Cute little Store

If you are in Minneapolis area, you have to check out this cute lil boutique called Patina! I still can't get over how everything sparkles when you first step into the store. I love the vibrant colors and the decorations just set you right into the christmas spirit. They also gift wrap your things for free too!





My sweet friend Myly since college days. Don't know what I would do without her!
I really miss the cold snowy weather! It's so difficult to be in the Christmas mood when it's sunny and 70 outside in Virginia! It doesn't get cold until January and February here.
Feel Joy! "Remember the feeling as a child when you woke up and morning smiled? It's time you felt like that again."Believe in Joy! "There are days of miracle and wonder."

When was the last time you went into a store and was amazed at the decorations? I really want to go to NYC to check out Kate Spade since I heard it's amazing inside!

I also want to thank you everyone on all your comments on the last post and sharing your story with me.

My Family

Home is where the heart is, and that's where my heart will always be. Having my own family, I truly understand the concept of family and how precious and valuable my family is. I never lost that concept, but makes me even more appreciative of my parents and siblings. Being home for a week with my family definitely warm my heart after two years being away from home. I am forever grateful of them and love them all to pieces!
Baby K with my mom and dad. Last time they saw her, she was just 1M old!
My brother with his wife and baby girl, Vivian


Baby K and I with my two beautiful nieces
The two babies of our household!




My oldest sister



My youngest sister who is a fashion journalist for 605magazine back in South Dakota. I just want to share what she wrote about my dad.

Broken at so many times, obstacles from the Vietnam war, my dad had the path of death ahead of him when he was captured an imprisioned fromt the War, had two options. 1. Die. 2. or try to wait and live and hopefully the war will be over. (little hope) 
He choose option 2. Bullet wounds, skin and bones, malnourished, and a broken spirit. My mom was raising at the time 5 siblings, my brother passed away somewhere in his twenties. Has two beautiful children and today they are 21 and 16. Phuc Tran, and Hanh Tran, Together the names mean ( Hanh Phuc: Happiness) My family came to America, 20 years ago. A Dream to give a life that their children will have everything that they never got growing up. Esther, my other super hero, my "grandma" She helped my family, with lots of language barriers, our family had nothing. Blessed, and I think about her everyday. Thank you Esther, my angel.
Anyways, my family came with a dream, America. A land of opportunities. I wasn't born yet. Still in my Mommy's tummy. I didn't know that in my mom's tummy that what I was going to face was a life that most people back in my country would die for. I want to keep this short, but I could literally write a novel about my parents.
They came from nothing, aboslutely nothing.
Wanted to give their children a home, food, and education.
Growing up, I didn't understand.. I was born and raised in SD, not a lot of asians. "Why can't I be white like all the other kids." Didn't fit in and didnt' want to do anything with my culture.
I laugh now, I am so grateful to have my strong Vietnamese culture, so BLESSED.
Anyways, back to my parents, they had nothing, gave up everything for their children. ABSOLUTE everything for their kids. My parents are getting old and sick, still working.. 65, and 70, but why? because I'm in college. That's why I have mulitple jobs, "RETIRE MOM AND DAD, I'M FINE!" This simply showcases that my life growing up was the best ever because not of my material things, but rather parents who simplied just ... loved me.
My inspiration in life. My heros. I will always, ALWAYS, love them and to one day.. One day.. look at an audience crowd and share my story.

You can check out her blog here!

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Minneapolis Bound

I'm back!! Just want to share some photos from my trip back home. Kaylee and I (without the hubby) flew back to Minneapolis for a good friend's wedding. We had such an amazing time in Minneapolis despite of the cold weather there. I took over 1000 photos from the trip and can't wait to edit and share them all! This is just part 1 of the trip.


French Bakery!!

I tried macaroons for the first time and it was delish!

Saw a dog whisperer outside of the bakery, whew and I thought having 3 dogs was a lot of work!


Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so blessed this year to share Thanksgiving with our daughter and so blessed to have such an amazing caring family and friends!

It's good to be home!

Well Hello there! I have been a little MIA lately because I am back at my hometown. It has been two years since I have been back to Minnesota and South Dakota so I am trying to soak it all up and cherish each moment with my family. I just want to pop in to say hello and hope everyone are doing well! Kaylee is having such a great time visiting everyone, especially her grandparents. Happy Monday!

Kaylee with her cousin who is just 3 days older then K

Engagement:: Ariana + Nate

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of shooting an engagement photoshoot for lovely couple, we went to the Zoo and it was my first time at the Virginia Zoo. The scenery and weather was simply perfect for the occasion, except it was a little windy at first. (Cant wait until baby K is a bit older so we can take her to the Zoo to see the giraffe!)
I met Nate through work so I was really excited when him and his fiance had asked me do their photos! They did such a great job and felt so comfortable with the camera!
















Thanks for visiting and I hope you had a beautiful weekend! (2 more days till I leave for Minnesota!!!)