My 2013 Holiday Movie of Choice: Saving Mr. Banks

I’ve only been to the movie theater about once or twice in 2013, which is rare for a wife who was used to frequently organizing “dinner and a movie” dates with her husband…but when baby arrived last December, all of a sudden the opportunity to sit and watch a flick on the big screen became a non-existent luxury.

But when I saw the trailer for Disney’s new film, Saving Mr. Banks, I decided I was NOT going to miss another box office hit. Paul and I have conflicting schedules so my date for this outing was my litter sister Frances, who’s just as crazy about Mary Poppins as I am.

Yes… Saving Mr. Banks is based on the true story about how Walt Disney himself convinced the original author of the Mary Poppins book series to allow him to make a film adaptation based on her books. The movie shows everything that happened behind the scenes with both the author of the books and the Disney Movie production staff in order to create this most memorable childhood film.

Here with my lovely little sister Frenchee

Couldn't ignore the temptation for popcorn, soft drinks & Sour Patch Kids!

A shot of the movie screen at the end of the film. The names of the actors with pictures of the real people.

The iconic Mary Poppins written by P.L. Travers, adapted by Disney and played by Julie Andrews

Opening Night for Mary Poppins in 1964 From L to R: Star Julie Andrews, Walt Disney & PL Travers

I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone because it just opened up in most theaters last week but if you're a big fan of Mary Poppins, it’s simply beyond extraordinary.

I'll just say that the unknown story of Mary Poppins, had more to do with the author's own family experience, including childhood memories of tragedy, alcoholism and a deep love for her father. The author initially refused to allow Disney to make Mary Poppins a fun, jovial, magical character...but twenty years later, she finally agreed albeit with endless rules and restrictions.

Now let’s see, Tom Hanks is my favorite actor over age 55 (he plays a great Walt Disney), Emma Thompson is a perfect female actor in my eyes (she plays P.L. Travers the author of the Mary Poppins books) and between the two they did a pretty darn good job of drawing Frances and I to tears, laughs, joy, excitement and nostalgia throughout the entire movie.

If I was ever a fan of all things Disney, my goodness, this film has made me an even bigger fan.

My smile is still stretching from ear to ear as I write this. I mean, what a great movie!

The only thing that briefly distracts my happy thinking is remembering that at the theater, I succumbed to a bag of freshly popped, buttery popcorn, possibly regaining one of the very few pounds I managed to lose during the holiday season.

But that’s life and life is great when you eat popcorn while watching an excellent movie.

Saving Mr. Banks is rated PG-13 and showing in theaters nationwide.

Favorite Winter Pattern: Houndstooth (bilingual)

Have you ever wondered about that clothing pattern with black and white broken checks? It looks like four-pointed shapes, mostly black and white. 

It’s usually a popular winter pattern on coats and several other clothing items and accessories.

It’s called “Houndstooth” and I’m pretty much obsessed with it this year!

 

Houndstooth was actually a pattern that originated in Southern Scotland in the late 1800’s. Back then, it was mainly tasseled on woven wool cloth and worn by shepherds.

The houndstooth design was made particularly posh in the late 1950’s when a famous little designer named Christian Dior used it to design a pointy pump with the pattern. 

It’s been reinvented every couple of decades and I think this is a big year for it.

I don’t have too many but here a few of my own personal favorite houndstooth items:

A warm, cozy coat (Gift from my mom):

A nice fitting blazer (Kardashian Kollection—yes, you can kill me later. Purchased at Sears, on sale for $30):

And my favorite: a Houndstooth vest for my little rascally Benny, which I’m planning to dress him in for Christmas (Wendy Bellissimo, JC Penney, $27.00).

¿Alguna vez te has preguntado cómo se llama ese diseño que últimamente se ve mucho en prendas y accesorios y que asemeja palomitas entrelazadas en blanco y negro? Por lo general se aprecia en abrigos y otros artículos de ropa durante los meses de invierno.
Pues se llama " Houndstooth " (la traducción literal es ‘diente de perro’) pero en español se le conoce como “pata de gallo”. La verdad es que me fascina y estoy obsesionada con todo lo que encuentro en donde aparece el diseñito!

Este patrón “Houndstooth” realmente se originó en el sur de Escocia, a finales de los años 1800. En aquel entonces, se tejía en abrigos con una especie de borla sobre la lana para los pastores.
 Muchos años después, el diseño se convirtió en algo elegante durante la década de los 50s, cuando un famoso diseñador llamado Christian Dior lo utilizó para diseñar un zapato de tacón usando el patrón. A partir de esa adopción del diseño, muchísimas casas de alta costura lo han reinventado y creo que este año ha regresado de moda.

 Yo solo tengo unas cuantas cositas que portan el diseño pero aquí las comparto:

Un abrigo calientito que me regaló mi mami el año pasado.

Un saquito de marca Kardashian Kollection de la tienda Sears (no me odien por apoyar a las hermanas Kardashian, lo encontré a la venta por $30.00 dólares)

Y mi articulo favorito— un chalequito para mi Benny que pienso ponerle el día de Navidad.

¡Que tengan buen día!

Mommy's Favorite Winter Toy - The Holiday Barbie (Bilingual)

You wanna know a little secret? I’m a huge fan of Barbie!

I liked Barbies when I was a little girl but certainly not as much as I like them now as a woman in my 30’s…incredible, I know.

I just have a serious appreciation for the fabulous plastic ladies and I thank Mattel for keeping this doll alive for so many decades.

You wanna know another secret? I collect Holiday Barbies!!

Every year around Christmas, Mattel produces a Holiday Barbie dressed in a gorgeous and festive winter dress.

2013 marks the 25^th Anniversary of the Holiday Barbie.

I started collecting them in the late 90s and haven’t missed one since...

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without my Barbie! LOL

I have a feeling my son Benny would love to pull one out of its box and bang it against the wall, as he does with his own toys these days.

That just means I’ll have to continue hiding my collection.

In case you’re curious: Barbie Collector website here: http://www.barbiecollector.com/collection/holiday-dolls

Cheers!

From Left, 1997 Happy Holidays Brunette Barbie & 2006 Blonde Holiday Barbie

My very first Holiday Barbie -- ever!

They're beautiful in any skin tone!

2012 black-hair beauty

In 1999, there was the "Millenium Barbie" pictured above in a blue dress

¿Quieren saber un secreto? ¡Soy una fanática de las muñecas Barbie!

Me gustaban las Barbies cuando era una niña, pero no tanto como me gustan ahora de mujer con más de 30 años de edad ... increíble, lo sé.

Lo que pasa es que tengo una verdadera apreciación por las fabulosas damas de plástico y agradezco a la compañía fabricante de juguetes, Mattel, por mantener a Barbie viva durante tantas décadas.

¿Quieren saber otro secreto? Yo colecciono las Barbies de Navidad!

Cada año, durante la temporada de fiestas de fin de año, Mattel produce una Barbie con un vestido precioso de invierno.

Este año 2013 marca el 25 ° aniversario de la Barbie Navideña.

Inicié mi colección a fines de la década de los años 90 y no se me ha pasado comprarla ni un solo año desde entonces...

¡Y es que la Navidad simplemente no sería Navidad sin mi Barbie!

Tengo el presentimiento de que a mi hijo Benny le encantaría sacar una de mis muñecas de su caja y golpearla contra la pared, como le hace con sus propios juguetes hoy en día.

Por esa razón tendré que seguir escondiendo mi colección.

Por si les gana la curiosidad, el sitio web de Barbies de colección, se encuentra aquí: http://www.barbiecollector.com/collection/holiday-dolls

¡Saludcita!

Blog Milestone - 6 months!

Here on Benny's Baptism--  the first event I ever blogged about!

I am taken aback by the reality of the phrase that we've heard all our lives and frequently repeat:

"Time Flies"

It's been six months since I started blogging and what a pleasure it's been!

You'll notice I take a break here and there to attend to busy evenings and hectic weeks.

But in general, I don't think I've gone longer than 2 weeks without blogging.

When my Benny was so 'wittle'

Celebrating Mother's Day 2013 -- here with grandpa Pablo David

Benny and his godmother, "Nina Irene" watching cartoons.

I've learned that sharing about life experiences in a positive tone and keeping things cheerful with words while telling about a husband and son can take a person to great places!

I've reached over 10,000 page views and I've been invited to attend great gigs for mommy bloggers.

Most importantly, I've given myself a chance to unwind late at night and reflect and write about things that make me smile and teach me to continue enjoying the little things in life.

Thanks for reading!

You'll be finding a new post each day until the end of the year from now on.

Beginning January 1st, I will change my format a little bit to reflect the demands of today's blog reader-- less writing/more visuals.

I will also keep my topics focused on five subjects:

Disney-- because I am a HUGE fan of all things Disney (Mickey Monday)

Raising a Toddler-- because it's what keeps me busy (Toddler Tuesday)

Fitness-- because I am no amazing athlete but it offers my life great balance (Workout Wednesday)

Food & Drink-- because who doesn't love delicious things to eat? (Tasty Thursday)

Mommy Fashion Trends-- because I love to feel good inside and out (Fashion Friday)

Anything to share that doesn't fall within the aforementioned categories will be posted on Saturdays & Sundays.

Have a good night!

Baby Benny's Allergies

After months of noticing an on-going eczema reoccurrence on certain areas of Benny’s face (so sad), we wanted to find out exactly what was triggering the eczema.

By the way, eczema is a chronic inflammation of the skin, often caused by allergies and resulting in a rash. 

A little patch of eczema on Benny's cheek

Even before Benny was born, I guess I already knew my child might be pre-disposed since I too suffered from eczema as a baby (Benny is seriously my mini-me!). But one thing is hearing the stories and looking at pictures of yourself as a baby and another is holding your own sweet, happy, little child and knowing he has it...It suddenly makes the skin condition more painful!

Another patch of eczema by his left jaw

We have managed to keep it under control with prescription creams and other home treatments like oatmeal baths, Aloe Vera and by keeping him in temperature-controlled environments (hot weather makes it worse). Even then, we wanted to get to the root of the problem. So we waited until Benny turned the required 9 months to get a comprehensive allergy test. His pediatrician, Dr. Imelda Tanchoco, called us with the results soon after she got the blood work results.

Here Benny's lower cheek eczema was flaring up

Benny tested positive for -- eggs. When I heard this, two things went through my mind— first, thank God my son is not allergic to fruits, vegetables and dairy!

My second thought was--- WHAAAAT!?!? Who the heck is feeding my son eggs? It’s a universal fact that babies shouldn’t eat eggs. Period.

So we spoke to his sitter and then I started thinking: Benny loves homemade veggie soups, which often contain a pasta product, like noodles, fideo, rice or spaghetti. Then I went to my kitchen cupboards and started pulling pasta boxes off the shelves and reading the ingredients. And whaddaya know? Eggs and egg whites are often listed as ingredients in many pasta products. So there you have it.

Playful Little Benny's skin cleared up recently

This doesn’t mean Benny will not be able to eat noodles later in life—but we simply have to avoid giving them to him as an infant to avoid eczema breakouts and wait until Dr.Tanchoco recommends we re-introduce his beloved sopita.

Found these little toy eggs at Lakeshore 

His eczema has since improved but that can be attributed to the cooler Autumn temperatures. Still, we will watch his meals carefully and for now, as a way to remind him of the one thing that he cannot eat, I bought him a cute little “Peek ‘n Peep Eggs” Carton from toymaker Kidzookie...Baha!