Kim and Drew-Oak Canyon Nature Center

 I had the most lovely pleasure of working with Kim on her big day!  She decided to forgo a trial run and so the wedding day was our first meeting!  I liked her right off the bat!  Kim envisioned soft upswept hair that had a bit of romance and drama.  Drew and Kim created the most gorgeous day and they are so full of love for each other and for God.  I loved the little details in the day from their dreamy outdoor ceremony of the Oak Canyon Nature Center to the fun board game tables throughout the reception! Their amazing day was captured by the incredible Sloan Photographers.

 For more gorgeousness click here!!!

Photography: Sloan Photographers

Venue: Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anahiem

Hair: Kacee Geoffroy

How to: Coconut Lemon Sugar Scrub

We have the most mutant lemon tree in our back yard and I love this time of year because it' produces the most enormous lemons!!  I get the most dry skin in the winter time and thought I'd share this lovely little at home sugar scrub I came across!

Coconut Lemon Sugar Scrub

You will need:
1/2 Cup coconut oil
1 1/4 Cup sugar
3 T Lemon juice

Put into jar and mix.

Scrub in circular motions onto body in shower for fabulous glowing skin!

Protein -Packed Vegetarian Chilli

We love chili in my house and I love tweaking things and finding new recipes to mix it up!  This time I went for a full vegetarian option!  I don't know that I have ever cooked with tofu!  I knew that my hunny wouldn't touch it if I told him what it was so I told him it was a surprise.  He loved it and didn't even guess that I snuck tofu passed his picky tastebuds!  We topped with plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream to lighten it up even more!  

Protein-Packed Vegetarian Chili
Adapted from Pretty Delicious
makes: 6 servings

You will need:
1 T Canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green or red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 package (14 oz)  of firm tofu, crumbled
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded, deribbed, and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely minced
2 1/2 T chili powder
1 t ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 t sea salt
1/2 t pepper
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Greek yogurt and scallions for garnish (optional)

To make:
Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 10 minutes.  Stir the tofu into the pot, then add the jalapeño (if desired), garlic, chili powder, cumin, bay leaf, salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.  Stir in the diced tomatoes ( with juices), reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is thick, about 45 minutes.

Add the beans and cook until the beans are warmed through, 5 to 8 minutes.  Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.  Serve topped with a dollop of yogurt and handful of scallions.

Karin and Billy sitting in a tree!

I love when I meet brides for the first time and I want to be their friends!  Karin is vivacious and spunky and I liked her right away!  We had the most fun chatting about her wedding plans and creating her soft and natural look for engagement shoot!  Aren't Karin and Billy jus the cutest ever?!!  Can't wait until their big day this year!!!  

Photography: Beautiful Day photography

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy

Shoot location: Paradise Cove, Malibu

Sarah and Jay-Center Club

I had so much fun getting to know Sarah!  We first met at her engagement shoot and we had a blast talking about random nonsense like who we thought  should win American Idol and what our fave tv shows were.  Sarah is such a natural beauty and we decided to keep her natural gorgeousness the main focus! She has the most gorgeous hair and she envisioned it classic and swept into a low side chignon.  LOVELY!  

For more of this lovely day....click here! 

Photography: William Kim Photography

Coordination: Olivia Wu

Venue: Center Club, Costa Mesa

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy

Assisting with bridal party makeup: Ashley

What love looks like-30th anniversary

A classic picture of my mom and dad in their early years.  

 

My family and I visited Hawaii over Thanksgiving for a fun vacation and my parents decided it would be fun to renew they vows.  It was a big anniversary for them and they thought it would be fun.  Now in order to understand the impact that this had on us you have to understand my family.  We show our love with jokes and teasing.  We are affectionate but verbal compliments or "love words" as we call them make us twitch! We don't do romance!!!! Nothing mushy and no grand gesture!!!  Our love is the "bring me my favorite treat because you know we would be happy" kind of love.  It's the "tease me because I'm trying to be fancy" kind of love!  It's the thoughtful kind of love.  A swat on the butt or a sweet kiss on the cheek is much more of a love gesture than any grand showing.  My parents have this love and so my brother and I have adopted it as well!
    As we picked out outfits and laughed at the mushiness of it all, we had no idea of how impact full the event would be.  My dad came to me a couple weeks before the trip and said he wanted to get my mom a new ring.  My mom's wedding ring is stunning but over the years she wears it and then would take it off for a bit because it would get snagged on things or what not.  So for years she hasn't worn a wedding ring.  We talked about some options and off he went.  My dad has incredible taste and I knew he would find something perfect for her. We kept it at our house for the last week before our trip and all tried to keep tight lipped!  It's hard to pull a surprise like this from my mom!
      As the ceremony was getting started I could see my dad's face grow serious. It was his emotional face when I know he is feeling those uncomfortable unspoken feelings. My mom is having a great time and is so casual about the whole thing.  She has no idea whats in store. They move on to the exchanging of the rings and my dad slips on her new sparkle.  Her first words are "this isn't my ring" and she is so confused.  She lets it go but looks mixed up. She can't figure out why no one is saying anything about the ring or correcting it.  After about 5 minutes, it hits!!  Her face lights up like I've never seen and she realizes that he has given her a new ring.  He stops the ceremony and speaks the most lovely words that only my dad can say.    He spoke of his undying love for my mom and us kids.  He spoke of his love for my husband and my brother's girlfriend and my kids.  It was just incredible.  As the ceremony wrapped up, there was a whole new feeling in the air.  It was like we were voyers on my parents wedding day.  Their love was like it was on their wedding day 30 years before.  I've seen their wedding video many times and the look on their faces 30 years later was the same.  To be able to witness this love was life changing.  I always new their love was special but to visually witness such an intimate moment that included us kids and my daughters was amazing.
     I hope for their love!  As Erik and I raise our daughters and grow together, I look forward to that look after our 30 years.

Happy 30 anniversary to my incredible parents!

My sweet brother and his adorable girlfriend

My handsome hubby and myself

Our two most precious possessions

How to: Keep cute at the gym

They say that one of the most popular resolutions is to get healthy.  I don't know about you but I'm not a huge workout fan.  I like it to be to the point and concise.  I'm happiest when it's over!  A cute outfit never hurt anyone and can absolutely put you more in mood for your sweat fest!  Here are some sassy options to help you stay sexy in 2013!

Bra, top jacket, pants all from Lululemon

Bra, top and pants from Lululemon, Jacket from Nike and bag from Lyst

Bra and top from Lululemon, crops and jacket from Nike and bag from Le Sport Sac

Meghan and Aaron- Pelican Hill

 Okay...here we go!!!!!! Meghan is the sweetest most lovely and by far the sassiest of any person I know!!!! She is all bubbles in a small package and I just adore everything about her!! I know I've already gushed and gushed about her in her engagment shoot post.  I  had the total pleasure of dolling up Meghan for her two weddings.  This one was held at the gorgeous Pelican Hill!  The day was just incredible and couldn't have been more perfect for them!  Meghan envisioned a very sleek and sexy look for this wedding.  The day before we did something a bit more demure.  She wanted a look that could go from full force ballerina bun to sultry ponytail.  As for makeup, Meghan wanted a dark eye with glowing skin and settle lip.  Check out her amazing bridesmaids dresses!!!! Sparkles are my middle name!!! Any chance I get to spend with the Intertwined ladies is a good one!  Thank your APicture Life for the gorgeous images! You are to fab!

 Venue: Pelican Hill Resort

Coordination: Intertwined Events

Photography: A Picture Life Photography

Hair and Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy and resident artist Tera Stultz