• Family & Motherhood

    sister night

    There is one thing that is constant on Monday night, and don’t you even say Monday Night Football. For me it’s sister night and tonight will be my last one living here in Dallas before I’m off to San Francisco. Sister night was developed (look at me all sounding patent-pending, trademark-like) by my 2 younger sisters and I when we realized it was stupid to be in the same city and not see each other every week. So we made a deal to pick a day that worked for all of our after-work schedules and get together sans-husbands, friends, boyfriends, etc. Our plan was great on paper: we would get the…

  • Family & Motherhood

    finding what you love

    Finding what you love can be life’s saving grace. It serves as a distraction, an esteem booster, a blissful waste of time and if you’re lucky and work hard, what you love could even be your job.  I’ve had many loves in my life that have played an important role in my life. Music Music was always playing in my house since I was a baby. I remember being woken up on the weekends by my parents blasting music of Cher, Simon and Garfunkel and Dianne Warwick along with Italian and Latin artists while my mom made breakfast. After elementary school, I entered into the standard identity crisis phase known…

  • Family & Motherhood

    sadness with a side of proud

    My sisters and I are close. I am confident to say we are best friends. So when I dropped her off at the airport yesterday so she can start her next chapter in LA, I was overwhelmed with a full course of sadness with a side of proud by the thought of being 1,400 miles away from my best friend. Back when we were in college, trying to figure out where our life was going to lead us, we unconsciously met up in Dallas, Texas and began what I consider to be one of the most fulfilling, inspiring, beautiful and truthful friendships I will ever experience. My sisters are my…

  • Family & Motherhood

    my trips: huatulco

    Last week was our annual family vacation where we just eat, sleep and enjoy one of the beautiful beaches in Mexico (we tried Jamaica once and the experience just didn’t compare). This year our destination lead us to Huatulco for the second time and it was just heaven. The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms the entire week we were going to be there and only ended up raining once, in the evening. Take that weatherman! Aside from the beautiful beach and ocean, we stayed at the Dreams Huatulco hotel and the infinity pool overlooking the ocean was all I needed. The rooms were comfy and they even hooked us…

  • Family & Motherhood

    a night in for one

    I come home after work on a Friday night and sit on the couch petting Mya. I already know it’s going to be that kind of night, a night for one.   I walk to the bathroom, picking up bubble bath, oils and a pillow on the way there to avoid multiple trips. As I turn on the faucet, the warm water just tempts me with visions of relaxation. As the water fills the tub and the smell of the luxurious bubbles fill the room, its time to set the scene. I walk to the living room and turn on the music channels. Jazz sounds about right to set the…

  • Family & Motherhood

    wednesday in review: avenue q

    Have you heard of the Broadway show Avenue Q? If you haven’t, put it on your list to see. It’s won countless Tony Awards and is a laugh out loud show that covers all sorts of controversial topics- with puppets. Yep, this show has been called the “Sesame Street for adults” show with characters like Trekky Monster, Rod and Nicky (who resemble Cookie Monster and Bert and Ernie, by the way). There is even a Gary Coleman character who is the superintendent of a run-down neighborhood in New York city called Avenue Q. The story revolves around Princeton, a recent college grad looking to find his purpose in life. The…

  • Family & Motherhood

    year two

    Two years ago today I married the love of my life and decided to go on this rollercoaster ride together. This weekend we spent it in San Antonio at this adorable bed & breakfast (which we have decided may not be the best thing for us non-early morning people) and spent the day sightseeing and just walking alongside the Riverwalk. Today we get to open yet another bottle from the winery we got engaged at that was signed by some of our guests at our wedding. Another year has gone by and I could not have asked for a better person to spend it with. Thank you for being my…

  • Family & Motherhood

    mom

    Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! My mom is here with my sisters and I this weekend and we’ve had so much fun treating her to the spa, good food and all the “sister time” a mom could want. I know everyone says this, but I really believe I have the best mom in the world. She has become my friend, confidant, advisor and support. I feel lucky to be her daughter and I just hope I make her proud of me as I am so proud of her. My sisters and I are so close and she’s got a major part in making that happen. Coming…

  • Family & Motherhood

    my trip: mexico

    My trip: Mexico! If you follow me on instagram you know that I just came back from beautiful Mexico. My parents decided to do a Mexico trip and invited me along. After a week of sightseeing and visiting family in Guadalajara, Guanajuato and Leon (the leather capital), I came back relaxed, happy and full. So much good food, fresh fruit waters (watermelon, melon) and beautiful landmarks had me thinking about the next time I want to come back. Since my husband couldn’t come along, this is one trip I look forward taking with him. Have you been to Guanajuato? What did you like the best?

  • Family & Motherhood

    growing up Mexican and Italian

    Growing up with two cultures heavily embedded in your everyday as well as living in a third completely different culture is a lot for a kid. My mother is a strong Mexican who came to the US when she married my dad and my dad is Italian who came to New York from Italy when he was a kid. So I’m first generation Mexican-Italian raised in the US. I’m a mutt. Now that I’m older, I can appreciate all the things my parents (especially my mom who really made an effort to embed her culture and traditions) did for us in order to have the most diversified life possible. Things…