A New Kind of Shopping

Regular shopping gives me a headache, I don't know why, but it just does. As a teen I had a limited budget (and still do) when it came to shopping for clothing. My limited budget resulted in an affinity for thrift stores because it meant that I could get more for my money and wear original vintage threads that none of my peers had. Loved it! Fast forward 10+years and the story hasn't changed much, except that I've introduced a new kind of shopping into my life. Of course I buy new clothes, but I would much rather give new life to something pre-loved.

I've been doing something for years that I didn't realize was becoming a trend until recently. I love to go shopping, but not by the traditional definition of shopping. I regularly come home with bags of "new" clothing resulting in inquiries from my husband. To which I enthusiastically respond, "I went shopping in my sister's closet." At first I was faced with perplexed expressions, but I think that he likes it now because it means that I get to wear "new to me" clothes without spending any money. I swap clothes with my sisters because when we lived together and shared a room it was only natural. And being the youngest sister I scored on all of their cast offs. So, being separated by life, work, cities and husbands has not ended our tradition.

The best thing about this "shopping" is that after doing it for years I've noticed that it wasn't just my sisters and I doing it. My good friends, sister's friends, friend's sisters and so on have all been swapping clothes. I've received and given clothing that was brand new, but just didn't fit right. During my pregnancy last year I spent next to nothing on maternity clothes because again I was blessed with a bag full of clothing. I'm all about saving money and I don't think that style has to cost a lot. It often just requires a little stitching and reinventing of something that you already have.

My experience got my mind rolling. Thinking, what if I facilitate a swap with my friends and family and the only benefit to me would be more clothes? Hmm. Why haven't I tried this already?

So ladies, join me in my first ever, but not final clothing and accessories swap. There is no cost to you. Simply bring something to swap, something to share and be ready for new clothes and a good time.

It's going down in my living room on Saturday December 3rd at 11:30 am.

Just in case I didn't convince you already here are a few pluses of participating:
-Create more room in your closet
-Spend less money: Shop for free
-Be eco-friendly: less clothes in land fills (reduce, reuse in full effect here)
-Score new threads: freshen up your wardrobe
-You can try a new style with little risk
-Help others: left overs will be donated
-Unlike big time clothes swaps there is no participation fee
-Hang out with some awesome ladies
Be good. Be green. Be Glam!

The Rules:
Bring clothes, shoes and accessories that are in good shape (trust me you will be more critical than others, if it's still wearable/useable then bring it)
Bring a pastry to share
Email me at sunnyvette@msn.com and I'll send you the address.

If this goes well we'll do it again just in time for Spring and include stuff for the guys and kids. I can't wait!

Reflections of a First Time Mommy

This has been such an eventful first year (as a mommy.)

I'm usually a softy when it comes to having an opinion about something, because I feel that my opinion could shift as my experiences change. And so it was with being a mom.

There are two things that I feel so strongly about now. Breastfeeding and cloth diapering! I was a breastfeed baby and knew that it was something that I absolutely wanted to do. I just never realized that my opinion would shift so strongly about it. I am passionate about nursing!

This year has been a real wake up call. Society thinks and projects upon new moms that bottle feeding is the way to go. Even in the 19th century if a women could not nurse, she would then hire a "wet nurse." Along with the industrial age so came the introduction of baby formula. (that's the historian in me) I understand the liberty that comes along with bottle feeding... You can leave your baby easily. I can only go as far away as the frozen breast milk supply in my fridge will permit. But I love the amazing bond that Selah and I have.... it goes beyond the bottle. Breast feeding is emotionally and physically good for both mommy and baby. One year in and I couldn't see myself weaning her. I love the bonding that takes place in those little intimate moments of feeding my baby.

Getting to where were are today took time. I experienced the uncomfortable glances of men and women even while covered up to nurse. I also changed my opinion about that. Hello, women have been doing it for centuries and it IS normal. Little boys wouldn't giggle if society wasn't so perverted. My breast were created to provide food for my baby. God made it that way, and we perverted it into something sexual. It took a little getting used to, but now I'm comfortable feeding my baby anywhere- people will have to get over it. Seeing other women live it out helped me to get to where I am today. Now, I'm so crazy that I pump and drive- ask me about that if you dare?

I'm thrilled that we are one year in and Selah is a 100% breast milk fed.

Now about cloth diapering. It's hard for me to comprehend how many disposable diapers go into landfills. A single baby will use 3,000 + diapers a year, (jaw dropping).

Cloth is totally better for the earth and the baby. In addition, disposable diapers contain harmful chemicals that can effect your baby. Did I mention that cloth diapers are super cute!? Did you know that CD babies potty train earlier than other babies? That's reason enough. Not to mention the amount of $$$ that you'll save by using cloth diapers. At one year old our baby wakes up in the morning and goes in her potty, after naps she does the same. In all honesty I haven't changed a poopy diaper in a few days. I call Selah my incredi-baby. Cause that is, uh, incredible! I'm sure she'll appreciate me sharing this when she's a teen. As a parent, shouldn't we want what is best for our little one even if it's not convenient?

Again, we received some resistance regarding cloth diapering. Some people couldn't understand why I would want to deal with my baby's poop. Uh, cause I have to and really we all should be. I'm happy with my choice and just the fact that my baby poops and pees in a toilet at 12 months is reason enough for me to do it again.

Bottom line, I'm thrilled to have gone down the path that I did. Being a mommy is awesome, especially when you have an incredi-baby like Selah! I want my baby to live in a world that goes back to basics; where babies eat from the source (mommy's breast.) And only if nursing is absolutely impossible will babies be supplemented. I want my Selah to grow up in a world that is cleaner, safer and reduces the introduction of chemicals to our purest, littlest, innocent babies.

Breastfeeding and Cloth Diapering - Don't knock it until you try it. They really rock!

Xavier is

I am always amazed about a my favorite kid's development. Children change so quickly, but their personality is ever present at a very young age. My nephew Xavier just recently turned 4 and he is quiet a character! He plays a funny game that includes mixing up his Aunt and Uncle's names just to give them a hard time. Of course he's a comedian like his Dad. It has been suck a pleasure watching him grow up. Check out these pictures of him being himself during his 4 year old photo session...

Is it true?

Is it true that the acorn never falls far from the tree? It depends on if you mean that our personalities and physical self is a reflection of our parents. Then I'd argue that the answer to the question is yes. However, does that mean that I am confined to my parents realm of opportunity. In many situations the answer to the question in that context is still yes, but can also be no. I praise God that this acorn has had the opportunity to traveled far from her tree.

My parents are amazing people, but because they are immigrants with limited language skills, their opportunities were not the same as mine. They were the first generation in their families to move from Mexico to the Unites States and many times opened the way to helping other family members make the transition.

Why are my opportunities different than that of my parents? Part of it comes down to literacy. That doesn't mean that I don't face similar discriminating situations as they did, but it simply means that because I have an education beyond elementary school and literacy far beyond their ability in both my languages. Language can be such a barrier. I thank God that I have an opportunity to live in a country that makes is possible for children to receive a public educaiton.

I'm setting out in the next few days to reflect upon my first semester in grad school and capture images that will tell my story.

'Update: My blog for school didn't pan out, but I did create this website to get across my reflections http://www.wix.com/sunnyvette/edu.

Self Portrait

I haven't done this in quite some time. That is, shoot a self portrait. I wasn't about to let this time in my life pass by without getting some shots of my own. Any day now my beautiful wiggly baby is going to make his/her appearance outside of my belly. Faced with the reality that it is just under two weeks till my due date I set up my tripod and got to shooting. I've never done a self portrait like this, but it's exactly what I wanted right now!

I know my belly and what is inside does not define me. But, for years I've admired pregnant women and their round, protruding bellies. Pregnancy is such a beautiful and natural state that when I decided to shoot a self portrait, I knew it would be faceless. I'm so in love with this little guy/gal already!

Self Portrait

My Own Super Harvest Moon

Jessica & Carlos - The Wedding

It was such a blessing to be a part of Jessica and Carlos' special day. I absolutely loved that their wedding was perfectly fitted to their personalities... even down to the smallest details like the cake topper or the brides white Chuck Taylors. They are an awesome couple... Congratulations!

Days after the wedding my computer rebelled needed some repairing. Now it's back and I'm excited to be working on the images from Carlos and Jessica's Wedding.

Terrific at Two

I wanted to celebrate my nephew Xavier's 2ND birthday the only way that I know how... with a photo shoot! It was such a blessing to share an evening with my brother Rene and Xavier. I think that two is absolutely terrific! Please enjoy a few of my favorites...