Hi beautiful, ☕️ 

I wasn’t ready for this photo.

Scrolling my camera roll last week, I saw my mom in her 20s…

…and it stopped me cold. 👀 

Not because she looked flawless (she did).
But because I saw her.
A young woman figuring out life, a soon-to-be mom while building a future in a new country.

It made me rethink how I see aging, beauty, and motherhood.

This week I’m sharing:

✨ The beauty “rules” my mom forced on me (that actually saved my skin)
🏡 Tiny home upgrades that took my space from chaos → designer vibes
💌 When one photo made me question everything I thought about aging

More on that later…

My mom was right (again…)

My mom is 65 and glowing—like, glowing. 

No injections, no lasers, just discipline and habits she swears by. 

And let me tell you, she never let me forget why they mattered.

1. The melt-off ritual
   I used to crash into bed with mascara still on. 😵 My mom would gasp: “You’ll regret it when you’re older!” She gave me my first real cleanser and this enriched softener (I had dry skin)—and I’ve been hooked since. This 2-step is the only reason my skin survived high school with glowing skin.

   Tip: At 16, my mom gave me my first cleansing brush and she still swears by it!
   

2. Fighting gravity
   Her rule: “Never drag your face down—you’re not ironing clothes.” She massaged upward every night. I do the same now with this lifting and toning tool, because sagging is real and prevention is cheaper than filler. I follow this up with my mom’s favorite overnight wrinkle cream.
   Tip: Think of it as giving your skin a pep talk—always lift, never pull down.
   

3. Tea as skincare
   When my chin broke out, she’d hand me chrysanthemum tea and say, “Clear the heat.” 🔥 Now I sip tea daily, sneak in this secret skin supplement, and layer on this first ever retinol + vitamin c serum (yes, you heard that right!) because life shows up on your face.
   Tip: Keep rituals easy—if it’s complicated, you won’t do it.
   

4. Skin, not mask
   She always said, “Your skin should look alive, not covered.” Back then I wanted full glam. Now? I use this vitamin-enriched face primer and my sheer tint hydrator with SPF 25 for a real-life filter.
   Tip: Fingers > sponges—the warmth helps it melt right in.
   

5. The head-to-toe glow
   Friday nights meant oiling hair while watching Sailor Moon. 🌙 I wasn’t a fan of it then, but now I get it—healthy scalp = healthy hair. For dry scalp, this restoring serum calms irritation and itchiness. For frizzy hair, this bonding oil is worth the hype and yes, it smooths and nourishes from root to ends.
   Tip: Protect your pillows—place a soft towel on top to avoid any staining.

From chaos…to cozy

For the longest time, our house was…fine.

Functional, sure. But intentional? styled? Nope.

Now I’m in my “If I’m going to live here 24/7, it better not feel like a daycare center” era.

These smalls swaps elevated our home to the next level:

• The grounding piece
  Every time I walked in, the entry felt unfinished. Now it feels warm and welcoming with this D+A malta gray rug. Bonus: I don’t panic when guests come over because it’s machine washable!
  Decor tip: Always size up—small rugs make spaces look smaller.
  

• The counter trick
  Kitchen counters used to stress me out—always cluttered. This one little upgrade made mine feel styled instead of messy. Now it’s cozy and elegant, even when dinner’s still in chaos mode.
  Decor tip: Swap what’s on display each season for a fresh vibe.
  

• The kids’ zone
  Our playroom looked like a daycare gone wild. Then we added this convertible couch that the kids nap, climb, and make forts with—and suddenly the room feels intentional instead of overwhelming. Quite possibly the best investment for the play room.
  Decor tip: Stick to neutrals—they blend in instead of screaming “playroom.”
  

• The shelf upgrade
  Our family room shelves were pure clutter. Then I tried one styling trick I picked up from makeover shows, and boom—curated, polished, even a little “magazine.”
  Decor tip: Stack these —it always looks intentional.
  

• The finishing touch
  I used to throw random decor together (spoiler: it did not look good). Now I stick to timeless pieces—wood accents, tuscan marble, and these rustic links—that make the whole house feel layered and calm.
  Decor tip: Mix natural textures for that effortless, Tuscan vibe.

Aging isn’t what I thought…

When I saw that photo of my mom, I laughed…

Because somehow her 80s look is exactly what Gen Z is trying to copy right now. 😆 

The oversized glasses. The feathered hair. The patterned shirt. Check.

But the more I stared, the less I saw the outfit.

I saw a young woman in her 20s—brand new to a country, figuring out motherhood, trying to build a life from scratch.

She had no idea how it would all turn out.

Now she’s 65 and thriving. Karaoke queen. Dancing at every party. Truly enjoying her life. She doesn’t do anything halfway.

If my mom taught me anything—it’s do it right, or don’t bother.

And as a mom now, I get it.

I’ve been there too. Baby on hip. Running on fumes. Crying in the shower because nap time was a lie. Wondering if I was doing enough.

That photo reminded me: aging isn’t something to fight.

Every season adds something—grit, humor, softness, stories.

And maybe that’s what I want my kids to see someday. 👶 

Not a perfect mom. Not someone who had it all figured out.

But a real one—still laughing, still learning, still becoming.

Until next week,

xo Jen

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xo Jen

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