Mini Me Look - California Cool

An easy, relaxed look for summer. Man bag included.

Mini Me Look - California Cool by marychu on Polyvore

Zara Leather Slip-On / Dobby shirt | Gap

BURU Online Clothing Boutique for Breast Feeding Moms

Thanks to a great fashion blog called Ain't No Mom Jeans (check it out if you haven't already), I have just learned of a new online boutique for breastfeeding moms. In my early BF days, I struggled to find fashionable clothes that made it easy to whip my boob out in and ended up exclusively wearing button up shirts for a while. This website makes things a lot easier and the price point for most items is not outrageous. I love that they list the function of each top so you know if it's good for pumping, BF or both. Of course you can find similar items at cheaper prices but if you are planning to BF for a while (I'm still doing it 15 months in) I think it's worth it to get some quality items that will stand up to a lot of washing because, trust me, there will be stains. At the very least, the styling on the website gives you great insight on how to dress cute when you are out and about with baby. There is a solution for every difficult social occasion from wedding attire to work to a day at the park. I wish I owned the Waterfall Wrap. It's 1000 times more fashionable than the BF covers I have and would have come in handy when we went to a baseball game for Tuan's work party a few months ago.

Cheers to you, Human Buffet! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Breastfeeding Friendly Fashion by marychu on Polyvore

One Shoulder Maxi Goddess Dress / Glamrock Dress - Navy / Crystal Crossover Top in Blue Print / Cosmic Print Racerback Top - Black / Julia Romper in Faded Black / Trista Sleeveless Leo Button Down Top / Waterfall Wrap in Light Taupe / Chartreuse Sheer Bow Tie Button-Up Blouse

KidTeeZ Sloth Onesie on Zulily

I just bought this KidTeeZ sloth onesie for Parker on Zulily this morning. Check out the "City Cool: Kids Apparel" sale for more shirts like this one. 

If you don't haven't signed up for a Zulily account yet, use my referral link http://www.zulily.com/invite/mchu159. The shipping is the slowest ever but they do have some really good deals. 

Here are some of my other picks from the sale. 

And then there was this. Whaaaat? I don't think they know what hoodrat means...

Review of Station Tavern & Burgers

This weekend was the first in a while that we didn't have anything planned. No weddings, no birthdays, no holidays. Parker let us "sleep in" until 8 AM and we spent some time cleaning the house and doing chores. It felt really good not to have to be anywhere in particular. 

After a quick bang trim at Clip Art Salon in Kensington, we headed to South Park to have lunch at Station Tavern & Burgers. Ever been to a place that was so kid friendly that you felt weird being there without a kid? This is one of those places. The food is simple, kid friendly, reasonably priced and satisfying. They have an extensive bar menu. Almost everyone there has at least one child under the age of 5 at their table. There is a little play area with chalk boards and a little wooden train for the kids to play in. The outdoor dining area is shady and filled with long picnic tables (perfect for large groups). I failed to take good photos of the space but there are some good photos in the gallery on their website. But let's be real. We came for the tater tots. They are so crunchy and perfect with the chipotle mayo sauce. 

For those who are not familiar with the area, there are a few nice boutique shops to check out in the neighborhood after you've filled your bellies. 

Station Tavern & Burgers

2204 Fern St. 

San Diego, CA 92104

619-255-0657

http://stationtavern.com/

[Parker was hesitant at first about playing with the other kids. After a few minutes he was trailing behind a cute little girl trying to make friends.]

[My Yard Bird and Tuan's Sloppy Joe. That's right. When's the last time you had a sloppy joe?]

[Giant mound of delicious tater tots]

[After lunch we went home for naps and tickle time. I LOVE this photo.]

[Parker playing with Tuan's Beats by Dre headphones. What a cutie!]

San Diego Fires

Wildfires have been burning in various places throughout San Diego County since Tuesday and I just want to take this time to say THANK YOU to all the firefighters and emergency personnel who are helping to put them out and get people out safely. It's frightening to know that the winds can pick up an ember and set a house ablaze so easily. My condolences go out to those who have lost their homes and to the family and friends of the one person who was killed in Carlsbad.

Our bags have been packed since we saw the smoke from the small Scripps Ranch fire from our backyard on Wednesday. I highly doubt another fire will start in our area but you just never know. Better to be prepared then to be caught off guard! Here is a link to a great emergency evacuation list because we all know this may be the beginning of a very long fire season.

http://www.phantomranch.net/comunity/evaclist.htm

PS

The YMCA is offering FREE emergency child care at all locations in San Diego County from 6 AM - 6 PM for those who have been affected by the fires.

We have a big freezer for anyone who may need to store frozen BM.

Living Social has a great deal for an emergency 3 day survival kit for 2 people for only $55. Use my link to purchase! https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/1096557-three-day-disaster-survival-kit-for-two-people?ref=share-pre_purchase-copy_box-web-deals&rui=28334221

[The San Marcos fire from Valley Center. Photo by Nathaniel Weir of Weir Photography via CBS 8.]

Swim Lessons are Upon Us

I've scoured the interwebz researching what we will need in preparation for Parker's swim lessons which start next month. I can't believe we are so close to summer! Below are my picks for the essentials required for a successful swim lesson experience.

Mamas: If anyone has any advice please chime in!

Toddler Swim Gear by marychu featuring sun care

Sun care / Native Shoes 'Jefferson' Slip-On Sneaker (Baby, Walker, Toddler &... / Batman Beach Wrap / Gap Origami Boat Swim Trunks - new dark orange / I Play Infant Toddler Boys' 2-Pack Swim Diaper Set / Columbia Unisex-Baby Infant Mini Breaker Sunsuit / Circo Shark Hooded Towel - Skyline Gray

Welcome to my Never Clean Car

Whhhyy? Why do crumbs and dirt follow Parker wherever he goes? I just vacuumed my car yesterday and by the time I dropped him off this morning my seats looked like this. Between the snacks, the boogers, all the toys and books and the spraying food sneezes there is always something gross to clean up in the backseat.

 

#toddlerproblems

 

 

To combat the problem I'm going to invest in the following items. I hope these help! I considered getting a car vacuum but I don't want to add anything else to my car.

 

1. Armor All Cleaning Wipes/Leather Wipes $6.89 on Target.com

 

2. Backseat Organizer for Children $14.50 on Amazon

3. High Road TrashStand Leakproof $18 on Amazon

 

 

 

Snapshots from Mother's Day Weekend

Tuan and Parker treated me to a Disney weekend for Mother's Day and we had so much fun. I love spending time with my favorite guys.

 

[The Hilton upgraded us AND let us check in aroun 9 AM. What a fantastic way to start the weekend! The first thing Parker discovered were the buttons on the safe.]
 

[The view from our room. I'm a little bummed we didn't come prepared with swim suits this time. The pool looked amazing. This photo doesn't show that we had a perfect view for firework watching. Little man was obsessed with the curtains.]

 

[In line for our first ride in Bug's Land.]

 

[Family selfie!]

 

 

[Parker showing us his belly during lunch at Carthay Circle. Best food in either Disney park hands down. It's even better than the food at Club 33. The fried biscuit balls are a must try. Lunch was $40/person and we received reserved seating tickets for World of Color with our meals.]

 

 

[We had Parker's portrait drawn. Looks just like Tuan, right?]

 

 

[Every time he saw the balloon vendors he would start screaming "baboon! baboon!!" Of course we ended up paying $14 for a balloon.]

 

 

[Tuan trying to show off while we played games on the boardwalk.]

 

 

[Enjoyed this banana split from Ghiradelli before watching World of Color.]

 

 

[Great view of World of Color. I love when they light up the ferris wheel. Parker managed to stay up to watch most of the show. What a trooper!]

 

 

[Before checking out of the hotel, we let him go crazy with the toilet paper. Sorry, housekeeping staff!]

 

 

[My one and only photo with the beautiful necklace Tuan got me before I lost it. So sad!]

 

 

[My Mother's Day card. Spot on, Husband!]

 

I had so much fun this weekend! We wrapped up our time in OC by having lunch with my mom and the rest of my family. Happy Mother's Day to all my readers :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stroller Envy - Peg Perego Book Pop Up

I love our UppaBABY Vista but the new Peg Perego stroller has me feeling some serious stroller envy. Just. Watch. The. Video. See how flat it gets? And that storage basket underneath? Ahhh...so perfect.

http://pegperegousa.com/baby/book-pop-up

[Peg Perego Book Pop Up in Aquamarine. The color could not be more beautiful.]

Sly Fox Threads

One of everything, please! That's the first thought that came to mind when I first browsed the tees on Sly Fox Threads. I love everything about this casual kids line. The tees are full of personality and perfect for rambunctious little boys and girls. Plus, they look really soft and worn in. My fave is the "I'm a Wild One" sweatshirt. I started following their FB page yesterday and it looks like there is going to be a sale over Mother's Day!

**Update

20% off everything with the code Mom until 5/11.

See that tee with the red balloon in the middle? That's a special shirt that has been added in memory of Ryan, a little boy who was tragically hit by a truck last weekend. All proceeds are going to Ryan's family. My thoughts are with them in their time of grief. I'm tearing up just thinking about their loss and what they must be going through. You can read more about Ryan's story here http://diaryofanaddict.co/red-balloons-ryan/.

#redballoonsforryan


http://slyfoxthreads.com/

Sly Fox Threads by marychu featuring a black crew neck tee

Short sleeve t shirt / Black crew neck tee / Wild One Sweater | Slyfox Threads / We are Young Baseball Tee | Slyfox Threads / Like a Boss Orange | Slyfox Threads / Mommy's Shadow | Slyfox Threads / I Love Milk / Young Buck | Slyfox Threads / Forever in our Hearts - Red Balloons for Ryan Tee | Slyfox Threads

Happy 15 Months, Parker!

 

[Suit: Zara Kids, Tie: JCrew Kids, Shoes: Zara Kids, Shirt: Gap Kids]

 

Parker has been growing in leaps and bounds the last couple of months. He can communicate so well now and it's incredible to watch him really transition from a baby to a toddler. His favorite things to say are: doggy, quack quack, ca (fish in Vietnamese) and more. Chasing after him has gotten a little trickier since he is so fast now! He can climb on and off of things and open all the drawers in the kitchen. His appetite is ferocious and he drinks over 50 oz of almond milk everyday. Parker is very social and loves playing with other kids. I'm such a proud mama and can't wait to celebrate Mother's Day with my two handsome men at the happiest place on earth this weekend.

 



Review of Philippe The Original

We took advantage of the fact that we were in LA after our photo shoot to visit Philippe The Original, a restaurant famous for inventing the french dip sandwich. Philippe's had been on our list of places to try since I made it #25 on the list of 25 days of sandwiches I gave Tuan for Christmas 2 years ago.

 

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very casual and had a distinct air of age aka the tables were old and there were phone booths available. We got our beef sandwiches with sides of potato salad and macaroni salad. The sandwiches were good but small and the sides were mediocre. They also serve coleslaw, pickeled eggs, pickled pigs feet, soups, beer and other drinks but we didn't try them. We contemplated ordering two more sandwiches but the line at the register has tripled in size due to the fact that a Dodgers game had just ended. I'm glad we were finally able to check that 25th sandwich place off the list! If you are going to visit, please know that this place is cash only.

 

Philippe The Original

1001 N. Alameda St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-628-3781

http://www.philippes.com/

 

 

 

[Philippe's since 1908]

 

 

[Classic french dip sandwich]

 

 

[Glad I got all glammed up to pig out!]