Inner Beauty Out - Entry #1 & 2

The other day I was looking into the mirror (pre make-up) and I realized that I was looking like the proverbial 'BEFORE' picture. I thought to myself, "that just won't do"; then I decided to begin doing something about it each day.

Day One: I went to the library and looked up books on style, fashion, etc. (Being the college graduate and bookworm - not nerd, just bookworm - that I am I am assuming that much of the information I need I can find in a book.) The library did NOT let me down. I checked out, "How Not to Look Old" by Charla Krupp. This book is going to be a wonderful resource while I am trying to bring out my inner beauty.

Day Two: After flipping through the book I decided to do some, small thing each day to feel beautiful both inside and out. Some days may be small and others may be HUGE (like cutting and highlighting my hair) but each day I would like to do something to feel more beautiful. So, my first purchase was this kit:



You may be wondering exactly what this kit is. It is a "Form-A-Brow" Kit. I am fairly Low Maintenance when it comes to appearance and right now I am on a DIY budget for this endeavor. So, I found an option that was highly recommended that would allow me to make flawless brows. BUT, you have to pluck - not wax. So, we will see how that goes. I always sneeze when having my eyebrows plucked or waxed. it is uncanny.

If you want to try out this little kit along with me it can be purchased here. One of my dear friends and I are going to try it out as soon as it comes in and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Mexico wouldn't be Mexico without...

A trip to Mexico wouldn't be complete without some type of stomach bug! After being here an entire month (minus a couple of days) the bug hit... our little Ladybug and my wonderful husband! I will be M.I.A. for a little while nursing my sick daughter and feverishly hot husband back to health!

Cristo Rey Statue

Our family traveled to the state of Guanajuato, Mexico near the city of Leon to view the statue of 'Cristo Rey'. This statue is said to be in the center of Mexico. The people placed a statue of Christ in the center of their country to represent their lives and country centered upon our Savior, Jesus Christ. I though this sentiment was beautiful.

Our family enjoyed trekking up the mountain in our Suburban (my cute husband loved driving on the bumpy roads with mountain curves)!

The cherubs on either side of the statue of Christ each have a specific function; one cherub is removing the crown of thorns and the other cherub is stretching to place upon Christ his crown as our Heavenly King.

Inside the domed building is a lovely sanctuary with an empty funeral pyre - I assume suggesting that Christ has risen. There is a floating bronze crown of thorns suspended over the entire interior of the building. In the exact center of the ceiling is a golden leafed crown to symbolize Christ as our Heavenly King.

Our family enjoyed experiencing this lovely tribute to our Savior.

Pueblos Magicos in Mexico

Over this past week I took advantage of our children being at Summer Camp and I traveled a bit around Mexico! Friends and I traveled to Pachuca, Real de Montes, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo and Tequisquiapan! We visited friends who had moved as well as historical little towns.

While in Real de Montes we ate pastes - these are delicious, historical pastries filled with meat and potatoes or fruit fillings that were used in the mountainous mining towns in Mexico! SO delicious - one would almost become a miner!

In Dolores Hidalgo my adventurous spirit got the best of me and I tried Camarone (Shrimp) Ice Cream from a street vendor with chile on it! It was absolutely the taste of shrimp! The texture of ice cream and the flavor of chile shrimp do NOT go well together! My stomach paid for that little adventure for about 24 hours! But, it was definitely a memory!

Curso de Verano

While here in Mexico our children were invited to a Summer Camp with BOMBARDIER, Inc. Our children have had a fabulous time! They have now done more extreme sports than their parents! Each day they have the opportunity to do a HUGE zip line (1/4 Kilometer), Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Mechanical Bull Riding, Horseback Riding, Aero-Bungee Jumping and other absolutely wonderful activities!



Each morning we cover them with sunblock and each evening they have another sun-kissed tan! They are doing great, overcoming fears and having a wonderful time!

Zihuatanejo & Isla Ixtapa

Our family enjoyed a long weekend in the Mexican fishing town of Zihuatanejo. During our time there we visited Isla Ixtapa and many of the beaches! On Isla Ixtapa, the best beach was Cocohuatalate (I am so not sure I spelled that right.) but it was perfect for our children to play and calm enough that they felt comfortable going into the water without parents!

While on Isla Ixtapa I explored the island and found the "Wild Beach" which everyone on the island had a different name for - thus I am calling it the wild beach... because I had to hike over portions of the island, step lightly under a wasp nest the size of my entire body (I am NOT exaggerating here.) and enter the beach from underneath a small tunnel created by brush. But, once there, it was breathtaking - just myself on a beach with white sand and coral, waves crashing against the rocks and fauna growing to the edge of the sea. It was gorgeous! (I was tempted to bring my children and husband... but due to the ear-piercing screams I know would be heard the moment they saw the wasps nest - did I mention that it was the size of my body? - I deferred.)

We had a wonderful, restful time as a family! The days of resting and relaxing were needed and appreciated!

Queretaro...Ano Bicentenario

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independence. Queretaro is known to be part of 'la cuna de Independencia' or the Mexican cradle of Independence. It is here that their National Anthem was first performed, their governing documents were signed and it was the city where the revolution began with a woman, La Corregidora, locked in a room for conspiracy and treason - yet she still managed to get messages out through the keyhole to warn other revolutionaries in the city. The revolutionaries fled Queretaro and the actual cry of Independence was first heard in the city of Dolores Hidalgo early on September 16, 1810.



No matter where the cry of Independence rings out I believe we should celebrate. It always requires bravery and sacrifice to stand against oppression in whatever form. We are enjoying our time in this great city and we hope you enjoy some pictures and a bit of Mexico's history.