Café crazed 1st Gen Cuban-American raised in Miami. 62 and starting anew!! Spanglish speaking Mother of 3, Abuela of 6; a human shot of espresso and earnest in my extremism. An adventurer, dancer of life; loving its’ locuras and celebrating the "humanness" of all people. The binding ties of family, being female, getting older and day to day life while hopefully enlightening and entertaining- this is the reason for Babushka and her dance.
♪A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!!♪
Let the Countdown Begin! This great giveaway is hosted by Mommy's Playbook, Versatileer, Bohemian Babushka, AND Deliciously Savvy! The four of us are cannot wait for Christmas to FINALLY arrive! How about you? Are you excited for Christmas?
Enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash on the easy giveaway form below!
ENTER TO WIN!
$100 PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Card
The giveaway is open US/CAN Only, 18+
The giveaway ends 12/24 at 1159 pm est
Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.
Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Participating bloggers and co-hosts are not responsible for prize fulfillment. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Only authentic accounts are eligible to win. Dummy/fake accounts are not eligible for entry and will be blocked. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter competitions or sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public. See Rafflecopter for official rules. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
Si, it's been awhile since BB's posted her Sunday Smiles. Honestamente, she needed a break from the COVID Cacophony, pero let the year end sin a Sunday Smile? JU SO FONII!!
Pobrecito Santi Clo. He's like Babushka, still not used to wearing a mask.
Seems like Santa, TP y Sanitizer are the main theme this holiday Season.
December edition of Conexion, the bilingual newspaper of North Florida. This is Babushka's article.
HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
Diciembre. 2020. Wow and Woah. Like every year, lleno de ups and downs. Like every year, things lost and learned. Like every year, we agonize the dragout of days, pero al final we think how quickly it all went. 2020. Like every year, pero no.
Ahora, in case you’re pensando 2020 has been all bad, let Babushka remind you of how it made us ALL STOP. The tiqui tiqui of our daily vidas was affecting us and our planeta. Nature started to thrive de nuevo, and hopefully so did you and your familia. Slowing down, taking stock of los whats and whys of our lives, el verdadero valor de the whos of our time, all this thanks to 2020. The heightened sense de gratitud for basics, finding alegria in simple tasks, this in 2020. The realization how we truly are entwined with each other, the social goods being done, and those needing to get done. All this Gracias to 2020.
Y ahora, en Diciembre of 2020, what are the real presents attained? As you gather your gifts and family for the holidays, make sure to say Gracias for todo. Gratitude for la vida, and the fulfillment of the year, to make us stronger in life lessons and gentler in dealing with ourselves and each other.
This Beautifuls, is BB’s 2020 holiday wish for All.
This one has algo for everyone on your list, aunque truth be told, if BB wins she's keeping it all for herself. Quee?? Isn't the dicho "Charity Begins At Home"? These would be welcome addditions to Casa BB. Go ahead, miren the prizes and tell Babushka if you're not tempted to do igual??
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Countdown to Christmas Giveaway Event hosted by Mommy's Playbook! If you are feeling pressure to get all of your holiday shopping done before the last guaranteed shipping date, let us give you a little relief! Sit back, relax, and Enter to Win this great giveaway! One lucky winner is going to take home ALL of the great gifts below!
ENTER TO WIN the Intrepid Stainless Steel Buckle & Stitched Full Grain Leather Belt from KORE Essentials! Made for Man.
What makes our KORE track belts so awesome? No more belt holes. That’s right! Instead, KORE's men’s belts use a hidden track sewn into the back of the belt that features over 40+ size points to choose from, each point is just ¼” (6 mm) apart. This small, simple innovation means your guy gets a precise, comfortable fit every time he puts it on. Tell him it's time to say goodbye to stretched out, poor-fitting, unsightly belt holes.
Holiday travel tip: KORE Essentials buckles pop off in 2 seconds to allow you to slip thru airport TSA security with the leather belt still on. Or you can swap belt colors or buckle styles fast.
Use promo code MommysPlaybook10 to save 10% on anything at KORE! *Code Expires Jan 31, 2021
His Gift Basket: This great grooming kit gift basket is ENGINEERED FOR MEN! When it comes to male grooming they need high-performance products formulated for men. Heaven & Earth Brings men quality skin care, free of chemicals, SLS, & parabens. These men's products are formulated to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your man’s unique skin. He will - get clean, look sharp, and smell good into the New Year!
Her Gift Basket: Heaven & Earth brings Women premium quality products formulated with superior ingredients. Feel good & smell better all day long with an abundant spa hamper where each detail in the gift basket is designed to make your spa at home even more thrilling and extra delicious! Includes everything you need to refresh and indulge your way through the holidays!
Save 15% off both of these gift baskets using *code: LIXFOE4W at checkout---->HERE.
*Coupon Code Valid Until January 1, 2021
ENTER TO WIN the Original PeachSkinSheets! PeachSkinSheets are a wonderful holiday gift that will last for years to come. We received our first set four years ago and they are still as comfortable as ever! I love not crawling into wrinkled bed at the end of the day!
PeachSkinSheets' durable athletic grade performance SMART fabric wicks away moisture to keep you drier and more comfortable. Best of all, they have a luxurious 1500 Thread Count Level of Softness with a brushed PeachSkin finish on both sides. Available in Split King, Cali King, King, Queen, Full, Twin and XL Twin and XL Full. Winner will choose their sheet size and preferred color too!
ENTER TO WIN a Joey Pouch Prize Pack! The Joey Pouch is a line of Cotton Reusable Snack Bags for Kids. Each bag is an eco friendly reusable sandwich bags that is washable and dishwasher safe. Our Joey Pouches are BPA Free with EVA Food Grade interior lining making them safe for kids.
ECOFRIENDLY MATERIAL: Our reusable baggies have a 100% natural cotton exterior making these snack bags good for the environment.Kids love the soft cotton feel and cute designs on our eco snack bags.
EASY TO CLEAN: Having reusable sandwich bags dishwasher safe and easy to wipe clean makes cleaning up these washable lunch bags for kids a breeze.
Use Coupon Code 15CHESTNUTS to save on your Joey Pouch or Funstruction Toys holiday purchase!
*Coupon is automatically added at checkout
ENTER TO WIN $50 Shopping Credit from my favorite Pink Zebra independent consultant! Pink Zebra developed Soft Soy, a proprietary blend of eco-friendly soy wax and dependable food-grade, paraffin wax to capitalize on the best performing components of each. Compared to traditional waxes, Soft Soy maximizes fragrance, burns cleaner, is gluten-free, protected by anti-oxidants and UV inhibitors, AND comes from soybeans grown in the USA! Join Amber's Facebook group to learn why PZ is different than what you might be using today, AND find out how you can get some free samples!
Visit Amber's Pink Zebra page learn how to host your own party and win some fantastic host prizes!
*Winner will choose up to $50 in products from this consultants IN STOCK collection.
ENTER TO WIN a MicroGold® Prize Package! This great prize package will include one MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial, MicroGold® All-Purpose Cleaner, and MicroGold® Waterless Hand Soap!
Are you worried about COVID-19 this holiday season? MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray is tested and proven effective to kill the COVID-19 virus. The only multi-action solution approved to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus in association with COVID-19 in 3 minutes on hard non-porous surfaces. Disinfectants kill microorganisms on contact, but as soon as they dry and someone touches that light switch or doorknob – BOOM – cross-contamination occurs because the disinfectant is done working. Antimicrobial agents have the ability to kill both bacteria and viruses as well as suppress their future growth by molecularly bonding to a surface and mechanically killing microbes through microscopic spikes. Excited the EPA is expediting testing and review on the long-lasting properties of antimicrobials like MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray.
MicroGold® All-Purpose Cleaner is ideal for cleaning and disinfecting any hard non-porous surface. Kills common household, bathroom and kitchen bacteria. Cuts through grime and is bleach free, ideal for everyday use. Kills cold and flu viruses. **Part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)”
Have you had enough with sanitizer lately? Never worry about dry hands again with MicroGold® — the alcohol-free Waterless Hand Soap leaves hands clean and smooth with a unique, nondrying moisturizing and conditioning formula. It kills 99.99% of germs with a foaming pump action that creates an emulsification to clean away dirt, grime and eliminate germs. Effective in as little as 15 seconds. The antibacterial properties last up to four hours, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control on the active ingredient benzalkonium chloride.
Use Discount Code protect to save 15% off all MicroGold products!
ENTER TO WIN a pair of leggings from Dream Leggings! Introducing Dream Leggings brand NEW line made by their own manufacturer, with all unique designs! Dream Leggings Exclusives are all designed by Dream Leggings and created exclusively for their wonderful customers! These Yoga Leggings are the NEWEST, classiest winter printed Leggings you won’t find anywhere else! They are made of the highest standard in materials, including a special new 4” yoga waist, and unbelievable seam stitching! The new line of Exclusive Leggings are stronger, more durable, and uniquely comfortable!
Visit Dream Leggings to see all of the beautiful holiday prints AND jump at their Buy any 4 Pair of Leggings Get a 5th Pair FREE!
ENTER TO WIN TickleMe Plant Box Set - Grow The Christmas House Plant That Closes Its Leaves When Tickled. If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift this year, let the TickleMe Plant tickle the hearts of your loved ones! No green thumb needed, the TickleMe plant seeds are guaranteed to grow, even in water!
Why TickleMe Plants this Christmas? Growing TickleMe Plants from seeds is a magical experience for children and adults of all ages. Giving them as a gift means your budding scientist, future botanist, and garden lovers will receive an unforgettable gift. They will love everything about it. From the excitement of growing a new plant from a seed, to the first "tickle", to watching the pink flowers grow! Visit the TickleMe Plant Amazon store to learn more.
Psst! TickleMe plants make great for stocking stuffers too!
ENTER TO WIN a D.A.D.®2 from TigerLight! Defense Alert Device (D.A.D.®) from TigerLight! TigerLight is the #1 self defense product! It combines advanced, proprietary, award winning Smart Bluetooth/GPS Danger/Crowd Alert technology with unmatched, non-lethal stopping power technology (See 96% LASD Study) in a Light, Alert, Pepper Spray Device, to bring you the one and only Self Defense Device you will ever need, the Defense Alert Device (D.A.D.).
Give someone you love the gift of freedom this Christmas! Freedom to hike without fear. Freedom to run in the park! Freedom to know that no matter where they are, they can protect themselves and their family! TigerLight is dedicated to ending violence through non-lethal personal protection. Each device is equipped with Bluetooth to send an emergency alert via your cell phone. The alert sends your GPS location to anyone with the D.A.D.® app within a one mile radius, and to those in your D.A.D.™ contact list, regardless of distance. The D.A.D.® alert prompts the receiver to call 911, and provides directions to your location, should the receiver be able to provide immediate assistance in person.
Visit TigerLight to learn more about the #1 self defense product, the Defense Alert Device (D.A.D.®).
Use discount code MOMMY15 to save on your TigerLight purchase!
ENTER TO WIN a Winning Moves USA Prize Pack! Winning Moves USA's mission is to provide happiness to consumers by offering Classic, Retro, Cool and Fun games for play with friends and family. The winner of this great giveaway is going to have games to play with the whole family! No Stress Chess® is an amazing game and a fun way to learn how to play Chess AND Pass The Pigs® Big Pigs™ is just FUN! Rolling around with your BIG PIGS is holiday fun I promise!
The winner of this great giveaway is not only going to receive No Stress Chess® and Pass The Pigs® Big Pigs™, but they are ALSO going to receive Rubik's® 40th Anniversary Metallic Cube AND Large Print Tile Lock Scrabble®... two of my personal long-time favorites! My ten year old son LOVES collecting various styles of Rubik's so this great Cube was a huge hit in our home AND I'm so blind my eye doctor wouldn't let me drive myself away from his office after my last check-up... so yeah... Mommy needs the LARGE Print everything, especially the Large Print Tile Lock Scrabble® if I expect to play to win!
Visit Winning Moves USA online to find the latest games to play with your family!
ENTER TO WIN!
ALL OF THE PRIZES LISTED ABOVE
ONE WINNER TAKES ALL!!!!!
The giveaway is open US Only, 18+
The giveaway ends 12/24 at 1159 pm est
Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.
Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by all of the Countdown to Christmas brands listed within the giveaway article and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Victoria and/or Mommy’s Playbook, Participating bloggers, are not responsible for prize fulfillment. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
It's beginning to feel a lot like.... July! It's the middle of summer but it's also time to celebrate Christmas in July!! There are dozens of reasons to celebrate Christmas in July, so many, that trying to find the actual origin of celebrating Christmas in the month of July is a little foggy. Some suggest that it started as a way for the Southern hemisphere to celebrate Christmas in cold weather (like we get to), others theories were that it began 80+ years ago at a summer camp in North Carolina! Regardless, I can never get enough Christmas so I am happy to add it to a second month in my Calendar! -- I may even put up the tree and get a jump start on my holiday shopping!
Speaking of holiday shopping, do you want to get your holiday started before the mad rush in December? Here's your chance! My fantastic bloggy friends and I are giving away $100 PayPal CASH to one lucky winner! Enter to win on the easy giveaway form below!
Celebrate Christmas in July with Us!
Checkout these four fun ways to celebrate Christmas, even in July!
Christmas is highly celebrated at Mommy's Playbook! So much so, we couldn't choose just one blog post to feature for our Christmas in July event. Instead, you should checkout the complete Christmas Collection at Mommy's Playbook! There, you will find spectacular recipes (like the recipe for the picture shown above), fun holiday hosting tips, and great gift ideas!
Janell at Saving You Dinero says nothing feels like Christmas in July more than her favorite cookie! Buckeye Brownie Cookies are a delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter that no one can resist! Don't wait until December to enjoy this sweet treat!
Have you started to plan your holiday travel yet? Travel with Mamacita on the Move to Branson, Missouri, for an Ozark Mountain Christmas this year! Myrah had a wonderful holiday there watching the shows, taking in the sights, and breathing in that fresh mountain air! Christmas in the mountains? Yes please!
Cuddle up with the kids for a cute twist on an old story about good old Jessica Claus! Wait! Who? Read Bookroom Reviews' Book Review of The Santa Switch ; Searching for Christmas Stories to find out who Jessica is and share her story with your children.
ENTER TO WIN!
$100 PayPal Cash!
The giveaway is open US Only, 18+
The giveaway ends 7/25 at 1159 pm est
Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.
Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Participating bloggers, are not responsible for prize fulfillment. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
The smiles and great tiempo was BB's and her Bunch.
HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
If y'all have been bailando with Babushka you know FAMILIA IS TODO. Family bonding is sumamente importante and BB tries to facilitate it as much as she can. It can definitely be challenging, especially when half of The Grands live in Miami and the other half live Up North in The South near Babushka. Now the older Grands have no problem with the bonding and having great memories of cousin time because they all lived in Miami when they were younger and grew up together, but the two little ones, Dr. J and Laughing Buddha are growing up far away from each other. OJO- growing up far away does not have to equal growing apart, at least not if this Groovy Grandma has any choice in the matter.
Enter the S Sisters with an invite from Legoland Florida for la familia to join them in their first ever, CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR!!
Enseguida, right away the email was made to the Remarkable RedCoach luxury bus and the trip itinerary was all done. Time for Cousin Conocimiento with some Babushka Bonding thrown in too.
If you read the above caption, you'll see that this is the first solo ride Dr.J has taken on the Redcoach with BB. He was encantado, didn't even use the iPad the whole trip. He truly enjoyed the actual viaje and experience. Pretty cool for a 4 year old. We had conversations and observations durante those 4 hours. Again, Pretty Cool for a 4 year old.
Arriving at the Orlando Station, we waited for DIL and Laughing Buddha. Quee?? You thought BB was going to go sola with The Little Grands? Beautifuls, BB stands for Bohemian Babushka, not BoBa. She picked us up and we stayed at her friend's casa, the founder of the Kai Jeremiah Foundation. Babushka will definitely be sharing more about that organization in the near futuro. Pero for now, we got the little ones to bed for the next days aventura.
Oh the squeals of joy when they saw this!!
Got his very own ticket. NOW he's feeling cool and grown up.
A Comenzar the Fun!!
BB got some abuela time in and fun was had by all, pero the most importante,
the primos partnered in many memorias. Mission Accomplished.
This post contains links leading to referrals, affiliations, and gracias. As always, sincere and all BB.
HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
Was that your family last Thanksgiving? Looking bored and only at their cell phones?
Let Babushka give you a few suggestions/pointers.
1. PUT AWAY THE TELEFONOS!!
Upon entering the casa, everyone deposits their phones. You can use a basket, a bag, lo que sea, but out of manos to enjoy the moments. Gracias toWe All Grow, in a webinar they gave, BB was the winner of thisSnoozet. BUENISIMO!! They sent Babushka a Thank You, pero with all the great ideas, productos, and social good they do, it is BB who says Gracias. Try them, you will too.
In the food department BB suggests you ask everyone to bring "their specialty". You can never go wrong in asking people to bring algo de comer. It makes them feel more like a part de la fiesta and it gives them a chance to show off their infamous plato. Eso si, be ready for everyone to take leftovers home. "Pa que no se bote."
By now los niños have written their letters to Santa, so BB figured the dear man is in the mood for some more adult literature. Namely, a letter from Babushka. Quee??? JU SO FONII!!! Of course & por supuesta BB Believes in Santi Clo. "But that's just for children!" you say. Bueno, Babushka's Papa still considers her his baby, and you will think the same of your cria when they're older. Di la verdad, those of you with children over 18, don't you agree that no matter the age, our children are always our babies? Continuing.
So, BB's carta a Santa this year goes un poco like this-
Hola Santi & Feliz Navidad to you and la Señora!
Babushka hopes this finds you ready- or well rested, depending on when you read the letter. Please let the Mrs. know que that batch of cookies BB got was BUENISIMO and went very well with the midnight writings of Marti, mi Muse;send her gracias en mi nombre, por fa. Ahora Babushka can see why you're always so jolly y redondito.
Eso Santa, brings BB to her first pedido. To have a lifetime love like you and the Mrs. Como sabes, this is the third go round in the marriage march, y el ultimo. So any consejos, wits of wisdom, are mucho appreciated.
Second request, the gift of travel. Con o sin Sweetie. Que?? Ok si. Hmmm... maybe that's why I'm on marriage #3? JU SO FONII!!! Seriously Santi, we're saving up for passports for the two of us, pero if the chance arises you know the aventurera que es Babushka...
And lastly, BB wishes to be the Jaye P. Morgan of the Tweety Fiesta Circuit.
You remember her don't you Santi? She was on every talk show, game show in the late 70's, and BB wants to be the same, pero in the social media arena. Sponsored for appearances, to be asked to be on panels- especialmente for Tweety Fiestas. Babushka ♥♥♥ TWEETY FIESTAS!! And to be a "panelist/cohost" , the one people ask for,because they know que if they want fun, if they want fonii, they want BB. Oh what a gift that would be!!
They say that if you ask, then you shall receive.
Los otro regalos, the other gifts, are the Universal ones of love, family,good health, and I'll leave to the Universe those Blessings which we all ask for, and are probably in another realm to grant.
Querido Santa, if these pedidos can't fit in your sleigh, es ok.
Gift cards are always nice too.
Con mucho Amor & Appreciation ~BB
And that Beautifuls is Babushkas Letter to Santa.
Here's hoping he brings you and your loved ones everything you've asked for.
