swimming, earaches, and a fabulous giveaway

ALL. WEEK. LONG. My little Abbygirl suffered from earaches. Possible causes: her molars are coming out and/or SWIMMING! It dawned on me that an hour after getting out of the pool, after being in it for about 2 hours, she starts to scream and cry and hold her ear. Seeing her in pain is the worst. Last night was the worst night of them all. She was tossing and turning, crying, moaning, squeezing my arm tight. I barely slept. Then she tells me she feels hot. Sure enough, kid has a fever. I haven't had a rough night with her EVER. Even as an infant, Abby never gave me trouble at night. Yes, she would wake up for feedings but they were easy feedings. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. It was great. And now at the age of 7 things are very different, well at least last night. No fever at the moment and I'm praying it doesn't come back. It's not great but the fact that this is happening now is ok. I could not imagine this happening on our vacation, which starts next Saturday.

Ironic this happened last night because my best friend was telling that she can't remember me ever having a hard time with my girls when they were babies. We were talking about her baby and her sleeping patterns. And then I get home to Abby in pain. Very ironic.

Regardless of what is happening this Mom still has to work and get pending orders out. I am keeping a careful watch on Abby. we had planned to go see the katy perry movie today but now that plan is on hold.

I've got to get our little fish some swimming earplugs. theres no way an earache is going to make her stop swimming. she loves to swim.

anyways, I'm happy its friday. aren't you?

so I've decided to a fabulous friday giveaway.

I've posted on my FB pages about a fabulous local business gal who started her line of non-toxic nail polishes. she also makes the pretties bracelets. have you heard of Sugarcoat?

Make sure you do all that is necessary to win.

Prize! 

Entry widget is up above! 

Winner will be randomly selected on Thursday AM. 

Good Luck! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

hugs, 

terrific thursday

i hope everyone had a restful yet FUN 4th of july holiday with family and friends. i did. i spent half of my day at the hospital awaiting the arrival of twin baby girls. they arrived healthy and beautiful. and mommy is doing fantastic. ill be visiting with her again today. the real labor, raising twins, comes now but i know she'll do a GREAT job. she's already a wonderful mother to my adorable 4 year old god-daughter.

here she is, pretty girl. waiting with me. she's excited to have 2 sisters. and i don't think she even knows how much FUN that will be. she's just so lucky and blessed. i don't even have one sister and she gets 2, not fair. kidding! 

then i spent the remainder of my day with great friends at a cookout. sooo much food. probably why my tummy started hurting when it was time for bed. 

so, not its thursday. the weekend is almost here. i have several orders to complete for tomorrow. 

i'd like to share with you about an online pic editing program. I just learned about it and really enjoyed using it. it is very similar to picnik but better. PicMonkey is a must try. And the best part, it's absolutely FREE. YAY! Who doesn't love free stuff?! 

The other day I got home to a package on my front door step. I had no idea what it was. SURPRISE! 

Stationery notecards personalized with my name and paper passion on the bottom, and in navy blue, one of my new favorite colors. It's from a reputable stationery company that i may start to sell. What a sweet gift from the company! Already I'm liking them. 

So tune in tmrw for a terrific giveaway! Have a terrific thursday. 

Thank you for stopping by, 

hello Monday

i'm amazed at my poor blogging skills. i didn't blog for a whole week. thats a definite sign that i don't have time. and i do NEED to make time for it. it's part of my work. it's how people get to know a bit more about the lady behind paper passion & Blossom. So, please excuse my poor attention skills to the blog.

so...

hello to a new day,  a new week. the day is almost over but it is a new day. after writing this post, i will grab a comfy blanket, change into PJ's and throw myself on the couch for some Housewife of NYC drama. 

hello to a great deal on this weeks hair tie special! 

hellooooo to Magic Mike! I was there for the first showing. Not too interested on the plot, however the actors, really really interesting. I was very sleepy the next day but staying up late for the showing was SO worth it. I wonder if they'll make a Magic Mike 2. And I cannot believe that a talking bear beat the hot strippers in $. 

hello to 13 more days for summer vacay! i am anxious to get out of this town. i have a feeling i will fall in love with SD and beg the hubby to ask for a work transfer. 

hello to fun-filled weekend with great friends. baby shower, bridal shower, birthday party! and all surrounded by people whom i love very much. i love celebrations. 

hello to looking forward to this coming weekend. Randy Rogers Band, nuff said! 

hello you all!

what are saying hello to on this first week of July?

thanks for stopping by! 

xoxo, 

hello monday

so much to say "hello" to on this gorgeous day. 

hello Lord for another day. 

hello WORK!

hello Blossom hair tie special,

hello skinnygirl shapewear, I WANT!

hello to yoplait light mixed with some Bear Naked granola. my new favorite snack. 

hello Magic Mike, 4 more days! 

hello to summer vacay countdown. 21 days...

hello Birchbox! Have you heard of Birchbox?

I heard about it almost a year ago. 

Here's the thing. Im a huge beauty product girl. I love to try new products.

My beauty product cabinet is overflowing. 

Birchbox is a beauty product sample company. 

What they do is send you a pretty box filled with beauty product samples. 

I'm on my 5th month of subscription and I love it. 

Perfume samples, mositurizer samples, all sorts of samples. 

Get on their waiting list, yes a waiting list because that's how popular it is. 

I had to wait over a month until I got the email that read JOIN! 

$10/month. 

hello to the super hot weather. makes swimming more enjoyable. 

what are you saying "hello" to today?

have a great week, 

What I Wore Wednesday...

Top & pants: Gap

Flops: Brighton

I've had those flip flops for such a long time.

 Cupcake (the doggie) even chewed on them but I don't care.

I love them. 

I've been in my closet, trying to get some outfits for San Diego together. 

I've heard the weather is great at night so this may be my chance to wear a scarf in the SUMMER!

I miss my scarves. 

I was about to wear one yesterday but in this heat, nah. 

I'm loving all these outfits. 

Once again, the picture taking for WIWW is not going so well. I get so busy. It slips my mind. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

hugs, 

hello Monday

the weeks seem to be just flying by. time does go by fast when you're having fun and/or enjoy your job. 

another hello to Monday. 

hello to the guy who woke me up this morning. and it wasn't my husband. it was the car wash guy. he's here to wash the car. don't get any ideas. 

hello to a clean car. this guy leaves it sparkling clean. 

hello to my new business accounting program that almost made me cry the other night. i HATE math. but i must use it. eventually, i will learn it. 

hello to the little ladies who won't wake up early. I've tried to get them out of bed by 8am and i fail. they love to sleep. 

hello clean laundry room. and no laundry for a week. feels good. 

hello to a relaxing week at home. sophie has cheer one practice this week. other than that, home all week. i love it. 

hello to lots of work. not complaining. except when my hands start to hurt. and my brain all of a sudden just stops working. then, i complain. 

hello to the San Diego countdown. excited! i plan to blog on my trip. that's the plan. 

hello Monday!

so, what are you saying hello to on this HOT summer Monday?

peace & blessings, 

nautical birthday party

i love the beach, so naturally i love anything and everything nautical. i would love to move somewhere near a beach, with sailboats and good seafood. i could eat seafood everyday.

i still ask myself everyday, "why do i live in laredo?"

so, for my daughter's birthday party i decided to do a nautical preppy theme. she happily agreed. colors were hot pink and navy blue. however, finding party supplies in navy blue can be tough.

The birthday hours before her party and she was already wearing her swimsuit!

Cupcake/cake table!

2 jumbo cupcakes, one for each of my little ladies!

I always put a baby pic of the birthday girl. 

Super delicious cupcakes!

Balloons!

paper passion will soon be carrying jumbo balloons, just like the bug blue one!

paper fans for guests who didn't get in the pool. 

the birthday girl!

line for the ice cream sundae bar!

Me and the hubby!

Front door entrance!

Planning this party was fun and a lot of work. 

Nothing beats fun memories at home.

This was her last "big" party. 

Ages 8 and up, just her and her little girl friends. 

My baby girl, is just growing and growing. 

I am loving the little lady she is becoming. 

She a sweetheart. 

So, my other little lady. Her birthday is in October and already we are planning her 10th birthday party!

10 years, a whole decade. 

Slumber party! Spa theme!

Cannot wait!

Have a great weekend!

HUGS!

wiww on a thursday!

once again. wiww on a thursday. 

it's what happens when you can't make the necessary time for blogging. 

top: old navy

shorts: NY & Co. 

flops: Tory Burch

(got excited when I searched for a Tory store in San Diego and learned that they have one, YAY). 

San Diego trip, next month! THRILLED! 

Dress: Stein Mart

Sandals: Tory Burch

Dress: NY&Co.

Sandals: Tory Burch

Top: Old Navy

Shorts: NY&Co.

And I'm wearing shoes but you can't see them. 

I'm a huge fan of dresses. I would much rather wear a dress than pants or shorts. 

In this weather, dresses are necessary. 

HOT weather! 

Come back tomorrow!

Fabulous Friday giveaway & finally a post about my daughter's birthday party. 

Hugs, 

right now...

i am

 

watching: tv is off. however, i can hear sophie watching Full House in the living room. 

eating: just ate a taco. egg whites and turkey bacon. it was alright. 

drinking: water!

wearing: jean shorts, grey striped shirt, flops

avoiding: stepping outside. its so hot. but i have to step out in this heat to take sophie to cheer camp. 

feeling: a bit stressed. overwhelmed. but thankful to be feeling this way. means i have way too much work, which in turn is always good. 

missing: sugar! i've been putting splenda in my coffee. its alright.  

thankful: for work. for a supportive husband. 

weather: muy CALIENTE! 

praying: morning and night, just like my facial cleansing routine.  

needing: well i didn't need underwear but i went to Victoria's Secret semi-annual sale today and bought some anyway. Clearly, i don't understand the word NEED. Tmrw I'm hitting Bath & Body Works for their semi-annual sale. Do I NEED anything from there? Probably not. I could use a new body spray though. I go thru mine pretty quickly. 

thinking: the whole stationery store idea might just happen. i got some great advice on monday. 

loving: my summer AM's. I am still able to enjoy my AM's. The little ladies stay in bed past 10 so I am able to work a couple of hours in peace.  

wishing: i could blog everyday. it is time consuming. I'm going to try my best to do it everyday. keyword: TRY!

hope you're having a great week!

thanks for stopping by :) 

 

wiww

i am longer requesting the services of photographer Sophia Sanchez, aka daughter, to take pics of what i wore everyday. when i got my new camera i got a tripod and it has become very handy. i know i always say life is hectic but last week life was really hectic with abby's birthday party and all.

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Flops: Tory Burch

Top: The Limited

Cami: Gap

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Old Navy

Cant see my shoes but I was wearing tennis!

In case you're new to the blog please don't think i just love to take pics of myself!

Not the case, although who doesn't love a camera. 

I take pics to keep myself accountable for getting out of my PJ's and into some nice, fresh, clean clothes.

Working from home makes it so much easier to stay in my comfy PJ's all day. 

Ran into an outfit on Polyvore that i just love!

well except for the shoes

i want those shorts and that necklace! 

much love. and that ring. perfect!

went to the Limited Monday and I wanted to buy almost everything. 

Pictured with me is my friend and loyal blog reader, Aissa. 

I loved my dress. Til it got dirty with chili. 

Dress: Limited

Anchor necklace & bangle: Forever 21

Earrings: Guy & Eva

Hope you enjoyed today's post!

Now, back to work!

And prepping for a baby shower. 

Trying to come up with baby shower games. 

XOXO, 

hello monday

hello to the first monday of summer!

hello to being able to keep my girls entertained while i work.

hello to keeping orders to a minimum because summer has and will always be about my little ladies.

hello to new BRIGHT Blossom Hair Ties!

hello to a successful birthday party we hosted this weekend. too much fun. too many gifts. the birthday girl had a BLAST! her last "family" style birthday party.
from now on, girls only, THANK GOODNESS!

hello to making final preparations for my BFF's baby shower. excited!

hello laundry but i'll get to you later. 

hello Real Housewives of New York City! The new season premieres today and I'm thrilled. I'm going to miss it because Ill be out celebrating my BFF's birthday but it will get DVR'd. NYC is my favorite city so naturally this show is one of my favorites! 

so, what are you saying hello to on this gorgeous Monday AM?

Have a great week!

Summer

Summer is here! 

The Sanchez Family loves summer. 

We don't have big summer travel plans. Not like last year. 

NYC. 

Dying to go back but hubby says NO. 

I may just board a plane without him. 

We are taking our little ladies for a week long vacation to Port Aransas and Kemah. 

For them, ages 9 &7, those are big travel plans. 

And if I can think of somewhere else to go we may just go there too. 

Yesterday we celebrated the last day of school with lunch with friends, swimming, and ice cream. 

We were so tired from all the FUN we all fell asleep by 930. 

Hello, Summer!

Have a fabulous weekend!

XOXO, 

new camera!

she's here! sitting right next to me. i wanted to sleep next to her. my new baby.

hubby was very generous yesterday and agreed to buy me a new camera.

part of my job includes taking pictures of all my product. it just comes with the job. i create it, snap it, then post it online for everyone to see. it's how i get work, mostly.

things are really serious around here. a new camera, an expensive tool, is one of the many investments for paper passion & blossom.

here are some pics, unedited.

ball of shabby chic flowers! much easier for customers to choose from.

hubby took this pic of me. i was watching a DVD on the basics of the camera. 

new blossom hair ties, now with crystal beads

abby

abby wearing her blossom bands on her wrist

bucket full of ties!

display

and in a nano second, my new Canon Rebel T3i kicked my old cameras butts!

I am especially excited to use this bad baby at Sophie's cheer competitions! 

Get all those facials up close. Cannot wait for November (first competition). 

Meanwhile, I will learn how to use it. 

Learn every button. 

I will also use it for snapping pics of our summer fun. 

toodles,