New Years Resolutions

I love the beginning of the year! It's such a great time to make plans and goals! I always put mine in writing to help remind me throughout the year of what I should be moving towards. Mine are usually simple but all have a special place in my life as I love my husband, raise my girls and grow my business.  Here are my goals and plans for 2013, in no particular order...

1. Get pictures in my frames- I seem to struggle with this one and it's such a simple task. I want our pictures to be filled with moments and I have a hard time deciding which is the best.  2013 is the year to  move forward and maybe just buy more frames so I don't have to pick and choose my favorite moments.

2. Use my fine china-Everyday can be an occasion that merits fine china.

3. Take more video-video is so priceless I feel.  To hear the voices and watch the mannerisms of my loved ones as we get older. It's a little peak into the past and brings me back to the moment every time.

4. Speak less listen more-plain and simple I talk to much and I need to work on it.

5. Adopt morning devotional-Starting the day with my coffee and devotional always puts my trying moments in perspective.

6. Go on more walks-the outdoors always have a way of clearing my head.  The allow fun adventures for my girls and are a good reminder of to slow down and enjoy the moments.

7. Learn...take risks-try the scary things..what's the worst that can happen?

8.  Keep my eye on the prize-sometimes blinders are a good thing...focusing on what my goals are and working towards them.

9.  Save more shop less-the toughest of them all!!!!

10. Write more notes-taking the time to write a little note to a friend is priceless.  Perfect opportunity to tell them how much I adore them.

I hope you take the time to note your plans and goals for the upcoming year and take 2013 by storm!  

Cheers to a fabulous 2013!

Bell Pepper Spagetti

I can't claim this recipe is much to look at but man is it yummy!  I love trying to incorporating as many veggies into my diet as possible and bell peppers are so good for your skin boasting great amounts of Vitamin C and E.  When aiming for glowing skin makeup can't be your only arsenal, you must work from the inside out! 

Bell Pepper Spagetti

adapted from Undressed Skeleton


You will need:
1/2 T olive oil
1/2 red, orange, yellow and green pepper sliced
Dash of salt and pepper to taste
2 T of your fave spagetti sauce ( mine is Prego original)
Dash of parmesean cheese

To make:
Drizzle skillet with 1/2 T of olive oil and heat on medium high heat.  Add in the peppers and sauté.  Through in the salt and pepper to taste.  Once peppers are soft, place in bowl and top with sauce and cheese.

Enjoy this super easy and veggie packed lunch or dinner!

Holiday Fashion

The holidays are a crazy fun time full of parties and events.  These are some fun little frocks to help make you look fab for Christmas!

Alica +Olivia

ASOS

Topshop

Anthropologie

I love each of these sweet little numbers because they are so versatile! You can pare them with flats and a cardigan for a more relaxed ladylike feel for dinner with your in laws. Another option would be adding great heels and a blazer for a more formal Christmas or church.

Add a little holiday hair and you are festive and fabulous!

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Chris and Elise- Greystone Mansion

I die for a gorgeous red head and Elise was the epitome! She is super fair with completely enviable ginger hair! Elise envisioned soft hair and super natural makeup.  It was not a hard to capture her natural beauty!!! I prepped the gorgeous bride at the super chic Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles and became quickly obsessed with their glossy black floors and vintage hollywood starlet photographs adorning the walls!  Grand Engagements set the back drop of amazingness at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills and Vanessa Preziose captured the lovely day!

Event venue: Greystone Mansion

Prep venue: Sofitel Hotel

Coordinator: Grand Engagements

Photography: Vanessa Preziose

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy 

Pumpkin Spice Granola

If you are anything like me you like a nice granola situation!!!  It's a great topping for greek yogurt, can be a cereal with milk or just a yummy snack for when you are on the go!  This one from Candice Kumai's "Cook yourself Sexy" cookbook is so yummy and is packed with all things delish!!!!!

Pumpkin Spice Granola
recipe from "Cook Yourself Sexy" Candice Kumai

Makes 6 Servings

2 C rolled oats
1/2 C slivered almonds
1/3 C pepitas
1/4 C whole flaxseeds
2 T shredded coconut
1/3 C pumpkin puree
1/2 C maple syrup
1 t vanilla extract
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t ginger ( I didn't have any when I made mine and not a huge fan of ginger so I skipped this one)
2 T vegetable oil
1t sea salt
1/3 C dried cranberries
1/3 C dried cherries

To make:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, pepitas, flaxseed, coconut, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, oil and sea salt until well combined.

Spread the oat mixture evenly over the baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes.  Stir the mixture with a spatula.  Return it to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Once the granola is cool, stir in the cranberries and cherries.

Mama to be- Missy

I've had the best time getting to know Missy over the years.  We met a little over a year ago when she modeled for a shoot I was working on.  Since then, she has gotten married and is now expecting her first son with her adorable hubby!  I've had the super fun pleasure of dolling her up for her shower and maternity pictures!

Congrats Ulmer family!  Can't wait to meet sweet little Max!

Photography: Windy Dougall

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy

Holiday Hair

The holidays are full of special occasions and parties and now is the perfect time to pare your sweet little black dress with fab holiday hair! Here are some of my faves!

Sexy Ponytail

Loose waves and center part

 Messy Chignon

 Messy Braid

 Sock bun

Twisted and Tossed up bun

 Add a little sparkle to your side bun

 Bouncy sexy curls

Which will you try?

Joe and Lauren- Corona Del Mar

I had the extreme and exciting pleasure of being a part of the newly elected Congressman Joe Kennedy III and Lauren Birchfield's big day this winter in Corona Del Mar!

  Congrats to the stunning couple!!!  

Press release from the couple:

"The Congressman-elect and his fiancée, Lauren Anne Birchfield, were married on Saturday afternoon in Corona del Mar, California, surrounded by family and friends. The ceremony was held at Community Church and officiated by the bride's father, Rev. Jim Birchfield. The bride and groom are extremely grateful for all the well wishes and for the outpouring of support and friendship they have received this year."

Photography: Victor  Sizemore

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy

assisting resident artists: Amanda and Trina

Red lip giveaway!!!!

Soooo excited to be sharing with you my first giveaway!  I will be giving away my fave red lipstick and liner to one lucky winner!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How I do red

I'm a firm believer in keeping things natural and enhancing the natural beauty. With that, I like to keep my red lip simple. Here is how I like to wear my red...

You will need:

Your fave primer and foundation-apply all over face

  I used Laura Mercier hydrating primer and IlluminatingTinted Moisturizer

Concealer-dab under eye and on any blemishes

I used Neutragena Brightening Eye Perfector

Setting powder-dust over face to set foundation

I used MAC Mineralize Skinfinish light medium

Bronzer-dust onto temples and cheekbones

I used MAC Mineralize Skin finish medium deep

Blush in neutral/bronzy tone- not to pink-dust right on apples of cheeks

I used Nars Doucher

Eye primer-cover lid

I used Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer potion

Soft vanilla eyeshadow-apply to lid and under brow bone

I used Estee Lauder or could use MAC Shroom

Mid tone brown eyeshadow-blend into crease,keep light and soft

I used Estee Lauder but could use MAC Era

Black liquid eyeliner-line only upper eye, I like to create a little wing on the end for a bit of drama

I used Bobbi Brown long wear gel liner

Black mascara-coat lashes twice

I used Maybelline Great Lash

Red lipliner-line lips on natural lip line and color in lips

I used MAC Cherry

Red lipstick-apply all over lip

I used MAC Ruby Woo

Voila!!!!!  

Inexpensive reds for every girl

Red takes a bit more commitment but it's the effortless chic look that is just so classic!  It can take any daily look up a notch and can be the perfect accessory to any holiday party or special event.  For the girls that don't want to spend a pretty penny on a red lip that they aren't going to wear as often this post is for you!

All of these gorgeous options can be found at your local drugstore!  

For the classic red girl: 

Sonia Kashuk -Classic Red
   This beauty is ideal for daily wear because it is not only a great universally flattering red but also has          SPF 16 for lip protection.

Covergirl- Hot Passion
   This great formula goes on smooth is is that classic cherry red that will look great on any skin tone

For the Beginners:

Revlon Colorburst- Fire
  This lovely red is great for the gun shy red girl!  Not quite ready for full blast red? Try out this glossy and moisturizing option.

Revlon- Love that Red
  You will "Love that Red" to after trying out this more sheer red option. Baby steps!

For the committed:

 Elf-Rich Red
   I really love the great blue red that this forumla boasts and it's crayon like application is great for a quick on the go freshen up

Covergirl lipstain-507
  I love love love these stains and use them regularly on clients!  This red is my fave for the on the go, no touchup girl! If you want to leave the house, run errands, go to work, kiss on your hubby and eat a snack with out your lips fading this is the stain for you!  It's my number one pick and I'm sure you will adore it too!

Which red are you?

Celebs in Red

Red Lips 3 ways

I'd been on the hunt for a lovely classic red that is seemingly universal! I grabbed two of my most gorgeous friends one a blonde and one a brunette to show how you can wear the same color with any hair color!

The gorgeous shade we all rocked.....MAC Ruby Woo.

 Thank you to my lovely models: Amy and Christina 

Photography: Heather of All Trades

Week of Red

Happy December!!!

I'm obsessed with red lips and love that statement that they make! This week I will be covering all sorts of fab red lip goodies!!  Perfect for holiday party or if you want to get a little sassy!

Let's begin with the classic and iconic red lip!!!! 

Beauty Holiday Gift Guide under $120

My perfect little roundup of all things gorgeous for your holiday season!  These beauties are perfect to slip into a stocking or grab before those holiday parties!!

Nars Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo $41.00

Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish $65.00

MAC Ruby Woo lipstick $15.00

Clarisonic Mia $119.00

Kate Spade Twirl perfume $65.00

Sephora Gloss Lab $25.00

Headband $18.00

Beauty Blender $19.95

Naked  and Naked 2 Pallet $50.00

Barbara and JR- Palm Springs

I had so much getting to know Barbara and her girls! They are so low key and relaxed and the whole day had the same vibe!  Barbara envisioned a super simple and minimal makeup and upswept hair!  She wanted a relaxed feel for hair but wanted it to have a bit of drama that would separate it from her typical ponytail she sports regularly.  Barbara is the owner of CrossFit Seal Beach and it shows in her amazingly fit body!!!  Gianna SanFillipo created the most gorgeous old hollywood fete for the lovely couple!  It was breathtaking!  Congrats to the super fun Barb and JR!!  

 Venue: La Quinta Resort

Photography: Krista Mason

Coordinator: Gianna San Filippo of Chic Celebrations

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy  and bridesmaid hair
bridesmaid makeup by resident artist Tera Stultz

Hawaii wedding wardrobe inspiration

My parents are celebrating their 30 wedding anniversary this year by renewing their vows in Hawaii!  So fun!! I couldn't help but put together little fashion inspiration boards as we started planning the ceremony! My mom is super cute and I wanted her to have a sophisticated but appropriate look. She wasn't into the wedding gown route so we went with this gorgeous "Rent the Runway" beaded cocktail dress from Badgley Mischka!  Amazing!  I will be wearing something similar to the emerald "ModCloth" maxi below and my two little lovelies will be wearing something similar to the sweet little frocks at the bottom. 

Bride inspiration

My mom is super cute and wanted to look fabulous for her 30 anniversary and vow renewal in Hawaii coming up!  I of course appointed myself fashion guru of the event!  

1.  Dress -Rent the Runway

2.  Hair and makeup inspiration- mom loves big hair

3.  Earrings- Nordstrom

4.  Heels- 

Bridesmaid 

Because the ceremony will be on the beach I wanted something soft and flowy but a little sexy without being to much!  I am obsessed with the emerald color of this dress! So excited to flaunt it!

1.  Dress- Modcloth

2.  Hair and makeup inspiration

3.  Heels- Nordstrom

4.  Earrings- Nordstrom

Flower girls 

1.  Pink dress- Zulily

2. Ivory ruffle dress- J.Crew