​My last post of the year has to do with my new year rituals and preparation.   After a beautiful year full of projects and excitement I love to declutter at the end of the year.    I find the process healing and at the same time, it helps me feel more organize and ready for new things to come.  Also, I am trying to put into practice a new way of living Less is More meaning I just keep my purchases to things I need and that I like and the most important things that are going to last.  Also, I believe we can contribute a bit more to reduce plastic and carbon emissions to make our planet better.  

My process is very simple, I start with my three kids first the oldest one and I go over clothes, shoes, and toys that either do not fit or use anymore.   Then, I check Max my 1 year old and do the same.   I try to make the kids involve in the process and make them realize that his items can have better use in another home or place.   We organize and then donate everything.     

I also go through my house, kitchen, old papers, and documents and divide between those into categories what we recycle and what we donate and also things that need to be disposed of.

Last but not least, I go through my things, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and makeup ( very important) and do the same.   Please keep in mind with makeup expiration dates are important.    

After all the decluttering is done, I light sage in the house and candles and play relaxing music and give thanks for all the blessings we have.

Happy New Year

​xoxo 

​Ok, so long-haul flights have been quite normal for us as my husband is German and which usually go to see his family often.   Also, we lived in Budapest for a year and a half with two small kids and as I am from Panama we had to come and visit my family.   Back then, Ipads were not a standard or even super cool entertaining systems for the whole family on flights.    

A few weeks ago I traveled with the family, but this time It was Max's our one-year-old baby boy first transatlantic flight.  I was feeling a bit nervous this time, with no reason (probably because I am older). However, I prepared a lot for this trip and end up using half of the articles I brought alone.    Below it is my feedback of what really worked for me and my family.

Max loves to eat so new snacks were essential, I bought him a snack cup holder with a lid and just opening and closing it was so much fun,  organic treats mostly all new to him so he was curious, raisings, sugar-free cookies.   I gave him special kids chips that I bought in Germany from Hipp and his favorite was blueberries he got entertaining with the shape and flavor for quite some time.  Also, I got a silicon fruit feeder that I could put some fruits inside.    

I decided I did not want to give Max airplane food or nothing I could not control so I bought a kid's Bentgo lunch box for him and fill it with some pasta, carrots, and turkey, even my big kids end up snacking from it and just to open and close the lunch box was so exciting.

Besides, I got tons of stickers that he could place everywhere and that we can easily remove if you do not have stickers post its are a great solution.  Last but not least,  for toys stacking cubes were popular with him.  

He has zero screen time or interest for watching any Ipads or in-flight entertainment so we had touched and feel books that work great.

​I am so excited to be able to have time to refresh the blog and start writing again.  I feel like I had a lot to say in the last year, but from one way or another, I always kept postponing writing my articles or showing you items that have come handy the first year of Max.   I feel like after the summer break and kids being back to school, and especially Max turning one I have slowly come back to be me again and to have more time.    I do not know if anyone else feels this way, but in my case, it has taken me a good year to come back to my true self after each pregnancy.

It has been a fantastic year, but it has also made me realize that our bodies at forty are more tired and that we need to take care of it much more than when we were on our thirties.   So after Max's pregnancy, my body and mind had taken a toll.   My hair loss was worse than with the first two pregnancies and I had a mild case of adult acne.    I am in the process of taking vitamins and restarting my routine that I hope help me with the hormonal imbalance you get after pregnancy.

Anyways, I just want to let you know that I have a lot to share and that this time the flow of tips and articles will keep coming. 

xoxo

​It is amazing how time goes by so fast.  I feel like it was yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with my third baby boy and guess what, I started my third trimester nearly panicking that I have not bought anything for him or the nursery.   So this week I started to do some research on new products that are on the market as my kids are now 9 and 8, definitely things have changed besides, there are so many options in the market compare to back then.

In the last years, I been very focused on eating healthy and exercising so I been blessed to continue with my Pilates classes that help my back and flexibility as well as prepared me for labor  (hoping for a third time natural birth), I also walk twice a week so I have full energy to keep up with 2  very active boys.

So regarding the nursery, I have invested in furniture that will last for a while and it is not theme oriented.   I am using neutral colors so It can be changed to a kids room quickly when he grows. My favorite store is Restoration Hardware Baby and Child all so neutral and zen. 

I am going for a full natural approach for him, natural fabrics that are eco-friendly, love Aden and Anais line for swaddles and bibs.

This time around being super practical is a must, as my experience and instinct have kicked in so I am only buying items that we really need and use.  One of them is the ToteSavvy and insert for tote handbags, so I can still use all my bags and be organize.
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Below a link to my favorite items so far.

This month I really had a lack of inspiration to write or post anything on the blog.  I think without being aware of it,  all my energy is focused on my pregnancy, my kids which, I want to give all my attention before the baby come, my husband and the dog that is so attached to me.     Maybe this shift has happened in a subconscious level as I been more sensitive to the energy and vibes of the persons surrounding me from family members, exercise peeps, friends and just people on my day to day life.   Most of the time I feel love and great energy, but this feeling has made me live more in a shell as I come to realize that there are people with a loss of values and awareness of what is really important in life. 

I appreciate love, life, health and happiness and I am thankful for everything in my life.  Nonetheless  even if I I want to share all these feelings with more people, indirectly I had put a barrier that does not allow me to let my emotions out, which is not really who I am as  I strongly believe that life will flow more if us as humans will give more love and show our affections than if we don't.  I think it also has a lot to do with cultural differences.   In conclusion, my only advice is to always express your feelings as you do not know the impact you can make in someone's life.​This month I really had a lack of inspiration to write or post anything on the blog.  I think without being aware of it,  all my energy is focused on my pregnancy, my kids which, I want to give all my attention before the baby come, my husband and the dog that is so attached to me.     Maybe this shift has happened in a subconscious level as I been more sensitive to the energy and vibes of the persons surrounding me from family members, exercise peeps, friends and just people on my day to day life.   Most of the time I feel love and great energy, but this feeling has made me live more in a shell as I come to realize that there are people with a loss of values and awareness of what is really important in life. 

I appreciate love, life, health and happiness and I am thankful for everything in my life.  Nonetheless  even if I I want to share all these feelings with more people, indirectly I had put a barrier that does not allow me to let my emotions out, which is not really who I am as  I strongly believe that life will flow more if us as humans will give more love and show our affections than if we don't.  I think it also has a lot to do with cultural differences.   In conclusion, my only advice is to always express your feelings as you do not know the impact you can make in someone's life.

​A couple of weeks back I enjoyed a few days away from kiddos for my husband holiday party.   We stayed at the beautiful and well located Hyatt at the Belleveu in downtown Philly.  I am amazed by how much this city has to offer, lovely restaurants, by the way, my favorite is Osteria and nice and cozy Italian place with great pasta and one of the best pizzas.   We also enjoyed the bar at the XIX (nineteen) on the top floor of the hotel where you can have amazing city views.   The beautiful Christmas Village is a must which brings you the magic of an authentic German Market in the city.    The Philadelphia  Art Museum is an authentic gem, the building itself is a beauty and the collection includes work by Cezanne, Rodin and Vicent Van Gogh's Sunflower among many other famous world pieces.   Last but not least you can also take a picture with the famous Rocky statue located very close to the Museum.  My husband and I really enjoyed the city which is only 2 hours from NY so you can easily combine both trips.