Monday, April 11, 2011

101 in 1001 -- Task # 2

# 2 – Donate to a charity of choice a month

My hubby and I are believers in helping others whether it is volunteering, donations or through monetary donations. In the last month or so, we have discussed the idea of donating to a charity a month. So this was a no brainer to include on my list to accomplish. I think the hardest thing about this is to come up with 24 charities since my task is to donate to a charity of my choice a month for 2 years.

This task is already in progress and I have a few charities in mind. This is where you come in. I would love if you would post a comment listing a charity of your choice and a brief description of it and I will take it into consideration in coming up with the 24 charities to donate to. All entries will be reviewed.

I have listed the charities of my choice so far and put a strikethrough for those that I have already donated to. 


Help me complete this task and help others while doing so! THANKS!

Friday, April 8, 2011

FANTABULOUS Five for Friday

It’s that time of the week again where I get to showcase 5 of my favorite things. Today is all about food…food blogs or websites that is. Here’s the thing. Although I am in IT, it is NOT my passion. I have come to learn that food and cooking is really my passion specifically baking. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this until I was living on my own after college. Growing up I wasn’t motivated to learn to cook (my laziness kicked in a lot) nor did my Mom really have the time with us 3 rug rats constantly being on the go with whatever activity we were involved in. Therefore, I never even thought about culinary school when I was trying to figure out what to be. My goal one day is to enroll in a culinary program or at least take a few non-credit courses at the local community college. I will make it happen, just not sure when.

Because of this desire to bake and cook, I stalk (er…follow) many food blogs or websites looking for the next recipe to try. Having said this, I should give props to my hubby and FIL (only time I will do this) for being great sports about trying these recipes and giving honest opinions. How do you know they are giving honest opinions, you ask? I simply tell them that if they don’t tell me the truth, I will make it again. That was enough motivation for them  J.


So this leads me to my list...

            I am not even sure where to start with this site. I stalk this site because not only is it the go-to website with a ton of different blogger’s recipes but the food porn is just AMAZING! Just looking at the pictures makes me drool buckets worth. New photos are added daily and with just one click, you are taken to the blogger’s post.


            Honestly, I do not even remember how I stumbled upon this blog but it doesn’t really matter because I wish I would have fallen face first on this blog because to me, it is just that damn good. The writers post simple but quality recipes.  I have made a few recipes and have had nothing but compliments. The latest recipe used was their Caramel Toffee Dip. WOW! Is all I can say! One of the simplest things I have made but it made a lasting impression on the lucky tasters. The hubby still requests this dip from time to time. Not only do they provide recipes but they also provide tips and tricks which can be quite useful! They are on to something great here, even their blog looks awesome which they just revamped. I give it 2 thumbs up, ladies! Great job! Oh and they just came out with a book so Check it out!


            Ree Drummond A/K/A the Pioneer Woman A/K/A a Bobby Flay Throwdown champion… need I say more? Never heard of her? Well WTH are you waiting for?! Ree is a multitasking wonder woman I must say. Mother, photographer, chef and blogger, she pretty much controls the world… OK, maybe not but her God given talent has led many foodie wannabes like me to follow her. Her website is filled with all types of goodies from information for home & garden, photography and of course food. She even started the site, Tasty Kitchen, were other followers can post recipes for other to share. On top of all that, her recipes are the epitome of comfort food. Try the Cowboy dish, Chicken Spaghetti… Nom, Nom, Nom!


            The queen of and now author of Cake Pops! Found her blog during my wedding planning days nearly 2 years ago (holy crap!). There may be another but as far as I am concerned she IS the creator of the amazingly cute, scrumptious and “Why didn’t I think of that?” cake balls and pops! She put them on the map…literally as her book just went Dutch! So making these little cake balls are fairly easy until you want to go fancy schmancy and start making characters and other non-circular objects. But when you are ready for that, you can just follow her detailed instructions and should be good to go. Oh her food porn is awesome too! If you like giveaways, be sure to stay on top of her posts. She holds some awesome ones from time to time.


            My go to site for all foods Puerto Rican. Everything I have made from this web site was damn near perfect and exactly how I remember the flavors when I was growing up with this food. Now that I am an adult, I try to incorporate her dishes into my family’s life to introduce them not only to the food but also the PR culture. Want to step out of your comfort zone? Then make a few of these recipes. Hey, you may even like it. Plus you won’t have to go all the way to PR to try the food!
           


What are some of your favorite food blogs or websites?


DISCLAIMER: I have not received any compensation for my post. This is simply my personal opinion.

Broke-Ass Bride NEEDS our help!

Dishing for Dana
Spread the Word!


Looking for a special cause to donate to but don’t know where to start? Maybe you need to check off a task from your “101 in 1001” DayZero list? Well, look no further and Dish for Dana!

Dana is the woman behind the blog, The Broke-Ass Bride, helping brides to plan a wedding on a Broke-ass budget! Today though, she really needs your help! Click HERE to learn more about Dana and her battle!

Not only can you help monetarily but this is also a chance to share your favorite comfort food recipe and get it put in a recipe book!

All help is greatly encouraged and appreciated! Don’t think twice…just do it!

Thank you from the bottom of our heart!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

101 in 1001 -- Task # 13

#13 – Have 10 Friends Suggest a Book and Read Them All

THANK YOU to all my friends who offered their book suggestions! Unfortunately, I had to only select 10 BUT rest assured, I will be reading the other books that were not selected once I complete this task.

Here are the 10 books I will be reading (in no particular order):
  • Marley and Me by John Grogan
  • My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
  • Oogy by Larry Levin
  • When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
  • The Red Thread by Ann Hood
  • 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
  • Child Called It by Dave Pelzer
  • Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon
  • A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

·     
C  Check back to see how I am doing with accomplishing the 101 tasks.


signature

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

"101 in 1001" - The Day Zero Project

A while back during my hiatus I found the “101 in 1001” blog entry on one of my favorite blogs that I follow, HowJoyful.com. I read it and knew that I wanted to learn more about it and eventually create my own list. Well, I finally got the chance to see what it was about.

It really is similar to a bucket list except that there is a known time “limit”. You get to evaluate your personal goals and dreams and document what you would like to do in that time frame. Seriously, how many times have you said, “I want to do this someday,” or “OoOO, let’s do this,” but never get around to doing it? Well there is no day like today, so why not do it now?

The “rules” of this little experiment is for you to pick goals that are realistic and attainable but maybe a bit reaching to get you out of your comfort zone. Of course, you can pick ones that are basic but make sure to change it up a bit.

To review my list, click on the 101 in 1001 menu option at the top of my blog or just click HERE.

I really encourage you to take part in this. Who knows, maybe it will be fun!



Learn more about the project or create your own list at: Day Zero Project
My Inspiration came from Joy of HowJoyful.com


signature

Monday, April 4, 2011

Project 1st Birthday

Project 1st Birthday

First off, I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. I always agreed with people when they said that she will grow  up quickly but it just seems too fast. I mean Saya baby is nearly 1 years old! Well since her 1st birthday is literally right around the corner, I need to get a move on planning her 1st birthday bash. I know it is going to be a bit difficult planning this with a rambunctious 9 month old moving around but I have faith that I can get this party as close to what I want. :)


Here's what I have come up with so far...

Theme: Cupcake


Colors: Multi colors and probably multi patterns


Guests: Immediate family, those with young kids and our closest friends


Food: Finger foods and tons of cupcakes and other handheld snacks




And it all starts with the invitations...


So far I love this invitation from LollipopPrints on Etsy:

The colors are nice and bright and the multiple patterns are exactly what I have envisioned. And of course the cupcake helped too!


Because we have not had pro pictures done of Saya since her 1st week of life, we don't have any "great" pictures to be used for these invitations. To solve that, I have recruited my cousin, a photographer just getting in the business, to take the pictures. Because Miss Saya has to look all cute for her pictures, I decided to buy this cute cupcake themed tu-tu style dress from Carter's:



As of today, I will be pairing this super cute hair bow with a cotton white headband, specially made for us by MorganLaneBoutique from Etsy:



Have you seen any cute cupcake themed items out on the web? How about 1st birthday ideas? Have you recently held a child's birthday party? Share your details, por favor! :)


This is a work in progress so stayed tuned as I "build" this party!


signature