I want to be a Prima Donna, Donna, Donna...

Well, someday, anyway :)

Since I have been such a bad blogger lately, I don't remember if I even wrote about getting the role of the "First Lay Sister (Una Conversa)" in Florida Grand Opera's 69th Season production of Puccini's Suor Angelica. Sure, it's not a huge role... but it's definitely a start, and I am VERY greatful for the opportunity :) God is blessing me!

After a few weeks of many rehearsals, we finally opened on Saturday, November 14th. When I arrived at my dressing area, I found this small token from Bob Heuer, the General Director of the Company...Needless to say, it made my day :) It was a great Opening Night, in my opinion... but I didn't have much time to celebrate because the next morning, bright and early, Mr. R and I were headed to NYC for an audition... I had been granted an Audition with Santa Fe Opera's Summer Program, and it was taking place on Monday, the 16th.

That night, we didn't even get a wink of sleep... especially after having electrical problems at our house, which delayed our packing... but still, we finished up all of our packing, got dressed and headed to the airport at around 3:45 in the morning... I was so lucky to have the Hubs come along with me, and we definitely took advantage and turned the trip into a little mini-vacation...

We stayed with a friend of mine named Raymond, who lives in Brooklyn with his Girlfriend Liz. We went to lunch at Brooklyn Flipsters, which is a delicious Diner, and had a burger and some wings... Then, they took us to this famous bakery, Cake Man Raven, home of the "The Harlem Cake Man" and his Souther Red-Velvet Cake... walking into the bakery, this is what we saw...

An OCEAN of Red-Velvet CAKE!!! And not only did it look good... it tasted AWESOME!! Just check out our faces....

Afterwards, we were literally running on fumes, and definitely needed a nap... so we headed back to the apartment, and rested a bit... we also stayed in the rest of the night, since the next day would start early for me, with warm-ups, hair, makeup, etc... so we ordered some awesome Sushi from "Ten". Actually, we ended up ordering take-out from 3 different places... Ten, another Asian place, and a Peruvian place... Gotta love New York. :)

After my audition, we headed over the Shetler Studios to hear Raymond's lesson, and grab some lunch... but on the way in the taxi, I was able to snap a photo of Central Park, with it's beautiful changing leaves :) Definitely one of the most beautiful times of year in NYC!

While at Shetler Studios, after Raymond's lesson, deciding where to have lunch... a big bald guy walks by us with 2 girls... one of them turned out to be Ashley Simpson, who was there to rehearse for her upcoming debut in the Broadway Musical "Chicago".

We decided on this Pizza Place called "John's Pizzeria"... but don't let the name fool you, it is nothing like the regular NYC Pizzerias you've been to or heard of... this place doesn't sell by the slice, but their pizza's are AWESOME!!! If you are from Miami and have ever had Andiamo Pizza (on Biscayne, next to Soyka), it's very similar... it was awesome! And their sicilian wings were great too :)

Even though we had planned to visit NYC during Valentine's Weekend for our Anniversary, and see Avenue Q then... we couldn't resist the temptation to see it while we were there... especially since it looks like we may have to reschedule our trip, due to an audition I have scheduled for the 15th of February in Sarasota... So we visited the TKTS booth in Time Square and purchased our tickets 40% off for that evening to see the show...

We sat in the theater, at New World Stages, in our 4th Row Seats and waited for the show to begin...

I honestly have to say that the show was FANTASTIC!!! We loved every minute of it, and I am so glad we went to see it. We especially liked these characters I didn't know about called the "Bad Idea Bears". If you ever have a chance to see this show... DEFINITELY check it out :) But remember, don't bring your little brother/sister, cousins, nephews/nieces, etc... It's an Adult Oriented Show, with Full Puppet Nudity ;)

And as if all of this was enough... it looks like I'll be back in NYC on Sunday the 6th thru the 7th for another audition with Crested Butte's Music Festival... I can't wait!!!

Happy Blogging!

I know... I'm such a bad blogger :( But I have a CUPCAKE update :)

I can explain why I have been MIA for so long... things have been a major whirlwind for me lately... but I plan on doing my best to update you on everything that has been going on lately :)

I have definitely been busy baking up a storm in my Lil' Kitchen... and I have a few photos of my creations, starting with the Halloween Cupcakes that were commissioned by Janet, my Mom's friend, and my Un-Official Wedding Planner :) She wanted cupcakes for her Class (she is a 4th Grade Teacher) for their Halloween Celebration on October 28th. Since I was using the Duncan Hine's Boxes for the Batter, I let her know that each box only makes 24, and she needed about 28... so I asked her if there was anyone else she wanted to share with to that I can make 2 boxes instead of one, so there would be enough for her class and another class. Well, 2 boxes turned into 3, and I found myself making 68 cupcakes (yes, I know 3 boxes would've made more, but the chocolate ones made less that 24 since I poured more in each cup)!

I wanted to make something relatively easy and cute... I thought of spiderwebs, and then my Mother suggested spider rings as the actual spiders. This is what I ended up with...

And this is what one box of them looks like, with green and orange frosting too :)

I can safely say that after piping 68 spider webs on these cup-cakes, my hand was killing me!!!!

Apparently, regardless of the pains in my hand, the next day I was inspired to try out a recipe for Buttercream from Scratch...

It turned out AWESOME!!! Definitely had that home-made taste, and was smooth and even... so of course, I just had to make some cupcakes to go with it... and what a better time to try out my new mini's pan from Crate & Barrel than with some Orange cupcakes from scratch :)

They were a hit at rehearsal :) The ladies of Suor Angelica loved them!!!!

Since then, I have also tried out a Pumpkin Cupcake recipe with the same Buttercream frosting which was also a hit :) Sorry no photos of that one, but I will try to take some of the next batch I make... I would like to make some for Thanksgiving :)

Next up, a few more updates...

Happy Blogging!

My latest <3 Cupcake Creation <3

I decided to make some cupcakes for our Suor Angelica rehearsal today. It's been a hectic weekend with Pagliacci rehearsal yesterday and Suor Angelica today... so I thought my colleagues would appreciate a little "pick-me-up". I put together some chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting, topped with a white chocolate "heart".

Needless to say... they were a hit :)

Here are some of my past creations (from most recent on)...

80's Themed Cupcakes for the Haitian Diva's 30th Birthday...(http://thehaitiandiva.blogspot.com/)

My first attempt at "swirling"

Tinted Buttercream on Classic White.

Wall-E Themed Cupcakes for Alex's Birthday...

Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting, Yellow Sugar Crystals and Edible Wall-E Decorations

The result of a fun cupcake decorating party with friends :)

Chocolate Cupcakes with every decoration under the sun!

"Christmas in August" Cupcake Tree

Vanilla with Cream Cheese frosting, fondant, M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids, etc...

More "Christmas in August" Cupcakes

Some Chocolate, some Vanilla, Green and Red Sugar Crystals, Fondant Stars, Cream Cheese and Buttercream Frostings

Ocean Themed cupcake tree :)

Chocolate and Buttercream with "Sea Life" Decorations

Happy Blogging :)

If you think you've got me figured out... you're wrong!

Strangers always got some mess to spread
But I have learned to flick them off
Can't walk a mile in my YSL's
I strap 'em on and I walk it off

Got 'em sayin', "I can't believe she did it" "No she didn't"
My wild factor's got 'em crazy (Crazy)
Got 'em sayin', "Yeah, she did it but I can't believe it"
Never say ya can't believe, ha ha...

Even if they try
They still can't walk a mile in these shoes
They couldn't even lace them up right
Honey, these pumps are too big to fill
10 million men can't walk a mile in these shoes

My strut's so fierce
Steven's got 'em mad at me
Laugh and talk behind my back
But they'll never get the best of me
I see 'em, doin' my dance
And I hear 'em, singin' my song
I'm surpassed in the rest
'Cause that's how I was raised to do it.

I'm walkin' tall
I don't let their hatred test me
They bite the dust
Head above water they still can't breathe
My feet pound the ground
As I stomp it out
I dare you
To walk a mile in my shoes

Made famous by Jennifer Lopez

If I could only be so lucky...

Over the past few months, I have become a total and complete cupcake MANIAC!!!!! I love baking and decorating cupcakes for all sorts of events... Mostly, I like to bake them and give them away ;) With that said, I have also made it a point to subscribe to as many Cupcake and Baking Blogs as possible... As I was browsing my Blog Reading List, I noticed that one of the blogs is having a giveaway... the most spectacular giveaway EVER!!!!

A Tiffany & Co. Cupcake Charm and Chain... ::le sigh::

Oh, if I could ever BE so lucky to win this! I never win ANYTHING!!! It's just too gorgeous for words...

Click on the link for more details, and of course, check out CakeSpy :)

http://partycupcakeideas.com/tiffany-giveaway-cupcake-charm-and-sterling-silver-necklace/

Happy Blogging!!!!! :)

Anniversary/Valentine's Plans are in the works!!!

Mr. R and I have been throwing around ideas to celebrate our Anniversary/Valentines and even his Birthday (which is February 24th). I think we have finally decided what we want to do... A weekend in NYC!!!

As of now, we are planning to leave on February 12th, and return the 15th (Friday to Monday). We will have plenty of time to go sightseeing, have a Romantic Dinner, and absorb NYC in all it's awesomeness... We also want to see the Musical Avenue Q, which recently went off Broadway...

We can't wait!! This is SUPER exciting!!! Of course for our REAL Anniversary, we will stay home, sip champagne and eat the top tier of our Wedding Cake... but 3 weeks later, the celebrating will be in FULL SWING!! I love my Husband :) He's the GREATEST!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!! :)

My first BIG order :)

My cupcake addiction began slowly... baking a few here, and a few there, mostly for things at home, or maybe to take to a friends house... and then, all of a sudden... BOOM! I became obsessed. There is no other word for it. Really.

I made some for a "Christmas in August" Party, and a couple of friends' birthday parties... and now, finally I have my first BIG order... 72 cupcakes! Yeah... that's a whole bunch of cupcakes. And of course, they are for Halloween. The person who has commisioned me for this is my Mom's good friend, Janet, also known as my un-official Wedding Planner ;) She wants cupcakes for her 4th grade class for Thursday the 29th, and of course her sister and my Mom in Kindergarten want some too... Here are some of my inspirations for this job...

Wish me luck!! I'll let you all know how it turns out ;)

Happy Blogging... ;)

Party and Weekend Update :)

Hello everyone! Well, it was a busy weekend, to say the least, but a great one. We had AWESOME weather here in South Florida... and I think the word "AWESOME" is an understatement for how great the weather really was... but that's another story ;)


Sunday was our Nephew's Baptism, followed by a luncheon at my In-Laws. We had a great time! It was a beautiful day, and everything turned out beautifully! I missed the actual Baptism due to a rehearsal conflict. I was given a small role in the Opera "Suor Angelica" with Florida Grand Opera, and am required to attend several rehearsals, some even during the day on week days. But, I am actually getting paid a salary vs. hourly now, so I don't mind! :)

As you might already know, on Friday the Hubby and I hosted a "Movie Premier Night" to showcase our Wedding Film (recap of film in earlier post). We invited many, and many attended. Let's just say our little house was "busting at the seams"... but we had an AWESOME time! The decorations really brought the house to life, along with all our very lively friends and family who attended. Here are some photos... All the logos, Custom Popcorn bags, and door signs were designed by me. Enjoy! :)

The Red Carpet for my A-List Friends & Family

VIP Entrance

Custom Popcorn Bags

"Rock Star" Wall, complete with Custom Logos

Movie Time!

Live performances, thanks to "RockBand"

Awards for the "A-Listers"

Been busy, planning away :)

I know I've been a bit "lost" lately... but it's only because I've had a very BUSY week. Tonight, we are hosting a Hollywood Themed party in our home for the viewing of our Wedding Film. It is sure to be a start studded event ;) I hope to post pictures sometime this weekend.

On Sunday, we also have my Nephew's Baptism, followed by a luncheon at my In-Law's.

I guess you can say we have a pretty fun-filled and busy weekend :) See you soon with pictures from tonight's event ;)

Happy Blogging!

The Jewel Song

Ah! je ris de me voir, Marguerite's aria from Faust

Ah! je ris de me voir (Ah, I laugh to see myself)
si belle en ce miroir, (so beautiful in this mirror,)
Ah! je ris de me voir (Ah, I laugh to see myself)
si belle en ce miroir, (so beautiful in this mirror,)
Est-ce toi, Marguerite, est-ce toi? (Is it you, Marguerite, it is you?)
Réponds-moi, réponds-moi, (Answer me, answer me,)
Réponds, réponds, réponds vite! (Respond, respond, respond quickly!)
Non! Non! ce n’est plus toi! (No No! it’s no longer you!)
Non...non, ce n’est plus ton visage; (No...no, it’s no longer your face;)
C’est la fille d’un roi; (It’s the daughter of a king,)
Ce n’est plus toi, (It’s no longer you, etc.)
Qu’on salut au passage! (One must bow to her as she passes!)
Ah s’il était ici! (Ah if only he were here!)
S’il me voyait ainsi! (If he should see me thus)
Comme une demoiselle (Like a lady)
Il me trouverait belle, Ah! (He would find me so beautiful, Ah!)
Comme une demoiselle, (Like a lady,)
Il me trouverait belle! (He would find me beautiful!)
Achevons la métamorphose, (Lets complete the metamorphosis,)
Il me tarde encor d’essayer (I am late yet in trying on)
Le bracelet it le collier! (The bracelet and the necklace!)
Dieu! c’est comme une main, (God! it’s like a hand)
Qui sur mon bras se pose! ah! ah! (Which is placed on my arm! Ah, ah!)

When I grow up...

...be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it ;)

<3 Our Wedding Film Recap <3

Melissa & Adrian's Recap from David Acuna on Vimeo.

Hello :)

Our weekend was nothing short of interesting... if you read my previous post, you already know that this weekend went to the dogs. ;) Poor little Max tried really hard, and finally "tied" on Sunday. He was a first timer, and had a little trouble getting where he needed to go, but we assisted him, and he finally DID IT! :) Hopefully in about 60 days we will see the fruits of his efforts...

Yesterday, I did not work. I stayed home and began cleaning up the disaster that remained after a very hectic weekend (Max is mostly an outside Dog, and decided he would mark his territory all over our house... I nicknamed him "Swiffer WetJet"). After cleaning up for the most of the day, I went off to Teach 3 lessons... my last lesson of the day was for an 8th grader named Audrey who is very talented, and a very hard worker. Honestly, for a 13 year-old, her work ethic astounds me. :)

Today, I am working... as I will be Thursday and Friday... but this week is that much sweeter because... OUR WEDDING VIDEO IS READY!!!! I can't wait to see it... and of course, soon, I will be able to share something I've had in the works for some time. ;)

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far...

Happy Blogging :)

We've got ourselves a "stud" ;)

So for the past few months, Mr. R and I have talked about breeding our
Miniature Pinscher,

Madison

Isn't she just precious? :)

We finally decided that when she went into her next heat, we would breed her for the last time. She had 2 puppies about 4 years ago, but Mr. R wasn't in the picture at that time... and also, this time, we want to keep 1 female.

That heat came 11 days ago, and today is the day. I will be picking up her "stud" this afternoon when I get out of work at our friend's house. Ironically, this "friend" is an ex of mine, but he happens to be the cousin of my friend who introduced me to my Hubby. Yea I know, a bit "complicated". I know what you're thinking... how awkward is that? But actually, I must report that it isn't wierd at all... we even traveled to Disney together once with him and his ex-girlfriend.

So anyway, I am going to go pick up Max, and bring him home to Madison so they can PD (Puppy Dance) all weekend. This is going to be hilarious! Let's hope for a successful weekend, and for a happy and healthy 2 months for our Shushu :)

Happy Blogging!

Last Night's Lobster...

So last night, I decided to go ahead and cook the 2 lobster tails that my hubby was given by the guy that works with him. I was going to cook them traditionally, but I realized that one was A LOT smaller than the other, which is when I decided to rip all the meat out, and toss it with some pasta. I bought some barilla plus spaghetti (too bad they don't make it in fetuccini style), some creamy alfredy sauce and a little crab (I just had to...).

I took each lobster tail, and emptied it out onto the cutting board, cut it up into chunks, and set it all aside. In a deep skillet, I combined olive oil, salt and pepper (from the mills) and some parsely. I tossed in the lobster at medium heat, and let it simmer for a few. Then, I added the crab, which was already cut up. I added a bit more salt, pepper and parsely, and covered it, occasionaly stirring. Meanwhile, I had the pasta boiling simultaneously. When the pasta was ready, I drained it, and added the sauce directly to the spaghetti. At that point, it was time to eat... I served the pasta on the plate, and then scooped some of the cooked lobster and crab on top.

It was delicious. We INHALED it. Mr. R couldn't stop saying how good it was! This is why I have no pretty pictures to show. Sorry. Next time I make it, I'll try and snap a few ;)

Happy Blogging! :)