Part 1
Part 2
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
16 weeks pregnant! Update!
Hi guys. I did another vlog updating you on my pregnancy.
If you'd like to see my previous pregnancy vlog, please click here :)
http://soniakaye.blogspot.com/2011/06/9-weeks-pregnant-update.html
Hope you enjoy!
XOXO
Sonia
If you'd like to see my previous pregnancy vlog, please click here :)
http://soniakaye.blogspot.com/2011/06/9-weeks-pregnant-update.html
Hope you enjoy!
XOXO
Sonia
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Babysitting in Style :)
I'm writing this blog as Giselle, my friend's daughter, is trying to fall asleep in my bedroom. As many of you know Giselle is like a daughter to me. We've always had a special bond, and I would do anything for her. I babysit her sometimes and it's always fun...a little tiring(physically) because I give my all when I'm with her but also rewarding in every possible way!!! Today her parents had a wedding to attend so I babysat Giselle in the evening. But today was different than any other time. It was different because it wasn't in the afternoon but in the evening, and also because it wasn't by myself but with the help of my husband. We decided to go for a walk and then have dinner at Americana. Since this time I was not going to babysit at home, and because Bako was going to help me I tried to get my answers to a couple of questions:
1. Is Bako going to be a hands-on dad?
2. Is it really that much harder to go out with kids than without them?
3. Is it possible to dress the same way before and after kids?
Before answering these questions I want to describe our evening to you first. Once Giselle's parents dropped her off at 8:00 PM, we drove to Americana. Since she had to sleep at 10:00-10:30 I did not want to lose any more time. I had my hair and makeup done and was wearing what I usually wear when I go out for a stroll: a pair of skinny jeans, a cute top, a blazer and high heels. Since I knew I was going to carry the baby from time to time, I decided to wear heels that were relatively lower and I got flats with me just in case :)
When we arrived in Americana we got Giselle in the stroller and went straight to Cheesecake Factory to get on the waiting list. The wait was 50 minutes so we decided to go to Barnes and Noble because I needed to get a book from there. I didn't see an elevator in the store so while I took the escalator to the third floor to get the book I needed, Giselle stayed with Bako in his favorite part of the store: the travel section. Bako showed Giselle pictures from some exotic destinations while I paid for the book and joined them. Bako wanted to get a new shirt so while he went around CK store looking for one, Giselle and I discussed a color wheel drawn in the book I had just gotten. We then walked towards the dancing fountains where Giselle's excitement reached its maximum. She laughed excitedly while the fountains danced to the synchronized music and lights. At that point our pager vibrated and we started walking towards the restaurant. While the hostess led Bako to the table I went to the restroom to change Giselle's diapers (Bako got my purse, the stroller and the rest of our stuff with him). I have changed Giselle's pampers countless times, and it's been so easy every time but this time it was a disaster! lol Let me tell you why. Before going to the restroom I got the new diapers and wet wipes but forgot the diaper changing pad in my purse. So although the diaper changing station in the restroom was helpful, the fact that I had forgotten the pad wasn't. So instead of going back and finding Bako and getting the pad I decided to instead put paper on the station then lay Giselle down hahahaha lol That was a struggle! lol Then I put her there and while trying to attach the diaper I accidentally ripped the wrong side lol. It was getting so hot in the restroom, and both me and Giselle were wearing jackets so it was getting a little frustrating! I somehow fixed the diaper and put her pants back on, and we walked to the table to finally be fed! Ever since I got pregnant Bako's a little more attentive to me than usual. He does not let me carry weight any more that's why he let me get sitted while he put Giselle in the high-chair! AW!!!!! We got French fries, pineapple juice and water for Giselle, I got a cup of clam chowder, and Bako got some spicy dish. Giselle was already tired and she kept reaching me over the table. When I put her high-chair next to me, she put her head on my shoulder and started drinking her juice. We hardly got her to eat anything! The poor soul was so sleepy (she kept sucking her thumb which she only does when she's sleepy). Every time I moved a little away to eat my soup she started whining so I pushed my soup away and started watching a cartoon with her on my phone. Bako's dish hadn't arrived yet so while he had some free time, he told me to sit across from Giselle, and he sat next to her. He started feeding her and watching Mickey mouse on the phone with her while I finished my soup. Giselle couldn't take another moment of sitting any more so I walked her to the fountain again while Bako got to eat this time. We walked a little, checked out the new Apple store and went back to get Bako and go home. We got home at about 10:15 PM so right when we got home I prepared the milk, changed Giselle's diaper, put her in her cute pajamas and took her to the bedroom to sleep. She didn't cry, whine or complain, but she slept later than usual. I guess because she was not in her own room, in her bed where she sleeps most nights. It usually takes her half an hour to an hour to fall asleep but this time it took her almost 2 hours. Poor baby! I just checked on her and she's sleeping like an angel! I love her so much!
My favorite part of the evening was how helpful and caring Bako was both with me and with Giselle. It was so nice pushing the stroller together while talking and laughing! Everyone who knows Bako knows about his "phobia" of strollers. But guess what! Bako pushed a stroller today! Yes he did! looool As he was pushing it he said, "I hope John doesn't have spies to take pictures of me pushing the stroller" lol It made me laugh every time! Another thing that made us laugh was the fact that the stroller fell every time we took Giselle out because the weight of my purse made it shift back. We looked like amateur parents! hahaha It was so funny!!! Giselle also made us laugh so much in the car. She says, "Casey, toy". I tell Bako how she likes when I throw Casey's toy and tell her to get it, and Giselle simultaneously says, "Goooooo get iiiiit!!!!!". She is such a sweetheart!
So to answer my three questions:
1. Yes, Bako will continue being a great husband, and he will be a great father when the baby's born.
2. It is a little harder to go out with children especially if they don't like holding hands or it is time for them to sleep but it is fun! And I think going out with them in the afternoon is definitely easier than later in the evening.
3. Yes, it is absolutely possible to dress the same before and after kids. Of course, it is easier wearing flats and comfortable clothing but when is it not? Even without kids it's easier to wear sweatpants than skinny jeans. I, like everyone else, have days when I would rather sit at home in my pajamas and watch a movie while binging than get all pretty and go out. Although there are days that I do just that, I don't let it become a lifestyle, and I hope to continue that way after I have my little ones. Taking care of oneself is very important in my opinion: it maintains the woman's confidence while showing the husband that his wife still cares about herself! To sum it up, yes it would be easier today if I were wearing my sweats and flats and tanktop but being stylish while pushing the stroller was priceless! All the stares my husband, Giselle and I got from people was totally worth the minimal discomfort I felt wearing my "not-so-comfortable" clothes and shoes!
1. Is Bako going to be a hands-on dad?
2. Is it really that much harder to go out with kids than without them?
3. Is it possible to dress the same way before and after kids?
Before answering these questions I want to describe our evening to you first. Once Giselle's parents dropped her off at 8:00 PM, we drove to Americana. Since she had to sleep at 10:00-10:30 I did not want to lose any more time. I had my hair and makeup done and was wearing what I usually wear when I go out for a stroll: a pair of skinny jeans, a cute top, a blazer and high heels. Since I knew I was going to carry the baby from time to time, I decided to wear heels that were relatively lower and I got flats with me just in case :)
When we arrived in Americana we got Giselle in the stroller and went straight to Cheesecake Factory to get on the waiting list. The wait was 50 minutes so we decided to go to Barnes and Noble because I needed to get a book from there. I didn't see an elevator in the store so while I took the escalator to the third floor to get the book I needed, Giselle stayed with Bako in his favorite part of the store: the travel section. Bako showed Giselle pictures from some exotic destinations while I paid for the book and joined them. Bako wanted to get a new shirt so while he went around CK store looking for one, Giselle and I discussed a color wheel drawn in the book I had just gotten. We then walked towards the dancing fountains where Giselle's excitement reached its maximum. She laughed excitedly while the fountains danced to the synchronized music and lights. At that point our pager vibrated and we started walking towards the restaurant. While the hostess led Bako to the table I went to the restroom to change Giselle's diapers (Bako got my purse, the stroller and the rest of our stuff with him). I have changed Giselle's pampers countless times, and it's been so easy every time but this time it was a disaster! lol Let me tell you why. Before going to the restroom I got the new diapers and wet wipes but forgot the diaper changing pad in my purse. So although the diaper changing station in the restroom was helpful, the fact that I had forgotten the pad wasn't. So instead of going back and finding Bako and getting the pad I decided to instead put paper on the station then lay Giselle down hahahaha lol That was a struggle! lol Then I put her there and while trying to attach the diaper I accidentally ripped the wrong side lol. It was getting so hot in the restroom, and both me and Giselle were wearing jackets so it was getting a little frustrating! I somehow fixed the diaper and put her pants back on, and we walked to the table to finally be fed! Ever since I got pregnant Bako's a little more attentive to me than usual. He does not let me carry weight any more that's why he let me get sitted while he put Giselle in the high-chair! AW!!!!! We got French fries, pineapple juice and water for Giselle, I got a cup of clam chowder, and Bako got some spicy dish. Giselle was already tired and she kept reaching me over the table. When I put her high-chair next to me, she put her head on my shoulder and started drinking her juice. We hardly got her to eat anything! The poor soul was so sleepy (she kept sucking her thumb which she only does when she's sleepy). Every time I moved a little away to eat my soup she started whining so I pushed my soup away and started watching a cartoon with her on my phone. Bako's dish hadn't arrived yet so while he had some free time, he told me to sit across from Giselle, and he sat next to her. He started feeding her and watching Mickey mouse on the phone with her while I finished my soup. Giselle couldn't take another moment of sitting any more so I walked her to the fountain again while Bako got to eat this time. We walked a little, checked out the new Apple store and went back to get Bako and go home. We got home at about 10:15 PM so right when we got home I prepared the milk, changed Giselle's diaper, put her in her cute pajamas and took her to the bedroom to sleep. She didn't cry, whine or complain, but she slept later than usual. I guess because she was not in her own room, in her bed where she sleeps most nights. It usually takes her half an hour to an hour to fall asleep but this time it took her almost 2 hours. Poor baby! I just checked on her and she's sleeping like an angel! I love her so much!
My favorite part of the evening was how helpful and caring Bako was both with me and with Giselle. It was so nice pushing the stroller together while talking and laughing! Everyone who knows Bako knows about his "phobia" of strollers. But guess what! Bako pushed a stroller today! Yes he did! looool As he was pushing it he said, "I hope John doesn't have spies to take pictures of me pushing the stroller" lol It made me laugh every time! Another thing that made us laugh was the fact that the stroller fell every time we took Giselle out because the weight of my purse made it shift back. We looked like amateur parents! hahaha It was so funny!!! Giselle also made us laugh so much in the car. She says, "Casey, toy". I tell Bako how she likes when I throw Casey's toy and tell her to get it, and Giselle simultaneously says, "Goooooo get iiiiit!!!!!". She is such a sweetheart!
So to answer my three questions:
1. Yes, Bako will continue being a great husband, and he will be a great father when the baby's born.
2. It is a little harder to go out with children especially if they don't like holding hands or it is time for them to sleep but it is fun! And I think going out with them in the afternoon is definitely easier than later in the evening.
3. Yes, it is absolutely possible to dress the same before and after kids. Of course, it is easier wearing flats and comfortable clothing but when is it not? Even without kids it's easier to wear sweatpants than skinny jeans. I, like everyone else, have days when I would rather sit at home in my pajamas and watch a movie while binging than get all pretty and go out. Although there are days that I do just that, I don't let it become a lifestyle, and I hope to continue that way after I have my little ones. Taking care of oneself is very important in my opinion: it maintains the woman's confidence while showing the husband that his wife still cares about herself! To sum it up, yes it would be easier today if I were wearing my sweats and flats and tanktop but being stylish while pushing the stroller was priceless! All the stares my husband, Giselle and I got from people was totally worth the minimal discomfort I felt wearing my "not-so-comfortable" clothes and shoes!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Vacationing in Hawaii
As many of you know, Hawaii is like a second home to my husband and I. We started going there once a year in 2006, and we've been going there at least twice a year since 2010. We consider it our second home because when we're there we live exactly the same way as we do back in LA. We have a car (we rent it of course), we hardly ever hang out in the tourist part of the town, we go to the movies, we stay in the room when my husband has to work and we jog in the evenings like we often (ok, sometimes) do back at home. We don't feel like we are on vacation when we are in Hawaii, yet we come back rejuvenated and well-rested. This is what we usually do there. We wake up and have breakfast. Then we drive to the most beautiful beach we have ever seen: Lanikai. It is the place where my husband feels happiest. As a matter of fact when he is stressed back at home he often fantasizes about being there, and even just thinking about his favorite place in the world makes him happy! We stay in Lanikai for hours but it never feels that way. Time just flies there. We may just sit and stare at the ocean for hours while sun-tanning or stay in the water and talk. Hubby often puts his earphones on and sings out loud which, I dare say, is the funniest thing in the world! I swear, if there was a contest for the worst-voiced singer in the world, he would win the first place!!! I'm sure you'll agree with me once you watch the video hehe :). It is even funnier when the music is loud and he can't hear himself sing! lol. I, on the other hand, either read or sun-tan on a floatie in the water. If I were to describe Lanikai in one word I would say: heavenly! The sand is so fine it resembles flour. It is white and soft, and no matter how far you go in the water you will still feel it caressing your feet. The water is so warm that the warmest pool could not compare. The beach in front of our hotel is nice too but it cannot even come close to Lanikai. Plus it is so crowded and sometimes dirty because of that same fact, that we stopped going there completely last year.
I think I got a little distracted :). So after we leave Lanikai we go back home and get ready for dinner. After dinner we walk along Kalakaua Avenue which is full of high-end designer stores, tourists and tourist rip-off places :). The designer stores are my favorite part of Kalakaua Avenue. Even if we don't buy anything, which hardly ever happens, we love window shopping. I think my husband enjoys it a little more than I do...ok maybe we enjoy it the same! So the stores are on one side of the avenue, and the ocean is on the other. The cool breeze from the ocean is so pleasant! You know the feeling when the weather is so perfect you want to scream of happiness?!!!!! Ok maybe it is a bit excessive for some but not for me. It has the ability to make me the happiest person in the world. I am trying desperately to describe how it makes me feel but I don't think words can describe what I feel when I breathe that air... Anyways, back to Kalakaua. Rip-off #1: ABC stores...OMG everything they have is so overpriced! Thank God my husband quit smoking cigarettes, but when he was smoking I remember him paying $8 for a pack of cigarettes...
Another alternative to walking along Kalakaua is jogging at the park nearby which is humongous. Again, on one side is the ocean and on the other the track for joggers. The track is next to acres and acres of green land. My hubby's not a big fan of jogging, but when we're in Hawaii it is his own request that we go jogging because jogging in that weather, breathing that air is the most pleasant thing you can possibly do! Another way to spend the evening is going to the movies or driving around town or meeting locals and hanging out with them.
Here's a video of us from our latest Hawaiian vacation :) Hope you enjoy (pay attention at how much my husband and I laugh when we're together hehe)!
Always yours,
SK
P.S. I don't want to attach the pictures to the video too so I am just going to post them here :) As you will see, I have passion for food...good food to be more accurate!
I think I got a little distracted :). So after we leave Lanikai we go back home and get ready for dinner. After dinner we walk along Kalakaua Avenue which is full of high-end designer stores, tourists and tourist rip-off places :). The designer stores are my favorite part of Kalakaua Avenue. Even if we don't buy anything, which hardly ever happens, we love window shopping. I think my husband enjoys it a little more than I do...ok maybe we enjoy it the same! So the stores are on one side of the avenue, and the ocean is on the other. The cool breeze from the ocean is so pleasant! You know the feeling when the weather is so perfect you want to scream of happiness?!!!!! Ok maybe it is a bit excessive for some but not for me. It has the ability to make me the happiest person in the world. I am trying desperately to describe how it makes me feel but I don't think words can describe what I feel when I breathe that air... Anyways, back to Kalakaua. Rip-off #1: ABC stores...OMG everything they have is so overpriced! Thank God my husband quit smoking cigarettes, but when he was smoking I remember him paying $8 for a pack of cigarettes...
Another alternative to walking along Kalakaua is jogging at the park nearby which is humongous. Again, on one side is the ocean and on the other the track for joggers. The track is next to acres and acres of green land. My hubby's not a big fan of jogging, but when we're in Hawaii it is his own request that we go jogging because jogging in that weather, breathing that air is the most pleasant thing you can possibly do! Another way to spend the evening is going to the movies or driving around town or meeting locals and hanging out with them.
Here's a video of us from our latest Hawaiian vacation :) Hope you enjoy (pay attention at how much my husband and I laugh when we're together hehe)!
Always yours,
SK
P.S. I don't want to attach the pictures to the video too so I am just going to post them here :) As you will see, I have passion for food...good food to be more accurate!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
A Successful Day of Shopping
Have you ever entered a store and fallen in love with everything they have? Well, it hardly ever happens to me. I might like a bunch of stuff but usually not everything. So I went to the mall yesterday to get a face mask from Lush when I saw this gorgeous fuchsia dress/top in a store window. I had to have a look at it. It just dragged me in, and once I was there I was moving from one item to another grabbing everything on the way. I hadn't been this excited in such a long time! There were so many cute dresses and long tops and blazers and accessories... When an employee came up to me to start me a room I already had 10+ items on hand. By the time I actually got to the fitting room it was twice that. Almost everything I tried looked great on me. But then I started thinking about the practicality issue. How long will I wear all these cute dresses? I am three months pregnant already and although I am not yet showing, I will soon! So I decided to only get the stuff that I really really liked and put the rest back. When I was at the register I realized that I had only looked at 1/3 of the store, and I panicked 'cause I was still missing out on so many cute things :) But fortunately I contained myself and left the store with only what I had before I went to the register...well, almost! I had to get that cute necklace too! It was right next to me, winking at me...how could I let it down?!!! :))) When I left the store all happy and excited, I decided to check out that maternity store at the mall given that I would be shopping there soon. A gorgeous pair of skinny jeans caught my eye so I took that with a really cute blue top and went to the fitting room. There I found this fake belly/pillow that you wrap around your belly to do an early maternity shopping I guess. So I wrapped it around my belly and after trying on the top I had chosen and not liking it, I decided to try the new clothes I had just bought. With the fake belly I could have a better idea on how and if they were going to fit me in a month or two. OH MY GOD!!!!!! Those dresses fit so beautifully with the pregnant belly and the maternity jeans. The only difference was that if they were dresses before, they were now tops. I was so excited!!!! Before going to the maternity store I thought I was going to wear my new clothes only for maybe a month, but afterwards I realized that I could wear them for a longer time! And what made me even more excited was the fact that I don't have to shop exclusively at maternity stores. The only thing I need from a maternity store are the pants, and the rest I can buy from the same stores as before. Of course I have to be creative about it but still. It's so exciting! I can't wait to make a haul/pregnancy styling video soon! I just have to figure out how to get one of those fake bellies for better demonstration (any ideas will be appreciated. The fake belly costs around $40 on amazon so I don't know if it's worth buying, but I'll try to figure something out :)
Don't forget to comment! I would love to hear what you wore when YOU were pregnant!
Don't forget to comment! I would love to hear what you wore when YOU were pregnant!
Friday, July 29, 2011
A promise to you and to myself :)
I have this annoying habit of giving up on myself or on my projects. I will believe in others for as long as possible but when it comes to me I just give up so soon! I get overly excited about something and give all my energy and time to it, then little by little I just stop. I have so many projects started but never finished. My blog makes me so happy that today I decided to make a commitment to it so that it doesn't become another project that I give up on. Although my blog started for my own therapeutic benefit it has changed since. I have readers that look forward to my blogs (which, by the way, makes me immensely happy!). My ultimate goal is to make my blog an interactive place where both me and my readers can have discussions and share stories...among other things. So before I give up on yet another great idea, I am going to do the following. I give myself six months to reach my goal. Today, in front of all my readers, I make a promise. From today on, I will blog every day for 6 months. Whether it is a short paragraph of random stuff or a long philosophical one, I will try my best to write a little every day. Also I will make a new video at least once a week (this is not only for my viewers but also for me to combat my camera shyness :). My hope is that by the end of January I will have more readers/viewers who will not only read but also post comments to the blogs/videos and interact with the other readers/viewers. If I don't see any change by my deadline then I can give up on my blog without feeling shame for prematurely giving up again :))))
Let me know what you think :) Do you think I can do it?
Let me know what you think :) Do you think I can do it?
Saturday, July 2, 2011
My Top 10 Pet Peeeves
I can't stand it when... (remember: every sentence, except for the last, starts with "I can't stand it when...")
1...people chew loud (I will stay calm and not say anything for some time, hoping the person will get the hint (from the expression of my face, of course), but when the person keep chewing like a cow, I will turn ballistic on the poor soul).
2...companies list both their email and phone # on their contact page, and when you email them a loooooong letter with all your questions they reply and say, please call and give their phone number!!!! (Ugh!!!!!!!!! That company just lost my business. PERIOD. I got your email from the same page as your phone number. Why list the email address if you don't use it??? If I wanted to call I would have called, not emailed. HELLO!!! I am not blind, I just don't like being on the phone!!!)
3...friends are jealous of their friends having other friends! I did not marry you, I am allowed to have more than one friend.
4... friends compete with each other. I don't know about other people but I personally can't be friends with someone who constantly competes with me or makes me want to compete with them. Friendship is all about comfort. If I know we are competing I can never be open with you.
5...moms who think that they are specialists in childbirth just because they have kids to show for it. (If you have conducted enough research you know that every pregnancy and every childbirth is different and yours is not the only way. Teachers who teach childbirth classes report that first-time moms do best in class because they are more curious and pay more attention as opposed to 2+-moms who consider themselves experts in the matter. I wrote this one because some moms ask me about my childbirth plans and before I can utter a sentence, they jump in, interrupt me and say that I am wrong to think in this or that way (just because it differs from their experience). Read some books, do some research, watch some documentaires, take some classes people!!!!!!). As you can tell, this is a new pet peeve, lol.
6...people don't return their phone calls. (You didn't pick up, you're busy, I get it! You couldn't call that same day because you were tired after work/school/whatever, I get it! You don't return my call at all, ok, I'll let this one go. This repeats over and over again (without valid reason)...I won't pick up your phone calls any more. So don't act all surprised when I miss your calls over and over again. This surprise probably irritates me the most.
7...you argue with someone and to prove their point they bring up a fact from your life/personality/history that was told to them in confidence and when you were feeling most vulnerable. This is more than a pet peeve, I think. Do this to someone, and they will never look at you the same.
8...the following happens. You are extremely close with someone, you talk to each other any way you want: you can jokingly curse at each other, be rude to each other, basically act at ease with each other as if you were sisters/brothers/whatever, and then that person talks to you in that same way when there are other people around. And then when you're hurt (for a reason), they act as if they didn't do anything wrong, and your sensitivity is to blame.
9...someone donates to a charity or does good stuff for other people and others say, "Oh, he/she does that for tax return purposes". Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not even going to get into this one. It is just too frustrating. (I mostly hear people saying this about my idol: Oprah, and it irritates me SO!!!!!) I hope you, the reader, are not one of those people. However if you are, comment below if you want to argue with me about this. I guarantee you an interesting argument!
10. Racists, ageists, sexists, other -ists, in short bigots, are my biggest pet peeves! I think everyone who knows me knows how strongly I despise bigotry!!!
The points are not in any particular order. They are not the only pet peeves I have either! I didn't plan this blog post. I just went with the flow and wrote whatever came to mind. Comment below if you would like to read more "top 10...." posts in my blog. Until then my loves!!!
1...people chew loud (I will stay calm and not say anything for some time, hoping the person will get the hint (from the expression of my face, of course), but when the person keep chewing like a cow, I will turn ballistic on the poor soul).
2...companies list both their email and phone # on their contact page, and when you email them a loooooong letter with all your questions they reply and say, please call and give their phone number!!!! (Ugh!!!!!!!!! That company just lost my business. PERIOD. I got your email from the same page as your phone number. Why list the email address if you don't use it??? If I wanted to call I would have called, not emailed. HELLO!!! I am not blind, I just don't like being on the phone!!!)
3...friends are jealous of their friends having other friends! I did not marry you, I am allowed to have more than one friend.
4... friends compete with each other. I don't know about other people but I personally can't be friends with someone who constantly competes with me or makes me want to compete with them. Friendship is all about comfort. If I know we are competing I can never be open with you.
5...moms who think that they are specialists in childbirth just because they have kids to show for it. (If you have conducted enough research you know that every pregnancy and every childbirth is different and yours is not the only way. Teachers who teach childbirth classes report that first-time moms do best in class because they are more curious and pay more attention as opposed to 2+-moms who consider themselves experts in the matter. I wrote this one because some moms ask me about my childbirth plans and before I can utter a sentence, they jump in, interrupt me and say that I am wrong to think in this or that way (just because it differs from their experience). Read some books, do some research, watch some documentaires, take some classes people!!!!!!). As you can tell, this is a new pet peeve, lol.
6...people don't return their phone calls. (You didn't pick up, you're busy, I get it! You couldn't call that same day because you were tired after work/school/whatever, I get it! You don't return my call at all, ok, I'll let this one go. This repeats over and over again (without valid reason)...I won't pick up your phone calls any more. So don't act all surprised when I miss your calls over and over again. This surprise probably irritates me the most.
7...you argue with someone and to prove their point they bring up a fact from your life/personality/history that was told to them in confidence and when you were feeling most vulnerable. This is more than a pet peeve, I think. Do this to someone, and they will never look at you the same.
8...the following happens. You are extremely close with someone, you talk to each other any way you want: you can jokingly curse at each other, be rude to each other, basically act at ease with each other as if you were sisters/brothers/whatever, and then that person talks to you in that same way when there are other people around. And then when you're hurt (for a reason), they act as if they didn't do anything wrong, and your sensitivity is to blame.
9...someone donates to a charity or does good stuff for other people and others say, "Oh, he/she does that for tax return purposes". Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not even going to get into this one. It is just too frustrating. (I mostly hear people saying this about my idol: Oprah, and it irritates me SO!!!!!) I hope you, the reader, are not one of those people. However if you are, comment below if you want to argue with me about this. I guarantee you an interesting argument!
10. Racists, ageists, sexists, other -ists, in short bigots, are my biggest pet peeves! I think everyone who knows me knows how strongly I despise bigotry!!!
The points are not in any particular order. They are not the only pet peeves I have either! I didn't plan this blog post. I just went with the flow and wrote whatever came to mind. Comment below if you would like to read more "top 10...." posts in my blog. Until then my loves!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Organizational Freak In Me!
Hi everyone. So today I decided to write a blog about how I organize my makeup and fashion accessories. I would love to hear back from you; maybe we can learn from each other. Do now hesitate to share your own tips on organization.
Although it is important that the items I use for organizing be cute, the most important feature is by far functionality. I'm all about functionality. I will keep changing stuff and trying new items until I find exactly what I am looking for, i.e. something that makes me spend as little time as possible on a daily basis and something that is easy to maintain.
Let's start with makeup. So you know that you can buy MAC eyeshadows individually in a container, and that is fine if you are planning to have only a couple of their eyeshadows. But if you like the quality and price and you are planning to collect some, I would recommend getting their custom eyeshadow palettes and filling them with "pro palette refill pans". It is the exact same quality and color of eyeshadow. The only difference is that it is cheaper since it is already depotted. To save time on looking for the right colors I have color coordinated all my MAC shadows.
On the back of the cover I use stickers (purchased from Office Depot) to write down the name of each eyeshadow.
Although it is important that the items I use for organizing be cute, the most important feature is by far functionality. I'm all about functionality. I will keep changing stuff and trying new items until I find exactly what I am looking for, i.e. something that makes me spend as little time as possible on a daily basis and something that is easy to maintain.
On the back of the cover I use stickers (purchased from Office Depot) to write down the name of each eyeshadow.
I organize all my eyeshadow palettes in a letter holder (also purchased at an office supply store).
As to my makeup brushes, I put them in vases filled with bean bag filler (purchased from Joann's Fabric).
The rest of my makeup fits into these containers (also purchased from ikea). I think it's supposed to be tupperware. It comes with a lid which I don't use. I kept the lids just in case. I think it will be very convenient to have them when we move out. I can just close the lid and transfer my makeup to my new place more safely. The cool thing about these containers is that they have 2 dividers that come off. It's pretty cool considering that you can have anywhere from 1 big drawer to 3 smaller ones.
By the way, isn't it great that these containers fit into my vanity drawer so perfectly?!
As you can probably see the makeup is categorized into each drawer: foundation, blushes, concealers, paint pots and fluid lines, mascaras, tools, lip sticks, lip glosses and eye pencils. I have two other smaller drawers in my vanity that holds miscellaneous items.
Moving on....nail polishes! I bought a nail polish holder from ebay and it fits more nail polishes than I have, which is cool given that I buy new colors all the time :)
Jewelry... Braceletes were probably the hardest jewelry items for me to organize. No matter what I did, I wasn't satisfied. First I put them in one big drawer, then into three different drawers, but what I realized was that I needed to have them in sight to wear or else I would either use the same one over and over again or not use any at all. I finally bought this bracelet holder from ebay.
What I like about it is that it showcases all my bracelets so it saves me time, plus I am more likely to wear one. What I don't like about it is the quality. It's basically a roll of cardboard wrapped with some black fabric. However, I'm sure that there is a more durable version of this. I have seen them at accessory stores but I don't know where to get it from. It so irritates me that sale associates never know where the owners got them from lol. Forever 21 always has some nice quality ones to showcase their jewelry. I'm going to try to look more to find this same design with different material. Keep me posted if you know where I can get one from.
Next: belts and scarves. I finally found these hangers at www.organize.com. They are perfect for scarves, ties and belts because the hangers are designed to spin for quick access. I have another one holding my purses but I don't like it for purses that much since they take more space and are not really functional for big purses. However, these hangers work great for belts, scarves and your man's ties ;)
By the way the pink hangers you see on the left are for my necklaces, earrings and rings. Each hanger has about 15 zipped drawers on each side. I got them either from TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack. I don't quite remember. I like that they are clear so you can see what's in them. I organize them due to size (long or short), color (gold or silver) and type (earring, necklace or ring).
Below you can find links to all the items mentioned above. I hope this post was helpful to you guys :) Good luck.
Circular labels http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/944009/Avery-Removable-Round-Color-Coding-Labels/
Letter holder (I used this kind before but I like my current one better because it's wider and fits my palettes better. Unfortunately, I can't find the one I have online, so I'm posting this kind) http://www.staples.com/Staples-Silver-Wire-Mesh-Letter-Holder-5-1-4H-x-7W-x/product_939746
Brush holders http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/86933500
Vase fillers http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1131757
3 drawer containers for makeup (choose the 9x7x3 size from the drop-down menu) http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60118214#/10112525/
Vanity table (You didn't see the full vanity in the blog post, only the drawer with all my makeup. The big drawer is in the front. Those two little drawers on top are where I fit my miscalenaeous items) http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10121228
Nail Polish Rack - For this item, go to ebay.com and look for nail polish display rack 60
Belt, tie, scarf hanger http://www.organize.com/tiespinner.html