{Downtown Bar Harbor during a foggy morning stroll}

I spent Memorial Day weekend exploring the rocky coast of Maine with my boyfriend, twin sister, and her boyfriend for some much needed rest and relaxation. We drove up Thursday night in the wee hours of the morning and spent the past few days discovering the intricacies of the little town of Bar Harbor. We stayed at The Harborside Hotel and its prime location from almost every restaurant and tourist attraction, easily accessible tennis courts, and inviting pool house made it the perfect spot to relax. Despite the somewhat fickle New England weather, I can’t recall ever being on a more active and well-balanced vacation — from the many rounds of singles and doubles tennis matches, lazy afternoons by the pool, and hiking at Acadia National Park, this trip couldn’t have been a better way to kick off the summer. Here’s a quick glimpse at how we spent our days in Maine.

{Buoys line the outside of Stewman’s Lobster Pound}

{Temperamental Maine weather}

{The creamiest lobster bisque I’ve ever tasted}

{The beginning of the Shore Path}

{Climbing rocks was just one of the many competitive things A + J did}

{My first time playing on clay tennis courts}

{The Pool House had such friendly staff}

{The cutest cottage – Ivy Manor Inn – which I spotted on the way to brunch at 2 Cats}

{Flowers hanging above the entrance way at The Jordan Pond House}

{View of Bubbles (the two little mountain humps) from Jordan Pond House}

{Blueberry cobbler with a scoop of homemade ice-cream}

{Enjoying the sunset from our hotel}

{Steaming firewood cookers line the front of Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound}

{Memorial Day décor}

{An early 8 AM lobster run before heading home}

{My mom with all of the girls in the family – I’m in the orange bonnet get-up}

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and I’m planning on spending the majority of the weekend at my parents to celebrate. My mom’s never been the type to ask for anything materialistic for the holiday – she prefers having my sisters, brother, and I visit (with empty stomachs for her to feed of course) so this weekend, we’re all getting together to just simply hang out.

As I’m getting older, I’ve come to learn how truly awesome and remarkable my mom is. She’s accomplished so much — moving her family from a war-stricken country, giving birth to my sisters and I in a refugee camp (with no modern medicine to even assist her!), and then raising five kids in a completely foreign country — without ever despairing and in perfectly put-together outfits no less (see photo of her ladylike polka-dots). Despite any obstacle that has been thrown her way, she’s somehow always been able to be strong, optimistic, and resilient, and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud to have such an amazing woman to model myself after.

I hope you all have a lovely Mother’s Day weekend. xo Siv

For Valentine’s Day this year, I decided to forgo buying pre-messaged cards and made my own to send out to my family and friends. It turned out to be such a fun activity and brought me back to my childhood days of playing with glue sticks, cutting out folded hearts, and leaving trails of glitter everywhere that I’m even considering making my own birthday or “just because” cards from now on. And although my final creations aren’t cookie-cutter perfect, I think personalized notes are the best ones to receive, especially on days like Valentine’s Day.

{For the toddler in my life who’s learning how to spell. Hopefully, he’ll come to understand that the <3 is replacing an ‘O’!}

{Pearls and polka-dots make for pretty little details}

{Simple signs of affection}

{Heart balloons}

{Just a few that I’ve made so far}