Isabella @20 months

It is hard to keep up with everything you are learning. You say new words every day. You are not a baby anymore. You are this beautiful girl who inspires me to be a better person. And I love you so much it hurts.

- You think the Sesame Street characters are part of our family. When you list everybody (Grandma, Grandpa, Vovo, Vovo, Papai, Mommy...) you make sure to include Elmo, Zoe, Cookie, Abby and Ernie.

- You say many adorable things. Some of my favorites are: your name, so cute, awesome, mommy, please (you actually say fizz but that's ok, you have the right intentions), the way you say frog (you actually say something really inappropriate but that's ok, you have the right intentions), night night, sleepy, angel, puppy and orange juice.

- You still love DVDs and playing with the IPhone.

- You still hate having your hair washed.

- You know the alphabet, the numbers up to 20 (in English and Portuguese- you can countdown too!), many shapes and you are working hard on your colors. Orange, pink and blue seem to be your favorites.

- You have been asking to go poopoo in the potty. We're still not potting training yet but you are very interested.

- You make our lives so much more beautiful. Keep shining like that forever, my little star!

The favorite series - beauty edition

It's Thursday again so it's time for another Favorite Series post.

Back when I lived in Brazil I did not wear a lot of make up. To tell you the truth, I only wore make-up for special occasions. Not even mascara or eyeliner during the week. Most people don't, so I never thought about it.

Then I moved to the US. Everybody wears make up here. I saw 14 year-old girls at the store who would put Brazilian make-up artists to shame. Me? I didn't know how to do my make-up. I knew how to apply mascara and lipstick(maybe). Where do other women learn that? I told my mom she should've taught me. She replied she didn't know it either! It's true.

So, I recently got really into make up. You know how I go through my phases right? A different interest or hobby every month. Well, don't be like me.

I started watching a ton of video tutorials on youtube and other websites. (my favorite is www.makeupbytiffanyd.com - I talked about her on my Favorite Series website edition).

What I found out is that make up and beauty products can be very addictive. But at least it makes me look purrrdy (bats eyelashes, but not too hard 'cause they're fake and I have no practice with them and they might fall off- don't be like me.)

Much better than other kinds of addiction, right? So, I got these today:

(Mac eyeshadows in Contrast and Parfait Amout + Viva Glam V lipstick + Lipglass in Viva Glam VI)

Whenever I want to buy make-up or beauty products I look at reviews and tutorials online because I always feel overwhelmed when I go to Sephora or Ulta or Target or Macy's or... I get overwhelmed, and if I know myself, I'll end up buying a whole bunch of things I don't know how to use or don't need just because the container (or the box, or the tag or the label...) was SO CUTE! (my vanity needs that!) Don't be like me people! I tell'ya!

As you can probably tell by now, I'm no expert. AT ALL. But these are things I researched about, bought and love using so you might like them too.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

My absolute favorite! (And it'd better be, since I made Ben drive 45 minutes to the other side of Seattle to get it when they were sold out everywhere!)

SO versatile and the colors are beautiful. It also comes with a primer potion (eyeshadow base) and a double eyeliner pencil (black and brown).

L'eau d' issey - Issey Miyake Perfume

Another favorite. I have been using it for years and I can't get enough.

Notes: Lotus, Freesia, Cyclamen, Rose Water, Fresh Peonies, Carnation, White Lilies, Precious Woods, Osmanthus, Tuberose, Amberseed, Musk.

Style: A fresh sparkling fragrance with warm undertones.

Coastal Scents 88 palette

Name brand make-up can be VERY pricey. One MAC eyeshadow is about $14. The Coastal Scents 88 palette is a great solution if you want to have a variety of colors without paying that much. Great matte and shimmer colors. Very affordable.

Shiseido The Makeup sheer Matifying Compact

A powder foundation with SPF 15. Foundation, powder and sunscreen rolled into one? That's my kind of product! Prevents oiliness and shine. Easy to apply and has great coverage. (look at me sounding all beauty-magaziny and official. You'd think I know what I'm talking about right?) Buy it. You'll love it. AMAZING!

Garnier Anti-Dark- Circle Roller

I use this everyday before I apply any makeup. It is a great under eye concealer. I think the shade would probably match most types of skin. PLUS, it's also an anti-dark-circle treatment. There you go again. 2 products rolled into 1. Cool. Just one tip. Store it upright. Or disaster will strike. Make-up drawer mess disaster that is.

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

A creamy eyeshadow base. A must-have in my opinion. I apply it after my foundation and powder and it makes my eyelids super even and smooth. It also prevents eyeshadow creasing. This shade is perfect for my skin but you might have to see the other shades they have to find one that matches your skin. Pricey, but it will last forever. and. ever.

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Peachy golden glowy magical powder which will make people want to take a bite off your cheeks.

Funky name. Nuff said.

Neutrogena Make-up remover wipes

Best make-up remover I've tried. Gentle enough for the eye area but strong enough to remove every bit of water-proof eyeliner and mascara. They also have a different kind that comes in a blue package which is what I'm using right now because they have a good deal for three packages at Costco (a really good deal : $14 for three refills plus a vanity case. They usually sell for almost $7 each at Walmart), but the purple one is more moist in my opinion. Both are great.

Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere & Silk Hand Cream

Very thick and rich. Smells a little too almondy for my taste but does a great job of keeping my hands moisturized even when my body is in total shock after 45 days in 97% humidity down in Brazil.

Natura Brazilian Soap Bars

The best bar soaps ever! I'm a spoilt brat who has a very nice mommy who keeps them in stock for me year round. I haven't gone a single day without them ever since I moved to the US 3 years ago. Made from all natural ingredients and Brazilian fruits and nuts. They smell like heaven. And I'm not just bragging. You can get them on Amazon.

Victoria's Secret Flexible Hold Hair
Spray

Because they smell divine. Because they come in my favorite fragrance (Pure Seduction). Because they remind me of the first gift Ben gave me.

Oh, and they work just fine.

Bath and Body Works Dancing Waters Hand Soap

Have you heard of aromatherapy? It is supposed to improve your physical and psychological well being by using the scents and oils from different plants and natural elements. Never tried it. Probably never will. But I started noticing that every time I washed my hands with this soap I would feel pretty happy. Content. Like life is perfect. I don't know what it is, but I love it. I'm weird. Don't be like me.

Neutrogena Anti-residue shampoo

Only used it once. Didn't notice ANY difference in my hair. But I spotted it at the store and memories of my childhood came flooding in my head. Memories of the time when I would flip through, cut and make collages out of the American magazines my aunt used to bring me. (American magazines were so much cooler than Brazilian ones back then, and yes, I realize I've always been a nerd). Many hours looking at beautiful photos, smelling the perfume sample thingys (what do you call those?) and having my kind of fun. So I bought it. Couldn't resist.

So here they are. My 13 favorites (will I ever be able to pick a normal number, say, like 10?)

I thing you should try these. They are all great.

But maybe you shouldn't listen to me. I get teary eyed over transparent bottles of $4 shampoo. I'm weird. Don't be like me.

You might want to check these (but you might want to hide your checkbooks!):

www.ulta.com

www.sephora.com

www.maccosmetics.com

www.macys.com

www.makeupbytiffanyd.com

www.coastalscents.com

www.sigmabeauty.com

www.bathandbodyworks.com

www.victoriasecret.com

www.natura.com.br

To have and to hold from this day forward

There aren't many things in life that require a life long commitment. You can change careers (like I did). You can move to a different country (like I did). You can change hair color, friends, hobbies, your name and your decor and know deep inside that those are all reversible.

Now, marriage is a different thing. It's one of the only things in life that you do with the intention of having it last a lifetime (and beyond, if you are LDS like me). At least, that should be your frame of mind when you take the plunge. You want it to be eternal. You intend to try with all your heart and soul to make it work, no matter what. It takes A LOT of work. And dedication. And compromise. Every.single.day of your life. That is a lifetime commitment.

Today I became a LIFETIME member of Weight Watchers. And I was thrilled. And I was scared. Because guess what? Today I married my WW lifestyle. Forever. The dating phase is over. No more butterflies in the stomach as I approach the scale in the meeting room. No more daydreaming about how wonderful it will be when I see a big loss on my weight tracker again. No more after meeting rush. The heart beating fast, the eyes sparkling with utter passion (I just lost 3 pounds for Pete's sake- I'm in love with myself!).

14 months and 65 pounds later that phase is over. And I'm glad it is. A person can't live a lifelong heated passion like that. That would kill you. The thrill and uncertainty. The excitement and anticipation. It would kill you.

So now what? (you ask me and I ask myself) Now, it's on to working hard (er). On to making it work in the long haul. Even if you don't have the excitement of the weekly encounters with the scale. You'll have the calm, constant reassurance of a solid routine of healthy habits. Even if you have no more huge surprises (I lost HOW MUCH?WOW!). You will have the simple pleasure of fitting into every single piece in your (6 size smaller) wardrobe. Even if you can't count on the boost you get when you hear someone else ask if you lost weight. You'll be able to rely on your own experience and self-confidence to know how far you've come.

There's no turning back for me. I'm in it for the long run. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Forever. I DO.

PS. Here is an adorable photo of Isabella with her dearest friend Max. Thanks Cleta. We love the photo. Thanks Max. We love you.

I'm so NOT over the rainbow - fun Saint Patrick's Day stuff

Back in 1988, my dad came to the US and stayed for about 45 days. I remember missing him SO much! He went back to Brazil on the day of my birthday and among the many presents he had for me, was this rainbow pin:

I guess it must have been because of Saint Patrick's Day, because he also brought me glittery clover stickers that I saved for many years till they were old and wrinkly and wouldn't stick anymore. Anyway, I was in love with this pin. In fact, I like it so much it was one of things I chose to bring with me when I moved to the US with all my worldly possessions in 2 suitcases 3 years ago. Yes. I love it that much - although I don't love it enough to wear it. ; ) So, this pin is exactly 23 years old.

Shortly after that, when I was about 10, I became the proud President and Co-Founder of a distinguished institution called "The Hello Kitty over the Rainbow Club". I was one of the 4 members and one of the 4 presidents. Very exclusive and democratic club.

Some of my other toys included a rainbow My Little Pony, a rainbow Care Bear and a stuffed doll of Rainbow Brite's friend whose name I think I never even knew!

It wasn't till recently though that I realized that I'm naturally attracted to all things rainbow. Just looking around my house I noticed that I have a rainbow purse, place mats, my favorite pair of socks, a blanket and some other bits and pieces all "rainbowlike". Isabella also has a collection of different rainbow related outfits. I'm weird. Don't be like me.

Last year, when I baked a cake a month for all of Isabella's monthiversaries, guess which theme I picked for her eighth monthiversary cake?

Here is the recipe if you want to try it:

http://whisk-kid.blogspot.com/2009/08/say-it-with-cake.html

Then, while I was shooting a wedding last year I shot this image:

How beautiful is that?

Soooooo, given my mild obsession with rainbows, I thought it would be fun to celebrate Saint Patrick's day with some rainbow ideas instead of the boring green stuff you see around every year. I bet your little Leprechauns would love it! So, I looked around and as usual I was overwhelmed by the thousands of rainbow related fun things on the web. But I was able to narrow them down to these ideas:

1- Make one of these rainbow treats (or all of them!):

Got to this fabulous page for all the recipes:

http://pizzazzerie.com/parties/holidays/st-patricks-day-desserts-rainbow-style-free-printables/

2- or try a light version of this beautiful treat by substituting fat free cool whip for the condensed milk and sugar free jell-o instead of the regular kind:

See a how to for this recipe here:

http://craftywittygay.blogspot.com/

3- Learn a new craft:

Needle felted accorns, soaps and pebbles. Just go to etsy.com, type in rainbow needle felting and feel overwhelmed. I warned you.

4- Buy your kids a cool new toy (don't you want them to be writing a blog post about the gifts you gave them 23 years from now?)

All from Amazon.com except for the make believe play silks that you can get here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fairyfolk?section_id=6755213

5- How about a beautiful rainbow salad (hint hint WW friends)?

Get a ton of different vegetable combinations for this salad here:

http://www.rosalindcreasy.com/rainbow-vegetable-varieties/

6- How about a rainbow themed birthday party if you have a little leprechaun who was born in March?

Read all about this adorable party here:

http://www.celebrations.com/content/rainbow-theme-party-ideas

7- Make some colorful popsicles!

You'll need a Zoku quick popsicle maker. I've been wanting one for a long time. They make popsicles in 7 minutes! Awesome! You can buy yours here: http://www.zokuhome.com/

8- If all of that seems too complicated and time consuming, you can just sit back and relax and listen to this song. It's sure to bring a smile to your face. I know it does mine.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Of foreign ignorance and a taste of Brazil

For the longest time I got really offended when someone asked me which language we spoke in Brazil. Or if I could dance the Tango.

During my trip to England I started talking to a British bloke who said that he had once met a man from Brazil. He had dark hair. His name was Bruno. Did I know him? I was young and foolish and rudely replied: "I know I British guy. He is blonde. His name is John. Do you know him?" He got the message. But it was rude. Don't be like me.

My Aha moment came when my mom came home and told us she had a student from Yemen. From where? Where is that? What do people from Yemen wear? And eat? And talk about?

People really should know more about Geography and foreign cultures. Including myself. Truth is we don't know much about other countries, and most of what we think we know, is just a bunch of media imposed stereotypes.

So, I thought it would be fun to give people a little taste of Brazil.

No. I'm not going to tell you about our history and teach you a bunch of words in Portuguese you will never use. I won't tell you about the hoards of monkeys that jump around the trees in my parents backyard or the parrots that chew on their house wiring (I'm doing a terrible job of dispelling stereotypes, aren't I?) I'm also not going to tell you about soccer, or Carnaval or Copacabana beach.

What I AM going to do is tell you a couple of things you can DO to kind of EXPERIENCE a little bit of Brazil. How does that sound? If you are willing to take this journey with me...

... listen to this:

Pure, beautiful, timeless Brazilian music. The composer is Heitor Villa-Lobos and the singer is Djavan (one of my favorite singers in the whole wide world). Makes me cry every.single.time.

...cook this:

Brazilian Black Beans

- 2 pounds of dry black beans

- 1 link of Polska Kielbasa sausage (so not the same, but it will have to do)

- 1 minced yellow onion

- 4/5 minced cloves of garlic

- 1/3 cup vegetable oil

- salt to taste

Pick through, rinse and soak the beans overnight. In a pressure cooker, add the beans, enough water to cover them, the sliced sausage and cook for 25 minutes after pressure has been achieved. Release pressure and transfer beans to a large pot.

Heat the oil and cook the onions and garlic in a small frying pan until they are golden/almost brown (when you think they might start burning- don't let them burn though!). Add that to the pot with the beans. Add the salt little by little and taste. Cook for about 20 more minutes over medium low heat.

If you want to do the most popular Brazilian dish (called feijoada) serve with white rice, sauteed collard greens, pork rinds and orange slices. YUM!

... buy these:

Brazilian flip flops. They're called Havaianas. Buy them once and you'll NEVER EVER be able to wear anything else. Comfortable, durable and oh so fashionable! They come in hundreds of different colors and patterns and can be embellished,bejeweled, bedazzled, etc etc etc You can get them at Nordstrom, Amazon, Ebay and TJMaxx sometimes carries them too.

...drink this:

Authentic Brazilian soda. Delicious mainly if consumed with a slice of orange and some ice. Ask my mother-in-law. She'll tell'ya! You can get them at Mexican grocery stores (and anywhere if you are in Utah. Or Florida. Probably New York. And I'd imagine many places in California.Oh well, just come over and I'll give you some ok?)

...make these for dessert:

- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (you can find the Mexican one which is identical to the Brazilian one at Winco- it's called LaLechera and it's made by Nestle)

- 1 heaping Tbsp of butter at room temperature

- 4 Tbsp of sweetened cocoa powder (you can use Nesquick if you have it)

In a deep bowl, mix all the ingredients well. Pop it in the microwave for 3 minutes. Stir it. Then for 4 more minutes stopping and stirring every minute. Let it cool. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in chocolate sprinkles or white sugar. Place in cute liners. Don't blame me if your Weight Watchers leader wants to pull her hair out (sorry, Cathy!)

...take a Zumba class and learn to dance this song:

Fun, hun? You can burn up to 400 calories! Just don't expect to dance like the instructor on the first class. Or ever. Just saying.

...wear one of these and look like this:

Because all of us Brazilian girls look like that. It's tough. Especially when I wake up and realize it was just a dream. I just wanted to make sure my husband was going to read this blog post. Don't be like me.

...date a guy that looks like this:

Because every Brazilian guy looks like that. ( before you make them the two recipes I suggested above, that is). I just wanted to make sure I had enough motivation to re-read this post to look for grammatical errors. Don't be like me.

...and get a Brazilian wax:

Just kidding. They are not that popular down there. I mean...You know what I mean!

Don't be like me. sigh.

Being a Weight Watcher Part I (and a yummy recipe)

I went to my Weight Watchers meeting this morning. And I lost weight. All is well in the world. ; )

Weight Watchers has been a big part of my life for the last year or so. I hope it will be a part of my life forever. That's the way it's supposed to be. It's not a diet. It's a lifestyle. But boy is it hard to live that lifestyle for me! I struggle EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! I hear people say they got used to it. I haven't and probably won't, but guess what? It works and it's a wonderful, livable program.

I lost 63lbs with Weight Watchers and a total of 102lbs total since I had Isabella. You gasp and say: "No you didn't! You weren't almost 300lbs 20 months ago!" Oh yes, I was. And I don't want to forget that. Because it's important to remember. I look at myself everyday and it's easy to forget how miserable it felt and how BIG I really looked (don't tell me I hid it tell because I'm tall. I'd have to be as tall as the Christ Statue in Rio to hide all that weight!) For the sake of remembering and because I have no shame or self-respect, I'm posting this picture someone "kindly" posted on Facebook. I was almost 9 months pregnant and it was hot.Bear that in mind will ya?

(Gasping in horror!) I know... Breathe and move on...

Anyway, I need Weight Watchers is my life. I NEED the meetings, the accountability, my amazingly supportive WW friends (Max and Christine, Barb, Sally, Carol, Carole, Carla, Peggy, Marie, Loretta, Danielle, Marianne,etc etc etc- I love you guys!). I NEED the accountability of knowing another human being is going to see me step onto the scale every week (you have no idea how hard that is!). I NEED Cathy's guidance and support. She's an amazing WW leader (and human being, and mother, and artist, and blogger and FRIEND no matter what she thinks). I need the points, the tracker, the scale, the calculator, the website, the Apps, the magazine, the books. I really do. Most of all I need the feeling of being in control and I didn't get that very often with food before WW.

Ok, this is going to sound weird but maybe you've been through it and you'll know what I'm talking about. It is very gratifying to be able to restrict/control and deny yourself some things sometimes. Weird hum? But have you ever felt the urge to buy something expensive and useless? Have you had it in your hands and you REALLY REALLY want it? Then you breathe, think for a couple of minutes about your budget, your storage space, your decor or whatever and then you decide that you are going to put it back on the shelf. VERY EMPOWERING!

I've come to the conclusion that I am a food addict. And turning down a Chicken Fried Steak is amazingly gratifying for an addict. And the pleasure that comes from turning it down lasts, as opposed to the intense (I mean INTENSE!)and short lived pleasure of eating it.

I'm not the only crazy person who thinks about these things. I read a really great book last year and the author talks about the rewards of not indulging and self-control.Read it. You'll love it. But don't blame me if it keeps you awake at night because you have a million things you want to improve and change in your life!

An addict? You exclaim. YES. An addict. I tell people I used to eat a lot. And often. And think about food a lot. And often. And people would say: "I eat a lot too". Well, if I go out to lunch with you and you refuse a cheddar biscuit because it's going to ruin your appetite, you're not in my league. Nope. Not even close. At the end of the day, people would admit: " I thought I ate a lot,but..." I knew what they meant. For years I said I LOOOOOOOVED food but you know what? I don't. I have a very negative relationship with food and if I had the chance to pop a pill and never have to eat again I would. That's not love. That's addiction.

But just as I floss, clean the toilet, change a poopy diaper and pay the bills, I know that I need to do this. For me. And my family. Even when I don't want to. Even when I have to force myself to. Because it's not natural for me. And I suspect it never will be. But overcoming your natural instinct is rewarding. Going against your grain is what makes us powerful, intelligent and mature human beings. So I try. And then some.

Now on to the recipe!

I try to adapt things I like to eat so they fit into the program. I first had Swedish Meatballs at IKEA and I was hooked! Love them! But my original beloved recipe came to a whopping 102 points!! That is for 4 servings but we'd usually gobble it all up ourselves. So here is my new take on it. Hope you like it!

WW friendly Swedish Meatballs for 2

-For the meatballs:

- 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (7% fat)

- 1 slice of 50 calorie white bread

- garlic powder to taste

- 1/8 cup of skim milk

- dried parsley flakes or fresh parsley if you have it and like it (if you are like my husband and you hate parsley, don't add it. Fine, be that way)

- 1 tsp butter

- 1 tsp olive oil

- salt and pepper

-For the sauce:

- 1/3 can of Campbell's beef consomme

- 1/3 can of Campbell's 98% Fat Free cream of mushroom soup

- 6-8 sliced babybella mushrooms (or cremini, shitake, button- whatever rocks your world or just omit that part if you hate mushrooms. You don't know what you're missing. Just saying.)

In a medium bowl crumble the bread slice and add the milk. Let it soak for 2 minutes. Combine the beef and seasonings (C'mon! use your hands for that part!) Form the meatballs. (I like to make them small so I can say I had 8 meatballs for lunch but I'm weird. Don't be like me.)

Over high heat, add the butter and the olive oil to a medium saute pan. Add the meatballs and don't touch them until one side is brown and beautiful. Flip them over and brown the other side. Remove them from the pan. Add the beef consomme and deglaze the pan (deglaze= fancy word that means remove every bit of deliciousness that might have stuck to the bottom of the pan). Add the sliced mushrooms and the cream of mushroom soup and the meatballs and let it cook until the mushrooms are tender.

Grand total of 6 Points Plus per serving (2).

You can serve them with egg noodles or rice if you have the points to spare. Just make sure to add the points to your meal!

If you are insterested in knowing more about WW go to:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/