movie nights

Movie nights at home are the best. We were able to squeeze in some time to watch a few movies this week. While watching Toy Story 3 again for the THIRD time last night, I got to thinking about my favorite movies...

Serendipity

 Dirty Dancing

My Best Friend's Wedding

 The Wedding Planner

 500 Days Of Summer

What are your favorite movies? :)

i really love my...

H&M cross body bag! 

I was never a fan of the cross body bags before but ever since I became a mom and having both hands free is sort of a requirement these days, they've come in really handy. Not only does this one carry everything I need, but it goes with anything I wear. 


Chinese Laundry wedges

I bought these while I was on a trip to Vegas a few months ago. They weren't on sale, but I just had to get them. Wedges have always been more comfortable for me as opposed to heels. The straps are easy on the feet and I can wear these all day!

a vacation state of mind

I want to go on a vacation. Not like a 2 day trip to Vegas or San Diego, but more like a 3 or 4 day trip to somewhere tropical...


Where I can have some REAL rest and relaxation
Where I can lay on the beach and bask in the sun
Where I can bury my toes in the sand
Where I can play with my son in the ocean
Where I can see the sunset from my hotel window
Where I can drink pina coladas, mai tai's, margaritas, you name it!
Where I can go parasailing and snorkeling
Where I can wear dresses, shorts, and flip flops all day
Where I can wear one of those really big floppy sun hats {ok, not TOO big}
Where I can see the moonlight reflecting on the water
Where I can buy the best chocolate macadamia nuts
Where I can watch beautiful Polynesian dancers


A real vacation, that's what I would love and am hoping will happen. 


*CROSSING FINGERS*


See you soon Hawaii??

seeking inspiration

I was sitting at home today, thinking of something to blog about. When I was younger, I had this passion for writing. After high school it went away for some reason. To this day, I still don't know why. Maybe I got distracted with other things in life, who knows. Now that I have this blog, I feel like my mind is running a million thoughts and ideas a minute and I can't seem to keep up. I try to write my blog ideas in my nifty little notebook, but can I really write a million ideas in there?


So when I finally take the time to sit down and blog, my mind goes blank. With a million ideas in my head, how do I choose just one? I pick one, but then I decide against it because it doesn't go with how I'm feeling today.  I felt like I was writing a term paper and I just stared at my computer screen for what seemed like forever. Desperate to find some inspiration on something to write about, I decided to turn on the TV. 


Ahh, Sex and the City. One of my all-time favorite shows. 


Ironically, the episode is about Carrie Bradshaw and her writer's block for her column. Inspring? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Yet, I quickly forgot about my writing problem and continued to watch a few more episodes... :)

One of my favorite quotes from the show:

“Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.”

a meltdown moment.

Today started out like any other day. My son and I had breakfast, watched a little bit of TV {his Thomas the Train and my CSI} and got ready. Off we go to Target...


It was supposed to be a quick and easy shopping trip. For once, I had one thing on my list: envelopes. Simple, right? Well no, not really. Of course I had to browse in the other departments of the store, which is what I usually do anyway. On the way, I picked up a few more things not on my list- a bottle of Smart Water, a green squishy-looking toy, a pack of stickers to reward Dylan on potty-training, and a super cute short-sleeve button-up top for Dylan. Just my luck that the kids clothing department is right next to the toy department. Whose idea was that?? 


"Mommy, I wanna go toys!"
"No, Dylan."
"Mommy, toys, toys, toys!"
"You have plenty of toys at home. No."


Enter MAJOR MELTDOWN. It was completely unexpected and absolutely annoying. I'd never seen him react this way in public before. His face was wet with tears and snot and not to mention red from the fury that I, his dear mommy, told him no. He doesn't like the word "no", obviously...but this was at an all-time new. I'm usually good at handling these types of situations.


Soft voice.
Keep it cool.
Don't make a big deal. 
Ignore. 


It didn't work. He kept crying and crying and CRYING. People were beginning to stare.


I panicked.
Freaked out.
My stress level went up, up, UP.


So I took him out of the cart, calmed him down, hugged him, and rubbed his back. *Silence* I'm in the clear, right? Nope. After that, he refused to get back in the cart and started crying again. At this point, I'm frustrated and kept thinking in my head, "OMG, I can't believe this is happening." Finally, I got him back in the cart but he was STILL crying {hysterically}. I'm fed up by now so I have no choice but to grab my son and the only thing I came in to buy {the envelopes} and just abandon the cart right there. I found the shortest check-out line and quickly paid for my much-needed envelopes, left the store, and came home. 


Whew, what a day! How was yours? 

before i was a mommy...

I was never an early riser

My weekends consisted of clubbing, high heels, and dresses

I never carried a first-aid kid and baby wipes in my purse

Fashion and celebrity tabloid magazines were my only sources of reading material

I could never find a good reason to take a trip to Disneyland

I would never get excited for a Disney movie to come out

I hated cooking

My patience wasn't nearly as tested as it is now

The only pictures found in my camera were of me and my friends

The only "cleaning up after" I did was for myself

Taking short showers was out of the question

Baby powder wasn't a necessity

Finding time for myself wasn't so hard

I had 8+ hours of sleep
I never used the word "tired" as much
You wouldn't catch me in sweats and no makeup

No one gave me as many hugs and kisses

I never imagined myself playing with toy cars
I never understood why other mommies talked about their kids a lot
Time-outs were only associated with sports
I never had to clean someone else's snotty nose
I didn't know what Yo Gabba Gabba or Caillou was
Kids' birthday parties were never in my weekend schedule

I didn't appreciate my mom as much as I do now

I didn't think I could love someone this much

quench this!

thebeautydepartment.com -

a free day

Today was a really fun day! My sister, my son, and I headed out to Academy of Sciences here in SF. They offer a free day to the public every 3rd Wednesday of the month so we decided to take advantage of it for the first time. The line was longer than a Disneyland ride, but luckily it went quickly and we were in the museum in 30 minutes. We didn't stay the whole day, but we had a blast...definitely something to take advantage of if you're in the area. 

short-cuts

Krazy Everlastin' Real Supah Diva Single Mama: I'm done trying to look ahead.PERIOD.: "I met a guy today who supposedly reads tarot cards and palms. He read mine. He said:I would have 3 kids, It will take 5 men to get to 'the o..."

love & commitment

This past weekend I witnessed one of my best friends marry the love of her life and I couldn't be more happier for her. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've attended and I'm not just saying that because she's my friend. It was the biggest day of her life and I was so honored to be a part of it.


Let me just say that weddings make me cry and I'm sure the same goes for almost everyone. Yes, I shed some tears here and there, but the most beautiful thing about that day was how inspiring the two of them were. They've been together for more than 6 years and have been through their ups and downs. To see them profess their love for each other in front of everyone and to make a lifelong commitment was simply amazing.


The idea of marriage scared me before. I used to think it was all about being in love and having a perfect relationship. After going through a rough patch with my boyfriend last year, I quickly learned that there's more to it than just the lovey-dovey stuff. In my opinion, nothing is perfect when it comes to relationships and marriages. What makes it beautiful is going through the good and the bad and still being able to look at each other at the end of the day and say "I love you!" 


"Love one another and be happy. It's as simple and difficult as that."

Congrats to the happy couple again! 

friday feelings

I woke up this morning feeling...

frustrated.

stressed.

sad.

I have a hard time sleeping these days and I wake up most of the time with my back hurting. 

Maybe I have too much on my mind.

Maybe it's the fact that sleeping with my son in the middle is getting too much.

I feel cramped on the bed and sometimes feel like I can't breathe.

I tried sleeping on the floor to have my own room to move around, but that was even more uncomfortable. 
My son needs his own bed.


I need a pick-me-up...
I need a massage.


I miss my dad.
I wish I could call him up like I do with my mom and just talk.
I wish I could hug him and not let go. 
He always made things easier.
He always made everyone laugh.
He always made me smile.
I wish he was still here.

bucket list

1. swim with dolphins
2. learn how to snowboard or ski
3. movie in the park
4. participate in the breast cancer walk
5. spend a whole day reading books
6. go shopping in new york 

7. go horseback riding
8. go back to school and get my degree!
9. wine tasting in napa...or a wine train
10. go parasailing and snorkeling in hawaii

11. spend new year's in vegas

12. attend fashion week in NYC
13. go to the philippines and indonesia 
14. try river rafting
15. learn how to be a good cook
16. take a kickboxing class
17. eat dessert at serendipity in new york

18. go to disneyland and ride every single ride
19. run a marathon {in the process}
20. try indoor rock climbing
21. watch a meteor shower
22. watch the lion king broadway show

23. sit courtside at a basketball game
24. rent out a really nice restaurant and have a private party for my birthday
25. meet the president
26. vacation in tahiti
27. vacation in italy

28. disneyworld!
29. volunteer work
30. fly in a helicopter

san diego

My family and I spent the weekend in San Diego and just got back late last night. We attended my cousin's wedding (I love wedding season!). It was so nice to be down there...the weather was beautiful as always, we ate some good food, went to the beach and had a lot of fun with my cousins. It is nice to be back home, though...back to reality! :)

 brunch at The Mission 

 dylan was so happy - Mission Beach

 brunch at Parkhouse Eatery

Speaking of weddings...I was on a hunt for a pair of glitter gold pumps not only for myself but also for my friend's wedding this weekend. I found some at a few places, but they were just too expensive for my "mommy budget". After searching and searching, I finally found a pair at an awesome price from gojane.com

glitter peep toe pumps

Super cheap! I even found a 20% off coupon so it was even cheaper than I expected! Now who doesn't love a good deal?

maid of honor duties

Yesterday, I attended to my maid of honor duties. My friend flew up from San Diego (her wedding is next weekend!) for her last dress fitting. With my son in tow, we went to Wee Scotty in Pacific Heights of San Francisco. It's a cute little place that specializes in bridal alterations. They did such a fabulous job at her dress and the lady who works there is incredibly nice! 

our little helper

After picking up her dress we stopped by her aunt's bakery, Patisserie Philippe, also in San Francisco. Her aunt will be catering the event so they had to go over the arrangements for next weekend. While they talked it over, we indulged in some of her macarons, which were to-die-for (my fave was hazelnut). 

Our last stop for the day was BevMo! We went to check out wines and spirits to buy for the bar at her reception. It took longer than expected, but Dylan had his fun playing hide-n-seek...

AHH I have a speech to finish writing! A maid of honor's duties are never done...SO excited for next week!

favorite celebrity mommies

It's one thing to admire a celebrity, but it's another thing to admire their role as mothers. I am a sucker for celebrities and the world of entertainment and I have a handful of actresses, singers, models, and fashion designers that I've come to love and respect for their work. Since becoming a mommy myself, these are the celebrities who have topped my list as my favorite celebrity mommies:

Angelina Jolie

Gwen Stefani

Reese Witherspoon

Sarah Jessica Parker

Kourtney Kardashian