An unexpected stroll through the cobblestone streets of downtown Lowell. Busco invited me to the New England Quilt Museum for the opening of their new exhibition, SILK! So I channeled my inner Carrie Bradshaw for an impromptu outfit of the day moment.

• Vintage 1980’s knit dress (thrifted)
• Vintage 1980’s patent leather check-style bag
• Banana Republic open-toe heels
• Betsey Johnson knotted belt
• Goldtone cuff and earrings 
• 14K gold necklaces

Mira Menos

A weekend in NYC, crossing paths with Busco. We made a stop in Hell’s Kitchen. I felt like I was 21 again. But better dressed.

• Vintage 1980’s coat (thrifted)
• Opaque monogram tights (TJ Maxx)
• Kenneth Cole patent leather platform heels
• Black Fendi baguette
• Moschino scarf

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My good friend, comadre, and soon to be blogger Cara-lista, asked that I join her for a make-up event at the Prudential Center in Boston. We signed up through Facebook for consultations at the Makeup Forever Makeup Bag Remix Tour. I was familiar with the brand through Cara-lista, who is quite the makeup connoisseur and loves their products. She has been obsessed with makeup since she was about thirteen years old, so I consider her a makeup expert.

The event brings makeup education to cities around the US. They teach techniques and best practices that work for your face shape and skin-tone.  And did I mention it was free?!  I liked that they asked that we bring our own makeup bag to teach how to properly use makeup with products we already own.

Truth be told, I was a little intimidated. Mixing foundations and concealers on your own to get the right color for your skintone? Unheard of! And not to mention the hundreds of color choices and combinations! But with Cara-lista by my side, I knew I wouldn’t be swindled into buying things I didn’t need. With Busco’s help on what would be an appropriate outfit for a sunny cold Boston day, I spent the day playing with makeup.

• Forever21 Cardigan
• Vintage 1980s leather skirt (thrifted)
• Viktor&Rolf for Samsonite luggage bag
• Guess black leather boots
• Red Plastic Bangles, Forever21 earrings, Vintage 1980s green belt

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Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes, in Ponce. Only 15 minutes away from the ranch, we made it just in time for the last English tour (the kids aren’t very fluent in conversational Spanish).

I first learned about Taino indians when my father took me to a different ceremonial park about 20 years ago in Utuado. On this tour I learned about the four populations of indigenous people: Arcaicos, Igneris, Pre-Taino and Taino. We learned about the tangible (tools, pottery) and the intangible (life expectancies, ceremonies). I also learned about the digs and some of the politics. I didn’t understand why archeologists would leave pieces of what I thought would be valuable pottery shards. I guess they weren’t as valuable as I thought. Regardless, we had a great time learning about the pre-colonial history of our ancestral indigenous patriarchs.

• Old Navy v-neck t-shirt
• Tuleh shorts (thrifted)
• Fendi multi-colored baguette (thrifted)
• Kenneth Cole platform heels
• Silvertone “bamboo” earrings, sterling silver cuff, bracelet and necklace
• Gucci prescription sunglasses

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A few weeks ago I attended my day job’s annual sales conference in California. The conference includes an an awards night, which is one of the few times I can glam up. With Busco’s help, we came up with the perfect look. I’m happy to say that my vintage look did not go unnoticed. Being called the Latina version of Audrey Hepburn by co-workers was quite the compliment. Too bad my company doesn’t give awards for best dressed employee.

• Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress
• Badgley Mischka T-Strap platform heels
• Fendi multi-color baguette (thrifted)
• Vintage sterling silver beaded bangle

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With New England winters being what they are, I wanted to wear out a recently acquired thrift store purchase: my fur capelet. As much as Busco might not like real fur, he agreed to style my capelet-centric winter look, even though it was just to the supermarket.

• Vintage 1980’s fur capelet (thrifted)
• Old Navy Collection trench-style coat
• Rebecca Minkoff handbag
• Kova&T jeans
• Zara colorblock platform booties
• Cable-knit wool scarf from Scotland (gift)
• Vintage 1960’s black daisy brooch

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We decided to get on the ugly sweater wagon this year to celebrate our first Christmas blogging together. We know they’re supposed to be “ugly sweaters”, but we kind of like them! We think they’re “fashion ugly”: only certain people might see the good in them. And that’s us. Seeing the beauty in the ugly. It’s all relative.

Mira:

• Vintage 1980s sequin poinsettia top (thrifted)
• Michael Kors black knit pencil skirt
• H&M leggings
• Obsession Rules “Casi” black suede booties
• Vintage 1980’s patent check pattern bag
• Vintage 1980’s goldtone “door knocker” style earrings
• Assorted plastic bangles

Busco:

• Vintage 1980s sweater (thrifted)
• Hugo Boss jeans (thrifted)
• Adidas blue canvas high-tops

Busco Mas
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My company holiday luncheon was last week, gave me an excuse to wear shine, sheen, and sparkle to work. The color palate says day, but the shimmer in the skirt and the whimsical clutch made it perfect for evening.

• Vintage 1980’s Christian Dior button-up blouse (thrifted)
• H&M shimmery brocade-style skirt
• Calvin Klein orange suede and cork heels
• Custom made clutch by The Sin Embargo (www.etsy.com/shop/TheSinEmbargo)
• Goldtone chandelier earrings (gift from Lalita); wicker and wood bangles; orange plastic ring

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For the past 5 years we have celebrated Holiday Stroll in NYC. (Holiday Stroll is spending family time doing something non-retail.)  This year we decided to stay local and experienced our town’s holiday festivities. It’s not Times Square, but there was a good, fun, crowd of people out on the stroll.

Our favorite snack!

Trash cans used as instruments.

The Clauses strolling in our ‘hood!

• Isaac Mizrahi for Target reversible coat
• Forever 21 Hat with thrifted vintage flower brooch
• 1980’s vintage Belt (thrifted)
• 1980’s vintage red gloves (thrifted)
• Silvertone bangle
• 1980’s vintage red enameled hoop earrings

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A crisp Fall Sunday spending time with family, including Busco and Mami.  Chatting, laughing, discussing new ideas for The Sin Embargo diaries!

• 1970s vintage dress (thrifted)
• 1980s vintage belt (thrifted)
• 1980s vintage navy-color clutch with brass accent
• Nine West peep toe slingback cream-color heels
• 14K gold necklace, earrings, and rings; brass bangle; Amrita Singh plastic bangle

Son has been playing the snare drum since he was 9. Shortly after, he started working with a drum coach who has done an exceptional job of teaching him how to read music and help him develop drumming techniques. In middle school he performed in school concerts and marched in many local parades during the holidays.

Now a freshman in high school, band is on a bigger scale.  Known as the Nashua North Titans they have to learn how to play, march in sync, and choreography. And I admit, I love a good band choreography. Especially when they’re playing Lady Gaga’s Pokerface or the theme song to The Pink Panther.

This past weekend we watched him perform at a high school football game and at the school band concert show. Schools from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and even Maine participated.

The uniforms.

Son warming up before his performance.

And behind the color guard marching onto the field to play the National Anthem.

 I love the shiny ancient Roman soldier-inspired helmets.

My outfit that night was inspired by the military style of their uniforms and by the chilly weather.

We couldn’t help to get into the groove of the drummers. If Busco and I played drums in school, I’m sure we would have added some flair and shimmy to our choreography! 

• 1990’s Black jacket (thrifted for $1.00)
• Gray Habitual Jeans
• Maroon Charles David heels
• 1960’s vintage black suede handbag (thrifted)
• H&M plastic bangles, Garment District red-metallic large hoop earrings

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A wet cold and gloomy morning didn’t stop my stroll. I decided to unpack my winter wardrobe and put it into circulation. I also organized my shoe closet, with Busco’s help. Only an obsessive-compulsive like Busco would take on the daunting task of organizing my shoes by color, style and brand.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A few hours later my daughter and I strolled on over to my friend D’s for her daughter’s birthday party.

• Betsey Johnson black knotted stretch belt
• H&M coated pants
• Kenneth Cole black patent leather Mary Jane heels 
• 1980s vintage Liz Claiborne top (thrifted)
• 1960s vintage gray handbag (thrifted)

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One of the highlights of Husband’s family’s visit from Puerto Rico was a trip to NYC. My daughter’s God Mother,  N, is a huge Ricky Martin fan.  Borderline stalker, actually. So only being a 4 1/2 hour drive to NYC, all of a sudden we became theater buffs and bought tickets to see him in Evita. Truth be told,  I was interested in seeing Evita on Broadway since it was announced that Ricky would be in it.  So when I received an email after “friending” Evita on Broadway via Facebook that there was a 2 for 1 sale on tickets the exact same week of N & company’s visit, it was meant to be.  I had no idea how expensive Broadway tickets can be!!

We set out to NYC in my car early morning on the day of the show, and arrived in Time Square at about 11:30am. We parked the car in a nearby garage, and walked through Time square. A promotional NFL kickoff event was happening, so curiosity took over and we checked it out.  We got free pizza, drinks and chips with salsa (lunch? check).  We also played a beanbag game and got a complimentary NFL hand towel which would come in handy later on because of the rain.

We walked towards the Good Morning America studios only to see Heidi Klum! The amazingly beautiful and sexy Heidi Klum. Yes, she looks even better in person. 

N wanted to see the 9/11 memorial, so we took the subway downtown.  Although we didn’t reserve tickets ahead of time for the memorial, the lines were non-existent. We were in and out pretty smoothly.

We took some time to visit St. Paul’s Chapel which is right across the street from the 9/11 memorial.  Although there was a sign inside the church that said no pictures, some visitors took it upon themselves to take pictures inside. So I gave people the hairy eye. I know it’s probably not nice to do this in a church, but it was the best thing I could do to reprimand them without actually reprimanding them. I like to follow rules, so I didn’t take pictures inside, but I took a few outside. The architecture, artwork and history were very interesting to me.

Next stop: The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).  Fashion, A-Z Part Two showcases about 60 designs of modern and contemporary fashions.  To my surprise, it was a free exhibition. Score! Once I entered the doors, it was like a three-dimentional fashion dictionary!  As I looked at each and every dress in alphabetical order, I feverishly jotted down designer names and descriptions of dresses. I would have an inner squeal when I would see designers that exist in my closet:  Akris, Balmain, Commes de Garcon, Dior, and more. Maybe not museum pieces per se, but the discoveries made me cherish my thrifted designer collection even more. I only wish I had seen Part One!

Inspired and fashion thirst quenched,  we were on our way. First to Hell’s Kitchen for a quick bite to eat of Thai, then Time Square. With a few minutes to kill before the show we decided to run into Sephora.  Spritzed with the new Lady Gaga scent we had our makeup redone for free with Smashbox products (I love their selection of lipsticks and eyeliners).

We dashed across Times Square to Marquis Theatre. As Ricky made his graceful entrance onto the stage, the crowd stood, clapped, cheered and whistled. Say what you will about her, she was dressed for success. I wish someone would “Christian Dior me!”  But for now, If I do get Christian Dior-ed, it will be on the thrift.

As much as I would’ve loved to have been “dressed to the nines, with sixes and sevens with you”, I knew I’d be doing lots of walking (maybe running), so the look had to be comfort/casual chic. A recently thrifted dress did the trick.

• John Varvatos for Converse dress
• DKNY Jeans jacket
• Cartier Panthere shoulder bag
• Converse Jack Purcell sneakers
• Plastic earrings and bangles

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The Husband’s family from Puerto Rico came to visit, so we did what any good host would do and took them sightseeing. We started off in downtown Boston, then strolled over to Newbury Street and ended up at the Public Garden. There was shopping, people watching, and lots of of walking (hence the flats). It was a great day for a walk in the park (again, hence the flats).

• Forever 21 V-neck T-shirt
• Express bolero jacket
• Banana Republic skirt
• Target plaid flats (a gift from my bestie “YLV”)
• Gucci prescription sunglasses
• Cartier Black Panthere shoulder bag
• Vintage red hoop earrings
• Silver plated cuff

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