Some shocking news...

As you may have noticed I have been a little absent the last few weeks. On November 18, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a shocker! As you may imagine, a lot of different thoughts and emotions have occupied my mind, my body, and my time during the last few weeks. 

Not, all is bad though, unless I let it overcome me. I am, now more than ever, extremely grateful to my Father   in Heaven for my life, my wonderful family, my loving husband, my happy baby daughter and the infinite joy they bring to my life. I am grateful for my courageous loving parents and their unconditional love and help they provide to me every single day. I am greatful for my great friends and acquientances who have offered a helping hand. I am specially grateful to those who have encouraged to be strong, faithful, and happy. I know some of you want to know want  more and have asked what stage of cancer I am in. And to answer that I can only say, "I don't know". Doctors have not been able to describe it to be that that way, at least not in my case. And to be honest with you, who cares? I am ALIVE, I am here, and I am planing on continuing to do so!

Why did this happen to me? I asked myself so many times. Why me?  I DO NOT wish this upon anybody, but I truly never thought I would become a statistic either. I have eaten right, danced, worked out, relaxed, exercised a lot of discipline, and never suffered from any serious illnesses other than having my tonsils removed at age ten. I have ALWAYS felt great physically and I still do. I grew up in beautiful South America where I ate only organic. I became a vegetarian during my first year in college. I subsequently became a vegan. Years later, I was introduced to the "raw food diet" by my ballet dance teacher and some other dancers. This type of stuff only happens to people that not take care of themselves, I USED to think. Oh boy was I WRONG! No wonder why my Father in Heaven tests their children like me!

My understanding is being opened before my eyes! If I don't learn things on my own, He will make ME learn them!. What a great lesson in HUMILITY! Did I need it? ABSOLUTELY! Would I change a thing about my life? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I am alive, I am happy, so there is nothing to feel sorry about! I am fighting this cancer and I will WIN! I value things now more than ever! My Heavenly Father LOVES me and ANSWERS my prayers! I appreciate everything around me!

Why me?  Perhaps because I am learning to me more grateful, compassionate, caring, STRONG, faithful, happy, etc. etc. etc. I am also learning how to better treat others that may me going through similar or different struggles, sicknesses, or pain, among many other things. I am alive and well!  I am just A NEW ME UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Just bear with me and keep me in your prayers!

To be continued...

Gwen Stefani's Kids Line at Target...

Gwen Stefani has just recently launched her new Japanese inspired kids and baby's clothes named Harajuku Mini for Target. I am in love with some of her baby girl designs that are already on my shopping list for this Christmas. If you haven't had a chance to take a look at them yet, click HERE or head over to your nearest Target store. Here are some of my faves...

Polka Dot Coat $30

Two-Piece Baby Dog Set $19

Plaid Jumper and Legging Set $19

Win an Oh Sweet Sadie's Gift Basket...

Make this weekend fabulous by heading over to Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show this weekend! In celebration of 11-11-11 they will giving away a $1100 gift basket! An opportunity you don't want to miss! and you don't even have to present to win! So head over there buy some wonderful Christmas gifts, very reasonably priced I might add, and enter your name for the drawing. Winner will be chosen Saturday at 5pm and you don't even have to be present to win!

Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show is Here Again...

I am sooo excited! As usual, this show exceeds my expectations! So get your friends and head over to SoDa Row at the Daybreak's Shopping District in South Jordan this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Open Thursday and Friday from 10 am - 9 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm

"Dia de los Muertos"...

Today some parts of Latin America celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" or Day of the Death. You can call this festivity the equivalent to Halloween in other parts of the world. The festivity is accompanied by a colorful celebration and characterized by the representation of the skull in various forms. Here are some wonderful images that represent this festivity...

Image via Google

Photo via Pinterest

Photo via Mexican Sugar Skull

Halloween Alternatives to Candy...

I am sure I am not the only one who has heard horror stories about kids getting sick from eating enormous amounts of candy during Halloween. Lately, I have heard some suggestions such as allowing your child to eat only about 20% of the candy they get. Although my child is not old enough yet to decide on her own, I can imagine some of the struggles that parents may have in trying to limit their children's candy intake. As a parent, I have decided to avoid being part of the problem as much as I possibly can, so I have come up with some candy alternative ideas...

Mini Play-Doh containers. Available at your local Target store, among others stores.

Pencils, pens, and erasers such as these available at your local Walgreens. Coupon available in store.

Stickers such as the one above. Available at Target for just $1

Glow Bracelets such as this one from Glow Universe. You can find them at your locals party supply store.

Riding Boots...

Definitely, one of my favorite trends this season. They are so versatile and comfy! They make me want the winter to come fast, which so not the typical me. Here are some of my favorites...

Slouchy Riding Boots via UrbanOG.com

Brandi by Blowfish Boots via Piperlime

Loose Rein Boots via Anthropologie

Miidori by Steve Madden via Piperlime

Simply the Sweet Life Interview...

I am so happy and honored to have been featured at Simply the Sweet Life. As usual, they do a fabulous job making everyone and everything look so good! Take a look HERE!

FALL SALE....

Yes!!! The biggest sale ever so far! I have never gone this low before so take advantage of it while you can! I need to make some room for new Holiday line coming up soon!

DIY Wrap Leather Bracelet...

Just wanted to introduce you to one of my favorite jewelry making tutorials. Here it is with wonderful step by step instructions via Rings'n Things. A fabulous autumn project! click here for tutorial.

(Photos via Rings & Things)

Favorite Fall Fashion Looks...

Before becoming a mom, I used to to be automatically driven to the most sophisticated and detailed clothing pieces. Now that my life has changed completely, I have come to the realization that I have very little time and very few occasions to dress up. So I have become very minimalistic in my clothing choices. I love when I see simple yet elegant looks such as the ones below...

Via Banana Republic

Via Polyvore. Created by christinabrent

Via Polyvore. Created by kismith

Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show this Weekend...

Friday & Saturday  

September 9th & 10th 

10:00 am - 9:00 pm 

SoDa Row in Daybreak 

11259 Kestrel Rise Road 

South Jordan, Utah

The Booth...

I am so excited to introduce the new look of my booth currently set up at Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Craft Show. Remember the vintage fruit crates? Here I put them to good use...

Upgrading Vintage Crates..

For this fall I decided to revamp my jewelry displays a little. After some inspiration (and my husband's ideas) I decided to go little more rustic on the use of my displays and I decided to use vintage fruit crates. These is how they finally look after a lot of cleaning, some sanding, glueing, and staining...

BEFORE

AFTER

Fall 2011 Collection...

I am so excited to present these new items created for this fall! I am introducing some patina brass items to my colorful line this year. These items are not yet available at my Etsy shop. They will be first available at the fabulous Oh Sweet Sadie Gift and Art Show September 8-10. Click here for more details!

Zucchini Season...

I  have been getting enormous amount of zucchinis from family and friend's gardens lately. Since I hate to waste anything I have been searching for some good zucchini recipes. Here are a few I have tested and tried myself and I absolutely loved them!

Healthy zucchini bread via The Sweets Life. Click here for recipe

Zucchini Fritters via Adoras Box. Click here for recipe.

Stone of the Month...

Photo via Palagems

Did you know that the  for the month of August  is Peridot? It is a beautiful soft bright green stone, definitely one of my favorites. It represents dignity, protection, and success. So if you were born this month, Peridot is your stone!

Peridot Flower Hairpins by Green Ruby Designs

Mark your Calendars...

I am so excited to announce that I will, once again be part of "Oh Sweet Sadie" Art & Gift Show. It will take place September 8th-10th at the beautiful SoDa Row in West Jordan. Visit their website here for more details. I am so excited to introduce my fall collection for this show. More pictures to come soon...

Turquoise Doors...

Via Imgfave

Via 5th and State

Via Iced-vovos

Via Flickr

During my weekly runs with my husband, I have noticed and increasing number of turquoise doors in my neighborhood. Although, not as fancy as the ones above, they definitely draw my attention. They stand out, no question about it! 

Turquoise is a beautiful color and it has always been my favorite in jewelry making. It also has become the center of my inspiration for my Fall collection. I can't wait to show you! I have been working really hard on it...

RUE Magazine...

Here is one of my sources of inspiration! If you haven't yet had a chance to take a look at this fantastic magazine, it is time to do so. RUE magazine is available online every two months. Take a look at the July/August edition here...

New Items Just Added...

Take a look at the new items just added... I will continue to do add more new items throughout next week. Ah! and don't forget to take advantage of the 20% discount going on right now! Just enter code SUMMERSALE20 at checkout. This offer will be available for just a few more days...

Creative Ways to Display and Store your Jewelry...

This can be easily accomplished by attaching a nice lace trimming to a gorgeous antique frame. Photo via Inkinandthikin

Drawers with tones of dividers are perfect for storing all kinds of jewelry. These are typically used for kitchen storage, but work great in the bedroom closet. IKEA has some fabulous options for these type of storage drawers. Photo via TheGlamourai

And last, but not least, coat hangers are great for jewelry display and storage, specially for those chunky colorful necklaces. I love the ones with unique knobs, they add a lot of character to your room. Photo via The Glitter Guide

Yay!!! Summer Sale!

Take 20% OFF any purchase! Going on now through July 31, 2011! Visit the shop here!