Navigating life’s layers: from self-discovery to social spotlight and family ties.
This post is from my Weekly Wow, on Substack! Dive into the highlights of my week as a mother and lifestyle blogger – enjoy my weekly musing and a recap of my last week. I invite you to subscribe to my free publication.
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekly Wow! I hope this newsletter finds you well. This week has been relaxing, low-key, and reflective, and I can’t wait to share the highlights with you.
1. Recap of the Week:
This week was Spring Break, so we opted to stay home instead of traveling. Our days were filled with sleeping in, lounging in pajamas, and relishing the freedom from schedules.
It was a delightful experience having my daughter Chloe assist me in preparing a Blue Apron meal for the family. I typically opt for more time-consuming recipes because they suit a craving I am currently having, but the result is always worth the effort and utterly delicious!
They do have a variety of easy-effort meal kits to choose from. I do recommend Blue Apron and have been using their services for a couple of years now.
This week, Chloe crafted a mouthwatering burger and chicken curry dish, while I tackled a panko chicken recipe. Food is synonymous with love in my family, and sharing these meals brings us closer.
2. Work Chronicles:
This work week brought a significant realization: I’ve identified myself as a procrastinator. Certain tasks in my business consistently get pushed aside, even though I know completing them will bring relief. Taking that initial step is the hardest part.
As a content creator, I juggle numerous responsibilities, wearing multiple hats, which can become overwhelming. This overwhelm often leaves me feeling drained, leading to periods of inactivity and indecision.
It’s okay to not do it all.
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I need to remind myself that I have commitments beyond work, supporting a family, and managing household responsibilities. If only I could clone myself, I would surely take over the world! But, understand that it is okay that I can’t accomplish everything all in one day and just have peace with it.
Nevertheless, I’m determined to prioritize tackling the less enjoyable tasks first, pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.
3. Sweat Session Diary:
I’m currently in the midst of a 90-day body transformation journey, with just 5 weeks remaining! Despite initial apprehension, I joined the challenge shortly after my breast implant explant surgery on January 26, 2024, recognizing the need for accountability and excitement in my fitness journey.
Starting slowly with 5 to 10-minute treadmill walks and light 5 lb weights, I’ve progressed to comfortably walking for an hour and lifting heavier weights, all while being mindful of my recovering body.
Although my weight loss progress has been minimal, there’s been a notable improvement in my body composition. Eliminating high carbs from my diet and incorporating intermittent fasting has been instrumental in this journey.
I plan to continue this cutting phase until the end of June, even though the 90-day challenge concludes on May 12, coinciding with Albert’s birthday.
I’m determined to break free from feeling and looking subpar, and this time, I’m committed to persevering until I reach my goals. Summer body is currently under construction!
4. Family Matters:
As a mother, I often find myself questioning if I’m truly making a difference in my children’s lives and these uncomfortable thoughts often come to me during the quiet moments of the day (doing laundry, washing the dishes, food prepping, wiping the countertops, etc.,). It’s a vulnerable feeling to express, but one that weighs heavily on my mind.
Navigating the ups and downs of parenting two teenagers at home (my young adult is currently away in London for study abroad) with intense emotions and personalities can be overwhelming!
Despite facing complaints and apathy from them 95% of the time, I remind myself that their reactions are hopefully due to their maturation process and not a marker of our relationship status.
My relationship with my kids means so much to me and this is probably why it hurts so much.
Requesting their help with household tasks is often met with opposition, yet I persist in asking, knowing the importance of teaching responsibility.
Amidst the constant cycle of cooking and cleaning, I find solace in introspection, pondering my role and purpose as a mother. I pray that my efforts will shape my children into happy and grateful adults, despite the challenges we face along the way.
5. Behind the Scenes of Content Creation:
This week, I successfully churned out content every day, reserving the weekends for some well-deserved relaxation. Among my favorite creations was a makeup look featuring my new Givenchy KHOL Couture waterproof eyeliner in a stunning green shade (05 Jade).
This eyeliner is a retractable one so no sharpening is needed and the color payoff is insane!
What made this eyeliner makeup look stand out were two key factors: the striking green hue and its placement along the lower lash line. The result was simply captivating!
To top it off, I was thrilled when Lancôme, a renowned beauty company, noticed my Instagram Reel and left a comment on my post. It was an amazing moment, and I couldn’t resist pinning it. I’ve been manifesting a partnership with them for ages!
The Lancôme Up To 24H Drama Liqui-Pencil exceeded my expectations. Chloe purchased this eyeliner for me at Christmas last year. Its intense color payoff and smooth application made it a joy to work with. For this particular look, I used the shade 08 Eiffel Diamond – Glitter to complement the overall makeup aesthetic.
6. Shopaholic Diaries:
I revisited Nordstrom Rack to return the luggage I had previously purchased and exchange an ill-fitting garment. While there, I took advantage of their Clear The Rack sale and picked up some stunning earrings and thoughtful gifts for my family.
As for my online shopping escapades, Amazon remains my ultimate go-to. Here’s a rundown of the must-have items I couldn’t resist purchasing this week:
– Portable Charger: this high-speed portable charger is lightweight and oh-so slim.
– Weekly + Monthly Calender: schedule it all with this planner with monthly tabs.
– Phone Grip: my current PopSocket has poor placement and a new one will fix that.
– Carry-On Backpack: this has laptop space, a USB charging port, and a luggage strap.
– Keto Snack: individually packed and microwaveable, love the Spicy flavor pork rinds.
– Lightweight Luggage: 3 pcs of stylish hard case luggage with spinner wheels.
7. Community Spotlight:
Engagement and comments on my Instagram account mean a lot to me as they signify the impact I’m making. I cherish receiving questions and comments from my community. This week’s Community Spotlight features a lively discussion from my Instagram account.
I’m thrilled to share once more about my recent collaboration with Il Makiage. The makeup look created using Il Makiage beauty products stands out as one of my best videos yet. It has been showcased on the brand’s Instagram account and has garnered over 157K views!
A comment on my Instagram inquired about the foundation shade used for this makeup look. While it may seem trivial to some, it holds great significance to me. Such engagement brings me immense joy, as it demonstrates that my content is genuinely helpful to someone out there. I adore receiving direct messages from my community.
For those curious, the foundation used was Il Makiage’s Woke Up Like This in the shade 120 (medium skin tone with neutral undertones). I’m truly smitten with their foundation—it lives up to the hype!
It’s not only buildable but also sits beautifully on the skin. Their color-matching quiz is remarkably accurate, aiding in finding the perfect foundation shade. The result? A radiant finish that enhances your natural skin color and tone.
8. What’s Coming Next Week:
Monday marks an exciting event on my calendar. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend a summit hosted by YouTube’s Shopping Shop Social, in collaboration with Sephora and Revolve.
I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness! Excited because I have a deep admiration + obsession for both Sephora and Revolve, often finding myself lost in daydreams while browsing their websites, envisioning unlimited shopping sprees funded by the brands.
However, the nerves kick in as I prepare to embark on the journey alone, traveling to Los Angeles for the event. Attending media events solo always triggers a bit of anxiety for me, but the opportunity is too enticing to pass up.
Another topic that comes to the forefront with special events is what to wear?!
So, here’s to hoping for a successful and memorable experience! Your well wishes are greatly appreciated!
As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support means the world to me. If you have any suggestions, or comments, or just want to say hi, hit reply or connect with me on @tothineownstylebetrue.
Stay fabulous and have a wow-worthy week ahead!
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