Tough Day

Today has been a tough day. It started with tons of work at the office, followed by rushing in between hours- all. day. long. But the worst came when my daughter got sick near the end of the day. :(  Boy does it feel bad to see your kids in pain.

So she's in bed now, finally sleeping. I just hope she can get good rest.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Last night was the Twelfth Night of Christmas (remember the 12 Days of Christmas?).

Adoration of the Magi, by Jan de Bray

This was a very special night. Children around here go early to bed, for the Three Wise Men visit their homes and leave them presents. So today was an exciting morning for most kids!!!!

The Christmas Season around here isn't over until the day after the 12th Day of Christmas. That is January 6th. In most Latin countries, this day is called the Day of the Three Wise Men, and it's a big holiday. In some places, Santa doesn't leave presents, it's these three men who do so. That's how important it is.

In my hometown, children do get their presents on Christmas Day. However, my family is quite fortunate, because our children receive presents on both days. Oooooh, very special.

Baby Jesus brings toys on Christmas and the Three Wise Men bring clothes today. That's why Chrismas isn't really over until today. We can't get the tree down earlier. Where would the Magi leave the stuff?

My girl was very excited.

The celebrations continue until later at night, for we celebrate with a bread ring, the famous Wise Men Ring (or Rosca de Reyes), and hot chocolate. And this is a tradition all Mexican families celebrate.

Yum!

The whole tradition is this:

Families and friends gather together to "cut the ring". Each person takes turns cutting their own piece of ring, for there's a surprise hidden in it.

A tiny plastic or china doll is hidden in the bread!!!

The person who gets the doll, gives everyone tamales a month later, on February 2nd, Groundhog Day.

Tsk. Look at my brother almost eating the doll! :D

So today was a very fun day. We started early with my daughter opening up her presents, and then it was "ring cutting" all day long. This tradition is fun, because some rings have many dolls, others have only one or two. Some people make a twist out of the tradition, and give something to the person who gets the doll. The best thing is, you can do several "ring cuttings"; bakers start making the ring a couple of days early, so there are cuttings at work, with friends, with families. Very delicious. And very joyful.

Now off to get the Christmas decorations down- like most of you have by now.

Did you have fun over the holidays?

Simple and Sweet Girl Headbands Tutorial

My 8-year-old daughter loves headbands. They're cool, stylish, easy to wear, and easy to make. Wait! Did I just say easy to make? Yup, that's right. They are very easy to make, even for an 8-year-old. People, get your glue guns ready, for this is a fun DIY project for both little and not-so-little girls, perfect for a nice afternoon with your daughter.

Supplies:

Acrylic headband

(available at craft supply stores)

Ribbon (1/2 yard) or

a piece of fabric (1/2 yard width)

Hot glue

Flower shapes

(available at craft supply stores)

How-to

Most people like to use ribbons to wrap headbands. That's ok, but you can also use beautiful fabric in different patterns, such as the flower pattern I used for this tutorial. This gives you more possiblities to work with. If you'd like to use a piece of fabric (like me), cut 1 inch from the piece of fabric (just make sure it's 1/2 yard long), like this:

{ Don't worry if it's not perfectly straight ;) }

Step 1: Wrap headband with fabric or ribbon.

Step 2: Secure ends with glue.

Step 3: Glue flower shapes to headband.

Enjoy!

{ tip: you can even make the shapes out of 2mm craft foam }

As you see, the basic instructions on how to make a stylish headband are quite simple. You can play with colors, textures, patterns and shapes to make the headband work with any outfit you may wish.

My daughter and I made another headband for you to see how different it can turn out:

I know! It looks so different, and yet, it's the same wrapping-with-ribbon technique. In this case we didn't use premade shapes. We made them out of two circles of black felt with these beautiful flower and leaf beads.

So there you have it. I hope this tutorial inspires you to make your own creations. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to share the fabulous results with me!

P.S. This tutorial was previously featured at Craftaholics Anonymous.

Sharing with Kimba at DIY Day

Kim at Today's Creative Blog

Ellen Honingstock

One more eye candy for the week, check this gorgeous Chelsea Loft by Ellen Honingstock.

Enjoy!

Best of 2009

Happy New Year, friends!!!

I'm so excited to be starting off a new year. 2010.

Amazing, huh?

I hope y'all had a wonderful time last night, and wish you the best in 2010.

I'm starting this new year by doing a tiny little recap on last year, for those new to Casa Haus or those who would like to walk with me down Memory Lane.

2009 was an excellent year for us. We had just gotten married in August 2008, so 2009 meant settling down and arranging our little house to make it feel like home. As I started looking through the internet for inspiration, I bumped into the bloggosphere, and man, did that change me (for good, I hope). I suddenly realized I wasn't the only crazy woman thinking about her home and her decoration 24/7. That felt amazing!!!! I actually got to know more people like me, and so I let my obsession loose. House-aholic. Design-aholic. Yay!

However, that wasn't enough, so in early November I decided to start my own blog, the good ol' little Casa Haus. A place meant for you to find good design, inspiration, home decor, and a journal for my adventures making our house our home while doing everything else (you know, work, exercise, housekeeping, kid, you name it). I couln't have started off in a busier time of year, so blogging, my friends, has become one truly wonderful journey.

So, best of 2009.

Since I started blogging in November, my projects so far have revolved around the holidays. I begun by introducing you to our Halloween home.

Those decorations were so fun and easy to make. We loved them!

I showed you the beautiful twirly scarves I had made for the chilly weather. And of course, I posted on the lovely heart too.

Then Christmas time came fast.

I made a pine cone wreath, and got really excited when Centsational Girl featured it.

I made easy snowflake ornaments for our tree.

And a bunch of other last minute decorations.

In the end, our Christmas House looked cute!

And of course, there was time for easy and yummy recipes, too.

The tasty hot punch (in a cappuccino cup).

And the refreshing red wine punch.

And of course, there was time to feature some great interior design inspirations and eye candy.

What an excellent year!

What were your best experiences 2009 left you? What are your expectations for 2010?

Do share!

sharing with Melissa for Best of 2009
and Rhoda at Southern Hospitality.