After playing in the swimming pool in the morning, we set out to explore what’s around.

Our hotel has flamingos, swans and three talking parrots. Every time we walked by we say aloha to them.

Gorgeous water

Stopped by at a look out point for a few snaps.

Quick coconut stop

Chloe’s been fantasizing about drinking fresh coconut water directly from a coconut in Hawaii. But after a few sips she was done. She imagined it to be sweet like pina colada. 😉

Chloe’s first purchase: anklet made by a local artist, made with Hawaiian Job’s tear seeds.

I went bold and painted our family room/library in royal blue from Sherwin-Williams. To be continued~

While I’m still shopping for new couches for the living room, I’ve already purchased decorative pillows to go with them from Caitlin Wilson. I love everything she makes!

Patio off the living room; This will be the spot for my weekend morning coffee. Loving these European bistro chairs.

I wanted to give Chloe a pretty, playful and girly room to match her personality. She was involved in many of the decision making process including the lemon wall color.

She asked me for a canopy bed so I made her one. I asked my handy man to raise the bottom posts of her existing bed to match the height of the head board, then I hung a white canopy I got from Ikea and cut it up and sewed bedding sheets I bought from Serena & Lilly onto it and hang them.

Pom pom trim is from from M&J Trim store; my favorite stop whenever I’m in the city.

Chloe’s art works

I bought these vintage animal toys a while back wanting to make the containers. I saw this DIY project on pinterest.

Giraffe trinket dish from Anthro.

Zebra gold dish from Joathan Adler, Dyptyque Baises candle, & Chloe’s card to me. Yes, my nick name is ‘oh my darling’. 😉 (Yes, I made them call me that.)

Book case from Serena & Lily

Kids love hanging out in this lounge area on Sunday mornings, reading or playing games waiting for me and Andrew to wake up.

I’ve been eyeing on this settee for a quiet some time now and finally decided to get it. It’s a perfect size for the space. 🙂

It’s still in working progress but when it’s finished, it’s going to be kids “arts & craft studio”.

Dress:  Tadashi Shoji,  Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Bag: Chanel

It was a messy commute this morning because of the snow storm yesterday. Chloe’s school had a delayed opening and Andrew’s car got stuck in the snow on our street so he had to push the car out of the snow pile while I drove. After all that trouble, all of us got into our SUV to drop off Andrew at his bus stop, waited 30 min only to find out his bus was not running. By 9 am. I was exhausted. I wanted to just take the day off and stay home but Andrew kept insisting I go to work. When I started to get annoyed that he didn’t want me to stay home with him, he told me why.

The only reason I came to work today. Thanks honey!

It’s Friday night, kids were fed, showered and tucked in bed and dishes were put away. It’s that time of the month for me and I was ready for bed by 8pm and that’s when Andrew came home from work. He kept coming in and out of the bedroom, telling me he can’t keep a secret and asking me if I wanted my birthday present now. Honestly, I was in no mood and I just asked him to bring me some advil. He still was so excited and finally he gave me this present box and told me I could have it but I couldn’t open it till Sunday.

You’re kidding me! I shouted. When I saw the box, I flipped. No you didn’t… I jumped out of bed and I don’t know what happened but the next thing I knew I was in tears when I saw what was inside.

Andrew: (looking at me so confused then he said,) “Ahh, it’s your period…”.

I couldn’t believe he bought this beautiful pair of shoes! It’s not only surprising he picked out such a cool design that I absolutely love, what’s more amazing is that the man actually went to a department store (he absolutely hates shopping!) and probably asked a sales person, “Dude, find me red sole shoes for my wife” and came home with this! ! !

The next morning, I got this sweet present from Chloe.

She sewed these two heart shaped felts together, made into a pocket and put little hearts and a snowflake inside it.

So sweet!

We got up bright and early this morning to have a breakfast at the Plaza.

Chloe took most of the photos today with her new ipod.

We check out the Eloise shop.

Chloe’s been so into body lotions, perfumes and anything that’s related to personal care lately. All she wanted from this really cute shop was just a hand lotion.

Afterwards, we enjoyed holiday window displays on fifth avenue.

Gorgeous….

We had fun trying some accessories at Henri Bendel.

We also did our annual shopping at the American Girl place.

Then we headed over to Bryant Park to eat. We tried Chimney cake,

and Toparepa’s goat cheese, pesto and sun-dried tomato arepa. So yummy!

Today was simply perfect. We had the best girls day ever!

Priceless…

Andrew got me a silk pillow case for me. But the highlight was his creative wrapping. What the.

Whoa, I’ve been such a good girl, Santa even got me a present…

My mischievous look.

I surprised Andrew with not one but two gifts. All day yesterday, he’s been calling me out for not getting him anything. How do you feel now?

Gifts for Chloe

Shane’s gifts

I got my initial mug and a candle from my Sunday school student. How precious! Thank you Matthew!

After breakfast, I noticed the house was shockingly quiet. Not a peep. What’s going on?

I found this scene.