My Chemical Peel Experience

 I finally took the plunge and got a chemical peel to try to get rid of my stubborn dark spots and hyper-pigmentation. 

The peel I tried is the Cosmelan chemical peel, the treatment I was recommended when I went to my consultation back in January.

After 4 sessions of laser hair removal (I still have 4 more sessions left), I was finally able to start the chemical peel procedure that I had been anxiously waiting for.

Honestly,  I didn't do much research on Cosmelan until after I started treatment so I had no idea what to expect. The Cosmelan peel is basically a chemical " mud looking" mask that the aesthetician lathers all over your face. The mask is left on for 9 to 12 hours, in which time you wash it off using warm water. 

For the first couple of days, I had to avoid the sun and rigorous exercise (no sweating allowed). I also wasn't allowed to use any of my normal cleanses or creams, as they proved too harsh for my new skin.

I had to purchase a sensitive face cleanser, like Cetaphil. And I had to diligently apply my Melan recovery hydrating cream and sun screen multiple times a day, due to the extra dryness of my skin and added sensitivity due to my skin's top layer peeling off.

On day 4, I started the Cosmelan 2 treatment, a mud looking cream, similar to the mask, that I apply to my face three times a day. And this cream is potent, so I am only to apply a tiny bean size amount to the entirety of my face. I follow that with the recovery cream, which keeps my skin super hydrated plus the 130 spf sunscreen, which protects my skin from the sun's rays 

This is a 6 to 8 month long process so I know results won't come quickly. But I already see a difference in my skin and I only hope by the time I'm ready to walk that aisle for my renewal, my dark spots will be significantly reduced. That is the goal.

The day after the peel, my face red, tight and swollen 

A couple of days later, my skin started to peel and shed off

It's All Feeling So Real

 As June approaches,  the excitement builds. The vow renewal is just around the corner and everything is coming together piece by piece. 

First, I finally picked our florals and decor. And I got an idea of how my bouquet will look. The meeting with our florist was a success and I am so excited about the decorations and the florals for the day.

Second, my daughter's bridesmaid dress finally arrived and it is stunning. It is so much more than I expected.  Ordering clothing online can be so tricky and something I am always hesitant in doing. What if it looks nothing like the photo? What if it's cheaply made? This dress was everything we wanted it to be and more 

And lastly, we reserved the rentals for the boys' suits.  As soon as we arrived at Lara Liz Novias Bridal boutique,  I knew this would be the place. It was our second stop that day, and they delivered big time.  All three boys got fitted for their 5 piece suit rentals which includes the jacket,  pants, vest, button down shirt and a tie of their choice. It all feels so real now and my dreams are all just coming slowly to life.

The photo of the Amazon dress my daughter picked as her bridesmaid dress

This is the actual dress in person...just stunning

The boys being fitted for their suit rentals

The sweetheart table decor photo my florist sent as inspiration. This is a dream and I am obsessed 

The bouquet photo, again another photo inspiration from my florist. I might omit the blue flowers

The arch backdrop for the ceremony 

And my dream centerpieces, inspo provided by my florist

An inspiration photo that captures my vision 

The "Engagement" Shoot

 It's amazing how far we've come. Ten years ago, I dreamt of having an engagement session with a professional photographer.  It was something I really would have liked. I wanted to fit it into the wedding budget, but I just couldn't justify the extra expense.  So instead, we asked hubby's cousin to take some pictures of us on hubby's Canon Camera. We made due with our DIY photo shoot.

Fast forward over 10 years later and I finally get to realize my dream. I finally get the dream engagement photo session with the professional photographer that I've longed craved for. And even though we're no longer engaged but fully married these 10 years, it didn't take away from the moment. 

Doing Fun Family Things

 I will find any excuse to spend time with my kids, whether it's Friday night movie nights or trying out new and fun places. 

On a random afternoon,  we decided to head to the brand new Cafe that just opened in Sabanilla,  literally across the street from my youngest son's elementary school. I'd been wanting to try their menu for a while, so I took my middle son and daughter for a little bonding time after school.  

The inside of the cafe completely blew me away. The vibes and aesthetics are so on point that I ended up booking them after our visit for my bridal brunch.

Their Piña colada cheesecake and chicken empanada are delicious.  And the strawberry lemonade is to die for.

Then for movie night, we went to the actual movie theater to watch the final Guardians of the Galaxy installment. The movie was pretty good and it was an awesome way to spend time together as a family, while sticking to our Friday night movie night tradition. 

A Very Hard Life Lesson

 It's Sunday, May 21st, 2023.  Around 11 am in the morning. It's a bright and fairly sunny day. My daughter made plans to study at a local cafe with two of her classmates. She walked a route we've walked a million times. It's the route we drive every single day to take my youngest son to school. The cafe is literally across the street from my son's school so it's an area we know very well. 

On this particular day, I let my guard down and allowed my daughter to make the 12 minute walk to meet up with her friends. On this day, my daughter got robbed. 

Being robbed is such a traumatic experience for anyone but being robbed at 16 years old is the absolute worst. 

I'm a protective parent, maybe to a fault.  And this situation has made me even more on edge when it comes to protecting my offspring.  This has never happened to our family before. We've heard of other people's experiences and even watched from a distance helpless as a robbery took place, but it has never hit close to home as it did today.  Now I have to be extra diligent. I know I was the way I was for a reason. And now mama bear has been unleashed. Hawah help anyone who tries to F with my family again.