Christmas Shutters

So, since I've been a little behind on my posting, I wanted to make sure I get this one on. My husband created these Christmas shutters for the front of our house that looked adorable, and I wanted to share. Never to early to start planning how to decorate for your next Christmas right? If you want complete instructions on how to make them, just let me know. I made the bows and they were super easy to make.

1st time to New York

Hey everyone, I'm for sure back this time....lol. Just a quick update, I'm not working part time anymore. I am no longer doing the 2 hour commute to work. I found a new job closer to home, and it's only 30 minutes away, the downside is that I'm working full time, but 4 days a week, which I love.


OK so back in December, I went to New York for a quick trip for my husbands work. It had to be quick trip so we didn't do much.
I left on a Thursday, and as I am waiting for my flight, I go grab something to eat, and guess who is there?

                           The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan. He was very nice, and approachable

My hubby and his Scott and his wife, picked me up from Newark Airport, and we headed out for dinner.

We had Italian at this great restaurant in Restaurant Row. They served a bread basket that had a really thin like tortilla, that had garlic, butter, parsley spread all over. It was so yummy, that we have tried to make them here, and we have come close to making them just as good.

Next for the agenda, was to go to times square. Since it was right before Christmas time, I got to see the big Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. I was a bit disappointed, all the movies make the ice skating area and Christmas tree look so huge. The rink was small, but the tree was big, I just thought it would be bigger.

New York, was just how I imagined, everyone in a rush, pushing you aside as they walk by, and crazy busy. By the end of the night, I learned how to hold out my elbows a little, just in case somebody bumped into me, i wouldn't fly across the sidewalk. I must of gotten bumped into about 6 times within a short period of time, and they do not say excuse or sorry, they just keep on walking. There's great energy there but a little to fast for me.  

The next morning which was Friday, was the day of the Christmas Party. My hubby went to work, and I took the rental and drove to go get my hair done at The Gatsby, yes it's the salon from the show Jerseylicious. I was so excited to go, because I enjoy watching the show.

I got there, and I saw the Sonic fast food place where Tracy and Olivia fought, I was the mattress store that the salon is right next to. I walked in, my stylist wasn't in yet, but I was like 45 minutes early. I left really earlier since I've never driven out there, and I wasn't sure how traffic was. Better early than late.

So I sat there, and I'm like, wow it's exactly the way it looks like in the show.

First I see Christy, she looks simple, and cute. She says good morning, asks if I have an appointment, and I say yes, but she's not here yet, I'm here really early. Then comes out Gayle from her little office, says good morning. I was so nervous to ask if I could take a picture with them, I didn't want to seem like I was just there for the picture, which I was :).

I bought a jerseylicious shirt as I waited, and finally my stylist arrived and she went to go get her spot ready. I noticed that her spot is the same exact one as where Gigi works when she's on the show. She said give me a few minutes and I'll come back and get you. At that moment I new I had to ask to take a picture, so I went up, and asked them. they were very nice, and we chatted a little.

Once i started to get my hair done, i started to ask the stylist questions as to how they chose which stylist would be on the show. She quickly  replied and said that none of the people besides Gayle and Christy work there. When they approached Gayle about the show, they already had the cast picked. At that point I was immediately bummed, its another semi fake show. Oh well, aren't they all?

I was happy I still went, a few hours later, we headed out to the yacht where the party was, had a great time and flew back to California the next morning. It was a great short mini trip.

I"m Back

Did you miss me?


Since I have been gone for a few weeks, I want to say first and foremost, I want to wish you a late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope all of you had a good one with your loved ones. I hope that 2011 brings you all that you ask for.

I have been pretty busy, and I just wanted to give a quick update before I start posting my recent activity.

I have always liked to be crafty, and in the last couple months I have gone a little overboard. On a previous post, I mentioned that I bought my first sewing machine, and as a super early birthday present (my bday is Jan 18th), I got the Cricut Expression (Thanksgiving weekend, it was on sale), thanks to my hubby.
Actually, let me back up a little, I had decided that for birthdays, or any kind of party or get together that I do, I would try and do most of the decorations by myself instead of buying them. I like to add my own little touch to things. So.... when I entered the blogging world, I came across a lot of craft blogs, and everyone has a sewing machine and a die cut paper cutting machine. I saw so many different projects, and I said to myself, "Hey, I can do that, all I need are the tools". That's where the sewing machine and the Cricut Expression comes in. I'm pretty sure all of you know what a sewing machine is, but if you don’t know what a die cut paper machine, its way to cut letters, shapes, and phrases in impressive sizes using the 12" x 24" mat or the 12" x 12" mat. So instead of using regular scissor and cutting stars, circles, etc you use the machine and it's cartridges to make endless project possibilities, a lot quicker and precise.

Since I became part time at my work on Dec 1st, it seems like I have no time to do anything, or is it because I'm trying to do everything, and I run out of time? My hubby thinks I'm nuts on how I try to tackle many projects at once, but I love that I want to do everything.

I've started projects with my sewing machine around October, and haven’t done any since, but I have a few in mind that I will be doing very soon, as soon as this weekend I hope. I used my Expression for the first time in December and I began with making my sisters request to make her some Christmas cards to give out to her clients (she's a real estate agent, let me know if you are looking for one, she's great). For being a first timer, and not knowing how to use the machine at all, I think I did a good job. My second project was for my son's 2nd and step son's 13th birthday party. I made a Mickey Mouse banner, and that came out cute. I had started doing the invitations before I got the Expression, and I wish I wouldn’t have, but I didn’t know I was getting it and I didn’t want to throw away what I had already done, so I just added a little touch with my machine.
I am so excited with projects that I have done, and will be doing that that I have opened an Etsy account called Created by Lizard, and will be selling my items on there. I will post later on that.

I know that this is a lot of rambling, and when my hubby reads this, his going to think I'm even crazier, but I love to do all these things and enjoy doing them.

I will be posting pics and all updates in the next day in regards to my recent family gatherings, and projects.

Babe, don’t worry, I will be posting your Christmas project as my first update ( better late than never) :)

Casa De Sousa is and will be a little hectic and crazy, but fun at the same time.

Guest Post

My next guest is my sister Gabby. She is a funny and beautiful mother of 4. She is sharing with us her Organized Pantry. Clear jars were purchased from Ikea, wicker baskets, collected and bought and different places. Gabby also added some pictures of her closet. Thanks for sharing.

Here is Gabby:

A pantry and a closet is not a place, it's “an attitude “

My pantry and my closet are my favorite places in the house.
Being organized eliminates clutter. My struggles are gone because my strategy exists.

Every item in the pantry has a consistent, assigned home.

Sewing Projects #1 and #2

Halloween was right around the corner from the day that I purchased my sewing machine, so I started to work on my first two projects. I haven't sewed since junior high, so I just quickly read the manual on how to thread the machine, and off I went. I found tutorials online on how to make my son's Halloween costume and my nieces Minnie Mouse's skirt.

Sewing Project #1

First was my sons costume. He is currently into The Mickey Mouse Club, and I wasn't sure on how he was going to be on costumes that had masks, and hats. So.... I made him a Mickey Mouse Cape, and bought him a foam sword from Michael's.

                                                      Here is my "Mouseketeer Super Hero",
                                    the mickey mouse head had his middle initial "J", adorable right?

Sewing Project #2, a skirt

I have never made a skirt, so I searched all over and found this simple skirt tutorial over at http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/. It was super simple, but it came out just a tad crooked, but that's OK, it was Halloween, and it wasn't THAT noticeable. Thanks to my niece Anna for being a good sport about it.