Great Shopping Day

Yesterday Emily and I went to the TJ Maxx HomeGoods store and it turned out to be THE BEST shopping trip there ever!! I love this store. Have to really thank Mani for introducing it to me.

We spotted this origami ceramic stool and fell in love with it immediately. The price tag was definitely very agreeable as well. Didn't quite have a spot for it except for in front of the window. Just hoping little Jolly Jowls can't move it.



The selection for ornate white teapots was really quite good yesterday. It was a tough one, but I decided on this because of the artichoke knob on top. It's not very practical though, a little hard to hold.



This BIG bell is perfect to summon everyone for dinner! Since Nimone and her family were coming over for dinner, it was a no brainer. We had to try it out for dinner call, and it worked great! I LUV it!



I saw this vintage floral print vinyl tablecloth last time I was there, but was too lazy to get in line for this 1 item, so I had to pick it up this time. It's perfect for those backyard brunches, lunches, and just snacks on a nice warm sunny day. I can't wait to use it this summer.



This dress was in the pajama section. Made by Munki Munki. I love the cute fabric used and the simplicity of the dress. I think this can be a summer dress, seems a little too pretty and cute to just wear it to sleep...



Last but not least. Super cute Thank You cards.

Big girl

She's looking different everyday, but still looks just like ME! Here are a few recent pictures since she's turned 1.

Poor baby's been sick for the past couple of weeks. First it was a cold and now she's feverish from teething. We've noticed that she likes to sleep with her butt in the air whenever she's not feeling well.


Here's the dazed morning look.


She loves having hair clips in her hair now. She stays still for me to put them on and always flashes a satisfactory smile when she hears the click.


Playing peek-a-boo with Daddy.

Ella's 1st birthday

Happy Birthday Miss. Ella P.
Ella's already 1, which means I better hurry up and lose weight!!

She's coming into her own more and more everyday. We had a birthday lunch with Great-Grandma, the Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, cousins, and Godparents. Too bad Stella couldn't join us. Maybe next time!

We had the Pope room at Buca De Beppo. Angie, the amazing cake maker, made Ella's Ni Hao Kai Lan themed cake. I was blown away when I picked up the cake. Almost everyone asked if we can eat the cake. Haha


Ella wore the new dress Mommy made, copying something I saw at Target. This fabric was the one that Emily found at Discount Fabrics on Irving last month, and I happen to have a lot of ribbons and trims. It's always a good idea to keep ribbons from packaging and gifts. As Martha would say, "It's a GOOD thing."


With a little sequin flower hair clip and the cute little old lady orthodic shoes, Ella's ready for her 1st birthday!

She's beginning to understand the concept of looking good. Not a happy camper when the sparkly hair clip went onto Kevy's head.

Maybe we can try Grandauntie Lu's haircut. I think she'll look really cute in this style.

While Tim and I were both busy doing I don't know what, thank God Auntie Alvina was busy with her camera that day. She really got quite a few very good pictures for us. Thank you!

On Ella's actual birthday, Kei Yei (Johnson) and family, came over to help celebrate.

I decided that I should practice making cupcakes, cause it's an essential part of being a Mom. Here's my pathetic first attempt at cupcake decorating. Alvina and Felicia lent a hand there as well. We had some interesting looking sheeps... I'm not giving up yet. There shall be cupcakes every week now!