The Bride and Groom....and their baby!

My baby cousin got married at the start of December. It was a beautiful themed wedding that captured the feel of the 1920s. All guests fully leaned into the theme and flappers and zoot suits crowded the dance floor. Oh! And I can't forget the cocktail hour entertainment...burlesque dancers.

It was a throw down, and it took a week for my blisters on my feet to heal from all the dancing.

The Bride and her doting Bridesmaids.

My favorite time of day: Me, in front of my vanity in my 2nd bedroom that I've converted into a closet, getting ready for the day.

Christmas Pj Party at my Auntie Angies for my Uncle Jerome's and my cousing Bella's bday.

My family has always had matching pjs for Christmas Eve/Christmas...and it was fun to wear them again for this family bday party!

After the PJ party, some of the cousins decided to keep the party going and to go to a local little hot spot for dancing.

Luckily, I had a change of clothes in my car and I was ready to get into some weekend mischief.

After dancing, we landed at the pool hall. Two of my favorite things.

Christmas shopping at the antique shops off South Broadway.

Golfing in December.

I'm atrocious, but I'm also always down for a good time.

I'm a full moon woman.

My little sister and our family's newest gift.

A sweet card from the Math teacher I have been co-teaching with the past year and a half.

He is moving to another school district and I will miss learning from him and teaching with him.

Christmas festivities at EHS.

My dolls and the neighborhood Nativity scene.

My first Christmas tree.

I decorated her with dried orange slices, baby's breath, and a single string of lights.

I love her and she will be sitting here elegantly until the Stock Show ends...as any proper Denverite should do.

My Christmas present to myself was this gorgeous mid-century modern console.

The abstract, geometric wood grain design is a gorgeous piece of art. I also love how the "legs" of the console are different on each opposing side: one side having the classic mid-century peg leg and the other side making use of a large block that runs through the piece. Another aspect that I love is how the console is tiered: the console box, the oval block on the left side and then a glass shelf that is held by two sterling silver columns.

She is gorgeous and I am happy to provide her a safe home!

A drum circle at Red Rocks Winter Solstice celebration.

This is held every year at sunrise on the Winter Solstice. All walks of life bring their drums and welcome the sun as it creeps over the expansive horizon.

This was my first year attending and I was deeply moved by the spontaneous ceremony that erupted there. All generations were gathered and it was beautiful to encounter others who connected and in tune with rhythms and cycles of nature. The celebration of light following a long darkness was deeply moving and something that I will carry with me into 2025.

A festive Downtown Denver.

Pampering: Getting a manicure and pedicure concurrently had me feeling like a Queen.

First Wrestling Match of the Year.

I can still smell the sweat and feel the heat from this match, but it was all worth it to watch my baby cousin take first for his first weekend back to wrestling.

I'm still a jock, through and through, so I will always love watching live sports; however, watching your blood participate brings a whole other level of enthusiasm.

Amen.

My kind of girl: She has her dress and "heels" on to go for a bike ride.

Baking for the Christmas Eve Party.

My Reindeer Cookies

Jersey Shore Christmas Costume

For the past ten-ish years my family has thrown a curve ball into Christmas and we have made our Christmas Eve party themed. It all started with an ugly Christmas sweater party and then it quickly transitioned into full on costume parties.

Some of our previous themes have been: Tutu Christmas, Wig Christmas, Prom Christmas, Movie Star Christmas, Cholo Christmas, Biker (Motorcycle) Christmas, Mardi Gras Christmas, Christmas in Mexico, and a few others I've forgotten.

This year's theme was proposed by my sister Dianna and her husband Josh. They are die-hard "Jersey Shore" fans and they proposed that we take this Christmas to the Shore. Below are some photos of this year’s fun.

Two wild Snookies in the kitchen.

A J-Wow and her wow-wows. lol

I cackled when she walked into the party. My girl is already well-endowed, but she went on amazon and bought her a pair of prosthetic breasts to really bring the J-Wow factor to the party. Not only were they jaw-dropping, but at the end of the night she took them off and passed around the table for further investigation.

A Snookie in party-rocking mode.

A deep-cut classic of Mike "The Situation" in a neck brace.

Brianna, Dianna, and Moranda enjoying their time at the Shore.

Things got a little wild after the kids left to be tucked in bed for Santa Clause.

Christmas Morning

We have had matching pjs for Christmas every year since I was born, but these year's might be my all-time favorite.

Being an auntie is so much fun, especially when you get to spoil them with outrageous gifts.

This year I gifted my niece a Barbie Dream House for Christmas. This was a "holy grail" item when I was a child, but unfortunately Santa never got me that item off my list. So, I got to play Santa and give this to my niece to add to her hand-me-down Barbie collection that she inherited from my sisters and I. Now her dozens of Babies have a home and a decades long wish-list item of mine has been fulfilled.

Adding to my bedroom mural has been a slow and steady process...with a lot of painting and a lot of painting over.

On this day, I painted for a total of 8 hours, then I layed down in bed and decided that I hated the orange. Next day, I bought more white paint and started over.

Some might find that frustrating or consider it a waste of time, but I truly do enjoy the painting process and allowing myself the margin of error to try something, reject it, and then start over.

Painting has been very meditative for me as it allows me to slow down, hyper-focus, and allow my mind to connect thoughts, music, images, emotions into a single composite. I'll keep you updated on its progress. I'm sure it will be finished by summer....at least I hope.

My painting station.

Texas Hold 'Em

I played so well that night that players started taking out loans from me.

A romantic New Year's Toast.

I was a lady in red for a New Year's Eve Pajama Party. One silk robe layered under my luxurious see-through mesh robe with fur hemmings had me feeling hot.

The "meat" of my Thanksgiving Turkeys. They were simple to make, and a hit as soon as I trotted them into the party.

Dia de los Muertos on the Sante Fe Art District

Tonantzin Casa de Cafe

The most beautiful and festive coffee shop in Denver.

Who needs hand warmers for the winter football game when you have this doll around.

The whole fam showed up to cheer on the Lakewood Tiger's MVP; my baby cousin Jeremiah. He scored all four touchdowns in this game. And best believe his cheering section was the loudest.

Romance is not dead.

My snack of choice this November: sweet potato, peanut butter, bananas, and blueberries.

Notes from my time at CoTESOL's Fall Convention.

Tuned in to watch a Legend take his final bow.

The match itself was lack-luster, but it was nostalgic for my whole family. Growing up, I spent many weekends gathered at my aunt's/uncles to watch various boxing fights much like other Mexican families (I vividly remember when Tyson bit off Holyfields ear). It was an excuse to throw a party, line up modelos and bet on rounds. Also, the real highlight of the night was watching the ladies' match before...I'll for sure tune in for Amanda Serrano's next fight!

Cupcakes I cheekily decorated for the Tyson/Paul fight. The bloody ears were a hit.

My gorgeous sister 9 months pregnant at her Baby Sprinkle.

My Home: Kitchen Corner

This Month's Nails

Watching the boys and this view.

Big Hair; Bigger Smile

Rode my bike into Downtown Denver to hit the best Deli in Denver, visit the newly refurbished Central Library, and generally wander around town.

Leven Deli Co.

I'd argue they have the best Rueben in Denver...and the aesthetics are right.

Downtown Denver *chef's kiss*

An outfit I threw together and found rather boring, but was well loved by the masses.

A delicious little cocktail at the cutest litte bar.

November's Reads: Both are rocking my world.

My First Avalance Game!

Don't let your 9th row seats at the Av's game stop you from your passion...Words with Friends lol.

The 5th floor of the Central Library.

Gorgeous architecture and great company as a group of elders met to discuss Colorado History. I pulled up a chair and joined the proud Denver pioneers and talked about Ghost Towns, the founding populations that predominantly consisted of Natives/Chicanos and miners. We traded favorite pockets and places and edged into a conversation and preservation and gentrification. I traded numbers with various Denver Elders and I hope to be invited back.

Brought out one of my favorite simple outfits: a full body catsuit, a classic 80's print, knee high boots, and a gold plated choker.

I have many memories tied to this outfit, but the most pronounced one was when I wore this on my first trip out of the country to Ireland.

I am a strong believer in dressing up for flights, even if they are only an hour long. So, I applied that same thinking as I flew across the pond to England. I fully knew that this is not the norm, as most people travel in athleisure or that which is borderline pajamas. Therefore, even though I felt fabulous and comfortable, I was also flagged at every airport checkpoint/customs. I was grilled, detained, and singled out while my leisurely dressed sister breezed through all checkpoints. It was stressful and ridiculous, but looking back they must have thought I was some drug lord's wife with my knock-off Versace print shirt.

Red Lip Strong, even when I'm just cozy at home.

Leaving my print wherever I go.

"From Far Away Nearby" by Geogia O'Keeffe

My baby sister with her newest baby.

An Angel *tears*

The male belly dancer stole the show at the burlesques show.

Post Championship Game: the star with his adoring fans.

A Simmer Pot to infuse my home with all the festive smells: oranges, cinnamon, rosemary, and pine needles from the Ponderosa tree in my front yard.

"Where are you going today? You look so incredible", the cashier said as she scanned my produce. I beamed a smile and replied, "Here".

My faithful Luna and 44444

Love me a working man.

Sewing for the new baby.

Big Smiles are in the Genes.

A Stuffed Turkey and a Stuffed Kitchen.

Denver's Christkindlmarket at Civic Center Park.

An Oktoberfest in the heat of the Christmas season, yes please!

This event was totally free, family friendly, and festive. I was particularly fond of the "Dance Hall" tent that was decorated beautifully and housed the "Austrian Boys" as they played their Polka music.

Random Fact: Mexican "banda" music and mariachi music has its roots in Polka music. Polka came to Mexico through immigration in the late 19th century, when Germans and people from the Czech Republic brought the accordion and traditional Eastern European orchestras to northern Mexico and south Texas. That is why they sound so similar and that is why you can dance the same dance patterns to both styles of music!