Halloween Puerto Rico Style

Trick or Treat? Oh….how I remember and love those words.

I love Halloween, it reminds me of the happy times I had trick or treating when I was a kid. Being raised in the States, Halloween was always so much fun. I would go all over the neighborhood with my sister and friends trick or treating. Our neighbors would decorate their homes to receive us.

Costumes at Gay Party in San Juan

 I always remember one house. The couple would dress up as witches and do a magic show before giving us candy. I can remember it like it was yesterday and many many years have gone by. Then we would come home and sort out candy with my Mom and Dad. What wonderful carefree days they were. 

Model Lisamaris Rosado

On the Island, kids also go trick or treating. Some parents take them to the mall to trick or treat, because they feel it is safer. Now grown ups...that’s another story. Do these people love to party on Halloween or what!?!?

Drag Queen Luly Haddock 

There is a great Halloween Party that is held in San Juan. It is hosted by the Gay Community and it is amazing. Sometimes my kids go to them and I have seen pics that are incredible. They take this very seriously and their costumes are out of this world! On the other hand religious groups are not so fond of these parties, but to be honest, I think if you don’t harm anyone and just have fun that is perfectly fine. We are living through tough times and it is fun to escape to Fantasyland just for a couple of hours to forget all of our worries. I asked my Curvy Girls from the Island to send me pics of their costumes and I have posted some for my friends in the States to see that we love to party on Halloween…..….Enjoy!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Me encanta cuando llega Halloween, me recuerda mi niñez, criadaen los Estados Unidos Halloween era siempre tan divertido, mi hermana y yo íbamos por las casas de nuestro vecindario, los vecinos se lucían decorando sus casas, había una pareja que se vestían de brujas y hacían trucos de magia antes de darnos dulces, luego volvíamos a casa para que mis padres clasificaran los dulces, era todo tan sano en esa época.

Model Rosa M. Rivera

En Puerto Rico Halloween se celebra pero, muchos padres optan por llevar a sus hijos al Centro Comercial a buscar dulces porque se sienten más seguros, ahora si, con los  adultos es otro cuento. En San Juan la comunidad Gay lo celebra por todo lo alto, mis hijos han ido, las fotos son increíbles, ellos toman esta celebración bien en serio y las actividades se hacen sin ningún contratiempo. 

Model Susan Santana

Muchas religiones no están de acuerdo con esta celebración pero es mi sincera opinión que si no le hacen mal a nadie se puede celebrar, estamos viviendo una época difícil y escaparnos al mundo de la fantasía por par de horas nos hace falta!  Este año le pedí a mis chicas con curvas fotos de cómo celebraron su Halloween y las quiero compartir con ustedes….que las disfruten!!!

Model Isaura Garcia

Bendiciones para todos,

Marta

Purge to Splurge: My Yearly Closet Enema

When the housing market crashed and property taxes skyrocketed, we lost our house. Since then my fiance and I went from a roomy three bedroom house to a cramp two bedroom apartment. We loss so much closet space. Most of our closets are still filled with boxes of unpacked stuff. Jay and I must share a closet in the bedroom. I'm glad my mother taught me how to store and rotate my clothes. 

I always use New Year's Day to do my closet and drawer cleaning. Typically it starts to get cold and snowy in January (this winter the elements started early), so this day is a great day to put away the summer and fall items. 

 I start with my piles on the floor; giveaway, trash, and dry cleaners. This year is a year of honesty. I'm such a pack rat. I have clothes from back when I was a size 14. I keep it around because I'm going to lose the weight and wear it this year....HA! I'm proud of myself because I let a lot of things go. 

It took all day but I'm happy with the results. I got all my summer and lightweight fall pieces put away and went through my winter stuff and tried on EVERYTHING to make sure what I kept from the last season still wore well. I even color coded my half of the closet. We will see how long this last. I'm going to make a conscious effort to keep it organized and cleaned.

There is NO room for error. So I keep rotate my shoes and other accessories too. I keep them in bins. The other bins for out of season pieces I keep in the other closets throughout the apartment.

When you clean out your closets and drawers, you always find pieces you forgot about. These two are no exceptions. 

A genuine leather winter white bolero from Ashley Stewart. I bought this when I worked for them many moons ago. Loved it then....love it now!

A kimono I bought off Ebay from China. I was going to a party and I wanted to wear a kimono. I bought this one and at the time it was too big. I didn't want to go through the hastle of returning it to China, so I was going to get it altered. A few pounds later, it's wearable with the right accessories and minor alterations to make it form fitting. Will make this work!

Janelle

Happy New Year & Domino Dollhouse Review

(Happy New Year! So hot in our apartment...60 degrees in December in INDIANA! It took so long for the temperature to regulate. The tons of jello shots and pineapple vodka didn't help much either!)

Happy New Year from Ruby Leonne! 

I was privileged to end the year at home with close friends. It's hard having single friends when you're in a relationship. Most of the party left before midnight so they can go and hang with their potential significant others. But I want to thank everyone for coming out and spending time with Jay and I. It was a great time. Can you believe it's a new year...a new decade.

Before the party I had a wardrobe melt down. I told my fiance to wear black; I had planned to wear my new Cocktails for Breakfast dress I bought from Domino Dollhouse. Domino Dollhouse is a new online plus size boutique I was introduced to by a blog post by Stiletto Siren of Lips Hips & FATshion Tips. They sell apparel, accessories and shoes. 

When I first got the dress a few weeks ago, I was impressed with the service. I got my order within 2-3 days. The cost was reasonable and inexpensive. When I first looked at the dress, I winced. I am a size 22/24; sometimes a 26 in the hips. This dress appeared to be REALLY small but not small enough that I couldn't make it work...or so I thought! Umm yeah...I got a 3X (Junior Plus), I couldn't get it past my hips and zipping it up was not an option. I was so disappointed! One of my friends LOVED it and could fit it so I sold it to her. 

I will order from Domino Dollhouse again. I love the speed of service and chat with the owner , Tracey, on Twitter frequently. She is a doll! I will just be careful or steer clear of the junior plus items. Here is my wish list from Domino Dollhouse...

Classic Doll Dress from Domino Dollhouse $69.99

Bow Satin Slide from Domino Dollhouse $52.99

Janelle

Reflection: Bye Bye 2010 Hello 2011

(picture from yahoo)

 Tomorrow's New Year's Eve! I never thought 2010 would be so memorable. I started my blog, almost partnered with a clothing boutique, traveled outside of the country for the first time, got engaged, got a position working for a GREAT fashion marketing company, connected with people in my past life and met and worked with many new people along the way. 


2010 was a year for rebirth. I symbolized that with my kickin' phoenix tattoo I got in January. I still have formula behind my ears, but I'm ready to grow and flourish into the woman and brand I want to become. 


I don't want to make resolutions; most people that do don't keep them. I want to proclaim this is a new year...heck it's a new decade...so I have new goals. Goal #1: Healthy is wealthy. You only have one body and one mind. You can add or subtract to it, but in the end it's all you got. Take care of yourself. Goal #2: Get Yo Business Right! I love blogging, but I get so caught up with "how everyone else is doing it". I need to do concentrate on me, Ruby, our needs and wants. Goal #3: Time management is key. I heard something last night on the show My Strange Addiction (my new guilty pleasure show), you need to have eight hours for sleep, eight hours for work and eight hours for you. GREAT advice. I need to manage work (both jobs), school, blogging and personal time. 

Here are a few my 2010 highs...

(my phoenix tat, January 2010)

(SOME of my girls and me December 2010)

("I'm on a Boat!"Cabo San Lucas, Mexico May 2010)

(blog post 2010)

 We're just getting started here at the Ruby Leonne camp...so we will see you next year! Be safe and have a great holiday!!

~Janelle

...and the WINNER is....

Today is the day to find out who won the Holiday Hands gift basket.

And the winner is....{drumroll please}... LYN!!!

 Lyn email me with your contact information so I can send you the gift basket!

Thanks to everyone that participated. 2011 will be a new year with new giveaways.

~Janelle

Holiday Hands Contest: Angie's Christmas Wish List

 We have another wish list to feature today. This list was sent to us from Angie. She is a student from Indiana who considers herself single, sexy and free. Thanks Angie for sending us your list. Here is Angie's Christmas Wish List.

(What Angie sees looking into a mirror. LOL!!)

(What Angie looks like...for real! Ego girl! LOL)

Money
New Coach Bag
New Bedroom Suite
A boyfriend (lol)
A new gym membership w/ clothes
Shoes!!!!
Money

Thanks again Angie! You are in the running to receive our "Holiday Hands" prize pack worth $40. Remember guys, get your wish list emailed to us by December 15th at rubyleonne@gmail.com for your chance to win. Winner will be announced December 17th.

~Janelle

Holiday Hands Contest: Julia's Christmas Wish List

  Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

We have another entry to our "Holiday Hands" contest. Julia is from Indiana and a Jane of many trades. Julia is at the helms of Aesthetic Design Style, a company that acts as a liaison between independent fashion designers and retailers. Julia has her own jewelry line called ShaSAM3 and top that off with being an excellent mommy and wife. Julia shares her Christmas wish list with us.

My family's happiness
An angel investor to believe in my business as much as I believe in it and myself (and more :)
Peace on earth - FOR REAL!
And for the fashion mogul I want to become, I would like more Jeffery Campbell in my life - but don't worry my husband won't be upset until he finds all the shoes I hide in the trunk of my car :)

  (Jeffery Campbell's Lita Boot $178 at Urban Outfiters.)

Wishing everyone the best holiday season of all!

Thanks Julia! Remember to email your wish list to rubyleonne@gmail.com by December 15th for a chance to win our "Holiday Hands" gift basket worth $40. The winner will be announced December 17th.

~Janelle

Holiday Hands Contest: Angiee's Christmas List

Season's Greetings everyone! We have another reader to feature in our "Holiday Hands" contest. Angiee is a mommy and a gourmet extraordinaire from Indiana. Angiee is now entered to win our contest worth $40! Here is Angiee's list.

 

What I want for Christmas is:

for things to work out with my new dude (we will cross our fingers for you...wink wink!)

a gift card to Michaels , 

a new otter box cell phone case,

and for my boss (to stop being a royal asshole) to let me work at home soon and to give me my overtime back.

Remember, you have until December 15th email us your Christmas Wish List. Winner will be announced December 17th! Good Luck!

~Janelle 

Holiday Hands Contest: Lyn's Christmas List

Good Merwting to you! Remember that little contest that Ruby is doing? Well, we have our first Christmas Wish List from Lyn. Lyn is a fashion student loving life down in Florida. Thanks Lyn for sending us your list. She is now entered to win our "Holiday Hands" contest; a gift worth $40.

Here's Lyn's Christmas Wish List:

 

I would like a spin around Sephora!

Pink Sugar perfume and hair perfume

Pina Colada body powder

Demeter spray

Mac gloss

Mac loose eye powder

Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf

Clinque Happy

oh yeah...peace on earth.

 

Remember, get your Christmas Wish List emailed to us no later than December 15th to be entered in the drawing.  Drawing will be held on December 17th. Good Luck!

~Janelle

 

 

Thanksgiving Weekend PLUS Size Deals

I'm a big bargain shopper. Black Friday is my dream. I love running through the stores, snatching hard to find deals and occasionally trampling over people. I can remember when my sister was seven months preggers, running people over with her belly and cart, yelling and screaming for people to move. But there are times Internet shopping is more satisfying than charging the streets in a Braveheart like fashion. Here are a few sales so far this weekend circulating the Internet.

Sealed With A Kiss Designs is giving away their "Pink Turkey" discount of 50% off your purchase. You must register for your pass. You can use this discount from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. HURRY, passes are given until they run out.

Lane Bryant left a message on my voice mail a few minutes ago promoting their "BOGO" sale that starts tomorrow through Monday. The sale excludes Spanx.

Torrid is starting their sale early by offering its BOGO sale on jeans, shoes and jewelry.

I will post more as I learn of more deals. 

~Janelle

She Did the Monster Mash: Halloween Suggestions

Do you let your creative juices flow when planning your Halloween costume? 

I like to use resources I have on hand when it comes to Halloween planning; from clothes to make-up.  Sometimes you have to use what you've got. There are some overpriced costumes out there.  I remember the plastic costumes that ripped and destroyed by the time you finished trick or treating. My kids enjoy dressing up for Halloween, but mommy tries to use her creativity. My challenge this year is a witch and Spiderman costume for the kids this year. (or whatever they change their mind to again)

I love theme parties because you get to see people get CREATIVE!  Having a theme party really sets the mood and environment. The choices you use for location, food and drink are important too. I would like to suggest a few themes and a website for food.

1.       Decades – You pick one decade you want to promote and decorate according to the decade. Check the Internet for options. Look on eBay for hard to find but inexpensive pieces to set the mood.

 (80's Party at Janelle's House, Halloween 2009)

(Janelle and her sister. Pretty In Pink meets Janice from the Muppet Show, Halloween 2009)

2.       Movies - Pick a movie that everyone is familiar with and dress in those characters.

3.       Celebrity - We all think we look like someone famous, take these characteristics and have fun with them. Create a game of charades to guess who's who.

4.       Animals- Try makeup and face paint to bring out the animal in you.

5.       Cartoon – We all have our favorite characters from childhood, choose a character that reminds you of your inner child.

(Wilma and Pebbles, Halloween 2009)

6.       Box- Creating a costume from a box might be tricky, but it gives the party something to talk about.

There are tons of food ideas you can find online. Websites like Kraft and Allrecipes, explore Halloween food options in depth. Check them out!

-Takia

(All pictures taken by Janelle Cissell from last year's Halloween soiree)