GROOVEBOOK LOVE!

vscocam-photo-5GrooveBook Love! Today’s post is a little different.. a little different because I will be sharing one of my favorite products thus far!

It all started about five months ago, when a fellow co-worker introduced the product to me. As many of you may know by now, I enjoy a good photograph. I also must admit that I’m a little bit of a picture hoarder. My iPhone has always been my ‘memory keeper’ the place where my photo’s are kept, until I get that little message that pops up and states…”your memory is full.” Isn’t that just the worst moment?? Especially when you think your about to take that one good shot that you can’t wait to share with everyone! AND may actually be instagram worthy! sigh.. lol  Im sure that’s happened to all of us at some point. Most of us may just download our memories unto another piece of technology, like our computers, our usb’s or hard drives.. but most of us won’t even take a look at those pictures for a while… I find that so sad sometimes. It may just be the love I have for cherishing and keeping memories.

One day, my fiancé and I thought about the joy we find in going to our parents home and finding old printed photographs in our mothers keep boxes, or albums. Its such a sweet feeling of joy and awe, seeing our younger faces, the smiles, the clothes, the love you see in old photographs..  The more we thought of it, the more we realized that the day its time to have some little munchkins of our own, we probably won’t have those same memories for them.. All our photographs are in a computer or get lost in files! yikes! Thats no fun..! I decided that we were going to be future parents, that would have photo albums and keep boxes full of old pictures of how mom and dad used to look like in their younger days! lol  Thanks to GrooveBook, they will be helping us in this little goal of ours!

GrooveBook is an app available to Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad, and android phones, in which directly from your device you can upload the pictures you’d like printed, unto a cute little designed photo book.. Im seriously in love with them. Every month the cover is a different design, yet every month you can fill it with 100 of your favorite photos! The cost is very inexpensive, includes shipping and handling and makes a great affordable memory!  Each picture will have the date, time and place in which you took your photo and each picture can be removed with their perforated edges. Even makes great for  arts & crafts! It super cute, I love getting them in the mail each month.  These are my latest GrooveBooks.. aren’t they cute?!

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Every groove book will have these coupons in the back pages to share a code for a friend for their first free GrooveBook! NEAT!
Every groove book will have these coupons in the back pages to share a code for a friend for their first free GrooveBook! NEAT!

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Check out GrooveBook at their website Here for all their details and pricing! You won’t be disappointed! You will have some pretty neat photo books to share with your family and for yourself..

 Jen ❤

*this post is not for profit

MAKING CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetMaking Christmas Traditions is always exciting! This year, Xavier and I were even more excited… This is our first Christmas  together in our own place. That means, ‘our’ own tree, ‘our’ own decorations, ‘our’ own lights.. and most importantly.. OUR own Christmas Traditions. We had decided (well, I kinda decided, lol) that we would go with a REAL Christmas tree and no tree made from plastic. No offense if that’s what your traditions consist of, lol. But there is something about a real christmas tree that makes the season even more jolly ! Not mention the smell of a real tree is one of a kind and a smell I could probably have in my house all year around if I could. I also told Xavier and our whole entire family that when the time comes for us to have children, they would not know of plastic Christmas trees!lol! Do you see my obsession now?

Any who, 2 nights ago, the fall decorations came down to make room for the next! Xavier and I’s schedule this month have been so off that it was hard finding the right day or night to make time to get a tree. But like anything else, we found a way! One night after Xavier came home, we rushed to our local Christmas Tree Tent and picked up our tree! It was love at first sight! The tent was closing in ten minutes, but as soon as Xavier saw the tree he knew it was the one! It was perfectly shaped and perfectly filled. Even though I thought we were going for a smaller tree, Xavier couldn’t part ways and so the 7 footer is now standing tall in our home! And, I love it!

The excitement was real guys! Our First tree in our home! So we got the lights out and the ornaments that my mom so graciously donated to us and began our wonderful night! We turned up the Christmas music and baked chocolate chip cookies for our night! Those two things will definitely be included in our Christmas traditions each year! Cant pass up on those two! Well along with the decor my mom so graciously donated I got around to some wonderful DIY! I made some burlap bows and my favorite, my diy burlap “Merry Christmas” banner to top it off.

We love our Tree! It’s so cozy and beautiful! We can’t help but turn on the lights even in the daytime. But what we most love is that we get to do our Christmas and our own Christmas traditions from now on. I feel so incredibly blessed to have not only the love of my life to share a Christmas with but a loving family as well! This season is a reminder of the endless blessings that pour over us each and every year and the real reason for the season.. Jesus!

Happy December 1st.. 25 days to go!

Here’s how we started it off

-Jen<3

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What are some of your Christmas Traditions?

MEN TELL ALL, Again!

Men tell all, again! Yes, it is time for round two! Last month, i thought it would be fun to join a group of ladies on the ‘Blogger men tell all‘ link-up. My fiancé (eek! I can say that now! lol) and I actually had a great time being part of the link-up and thought it was a great idea to make him a part of the blog more. Im sure many readers find it interesting to get to know the guy behind the girl a little more… you know the one she always mentions! lol. Well here is round two! This one may not have been that exciting for us only because it was mostly about Halloween and we really don’t do Halloween. None the less, it was fun hearing his childhood stories on halloween. Hope you all enjoy!  Safe festivities to all this week!

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-Is Halloween your favorite Holiday? If not, what is?  “No, my favorite is Christmas because Im Cuban and our culture really celebrates Christmas Eve, aka ‘Noche Buena’ and I get to be with all the family, eat good food, open gifts and see others happy.”

-What will you be dressing up as for Halloween this year? “Most likely, nothing. I am not a fan of Halloween.”

-What is your go-to drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)? “Non-alcoholic, I drink water! and alcoholic, I like me some wine, Pinot Noir!”

-What is your favorite scary movie? ” I don’t really have one, I don’t really like them.. But I would rather watch old school movies like ‘childs play, pet cemetery, Nightmare on elm street, halloween and thirteen ghost. I don’t really care for today’s scary movies.”

-What is your best Halloween memory? ” When i was younger dressing up with my childhood friends and trick or treating around the neighborhood. But we also used to egg houses and paintball houses!” ( I was really shocked at this point! lol,  I couldn’t believe he did that!)

-Xavier

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THE PROPOSAL!

IMG_7883The proposal! Yes, our proposal! It was simply perfect. Xavier and I are officially engaged and we could not be more excited! Not only are we excited but we are so remarkably blessed! Our relationship has been a blessing in disguise from the very beginning. Xavier and I met in Nursing school and to many’s surprise, he and I were not even friends in the beginning. I was a little apprehensive to start a friendship with Xavier, mostly because of his “I’m a stud and I know it” kinda walk he had, lol. According to him, he always just “wanted my attention.” I didn’t give him my attention until some semesters after in school where we actually had to be in clinical’s together. We got to know each other some more and we actually became great friends. Towards the end of nursing school our good friend Anita, aka cupid, started stirring things up for us and long behold the truth came out! We actually liked each other and we both were okay with it. Our last semester in nursing school, Xavier and I were pretty much inseparable and he asked me to be his girlfriend! That moment alone was unforgettable… picnic by the bay, asking me to be his girlfriend and dolphins swimming right by the water. No seriously, that’s exactly how it went! Just lovely. We also have been so blessed to share graduation together, passing our boards together and being hired as Nurses weeks apart!  Some months into working we even got our own place! So many memories.. and to think that we have so many more in our future together fills my heart with so much love. God has truly been watching over us and for that we are grateful.

For those of you that have followed my blog, you’ll know that Xavier and I had a trip planned to NYC this past week. That trip was ‘supposedly’ meant to be a mini-vacation to NYC and to attend an event in Madison square garden.  Little did I know, one of the most important questions in my life would be asked. On that day, Xavier and I woke up to the usual New York city noise and the hustle of the crowd. Little did I know Xavier had been planning this day for some months. Our day started by getting some very delicious breakfast and a walk in the park. After our bellies were full we headed to the world trade center memorial. From there we had plans to meet up with Xavier’s friend and his girlfriend to head to Brooklyn. After some debating on where we were really going to meet them and lots of painful walking, Xavier told me that we would meet them at the Brooklyn bridge, so we could walk across it. Lets jut say I was not a happy camper and my feet were in so much pain that I quickly told him, “I am not walking the bridge!” Well to my surprise, Xavier turned around and gave me a very sturdy and loud “WE ARE WALKING THE BRIDGE!” I was so stunned that I just stayed quiet and agreed,lol. I gave in, sucked up the pain and headed to the bridge in pain but excited to see the great Brooklyn bridge! Little did I know, this was all planned.

THE PROPOSAL: We got to the start of the bridge, Xavier stopped to put his jacket on and get his camera ready so we could take some awesome shots! I quickly followed his steps so that we wouldn’t have to stop in the middle of the bridge and hold up people who were doing the same. ( This was the moment that he very sneakily put the ring in his pocket that he had been carrying in his camera bag!) I was so blinded by the view that I didn’t even notice this! lol. Well, we walked close to the middle of the bridge were we met up with his friend and his girlfriend and we all kept walking together. To my surprise as well, they were in on the plan! Just about midway on the bridge we all stopped to take some shots. Xavier asked to use my camera so he could take a panorama shot while I took a picture of his friend and his girlfriend. ( This was the moment he took a picture of a small piece of paper with some very important words) Once again, I of course did not even notice, lol. Well right after, Xavier asked me to give his camera to his friend so he could take a picture of us on the bridge. The next part, is the best part of this story!!

On October 17, at 3:20 in the afternoon, Xavier and I made one of the best memories in our lives thus far. He asked me to grab my camera and look at the cool shot he had taken with my camera. To my surprise, and it was a very unexpected surprise! It was the most beautiful picture i had ever seen! It was him holding a little piece of paper with the best words on it… “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”  The moment was perfect, the timing was perfect and the setting was breathtaking! A this moment all I could do was cry. I literally threw myself on him while he was on one knee and ended up on my knees too! lol.  I cried out of excitement and the feeling of love that was rushing through me. It was a feeling like no other and a feeling that I cannot even describe with words.  Knowing that you will spend the rest of your life along with the love of your life, your soul mate and your lover is the best feeling ever.

It was a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life and that when thinking back on it, will always bring a smile to my face. It will be a memory that will be in our hearts forever and a moment that will remind us of our love. Our proposal was perfect for us in every way possible. We were experiencing a new place together, doing something that we enjoy doing as a couple (taking pictures.)Our story thus far has always had ‘unexpected moments’ and this is another that will be added to our list. These ‘unexpected’ moments for Xavier and I have been the best moments and moments that show us our endless blessings.

We are so thrilled for our future ahead. I know that I cannot imagine spending a future without him. He makes me better, he supports me, takes care of me, loves me unconditionally and makes me complete. I know that we will always be there for each other through the good times and the bad. I can only pray that God continues to bless us in our future ahead. We are very excited to share this moment with all our loved ones and with you all. So here are our perfect pictures captured by Mike, Xavier’s friend. THE PROPOSAL.

ps. It was a little windy that day.. lol

love,

Jen and Xavier.

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Thanks to everyone who has already congratulated us and to our families for giving us your blessing. It means the world to us and we love you all.

A special thanks to Mike and Jisbely for helping Xavier capture this special moment in our lives.

Jen & X.

*all images are property of La Vida, life as it comes 

LIFE & ITS SMALL PLEASURES LATELY

Life lately? Its been good to us. While some days we’re more tired than others. Usually its just because we either work or because we take advantage that we don’t work the next day and stay up late. Either way life has been good to us and we can’t complain. Besides the daily hustle of work, feeding our bellies and driving endlessly, we are grateful. I was looking through my phone earlier and found myself smiling. Smiling.. one, because I can capture such sweet moments here and there and two because even the smallest little things can cause the biggest warmth in your heart. If you know me at a personal level, you’ll know that I’m pretty much a picture hoarder. Times like this, where i get to sit back and look through all those pictures i have hoarded ‘stored in memories’ i feel a sense of happiness. Happy that we don’t forget that at the end of the day, even the smallest of things have made us smile one way or another in our days. I’m glad i keep a lot of these moments in my phone. Gosh, i am so thankful for my iPhone! lol.   I believe we call these, ‘small pleasures.‘  I wanna share with you all some of my simple pleasures within the last couple of  weeks and i hope you understand why my heart is full. Between yummy meals, family time, doggy time, diy’s and my handsome boyfriend, my heart is warm and full of love! What are your simple pleasures friends?

Hope you all are keeping track of all the little things in your lives that make you happy!

Happy week!

-Jen ❤

Breakfast on days off are the best with my honey
Breakfast on days off are the best with my honey

Coming Home to some homemade Fall diy’s always light up my day

Seeing Xavier and Bella become best friends and sending my brother silly faces from the girls always brings smiles

This little lady, is getting too big and reminding me of me when i was her age
This little lady, is getting too big and reminding me of me when i was her age

Don’t you worry my little Sofia, I will always be a kid with you at heart, play on my dear!

Um.. Nutella with anything? Thats always allowed in our home lol

She's our little princess and warms our hearts (even if Xavier denies it lol)
She’s our little princess and warms our hearts (even if Xavier denies it lol)
Spending time with this guy is always okay with me, no matter what we may be doing. This couch with this lady and us together is our favorite
Spending time with this guy is always okay with me, no matter what we may be doing. This couch with this lady and us together is our favorite

link up – Here –

Simple Pleasures

WILL YOU BE MY BRIDESMAID??

Will you be my Bridesmaid!?? That was one of my favorite questions i got asked today. Besides “are you hungry?” lol! In all seriousness, a question like that can make anyone’s day! Especially if its being asked by a special friend that’s so dear to your heart. If you have been reading my blog from the beginning, which i doubt since i think only 10 people did and most were probably my family lol.. Well if you did, you would know that Xavier and I have a mutual friend that means quite a lot to us. Her name is Anita. When i first started blogging, she was one of my very first post, here. In that post i made sure to mention that Anita, Xavier and I all met in nursing school and she soon became Xavier and I’s cupid. Well besides using her beautiful engagement celebration on my blog, it was also a chance to express how dear she is to my heart and how blessed i am to call her my friend.

Today i write about Anita once again, and i couldn’t be more happy to do so. Anita is a person whom i cherish not only as person but as a friend. Even though we don’t see each other daily nor on a weekly basis, she’s a friend that i know will always be there for me. I know this because she always has in the past. As friends that met in nursing school, her and i got to share a huge milestone in our lives together, becoming nurses. There were always challenges.. not only in nursing school but in our daily lives. She was definitely ‘my person’ during those times and i couldn’t have been more grateful for that. We were each other’s cheerleaders when sleep became too little, night’s became too long and when we rocked out exams in nursing school! I will always cherish those memories with her! Did i mention that i met her in orientation while she almost spilled orange juice on me?? lol Well thanks to that orange juice we were inseparable! We pushed each other, we helped each other, we stood up for each other and we made each other laugh when we needed a boost!! And man did we laugh! Till this day, even when we just get to see each other once a month, since sometimes life happens, there is never a dull moment! We can laugh till we wheeze!

So today I said, “I do!!” I said YES to being my beautiful friends bridesmaid! Because I wouldn’t have any other answer but that one. We now share our stories as working nurses, as future wives, and of course of our future as friends! This is yet another moment that we will cherish together and keep in our memories. I couldn’t be more happy for her and her future hubby! I know their future will be full of endless blessings and love! I can’t wait to see her walk next to her hubby as future MR and MRS and i can’t wait to be a part of it! It’s an honor.

So to my dear friend, Thank you! Lets keep on making more memories and laughing till we wheeze! Love you!

-Jen ❤

Heres how she asked! How cute are they!?

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