Merry Christmas from ours to yours!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, love and magical moments. The girls are growing up right before our eyes. Courtney is home for the holidays and we couldn't be happier. May this festive season bring you warmth, laughter and happiness. Outfit details: My blazer dress - Size XXS (the quality is amazing!) | Madelyn's dress.

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Merry Christmas from ours to yours!

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all had a fun Halloween! I know the timing isn't great but I still want to share my costume this year. The kids want nothing to do with family costume anymore but I still enjoy making my own (see my past costume here). This year I decided to be a red pepper! Took me 2 weekends but I love how it turned out. I won the costume contest at work =) I won 2 years ago being a burrito. I was in serious rush so I didn't take step-by-step photos but if you want to make it next year, below are rough instructions:

Material:

• 2 yards red faux leather (for the body)
• 2 yards green felt (for the leaves)
• 1 yard green felt (for the stem)
• A ponytail beanie
• 10" pool noodle
• 2 yards white lining
• Poly-fil batting
• Heavy duty thread for hand sewing

Instructions:

• Draw the shape of the pepper on construction paper
• Cut the lining, the batting and the leather to the same shape
• Lay on it to determine where the arm/leg holes should go
• Cut out the arm/leg holes. Arm holes are on the front and leg holes are on the back
• Sew 8 layers together (as pictured below). I had to hand stitch everything since the layers are too thick to go through the sewing machine. This is the most time-consuming part of the project
• For the green leaves, cut 2 pieces of green felt as pictured, sew them together and stuff with batting
• For the stem, I wrapped the pool noodle with green felt, put it through the pony tail hole, then sewed them together
• For the very top part of the stem, I filled it with batting, bent the top part and sewed it to the stem to keep it in place. I then wrapped the beanie with green felt
• Honestly, I was just figuring things out as I go. Since I hand stitched everything, it was easy to fix errors.

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Happy Halloween!

Our Christmas Day

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Mine was chaotic but wonderful. Hubby is back to the office today. The girls are still sleeping. I am enjoying some quiet time with my Starbucks Caramel Brûlé Latte at the moment. It's been so nice not having to get up for an early 8:30 meeting. I am savouring the last few days of 2021. Wanted to do a recap of our Christmas Day. This year, it was just by parents and my brother's family. We did lunch instead of dinner because my brother and his family flew out to California for a quick getaway on Christmas Day. As always, we had Asian food (hot pot) and traditional holiday dishes (rack of pork and green beans casserole). Everything was delicious. The kids had so much fun opening their gifts. After my brother left for California, a friend stopped by. We had hot pot again, watched a basketball game and chilled for the rest of the evening. It was relaxing, uneventful and just what I needed. I shared what I got for my family here, you can check it out if interested. My brother and I got my Mom an iPad Pro. Hers is super old. It was time to upgrade. My brother and I also shared the cost and got my Dad a new laptop. Again, his is super old and slow. He's been helping out with stuff for church so he would need a decent working laptop. This year, we focused on what they really need instead of a bunch of things that they don't necessarily need like clothes and cosmetics items. My brother got my SIL a really cute Saint Laurent bag

As for my presents, I am definitely spoiled this year. I got a new Chanel bag!!! This was such a big moment for me as I haven't purchased a Chanel bag since 2016. The bag definitely deserves its own post. I'll go into details in a later post. Madelyn gave me a painting. It was so sweet. She painted one for me and one for hubby. We will treasure these paintings forever. Courtney got me a new jar of the Tatcha water cream. We were in the bathroom getting ready for church. I was putting on the moisturizer. I told Courtney that this jar lasted me a whole year. I am running out of this so we can run to Sephora tomorrow if she wanted. She said "I'll get you a new jar for Christmas, Mom" It was so sweet of her. She is working and making $$ but $70 is still a lot for a 16 year old to spend on one gift. My in-laws gave hubby and I some cash to spend =) Hubby upgraded my phone to an iPhone 13. He also got me a small gift which I will share in a later post.

All in all, Christmas was magical. My family makes me feel loved and special everyday, not just during the holiday season. Those feelings cannot be bought and I will forever be grateful for them.

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Our Christmas Day

Happy Holidays

Last Friday was my last working day of 2021! I am on PTO for the rest of the year. Hubby and I are working around the clock this year so I am very excited to have some downtime. I plan to do lots of holiday activites with the kids, go see Christmas movies, catch up with my girlfriends, do some last-minute shopping and lots of baking. I wore this outfit to church last weekend to celebrate Christmas and I loved it. I don't typically wear things this loud but it's the festive season so why not have fun with fashion? If I don't see you again this week, wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Outfit details: Vici bodysuit | HM skirt | Chanel WOC | VCA necklace and earrings

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Happy Holidays

Happy Easter

I hope you had a great Easter weekend with your friends and family! My family came over earlier today and we had an egg hunt in our backyard for the kids. They had so much fun. Can't remember the last time I hugged my parents but life is slowly, but surely, returning to normal and I couldn't be happier. I made prime rib and it turned out absolutely perfect. As a seafood lover, these 4 trays full of yummy goodness made so very happy =) I pulled out this very old dress from my closet and thought it was perfect for the occasion (got it from Chicwish 6 years ago). I still wear it and love it. Have a great week ahead, everyone! 

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Happy Easter

Happy Lunar New Year

Happy year of the Ox! We celebrated Lunar New Year early since my husband and I are taking the girls on a family trip for the upcoming long weekend. I got my traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) just in time for the new year. The dress is absolutely stunning in person and the measurements were spot on. I love the design and the beautiful patterns. I feel like wearing a piece of art. I opted for a non-traditional neckline to show off my necklace. Shopping online for the perfect áo dài is not an easy task. The owner was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is responsive and attentive. This dress is made from a stretchy silk fabric. It feels cool to the touch, flows well and is very comfortable to wear. If you're in the market for a traditional Vietnamese dress, check out the shop here. Their dresses come in different colors, materials, patterns, and designs. I highly recommend and will come back next year for sure. I cooked some of my favorite Lunar New Year foods and shared with my family. A dear friend has gifted me 2 sweet gourd. I used one to make red sticky rice (xôi gấc). I gave the other one to my Mom. This kind of exotic fruit is next to impossible to find in Ohio. I also made some sticky rice and banana cakes. They turned out super delicious. If you're celebrating Lunar New Year, I wish you good health and lasting prosperity. Outfit details: Vietnamese dress | VCA earrings | VCA necklace

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Happy Lunar New Year

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Christmas has always been a big deal in our family. I love spending the holidays with my family and close friends. Our Christmas lunch/dinner typically consists of multiple courses that would last us the entire day. We then spend Christmas Day eating, opening gifts and chilling in our Christmas PJs. With that being said, I couldn't bare the thought of not spending Christmas with my family. We decided that 10 of us are going to get tested for COVID (including the kids). We got the test results back yesterday and thankfully, all 10 of us tested negative. I fully understand that testing negative isn't a guarantee. However, we are all working from home, not seeing anyone outside of our family and taking all necessary precautions to keep us safe. We feel comfortable spending Christmas with our parents. I am cooking up a storm today. We'll have a traditional Christmas meal as well as some amazing Vietnamese dishes. The kids are looking forward to see their grandparents and the uncle's family. I made this Bûche de Noël cake for the first time ever! I had to redo a few steps but it turned out better than I expected. My love for baking definitely grew during quarantine. Even though it's been a very strange year, may your heart and home be filled with all of the joys. Before signing off for the next couple of days, our family wishes you and your family the very best this holiday season.

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Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

Thanksgiving 2020

Even though it's been a really hard year for everyone, I know I have a lot to be thankful for. So incredibly grateful for our jobs, my parents' health and most importantly, my supportive and loving family. To be safe, everyone in our family agreed to get tested before Thanksgiving. We got the test results back on Wednesday and thankfully, everyone tested negative. We went to my parents' for lunch and this is what I wore. It's festive yet comfortable for a big lunch =) This dress is 25% right now for Black Friday. I made a traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of prime rib, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes and cinnamon buns for dessert. Everything turned out so good! I wore the same dress later in the day to take pictures for our annual Christmas card. I shared a list of 15 hot deals for Black Friday this morning. In this post, I've rounded up a comprehensive list of the best sales happening right now if you're interested. Outfit details: Aura dress *25% off right now- size XS* | Valentino shoes | Celine sunglasses dupe

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Thanksgiving 2020

Holiday bar cart

I can't believe Thanksgiving is only 10 days away. I am very grateful that we are adapting well to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I am looking forward to some holiday downtime with the family. I busted out my Christmas decorations last week because there are no rules in 2020 =) Even though I limit all social interactions, I do plan to celebrate the holidays with my immediate family. In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, I wanted to share with you a really cool online wine club. Winc is a California-based winery. I am a creature of habit when it comes to food. I generally know what I like and what I don't like. When I find something I like I stick with it. Winc uses a Palate Profile quiz to help deliver expertly tailored wine recommendations. I took the Palate Profile quiz and Winc paired me with primarily red wines. This is pretty in line with my preferences anyway. My first box includes 2 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 bottles of Merlot and a bottle of red wine. I am no wine expert so I can't go much into precise details of the wine but I do enjoy a glass of wine when I have company over. Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures. I haven't tried any of them yet (saving them a special occasion). Can't wait to crack these bottles on Thanksgiving. Bar cart details: Garland | Flocked Christmas trees | Bar tool set | Cocktail Codex book | Ice bucket | Christmas wreath | Cocktail shaker | Wines c/o Winc

A few things to note: 

• Membership: On the 16th of every month, you'll be charged $59.95 and receive credits to buy four bottles of wine
• Shipping: $9 for orders of 3 bottles and free for any order larger than that 
• Any unused credits can be rolled over. You can always skip a month 
• You don't have to go with their recommendations. Winc provides the details of each bottle (tasting notes, ratings and sweetness levels) so you can make your own decisions

I hope you find this post helpful. If you have a favorite red wine, please leave me a recommendation below.

{Those puppy eyes!!!}

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Holiday bar cart

Happy Halloween!

I can't believe Halloween is just a few days away. Where did 2020 go? If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know I love to make my own costume. This year with everything going on, I decided to take it easy. I did decorate our front porch and pumpkin carving with the kids. However, I did not make my own costume this year. I wanted a skeleton onesie to match with my dog since my kids don't want to match with me anymore =) Found this onesie on Amazon and the quality is amazing. It's not one of those cheap costumes that you can only wear one time. It definitely costs more than what I wanted to spend on a costume but I am happy with it. I couldn't find anything that is big enough for Finn on Amazon but thankfully, I found what I wanted on Etsy. I got him a size 5XL and it fits him perfectly. Madelyn is going to be a tiger and Courtney is going to be a cow. I guess we are into animals this year =) Hope everyone have a safe and happy Halloween! Front porch details: 3D bats decoration | Skeleton | Hanging ghost | Giant spider web | Stretch cobwebs | Scarecrow | Straw bales

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Happy Halloween!

Easter baskets for kids

Hope you're doing well. I am putting together the girls' Easter baskets today so I thought I'd share just in case you need some last-minute ideas. Easter will be different this year. No church services and no egg hunts =( My family will be over for brunch but that's all. I hope these baskets will put a smile on their faces this Easter. If Easter has snuck up on you and you haven't prepared, go to Target.com, purchase the items and select curbside pickup. Target also offers same day delivery via Shipt on a large selection of Easter items.

For Madelyn, I got her some games, books and candies. I also purchased this dress and these sneakers for her. You won't be able to get them on time for Easter but I wanted to share just in case you have a little one at home.
Easter basket *Same day delivery*
Try not to laugh book *Amazon Prime*
Bunny cotton candy *Amazon Prime*
Smack it card game *Amazon Prime*
Filled Easter eggs *Amazon Prime*
Egg decoration kit *Same day delivery*
Pearl headbands *Amazon Prime*
Denim dress
Nike sneakers

For my teenage daughter, I let her pick out some new clothes. I also got her the Nintendo Switch console (along with the Animal Crossing game). Both were on her wishlist for awhile. This definitely helps reduce boredom while being stuck at home for months. Easter might be different this year but it can still be great. Stay healthy, stay safe and stay home, everyone!
Petite black jeans
Petite leopard dress
Petite black denim skirt
Petite high-rise Mom jeans
New paint brushes *Amazon Prime*
Hair towel wrap *Amazon Prime - the quality is amazing!*
Nintendo Switch Lite *available for curbside pickup*
Animal Crossing game *available for curbside pickup*

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Easter baskets for kids

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Today is not just for couples. It's about celebrating love for family, friends and self. The kids had no school today. I left a few small gifts outside of their bedroom before going to work and of course, the puppy got a few treats too =) My husband stopped by my office and hand-delivered these beautiful roses. He always goes the extra mile to make me feel special. I truly appreciate the thought. I wish your day is filled with love and happiness. 

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Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Lunar New Year!

Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate it. I am looking forward to my Mom's delicious food this weekend. I have always wanted my own traditional dress (the one I wore last year was actually my sister in law's). The Vietnamese community is very small in Ohio so it's next to impossible to find someone who can make áo dài. I am always apprehensive about ordering a customer dress online. One day I decided to look on Etsy and see what they have. Much to my surprise, there are quite a few options. Prices are actually affordable. After spending some time browsing, I ordered this dress. For $60, it's not a big deal if it isn't going to work out. I am so thrilled to report that it fits perfectly! The owner was very accommodating. She altered a few things for me without any additional charge. Red is my favorite color and I love the pearl detailing on the collar. This dress is perfect for Tết. I am excited to finally have my own áo dài. If you're looking for one, I highly recommend you give this Etsy shop a try. They ship quickly and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Also, wanted to share a closeup photo of these gorgeous this year's lucky envelopes from Cartier =)

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Happy Lunar New Year!

Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you all had a joyful, relaxing holiday with your loved ones! My in-laws are in town celebrating Christmas with us. We had good food, great company and lots of good laughs. My prime rib came out perfect! Our little puppy made this year even more special. Having time to spend with my family during Christmas is something I am always grateful for. We are always so busy, and Christmas allows us to slow down and be together. I must have been a very good girl this year 'cause Santa treated me well =) Stay tuned for that. I am taking the rest of the year off from work and I am very much looking forward to it. Outfit details: My dress is here, our matching PJs is here.

[My 5-month old puppy is getting so big]

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Christmas 2019

Happy Fourth of July!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July. I am physically exhausted =) Unfortunately, I have to go back to work today but it's a ghost town in the office. Yesterday was so much fun. Started with Red, White and Boom on the 3rd. Since I work downtown now, I have an assigned parking space and it helped tremendously with the parking situation. Did you know Red, White and Boom is the biggest fireworks in the Midwest? There are approximately half a million people participating every year. The kids had a blast. On the Fourth, we invited family and friends over for a cookout. Not going to lie, hosting a large group of people was a lot of work. We decided on crawfish! lol not a surprise at all. Crawfish is in season now and they're so fresh. I'll share the recipe in a later post if you're interested. We grilled, we ate, we chatted, we laughed and we ended the night making s'mores by the fire. Hubby and I stayed up until 1:00 a.m to clean up but we wouldn't trade it for anything. It feels so good to be surrounded by down to earth, amazing people that we're lucky to call friends and family.

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Happy Fourth of July!

What I got my Mom for Mother's Day

Sharing what I got my Mom for Mother's Day just in case you're interested. She's been looking for a crossbody bag for quite some time. She has a few totes but sometimes, they're too big for the occasion. I did a bit of research and decided to get this Rebecca Minkoff Edie bag for her. I don't own any Rebecca Minkoff bags but I have to say I am impressed with the quality of the bag. The leather is durable yet soft at the same time. It's very reminiscent of the Saint Laurent Loulou bag for a fraction of the cost. What I love most about this bag is the color. It literally goes with everything. The hardware is incredibly well made and shiny. Sorry, I wanted to keep all the original packaging (full details here). I gave the bag to my Mom this past weekend (since I will be out of town on Mother's Day) and she's very happy about it. I highly recommend this bag if you're looking for an everyday bag

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What I got my Mom for Mother's Day

Easter Basket Ideas For Kids

I just put together 2 Easter baskets for the girls so I thought I'd share them just in case you're still looking for ideas. I got everything from Target and Amazon. Love those places! I got Madelyn this dress to wear to church on Easter. She'll look darling in it. A few fun things like this nail set, these heart sunglasses and the story of the Easter bunny book. Since she doesn't eat chocolate, I got her these M&M's white chocolate marshmallow and this Dylan's candy marshmallow pop

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Easter Basket Ideas For Kids

Merry Christmas 2018!

Hope your Christmas is filled with joy, laughter and wonderful moments with your loved ones. I had an amazing time celebrating Christmas with both sets of our parents. We spent the day catching up with my in-laws, eating amazing food and being surrounded by people I love most. Christmas is always big in our household and this year was no exception. I made prime rib for the first time and it was the bomb =) Grandparents definitely spoiled the kids. I've said this many times in the past but I feel a need to reiterate – My life may not be perfect but I know I am very blessed.

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Merry Christmas 2018!

How I Spent 48 Hours In Vegas

Since I am taking a break from work, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity for a quick getaway. I talked to one of my close friends (who lives in the Bay Area) and we decided to meet up in Vegas. Even though the trip was short, we had a blast. Thank you to my husband for taking care of the kids so that I could getaway for a couple of days. I thought I'd put together my itinerary just in case you're looking for ideas. I landed late on Thursday, checked in and went straight to bed =) Outfit details: Express sweater dress | Stuart Weitzman boots | Le Specs sunglasses | Leopard sweater *the quality is amazing* | Gucci bag 

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How I Spent 48 Hours In Vegas

A Fall Tradition :: The Circleville Pumpkin Show

Last Friday, we headed to the Circleville Pumpkin Show for a fun-filled day with the girls and friends. It's one of our annual Fall traditions. Even though we've been here many times before, it's something we look forward to when October rolls around. My husband lived in Circleville for a few years while attending the Ohio University. This little town has a special place in his heart. The event attracts over 400,000 visitors every year. The kids enjoyed the rides, we enjoyed catching up with friends and of course, everyone enjoyed pumpkin-flavored everything =). There are still many Fall activities that I want to do with the girls. Work has been so busy lately that I feel like we're running out of time. Hoping for great weather this weekend so we can visit a pumpkin patch and our favorite apple orchard at the same time. Outfit details: J.Crew plaid trench | Topshop jeans | Louis Vuitton backpack | Free People sunglasses

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A Fall Tradition :: The Circleville Pumpkin Show