Mamma Mia!

"And I don't cook, either.  Not as long as they deliver pizza".
-Tiger Woods

Hey, it is that time of week again, oh, you know, "Thankful Thursday".  Pizza. Delicious, amazing, cheesy goodness.  Today, well, today, I am thankful for pizza.  Veggie pizza, to be exact (the husband ate the pepperoni).  I am a pizza lover (then again, who isn't?).  Always have been, always will be. Except, I don't do Hawaiian, ew (pineapples just don't belong on my pie, got it, good).  I am thankful for the warm cheese and thin and crunchy crust (doughy pizza? how about, no).  Okay, so, I am actually more thankful for "pizza night" than pizza (at least tonight).  Have you had one of those days where cooking just wasn't in the stars?  Yup, it was one of those days for me.  Taking out pots, forks, spoons, knives, spices was not on my agenda.  Cleaning the kitchen?  Yup, not tonight.  The solution to my dilemma?  Pizza night!  Actually, it is the solution to ANY dilemma.  No dishes (well, not the real kind anyway), no mess.  How can it get better than that?  It can't my loves, it can't.  It is the little things in life, darlings, like pizza on a Thursday or on a Wednesday, it doesn't matter.  Pizza on a Thursday so that I don't have to do the dishes.  Because, if there is one thing about house chores I do not enjoy is dishes.  So, yes, today I am thankful for being able to take advantage of a chore free night.  I stuffed my face and then watched the third episode of "The Carrie Diaries" (I guess I am thankful for that too).

Like I said before, I am just trying to be grateful for all the wonderful things around me.  Seeing things with a positive eye.  Having hope that everyday brings something magical.  Because, no matter how bad things may be, it could always be worse.

xoxo

Move over, Nutella!

"Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious."
-Ruth Reichl

Normally, I pride myself in not falling prey to the shopping on an empty stomach shenanigans.  Today was different.  So, so, so very different.  The flesh is weak my friends.  The flesh is weak.  This morning I made a quick trip to the supermarket (one that was not to involve buying delicious things to stuff my face with).  Silly me thought that a 100 calorie bag of pretzels would be enough to prevent my sweet tooth from running wild.  I-was-wrong.  Like I said, normally these things do not happen to me.  Today, TODAY was different.  As I strolled through the frozen foods (ice creams, pies, etc.) section, I stopped as soon as the "Eggo" label was seen through the corner of my eye.  There was a quick debate (it lasted about .05 seconds and my craving won, obviously.  So, I stopped and stared at all the options that Eggo now has to offer.  When I was younger this was never an issue (it was original or buttermilk).  As I went over the different flavors, I figured, if I am going to do this, it may as well be kinda (and I am stressing the kinda) healthy.  Putting my qualms aside, I threw that box in the basket and walked away, quickly.  Here comes the best part (at least I think so).  I couldn't possibly eat my waffles without Nutella (no, I could not).  So, I walked my butt to the peanut butter aisle (this is where they keep the Nutella).  I was about to grab the little Nutella jar when I saw the Biscoff.  Biscoff?  What in the world is that?  I grabbed the jar and read.  Hmm, an European substitute for peanut butter, sounds good.  Contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, sounds good.  Biscoff is a vegan spread.  Say what?  Exactly.  I dropped that Nutella jar and left with the Biscoff in hand.  Though I was a little weary as to how the Biscoff would fare against Nutella, I was totally amped to try out something new.  And, good heavens, I am so glad I did.  Bye-bye Nutella!  Biscoff, you have found a permanent home in the Santos residence (I made my husband eat a waffle with Biscoff for dessert tonight, he is head over heels).  Biscoff, where have you been all my life?  This stuff is amazing.  AMAZING!  I plan on eating it with everything this weekend.  Pancakes, waffles, blueberries, strawberries, and toast.  Did I mention this stuff is delicious?  Heavenly?  Mouth-watering?  One spoonful and you'll be thinking, "Nutella who?".  Listen, don't judge.  Have you heard that saying, "Don't knock it till you try it"?  This is so fitting.  Biscoff, Biscoff, Biscoff, you and I shall meet again, tomorrow, say 7:30 AM?  It's a date ;)

xoxo

The Neighbourhood.

"One love, one house."
-The Neighbourhood

It is Saturday.  My absolute favorite day of the week.  It is a day filled with so many promises.  A day filled with a million possibilities.  I hope you are enjoying your Saturday as much as I am.  Today has started out just an extra bit sweet.  I woke up in such a great mood I even cleaned the bathroom (I'm never in a mood great enough to do that at 8:30 in the morning on a Saturday, trust).

Growing up I was the kind of girl that never was attached to anything.  I didn't have a blankie, I didn't have a favorite stuffed animal, I wasn't a boy band fanatic and I didn't go around covering my walls with posters of individuals I'd never meet.  That just wasn't me.  I didn't have a favorite movie or a favorite band.  And, when you asked me what my favorite color was, well, I could never give you a true answer.  I loved them all.  I cherished all the colors.  In my eyes you could not have one, without the other.  Songs on the other hand, well, they hold a deeper meaning.  I can listen to the same song over and over again for a month straight and never bore.  I guess I am just wired that way.  Especially because I attach songs to memories and to people.  Memories and people, I never bore myself with those.  And, when I fall madly in love with a song I have to share it.  I want to the world to know the greatness I have discovered (I like to make others happy too).  I make everyone I know listen to it.  I wait till they have listened and ask, "Sooooo, did you like it, what did you think, wasn't it amazing?".  Yes, I know, these poor people in my life, they have it rough.  And, because you, whoever you are, wherever you are, have a little place in my heart as well, I want to share my loves with you too.

The Neighbourhood.  You must become acquainted with this indie band.  Their song "Sweater Weather" has not (and I mean it), has not left my play list.  Every time I listen to it my soul is warmed.  Music, it does that to you.  When you are listening to something your soul transcends itself.  You find yourself floating above in an ethereal universe.  One where no harm can come to you.  Essentially you are in an unreachable bubble of peace and serenity.  I am sure that I am not the only one who feels this way.  If music wasn't a little piece of heaven, well, there wouldn't be so many musicians out there striving to make the world just a little bit better (feelings wise).

So, The Neigbourhood, "Sweater Weather".  Listen to it.  Most importantly, let me know if you like it.


xoxo

{Images courtesy of thenbhd.tumblr.com}

Thankful Thursdays.

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."
-Walt Whitman

{Old San Juan, Puerto Rico back in June}

Similar to my "Man in Suit Chronicles" (which you can read every Monday) I have decided to start a new segment.  For lack of a less creative phrase, I am going to stick with "Thankful Thursdays" (Thursday, Thanksgiving, you get the picture).  As human beings we become wrapped up in all the coulda, woulda, shoulda that we forget about all we have now.  Being grateful sounds so very simple, doesn't it?  Yet, in reality so few of us actually know how to show gratefulness.  I'll admit, I'm guilty of this as well.  Therefore, every Thursday this little blog will capture at least one thing I am grateful/thankful for.  Seems easy, right?  Plus, with everything going on in the world this is a good way to stay grounded, to stay positive.  Always look for the silver lining.  Instead of focusing on the things I am yet to accomplish, yet to achieve, I will embrace all the wonderful things I have right now.  And, I could not think of a better way to kick off this segment than to share how thankful I am for this boy (see picture above and pictures below).  This boy I have, man, he is special.  Thank you, husband.  Thank you so much.  Thank you for everything.  For what you have done, for what you do and for all you will do.  Over the last eight (almost nine) years you have taught me so much about myself.  You've made me realize that I am much stronger than I ever thought I could be.  You inspire and support me (even when you don't necessarily agree).  You've pushed me to start this blog (thank you, thank you, I should have listened sooner).  And, honestly, you put up with me (which is like a feat in-and-of-itself).  Being married to you is better than I imagined.  Thank you for all the laughs.  Thank you for all the ways in which you make me realize that I too will pave my own path (I just need to take a deep breath and relax, it will happen soon enough).  Thank you for believing in me, I couldn't do it without you.  You truly are my number one fan.  I love you!

xoxo

{This is old, but, I love it}

{New Years 2010}

Hey, Bradshaw.

“What if I'm a princess on another planet? And no one on this planet knows it?”
-The Carrie Diaries

We are two episodes in and, I am liking it (close to loving it).  Surprisingly, Anna Sophia Robb is doing a fabulous job as a young Miss.Bradshaw.  I am carried away, so-to-speak.  Though it isn't HBO (ya know, completely inhibition free) "The Carrie Diaries" is slowly making its way into my heart.  Slowly, like the Slowskis (you'll only understand if you watch the Comcast commercials) during a marathon.  I don't fall for things that easily.  So, will "The Carrie Diaries" become my next favorite show?  I can't say.  I need another episode or two to be sure.  I am digging the whole 80s vibe.  And, Carrie's bag?  If I were in high school I'd totally be a copycat.  Totally.  Is it much if I bring the side pony tail back?  Yes?  No?  Do you even know what I am speaking of?  Sigh.  I have never been big on television (never had the time).  Until recently.  Not that I have time, I just like watching television.  I think it's the whole being a grown up thing (work really is exhausting).  Though I mostly like watching things on demand (sticking to a schedule during the middle of the week is never going to happen).  However, the thought of sitting on my extremely comfortable couch, while catching up on my favorite shows, cuddled in my warm blanket, well, it kind of excites me (old lady much, yup).  If there is a storm out, even better.  As a fan of "Sex and The City" my hopes are high for "The Carrie Diaries".  I hate when books end, shows end, etc.  I've always wanted to know more.  I've always wanted the entire story.  This show does just that and I can't wait to see what is next.  Let's see just where Carrie and her city will lead us.  I'm sure it will be nothing short of amazing (hopefully, right?).

xoxo

Because you should know.

Tell me you remember this, sigh.

If you are around the same age as I (twenty + seven=well, you get the picture), you know exactly what the image above represents (it was better than Facebook).  At the risk of sounding like one of those people that are always referring to how good the old days were, actually who cares, those were the good old days.  Perhaps, it rests solely on the fact that during that time my biggest worry was what I was going to wear to school (okay, actually, it was just getting straight A's and being absolutely perfect).  What can I say, I had issues even at the age of 13 (issues that clearly have not gone away).  Woe is me!  Before this post goes on a completely irrelevant tangent, let me get to the point.  If you are going to keep coming back here, well, there are things you should know.  For one, I kept the same screen name from middle school all throughout high school, maybe even a little after that (yikes, I know).  The first screen name I created went a little something like this, Brazilianangel1415 (such innocence).  However, it was simply not sassy enough (no it was not).  And, if you know anything about me (which you will learn as time goes by) I have what some would say is an overabundance of sass (guilty as charged, sue me).  So, five hours later Brazilianangel1415 was discarded and Brazilianhotgurl was created.  I was really going for Brazilianhotgirl, however, it appeared as though someone had beat me to it (whoever you are, you bish).  At the time it did not occur to me how snobby this creation was (honestly, it was all in good fun).  I cringe.  Truly, I am cringing right now.  Yet, I kept it (what was a girl to do, I had to see it through).  Through ups and downs Brazilianhotgurl remained true.  In an era where exchanging your screen name was like exchanging your phone number one could understand how important the uniqueness of this screen name was.  And, my name at my school was pretty darn unique, I must admit.  I laugh about it now.  I mean, really?  What was my mother thinking?  You can see what kind of power I held in my familia (kidding, my mom just rolled her eyes when I told her).  And as ridiculous as my screen name was, only one person has ever called me out on it.  One person.  He didn't even know me.  He had gotten my screen name off of a common friends buddy list and decided to approach me (okay, that sounds totally weird now).  The first thing he wrote to me was, "Your screen name, kind of conceited, no?".  True story.  I considered changing it, but, after all those years Brazilianhotgurl was synonymous with Renata (I simply could not part with it, embarrassing or not).  I believe that screen name is still out there in the cyber web world (it is, I know for a fact).  Brazilianhotgurl, thanks for all the good times, I owe ya one!  Now, I am sure (absolutely sure) that if you are my age you were once the owner of an embarrassing screen name as well.  If you only knew the screen names my husband had (yes, he had more than one).  You would laugh-out-loud (seriously).  So, won't you tell me your screen name, please?

xoxo

Puppy Love.

"Happiness is a warm puppy."
-Charles M. Schulz

Some days.  Some days you drive me absolutely crazy.  Not the good kind of crazy, if you know what I mean.  You eat my shoes.  You hide my shoes.  And, you eat my Reese's (on multiple occasions).  You pee under the dining room table and you like to take a poo on the pretty rug.  On really special days you like to eat the garbage and take sips from the toilet.  You try and try and try to pull my purse from the couch until you finally succeed (you little rascal).  You are the most dramatic ball of fluff, the most (you haven't seen separation anxiety until you've met Ziggy Marley).  You bark at everything, everything (leave the lizards alone, goodness).  You scratch my legs until I look at you and start to woof until I pick you up.  You love bananas and hate rice (weirdo).  Your name should have been Chaos.  It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?  Then amidst the barking, the puking, the peeing, the pooing you look at me with those big dark eyes.  You love me (it's fine, I love you too).  You need me.  My little canine bebe.  As always, my heart turns to gush (even if you drool on my keyboard).  I hope to have you around for quite some time.  My human babies are going to need you.

xoxo