Preppy Baby

Being the mother of two rambunctious boyish boys, style genres can be very limiting.  However, as a woman in the fashion industry, it is my duty to define these boys' style.  Big D is often seen running in the park decked in skater gear with striped tees, skinny jeans and Converse - very fitting for his long hair and constant jumping body.  Little Tyty, on the other hand, who carries a bit of sophistication and refined demeanor, is more of a prepster.  He is often seen in polo tees, madras plaid, and moccasins (I have to confess, I myself am preppy at heart, and have a deep obsession for Ralph Lauren and Lacoste)

Shirt: Janie and Jack; Shorts: Ralph Lauren

Shoes: Minnetonka

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Shorts: Jacadi

Honorable Mention

I am not the savviest when it comes to social media.  So when I tested out a Twitter tweet to Brooke Burke (host for Dancing with the Stars, mom blogger of Modern Mom, and wife of Baywatch hottie David Charvet), I was shocked, yet elated to see her response back to me.  This shows the power of social media and how much I need to take advantage of what opportunities lie at my finger tips. It is also gives good reason for me to step up my blogging game and realize that my thoughts and words are being heard, publicly.  I'd like to take this time to thank my readers for stopping by and taking time from your day to visit me. xoxo

Garden Florals

I survived my Monday, but it was no easy feat.  My fashion fix to get me through the rest of the week is a dose of florals.  From roses to daffodils,  head to toe garden florals were a big trend on the Spring '12 designer runways.  Here are my picks for the season's power to the flower:

From top left:

Scarf: Calypso - a great transitional accessory from winter blues to spring fling
Skirt: Elizabeth and James  - pair this skirt with a basic tee for a weekend lunch outing with the girls 
Jeans: J Brand  - LOVE this denim.  It reminds me of a vintage wallpaper at Grandma's
Shoes: Toms - for the easy throw on when running out the door
Journal:  Anthropologie  - a pretty journal to jot my pretty thoughts

Women In Film Pre-Oscar Party

On the Friday before the 84th Academy Awards, it was a girl's night out for the women of The Help. Hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow at Cecconi's, it was a star studded night celebrating Hollywood's Women In Film.  Ladies were sipping Perrier Jouet champagne and toasting to Oscar nominees such as Ocatvia Spencer, Jessica Chastain and Viola Davis.  We had the opportunity to chat one on one with Allison Janney and Octavia Spencer, who seemed at ease considering she is the front runner for Best Supporting Actress.  It was a night that I will always remember and was so fortunate to be a part of.

Update:  Octavia Spencer graciously accepted the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. eek! 

From upper left:  Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Gwyneth Paltrow

TGI-Thursday

This week has been a whirlwind, which is an understatement.  It kicked off with a subtle birthday celebration with the family.  Then, I jet setted to NYC for a trip that was less than 24 hours to preview the Coterie show (I spent more time sitting on the plane than my actual time in the city) .  The close of the week ended with the GUESS? North American Conference - one of the biggest, yet tiresome events of the fiscal year. It entailed a day full of presentations and a late night dinner gala. I am so exhausted it hurts and the dark circles under my eyes are far more severe than usual. Which is why I look forward to a day of rest tomorrow.  Today is my Friday!!

It's My Party, and I'll Cry if I Want to

Image courtesy of alovelybeing.com

Thirty-something years ago today I entered into this world.  However, advancing through my thirties is something I do no wish to highlight. Cheers to forever being thirty-something.

It's Friday!

Pedicure with fun florescent nail polish

Flowers from my Valentine

 Stripe blouse from Jcrew

Ty ty suffering from an inflamed body rash

D who decided to have 6 am wake up calls

It's been a loooong one, and am ready to start this weekend!

Juggling it All

I am fortunate to be surrounded by a large network of mommies. Some work full time corporate jobs, some full time stay at home jobs, and a small few are part time both.  The latter option would be the ultimate dream - having that balance of adult interaction and spending more time with my family is a short term goal I strive to achieve.  In the meantime, my current 8-5 job as a retail buyer doesn't grant me this flexibility.  Here are pearls of wisdom I try to live by in order to balance the act of hardworking corporate mom and devoted loving mom.

1.  Date Nights with the Hubs

One on one time with the Hubs is necessary for a healthy adult relationship.  Typically, 99% of our time at home is devoted to being with our kids, .5% is committed to sleep and personal hygiene (the bare essentials - showering and brushing teeth), and the other .5% if we are lucky is having dinner and carrying an adult conversation.  Whether it's a quick dinner out, or a weekend away,  one on one time is critical for maintaining that romantic spark - remember, life did exist Pre-K...pre kids.

2.  No use of technology between the hours of 5-8pm on school nights

Shelve all the 'i-shit' while the kids are up and about before bed time.  This is a challenging one, but I have to remind myself that bath, dinner and bedtime are the few limited hours I have to spend with my kids. They deserve my undivided attention.  In addition, I am setting a good example for later in life, I don't want to have my boys texting, playing video games at the dinner table.

3.  One on one time with each kid
While I was on maternity leave after the birth of my second son, I would take my eldest out for one on one time, aka as "Dylan and Mommy Days".  I learned from a second time mommy and me class that children need reassurance of their love. I found this technique to be life-changing, regardless of any age. As any second time parent can attest, the eldest can go through phases of regression and resent towards the parent since he/she has been de-throned center of attention after the birth of their sibling. Taking Dylan out on his own, with just myself coupled with undivided attention, reminded him that I still love him just as much regardless of what was going on.  Since these weekly outings, we have been tight knit and closer than ever.  Even though I am back at work, I still take D out for Mommy and Dylan time...and I'll do the same with Tyty when he gets older.

4.  Take time for self care
I am a culprit for always sacrificing me-time for the kids.  However, I found that taking that time to meet the girls out for drinks, getting a mani/pedi or massage, reading, blogging, etc. only makes me a better mom, and improves my parenting.

5.  Hug and hold your baby
Embrace and hold your baby.  The peak of my everyday. That is enough to wipe any stress and trouble encountered from the day.

Being a working mom is no easy feat.  It can be a thankless job stricken with occasional mother's guilt.  But I look at several do-it-all celebrity moms such as Brooke Burke, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kourtney Kardashian - they are an inspiration for hardworking moms everywhere.

Feeling Green

The color green is reminiscent of my high school alma mater SJHS. So typically, I do not own a lot of the color palette in my wardrobe nor do I wear it often.  Until I came across this post from fellow fashion blogger and friend of mine at Ceec Design.  I was compelled to wear this dress out and about on a warm and sunny weekend in LA.

Dress, GUESS by Marciano.  Shoes, Marni.  Sunglasses, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Happy Valentine's Day

The Hubs and I do not typically observe the Valentine holiday.  At the time when we were just a simple family of two, young in our twenties, with little income, we would have our $15 spending limit on gifts and settled comfortably at home for dinner.  Also, partly due to the fact that Matt was strapped for cash between Christmas and my birthday being months apart.  Times really haven't changed ten Valentines and two kids later.  It is fun decorating the house with hearts and arrows, pink and red, but to us, every day is Valentine's Day - and we remind each other on a daily basis how much love we have for each other.

My Eternal Valentine

DIY Valentine Cards for Classmates

I am pretty disappointed in my lack of craftiness this Valentine holiday.  Chock it up to juggling many things in the air and very limited time nowadays. If only I had an extra five hours a day...what glorious things could be accomplished (e.g. sleep, crafts, pedicures, the list is endless!) In the meantime, I have notated on some future DIY Valentine crafts and cards for next year.  Some great ideas for Dylan and Tyler's future classmates.

Images courtesy of :  
1:  Grey Likes Baby
2:  Tammy Mitchell
3:  Better Homes and Gardens
4:  Two Shades of Pink
5,6,7: Dandee-Designs

DIY: Valentine Garland

I have been so slammed with work this week, I have not had a breathing moment to start Valentine crafts (insert sad face emoticon).  A fellow blogger and co-worker of mine created this adorable DIY Valentine Garland.  See how she does it as seen in her blog here.

Image courtesy of joelandmorgan.blogspot.com

Jason Wu's Target Launch

In the midst of an early morning run to Target with the family, we encountered a crowd of people anxiously awaiting for the doors to open at 8am.  Little did I know that it was the same day of the Jason Wu for Target launch.  I got horrible flashbacks from the Missoni preview - crazy, greedy women pushing and shoving to grab as much product they could get their hands on.  Begging employees to open boxes, and bartering with other women if they could trade this for that.  I don't know how, but I managed to walk away with a dress unharmed.

Bros before ...

As an only child, I will never know the love between two siblings.  Seeing the budding relationship between Dylan and Tyler is a type of love and bond that I feel so blessed to witness.  When Tyler was first born, I was a bit nervous because Dylan did not acknowledge his baby brother's presence. Even putting them face to face - he wouldn't look him in the eye.  I panicked, and was worried that he hated having a brother.  Luckily, this was just a transitional phase. Flash forward 6 months later, and they play with and love each other so much. I look forward to seeing this friendship evolve and grow.

The City by the Bay

This past weekend, Matt and I took a quick day trip, sans babies, up to the Bay Area to see our long time friends for their baby shower.  The ladies lunched over cucumber sandwiches and scones, talking babies and pregnancies. And the husbands, who are long time college fraternity brothers and housemates, reconnected doing manly things such as drink beers and shoot firearms (well, they tried).   Nostalgia always sets in whenever we return to the city by the bay.  This was where Matt and I first met...and look where we are nearly ten years later.

Pink Arm Candy

Pink and handbags...what more can a girl ask for?  Maybe encrust some diamonds here and there, and I can die happy.

Image 1,2,4 via bohemian-children, 3 via katespadeny

Super Bore Sunday

I can define myself as a girly girl. But deep within my roots, there is an inner tom boy that loves football.  I can throw a spiral, drink a brew, and carry a conversation with a dude. Which is why I am excited that today is Super Bowl Sunday.  However, atypical from any previous bowl games, we will be watching Brady vs. Manning comfortably at home. The culmination of traveling and busy weekends has finally caught up to me and I am elated that we have a day of no obligations.  Who am I rooting for?  I could care less for either teams but I enjoy watching Tom Brady (but disgusted by Bill Belichick). I just want to see an exciting game.  Cheers!

Roses and Dinosaurs

It's February,  the end of the week is just around the corner, yet another busy weekend lies ahead of me.  Between birthdays, family obligations, and seeing friends, life has been a bit hectic. And the house has been an utter mess! This is very typical of what our home looks like - pretty things amongst a mess of toys. EVERYWHERE!