The Resurrection of Chasing Beauty

Instagram Mini Moments from the past six months.

I bet, you thought you'd never hear from me again. That possibly, I dropped off the planet, and completely abandoned this blog?  Well, it has been a while, but Chasing Beauty has never been far from my mind. Although I haven't been active here, I've still been interacting with all of my bloggy friends. You see,  a little app called Instagram has completely reignited my love for blogging, and reminded me of the community that I had been missing!   For the past few months now, I've been quietly plotting my return, and a total reboot of Chasing Beauty! Version 2.0 isn't quite ready yet, and probably won't be until Summer, but I wanted to let you all know that it's coming!  I also wanted to keep you posted on where you find me in the meantime. 

Recently, I teamed up with Jamie (of glamlatte.com) and Mel (of modanistajunkie.com), otherwise known as The Wear To Go Girls. In case you are just hearing about WTGG for the first time, Jamie and Mel have created a really fun website, to find out where to go shop, eat, drink, get pampered, socialize and what to wear to go! They are featuring weekly hair and makeup "how to's," and guess who's doing the makeup tutorials? 

ME!!! 

Check out my Individual false lash tutorial HERE, and keep checking back for more hair and makeup tips!

You can also follow me on:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram: on the actual app my user is @chasingbeauty

I'll be posting here too, just not as frequently as I had before, but stay tuned. There's exciting things to come!

xoxo,

Bren

My Favorite Things from Christmas 2010

Even though Christmas seems like a distant memory, I'm still loving some of the gifts that I received.   Here are my favorite new obsessions from Christmas 2010:

Apple TV

Apple TV is in one word,  AMAZING! With a very small footprint, it provides the ability to stream movie rentals from iTunes and Netflix, directly to your tv! Previously, I'd have to watch on my laptop or iphone. But now, I'm streaming HD movies directly to my nice, big flat screen! You can also access YouTube, Podcasts, MobileMe, Flickr, as well your entire iTunes music library. The best part was how easy it was to set up! Seriously, in 5 minutes flat I was up and running!

Le Mer Collections Watch

Although I put this watch prominently on my list, I sort of knew that my family wouldn't go to the trouble to order it. So, this was actually a Christmas present to myself. :) Valerie of  Red Vines for Breakfast owns this watch, and ever since drooling over her's in person, I knew that I had to have one . Now I do!

Sabon NYC - Rose Tea

Everytime I travel to NYC, I always make a point to stop in Sabon. Upon entering the boutique, you're always asked, "have you been here before?" I usually play dumb say no, and then I'm escorted to a round sink where I can try out their various scrubs, lotions and potions.  I'm always amazed at how moisturized my skin feels afterward, and how long that moisturization lasts! But each trip I come home empty handed, due to the lack of space in my luggage. I leave the store telling myself that I'll just order it, but I never do...until now! (Yes, another present to myself) I'm completely obsessed with the Rose Tea scent of the scrub and body lotion, and this combo came just in time to treat my dry Winter skin!

Steven by Steve Madden Sequin Box Clutch

This was a present from my Dad. Even though this glitzy number was on my Christmas list, apparently I had forgotten to note which color I'd like, and there were several to choose from! My Dad took a guess, and he guessed right! This was exactly the bag that I had been wanting, to complete my NYE ensemble! It was perfect!

Kate Spade Lady Marmalade Small Bracelet

Speaking of NYE, this bracelet alone made my outfit feel much more fancy! It's so sparkly, yet I can easily pair it with my Michael Kors watch to make it more casual. This picture doesn't do it justice!

American Eagle Solid Leggings

These are my new favorite leggings! After throwing out several pairs of Massimo's that were falling apart at the seams, I was in desperate need of some replacements! One day I was in a hurry and American Eagle was close, so I ran in an grabbed a pair of their black leggings.  So far, I've been really impressed by the quality as they seem to hold up really well. I was so happy that my Mom bought me two more pairs! I have them in black, but they're no longer available online (only Army Green). If you're lucky enough, you might find them in stores. Sadly, my local stores are all out of my size. :(

Cookie Dough Scoop

This was suppose to be in my stocking, but I asked Santa to make an exception and bring it a little early. ;) (Especially since I was to be in full baking mode the week of Christmas)  A cookie dough scoop is the trick to maintaining that uniform size, resulting in a professional looking cookie. This really came in handy for my chocolate crinkle cookies that I make every year!

What were some of your favorite gifts of Christmas 2010?

A Quiet { One }

 

Sometimes silence is golden, and sometimes it's just silent, but in my case it was exactly what I needed. I can't believe that it's been over a month since I've posted anything!  I apologize for abandoning you all, but I desperately needed a break! My own survival depended on it! I've been running, running, running all year long and I guess I had just run out of steam. The first week or two I was in recovery mode, and then the next two I was all wrapped up in my holiday to-do list (which seems to get longer every year!), meanwhile maintaining my work schedule. (not complaining, just explaining) Unfortunately, my break happened right before Christmas, when there's so much inspiration around for blog posts! But, I'm sure you've all had plenty of blogs to read/write that kept you in the Christmas spirit. Hopefully, you all had a great holiday! Mine was an amazing time spent with the people that I love, and some much needed R & R. It was perfect! Now that Christmas is behind us, and we've welcomed in another new year, it's time the silence was broken. I suppose it's appropriate to  get back to  blogging, on  Chasing Beauty's one year blogiversary! Typically for blog anniversaries, there's some sort of giveaway, or even a whole week long celebration. I've even been known to celebrate each month, like a high school relationship! Since I'm just coming back, I've decided to forgo the usual fanfare,  for a small, quiet celebration. For me, it's an accomplishment that this post actually happened! It would've been all too easy to continue in my silence, but the truth is, I'm still passionate about blogging! My only problem now, is that I have much less time to blog than when I began. I'm still trying to sort out a posting schedule that is both realistic and consistent, with consistent being the key word! It's always difficult getting started after a long break, so bear with me as I get back into the swing of things. For those of you that are still reading, and haven't given up on this little blog (and me), THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart!  You're the reason I've decided to continue, and I'm SO looking forward to catching up with all of you!

xoxo,

Bren

P.S. I'll be back to Twitter-ing soon too! :)

Autumn in New York

 

Anytime I'm in Manhattan, I almost always make a beeline to Central Park the second I arrive. My most recent trip was no exception. You'd think first on the agenda would be shopping, theater, or grabbing a slice of real NY pizza! For me, all of that can wait until I've had my walk through the park.  I was especially excited to take in all of the Fall colors! Some of the locations that I visited, you'll remember from my last stroll through the park. Only this time, the trees were drenched in the golden glow of Autumn, making everything look new again.

I really wanted to play in the leaves, but since I was by myself I settled for a self portrait.

As I walked through The Mall,  I came across a cool band called The Dirty Urchins. Apparently they play in public spaces all over the city, and just happened to be in the middle of a set as I was passing by. 

 Here's a little sample.

I actually would've bought one of their cd's, except I had zero cash. They weren't exactly set up to take credit cards.

As I headed toward the fountain, I couldn't help but notice the leaves! We don't get these colors in LA!

The last time I was here, the water had been drained, and the pond was icy.  

It was nice to see the water flowing and paddle boats still in the pond. Though I'm sure it won't be long before the Boathouse closes, and the fountain, once again is drained for the Winter.

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are Autumn

~N. Nordeman

Happy Birthday to Me

 

My birthday was actually last Wednesday, but I feel like the festivities started two weeks ago while I was in NY! I had planned to shop for my bday shoes while in the big city, but for the first time ever, I didn't shop! ( I know, the horror!) Between work and some serious night life (more on that later), I just ran out of time. The one day I had planned to hit the stores, it was rainy and windy. Not exactly ideal shopping weather. So, I came home with nothing but a few "I heart NY" t-shirts for my nephews. I had the most amazing trip to NYC, so no complaints here, but I DID have to make up for my lack of  shopping when I returned to LA! 

The morning of my birthday, I had one client and then it was off to the Christian Louboutin boutique to search for the perfect pair of heels.

Once inside, I was mesmerized by all of the gorgeous shoes, each with the ubiquitous red lacquered sole. Ahhhh...I imagine this it what Heaven is like! The selection was overwhelming! Thankfully, I knew exactly what I wanted, and had the sweetest SA a girl could ask for! (We're now Facebook friends!) The second I told him that I was buying a bday present for myself, he offered me a glass of champagne, some Paulette macarons, and literally brought me every black shoe in the store to try! Seriously, Heaven!

I completely took over the entire second floor, with shoe boxes and black peep toes everywhere!  After  trying several different styles, the perfect pair for me was the Hyper Prive.  While I loved the simplicity of the all black Very Prive, the extra platform of the HP made them SO much more comfortable!

(Sorry for the bad photo quality.  I was trying not to be too obnoxious in the store with my camera.)

As soon as I got home, I did a proper photo shoot with my new birthday shoes, which also happen to be my very first pair of Louboutins! 

I'm in love!

Back from Birthday Break

 

{via}

 

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind, and I've been having the time of my life! I didn't really expect to take a break from the blog, but with SO much going on, it was the one thing that had to give. I'm on my way out the door right now to go paint some face, but I'll be back tomorrow and fill you all in. I can't wait to share with you all of the goodness that's been happening, and I'm SO looking forward to catching up on all of YOUR blogs! 

xoxo,

Bren

Ten Month Anniversary

Chasing Beauty is Ten Months old today!

I almost forgot that today was my ten month blogiversary! I know I'm suppose to be in NY on a work trip, but I'm seriously having the most amazing time! I can't think of any city I'd rather be in right now to celebrate this little milestone, and kick off my birthday month! 

Packing for NYC is never easy for me. I always want to take tons of outfits, with plenty of accessorizing options, and then I end up wearing the same four things everyday. It's ridiculous! So this trip, I decided to be honest with myself and just bring essentials. I'm proud to say that I brought everything I needed for a week, including makeup supplies for my client, in one carry on suitcase! (Well, one carry-on suitcase and an additional large tote bag) 

 

With the addition of two pairs of boots (one of which I wore on the plane), a trench coat (also worn on the plane), and a leather jacket, I managed to pack perfectly for once! The only thing I didn't need to bring, but couldn't possibly leave at home, were my new Miu Miu's! I know I had talked about them  being  in the running for the big b-day purchase, but I've decided to hunt down those Louboutin's. 

Let's call the Miu Miu's my Ten Month blogiversary shoes! ;)  (Anyway I can justify two extravagant shoe purchases!)

xoxo,

Bren