It's my birthday!!!!

Ah, on November 21, 1983 a cute bundle of joy came into the world- Ronalda was here! ^_^

So I am 31 years old today. Sigh, can't believe it. Like really, I don't feel 31 at all. I still feel like I'm 22 but with the maturity & some life experiences of a 31 year old. 

I don't feel like I look 31 either. I feel great about myself and more confident than ever. It's funny the things that as you get older you accept about your looks and yourself that other people make fun of or tease you about, or you yourself feel badly about.  I love the person I am, how I look and know that each day I get better!

So for my birthday I took the week off from work. I usually take my birthday off, if I can. If I do nothing else, as long as I am not at work, I would have had a great birthday. 

Talk a good reason to eat cake, huh? I actually am making my own birthday cake this year. My final Designer Cake class was on November 16 and I did my final cake in class. I put it in the fridge until today. I was in NYC since Sunday and cam back yesterday. 

My mother came down with me so she is here for my birthday. I went to the beach to have some delicious fish and went to visit my grandmother's grave. Seeing my grandma was a birthday tradition. This is my 2nd one without her, she is sorely missed. She was my happy place and my world. 

 Here's to another one. I'm proud of my age and announcing it. I feel grateful to have made it this far as so many others have not. My thing is as long as I don't look nor feel my age, I'll shout it from the rooftops. 

Xoxo
Ronz

Aye aye sailor

I absolutely love this jacket. It's very nautical inspired. There are anchors on the buttons too, which I thought was such a cute detail. 

There are tiny pink stripes in the jacket also for a little girly touch. Pinstripes are quite classic and literally break up the colours in an outfit. 

Jacket- Forever 21 (US$13.99, sale)
Skirt- old
Shoes- Nine West (US$40, TJ Maxx)

Xoxo
Ronz

A tribe called....Resort Chic

I just realized I have other posts with tribal print clothes in them (here, here & here). I didn't realize I had that much of the print in my wardrobe, Funny how things happen like that. 

I had worn this ensemble coming home from a staff overnight trip at Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Iberostar is a very lovely and big hotel. The food and staff was very good.

I was channeling my resort look. 

Top- Rainbow (US$7, sale)
Pants - Rainbow (US10, sale)
Slippers- Unisa (Mommy's)

Xoxo
Ronz

Workout look

I like to work out at home. I don't like any one seeing me or watching me. I used to go to a gym for a year and couldn't afford to sign up for another year and started exercising at home.

 I follow free weekly schedule & videos from Tone It Up. I also use some dvds I have sometimes for cardio. I never really cared what I wore to work out and would wear very drab clothes. In watching the instructors for a couple weeks I wanted nice, bright & cute workout clothes like what they would wear. They have such infectious positive attitudes which really helps with keeping motivated. 

I also started to exercise with my full length mirror in front of me, leaning against my chest of drawers. I like watching myself, it's funny. I also get to see my form- how well I am doing a move. 

Top- Forever 21 (US$5, sale)
Leggings - Danice (US$5)
Sneakers- Champion (US$25, sale)

Xoxo
Ronz

~* Island Frugalista*~ find: Ebates

If you follow my blog, you would know that I'm all for saving more and maximizing money actually spent. 

My friend Kim actually told me about this website. I had seen the ads on TV but didn't actually sign up until she told me she had used it herself. Funny thing about referrals, they can be more effective than advertisements that companies spend so much money on. It is very important to have a happy customer as they are THE best ad. 

You get cash back at any of 1,700 stores any time you start your shopping trip at Ebates.com. There are no points to redeem, no forms to mail in, and no fees.

I've used the site myself. I don't do a lot of shopping from some of the stores featured and sometimes I actually forget to go through Ebates.com- literally money wasted. It felt great thought to get a check, albeit a very small one, for purchasing a tablet for my sister last year.

Here's how it works & some tips:

•  You log on to www.ebates.com and sign up for a free account. 
• When you want to purchase something online, go to www.ebates.com, search for the store you are going to buy from and select it. It will take you to the store but it will note that you went to the store through Ebates and if you would be eligible for cash back
• Ensure however that you check what exactly at that particular store the cash back offer is on. Sometimes it's specific items or departments that the cash back is offered on. The criteria also changes from time to time so make sure to check- the % cash back & also the items/departments
• If you make a purchase and forgot to go through www.ebates.com you can contact them to send them your receipt. Do this as quickly as possible.
• You can sign up to get email notifications to stay on top of the offers and changes
• You can also earn money from referrals (the Tell-A-Friend tab)

Xoxo

Ronz

Fuchsia & white

I couldn't decide which one of these pictures to post so I'm posting both. ^_^

I love these shoes, they are from my favourite brand Nine West. It had a splash of orange in it as well as pink & purple. I usually have to start the outfit with the shoes first, as this shoe doesn't exactly go with everything. I just love this fuchsia cardigan & the white eyelet cotton dress. 

Cardigan- Gap (US$13, sale)
Dress- Old Navy (Mommy's)
Shoes- Nine West (US$40, Marshall's)

 Xoxo
Ronz

Pajama party

Pants that look like pajamas are all the rage now.

I love wearing pants. I was a tomboy growing up and my father also raised me and my sister like boys. He didn't want us in dresses, shorts, skirts and thin strapped tops.

I was so happy when I found this one in my size. It's hard to find my size in stores as my hips are quite broad. So when this one fit, I rejoiced - score!

I had worn this outfit when I went on Weekend Smile on TVJ to show viewers how to make cake pops as owner of Heybabycakes Cupcakes. See the interview here. The theme of the morning show on that day was Lazy Days. I demonstrated how to make cake pops the easier way. 

I loved the way the lady did my makeup. She said I didn't need much makeup as I didn't wear any. Teehee. I don't like wearing much makeup on a day to day basis. I'll wear mascara and lip gloss; but I saw the value of how much she had put on as I was going on TV. While watching back the interview it didn't look like I had on as much makeup as I felt I had on. TV makeup is definitely different from every day makeup. 

Top- Rainbow (US$5)
Pants - Danice (US$12.99)

Xoxo
Ronz

Checkered Flag

As a follower of my blog, you know I love to wear black and white. If it ain't broke right?

 I also don't like to wear red with the pairing as everyone does that and I love to be different. ^_^ I added this sweater to add some colour & brightness to my ensemble. 

I've had a post wearing similar colours (New York Taxi). Same colours, different look. 

Dress- Rainbow (from Mommy)
Cardigan- Gap (US$10, sale)
Shoes- Jessica Simpson (US$40, Zappos.com)

Xoxo
Ronz

~** HAPPY NOVEMBER **~

It's November. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why the excitement? I was born in this lovely month.

Last year for my birthday I went to Dubai (see post here). This year won't be as exciting as that but I will be grateful to make it to another year. I'm going to be 31.

Women especially don't like to say their age but I feel it's a privilege to be as old as I am. There are so many people that don't make it to 31. I am grateful indeed. 

My birthday plans are to hang with my mom, dogs and friends. My friends and I will probably do Restaurant Week as we normally do, before the actual day.  I'll be in NYC for a bit but will be home in Jamaica for the day. My mother should also be here visiting. 

Xoxo
Ronz