Sabbatical

Hello my loves. I have been so busy lately making some lifestyle changes. I have been working my tushy off at the gym and more importantly reading up on the human body and nutrient. So with great regret, I am going to announce a sabbatical from Kiss Me Koko. I am really sad to do this, but in all honesty, I need to concentrate on fitting in a size 10. So Kiss Me Koko will be back with a new attitude, a new body and a new ME on April 21st! Make sure to start reading up on my healthy adventure on The Big Fat Bet.

New Blog

Hey-ya. Check out my new blog, The Big Fat Bet. Follow me as I continue my weight-loss journey.

peace.love.mimi.

Documentaries rule my life

I go through phases of obsessions. These obsessions are usually educational obsessions such as: reading as many books from the library as possible, learning how to knit, crochet and loom, photography, learning polish, playing the ukulele, sewing, thrifting, learning everything about the Freemasons, and now documentary/ reality shows. Please keep in mind these are my obsessions from the last year.

Matt and I have always shared a love for documentaries especially the ones on PBS, but now that we have Netflix, I have taken it to a new level. There is another person in this world that I know understands this and has even taken it to a higher level of intensity, yes, you Miss Taylor. I get a weekly phone call saying, "Mimi, you really have to watch this documentary, it is sooooo messed up. You need to watch it now!" And of course, I do with out any hesitation! Carla suggests documentaries that make you literally say to yourself, "Oh no they didn't."

Here is a great example that has been haunting me all day, 51 Birch Street.

A son documents his parents, during filming his mother dies. His father remarries his former secretary 3 months later. OH YES HE DID!

51 Birch Street was a reality I didn't want to realize. It was sad. It was real. It was raw. I kept saying to myself, "please god, don't ever Matt and I become that couple." This is the equivalent of watching Hoarder to clean house. Watching this makes you want to clean up your marriage. So hey Carla, thanks for the awesome recommendation, as always, it was such a wonderful cheerful delight!

Here are some other amazing documentaries I have watched in the last year:

The Cove.
The savage murder of dolphins. It is a total tearjerker. Period.



Dear Zachary.
A documentary about a man who is murdered. It starts off by being a tribute to his life and as the documentary is filmed the trial unfolds. Everyone must see this.


The Fall of Fujimori.
My family is Peruvian, and I had no idea about our history. You want to love and hate Fujimori while watching this.


The King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters.
A man's quest to be world champion of Donkey Kong. It is kinda sexy, not gonna lie.


Babies.
This was my favorite of all the documentaries I have watched. I can watch it over and over and over again. Yes, I have baby fever.

Oh! I will post of a new blog on the holiday progress at home. So excited... it like a mother-friggin-winter-wonderland at my house.

peace.love.mimi.

The Kiss List . Volume 2

Hello my lovely readers. Today I bring you, seriously the second hottest geek I have ever seen (Matt being the first, of course!). He literally has the perfect balance of awesomeness and geekiness. His name is Richard Ayode and he stars in one of my new favorite shows, The IT Crowd. He is British, he has amazing square glasses and he makes me giggle when I watch his show.

So, Mr. Ayode, I don't know where, I don't know when, buy our lips shall meet.

peace.love.mimi.

My Crib

Feeling good today. Matt and I got up extra early to search for a couch. We never planned on staying in Vegas for more the 2 years, but 3 1/2 years later, here we still are. Since we thought this was a transitional stop for us, we never really invested in furniture. We are the first to accept lovely hand-me-downs from friends. Or never pass a sweet deal at the local thrift store. I am not too ashamed to admit that I have rummaged my neighbor trash for some of my chairs and frames. I think all in all for not spending too much money on our stuff, we did pretty good! So here is a little tour de casa Banasik. Enjoy!

Spray painted canvases to make the room more boyish.
Vintage milk vase and thrifted pink vase.
Night stands are compliments of the Taylor's.

My new old hand-made rocking chair.
Vintage hats.
And my super sweet $5 table.

My Chinatown blue star paper lanterns ($2 each).
Metal table from Ross ($15) with vintage table cloth.
I got the birdcage also from Ross and decorated it with pretty bead garlands.

This painting has been with me for years and I still love it!
Matt's prized possession, his tv.

Matt's first present to me, my Audrey print.
Target book shelf. Need another for the rest of our books!

My painting "the holy trinity".
Our lovely coffee table given to use by Danny and Eva!

Rufus welcomes you as you enter.

I have really talented friends. Danny's painting of Eva and Moses.

$2 table cloth from Savers.

Pretty dining room.
I don't dig they table very much,
but we never even use this room!

I know there is lots of room for improvements, but so far, I think we did ok. What does your home say about you? I would also love to see what your inspirations are! Email me.

peace.love.mimi.

Gonna Drop Kick the Holidays in the Face with Awesomeness!

I am really and truly excited about the holidays this year. My polish brother-from-another-motha and sista-from-another-mista are joining us in Vegas this year! This is going to be my first Banasik Christmas since Matt and I have been together. So Christmas, get ready because I am going to kick you in the face with creativity and hand-made goodness! Here are some of the inspirational pieces I am really looking forward to making with my own little fingers.

Beautiful lighted wreath

Pink tree... yes, please. What would Matt think?

I love love love this lighted canvas

Pretty garland

Glittery cookie cutter

Doily snow flake garland

Felt pom pom garland

Homemade wrapping paper

Red, white and turquoise beading. My Christmas colors.

Paper scraps on canvas equals awesomeness.

Can't wait to get started on my projects. What is your favorite DIY Christmas craft?

peace.love.mimi.

Rachel-Sarah Inspiration

So, I finally found a way to MacGyver my images off of my camera. Very exciting because some real jems have been stuck on there, and no way of getting on my computer since I lost the stupid chord. Anyways, gonna start this weeks blog with some amazing interior design inspiration from my cousins girlfriends apartment in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Nick and Rachel-Sarah live next door to each other, which is the exact ideal set up I have told Matt about many many times. I mean you get your own space, but still close enough to hang out when you want!

So little Miss Rachel-Sarah has decorated her apartment in the most eco-friendly manner, using found materials in such a creative way! Enjoy.

The perfect set up, neighboors.

Sweet record player. So much better then an i-home.

A fun "Quotes" board.

Beautiful antique Singer Sewing Machine.
You can find beautiful treasures like this through Virginia

This was my favorite idea in her apartment.
She used old books and maps and glued them to the wall. It was really beautiful.

A mobile made of newspaper and fabric.
A great way to bring some funk into a plain room.

Me and Nick on the front porch.

Eco-friendly and stylish, loves it! Have a beautiful day!

peace.love.mimi.

Adventures of a Cheap Foodie

So, as some of you know, I love me some food. Ever since having my surgery, I find myself more in love with food. Since my intake is limited, I like to eat only the "essence" of food, making every bite count. Also, as some of you know, Matt is the worlds cheapest man. So we don't go out to eat as much as I would like. Every time we go to a nice restaurant and I find myself thinking I have just had heaven in my mouth, I take out my handy phone or pad of paper and write down the ingredients. Going through the notes of my phone make me smile and remind me of the lovely memories with Matt and our culinary adventures.

I have decided to really make an effort to be better in the kitchen. I have recently tried my hand at baking, making soup, salads, meats, etc. and mostly...... FAILED. So, why in the world would I ever think that I could handle making our favorite of most favorite meals, Pho?

Well, lets just say, at least it looked good.

Matt literally said, "it's interesting"

However, I did make some really legit lumpias. Actually, they were darn good. We wrapped them in lettuce, mint, basil and carrots soaked in vinegar. They were yummy. One out of two is not bad at all.

Here are some awesome pictures of me eating and drinking.. lol. Salud!

peace.love.mimi.

The Kiss List . Volume 1

I would like to introduce The Kiss List, which is pretty much a list of guys I would love to make out with at some point before I kick the bucket. Yes, I know, I am married, but can't a girl dream?

So, as I type this, the sweetest of all sweet voices is now singing to me and that voice belongs to the first member of The Kiss List, Mr. Glen Hansard. He is an Irish singer, songwriter, actor, Oscar winner. He is sooooo unbearably cute, has an amazing accent and oozes talent. Pretty much the future Mr. Mimi Banasik (well at least in my fantasies).

So thank you Mr. Hansard for being born, and I really look forward to locking lips with you one day, Matteuz says he doesn't mind!

peace.love.mimi.

Get out...

This song haunts me. Please leave and evacuate my brain. Thanks!

Princess Mimi

Anyone who knows me, knows that randomness is a part of my being. It's not something that I do on purpose, it just happens. My closet is the epitome of randomness, when, people look through my closet, reactions usually are, "wow this is random" or "why do you have a wolf howling at the moon t-shirt".

The other night, I was getting ready for Halloween with my Vegas party partner-in- crime, Rachelle and we were listening to some Andrew Bird, when all of a sudden, The Lonely Goatherd, from the sound of music started blasting. Rachelle started cracking up asking, what was on my play list, I just sang out loud and thought it felt right to rock out to some Julie Andrews. Randomness is necessary in making life exciting.

So this year, as everyone else dressed as Sexy or Slutty _____ , I decided to be a princess. Yes, a princess, and it so happen that I had a full princess dress sitting in my closet. I made it last year and never got a chance to wear it. It is my favorite dress. It sparkles, it is so puffy it was hard to get in the car, it flutters when I walk or twirl with my sweet dance moves. I really have never felt so pretty in my life, not even on my wedding day.

So thank you randomness, for always making my life exciting, and for making me think that making a pretty princess dress is a good idea. Can't wait to see what the next act of randomness will be.

Rachelle was an awesome Zombie Bride a la Ali McGraw 60's dress.

peace. love.mimi.