Staying Positive in a Negative World :: Guest Blogger from Houston Latina Bloggers::

::GUEST MOMMA BLOGGER TODAY::

Staying Positive in a Negative World by Erica Martinez

I am a mother of three beautiful children. Every day I see more and more negativity take place in the world around us. Growing up I remember as a kid I just worried about my favorite cartoons that I was going to watch on Saturday afternoon and staying up a little late because it was the weekend. These days our children go through so many more advanced issues that we never even had to deal with until adults. 

With technology becoming and being such a huge part of our everyday lives, it is important to keep a positive outlook on the world around us. Who we associate with and what we allow into our space has a great impact on how we handle everyday issues. 

Let’s be real…staying positive can definitely be a true task for some of us when so much negativity is surrounding us on a daily basis. Whether it is an unhappy customer, family issues, illness or death, a failed relationship, we all can relate to having some type of negativity we deal with daily. We hear of so many sad stories and real-life events that take an emotional toll on us and sometimes staying positive can be very hard.  

Let’s look at some ideas on how to stay on that positive vibe:

Keep positive friends around!

Keeping friends who are upbeat and positive will keep your mind focused. You will be able to have your own circle of greatness and positivity surrounding you to help you stay in the right mindset. Don’t ever underestimate a good girl’s night out- whether that is a movie night and popcorn or a dinner at your local favorite diner. Keeping good vibes around is the best thing in town!

Find your happy place!

Do you have that favorite spot you just like to be when things get out of control? That is what I call your “Happy Place.” It’s a place that helps you unwind and relax when things are just a bit too much! Keeping a happy place is one of the best assets to keeping negativity out of your mind and heart. 

Make time for you!

I know this one is always hard for me. Being a mom to three children and running so many projects, my main priority is always taking care of everyone else. Yes, of course, we still need to do our motherly duties, but I think we forget that we are important too! Take time for yourself. Take a nice relaxing bath, go to the movies, shop a little. (In moderation of course! Then we will be worried about what we bought!) We need to always understand we matter too!

Cut out Negativity

This is also a bad habit to break because it pertains to so many things. This could be eliminating negative people, gossip, and just anything that is not released into this world in a positive way. I know lately, turning on the television brings instant negativity. I’m not sure why we can’t hear about all the good things that happen in and around Houston? But, it does seem that we only hear about the bad things happening which can have a huge negative impact. I personally stop watching the news. It was just a bit much for me and it has helped. Figure out where your negativity is in your life and release it! Believe me, you will feel so much better when you do!

Staying positive can help you feel great and express greatness in the world. Smiling at those around you, showing kindness to those around you and encouraging and sharing the positive vibes will make impacts on everyone you meet. Bringing kindness and positivity into the world begins in our home. I make it a point to show my children to be kind and treat those around us with respect. It all begins with you and you can make that change in the world.

My name is Erica Martinez. I am a mother to two children and one future stepson... so really 3 beautiful children. I am a writer and event planner. I own my own company Socially Elevated. I love making new friends and being a part of a group of strong women!

IG: @tx_southerngirl 

affiliate link for Momma of Dos-  TARGET

::Four Tips on How to Pick A Therapist Now That You’re Ready for Therapy:: Guest Blogger- Eliza Boquin, MA, LMFT

LINK TO MORE EPISODES::HERE:: 

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, you’ve probably heard about the importance of therapy many times by now.  Now you’re finally convinced that therapy isn’t restricted to people living with a major mental illness and realize you don’t have got be in crisis to go to therapy.  

Yay, you!

The problem is you don’t know where to start on finding a therapist.

No problem!  

Here are Four Tips on How to Pick A Therapist Now That You’re Ready for Therapy:

1) Ask for a Referral from People You Know:  Don’t be afraid to ask people you know if they can recommend a trusted therapist.  Most people are eager to share a referral of services they love.  Therapy is no different.  Ask them what they like about the therapist; why they chose them; what they gained from therapy with them.

2)  Ask for a Referral from a Physician:  Medical professionals often have a network of referral sources, including therapists to whom they refer clients.  If the reason you’re seeking therapy is related a medical issue, you can also sign off medical consent for your physician to collaborate your care with your therapist.  Addressing both medical & mental health issues is key to getting the most out of your therapy process.

3) Use an Online Therapist Directory: If you rather find a therapist on your own then hop online.  There are several online directories, including melaninandmentalhealth.com which specializes in listing culturally competent therapists, that you can search by your location to find a therapist near you.  Most of these websites will include a link to the therapist contact info.  This is a great way to review several of your options at once.

4)  Call the Therapist: Now that you have a referral, maybe even a few referrals, reach out to the therapist.  Call them and tell them you’re interested in going to therapy but first, you want to find out a bit more about their service.  Some therapists, such as myself, offer free phone consultations.  These consultations are the perfect opportunity to give the therapist a general overview of what’s bringing you to therapy (remember, this won’t be a therapy session) and asking them a bit more about their practice.  This also allows you to get a feel for the therapist’s personality on the phone.  Finding a therapist that you feel is a good fit for you is essential to the therapy process, so if the vibe feels off, don’t be afraid to keep looking.

The process of finding a therapist can be overwhelming, especially, if you’re eager to start on the path towards healing.  Stay encouraged and remember, there is strength in seeking support.  Use the tips listed above and commit to the process.  

Remember, therapy works if you work the therapy! 

XOXO

Your Favorite Therapist,

Eliza

Eliza Boquin, MA, LMFT

trswc.com

https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com/

281.849.9914

As a Licensed Psychotherapist, Relationship & Sexuality Expert, and Owner & Founder of The Relationship & Sexual Wellness Center, Eliza Boquin works with couples and individuals to overcome any traumas, pain, or destructive patterns that keep them from enjoying healthy, satisfying, and pleasure-filled lives.  By working with clients in her office, online, and in workshops Eliza helps people gain the skills necessary to get closer to their life and relationship goals.  She is also the co-founder of Melanin & Mental Health, an organization committed to spreading mental health awareness in Black & Latinx communities.

She believes that pleasure is our birthright and shame is one of the greatest blocks to enjoying healthy, balanced lives. Eliza's journey of finding healing through self-compassion drives her to help others heal from shame. 

Topics of discussion she frequently comments on include: Unapologetic Self-Care, Therapy Stigma in Minority Communities, and Mutually Satisfying Healthy Relationships.  Her advice has also appeared in Bustle, ThriveWorks, Good Therapy, Stylecaster, Fatherly, Business Insider, and various local radio stations in Houston, TX including Amazing 102.5.

Download Your FREE Self-Care Reset Guide:

http://bit.ly/selfcarereset

Protect the ones you love By Ariana Montelongo

When Tragedy Strikes

February marks the month that my life would forever change. On February 24, 2012, I received THE call. That dreaded unexpected call. My best friend Alex was fatally injured in a car accident while driving across the state to come home and console his grieving wife (and my other best friend, Maria) who had just buried her dad. Maria wasn’t over the initial shock of losing her father and now she faced the harsh reality of losing her husband, father to their five children, and grandfather of two. Their lives forever changed. The worst was yet to come.

One year and nine months later Maria was killed in a car accident while driving home from work. How could this happen? Why did this happen? So many questions left unanswered yet so many responsibilities overwhelming the children at this tragic time in their lives.

We may never know why these things happen to the people we love. What we do know is that we have two options: hide behind the mask of denial or arrive at acceptance. Live life on life’s terms. Plan for the best and prepare for the worst. 

Six years have passed since the loss of both my best friends. Four of those years I spent living in denial, full of resentments, refusing to face reality. Then, on the third anniversary of Maria’s passing something changed. I shifted my focus to solution-based living and have since embarked on a quest to bring education and resources to families so that they can protect their legacy. 

Protecting your family against all odds

Here are five areas where you and your family may be unprotected and the solutions to get your house in order:

1. Will & Testament: Also called a Will. Is a document that describes how a person’s debts are to be paid and assets distributed at his or her death; it names a guardian for minor children, and names an executor or personal representative to oversee the settlement of the estate.
2. Living Trust: Also called a Revocable Trust, is a trust that is often used to avoid probate. This type of trust can be changed or revoked at any time (and from time to time) during the lifetime of the person (called the settlor or the grantor) who set it up.
3. Power of Attorney: Is a document which names and authorizes a person(s) to make financial decisions and/or transactions for another person (called the principal).
4. Living Will Declaration: Also called an Advance Directive, is a document that instructs your physicians and loved ones as to your intentions relative to life support (i.e., artificial nutrition, hydration, and respiration), in the event that you are permanently unconscious or have a terminal condition.
5. Healthcare Surrogate Designation: Also called a Health Care Power of Attorney, is a document naming a person to make health care decisions for another person (called the principal) when the principal is no longer able to do so.
6. HIPAA Authorization: “HIPAA” is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, a federal law that protects a person’s private medical and mental health information. A HIPAA Authorization is a document that designates a person(s) who may receive another person’s private medical and mental health information.

If you don’t have these documents in order and you think you do not have a plan, think again. It’s likely that the state where you reside has a plan for you. You could run the risk of the state taking temporary or permanent possession of your assets and most valued possession – your children. 

For a nominal cost, you can protect your family and your hard-earned money by visiting: 

www.wealthwave.com/arianamontelongo or 

https://www.instagram.com/Money_Mamma_/ on IG & 

on Facebook www.Facebook.com/MoneyMammaTX

About Ariana Montelongo:

Ariana is a public speaking maven whose titles include Realtor, Director of the Katy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and WealthWave Financial Advisor. She graduated with a Public Relations and Global Business degree from the University of Houston and has been in the media industry for over ten years. She enjoys empowerment sessions,  networking and educating women on financial freedom.

::Finding the perfect inexpensive gift that will leave them speechless:: Guest Blogger Danelia of DaneliaLoves

{Guest blogger Danelia of Danelia Loves}

During the holidays retailers in general are set to create the perception that everyone needs to find the perfect holiday gift.  These marketing tactics really do work.  People spend a lot of time scoping out the best deals.  Some go as far as joining the frenzy of Black Friday.  Yikes!  But really, what is the “perfect” holiday gift anyway? Clearly, for different people this can mean different things. I personally believe the perfect gift is something that will go deeper than its material significance. Unquestionable, a great watch and a nice purse will always make good gifts. However, when you take the time to add a special touch to what you’re giving, the results can often leave the receiver speechless.

The way to do this is to find something that is significant and relevant to them.  Although it might come easy for some, others might struggle with this task.  One common reason is difficulty knowing what the other person likes while staying within a certain budget.  

Here are a few things you can do in any occasion to help you get started:

1. Look to see what this person keeps around them.  No, don’t go snooping through their things. ☺ Simple look at their environment. What do they surround themselves with? Is it books, music, technology, etc. Usually the items they tend to buy the most are the things they value in life. If they don’t necessarily have a lot of items, maybe it’s photos of their family members or their pet(s). List at least 3 top things that stand out the most.
2. Now that you’ve figured what items they keep around, try to find out what they like and what they dislike. In this area you’re moving further into a specific category identified above.  i.e. if it’s books, then go deeper into a genre, author, etc.  What’s the pattern in the object that surrounds them? Once again, the kind of books they read can help you determine what’s important to them.  
3. Now that you have taken care of visual items, move to listening. Listen to what they say or write, online and offline. Pay close attention as this often can reveal a topic of interest for them.  Often, people will talk and engage in conversation that they find valuable. i.e. they talk about their career or their hobbies. Take note.

Now that you’ve narrowed a few things down, it’s time to get creative. Go beyond the item itself, and see how you can tie the items they value most and make it a bit more personal.

Here’s an example of a gift I gave to my husband a few Christmases ago.

I knew there were three things he valued most: his family, his hobby as a photographer, and his career.  I decided to dress up his boys with his business suits and took their photo.  I had it printed in a local Walmart Photo Center, and framed it with a phrase that said, “We know what we’ll be when we grow up…like you!” The outcome was a priceless picture that brought tears to his eyes. He doesn’t do that often.  

The best part is the gift didn’t cost too much to create.  With a little bit of creativity and a heart full of love, you can create that perfect gift.  

When you think of the perfect gift, what comes to mind?

*This image was a copy from a cell phone.  The original is much better.

::Celebrating the holidays with JOY!:: Guest Blogger, Coppelia

{Guest Blogger Coppelia of www.CoppeliaMarie.com} 

I started thinking about Christmas back in September. Ha! Seriously, there's a website that counts down 101 days to Christmas with ideas on how to get organized, plan ahead and make sure the crazy busy holiday time is less stressful and more merry and bright. The countdown starts in September and I love it!

You know how some people are adulting? I'm more into Christmasing.

And yes, singing loud for all to hear (which, we all know is the best way to bring Christmas cheer), happens daily in my car.

But here's the thing: finding joy during the holidays can be tough, especially if:

-Someone you love is sick, battling cancer, needing surgery, etc ...

This season, it was my mom. (And I'm thanking God that she's doing great! But we were all pretty worried about the whole thing.)

Finding joy during the holidays can also be rough if:

-Finances are tight and the kids need Christmas outfits for the reindeer romp, the holiday piano recital, gifts for the teachers and you need an ugly sweater for the office Christmas party. 

Or, maybe you can relate to this: 


-You know those moments when you go through the drive-through line at Starbucks and try to drown your sorrows in a peppermint mocha or gingerbread latte? You could be having a peppermint pity party. 

So, what can you do when you're experiencing a combination of all these things (and maybe some more that I didn't have on my list), and you are just not feeling joyful? 

You can still have JOY! 

Sometimes getting out of town for a while helps. We recently had a blast at SeaWorld's Christmas celebration. We even met Rudolph! 

But when you're home, maybe wishing you could go somewhere but the circumstances just don't allow (been there, done that), this might help:

There's a local radio station in Houston, KSBJ (I used to do the morning show there!) and they do something called "The JOY Pledge." Basically, when you're feeling the stress of the holidays for whatever reason, or when you have the Christmas blues, you stop for a moment & say the JOY pledge:

I choose joy

And when I keep my eyes on Jesus,I have joy!

 When I lose it, I will choose it.

 I choose joy! 

It might seem like those are just words, and maybe you're skeptical that "saying a pledge" won't do much to solve your holiday woes. But try it! 

Sometimes, a little change in attitude can go a long way. 

If we are focused on all the negative things that are happening, of course we're not gonna feel joyful! 

BUT, when we decide to think about what we're thankful for, when we make up our minds to choose joy, we often find that one of my favorite quotes, really is true:

"Feelings follow actions more often than actions follow feelings."

In other words, if you wait until you feel joyful… you might be waiting until the new year. But if you decide to act and make the decision to choose joy, you might be surprised that the feeling of joy will follow!

I'd love to hear from you in the comments! Share with me the things that work for you as you try to find joy in this season. 

Here's to more JOY than ever before!

Laughing (and being JOYful) thru life,

Coppelia

~Coppelia

Singer/Speaker/Blogger

www.CoppeliaMarie.com

**My new book is out now!**

"Whole: How One Book Can Transform Your Whole Life" 

http://www.coppeliamarie.com/my-new-book-whole/

FOLLOW Coppelia!! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coppeliamarie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coppeliamarie

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11RRMvsRJAq8kZZiZ4IzmA

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coppeliamarie/

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G+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/111559747466696410224

::Holiday Blues From a Mom’s Perspective:: by Candy of Fullest Mom

:: Guest Blogger today for Mini-Holiday Series :: 

Holiday Blues From a Mom's Perspective

Christmas is, in a sense, a crazy time for moms. We have our usual lists of daily to-dos; but, December completely tops it with a few sparkling extras. There are gifts to mail, seasonal parties to plan, and let's not forget shopping for the kids. It goes without saying that moms are typically the ones in charge of bringing on the festivities and it can get pretty overwhelming. One thing leads to another, then you're hit with RGF (Resting Grinch Face). In fact when asked, 64% of people have the holiday blues. This post will explore how to deal with it from a mom's perspective.

First step is acknowledgment.

You're part of the #StrongMomsClub, right? Yep, me, too. I'm the type to think logically, keep it moving, and even do a few push-ups on the side. When you're faced with the holiday blues, especially when you're busy, it may be hard to acknowledge that you even have it. Additionally, you might just want to pretend it's not there so you can keep your schedule. Pushing it down, and bottling it up, will not do you any good.

If you sense any sentimental or compulsive feelings of being down, or stressed, you need to face it head on. Pause and ask yourself if you would feel this way if it wasn't Christmas time. Symptoms of holiday blues include fatigue, tension, loneliness, and senses of loss. This is different than true clinical depression because the occurrences are temporary and only associated at the onset of the holidays. Once you understand this you can move on to the next step.

Talk about it.

Talking, or communication rather, is the best thing for a mom's well being. Some of us do not work outside of the home and it can get pretty isolating. Additionally, we can get into the false mindset of thinking that no one really wants to hear about our day. There's messiness, slobber, and mundane house chores. Who really wants to hear me complain about that? The truth, your loved ones do.

So, talk about your holiday blues. Get it out. That may be all that you need to make it past the season. Tell your spouse, or close loved ones, that you could use a little help. They will be more than happy to listen.

How to avoid holiday blues in the first place.

Here's a simplified list of how to avoid holiday blues in the first place.

1.    Aside from a few parties here and there, stick to normal routines as much as possible.

2.    Get enough rest. Please do not stay up to 2 am trimming the Christmas tree, or wrapping presents.

3.    Make sure to eat and drink in moderation. Bingeing on holiday ham when you're normally a salad goddess will completely throw anyone out of wack.

4.    Keep things simple and family focused.

5.    Lastly, set reasonable expectations for the month of December. You know you want to do gift shopping, bake cookies for Santa, and all that jazz. Just rationally plan only what you can handle.

Whatever your reasons for celebrating, I hope you find some joy. The holiday blues can be tough to handle from a mom's perspective. Use our tips of acknowledging, communicating, and furthermore avoiding, Christmas depression to turn things merry again.

Sincerely,

Fullest Mom

Guest Blogger Bio 

::Fullest Mom is owned by Candace Ann, wife and mom of 3. Her fundamentals are grace, laughter, and perseverance. She thrives off of coffee and hazelnut syrup. 

Her social media links are as follows:

Blog-https://fullestmom.com/

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/Fullestmom/

IG-https://www.instagram.com/fullestmom/

Pinterest-https://www.pinterest.com/fullestmom/

Twitter-https://twitter.com/fullestmom

G+-https://plus.google.com/+fullestmom

::Survive the Holidays by Setting Boundaries & Releasing Expectations:: by Guest Blogger Eliza Boquin MA, LMFTA-Relationship Therapist

::GUEST BLOG POST- Survive the Holidays by Setting Boundaries & Releasing Expectations::

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...or is it?  For some, the holidays are the highlight of the year.  They look forward to the decorations, traditions, and family get-togethers.  For others, the holidays can trigger painful memories and serve as a source of anxiety and stress. But there’s hope and I’m going to share (2) simple ways you can survive and, hopefully, enjoy the holidays.

1.   Set Boundaries:  Setting boundaries is a term that therapists LOVE to use.  Essentially, boundary setting communicates to others what is okay and what is not okay with you.  In addition to physical boundaries, we can also set emotional and relationship boundaries. 

During the holidays, many couples struggle with how to balance the demands of extended family.  Each partner may feel pulled by their family/friends to partake and celebrate the holidays by their family’s traditions.  This outside stress often results in each partner taking their frustration out on each other.  Here’s the good news! If you set boundaries ahead of time you can avoid a lot of pain & frustration.

How To:  Discuss with your partner how the both of you want to celebrate the holidays.  This may mean setting new traditions.  Decide what works for your relationship.  Be as specific as possible.  What time will you allot for visiting one another’s family/friends?  What time will you reserve for your new traditions?

Communicate to one another what is most important to you – your must haves as well as what you’re flexible on.  It’s important to be as eager to meet your partner’s requests as you are for them to meet yours.

Once you’ve established your limits and rules refer back to them anytime a family member or friend challenges you.  For example, if your sister insists on having dinner for New Year’s Eve at her house because that’s what you’ve done for the past 15 years, but you really want to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year alone with your beloved then be ready to communicate that to your sister.  Note: It’s most important that the person who enforces the boundaries/limits be the one who has the most history with the person challenging the boundaries.

Benefit: By establishing and agreeing to your boundaries as a couple there will be less confusion about how to respond to outside pressure.  If you’ve decided as a couple what you will commit to prioritizing one another’s wishes, then you can both rest assured that you are both working towards the same goal.

2.      Release Expectations: Having a plan and a wish list of ways to celebrate is GREAT.  There’s nothing wrong with having a vision of how you would like things to go.  However, if you forget to include flexibility as part of that vision you’re likely to suffer from great disappointment when if things don’t go exactly as planned.  I’m no psychic, but you can probably bet on something not going as planned.  Depending on how you manage disappointment, your reaction may hinder your ability to enjoy the festivities.  However, by allowing for the unexpected you increase your likelihood and ability to manage the stress of things going off script.

How To:  Sit down with your partner and make a list of activities that are important to both of you--activities such as driving around local neighborhoods to see how they decorate their homes with holiday lights or baking cookies. Then decide again which are most important and how you will be flexible about.  It’s great to have a vision, but if you’re ability to enjoy the holiday is contingent upon strict orchestrated ways that these activities will be performed then you may end up disappointed. 

Also remember, this is YOUR vision.  The rest of your family may not find these activities as exciting or joyful as you.  If your ability to enjoy the holiday relies upon OTHERS enjoying the activities you planned you may end up highly disappointed and resentful. Stay flexible!  For example, decide that you want to see the neighborhood lights, but be flexible on the day/time you see them versus, “We have to go see the holiday lights on Christmas Eve at 8 PM with everyone in their PJS and then stop afterwards to get hot cocoa from the coffee shop drive-through because THAT’S WHAT WE DO EVERY YEAR!” That attitude may not spark the holiday cheer you’re working towards.

Benefits: By implementing flexibility into your holidays, you will be better equipped to manage the anxiety that may arise if things don’t go exactly as planned or if someone isn’t as thrilled about your plans as you.  This will allow you to stay in the moment, be present, and perhaps even laugh at the chaos.  I know…wishful thinking.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that the stories and the value we assign to life is exactly that…the value WE assign to it.  So this holiday season, decide WHAT you will prioritize and what value you will assign to it.

Happy Holidays!

Eliza Boquin, MA, LMFTA

Relationship Therapist

www.trswc.com

FB, IG, TWITTER: @trswcofhouston

You can find Eliza online:

https://www.facebook.com/trswcofhouston/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWXvg9FyTtgg2xm87eZUAzQ

https://twitter.com/trswcofhouston

https://www.instagram.com/trswcofhouston/

https://www.pinterest.com/houstontrswc/

::3 Things I've Learned Since Becoming a Mom to Three:: Guest Blogger

Today on the blog we have one of my favorite Guest Bloggers, Bailey of Everyday with Bay! Enjoy.
-----

So 3's a crowd huh? Or at least 3 kids is to most people! I just don't get it. Nor do I want to! The way most people have a negative outlook on families with 3 kids is something that has frustrated me for awhile now! I can't tell you how many people told us to stop when we had "the perfect family" with one boy & one girl!  I get it, that may be perfect for some but that wasn't perfect for us and that's okay! My 3 kids are my world and I think it's so crucial to do what you feel is best for you & your family! I've always wanted 4 babies and some part of me still does, but my hubs does not so we have 3 and whatever happens I was made to be the mama of these 3 babes!

::Back to School | In Style:: Yvonne - Guest Houston Latina Blogger

**This is a guest post provided by a fellow Houston Latina Blogger**

School kicked off yesterday and all over you can hear the cries of chaos as parents rush to get everything ready for the new school year.  Everywhere you go you see “Back to School” sales with the promise of saving you money in the most fashionable way. I’m all about the money saving but truth be told when it comes to fashion we become a little limited because Hailey Bear’s school requires her to wear a uniform or we are limited by the “dress code”. Trust me I get the love behind having to follow a dress code – you get to buy a bunch of polo style shirts and dresses, a few khaki/Navy blue pants and you just throw it into a rotating cycle and watch the school days go by!! 

Where is the fun in that? Yes, yes I know mornings are busy and crazy and whether you are a SAHM or a working mom like me, you might feel like you don’t have time for fun and fashion. Unless you make it easy – so hear me out and maybe after a few tricks and tips you can make uniform a little more fashionable.

Hailey hates the standard khaki pants and she also hates stiff jeans (don’t we all?) so I am always on the lookout for jeggings in different colors like these or these from Crazy 8. I also found this color at Crazy 8 and little bear loved them plus they are tons comfortable and really soft.

I do end up buying polo style dresses for Hailey but I also look for an alternative, the catch is that her dresses have to have a collar and sleeves so I was super happy when I came across this little dress at H&M, we also bought it in a black and white plaid like this. Super cute dress and she loved everything about it. 

So, in the end I find just a few pieces that I can put into the rotation of her uniform and make it a little more fun and not so super boring without breaking the rules. I really love buying her plaid button downs when it gets cold out and tights with different patterns for the winter. 

Another quick-tip to making the morning rush just a little bit easier takes a little work beforehand but it helps out a great deal during the weekday rush! I simply split little bear’s closet into two sections on one side I hang all her regular clothes and on the other I hang all her school clothes. This makes it quick and easy to see what I’m working with during the week and it cuts down on hunting down the “school clothes”.

Also as a plus my husband always knows what’s what and where he can find it!

About Yvonne:

Faith ● Coffee● Love

I’m just a girl that turned into a wife, momma, and blogger! I live every day knowing that thanks to my Faith I have made it this far and when times get tough it’s easy to lean into Faith but harder still is to know that everyday my Faith carries me forward. Of course with a daily dose of coffee to wake me up and always surrounded by the ones I love, my husband of 7 years, my 19 year old giant and my 6 year old little bear. I also survive by finding peace in my garage with power tools building and creating whatever DIY project comes along the way! My life can get a little crazy but everyday my little family and I make while we run our lives in Faith, with a little bit of coffee and a whole lotta love!

::Fall in Love with Colonial Antigua, Guatemala:: Leslie~Guest Houston Latina Blogger

**This is a guest post provided by a fellow Houston Latina Blogger**

FALL IN LOVE WITH COLONIAL ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA

By Leslie of Life with Salsa

Our Guatemalan adventure took us from Guatemala City, to Solola, to Jutiapa, back to Guatemala City, to the jungles of Tikal and now we were finally heading to my favorite place, La Antigua Guatemala!

FALL IN LOVE

While everyone we met along the way kept trying to tell my husband that he wouldn’t like Antigua as much as the rest of the places we visited. I didn’t care what they said, I fell in love with the city since the first time I went there with my mother years ago. Well obviously they don’t know my husband either because he fell hard in love with it, so much he wants to move there.

It’s really hard not to get attached to this adorable city filled with so much history. It’s a tourist destination, people from all parts of the world want to experience Antigua and some of them stay. Other like my husband start his plan on how he can go and stay forever.

Antigua is a gorgeous Spanish colonial city that has kept its charm by only allowing to build and restore in the same style over the years. Similar to the rules of the French Quarters in New Orléans. The architecture is not the only thing you will love. Its history is never-ending and around every corner.

HISTORY

Antigua Guatemala translates to Ancient Guatemala. I believe its translation was because what is now Guatemala or Guatemala City was not there. The Kingdom of Guatemala began in other parts and its third was Antigua.

I was always told that Antigua was the prior capital of Guatemala before a major earthquake forced its survivors to move to now Guatemala City. I decided to do research and Ciudad Vieja in Antigua was one of the places that the capital once was. The Volcano of Water or Volcan de Agua erupted and destroyed it. Then they rebuilt still close to Antigua, then an earthquake destroyed the city again.

THE STRUCTURES

The city is filled with old ruins structures of churches, convents and monasteries. You will walk by a beautiful home or hotel and next door is the structure of this ancient building. It’s breathtaking!

The Palace or what is called the Captain General’s Palace is in the center of the city. We walked by it, went it and gawked at it in the morning and at night. You can’t help but try to imagine all the stories and what the walls have seen throughout the years.

Across the street is City Hall which is just as majestic. We sat in central park or la plaza one night and there was a very interactive celebration that started at city hall, went through the park and ended at the Captain General’s Palace.

San José Church is right next to City Hall. Beautiful and always being photographed. The best photographs to me were at night. It has an interesting feel watching it from the central park lit up.

Convento de Santa Clara was the first ruin that I took hubby to, and he was caught off guard. I had told him all about my love for this city and the ruins of all the structures but I don’t think he had really imagined it.

Casa Santo Domingo is now a luxury hotel but it was once ruins. You can enter the hotel and walk around and see what is left of the structure. Worth to stop by and see one of the places I want to get married in.

La Merced Church is bright yellow and has its own charm. Plus there are a lot of street food vendors in that park if you get lucky. About a block away is the Arc of Santa Catalina. Very popular, hard to get a photograph without a ton of people in it.

Church of Las Capuchinas I have to say was one of my favorites. It felt eerie and welcoming at the same time, if that makes sense. I think it’s the essence of how old it is that made me feel that way. The chapel is so romantic and I was told they hold weddings there.

San Francisco Church is pretty big and sits on a large piece of property. It’s one of the older churches and it is being restored. There are a lot of vendors on the property and food vendors. Apparently since it is private property they can sell there.

There are so many more ruins and you can tour several of them but we couldn’t make it to all of them. We took our time with the ones that we went to see. There is too much to see and read plus you pay to tour so you don’t want to just run through them. Just another reason to return.

CLEAN & SAFE

No matter what you see or hear about the dangers of traveling abroad, I can honestly say we felt so safe walking this city, even late at night in Antigua. There are cops patrolling and from what I was told from locals is that they also have tourist police. Which makes sense since their economy is largely based on tourism they don’t want crime to scare us away.

I remember my other visits and don’t remember Antigua ever ugly but this time it was more pristine. Everything was so clean, no graffiti or trash on the streets. I didn’t even see stray dogs, which you see in several parts of Guatemala.

I talked to several expats that we met during our stay. We are not particularly shy especially when we have things in common with people. They explained that the Mayor of Antigua was doing a great job at keeping the city clean and tourists happy. If you go to any touristic area in Guatemala, you can’t hide, THEY know you’re a tourist, you get attacked by the street vendors. This did not happen in Antigua. In fact it was rare that you saw any. Unless you were in private property like a church courtyard or if the church had a park. This allows you as a tourist to actually see the city and not be fighting off sales people. If you’re like me and want arroz con leche for breakfast you end up walking half the city to find it at a church park. So delicious, it was worth the walk and the 5Quetzales, which is 65 cents!

I did find that a lot of the restaurants in the heart of Antigua although good, catered more to tourists and you paid the same for a meal as you would here at home.

So we ventured off to eat elsewhere. We were also still full from all the food we ate throughout our Guatemalan adventure. We really stuck to snacking. Whenever I saw a street vendor making a doblada or a pupusa that was my meal. Hubby was happy to get his fruit with chile.  Our hotel was close to central park so we walked to a panaderia (bakery) and got local sweet bread and juice for breakfast.

FAVORITE

Our favorite thing of Antigua Guatemala? We stayed next door to an ice cream place on my list, recommended by Tripadvisor. It’s a small place called Sobremesa, the owner also has a restaurant around the corner with the same name and offers the ice cream there too. You HAVE to try it, several flavors of ice creams made with real ingredients. I want to say we tried six each in the few days we were there. Clearly we became obsessed!

If you’re heading to Guatemala make sure Antigua is on your list and take me with you!