Today, I confronted something any parent would have a bit of a tough time handling: seeing a lot of your baby's newborn items packed away, ready to be given to someone else. We had intended to send a balikbayan box over to the Philippines, and a lot of the items were for an aunt of mine who was expecting a baby boy. Although I had already prepped my son's items quite awhile ago, it's impossible not to feel a tinge of sadness and nostalgia once you realize it's a permanent goodbye. You get to remember them drooling all over themselves in that jumpsuit, or eating their first bowl of cereal with that bib... ugh, pardon me if I'm getting a tad bit emotional right now!

But then again, things are just things, right? At some point you're gonna have to let go of some of them and just relish the memories for what they were. We also don't have much room, and of course we're psyched for my aunt's new baby boy and to be able to help build up his wardrobe! So I did the sensible thing and started what I always wanted to do: a simple box of keepsakes.

I grabbed an old Tory Burch tall boot shoebox, which was just the right size that I needed, and also it looked pretty sturdy.  Here's what I have in so far: 

Cards from our loved ones. Of course! No keepsake box is complete without them.


Baptism clothes and memorabilia. seriously, how cute was my son's suit?!


Mommies, have you started your own keepsake boxes yet? Suggestions on what else to add?

Thanks for stopping by and have a good one as per ush! :)

In the beauty department, I found two things I know I need to get by: a signature scent I could spritz on no matter what occasion or mood I'm in, and the perfect pinky coral blush that could brighten up even the most sallow of complexions. In my case, I've found my perfect duo: D&G Light Blue Eau de Toilette, and Chanel Reflex blush.

Firstly, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't love D&G Light Blue, or anyone who doesn't know it, for that matter. Yes, the scent is a classic, taking me right back to the mayhem of my early twenties. Launched in 2001, this scent has been iconic ever since and is probably one of the first things to come to mind when it comes to the perfect summer fragrance. I like my fragrances light and casual, and Light Blue's balance of sparkling fruity-floral notes with a hint of citrus does it for me. Plus, it's one of the very few scents my husband actually can stand-- he's incredibly sensitive to fragrance and would get headaches or a stuffy sinus easily, but he lets me getaway with this!

I've been on a bit of a blush collecting streak (I used a lot of my Estee Lauder gratis on blushes!), but nothing I've swatched is as beautiful as the Reflex Joues Contraste blush from Chanel. It's just the most finely milled, pinky-coral blush with a slight golden sheen. It is a beautiful, vibrant blush which deserves way more attention than the NARS Orgasm, in my opinion -- unfortunately it is a limited edition color from a past collection, and the item has been discontinued. :( I'm so grateful to have snagged this beauty for my arsenal!

Many, many thanks to Fragrancenet.com for sending me these incredible full-sized items for consideration. Did you know that Fragrancenet has one of the most competitive prices for high-end luxury fragrances and cosmetics? Check them all the time for specials -- they have an ongoing EXTRA 20% OFF SITEWIDE with free US Shipping! :)

This apparently applies to dudes who strike a "nice balance between a beer gut and working out". Also, a dadbod is a guy who is "not incredibly chiseled, but at the same time, is not unhealthy." For a visual example, see Chris Pratt early Parks and Recreation days, and of course, Leonardo DiCaprio. Just like the college sophomore who coined this term, and I believe, majority of ladies our there, I am 100% all for the appreciation of the Dadbod. My husband is a young and healthy Dadbod, and I always reassure him that he's never looked better, haha. 

But what of us moms whose bodies have forever changed post-partum? The term "mombod" eventually happened as well, and the interwebs were flooded with gorgeous, glorious bodies of women showing off their tiger stripes, baby bellies, and just how their bodies have changed since delivering their precious ones. I, of course, let out a huge solo whoop -- I just love how times are quickly changing and people are more accepting and less body-shaming! I looked at old photos of myself, being all skinny and everything, and while I probably could never restore a few "elements" back (a stomach without tiger stripes!) , I did pop out a living, breathing human, and that is the greatest feat anyone could ever say they've accomplished. My baby is seven months going in now, and it still never ceases to amaze me how he evolved from a union of cells to how he is now... and yes, my body was responsible for that nurturing. So yay, mommies!

So here I am, in an outfit post lauding my new body. I'm still several  pounds over my pre-baby weight, but it's not the end of the world. Own the changes, live it, and love it.