Published in Votive Issue 2: 12 page spread!

You can preview the entire issue or order the print/digital copy here! I am very excited about my first publication where I did makeup/hair & photography as well.  Of course I didn't do it all by myself - I had a great stylist Andrea, and my talented assistant Erika, and gorgeous model Annie!  I really do like what Mathew Jordan Smith says TEAM stands for: Together Each Achieves More! 

Sometimes...there are things you need to get out of your system and this project was one of them. I don't often get behind the lens because I was discouraged from doing everything, but occasionally when inspiration hits, sometimes you just gotta do it! I finished editing around the time we were filming our youtube tutorial, and I showed the images to Tim & Kris, and Tim the videographer told me about Votive Magazine. He said it had more of an Art focus and that my story would fit! Coincidentally, issue 2 was about "Artistic License" and we just had to follow that and it just fitted my story!  Yay!  

And one of my images is in the index too! ;) Well, I hope you enjoy the spread! ;)

Introducing...Harmony Skin Solutions!

I am excited and proud to introduce Harmony Skin Solutions! I tried my best to blog more, but with the truth is, I've been busy going to advanced training courses and launching my new skin care business along with my friend and esteemed classmate Liliana Aranda whom I've met from Aveda - a spankin' new (mainly) on-location spa and chemical peel service.  The product line we chose to use on our clients is the reputable PCA Skin - one of the few brands cited on medical/dermatology textbooks.  We hope to help men and women obtain and maintain healthy skin by fitting skin care services into your busy schedules.  So! If you are in the Bay Area, don't hesitate to book your appointment soon!!! :)

Just to share a little bit of the story of Liz & Liliana, we got along at the get-go on our first day attending Cinta Aveda Institute.  As esthetic students, we would perform services on each other in the intro-phase of our studies (before doing it on clients at the clinical-phase). The thing is, we had 10 hours of class a day, and I had to wake up early to commute to San Francisco, so by the time we are exchanging service, it was like my nap time - I was OUT.  So when Liliana was treating my skin, and doing the massages on me, it was then she saw a green color, a distinct Reiki experience! (For those unfamiliar with Reiki, please check out the Wikipedia link! ^o^).  For further details of how it happened, you would need to ask Liliana since I was completely asleep!  But during the course of intro phase, Liliana experienced the green color twice with me (while I was asleep!) The green color corresponds with the Heart Chakra - most commonly associated with harmony, creativity & nature.  I know to many it might sound a bit mystic, and at first I was very intrigued because it was my first time learning about Reiki, but it made perfect sense that we would experience the harmony color, as it exemplifies our relationship.  It was a mere coincidence that during our first official business meeting, I pulled out my netbook sleeve and it had the birds on a tree branch, and Liliana was wearing a necklace with a silhouette of a bird sitting on a branch!

The funny thing is...I decided that I wanted Maria to be on our website and brochure for advertisement, and now I REALIZE subconsciously, I also picked her because of her GREEN eyes and the color of her hair - very earthy.  I did her makeup/hair and photography with my *new* lights.  I am excited for all the  potential growth in my business as an esthetician, and also as an artist.