Playing Dress-Up with the Oliveras Familia

When you have little girls who love playing dress-up and performing, it’s only natural that you have one (or more) dress up boxes. And while many little girls outgrow the dress-up stage, in our house, most of us never did.

That’s why, if you venture into our attic at home, you’ll find not one, but two boxes filled with costumes my girls and I have worn throughout the years. I’ve been known to window shop in a second-hand store only hold up and item and exclaim, “This would be great for a costume!” Then promptly add it to our growing collection.

When it’s Halloween, I’m slipping into a costume to hand out Trick or Treat candy, head to a costume party, or brighten the atmosphere at the day job.

When it’s Oscars night, our house is typically teaming with friends and familia who’ve joined us in costume—with extra points for those who come dressed as a character from a film nominated that year. From animated films to comedies to dramas…we’ve represented the gamut. With the pics to commemorate the good times.

When Grease Live! debuted on TV, my papi joined in my costume shenanigans—me as a Pink Lady, him as a Thunderbird. All-around great guy that Papi is, he didn’t blink an eye when I suggested it. He simply made a quick clothing change while I whipped up some shakes. Mami, not one to miss a beat, jumped into the role of paparazzi for us.

And what’s a Harry Potter book release if you’re not arriving at the book store in character? At least, that’s the thinking in our familia. Sometimes we even convince our friends to go along with our revelry.

As you can see, in our casa, the motto seems to be: the family that dresses up together has the most fun and fabulous memories together! We’ve definitely done our best to live up to it.


Make it a merry Christmas with four stories of the special way the holidays warm our hearts…

A Christmas Homecoming * Fern Michaels

Former Air Force Pararescueman Kevin Matthews is back home in Texas, working at his family’s Christmas tree farm while deciding his next move. Or maybe he won’t move at all, if sparks keep flying with the town’s new surgeon, Kate Stafford . . .

An Unexpected Gift * Kate Pearce

Widower Billy Morgan wishes his grown children still needed him. Good thing his longtime friend, Bella, does. She’s planning her son’s Christmas wedding and Billy is happy to help. Along the way they just might discover their own occasion to celebrate . . .

Christmas In Blue Hollow Falls * Donna Kauffman

Attorney Moira Brogan expects her brother’s Christmas wedding to be a peaceful affair. She doesn’t expect to be cornered by an unwanted lothario, rescued by a gorgeous Aussie chef—or be swept off her feet by said chef. Nursing a broken heart, the last thing she wants is a new romance. But Hudson Walker has other ideas . . .

Holiday Home Run * Priscilla Oliveras

Event planner Julia Louisa Fernandez dreams of a life in Chicago. But her family in Puerto Rico expects her to take over the catering business. Former pro baseball player Ben Thomas knows what that’s like—and when they meet, he might be the one to inspire a winning strategy, just in time for the holidays . . .

An Official Military Spouse Book Club Pick