Back to reality.

After 2 weeks of being gone we are finally back in the Big D and back to reality. I'm not ready to start school but I was so ready to be in our little home...there truly is nothing like sleeping in your own bed! The Christmas break was so relaxing and it was so wonderful to spend it with family! This was my first Christmas without my family (tear) but we got to spend two amaze days with the whole Tijerina clan at my parents house before we took off to Angel Fire, New Mexico on the 24th to meet up with the Rodriguez crew.

I got some goodies that I'm lovin for Christmas! Fave gift: Clarisonic Mia 2. I had been wanting one of these for a while and let me tell you it was worth the wait. Changed.my.life. but seriously so amaze. I also got a bottle of my favorite Flower Bomb which you can never have enough of. And last but not least a monogrammed iPhone case from Marley Lilly...can't wait to get it in the mail! Plus Nicole got engaged on Christmas!!!!!

I hadn't been skiing since 2007, so I had a blast hittin' the slopes with everybody! I truly love skiing but after 3 full days of it I'm so over it and ready for a spa day. ASAP. One of the days we were there, we took a girls day trip to Taos for lunch and a movie...Les Mis was so good and I obvi cried (big shocker)!

The day after we got back from New Mexico we headed to Austin to spend New Years with a seriously legit crew. Dinner was incredible (steak and lobster risotto. Yes.), then after briefly heading to the Lanier's apt to sweep out the bad of 2012 and insure many travels for 2013, we hit sixth street. Oh em gee. The next day my body was definitely feelin closer to 25 than 18 so we didn't leave Austin until like 6:30pm but it was a blast and we couldn't have picked a better group of people to ring in the new year with...if only everyone could have been together!

It's been so nice being home, especially coming home to so many holiday cards in the mail...it's so fun to open them all! I've had so much to do before school starts back up...not to mention everything I own decided to break down at the same time. My laptop decided to die like 5 min before my wills and estates final...thanks TX Wes IT for feeling compassionate and lending me a laptop! Don't know if it was the new guy who didn't know they aren't supposed to lend laptops to students or the tears in my eyes that melted their little hearts but either way it worked out...thank you baby Jesus! Then when we got back to Dallas a few days ago the heater at our house was broken, so we had to start a fire and basically spend the night dressed like we were going skiing again plus sleep with a heat blanket and every other blanket we own on our bed. Sleeping in a house that was 45 degrees inside was not fun. Then this past Friday I got a flat tire on my way to school in Fort Worth to buy books for the semester. And to top it off my iPhone is not working and I'm going to have to get a completely new one if I want the problem fixed. Awesome. But hey, if my family is healthy and I'm happy and the only bad things happening to me are pesky little things like a broken heater and a flat tire then I will take that any day over serious problems. Again, thanks baby Jesus for all the joy in my life...seriously blessed! :)

Today is Día de los Reyes Magos in México aka Three Wise Men Day...you know just another holiday we invented as another excuse to get together and party but nevertheless one of my faves! You eat a rosca with friends and fam and whoever gets the piece with the figurine baked inside gets to (you guessed it) throw a party on February 2nd! It's really just a fun time to get together to eat rosca and tamales, and drink hot chocolate. And just because I live in Dallas away from my fam and Mexi friends doesn't mean im going to let these traditions I grew up with disappear from my life because a. I love them and b. I want my kids and husband to celebrate them as well...I'll be darned if my children's last name is Rodriguez and they don't speak fluent Spanish and don't know all the traditions. Not happening under my roof. So anyways yesterday I ventured to a very sketch part of town to buy a rosca at a bakery and pulled up feeling like I was back at the corner market by my grandparents house in Monterrey...complete with a man making corn in a cup on the street...yum. I was so tempted to buy one to eat but I had just eaten...no worries I'll be back for some corn.
Happy fab 2013! Xoxox

Giving thanks

Ok so I know peeps on Facebook are doing the "one thing you're thankful for every day of November" which I think is wonderful but that's just too much work because let's be honest it's hard to come up with 30 things, so I decided to just do a post on the top 5 things I am always thankful for.

1. God.
The big man upstairs has been so good to us and has blessed us with so much. Everyone in my family is healthy, my family in Monterrey has been kept safe from the violence around them, we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, lots of love, and our career paths are looking bright and are headed in the right direction. Thanks sweet 8lb baby Jesus. (Talladega Nights anybody?)

2. My husband and family.
Lucas is my biggest fan and my one and only. He cheers me up when I'm down, brings me back down to earth when my head is in the clouds, and best of all makes me laugh...a lot. I feel so thankful that I get to experience life with my best friend and soul mate by my side. I'm one lucky gal.
My parents are the bomb. I don't know what I would do without their love, encouragement, support, and words of wisdom. Things from Big Martha like "prissy I weighted (Mexican accent) 5 lbs. less than you no puede ser" I could probably do without but I love them and am thankful for them no matter what they say.
Danny. I talk to my minion probably like 4-5 times a day. She is my one and only favorite sissy and we get silly together. I love my Danny poo soooo much and I'm thankful I get to have her as a sister.

3. Lilly.
I love Bo too but Lilly is my baby. She is spoiled rotten and it's my fault but I wouldn't have it any other way. She wakes up when I do, stays up until I do, sleeps with me, sits on the couch with me and she does it all to keep me company. She has nothing to give but love and whole lot of it. Nothing cheers me up more when I'm down than her cute little face and some Lilly licks. Im slightly obsessed...I think I realized it has reached an all time high in Wills and Estates the other day when I was taking serious notes on how to leave a trust for the care of your pet in your will. Call me crazy but I'm thankful that I get to be her mommy.

4. My friends.
What would I do without my party girls?! We are a mish mash of different personalities that have a great time together and are there for each other when it matters most. From Mystic, to Sharyland, to Baylor, I am thankful for the friends that I've made along the way and that uI am privileged to still call my friends today.

5. This last one is really cheesy and kind of annoying but I've got to just put it out there: our wedding.
Feeling thankful for our wedding has been on my mind a lot lately because I've been contacted about it a lot lately...it's probably just because it's fall and everyone is in the middle of planning their spring and summer weddings but I've definitely gotten an influx of questions recently. I can't believe it's been a year and a half since we got married and to this day I get calls, texts, emails, and LOTS of facebook messages from girls planning their own weddings wanting to know where I got something or to simply compliment us on something. I feel so flattered and honored that both guests and other people loved something about our wedding enough to contact me about it a year and a half later...it makes me feel like we did a good job! From the band, to food, to flowers, to pictures, wedding planner, bridal tennis shoes, makeup, honeymoon, etc. Ive gotten the question. So for that I'm thankful. (Told ya kinda annoying but I was/still am obsessed with our wedding as every girl should be so sorry I'm not sorry).

This is prob my last post until after law finals this semester so happy holidays! Xoxoo

10 Go To Beauty Products

My name is Priscilla and I'm beauty product junkie. I blame Big Martha for my problem but in a good way. Big Martha was a nazi when it came to beauty and taking care of your face ever since Dan and I were Tweens. When I started wearing makeup, if I fell asleep with it on my mom would literally come wake me up no matter what time it was and would make me take it off, which is why I never to this day will go to sleep with makeup on...even if I've had one too many glasses of bubbly. (minus my 21st and 24th bdays...we will let twice in over a decade slide).

I got my first facial at age 12 and went once a month from then on until I graduated from high school. Waco was a little shady so I would only get a facial when I went home to McAllen and now I'm a married law student on a budget so needless to say my once a month track record no longer stands, but that doesn't mean I am any less of a beauty product addict.

Every girl has there go to products and I have 10 products that I absolutely could not live without:

1. Clinique Dramatically Moisturizing face cream. This is my absolute #1 go to product. I'm so loyal to this face cream I'll never ever switch. I put it on after I wash my face in the morning, before I put my makeup on, and when I'm getting ready for bed. Sometimes I'll even put it on over my makeup in the middle of the day to freshen up. Moisturizing your face 4 times a day excessive? Not in my book.

2. Biore Deep Cleansing nose strips.
Oh em gee. There is nothing more rewarding than pulling one of these off of your nose and looking at all the blackheads it got. Kinda gross but nice to know it works. Doing this once a week does the trick for me.

3. MAC makeup remover wipes.
Perfect if you're lazy like me and literally just want to wipe off your makeup. Takes 2 seconds...done and done.

4. Kate Somerville Eradikate.
Thank you Paige Hardison for introducing me to this product 4 years ago. Literally will make any little blemish disappear over night. It's pink and you might end up looking like you have chicken pox once you're done spotting your face with it but it works like magic.

5. La Prairie revitalizing eye gel.
It's never too early to start wearing eye gel/cream. I love how I'm being proactive about preventing wrinkles and how it brightens up the area around the eyes by diminishing those pesky under eye bags. A little bit of this goes a long way.

6. Vaseline.
There is nothing worst than dry and chapped lips...especially during this time of the year. 3 times a day keeps my pout looking fabulously moisturized.

7. Keihls Creme de Corps.
If you haven't noticed I'm obsessed with moisturizing. I hate seeing people in public with ashy knees and elbows and crackly heels of the feet. Vom. Put some lotion on and get a pedicure dry people of the world! This is the best cream ever...lasts all day and isn't greasy. Love to put it on after showering to keep my gams looking silky smooth.

8. Kate Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes.
Love love love. Who doesn't look better with a tan?! It makes you look thinner (at least thats what i say to myself. Bah.) and like you just came back from an exotic vacay. Its so easy and affordable! My only tip is if you have a big event coming up do it 2 days before your event so that you can let it sit over night, then shower the next day, and retouch any areas if needed. You'll be looking like a sexy sun goddess in no time!

9. MAC Studio Finish Concealer.
My first makeup item came from MAC and I've always been a fan. This concealer rocks and definitely covers up those dark circles under my eyes whether it be from late night studying or a night out with my hubby and friends.

10. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick.
Bronzer, blush, highlighter all in one. Comes in a series of colors for all different skin tones. My morning routine is basically concealer, shimmer brick, Vaseline and go!

Xoxoxo

Fall season is my Happy Season.

I'm a spring baby and I love summer but I think the fall is my fav season of them all (minus the fact that I don't really have a Thanksgiving thanks to law school and it gets REALLY stressful towards the end with finals). Dreary days, a hot cup of coffee (hurry up gingerbread latte im over the pumpkin spice latte), boots and scarves, decorations, and LOTS of events. I feel like the fall always flies by because it's so jam packed with stuff to do! Football games, Halloween,
Thanksgiving, Holiday parties, etc.

One of my absolute favorite parts about fall is decorating! First you get to bust out the Halloween decor, then the Thanksgiving decor, and finally the Christmas decor. All the fall decorating definitely gives me an excuse to put off doing my reading on the weekends when it's time to "switch" the decor.

I am so excited about fall that I had to ask Lucas if it was too early to put up Halloween decorations. He said yes...guess I have to wait one more week. But that doesn't mean I haven't gotten a head start on fall preparations! I ordered both Lilly and Bo's Halloween costumes, have already set up our Christmas card picture session with my sister-in-law's sister who is an amaze photog in the dfw area, and picked out Christmas cards!

Lucas and I already have Halloween costumes for this year because last year we feel asleep before going out and never used ours...sometimes I swear I feel like I'm actually an 80 year old woman. Promise the Rods wont be falling asleep this year! Plus Kelsey is coming into town and staying with us so we have to show our Houston gal a good time which obvi equals not sleeping and missing the party on Halloween.

I'm a little worried about taking our Christmas card pictures so late (I have to wait until after finals are over.ugh.) but my hubby won't allow anything Christmas related to take place before Thanksgiving because that's his favorite holiday and sometimes it even falls on his birthday so taking them in early November was out of the question. This year he turns 25 the day after Thanksgiving! But since I've already ordered mine and Lucas' outfits, have both the pups outfits picked out and ready to order, the cards picked out, and the photog has promised she can get me the best pics within 2 days of taking them I'm not stressing about it...that much...

I'm so excited about putting up our Christmas tree this year because I was so obsessed with the way it turned out last year plus that means I get to purchase a new Christopher Radko ornament for my collection! Now that we have Bo with us I also need to get him a stocking, stocking holder, and Mackenzie-Childs bone ornament like Lilly's so he doesn't feel left out. :) I hope I can find one more of the same stocking holders that we have for Bo because I just got them last year, they are so cute, and must match. I should have listened to the crazy sales lady at Pier 1 last year that told me I should get an extra stocking holder just in case we have another kid so they could all match.
A. Our existing child is a dog.
B. We did get another kid but it's also dog.
Nevertheless she was right...I should have gotten an extra one!

I've obvi also already made my Christmas list as well. Top 3 items:
1. Stella Mcartney Baby Bella Bag in Blush. Not shocking. This thing has been on every gift list I've ever made for like the past 3 years.

2. Maya Brenner State Necklace. I obvi want the Texas state necklace. These cuties have been rocked by Texas natives like J. Simpson (love her & yes I occasionally still watch Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica) and Eva Longoria. They come in silver and gold. And you can also select to have a small diamond placed within the state design in the place of the city where you are from. Adorb. I am lovin the gold one with a diamond placed where McAllen is. Too bad McAllen is basically Mexico...my diamond would prob be hanging outside the state and not in it

3. Wine colored Miu Miu heels. So fab.

Hope everyone is as excited about fall as I am! Xoxox

God Save the Duchess!

And the worst blogger of the year award goes to....me! Between traveling the US for weddings, wrapping up internships, decorating my house (still ongoing), and starting school back up I've been a busy woman. However, I hope my ode to the Duchess of Cambridge will make up for my nonexistent blogging the past 2 months. She is so absolutely fabulous...I'm slightly obsessed. But then again who isn't?

Cinderella was one of my absolute fave Disney movies as a child. (Aladdin was a close second...I want Jasmine's hair.) I mean honestly who didn't/doesn't wish they could be a real life princess?! Kate Middleton is proof that fairytales do come true...in some alternate universe in which you have gorgeous hair, an incredible sense of style, and attended the most prestigious schools in Europe but thats besides the point. Talk about a Cinderella story.

Kate Middleton is pure class. She is always so put together from her gorg locks down to her trusty LK Bennett pumps. Not going to lie a big part of the reason I watched the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics was to catch a glimpse of the world's favorite royal. I found my self googling "Kate Middleton Olympics style" throughout the summer games just to see what she was wearing. She even chatted it up with the US Women's gymnastics team. I die.

I love how her wardrobe includes high end designers like Alexander McQueen (a fave of the Duchess) to more affordable lines like Zara which makes the most amaze blazers. She recycles her wardrobe and always looks like perfection and everyone loves her for it.

Let's break it down. First off the shoes. Kate Middleton is constantly photographed in her closed toe LK Bennett nude pumps. I'm dying for a pair. A. They seem like great work shoes B. If I have a pair I'll be a little bit more like her right? C. They are reasonably priced. She has also been seen sporting a lovely pair of Jimmy Choos with a couple of her incredible gowns which is shocking because she is hardly ever photographed wearing open toe shoes. And of course there are the Stuart Weitzman wedges she wore throughout the London Olympics.

Second: the bod. The Duchess apparently follows the Dukan diet, does Pilates, and enjoys morning runs with their dog Lupo. I wish I could follow any sort of diet...I'm a major foodie, I do Pilates but obvi I'm either not doing it right or going to the wrong place, and I love to sleep and Lilly is kinda plump so morning runs are out of the question.

Third: the hair. She has got Pantene commercial hair for sure. Kate Middleton is rumored to get blowouts twice a week. No wonder her locks always look like perfection! Thank goodness top knots are in style cause that's my version of good lookin' hair most of the time.

Fourth: the fascinators. Someone please start the wearing a fascinator to weddings trend in the US. How fun would it be to accessorize your outfit with an outlandish Philip Treacy fascinator? So fun. Must have one.

Fifth: the gowns. Kate Middleton has worn some of the most amazing gowns since becoming Mrs. Prince William of Wales. However, the most amazing was her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown. Perfection. Kate Middleton and Prince William got married the day before Lucas and I did so I'll never forget it. Big Martha was mad that I was getting up at 4am for the Royal wedding the day before my wedding but honey badger don't care...no one was stopping me even if it meant I would have bags under my eyes on my wedding day. She looked like a classic and timeless bride just like Grace Kelly. I have to credit the Duchess with making up my mind about one final detail before my wedding...wearing the veil over my face for the walk down the aisle. Everyone really wanted me to do it and I always thought that it was a sweet tradition but I still wasn't sure if I was going to do it. Kate did it, Grace Kelly did it, and so I did it. Loved it. The only thing I would have changed about her wedding "attire" was that awful baby's breath bouquet...I'm just going to chalk that one up to a momentary bridal mental lapses in judgment and let it slide. Now I find myself thinking WWKD? What would Kate do? Be classy. Duh. If only her brother in law Prince Harry would take some of her advice and then he could prob avoid things like nude photos in Vegas.

So basically the Duchess of Cambridge rocks and I want to be her...or more like raid her closet.
Xoxoxo

Housewarming Soirée

First off thanks blogger.com for adding an accent over the e in soirée because apparently punchbowl isn't on that level...I was secretly stressed out that everyone I sent the invite out to would think I didn't know how to correctly accent the word soirée. Last Saturday was the housewarming party at Casa Rod and Lucas and I agree that it was a success...everyone had a LOT of fun! Thank goodness I stayed true to my OCD/college ways and cleaned my house while intoxicated post party because it always makes the next day so much better. Sunday was a little rough...Tim and Alli came over to pick up Alli's adorbs clutch which she had left behind (including cell phone) so we decided to get brunch at Breadwinners. We kept having our waiter refill our waters to the point were I was seriously considering just having him leave the pitcher on the table....we looked like those people at brunch. But overall I think our little home is officially broken in and we were so glad to celebrate with our closest friends!

So when I first mentioned having a housewarming to Lucas back in May (before we even moved in) he was like yeah that sounds fun and I was like yay perfect excuse to have a party. I don't think that it's a secret that I love a good party. I like planning them, I like going to them, I like seeing pictures of them. You name it (weddings, birthdays, rando excuses like a housewarming) I'm there and lovin life. When the party was officially a go I started planning away and decided to be "pinteresty." I spent ridic amounts of time on pinterest this past month and equal amounts of time shopping etsy, swoozies, and michaels for the party supplies. I actually made quite a few of the decor myself: the straw flags, tissue paper balls, spray painted the frames outside, and my flower arrangements (including the one with sliced lemons in the vase)! I love doing crafts...its so therapeutic and you feel so accomplished when you're finished. I have an entire box dedicated to my crafts filled with all sorts of shiz if anyone ever needs anything you know who to call.

The only epic fail that I encountered was my attempt at making R and house shaped sugar cookies for the doggie bags. I was really excited about it and had even purchased R and house shaped cookie cutters from Sur la Table....I tried to make them the night before the party and they all just turned out looking like giant sugar cookie blobs. Gross no one wants to eat a sugar cookie blob. So I just made some old fashioned chocolate chip cookies for the doggie bags...classics never fail. Thank goodness I'm a way better cook than I am baker because the pulled pork sliders were a delish success...I made 60 and only had 7 left at the end of the night so I think everyone enjoyed them. Another food item I was really excited about was the macaroon tree! Thanks Tart Bakery for the delish lemon and salted caramel macaroons and for dying 2 dozen grey to match my color scheme. I'm not gonna lie I thought it was going to be a lot bigger considering it had 48 macaroons but I guess you need like 150 macaroons to have a giant tree...nonetheless they were scrum and it was cute. Next time I'll make sure it meets my expectations because make no mistake in my book bigger is better...just like big hair. Love me some hairspray and teasing. Unexpected hit of the night: miniature champagne bottles...I mean seriously how much cuter can your own personal bottle of champagne with a mustache straw get?! Anyways I have my next party planned and I am only waiting for the perfect excuse to come along to pull the trigger on that one...think country chic. Hope everyone had a joyous 4th of July! Xoxo