Closet Envy: LOFT's Lou & Grey Collection Sale

Are you ready for the long weekend? After a week of leaky baby butts and not sleeping, I'm definitely ready for a few days off. There are some really good sales this weekend but the only one that motivates me to hit the mall is the LOFT's 50% off sale. I don't normally shop at LOFT but I do love their Lou & Grey Collection. Everything looks so comfy and effortless. Here are my picks which happen to be all moto jackets and pants because I'm in need of separates. Happy loooong weekend!!

[Linen draw string pants $54.99 + 50% off]

[Knit moto jacket $79.50 + 50% off]

UPDATE: I bought this jacket and it is the softest!! Love it.

[Microstripe linen moto jacket $74.99 + 50% off]

[Pocket zip pants $54.99 + 50% off]

[Pintucked zip-pocket pants $69.50 + 50% off]

Goofball

Trying on hats and giggling

Uno, Bitches!

A brilliant story by Glennon Melton. Read it.

Mini Outfit for a Fall Day at the SD Zoo

Why? Because we are San Diegans and San Diegans love pandas. Duh.

Mini Look - Fall Zoo by marychu featuring Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel floral decor / Vans Kids Classic Slip-On Core (Toddler) / Gap Skinny Jeans - medium wash / Gap Stripe Sweater Hat - navy

Mini Outfit for the Last Few Days of Summer

The last few days of summer are upon us. School starts again in a week. Fall fashions are out. The days are getting a little cooler.Summer camps are ending and I can work out at the YMCA park during my lunch hour again. But before I start stocking up on baby sweaters and boots, here is one more outfit for a summer play date. Nothing says summer like denim cut offs.

Mini Outfit - Summer by marychu on Polyvore

Vans Kids Authentic V (Toddler) / Retro Baby Boy Aviator Sunglasses Infant Fashion Age 0-12 Months / San Diego Padres Youth 2014 Authentic Collection Diamond Era 59FIFTY...

Closet Envy: Burberry Boys' Coats AW 14

Yes, I know it would be irresponsible to buy an expensive coat for a baby (especially when we live in SoCal). I'm not putting these Burberry coats on my shopping list anytime soon, but hey, a mama can dream... I'm in love with a classic cuts of these beautiful coats. Forget baby! I would wear every single one.

[Wool Cashmere Melton Pea Coat in Navy]

[Cotton Twill Trench Coat]

[Wool Duffle Coat]

[Wool Cashmere Melton Pea Coat in Military Olive]

Review of Rita's Italian Ice

Rita's has arrived in San Diego! The east coast chain is in the process of opening locations all over San Diego. When I say all over, I mean all over including locations in Scripps, Mira Mesa, Santee, Clairemont, Bay Park...the list goes on and on. They are opening a total of 70 locations.  This is not new news but we finally had the chance to visit the Rancho Penasquitos location. My verdict? It doesn't even begin to compare with the beloved OC institution that is Joe's Italian Ice. I'm not just saying that because I am from OC either. I'm sure the original Rita's is awesome but when special stand alone shops become a chain, something is always lost in the translation and flavors tend to get watered down or lose their originality. It's like comparing Katz's Deli to Subway, there is just no comparison. Rita's offers a wide range of flavors and it was tough to decide which ones we would try but we definitely avoided anything with the words "Starburst" next to it. In the end Tuan and I ordered mango and passionfruit gelatis and we enjoyed them outside on the patio. Not going to lie, I was disappointed. Tuan declared that it's not that bad and he's right but when you've had Italian ice with fresh fruits and know what good Italian ice tastes like you can't help but be disappointed.

[PQ storefront]

[Our gelatis. The workers really need to work on their swirl.]

[Parker was more interested in the fountain than the Italian ice. Here he is trying to be sneaky about putting his hands in the water.]

Conversations with my Husband - PET Material

Yesterday, we stopped by Brother's Provisions for some chips and went to Webb Park again because we can't get enough of these two places. On our way to the park...

Tuan: This chip container says it's made out of pet material.
Me: What? Like animals??? Or like leftover animal product stuff.
Tuan: I don't know it says pet!
Me: That is crazy.

I'm sure we are not the only fools who have been perplexed by this labeling on plastic boxes. I was totally grossed out for a bit but now I know. Now I know.

Just FYI via Ask.com
PET is used as a raw material fore making packaging materials such as bottles and containers for packaging a wide range of food products and other consumer goods. Examples include soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and edible oils. PET is one of the most common consumer plastics used.^[1] Polyethylene terephthalate also can be used as main material in making paper.^[2]

While we are on the topic of PET, here are some fun projects you can make with PET bottles.

[Spotted on Pysselbolaget]

[Spotted on brudiy]

Conversations with my Husband - Admitting He Looks Like a Lego Man +Happy Birthday

Happy 31st birthday to the most handsome lego man I know! We love you and hope you've had a great birthday weekend filling your belly with delicious food. It's not over yet! You are an amazing husband, daddy and dinosaur. 

Love you x infinity,

Mommy and Parker

Just for reference.

When Parker Met His Shadow

Last night we picked up sandwiches at Brothers Provisions and had a picnic dinner at Webb Park. After we finished eating the sun started to set and we took a walk around the lake. By the time we made our way around it was completely dark and the lamps had come on. And then this happened and it was the cutest thing. Parker met his shadow! I hope you enjoy this moment as much as Tuan and I did. 

Target's Latest Designer Collaboration: Target x Altuzarra

Altuzarra is bringing the heat with their new Target collaboration. Here are my favorite looks. The 50 piece collection ranges from $18-$90 and includes clothing, lingerie and shoes.

[Side thigh + an unexpected print]

[Red on red in a luxe looking material]

[Universally flattering dress in a color perfect for fall/winter]

[Great classic trench]

For more on this exciting collab, visit FabSugar.

Ferm Living AW14 Collection

I would like one of everything, please!

[Love the pattern of the native wallpaper]

[The Billy Bear Wall Flag is too cute]

[Parker needs the Billy Bear Cushion and Mr Inka Snake]

Peanuts, Popcorn and Family: Padres vs. Cardinals Baseball Game

Here are a few photos from the Padres vs. Cardinals game that we attended with Uncle Hairy (Henry) and Ngoc during their visit to the States. Miss you guys already! I'm glad the boys finally had the chance to meet you.

This was Parker's 2nd baseball game and he enjoyed it so much more than the last one. He loved snacking on popcorn and peanuts and climbing up and down the stadium stairs. When the fireworks went off because someone hit a home run, he didn't cry. I started to get nervous about him climbing the concrete steps so we took him down to the kids' area to run around and he loved it! I'm not a huge baseball fan but it was a great night out. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the new food/drink options at Petco Park. 

[Free tickets, food and drinks in the Sky Patio courtesy of my workplace for our annual Family Day.]

[Parker is his mega-me]

[All smiles riding around on Daddy's shoulders]

The Internetz' Tips Flying with a Toddler

Parker is going on his first plane ride next month to NYC! I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I've been reading travel tips to prepare us for what to expect when flying with a baby and they all end with "Even if everything goes wrong, the flight will eventually end". One blogger even likened it to child birth. Greeeattt. Here are the top ten tips that I've read. I'm curious to see how this list with change after our trip.

1. Bring a change of clothes for you and baby. Apparently kids have the tendency to explode in their diapers and throw up all over you on airplanes. Pack a change of clothes for you and baby in a gallon size ziplock bag so you have somewhere to put your dirty clothes.

2. Dress in layers, preferably in black because black hides pee and vomit stains better.

3. Send one parent to board first and wait until the very last second to board with baby. This makes sense. I've always hated waiting for everyone to board the plane.

4. Bring ID for your child. Duh.

5. Stock up on travel toys that your child has never seen before. Check out this list from Tips for Family Trips.

6. Be prepared for delays. Pack more diapers, food and wipes than you think you will need.

7. Feed your child during take off and landing to help with air pressure. Be it lollipops, the boob, or a bottle. Parker will probably be getting the boob.

8. The best flight times...depend on your kid. Some people say to take the red eye so baby can sleep. Some say take the earliest flight out to avoid delays. I don't think there is a magical time but we will be flying out first thing in the morning because that is one of the only flight options. Good luck to us.

9. Do the best you can to calm baby down if he has a melt down. People will be understanding if they see you are doing what you can to make it stop.

10. It will end. You will get to your destination and any horribleness experienced on the plane will be forgotten.

[Ready for take off!]

Fodor's Around New York City with Kids

Green Toys Airplane

Snapshots from the Weekend

[Friday night: This is how you get the party started when you turn 18 months!]

[Saturday morning: Parker's first visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography]

[Saturday afternoon: Checking out ducks with Daddy while I was at my dentist appointment]

[Saturday late afternoon: Tuan's corporate party at the Del Mar Races]

[Saturday night: Making a mess with some markers and a big box. He ended up with marker marks under his feet.]

[Saturday night: Snuck out for a dessert date with Tuan at Taegukgi Korean BBQ House. These macaron ice cream sandwiches really hit the spot. After we had dessert, we went for a walk along the Embarcadero. The new parks/seating areas they are adding look really charming. I can't wait for the construction to be finished.]

[Sunday early afternoon: Congrats to Jenny & Truc! We can't wait to meet baby Noah. How cool is this motorcycle diaper cake?]

[Sunday late afternoon: A quick trip to the San Diego Zoo before meeting the family for dinner. Look at Parker's stance. He cracks me up. He was really into the orangutans this time and kept running back and forth in front of the glass.]

[Sunday night: Almost carb free dinner at Grandma Tofu and Korean BBQ. Dumpling tofu stew.]

I'm tired. Can I have another weekend to recover from my weekend?

How I got my toddler to floss

In many ways I am amazed that this photo even exists. Not long ago, we were fighting every night with Parker just get him to brush his teeth. Fast forward a couple of months later and little man now loves to "floss" his teeth. How the tides have turned! Not every night is this easy but for the most part he is pretty enthusiastic when we play our game of removing the "bugs" from his teeth. Obviously his brushing and flossing is not the best so we do it first and then let him take over afterwards. We use the floss picks instead of string because it's easier. Thanks to Dr. J Shahangian of Scripps Ranch Pediatric Dentistry for his advice and tips.   

Happy Half Birthday, Parker!

Happy Half Birthday, Parker! I can't believe how much you have grown in the last six months. You know so many words now and are starting to form sentences. You floss and brush your teeth with us every night. You can climb like a silly monkey and we find you standing on top of the most dangerous places. You are a smart, sensitive and fearless little boy and we love you to the moon and back. If you happen to be reading my blog today, here's a clue as to what your half birthday gift is.

Clue #1

Clue #2

PS If this happens while we are riding the subway I would die.