New is always better

I was watching one of my favorite shows last night and one of the main points was that "New is always better". I started thinking about that phrase myself and the deep meaning of it. This is a society of the "New is always better". We are always looking for ways to make things better. We want the latest and greatest. We want what is "new".

But is it true though. I can see where in the case of technology that notion seems to be reasonable but when it comes to other things it is not so much. For example, we all learn numbers and letters pretty much the same way. We still have to pay with money for the things that we want. Babies still born the same way. Get the point?

It is the way that we do things that make things new. I am currently debating whether to keep using this platform for my blog or change to WordPress. I don't see that much difference (check new blog at www.flmami.wordpress.com) so I guess I will be analyzing if indeed "New is always better".

See you next time.

Free Chicken

As a working mom, the time you spend with your family is very limited and more so during the week. You have to maximize every minute, while you cook, while you clean, everything is synchronize in a way that you enjoy your family no matter what.

On Monday, I have asked my husband to buy a rotisserie chicken from Publix (local supermarket). It is 6:45 p.m., we are getting ready to have dinner and to my surprise the chicken was not fully cooked. I was so mad. Both husband and boy were hungry (and I was too) so we had to put the chicken on the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

At this point, I was livid. I had two options: let it go or call the supermarket and explained what happened. So I decided to call the supermarket. I was not looking for any compensation but I needed to have my voice heard. The manager was very kind and offered a free chicken.

It was not about the compensation or getting something for free, it was the principle that now another challenge was added to my busy schedule and my time with my family was decreased because of this incident.

Sometimes is the little things that matters and in this case, it came in the form of a chicken.

Best Vacations Ever!!

I have to say, I don't think Walt Disney never thought that his dream will become as big as it is. I was lucky enough to stay at yet another Disney resort this summer and boy did I enjoyed my vacation.

This time around, we booked a reservation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani. I figure, I like the resort, I like the restaurant Boma's so what the heck, let's book a reservation there. I love it!

From the minute you walk in, you feel like you are truly in Africa. The decor, the staff, everything was great! We stayed 3 nights in a studio and it was perfect. What was more perfect was the fact that since I was on property, I was able to enjoy the parks at my own pace and come back to the room so that my toddler could enjoy his daily nap.

Just having the leisure to do what we wanted when we wanted was great. And to top it all of, we booked the dining plan and it was awesome. At the beginning, I felt a little overwhelmed with the options but man, it was exactly what we needed and more food than we expected.

We enjoyed everything, but most of all the pool Kidani was the best for toddlers on property. You have to check it out.

I think we have now a new favorite resort. Next time, we will go the Polynesian and then compare. See you next time!

For more information about this resort or other Disney resorts, click here.

Love the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup

Being a BzzAgent is very cool when you get to try new makeup like COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless. I have seen the commercials and print ads and said, why not, let me try it.

I received my makeup (eye corrector, concealer, foundation and blush) a few weeks after joining the campaign. It felt like christmas in July! Free makeup, hello!!!! So I started using the makeup the very next day and wow it is very different from my regular makeup (Bare Essentuals). I felt like a movie star. There was no wrinkle or imperfection in my face. The only challenge is that since my skin is normally oily, I had to use powder to settle it.

My favorites are the eye corrector and the concealer. They are great. I use it underneath my Bare Essentuals or even by itself and it looks great. You got to try this makeup. It is awesome.

Send me an email if you want more info about this makeup. I also have coupons if you want to try it yourself.

Work, work, work

Sometimes there is not enough hours in a day to finish all the work that I have to do. It feels overwhelming at times but when I am done, it is very rewarding. I guess it is a matter of getting organized. Planning leads you to success. But how can you plan when you have a toddler in the house?

Start with he basics. Gather the information, materials, anything that you need to get the job done. Then figure out how long it will take to accomplish each task. This will help you divide the hours it will take to get it done and out the door. And don't forget to add "opportunities" within your timeline, that way you don't get frustrated when things are not getting done on time or as you want.

Life is not perfect and neither am I but we can certainly get as close as we can.

Celebrating Your Mom This Weekend

Every year my husband always ask me the same question: "What do you want to do for Mother's Day?" And I always reply with the same answer: "Let's just keep it simple."

It is true, the majority of the moms want to keep it simple. We just want to be pampered and recognized for everything that we do everyday. And sometimes the simplest things are the ones we treasure the most.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Breakfast in Bed - So simple yet so appreciated
2. Watch favorite show - Let her enjoy the TV too
3. Clean the house - Yes, both dads & children can enjoy this task together if you put a little fun twist to it
4. Personalized cards - There is nothing much sweeter than a card made with love
5. Shower her with little gifts thoughout the day - It makes a big difference and keeps her excited along the way

There you have it. Happy Mother's Day!

My exclusive interview with BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès

I was selected from the BzzAgent Ambassador program to have an exclusive 30 minute interview with the BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès.

Thomas Balmès has been working as an independent director and producer of nonfiction films, specializing in international co-productions, since 1992. He has directed films such as Bosnia Hotel, Maharajah Burger; Mad Cows; Holy Cows, and The Gospel According to the Papuans by which he was honored with the Silver Spire Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Below you will find the details about the interview.

YA: "What was the concept behind the creation of the movie BABIES?"
TB: "This movie was inspired around the simple, pure an Innocent life that you see in a child. It took about 5 years in the making and it was in collaboration with another French director. We didn't had any specific agenda and we were looking to produce a feel good, entertaining movie. The selection of the countries was based on diversity and the common link between us all, babies."

YA: "What type of challenges/barriers did you encountered during filming?"
TB: "Location, working on small spaces, patience, language. We received great commitments from the families to allows us being part of their daily routine for a little over a year. As a father, I had to motivate myself to continue with this project as I was away from my own family for a long time. This was an experience of a lifetime that I will always treasure in my heart"

YA: "Is there a sequel planned for the future?"
TB: "Not at this moment. We continue to have a strong relationship with the families as we were with them since their children were born. Who knows what the future might holds."

This movie is about four culturally different babies (Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, San Francisco-CA) during the first year of their lives and we will learn that no matter which part of the world you might live in, babies will always be the same.

I am looking forward to see this movie in theaters across the country (check your local listings) starting May 7.

Enjoy this video from "The Insider" about the movie.