How a dog changes your life for the better

After a little vacation break, I'm back on track on the blogging world. Some lovely things have happened to me during this break. One of them was the new addition to my family, my little puppy named Wall• e  (I named him after my favorite animated movie WALL-E). His eyes speak volumes, like the little robot in the film. 

It was a dream of mine to have a puppy after a long time with no dogs in my life. I must say that Wall• e came into my life at the right time. 

My neighbors have two dogs one female and one male, one day I was walking out the elevator and I saw them coming out and immediately fell in love. I asked my neighbors if they were planning to have puppies from those two beautiful dogs, and they told me that the female was already expecting puppies and she will be due in two months or so. I was so happy to hear that because I really wanted to adopt one of their puppies! So time passed and one day my neighbor called me saying that 2 of the puppies were up for adoption. I was very excited and happy because my husband and I wanted a puppy so badly, so the next day we went to meet to puppies. The moment we crossed my neighbor's door one of the puppies came right away to welcome us, so sweet and so full of love that we decided that he would be the one.

We got Wall• e when he was almost 4 months old, he's 10 months old now. He's has been the ideal dog for us, we couldn't be happier! I trained my dog using Cesar Millan's techniques: exercise, discipline & affection.  I'm such a fan of the Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) and I must say that his techniques really work. My puppy used to be scared of bigger dogs, and I started taking him for walks regularly and also to the dog park near my area and little by little he became much more social, he now plays just fine with bigger dogs. He has great manners at the dog park and at home, he's such a smart dog! I even took him to Peru for vacations this past Christmas and he behaved so well that my entire family didn't want me to take him back with me, everybody just loved him. 

One thing that is helping me a lot to train my dog is reading. If you're planning to get a dog, read as much as you can, you have no idea how much information you can find about the topic, not only online but in books, magazines, DVDs, you name it. No matter if you dog is a small breed like mine, it still needs direction & rules...sometimes it's not easy, with those beautiful eyes that melt my heart, it's hard to say "No" to something haha. But, I still have to give him rules because I don't want to pay the price later. He's the most loved dog in the world I always say.

So having said that, I can tell you some of the reasons why a doggie will make your days even better:

1. A dog definitely brings true happiness to your life. They make you smile just by looking at them.
2. You get more active because you get to walk with him, play at the park, beach, etc. (which has become my favorite activity). 
3. Having a dog reduces stress, especially if you like to play or cuddle : ) 
4. They're amazing companions, you'll never feel lonely if you have a dog by your side. 
5. A dog is a perfect companion even at work (if you work from home, or the company you work for is pet friendly). I must say that I get more inspired since I have Wall• e by my side while I'm working. 
6. Adopting a dog is a way to give back. There are so many dogs out there that need a home, please consider adopting and/or rescuing before buying any dogs from a Pet store. 

Having a puppy is definitely a great joy, but it's also a responsibility, so the decision to adopt or rescue a dog must be made keeping in mind that you need time, at least once a day, to take your dog for walks and/or to socialize with other dogs. Love is so important in a dog's life as much as exercise and discipline. I'm still learning day by day to do a good job as a dog owner so I can give Wall• e a happy & healthy life. He has given me so much already that being a responsible & loving dog owner it's the least I can do for him.  
Are you a dog lover? Do you have a dog in your life? Please comment below, I love to hear your stories. In the meantime, Wall• e and me are off to the dog park!
To be continued....

Hope you have a wonderful Week!

xoxo

Romp Store For The Little Ones

Have you ever wondered where to find beautifully designed toys that develop your kids imagination & creativity without losing the fun factor? Well, you should definitely check out Romp, this wonderful online store full of super creative toys, accessories, decor and more for the little ones in your family!

Favorite Items From Romp!

I particularly LOVE the modern-vintage feel of Romp, the unique items that you can't find anywhere else, and the fact that their products are environmentally friendly. What else can you ask for? Since Holiday Season is around the corner, I created a wish list for some special little ones in my family! You can see the pictures of my favorite items on this post along with Romp's top products. Aren't they adorable? 

The lovely & super talented owner of Romp store is actress, mom & entrepreneur Kellie Martin. I had the opportunity to do this little interview with her, hope you enjoy it!

BM: Kellie, please share with us a little bit about Romp? How did you decide to start your own business?

Kellie: Becoming the owner of ROMP sort of fell into my lap.  I had been a customer for over four years.  I loved ROMP's selection of wooden and open-ended toys that encouraged a child's imagination.  When I heard that it was closing, I decided that I couldn't let that happen, so I figured out how to buy it and then run it. 

 BM: How can you balance being an actress, mom and business owner? 

Kellie: Balance is achieved if you are able to get your priorities straight.  I am a mom first and foremost and an actress and business owner second.  There are days when I can balance it all but mostly it's a scramble.  I don't think anyone has really figured out how to do it with complete grace.  Actually, I'm just hoping to clone myself: Kellie the mom, Kellie the actress and Kellie the owner of ROMP.

BM: What’s your favorite part of being a business owner especially such a cute little store?

Kellie: My favorite part of owning ROMP is being able to see my parenting philosophy come to life in the products.  I've been so inspired by my own child and so committed to finding interesting toys/activities that engage her mind and body and really encourage her to engage in creative play.  ROMP allows me to share my ideas and what's worked well for my daughter with parents everywhere.  

BM: What advice would you give to other women who want to start their own business?

Kellie: I would encourage other women to start their own business if they whole-heartedly believe in their business.  It can't just be about making money because that usually doesn't happen right away.  Something besides money has to sustain you.  

 BM:    How do you see Romp in five years time?

Kellie: In five years I would love ROMP to have an even bigger online presence and also be a brick and mortar store (maybe a few stores!).  I'd love the stores to be a place where parents and children in the community gather to share ideas, listen to music, learn and grow.  That's my little dream : )

Kellie Martin & daughter Maggie

Thanks for reading! And please don't forget to stop by Romp. 
rompstore.com

xoxo

Spring 2013 Collections

I'm delighted to share with you some of my favorite Spring 2013 collections. These collections have all the elements I love about Spring fashion...from the bold colors an flattering silhouettes to the unique details and fun accessories, this Season definitely comes with much joy and sophistication. This time I decided to illustrate three of my favorite looks from those collections, hope you like them!

Quería compartir con ustedes algunas de mis colecciones favoritas para esta Primavera que se viene 2013. Estas colecciones tienen todos los elementos que me encantan de la moda para esta temporada...desde los colores vivos y siluetas clásicas hasta los detalles únicos y accesorios alegres, esta estación viene con mucha de hecho con mucha alegría y sofisticación. Esta vez decidí hacer unas ilustraciones de mis tres looks favoritos de estas colecciones, espero que les guste!

Tory Burch Spring 2013 / Ready to wear

Tory Burch's collection is definitely one of my favorites because it has all the elements I love: Ethnic details, bold colors, and beautiful accessories...not to mention the fabulous  long braids. The Tory Burch girl is definitely a world traveler, someone who appreciates details and loves to mix and match interesting textiles keeping her look cool and effortless chic. The outfit I drew above is one of my favorites because it's so easy to wear, I'd totally wear it for a Summer vacation, Sunday brunch or just to go to an artisan's market in Peru.

Una de mis colecciones favoritas de Primavera 2013 es la de Tory Burch porque tiene todos los elementos que adoro: Detalles étnicos, colores vivos y bellos accesorios... esto sin mencionar las trenzas largas y fabulosas. La chica Tory Burch es definitivamente una viajera, alguien que aprecia los detalles y le encanta mezclar telas interesantes pero manteniendo un look cool, chic pero sin mucho esfuerzo. El outfit que dibuje arriba es uno de mis favoritos porque es es super fácil de llevar, yo me lo pondría sin dudarlo para unas vacaciones de Verano, para un almuerzo informal o simplemente para ir a comprar al mercado de artesanos en Perú. 

Tracy Reese Spring 2013 / Ready to wear

Tracy Reese has been on the news recently due to the gorgeous dress she designed for the stylish First Lady Michelle Obama. Her collection was very expected and she didn't disappoint at all.  Flattering silhouettes, unexpected color combinations and sophisticated yet cool pieces were the main elements of this Spring collection full of bright colors and tribal accents. I particularly love the way she mixes loose silhouettes, like the bright colored pants, with more structured pieces like the blazers. The little dresses, which are her signature pieces, totally caught my eye due to the attention to detail and youthful vibe. On top of that, beautiful accessories! Fringe bags and shoes for the Boho girl...what else can I ask for? The outfit I drew above is one of my favorites, I love the casual yet stylish feel of it and of course the beautiful print on the shirt. 

Una de mis colecciones Tracy Reese ha estado en las noticias últimamente debido al hermoso vestido que diseño para la primera dama de Estados Unidos Michelle Obama. Su colección ha sido muy esperada por todos y no decepciono en lo mas mínimo. Siluetas favorecedoras, colores vivos combinados y piezas modernas sin dejar el lado sofisticado, fueron los principales elementos de esta colección llena de color y acentos tribales. A mi personalmente me encanta la manera como ella combina piezas sueltas y casuales como los pantalones de colores fuertes con otras piezas como blazers mas entallados y formales. Los vestidos también llamaron mi atención debido a los detalles y la onda juvenil que caracteriza esta colección. Y para completar, los accesorios super lindos como carteras y zapatos estilo fringe perfectos para la chica Boho...que mas se puede pedir? El outfit que dibuje arriba es uno de mis favoritos, me encanta la onda casual de la silueta y por supuesto el estampado bello de la camisa. 

Nanette Lepore Spring 2013 / Ready to wear

Nanette Lepore, another favorite designer of mine, has the ability to combine unique  whimsy prints with classic silhouettes to create a sophisticated-modern look. I particularly love the dresses and also the mix and match of prints on the separates. The Nanette Lepore girl is always a girl on-the-go and super stylish. This collection represents Spring Fashion in a young, joyful way and the best of all is that Nanette's clothing line is locally made which is definitely a plus for me.

Nanette Lepore, otra de mis diseñadoras favoritas, tiene la habilidad de combinar estampados únicos con siluetas clásicas para crear un look sofisticado y moderno. Me encantaron todos los vestidos, ademas de la combinación de estampados en las piezas separadas. La chica Nanette Lepore es una chica activa y que le encanta verse super fashion. Esta colección representa la moda de primavera de una manera joven, fresca y alegre y lo mejor de todo es que la ropa esta fabricada aquí mismo lo cual es un plus para mi.