:: inspired ::

Blooming

2011-06-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

Wedding Season is in full bloom and I couldn't be happier! Despite the fact that my regular day job is less that satisfying and somewhat draining, I am always pretty excited for each wedding. I think it's time for a career change soon but that in itself is a brand new post.

Here's what's been going on in the past few months: Christine & I assisted Esther with this wedding which got featured on The Wedding Chicks!

We were able to work with an amazing photographer-- Scott Andrews.

Christine & I coordinated this wedding for Annie & Harrison which was featured on Green Wedding Shoes. This wedding was truly a labor of love. There were so many details that we had to set up but it all came together beautifully.

The images were taken by the talented husband and wife duo of He & She Photo. Erin (She) was 8 months pregnant during this wedding! They were assisted by the talented Dannee Astin.

I am so lucky to be working with such talented ladies and have the opportunity to work with a variety of talented vendors who are passionate and love what they do. It is truly inspiring! You can see more lovely images from those two events by clicking on the links above.

I just assisted two more weddings the past 2 weeks. I will be back with those images shortly. Til next time!

stress

2011-05-05T18:32:00.001-07:00

(Source)

saw this on a bunch of blogs and decided to repost it.. love it... let's live a stress free life!

Exciting News!

2011-04-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! I don't know if you knew but I have a slight obsession with weddings. Even after getting married, I would still look at wedding blogs and didn't get rid of those links from my Google reader. Some of my favorite ones are events of love & splendor and mybridestory. I would follow them and read about all the beautiful events they planned, designed and coordinated. It would be a DREAM to be able to do the same thing but I had reservations-- only because it's so risky. I've helped many people at my church with wedding planning and have been asked to coordinate their weddings-- which I gladly did but where do you draw the line-- it takes a great amount of energy and time to do this. This was always my dilema.

Imagine my surprise when one day I emailed Esther at MyBrideStory to apply and after a meeting over coffee, she decided to bring me under her wing! I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of her team! Those two event planning companies I linked above are two that I respect the most because when you read about their work, you get a feel that they really care about their clients and love what they do. That is my desire as a coordinator-- each wedding is unique to the client and special to them. Even if you've been to a thousand weddings-- it is still so very special to those two that are getting married.

This weekend kicked off the wedding season for MBS-- we had two weddings which I was able to assist with. The one on Saturday, I assisted Christine who was the head coordinator. It was at the beautiful Taglyan Complex in Hollywood for Lisa+Andy!

Sunday's wedding was at the historic Ebell Theater. Their staff was AMAZING! Jeehee + Yuval's Interfaith wedding was so touching and fabulous. The couple were so very happy it made me tear up. Christine was my assistant and I could not have done it without her help.

I am so excited for this coming year and all the new opportunities and experiences that are ahead. Please also visit me at my bride story where I will be a guest blogger. You can read my first post about my dear friends Minhee + Truman's 2006 wedding.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

xoxo

sally

loveliness

2011-01-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

i adore anthropolgie. their clothes, accessories-- everything about that store is so feminine and fabulous. if i could spend all the money from my paycheck there, i would but i refrain because i have to live. anyway, if i could get married all over again, i would love to accessorize and get everything from their new "bridal" store. they are launching their online boutique on february 14th, 2011 (how romantic!) and they're supposed to be set to launch a store sometime later this year. the thing that i was most curious about what bhldn stands for. i read on here (a fantastic anthropolgie blog) that it is for beholden-- except all the the vowels are taken out. how ingenious!

(screenshot from website)

they also have a facebook page with more information.

BHLDN TO DEBUT ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Creative Minds Behind Anthropologie Offer a Wedding Brand That Goes Beyond “The Dress”

For the day that celebrates a woman’s personal taste and style, BHLDN provides a confident and guiding voice to help create an extraordinary experience for brides to share with their family and friends. BHLDN’s first collection is scheduled for February 14, 2011 through its online boutique, www.bhldn.com. It will bring together a curated collection of heirloom quality wedding gowns, bridesmaid frocks, party dresses, assorted jewelry, headpieces, footwear, and lingerie.

Inspired by the very brides BHLDN will serve; the Anthropologie creative team began dreaming up a wedding brand after hearing tales of its customers’ nuptials. “We know our customer, and we know she's looking for a brand that reflects her unique perspective. She may have interests common to her friends, but she's looking to create a moment that’s all her own…it's not so much about our point of view as it is about capturing hers," explains Managing Director, Kristin Norris.

BHLDN’s online boutique is at the heart of this offer. Each gown is introduced with soulful photography, while a short video captures the ebb and flow of silk habotai, pleated tulle, and veiled organza. MyBHLDN offers a personalized area where brides can create mood boards to share with friends and family (or the broader BHLDN coterie), while how-to’s advise on the perfect bow and what to look for in a wedding photographer.

The collection will feature own-brand designs, as well as established and up-and-coming guest designers – its point of edit being a twist on tradition. Gowns pay respect to the old, new, borrowed and blue, but each with a wink and a nod. Fleur Wood, Tracy Reese, and Catherine Deane contribute exclusive designs to the tailored and voluminous, soft and draped, embroidered and embellished assortment, complete with refinements like built-in boning and corsets.

The accessories assortment is vintage-inspired, but decidedly modern. Artisans, ateliers, and milliners including James Coviello, Jennifer Behr, and Yestadt Millinery craft feathers, tulle, and jewels into luxe headpieces. And jewelry designers like Erickson Beamon, Katie Diamond, and Petra Domling offer baubles, from delicate to bold.

Following in the tradition of Anthropologie, BHLDN puts emphasis on not just apparel, but the imagination and detail of every element that makes up a wedding. Decorations will round out the collection later in the year, encompassing varied interests and themes. BHLDN will carry everything from cake toppers and lanterns, to lovely DIY-type items that are already made, as well as more aspirational items like candelabras and mouth-blown glassware.

A wedding may be the biggest and most important party a woman will ever throw or attend, and BHLDN plans to be there for all of the special moments throughout its customers’ lives.

The first store is expected to open its doors in the second half of the year.

Source

I'm sure many brides are swooning over this and many past brides will probably wish they could get married again or wish that this had opened up sooner! ::raises hands::

Are you anticipating the launch? I know I am-- even though I'm already married! I will probably be drooling over the keyboard from the gorgeousness that will be displayed.

Beauty Review: Birchbox

2010-12-12T12:39:00.001-08:00

I first read about Birchbox in one of my favorite magazines but soon forgot about it until recently. I decided to take the plunge and sign up for its services. If you don't know about Birchbox, you might be living under a rock (jk). It's the newest trend in beauty. Every month they send you 4 or more deluxe sized samples of various beauty products that they try out for themselves before including it in their boxes. The beauty products range from makeup to skincare to haircare. The products they send are considered luxury brands and the sample sizes are DELUX which means they are in bottles and tubes-- not in pouches. The co-founders met at Harvard Business School and they are all bona fide beauty junkies--- just like me and just like some of you!

(Source)

The best thing of all is the price-- ONLY $10 a month OR if you sign up for a whole year, it's $110. You can also earn points if you buy the full sized products from their website. For every 100 points you earn, you get $10 off products from their store. More information can be found here.

Look at the cute pink box that it comes in!

The pink box opens up to this sturdy and sleek kraft box.

This is the December box. It includes a nice note and a product list.

love!!

such detail...

my products-- i can't wait to try them all!!

What are you waiting for?!?! For only $10 a month, you have to try it!! You can always opt out anytime but I think it's totally worth the money. Have you ever tried Birchbox? Do you think you'll sign up for it? Tell them Sally sent you!

Wednespiration: Glaminar

2010-12-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

As part of my birthday and Christmas present, my hubby did a crazy thing and he bought me a ticket for Kandee Johnson's Glaminar. He knows how much I love makeup and I'm always trying out new stuff or going to Sephora to play with makeup. I was very thankful for the opportunity to attend. I was there for the GLAM Day which is for the whole day (9- 6pm) with an hour break for lunch.

I woke up pretty early to drive out to LA from OC. I was a bit nervous because I didn't know anyone but surprisingly there were many people who were there by themselves. Everyone was friendly and I was able to meet some really sweet girls!

The Pro class in the morning was very informative. Kandee did a fabulous job of explaining the ins and outs of running your own business as a makeup artist. She is such an inspiring and positive person. It just OOOZES out of her. Her love for life and people was evident. She was always all smiles all day! I was just amazed at how she (being 8 months preggers) was doing something like this for over 10 hours!! I was definitely inspired, not only with makeup, but just in life-- to be positive and encouraging and to treat others with love. There were many times this year when I was just so negative and waking up with dread. Going to the Glaminar really gave me a boost of positivity and just a better outlook with life.

Special guest star-- Carmen Reese

The afternoon class-- this was awesome. I think this was my favorite part of the Glaminar aside from meeting Kandee. She gave us some great tips-- some I wasn't aware of. I need to practice more! (any volunteers?)

Oh, and someone proposed!

Kandee also had a meet and greet--- we were towards the front but there was a huge line behind us..

the line...

She hugged each person with such love! You can tell she really loves what she does because she was always so cheerful!!

me with Kandee

asking her to sign my palette

some of the sweet girls I met...

It was a wonderful experience! I learned a lot... was definitely inspired!! Have you ever heard of Kandee Johnson? Unfortunately, she won't be having any more Glaminars anytime soon because she is going to spend with with her family but if there ever is one in the future, you should check it out!

(Thank you hubby!)

More Sample Sales

2010-11-23T17:20:00.001-08:00

Look at what I got in my inbox this morning:

I love her handbags. Retail value of her handbags are anywhere from $300-$600. You can score some of her bags for $150-350 at her sample sales. I first became a fan of Rebecca Minkoff when I saw her bags on some of blogs I read. My first RM bag was a Morning After Mini Bag (MAM) in Peacock (a teal color) with her signature gold-toned hardware. I love how her bags are roomy because I tend to carry everything and anything. I also have 3 other handbags from RM (a 3 zip MAC- Morning After Clutch- in eggshell, Morning After Hobo in Chocolate Brown, and Elisha in Black.) As you can see, I have plenty of her bags but not as many as some girls I read about online. I think I would like to add 1 or 2 more to my collection but I'm in no hurry.

I definitely encourage you to go to a sample sale to purchase her bags-- great deals! The leather on most of her bags are high quality. I'm not sure if it's as great as her previous collections since she is much more popular so I think she gets her bags made in China vs. America.

I love purchasing the bags at the sample sales because I can actually touch the bags and feel the leather. During past sample sales, the designer made bags specifically for the sale. How cool is that! She is also usually there the first day of the sale.

When: Fri. Dec 3- Sat Dec. 4 (10- 8pm), Sun. Dec. 5 (11-5pm)

Where: 8211 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90048

SAMPLE SALES

2010-11-16T19:44:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone~~!

Tis the season for sample sales... Here are a couple that I'm looking forward to...

Ella Moss/Splendid Sample Sale.

When: Friday Nov. 19 & Sat. Nov 20th 9am-4pm

Where: Cooper Building, LA- 11th floor

(Source)

I love their makeup!

(Source)

Will you be going? It's a great time to stock up on favorites as well as get some gifts for the holidays!

Super Saturday

2010-11-13T23:08:00.000-08:00

I know it's been quite a while since I've last posted. It has been extremely busy. I will try to be better about posting beauty related posts as well as food reviews.

I just found out something so FABULOUS! I LOVE Hello Kitty! When MAC did a collaboration with Sanrio, I bought many items from that collection (like makeup train case and small mirror). Small Gifts (Sanrio) is having a 50th year party/carnival this weekend until November 21st at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. If you are in California, you MUST go! It is pretty crowded but if you love all things Hello Kitty, you will not regret it. I will do a full review of the event in a couple of days but I wanted to devote this post to something that put a sparkle in my eyes....

Sephora is doing a collaboration with Sanrio and there will be Hello Kitty makeup, nailpolishes, mirrors, perfumes... etc... look at how CUTE everything is. The promo pictures had the hand mirror but it was all silver. The one in the case had crystals or rhinestones all over it. Squeal!!

Anyway, it is supposed to launch in January of 2011. If you would like more information, you can sign up on Sephora here to get notified when it launches. Are you as excited as I am?

Tip Tuesday: Long Wear Foundation

2010-09-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts-- I am SWAMPED. I hope to be more consistent with posting in the next few weeks. It's been difficult to fit blogging into my schedule with work. Thank you for your understanding.

Anyway, I am always in search of foundation that not only feels good on my skin (so I don't feel like I have a pound of make up on) but also evens out my skin tone. I also happen to have more oily skin so by the end of the day, my face is extremely shiny and usually I don't have time to blot so I walk around all day looking like an oil slick.

I was intrigued by MAC's new Pro Lo ngwear Foundation and Concealer. I love MAC's Face and Body foundation because it is so buildable and doesn't look caked on. It also doesn't oxodize or change color (turn orange) on me unlike some foundations. I went to my local MAC counter and decided to check out the Pro Longwear Foundation.

What they claim:

Menu Monday: Pizza Pizza

2010-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back to blogging! This past week our school district reorganized (basically figured out the number of students) and realized that they needed to add more classes. SO I was called back to my previous school to teach 3rd grade. It is MUCH more manageable so now I can get back to having a life and also blogging! :)

Anyway a couple of months ago, hubby and I were in the mood for some pizza so we decided to go to this italian market by our house (claro's) to buy all the necessary ingredients. this place has all the stuff you'd ever need... authentic italian EVERYTHING... and a great deli with scrumptious selections of various meats, cheeses...

and of course... tons of desserts-- tiramisu, cookies... everything..

we came home and rolled out the dough... (we bought pre-made dough)

flattened it...

used their special pizza sauce...

spread it all around....

and made three different pizzas... here's pizza #1-- freshly sliced mozzarella cheese and spicy italian sausage...

the second one was with pineapple chunks and honey baked ham

the last one was all veggies---bell peppers, mushrooms, roma tomatoes, 2 layers of cheese, and the honey baked ham...

You will need pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, veggies (bell peppers, mushrooms, roma tomatoes), and meats-- like ham or italian sausage.

Have you ever tried making pizza on your own? It's easy and delicious!

Away: Be back shortly

2010-09-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a week or two due to work starting up. (Teaching 6th grade). I have a lot of work to do so I can't focus on this blog. But I hope to get back to blogging next week or the following week. Have a lovely week~!

Fab Finds Friday: Shoes

2010-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Can a girl every have too many shoes? I say NO! Look at these adorable shoes from Anthropologie. I love the neutral shoe with a pop of color. The stitching is to die for!

What I love most is the price-- on sale for only $69.95. What a steal!!

Do you love shoes as much as I do? Do you have any fab finds this Friday on adorable shoes?

Tasty Thursday: Boulette's Larder

2010-09-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Whenever we go to the Bay area, we make it a point to stop by the Ferry Building to eat brunch at Boulette's Larder.

Boulettes Larder was opened in 2004 by Chef Amaryll Schwertner and business partner, Lori Regis, as a restaurant that also sells its ingredients for use in the home kitchen. Throughout her 30-year career, Chef Schwertner has authored the cuisine in seminal restaurants in the bay area. The daily changing menus at Boulettes Larder reflect her commitment to using conscientiously produced farmstead ingredients and applying her research and curiosity in pursuit of spices and artisan oils, vinegars and grains. (from Boulettes Larder website)

It's a great place to go for breakfast, brunch or lunch. They close the restaurant for private parties in the evenings.

There is seating on the outside as well as inside with a communal kitchen table where you can watch the activities in the kitchen.

Their menu changes daily and is printed in the morning prior to opening.

Their coffee is served in a coffee press and is served with fresh cream and organic cane sugar.

On Sundays, they serve beignets. They were the most delectable and delightful baked creations I've tasted. They were so light, crispy, airy, and slightly sweet. My mouth just waters at the thought of them.

egg scramble...

the delicious Acme bread, jam, and butter...

chicken pea soup...

Go there if you are ever in the bay area!

Boulette's Larder

Breakfast Mon- Fri 8:00am-10:30am

Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am- 2:30pm

Beignets/Brunch Sunday 10:00am- 2:30am

1 Ferry Building

San Francisco, Ca 94111

415.399-1155

Wednespiration: Pros Make it Look Easy

2010-09-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

For my birthday present last year, one of my dearest friends, Yuree, got me a makeup session with an Emmy Award winning makeup artist named Linda Rondinella-Osgood. I was beyond thrilled for the opportunity to not only meet her but to have a makeup/hair lesson from her!! You can only imagine my excitement being the makeup junkie that I am!! She is the makeup artist for the soap opera General Hospital and also does makeup for Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe Pageants. Check out her website-- The Pursuit of the Crown. She's created a palette that includes all you need for beautiful looks whether you are pursuing a crown or just want to look HOT! She also has great tips for a flawless face.

Here is a picture of the palette-- only $30! It includes everything you need-- 4 different eyeshadows (black, brown, gold/bronze, and white), 2 blushes (light pink, darker pink), and 2 glosses (a clear one and a really pretty reddish brown one.)

(photo source here)

We arrived at Linda's beautiful house in LA where we were greeted by her warm smile and adorable dogs. We then went to her makeup room to get started on the lesson. She guided me through each step and shared with me pointers on contouring, blush, and eyeshadow application. The biggest compliment was when she said she was impressed with my knowledge! However, my newly acquired skills were put to the test when I had to do Yuree's makeup as Linda watched! How nerve wracking to put makeup on someone while a real PRO watched! One of the best tips she gave me was about foundation. She suggested going a shade darker rather than lighter when choosing foundation so that you don't look so pale or pasty. What a great idea! I tend to use a lighter foundation or one that matches exactly but it seems like it would be better to go a shade slightly darker for a warmer glow and to put some color on my face.

The beautiful Linda, working her magic.

She also showed me a quick way to curl my hair. Take the curling iron and wrap it around the hair, starting not from the bottom(tip) but midway down the piece of hair that I want to curl.

She makes it look so easy.

I wish she could do my makeup and hair every day! What a treat that would be!

fluff fluff fluff

spray.. spray.. spray...

us after our makeover session...

Thank you so much Linda for a wonderful afternoon! Not only is she a wonderful makeup artist-- she also has the biggest heart. She is involved in projects to help others--I remember she mentioned how she was working on hats/wigs to help cancer survivors who have lost their hair t0 feel beautiful. She is one of the kindest and gentlest souls I have ever met. It was truly an amazing afternoon!! I hope to be like her one day and help others and make a difference in the lives of others.

Here I am, a couple of hours later at Urth Caffe-- makeup still intact thanks to the magical hands of Linda!

Have you ever met a real "pro" makeup artist or had a makeover? Did it give you inspiration with your makeup routine or more?

Tip Tuesday: Cleanser

2010-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like your face wasn't clean even after you JUST washed it with your cleanser? Well, you won't have that problem with Purity made simple by Philosophy. This cleanser makes my face feel squeaky clean and I feel like there isn't a trace of makeup left. I love how it foams when you add water. It is also very gentle.

What is it: A supersized edition of philosophy's bestselling purity made simple cleanser. This deep-cleaning but gentle 4-in-1 emulsion removes every trace of makeup, dirt, oil, and debris in one step.

Who is it for: Anyone shopping for the cleanest and best skin of his or her life.

Why is it different: philosophy knows that when a cleanser is well formulated, there is no reason for the second step of toning. The deep-cleansing agent in this fragrance-free formula acts as a remover, cleanser, toner, and light hydrator, all in one easy step.

How do I use it: Apply to a dry or slightly damp face. Massage for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly.

(Source)

I usually purchase the 32 fl oz. bottle every year at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July for only $42.50. It comes with a pump. It lasts over a year so when the sale comes each year, I purchase a bottle again. If you happen to miss the sale, you can always purchase it from QVC for $45.50.

This is my HG (Holy Grail) cleanser. I've tried many other cleansers and I always come back to this one.

Have you every tried this cleanser? What is your favorite cleanser?

Menu Monday: Protein Burgers

2010-08-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Mu husband and I love a good burger. We love going to In-N-Out for their protein burgers and decided to make some at home.

Ingredients needed:

1 pound of ground beef

10 mushrooms

1 small onion

sliced cheese (American or your choice)

salt and pepper for taste

1 head of ice burg lettuce

2 roma tomatoes

PAM or cooking spray for pan

Take ground beef, 3-4 mushrooms chopped, a quarter of chopped onion, a couple of dashes of salt, and pepper.
Mix all ingredients together.
Make patties (desired thickness)
Spray stainless steel pan with cooking spray
Cook patties on both sides until brown.
Place slice of cheese on patties and place in oven for 10 additional minutes at 350 degrees
Slice the rest of the onion and mushrooms-- saute in pan with olive oil.

After being put in the oven...

Place pattie in ice burg lettuce, sliced tomato, sauteed mushrooms and onions... and ENJOY!

Do you have a favorite burger recipe? Have you tried a protein burger before? It's a delicious way to enjoy a burger without the added calories from the bun.

Fab Finds Friday: Palettes

2010-08-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Being the makeup junkie that I am, my drawers are overflowing with makeup. Hubby doesn't know why I need so many different shades of brown eyeshadow or pink blush. But that's because he doesn't understand that one brown eyeshadow has shimmer whereas the other one doesn't. One blush is pink with peachy tones while the other one is pink with coral. Thankfully, he doesn't mind as long as I'm not a hoarder.

What do you do with all those little pots of eyeshadow or blush? Put them in palettes of course! Makeup palettes have been around for ages. Many cosmetic companies have their own pre-made palettes with their makeup collections each season but most of the time, they sell their products in individual pots. Some companies (MAC, Trish McEvoy, Stila, Bobbi Brown) sell their products in pans with magnets on the back so that you can put them in their palettes.

(pictured from top to bottom-Z palette, MAC 15 pan eyeshadow palette, Unii Palette)

Three of the different customizable palettes that I've purchased recently are the Z palette, MAC palette, and Unii Palette. As you can see from this picture, the Z palette and MAC palette are similar in size. Obviously the Z palette is most "fun" with its leopard print and clear top.

The Z palette is $20 retail but if you go to trade shows such as IMATS or The Makeup Show, you can get them for cheaper.

Next up is the MAC 15 pan eyeshadow palette. I popped out the plastic divider so that I can put more eyeshadows in it. It retails for $14(+ tax) and can be purchased at MAC stores or online.

The Unii palette is the most attractive out of the three. It's great for travel but is a little bit on the smaller side.

It retails for $29. The price is a bit steep but as you can see, the construction of it is far better in quality and esthetics than the other two. Another neat thing about this palette is that it comes with magnets you can cut up to put on the back of your depotted makeup. It even has instructions on how to depot in the packaging.

Have you ever depotted your makeup? It's a great way to save space and have all your makeup in one place. Which one is your favorite?

Tasty Thursday: Slater's 50/50

2010-08-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Most people love a good burger. I know I do. We needed our burger fix so hubby, friends and I went to Slater's 50/50 for their scrumptious burgers.

Slater's 50/50 is home of the 50/50 burger-- 50% ground beef, 50% bacon. Yes, bacon. If you love bacon, you will love this burger. It is located in Northeast Orange County in the city of Anaheim Hills. It's in the corner of a shopping plaza off Santa Ana Canyon Road.

They give you their menu on this clipboard so that you can design your burger. If you're not sure what to get, you should ask them for suggestions.

(Source)

One notable thing about Slater's is that they weigh their burgers AFTER cooking them so you know you are getting a good deal for the price.

You must get their appetizer combination plater with all five sides (french fried potatoes, sweet potato fries, friend pickle chips, onion strings, friend artichoke hearts) and sharing is also a must.

The guys also wanted to try the macaroni and cheese with bacon bits. Creamy, tasty, cheesy... perfection.

The interior is brightly lit, clean, with plenty of tables and flat screen tv's on the walls to watch your favorite sports channel. Friends definitely enjoyed the mac n cheese.

My burger-- doesn't it look delicious? It certainly was.

Slater's 50/50

Mon-Thurs 11:00am- 9:30pm

Fri 11:00am- 10:00pm

Sun 11:00am- 9:00pm

Happy Hour Mon- Fri 3:00pm- 7:00pm

(1/2 off appetizers, $2.5o Domestic Draft Pints, $8 Domestic Draft Pitcher, $2 off premium draft pitchers)

6362 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.

Anaheim Hills, CA 92807

714-685-1103

www.slaters5050.com

Wednespiration: Unique OC

2010-08-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago, my friend and I went to Unique OC. It's the first time they had this event in Orange County. It's usually held twice a year in LA. Unique LA is a design show where attendees get to shop from local designers and artists directly. For their spring and winter shows, they have over 300 different vendors. Unique OC had about 60-70 vendors. It was held at The LAB in Costa Mesa.

(Source)

They had free drinks and KROQ bands that played.

The various vendors/designers.

Free Photobooth!

beautiful jewelry

great prices for pieces...

Cute bathing suits... (kinda regretted not getting one)

My friend got a really cute skirt from them.

Free Honest Tea & Izzy drinks

Our haul from Jennifer Shon Jewelry.

Hubby originally saw these at Renegade Craft Fair and thought it was hilarious. He regretted not getting it then. I was elated to see them at Unique OC.

cute bags from mymishion.

my tanktop and button from The Steppie.

It's amazing to me that people are so creative and can make or design these things. I dabble in jewelry making with wire and beads. It takes a lot of time so I can appreciate the hard work these various designers put into their product. Going to Unique OC inspired me to try to get back into my jewelry making/being creative. Sometimes it takes too much time and I get a little lazy. But there's something deeply satisfying about creating something....

Have you ever been to Unique LA? I am so excited for it after attending Unique OC.

Did any of these vendors inspire you?

Tip Tuesday: Red Lips

2010-08-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am always in search of the perfect red lipstick. There's something about the boldness of a red lip that screams sexy. Many women are afraid to put this color on because it is so bright. I used to be frightened of it myself until one day I saw swatches of it and decided to try it. Here are some swatches of some of my favorites. As you can see, I tend to like blue-based reds due to the fact that this makes my teeth look whiter than the orange reds.

Please don't mind the messy application. When applying red lipstick, lipliner helps to give a cleaner line around the mouth. I didn't use lipliner with any of these lipsticks except for Ruby Woo. All photos were taken in natural light.

Clinque's Red-y to Wear ($14 + tax)

MAC New York Apple ($14 + tax)

MAC Dubonnet ($14 + tax)

MAC Red ($14 + tax)

Ruby Woo is extremely drying since it is a matte formula. You need to make sure your lips are moisturized before putting on this beautiful color. Personally, this one is my favorite out of the bunch. Despite how drying this can be, the color is fabulous.

MAC Ruby Woo ($14 + tax) with Beet Lipliner ($13 + tax)

MAC Ruby Woo with Wet N Wild Lipliner #717 Berry Red ($1 + tax)

MAC Beet lipliner and Wet N Wild Berry Red #717 lipliner

Me wearing MAC Ruby Woo, MAC Beet lipliner and making an extremely silly face. Walking around the mall all day with this color on my face made me feel empowered for some reason.

As you can see, neutral eyes and cheeks look best with such a bold lip color. With makeup, you can do just about anything. However, too much color on your face can just be that-- too much.

Would you rock a red lip? What are your favorites?

Menu Monday: Salsa

2010-08-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

We love eating Mexican food-- tacos, burritos, nachos.. You name it, we love it. One of my favorite places is King Taco. We also love to make Mexican food at home. It's not complete without some salsa!

Homemade salsa....

4 tomatoes

1 large white onion

bunches of cilantro

2 jalapeno peppers

lime juice or limes to squeeze out the juice

salt to taste

1. Chop tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeno peppers and place in large bowl.

2. Squeeze 2-3 limes or use 2 tablespoons of lime juice (approximate).

3. Add salt to taste.

Let it sit for a bit before serving. It's simple and easy to make.

Do you have a favorite salsa recipe?

Fab Finds Friday: Accessories

2010-08-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Bright lights, heart pounding music, hustle and bustle of people running around-- no I'm not at a night club. I've made my way back again to Forever21. This time I went to their accessories "room" to look at their rings and found these lovely pieces. I tried to look on the website for them but was unable to find them so it looks like you need to go into the store.

I love taking pictures so this ring was definitely calling my name. I also love the muted gold color and the vintage vibe it gives off. This ring is not adjustable. It was priced at only $3.80 (+tax).

I love how feminine this ring is. It would look lovely with a pair of jeans and cute top or a fab dress. This ring is adjustable so you can wear it on any finger. It is priced at only $4.80 (+tax).

What a bargain! Forever21 has tons of accessories at great prices. The only con is having to look through everything (especially when looking for rings-- all those bowls and ring boxes filled with tons of rings.) Which one is your favorite?

Tasty Thursday: Chinatown Summer Nights

2010-08-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday evening, a few of us headed over to Chinatown Summer Nights in Los Angeles. For those of you who have never heard of Chinatown Summer Nights, it is a weekly event in the month of August with musicians, KCRW DJ's, restaurants, food trucks, a craft marketplace, shopping, street performers/dancers, martial arts demos, dancing, cooking demos, crafts for kids, local bars, and much more.

(Source)

It was a lovely evening. We valet parked on Hill and began our adventure.

We watched a cooking demo and ate some free samples.

We walked by the craft table (I think it was only for Aug. 14).

We soaked in the beauty and culture of Chinatown. There was much to look at but our main goal was to EAT!

Food Truck Alley... also known as Food Truck Heaven-- where we had to decide which one we would eat at. (Such a difficult decision!)

The Greasy Wiener Food Truck- we didn't get to try this although we really wanted to. We were too full!

Nom Nom Truck - Vietnamese Cuisine- specializing in Banh Mi (Sandwiches). They were pretty tasty!

Fry Smith Truck- fries that eat as a meal-- they throw stuff up on top of fries. I think this was the favorite of the night for our group. More on that later.

Don Chow Tacos Truck- Chinese Mexican Fusion Cuisine

the seating area

the food (l-r) Fry Smith, Nom Nom, Papas Tapas

Papas Tapas

Fry Smith's dish was a hit with all of us. We especially loved the sausage gravy, egg and cheese special on the left. The one next to it was sweet potato fries with chicken.

Nom Nom's Vietnamese tacos & sandwiches (not pictured). It was very fresh and tasty as well.

Don Chow Tacos Truck's 3 taco special for $5.

My favorite taco from this truck was the shrimp taco.

Hubby and friend devouring the food.

It's a good idea to go with some friends so you can share and try as many of the food trucks as possible.

plenty of seating...

We walked around Chinatown and saw the craft vendor selling their wares.

We watched some musicians playing their instruments.

We finished the night off with some ice cream from Lake Street Creamery.

We were able to order 4 different flavors and share.

My favorite food truck of the evening! Who doesn't love ice cream?

Gina's Cherrybombastic ice cream

Poy's Breakfast Pancake ice cream with coffee grounds and real bits of bacon

My donut flavored ice cream. It tasted like REAL donuts.

Hubby's bananrella ice cream with banana flavored ice cream and chunks of chocolate

I ADORED their waffle cone bowls. They were the perfect bowl shape. They serve the ice cream in these bowls to be more "green."

Definitely a great Saturday evening!

Goodbye Chinatown! til next time....

Chinatown Summer Nights

Saturdays in August 5pm- midnight

Free Admission

(only 2 Saturday nights left!!)

Bring cash for some of the vendors.. most of the food trucks take credit cards.

Central & West Plazas

Los Angeles, CA 90012

www.chinatownsummernights.com

Check it out before it's over!

Wednespiration: 31bits

2010-08-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wish you could make a difference in the world? Of course! That was one of the main reasons I became an educator. Although these days, I've lost sight of a lot of the reasons why I went into the profession due to politics and budget cuts. That's a different story for another blog and another time. The budget crisis in California made me think about the difference between a job and a career. I came to the conclusion that a job is just something you do to make money and pay the bills-- a means to an end. Whereas a career is something you have a passion for. Something you love. You can't WAIT to go there. (Raise your hands if that's how you feel about what you're currently doing.)

What got me thinking more about this was when I was sitting at home and watching Oprah. The topic of her show that day was Inside Glamourous Dream Jobs. Her guests included Jenna Lyon (executive creative director of J.Crew), Buddy Valestro (aka TLC's Cake Boss), Jeff Leatham (artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris), and many others. Something that each person said that really resonated with me was to do something that you LOVE. If you really love doing something, you're not going to be watching the clock. You don't care what time it is or how hard it is, you'll do it because you love it. You can bet I was inspired!!

For today's Wednespiration post, I wanted to focus on this company-- 31 bits. I first heard of them at a church service but didn't pay much attention until I took a look at their website and realized what they did.

31 Bits began in 2008 when five college students from Southern California traveled to Uganda and met six amazing women. The girls saw there was a need for change: the women needed shelter, food, medication, school fees for their children, and the list continued.... The women attempted to provide for their families by creating hand-made jewelry, but due to the lack of market, their income was hardly sustainable. 31 Bits was formed when the girls knew they could make a difference; they had to do something to partner with their new friends. 31 Bits now works directly with the women in Uganda, enabling them to make a better life for their families by providing a market for their jewelry. 31 Bits has grown from partnering with 6 women to 35. (Source)

How AWESOME is it that these girls saw a need, decided to do something to make a difference and created a way for these lovely women to make a living. I was intrigued so I decided to go to the Seed People's Market to actually see these 31 Bits bracelets and necklaces. I was not disappointed! They were beautiful and well made. It's amazing to me that they are made of paper! YES, paper! Not only are they gorgeous and unique, they are environmentally friendly!

You can also purchase these on the 31bits shop.

Check out their blog for more information.

I love these bracelets but I love the story behind the bracelets even more. I admire these girls who did something about the need they saw instead of just feeling bad about it. What an inspiration to see these ladies helping the women of Uganda! And it seems like they are loving what they are doing from their blog and tweets.

Have you heard of 31bits? Would you purchase anything from them? Are you inspired by their story?

Tip Tuesday: Lashes

2010-08-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

Most women want longer lashes. I know I do! The only options seem to be to use lash growth serums or wear false lashes (either that or get some GREAT mascara but mascara can only do so much). For almost a year, I've been using a lash growth serum called RapidLash purchased at Costco. RapidLash is an eyelash renewal serum that does the following:

Innovative high-performance formula helps thicken the appearance of and improve the condition of your lashes and brows
The appearance of seductive looking brows and lashes in 4-6 weeks
Powerful Polypeptides provide effective protection against breakage and naturally supports stronger more voluminous lashes
Vital proteins and vitamins help replenish and fortify lashes and brows.

(Source)

Here are a couple of pictures of my lashes last summer before using the product.

As you can see, the lashes are not as thick or dark.

Here are a couple of pictures of my lashes this summer.

You can really see the length here.

I can see even more of a difference whenever I use mascara. My lashes have definitely gotten longer and more full. You can purchase this on Costco.com for only $74.99 for two tubes. Each tube lasts for about 4-6 months. You must use it nightly. You apply it like eyeliner on top of your lash line. Do NOT get it into your eyes or else it will sting! You must be patient with it and you will see results after a few months.

Have you tried a lash growth serum before? What are your secrets for longer, fuller lashes?

ps: This is my review of how the product worked for me. I purchased the product on my own and was not paid to review it.

Menu Monday: Onion Rings

2010-08-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite things to eat with burgers are onion rings. I love the crunchy exterior coupled with the crisp sweetness of the onions. The other day I tried out this recipe:

Ingredients

1 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk, or as needed
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
seasoned salt to taste
1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

Directions

Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
Separate the onion slices into rings, and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until they are all coated; set aside. Whisk the egg and milk into the flour mixture using a fork. Dip the floured rings into the batter to coat, then place on a wire rack to drain until the batter stops dripping. The wire rack may be placed over a sheet of aluminum foil for easier clean up. Spread the bread crumbs out on a plate or shallow dish. Place rings one at a time into the crumbs, and scoop the crumbs up over the ring to coat. Give it a hard tap as you remove it from the crumbs. The coating should cling very well. Repeat with remaining rings.
Deep fry the rings a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season with seasoning salt, and serve.

(Source)

It took about an hour for me to make these because I used a small pan. I also included Panko bread crumbs in addition to the regular dry bread crumbs. The results were better than I expected-- extra crunchy onion rings.

What do you like to eat with a good burger?

Fab Finds Friday: Shoes

2010-08-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

Despite being clearly beyond the age of 21, something about Forever 21's style and price point draws me into their brightly lit stores each time I venture into the mall. Not everything in that store tickles my fancy since some of their sizing is clearly for the svelte thighs and flat abs of a 21 year old. But a girl can't say no to their cute (budget friendly) clothes, accessories and SHOES. Since fall is right around the corner, it's time to invest in some cooler weather appropriate shoes. I spied these adorable booties-- that come in cream and brown. I love the button detailing as well as the wisely placed side zip. The heel is a tad bit on the high side (4 inches) but the platform front helps to ease the pain. These are priced at $35.80 (+tax).

I love the buttons on the side!

Looks like Forever 21's booties are a dupe for these cute booties by Ash on Bluefly (sold out now) which were on sale for $143.

Another pair of shoes that caught my eyes were these casual lace up boots with an ingenious side zip! The thought of having to lace it up each time made me put these beauties back on the shelf until I discovered the side zip! Bravo Forever 21! These boots were more up my alley since I spend most of my day standing up and walking. Priced at only $29.80 (+tax), how could anyone pass these up?

(Source)

Have you found any fabulous finds this Friday? Go check out Forever 21's shoe section if you haven't already! You won't regret it!

Tasty Thursday: The Crosby

2010-08-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I love to eat. He is adventurous and loves to try new things while I tend to stick to favorite restaurants or favorite types of food. (One of the reasons for this is the fact that my stomach can be sensitive at times so I have to be careful of what I eat... ) He is always finding great places for us to try!

Last fall, he found this really great restaurant in OC that we've never been to. They had great food! It's called The Crosby. It was kind of hard to find. It's on the main street but there is no visible sign that says its name. It is next to a starbucks on the corner.

Hubby and I eventually found the restaurant after realizing that there is no sign and we had to find the number of the building.

This is the entrance--- where it says 400.

Once we entered, it was a really eclectic place... cozy... we decided to sit in the corner.

Here's our view from the corner-- to the bar and the dj. Apparently, after dinner-- this place is a fun place to hang out, drink, have appetizers, and listen to music.

The decor was interesting--- they had random books in these cabinets...

They have different specials for each month. So we decided to have an appetizer, a dish off their special monthly menu, and one dish off their regular menu...

Hubs said that the symbol to my right is the symbol they use at this establishment as their "symbol". It looks like a deer with antlers/hands...

They also have a happy hour from 5-8 Mon- Fri..(I went back a few weeks later with some of my girl friends for this-- and it did not disappoint!

a rasberry beer and a stella... guess who got what...

a picture of the bar...

the wall paper is pretty interesting--- what kind of design do you see?

the appetizer--- crinkle cut sweet potatoe fries, with cheese and chili-- this place is vegan friendly so the stuff on top is relatively healthy.

it was so yummy...

mmmmm.....

We went in October and one of the special dishes for that month was a yakisoba with veggies, tofu.. the top part of the yakisoba is cooked and it's in a crunchy noodle "bowl"

delicious...

They are supposed to be known for their pizzas. This was a bbq chicken pizza. It was so good. Their chicken was tender and juicy. The sauce was sweet and tangy and they also had bits of apple on top.

All gone! (Do you think we enjoyed the pizza?!?)

Bye bye 400 northbroadwayyyyyy... we will be back again one day...

The Crosby

Open Mon- Sat 5pm-2am

Closed on Sundays

400 North Broadway

Santa Ana, CA 92701

(714) 543-3543

thisisthecrosby.com‎

Wednespiration: Fall Look

2010-08-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Inspiration or Wednespiration as I'll call it, will focus on anything that I've found recently that has inspired me. Hopefully it will inspire you as well!

One of the many things I love about Anthropologie is the way they style their clothing pieces together. I also love how this week's home page shows you a way to transition your summer dresses into fall by layering. What a fantastic way of wearing that summer dress you love into the fall season!

You can also layer a chunky sweater over your favorite summer tank top. Don't forget some killer heels or cute boots and a fabulous satchel to complete the look for fall!

(created on polyvore by me)

Tip Tuesday: Skin Care Review

2010-08-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

i've been very blessed with good genes which helps me to not look like a woman in her mid 30's. (yes! i admit it, i'm almost middle age!) anyway, in addition to good genes, you must take care of your skin. That means exfoliate, cleanse, moisturize, and wear sunscreen. I've been wearing sunscreen since my teens and really started getting more into skin care in my 20's. when i look at my friends or peers who are the same age as me or near my age, i still look much younger than them and i attribute a lot of it to my skin care routine. i've used all kinds of skin care products-- la mer, shu uemura, clinique, etc... some may call me a beauty junkie and i don't take offense to it because i don't want to look OLD.

often times people say that you get what you pay for. i agree with that to a certain degree but i also think there are GEMS that are half the price of the high end brands which work more effectively than that $200 cream. let me introduce you to the GEM that i found which has really smoothed out my fine forehead wrinkles. you may be surprised because it doesn't sound very glamourous... it's from Avon. yes, you heard me right, AVON.

it's from their Anew Clinical line-- the Advanced Wrinkle Corrector. from their website, here are their claims:

The at-home answer to wrinkle-filling injections†. Start rebuilding collagen in just 48 hours°.
BEFORE
Skin's 4 structural components weaken and decrease, causing new lines to form and wrinkles to deepen.
AFTER NEW EXCLUSIVE 4D WRINKLE-REVERSE TECHNOLOGY
is designed to help reduce the length, depth and number of visible wrinkles.
Rebuilds collagen to help plump out lines and wrinkles.
Stimulates elastin for improved elasticity and resilience.
Regenerates hydroproteins to minimize creasing.
Now...formulated to boost shock-absorbing proteins to help strengthen skin's support layers.
Improve fine & deep wrinkles up to 50%*. Immediately plumps out wrinkles and fine lines.** Within 48 hours begins boosting collagen production.*** 1.7 fl. oz. As seen on TV.

after using this for about a year, i have seen a drastic reduction in fine lines on my forehead. i found that it really did plump out lines and wrinkles. my skin feels more hydrated, soft, smooth, and even. the best thing about this is the price. a jar of this product is $32 but sometimes avon has a deal where you can get two for $37 or other wonderful deals. i usually stock up whenever they do this. i love this product! i have a fabulous Avon rep if you need a referral.

have you ever tried anything from avon? what is your holy-grail skin care product or are you still searching?

ps: i purchased the item on my own. i was not paid to do this review. this is my honest opinion on how the product worked for me.

Menu Monday: Green Tea Mochi Cake

2010-08-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

since being on vacation from work, i've had more time and energy to try out recipes and cook. one of my favorite blogs for great and user-friendly recipes is Week of Menus. the author is refreshing and all the recipes i've tried are very easy to make and delicious! she has pictures of each step to show you what your dish should look like. she even has a printable recipe so you can print it out and use it in the kitchen instead of using your computer. i love all of her desserts and my hubby is excited when i try new things.

i tried making the green tea mochi cake and was pleased with the results. you first mix all the dry ingredients together

then mix the wet ingredients...

then put the two together...put it in a greased pan... then bake for 90 minutes...

take it out and cool it...

then cut into small squares... it's best to share them because eating all of them will cause your pants to not fit... ::wink::

have you checked out Week of Menus? If you have not, i HIGHLY recommend it. what are some of your favorite recipes?

welcome!

2010-08-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

i have a personal blog for family and friends and decided to start posting here on random things that inspire me and things that I've learned in the past 3 decades of life. I'm just a gal, who loves her hubby, family, friends, makeup, shopping, and a good bargain! everything on this blog is based on my opinion.. thanks for stopping by and i hope you enjoy!