally worked so if we end up saying yes to some invite, we don't stay very long. A recent last minute invite was a fashion show at the Dadeland Mall with my dad for a Art Institute event (he's a professor in the Fashion Dept). Since some other professors were there, my dad wanted to show face and needed a date. Well I already have a problem saying no but to say no to my dad, forget it! The event sounded so cool I couldn't pass it up. Here are some pictures: (coming soon) I added this event to a very long list of events including a haircut, business meeting and concert in Churchills, a "British pub" in Little Haiti (I KNOW, my thoughts exactly!) of a experimental band that totally rock, The Shutter.

We finally went to bed at 2am so i could have some rest for a busy day preparing for my friend Maria's baby shower. Here are some pictures: Busy Vee is always up to something. 3- I have ADD. It's very hard to me to stay focused. Now, I'm self-diagnosing but I think I'm on to something! If I'm talking to someone and overhear another conversation, I will continue to look at the person but stop listening and just nod, I KNOW, Horrible! 4- I'm very close with my aunts, uncles and cousins! I feel very grateful to have such a tight knit extended family. 5- I CONSTANTLY think of designing, redesign, and painting my condo. I think about furniture layout, draw it in AutoCad, think about thrifting, and my kitchen, and the list goes on. I have tons of sketches EVERYWHERE of how I would space plan, etc and I LOVE IT 6- I want to open a Color Consultation busines but I'm hesistant. It started with a reply to a request on Craigslist. A woman was looking for someone to help her pick paint colors. It sounded like a dream come true. I instantly called her despite my fear of crazy people on Criagslist. I was just beyond excited at the possibility. Well we met, I selected colors for her two bedroom condo in Kendall, and she actually used my colors. It was surreal! What I love most is how I do not know what to expect before I arrive and I cannot walk in with any preconceived notions since I do not know the client. I must completely think on my feet which is very nerve wracking but exciting! I was then referred to my first clients sister and selected colors for their kitchen/family room. I plan to continue to persue this avenue and I'm working on creating very unique business cards with my Gocco. 7- My husband makes breakfast for me on the weekdays, and actually most day LOL and irons! As for the ironing, he's just better at it then I am. And for breakfast, we'll he does it so I can sleep later and he cooks while I get ready! What an awesome partnership! What I love about our marriage is that we are equal participators! There is no line for what a husband or wife does, we both just help out to make our place a home! While I LOVE to cook for my man, he can clean a kitchen like nobodies business. I serve my husband and he serve me. That's what works for us and I THANK GOD for the gift He gave me when He gave me Jose. 8- I want to SIMPLIFY my life and implement that in all I do. I want to simplify my schedule, my communication, my home, my design. This post by The Other Tiffany put into words what I was thinking. I look forward to reading the book, Secrets of Living Simply, found here.

9- I find myself to be flexible and I like that. Especially with my friends, I find I can open my personal frame of reference easily to see others perspectives and try my best to give advice based on the context of that person's life and situation. I don't like blanket statements and opinions that don't allow you to relate to a variety of people. I love the variety of friends I have and how different their lifestyles are! 10- When I become pregnant, I'd like to take photography classes. Since I will be with my baby the most, I would like to improve my photography skills so I can capture so many moments in an artistic way! I got the idea when I saw these & these pictures on Pacing the Panic Room, an excellent and HONEST blog. Extra Credit #11 - I want to learn how to write better. It has never been my strong point but I do believe blogging will help. Reading so many awesome blogs opens me up to so many styles of writing that eventually I'll get the hang of it. I want to be able to translate my animated verbal communication on paper! And now.....for my tag list. You have all been tagged: Future Mrs. D Baby Archilla Cakes by Lil Bit Little Ricky's Big Adventures M Writes Red Bullet Penny Lane Designs

I'm reach my MAXIMUM!

2009-04-14T12:43:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you guys but I follow a lot of blogs! Ever since I have discovered this blog world, it's been my source of constant inspiration (sometimes a bad thing I've realized). Well during my lunch time blog check, I went to add another fabulous blog with a great tutorial and I've reached my MAX! I feel as if I don't follow a blog that posted a great project idea I'll miss out on potential inspiration! Please check out this link of a fantastic blog that I feel explains exactly how I feel! I guess I'll need to purge my blog list and really focus on the blogs that feed my creative side! And maybe, just maybe, I'll start posting my projects and eventually become a source of creative inspiration to other! How many blogs do you all follow? xoxo, Busy Vee

I put WHAT in my hair.........

2009-04-02T00:21:00.006-04:00

If you would have told me yesterday that I would have boiled flax seed and used the goop left over and put it in my hair like gel, i would have to you EW! and then NO! But as we speak, my hair is drying with flax seed goop and essential oils of tea tree and lavender. Since my scalp is very dry and flakes I needed to finally do something about it and take care of myself. I went to Whole Foods, found organic tea tree conditioner and hair repair masque's and took care of my poor hair! Well thus far is has dried nicely and the consistency of the flax seed goop was exactly like my VERY expensive Ouidad gel. It doesn't have a specific scent and NO chemicals that might irritate my scalp. Here are some links that helped me. This link is where I first found the idea and this link is the recipe I followed. Apparenty, I 'm the last to know about this! xoxo, Busy Vee

Kawachinagano

2009-03-27T12:26:00.006-04:00

Kawachinagano, Osaka is where my lovely Gocco came from! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, I can't believe I have my very own Gocco! See below for images of my baby! After much research since October, e-mailing anyone who I saw using a Gocco (thanks to Mint for all your help and patience answerig my questions. She's got an amazing blogs with so much DIY inspiration). I have checked about 20 different websites and forums, the tipping point was went I was at my local Pearl's paint searching for items for a friends baby shower project. I was strolling in the screenprinting isle since I so badly want to learn how to screenprint, I'm always looking for supplies and kits. Much to my surprise I found RISO boxes. All my research showed me that almost all products for a Gocco are found on-line via ebay or other shops, I was floored when I found 20, count 'em 20 Gocco inks! After a conversation with the Pearl's associate, I approached her to buy there entire stock for $1 per ink! WHAT! on-line they average $3-5 PLUS shipping! Beyond excited, I took the plunge and bought my Gocco. The ebay purchase was stressful enought since I never bought anything on ebay and learning the ropes with Feedback, Bidding, and Buy Now, etc! After reading the feedback, I felt as comfortable as I was gonna be and did it! In a week I had the Gocco in my hands!!! For fun, I thought how far is Kawachinagano, Osaka from my city of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Well Google maps gave me a great laugh, and if you know me, I have a loud great laugh :-) Please see below for how many days it would take my to WALK to Kawachinagano, Osaka!!!! At least it cautions me about missing sidewalks! Um, the PACIFIC OCEAN maybe! LMAO! Have a great weekend and I will force myself to actually use my Gocco soon and post on about the process! xoxo, Busy Vee

New Magaine

2009-03-13T08:55:00.003-04:00

Good Morning! While reading the Sun-Sentinel's Home section and still sadden over the loss of Domino, I lit up when I read the words "targeted at young homeowners on a budget-with money-pinching ideas for the do-it-yourselfer"! Ahhhh! Now I make no claim that this new mag (website is still under construction) will even remotely fill the void left by Domino (eh, sorry, a little extreme maybe lol) BUT at least we have another option! I got very excited and had to share! Can't wait to pick one up, I'll let you know! xoxo,Busy Vee! p.s. Some Link Love: Twig & Thistle Whisker Graphics Artful Sentiments Back Garage ThreePotatoFour

Valentine's Day Gift Project

2009-03-06T18:56:00.006-05:00

Inspired by How About Orange (awesome blog for all your DIY needs) and Le Plus Beauxx ( she did an awesome 28 day challenge! Great inspriation from her blog) I decided that I could take on YET ANOTHER project and have fun with these bookmarks! Honestly, I couldn't resist, I LOVE paint swatches ( and can't wait to get greater use out of them as we paint our new place! YAY!) I have been using paint swatches more and more as I get referrals for Color Coordination Consulations! My absolute favorite thing to do! More on that in the near future! Back to my project, so see below for my attempt at a totally free valentines gift! Hey, it's the thought that counts right????? Even what I used to write a lil note was a white paint swatch! All the gifts ready to go!!!! Nicky's Bookmark! Check out her new blog Maria's Bookmark! Check out photosbymavi.com as well as her babyarchilla.com Lissett's Bookmark! Check out her work for Nicky's wedding website And my hubby's bookmark! Check out what he's been up to! Here are some pics of our Valentine's Day gift exchange... the detail is so adorable! that's lattice work right there! Gotta love him! I went for the book sleeve approach LOL Simple and Stylish! LOL

Looking for a Blog Redesign??????????

2009-02-20T08:35:00.002-05:00

Win it! Head over to this blog, and enter this blog design giveaway! What a GREAT idea!!!!! xoxo -Busy Vee

Shheck It Out!!!!

2009-02-19T12:52:00.002-05:00

Please go to this link NOW! What an awesome giveaway from "The Tale of a Southern Belle" If you are in FLA or want to make the trip to my hometown, head over to "The Tale of a Southern Belle" and keep your fingers crossed! xoxox -Busy Vee

Handmade Nation {Book Review}

2009-02-17T12:53:00.003-05:00

For Valentines Day, the hubs and I exchanged books! It was our theme this year! We submitted a list to each other of our top picks and exchanged on Valentines Day! Well my top 2 picks were: Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design & Domino: The Book of Decorating: A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy. As soon as we got our books, we started reading and snack on our picnic in the Japanese garden, Morikami. As of yesterday afternoon, I have completed Handmade Nation! I gobbled that book right up! It is a compliation of short stories based on the documentary now showing (not in South Florida :-( heartbreaking!). It was a perfect book for me! It just different bio on craft business start-up and they are short stories, perfect for my short attention span! I have read every inch of this book, cover to cover and hope to read through it again! Domino's book is an excellent reference book and since the magazine shut down, I wanted my own piece of domino to referenece whenever I wanted! All I can do is encourage you to take a look at Handmade Nation! It's an excellent inspriation! Here is a link to the Handmade Nation blog. Happy Reading!

Awesome Giveaway!!!!!!

2009-02-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Living in Dallas and Loving It is having an AWESOME giveaway! A PINK Cupcake Giveaway! So what can you win? 500 Cupcakes - An enormous collection of cupcake recipes! PINK Silicone Cupcake Trivet - A Sur La Table favorite of mine! Hot PINK Cupcake Liners - As seen in my Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cupcakes! PINK Sparkling Sugar - For fabulous, pink, sparkling cupcakes! You must go check it out!!!! Good Luck! See below at my cupcake attempts...

Tagity Tagged!

2009-02-16T22:09:00.009-05:00

My blogging buddy, JennyLo, tagged me! Yippy! I acutally did a dance in my chair I was so excited! I have learned a lot and found a lot of different blogs from JennyLo's little gem of a blog so thanks for keep me in mind for a tag! I feel like I got a gift LOL So here goes, The six things that make me smile...In no particular order.... 1.COLOR - Amazing color combination, bold uses of color, traditional colors used in non-traditional ways and more make me smile! At home I had two different color combos (since my parents wouldn't possbily let me paint as many time as I came up with a new combination!). I cannot live in beige walls, I must add my flair! and what makes me smile even bigger is helping others finding the the right color combination for their home! I have done 2 color consultations and I got the most amazing rush of joy finally doing what I love! More post to come on my Color Coordination Consultations! 2.Scrapbooking - introduced in scrapping by my friend Maria who invited me to a scrapping class. Joined with my friend Nicky we went to our friend Creative Memories class. We had plastic bags and old shoe boxes holding piles of pictures and notes! Not noting what an expensive hobby scrapping is, I bought everything LOL circle templates, oval templates, paper cutters, rounders and more! Plus an album and paper to make my first album! Looking around, it was beyond obvoious we were novices but since then I have been hooked. I was scrapping fairly consistently but I have not lately. I feel in love with how it relaxed me and how I could express my creative side! I love the Paper Niche and you should definately check it out for any scrapping supplies and classes. See this blog or this. for inspiration! 3.My Homegirls - I'm blessed to have a great group of friends! All my girls are different and I'm grateful for that to have different girls for this Busy Vee's different moods! See below for pics of my girlfriends, the calm, the crazy, the fun, the mellow, the helpful, and bad influences :-) Who's who....I'll never tell! LOL 4. Blogs - I feel like I have been let into this amazing world that feed my creative, entrepenuer, and A.D.D. fix ALL at once! I stumbled on blogs thru a google search and from one I was lead to another, and to another, and to now following 112 blogs! Whoa, I just counted! Through blogs I have been exposed to people that expereience the same things I do, and have taken the chances I have don't have the nerve to do YET, or ideas I never would have been to exposed to, or opportunities I never would have know to exist without blogs and work on developing different kinda a friendships! It's a pretty amazing thing, this blog world, and I my so happy to be all wrapped up in it!!! 5. My Family - I have a tight knit family and really thought my family was absolutely perfect until I was about 22 years old! Yes we have our quirks but we are so blessed to be an awesome fit and have so much fun together! My parents are really an inspiration. Not just for being my parents but for what they have done before their parenting life ever began! I have a little brother who is the only person I can be completely enraged at and then the next second singing a song together and totally forget why I was mad!!! It's a sibling thing I guess. Aside from my immediate family I have been blessed with the coolest cousins and aunts and uncles EVER! We all grew up tight knit and don't have childhood memeories without them! I feel very lucky to have such an awesome group to call MY FAMILY! 6. Last, and definately NOT least is my husband, Jose. He inspires me, believe's in me, encourages me to believe in myself, and he's really just an awesome example of a human being LOL and I'm not overselling him! LOL We have really hit it off since day one and our lives have never been the same. It's hard to put in words what he does for me and how he makes me feel but lets just say I off all the things that make me smile, I smile everyday because of Jose! Here are some Valentines Day pics with my honey... Well, for those who want to play along... TAG, You're it! O_my_Omy A Million Little Things Adventures of Jack, the wonder Dog Bell Creations Friago PTY

Christmas Wrapping 2008

2009-02-05T23:44:00.005-05:00

After much inspiration from the MANY blogs I follow, I decided to get creative this year and spend the time to craft my own Christmas Gift wrapping! All the supplies I used were F-R-E-E Free! Which I love! The brown paper came from Ikea! Right before you leave with your entire life savings in your cart (or is that just me) they have a roll of brown paper maybe to protect what you bought, i don't know! But for me, it was free wrapping paper! Score! As for the embellishments, I used old wallpaper samples! I work at an architecture firm that DOESN'T specify wallpaper so instead of throwing it away I saw it as perfect crafting supplies! In my trunk they went and yet another stack of crafting crap was born in my apartment! lol Well the pictures will speak for themselves! I hope you like because a lot of time and love went into them and it's just the beginning!!!!!! For my brother and sisters in law, with the two "snow" boys lol For my old roomies, Jo & Cesar For the soon to be newlyweds, Nick and Mick For the parents to be, Mavi and Omar expecting their little "reindeer" For secret Santa, leaf templates from this site. For my parents... and for my brother, with a very long name! That's love!

I Love Martha Stewart Continued {Book Review}

2009-02-05T23:02:00.004-05:00

Hey There! As most of my post, long overdue, I present my informal book review on Martha Stewart's book, The Martha Rules, 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as you start, build, or manage your business. This wonderfully inspiring and thought provoking book was given to me by long time best friend, Maria aka Mavi! I have brought up my ideas for a cute little shop (which will be disclosed at a later time :-0) and really picked a perfect gift for me! Since I have recently picked up the reading habit, the fact that I read this book, cover to cover in one week exactly is a testament to how engaged this book had me! I woke up early and read, I stayed up late to read, and every moment I had I was reading, writing notes directly in the book (see pics), or coming up with another great idea (if I do say so myself). I highly recommend this for any aspiring entrepreneur looking for the next step in forming, developing, or executing your idea! Happy Reading everyone! I am on my second book with a related topic, look forward to that review!

Our Wedding Website

2009-01-19T21:44:00.003-05:00

Here's a quick post about our wedding website! My hubby put this site together so that our guest could check out our many wedding pictures! I wanted to share, well, because we have it lol Here is a website that I'd love to have our website develop into one day! Hope you enjoy and above all, we had a beautiful day! Just reminiscing as my hubby is in Altantis, Bahamas this week for a jammed packed week of photographing throughout the resort!!!!!!! This is the Man that I love, well the image below says it all.... and that's saying a lot!!!!!!!!

Merry "Day-After" Christmas

2009-01-15T19:21:00.005-05:00

Waiting to the last minute is soooo 2008! And in typical 2008 fashion, I waited until 3 days before Christmas to finally come up with a Christmas Card idea! Since I knew that I would never make it on time like my other lovely on-time friends and family, I decided to poke fun of my tardiness! See pictures below... Another feature I added was the make the card a keepsake. On the reverse side of the text, I stamped a Christmas Memories stamp with space to jot down their favorite Christmas Memory of 2008. I intend on making that a tradition with my cards. In a perfect world, all my friend and family would actually write down a memory and save them throughout the years! I'd love to be apart of those memories! Well one hour in Michaels, and cutting paper during my lunch break, I completed the cards, all 40 of them in less than two days! They are simple but I love them and I hope you do too! My apologize for the bad pics, workin' with what I got :-) Step 1 Step 2 One side completed... I was keeping busy! Thank God for Golden Girls at 1:30am :-) That show is better than I remember! Final Product!

Auuuuummmmmmmmmm

2009-01-14T12:24:00.006-05:00

In research for this post, and efforts to be a better writer, I did some research. My first, highly respected source of information, Wikipedia (hahaha) gave me the following definition and information on the topic of this post, Mantra. Although I found it very informative, I thought that my readers (not many yet but those who are, are just as important) might not find it a very credible resource! So, I did the right thing and went to Webster's Dictionary (not a real one, a virtual one. I couldn't find a real one if my life depended on it, so sad!) So anticipating my very credible, very informative definition and background on my alternative to a new year's resolution, this is what I got.... What the hell! That tells me nothing! Huh? So forget it, Wikipedia rock! On to my Mantra..... I got the idea from a friggin awesome blogger, Melissa! After several ideas and versions I hadn't really come up with anything good enough to motivate me for an ENTIRE YEAR! Well during my daily blog review I stumbled upon this post from another inspiring and creative blog, which led me to a previous post of her's and..... BAM! It hit me like a ton of bricks! That's it! This sums up The Great Struggle of '08 for me! This is what I was missing! I immediately adopted it, and want to get a tattoo of it! Well, not really lol but I did think about it!! So, I could but then, naw, but my tattoo theme is letters soooo, anyway, back to my mantra...... I look forward to my mantra, in the wise words of Wikipedia, creating a transformation in 2009!

{First Anniversary}

2009-01-13T23:58:00.027-05:00

In efforts to try new things and explore the wonderful things in Florida, my hunnie and I went to Fruit and Spice Park to celebrate our first anniversary! We were looking for something different and relaxing to get away! Well that is exactly what we got and it was such a beautiful day! It was very far from home but the trip was so exciting! I've never been that far west in florida, for those Floridian I went to Krome Ave! Homestead feels like another country! We started the morning right with fresh made biscuits, complements of moi!!!! We packed blankets, pillows, and Jose packed a secret cooler! We explored a herb garden and saw fresh lettuce and other veggies that puts life in perspective that these items don't just come from the supermarket but come from the ground! I guess I wanted to feel more connected. I was on a weird "technology makes me feel alientated" phase LOL Anyway, we found our spot and I was told I couldn't watch the set up! Well I took pics of Jose's prep so I could see after and he was soooo great! He took some decoration from the house, He took a slice of our wedding cake (which we were very excited to eat since it was taking up very expensive real estate in my freezer for the past year). He even brought milk! What a guy! We rested, Jose read aloud, and I took a nap! Reading has the effect on me! Overall I had a great time with my guy and I look forward to a lifetime full of celebrations, that's what's life is all about! I'll let the pictures explain the rest of the day..... on our way out YUM! Still melt for him! Getting antsy in the car... Cheezy I know, but we had to do it! living on the edge! I wore something that I hadn't worn since the wedding, my flats cuz my toes got numb from dancing so much :-) How Cool! He's setting up my surprise... OOOOoooooeeeee! can't wait to see! and I didn't peak, I HATE ruining a surprise! VOILA!!!!!! He's the best! He even brought my beloved, handmade, wire lanterns! Loving the details! Enjoying my biscuits!!!! Sharing is caring! What's your's is mine to the extreme lol wheathered but stronger! Perfect Day! In true Jose & Venessa fashion, we make the best of everything! Romance! lol We left great memories there! Here's some throwback pictures from our wedding...

There is Rice Everywhere!

2009-01-12T20:41:00.007-05:00

Inspired by my clever consultant, Omaira, I am exploring some more topics to cover on my blog...A 20 something (more specifically 25), newly wed, and bouncing back and forth with finding a balance between the traditional, modern, and my own definition of a wife. Well back to the rice. It's everywhere! Really, everywhere! It is just me or is anyone else a messy cook? Aside from the fact that while I'm cooking I'm checking my e-mail since I have no access at work (another post entirely), checking all 1,000 blogs I follow because they are truly inspiring and a better use of my time the checking myspace or facebook, and trying to muster up the courage to write another post and come up with enough witty things to say in advance, cooking consist of running back and forth from the sofa to the kitchen screaming "Holy Crap!" I just feel like I have butterfingers in the kitchen! Thank goodness it doesn't effect my cooking though, I can make a mean dinner! Thanks to my very expressive husband, he reminds me everytime! Well I need to get back to cleaning up the rice and sitting down to a meal with my hubby, best part of my day! (plus, He does the dishes, score! what a deal!)

{About Us}

2008-12-15T13:04:00.022-05:00

Here's a little background about me and my guy! As I decided to document our story, I forgot about some great details. So why you might not be interested in the minor details that I seem to remember, browse through to get a gist of us! Jose and I met at the end of December 2001. He was an uninvited guest through a friend of a friend at my family's, then annual, Christmas Paranda! I had just finished my first semester of college and was crushing on another guy at the time. I knew of Jose through another friend Nicky and recognized him immediately. I was dancing when I noticed him walk in from the side of the house, and immediately went to introduce myself with "Hi, you don't know me, but I know you! You're Nicky's friend, right?" After that, there are many versions of the story. I remember giving him my phone number at the party. I gave it to him for no other reason other than he asked me for it, remember I was crushing on someone else so I had no intentions! Most the the spring semster went by without him on my mind. I was busy with Orientation Leader training, trying to survive my second semester of Arhitecture school, and that other guy, remember? LOL I got several phone calls from him that I didn't return. We had a chance incounter on campus throughout the semester. Once he ran all they way across campus to walk me to class. We got bubbalicous gum at the bookstore, and we ran into each other at the elevator. I so clearly remember after our meeting at the elvator, the door closed and I said, outloud, to myself "That poor boy, he's gonna call me, and I'll never call him back"!!!! LMAO I was just so focused with school that I was not interested. Close to the end of the semester, I did finally return his call. On the other side of the story, the phone call that I returned was the last phone call he said he was going to make. With 2 unreturned phone calls, the third was his last attempt. I did finally call him back and we slowly got closer! He had his second uninvited visit when he called to tell me he was in front of my house and wanted to come in! I asked my dad if he could come in (pahahahah) and in a huge fraternity jacket and bandana, he met my dad! I was in sweats and a huge t-shirt since I was making a model. Other events slowly tipped me off that he liked me. The entire time I wasn't convinced he liked me. Keeping my friend Nicky posted with every update, I call her after he called me to tell me of a surprise visit. She then shared that he just left early from a party of friend and said he was going somewhere else, and came to my house. I was still in denial that he was trying to persue a relationship but it began to sink in a bit! He's visits and phone call became more regular. We both started ditching and canceling most of our obligations just to be together. We would talk into the wee hours of the night and somehow I don't recall ever being sleepy at work! On May 1st he asked me to be "exclusive" and I said no! I wasn't ready to commit and my mantra with Jose was " as long as he makes me laugh, i'll stick around". He was not discouraged and as a token before he left for a month to New York he gave me his father's wedding ring. Sounds weird at first but it was very valuable to him and we said we keep in touch. Well for the entire month, we spoke every day until 3am and really developed a friendship with I believe got our relationship on the right start! When we got back from his trip, we have been inseparable every since! We had our perfect times, our rough times, but through it all we've always said "Nothing is a deal-breaker". He was been my greastest encourager and has helped me to increase my belief in myself and my capabilities! We traveled to my two islands:New York, Puerto Rico. We've gonna abroad to Italy and had adventures in Costa Rica. Several days after my graduation he proposed in a way Jose could only pull off in Butterfly world (Venessa means Butterfly). With a slight clue that he would propose and after asking my dad for my hand in marriage, we proposed with my emerald cut diamond ring! It was perfect! After that, there was a surprise Engagement Party but it was a surprise for most of the guest since they thought it was a graduation party. A year later (I'll post on the wedding) we were married and enjoyed 2 weeks, 1 week in London, and another in Paris. We've enjoyed a year of marriage. Jose has been a best friend that constantly challenges me, and encourages me. He believes in me more than I believe in myself and loves me just the way I am! I am truly blessed and I pray for you that you have or find someone that loves you as you are and encourages you to be better!

{m+o baby announcment}

2008-12-14T09:18:00.019-05:00

My best friend is expecting! Maria and Omar are expecting their first child on June 26, 2009! I'm so excited for my friend of 14 years (whoa I just counted that and didn't realized it was that long lol) is going to be a mami!!! We've seen each other through braces, bras, boyfriends, and now babys!!!! It's been a ride thus far being the only person that knew Maria and Omar were trying so when I found out I was overjoyed and brought to sobbing tears! I look forward to being a Titi Nessa again!!! SO about a week after they decided to try, my super planner of a friend, commissioned me to design her baby announcment! With a couple of sketches we've decided on the concept and with in 1 week, we were completely done! That's another thing about Maria, there is no lollygagging (my specialty lol). If she has an idea, within 5 mins, its near completion. I was super grateful that she gave me the opportunity to craft her announcement and I can't wait for the Baby Shower! See below for the inspiration board, the process, and final product, made with love!

{Farewell Party}

2008-11-18T22:32:00.011-05:00

Well, with a week to make this party have a special twist, I made the place cards, got a variety of autumn-esce decorations and made, FROM SCRATCH, chocolate cupcakes! The color scheme ended up being orange and purple. The final product, with help from my mom with set-up, it came out really cute and got a lot of complements for special touches....and that's why I love to do it! We were able to have it outdoors and had a simple menu to make it as least complicated as possible. Check out the pictures and let me know what you think! I waiting on some more set shots, so i'll definately post those! Gina came to spend some quality time with the family with my cupcakes! trying to create a "blog-esce" photo with the hubby and my Madrina (GodMother) we'll find any excuse to dance!!!! "Oye Hector" and Mickey "mi loco" my Mom and brother!!! With my brother dog, Gigi!

{Farewell Party Planning}

2008-11-11T23:39:00.006-05:00

Well any and every opportunity I get, I try to add special touches to any party! We have a family friend that is moving back to North Carolina and for a farewell touches, I've added some homemade goodies!!!! I designed and created simple place cards with Good Bye written in different languages! Also, I've been making wire mesh lanterns. Here a just a couple of pics and I'll post after the party! I'm planning to make chocolate cupcakes, ALL from scratch, thanks to my magnolia's cookbook, with orange frosting! Still need something to top the cupcakes...fake flowers, or sprinkles....hum! what do you think.....

Why Blogs Changed My Life

2008-10-27T21:23:00.005-04:00

Well today I have stumbbled on TWO new blogs that have opened my eyes are affirmed that yes, i can do it!!! My writing skills aren't the best so i'm really hesistant to blog but the effect of others are really showing me that there are plenty of people out there they are just as creative if not more, and that love to craft and create as much as i do! so here are some blogs that i have found that i really love....i plan to write up more about them, well, eventually.... Bell Creations <---- she is a really talented painter and has decorated her bedroom gorgeously!!!!! Love it and plan to follow! Make It <----this blog is my latest inspiration! she has done exactly what i want to do and i'm so grateful she;s made a blog all about it! that's it for tonight! I love Etsy btw. I am really focused on trying to develop my business idea. i want to get the name trademarked so no one steals it hehehe that's it for tonight!

I Love Martha Stuart!

2008-10-17T12:45:00.002-04:00

Well I can't agree more with Studio By Carmen blog, I do love Martha Stuart and I just realized it! What she does is everything I love and she's created an EMPIRE out of it!!!!!!! Inspiring!!! And you can see I am on some sort of quest, to find what I love and DO IT! I have found WHO I love, and WHO loves me, now I need to find WHAT I love and how to make an Empire! he he he That's all my thoughts for now.......

How Blogs changed my life

2008-10-16T06:39:00.003-04:00

well i have developed an obsession. i love blogs and i first i didn't know why. i thought i was being nosey! but i have found some of the coolest websites ever from blogs. and most of all, i have found a lot of people who love what they do. i plan to be apart of that crowd soon. i guess i'm just trying to figured things out and i'm glad i have a supportive husband and that makes all the difference. and i'm glad i'm not the only one that loves blogs! i read how other people love blogs, have crushes on blogs, etc etc and i'm not alone yay thanks to vintage glam, rambling of a future mrs, fabulous fetes, studio by carmen, and more (just see the blogs i follow) for the blog bug and sharing with the fellow bloggers out there....gotta love it! ta ta for now!

Welcome! Nervous About Blogging

2008-10-09T23:13:00.001-04:00

New to the blogging world I hope I can keep up with it! Well this is my WELCOME message and check back often and hopefully I've updated it! he he he Love, Forgetful Venessa (sing like Adam Sandlers song in 50 First Dates....if I was an advanced blogger I would have included a picture of the movie...Not there yet lol)