hat, Nava | parka with leather sleeves (similar) and tassel crossbody bag, H & M | sweater dress, Forever 21 | sweater tights, Steve Madden | black booties, Bucco
This is probably one of my outfit shots post-partum where I seem to be at my biggest (though to be fair, I have lost 5 pounds since these shots were taken!), and while I'm certainly far from my ideal weight class, I couldn't be any more proud of myself. I'm raising a bouncy, beautiful 3-month old, all while balancing career and personal goals. And while I still feel pangs of insecurity whenever I inspect my thicker calves and flabby stomach, that feeling immediately gets eradicated the moment I come home to my son. Although there are no promises that I'll ever get my old physical self back, I also wouldn't trade motherhood for anything.:)
For now, I'll continue working hard at regaining my physical strength, and hopefully, everything else will follow!
Clinique Sculpting Highlight and Contour Chubby Sticks, SRP $21.00 (available here)
2014 was all about getting your #contouringgameonpoint, and I believe 2015 will be no different. Just about every single beauty brand released every kind of contouring product imaginable, and this was no surprise. Clinique joins in on the contouring party with two all new Sculpting Highlight and Contour Chubby Sticks. Read on after the jump to find individual swatches and my weigh-in on these contouring wonders! Pardon the sucky quality of the photos-- I swatched and took photos of these in a rush but I hope you can still see it clearly!:)
If you'll Google the words "best restaurants in Grand Rapids" or "best breakfast places in West Michigan", chances are you'll find Cherie Inn high in the recommendations list. Rated an average of 4.6 in just about everywhere (Google Reviews, Restaurant.com, Yelp.com, among others), Cherie Inn is definitely quite something. A couple of weeks ago, the fambam (my sibs-in-laws the Jewells, my baby and the hubs) and I trooped over to Cherie Inn in Eastown Grand Rapids for what I was told was exceptional breakfast food-- and yes, exceptional was an understatement! Grand Rapids and tourists from all over have been loyal to Cherie Inn since 1924 when it first opened, so that says a lot about how great the food is.
We tried the specials for the week-- coconut french toast made with English muffin bread and topped with strawberries and powdered sugar (Clay), Hawaiian scramble with Blackforest Ham and a side of sweet toasted Hawaiian bread (yours truly), spicy Cajun shrimp Benedict (Gem), and cheesy poached eggs on spinach (Thaad).. If you didn't know that there were a million and one ways to jazz up your favorite breakfast foods, then Cherie Inn is a place you should definitely visit!
Though we left with sated appetites, we definitely want to come back for more. Can't wait for our next trip to Grand Rapids and Cherie Inn! :)
light military jacket, gifted by Yves | houndstooth blouse, Romeo and Juliet Couture (similar) | Steve Madden BGemmaa bucket bag (buy here) | leather pants, Kohls (similar) | 'Toby' booties, Report Signature (buy here) | Mirrored sunnies, Jessica Simpson (similar)
After what seemed like a hundred thousand years (well technically just a few months, but you feel me)of below freezing temperatures, the sun did quite a surprising thing over the weekend: It came out, bright and bold, guns blazing. It was a perfect 45-degree Sunday, and I literally jumped out of bed and belted "HALLELUJAH! " in my best false soprano. Yes, 45 is still quite chilly, but if you're in Michigan, its the kind of day you'll definitely live for. Spring, 1, winter, 0!
I must admit that this look is somewhat my "uniform" on the regular post-pregnancy -- long tunics and sweaters (to "artfully" hide postpartum belly flab, of course!), my trusty leather pants, and a coat. I also must admit that I'm in dire need of a hair appointment, and stat. But if I'm going to be perfectly honest here, I'm kind of feeling the "just rolled out of bed without brushing my hair" vibe. Amirite or amirite?
Anyway, I absolutely cannot wait for spring to begin-- for camping, actually being able to explore Michigan in amazing weather, and for my baby to see how lovely it is to be outside. What are your favorite things about spring?
In lieu of the truly divine Mansur Gavriel Flamma Bucket Bag , here's 10 bucket bag options without hurting your pocket and without a crazy wait list-- because yes, you know you have to have one this year!:)
Top to bottom, left-to-right:
2) Nine West Frankie Bucket Crossbody Bag , $69.00 $39.94 - plus shipping is free on Amazon Prime
4) Mango Pebbled Bucket Bag, $39.99 $15.99 - Run before the Mango sale runs dry!
5) Lulu's Hot on the Trail Red Bucket Bag, $47.00 - That bright red is gorgeous, no?
6) Steve Madden BGemmaa Bucket Bag, $88.00 $65.00 - Closest dupe to the Mansur Gavriels, but then again, Steve Madden is known for that. Score for the budget fashionistas!
10) Kenneth Cole Reaction Bucket List Small Bucket, $99.99 $64.99 -and always free shipping on 6pm.com!
Go grab these red hot steals while they're on sale and in stock! As for me, I think I'm good for Spring 2015-- I luckily grabbed the Steve Madden BGemmaa at TJMaxx for a whopping $39.99 -- super score! For now, I'll be dreaming and saving up for the real deal -- I'm talking about you, Mansur Gavriel :)
Beauty boxes are usually either big hits or big misses. You either score big with your monthly box, or get repeats or little sample items... so yeah, I'm still in limbo whether or not monthly subscriptions are worth my hard earned money (especially since I get a lot of product with my current job). However, I just HAD to jump at the chance when I heard that Target was launching a limited Beauty Box for her for Winter 2014. One, I LOVE Target. Secondly, their boxes have been met with stellar reviews in the past, and its great that they let you know what you're getting beforehand. Lastly, 10 bucks for a lot of mostly full-sized items is a fantastic deal. This came right out during Christmas season, meaning I could use some items as stocking stuffers or little gifts.
Read on after the jump to see the products closer with some thoughts:
asymmetrical contrast dress, thrifted | flared gusset bag, Charles and Keith (similar) | gold plate belt and studded boots , Cotton On (similar) | Forever 21 sunnies
Oh wow, seeing these throwback outfit photos made me miss Ayala Cebu incredibly bad. :( It only seems like yesterday when I would meet up with the husband after work for some dinner or milk tea, or spend lazy afternoons hanging out with friends at CBTL, or just plainly walking around with the family. Ugh, intense feelings of homesickness at this moment. :/ Sometimes it feels like just yesterday, but then again, seeing my pre-pregnancy self also reminds me that it's been almost a year. Sigh. Cebu, I miss you! Seeing these photos also reminded me all the more on just how much I miss Philippine weather, humidity and all. Spring please come sooner!
Photos were taken around a couple of months before we left for the States. I'm definitely feeling my hair here--should I or should I not again? Kind of on a quest for a new hairstyle that's not quite high maintenance (getting your hair done in the US is EXPENSIVE)-- any suggestions?
