Talisa Monet

I recently found a playhouse for the kids and once we brought it home I knew I wanted to make it over. Not that it wasn’t cute or anything I just needed to be extra. I took to Pinterest like everything else to spark some ideas.  Wasn’t even a second in before I knew I wanted to paint it black and white. So that’s what I did!

I read a few blog post that specified painting before building but we had already built the house so I was a little discourage but, then thought to myself ….THEY’RE KIDS. I cared more than anyone if it wasn’t perfect.  So I just went for it. Unscrewed the door and took out the windows. Painted the house white with rollers and a brush and some outdoor white paint. I spray painted the windows and accessories with black paint. I had, had an extra planter box which fit perfectly under the window and screwed it in. Took a few hours but the turn out was worth it. I love looking at it. I highly recommend a play house make over!

 

Here is the before.

and the AFTER!

I planted Strawberries in the planter and have a citronella plant to keep away mosquitos.

 

I want to do something to floor. I got some great ideas like chalk paint, checker board and a few others I just haven’t figured it out.

xo

T

Pura Vita located in West Hollywood , California is a Plant Base Italian restaurant. It is the first in LA to be exact and I guarantee its here to stay.  I was lucky enough to taste some of Chef Tara’s signature dishes with a group of amazing ladies recently and we ALL left  very satisfied! Pura Vita opened its doors just a few weeks ago but the dinner lines are already out the door. Mainly because the goddess herself Chef Tara put her heart into these dishes and it shows. Her mozzarella and ricotta are just too good to be true. Her pastas are truly unreal! Don’t get me started on the desserts! Don’t worry if you can’t wait for dinner, its open for lunch!

 

 

 

 

I was recently introduced to Thoughtfully and instantly was taken by their unique gifting idea. We all have trouble figure out what to get “that” person. They’ve made it easy for you to find something for everyone! Even me! I’m a modern mama, fun personality (sometimes) , with a creative soul who loves wine!

I was lucky enough to receive my Mother’s Day gift early, this is what they sent me!

Box 1 — FOR THE LOVE OF WINE / TIME TO WINE DOWN

I am absolutely obsessed with this one! It has everything a creative wine loving lady would want! This one includes a Wine Growler (take wine anywhere, they allow wine!) , stainless steel wine glasses , wine wipes, a super cute journal and feather pen. My favorite part is they try to include personal touches like these little letter magnets so you can customize your glasses or growler.

Gift this box here — FOR THE LOVE OF WINE BOX 

 

BOX 2- TROPICAL PARTY PACK- if you like pina coladas…..

 

This is the perfect little team to take with me camping, poolside,  you name it! The pineapple shaker is by far the cutest freaking shaker I have ever seen! It also comes with flamingo glasses , pina colada mix and mai tai mix just incase you can’t decide.

 

Gift this box here —- TROPICAL PARTY PACK 

 

 

I can’t wait to pass some Thoughtfully gift along to my friends and family. But right now , I think its time I try out these mixers!

 

xo,

T

So this year Superbowl was especially awesome because  I happen to kill it and win our families second annual Fantasy League! Other wise I wasn’t too invested in the game, I came for the food and good-times.  I am glad the game was as entertaining as it was because I was convinced Brady was going to prove to everyone how amazing he is and pull off another one.  Sadly after that I can agree and say maybe it’s time his beautiful face retired and got into tv or modeling, something were we can all continue droll over him and his perfect family.  All and all it was a great game and the Eagles came to win. Just like MamaBOOKIE2.0 ! Until next year…

As for food I stuck to the sweet stuff instead of savory this year. I need to practice my baking skills so there’s no better time then when people have a lot to drink and everything taste delicious. I made chocolate cupcakes with chocolate whipped cream frosting and vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream they had white chocolate decorations and a toostie roll football, football cake with the same chocolate batter but it had a chocoalte ganche glaze and white chocolate laces. I will do a blog post with the Chococolate Gancahe Cake recipe soon.  I also ended up attempting cake pops but threw in the towel and made cake balls instead.

 

I went the quick and easy route for the kids and stuck to the tots, quesadillas and mac and cheese from KidFresh. I absolutely love those quick and healthy meals. They have hidden veggies in everything so you can feel quilt free while you little one stuffs their face.

 

I hope everyone had a great time surrounded with good people.  Surround yourself with those who make you smile.

 

xoxo

T

I  was lucky enough to have recently had my eyebrows micro bladed by the super lovely and talented Lauren Shapiro of Starry Eyes Microblading  .   I honestly can’t express how great it feels to not have to worry about my DAMN brows!!! I felt like I had none and it sucked to have to sit there every day and draw them in and hope that they kinda match…

BUT NOT ANYMORE!

I am completely obsessed with Lauren’s gift. She was able to look at my face and show me where my eyebrows should be! I recommend her a million times over.

Her info and the before and after photos are attached below.

THANK YOU Lauren!!

STARRY EYES MICROBLADING

https://www.starryeyesmicroblading.com

TEXT

1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd  Ste. 201-21
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

 

As you can see I am always in smiles , because MY BROWS ARE PERFECT!

 

XXO

T

I know! I know! it’s almost Christmas and I am barely getting my Thanksgiving post up. But, one of my favorite sayings is going to be my motto for the night.

BETTER LATE THEN NEVER. lol

So this Thanksgiving I reached out and told all primos that I wanted to make it a bit special , a little fancier and just create some amazing memories and traditions. I have a huge Mexican family so it’s not easy for me to figure out how to feed so many of us let alone table settings, invites, decor, etc. But, if you know me you know I am very frugal and very resourceful so somehow it all works out.

I ended up emailing everyone this year to contribute whatever they can to allow my brother and myself to cook up a pretty delicious feast. Along with the usual fixings we had the usual mexican add ons from tamales, pozole, chili rellenos, and the tasty mexican version of hot chocolate called champurado. Food has always been the easy part. This year I wanted the atmosphere to match the taste.

The weather was a brutal 90 degrees during the day so it made for a perfect outdoor dinner setting. I sadly couldn’t fit everyone outside so I did have a kids table and an aunt and uncle table indoors. For decor I kept it very rustic. I saved all my Health-Ade Kombucha bottles to add a very simple but memorable statement. All the greenery was foraged by my mother-in-law and other family members. I WILL NEVER SHOP FOR GREENERY. It’s everywhere, and thankfully my sister-in-law is the queen of green so I have been able to learn a few pointers for her. So here is my a recap of my wonderful, beautiful, amazing Thanksgiving with my crazy family.

 

The outdoor seating couldnt have been more perfect for all of us!

I set a small appetizer table aside with just enough to tie you over but , I mean its THANKSGIVING! No one should be full off appetizers. 

I mixed and matched all the plates I could find so we didn’t have to use plastic ones. It add a nicer touch but the clean up is a handful.

Hopefully my neighbors doesn’t miss his ornamental grasses, that clearly needed to be trimmed and added the perfect touch.

The food was pretty much endless. 

Set up a chalk board outside so everyone could write a little something. I am pretty sure this will be our new tradition. I still walk outside to read what everyone wrote. 

When I said I had a big family, I ment it.

 

Hope you enjoyed my THANKSGIVING recap, now to get ready for Christmas!

xo,

T

 

Todays Farmers Market treasures included a fresh crisp bundle of kale that I needed to eat as quickly as possible. My mind instantly went to KALE CHIPS. So that is exactly what I did. I have messed with different versions of kale chips but this has been my favorite.  Since so many of you reached out and asked HOW? so here you go.

I add lemon because i love lemon but this might wilt the kale a bit beware.

 

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

Best,

T