Currently Loving {Life Edition} Thursday Link Up

Few weeks ago my sister and I took the kiddos and went to the local zoo. It's nothing fancy, mind you, but still it was an event. We strapped the kiddos into strollers and headed up the hill. Half way up we realized that our kiddos weren't so impressed with napping lemurs and dirty zebras (you literally couldn't tell it was a zebra), so we paused for some pictures.

First let's take a selfie. Notice how the kids are acquainted with the concept but don't know you are supposed to put your best tooth forward. Get the joke? No? At least I'm laughing.

My gorgeous sister. We take pictures of each other but she's way better at it than I am.

Us and the llamas. But the zoo is not for Jonathan apparently - there is something more interesting
in the opposite direction.

At least something was interesting enough that he was pointing to it

 the goats which were only looking for a treat from us. The kiddos didn't want to touch them at all and Jonathan's face says it all.

When we were done with the mammals that's the face they gave us. Ha! Money well spent no?

We ended the day with some froyo. Those green little balls are Japanese candy made in all kinds of flavors. I like how they burst in my mouth creating an explosion of taste because apparently dozens of animals weren't exciting enough. This should do it.

RULES:

1. Please follow your host (via Bloglovin') 

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you are loving or something new you just can't wait to share!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post or grab my button from the side bar (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! We hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Currently Loving Link Up, email ademko10 (at) gmail (dot) com for more details!

An InLinkz Link-up

Cream of Asparagus Soup w/Shrimp {Recipe}

This recipe is brought to you by the lack of outfit pictures due to the fact that I lost the charger to our camera. It's somewhere in the house but the question is, where? So as I try to either find it or buy a new one, here is a post that I meant to do ages ago but forgot all about. This recipe comes just in time for asparagus season. So enjoy the freshness of the newly picked greens with crispy shrimp on top. Don't get alarmed by the fancy title - this recipe is super easy . 

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup of cream

1 lb asparagus stems

1 tsp lemon zest

1/4 tsp salt, divided

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

Pinch of cayenne pepper

12 oz of shrimp

METHOD:

In large pot or dutch oven heat oil over medium-low heat. Simmer chopped onion until very soft and golden, stirring often, about 10 to 15 minutes.

In the meanwhile, heat a skillet and add oil. Dab the shrimp with paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Add stock and lemon juice. Increase the heat, and bring to a boil.

Chop asparagus; drop into boiling stock. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until asparagus is very soft. Remove from heat. 

Pour soup into blender in batches and blend until creamy.

Return purée to pot and add the cream with milk. Taste and adjust seasoning, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic to taste.

Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with lemon zest and 5-6 pieces of shrimp.

Tip 1: You can substitute the cream and milk with half & half

Tip 2: You can serve this soup cold by omitting the cream in the recipe by substituting with water

Blessings of a Stay at Home Mama

Last picture of his baby curls...

A younger version of myself never saw this life that I'm living in the future. I always thought I will get my education, get married, have children and go back to work as soon as I could. Little did I know that God had different plans for me. Being stay at home mom has its challenges but it's such a huge blessing. There are so many things I enjoy that need to be documented before I forget how precious this time of my life is.

The best part about being with my child 24/7 is seeing the little things he does as he changes and grows. I notice how he goes from dependent-on-me-for-all-things baby to independent boy. I see how his personality starts to show through and he becomes a fully functional member of our family. I love seeing him grow into a little man, attempt things on his own, like certain food and dislike others, categorically object to me leaving him and talk up a storm.

I'm amazed when all the teaching and repeating things over and over again finally pays off. After a million 'please' and 'thank you's he finally says something and it seems like there is nothing more precious in the world. I'm surprised when he randomly brings something into garbage without me telling him, or knows where the place of a certain item is. Those are the moments when every difficult moment and sleepless night is worth it.

I adore his slobbery kisses and hugs, and the fact that I'm his first love. He sees only me, wants me, and although it gets annoying at times, I treasure this time of closeness. Don't get me wrong, I like my personal space and alone time but that boy just knows how to melt my heart into a huge puddle of mush. He is a hugger but not s cuddler, if that makes sense. He will come up and give me a huge bear hug, after he jumps on me a little. But he will not stay passed two seconds because frankly he's too busy and has got to go.

Time is fleeting and life is so short. I cherish the time I get to spend one-on-one with my son. I'm raising a human being, a future leader, husband and father - that has got to count for something more than the career I'm missing or the dress I can't fit into. Motherhood is a great joy, and there is nothing in the world I would rather be doing right now.

Shopping {Zara Favorites}

Perhaps it's not the best idea to start Monday  morning with a little shopping but here I am, crushing on new Zara Collection. Every time I scroll through their dresses or shoes, I want to buy at least half a dozen. Everything from chic skirts, classy sandals and killer jeans is up for grabs but the thing that I like the most is that dust pink bag. It has my name written all over. Hope you like my selection of the very cute and summery pieces and enjoy a little shopping on my account. Let me know what would you buy in the comments, I'm so excited about their new summery clothes.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 

Simply Chic

dress: Old Navy
sandals: Gap (similar)
bag: Dorothy Perkins

A lot of times when I take pictures of my outfit for the blog, I think, is it enough? Is my outfit trendy enough? Do I have enough accessories? Is it Pinterest worthy? And quit frankly, it gets so exhausting at times. There is a pressure for a style and beauty blogger to be on trend. Otherwise, your pictures will not be pinned and the Insta account will loose followers.

I feel like, I have been trying to be someone else for a very long time. Looking at some of the more accomplished and expensive bloggers, I fee inadequate. But this is just me, having a nice day with my son at the zoo. You know, there are days when I have simple and non-trendy outfits on. That's OK nd it needs to blogged too.

It's really not about the clothes or how much we have, or what kind of bag we could scrape up on. Life is about so much bigger things. Stop worrying about fitting in and being something you are not. Just stay true to yourself and everything else will fall into place.

Thank you for reading and have a great weekend! 

Currently Loving {Thursday} Link Up

blouse: Old Navy (old)
sweater: J.Crew
pants: Land's End (similar)
shoes: Aldo (similar)
tote: Dorothy Perkins
necklace: Target (similar)

This week's link up is brought to you by procrastination and lack of motivation. There are lots of things I'm loving at the moment but I don't always have my camera handy to snap a picture for the weekly round up. So I will tell you how things are...

- on the way home one evening I saw a gorgeous, giant moon shining over the dark summer sky. It was breathtaking

- I almost got a ticket but a nice smile and sweet word got me out of the trouble. Always do your hair and put on lipstick before heading out.

- with nicer weather we have been enjoying outdoors and I actually planted some greenery. Don't know how long it will last with the little hands that grab everything

- missing my mama as she's taking a trip overseas to visit her parents. Every time I reach for the phone to call her, or send a picture of Jonathan doing something goofy, I realize she's not there. Sad face.

- enjoying time with my sister and the kids at the zoo. The good 'ole chickens have never been so much fun

RULES:

1. Please follow your host (via Bloglovin' or Instagram ) 

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you are loving or something new you just can't wait to share!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post or grab my button from the side bar (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! I hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Currently Loving Link Up, email happymedley@gmail.com for more details!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thoughts On Parenting

I set down to write this post three times, and have deleted every single draft. It's hard to put thoughts into words when you have ideas coming together in haphazard manner. So here it goes.

I think about what it means to be a parent. A lot. And how it changes me as a human being.

Few weeks ago, hubby and I had a night off (sorta) from being parents. We dropped Jonathan off at my mom's for the night and headed out. Although we were physically away from our child, we were still very presently parenting. After exchanging pleasantries we talked about that little guy that occupies most of our lives. 

We talked about his cute little quirks and the annoying-us-to-death things he does. We talked about life and how much joy that energetic boy has brought into our lives. At the end of the evening, the house felt awkwardly silent without the bubbling toddler running around. It felt a little weird not going into his room to make sure he isn't too hot, or not checking his diaper. His room was empty and it felt as if I never been to that place of just us two. Like we always had him in our lives.   

I thought, I would feel free. I thought, I was craving to relinquish the responsibility of parenthood for just one night. I thought, I missed the freedom.

But the only thing that missed that night was our boy.

Ones you become a parent, you never ever stop being one. No matter what happens in life, no matter the choices that child makes, no matter how geographically disconnected you are, no matter what he/she does, no matter what, you don't ever stop loving.

It was awesome to have a night out on the town with just the two of us, reminiscing about the good ole days. It felt so special to hold hands and not worry about third mouth to feed or the diaper duty. We needed that breath of romance and sweet time alone, and loved every minute of it.

But the next day it was all right with the world again - there were three of us. Hearing that cute babble first thing in the morning, goofing around in bed, chasing around the house, reading books and gathering around the table together. 

As much as I loved the dating and the newlywed stage, and miss being able not to think about nap schedule, I love this new stage in my life. I'm learning to embrace it and savoir every moment of adorable cuteness and naughty mischievousness. I'm learning to have more patience, to let go of the things that bother me and to live in the moment. I'm learning to hit pause for a minute to just sit down and play with Jonathan and remember the moments that brought me so much happiness.

When you hold that precious little baby in your hands, you give up the power and right to act, speak, or think as you want without consideration for another human being that depends on you for everything. That's what it means to be a parent. 

Mix It Up - Monday Link Up

dress: Dorothy Perkins (similar)
cardigan: Target (similar)
shoes: H&M (similar)
clutch: H&M (similar)
glasses: DKNY

It's Monday morning. You had a nice weekend being pampered by hubby with breakfast in bed, a nap and didn't wash a single dish (he was so kind). Although you had a late night yesterday and was hoping to sleep in this morning. Well, your toddler decides to wake up at 5:46 and not go back to sleep. Ever. Almost two hours later and he's still awake, running around, trying to unplug your computer and climb on your face. And you realize that Mother's Day weekend has come to an end. Real motherhood begins.

That's my story this morning and frankly, I'm not a happy camper. Add to that restless legs that didn't let me sleep the entire night and you will get a stinky face. 

But let's talk about pleasant things, like this pretty mint dress I wore. I love that color and how nicely it plays with pink. Now all I have to do is take a shower, do my hair, make up, get dressed and I should be feeling better. Naaaah. Lounging in bed, having pancakes and taking in nap sounds like my kind of morning. 

I'm linking up with Lauren from Fizz and Frosting for Mix It Mondays! 

Fizz & Frosting (Bloglovin') / Happy Medley (Bloglovin')