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!

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 

Halloween Time

If you follow my twitter, then you already know that I didn't get to do anything Halloween-y this past weekend. Instead of costume parties and trick-or-treating with my nephews, I was doing laundry, packing and catching the red-eye. But, don't feel too sorry for me...I'm in NYC!!! As excited as I am to be in the city that I love, it was a little sad missing all of the festivities. I didn't even realize how much it bothered me, until I was sitting on the tarmac getting ready to take off. Fortunately, I had a day off last week and took full advantage by doing one of my favorite Halloween activities...Disneyland!!! With pumpkin spice lattes in tow, my friend and I hit all of the attractions that get revised just for the holiday season.

Main Street was extra special, all decked out in fall colors, with a giant Mickey shaped pumpkin.

Whenever I need a little dose of the Magic Kingdom, I can always count on my friend Tree, to roam the park with me.

I love when the Haunted Mansion turns into The Nightmare Before Christmas!

The past couple of years there's been a freaky ghost that follows you through Space Mountain! For some reason, this added element actually makes the ride seem faster!

 

Throughout the Halloween season, all of the characters dress up in costumes. So cute!

I usually instigate a few more cheesy pictures before the day is over.

Lipstick colors:  Tree wearing MAC-Girl On The Town  Me wearing Kate Spade-The Perfect Red

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Louboutin List

 Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive in Satin

I'm not really a fan of getting older, but since my birthday is just three weeks away,  I guess there's not much I can do about it. To help soften the blow, I was thinking that an extravagant shoe purchase might be in order! 

I've wanted a pair of Louboutin's for a really long time, but I'm pretty practical when it comes to my shoes.  I don't have a problem spending good money on the ones that I'll live in, however, when it comes to heels it's hard justifying the price when they'll spend more time in my closet than on my feet. Needless to say, I'm lacking in the pretty and completely impractical department.  So, I've decided that my birthday present to myself is going to be a total splurge!  The only question now, is which pair? 

Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive heels have always been at the top of my wish list, and now may be impossible to track down. I can't find them anywhere online! Has this style has been discontinued? The Very Prive is so similar (smaller platform), and I'm sure they would satisfy my urge for some Loubie's. ;) 

Here are all of the gorgeous shoes that are being considered...

Christian Louboutin Very Prive in Satin, Leather, or Patent $795

Christian Louboutin Greissimo in Suede $895

Christian Louboutin Lady Bow Slingback in Crepe de Chine $735

I'm also pretty obsessed with all things Miu Miu at the moment, so I thought I'd throw a few into the mix.

Miu Miu Patent Leather Peep Toe Pumps $670

Miu Miu Sequin Platform Pumps $750

These almost fall into the practical category, but the heel height (for me) is anything but everyday.

Miu Miu Platform Leather Ankle Boots $675

I can't possibly make this choice myself, so I'm hoping you'll all weigh in. :)

Which pair should I get???

Nine Month Anniversary

{via} 

Chasing Beauty is Nine Months old today!

How is it October 4th already?!  I've had SO much going on these past few months, that I totally missed my eight month blogiversary! I couldn't let nine go by without some sort of acknowledgment. :) Although, I didn't get the chance to blog much last month, I'm still here and haven't given up.  

When I first started this blog, my work schedule was in a slow period, and I was looking for something to pour my creative energy into. One where I could talk about all of the things I love, and maybe other people would love them too. What I didn't expect, were all of the new friends I'd meet through the blog! Some of you I've only talked to through comments, and a few I've chatted with via Twitter. (it's almost like texting your blog friends! Which is why I love Twitter!) What's even more fun is when virtual friendships turn into real ones! What a better way to celebrate my Nine Month anniversay, than to have a bloggy date with a couple of my favorite bloggers/turned real life friends! On Saturday, I met up with Jamie of Glam Latte, and Valerie of Red Vines for Breakfast for some good girl chat, and the most incredible Nutella Martini's! 

 Jamie, Valerie, and Me :) I clearly missed the white shirt memo.

Here we are with our "real" drinks. We had a very interesting waitress (code for bad service), who brought these out first.

Now don't get me wrong, this drink was AMAZING, but it was a coffee drink and not really what we were after. We were looking for something a little more celebratory, with a little kick. ;) About a half an hour later (I actually started timing her at one point), our martinis finally arrived.

 Ahhhh....now that's a drink! What could be better than a Nutella coated martini glass filled with the yummiest cocktail?! 

 Jamie and I with the wrong, but still yummy coffee drinks.

If you're a Nutella lover like Jamie, Valerie and I, you must check out Ugo the next time you venture to Culver City! We had such a great time, that we're already planning our next night out! If you're an LA blogger and would like to join us next time, let me know! I'd love to meet more of you in person!

xoxo,

Bren

**Special thanks to Valerie for taking the photos! xoxo

A Storybook Wedding

 This past Sunday I attended my cousin's wedding, (the one I've been dress shopping for) and it was one of the most gorgeous weddings I've ever witnessed!  The big event took place in Malibu, but not on the beach like you would expect. Instead, they chose the private winery, Saddlerock Ranch, in Malibu canyon.

Surrounded by rolling hills, in the middle of vineyards, with breathtaking views of the valley, my cousin Jason and his beautiful bride Michelle exchanged vows high upon a hilltop. The sentiments spoken by the two of them, were so heartfelt and emotional, that many of us present were fighting back tears. 

 After rings were exchanged, and the ceremony was sealed with a kiss, Jason and Michelle were finally pronounced husband and wife!

Here is the happy couple, being announced as Mr. & Mrs. for the very first time, and ready to get the party started.

The first dance.

Jason and Michelle had been together for 10 years when they got engaged. (They met when they were in high school) It's hard to tell from this picture, but each table was marked by year.  To find your table, you had to find the corresponding year, (Year 1, 2, 3, 4, etc), which included a photo of them from that year they were dating. It was such a cute way to personalize the table numbers.

The cake was pretty, and looked delicious, but I was too full from the food, that I passed on the dessert. What was I thinking?!

Instead of a long table for the entire bridal party, J & M opted for a sweetheart table.

There were lots of family photos taken, but they were left to the professionals. It's hard to remember to take pictures when there's so much going on, and you're touching up the bride's makeup in between it all. I did manage to get one photo of my Dad and I. :)

I can't say enough good things about the location for the wedding/reception. It was pretty spectacular! You literally felt like you were on top of the world.

 As the sun went down, everything started to glow. Here's the view from our table.

It was a long day for me, and I knew it would be. ( I was up at 5am to be ready to start makeup by 7, for a 4pm wedding!) In preparation, I made sure I had plenty of Diet Pepsi on hand, and at about twilight, cracked open this bad boy.

Classy, right?! Well, at least I poured it into a pilsner glass.

I texted this pic to my friend who swears by Rockstar's, and is always trying to talk me into them. She knew that I was desperate.

Even though it was long, and I was tired (when am I not?), it was truly a magical day, and one that I will never forget. 

One can only hope, to find that kind of love someday!

**I apologize for the changing photo quality. Several cameras contributed to this post. ;)