So what’s new?

 

I’ve been busy ya’ll! Busy with what you say? My life has become so chaotic and unorganized that I just reached critical levels. No lie, I know some people can work through chaos but I just can’t. I reach that limit and then I can no longer get things done until I organize myself. So what have I been doing? Well…

 

1. I spent some money on organization stuff for my closet and dressers. I got a cute caboodles trunk for Christmas that I used for jewelry. Except it just didn’t work anymore. I wasn’t getting enough use out of all my jewelry. So I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and scored some cute organizer trays similar to this one but in fabric black and white. I got three of them and they stack on top of each other. I can hold so many things in my dresser and can find everything because it’s so well organized.
2. Inspired by my drawer I went back to Bed Bath and Beyond (my new favorite decorating store) and got skirt hangers and trouser hangers. With this new dress code I couldn’t get it together and part of it was that I was buying and buying but really didn’t know what I had in my closet. I organized everything so that I can see and easily pick out my outfits. This has really saved me and made me look put together all over again. Bonus: I forgot what I had in my closet and actually have things with tags on them! Love shopping in my own closet!
3. I’ve also started to re-organize at work. Not that it has anything to do with fashion and beauty but my office looks great and I am less stressed!

Hopefully I can finish up that darn podcast so I can update you guys post it on my blog and also post it everywhere else. In the meantime, you may see some less posts because it is summertime after all and I have to get out and enjoy it! I can’t wait for school to be over because this time next year all I will be responsible for outside of work and home is blogging. Which is way more fun for me than reading a textbook. So what are you up to?

Welcome to Miami!

As you read this my family and I are headed on a plane to Miami for the General Mills Que Rica Vida event. So if you are reading this, please pray for us since it’s my husband’s first flight and he’s mega nervous even though he won’t admit it! Anyway I may not be around posting as much these next few days but I am still working on a giveaway for hitting 200 readers. I’m also going to be sharing lots of details and pics from our time in Miami. Here or on my FB fan page as well so don’t forget to become a fan if you haven’t already! Follow me on Twitter to get all the up to date details on my trip as well as my fellow blogeras at #quericavida hashtag!

I’m also experiencing a bit of writer’s block so leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to read/talk about! Maybe I’ll get some inspiration while in MIA! As always chica, stay bella!

Pic credit

What would you like for Mother’s Day?

I recently got an email from JuiceBox Jungle asking if money were no object and guilt was non existent, what would I do for Mother’s Day. That is a very good question. If I can be like a desperate housewife for a day that would be amazing. Just go somewhere warm like the Caribbean and lay out on a beach with my favorite book and just have someone on my beck and call all day. Or better yet, rent one of those mansions you see on the novelas and have a full staff on my beck and call. But the house will be right on the beach. With one of those infinity pools. If I can spend a whole weekend there that would be absolutely lovely. Hey a girl can dream right! But I do feel like we as mami’s are so busy taking care of everyone else that we need that recharge and have someone take care of us for a change!

So what would you do if you could do anything for Mother’s Day?

Pic Credit

My Favorite Things: My BlackBerry

Seriously without my phone I don’t know how I would be able to manage my life. Although I refuse to add corporate emails to my phone, I manually add my meeting schedules at work to my BlackBerry. I also use my calendar for making plans with the girls (diva night anyone?) scheduling doctor’s appointments, vacation days…it’s the best thing ever.

I also use it for the following:

- Take notes to remind myself of stuff later. Or names of products I’d like to try. Or posts ideas.
- I use the BBM to keep in touch with friends including my fellow bloggy friends.
- Can you say Twitter and Facebook? Love updating my statuses and keeping up with the news on both.

- Getting my emails on my phone keeps me in touch with the latest from Mami’s Time Out readers as well as friends, PR folks and teachers sending me assignments!

- Love taking pictures of my rambunctious preschooler in action!

This is one my biggest arsenal to keep me put together in every aspect of my life. Do you use BlackBerry? Share your tips and tricks in the comments!

This was not a sponsored post. Mami’s Time Out did not get any compensation in any way for this post. I truly just am a techie at heart and heart my phone! This is the start of a series of posts titled My Favorite Things.

My Horrible Experience at Chuck E. Cheese

My son recently reached his second birthday and we decided to plan his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Since I work out of the home full time and also go to school I didn’t have much time to plan a party otherwise. I definitely didn’t want to have kids running around inside the house because as it is February and I live in NY it is snowing and cold. I did that last year and regretted it. So this year I figured the kids would love Chuck E Cheese and you pay the one price for everything.

 

So we get to Chuck E Cheese early because I had stuff to go with his theme and no one was there to greet us. My table was supposed to be set up by 1:30 because the party was scheduled for 2pm. Guests were arriving and they were still finishing up setting up. They refused to let me use my own cups even though they were smaller and I was told that the kids had unlimited drinks. (So seriously, why couldn’t I use the cups?!)

 

I was rushed by the hostess from one thing to the next and an hour and a half later was basically rushed out. She told me I had to buy something in order for me to have a table afterwards. By then I was ready to get ghetto on someone so I didn’t even respond. We rushed to sing happy birthday, we rushed to cut the cake, and everything was a rush! We couldn’t even open presents we took everything home and had him open things there so I can keep track of who gave what for thank you cards.

 

My son had a great time though and we did end up staying later and got a table (I didn’t buy a damn thing extra!) just so that my father could bond more with my son. They don’t see each other as much and I really would like them to get closer. He’s gotten close with my dad but my mom….not so much. But what are you going to do right?

 

It sucks that you pay for this reservation so that your child can have a good time all for an hour and a half. It was insane. You’re also paying per child. I do not recommend it! Two Mami friends of mine also felt the same way; they felt the party was rushed. I wish I would have listened. Next year I will start planning so that I can rent a place for him to spend the whole day. I felt terrible for family members that came to spend time with us that were childless couples. I didn’t think anyone without children was going to join us.

 

His theme was Handy Manny and needless to say I have to return all the stuff I bought for the party because after I was told I could use it they ignored me. My table cover, cups, napkins, plates, everything has to be returned. I feel like during these economic times businesses really need to step up their service. It makes a difference. There service was absolutely horrible and I was being rushed for what? Out of about 7-10 tables all were empty but three and that included our tables!

 

Have you had any bad experiences with Chuck E. Cheese? Please share in the comments!

You Need a Team, Mami!

I’ve been asked so many times “Girl, how do you do it all!” We are definitely always on the go and always have a full plate. The important thing is that you don’t need to do it alone. I’ve heard the term “Mom-terage” (like entourage) that a Mami needs in order to be able to stay fly and keep her hair from falling out.

Recently I started going back to school (yuck-not by choice) and between that, work, home and of course blogging I have limited time. You definitely need to prioritize what’s important to you but also be willing to give up things that are not so important. (Except I need to watch my novelas, you already know!) So how do I get it all in? I have an amazing support system!

 

Right now on top of all this I’m raising money for March of Dimes, planning my son’s birthday party and in the middle of other projects. My fabulous amigas are helping me by proofing my essays for school, getting sponsorships for the walk (because they know I don’t have time but that it’s important to me) and brainstorming possible blog topics. My Mami doesn’t live in the same state that I do but remotely she is also helping me plan for my son’s birthday party.

 

I also am lucky to have an amazing husband who shares the workload with me. Not just in regards to our son but chores around the house. I came home yesterday to a clean house (but dirty dishes because in his words “I don’t do dishes”). But instead of complaining about the dishes I just felt happy that he took the time to clean up without being asked. That’s a big deal to me. Of course he doesn’t think that blogging should be on my list of things to do but hey, he’s got his Play Station and I have my blog it’s even!

 

The point is that the secret to being a Super Mami you have to have that team behind you. Even Batman had Robin (and the butler who helped him out with gadgets). Without them, Batman wouldn’t have been as effective in fighting crime. Recognize both your strengths and weaknesses. Where you are weak, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We can’t possibly do it all alone m’ija. Then there would be no time for that Time Out!