Source: https://pixabay.com/en/building-destroyed-destruction-1030838/

Home renovation is something that all of us need to go through at some point in our lives. Keeping in mind that it’s not something that most of us have experience doing, it’s very easy for us to get distracted, frustrated and for the outcome to be worse than we originally planned for.

Since nobody wants to end up going that path, the operation of home renovation is indeed something that needs to be very well planned ahead. Overcoming financial problems along the way is never a good idea and you should be aware of the expenses associated.

Remotely knowing what you want your house to look like after renovation in most cases won’t be enough. You will need to be as detailed as possible (especially with so many handymen and workers around the house that don’t share the same vision or level of creativity as you do).

But, before everything, you will need to take care of…

Where Will You Stay During the Renovation?

Yes, one thing that most of us doesn’t take into account until the actual renovation starts is where your family will be during the process.

Depending on whether you’re going to take an active role in the renovation or you just intend to leave the keys to the person responsible to finish the job while you’re traveling with your kids, we can talk about a diametrically different approach to this matter.

No matter what solution you choose, bear in mind that you need to give your best to keep the stress levels of you and your family as low as possible, as renovating the house can be really stressful and it often lasts more than you originally planned.

Save Where You Can

Rearranging things around the house can be devastating to your budget. Even if you think you got it all under control, you can still easily get carried away with so many people involved and so many situations popping up along.

However, if there is a right time to do something then renovating your home is definitely the right time to get rid of all the unnecessary stuff you kept in your house until now.

Organizing a garage sale or simply putting your products online can both free up some living space and earn you a dollar that you can reinvest in your new/old home.

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/deck-wood-paint-wooden-house-1744953/

Do It Yourself, But Don’t Overdo It

Now is not the time to act like a know-it-all. If you have a God-given gift that you can use to handle some activities around renovation (refurbishing the old furniture or gluing tiles in the bathroom) then you should definitely do it yourself if you’re confident of your skills.

However, lots of people tend to overdo things and they think that they can do something when they actually can’t. Keep in mind that overdoing things will not only eat up your time and nerves, but it will also cost you extra as you’d definitely need to hire a gun to fix what you did afterward.

Be considerate and realistic about what your capabilities truly are. Pay money to the people who know their job to do the rest.

A quick break from all these over-the-top weddings and jammed-pack social calendar I had for August. Ha!

Last June, Chloe started preschool and our day-to-day activities consist of tidying up writings on the wall, washing only one pair of uniform, constant nagging while organizing books or coloring pens scattered on the floor, looking for the other pair of socks and our most favorite part - practicing our writing and reading skills.

Gone are the days of sleeping in past 10pm and just lying on the bed watching toy reviews on YouTube while mommy updates her social media posts and stories. Gone are the weekends spend in the park or just playing in the mall while mommy does her shopping. Too much happening for the past 3 months (mostly school related) and the rainy weather, to say it bluntly, is not encouraging. Thankfully, we made plans for the beach on the 21st to relax and make up for the lost family time. This lightens the vibes a little bit.

However, going to school will also mean new stories and adventures to talk about non-stop on the dinner table. Chloe is so happy with new friendship and learning she discovers within the four walls of her classroom making her more expressive and communicative. And to support her current love for school moment we've organized our room to fit her mood: we made her own study table, put on more bookshelves and reading materials to her heart content, and decorated her wall with her favorite verse:

So how to get your kids in the mood for reading?

I've teamed up with readwithfonics.com to share some simple tips to put your kids in the right spirit of reading.

Hola September! Speaking of wedding, I was completely blown away but what has been the ultimate influencer move I've seen on the first day of September. This month started on a swoon-worthy and an extravagant wedding of one of my favorite Italian blogger - Chiara Ferragni and just looking at those pictures induced an Instagram envy among us. The Blonde Salad star wore not one but three stunning and luxurious wedding dresses for the weekend festivities. 

But don't fret, you don't have to be a billionaire to do the same.

I've rounded up a few under $500 wedding dresses for your magical moment and look spectacular without burning holes in your pocket. Because well, we don't have all Chiara Ferragni's bank account balance.  And you can find all these elegant yet affordable wedding dresses at Suzhoudress.com.

I'm sure you've heard of this online website before as I've been working with Suzhoudress.com in few series of blog posts and have been documenting some of their gorgeous prom dresses on my Instagram stories.

Suzhoudress online shopping experience is one that makes you especially excited as they offer a wide selection of wedding dresses for your choosing. Their exquisite workmanship with high-quality fabric ensures your every purchase meets global quality standards. The primary aim is for women to think about this magnificent day as a dream come true. That when they think of their wedding day, they will focus on how beautiful their wedding dress is and not on stressing on how to get value on this very expensive item we've got to wear once. They offer global consumers at factory prices. Picking "the one" is never easy but here's the icing on the cake, why pick one when you can pick two or more for your dream wedding party in a The Blonde Salad way sans the money.

These elegant wedding dresses are speaking luxury for itself. This custom stunning creation will give you a Cinderella feel with all the rich and extravagant detailing. You can put your hair up, natural makeup look and simple accessories and voila, you'll instantly look like a million dollar bride. I don't know about you but looking elegant doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. That's why I'm in constantly finding ways on how to achieve luxury fashion without going bankrupt. 

And to give you a huge favor, these cheap wedding dresses are the absolute showstopper. Don't we all love affordable fashion? Those that will turn heads but which price tags will make you smile. Combat buyer's remorse with this wide selection of affordable wedding dresses from Sozhoudress.com.

Here's to "someone I know is engaged" sentiments to "yes I do" moment of your life.

Enjoy shopping! Xoxo

**This post as sponsored by suzhoudress.com. As usual, all opinions are my own.

Today I'll be sharing one of my favorite sites Paperless Post' expressive online invitations and how you can automate and build a system that efficiently works for your party guest list. Plus a special 25$ gift card from Amazon just by following my giveaway below.

So why not automate and send invitations online when everyone we know is on the internet nowadays? Except maybe for my parents and few of my relatives - the very reason our wedding was old-fashioned by the way. Ha, kidding!

The first time I've worked with Paperless Post and saw myself the flexibility of their creative designs, I knew for sure that there's more to this online invitation than most people didn't want to admit.

No need to search around an overwhelming list of options but consider the convenience of electronic invitations. I recommend Paperless Post as you can easily design and send invitations online with their massive and wide collection of designer invites and cards. Even with little to no idea of how tech works, you will tick things off your to-do list with ease and peace of mind. Best of all with their efficient electronic features like smart tracking and email reminders you will no longer dread about sending and receiving RSVPs as your guest will have the ability to RSVP online. And while it's true that Paperless Post's most elegant designs aren't free, if you're just as overwhelmed as I was with party preparation and telling people about the date, it's all worth it.

Looking back on my wedding way back in 2013, we had a hard time accepting the reality of what it cost to organize a wedding overseas. And since we struggled with the budget, the invitations were the hardest thing for me to finalized. You better believe me when I say I'm just as extra with my choice of dresses and earrings for church gatherings as I am with my wedding invitations. Growing up, I have a pretty good idea of how much we should set aside for invitations as my aunt who does wedding entourage and package back home sometimes offers it as a giveaway. So imagine the extravagant expectations I had with my invitations only to get frustrated when we started meeting with Thai vendors and getting real pricing information. I still did avail one of the supplier's services but didn't use it in the end. That is probably one of the costliest decision  I've ever made. To save our sanity, my husband and I decided to design our own. So if I had to do it all over again, I definitely would have Paperless Post take good care of this process.

But if you still waffling back and forth between online invitations and the traditional paper, don't fret as Paperless Post also offers paper print designs exclusively at Paper Source. You'll wake up knowing your fantastic invitations have reached out friends and families around the globe through the wonders of technology - to free up your mind, time and money so you can focus on the most important thing: the main event!

Overall, we had a wonderful wedding but if I had to do things differently, I'll save my sanity by sending online invitations and make sure someone remembered my former boss' "toast for the couple" speech after the ceremony.

Cheers!

P.S please join my giveaway below as my thank you gift for your support to my blog and campaign for Paperless Post. From the bottom of our hearts, thanks a lot for reading!

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 **This post was sponsored by Paperlesspost.com. As usual, all opinions are my own.

For a working mom like me, whose job and passion are highly-dependent on the digital universe, it's hard to imagine the world without the internet. I used it on a daily basis to communicate to people: check on my kid at school, pay my bills, book a ticket, skim the news, grab a ride, watch movies, read a book and shop for literally everything.

Believe it or not, online shopping is part of my family's goal of automating everything.  With Chloe heading to kindergarten and a huge shift to our normal routine, having everything delivered to us (yep including groceries) can carve out significant hours towards quality family time.

But the digital world can be a dangerous place for scam and identity theft. And online shopping can be a risky habit. One minute you're checking email and the next moment you're in an online shop with two or more products in your shopping cart. What's worse is when you have no idea about the stores' online buying process. 

I've teamed up with PromShopAU to share some tips and easy guidelines when shopping online.

Having been in the online business of formal dresses for 8 years, PromShopAU knows exactly how to satisfy consumers with their clothing desires. Their high quality and fashionable prom dresses had won the wide reputation of their customers all over the world. PromShopAU is one of the fastest growing companies for fashionable formal dresses including wedding gowns, prom dresses, cocktail dresses, homecoming and so on. 

As a customer oriented, PromShopAU is working it's best to meet all your needs and for you to have an enjoyable shopping experience.

Set aside some time when shopping online

Shopping for prom dresses or formal dresses can be so tricky. The reason I've spent 20 to 30 minutes online to check on meticulously before I purchase. My husband used to complain about the drudgery of having to walk to every floor of a shopping mall and having to check every single item on the rack when I do actual shopping which all men can nod in agreement. I still do that except only at the convenience of my phone and computer screen. I take my time checking on every detail of the product I'm buying. One of the ugly truths of online shopping is that photos can be confusing: lighting and some photo editing can play a big role on the aesthetic - be extra careful in choosing the design and fabric. 

Check the safest payment options available

While PromShopAU warrants a safe payment online or off-line as their page is secure, encrypted and protected with the best encryption software in the industry (SSL), some online shops can steal and store including your most sensitive information. I personally prefer opting for Paypal when buying online. The seller never sees your credit card information as you can link those details directly to your account. An extra protection against fraud and identity theft.

Verify their delivery and return policy

While there may be times and event that you are not absolutely in love with your purchases, I suggest that you try on the product as soon as you receive it without altering or removing the tags. Most online shops like PromShopAU offers a few days return policy after shipment given the product is in its original condition. You should be aware of the company's policy on when to return the item and get a full refund including the postage.

How many times you have come across a beautiful dress or chic accessory online and thought of buying it? Keep these tips as a refresher to all the bad things that have probably crossed our minds when online shopping.

Check out PromShopAU website for more stunning prom dresses - an excitement to every package delivered to your doorstep.

Happy online shopping,

***This post was sponsored by promshopau.com. As usual, all opinions are my own.

 

In the spirit of celebrating women in our lives this week - I want to touch on EMPOWERING WOMEN in today's post. As a female blogger, I want to teach and inspire the women close to me especially my daughter to bring their boldness to shine through, their voices to be heard and their eyes to be open to the fact that women around the world are still struggling to fight for opportunities, inequalities, and injustices. I'm just happy that most of the brands I worked with have exact same intention and aspirations.

One of my favorite shopping websites, Lazada is taking one small step but one big leap towards this goal. It has worked to expand assortment of goods they offer in these categories and is now working to increase the engagement to this approach - more fashion, more beauty and home goods.

And to show your love and appreciation to the biggest sources of inspiration in your life - whether you're thinking about your mom, your sister or yourself I've hand-picked the best last-minute gifts you can give to them. Whether it's a simple bag, a bottle of her favorite perfume or just freeing mom's hand so she can sneak in a little R&R or me-time, what matters is that you'll make her day extra special. And now through May 31st, Lazada is offering voucher code and mama-approved deals that won't break the bank. Because the perfect Mother's Day present doesn't need a gift receipt but for us to celebrate being here altogether - girl power.

But if your mom gets more excited about cleaning and organizing the house, the home section has some wide selection of anything useful and unique to decorate around. This pillow cover cushion case is linen blend and it's a perfect gift for your mom who never runs out of words of wisdom. Sit on the couch with her while watching your favorite shows or keeping up with the Royals.






And lastly, for the moms who love to get pampered and indulge in some skin care routine to stop the aging process. Splurge on this Laneige white dew sleeping mask and get ready for a glowing skin overnight. Have few glasses of wine, do each other's nails, put on a mask and spend the entire day together.

Let's all pledge to articulate our love and respect for the role our mothers play in our lives. "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that it stand on its path" - Agatha Christie.

Happy Mother's day to your moms,

Recently I've been sharing a classic selection of stunning formal dresses that boast simple yet youthful vibes. On this post I'll showcasing only top five prom dresses trends to help you choose the perfect fit for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a sexy backless, pretty sheath dress in white or high slit gown, these collection from MillyBridal.UK will surely make your formal dress shopping as easy feat. Click through their Youtube channel to see more dresses you'll wear beyond the big dance.

For young couples, a great outdoor adventure or trip can provide some of the best and most meaningful experiences of their lives. When the couple becomes a family, their desire for a connection with nature and their longing for adventure does not disappear, but going on a trip with young kids is a more complex proposition. It requires much more care in planning and execution, as well as a good deal of patience and a touch of creativity.

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-beach-holiday-woman-39691/

While a well-executed outdoor excursion can be one of the best things in your young child’s life, a poorly planned trip can be significantly less fun and sometimes even dangerous. For those who are new to camping, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities with a child, you may need some additional pointers on planning and enjoying a safe, successful adventure. This list of tips and strategies for traveling with kids should help you do just that.

1. Choose a kid-friendly destination

Although you may hope to share the same adventure you once had as a couple with your new addition, a young child may not be able to handle that just yet. When choosing your trip destination, the safety, ease, fun and comfort of your child must be the highest priorities, and you must remember this in every element of your planning.

Identify the most kid-friendly destinations and do your homework to research the one that is best suited for your family. Use books, maps, online reviews, blogs, social media and any other resources to collect information and tips about the accommodation, sights and any other relevant aspect of tourist destination.

Generally speaking, it is best to start with a short trail if this is your first journey with your child. As you have undoubtedly learned by now, kids will always bring unexpected surprises, and you do not want to be too far out if your child decides he or she cannot or will not go any further.

Although the great outdoors is full of wonder and amazing sights, young children generally will not appreciate this in the same way as grown-ups. You will need to make your preparations with your child’s interest in mind and determine the best ways to keep his or her interest during the vacation. With that being said, snacks or sweet treats can be a great motivator. You can establish a time or distance in advance, and once the goal has been reached, your child can be rewarded with their favorite Lindor chocolate truffle.

You can also keep the journey interesting to your child by doing some fun activities. It does not have to be anything too complex, but simple games of chasing round the park, visit theme parks, zoos and aquariums that can bring out the fun for children. As you take more trips and become more experienced at traveling with your child, you will develop more creative and interesting activities along the way.

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/portrait-of-cute-girl-250701/

Although this probably goes without saying, the safety of your child should always be paramount in all planning and preparation. Depending on the age of your child, the safety rules will vary. If you have a toddler or younger child, you may not need to establish rules yet, as you are unlikely to let them get too far from you anyway.

However, once your child grows older and more independent, you will have to establish and discuss some strict ground rules before heading out. Some basic guidelines include:

While you may have done the perfect packing job for yourself, it is important that everyone in your group packs some of the essentials for themselves. Maps, extra clothes and water should be carried by everyone. Whistles are also very useful in case you become separated. Your child will likely also want to have some of the same gear as Mom and Dad, even if it is not entirely necessary yet.

What is important for your young child is the clothing and footwear for your trip. Since kids’ skin is much more sensitive, you should take care to keep them shaded and protected from the elements with long sleeves and a hat. As soon as your child is old enough to walk for a significant distance on his own, you will also need to buy proper footwear.

Although you may try and prepare for every possible situation and circumstances before heading out, kids have an uncanny way of throwing a wrench into the best of plans. You should always remain flexible and try to remember that this is an adventure for everyone.