Mariel's Window

Rum Raisin... Giveaway!

2013-05-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

c/o RUM RAISIN

Hello darlings,

I want to introduce you to my go-to accessory of the summer...

The turban twist headband.

It seriously goes with absolutely everything and for any occasion.

From camping to this summer's weddings. Your pick.

Today you have the chance to win this very same one so make sure

to put as many entries as you can!

I wore my first one here but it was a somewhat sad post so I'm

keeping it more upbeat here today. Thank you for the sweet words of

encouragement and your emails. You guys are seriously the best.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Explanation and a Promise

2013-05-06T18:03:00.000-05:00

Turban c/o Rum Raisin

Hello darlings,

I know it's been a while... too long if I may say so myself.

I know my posts are often sporadic but when a month

goes by and still nothing from this end then that's when

I truly feel the need to explain myself.

This last month has been a very busy one. From overtime

hours at work to MCAT preparations, these are just a few

of the factors that have influenced the radio silence on my end.

This last week, however, has been a specific trying one.

Certain things have transpired that have invoked a feeling

of heavyheartedness in me. Things I'm not quite ready to

discuss yet... but I know I will have to.

Soon.

Till then I'm just doing my very best to enjoy lovely days like
today. Lake front walks with this man I love definitely made
for a very lovely day indeed.

I hope this coming week brings you all,
my sweet (and patient) readers,
happiness and lots of love.

PS. Rum Raisin giveaway coming up this week... you dolls deserve it.

V

2013-04-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

c/o Vicky Dubois

Good morning dolls,

It's monday and I'm pretty sure many of us

wish it was the weekend all over again.

It was a good one.

Specially because it finally felt

like Spring around here.

Maybe now I can take this convertible dress out for a date in the town.

I'm absolutely smitten with it.

Food for Thought

2013-03-10T03:08:00.000-05:00

{via}

Darlings,

I know this is a touchy subject,
specially in this age where everything is out
there for others to see, judge, and/or admire.

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs...)

It is so easy to forget that these are not places meant for us to build our alter egos,

or what we believe are "better" versions of ourselves. The ones others might like best.

Versions based on what we have and how we look.

We must all remember that when we invest our time BECOMING the best that we can be-

a more loving, caring, honest, and compassionate version of ourselves,

that's when we shine the brightest.

Bedroom Style (or lack there of)

2013-03-06T13:08:00.000-06:00

(Sweater: Forever21 / Tank: H&M)

Darlings,

Out of my whole place my bedroom is the one that I've

invested the least amount of time pimping it out...

or at least making it more cozy and ME.

It literally contains two things:

bed and a small dresser

(Ok, three if you count the lamp but I don't because I don't want to

get too attached to it if you know what I mean)

I can't complain about neither because I'm quite smitten with both

and I'm actually ok with the fact that's all there is.

However, I wouldn't mind coming across a nice painting with a

pretty frame to add some life to the room.

PS. Yep, I totally walk around the house with red lipstick on in the wee hours of the morning...

Just kidding... it's almost noon, make up is done for work but I like to bum

around until 10 minutes before the bus arrives to get dressed.

That's the norm around here.

Signs of Life

2013-03-03T14:27:00.000-06:00

Darlings,

I recently noticed that there has only been one post this year

with ONE picture of me in it.

No, I didn't get a horrible hair cut and I'm waiting for it to grow out.

I guess I can see why some might think this to be true considering

my hair hasn't been worn down for quite some time but still,

the answer is no to that one.

No, I'm not embarrassingly pale (Actually this one is a lie... us Puerto Ricans can't pull off this pale look. AT .ALL.)

No, I'm not hiding from the law... or the world for that matter.

I just have one explanation for it...

It's winter.

It's not that I don't like winter,

I just take the whole hibernation idea seriously (them bears are so smart).

Other than for work I find it hard to find reasons to head out.

So I stay in and I cook, and I bake, and I eat, and I sleep, and I dance around a bit

(it's not pretty but I gotta burn all that somehow).

It's a good thing S believes in hibernation too ;)

My weekend in three photos

2013-02-25T14:01:00.000-06:00

1. Date night downtown with the mister :)

2. New addition to the "family" (Thank you Shannon!)

3. Pasta obsession continued (I think I need an intervention)... Penne alla Primavera

How was your weekend?

LOVE

2013-02-14T10:47:00.000-06:00

{via}

Darlings,

Happy Valentine's day!
I hope you all have a marvelous time full of love.

S and I will be celebrating it next week... conflicting work schedules :(

But here is to celebrating it
each and every day of the year,

and in every way possible.

(ALWAYS)

Pasta Sunday

2013-02-10T13:59:00.000-06:00

Darlings,
Pinterest strikes again with another incredible recipe...
the minute I saw it I just knew I had to try it.

Now, the title of this post is a bit misleading because

Sunday is not the only good day for pasta in book.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,

and Saturday work wonderfully too.

You see, I have a bit of an obsession with pasta and

I thought I would share with you all my latest treasure...

Mushroom and Dill Linguini.

Ingredients:

1/2 lbs of mushrooms

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

1/2 cup of chicken stock

1 1/2 cup of cream

2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill

Olive oil

1 box of Linguini

-Cut up the mushrooms and finely chop the onion and the two garlic cloves

-Heat up a pan and sauté the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in two tablespoons of olive oil

-Once the mushrooms start to golden and the onion is soft add the chicken stock, cream and the dill.

-Let it simmer for 5 minutes and then season with salt and pepper.

-After the pasta is ready serve into four separate plates

-Pour the sauce over the already served pasta and add some shaved parmesan on top for the finishing touch.

Enjoy!

I believe.

2013-02-07T17:25:00.002-06:00

{via}

... I also believe in this.

Sunday

2013-02-03T17:00:00.000-06:00

Darlings,

Today started a bit late for me.

You see, I had the grave-yard shift last

night which means I didn't get home till

8am this morning. I then forced myself

to wake up at noon so that I can still sleep

tonight like a normal human being.

Then the day went something like this...

- got my bi-weekly supply of fresh eggs

- finally unpacked and organized my darling books

- admired this loft apartment AGAIN

(I swear it's calling my name)

I feel accomplished ;)

A day off and a midwestern snowstorm

2013-01-30T16:03:00.000-06:00

(the view from my patio this morning... it's still coming down)

Darlings,

This morning I woke up to the prettiest view.

It was such a pretty surprise considering it was

50 degrees and rainy all day yesterday.

After my morning cup and news I headed

downtown for some thrifting, some studying,

and more coffee.

I like days off.

Update

2013-01-22T06:53:00.000-06:00

(Since it's -5 degrees outside and my day off...)

Hello darlings,

I know it’s been a while.

Which is why I decided I should probably

stop by and give some signs of life.

These next couple of months will be pretty intense so most

likely blog posts will become more sporadic so bare with me.

This semester I signed up for a 4 credit class that I need for medschool.

On top of that I’ll be studying for the MCAT and hopefully

taking it sometime this summer.

And just in case you are worried about me not

being busy enough, don’t you fret dolls....

My full time job at the hospital and planning

a destination wedding should do the trick.

Now that’s how I like to keep my life exciting.

(That was pure sarcasm by the way)

But in all seriousness... I’m so grateful to be able to

partake in each and every single one of those things.

Even knowing that there will be times where I will feel

very overwhelmed, I can’t help but also feel

incredibly blessed as I see each and every one

of my dreams slowly becoming a reality.

It’s an amazing feeling.

Anyways, just wanted to give you guys a small update on Mariel’s life right now.

Oh, one more thing...

we officially have a date and venue!

(more on that soon)

Resolutions

2013-01-01T16:43:00.000-06:00

Darlings,

I've never been one to make resolutions.

Mostly because I've been afraid of failing at them.

Not this year.

Here are my resolutions for 2013...

ones that I hope will make me become the best that I can be.

Work on having a more intimate relationship with God

Spend more time outdoors and in nature

Spend more quality time with family

Not sweat the little things

Learn to live one day at a time

Reminiscing

2012-12-22T17:47:00.001-06:00

(Snow in beard... this season's IT accessory for men)

Darlings,

Today was the first sunny day after the crazy snowstorm

that hit the midwest this last Thursday. We were finally able to

drive somewhere without the fear of getting stuck in a ditch

or catching a red light since technically we wouldn't

be able stop.

We decided to celebrate such a gorgeous day by going to the

place where S proposed to me this last September.

We hadn't been back since that day, which is crazy

considering we both live less than 10 minutes from it.

It looked even more magical this time around all covered with snow.

Apartment Tour: Living Room Edition

2012-12-17T12:46:00.000-06:00

[living room BEFORE]

Darlings,

It's still a work in progress but I'm very much in love with it.

I would have to say the Christmas tree is my favorite part of this room

(thanks to my Gone With the Wind ornament, of course).

Now the search is on for the perfect area rug, nicer drapes, and throw pillows.

Any suggestions?

Wedding Wednesday: The Colors

2012-12-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

Darlings,

Here's a feel of what we are going for when it comes to our color palette.

However, we believe we might have to choose between

the blue or the pink shades.

Gold + Blush = AWESOMENESS

Gold + Teal = AWESOMENESS

Gold + Blush + Teal = ?

Feel free to share your input ladies!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2012-12-09T18:53:00.004-06:00

{the ONE... before and after}

Darlings,

We finally did it!

We were only waiting for the first official snowfall of the season to
head out in search of the most perfect Christmas tree.

Mission accomplished.

Now this one is no stud of a tree but it sure has cute written all over it.
I can't wait to show you how pretty it looks with its ornaments and lights.

Hope you are all having the best holiday season so far.

1 Month Today

2012-12-03T09:40:00.000-06:00

I can hardly believe it...

I guess time flies when you are having fun.

Wedding Wednesday: The Cake

2012-11-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

{via}

Darlings,

Remember Wedding Wednesday?

Well, it is now back but with a twist.

This time around I'll be sharing with you dolls little

bits and pieces behind the planning of S and I's

big day.

Today is all about the CAKE.

I've been quite smitten with these golden beauties for quite some time

now and I cannot think of a better color to add to our palette

(more on that later... paaaaaatience hehe).

What do you dolls think about metallic shades on the cake?

My New Home

2012-11-12T11:37:00.000-06:00

Darlings,

There are at leas three legit reasons why I have been absent from the blogosphere

these last couple of weeks...

ONE

I've officially moved out off my little studio apartment in Chicago and into my

new loft in Madison which I cannot wait to fill up with goodies very soon.

TWO

New job ('nuff said)

THREE

S and I are finally sharing a zip code after almost four years of long distance (do I hear an AMEN?).

I believe this last reason DEFINITELY justifies my absence.

I cannot wait to share with you this new chapter of my life.

To say that I feel blessed doesn't quite cut it.

Nature Calls

2012-10-27T15:59:00.002-05:00

{via}

Darlings,

There are days when I wake up longing to just grab my backpack and

small tent head to the great outdoors. Today is one of those days.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, camping was a big part of my life.

My father, a biologist, would make sure that at least one

weekend of every month would be reserved for a

family camping trip.

Whether it was up in the mountains or down by the beach,

it was always my favorite thing to do.

Unfortunately, here in Wisconsin is pretty much winter already which

means I must be patient and wait for spring to say "hello".

(Almost half her life in the Midwest and this girl STILL hasn't

gotten used to the idea of winter camping)

"They were living on oatmeal & chocolate..."

2012-10-18T16:32:00.002-05:00

(Sweater: c/o Lamixx, Leggins: Forever 21)

Darlings,

As you all know I am currently in the process of moving.

Those of you familiar with this process know how easily breakfast food

can become lunch AND dinner material during this time.

Hellooooo chocolatey oatmeal!

------------------------------------------------

Ingredients:

3/4 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

4 pieces of dark Dove chocolate (from my emergency stash)

*The recipe also called for 2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips instead but someone [me]

~~was too lazy~~ forgot to run errands today... bring in the Dove!

Procedures:

-In a heavy saucepan combine oats, sugar, and the cocoa powder.

-Bring boil over medium heat stirring frequently.

-Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until milk has been absorbed and the oats have softened

-This step are for those of you with the chocolate chips... Stir in the chips until melted.

-Once served, splash with milk, and sprinkle on a few extra chocolate chips

(or small pieces of Dove chocolate)

Be

2012-10-08T19:24:00.001-05:00

{via}

Thrifting in the men's section sometimes pays off

2012-10-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

Darlings,

Last Fall I featured this men's dress shirt as a dress...

now I decided add the shoulders-cut-out look to it.

Out came the scissors, pins, and some chalk.

Some minutes later... voilà!

I think I love it better this way.

Now I feel like thrifting in the men's section a bit more often.
Who knows what marvelous treasures I may find next!