Young Love {lifestyle}

Photography: Angie Silvy
Styling: Peggi Jeung
Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang
Models: Cameron Lee @ Look SF & Hanna @ Scout SF

Here I go again - blogging out of order! I just settled for the fact that I will probably not be able to blog about everything I do, because there's so much to do, and I want to be able to enjoy everything instead of viewing it as a chore or some task I must do!  I just got back from a brief week-long vacation in Kauai, HI with my husband. We have not gone anywhere together since we tied the knot - not even on our honeymoon.  Definitely a huge reward for us to save up and go somewhere! I have to say it's really hard to go from working 60-80 hrs to less than 1 hr a week - to leave your cellphone alone and not touch it - but I think I was doing pretty ok on that! ;) ;) While away, I was just laying by the beach or the pool reading frivolous books - and I mean these historical regency romance novels! As I was organizing the latest images from my portfolio, I couldn't help but notice that these photos from a series titled "Young Love" by photographer Angie Silvy can totally fit into a hilarious & entertaining narrative that summarizes into a romance novel.  :P So I'll be providing these funny captions for your entertainment! Or you can ignore it and just check out the lovely photos! :)   I was thrilled to work with such an awesome team of professionals! Can't wait to work together again some time in the future! xoxo

Here goes..the story of Lord Cameron and Miss Hanna...(LOL)

The "season" just began, and the noble/worthy "ton" who were fortunate to receive an invitation to Lord Cameron's  month-long soiree at his Golden Gate Estate, arrives and participates in a game of croquet.     

Of course - all of the ladies wanted to capture the attention of the young & handsome, wealthy successor of the title, and of course - the most eligible bachelor, Lord Cameron! Always impeccably dressed and dashing, it's no surprise he is always surrounded by the ladies.  However, if you notice carefully, his usual confidence always wavers subtly as his childhood playmate, the stubborn and stunning Miss Hanna, walks into the scene.

C: "Do you even know the proper position of handling a mallet? Do you need me to show you again?"

H: "I can handle it just fine! Don't touch me!" and she thinks - how can he be a bigger pompous ass than he was last year? Despite their facade of antagonism, they soon realized they were attracted to each other...so they planned a stroll in the forest... 

And a picnic on the lawn - without a chaperone! How scandalous!!!! If anyone found out about it, Miss Hanna's reputation will be utterly ruined, and she can only settle to be someone's mistress!!! 

Still, the battle of wills persist, as the free-spirited Hanna never enjoyed being a proper "Lady" - but if she were to marry Lord Cameron, she would have to follow the strict social etiquette as befits her new status.  

Or... she continue to be her free-spirited self, but risk being a *gasp* spinster and a lasting shame to her family! Faced with the pressure to produce an heir, and admitting his love for Miss Hanna, on one fine afternoon, they decide to enjoy each other's company during a picnic!

And..came to decide that they indeed loved each other, and that they shall elope...! And! create a relationship / marriage that's reformed and will work for the two of them! 

The End~~~ :D :D :D 

*one more of beautiful Hanna!

Have a lovely week ahead! ;) ;) 

Chloe & Amanda on the beach!

Is summer really over??

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang 
Photography: Sasha Gulish
Models: Amanda & Chloe from Stars SF

I am definitely feeling the fall coming, especially in the mornings and evenings!  Don't let these sunny photos fool you - it was a little chilly by the beach!  I think this was Feb/March time.  

It was amazing that Amanda's natural hair texture was exactly what we were going for so all I did was just smooth it out a little bit with a tiny bit of cream to prevent any frizzy fly-aways!  Beachy hair is supposed to be more loose/undone, but we still want the 'mess' to look intentional and not just simply...mess!  Chloe (in the polka dot bikini) came in from Arizona (OK...if it wasn't Arizona it's close by!) and I did her hair in the car!  

I was using my trunk as a table, and I pulled out my makeup chair for them to sit!  A pair of older ladies drove by and asked Kelsie (Kelsie is Sasha's studio manager) and myself: "Is that a REAL makeup chair? Where did you buy it?" And after I said: "Los Angeles" they just drove off!! At this shoot, we had a special visitor! Kristen, their agent from Stars, stopped by and said hi!

It was challenging to select the film from this shoot, but in the end, I ended up with these 4 images that I love!  The girls were bringing it! Running down the beach, doing some cart wheels, and even interacting with strangers while modeling (not shown here obviously lol...!) 

I used Stila's One-Step Primecolor in "Kitten" on Chloe's lids, and "Pop of Pink" on the lips and cheeks. On the cheeks it was followed by Yaby Blush BL0015+BL001 for a natural coral/pink color that shows up nicely against the blueish-colored sunlight.  If you don't balance the color, it will wash out!  

In October, my husband and I are finally going on our first 'real' vacation! That means, the trip is JUST for relaxing and resting...no agenda (ie: attend a wedding etc etc)!  In fact, we have not gone on our honeymoon yet....but we've already been married 4 years (since 9/19 last week!) so it's too late to call it a honeymoon! lol...

Next week is action-packed for me! But I'm grateful to be working for sure!!! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and an awesome week ahead! 

*dreaming of sunny beach days....~~~~ our vacation cannot come soon enough!*

Mindy and Robert {San Francisco City Hall Wedding}

Makeup & Hair: Liz @ Skyla Arts

Dress: San Patrick @ BoLee Bridal

Photography: IQphoto

Congratulations to Mindy & Robert! This lovely couple tied the knot in San Francisco City Hall in February 2012!  Mindy phoned me to inquire about my services, and I was pretty surprised to find out that her wedding date is less than a week away, right after Valentines Day! When she came in for the consultation, I had asked her about her dress, and she told me she was on her way to Nordstroms after our appointment to try to find something. I immediately suggested my preferred vendor, BoLee Bridal Couture in Sunnyvale, CA. Mindy's folks live in China, and could not long distant flight, and even though they are having a City Hall Ceremony, I thought that she would still love for the day to be ultra special!  I think the dress definitely was definitely the magic item, that Jon the hero of the day made happen! 

Even though the timeline to get a gown would seem like mission impossible, (6 days!) it turns out that the owner Bo, had ordered an extra size 6, a "just in case" dress, for a last minute bride!  Their in-house tailor, Jon, worked miracles, and gave up his Valentines Day plans to finish the dress so that Mindy could have her beautiful San Patrick gown fitted to her petite body!!! I did not know all of this was going on until I arrived bright and early at the apartment to get Mindy ready!  

IQphoto did a phenomenal job capturing the couple and the beautiful dress! The portrait photo of Mindy standing by the window with (above photo to the right!) is just one of my favorites! :) Of course I'm a little biased because it also showcases my hair work ;P  Special thanks to Joseph from IQphoto who was patient to let me choose the photos to share on my blog and website! 

Initially during the consultation, we did an up-do with more details and texture in the back, but that was before Mindy found the dress! So she had emailed me and told me that because there is that ruffling/train detail, she thought it would be best to keep the hair in a more simple chignon, and showed me a photo of Tina Fey at the Sag Awards 2011, and I completely agreed with her decision! :) I of course love brides who know what they want and love! I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did when I first got them from Joseph @ IQphoto!

I am excited to finally start the process of blogging the weddings from 2012 & to share all of beautiful brides earlier this year! Stay tuned! :)

Ashley Beauty Story

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang

Photographer: Laura Tillinghast lauratillinghast.com

Model: Ashley Ying @ Look Model SF

After planning out this beauty story, our original model had a last-minute emergency and couldn't make it. We still had all of the lighting equipment, so we decided to do the shoot anyway. I posted on my Facebook asking if any models were free at short notice. Thankfully, Ashley rescued the day and could come instead! We changed the concept a bit to fit Ashley's skin and the lighting, and got some beautiful photos! Ashley is a really good beauty model to work with and really knows how to pose well for the camera. Since September is here...I guess it's time to post some Fall Colors? 

We went to Michael's to get the materials for the various hair accessories. I used lip tars from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for the lip looks. I really like the braided look on Ashley. Considering the last-minute changes, we were really happy to come out with some good images from this shoot! Check out the other photos!

This week = swamped! And Tomorrow is the Trudys Bridal Show!! I'm looking forward to it, and also looking forward to next week! 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!!

Trudy's Bridal Show 9/16/12 + Sneak peak!

A sneak peak from Savannah + Brice's wedding in V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena!

Photography by the amazing XSiGHT in Sacramento!

So much to catch-up on...! But as I am working every possible work-day in September....I will have to play catch-up in October/Nov/December time! Lots of blogs to come! :) :) :) Right now I'm focused on surviving+excelling on every single job & gig this month! 

For 2013 brides in the Bay Area+Beyond, I'll be at my first larger scale Bridal Show - the Trudys Annual Outdoor Wedding Faire at the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell, CA this Sunday September 16th!  There are raffle prizes and tons of goodies.  If you are getting married next year or know a friend who is getting married, it'll be a great place to look for vendors!  I am working at Turbo-Speed to get ready for this faire! 

I look forward to meeting beautiful brides+grooms-to-be there!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!!!!

Santa Cruz Lifestyle/Teenagers!

Um! It's now Summer - but why am I posting a fall/winter shoot?  :) I am getting senile (yes yes...my birthday is coming up so I have legitimate reasons to say I this) and of course I haven't been posting everything in order!  This past weekend was my second time shooting in Santa Cruz, and it reminded me that I have yet to share these images on the blog! 

Photographed by Sasha Gulish, I did makeup & hair for the 9 teen models from Stars Model Management!   They were all so sweet and energetic!  These are just a few of my faves! 

Currently on the Newsstands! {Publications!!}

Earlier this spring, I worked on a look book for a quality clothing company Tart Collections but I haven't seen the images from there...until now!!!  This is a page in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar!!!!  Look for the Gwen Stefani Cover! :) I know it's not the same as having an editorial in there, but...it's still pretty exciting for me...! To see it in Harper's Bazaar! Crazy!!!  I subscribe to 3 magazines in the U.S.: W, Marie Claire & Harper's Bazaar!  Anyway...I am just so thrilled to see an image from that day, and to see it in print = even better!  The beautiful model, Larisa, is just...super gorgeous, and beautiful inside & out!! She doesn't really need any photoshop/photo editing! :P She exercises regularly, and has a passion for cooking! You can check out her blog, Model Eats to learn some unique recipes & get health/beauty tips!

Also currently found on the newsstands, is the Fall 2012 issue of The Knot!  Sorry you have to bear with my terrible iPhone photo shots of the magazines....!  But...for quality images, you can find them at your local newsstand! :D

I worked on the cover+cover story under the Key Artist, Erin Skipley!  I was really excited to assist Erin - I just had a great feeling about her, and without knowing anyone else who also knows her, contacted her via facebook messaging around February of this year, and then ran into her at The Makeup Show in LA!  I then walked over to introduce myself, and because Erin works in Seattle/LA, I knew it will be a long shot to assist her, but when this opportunity came up, I dropped everything and flew to LA for the day!!! It was a long and tough day! (GORGEOUS wedding dress after wedding dress after wedding dress) but I loved every minute of it! ! ! ! ! I was very proud to be Erin's assistant and it was very exciting to meet Elizabeth Messina and all the lovely vendors, AND to be at Smashbox studios! (more Behind The Scenes coming soon!)

If you didn't know my aesthetic already... I looove this type of look! Very bohemian, romantic...and FILM.  I was gushing the whole day!

Here are the list of the participating awesome vendors {I obtained them from Erin's blog!}

Photography: Elizabeth Messina

Makeup & Hair: Erin Skipley {assisted by Elizabeth Chang - me! me!}

Floral Design: Kathleen Hyppolite | Kat Flower
Stylist: Catherine Sheppard | The Life Styled
Decor/Furniture: Jeni Maus | Found Rentals