Pic of the Day!

I was introduced to Jen through an old high school friend of mine who is a mutual friend of Jen's. Her effervescent personality is contagious and like all artists, is really passionate about photography - and it shows!

I've been meaning to post a proper shout out to Jen, and this is the perfect time - finally!

Anyway, here is the Pic of the Day! For more fantastic work of Jen's check her website and blog!

~Introducing Lindsay Padilla~

Yay! This is something new I am doing to highlight awesome local Bay Area vendors doin' what they do best!

My very first spotlight shines on super adorable and very energetic hair artist Lindsay Padilla of Livermore. Lindsay is not even the legal drinking age, but in her short years has amassed exposure and experience to match any stylist out there.
Isn't she just the cutest?



I had a chance to chat with Linds about how she got started and how her career thus far has evolved.

ME: So, normally, 16 year olds have no clue about what they want to major in in college, let alone what they want to do with their lives; how did you know at the age of 16 this is what you wanted to do?

LINDSAY: I have been doing hair since I was about 13...I wanted to get into the industry so bad, and was so passionate about it at such an early age. My grandma had survived breast cancer, and in learning about the different support groups and programs, she told me about one in particular called "Look Good...Feel Better". I got involved in the program by being an assistant to the facilitators, and met Mark Wise, a salon owner in Livermore who sold wigs to cancer patients throughout the Tri-Valley area. Eventually, I was teaching cancer patients how to apply makeup and take care of their hair, skin, and nails during the chemotherapy war that their body was in at the time. I begged Mark for a job at his salon, even if I was sweeping hair, yet I was only 13. So, after 3 years of helping out, on my 16th birthday, I was in Anita's Salon talking with Mark and Anita about my job opportunity. A week later I was answering the phones and sweeping hair (YES!). Over the next two years, I had a sneak peek into the industry and learned by just watching. After graduating high school, I went to school at Paul Mitchell, where I learned to take my passion and turn it into my career.

ME: What one moment defined the clarity you had for wanting to be a stylist to brides?

LINDSAY: Over time, I realized that working with photographers, and working with women on their wedding day was really my favorite thing to do. Eventually I started to build my "wedding business" and was being referred to many brides. This summer I look forward to many weddings, set in the vineyards, or even the beach. Sometimes I have to step back and think about what brides are willing to trust me with. I feel so honored to have the responsibility of their hair and makeup, making them look the unforgettable on their wedding day, one of the most important days of their lives. Ever since I was a little girl I looked at brides like they were princesses, always following them around during the receptions, or staring at them in awe, and now I can actually say I had something to do with the way that they looked that day. That is why I love what I do.


Lindsay's focus and dedication to her craft are only exceeded by her talent and desire for all her clients to walk away completely beautified and gorgeous. If you are in the bay area, give her a call!


Some of Linday's recent work:

Get Your Butt in Gear!!

Let's be honest here - special events seem to bring out all our insecurities right? We all want to look our best, especially if we haven't seen most of the other invited guests in years. Well here is an at-home workout from the folks at SparklePeople you can do to perk up those buns!

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE CONSULT WITH A PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO STARTING ANY EXERCISE REGIMEN

I'm BAAAAACK!!!

Holy long absence batman! Whew! I've been offline for a few months due to a family concern - but now all is back on track and we're once again ready to roll!

How is everyone's summer so far? How many weddings, graduations, retirement parties, baptisms, housewarming parties, etc have you been invited to? It seems like every other weekend there is something going on!

So I'm gonna keep this re-entry short and sweet and full of eye candy ;-)

I stumbled across this "DUDE-OIR" shoot and for the guys who are confident enough to do this - more power to them! Great job by photographer Boudoir Rouge! I love that finally finally finally, the term "boudoir pics" can be taken in a more loose translation of anyone wanting to take pics in a "not so everyday" way; it's sultry, saucy, yet refined and not vulgar! Bravo! I am hoping this starts a new trend which will also include couples being more open-minded of taking these.


All photos by Boudoir Rouge Photography

Wonder what Would Happen If We Turned the Heater On?

When honeymoons are planned, some couples opt for a cruise in the Bahamas, others an exotic getaway in Turks & Caicos - but what about an ice hotel? Now that would be "cool"!

Here are some pics from Quebec's Hotel de Glace! Nothin' like "chillin' at the bar with your new hubby"!

For more information, please contact Hotel Glace directly HERE

Now on to the eye candy (all pics from travel site tripadvisor.com)

The Wedding Chapel:


Bar & Hotel Pics:

Hot Mama!

You have your gown, your love has his tux or suit -- but what about your parents...most especially your moms?

Whether mom's style is conservative and modest or trendy and "now", definitely don't leave out looking in the bridesmaid dress selections! With more and more moms wanting to be more fashionable and less "matronly", bridesmaid dresses offer a wide array of styles to choose from! (Think "Red Carpet" --- after all, shouldn't our moms feel glamorous too?)

I love the LOVE line from Enzoani, Watters & Watters, Sophia Tolli, and JLM... Whichever your mom chooses (barring red tubetop and daisy dukes) just relax and let her bask in the pride that only a mother feels on such a joyous occasion! Try not to monopolize ALL her wardrobe choices, I mean she has been dressing herself for longer than you've been alive, after all **wink wink**


Sohpia Tolli:



LOVE by Enzoani:



Watters & Watters:




all images from BRIDES

Song of the Day

I woke up with this in my head...

I just love this song!



I'm forever yours.... faithfully... aaaahhhh brings me back to 6th grade slow dance!