happy new year!

So long 2011!

This year has brought many things to my life.

Confusion.

Struggle.

Heartache.

Pain.

Joy.

Laughter.

Happiness.

Love.

Growth.

Strength.

It's been a great year

And I feel so incredibly blessed...

To be alive, healthy, and happy

and to be surrounded by the best people I know.

I'm excited to see what the new year will bring.

Happy New Year!

A must-watch video by Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Too cute!!

fashion forward friday

I'm a few hours late of posting this, but I just got home from my 4th Annual Secret Santa party with my closest friends. We cooked, we drank, we laughed, the kiddies played...definitely good times! It was also a reminder how old we're getting. We were all ready to go home by 10:30! 

Some pretty things...

Now doesn't this make you wanna roller skate again?!

{All images courtesy of Pinterest}

future doctor in the house?

It's been a whole week since I've been sick. To make matters worse, my sickness has spread to my boyfriend and son. Our house smells like Vicks, Theraflu, soup and orange juice. Fun stuff!


I just started my new job this week as well so on top of being sick, I've had zero time to clean and organize our little home. It's driving my neat-freak mind crazy! 


The other day, my son and I were sitting in bed watching some videos. I started coughing. 


Dylan: Mommy, are you sick?
Me: Yes, baby. Mommy is very sick.
Dylan: Let me see! 
(proceeds to open my mouth and takes a peek inside)
Dylan: Yup, you're sick!


Guess I don't need to see my regular doctor, huh? We should probably get him this:

wordless wednesday

merry christmas!

Well, it's the last few minutes of Christmas and as always I had a wonderful holiday this year. My family has always celebrated on Christmas Eve so Christmas day is usually a laid-back day. For me, it was super laid-back since I'm a little under the weather and have been in bed all day trying to get some rest. Dylan got a lot of great gifts this year and with his birthday a week before Christmas, we're a little overloaded on the toys! 

Merry Christmas from Dylan!

fashion forward friday

It's official! I'm heading back to the working world! After nine months of being a stay-at-home mom, I've made the decision to start working again. Our dream and biggest goal right now is to buy a house so going back to work is the best idea for our family. I've enjoyed and loved every minute at home with my son and I'm going to miss being with him all day, but in the end this decision was for him. He's been asking for his own room and a backyard!

Since I've been home for the last nine months, I've drifted away from "dressing up" and my work clothes have collected some dust in my closet. So I went searching for some cute work outfit ideas...

{All images courtesy of Pinterest}

wordless wednesday

{first time making garlic noodles!}

back on the grind.

I haven't blogged in almost a week. Things have been so busy with the holidays, my son's birthday, and some other great things that have been happening with me. 


We threw Dylan a birthday party at Pump It Up, which was so much fun! Even the adults had a great time. It was definitely a stress-free party and I was able to enjoy it without having to worry about the little details. A photographer friend of ours was awesome enough to take pictures for us so I will be sharing them as soon as I get to see them. In the meantime, here are some taken with my lovely iPhone from the day of his birthday and the day of the party.

He woke up to some balloons on the bed!

San Francisco's Union Square Christmas Tree! He loved it.

Dylan and his yummy birthday brownie!

Before all the fun started!! More photos soon to come...

word{less} wednesday

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

You are missed and loved every day...

I wish you and Dylan could have met.

I talk about you all the time to him...

And I show him your pictures.

I wish every day that you could still be here...

But I know you're watching over us.

Helping us feel safe.

Keeping us strong. 

I love you, Daddy!

dear dylan...

Dear Dylan,


I've learned the greatest lessons being your mommy.


You've taught me patience.
You've taught me unconditional love.
You've taught me to relax and to let the little things go. 
You've taught me to stop and enjoy my surroundings, the simple things.
You've taught me what it's like to love someone more than life itself.
You've taught me what life is really all about.

I've learned that time really does go by so fast. Too fast.
And that I need to cherish every moment.
I need to listen to every cackle of your laugh.
I need to wipe every single tear.
I need to hug and kiss you 100 times a day.
I need to watch you sleep and listen to you snore.
I need to take a mental picture of your face every second.
I need to carry you as much as I can before you're almost as tall as me.
I need to stare into your big beautiful eyes.
I need to remember these moments.
Because one of these days, you won't be a little boy anymore. 

You've grown into such a wonderfully loving boy who melts my heart every day. You amaze me with every breath, smile, and laugh.


My life has changed forever because of you. And it continues to change and grow beautifully as every year passes by...just like you.

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!

{birthday celebration pictures soon to come!}

2011 holiday giveaway linky hop

Welcome to the 2011 Holiday Giveaway Linky Hop

We would love for you to leave your direct giveaway link and then feel free to check out and enter the awesome giveaways on these brilliant blogs. There will be a new 2011 Holiday Giveaway Linky Hop code each Monday morning for the next 5 weeks. Come on by to see all the new products, enter some fantastic giveaways and most of all win some fabulous gifts for the holidays!

These are the rules:

1. Follow your epic hosts, The Epic Adventures of a Modern Mom, A Mommy's Lifestyle and The Chic Report
2. Leave a link to your giveaway(s)
3. Please spread the word! The more people who link up, the more entries your giveaways will get. Tweet it, post it on Facebook, put the button on your blog and spread the word!

Alright friends, let's hop!!!

Monday November 14th

On the 1st week of the holiday hop our true blog luvs gave to us...

Monday November 21st

On the 2nd week of the holiday hop our true blog luvs gave to us...

Monday November 28th

On the 3rd week of the holiday hop our true blog luvs gave to us...

Monday December 5th

On the 4th week of the holiday hop our true blog luvs gave to us...

Monday December 12th

On the 5th week of the holiday hop our true blog luvs gave to us...

fashion forward friday

Currently loving: All things sparkly.

Now if only I had a fun party to go to so I could get my hands on one of these.

Maybe I should make some big New Year's Eve plans.
In the meantime, I'll just marvel at these beautiful pieces.

{all images courtesy of Pinterest}

wordless wednesday

{happy holidays!!}