Welcome home and a belated birthday!

Wendy went to London for work a couple weeks ago and came home last Wednesday.  We had her over for dinner tonight for sharing and pictures.  We had a lovely time and it was nice to hear all about her trip and the awesome sights; makes me want to go to Europe, STAT!   The only downer is that because our American dollar is so weak right now, everything is even that much more expensive…oh, and Wendy said the food was horrible.  Mommy and Daddy agreed, and although they went to Europe over 30 years ago, they also remembered the bad food.  Yikes – Brits, get it together!  Hmm….no wonder they don’t have the same obesity problem as the US. :X   Anywho, Wendy also brought me back the CUTEST Harrod’s HK towels – to die for, right?!?!?!  So glad you are home safe and sound, Wendy! 

 

It was also Wendy's birthday last month and I am just getting caught up now.  I still have a few birthday posts on the horizon (sorry I’m late Diana, Mommy, Lolli Oli and J!).  We went to Mastro’s for din din and celebrated both hers and Mommy’s birthdays as they are two days apart.  It was a great dining experience even though we didn’t get our bill comped.  :P 

Celebrations aside, Wendy is like a sister.  We have been close since we practically met 12 years ago. I thank God for her in my life.  She has a super busy social calendar, yet always makes time to hang out or do something low key with me and/or with the fam.  She is smart, talented, driven and beautiful, on the inside and out, and no matter how crazy life gets, we make time to catch up.  She never judges, always loves, always cares, and gives with everything she has.  I love you so much, Wendy, and I hope you always know just how special you are to me.  To celebrating many more together, with all my love…XOXO

 

A+B and now C!

Cole was expected to arrive on my birthday, but alas, he decided to hang out a bit longer. :P  While we were away on our mini vacay in Cabo, he decided to make his debut!  He is the sweetest baby and everyone is doing well.  Momma Aim looks fab - she looks better post-baby than I have my whole life (no joke!) and Daddy Blane is smitten.  I can’t wait to get to know Cole as he grows into the special guy God has created him to be.   

 

Oh, and as a side note, I got a replacement camera!  Whoop whoop!  I’ll be back on the blog! :P

Back!

I’m baaack!!!  Well at least for a few days before we depart for a mini vaca to Cabo!

So life has been crazy.  I’m sure it’s been crazy for y’all as well since we each have our own chaos, but the days have just flown by.  I find myself barely getting home in time to shower, do some house chores or maybe read a bit, get to bed past midnight, only to wake up the next day and do it all over again…BUT, as always, God is faithful and has been taking good care of us.

There is one thing, other than time, that has truly put a damper on my blogging.  About 7 weeks ago, my camera broke (I won’t go into details, but for once, it isn’t my fault :P).  Since I don’t have my camera, it’s been hard to capture moments to share on the blog, and let’s be real…no one just wants to read text…booooring, right?!!?  Anyhow, we are on the hunt for a new camera, or we may just get ours fixed, but until then, I’m cameraless and have been totally bummed and unmotivated to blog.  OK – enough with the excuses, camera or not, I gotta get caught up.  I’ve missed you!

So much to tell, so little time, and again, all with no camera.  I’m going to do my best to recap the past couple weeks with “borrowed” pictures, so just bear with me in case the photo doesn’t exactly match the event.  Here we go!

Day trip to Laguna Beach – attended Saddleback church in the morning, then headed down to the beachside for brunch.  Went to Art-a-Fair, Sawdust Festival, Festival of the Arts, and finished the day with Pageant of the Masters!

 

  

 

Celebrated three special birthdays (more to come…)!! 

 

Our wedding DVD – HOORAY for Addy and Julian at 10^th Letter!!!

 

 Had a special visit from Rocky!

  

Much needed QT with Wendy <3 

Celebrating God’s new gift to my Cousin Stacy!

 

“…because that’s what you do with gifts…you give them away.”

 

Sleepover in the OC, early entry to DCA (Cars Land is AWESOME!), then Disneyland. 

After 10 hours of Disney fun, enjoyed a yummie Tonkatsu dinner

and tasty shaved ice with the fam and Ethan.

 

  

And on Friday, headed to Cabo for some much needed R&R…

Have a blessed Tuesday…I know I will as J is visiting!! 

Hongie Time!

Last week Hongie and I spent some QT together!  She made yummie dinner for us, then we baked (and decorated) mini cupcakes, did some nail art, and chatted the night away while sipping on our Perrier water…MmMm!! 

Needless to say, I left with a full tummy and an overflowing heart – I love that girl.  XOXO!

 

 

 

Before our frosting goodness…

Hongie’s babycakes maker she stole from her Mom!

  

YAY!  Aren’t our mini creations cute?!

The girlie who is cuter and sweeter, and who fills my life with joy!

Hair affairs and a thankful Thursday!

Yikers!  So much to catch up on!!  We haven’t been home before midnight since Friday, so I’m sorry for the blogging hiatus but I’m hoping to get caught up! 

So my hair affairs…well, truth be told, I’m notorious for letting my roots grow out much longer than should even be legal.  I used to be better at it but it just takes so much time!  It also becomes quite pricey and numerous times, my awesome hair guy Stu (which happens to be my 2^nd cousin), has told me that my hair is going to break and fall out because I put it through so much (color, hair drying, flat ironing, curling iron, etc.).  As Wendy would say, my hair is definitely fried, dried, and leanin’ to tha side!

Rewind to a couple weekends ago.  It was Wednesday night and we were leaving to Sacramento Friday morning.  My hair was a WRECK.  I know the whole ombre hair color thing is in style (looks good on you, Addy!), but my hair was so bad I couldn’t even pass it off as that.  I was desperate but didn’t have time in my schedule to go see Stu before we left.  My bangs were also ridiculously long and limp, causing them to look like I had a fruit roll-up strip plastered across my forehead.  Two words – ALL BAD. 

So in my desperation, I did the unthinkable.  I frantically called Sonia for help because I vaguely remember her mentioning she had done it before - box dye.  *GASP!!!!*  I know, right?!?!  And I also had to do something with my slap bracelet bangs so I also followed Sonia’s lead in booking an appointment with a salon at the mall.  *DOUBLE GASP!!!!*  Both were two things I had never done before, and actually never even imagined I would do because I am so particular about my hair, but I have to give big ups to Sonia...that girl knew what she was talkin’ about.  The guy at the salon cut my bangs just how I wanted them and Sonia did a PHENOMENAL job on my hair.  Thank God for Sonia! :D

Don’t get me wrong, I do need to make an appointment with Stu soon, but I have to admit that Sonia came through in my time of need (as she does often, actually :D).  Thank you, Sonia!  I am so privileged to have you in my life…not just because of your hair color prowess, but because you are the kind of girlfriend that every girl needs, and few have.  Thank you for always being there for me, for your thoughtfulness and kindness, and for the blessing of your friendship!  I love you lots!

Oh and this past Saturday, we got blowouts, then went on a double date with our hubbies!  It was big fun! 

Pre-blowout…no judging!  They told us to come in with our hair not done and I had been running around all morning!  Although looking at this pic, my hair looks pretty tore up. :/

Curls are tight in the pic, but they had to be that way so that by the evening, they would loosen and fall…and of course, I teased it a bit more before leaving for our date. 

Big hair = big fun! :D

Thankful this Thursday for…Sonia! 

Have a great Friday Eve!!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

Last night Sonia and I hit up the Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale.  The sale opens to the public on Friday, but since I’m a cardholder, Jennifer, my Nordies lady, always calls to book an early access shopping appointment with her.  It’s nothing fancy or special, but it kinda nice to be able to go thru the merch before it gets crazy on the floor.  Plus she’s so helpful…if you want something and it’s not in the size or color you are looking for, she goes to get it from their backstock.  Actually, I really like Jennifer.  OK, so onto our awesome finds!

Sonia snagged a super cute leather jacket that she looks fantastic in, and clothes for the kids while I started my Christmas shopping!

 

I did buy one thing for myself…my fave MOR lotion!!  A short story on the MOR lotion – MOR is an Australian company so when we were in NZ for our honeymoon, we saw a MOR store.  I went in all excited thinking that things were going to be so much cheaper because we were so close to Australia, but alas, things were so much more expensive!!  My lotion that I just bought at Nordies for $9.90 on sale (awesome, right?!?!) was $35 NZD, which is like $28 USD!  Even when it’s not on sale, it’s still only $18.  Crazy…

After our shopping extravaganza, we were hungry, and as it turns out, there is a Garden Café (a fave of mine) right down the street!  We stopped in for a quick bite before heading home.

Today, as I’m going thru all my purchases from yesterday, I notice that one category is missing…shoes.  Pretty stilettos or cute rain boots...or maybe both!  We ran out of time yesterday, but also my toe isn’t quite ready for the heels yet…and although I already do have those Enzo’s, I love them enough to have picked up a second pair.  The Valentino (swoon!) rain boots are also fabulously cute but I’m trying to justify the purchase when we live in sunny Southern CA.  :/  Sonia and I are going to go back this weekend sometime so I may have to wander on over, just to see what’s out there. :D

On another note, I’m fightin’ a nasty cold.  Praying it will pass soon!  Happy Wednesday, friends!

Sonia: leather jacket

Christmas gifts: flannel, polo (found that I like Tucker+Tate by Nordstrom), tunic

For the hubby: polo

For me: MOR lotion

Wishful thinking: stilettos, rain boots

Thankful Thursday...for grace

Good reminder and thank God for grace. 

What is it about feeling like no matter how much we do, it’s never enough?  Praising the Lord for the blessing of those in my life that keep me from going crazy (or at least minimize it), and for the grace He extends to us daily. :D  Happy Thursday, friends!

Happy Monday!

Hope your short week is off to as great of a start as mine is!  A phone date, or actually any kind of date with J, always leaves my heart overflowing with all things good – I love that girl. 

Oh, and a picture that I forgot to post yesterday…wishing us all leisurely moments like that of Lolli Oli’s. 

XOXO!

Thankful Thursday - with some wedding pics ;)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  On this Thankful Thursday, I am praising my Heavenly Father for…

§  Awesome girl time with Hongie – thank you for sharing your vaca pics and for the nail TLC!  You are near and dear to my heart girlie…love you lots! XOXO

§  Wedding pictures!  We received all our pictures on discs today…we haven’t gone through all of them yet but I'm sure I'll be sharing in days to come!  So excited for our album to arrive!

§  Yummy somen salad – I don’t mean to brag, but I think I made a pretty tasty SS this week…twice!

§  J’s back!  Omigosh folks, the girl is driving again, AND it’s manual!!!  Whoop whoop! 

§  My love’s back is better (he had a little spasm) and had a major win at his basketball game!

§  Our special team at work – they truly are the best ever – family, friends, co-workers…all wrapped up in one!

§  Healing loved ones that are sickie!  Mommy, Daddy, Tin, Addy – glad you’re on the mend!

§  A weekend home with the hubby…seemingly rare these days. :P

What blessings are you counting today?

Ready to pop!

This past Saturday, I was honored to attend my friend Aim’s, baby shower.  It was sweet, beautiful, fun, and spirit-filled, just like Aim and all the women who helped throw the shower.  The theme was “ready to pop” and everything was so cute…from the hand stamped bags, filled with yummie popcorn, to the sparkling cider, it was all just so creative and thoughtful. 

I’ve realized that I’m not really a good photographer, so the pictures don’t really do it justice, but here are some snapshots to share a little bit of the day with you.

Can’t wait for Aim to pop!  That little boy is going to be such a blessing as his parents are to so many! J

  The terrific trio - Melis (hostess) + Aim (mommy-to-be!) + J (hostess)

 Centerpieces – pretty flowers, yummie popcorn and fizzy cider!

J’s cookies – O.M.G. AMAZING. Gorgeous AND so so tasty!

In lieu of a card, guests were to bring a childhood book.  So many great ones were given, but I couldn’t help but LOVE this “itadakimas” book!

 

Melis – that girl…always so witty :P

 

The room was decorated with baby names (first and middle) and we had to guess what baby boy’s name is going to be!