About Me

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I was motivated to start a blog by reading all the wonderful talented individual's who have blogs out there. So, I want to make this blog about everyone who reads it. My family and God always comes first in my life. I want to share my experiences and in turn, hope to get feedback and ideas from you. I love unique things, I adore anything that sparkles (not over the top though) I love decorating, cooking, gardening, photography and shopping. My number one passion is photography! To me it becomes more than a picture, it can become a piece of art, or a beautiful memory. Decorating, though I am not a professional, and don't claim to be, has been a part of my life since I was very young, and just love searching and shopping for new ideas and incorporate the old, such as Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency with contemporary. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and being of Hispanic heritage, I love cooking Mexican food, and love to share my authentic recipes. Though I live in Florida, my heart is in the desert southwest, and hope that my family and I will return there very soon…keep your fingers crossed that my prayers are answered SOON!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hostess Gifts...

It's that wonderful time of the year again where we will be going to holiday parties, family dinners, or just a nice evening with family or friends,  What a better way to show the hostess how much you appreciate all the hard work and effort they put forth to make your time with them special than a little hostess gift.  It doesn't have to be anything expensive, it is always about the thought.  Several years ago, when my daughter and I were spending Christmas at my Father's home outside Los Angeles, we went to a family friends house for a visit on Christmas Eve.  By the way, was one of the most beautifully decorated homes for the holidays, I have ever seen, so many unique and creative ideas. It sat high atop the mountain side over looking the Hollywood Hills, I will forever remember that home and that wonderful Christmas, for many reasons, even the strong after shock of an earth quake that happened the day before.  Upon our return to my Father's home.  The neighborhood was filled with people walking all around and visiting each other, just like in an old movie.  His neighborhood is very beautiful, all the homes that were decorated for Christmas were mostly done by creative professional decorators, so you knows it's something special, warm and inviting.  It is tradition in our family, as in many Latin families, to celebrate on Christmas Eve with the opening of the gifts, dinner and just being together as a family.  Well, as we were about to settle down and begin opening gifts, their door bell kept ringing...one visitor after another, all bringing cookies, bottles of wine, gift baskets, etc.  At their front door, my step-mother had a huge basket there filled with beautifully wrapped gifts and as the visitors went on to the next friend or neighbors home, she would hand them a gift from the basket.  I thought that was just a wonderful sweet idea and made the evening extra special, to have so many people stop by on a cool Southern California Christmas Eve night.   Below are just some simple but nice hostess gift ideas.





Pretty Hand Painted Martini Glasses and Cocktail Glass Adornments
  
 
Box of Chocolate Christmas Ornament and a set of Candles with Rhinestone Insets (Z-Gallery)
  

Winter Tree Glassware (West Elm) and Stella Mare Guava Coconut Candle and Reed Diffuser (Z-Gallery)



Adorable Little Hand-painted Martini Glass Ornaments and Holiday Cocktail Napkins (online)



Fabulous "Cake Pops" Book, by Bakerella and Mac Cosmetic Brushes in Carrying Case



Gold Tory Burch Cosmetic Case and Swarovski Pen with Crystals
 
Winter Fragrance Gift Set from Philosophy and an Adorable High Heel Cake Server