Misadventures in Bloggywood

I'm not a mom. I'm not even a wife or a girlfriend. That said, I am a nurturer by nature and have helped raise my fair share of youngsters and can appreciate a good story about motherhood.

Now I have to say, I don't go driving around in the Google Search engine for sites on motherhood and even though I follow and truly enjoy Adventures of a Modern Mom (published by one of my besties amazing big sis, Zulay Fernandez) my time shall come, and I'm cool with that. However, while trying to teach myself a thing or two about navigating around blogspot I stumbled upon this:

Blog Readers Your blog can have up to 100 Readers

I know. I need to slow my roll and chill out, I only have 15 followers on actual Blogspot, 55 publicly following my blog from Facebook, and a handful that e-mail me about them and for some reason aren't following...I'm just not cool enough yet yo, so I need not worry about this. Yet somehow this tid bit of info still managed to put me in a state of frenzy and in "WTF?!?!" mode.

I immediately turned to Google for help and stumbled upon another blog writer who had experienced the same hysteria as I: Jenn of  Misadventures of Motherhood. A random kind gentleman helped Jenn understand what this meant, and this didn't go without some torture in my opinion, as he also accused her of hijacking someone else's question...I mean WTH is that supposed to mean?! I, fellow hijacker, truly did not  comprehend what the "question answerer" was trying to explain (except that, no worries Lisa, you can have more than 100 readers). To me he just went on and on and on--->HERE<---in case you need to know, and my solely hypochondriatic existent A.D.D was not having it. However, I did find an incredibly cute and fun blog out of the question answering boredom. Something special always comes out of most things if you just look for it. I'm happy that I decided to copy and paste the link to Misadventures of Motherhood. I love this blog and Jenn's sense of humor. Even though it's a blog about her life post children, she still writes about things we can all relate to and shares some humorous past times, pre-mommyhood. She seems like a mother that knows how to have fun and doesn't take herself too seriously.

Here is my favorite post, I Pee Myself. Haven't we all experienced a moment when we are sharing funny experiences, laughing and then one person says something only to find themselves laughing solo while the rest are left with blank stares and in total non comprehension of what you shared? Yeah well, this is one of those. I peed myself.

I urge you to check out Misadventures of Motherhood; mommy, mommy in training, or none of the above. And while you're at it, since we are on the mommyhood topic, you'll definitely enjoy the fun and challenges Zulay experiences and is faced with on Adventures of a Modern Mom. My personal fav is Layla goes to Work with Mommy!

Hope you enjoy it!

Love,

Lisa xo

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"40 Seconds, 40 Pics" Video

 While an old dance friend and I were catching up at "La Lotería" Exhibit in the Brooklyn Observatory, we were kindly interrupted by another attendee who offered to take pictures of us. She said that she loved taking pictures, so we gave her the honor of catching our moment (reunions are always nice!). She was everything you'd imagine a fashion photographer to be! The only problem is that she took approximately 40 "snapshots" in video taking mode. However, where there's a will, there's a way, so why not share these shots in picture taking view?

 Thanks to La iPhone, here are some of my favorite screen shots I took to create a few stills

   

Hope you enjoyed my "pics", I have plenty more from the exhibit and my fun filled weekend

to share later this week once I finish editing.

Thanks for looking!

Besos, Beijos, Filakia, MUAH!

Love,

Lisa xo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Vakano Clothing- Casual Wear with Latin Flair for Ladies and Gents

"The Vision: To create a style of nationalism and pride in where we as immigrants came from. No matter what nation you come from, there is a style that represents your nation and culture. Although we are a people of many different nations, we still are one people, under God, we are Latinos..."

~Vakano Clothing

It's been long overdue that I share Vakano T-Shirt line with you (shame on me). I discovered them on Facebook during the summer and loved the designs that Domincanita Indira Valdez came up with to represent us Caribbean Latin Folk. Vakano t-shirts not only have great designs, but they fit so well and are very fashionable too! I'm so tired of cutting up t-shirts just so I can enjoy the cute designs on them. There is no need with the styles found in Vakano Clothing Store; they are prêt-à-porter (ready to wear). There are styles for di meing too, as we Cubans would say for "men" (or as Scarface would -->YOUR CHOICE<--...choose wisely) ;) Considering that I never know what to get guy friends as gifts, Indira and Vakano Clothing  just helped me with gifts for more than 50% of the dudes in my life...Papa Dukes and Grand Papa included. 

Indira Valdez, native to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), came to the United States 7 years ago and now resides in Los Angeles, California. "Vakano" comes from the word Bacano (original saying), and means "cool". It's a word that is used among Caribbean Hispanics, and is especially popular among Venezuelans. This Latino representative t-shirt line is not only fun, but it's also a symbolization of Indira's struggles making it in a new country. The inspiration to start the Vakano T-Shirt Project came from reflecting on her faith; something that regardless of our religious beliefs, we all share in common necessity. With faith and positivity, we can make it through all of our struggles and pain.

"I started this project inspired on a bible verse reminding myself that no matter what struggles we go through, our God is with us, and all we have to do is use faith and speak to whatever mountain is in our way, and it will be moved." (inspiration from Mark 11:23)

Throughout her assimilation into a new country and culture, Indira found a positive way to make a mark here in the states while creating a clothing line bearing symbols of her native culture, something that even non latinos enjoy. Her faith is inspirational, and Vakano t-shirts are not just for Latino's in my opinion. I can without a doubt see the salseros I know in New York sporting a Tamborero(a), Toca tu Guirra, or Coño t-shirt. The definition of Coño varies from region to region, in this case it means "dayyyyum!" ;), while in other regions it can mean someone who is tight fisted, some use it in profanity (not here on my t-shirt, this Vakanita means DAYYYUM ala Gabriel Iglesias style), and in others, such as Spain, it means "someone of wealth"!

You can check out Vakano's store on their website by clicking --> here and keep up with them on Facebook here<--clickety click! Every week, Vakano Clothing Store posts a special t-shirt of the week at a discounted price, so make sure to check them out on Facebook and to get the sneak peeks on what's coming next! 

Here are some photos of the Vakano T-shirt line. The links to the website page are under each pic, and you can also find more colors and styles on their website! Check me out sporting my Vakano Purchases at the end! And you know I have lil' stories to tell :)

The Puerto Rican Flag

The Dominican Flag

"Coño" in black for men.

Dominican Flag. Check out Vakano's site for more colors and styles for the ladies.

Dominicanita

This yellow looks stunning on her! I wish I was a Dominicanita so I could wear it! We need a Cubanita one!

"Toca tu Guirra" I have this one in white and I love it!

La Guirra is significant to me. One of my best friends played this instrument in a bachata band in high school and I remember him walking the hallways with an imaginary guirra in his hand, always dancing. I loved his spirit, he taught me that you can bring music with you everywhere, even when others could not hear! That stayed with me always and is a great lifelong gift! Dancing and music soothe me, so when I don't have music available, I go anywhere and dance to the music in my head. Calls for many bathroom breaks at work! Anyway, when I saw this shirt, I had to have it! Remember, when those work days start becoming tough and boring, all you have to do is TOCA TU GUIRRA!!!

I love how the front says "Coño" and the back has a bible verse reference near by bootie. I love being inspired while simultaneously being amused!

Coño, OÑO, COÑO!! I wear the heck out of this shirt. I love gray, I have matching leggings and to top it off, I'm making a statement, coño! This shirt reminds me of one of my favorite comedians, Carlos Gonzalez. He says Coño quite a lot. I wonder which "coño" his coño represents!

Well my Vakanitas and Vakanitos, I hope you enjoy Vakano's t-shirt line as much as I do! I can't wait to see what else they have in store! Thank you for reading!

Besos, Beijos, Filakia, MUAH!

Love,

Lisa xo

Twitter: Fab_Chitating

"Dear Jon", An Ode to My FUgg-ly Wannabe Crocs

I couldn't help but laugh as I put on my FUgg-ly Croc wannabe's today. My co-worker Jon lost all respect for my fashionability when I admitted to him that I owned a pair of these...but...but...how can I resist not wearing these $5 "gems" so I may save my pretty lil (big 'ole) feet from getting wet? How can I resist when I don't want to ruin a pair of my stylish zapatos that I love so much (RHETORICAL)?!...I don't want to ruin my legit shoes!!!

The truth about these, is that I bought them in a mad rush when I had to dance in the First Annual Dance Parade in New York City years ago; it was predicted that it would be pouring. I danced with P.U.R.E and our skirts hid our feet for the most part, so it was a no brainer to wear these instead of my more expensive hermes (not Hermès, or however that fancy brand presents itself) dance shoes and getting my feet all wet and clamped up while dancing. It's also a no brainer when my Washington's don't want to be spent on rain boots when I have another option available. Yeah, Washington's, you read correctly. Sadly I don't even know whose face is on a 5, 10, or even 20 buck bill, and we ALL know who Benjamin is because we want a whole lot of him! So another reason to love my 4, maybe 5 year old $5 gems even more.

The words of my friend, who once held my fashion sense in high regards, and of whom I seriously believe knows all, chimes humorously in my head as I put on these puppies to get from point A to point B without ruining the important stuff.

I continue laughing as I bump into another fashionable co- worker on her way out of our jolly ole job.





"Oh I have those too!", she exclaims (as you've already seen above). We go on about how they are a handy thing to have (remember, we are on a poor man's budget here). I tell her how Jon disowned me as a fashion source because of them and she says: "Oh. He's seen me in them and hasn't said anything."

Dear Jon,

I've decided to take the above information as a compliment. Even if it's not the case, roll with it. I'm going to believe that you found me so incredibly fashionable, creative and impressively unique in the cluster of fashion authorities, that to discover that I owned (and sometimes wear) a pair of these, has brought utter devastation to your world. It's ok Jon, it'll be alright. Sometimes we must make sacrifices in the world of fashion. Sacrifice the FUgg-ly Croc Wannabe's to save dancing feet that must look pretty in the open-toed, fashion worthy hot steppers. And at a Nifty Thrifty Price might I add. And they are periwinkle (very rare-ish). Sometimes, beauty can't beat the beast. I guess that's the moral of my story?

Love,

ME!!! Lee-See!!!

P.S Thanks for reading guys, hope you can afford the more than Washington's but less than Benjamin's rain boots! Til then, I'm sporting my "$5,-take-up-no-space-gems"! xo

My Ghetto Fab Way of Necklace & Accessory Repair

No boo boos when you do things the ghetto fab way!

 Hello Baby Dolls!

I don't know what you all were doing while Hurricane Queen Irene lightly strolled through our parts (comparably), but I ate a lot of veggies and enjoyed an excuse to eat all the ice cream in anticipation of a power outage that never came. I also had a chance to catch up on fixing a necklace that was in need of an artsy crafty hand. I had to be nifty and work with what I had in the house, but it worked out quite well and now my necklace looks 100% better. This same trick saved me this past weekend in completing an outfit with the perfect belt.

Click here-->CLICK ME! CLICK ME!<--- to view the "how-to" post on the Nifty Thrifty Stylist Closet blog, and to see the before and after pics of a beautiful vintage costume Egyptian necklace I inherited from my Cuban great aunt who lived in Egypt for many years. There are some pics of the belt too!

Thanks for reading and happy fixing!

Besos, Beijos, Filakia, MUAH!

Love,

Lisa xo