Last week, I went to lunch with Cea (aka Camille) and among our topic of conversations, she brought up that I hadn't been blogging lately. (My last blog was on May 6th!) So I figure I'd write a bit about what I've been up to. A lot has been happening... but more in my brain. But then a lot has happened irl too. Anyway, let's just get to it.

So... May. May was hectic, in a good way though. My sister and her family from Texas came to stay and we had SO much fun. She graduated with her Masters in Education from Vanguard University. To be honest, I have no idea how she tackled school with three kids (all 8 and under) and a husband who worked night shifts. But if I ever knew superwoman in the flesh, it'd be her.

(Little me & my dad)

On the first Saturday of Spring, our parents, Lorenzo, and I decided to go boating. It was only for two hours, but we had such a fun time. It's rare that both are parents just get to bond and without... other distractions.

Oh wow! I've been out of touch for more than a week now! A lot has been happening and will be happening in the next couple months. (So many activities!) Well here's what I've been up to...

As you know (or maybe not lol), one of my dear friends is getting married in June! I attended her bridal shower and it was so much fun! I haven't been to a bridal shower in awhile, so it was such a joy to be there! It's nice to be in a room filled with people who all love one person so much, you know? Anyway, she has such a girly and yet vintage style, which worked to perfection with her rose garden theme. Everything was so cute! And I wish I took more pictures, but I was too into "being present" that it escaped me. This lady has such a knack for party planning and decor. All the details were so perfect. If you wanna see more of her cute bridal shower photos, follow her on Instagram: @monzii_ruiz!

(Thanks for this, Sam!)

If you follow me on Snapchat (add me! @gardeniarose) or have me as a friend on RunKeeper, you'll see I take my little pomeranian out for a walk often.

(sorry for the poor quality. eek.)

Simba is less than five pounds (don't let that fur fool you!) but he's keeps up pretty well!

I wrote this four years ago. We were six months into dating, two months being officially boyfriend and girlfriend, and madly crazy in love. I told him all the time, "you're the best." (and I still do!) Before I was ready to tell him those three intense words (you know which ones), that was my three-worded phrase of affection.

you're the best. 

i know i tell you this a lot… but i mean it.

you take care of me when i’m sick. you like the crazy me, the weird me, and even the vulnerable me. you remember the things even i don’t. you actually listen. you don’t care what other people think. you understand the things i have to do. you make me do my homework even if i don’t want to. you call me to tell me you miss me. you make sure i follow through with doctor’s appointments. you tell me that everything is going to be okay. you drive for me. you cook when i’m lazy. you let me sleep in your arms when i’m tired. you stay up with me just so i can finish homework. you give me massages. you let me vent and say things i can’t say to anyone else, and you don’t get crazy or judge me for it. you don’t get mad when i fall asleep on you when we’re watching a movie. you call just to say hi and tell me how much you care…

…and of course the list can go on.

honestly, i didn’t expect this. at all. i thought it would be some end of summer thing that was just gonna be fun because i was in the happy-go-lucky moment. but it’s almost spring now, and you’re still here. you’re still the same sweet guy that fearlessly put his arm around me, even if i rejected it a few times. i’m so glad i caved in and listen to my heart.

to the cookies and cream of my life… 

you’re amazing.

and baby, you da best. ;)

...and he still is. From the little things like filling up my gas tank, to the big things like holding me when I cry. He's the absolute best. I'm so blessed we found each other at an early age and God has blessed us with more time to spend forever together. I could not picture life without him. He's amazing.

Forever in love.
-Gardenia Rose

Lorenzo & I on May 2011.

That's what they call us. I think Jea or Cea (Camille), the clever e-sisters, were the ones who coined the term. I decided to write this now because i'm on an extreme high... off of love, that is. Some might say that's cheesy, sappy, gross, and whatever else they can think of, but I really am.

I love my darling mother. She recently turned 62 and trust me, she's livin'. Every since I was a teenager, she taught me simple notes about how to take care of my face. They're pretty simple, but sometime oh so hard to do (you'll see what I mean in a sec). So let's get right to it!

Tip #1: Wash your face at least twice a day. You should wash your face when you wake up and before you go to bed. You don't want to carry the day's dust and germs to the place where you rest your head. I know some days are more difficult than others. You've been out all day and night and you just wanna change into your pajamas and plop onto the bed. but NO! (I can actually hear my mom. hahaha.) "Wash your face, babes!" she'd say when I'd get home. Now, on top of cleansing my face, I use a complexion brush. I talk about it in a #WOW blog, but to put it briefly, this tiny tool can change your life and makes your skin glow.

Tip #2: Always take your makeup off before going to bed. Obviously this ties to the first tip, but taking off your makeup is another step in beauty night rituals. My mom always taught me to use oil free eye makeup remover. It's gentle and not harsh on your skin. She also recommends to use cotton balls or those fluffy cotton pads. Don't use a face terry towel and avoid cloths because taking off your makeup should be done gently. You're taking off your makeup, not wiping the kitchen counter or scrubbing the floor. So, do it gently, especially around eyes. My mom taught me to sweep outward on your eyelids and inward under your eyes, because of W R I N K L E S! So swipe the cotton in an outward circular motion gently & you'll be good!

Tip #3: Wash your face and apply your moisturizer upwards and outwards. Yes, another directional tip! And yes, it's also to prevent wrinkles! My mom always told me that gravity works against our face, dragging it down. So to counter act that gosh darn gravity (lol), always wash and apply upwards and outwards. Oh! To add to that, when you dry your face, dab your face with the cloth or towel, because of... well you already know. ;)

Tip #4: Apply all your treatments right before you sleep. Your moisturizer. Your blemish treatments. Your dark spot gels. Your under eye depuffers. Apply it. Something magical happens when your face is at rest and you're prettily dreaming. ;) I forgot the science of it all, but I remember my mom telling my to put all those treatment gels and let it do its work overnight. Go on and do your thang, honey!

Tip #5: Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize. Your face. Your hands. Your elbows. Your legs. Your feet. You get the picture. Moisture it alllllllll. It's good for you. It keeps your skin hydrated and it fights against... you guessed it, wrinkles. My mom believes in taking time to spread the love around, you skin will thank you one day. :) And depending on your moisturizer, cream, or lotion, there can be other benefits as well (aloe vera, shea butter, vitamin D)!

And that's that! I hope you learned something new that'll help in your beauty rituals! :)

Stay flawless,
-Gardenia Rose

This will be the first of many... but the first #TeamGardenZo throwback goes to April 27, 2010. Before I even knew this man existed, I wrote this small excerpt on my Tumblr which I thought would be interesting to share. It was called... intrigued.

INTRIGUED …of what summer is going to bring. i’m honestly extremely excited of what’s gonna happen in the summer. the uncertainty of it all, i have come to embrace it. i don’t exactly know what this summer will entail (though i have a slight estimate), and i’m beginning to be okay with that. it’ll be crazy exciting with a range of emotions, i’m sure. but whatever it is, i’m so down. so my sweet summer, bring it baby. i’m ready as i’m ever gonna be.

Weird right? This was a month and half before I even knew his name and I was telling summer to "bring it"... well obviously, now we know summer full on brought the house down and introduced me to the love of my life. lol. The funny thing was... the "slight estimate" I was referring to, wasn't what played out, wasn't what I thought it would be.

Well, like the saying goes... you never know. ;) That summer I was committed to letting my past go, not knowing that it would bring me to my future. (cheesy, i know. lol. but so true!) The year prior to meeting Lorenzo I was on such a roller coaster with everything-  a boy, close friends, school and even family. There were just lots of things happening in my life and I knew I had to just let things go so I can move forward.

When I chose to let all the negative go... I opened my life to new possibilities ...and that's when I met Lorenzo.