Las Vegas according to my iPhone

We are still traveling this morning and should be back home at the end of the day. Let me share some images from our las vegas weekend. We all had a grand time and i'm not looking forward going back to the routine work grind.

Have a great Monday all!
And if you follow my other blog, don't forget to join our summer faves giveaway. It ends this Wednesday, july 25th!

Frametastic Friday

It's friday the13th!

13 has been a lucky number to me and I'm starting my friday sharing the fun past week of my so-called life! 

Have you discovered the frametastic app yet? It allows you to make photo collages straight from your phone. This time I'm gathering a few instagram (@swankychicfete) photos capturing my week.

Last week, I finally came out of my hair rut and decided to get my roots done and added some highlights at albert luiz salon and spa and I think I've finally found my girl, Yvette. She was fantastic! Couldn't be more happier. 

We also took Aston for his 5 year old check-up and didn't share this before but we had a little rash incident about a month ago after he ate a mixed nut pack bought at the airport. He's been eating PBJ since like forever with no reactions, so we thought he might be allergic to a particular nut. And sure enough, we got him tested and he's allergic to half of the variety of nuts out there. Pecans were spared, thank god. Yep, that's him showing off the book his pediatrician gave him on his visit.

My may books planner/agenda came in this week and i am excited to jot down my important notes/reminders/schedule on my fabulous notebook designed and created by me. It came in it's cute packaging and a generous discount code for my next order! LOVE it! 

It's been raining all week and lazy days and nights are here. One evening, I bust out the yummy kim chi ramen noodles I've been saving for those kinds of nights and voila - instant dinner. I paired it with my latest fave san pellegrino arianciata rossa and i am in perfect dinner heaven!

I have been bombarded by emails, comments and texts on where I got the colorful patterned paper straws I posted in facebook and instagram last week - and yes, it's from target! I looked them up online but looks like it's only available in stores. You can find them by the party supplies next to stationery. Last time i checked, they were out of them. it's by spritz and priced at $ 1.99/20 pcs. Do check your local store from time to time, i'm sure they'll stock up on them again!

I'm not a gym junkie but i sure love going to my barre classes at define. I try to go at least 2-3 times a week and if I just improve on my diet, I'd be losing weight and toning more than where i am now. Ha! Define recently opened their west u studio and it's amazing! If you're in the houston area, do check them out - Hank and the ladies there are awesome!

I've been afraid of polka dots (particularly the big dots) ever since this fashion trend started. I thought they're unflattering on me but I found an adorable inexpensive sheer dotted blouse at marshalls and thought I'd give it a try. Can't wait to wear it with my bright jeans or shorts!

Lastly, our GIVEAWAY is still open today till tomorrow midnight - stop by and join to win one bracelet of your choice! good luck and have a fantastic weekend, friends!

4th of July Parade

Summer camp's 4th of July parade was last Tuesday. Everyone were dressed in their red, whites and blues and all the kids and babies were just adorable!

They started the parade in the school's hallways then proceeded outside for a quick round and ended in the sanctuary. It was earlier in the day, so the heat was still bearable and they didn't stay that long outside. Overall, it was fun and the kiddos get to strut and showoff their DIY project streamers and marracas and pinwheels! So fun and festive! 

Here's our little guy breaking up the line as he spotted mommy and showered her with hugs and kisses! 

4th of July at home was quiet and simple. We started early with a moviedate with the Amazing Spiderman. Then we grilled BBQ at home for dinner and watched the fireworks on TV! 

Bummed that we all have to go to work the next day :(

And here's my last minute patriotic tablecenterpiece I put together using my stand-by pantry staples. To check out the complete post, visit my other blog here! 

Our Budding Little Artist

I am such a bad mom. I never really pay attention with Aston's little take home projects from whenever he started school back when he was only 2. I have kept all of them but now i am thinking i am going back and sort them out again and stare at them at a different light. 

Recently (he's now just turned 5) he has been bringing home an impressive collection of artwork he has done from school and summer camp. I don't know, maybe it's just me since i am his mom - but I am really loving all his work! 

above is a "springtime" project he did last april during preK

a watercolor painting on paper he called "the dragon" from this summer camp 

this purple watercolor on canvas is from vacation bible school last week

and yesterday he came home with this blue watercolor in rolled paper 

Houston peeps, do you know of any art kids school here in houston? I'm thinking of enrolling him and get him the proper training to hone his skills. If there is such thing. I am planning of grabbing paint and canvas from michaels this weekend and get him working at home. that would get him started. he has the rest of summer to get busy! 

Father's Day Weekend Recap

We actually started celebrating father's day weekend Friday night as we went out for dinner with my folks. We again hit the lunch scene for some steaks on Saturday and I cooked corn and pork bbq for dinner on Sunday night. After Sunday mass, Aston and I treated daddy to a movie and we watched Madagascar at the fancy Star Cinema Grill by our house. Great food and chic swanky interiors - the movie was great too! 

 It was a great weekend celebrating the men in my life - my father and my husband. I had to search for some really memorable photos that truly meant a lot to me. This was heartwarming looking back at old photos. 

My father walking me down the aisle on my wedding day, Sept. 2 2000

 Ben holding Aston the first day he got home from the hospital. So precious. May 2007

Daddy and baby Aston, he's about 3 months old here

And big boy Aston (looking like he's 6 months while he's only 3 months old) with my father. 

How did you spend your Father's day weekend? 

Super Hero Party Peeks

Last month we celebrated Aston's 5th birthday with a superhero party and i finally got the amazing pictures my talented niece Ailynne captured from the party (THANK YOU!). There are hundreds of beautiful photos to sort and I am just going to share a few of them here for now. I want to post them all! 

Thank you once again to all our friends and family who came to celebrate with us and making that day another special birthday for our little superhero! 

 

 

 

 

All photos by AILYNNE-ABARADO REMIGIO
and she's in facebook too!

Daddys of Summer

Here are more lost pics from our San Antonio trip this past May. 

Ode to the daddies who sweat and swam it out that hot humid weekend! 

Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating all the dads in your life this past weekend! 

Instagram Lately

It was a pleasant summer week this past week. In between work and vacation bible school for the little boy, I have a lot in my plate. Literally. Either it's summer corn and lobster salad from Neiman Marcus or my favorite afternoon treat, a cup of frozen yogurt - flavor of choice : low-fat dulce de leche and tart mango with fresh mangoes, strawberries and cheesecake bits. And of course, the usual demands of my work.

I got a few surprises this week too. I received an adorable mini-bunting by the seriously talented Jenny of hank and hunt. When it came in the mail, it just made my day brighter. I also picked up a little belated gift from Sephora - fresh sugar lip balms that i'm currently obsessed with.

We are moving to a new office before the month ends and we are excited and exhausted just thinking about it. To calm my senses, I indulge in a little at-home mani and paint my nails pink. And lastly, I dressed up more girly last night for a friend's birthday dinner and opted to go out in bright fuschia and aqua - more daring than usual.

I hope your week was fun and i'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend with the men in my life for father's day!

Summer Artwork

Aston is currently attending summer camp and he came home with this artwork the other day. I asked him what it was and he says "a dragon". Ok. 

Am I the only one that thinks this is a very gorgeous dragon? 

The Dragon, by Aston 5 years old

He attends vacation bible school next week. Let's see what he creates then. 

Merry Month of May

It was surely a merry month of May last month. We celebrated Mother's day, Aston's last day in school and 5th birthday and Memorial Day weekend with a quick getaway to San Antonio. The month was packed with joyous celebrations! 

For Memorial day weekend,we stayed at the charming La Cantera resort up in the hills of San Antonio close to Six Flag's Fiesta Texas. The place is about 13 years old but the facilities and grounds are still beautiful with a nature trail, lagoon-style pools and endless activities for kids. 

The San Saba Plaza where they held wedding ceremonies & receptions. It has a Koi pond with layered landscaping of rocks and stones. It's lovely up there overlooking the hills. 

View from our room - we are just steps away from the jacuzzi via our sliding glass doors. So convenient! 

The grandparents at the old-world charming lobby with an exhausted Aston. We just arrived from our long 3-hour drive. 

This is a gorgeous view by the tennis courts. Sprawling golf course and lush trees! 

Every weekends this summer (and holidays) the Looney Tunes characters are there at breakfast! 

Aston trying hard to ignore the dynamic duo of Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny! 

Every night you get to roast your very own s'mores by the pool! So much fun! 

At San Saba Plaza

Check the resort's calendars as they also have petting zoo on Saturdays! 

Too hot to go outside? The kids can have fun inside the Kid's Club where they will enjoy coloring, crafting and so much fun activities that are geared for all kiddos! This is the same place you drop off the kids for childcare when the adults want some alone time (fees applies) for dinner or adult-only outing. Otherwise, it's free if they just want to hang out while you're in the area with them. 

For older kids, a video area/room with big screens are also available. Aston tried a hand with a video kinect game. He was so good at it!

More fun at the Kid's Club at Westin!

What are your plans this summer?