Three men and a little lady. Here are a few images from Matt and Denise's family photoshoot. I'm really happy with how the makeup and styling turned out. The little ones looked great in their coordinating shirts and were quite excited to model! All photos by the lovely Lydia Chen and her awesome assistant Cheryll were taken at Middle Harbor Park in Oakland, CA. 
See more fun photos at Lydia's blog. More close-ups of Denise, along with outdoor photo friendly makeup tips, coming soon!
A Big Boy Birthday.
Colin's turning 5! I've known this tiny tyke since the tender age of two, when he could barely say my whole name ("Kay"= Michaela). Freckle Face used to be a chubby baby in diapers and soon he'll be a big boy with a backpack. Sigh. 
Now that he's going into kindergarten (eeep!) his mom wanted to throw him a great birthday party. I wanted to help out and offered my services. Not makeup application. Instead, I offered to provide everyone's favorite festive activity- Face painting! 
Today my set of Snazaroo face paints came in the mail and I couldn't be more excited. Kevin has agreed, although reluctantly, to let me practice on his precious face but "only really masculine stuff." Guess I'll have to hold off on using the metallic pink. Regardless, I can't wait to try the paints out. With my sister making awesome balloon animals and me painting tiny faces, we'll be one fabulous birthday party powerhouse! Off to find some great brushes...
Tiny Ties...
...for little guys. Among the many engaged brides-to-be and summer weddings I've been doing makeup for, I've also been crafting like a madwoman. I am making this upcoming September wedding as DIY as possible. That includes places cards, guest book and fabric pennants (my next project). Pretty sure my fingers are going to fall off. Today I went to Ross, the mecca of cheap finds, and picked up these two ties for $7.99 each. 
It's been too difficult finding children's ties in a non-bright color and I love how neutral yet whimsical these polka dot ties are. I used this great tutorial I found on Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! 
I made these two ties for my beau's nephews who will likely steal the spotlight in their parents' wedding (coming up in five weeks!). These little men are going to look great in their seersucker suits and tiny ties. I highly recommend this tutorial as it was simple to follow. Make sure to measure your little one from the neck to the top of their would-be belt buckle to make sure the tiny tie is not too tiny. 
The brothers are pretty cute as is and these ties will be the icing on the cupcakes! I'll be sure to post photos of the mini men all suited up!
Craft Crazy.
The things I do for love. First, a bit about this past Saturday. A beautiful backyard engagement party (first mentioned here) came together with the help of good friends. The M&S extravaganza was cuter than expected with tasty barbecue, photobooth and pretty paper flowers, handmade by Katie, Kim and posse. My world is surrounded by all things wedding and wonderful friends and I couldn't be happier.
Ladies, the makeup all looks amazing and the dresses could not be more fantastic.
Today I spent the day with my good friend Clarice (who is moving this Friday to Philly. Sad face.) scouring the racks at TJ Maxx for some super wedding finds and traipsing about the craft store for ribbon and trim. Clarice, I don't know what I'm going to do without you here to tell me when things are too ugly to buy, when shoes are too fabulous to pass up or when I'm wearing too many articles of clothing in mauve (my favorite color). You are an inspiration to me and I hope you are happy in your new home! I came home and immediately started crafting. Needless to say I'm exhausted!
Here are some snapshots of work from my crafting studio, all for the wedding coming up in September. Below is a mock-up of a tree I painted for the guestbook, some empty jars I've been collecting for the past year and party favors for the bridal shower happening this Saturday. It may not look like much now, but it's all coming together!
The wedding is coming up quick and it seems that I have a million things to do and remember. Being a planner is hard work, but when I sit back each day and look and what I've made, it all seems worthwhile. This Sunday I'll be making the lovely Florence look fabulous for her big day, followed immediately by styling for an engagement shoot. I barely have time to post anything! The fun never ends!
Today I spent the day with my good friend Clarice (who is moving this Friday to Philly. Sad face.) scouring the racks at TJ Maxx for some super wedding finds and traipsing about the craft store for ribbon and trim. Clarice, I don't know what I'm going to do without you here to tell me when things are too ugly to buy, when shoes are too fabulous to pass up or when I'm wearing too many articles of clothing in mauve (my favorite color). You are an inspiration to me and I hope you are happy in your new home! I came home and immediately started crafting. Needless to say I'm exhausted!
Here are some snapshots of work from my crafting studio, all for the wedding coming up in September. Below is a mock-up of a tree I painted for the guestbook, some empty jars I've been collecting for the past year and party favors for the bridal shower happening this Saturday. It may not look like much now, but it's all coming together!
An invitation to love.
Lately I've been obsessed with penmanship. Thank you notes, proper etiquette and RSVPs have been on my radar, especially with all the wedding planning I've been doing. For the past few weeks my life has been full of bachelorette parties, bridal shower invites, weddings, receptions, addressing envelopes and stuffing them. Here are a few snapshots of the fun projects I've been working on lately. Nothing new on makeup, but still wedding related. No worries, makeup posts coming very soon!
Here are some fun invites for good friends Sylvia and Mike. They are to be wed in May 2011. Happy yellow envelopes with hand painted invitations. The groom even lent a hand and was quite good at staying within the lines.
Hand made paper flowers to be scattered about the engagement party. 
Here are some snapshots of us working on invites for an upcoming wedding in September. Look at my little helper in blue. We are hard at work in our wedding invite factory, aka the dining table. There's nothing like a well organized assembly line! 
In love with these "Love" stamps. All of this practice is just making my calligraphy better and better!
Hope you are enjoying wedding season as much as I am!
Here are some fun invites for good friends Sylvia and Mike. They are to be wed in May 2011. Happy yellow envelopes with hand painted invitations. The groom even lent a hand and was quite good at staying within the lines.