From 2010, with love...

This year has been...incredible. As I sit here on the very last day, hours even, of 2010, I'm feeling somewhat sentimental as I realized all the amazing things that this past year has brought me.

The fact that I was not the only one to wish 2009 good riddance actually made me feel better about the whole thing. At least I wasn't the only one wallowing in some kind of despair that only a national recession can create. And have you ever noticed that when you don't' FEEL successful and confident, the rest of the world just kinda... sucks?

I set out for 2010 to be different, and it was. I didn't even know what an empty vessel I was for information, but I hope that I always remain that way. It feels good to get filled up with new experiences. So, here's what this amazing year has taught me:

1) Most people need to feel taken care of. Make someone feel good about themselves, and let them know how very important to you they are. And, be genuine about it. It will take you miles further than any product or service.

2) Don't spend hours agonizing about something you may-or-may-not have screwed up. You never know that the one thing you stressed so much about may be the very thing someone praises you for later. Unless someone directly tells you that you screwed up, just drop it.

3) You will not make everyone happy. That's ok. As long as you can leave the situation feeling good about yourself and the choices you made in that situation, then it's fine. And sometimes, there isn't the "right choice", there's just "I made the best decision I could at the time" choice. That's cool, too.

4) Never miss an opportunity to shut the hell up. This tidbit it worth it's weight in gold.

If experience is the best teacher, I've been enrolled in his class for a year now and can vouch for him. Getting out there, taking a risk, and doing my thing has been huge. There's so much that I thought would be a BIG deal, like some sort of long, hard, overwhelming task I would have to endure and struggle with. I had built it up in my mind to be something way more elaborate than it really was. Then the weirdest thing happened... the stuff that seemed insignificant, the stuff that required me to focus and be consistent on day to day tasks, were the ones that required the most of me. The big leaps were easy. I just had to jump. And jumping covers way more ground than walking in the same amount of time.

So, for 2011, it's time to jump. Stretch, reach, leap. Momentum is powerful, once you put it into play.

Wishing you a very, very best New Year.

Oh... wait... this is supposed to be a blog on beauty... tip: Urban Decay's Red Revolution. The most perfect red lipstick I have ever found. And you'll need it for the retro inspired looks parading down runways and wedding aisles.

Pin-up princess Tiffany Rose Thomas ditches her retro ringlets for a more sleek, dark and very sexy look.

Last week at Lucky Cat Tattoo in Las Vegas, model, Lucky Cat owner and body piercing diva Tiffany Rose Thomas, infamous tattoo photographer Issac Madera, and yours truly, Amelia C rocked out one hot photo shoot. Straight, sleek and modern tresses took the place of Tiffany’s normal sweetheart 50’s updos. The results were totally Vegas sexy, check it out …

So Hot!

Holiday 2010 Must-Haves

This holiday's make-up trends are leaning more toward the gray shimmer of the Winter Wonderland than the vibrancy of the festivities indoors, but they are just as exciting. Fresh and radiant skin complimented with smoky lids, heavy lashes, and bitten red lips take this seasons look to a natural, but classically chic feel. Set off by the playful, loose hairstyles that have been coming down the runways and red carpet this fall, women can look effortlessly timeless and confident.

1. REDKEN BODIFYING CREAM MOUSSE KIT: Big soft curls and waves, loose buns and braids – looks like this serve to frame up your face with this season's messy yet still glamorous trend. Can't afford a glitzy do or stylist? Well, Redken offers a do-it-yourself kit, complete with their bodifying cream-mousse and quick-dry instant finish spray, for a reasonable $22, available in select salons and Redken dealers.


2. LA MER LUXURY ESSENTIALS KIT: Keep your skin fresh and flawless, and show it the love it deserves by splurging on La Mer Luxury Essentials kit. It is every thing you, or a very special women in your life, needs this winter season to give a perfect glow, despite the elements. From the iconic sea-mineral-based skin-care line coveted by women the world over, this La Mer ket contains serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. La Mer Luxury Essentials, $395, cremedelamer.com.


3. Lash Allure MD Lash and Brow Enhancing Serum 0.12 fl oz. What girl doesn't want big, sexy, buxom... lashes? Clinically proven, this bad boy on the lash market gets results! And, hearing horror stories about self-applied fake lashes, I'd venture to guess it's alot easier for you to use on your own.



Whatever look you're going for this holiday season, whether it's candy-apple festivity or Snow Princess elegance, make sure to keep it classy by using some of the posh products above. And if you're shopping for an equally classy lady this Christmas, take our suggestions seriously – she might be so pleased with your trend-spotting that she'll corner you under the mistletoe! Happy holidays indeed.

Winery Wedding

I got an email from my girl Kaila over at Plush Weddings and Events
wanting to know if I'd want to help with a mock wedding shoot over at the Pahrump Valley Winery... Hell yes! We had so much fun getting our "bride" ready, Mindy Bean graced us with her photography talents... it was all just lovely. Thanks for inviting me girls! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Pin-Up Shoot

**OK, I ADMIT, I'm back-peddaling here. I started this post and for whatever reason, forgot I had to upload more photo's. So here I am, finally, getting to it! This was in Spring! But, still saucy just the same**

Where do you go when you want to take the best pin-up photo's ever?

The middle of nowehere. Of course.

This is the plan that Sue and I hatched after deciding... what exactly we decided was I'm still not sure, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. And, unlike most idea's that "seem like a good idea at the time", this one actually was. Which is exactly how we found ourselves driving to a ghost town about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas on a hot and dusty Sunday afternoon.

We started at the studio, because being the spoiled makeup artist that I am, I was gonna do most of the work in a well-lit space with running water. Here's pin-up model Tiffany Rose Thomas pre- and post- transformation.



This is Angela, our wonderful, pretty friend who offered her services for our project!


And of course, here are the spoils of our labor! Between posing and changing we had to watch for rattlesnakes, scorpions, and "jumping cactus", but as you can see, it was more than worth it!

Easy on the Eyes

As of this blog, I am a mere 26 years old. I say mere not to indicate that I think I'm younger than I really am, even though I try not to think about 30 being within arms reach. I say mere because most girls my age aren't even thinking about fine lines at this point, but I've been putting on eye cream religiously for several months now. It's almost like being a grown up.

We don't usually take care of things until they've gotten to a point where they need to be cared for. Sunburns are a great example... everythings fabulous on the beach until someone needs the aloe. Then of course it's all "hind sight's 20/20".

Living in Vegas means lots of dry weather. Combined with the Accutane (a medication I'm currently on that dries me out) my skin feels like a cross between plaster dust and sand paper. I suppose it's a blessing in disguise, because I'm frequently aware of the dryness around my eyes and am using copious amounts of Active Triple Treatment Eye Cream by Bare Escentuals. I'm almost out and I'm looking into getting a cream from Suki... they are known for their eco-freindly practices. I'm topping off my eye cream with the usual slather of SPF 50. Were all so damn worried about looking greasy or shiney that we forget the other option is dry and crinkly. Well, I'm here to tell you that oil is what keeps your sking healthy and smooth, so get over it and start properly moisturizing.

What are you doing to protect your eyes? You 20-something girls, listen to me. Now is the time to be taking great care of the tender skin around our eyes. One of the number one complaints women have is the fine lines around their peepers. It cannot be prevented, but it can be delayed. And if you've already got some, you can at least halt the progress. Sun damage and dehydration are going to ruin your lovely peepers.

"I want my eyes to pop/stand out." I hear it almost as soon as her tush hits my makeup chair. We all love our eyes, and most of us thinks it's our best feature. Show them some love by wearing that sunscreen, applying that eye cream, and trying not to tug, rub, or pull. You'll never know if it worked or not because you'll never know what "would have been" if you had kept your wicked ways, but trust me, it's worth it.

The Extension Question

About a quarter of my clients either have extensions or want extensions. If your considering getting them, know that there are several options available to you. Most women fantasize about long, thick, flowing hair and why shouldn't they? Here's the low-down on the locks you crave.

To understand the different methods of applying the hair, we first need to know what kind of hair can be put in. In general, there's two different kinds of hair used: Weft and Individual.

A weft (or track) is a sheet of hair all bonded together at the top. It's can be used in sewing, beaded, clip-in, or glued methods.


Individual hair is hair bundles that have been gathered in individual strands and bonded together into an I shape at the top. This is used for beaded or fusion methods.


You typically will only see the weft hair being used, because the time and cost involved with individuals is somethings most women don't want to commit to. So, for all intents and purposes, we are going to talk about the weft.

Clip In Extensions:


These are the best idea if you only want them for one day but think you could use them again in the future. Easy in, easy out, add fullness, and not to hard on the wallet. You can find these just about anywhere, but make sure you get real hair! If it's synthetic, you can kiss curling it good-bye.

Beaded on Weft:
Not really a technical term, it's just the method.


These are a personal favorite. They take about an hour to put in, blend well, and are easy on the hair. A weft of hair is clipped to the roots, then individual beads are threaded onto both the weft hair and the clients hair, then the metal bead is clamped down to secure the two together. They last about two weeks before a touch up is needed, and can last more than a month if they are maintained properly.

Sewn in Weft:

Hair is braided in horizontal rows, then a needle and thread is used to sew the weft onto the braid. The original and still most common use of weft hair.

Bonded/Glued Weft:


The hair is sectioned off and the weft is glued in panels. A quick way to get extensions in, but not the most popular. Very temporary, but not as temporary as clip-ins.

So, what extensions are right for you? Depends on what kind of investment you want to make. I find that clip in's are usually the best choice, but I also have worn other methods. Day to day you'll want something more permanent, that's for sure. There's a ton of other hair pieces on the market, too. Bands with tufts of hair, hair on these weird wire comb thingy's... most of it's synthetic. That's cool if you don't need to change the texture of the hair, just make sure you that you are happy with it exactly as it is before you buy it. As for the real hair extensions, those can be colored, curled, flattened, just like your own. Hope I answered your extensions questions!!

Choosing a Makeup Artist

If I had a nickel for every horror story.

Grown women have cowered and cried over a bad makeup job. I had a model once tell me how her previous artist licked a q-tip and tried to use it on her face! Breakouts, dirty brushes, attitude problems, or just plain ugly makeup jobs can make a girl quiver in fear.

Anytime your using someones services for the first time, it's a crap shoot. The best laid plans of mice and men, as they say. It sucks that we usually learn how bad a company can be first hand, but you can certainly increase your odds of landing a good one if you have a basic idea of what your looking for.

When searching for a makeup artist, first and foremost know that the competition is cutthroat. If you live in a major metro area or even a large state and only find a couple, your looking in the wrong places. You should have at least a half a dozen or so to choose from, but more than likely alot more!

Testimonials are very effective in finding a great MUA. If other people have good things to say, then chances are you will too. Most websites have policies in effect so that all reviews are verified as legit. Also, it takes effort on our part to get former clients to write those reviews, good bad or otherwise. A MUA with reviews is an MUA who is pretty serious about their careers and makes the effort beyond just showing up to appointments.

Portfolio's can be a big help too. Your looking for a good selection of styles. If all you see is tight, curly updo's and your going to a corporate event, that may not be the artist for you. It's kinda a gyp to the client that Photoshop is so mainstream now, I've seen many a shoddy makeup artist with a great portfolio when it's mostly a graphic design team's work. There's no way to tell this except to look for consitency in the photo's. If only a few are amazing but there rest suck, it probably means that the MUA lucked out and got a good post-production clean up.

Now that you found an artist with great reviews and a smashing portfolio, the follow thru is going to seal the deal. Most of us are our own secretary's. That means, when work is good, we probably aren't going to be able to get back to you immediately. But, you should hear back from an artist within two days of your initial contact. We may be on set all day, but especially if you email us, we can usually write back from our Blackberry's an iPhones. You want an artist who responds in a reasonable time frame, answers your questions, and is freindly. This all confirms the good stuff you've read and the photo's you've seen.

Don't be afraid to have a trial if your unsure about your artist. If it's a big event and you need to be postive about the person your working with, schedule your trial. Yes, it will cost you extra, but it would be worth your peace of mind. Also, you can make sure that the artist LISTENS. One of the biggest complaints I hear about other artists is that they didn't listen to the client. You need someone who can walk the fine line between giving you good, professional advice and still giving you what you want. Sometimes that line can be shaky to tread, but an effort must be made just the same.

There are some truly amazing artists out there, just waiting to be found!

Me + Brian + R2K = One sexy shoot

As always, I'm a couple months behind in posting. This bad-ass new studio in the arts district of Las Vegas (yup, we have one, and your damn right they serve alcohol) had just opened up and what a juicy piece of space to sink our teeth into. Brian, the uber cool photographer and my brother-from-another-mother discovered it, coerced a couple hot models into showing up, tracked me down, and got a killer wardrobe. What we ended up with was raw, sexy, and undeniably one of The. Best. Shoots. Ever. Polaroid never had it so good.








Thanks to BRIAN SACULLES for yet another fantastic shoot!

Beauty: You are what you read.

I'm a known avid reader. My idea of a hot date night would probably involve Borders. I get my hands on anything I can, except I've never been able to make it thru an entire Forbes magazine.

A couple years ago at an industry convention, I signed up for this 10 magazines a month deal for dirt cheap, something like 20 bucks a month. It had all the goodies in there... Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and more. Add in a few more gift subscriptions and I was getting 14 magazines a month. If I had all the time to read those, I would have been unemployed.

I got the magazines to educate myself and stay on top of trends. For me, it's actually a tax write off because it's considered research, and rightfully so. Where else should I get hair and makeup ideas, beauty tips and tricks, other than a monthly magazine devoted to exactly such topics? Seemed like a good idea at the time.

After a few months of getting these amazing vessels of information, I was starting to notice a trend. If these magazines are designed to target women like me, then the people who run them must think I'm overweight and desperate to improve my sex life. Oh, and that my vagina and breasts rotate months for having issues.

It seems like every single month, there's 99 new ways to turn him on, or ground-breaking research of our feminine parts, or new no-fail diet plans. There's a whole slew of people whose careers are devoted to finding out what we women want to read about. With all due respect to them, I only have so many orifice's and therefore I doubt there really are hundreds of new things to do with them every year.

And of course, there's some editorial spreads stuck here and there that tell us all about OPI's new seasonal nail color, and the hot lipstick now. I can get behind that, and usually end up going thru the mag at lighting speed ripping out the precious few articles to do with beauty. These tear sheets then lay scattered across the table till I realize that if I took the time to read them, I wouldn't have time to read the other things I find important and then into the compost bin they go.

I hate to say it, but I'm knocking the beauty mags. While there may be pearls of wisdom hidden between the condom expertise and the vagina monologues, digging thru to find the diamond in the rough has become a chore. And, what's more, if I had more time to waste reading about the latest fad food system I might actually do it. Thankfully, I am lucky enough to be kept busy with work and by default don't buy into half the crap that ends up in my mailbox. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the dishing out of sex advice. Women have fought long and hard (pun intended) for the right to display their sex knowledge in bold pink in the checkout aisle. I'm just saying that if I pick up a beauty magazine, I want to read about... beauty.

If your really wanting to get some great beauty advice, I got a couple idea's for you. Check out The Green Beauty Guide. While author Julie Gabriel is so far on the eco side that she's beyond even my zip code for green, she provides a plethora of information that even the laziest environmentalist can do. I love reading her recipes. They combine my three favorite things: Cooking, Reading, and Beauty. Another fantastic read is Gorgeously Green by Sohpie Uliano. This book contains more than just good beauty advice, but at least it's supplements aren't laden with some neo-feminist assertions. I also like Paula Begouns series. This chick is not joking around, she's going to dissect just about any product you could imagine. I've got more up my sleeve, but those three have the most worn binders on my shelf.

Everyone has their thing. That thing you do that's your own dirty little pleasure where the only value gained is a mental break from reality. And if reading these glossies is yours, then definitely go for it. But take it from the professional: Don't get your real beauty advice from there. It's like the pretty boyfriend you once had. Totally fun fling, but with no substance. Enjoy the fun, and when your ready for the real deal, move on.

Budget Beauty- When to Save, when to Splurge

In these lean and mean times, a girl still has gotta look good. It's a good think that a few awesome products and pretty tricks separate the hotties from the...uh...homely. Don't feel like your pay cut means a trip back to the dollar store.

Splurge

The general rule of thumb when it comes to purchases is that you want to invest the most in what is going to be with you the longest. A classic pair of black pumps will run you more than seasonal flip flops. Same thing with beauty. You need to be investing in what's going to be with you the longest, and that's your skin. Cut back whatever it takes for you to afford good skin care. Keep to the trifecta: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize. Nope, don't bother with toner. I haven't found any toner that was really needed. But the other three are must haves. Not saying you have to run out and drop a few hundred on Chanel. There are amazing lines available that work even better than department store brands, you just need to do a little research. When you do find the best for your skin, buy it and do without your weekly lip gloss purchase if that's what it takes.

Save

Get rid of the fake tan. You shouldn't be spraying your body with synthetic dye's anyways, and the good-for-you stuff ain't cheap. You can be fair for a while. You'll live.

Splurge

Continue to get the eyebrows done. Now that we have all those awesome little threading joints popping up, you can spring the 15 bucks to get cleaned up every few weeks. It's just good housekeeping, and totally worth the money.

Save

No more highlights. It's summer, so you can let them grow out sufer-girl style. If you've been darkening your hair all over either from gray's or just preference, find out how you can stretch out the space between appointments. If you've been with your stylist for a while, you can probably level with her.

Splurge

Don't cheap out on the foundation. If your a girl who wears foundation every day, your going to look silly if the cheap foundation you got doesn't quite match your skin tone. If you can't afford the right color and formula for your skin type, just skip it. But, if you need to have it, continue to get the correct color with the best forumla.

Save

Resist the urge to pick up a new gloss at the register. Those sneaky little devils in their pretty display right at check out, those pretty color's glistening under the store light... no. You must remain strong. That $4 purchase 3 times a month will pay for those brows to get fixed, and trust me when I say no one is going to be looking at your lips if your eyebrows look like Robin Hood and his Merry Men are going to come running out any second.

It's not going to be easy. Being on a budget never is. But, with a little self discipline and a firm grasp of what's important, you'll literally save face till we pull out of this. Then, if you go back to your wicked ways... well, that's OK.

How to Speak "Hair Dresser"

Really, someone should come up with a standard language that means the same thing across the board so we all know what the other means when we say "big curls". But, since that doesn't exist yet, and they don't seem to have a font for it either, here's what we hair dressers think when you try to describe a style.

Long Layers: This means you want long hair with some layers in it. Very few layers, at that. Your asking for mostly long hair with a couple of inches of layering at the ends. That means your shortest layer is going to be quite long, depending on how long your hair is.

Soft Curls: This usually means hair is curled with a big iron and little hairspray. Depending on the texture of your hair it might not hold, but it will be soft and if the hairdresser is good, smooth.

Wave: Wave? What kind of Wave? Jessica Simpson style, messy with straight ends? or Veronica Lake style, big and smooth? Get a picture for this one.

Up-Do: Do you want it high at the crown, centered in the back, or low on the nape? That can also mean something to the side. The term up-do has really changed, because girls stopped getting the crunchy-curl high and tight look and started going for low and full. An up-do just means that the hair is up somehow.

Ringlets: This usually means you want a tight, super firm curl all over. Think Shirley Temple. Be very careful with this. If you want a Playmate do and ask for ringlets, don't get mad when you come out looking like your off to grammar school.

Half-up: Pretty self explanatory, but be prepared to explain how high you want the part that's up pulled. It can be brought low and loose for a romantic, hippy feel or with tons of volume and high for a modern sexy effect.

No matter how aptly you describe your style, keep in mind that things can always be misinterpreted. A visual aid is always the best when trying to explain how you want your hair, or makeup for that matter, to look. This is just what goes thru my head when I am asked for these things. And keep in mind: The hairdresser who cuts and colors your hair is probably not the best person for styling. It's two different beasts so their scope of possibility may be limited. Not saying they aren't a fantastic hairdresser, but just like I'm not the God's gift to women with gray hair, they probably are the same to special events and brides. Just sayin.

Bridal Style: Sexy Sweet

Super-pretty bride Andrea invited me to do her hair and makeup for her wedding in Janurary and I have to say, she was stunning. When I showed up to her trial a few days before the wedding, I was tired and wet from a day of catalog shooting. This bouncy little girl greets me by the hotel elevators and I get a second wind. She was already beautiful, and had an easy spirit. I left her trial so incredibly excited for her wedding a few days later, and Saturday did not disappoint! Her and her posse were fun, energetic, and just all around chill to be with. She is a great example of a modern bride. Her white dress and veil really gave due respect to the occasion, but the smoked out eye and long hair (enhanced with clip-in extensions) left down still left her feeling pretty and looking very romantic. She just goes to show you, you don't have to give up the richness of the formality of it all in order to feel young and sexy. Fabulous. Thanks for sharing these with me, Andrea!

Tricia B and the Brides

In March, I got a wonderful email from Trica B, a Calgary-based wedding photographer with an offer to shoot a couple of brides. The big WPPI convention that happens every year brings talent from around the world, and for industry cats it's like being in a candy store. It's always good to work with new talent, and the shoot did not dissappoint! The ideas were creative and modern, and her model selection was outstanding. We started at her suite and then moved around for different sets and lighting. Kiti Kobain, pin-up model extraordinaire, displayed every one's efforts beautifully. Of course my guys over at Seasons Floral Boutique hooked up some amazing buds. Big huge thanks for the invitation Trica, the shots are great!

Amelia's Top Tips for Lookin' Good

Consider this entry your guide to Amelia's Commandments. There's no perfect solution or magic combination of things that can be applied to every woman. If you have ever done a friends makeup just like your own and had horrible results, you know this to be true. I get asked alot what my number one beauty tip is, so here's what I'm saying:

Groom them eyebrows!

Nothing will pull your face together faster than well groomed, properly filled in eyebrows. Think about it like a kitchen- if it's cluttered and messy, it doesn't matter how good that dish tastes because the space itself is too distracting. Clean those suckers up and make sure you tidy them with brow fill-in if they are sparse.

Wear sunscreen. Every day. Period.

Especially around your eyes. I wear an SPF 50 every single day. It's true that everyone needs about 10 minutes a day of pure sunshine, it's good for our moods and bodies. But you can get that when your watering your garden. Sun damage is going to age you fast, protect your skin and slow up those wrinkles.

Heat up your lash curler.

Hold your blow dryer about 6 inches from your metal lash curler and blast it for about 15 seconds. Make sure you test the heat of the curler with your hand before using it on your eyes. Your lashes never had it so good. Top off with a paraben free mascara.

Exfoliate, hydrate, repeat.

Dry skin can cause makeup to drag. What happens is those dry patches will grab onto and suck up anything applied, so you end up with these spots of deeper, darker color (foundation, eyeshadow, blush) and try as you might your not going to blend that out. Once a week, exfoliate your skin to get rid of what you can, then follow up with a hearty dose of your daily moisturizer. And don't even think about using some chemical laden, fragrance filled, dye soaked soap on your face.

Bridal Style: Modern Vintage

Rachel was the epitome of the perfect bride. Sweet, beautiful, great sense of humor, and a style that can’t be beat. When I arrived for her trial, she didn’t really have pictures to show me what she wanted but after some conversation I was able to pick out the effect she was going for. A classic bridal style that hearkened heritage and substance but with a layer of sexy to bring out the modern girl she was. We ended up with what I would describe as the perfect marriage between modern and vintage. When you’re looking to create a retro effect, it can be too easy to come off looking costume-y. You may want to feel like a classic Hollywood movie, but care must be taken so that your look isn’t so exaggerated. Trying too hard should be left to theater folk, not brides. This hairstyle completely sums up a 1940’s glam icon, but instead of going for a matte red lip and distinct winged liner, we went with a smoked out cat-eye and a muted lip with a modern feel. The result was outstanding. Thanks for sharing these, Rachel!

Mrs. Colorado 2010

Miss me?
Ok, I know I have been an absent blogger lately, but let me explain- things have been fantastically busy! And I have so much to share with you that in due time you will have my alibi as to why I haven’t been around the past month or so, starting with my recent stay in Denver to work with a contestant in the Mrs. Colorado-America Pageant 2010.
Because I work in Vegas, most of my clients come to me from, well, everywhere. Kathy has been a client of mine for a while now, I get to see her a couple of times each year when she comes to Vegas for vaca and I get her glammed up for her nights on the town. I was totally stoked when she told me she was running in the pageant and asked if I could come out to Denver to help her look fabulous! I hadn’t done a pageant before, but I had worked with pageant queen’s before and thought they were a riot; these women with grace and etiquette and me with my Chuck Taylor’s and tea dresses. It’s always good times.

 

Kathy was the perfect Barbie. Amazing hair, beautiful tone and build... showstopping all around. Her dress was custom designed and the pictures just don't do it justice. During my stay I got to hang with her kid, Madison, and meet Lily Scott from American Idol. It was fabulous all around and I'm quite lucky I had the opportunity to be part of the event. Thanks Kathy!

What I'm Loving Now

You don't know what you have till it's gone! I had to re-supply recently and get full stocked (tis the busy season) and I'm feeling particularly fond of a few things I absolutely must have in my kit!

Lights, Camera, Splashes! by tarte

Of COURSE you have to have waterproof mascara in your kit if you do weddings! This amazing tube of lash-joy is waterpoof AND meets my snobby standards for being non-toxic and eco friendly. I was desperate to get my fresh supply and was literally scraping out the remains from the tube till it came. So happy it's here for the weekend!

Naked Lipstick by Urban Decay

I have a love-hate relationship with Urban Decay. I love, love, LOVE their Vegan Lipsticks! For the longest time I only used thick creamy lipglosses because the lipsticks on the market were so dense and old-fashioned. Then lipsticks came back in town and boom! This is, by far, THE perfect bridal color! Now, if I could just get the girls over at UD to be a little more accomodating.

Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub by Pangea Organics

This yummy scrub somehow strikes the perfect balance- it has enough coarse granules to do the job, but it doesn't feel like I've taken a foot file to my face post-scrub. And I feel good about the ingredient list!

Do you have a favorite something? Email, comment, let me know! Some of my favorite things I use because someone else loved it, and me, enough to tell me about it!

Shooting with Andras Schram

A big, fat YES for WPPI! This international convention happens every year in Vegas and being a Wedding and Portrait Photographers Convention, it brings with it a vast array of the globes finest! This year did not dissappoint, I had an opportunity to shoot with Andras Schram the Award Winning Photographer from Calgary! Imagine my luck when I was invited to shoot with him and the beautiful Megan and Kelly. What a great opportunity for me to test out some higher fashion looks and really reach beyond the norm. Thank you Andras, Megan, and Kelly for having me. For you followers: Enjoy!