Wow, hi. I hope the holidays were lovely for you and yours.

The last month was a blur of family, friends, travel and way too much delicious food, and I was simply too busy shoving every kind of christmas cookie available in my mouth to play much attention to anything else, especially the blog.

But I mean, who cares?  Blog posts about why someone hasn’t been blogging are quite possibly the most boring thing ever.  So I’ll just say this-I’ve been living life, and it’s pretty rad. Do people still say “rad”? I’m bringing it back.

Moving right along.

Someone shoved a video camera in my face at 12:02 am on January 1st and asked what my New Years resolution was.  I didn’t have anything to say, so I chugged my champagne like the lady I am and said “I want a puppy!” Luckily my boyfriend followed that by a bunch of mumbo jumbo about “health” and “happiness” and “blah blah” to which I said “oh yeah, that too!”

I’m not the biggest fan of New Years resolutions.  I just feel that there is so much in life that is out of our control-good and bad.  A year ago, I didn’t know that I was going to drop everything, move to Costa Rica and become a personal trainer.  I prefer to live in the moment-or at least that is what I’m trying to do a little bit more, every day.

Tropical humidity + curly hair=THAT monstrosity

With that said, goals are fantastic. And really, as much as “resolutions” annoy me, there is something to be said about starting off a new year with a fresh perspective and a few personal goals.

1. Be Kind(er) Be Nice(er) Be Patient(er?)
Unless you’ve hurt my family or friends (don’t mess with my people), or eaten the last of my ice cream in the freezer (um, ruuude), I’m going to be pretty damn nice to you. I’m a nice girl. Manners, forgiving, caring, the whole thing. Usually. I also have a feisty latina temper, a strong personality and little patience for people I don’t understand. I am working on taking a minute before I react, and, on that note, reacting from a place of compassion.  I don’t always have to be “right”…sometimes being kind is just more important.

2. Power over anxiety
If you’re a long time reader, you know that I have shared my struggles with anxiety in the past. I’m at a different place with anxiety now, due I’m sure to my new life-moving to Costa Rica, living away from my family, and proving to myself that the anxiety won’t always win. The most crippling thing about anxiety, for me, is the fear. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of all the terrible, horrible, heinous things that could happen…fear like this traps you, and it makes you feel like these things have happened-when they haven’t. When they might never, ever, EVER happen. And this leads to the worst part of anxiety-the loss of your joy. My joy. I spend so much time worrying and being upset about things that simply haven’t happened and it holds me back from the life I want, and the wonderful life I have. My goal? Live in the moment-quite literally. Take more deep breaths. Squeeze my boyfriends hand to remind myself of where I am. And most importantly, keep taking chances and risks-the best way to take control of your anxiety is to prove it wrong.

3. Love Better
My boyfriend is insanely amazing. He constantly does things to make my life easier, to make me smile, and to make me feel loved. He’s extremely patient with this feisty anxious latina, and all cliche’s aside, the dude is my absolute best friend. Plus, he’s hot. I feel like I do a good job of letting him know how appreciated he is, and how much I love him, but there’s always more I can do. So I’m gonna do it.

Add car photos to the list of things he sits through for me…doesn’t he look thrilled?

And I still want a puppy.

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This is not a Christmas list…just a few things I can’t get enough of as of late.

1. Snarky Santa Creepy Christmas Card I am obsessed with Sweet Perversion on Etsy…hope you don’t get offended easily!
2. LAKERS gear-I can’t tell you how excited I am that the NBA lockout is over and it will soon be Lakeshow time! I bought tickets to a game this a.m, and I am already planning what to wear-my boyfriends Lakers Santa hat is a given, obviously. Yep, he has one.
3. O Gorgeous Gym Bag This super cute and sparkly gym bag is nice and comfy at the very top of my wishlist…freaking love it-talk about gym motivation, I wouldn’t want it to just sit there.
4. Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea I never thought I’d be obsessed about a tea,let alone blogging about it…but I am. This stuff is SO good, especially if you love sugar cookies but also like fitting into your skinny jeans. Ugh, it’s so annoying when people say things like that, isn’t it? SORRY.  I mean, there is NOTHING wrong with cookies! However, it’s pretty freaking fantastic how an herbal tea can taste like my nana’s sugar cookies, with none of the calories. My boyfriend was pretty amazed too, and wonders if someone can make tea that tastes like pizza.

Fair question, I suppose.

Hope your week is going great, loves.  I am feeling pretty damn festive as of late, and it’s only increasing-this weekend it’s finally Christmas tree time! xo!

P.S For the last two years, I’ve published “My Badass Christmas List” and they’ve been two of my most popular posts.  In lieu of a list this year-and partly because I still want everything on these lists-here they are if ya missed them.

My Badass Christmas List-The Original

My Badass Christmas List-Volume 2

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Come see these free shipping deals on wine!

I basically live for excuses to buy a new outfit. Since I work from home, live with my boyfriend, am a grandma who likes to be in bed by 11 and don’t see the point in doing my hair on a daily basis when a. I’m going to work out and jack it up anyway and b. see above work at home/live with boyfriend, occasions to dress up are few and far between these days-not that I’m complaining, but it’s nice to feel pretty, yaknow?

Enter-Thanksgiving. I’ve been obsessing about what to wear more than I’d like to admit because when it comes down to it, it’s just family and a lot of food…but it’s as good of a fake reason to spend some money as I’ve got!

Thanks to pinterest, I’ve found it. Makes me laugh because it’s pretty much what I wear whenever I leave the house, but whatever. I need a new black blazer like I need… WHATEVER. Pretty! Cute! Lets spend money yay!
And my favorite jeans are perfectly stretchy in case I eat too much pie, which is a total lie because  I detest pie.  MUSHY FRUIT? Eff that noise, give me chocolate dipped in fudge covered in nutella.

I think I’m going to bring some Bailey’s Brownies via How Sweet Eats-which is the BEST food blog EVER and if you don’t check it first thing in the morning while you’re still laying in bed and you haven’t put your contacts in yet, so you have to hold the phone right in front of your face while you try to hide the screen so your boyfriend doesn’t see that you’re a crazy who looks at photos of fluffernutter cupcakes and buffalo chicken enchiladas at 7 am, I just don’t think we can be bff anymore.

Who am I kidding though?   A bottle of Baileys will do just fine.

And now I’m thirsty.

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I remember the good old days when I was such a dedicated blogger. Like, if a big weekend was coming up-for example, New Years Eve and I had outfits and shenanigans planned…I totally would have had 4 blog posts swirling around in my brain, outfit pictures taken, the whole thing. I had the “living my life outloud” b.s. on LOCK.

But I failed this weekend, ALTHOUGH I win the coveted “Had way too much Alize’ and fun” award, so that has to count for something, no? I’m sitting here, mainlining Emergen-c, dressed head to toe in my boyfriend’s clothing, listening to the rain (and Beyonce) and trying to figure out how to explain the fun that was The.Best.New.Years.Eve/Day.Ever.

I wish I had more pictures to share-and I should, considering I distinctly remember making said boyfriend go back upstairs and bring his camera with us on NYE…and then I promptly put it in my bag and put that bag in a guest room at the party we were at and yeah…so visualize with me, if you will.
{This one didn’t make the cut. Shocking. Not quite sure what’s going on here.}

Friday started off with taking pictures for the soon to be launched site. I know, I’m starting to feel like a cock tease at this point but seriously, it’s almost done. Then a little Kardashian marathon on the couch with Bella…and then-
-NYE party w/friends of the bf. Honestly, it’s just an excuse to get dressed up, and I love(d) my dress, and was having a phenom hair night. Very nice people and very toxic jello shots.
-NYE kiss…maybe the first one in a long time that meant something. You know-starting a new year with someone you love, together…vom.
-I like to keep it semi classy around here, but let it be known that we’re in that can’t keep our hands off each other stage-but then again, I don’t think it’s a stage with this one…and again, vom.
-Homemade breakfast burritos.
-Locked Up Abroad marathons.
-Modern Family.
-Beer at noon. Despicable Me.
-Naps.
-YUMMY Bolivian food. Who knew? So good.
-Alize’ and Champagne. The Thug Passion. It’s our signature cocktail.
-The Tudors. Now, this may be the Alize’ talking, but I LOVE the Tudors. Elizabethan porn? I’m all over it.
-Tupac. When In Rome. K-Ci and JoJo.

It was nothing extravagant. I looked TORE UP (no literally, someone said this to me. In related news-WHO SAYS THAT)…I barely put on actual clothes-what can I say, his sweats are comfy. We left the house once in 48 hours to get food…and Alize’.

It was perfect, and as cliche’ as it sounds…if this is any indication of how 2011 is going to be, I’m a big fan.

Tomorrow it’s back to the real world, although if you’re me that just means looking forward to the next something…I always, ALWAYS need something to look forward to. In this case, it’s my best friends birthday, followed by my boyfriends, followed by my own dirty 30. So while I’ll be back to 6 days at the gym, workworkworkwork and healthy eating (alllllllthough in my defense, I made him get whole wheat tortillas for the breakfast burritos), my life is really just one big excuse to get dressed up.

As it should be.

Happy Monday, lovebugs.

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(Hold up-realllll quick-I post a lot of personal pictures on my blog and I generally don’t mind anyone using them, but if you do-would you mind shooting me an email and letting me know?  It can be a little weird to be going through my reader and see pictures of myself. Thanks!! XO )

I was about to hit publish on this long, slightly emo post about healing, and the sense of urgency I have to just be ok. I will post it, but ya know…it’s Thanksgiving.

I’ve decided-come to an executive decision, if you will. I am ok, and wherever you are in your life, you’re ok too. Not to sound too Oprah, but we only have these moments, and I’m choosing to surround myself with happiness, and love, and big hugs. 

I’m looking forward to the rest of the week with my family, and my friends, and a ton of food and alcohol (let’s keep it real).  I’m looking forward to quiet nights spent working furiously on my new site-a fire has been lit underneath me basically overnight (almost DONE FOR REALS), I’m looking forward to boots and scarves and my wearing my new Thanksgiving dress.  I’m looking forward to hugging this gorgeous girl tomorrow…who happens to be one of my best friends in that thing we call “real life”, WHO happens to live in the same city as where I’m spending Thanksgiving with my family.  It’s been established we will probably both cry when we see each other…the last few months have been A DOOZY and kept us apart, and there is seriously no relief like that of a good friend who just gets you and knows when to turn the Jay-Z up full blast.  Also, we’re shopping.

I’m thankful for the little things that bless me everyday, I’m thankful for a friend who believes in me so much she gave me a gift that I will use to make her proud (HOLY vague, but yeah…Kelly, I love you), I’m thankful for forgiveness, and I’m thankful for green tea, for a jobby job I love,  for new surprise pink Hurley beanies perfect for snowboarding season left on my doorstep by a cute boy, awesome new glasses sent to me just because (post on this coming up), but soooo thankful that my days as the pirate fashion blogger are over–contacts=scratched cornea’s=patches=not cute.

I’m thankful for my little dog who still brings me a toy every time I walk in my door, I’m thankful that I lived to tell my story, I’m thankful that I still treasure my self worth, and even in my darkest moments…I keep going.
I’m thankful for you, and your kindness and love and willingness to share your stories with me.
I’m thankful that each day is an opportunity to turn it all around.

Sending you all my love this week…Happy Thanksgiving to you in the States.  I’ll be back on Monday with a shitload of stuff to share…outfit posts, GLASSES, and emo/healing bullshit. I jest, it’s totes important to talk about our feelings and stuff…but let’s just be happy for now, ok? Ok.

Love you, mean it.

Closing comments because…ya’ll need to NOT BE ONLINE THIS WEEK. Go hug someone!  Go eat!  Go lay on the couch and watch football with a 12 pack of Pumpkin Blue Moon and avoid Black Friday (heaven knows that’s what I’ll be doing)…mmmmm.

This post was supported by some lovely people who make gorg fashion jewelry…check it out, it’s worthwhile.

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For some reason, I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself, on this post. I think that basically sums up New Years, anyway, no? A lot of fucking pressure…it has to be better. It has TO. Right? I mean, I know that’s all I’m hanging on to lately. I’m going to forgo the usual resolutions…yes, I ate like it was going out of style this last month and have ignored the gym, my trainer-HI STEVEN, and Jillian Michaels.

I’m not where I thought I would be, but I am learning that maybe I’m where I am supposed to be. I’m standing on the edge of a huge jump, one that I’m doing on my own…without a ring on my finger, without a hand to hold. But with more confidence and sense of self than I have ever had.

2010…the Unbeweavable journey continues. With you Happy New Year! Be safe! Back on Monday in full force

(Images 1 and 2 via we heart it. 3 is mine.)

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This week I’ll still be in and out, but I wanted to say HI! Tell me everything! Happy Holidays so far??

Mine was SO good…but I’m glad it’s over and I can catch my breath, you know? Next up New Years-and then 2010!! Big changes! HURRY UP! There were moments of holding back tears, of forcing a smile. But I got through it.

I’m not going to list all the presents I got-I don’t know, something about that bugs me because it’s really not what Christmas is about, to me-but, because it’s relevant to the bloggy, I will say that I did get a Flip HD Camera, so now I can video blog without looking like a bobblehead, so yay.

More important things are on my heart and mind tonight, though. For all that I’ve been given, I HAVE to give back just as much.

To Write Love on Her Arms is Non Profit organization that I support, however I can. It’s near and dear to my heart.

“To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.”

{I’m kissin balls for TWLOHA on Socialvibe.com}

On Christmas Eve, this blog was posted on the TWLOHA website, and I wanted to share it with you too. I’m not going to lie loves…I had to read this over a few times this week/weekend. It brought me strength, and will continue to, and just in case even one of you needs some strength…

FOR EMPTY SEATS AND ELEPHANTS IN ROOMS AND DREAMS THAT FEEL IMPOSSIBLE.
DEC. 24, 2009 AT 11:53PM

Hey Guys.
My heart is light tonight. And it feels almost strange to type that. Because i remember so much wrestling and the weight of so many different Decembers. i don’t know if it’s the holidays or the year’s coming to a close but this time of year has a way of reminding us what’s missing, reminding us what hurts… i feel like i’ve been there a lot in recent years.

If you can relate to any of that tonight – to things missing or things changed or lost or broken – we just want to take a moment to say that it matters. Your story and your pain, your hopes and fears and dreams. It matters. You matter. Tonight and tomorrow and ten years from now. We’re sorry for your hurts, for empty seats and elephants in rooms and dreams that feel impossible.

John Mayer said it well in a tweet earlier tonight: “Sending a heartfelt Merry Christmas to those who feel loneliness this time of year. You’re not alone. Hang in there.”

We’ll add to that: Keep going. Keep fighting. Talk to someone. Get the help you need. Your life is worth fighting for. Your dreams, your story, the things that make you come alive – those things deserve to shine. You deserve a friend. You deserve to be loved, to be known. Whatever you’re carrying – whatever aches or haunts or steals – you were never meant to carry it alone. Bono sings “We get to carry each other.” He suggests that it’s a privilege, that it’s the best way to live. You were meant to walk with other people, to invite other characters to play parts in your story.

Wherever you’re at tonight, however heavy or light the night is, whatever scene it finds you living – please know that you matter very much. Please know that you are something priceless, something beautiful and entirely unique. There is hope for you. There is hope for all of us. 2010 has never happened before and the same is true about tomorrow.

A prayer for you, or perhaps a wish if you prefer it said that way: We hope these things feel true. We hope you know you matter. We hope you find your smile. You deserve it -you absolutely do.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / Happy 2010.
Peace to you tonight.
jamie

If you made it through all that…Thank YOU for walking with me, for being such an important part of my story this year. We deserve to shine…and shine we will. Thank YOU for being a reason for me to SMILE. Lots of love to you all, can’t wait to catch up. xoxo

If you have any questions…or need to talk…you know how to reach me. Do not hesitate.

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Aww you guys, I feel so bad. I have barely opened my laptop in the last couple of days and have been a horrendous bloggy buddy. I’m sorry…but I’m hoping that since we’re all busy, you won’t hold it against me?!

You look really good today, too. Just sayin. That color makes your eyes just absolutely sparkle.

Awkward…anyways. Random post #2 of the week, because umm why not. Have you guys seen the Sex and the City 2 Trailer yet…omfg I die! Can’t wait doesn’t even begin to describe it. Here you go if you haven’t seen it…or want to watch it over and over like I have all night.

Watch more Moviefone videos on AOL Video

Here are the bangs!! I didn’t take too many pictures this weekend because I was drunk busy, but this is on the way to Cali Christmas #1.. And do I look pleased? NASOMUCH. We were late and still had to stop by Best Buy for a last minute present…nothing like a good lil holiday procrastination, of which I am the queen.

Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours!! Puffy heart you all. 3 more single girl Christmas parties to attack woop! I get to see my Papa on Friday yay! I’ll be back on Saturday to stalk…prob in a hungover food coma trying to avoid the mall. FABULOUS. If you’re traveling, please be safe!! XOXO

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This is going to be a random post. I’ll be posting “sporadically” (RIP Brittany Murphy ugh so sad) until after Christmas-just a lot going on. There are some exciting things in the works for It’s Unbeweavable! in 2010-sorry to be vague, I know that’s annoying, I’m just not allowed to talk about them yet. Boo.

So! What have you been doing/drinking/wearing/buying?! I miss you! I have new hair that I will be posting about-hint, the bangs are BACK, and I have been running around with my crazypants on all weekend, shopping, post officing, wrapping, and working. Shoot me in the face. I mean, yay.

Kathleen at Just a Small Town Girl is the winner of Downtown Chic! Merry Christmas, lovebug! I will hand deliver it to you in Vegas.

In other news, I had my first family Christmas party on Sat night that I am still recovering from. Child of divorce=like 4 family Christmas celebrations. I’ll be honest. I started to get a little emo getting ready, worrying about the whole “single” thing. I may have cried and called Brooke. But then, you know…it passes. For lack of a better phrase, I got my shit together. Took a deep breath. Put some more mascara on.

And baby jesus had my BACK. Because while this side of my family-the Colombian side-always likes the umm sauce, and parties hard…this year we took it to new levels..high or low? I can’t really decide. It was ridiculously fun, and nobody had to be on their best behavior because of a boyfriend/stranger/guest being there, you know?

The scene-Dads House-new boots, wine in hand, presents to the left, lots of food to the right.

My dad-the Colombian corporate financial planner marathon runner social butterfly who still sees Gabby and I as 12 yr olds- was informed of my blog.

Oh noes!

I think he was pretty impressed though…but I CERTAINLY pray he doesn’t read it. I know hope he was a lil tipsy when I showed him, because after seeing this lil piece of heaven, he started proclaiming just about everything UNBEWEAVABLE!! The steak he was grilling? “It’s Unbeweavable!” My stepmom realizing that she did, in fact, have internet on her phone? “It’s Unbeweavable!” Taylor Swift’s Christmas CD? (Don’t ask) “It’s Unbeweavable!”

Good times. It really was. I was one hundred percent focused (as much as one can be 100 percent focused when she’s on her 4th glass of wine, that is) on just being present with my family, and it was nice. First single girl Christmas celebration will be filed under “Success”. Booya. 3 more to go…

So to bribe you make up for me being non existent in bloggyland this weekend and probably this week, let’s do another giveaway!! Happy Holidays, dollfaces.

Etsy Shop Isette is full of gorgeous, whimsical things, including some mustache necklaces and earrings…just sayin, Summer. Today’s giveaway is the lovely Mane Necklace.

This necklace features a Victorian flourish with just the hint of a lion’s head in the center. Made with laser cut black acrylic, the necklace focal is 3 inches wide. Sterling silver chain and clasp – this piece is adjustable from 16 to 18 inches.

I love it. Kinda badass, no? Badass Victorian. We’ll be getting to know Isette more in 2010, so this is just a lil teaser and intro.

Just leave a comment, make sure you’re a follower..and the winner will be announced on Wed!! Be sure to check out Isette too

Happy Monday, miss your faces…and Happy Birthday to my girl Erika aka Ms.Cafe Fashionista! Love you!!!!

I love this…watching it right now. Le sigh.

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion… love actually is all around.“- Love Actually

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My favorite Twitter drinking buddy Michelle said this reminds her of me. I have no idea why. I I am innocent…

Might have something to do with my Badass, slightly naughty Christmas List and admitting to umm, dating around. It’s called being single and having FUN, right? Right.

In NICE NEWS, (Santa, can you hear me? I’m totes nice!)

I participated in the lovely Micaela’s Ornament Exchange. I was a blog exchange/swap virgin! It was so fun! I sent off an ornament and some Christmas Pop Rocks to EQ in NYC (whom I blog crush on p.s) and I just got my ornament from Carly at A Girl and Her Blog!! Look! LOVE!

{I wanted to show you the cute owl in the corner! (And my Essie. lol)}

Carly got it at a Fair Trade store…it’s called a “Bird of Hope”

Hope has kinda been a theme around the blogosphere this week. We aren’t losing hope. Thank you sososo much Carly! OH AND! She also sent me this really cool purple ring that I will show you next time I’m holding a martini. Which I’m sure will be soon, like this weekend. Yay.

Ok now I’m totally ready to play Santa. Winner Time!

The Winner of the Ruffle Tunic from Dyanahar is Mara at M Loves M (TWINS! We can rock em around L.A together!)

and

The Winner of the membership to Emompreneurs.com is Treacle at Stockings Addict Lingerie Blog

Yay!! We’ll talk.

I love you guys. This week I am really feeling the blog love, both online and when I check my “real” mail…it’s amazing and wonderful and here is just a little bit of what I’m talking about…

{I spy…some favorite bloggy friends under my tree. Fabulous. Thank you!}

How can I be a Grinch? You guys won’t let me!

More giveaways next week! Giveaway hooker in the house. I totes should have done “The 12 Days of Christmas” giveaways, that would have been cute…but I didn’t, so yeah good talk…

Happy Weekend!

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