"...only own things that you love..."

It is officially IMPOSSIBLE to come to NYC and not shop.

Yes, I confess, I've been shopping...despite of the fact that I promised myself I wouldn't--oopsie!

But it is oh!-so-SATISFYING!!!!!!!

Well, I guess I could link this confession with a little goal of mine (which will perhaps help with the guilt trip). About a year ago, I made a decision: I WILL ONLY OWN THINGS THAT I LOVE. Of course, since I didn't have a home of my own, this decision was more based on my closet/wardrobe.

My decision became a goal given that it is a process that requires adaptation, will power, and a bit of work. The goal was to acquire this new mind set and live accordingly.

The hardest part of the process is deciding which things to get rid off, especially, when there are objects that carry an emotional value; a memory. Expect to spend hours and hours trying to decide; debating whether to give something up or not. In some cases, you may have to simply decide to compromise. Hours and more hours trying things on and off...and, on and off again just to make SURE. Piling away the pieces that don't completely convince you, and putting back on the hanger the ones that undoubtedly WORK. Keep in mind that this process will be physically and emotionally draining.

Nevertheless, once the classifying stage is completed, you will look at your bags filled with "unwanted" stuff, and feel......LIBERATED!

With more free space now (NOTE: not necessarily for NEW stuff!) and a closet containing ONLY pieces that fit perfectly and that you LOVE, there's no way to go wrong. The endless hours of outfit searching before an outing are over. Any 2 pieces that you grab from your--hence--LOVELY wardrobe will make you, literally: PRETTY happy ;)

So, now that I have matured a bit in my process *wink, wink* my shopping has been done with this newly acquired mindset. The philosophy QUALITY over QUANTITY helping, as well. The ultimate GOAL being a closet looking somewhat like this...very polished, grown-up and organized:

Good luck to me!!!!!

"My little goals seem so insignificant to the world, when they actually mean a world to ME!" -My FB status for today.

NOTE: My favorite purchase so far...I am so in loooove with these beauties!!!! The color, the material, the leather flower on the top/front area, the big-wooden heels...*sigh* TOTAL BLISS ;)

Fragment: FUTURE HOME

Oh my!! There are SO many things I want to blog about now!!! Is it OK to post more than one entry in one day??? Are you guys OK with that? ;)

Well, today, I might just have to or else, I'm gonna forget! I have to make up for those months of silence, eh?

Ok, so......this one is short and sweet. Basically, I want to share this fragment more so I don't forget about it!

I was looking for a place on craigslit.org for my sister and her kids to stay as they are coming to visit us (YEY!). This is when I bumped into a listing that I REALLY liked, and although I requested information, the person never got back to me (bummer!). Anyways, the picture of the little studio I saved for inspiration :)

I would love a place just like this for myself! I think there's really nothing more that a person needs; as of space, that is. In such a small space, you can have EVERYTHING, and it looks SO cozy and SIMPLE. I look at this little house and I definitely SEE me :)

So, I've decided that I want a place like this one (picture on the left). Whether I move out alone again, or move in with someone (aka get married? WHAT! note: this doesn't specifically mean anything if you're asking yourself why I just mentioned this here :p)...wow, this just made me realize that there are some serious fragments I've left out during my periods of silence (sorry!).

Ok, going on......

I've been wandering around stores in the NYC and Bergen County areas, and I came up with a list of THE stores to buy furniture and home decor for when I do get my little place. This is if I live in the states again. In the DR, the options are more limited--and more expensive--but it's not impossible....I can live ANYWHERE. Nevertheless, shopping here for home stuff would be FAR more exciting *wink, wink*

The list goes something like this:

-IKEA (duh!!!) I think you all would've guessed that one! Affordable, chic furniture and convenient in all aspects imaginable!

-MARSHALLS Great for unique wall art and good prices on brand names in bed sheets and towels; also, you can find unique pieces of furniture, but they are scarce and are often scratched or broken =/

-TJ MAXX Same as Marshalls.

-TARGET You can also find cute things at great prices for home decor and things that you actually really NEED (like bathroom and kitchen stuff)

-URBAN OUTFITTERS Good for weird, unique, colorful stuff (furniture and decor)...a bit overpriced for MY taste tho'

-THE CONTAINER STORE I am an ORGANIZATION freak! So this store relieves my anxieties ;) A MUST for my sanity!

-Various FLEA MARKETS/ANTIQUE SHOPS To satisfy my desire of treasure hunting!

-ETSY.com Same as above ;)

Just as a little example, look at this gorgeous bookend I found at Marshalls the other day:

I'm SO in love!

I don't ask for much, right? ;)

NOTE: I guess, in the end, this post was not as short as I thought it would be...oopsie!

Fragment: FRAGMENTS

Sometimes I forget how UNIQUE the fragments of my life are, and I underestimate them. Not taking into account how PARTICULARLY MINE all my fragments are.

Yesterday, for some reason, I began reading back on this blog...and back...and back....until I reached "My 1st!" or DAY ONE. What a journey it was...what a journey it has been!

I went through so many emotions as I relived some memories; becoming aware of things I've learned, and how at certain points, I had no idea of how things would turn out.

It'll be 3 years soon of sharing my fragments in this space, and I this thought came to my mind. Maybe I should do something special! *wink wink* It would basically be for myself, though; but if anyone is interested in a copy, I can make YOU one, too :p

I will make me a BOOK of my fragments. UUUYYY! A little short term goal for me, YEY! It'll be a little gift I will make for myself; a gift with SO much meaning. A book holding my thoughts, my feelings, my happenings from 2007 through 2010. UUUFFFF! Yeah, definitely a MUST-READ-FROM-TIME-TO-TIME for me!

It has been a pleasure writing about my fragments these past three years. For those who read me (whoever you are, thank you!). As of this crazy heart of mine, I am grateful to have found a place where I can go to and escape...THE NENY FRAGMENTS has become a little home; a refuge for my thoughts.

I am really looking forward to more years of writing! It will be so interesting to see the fragments that are added...and the fragments that will leave.

My story is UNIQUE. I am learning to appreciate and love my life, completely :)

"Julie & Julia"

"Uuuuyyy (in a very high pitch!), French people eat french food every single day! I can't get over it!" -Julia Child

Hmmm...I don't know if it has anything to do with the movie, but I made myself eggs for breakfast this morning! Mmmmm; hadn't done so in a while.

I watched Julie & Julia last night. What a feast! Of food, of colors, of laughter, of thoughts, of feelings, of questions, of tears...an inspiring pair of stories.

Meryl Streep, as always, was remarkably fantastic as Julia Child; and Amy Adams, whose been on various movies these last couple of years, also did a beautiful job as Julie Powell.

The film is based on two real stories:

"Julia Child and Julie Powell-both of whom wrote memoirs-find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both women are at loose ends...until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible." -Columbia Pictures

I saw myself in so many little parts of this film. It is so comforting when you find yourself in such surreal places. You realize you're not alone in your crazy world of fears and frustrations. Lots of people go through the same stuff. In this particular case, Julie Powell found a way to FIND herself...LUCKY girl!

Well, I must say, I have been lucky myself. As I've mentioned before, ABOTONADA and The Neny Fragments have worked wonders for me! When you feel LOST or stuck, creating short term goals (even if they seem pointless) is the best medicine. Goals get you on your feet, motivate you, keep your mind occupied (therefore, less time for crappy thoughts), and you gain so much by just trying to accomplish things, even if you don't exactly get 'there'.

I think I'm starting to need a new set of those...short term goals, I mean....I've reached that point, again..............of aimlessness, and it is not fun! :S Julie & Julia have reminded me of what I started doing this year; finding little things through which I can canalize my passions. Creating goals that will keep me happy and going. So, what will my next project be?! UUUUYYY! Exciting! ;)

Note: This is Julie Powell's original blog, where she started her project, 524 recipes in 365 days from Julia Child's cookbook. The project that changed her life and her world.

Fragment: GOALS

This morning, excitement has taken over my heart!

One of my goals has been achieved ;)

This feeling makes me understand how important and valuable it is to write down one's goals. Writing them down makes them visible to you, therefore, makes it easier to commit because it makes you feel a certain sense of responsaibility. Writing them down also functions as a reminder; each time you bump into the piece of paper with your goals on them, you're reminded of the things you are supposed to be doing. And, it's just so liberating to scratch off the list when you've achieved one!

Today, I've been published! In my list of goals, one of them was exactly that...TO GET PUBLISHED...anywhere...whether it was a story I'd written, or someone writing about me.

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine, photographer Alina Vargas (http://www.alinavargas.com/), excited about my ABOTONADA creations, suggested me to be published at one of the magazines she collaborates with: REVISTA U (http://www.revistau.com/).

I was so excited when she told me about it. First of all, I love that magazine! I hunt for it each month, because it's a free mag and you bump into it randomly. Secondly, and most important, I immediately thought of my goals list ;)

She came to my house one day and photographed me with my button accessories; a couple of weeks later (while in Spain), I was interviewed via e-mail by Elvira Lora from U Mag; and this morning, while having my coffee, I bumped into my BUTTONED OBSESSION article ;) YEY!

Check it out at http://www.revistau.com/, page 16...and enjoy!

Fragment: LIST OF GOALS (Jarabacoa)

Yesterday, one of my goals of the year was somewhat met...SOMEWHAT, because it was more like a sneak peek :) At the beginning of my stay here in DR (April 2007), I made myself write a LIST OF GOALS. Never in my life had I done so, despite having heard all throughout high school and college that writing down your goals was an important tool in the process of actually getting to achieve them. Since the MAIN goal of my staying in DR was to start getting things 'straight' in my life, I finally took a notebook and wrote down GOALS. It was hard writing the first one; I felt I didn't have any major goals. So, what would I write?!

But then, I thought, "OK, I have to start by something, so how about I write down desires and MAKE them my tiny goals ;)" YES! Good idea...So, I started my list by writing down a headline: "IF GOD GIVES ME A YEAR IN DR, THESE ARE THE THINGS I'D LIKE TO HAVE DONE" With this focus of converting desires into goals, I couldn't stop writing!

One of those desires made into goals was going to JARABACOA on a 'green adventure'...I'd been to this place before, but didn't remember it too well. And yesterday, I went with the symphony to perform at a small church in Jarabacoa, celebrating the town's 150th anniversary. Jarabacoa is about 2 1/2 hours from the capital, on the northern part of the island, and it's a mountain town, so it's chilly and there are pine trees and small log cabins! I didn't feel like I was in DR yesterday! So cool! Too bad we only drove there, performed, had dinner and left back to the capital, so I couldn't really see much of Jarabacoa...hence, the 'sneak peek' of my GOAL ;)

I have loved living in DR this past year and a half...but somehow, I always knew this stay would be temporary. Therefore, my main goal was to have no regrets or undone business when the day of leaving came. I'm still working on this. Some of my tiny goals have been met; others, I have 4 1/2 months to work on ;) until I say, "PUSHY + CALI, HERE I COME!"

Fragment: *B&B* (ultimate goal?)

This past year, something has become very certain in my mind, and perhaps, in my heart (?)...

I've been searching for what makes me happy, for the things in life that I enjoy, for my passions, for my calling, for my natural talents, for jobs that aren't dreadful but that become the highlight of the day.........and after 2 years of desperation, uncertainty and lots of tears, I am recognizing my interests, the things that I've enjoyed and the ones that have destroyed my soul, and I've come to the
following conclusion: MY DESIRE IS TO OWN
A BED AND BREAKFAST IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, A BEACH TOWN OR A MOUNTAIN SETTING, WITH MY HUSBAND (Pushy!!!!); A PLACE THAT REFLECTS OUR PERSONALITIES AND OUR PASSIONS ALL OVER! PUSHY COOKS (the breakfast, of course; I make the beds jeje), I CREATE (everything and anything), WE BOTH MANAGE; IT WILL BE OUR JOB, OUR PASSION, OUR LITTLE BABY, OUR ROUTINE, OUR ADVENTURE, OUR HOME, OUR-OUR-OUR-OUR...OURS...IT WILL BE OUR LIFE...

Searching for B&B's for sale on the internet, I found an ad that read like this:

"Live Your Dream All Year Round!
Work from Home!
Live the ultimate lifestyle instead of a 9 to 5 job, with income potential of $100,000/year.
Listen to the summer birds singing while working on the computer.
Enjoy the crisp autumn panoramic view while taking a reservation.

Smell the winter wood burning fire while cooking the guests breakfast.
Feel the spring morning breeze while sipping your coffee on the porch.
Relax in settings filled with comfort and charm.
Retreat and indulge with family and friends in this luxurious 7-bedroom paradise.
A total escape from city life, but close enough to San Francisco (3 hrs) or Sacramento International Airport (1.5 hrs) Chico Airport (45 min), or Oroville (30 min.)"

Now, there's something that speaks to my mind and soul!! And it confirms my defined desire of the year (finally, a DEFINED desire!), I want to own a B&B with Pushy someday. I know, I know...it takes TIME! We need $$, lots of work, and transcendental decisions made, but it has become an 'ultimate' goal of mine...and guess what?! It is certainly a shared one! Pushy wants this too!!! So, I guess it's meant to be ;) US and our B&B!

I was having my usual 'cortadito' (coffee) at Thesaurus the other day, and browsing through a HOTEL BOOK, I found some interesting B&B's that serve as inspiration. They don't reflect what we'd like, but they are so unique, each in their own way, that they inspire me to own a place that totally reflects my PUSHY and ME:

Lindos Huespedes (Spain) http://www.lindoshuespedes.com/

Elqui Domos (Chile) http://elquidomos.cl/

Celica Hostel (Slovenia) http://www.souhostel.com/en/accomodation/index.html

Boheems Paradijs (The Netherlands) http://boheemsparadijs.nl/

***And a little paradise that Pushy and I have stayed in: Villas Nicolas (Costa Rica) http://www.villasnicolas.com/


So, take a look and be INSPIRED!

P.S. All the photos in this posting are from a B&B for sale in Ecuador...ahhhh!

Fragment: POSTURE

I have got to fix my posture!!!

It's been an issue since, like, FOREVER...I just can't stand or sit up straight. I find it SO uncomfortable :-/

My brother-in-law pinches my back all the time to remind me to FIX MY POSTURE. I find it SO hard :-/

It's so comfy to just sit and slouch ;) but ok, more than the looks, I need to fix this for my health...so, I'll keep trying.