Lavender Farm in Morganville

One day I was feeling quite wanderlust(ful). And I asked my mom a question I like to ask others: "If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?" And my mom thoughtfully replied, "Provence". She said she would love to visit the lavender fields there. I started dreaming of endless fields of fragrant lavender and what I would imagine to be quaint villages. I shared this with Y, hoping that one day, we could travel to the South of France with my parents. 

Though we were not able to make that happen this summer, we looked into the next best thing: a lavender farm nearby. And I was thrilled to find out that there was a lavender field within an hour's drive. So last Saturday, my parents, the husband and I made a trip to Pleasant Valley Lavender.

To be completely honest, when we first got to "New Jersey's Only Lavender Farm", we all thought, "Oh... this is it?" I felt a bit disappointed that we had driven an hour. But once we met the people there (it's family-owned) it ended up being a lovely experience. They showed us the different fields of lavender: English and French. We learned about the differences between the two and they taught us how to cut our own lavender to take home! 

After cutting and making our lavender bouquet, my parents enjoyed relaxing under the shade in the hammock while Y and I scoped out some of their handmade products. I ended up picking up a lavender eye mask and lavender linen spray. Y picked his very own lavender plant (and he planted it in front of our house as soon as we got home! Maybe one day we'll have our own little lavender farm.) 

a photo break for Y & me (while mamabear busily cuts lavender) 

On our back up from the lavender farm, we got to explore the neighboring towns, stopped by a few garage sales in the area (my mom scored a bunch of toys for her sandplay therapy) and enjoyed some pizza. So all in all, it was a quite a productive day! And I'm glad I got to check off my summer to-do list that I visited a lavender field! 

Makeup Monday - Laneige BB Cushion

The summer sun, the humidity, the heat. They were doing a number on my face of makeup. (Basically, by the end of the day, my makeup would be melted off.) 

So I began a search for a powder compact so that I could touch up throughout the day. 

But then I was pleasantly surprised when I found out about the Laneige BB Cushion through a few YouTubers, of course. (Here, here, and here) 

My mom tells me the BB cushion phenomenon is all the rage and quite widespread in Korea. However, to me, it was a fairly new concept. It's quite innovative. It's a BB cream in a compact form. And I love it; it's travel-and-purse friendly. 

The Laneige BB Cushion is a 5-in-1 product that claims to "protect, cover, hydrate, sooth and brighten". I'm not yet sure about its brightening effects but I can vouch that it does the former four. 

I chose the color Light and though I was worried that it may be too light for me I figured it wouldn't be anything a bit of bronzer couldn't fix.  But it's quite blendable.

Pros: its cooling sensation, has an illuminating effect, SPF 50 (which is hard to come by in a makeup product!), light, airy, while being long-lasting, good coverage, a dewy finish, the formula makes it easy to touch up throughout the day 

Con: The only con about this product is that it's quite scented. It's not an unbearable scent and it wears off, but sometimes right after I apply the product, the scent can be overwhelming. 

How to use: Push the puff into the moistened sponge and then pat on your face. 

The compact costs $34 a comes with a refill. 

Best part? It is sold at Target! 

Happy (belated) Fourth

Hope you all had a good Fourth of July! 

I sure did. Had a restful day - reading, napping, relaxing. BBQ'd at home with the family and enjoyed watching fireworks.  

Take me out to the ballgame

Tuesday night, my parents and I drove into the Bronx to meet the brother and husband at a Yankees game. 

There's something so quintessentially American about a ballgame. The evening breeze, the hotdogs and beer, the anticipation in the air, the camaraderie between fans, the ballgame traditions. I love it. 

My first ever Yankees game was the summer after eighth grade. I was a diehard Jeter fan (I joke around with Y saying that Jeter was my first love) and about to move to Korea so some of my sweet friends then surprised me. Blindfold in car and everything. When we got there, they showed me a Jeter sign they had made me. It's a memory I will always cherish. 

Y and I have been to several Yankees games together and we always talk about how we'll continue that tradition with our family one day. 

A Nathan's hotdog, fries and a beer, of course. 

It was exciting getting to see Jeter play since it's his last season. And it was all the more exciting being able to witness him break a record: Jeter hit his 534th double, tying Lou Gehrig for 1st place on the Yankee's all-time doubles list. Go Jeter! 

Peace out! 

Car Rides, Crabs, Caverns, Oh my! Part 3

After Luray, we headed to our nation's capital. I had been before but it was a new experience going with my family and especially because it was my brother's first time in D.C. 

It was a gorgeous day to walk around and take in the sights and pay tribute at the capital's various memorials and monuments. 

I had been to most of the monuments and memorials. However, strangely I had never been to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. It was sobering seeing all the plaques of nations that sent their men and women to serve in the Korean War, seeing the individual faces of soldiers etched in stone. 

My mind couldn't help but think about how my life would be very different had those people not served in Korea. 

Thank you for your service.