Latina on a Mission

Karl, my teen, passed a milestone this summer. He turned 16. We didn’t celebrate with a Sweet Sixteen, as girls do. We had a STRONG Sixteen, celebrating his strength and his journey to manhood.  

We had family and friends over for a small, intimate party to allow for conversation. It was amazing! I saw my teen enjoying fun loving banter with family and friends, as they recalled his crazy antics in school and at home. The teens played dominoes, listened to music, and laughed. The type of laughter that delights a parent’s heart, full of joy, anticipation and innocence, without the worries of adulthood. They laughed so loudly we could hear them in the living room. It was music to my ears.

He is a now a man-child, more man than child, full of promise and dreams. He’s growing each day, mentally, spiritually and physically. Yet no matter how tall he may grow, where he may live, or even how old he may be, he will always be my sweet son… full of the same charm as he showed on his STRONG Sixteen.

Click over to my Flickr account to see more photos of his party.

Disclosure: Karl’s birthday cakes were provided by Youcake.
Click to read my YouCake review

For My Man Child’s birthday, we wanted to do something different. We wanted a cake that would be a centerpiece,  that would make Karl’s birthday unique. We searched high and low, checking bakeries and doing google searches yet could not find anything that said, “This is IT!”

With just a few weeks before his birthday,  YouCake offered to create an edible photo image that could be placed on any cake, cupcakes or cookies.  I was hesitant. My son’s birthday was a very special occasion, it was his 16th! Did I want to take a chance on a company I did not know, without seeing or tasting their product beforehand?  At the time, I was nervous but I shouldn’t have been.

YouCake’s staff was very attentive. They explained how YouCake created a unique edible photo image, answering every question I had.

• What are YouCake toppers made of?

YouCake toppers are made with a print quality picture that you provide. The photo is used to create a topper that is made with edible frosting sheets. They are kosher and printed out with a food grade printer and edible ink.

• What size topper can YouCake create?   

Rectangular, Square, Round, and Cupcake sized toppers

• How can I place my order?

Via an order form that is mailed or emailed to Youcake.

Based on the above answers, my son and I decided to use his Sesame Place caricature. I took a picture of the framed drawing and sent it to YouCake via email. They created a masterpiece! They edited the photo to include balloons and the wording I requested.  They also shaped it to fit the cakes we pre-selected, three round LiteChoice ice cream cakes.

On the day of the party, I applied the toppers, following the instructions provided. Since I had ice cream cakes and did not want them to melt,  I applied the toppers a few minutes before we sang “Happy Birthday”. It was super easy and after my son, they were the star of the evening!

Below are pictures of our cakes. What do you think?

Click over to my Flickr account to see more photos of his party.

Summer ends this weekend, at least unofficially, so make the most of it and end it with a bang!

Happy WW!

School begins in New York City on September 8. Shortly after the boys and I will celebrate a slew of birthdays, special events, and holidays, all of which will require greeting cards:  birthday cards, Christmas Cards, Holiday Cards, Photo Cards and Baby Announcements, to name just a few.

With limited time to browse stores during regular business hours,  I was delighted to have been given the option to test out CardsDirect.com, an online greeting card store. They offer greeting cards for personal or business use (Great for blog promotions!).  They also have over 2,000 card designs in a variety of categories and offer FREE personalization and custom imprinted verse! 

I still haven’t decide which cards to select. The boys and I love the Photo Cards, however, I have to admit the business woman in me loves their business line as well. I think the Thank You cards are perfect for my blog.  If I select the Christmas Photo cards,  I have to start taking pictures now while the boys are willing  to take them. If I decide on the business cards, I have to think of a verse. Of course, I can always get both!  I’ll let you know when I decide!

In the meantime, one Latinalicious reader is going to win a coupon code that will allow them to get twenty-five cards of their choice, up to a $50 value, at Cards Direct!

Ready to enter? Read on!

Good luck! / ¡Suerte!

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MANDATORY ENTRY- YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE ANY EXTRA ENTRIES:

Let me know in a comment what you would select if you won!  NOTE: You must be an e-mail subscriber to enter. Click HERE to subscribe.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Follow my blog with Google Friends and/or ”Like” my Facebook page for 1 entry EACH. If you’re already do, let me know!

2. Follow @MsLatina and @CardsDirect on Twitter.

3. Tweet about the giveaway, stating the below. Provide me with the tweet url in a comment. One tweet per day till the giveaway ends, so go ahead tweet away! 

Enter to win a set of greeting cards from @CardsDirect  http://tiny.cc/GW36 #GIVEAWAY #MsLatina

4. Blog about the giveaway, linking back to this post, and provide me with the url for 3 extra entries.

5. Leave a comment on a non-giveaway related post for 3 extra entries. Note the post in your comment and don’t forget to enter each entry  in a separate comment! Wouldn’t want you to miss an entry!

6. Share this post and/or another post you enjoyed using any ”Share and Enjoy” submission  (Example: Digg, Facebook, Technorati, MySpace, Stumble Upon, etc.).  Each post shared gives you 3 extra entries. Just let me know which post you shared and your username, if applicable!

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Giveaway ends September 15, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. EST

Open to US residents only

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As always, I will use random.org to select the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Also, don’t forget, in order for random.org to count all of your entries a separate comment must be entered for each item that is completed. Random.org will not count it otherwise 

Disclosure: I received the same product being given; however, this in no waqy influenced my opinions or this post.

I am so excited about this Latinalicious deal because I have to purchase at least 5 pairs of slacks, dress shirts and ties for my little one.

I could also use a new pair of boots…

and a few pairs of jeans! My favorite is the Sweetheart jeans, they fit my curves well and are perfect with heels, boots and even sneakers! They come in bootcut, skinny and classic.

To get this Latinalicious discount just click HERE and enter SAVENOW at checkout (restrictions apply). Don’t forget you can take 30% off any Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic purchase, online ONLY, when you make a purchase on August 31, 2010, between  12:00 AM ET and 11:59 PM ET. Valid in US and Puerto Rico.

Happy shopping and don’t forget to stash that ca$h!
 

If you follow me on Facebook you already know Andrew, my 9 year old, was accepted into a gifted private school. As excited as I am about his acceptance, I have to tell you I’m scared.

Why?

My 9 year old will have to take public transportation by himself.

The school does not offer bus service in my area. There aren’t enough children on Manhattan’s Westside attending the school.  This leaves us with a dilemma.

How will he get to school?

Over the summer we researched and practiced his school route. He can take 2 city buses or 2 trains.

Both involve risks.  

Both will force him to grow up much quicker than I would have wanted.

Until now, he has been sheltered. He was not allowed to go anywhere alone. I’ve also avoided areas that I believed were seedy or adult oriented. Now he will encounter those very things.

On his way to school.

By himself.

Everyday.

In the Village.  

Amidst the crust punk scene. 

As he goes, he will also take my heart.

On his way to school.

By himself.

Everyday.

In the Village.  

Amidst the crust punk scene. 

In the end, I couldn’t help but wonder…

When is 9 ever old enough?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boost Mobile. All opinions are 100% mine.

Since my 9 year old is going to school by himself, I had to get him a phone. He would need it to call me when  he reached school, when he was dismissed and when he arrived home. Other than that he would be with me or his older brother. Based on these things, I researched a variety of phones and plans before deciding on a prepaid phone.

I didn’t want to lock myself into a contract, especially for a phone that would be rarely used. I looked for a phone that gave us the option of using my debit/credit card to make a payment or even the ability to sign-up for worry-free automatic payments. I also wanted to have the option of paying on-line, in-person, or by phone. 

One of the phones/plans I researched was Boost Mobile’s Re-Boost method. While doing so, I discovered the following:

• They offer social phones that allow you to update your Twitter and Facebook.
• You get unlimited connectivity to Facebook for one price per month.
• They offer a wide assortment of phones.

It would allow the user to stay connected with family and friends in real time. As someone who uses social media heavily, this appealed to me. I also loved that you had the options to use phones that are estetically appealing like the Blackberry Curve, with the option to get unlimited talk, text, web, 411, IM AND email for $60!!!

Crap! I wish I would have known that before locking my own phone into a 2 year plan. I could have saved over $70 a month!