I WON-COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS!

Jacket:Reversible Mademoiselle Plume, Sunglasses: Gucci

I'm the person who never wins anything. I don't enter contests for that very reason. Now you can imagine my surprise when I was contacted via Twitter that I'd won! Huh? How can that be? It must be a scam. I dismissed it for a few days, but when they contacted me again and told me that I'd won via a Fashion Blogger's website that I follow, my curiosity was peaked.  I clicked on the site, Trop Rouge and there it was, (be sure to click the link to see how Christina wore it). I love her laid back, effortless, cool style. 

The one day that I just happened to comment (which for those of you who follow my blog know that I haven't been very consistent with my posts lately let alone commenting on my fav blogs) there was a contest going on. My comment on Christina's AWESOME jacket was the winning comment! SERIOUSLY? Me. A winner?

I went to the website link Comptoir Des Cotonniers, to pick out the jacket. FREE. My very first jacket from the fashion capital of the world...PARIS! Woo Hoo...YAY Me! (Oh sorry, I was having a little dance party with myself for a minute.) I initially wanted the white w/black...reversible jacket. But the more I thought about it the more I knew that black and red...the exact same one that Christina was wearing on that lucky day was the one for me too.

My hubby still didn't believe me and said, "Ya right...they're going to send you a jacket from Paris for free. It's a scam."

"NO it's real...I researched it." I insisted.

So a week after I submitted my order my Comptoir Des Cotonniers- Paris - Mademoiselle Plume jacket arrived with this note:

It is THE MOST COMFORTABLE jacket. It's light weight, non-restricting and moveable. This is important for me because I have REALLY broad shoulders...which I often refer to as my "football shoulders." I love the splash of unexpected bright red that adds a spark to any outfit. And the most important thing, (other than that it was free of course)...it's so warm. Living by the beach even the summer evenings can get a bit chilly. I now have a year round "go to" jacket.

Jacket: Comptoir Des Cotonniers, Top: Zenana Outfitters, Jeans: Forever 21, Shoes: Bamboo

If you're looking for a great jacket...head on over and get yours from Comptoir Des Cotonniers and be sure to check out all their great summer fashion looks HERE.

Don't forget to visit, follow, and comment on Christina's very cool fashion blog TROP ROUGE. You may end up a winner too!

I had to share a close up of my new flats by BAMBOO. I wear them with EVERYTHING! 

Mother's Day...What a Day!

It's always nice to have a day just for you. A day when the people who are your heart come together and make you feel special. Yesterday, my Mother's Day was more than I could've hoped for. I was touched, moved to tears, heart bursting...love. My kids, sister, & hubby spent the whole day with me. There was lunch, shopping at the local street fair, presents (lots and lots of presents), and dinner...where my youngest son was working and he served us.

Time. What a precious gift. It's those moments that make it all worthwhile; fleeting, stand still, breathe in and hold it tightly. Right here and now. Words of love, affirmation and just knowing that this moment is perfect because it is filled with laughter, hugs, memories, and family. God's amazing gift...MOTHERHOOD.

Just when I thought this day couldn't be any more special...my new son, my foster son, lil' J, wrote a special note on Instagram for me. It touched my heart to know that even though this child has been through so much with the recent loss of his mother to breast cancer, he's still able to open his heart. Share his heart. What a gift. To give your trust and love to someone who was a complete stranger 5 months ago.

God is good. He is amazing. He asks us to step up. To be the hands and feet of Christ. He will put things on your heart and ask you to say yes to where He's leading. The hardest part is, "Yes, Lord...Your will not mine." The easiest part is once you finally relinquish to His will...He works miracles. Miracles that you never imagined. A life transformed through Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, God blessed me with yet another confirmation of His life giving, restoring love. It read, "Happy Mother's Day to my new fun loving sweet mom Lisa. I love you and you do a lot for me and your the best mother in the world to me!!!!! Happy Mother's Day. #funmom #imhappyyourinmylife #yourawesome #yourfunny #iloveyourpranks #bestmother" And this was the picture he posted with it.

Never doubt that Jesus makes ALL things new! I hope you all had an AMAZING Day!

THE ADVENTURE OF NOAH & HIS DOLPHIN

Little Noah pressed his face up against the glass hoping to catch a glimpse of a passing dolphin. He turned, smiling, squealing, jumping...scooting close to me as I bent down with my cell phone camera. "See them?" he beamed. "Yes, they're so cute!" I replied, smiling at his innocent excitement. He turned his attention back to the glass. That's when it happened. Noah met HIS dolphin face to face. They stared in curious wonder at each other. A moment. A boy named Noah and his dolphin. Time standing still in awe struck wonder.
- at SeaWorld San Diego

 
 

Alvin Ailey It Is!!!

I love dance. I have danced my whole life. In high school I was on the dance team and we performed not only in school but all over the city. I was on the dance team in Jr. College and then once I left college…I loved going to the clubs just to get my dance on. I've never been able to get enough of it. Now that I'm older, I still enjoy doing Zumba to get my dance fix.

When I received a Groupon showing Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre was performing in my area I jumped on it! I've always wanted to see them but with 6 kids to feed, sports to pay for and just the everyday basic living expenses, there was never enough money for the entertainment extra's.

Now with the kids grown up, I can do a few things that I've always wanted to. I went home and got on the computer to find those 25.00 seats that I'd seen. But somehow they were gone, the only seats left were 80.00 to 110.00 (out of my budget). A little discouraged I decided to not give up…I called the performing arts center and low and behold they had two left for 25.00 each. I snatched them up. Later that day I asked my hubby if he wanted to go. I showed him a few YouTube videos of the company and he said, "Umm no I think I'll pass." LOL! Okay so he doesn't appreciate that style of dance quite like I do. But I knew one of my besties loved it just as much as I do. To top it off, her birthday was coming up so it worked out perfect.

Tin Tin (Tierna) was just as happy as I was…can ya tell?LOL!

Alvin Ailey Troupe performing "LIFT"

It was an AMAZING show. It was everything that I'd hoped for and more. It made me want to bust out my old dance shoes and go sign up for a class some where. Now that's saying a lot since I'm not in the shape I used to be back in the day.

What a fun girl day. I forget how amazing it is to have a little girl time sharing in the things that we love.

THANKS FOR THE FUN DAY TIN TIN!!

First Trip To Disneyland!

We've had lots of fun trips and adventures since my last post. We were able to take our foster son "little J" (in the blue) for his first trip ever to Disneyland. I received (6) Disneyland park hopper passes as a payment for a photo shoot I recently did. I was soooo excited...it's been YEARS since I've been. I had a plan. I was going to stay until closing and hit every single one of my fav rides. I warned everyone who was going with us so there would be no surprises. 

Beautiful way to start our day.

My oldest son Josh and his girlfriend Charmaine decided to take their car so they could leave early. 

Charmaine & Josh on one of our fav rides, "The Pirate's of Caribbean." 

Disneyland brings out the kid in all of us!;D 

Another friend who brought her son along (little J's friend) had her daughter pick them up after several hours. My hubby wanted to leave before closing but I said, "NO WAY!" I told you I have to hit all my rides, ending with my childhood fav, Peter Pan (I was a little disappointed…they used to have Tinker Bell flying around with you;) But it definitely made me feel like a kid again.

I told my hubby I needed a pic right here! Best picture background ever!LOL!

I never get very much time with my oldest son, Josh. I'm a happy mama!

Little J was leery of some of the fast rides. On the log ride-Splash Mountain, I had to laugh at this pic...He did it but couldn't bare to look at the steep drop.

I waited until the parade and the fireworks were happening to run to the Matterhorn bobsled ride…NO LINE…we walked right up to the front. Little J was asking, "This isn't super fast is it?" "No, just super fun," I said. As we rode through the mountain faster and faster…he said over and over, "Lisa…this is fast! Lisa…this is fast!" My reply, "No…it's FUN!" We timed it perfectly, the fireworks were going off just as we were coming in and out of the mountain. SO AWESOME! But little J had his eyes closed so he didn't get to see it. He admitted that it was fun…but fast! LOL!

I have to say that even with the ridiculous crowds and lines…

there's something definitely magical about Disneyland…it brings out the kid in everyone.

Here's some Disneyland shots I took in case you haven't been in a while or ever?;D Enjoy the little trip…

I thought this was an interesting line waiting site.

Pirate's of Caribbean Ride…heading into the Pirate Face fog

Hubby exploring the Robinson Crusoe Treehouse

View from the top of the Treehouse

View in "The Cars" ride line. We never got on the ride-it kept breaking down:(

Little J making music

My hubby yelling in the old fashioned megaphone. It was loud & clear "HELLO" across Disneyland!

THANK YOU DISNEYLAND! I'M ONE HAPPY MAMA BEAR!

New York Fashion Week-FW 2014-Jullien Herrera

This seasons New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 is coming to an end, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of some show's Jullien was in.  He's still working and that's always a good thing since model life can be hit or miss, running from casting to casting and waiting to receive the word that you've booked a job. It can be emotionally trying especially for men who don't make the kind of money that women in this industry do.

A male model life can have you in a constant state of waiting. It definitely helps to have thick skin. Rejection is part of the game. The same holds true for acting. I don't know if I could personally handle it, but my boy has amazing self esteem and knows that it's all about a certain look a designer, photographer or company is going for at the moment. Heading into this industry at the age of 17 definitely helped to shape and mold him...5 years later...he's still going strong.

Take a trip to a few New York Fashion Week F/W 2014....

EN/NOIRE

ODD F/W 2014 Show

ODD F/W 2014 Show-Now here's an outfit every man should have in their closet! LOL!

BRIAN LICHTENBERG SHOW

Paris & Nicky Hilton taking in the Brian Lichtenberg show (Jullien on stage left)

Brian Lichtenberg F/W 2014 Show

WATCH THE BRIAN LICHTENBERG F/W 2014 VIDEO UP CLOSE-CLICK HERE

Models w/Designer Brian Licthenberg after the show!

Ricardo Seco F/W 2014

 

All Pictures Via Internet