Moments of Musing

We Bought a House!

Filed Under: home decor, homeowners, life, New home //

Over the weekend, my husband and I became homeowners and moved into our new home! It honestly still feels like a dream, mostly because it’s a dream come true and partly because. I feel like a mombie (mom+zombie) …


I’ll give a more detailed post eventually but for now, here are a few things that have crossed my mind about our experience:

  • We had SO much help with the move — because of family and friends, it went much smoother than I thought possible. 
  • Reaching this goal together with my husband feels like a pretty big accomplishment — as individuals and for our marriage. I’m pretty darn proud of us. 
  • Moving with a teething toddler and while 5 months pregnant is EXHAUSTING.
  • Getting that in-front-of-house announcement photo during move-in weekend did not happen for us… see above.

  • I imagined closing day to look and feel a lot different. There were still issues on the day of, so my husband and I were stressed and anxious. The moment after becoming “home owners” definitely did not feel as I imagined it to feel… I’d say it took until we got to the house on move-in day for the excitement to really set in.
  • The thought of paying a mortgage is frightening. I was never scared of home ownership until it started becoming a closer and closer reality. Now, I’m worried about homelessness… because it’s a huge responsibility!
  • Seeing our toddler run around shrieking with glee makes this whole experience, process and decision worth it. We did it mostly for him and his little sibling… we want to give them a a place to feel at home. Our apartment was cozy but space was limited. I can see what a difference extra space makes when I see him running around. 


We still have to buy some furniture and fully settle in. In the meantime, any home owner tips I should know?!

Baking Season is Here

Filed Under: Uncategorized //


Now that the holidays are here, so too are times for family cooking and baking. It’s a tradition I want to begin with my kids. In fact, I hope to host Christmas at our house this year. 

One excellent and delicious ingredient that makes an appearance in an. Family recipe of mine is Nestlé® La Lechera® condensed milk, which is available at Walmart for a low price of $1.47 per 14 ounce can. 

For Hispanic moms everywhere, Nestlé® La Lechera is her trusted partner in the kitchen.  Since 1910, La Lechera strives to aid moms in the kitchen with quality, consistency and creativity that she can use to bring her family together.  It is the perfect ingredient to help you pamper your loved ones with delicious desserts that fit your busy lifestyle. It’s tradition and quality – and anything you make with La Lechera, is guaranteed to create unforgettable family bonding moments.   

This recipe for Flan is courtesy of my aunt Lucy, one of the best cooks I know. As soon as she told me it, I started craving the flan. It is mouth-watering delicous, and super simple to make. 


Ingredients for 1 pan:

  • 2 cans 14 oz. Nestlé® La Lechera® condensed milk
  • 2 1/2 cans evaporated milk
  • 4 whole eggs
  • 8 egg yolks
  • Caramel for pan
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tbsp. Cin
  • A few pinches of Cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, EXCEPT caramel
  2. Preheat oven to 350°.
  3. Put caramel in a pot on stovetop and stir at medium heat until syrup is formed.
  4. Add caramel syrup to pan.
  5. Using a strainer, pour mixture into pan.
  6. Cover pan.
  7. Bake uncovered for about 45 min or until lightly brown on top.
  8. Continue checking mixture with a toothpick until the toothpick is clear after doing so.
  9. Serve chilled plain or with whipped cream.

Even just one slice is amazing! Enjoy!

5 on Friday: December 2017

Filed Under: 5 on Friday, five on friday //

1. It. Is. December. How’d this happen?! I do not know. We’re in for a big and busy month and despite my dread of a lack of slowness sometimes, it’s my favorite time of year and it’ll be full of much joy. (Don’t forget to enter my Threadtank giveaway over on my Instagram–today’s the last day to do so!) Oh, and how about my new blog design? New month, almost new year, new look!

2. We recently ordered and received our Christmas cards and I love them. Can’t wait to share them with you!

3. We move out of our apartment this weekend — and despite me being super excited, it is bittersweet boding farewell to our first place together in NY and to the place we brought our firstborn home to. These walls hold such amazing memories and I hope the next renters get to experience the same.

4. Life is so weird and hard and funny and great and amazing. Things just seem to work out how they’re meant to and that just always astonishes me.

5. I am excited to get into Christmas mode. Aside from listening to Christmas music, I haven’t done any shopping or decoration. I’m hoping to change that ASAP.

Wishing you a very Merry December!

Christmas 2017 Cards

Filed Under: christmas //

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite. All opinions are my own.

First things first, you might notice the look of this blog is different. I decided to spruce it up a bit and modernize the layout. So far, I love it. Let me know what you think! Now onto the real reason for this post… 



‘Tis the season! Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmastime is HERE! 

I’ve been thinking about Christmas cards for well over a month now, and can’t wait to share our Christmas card reveal with you all. We used Basic Invite to create our personalized holiday cards and are so happy with them. We used Basic Invite for our Save the Date and First Married Christmas cards so we’re happy to have used them again this special holiday season.

   
Basic Invite offers over 400 online Christmas cards and holiday card designs!

Here’s a little more about their features:

Almost Unlimited Colors – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.

Custom Samples – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as feel the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.

Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes – Basic Invite is just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed without licking a single one.

Address Capturing Service – Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all Christmas card orders.

Foil – Foil holiday cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.

Right now, Basic Invite is offering 30% off with coupon code: holi30 

I am waiting until we mail out our Christmas cards for our  2017 Christmas Card reveal but in the meantime check out our 2015 and 2016 (just a peek) Christmas cards.


Something Shiny this Holiday Season

Filed Under: Uncategorized //

This post is sponsored by Victoria Emerson. All opinions are my own.
December is just a few days away! Holiday Season has arrived, which means holiday shopping is in full swing. I recently explained a little bit of what’s on our Wish List this Christmas on my Instagram:

On my wish list is to have as much family time as possible … on this little one’s is probably to be able to run around as much as he wants.

While it might sound clichey, family time really is the biggest non-material thing I hope to get as much of, aside from good health, of course. Life has been hectic and busy and go-go-go, or so it seems. Some days, I want to hit a pause button, and lately, I’ve been wishing for slower living. While I’m not sure that will happen soon, I do know it is a goal of mine … maybe that will go on my 2018 goal list.
As for material items on my Wish List, if I had to pick some things I would pick these Victoria Emerson boho cuff and wrap bracelet. They are shiny, stylish and made with beautiful stones and materials. The cuff looks like it is multiple bracelets in one — I wore my cuff on Thanksgiving and got many compliments on it! It is well made and feels elegant when worn. The wrap bracelet looks simply chic, too — like a wrist staple. These are currently my favorite wrist candy.
Be sure to check out the sales currently going on at Victoria Emerson! I think the special lady/ladies in your life will surely love to receive these this Holiday Season.