Monthly Recap (Jan & Feb)

I honestly haven't had time to catch my breath since the beginning of the year. The past couple of months have been a crazy whirlwind. However, I still want to capture/share the moments here so that later, I can look back and reminisce.

Hightlights:

• Madelyn's competition season started the first week of Jan and it's been non-stop. We travel basically every other weekend to her meets. 5 down, 2 more to go. Ohio State meet will be the last one. She's doing amazing. Lots of practice and hard work, long hours at the gym. I am very proud of her wonderful achievement and dedication.
• Celebrated Lunar New Year with our dear friends: Very grateful to have these ladies in my life. They are good people with kind hearts. We hosted at our place. Each family brought a dish to share. It was crazy with 25 people in the house but the kids had fun playing together and the adults had a great time catching up.
• Madelyn's braces are off: After one full year of wearing braces, they're finally off! What a big difference. She still has to go through another round of braces in a few years to correct her overbite.
• Courtney's prom dress shopping: She's going to prom this year!! We started looking for dresses a few weeks ago and let me tell you, I was shocked. I had no idea how expensive prom dresses are. Talking about $500 - $1500 for a dress that she only wears for a few hours. Since prom didn't happen for the past 2 years, kids are going crazy this year with prom dress shopping. They grab whatever available. I wanted to stay around $400 but it was difficult. At last, she said yes to the dress (not pictured)! She looks beautiful in it. Sharing a few dresses that she liked but did not get.
• Our annual ski trip: We went on our annual ski trip with friends and had a blast. I got this ski suit right before the trip and wasn't sure what to expect. The suit turned out amazing! I was outside for 8 hours and it kept me warm the entire time. Highly recommend this shop if you're looking for a high quality snow suit. They're taking a break right now due to what's happening in Ukraine =( Similar suits available here.
• Valentine's Day is not something we typically celebrate but I wanted to mention it here because Madelyn made me an amazing gift. I teared up when she gave me a handmade book. It's called "100 reasons why I love you". This is the most precious gift a Mom could ever ask for. It will treasure it for the rest of my life.
• Trip to Boston: Courtney and I took the first mother-daughter trip to Boson

Looking forward to:

• Celebrate my Mom's birthday: My Mom will be 67 this month. We are looking forward to celebrate her
• Our spring break trip: Very much looking forward to our Spring break trip out West. Can't wait to connect with nature in its most majestic forms.
• Our floor remodeling starts next week: It's been a long process working/interviewing different contractors. We finally signed the contract and ordered the material. The contractors will start next week!

{Orange gown *my favorite dress on her but she would never wear an orange dress*}

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Monthly Recap (Jan & Feb)

Monthly Recap :: October

October was a busy but fun month for us. We did so many great things with friends and the kids.

Highlights of the month:

• I went camping for the first time! We went camping with 5 other families and it was so much fun. Honestly, the idea of sleeping in a tent at night did not sound very appealing to me but it turned out enjoyable. The kids played together while the adults catching up. Everyone had a great time and we already planned the next camping trip.

• Our Fall trip to Asheville, NC - You can read more about it here
• Our annual trip to the pumpkin show. They didn't have it last year due to Covid so we were excited to be back this year. We've been going to this festive event for years and we enjoy it every year. It's one of our family traditions. Outfit details: BlankNYC leather jacket | Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 bag

• Halloween: I had an idea of what I wanted to be this year but we seriously couldn't find time to make costumes. The only thing we were able to do was Courtney's angle wings. Took us (mainly my husband) the entire weekend but she loved the way the wings turned out. Madelyn went trick or treating with her friends. They were ghostbusters and Finn was a handsome ghost =)

• I save the best highlight for last - We got tickets to Adele's concert next year! WE ARE GOING TO LONDON NEXT SUMMER TO SEE ADELE! I know it's still a long way away but I can't contain my excitement. Not going to lie, it's going to be a very expensive trip but seeing Adele in person is absolutely worth it. I truly love her voice.

What I am looking forward for in November:

• My Dad's birthday: He's going to be 81 years old! I am so thankful that my parents are healthy and we are excited to celebrate the holidays together. 
• Speaking of thankful, I am looking foward to Thanksgiving. My brother in laws and his girlfriend are coming to visit us for Thanksgiving. We are meeting her for the first time. I am looking to get her a small welcome gift. They're from FL so they are not used to the cold weather. I am thinking about getting her a cashmere scarf but let me know if you have any other ideas. Other than that, I am just looking forward to some downtime in general.

Purchases of the month:

For our anniversary, hubby did upgrade my camera. I used to have a Canon 6D. It has served me well. We traded the 6D and got the 6D Mark II. I am still playing with the settings but so far so good. Another purchase last month was these amazing leather pants (currently on sale). I've been wearing them non-stop (on me here). I bought several dresses for the upcoming holiday parties. I haven't decided which ones I am going to keep yet but I will review them next week just in case you're interested.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Monthly Recap :: October

Monthy Recap (August & September)

It's been a crazy few weeks to say the least. September has always been the busiest month for our family with the madness of back to school, Madelyn's birthday, my birthday and our anniversary. I finally caught a break and wanted to do a little life update today.

We got Courtney a car!!! It's still hard to believe that my first born is now driving. I am bursting with pride and joy, but it’s all also a little bittersweet. I am so proud of this kid. School is going so well for her. She has a part-time job and making a small amount of spending money for herself. She is heavily involved in a lot of active sports and overall, just a happy and well-rounded teenager. College planning is going great as well. Sometimes, I can't help but smile when I look at her. I must have done something right. With the chip shortage, it was quite a challenge to find her a car but we did it. We got her the exact car that she wanted which is a 2022 Honda Civic LX black on black. The kid couldn't be happier. She even got her nails to match her car =)

Last weekend, Madelyn had a slumber party with a few friends to celebrate her 9th birthday. How is she 9 already? Hubby and I entertained 5 girls all weekend long and let me tell you, we were exhausted! They have so much energy (or we're getting old). Madelyn had so much fun celebrating her birthday and that's all that matters.

I mentioned in the beginning of this year that I was planning on getting a touch up on my eyes. It's been 12 years since I had Lasik. I went through a few evaluations and the dr finally gave it a go. I got a PRK touch up on my left eye last Thursday. I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and it's healing nicely. My current vision is 20/50 (which is better than expected). The vision will continue to change for the next 6 months. I am undecided whether I am going to have a touch up on my right eye or not. Right now, I am using my left eye for distance and my right eye for reading. If they have no problem adjusting then I won't mess with my right eye.

Our anniversary was last weekend as well lol I am telling you, September is a crazy month for us. Since I am still recovering from the PRK procedure and Madelyn was having friends over, we kept it pretty low-key. Went out for dinner with a few friends and call it a night =) Hubby did get me something for our anniversary =) Will share soon!

Monthly purchases: Other than the big haul for my birthday, I didn't make any additional purchases (which is great). I am planning to add a few basics to my Fall wardrobe.

Looking forward to:

• I am looking forward to the cooler weather. We are going on a camping trip with 5 other families next weekend and I am so excited. I have never camped before so this should be fun
• We also planned a weekend trip to see Fall foliage in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to beautiful Fall scenery, hiking trails and connecting with nature
• Running is basically non-existent these days. I try to walk at least 2-3 miles a day with Finn but really wanted to get back to running. Happy October everyone! I hope you all enjoy spooky month!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Monthy Recap (August & September)

Monthly Recap (June & July)

Hi ladies! It's been a few weeks since I last posted. First of all, I stayed off social media for a while because my feed was flooded with content from the overhyped Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. You know I love a good sale but the amount of coverage was just overwhelming. I bought absolutely nothing from the sale because I didn't really need anything. I've been home for 17 months (wow, that's crazy to say) and I am still working from home full time. The pieces I purchased last Fall are still sitting my closet untouched. Second of all, work has been extremely busy for both of us. Between a full-time job, transporting the kids to summer camps, horseback riding lessons, tennis practices, tennis matches, Courtney's job and Madelyn's gymnastics practices, I have absolutely no time for anything else. I decided to take a few weeks off social media to focus on other important things. The kids are heading back to school in a couple of weeks so I wanted to take the time and enjoy the last bit of summer with them. With that being said, there is not much to share with you. My life is pretty uneventful for the most part. No summer travel for us. I mentioned in this post that I was thinking about either going to St. Thomas or heading out West but we decided to hold off traveling for awhile. COVID cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands are very high right now and it's just too hot to be out West with young children in August. We are delaying the trip until Spring Break.

{Magma grill, Airhead tube, SOWKT floating pad}

Highlights of the months:

• We go boating pretty much every weekend. My husband installed a BBQ grill on the boat and let me tell you, it takes boating to another level. We typically go boating with a family friend. Kids can play together in the water. The adults can grill, relax and enjoy some perfectly grilled food on the lake. It is so much more fun when it involves food =)
• We also hang out a lot with our amazing group of friends. We barely saw them last summer due to COVID so this summer, we are making up for lost time. We hit amusement parks, went canoeing and lots of backyard BBQs.

{Chambray rompers | Gucci Ace sneaker | Adidas visor}

• Courtney took her very first ACT and her score was a 27 (she's aiming for 32). Compared to all test-takers, she's in the top 25% (not too bad for a first try if I say so myself - especially she's a rising junior). She also passed the AP Biology Exam. I am very proud of her. It wasn’t an easy exam but she did it. She's going to retake the ACT in November. We're in the process of hiring a college consultant to guide her through the next 6 years of school (the last 2 years of high school and the first 4 years as a pre-med student). I will go into more detail about the program in a later post. We had 2 meetings with the consultant so far and it really is an eye-opening experience.

Recent purchases: I bought some new activewear sets and am looking forward to wearing them. I just need to find more time to run. I am very pleased with everything I got. Check them out below if you're interested.

1. Wrap-front sports bra

2. Matching 7/8 leggings
3. Half-zip sweatshirt
4. High-waisted leggings in blue leopard
5. Matching blue leopard sports bra
6. Blue halter tank top
7. Seamless workout set (super cute in person)

8. Braided mules (a great Bottega Veneta dupe)

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Monthly Recap (June & July)

May Recap

Happy Tuesday, everyone! As always, I am fashionably late with my monthly recap post but better late than never, right? For the most part, May was uneventful. I feel like all we did was working, going home, spending time with the kids and back to working. Work has been extremely busy for both of us. I was looking to hire additional resources to help me with some upcoming big projects. I've spent the last 4 weeks interviewing candidates. I finally made an offer to someone yesterday. It'd take a few weeks for the new hire to relocate from Chicago to Columbus, OH but I am excited to grow my team and get started on new projects.

Highlights of the month:

• The school year has officially ended. It's been an incredibly challenging year for everyone but I am so thankful that the kids handled it well (as much as they could). We all had our moments but at the end of the day, our family’s love will get us through anything. Despite all the challenges, Courtney has earned a 4.148 weighted GPA. I couldn’t be prouder!
• Speaking of Courtney, it's still hard to believe Courtney is 16 now. Nothing makes me happier than seeing this girl growing into a wonderful young lady
• Got together with our big group of friends for the first time in nearly a year for Mother’s Day. It was so much fun to catch up with fun and kind-hearted people
• First harvest from my garden! Watering my garden beds has become one of my favorite things to do at the end of the day. It’s so much fun growing my own vegetables. The lettuces taste amazing! Can't wait for more fresh veggies and fruits this summer from my very own garden beds
• Madelyn started taking horse riding lessons. This girl is completely and utterly obsessed with horses. She's saving her allowance to buy her own horse =) Not sure if that's ever going to happen but for now, she's so happy learning how to ride a horse
  
• Courtney will be spending a part of her summer building her community service experiences as it's so important for college admissions. Last month, she volunteered to help refugee children as they adjust to the life in the U.S. So proud of this kid for making a positive impact while getting life experience

Monthly purchases and favorites: I bought quite a few pieces last month and I love them all. 

• GAP jacquard hoodie: On major sale. This is great for those cool summer evenings on the boat
• GAP sleeveless jumpsuit: Super petite-friendly
• GAP high rise paperbag shorts: Read my review here
• GAP sleeveless maxi dress: See it on me here
• Hermes lipstick: Is it worth it? Read my review here
• H&M maxi dress: This dress was from their wildflowers collection. It's absolutely stunning in person. Most pieces are sold out online and in-store but you can find them on eBay if you don't mind a higher price tag
• H&M slides: So comfortable and easy to wear. These braided slides are super on-trend right now. Thanks to Bottega Veneta!
• Scoop dress: Very flattering and affordable. Read my review here
• Super high-rise pull on shorts: These are perfect for lounging. They run extremly small - I sized up 2 sizes to a M

Looking forward to a busy summer:

• Life is almost back to normal. Everyone in our family (including Courtney) has been fully vaccinated. It's nice to be out and about doing what we love. The kids are having a busy summer and I couldn't be more pleased. I want to keep them busy. It's not only good for your their physical health but also their mental health. Courtney is heading to California next week for a weeklong vacation with her older cousins. This is the first time she will be traveling without me. Am I nervous? Yes, absolutely but I trust her making smart choices. I am strict but I am not overprotective. They’re allowed to make mistakes as long as a mistake does not have a risk to their well-being. As they get older, I am hoping that their decision-making skills will improve and they will become more independent. She is also busy with her summer job, summer classes and 2 AP exams. She is also taking the ACT for the first time next month plus more volunteer opportunities. As for Madelyn, she's taking private horse riding lessons twice a week, gymnastics practices between 12-15 hours a week and attending summer camps twice a week.
• I am still working from home through the end of the summer and I am so thankful for that. Even though I miss the social interactions, I have a lot more time to get the girls around to all their activities
• Summer travel: I can't decide whether I want to take a summer vacation this year or not. I want to save money for our big trip to Japan next year (hopefully!) but at the same time, I don't know if I can stay home for the next 3 months =) Travel makes me so happy. I am thinking of either taking a trip out West or heading to St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) for a beach vacation. Not sure what to do yet. 

Monthly miles: I only ran 22 miles that month which was terrible but there is only so many hours in the day to get things done =(

As I write this post every month, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful for everything I have. My posts may be a little sporadic going forward as between work, kids, Finn and social life, I have very little to no time left for this space. Thank you for letting me share and I hope you have a good rest of the month.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

May Recap

March & April Recap

Happy Sunday, everyone! Since I didn't do a recap last month, I am going to combine both months in this post.

Highlights of the months:

• Everyone in my family is fully vaccinated! I feel relieved. Even though I am optimistic about the rest of 2021, this pandemic is nowhere near finished. I am still working from home. No target date for returning to the office yet.
• Courtney got her first job! I know I have raved about this girl many times in the past but I am truly proud of this kid. She is driven, focused, a hard worker and most importantly, she makes good choices. At 15 and half, she starts making her own money and standing on her own two feet. She's working hard everyday to remain a straight A student. She starts looking into her dream colleges. One of the most important goals for me as a parent is to raise independent and confident kids and I think I am getting there.
• Our spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas: You can read more about it here. It was so much fun! We would definitely visit again in the future.
• My raised-garden beds are finally arrived! I sent this picture to a local business and I am so happy that they were able to make them for me. Looking forward to grow my own veggies this summer.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

March & April Recap

February Recap

Can't believe we are almost halfway through March. Days are passing by like a blur to me. There aren't enough hours in the day to get things done. Last month was fun and exciting! I know it's kind of late but I still wanted to share our February tidbits.

Highlights of the month:

• Madelyn did wonderful at her first meet. I know it's not always easy for her to stay focused but she was determined that day and took 2nd place overall. Very proud Mom moment indeed.
• First trip of 2021! We took the girls & one of Courtney's friends on a ski trip to Michigan. They all had a great time. It was a fun weekend full of family memories. They did so well. No one got hurt =) By the end of day 1, they all can make a blue run without any issues. Hubby and I always encourage them to try new things. Hopefully, one day, they’ll gain the confidence they need to branch out on their own. It was really cold though. I had on 4 layers of clothes on the first day but it wasn't enough. On the second day, I piled my Canada Goose jacket on top and oh boy, it made a world of difference. Totally worth the price tag. Similar snow suit here

{Left to right: Connor | Benny | Brina | Walker | Wendy | Belana | Bubba | Drella}

This might sound strange but we spent a couple of weeks in February squishmallow hunting. You are probably wondering what the heck are squishmallows? They are just plush toys. The toy's popularity has exploded on social media in the last year. Some are currently very hard to find and considered rare. These toys are ranging from $4.95 - $29.99 but people are selling them at 10x more than their values. This one is listed for $300 (we got her for $29.99!). All that to say, the kids and I had fun squishmallow hunting (especially when they found a "rare" one). The girls' collection is slowly but surely growing. What you're seeing right here is probably worth about $500 if they decide to sell. Crazy, isn't it?

Hubby and I went out with my brother and his wife to celebrate my brother's birthday, their anniversary and my promotion. It was fun having dinner in one of their igloos, kind of felt like a private dining room

Made a little progress on Madelyn's room. Since we tackle these home projects during our free time, it takes longer to get it done. Hubby and I are extremely busy these days. Wallpaper, all the moulding and speakers are finally up. New storage/cabinets, a chandelier, a desk and curtains will be (hopefully) up this month. As you probably can tell by this picture, she wanted a music themed bedroom. This girl loves music. She can blast music all day if I let her. Hubby had the idea of turning this wall into a stage. He was going to build her a platform but at the end, she decided to forgo the stage so that she can have more room to play. We're fine with it. Will share once it's done.

Last but not least, getting promoted was definitely the highlight of the month for me (you can read more about it here). I am so excited and happy that I have accomplished what I set out to do. 2021 is definitely off to a great start

Monthly purchases and favorites:

• The most exciting purchase last month was my Chanel necklace (exact one here). I love it and can't wait to bust it out soon
• Found this boyfriend blazer on super sale so I couldn't pass up (see it on me)
• I also made a few small purchases mainly for our upcoming spring break trip. 
• No stand-out favorite(s) this month. To be quite honest, I am home and feel like a bum 24/7 but we're beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. I have so many things to look forward to post-pandemic.
  

1. One piece swimsuit *size XS - I own the same suit in a different color*

2. Pink swimsuit *size S* 

3. Twist front swimsuit *size S* 

4. White coverup *size S* 

5. Tiered dress *size XSP - Fit and feel amazing*

6. Boyfriend blazer *size 3XS - run super large*

Monthly miles:

I didn't do so well last month. We had a couple of weeks of extreme cold weather. I only logged 22 miles last month. I am catching up this month though. I've been running almost everyday since the beginning of March. Have a great rest of the month, everyone!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

February Recap

January Recap

The first month of 2021 has come and gone. For the most part, not much has really changed. Now that political madness is somewhat behind us, we are focusing on planning and setting goals for 2021. Having extra time on my hands is probably one of the positive aspects of this pandemic. We are able to sit down and really think about what we want to accomplish this year. As mentioned in this post, we have met with our financial advisor and started the ball rolling.

Highlights of the month:

1. Madelyn is getting ready for her first competition of 2021! I am so thankful that she's still able to maintain her skills during the pandemic. I know there is an increased risk while playing team sports but at the same time, team sports reduce risk of depression in kid. Social interaction does wonders for her well-being. I wouldn't have it any other way. So far, the gym has done a great job keeping everyone safe.

2. Courtney got her temporary permit! I still remember the day she was born and I can't believe she's driving now. If I have to say so myself - She's the most responsible teenager you'll ever find (lol!). She has her bad days but for the most part, she's navigating through this pandemic and eLearning like a champ. I am so so so proud of my first born!

3. My Dad got his first dose of the vaccine. Thank goodness! One step closer to a proper hug. Coming from a close-knit family, I really miss seeing my parents. With the kids having (limited) social interactions with their friends, I don't want to put my parents at risk by seeing them regularly. It's best that we wait until both of them are fully vaccinated. 

4. As mentioned in this post, we are redoing Madelyn's room. It's a slow process since we do everything ourselves. My husband and I spent the entire weekend putting up wallpaper in her room. It turned out so good. Although, I have to say it was a lot harder than anticipated. Can't wait to reveal it to you all =)

5. We took advantage of the upcoming long weekend and booked the first trip of 2021. Our family desperately need a weekend getaway. Everyone is so looking forward to it.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

January Recap

Life lately & my recent purchases

Hope you are all doing well. As we wait to hear the results of the election, I know emotions are running high. No matter the outcome of the 2020 Election, we are all in this together. We must put things in perspective and move forward together with love and understanding. Today, I am sharing some snaps via my iPhone and some of my new purchases for the upcoming Fall/Winter season.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Life lately & my recent purchases

Life lately

Hope you're having a great week so far. Today is my last working day of the week. My family and I are taking a road trip with a friend's family this weekend. Everyone is excited and looking forward to some downtime. Just wanted to share what's happening in our life lately. First of all, I chopped my hair off and I love it. Change is always a good thing. I am ready for Summer.

Speaking of the road trip, I picked up a few affordable pieces for the trip and I love them so much. I thought I'd share them just in case you're interested.

High-rise shorts *size 00* - Only $15
Oversized t-shirt *size XS* - Looks very cute tuck in high-waisted shorts
Paradise muscle tank *size S* - Another cute basic
Hot pink one-piece swimsuit *size XS* - The color is super neon in person which I love
Lisa Marie Fernandez for Target dress *size XS* - The latest designer collaboration is now 30% off including these pretty Love Shack Fancy dresses
One piece swimsuit *size S8 - Only $12
Leopard halter dress *size XS* - Only $18
Button front dress *size XS*
Puff sleeve rompers *on major sale*

Last but not least, our sweet puppy turns 1 today. Time does sure fly. I still remember the day we brought him home. We went to a dog park yesterday. He had a blast swimming in the lake. Then we went home, cleaned up and I baked him a cake. He's such a sweet boy and we love him dearly. Hope you're all having a safe and fun summer so far despite the pandemic.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Life lately

Life updates & what I wore lately

{Similar jumpsuits here | Le Specs sunglasses | Necklace and shoes linked below}

Hope you all are doing well. I've been working from home for a little over 3 months now. Life has been crazy to say the least. This is the longest time I've ever been home (longer than both of my maternity leaves). I've been working since I was 19 so it took me awhile to get used to being home all the time. The first month was really tough and chaotic with both of us working from home while helping the girls with distance learning. On top of that, the dog was extra needy when we are home all day. May was better for sure. We were slowly but surely adjusting to the new normal. For the most part, the kids are following their routines well and I found my WFH groove.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Life updates & what I wore lately

January recap

Happy February, ladies! The first month of 2020 has come and gone. January was an eventful month for us. Here's what happened last month:

Highlights of the month:
1. I mentioned in this post that one of my career goals for 2020 is to set aside time to learn a new skill (or two) to boost my career? Guess who passed the exam to be a Certified Scrum Master? (me!!!). If you're working in an IT firm that uses the Agile software development method, you would agree that a Scrum Master is the key to a team success. I am thrilled to have this certification under my belt. It makes myself more marketable in the job market. One goal is down. A few more to go =)

2. Madelyn's very first competition: She competed for the very first time a few weeks ago and she did amazing. I love this kid. She's full of energy. I hope she will always be a team player and give everything her best shot.
3. Celebrated Lunar New Year with close friends and family: The older I get, the more appreciation I have for these traditional holidays.
4. Tried 2 new restaurants this month: I am a total creature of habit when it comes to food. I can eat the same thing everyday. This year, I am going to make the effort to try new places. We tried 2 new restaurants this month. #1: Kitchen Social: This restaurant just opened less than 3 months ago. However, it's quickly becoming one of the top-rated restaurants in the area. I can see why. The food/service/atmosphere is amazing. We went twice in January and had such a wonderful experience both times. #2: Restoration Hardware rooftop restaurant: Another new restaurant just opened in the area. Being a huge fan of RH furniture, I was looking forward to dine there. It was such a let down. The food is so overpriced. The restaurant is super gorgeous but the food was just meh. I am glad I gave it a try but probably won't come back.

Purchases of the month:
1. Finally purchased this Gucci belt bag using my Christmas $$ from the in-laws =) I will do a review soon (also available here and here)
2. Found a pair of red trousers that I've hunting for years. The best part? They were on major sale right now.

Looking forward to this month:
1. Two birthday celebrations
2. Taking the kids skiing for the first time this season

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

January recap

June Recap :: July Plans

I know I said it a million times but the month just went by so fast! Our highlight of the month was definitely the trip to Aruba. It was incredible! You can read more about it here and here. We're not doing any big trips in July but have a few fun things planned with the kids

Goal of the month: This month I promised my husband that I will learn how to drive the boat. We have the boat for almost a year now and I kept putting it off. Now that it's hot outside, he wants to do all kinds of water sports and would need someone to drive the boat while he's doing so (lol).

Looking forward to:
- We're hosting a BBQ with friends and family tomorrow! We started our backyard landscape last weekend and hope to finish it today
- Planning a camping trip with the kids this month
- Celebrating my nephew's birthday. He'll be 5!

June purchases:
1. Misguided floral dress *a Zimmerman dress dupe - 50% off* - $23.50
2. GymShark leggings - $13.50
3. GymShark crop top - $10.50
4. GymShark tank top - $7.50 - *got all my Gymshark pieces when they were 70% off*
5. H&M one piece swimsuit *fits amazing!* - $12
6. Old Navy maxi dress *size XS Petite* - $30
7. Vineyard vines x Target rompers *on me - $30*
Total spent in June: $127

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

June Recap :: July Plans

May Recap :: June Plans

I can't believe the year is half-way over already. Summer feeling is in full effect. The little one just started summer camp today and she's loving it. Her competitive gymnastics practice also started this week. Looking forward to a busy yet fun-filled summer with the family.

{Our outdoor bar creates the perfect atmosphere for entertaining friends and family}

May recap:

- Finished the 30 day fitness challenge and reached my goal weight
- Had an amazing cookout with friends on Memorial Day weekend
- Took the boat out for the first time this season
- Had an awesome weekend with the family in Chicago
- Unfortunately I didn't have time to put together our summer bucket list but so far, our weekends have been jam-packed with activities.

Looking forward to:
- Celebrating my first born's birthday. She will be 14!!!
- Taking the kids to Aruba for our annual summer vacation. We're all excited! Speaking of Aruba, if you have any suggestions/recommendations in terms of where to eat, what to do in Aruba, let me know. It'll be the first time visiting for all of us.
- Celebrating Father's Day
- Celebrating one of my dear friend's 40th birthday
May purchases:
I bought a few things last month in preparation for our trip: The biggest purchase was this Gucci bag (I talked about it here). Total spent in May: $1985
- Target slides *an Hermes dupe and oh so comfortable. I want them in every color* - $19.99
- Matching swimsuits with the little one *$15.99 and the quality is amazing!*
- Swimsuit cover-up *another amazing Amazon find* - $15.99
- Levi's jeans *I am seriously obsessed with these jeans* - $98
- Old Navy rompers *bought 2 colors - so cute and affordable* - paid only $10 each
- Gucci mini Marmont top handle bag *new newest love* - $1800
- Target shorts *a basic pair of shorts with no rips *I took a size 0* - $15

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

May Recap :: June Plans

April Recap :: May Plans

I can't believe we're almost half way through 2019. Where did the time go? I am really looking forward to warmer weather. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there! It's definitely not always the easiest job but it is the most rewarding. Here is a recap of what happened in April

Our family's highlight of the month: While March was all about Courtney, April was all about Madelyn. She received an invitation from her coach to attend one of their tryouts to join their competitive team. We were hesitant at first because of the heavy time and financial commitment. However, I personally think being in a competitive team will help her develop not only physical strength but also mental strength. Madelyn gave it her best shot and she has chosen to participate in their competitive program. I am so proud of my little girl. There will be 6 competitions throughout the summer. I can't wait to see what she will accomplish

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

April Recap :: May Plans

March Recap :: April Plans

First, I wanted to take a moment to share our family's highlight of the month - Early March, we received a letter from Courtney's school. She has been selected by her teachers to go on an educational trip to Ecuador, South American next summer. How amazing is that? I am so so proud of her. I mentioned in this post that winning the trip to DC was just the beginning. This girl has so much potential. As someone who loves to travel, I am beyond excited for her. This experience will expand her comfort zone, broaden her horizons and most importantly, provide a greater idea of what's really going on in the world she lives in.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

March Recap :: April Plans