Spring Family Photos with Erin of Hello Pinecone Photography

I apologize that it has been so long since my last post but I promise this one will make up for lost time. Below are a few of my favorite photos from our mini session with Erin of Hello Pinecone Photography. I stumbled across Erin's work on On to Baby and started following her on Facebook late last year. We wanted to book her for our holiday photos but couldn't manage to get to LA in time so I waited for her to announce her spring mini sessions and booked immediately. I love Erin's use of light and the fact that her subjects seem so natural and at ease. All the waiting and the 6+ hour trek to LA was well worth it. Topanga Canyon was in full bloom, Parker was in a good mood and my floral crown didn't look cheesy in photos. That's all a mama can ask for! Enjoy :) I hope we can make it to LA this winter for another session.

 

What everyone is wearing

 

Tuan: Shirt - H&M, Pants - Gap, Shoes - Converse

Parker: Zara Kids from head to toe

Mary: Dress - Forever21, Shoes - Target, Necklace - J Crew, handmade floral crown

  

[Love these two]

[All he wanted to do was hand me rocks]

Snapshots from the Weekend

This past weekend was a whirl of big social events for us. Oh wait, isn't that every weekend in Spring? All kidding aside, we celebrated some special birthdays and bridal showers this weekend. Here are some photos.

 

 

[We took Parker to the park after work on Friday. Nothing like a really happy baby to help you unwind from a long work week. I love these two.]

 

 

[My SIL did a great job throwing a super fun birthday party for Parker's cousin Kaden. The theme was suit and tie. More photos to follow!]

 

 

[I missed my very good friend Thuy's bridal shower on Saturday we got together Sunday morning and celebrated with some delicious donuts and breakfast burritos instead. When you've been friends for more than a decade eating breakfast burritos, fries and donuts to celebrate a wedding is totally ok. I can't wait for the wedding!!]

 

 

[A few snapshots from my sister Karen's beautiful bridal shower on Sunday. Her bridesmaid did a pinterest-perfect job of decorating! It was also her birthday.]

 

 

 

[With my little sisters Tania and Yvonne. It was a girly good time.]

 

 

 

Matcha Love Review

 

A couple of weeks ago at the Ramen Yokocho Fest I saw an ad for Matcha Love and knew I had to go check it out. Matcha Love is a new tea spot that has opened in the bookstore at Mitsuwa. I say spot because it is not large enough to be called anything else. It's a small counter where they sell hot tea, ice cream, hot lattes and other tea based drinks. Unlike Tapioca Express or Tea Station, they do not offer any fruity tea drinks. This place is for those of us who love the taste of matcha, hoji-cha (roasted green tea) and black sesame tea. I visited the counter on my lunch break with a co worker and we had the chance to taste all of their ice cream flavors and order some tea shakes. The flavors were beautiful and my hoji-cha shake was very refreshing. The prices are significantly lower than most other tea shops that I've been to which was a pleasant surprise. If you decide to try it out, don't forget to bring cash. They are a cash only operation at this point.

 

Matcha Love (inside Mitsuwa)

4240 Kearny Mesa Road

San Diego, CA 92111

http://www.yelp.com/biz/matcha-love-san-diego

 



 



 

[Menu board]

 

 

[Beautifully packaged Matcha Love tea for sale]

 

 

 

[My hoji-cha shake]

New - Cotton On Kids Homegoods

I'm really loving everything in the new Cotton On Kids home collection especially the cushions. It looks like they were "inspired" by some popular etsy shops for the cloud and star pillows. I can't wait to hear feedback on the quality of the materials. To see more visit cottonon.com.

Cotton On Kids Bedding by marychu featuring grey throw pillows

Black bedding / Star home decor / Throw pillow / Chevron home decor / Grey throw pillow / Star home decor / queen doona cover, $66 / droplet cushion

Snapshots from the Weekend

Last week I went to Santa Barbara for a marketing conference and came back very late Thursday night. Being away from Parker and Tuan was hard but all of us survived and then enjoyed a 3 day weekend together. Here are some snapshots from our mellow weekend.

 

Side note: my in laws are in town! We are so excited to have home cooked Vietnamese food and are planning to sneak out for a date night.

 

[The Goleta train depot. It's a 6 hour train ride from SB to SD. Look at that sky!]

 

 

[Friday, we had lunch at Boudin at Fashion Valley. Clam chowder and a grilled cheese sandwich since it's still lent for us and turtle bread for Parks.]

 

[We were suppose to go to my niece Audrey's birthday party at Adventure City on Saturday but Parker contracted roseola. Not fun. So we stayed home most of the day instead.]

 

[We went to Rockin' Jenny's in Esco for dinner. I had their parmesan chicken sub which was ok. I wouldn't order it again.]

 

[Parker was exceptionally hungry this weekend and has now doubled his food intake. I'm pretty sure he is going through a growth spurt. Stop growing, baby!]