Dia de muertos

Yesterday was the day of the dead. That's the day when we remember and honor our loved ones that have passed. Every year I try to make an altar for this special day.

I am pretty happy with my attempt this year:

Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse

I LOVE Harry Potter! I've read the books and watched the movies countless times, plus I was sorted into Gryffindor and know that my patronus is a horse. All terribly important information, don't you think?

So, earlier this year, when my guy invited me to a wedding in Disney, the only acceptable response was, "Only if we can go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter"!

I had been there before with my family, but back then Universal hadn't opened Diagon Alley.

Look at Hogwarts!!!

It's churro time!

It's finally Friday! I'm terribly excited! And while this was a short work week due to the Labor Day holiday, it felt soooo incredibly long and tedious. 

I think I need to celebrate. And what better way to do that than with churros! My all time favorite churros are in Mexico City, but these might be a close second.

Churro Co. is a food truck in Austin. (Austin loves its food trucks!) You might see it if you're around E. Riverside or hanging out on the boardwalk by the river.  If you see it, you should definitely stop by! If you don't, you should look for it. I promise you won't be disappointed!

The truck itself looks pretty welcoming.

Summers in New Braunfels

Labor Day means that summer is over, right? I can't wait for fall with its red and orange leaves and amazing sweater weather! But, seeing as how it's still a balmy 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Texas, it feels ages away. The calendar agrees with me that it's still summer. Two more weeks to go!

In honor of the last two weeks of summer, I thought I'd share one of the best spots in central Texas on a hot summer day - New Braunfels!

Top Golf - trying to improve my swing

I don't know how to play golf. There was one time about six years ago that a friend of mine showed up at my house with a pair of brand new golfing shoes for me and whisked me away to the golf course for a lesson. I tried to learn. I really did. But I was distracted by the golf cart and a couple of beers. He didn't try to teach me again. Needless to say, I still have the shoes. They're brand new, hiding away in their box in a closet at my mom's house. 

I bring this up because I always consider sending for my shoes when I go to Top Golf - to distract people from the fact that I am not the best at hitting a little ball with a stick.

Remember me?

Hi there! Remember me? I've been gone for a very long time! Can't believe it's been four year already! I got so busy with life and work that I totally forgot about my little piece of the internet. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I "discovered" a new favorite blog and started thinking about my own. I realized that I miss writing it, and that there is no reason why I can't start again. So here I am again - a little older and a little wiser (hopefully).

Sunshine & Melodies - David Bowie

Hi! Happy Friday!!!!

Tonight I'm going to the Alamo Drafthouse to watch a sing-along of Labyrinth - one of my all time favorite movies! I am ridiculously excited about this!

Volver

Happy Thursday! It's almost the weekend!

 I've been away for almost two weeks now. Sorry! I've been a bit distracted, but today I was watching the movie Volver and decided to share with you.

Such a great movie!

This is my favorite scene from the movie: Penelope Cruz singing Volver. 

I adore this song! It always makes me a little emotional. 

Volver is a tango by Carlos Gardel; just gorgeous! 

Here's the original version:

Doesn't it make you want to know how to dance tango?

If that wasn't enough, here's the version sung in the movie by Estrella Morente:

Which one do you like?

Sunshine & Melodies - Mumford and Sons

You've heard of these guys, right? 

If not, you're in for a treat! This British band has a country, folk rock, bluegrass feel that is quite unique. 

Watch them in action:

Good, huh?

Sunny Tidbits

Good morning!

I woke up this morning wishing I was back here:

At South Padre Island.

For those of you in Austin; it's about a 5 or 6 hour drive. But...it's totally worth it! 

For a long weekend. 

Or a short weekend. 

This is my favorite time of year to spend a weekend out there too- it's still very warm and the tourists have all gone home.

Perfect!

You should go!

Now, back to work.

- I really don't need another opportunity to shop online, but I like the happy patterns! (Decor8)

 - A little color never hurts: (loving living small)

 - Lavender!!! (This is Glamorous)

 - This was someone's birthday party? (Camille Styles)

 - Woke up singing "Be our Guest" yesterday so this seems appropriate: (Hello Giggles)

 - Really, really want to watch this: (Lainey Gossip)

The Bright Side - Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary

I don't usually like the zoo - or Sea World for that matter. It's always made me sad to see animals shut in little spaces or mistreated. I also know, though, that many animals couldn't survive on their own in the wild so there is really nothing to complain about if they're being treated well. I bring this up because the Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary is exactly that - an animal sanctuary, and I really enjoyed my visit! 

Granted, it was ridiculously hot outside so most of the animals were sleeping. There was a grey wolf that I waited around for that never woke up. I was a little bummed about that, but what we did see was really nice.

There were lots of birds! I guess many people buy exotic birds and then decide they're too difficult to maintain.

I love this picture! Aren't the colors beautiful?

This one was too busy eating and never looked up.

This red bird was in it's house when I got there, but I think it liked my humming. It came out to say 'hello' right away!

Giant turtles! There were so many of them!

I don't know that a pig would be considered a rescue animal but, I guess, this one did save itself from becoming bacon. He was just so big that I needed to include the picture.

One of my favorite things about the Austin Zoo is that the animals are fairly close. This big lion was only a few feet away. That sounds like it might be scary but, surprisingly, it wasn't. That might be because many of these animals were kept as pets and are used to people. In addition to lions, the zoo has tigers, leopards and jaguars.

This bear had the nicest area out of all the animals. He had his own swimming pool and plenty of shade - perfect for the hot Texas summer!

The Austin Zoo is small. We went around the whole area in an hour and a half. It would have taken longer, but we didn't linger too much - did I mention it was hot?

We loved the zoo and will probably go back soon. I think it's great that they're providing a safe and natural environment for these animals - no concrete! If you're in Austin and have a couple of hours to spare, you should really stop by and visit.   

Oxfords and Red Sox

I took the boys to Houston last weekend to visit family and get out of Austin for a couple of days. Houston is always fun! While we were there we did some shopping and I got these great shoes from Nine West. I'd been wanting some Oxfords for a while now! The brown color goes with pretty much everything and they are incredibly comfortable. You like?

While in Houston and in honor of Independence Day, we went to a baseball game. After all, what is more traditional that baseball?

The stadium in Houston is the Minute Maid Stadium. I saw my first baseball game in Houston, but it was at the Astrodome at that time. I remember really liking the Astrodome. It's a little odd to be indoors for baseball, but it's either that or the crazy hot weather. I'll take odd and cool to normal and sweltering any day!

The game was the Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox. We are all big Red Sox fans so, of course, we were thrilled that they played in our state! Apparently we weren't the only ones; most of the people at the game were wearing Boston gear. And... the Red Sox won! 10 - 4! Happy Independence Day to us!

If you're in Austin and want a weekend getaway, I recommend the 2 1/2 hour drive to Houston. There are a million things to do (not just great shopping and baseball games!); it's not too far, but it feels like a world away.

Have a lovely 4th of July!

the Bright Side - Blues on the Green

Last Wednesday I decided to take my cousins to Blues on the Green at Zilker Park. Blues on the Green is a free concert series held yearly by the radio station 93.3. The concerts are held every other Wednesday during the summer. On the day that we went, the bands that played were The Bright Light Social Hour and Suzanne Choffel.

We got to the concert ridiculously early since I didn't want to deal with the traffic or the crazy parking situation. Thankfully, the boys had a book and an ipod to keep them busy, otherwise I might have had a little bit of a problem keeping them on the lawn. 

Once more people started to arrive we noticed that it would've been a smart idea to pack a picnic , and that the best part of the concert is the people watching. We were surrounded by a bunch of flags - most noticeably a pirate flag, a fish kite on a stick, and a couple of rugby team flag - every style of picnic blanket or quilt and tons of food. Our neighbors were busy playing frisbee (a bit of a hazard with so many people. One hit an unsuspecting girl right in the face and sent her sunglasses flying. It looked painful!), chatting with everyone around them and hitting up their coolers. By the time the concert started, there was not one empty patch of green - our neighbors were practically sitting on our blanket.

The music started at 7:30pm with Suzanne Choffel. She has a beautiful voice! We were incredibly far from the stage so I couldn't see the performance, but her music was great. The main act, The Bright Light Social Hour, came out about 30 mins later with a very fun and energetic sound. I'm going to have to download some of their music.

I am definitely planning on coming back to Zilker for another concert. I'm thinking the Old 97s should be good - they sound Austin-y enough. This time, though, will probably be with some friends and some nice drinks - the grown-up version of the concert. See you there?

Running around

Good afternoon! I hope you're having a wonderful Monday! How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

I'm running around like crazy today! I drove down to Brownsville this past weekend for a friend's son's baptism and her birthday party. We had a great time, but now, of course, I'm still on weekend time. I'd love a nap, but I just walked through my door about an hour ago. It's time to get to work!

Thankfully, before I left my apartment last Friday, I received a great little package - new shoes!

Cute, huh? I'd been wanting a pair of Tom's for awhile now, and finally talked myself into buying them. They are ridiculously comfortable, and just what I need to get things done today!  Nothing like a new pair of shoes to inspire you.

Have a lovely week!

Writing a novel

I want to be a writer. A proper novelist, of course; not one with reality-tv-star-turned-crappy-writer quality. If I could, I would love to have a career like Paulo Coelho, Isabel Allende, or Steven King. Meaning that I would like to be able to publish and sell my books while I'm still alive. That is my dream.

My problem is that I'm deathly afraid of the blank page - of the "what if I'm not good enough?" thoughts that inevitably creep up. I know that this fear is a bit self defeating (in my case, completely self-defeating). If I don't build up my courage to write, then I won't ever be good enough because I'm not writing at all.

Via La Boheme Blog

Since I moved to Austin, I've been working from home. This means that I have plenty of free time on my hands to write.  So, what have I been doing? Well, a lot of stuff... none of which has anything to do with writing anything other than this blog.

I've been trying to figure out why it's so much easier to face a new post (that I hope you're reading) than a single blank page that no one will read (at least for now). I figure it's because when I write a new post, I always know what it's about - it will be about cooking, a place I like, movies or books. There is always a set topic; I have pictures to take the reader's mind off my writing (ha!), and it doesn't have to be life-changing.

A novel, on the other hand, is long! I have to follow it through from beginning to end, and there is no map. There are no pictures; no do-overs tomorrow. Finally, it has to be really really good! I can take a photograph or make a painting without stress but, nope, the one thing I really want freaks me out.

Now that you know where I'm coming from, I'll get to the real point behind this post. It is not to vent about how I haven't written. It is to tell everyone that I am about to formally start writing. Yay! For my birthday this year, Jessie gave me a novel-writing kit called "No Plot? No Problem".

I'm taking the challenge! The idea behind it is to write the completed first draft of a novel in one month. 50,000 words in one month.  Quantity over quality. I am allowed to write poorly as long as I finish the story. That should take the pressure off, I think.

One of the tools in the kits says that I should let people know about my endeavor so that they hold me accountable to my word count (so I don't slack off). Although I'm not really supposed to share anything that I've written (so don't ask for specifics!). I will take all the cheerleaders that I can get, though.

I'll try to check in once or twice a week with my progress. Hopefully by the end of June, I'll have written a whole novel. Wish me luck!

Life is art

Art [ahrt]:
–noun

1.

the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

2.

the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: amuseum of art; an art collection.

Found at Table Tonic

A quote

I just finished watching "Akeelah and the Bee" on tv, and I really liked this quote. I though that I'd share it with you. Enjoy!


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. 
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' 
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. 
Your playing small does not serve the world. 
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 
We are all meant to shine, as children do. 
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. 
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. 
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


 - Marianne Williamson

the Bright Side - Lustre Pearl

Last weekend, I went to a friend's birthday party at Lustre Pearl, a historic old house that was turned into a really cool bar.  It's on Rainey Street, which I am told is an up-and-coming new bar district. It must be because I had not hear of it at all (not a surprise, though, seeing as how I just moved here!) There were several other bars and restaurants in the area - most looked really cute too! I'll have to go back and try the other ones out soon.

This bar definitely has a casual and laid-back attitude. There were quite a lot of people the night that I was there, but the feel of the place never got incredibly rowdy or frantic. Everyone was friendly - including the staff and bartenders - and it was easy to strike up a conversation, play ping pong or hula hoop in peace. 

Loved the interior! This fireplace is amazing. I hear that they light a fire in the winter and let people lounge all over the house. There are great little nooks for sitting in the different rooms if you want something a little more private.

"Here all is good"

The backyard at Lustre Pearl is huge! There's lots of seating, and games - including ping pong and hula hoops - Hula Hoops! Inside the house, you can also play foosball and play music on an incredibly old-looking jukebox. 

 After a long night of ping pong and hula hooping - A taco truck! I didn't try them, but they looked really really good! The truck is there all night, and always busy.

Lustre Pearl is great! There is nothing gimmicky about the place - simply a nice location with good drinks where you can have as much fun as you'd like. No pressure! I had an amazing time, and am thrilled that I got invited to "discover" this place. 

I will be back soon and often. Hope to see you there!

the Bright Side - Eeyore's Birthday Party

Eeyore's Birthday Party is pretty much a hippy renaissance fair. If you've ever been to the Renaissance Fair in the outskirts of Houston, you'll know exactly what I mean.  There's a maypole, face painting, henna tattoos and plenty of gypsies and fairies - all with the "weird" Austin flavor.

The festival has been around way longer than I've been alive and even has its own wikipedia page! Check it out to learn about the history.

When we got to the party, there was a huge drum circle; the drums were scattered throughout the crowd.

               

Check out the Eeyore of Liberty standing behind the drum circle. I didn't get a good picture of its face, sorry! It's the statue of liberty with Eeyore's face.

Live music, of course! These guys were really good.

Eeyore's birthday party is about as Austin as it gets. There's plenty of food and beer, and all the proceeds go to a charitable foundation. It was a great way to spend Kid's Day and I'll definitely be going back next year!

the Bright Side - Austin Farmer's Market

The Austin Farmer's Market made my list as one of the things to do in Austin on the weekend a couple of weeks ago. For one reason or another, though, I had not been able to make it out. I thought about it this week as I racked my brain trying to come up with mom-friendly Austin activities. A Farmer's Market sounded perfect, so I decided this past Saturday was as good a time as any to walk around and buy some fresh produce.

The market is great - lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers mixed in with jams, homemade breads and oven-baked pizzas. I remembered to take pictures this time!

Lots of people!

There were amazing homemade ice-pops. I had a tamarindo one that reminded me of plazas in Mexico and did wonders to quench my thirst!

It wouldn't be Austin without some live music:

Herbs and more flowers:

Organic veggies:

I had a pretty big breakfast before going to the market so I didn't get to try all of the food. Everything looked really, really good! Go on an empty stomach and try everything. I will, next time!