stress

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

Exciting News!

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

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.

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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

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!

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Wednespiration: Glaminar

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!

More Sample Sales

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

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

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I love their makeup!

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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

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

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 Longwear 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:

A long-wear foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies smoothly to provide sheer to medium coverage. Even in hot and humid conditions, controls oil to keep skin fresh, natural and flawless. Provides everyday SPF protection. (Source)

The makeup artist matched me as NC30 although my regular foundation match is NC25. They say the Pro Longwear runs light. I tried some of it at the store and then got some to try out later on in the week.

You know how it's been horribly hot the past couple of days in LA? Well, usually my face is a puddle of oil, sweat, makeup, and basically a "hot mess." (not the good kind). But with the Pro Longwear foundation, my face had a slight sheen to it by the end of the day. It lasted for over 10 hours with minimal shine!! I set it with a translucent powder in the morning and I was amazed at how well it lasted!!

I will try it out for the rest of this week but so far--- SO GOOD!! If you have not tried this foundation out, I highly recommend it. Go to the MAC counter to get matched and ask for a sample so you can try it out for a few days. This foundation could reach "HG" (holy grail) status if it continues to hold up like it has the past couple of days!

Would you try this foundation out? What is your favorite or HG foundation?

Menu Monday: Pizza Pizza

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

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

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

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.

Wednespiration: Pros Make it Look Easy

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)

Tip Tuesday: Cleanser

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.

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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

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

1. Take ground beef, 3-4 mushrooms chopped, a quarter of chopped onion, a couple of dashes of salt, and pepper.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Make patties (desired thickness)
4. Spray stainless steel pan with cooking spray
5. Cook patties on both sides until brown.
6. Place slice of cheese on patties and place in oven for 10 additional minutes at 350 degrees
7. 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

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)

Tasty Thursday: Slater's 50/50

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.

Wednespiration: Unique OC

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.

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Tip Tuesday: Red Lips

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.