Aveeno Review and GIVEAWAY! #ETYY #LLBLOG

Hola everyone!

How's the summer treating you so far? We are having a great one here in San Diego. I've always loved summer, but when my husband and I were first married and living in northern New Jersey, summer was always a really difficult time for him. Why? Well, my hubs has extremely sensitive skin and every summer he would get poison ivy! It grew everywhere in our neighborhood of West New York (yes, we lived in "West New York, New Jersey").

PODCAST EPISODE 28: Review of Weight Watchers Activelink

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Listen to internet radio with NachoMamasPodcast on Blog Talk Radio

If you are a Weight Watchers member, you might be hearing rumblings about "Activelink"-Weight Watchers' answer to the FitBit and the Bodybugg. Join me for a complete review of this product-I was among the first WW members in the US to try this unique technology!

MEXICAN RICE RECIPE RENOVATION and GIVEAWAY! #Sobrecitos #Spon

Who loves Mexican Rice? I do! And so does my family. In fact, my mom's Mexican rice is probably my son's favorite food ever. And nobody makes it better than my mom does...at least, until now! 

My Mama Lola served Mexican Rice with almost every meal.

DARE TO BARE ARMS? YES I DARE! (Part 2) #DoveBeauty #Spon

Since last week's post about my adolescent "arm issues" I've been thinking a lot about those days and how I let a completely unfounded insecurity hold me back from enjoying myself and being comfortable during the hot summer months. I wish I could go back in time and tell that girl to take off her jacket, for Pete's sakes!

Freshman year me in 85 degree heat!

PODCAST EPISODE 27: Summer Entertaining That Won't Bust Your Budget or Waistline!

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I indulge my "Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget" and so can YOU!

Want to know how to throw a great summer soiree on a tight budget? How about a party that doesn't destroy your healthy eating plans? Join me as we discuss some great tips to help YOU be the Sumer Hostess with the Mostess! Listen to the live broadcast and ask my questions in the LIVE chatroom!

"Pimp My Party" article on Mamiverse

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

DARE TO BARE ARMS? YES I DARE! (Part 1) #DoveBeauty #Spon

Happy July everyone!

From what I read on the blogosphere, it is at least as hot everywhere else in the US as it is here in San Diego. It's always pretty warm here all year long, in fact, I remember kids wearing shorts and sandals during Christmas festivities at school. July is usually the hottest month, it also happens to be my birthday month! I have plenty of photos of my childhood birthday parties, with everyone wearing cute 70s tank tops and sunddresses (even the occasional TUBE TOP) but once I hit adolescence, there don't seem to be quite so many photos like that.  Yeah, after I finished middle school there was a definite shift in my wardrobe. With my birthday coming up, I've been spending a lot of time reflecting on my summer fashions during those high school years. Ah, the 80s! I wish I could say I regret the fashions or the hair, but I don't. I regret NOTHING! Okay, maybe the home perm, but that's it! Many of my recent reveries have been triggered by friends posting old photos of me on Facebook like this:

Could I find a bigger jacket?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD SIMMONS!!!

How do I love him? Let me count the ways. All right, I'll count them on my own time-I know you're all busy people. But I wanted to take a moment and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a man who has changed so many lives (generations, really) for the better-including mine. And he's a July kid, just like me!

That's right, July she's-a my birthday too! (bonus points for citing that reference, btw) How am I going to celebrate you ask? By taking a trip up to Beverly Hills to work out at SLIMMONS with a bunch of my friends of course! That way I can wish Richard many happy returns in person. You can be sure there'll be plenty of pictures when I get back!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD SIMMONS! We still need you and yes, we'll still feed you (salad of course).

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

PODCAST EPISODE 26: Tips for an Awesome Summer Garage Sale!

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I like to spend my Garage Sale profits on SHOES! (photo via Fancy Steps)

So your spring cleaning has you left with a bunch of junk that is still  too valuable to throw away? Garage Sale Time! Join me as we discuss tips and tricks to help you get the most (for the least amount of stress) for your unwanted stuff!




My Garage Sale post on Mamiverse


Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIDA KAHLO! #VIDEO

Today is the birthday of the great Mexican Painter Frida Kahlo. I've known her art ever since I was a young kid, at the San Diego Museum of Art, and later in the GREAT exhibition "Mexico: Splendors of Thiry Centuries" which my parents took me to see in 1990 in Los Angeles. I don't know anyone of Mexican descent who has not been touched by the haunting imagery of this iconic artist. In addition to many, many books featuring her work, I own a magnificent color reproduction of her journals, which are rich with color and drama, and a beautiful calavera portait of Frida (painted by my very talented friend, Cynthia Martinez) hangs above the family table in my kitchen.

Happy Birthday, Frida!

Something that's on my "bucket list" is a visit to Frida's "Blue House" in Mexico. I would love to be able to visit this unique museum with my children someday!

"Fridam Kahlo" wishes you all a FELIZ FOURTH!

Hope you all have a muy FELIZ FOURTH!!!

We are all heading to a barbecue! I was a teensy bit nervous about all that food, but luckily Richard Simmons is here to help, as always.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: that man is a national treasure. And with Corningware, no less!

Wishing you love with extra STAR SPANGLED cheese!
Nacho Mama

NIFTY THRIFTY! Pyrex Coffee Mug

I try not to go on about it too much, but you might have gathered that I have a thing for Pyrex. I am always on the lookout for pieces to list in my Etsy store. My friends are always saying, "You must have so much Pyrex!" because I'm pretty much always boring them with my most recent finds. What they don't know is that I only keep a tiny fraction of my discovered treasures for myself. The rest I sell, as I said, or give to people as gifts. I'm extremely partial to the largely maligned "Butterfly Gold" pattern (I'll tell you that story someday) and I have a blue "fridgie" that holds my dish soap and sponges. Other than that? There's just "The Mug".

I love you, Pyrex mug!

This Pyrex coffee mug dates back to at least the 1950s. Both my husband and I are in love with this coffee mug! There's just something about it that feels so comforting and satisfying. When I drink my morning joe from this mug, I feel like I can face anything the day will throw my way. And even though I bought it at my neighborhood thrift store for just a quarter and could easily sell it for $4 or more, I don't think I'll ever part with this one.

Some things are just too good to sell.

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama