Song of the Day: Cee Lo Green - Forget You

This is not the post I had planned for today, but Blogger is not cooperating. So instead, I decided to post my latest song obsession. There is an explicit version, which just about expresses how I feel about the photo uploader right now, but this is the clean one. Still gets the point across. :) And on a side note, the location where they shot the video is The Pink Motel. Just a few miles north of Burbank, it's become a hot spot for productions looking for that retro vibe.  I've shot there a few times, with the last shoot being a Guess campaign. Check it out!

 

I Like to Twirl

I've been looking for a new Fall fragrance, and I think I may have found it in Kate Spade's newest addition, Twirl!

The packaging alone made me want to buy it , but I've learned my lesson. Too many bottles have gone wasted because some scents give me headaches. So now, I always get a sample if available, and give the scent a proper test drive.  Well, it's been almost a week and  I keep reaching for the sample! I think we have a winner! I love that Twirl is a little sweet (not in a juvenile way), with a bit of sophistication. 

Here's what the website says about it:

Introducing twirl by kate spade new york. We've infused our celebratory new fragrance with a dash of joie de vivre- perfect for colorful days and cocktail soirees.

• captivating day-to-night fragrance
• pink watermelon mingles with blackberry and red currant
• enhanced with a heart of fresh flowers including orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia
• finished with luminous musks and a touch of french macaroon (straight from the patisserie, of course) 

In addition to Twirl the fragrance, there's also a whole Twirl collection, that includes sequins, baubles, bows, and even the perfect red lipstick! Everything a girl needs to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. (I can't believe I just said that!) Check out the video that screams New Year's Eve!

What scent will you be wearing this Fall/Winter?

Nine Month Anniversary

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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

Inspiration: Fall Makeup-Chanel Ad

The second  I saw this ad for Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara, I was mesmerized! After spending the Summer in bright corals and bronze tones, this pink and grey combo looks so fresh. I'm loving the meticulous liner, lashes and brows, and the absence of any shine or shimmer. It's matte, but matte done right! The rose colored blush and barely there, pale pink lip compliments this polished eye perfectly. I love that you can see the precision used in the application. Flawless!

When I picked up the newest issue of Allure, lo and behold, Blake Livey is on the cover wearing a very similar version of this look.

So pretty!

How will you be changing up your makeup look for Fall?

To Hell and Back

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You'd think this was hell! Today was the hottest day EVER in LA, topping out at 113 degrees!!! While everyone else in the country is beginning to dress in layers, we're still in flip flops and sun dresses, making regular stops for ice cream. I'm over it, and hoping that this is the usual "one last heat wave" before the air turns cool. I'm ready for sweata-weatha. ;)

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm back from my Palm Springs mini break. :)  I hadn't planned on taking a week off from the blog, but it's taken me a little longer to get my act together. For those still following along, regular blog posts will start up tomorrow. I can't wait to catch up with all of you!

xoxo,

Bren

Girls Weekend

As much as I'd love a real vacation, where you get on a plane and don't come back for at least a week, I've come to really appreciate the "mini-break." You all know how much I've been working this year, so any chance to get even two days away, is a welcome reprieve! This weekend I'm heading out to Palm Springs for a girls' spa weekend, and to soak up the last days of Summer. (literally!) Unlike last time, I plan on staying at the resort the entire trip. I usually try to cram as much as I can into a weekend, but this time I'm going to take it easy. I can't wait to be basking in the warm desert sun, with a cocktail in hand, and chatting it up with my girls!  I've never been so excited to get my R & R on! :)

 I hope you all have an amazing, end of Summer weekend!

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. ;)