A Christmas gift, maybe?

"They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?"
-Princess Diana

This is perfection.  Snuggie, what?  Hook it up with a full body sweater!  Oh, come on.  You know you want one.  It may be a little strange, sure.  I mean it may freak out your mom, dad, brother, sister, spouse (it does look like a human cocoon).  But, honestly, when you're having one of those days who cares.  I don't and I know you don't either.  Seriously, where can I find me one?  Do you think they have it in magenta?  Hmm, actually black would probably fit my somber mood better.  Hopefully it isn't wool.  Wool makes me itchy.  Think about it.  Bad day at work?  Come home, take a warm shower and enter your cocoon.  Turn on the television to re-runs of "Grey's Anatomy", sip on some iced tea (spike it with vodka, no one is watching) and drown out the universe.  Moodiness be gone.  No more pulling your t-shirt (we've all done this) over your knees.  The full body sweater takes comfortable to a whole new level.  This is comfort to the max, baby.  No more sweats after work.  Full body sweater to the rescue.  With Christmas right around the corner the full body sweater would make the perfect gift, for me (I'll e-mail you my shipping address), or for your moody bestie (it's probably on her wish list).  

xoxo

Ren

The Kid Zone.

"Are you throwing a temper tantrum?” he asked with a grin. “Because this is not Toddlers and Tiaras."
-Outsider

This past weekend the husband and I took a little trip to Orlando.  You must be thinking, "The weekend after Thanksgiving?, they must be nuts."  The answer to that question is quite simple.  Nuts, yes, most definitely.  However, to be perfectly honest we went to Orlando "after" Thanksgiving last year and had an absolute blast.  So, we decided that every "after" Thanksgiving weekend would be christened with a trip to an amusement park.  Last year was Islands of Adventure.  This year was Universal Studios.  Last year the park was practically empty (at least early in the morning).  This year, well, let's just say it was barely empty (it was kids, upon kids, upon kids, upon kids).  I love kids, don't get me wrong, but, I was not prepared for what ensued.

This won't be your typical synopsis of how fabulous my time was.  Nope it is not.  It is going to be a short list of what my day at Universal taught me.  Boy, did it teach me a lot.  Prepare yourself for a treat my friends.

1.)  If you want dippin' dots at 10 o'clock in the morning get the dippin' dots at 10 o'clock in the morning.  If you wait until after lunch the cookie dough dippin' dots will be gone and you'll have to settle for cookies and cream, and, I hate settling.

2.) Brazilians are taking over the world.  Seriously.  At every turn there was someone speaking Portuguese (Brazilian Portuguse that is).  All day I kept saying, "I-SEE-BRAZILIANS".

3.) The rides you loved when you were seven are kind of boring when you are twenty-seven.  And it has nothing to do with imagination.  My imagination rocks, thank you very much.

4.) Watching a child throw a temper tantrum is like being forced to watch Rihanna, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Kesha and Lady Ga Ga on repeat for 2 hours straight.  Absolute torture.  Will someone please make it stop?

5.) Don't hold your pee.  Especially if you are about to wait in line for 45 minutes and then go on a three minute roller coaster ride.  I repeat.  Not-a-good-idea.

6.) Mothers are crazy.  Mothers at amusement parks are absofreakinlutely insane.  I needed to use the restroom.  The line was ginormous.  I was patiently waiting when this tight jean, big haired, scrunchy wearing woman rushes past me with her mini me and enters the next available stall.  Um, excuse me?  Was I just skipped in the bathroom line.  Yup, I was.

7.) You are never too old to take a picture with the fuzzy characters.  Never.  Scooby Doo, where are you?

8.) Wear sneakers.  You may look like a touristy nerd, sure, but, your feet won't feel like you walked through a maze made of bricks for 30 hours (clearly, I never follow my own advice because my feet were sore.  So, so, so very sore).

9.) In conjunction with the purchase of an amusement park pass everyone should get a complimentary stick of deodorant.  I mean, come on, has anyone heard of a shower?  Like, I don't even know where to begin.

10.) Ten year old little girls are hardcore.  I was literally pushed by a little Asian girl in the line for the "Despicable Me" ride.  Apparently she felt I wanted to take her place in line.  She had the best "stank eye" I've ever seen in my life (if looks could kill).  Note-to-self: Do not, under any circumstance, cross little Asian girls.

I can't even imagine what a trip to Magic Kingdom would be like.  However, I am always up for a challenge.  Babe, if you are reading this I know exactly where we should go next year.  Mickey Mouse here I come.
xoxo

Year Three.

"When love is not madness it is not love."
-Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Yesterday, on November 21st the husband and I made it to year number three (of being married).  Boy, has it been a crazy three years.  By crazy I mean amazing, duh.  Like Jake says in "Sweet Home Alabama", "Nobody finds their soulmate when they're ten.  I mean, where's the fun in that, right?"  He was being sarcastic, ladies, hello.  Here is the thing, the fact that Felipi and I have known each other for so long only adds to the fun.  We can talk about things we've done years and years ago and laugh.  Laugh, we do a lot of that around this house.  We laugh till we cry.  That is the secret to a happy marriage.  I'm the kinda gal with a big sense of humor.  Clearly, the way to my heart is through the giggles.  And, not a single person can make me laugh like Felipi can.  I mean, it is always better when we are laughing at him and not at me.  But, here and there I'll take one for the team.  All I can hope for is another year filled with smiles.  Thanks babe, I appreciate all that you do.
xoxo

Whoa, I am 27!

"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected."
-Robert Frost

In honor of my 27th birthday (which is TODAY, by-the-way) I've decided to post 27 different things I've learned about life.  Some of these things may be serious, some fun, some funny and some plain crazy.  But, that's the thing with life, it's absolutely unpredictable.  And, for the sake of birthday fun I've posted some pictures of my first birthday.  It's insane that those were taken 26 years ago.

1.) Forgive.  Seriously, let go of all your grudges.  You are only tormenting yourself.  Exhale and let go.
2.) Wear sunscreen.  That whole "let's be tan" thing.  Forget about it.  Protect the skin you're in.
3.) It isn't all about the benjamins'. Promise you.
4.) Never try to put on your stalkings with your ring on.  Never.  Unless of course you are going for the "I don't give an eff' look".
5.) Laughter is the center of all happiness.  If you can't make me laugh, well, you've got to go.  Sorry I'm not sorry.
6.) As the years go by I realize how much I hate getting older.  Not because of myself as an individual, but because of my loved ones (they are getting older too).
7.) When you lose someone the pain never goes away.  Never.  You learn to live with it.  It becomes a part of you.  But it never goes away.
8.) It is perfectly okay to let your guard down.  It's far too exhausting keeping people out.
9.) Headbands are always going to give me a headache.  It doesn't matter how much I try to deny it.
10.) If you want to eat that cookie.  Eat that cookie.  I won't tell.
11.) My family is my rock.  My foundation.  They love all of me (I know this).
12.) Never go to bed mad.  Especially when you are married.  Never.  Talk it out.  I don't care that it's three in the morning.
13.) Kiss, kiss and kiss some more.  But, do it like you mean it.
14.) Shake it off.  In the end it is all little things.
15.) The most precious thing in life is time.  At the end of the road all you will yearn for is more time.  More time to laugh, more time to love, more time to live.
16.) Guys, it is absolutely not okay to go outside in your undergarments.  Under no circumstance shall you do this.  No, not even to get the newspaper.
17.) Trends are for drones.  Wear and do what you want, when you want.  Be an individual.
18.) A manicure is always a must.  Always.  No excuses.
19.) Own a doggy.  They are  the definition of unconditional love.
20.) Individuals that do not want children are not strange.  It is perfectly fine if you choose not to start a family.  Kids aren't for everyone.
21.) Wear lipstick.  Even if it is just to the grocery store.  My grandma does it and she is fabulous.
22.) Some people are just not going to like you.  Don't take it personal.  Actually, don't take anything personal (life is too short, remember?).
23.) It doesn't matter how old you are, if you want your car to smell like Christmas cookies all year round it-is-just-fine.
24.) Never stop loving.  Love. Love. Love.  Love with all the inches of your body with all the fibers of your soul.
25.) If you do have children don't name them Zipper.  You were a child once too.  And, children, they can be cruel.
26.) Never forget to leave the house without deodorant.  This is no bueno, for real.
27.) You are in charge of your happiness.  No one but you.  Seek and you shall find.

This list could probably go on and on and on.  I have learned so much over the years and continue to do so every day.  My best advice is to always be open to all the possibilities.  You will be much happier when you let go of all the expectations the world has in place (I haven't quite mastered this skill yet). All I can express is gratitude.  Gratitude for one more year of life.
xoxo

Here's Johnny...

There are four questions of value in life. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love.
-Johnny Depp

Hello, my name is Renata and I am addicted to Depp.

I may have mentioned in a previous post my slight obsession towards Johnny.  Okay, so slight may be an understatement.  In keeping up with my latest motto of "Keeping it Honest" let's just say that you can multiply that slight times a thousand (maybe more).  There was this one day where I decided that I would spend the entire day researching Johnny Depp (I was putting off a ton of papers I had to write).  I became enthralled in all things Johnny.  I clicked link after link after link.  It just wasn't enough.  The more articles I read about him the more I yearned for him (yes, I am crazy).  The day went by and I felt like Johnny and I had become bffs.  Seriously.  Like, I swore if I had been the back he'd seen at that hotel in Paris we would have fallen in love.  I mean, totally.  Or, if I had been a little older and had gone to his high school we'd have been high school sweethearts (delusional much? perhaps).  But, in all seriousness Johnny seems like a really amazing guy.  The kind of guy you can't help but love.  I mean when he was asked what his favorite sound was he responded by saying it was the sound of his daughter's voice.  Really, like, really?  My heart melted.  The fact that he said that he wasn't truly living until the moment he became a father.  Ugh, I just can't take it.  Plus, he played the world's most awesome pirate.  Captain Jack Sparrow rocks my socks.  I don't think I'd have star shock for anyone but you, Johnny.  Oh, and he's a Gemini.  And, I have a thing for Geminis.  Weird, I know.  And, when I found out that his wax figure was at Madame Tussauds in NYC a couple years back, well, I had to go. Below are the pictures.  Tell me, what celebrity do you dream of crossing?
xoxo

I even love the wax figure.  A girl can dream, right?

Happy Birthday, Ryan Gosling!

"Sometimes I think that the one thing I love most about being an adult is the right to buy candy whenever and wherever I want."
-Ryan Gosling

Happy Birthday, Ryan!
You are one gorgeous man (you were cute even in "Remember the Titans").  You also seem like a real cool guy (or are your looks deceiving?).  Well, in honor of Mr.Gosling's day of birth I thought I'd share one of my favorite Ryan movies, "Lars and the Real Girl".  If you've never heard of it, trust me, you must make a point to watch it.  Watch it! Watch it!  It's a real different character than the one he played in "The Notebook".  Yet, it touched a soft spot in my heart (I'm mushy gushy, sometimes, only sometimes).  I don't want to ruin it so clear your schedule!  It will make you like this Canadian just a little bit more.  Trust me, eh.
xoxo

Gastritis, you lose!

"At a party, I am the kind of girl who will wait until the end of the night before I really get going. I'm a little anti-social at first, but I'm not immune to dancing on tables either."
-Emily Vancamp

Revenge, thank you!  If it weren't for Emily Vancamp and "Revenge" these past two days would have been hell (actually they were hell, but it'd be worst).  I have spent two very difficult sleepless nights.  Yes, two whole nights of no sleep (okay, very little sleep).  Remember that whole gastritis thing I mentioned?  You know, the whole reason for going on a coffee detox?  Well, the pain caused by acid indigestion has plagued me for the past 48 hours.  I've been making an attempt to be a little more optimistic, so, with that said, I have been able to catch up on all my missed shows (woo hoo!).  Thank you stomach acid?  Um, no thank you.  I have been absolutely miserable.  Miserable.  But, that is besides the point.

If you haven't heard about the show "Revenge" I suggest you check it out.  Like, right after you finish reading this post.  Do it!  Do it!  It is awesome.  Emily Vancamp plays Emily Thorne/Amanda Clark (you have to watch to understand) so incredibly well.  I'm really not big on spoilers (I dislike when others do it to me).  However, if you are into manipulation, scheming and juicy drama this show is for you, dear.  It is packed with drama, drama, drama.  Life has been a little hectic lately at mi casa (being a working wife is tough) so I hadn't seen any of this season's episodes (crazy, I know).  Yet, what can one do when one cannot sleep?  Catch up with "On Demand", duh!  So, perhaps I shouldn't be thanking "Revenge".  I should in fact be thanking "On Demand", though I am weary to do so.  I dunno about you, but, "On Demand" here at my house only works when it wants to.  Thank goodness it worked the past two days.  I'd probably have thrown a tantrum at 3 o'clock in the morning, for real.

Back to "Revenge", watch it.  You will love it.  Madeleine Stowe (she's amazing) is a super villain.  She truly is a deadly beauty.  Oh, and it doesn't hurt that everyone on the show is pretty to look at (pinky promise).

Toodles darlings.  After a long 48 hours this girl needs to find her bed.  Though considering the impact of 11/06/2012 I find that unlikely.  Cat nap?  Sounds like a plan!
xoxo

Told you so.  Absolutely pretty people.

Bye-Bye, Latte.

"I orchestrate my mornings to the tune of coffee".
-Terri Guillemets

Good-bye, latte.  For the life of me I cannot understand the reason why my stomach rejects caffeine.  Okay, well, maybe I do understand.  Darn you, gastritis.  Acid problems, got 'em!  I'll go weeks without drinking a caffeinated latte and I slip one time, ONE time and it's done.  Like today, silly me assumed that having a regular latte would be fine (it didn't take much convincing).  It wasn't.  Not even a little.  My stomach right now, burning.  Burning, I tell you.  Tums?  Doesn't work.  Alka Seltzer?  Hasn't done its job.  The worst part is that this pain, well, it normally runs for hours only stopping at around 6:00 in the morning.  I have to be at work at 8:30.  You do the calculation.  I've made many pacts with myself.  "Renata, NO MORE COFFEE (decaf or not), ever", but I am weak.  I falter when exposed to delicious lattes.  So, here I am, once again telling myself to stay clear of those yummy french vanilla drinks.  And, I figured that if I somehow shared my plight I'd be more inclined to avoid it all together.  Because, lets be honest, this burning sensation I have in my stomach is not a consequence I'd like to pay.  It just isn't worth it.  Delicious or not, feeling sick for hours on end isn't the way I'd like to spend my Sunday.  I am making a decision.  I am making a conscious decision to stay away from all things coffee.  I am sad, yes, very sad.  But, that is it for me.  No mas!  Tomorrow begins day one of my journey to a coffee detoxification.  I'll keep you posted!  Wish me luck!
xoxo

Smell ya later, baby!

"A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting."
-Christian Dior

As Coco would say, "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future."  Bravo, Coco, bravo!  The truest words ever spoken.  Some little girls paraded around with their mother's shoes.  I on the other hand took turns spraying all of the perfume on my mother's dresser.  Everyday a new scent.  Everyday a new me.  Perfume, it can do that to you.  It can transform you into someone you never knew you were.  A hidden you always scratching at the surface.  It can make you feel flirty and sexy and bold and daring.  Which is why I believe I haven't found my signature scent (and goodness I have tried).  How could I?  I am a person guided by her moods (like the moon, ya know?).  Each morning, each afternoon, each evening brings a new adventure.  Plus, who doesn't love a magnificently smelling woman?  And, let it be known that I am a lover of men's cologne as well, sometimes more so than a woman's perfume.  Weird, I know (it's those moods, they are cray, son!).  In the spirit of making all the women of the world smelling pretty, below are some of my absolute favorites.  Each and every one holds a little piece of my heart.  And, I am going to let you in on my little secret (lucky you).  You're welcome.  I mean, how often do you get complimented on how great you smell?  Me? Daily, darling.
xoxo

Chanel.  When it comes to perfume, Chanel does it absolutely right.
I love all Chanel, but, "Coco Mademoiselle" is my favorite.  Favorite.  Though "Chance" is a close runner up.  And, of course, "No. 5" for very special occasions.

Viktor & Rolf's "Flower Bomb" is the bomb diggity.  No effin' joke.  You must try!
Don't believe me?  Go to Sephora and buy the travel size.  You will not be disappointed.

As strange as this may sound I started wearing "Angel" in high school.  I used to tip-toe into my mother's room before school and bathe myself (well, that's what my mother claimed) in this sensual scent.  It brings back memories, sweet, sweet memories.

My mother gifted me with Prada "Candy" for my last birthday.  It was gone in less than six months, no joke.  I received compliments left and right while wearing it.  Literally, people would stop me to ask me what I was wearing.  It is that good ladies, trust me.

I was standing in line at starbucks, per usual, when the man standing in front of me turned suddenly to face me.  He had this look of awe on his face.  Needless to say, he freaked me out.  This man, the first words out of his mouth were, "I just have to tell you that you smell spectacular".  Um, thanks?  Okay, so, creepy guy totally flattered me (in a weird, please don't follow me, kinda way).

So, with "Gucci Rush" there exists a love/hate relationship.  I adore the scent it provides, but the memory it elicits, not so much.  Yet, I absolutely cannot deny its fabulousness.  Fab, fab, fab!  At the grocery line the other day the cashier stopped and asked, "What are you wearing? You smell amazing".  Yes, this is yet another one of those "must have" scents.  You'll have heads turning, no doubt.  However, it has been discontinued.  So, run, run, take your keys and hurry.   If you find it, snag it.  You won't regret it.

November, won't you stay?

"In London November isn't a month, it's a state of mind."
-Antal Szerb

Just stop.  Stop right where you are and savor this moment.  The last minutes of the first day in November.  November, the most fabulous month of the year.  With your beautiful colors and your crisp air.  Stay for awhile, please?  Bittersweet, November.  November, you bring the commencement of a new year.  A new year of life and a new year of marriage.  November, you bring along Thanksgiving and the anniversary of the day I was blessed with a little sister.  The second to last month of the year.  November, I love you.
Yeah, so, I may be a tad biased.  If you haven't figured out the day of my birth is in November.  November, you are filled with warmth.  A warmth I am unable to fully describe.  It's a feeling only felt by being surrounded by the purest form of love.  Love, it truly makes the world go round.  And, yeah, I may eat a little more this month than all the others.  Let's recap:  my birthday (cake), my anniversary (cake), my sister's birthday (more cake) and Thanksgiving (and yes, we eat cake here too).  I come from a family that finds that any occasion is an occasion for cake.  I am talking about extraordinarily delicious French cake.  From like a French bakery (if you want the deets, just ask).  Oh, yeah, amazing.  November, for you I will indulge.  It's all about feeling good, right?  Duh, of course I am right!

Let us welcome November with happiness.   November, welcome!
(I'll keep you updated on all my November shenanigans)
xoxo

Image courtesy of october-glory.tumblr.com

Taking applications for a house cleaner, takers?

"No woman gets an orgasm from shining the kitchen floor".
-Betty Freidan

Exhaustion.  That is the only word that can suffice what I am feeling at this moment.  Honestly, I can't even tell you where it stems from.  Iron deficiency, maybe?  A friend of mine said it's because I am being lazy (I beg to differ!).  She said, and I quote, "You had a good night's sleep, you can't be physically tired, you're just being lazy".  Um, excusez-moi?  I just laughed it off and asserted my original statement.  Nope, I think I just haven't had a sufficient intake of iron (that is my story and I am sticking to it).  Okay, but seriously.  How do you working mommas do it?  HOW-DO-YOU-DO-IT? Let a sister in on the secret (please?).  My world feels like it's always toppling over me.  Work, dinner, dishes (somehow I can't stop the urge of hand washing my dishes, crazy, I know), I barely have time to sleep.  Should I schedule sleep?  Like in my planner?  Soon I may have to.  Whoever decided 24 hours in a day was enough is crazy for cocoa puffs (I need like 30).  Everyday there is something left undone.  Everyday.  Right now I am pretty positive there is laundry to put away, laundry to fold, laundry to clean, laundry, laundry and more laundry.  It never ends.  Can you point me to the closest nudist colony?  The more clothes I wash the less I want to wear them.  I'm a bit extreme, and?  I am in the middle of reading two books and can't seem to find the time to finish either one of them.  When I do have time it is almost midnight (uber late for this gal).  And, to some of you night owls that may seem early, but, I need my sleep.  Particularly an uninterrupted eight hours (I hear my bed calling me now).  Is it really that horrible that I want a house cleaner?  I mean, like, I am at work five days a week, eight hours a day (life is tough, man).  Who wants to have a little get together?  Anyone up for lessons on becoming a domestic woman?  You'll clean and I'll supervise?  I am an awesome instructor, trust me, awesome.  Well, if you change your mind, let me know!

(And, even though that isn't MY bed, it is a pretty accurate description of what my bed does look like-every morning.)
xoxo

Photo courtesy of daydreamlily.com