Counting down the days

Christmas is less than a week away! Can you believe it? This past week and last has been busy. I helped my mom out with getting her tree and decorating it. My mom’s style is very classic when it comes to the holidays. She loves the golds, reds and greens. Some of her ornaments are older than me. Lots of glass and ceramic ornaments and felt red bows. It’s relaxing to sit by her tree and have a fire going while we wrap presents. I took a quick photo while I was sipping on homemade hot chocolate.

One thing I love about the holidays is shopping. Even when I am not the one shopping, I love helping my family shop. I am one of those weirdos that actually like window shopping. Don’t judge me! While mom was trying on dresses, I practiced my skills in iphone photography. hahaha

Between shopping, running errands, time with the kiddos, I did some shopping on my own. I received a gift card early and decided to pick up a few things. I stopped by Jerry’s Art-O-Rama to pick up some paint and canvases. Then I looked at Ross to see if there were anything good. I have been searching for a pair of black boots that I could wear everyday or at least as much as I wear my brown ones at a decent price. I finally found a pair of black studded boots I love! I also found some fleece lined leggings and a winter sweater I can wear at Christmas Eve at my moms.

I wanted to make a video of what I got, but now that I am sharing a house with 2 other roommates, I just don’t have the privacy I used to when I want to film something. hahahah oh oneday, I will have my studio to have the space to do the artistic things I need to do.

Oh, and I almost forgot to share. My artwork is being used in a book! That will be in the next post! Im super excited to share it with you all! Stay tuned!

Xoxox, Cecilia

Thankful for Family

Christmas 2010 is over, its the day after Christmas and since we got snowed in (freak snow and basically the whole city shut down), I stayed at my parents house and just chilled. Looking back on the year 2010, so much has happened. A year ago, my husband and I were in Colorado, and we would have never imagined we would be home with family and friends. I dont even think Jermie and I even celebrated the holidays last year, all we remember is riding the bus in the snow in Colorado. lol   But it just goes to show, that with hard work and patience and prayers...you have the power to change your life.

With what I have been through the past 10 years, from serving 4 years in the army, 2 deployments, having children and moving like a billion times, a divorce, getting married again, and so much more i do not even like to talk about, it is such a relief that all my sweat and tears and everything I worked for and all that I have struggled through finally paid off. All I wanted last year was to come home to Virginia. I have been home for about 6 months and everything is falling into place.

Christmas was awesome, it almost didnt feel like it was christmas. My husband and I were in shock, but we pulled it through. Shopping and wrapping presents for everyone was so much fun and I enjoyed watching all my cousins and my children run around the house, all my aunts and my mom and friends of the family all piled in the kitchen, cooking, wrapping and eating lumpias.....I loved it.

Christmas morning was amazing, although I was sick (which I am feeling so much better), and I got alot of great presents from everyone. I am just grateful that I was able to be with my family. I know I say that all the time, but I am so humbled I cant help but to write about it. Well, that is all I am gonna say for now, just wanted to write and wish everyone a happy christmas!


Do what you love and the money will follow.

Extra Cash is Nice Around the Holidays!

So, many of you know I am back in school for my 3rd time at college and I have been moving around the past 10 years. lol Everything is starting to fall into place...and now that it is the holiday's and I am actually home for the holidays, I wanna be able to have a good time with my children and loved ones.  Like so many other people, who are strapped for cash and are figuring out ways to make some money on the side, I have decided to hold a Gift Wrap Weekend.

So, what is that? Well, my parents live in a big neighborhood, where alot of people drive through and instead of having a yard sell, or sell cookies, I decided to try and do a wrapping service. When I was a teenager, I remember how my mom or my aunt would come into my room to hide presents from each other and have me wrap them. I didnt mind doing it, in fact I love it. My mom does too, she likes to get all the big, obnoxious bows and ribbons....put in all this work just so someone can rip to shreds. lol But that is the fun of presents!

So, since I am also a graphic design major and a big art nerd, I decided to try and make a flyer on the computer since I need alot of practice. I downloaded a trial version of ADOBE Creative Suite.. ..

http://www.adobe.com/

and I already have a Wacom Tablet..and have been eager to really use it on something. I found some free vectors online and after a few hours I was able to put this together:

I have to say it's not bad considering its my first ever! I thought it was a good idea to maybe sell some hot cocoa and a cookie for $1.00 while people wait and I will have christmas music playing. I am not sure how it will turn out, but I am testing the waters to see how my advertising will play out.

My next project, among many, I am working on a shopping ad. Stay tuned! Thanks for reading!

As ever, with hot cocoa and warm gooey chocolate chip cookies,

Ce Cilia Marie

Do what you love and the money will follow.

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas Trees???

I know its just the middle of Novemeber, but its never too early to think about christmas trees. I have to say that Christmas is my favorite holiday and not just because of presents, but I love all the holiday cheer. I know, I know, its cheesy, but it's true. I love sitting back and watching people get all excited about decorating, and in the malls and shopping centers, everyone is buying other people gifts.  I grew up all over the place, but Christmas's were almost always the same, there was food, a decorated tree and great friends and family- just a different place. I have had some crazy holidays too where I didnt have anything, no tree, not great food, but at least I had my health. Even if I didnt have any presents or any money, I stayed positive, and was just thankful to be alive.

There are many people out in this world who are not able to have a holiday like many of us do, such as military, people who are incarcerated and homeless people and so much more. This christmas, I can finally spend it at home with my family and good friends. It's been years since I have had a christmas, the last christmas I spent was with my grandmother and family in florida, and she passed away a year ago. Over the years, I realize how important being with family and caring for each other is.

ok, ok, I am getting way off subject! Sorry about that, I just start rambling on and on. But the main reason I wanted to blog today was that I was searching for christmas tree decorations, and I searched to see if there were any tree decorating contests out there, and I found one!

http://treecontest.worldwidechristmas.com/

Check out some of these tree submitted by people all over the world, so far only 30 people have submitted their trees. in 2009, over 600 people submitted pictures of their decorated trees! Here is my favorite one!

I love how people are getting so creative! This one has peacock feathers in it and it just looks amazing. I found this other tree too, and since I love the ocean and live at a beach, I wanted to save this pic too.

This year, I will be buying a white prelit christmas tree from walmart. As much as I love real christmas tree's, There are just too much work, and I want a tree that will last and i can use over and over. I hope everyone has a fun time getting ready for christmas!

All Will Prevail