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. 

Dia del Libro

 Costa Ricans celebrate everything.  There are so many special days and I love it. Recently,  the schools celebrated Día Del Libro or Book Day which recognizes the importance of books and reading in the development and enrichment in a childs life.

Most schools celebrate in the usual way where kids dress up as a favorite book character and maybe have a day in recognition of a few important books that have shaped society.

My Kids high school went just a bit further and made a whole project out of the celebration of books. Each class had to choose a book, research the characters, choose the theme and then present to their families and peers.

I was transported to middle earth, visited Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry; witnessed the battle first hand of Narnia, stayed at the House of Dracula and watched the Phantom of the Opera. It was a day to remember and it was about books and the love we all share for them.

My Princess Turns Sweet 16

 My oh my, how time flies. I remember the day like it was yesterday.  The day I found out I was having a baby girl. I was over the moon. I was finally going to get my very own, very real, Barbie doll. 

Every girl who dreams of being a mom dreams of one day having a daughter.  And boy did my dreams come true. My princess was just that, a princess who loved to play dress up, who loved her dolls and who was as girly and as prissy as any little girl that ever lived. 

I am so thankful for my daughter.  And because she is my only little girl,  I have appreciated her role so much more in my life. She has taught me so much as a mother, lessons I am still learning to this day. It's been trial and error parenting a daughter as with parenting a son, but being a girl mom just adds another level to my mothering skills. 

As my daughter gets older, it gets harder to let her go. She will always be my little princess and on her 16th birthday,  I just am grateful to call her mine.

So my daughter is definitely my opposite.  She is calm, quiet and very reserved. Instead of a big to do for her birthday, she wanted to celebrate quietly by going to an art gallery. 

Her special day could not have been more her. It was perfectly tailored to her style and personality as she is quite the artist herself.  The day had no fanfare, no excess,  just me and her at our very 1st art gallery experience and then out to dinner at a sushi restaurant. It was perfect. 

Of course, we had to have cake and the princess chose a cheesecake for her special day.