Tinkerbell Music for Pretzels

As I'd mentioned in Monday's post, it had been a bit of a rough past week. So much so that when my husband suggested we go get massages on Saturday, I readily agreed before he even finished his sentence. I was so happy to have an awaiting spa appointment you'd think he just suggested we eat Toblerone chocolate for breakfast. We don't get massages as often as we probably should and after this wonderful last visit, I am absolutely convinced spa appointments should be part of the household budget - like groceries and gas!

This would be my third visit to Watercorse Way Bathouse Spa -  it's simply fabulous and I highly recommend it. As soon as I walk in, I'm transported into a peaceful world of yummy sugar scrubs, soothing hot stones, vanilla scents, and all things calm and happy pappy. With a touch of flute-sounding music playing that I swear Tinkerbell herself is playing on the speakers. Really.

Between working out, sitting in front of a computer, hauling heavy camera gear at a recent wedding photoshoot, and yes, even prancing around in heels everyday, my muscles had somehow taken on the look and feel of a tightly knotted rope twisted like an Auntie Anne pretzel  - all sympotoms that called for massage therapy and Tinkerbell-like tunes.

My masseuse for the day, Babs, worked out all the kinks and it wasn't long before I felt like a relaxed noodle once again. So much so that when Babs woke me up and asked if I was feeling ok, I found myself answering her with a super intelligent sounding "Uuungggghhhh?"

If you are ever feeling a little too pretzel-like, definitely check out Watercorse Way Bathouse Spa. Between their choices of hot stones and sleep-inducing massages, you'll get back to feeling like a million bucks in no time - Tinkerbell music included.

Happy Wednesday!

Techy Tuesdays and Tips: Focal Points

I remember a time when I barely knew how to work my first Canon Digital SLR camera.

Google became my bestest friend forever everyday, I re-read the manual like it was a riveting New York Times bestseller story, and I threw out questions left and right to veteran photographers in hopes that someone can puh-leeeease tell me what the button/dial/thinga-ma-jiggy on my camera was for, because really, I don't get it and I swear the On/Off button keeps hiding from me.

Just as much as I love taking photographs, I also love helping answer questions from random folks, friends, and family who just enjoy the art of photography and who, like me at one time, also wondered about that certain camera function or that thingy-ma-jiggy-button. The opportunity to geek out and have someone willingly tolerate my squealing excitement and long-winded explanations of how cool a camera function is, in my little ol' world, priceless. And if there's one thing I've learned from other professionals who have helped me along the way, it's the importance of contributing something back, big or small.

That being said, here goes the first installment of Techy Tuedsays and Tips. (And yes, I absolutely played on the whole T for Tuesdays because I sometimes think I'm cool like that. Glasses, pocket protector,  and ear to ear smile to match.)

If you were anything like me when I was starting out with my digital SLR, I loved me some tack sharp photos, but always set the camera to have all the focal points light up like this:

When the focal points are all lit up like this, you camera will automatically select  and lock focus on whatever it wants to focus on. And while this may seem helpful at first, it's actually not, especially when you want a certain portion of the photo to be absolutely tack sharp.

Instead of allowing your camera to select the focal point for you, try manually selecting the focal point yourself (as per below), and then aiming it at the portion of the photograph you want absolute sharp focus on. In the example below, the center focus point is selected among the myriad of focal points you can choose from.

Whenever I am shooting portraits of people, I always select just one focal point, move my camera to compose the photo, and lock that focal point on the subject's eye, to ensure the absolute best results.

Happy Tuesday!

Ducking Life's Curveballs

This past week, an unexpected conflict found it's way into what was supposed to be a relaxing few days for both Justin and me. And thankfully, though not life threatening, it still managed to shake up life for us a bit in ways we did not see coming or were prepared for.

Life's curveballs are a funny thing. Yes, I absolutely believe that they're necessary for personal growth in life and all that, but man, oh, man, how they hurt if you don't know how to duck quickly enough. (And yes, you guessed it, I hated playing baseball in P.E. as a kid.)

As I wandered up through the aisles of a San Francisco Disney Store this past weekend with my husband and nephew, all I could think to myself was, "There isn't much I can do about it." And truly, as much as this control-freak hates to admit it, sometimes it is better that I can't fix things on my own. It would only mislead me to think that I am in control of all of life's curveballs...and we all know how much that isn't true.

As I mulled over the week's recent challenges while wandering through the Disney Store in downtown San Francisco, I noticed my eyes were constantly being drawn to all the glitter and bold colors that surrounded me. The stuffed animals of every Disney character known to man were all piled up high on a shelf to my right. The speakers graced my ears with a child-like and playful tune of an old Disney movie and racks of princess dresses adorned with twinkling sequence lined the perimeter of the sales floor.

I don't know if it was being surrounded by all the "happy" that Disney is or if I'd just eaten too much chocolate dessert earlier in the day, but it was in there in the midst of all things Mickey Mouse and Cinderella, I was reminded that while life had it's troubles and worries, it wasn't permanent. That while the inevitable curveballs can shake you up a little bit and make things really sad for a moment, they don't stop life and they sure as heck can't stop new dreams and chances for good from forming.

Two Worlds & Breakfast

My husband likes breakfast. Eh...no, wait. He LOOOOOOVES breakfast. As in, he will lie awake at night  describing in far too much detail, the wonderful breakfast of eggs and bacon that he has planned on the menu the minute the first light of dawn shows up.

I, on the other hand, am more of a lunch, dinner, EVERYTHING chocolate-and-random-snacks kind of a person. Breakfast to me was always just a the same ol' combination of eggs, bacon, and toast. Oatmeal, fruit, etc....the same ol' thing just varied up a bit. But show me the leftovers from last night's steak and potato dinner and I'll show you how fast I can re-heat everything, serve it on the table, and call it a REAL breakfast!

When we were dating, Justin once said that after watching me happily scarf down odd mixtures of salad, chocolate, and a side of string cheese (and then, call it breakfast), he's convinced I was born with some sort of garbage disposal like stomach because I never reacted badly to eating such combinations all my life.

Well, halleluuuyerrr, folks because this picture proves that you can have the best of both worlds! The normal breakfast eaters and the random, chocolate/snack eaters finally come together.

Some genius created this mix of pretzel sticks, yellow M&M's and white chocolate. God bless 'em.

Happy Friday!

Hot Mess to Bald Mess

I try  not to be picky, I really do. I know there are some things worth fussing over and some things that are just not important in the grand scheme of life.

But when Kona Bean came back from her grooming appointment looking like this, I was almost tempted to march back into the pet salon and give the groomer a new haircut myself for making my baby go from a hot mess look to a bald-mess, what-did-I-do-to-deserve-this-rat-look.

The up side? Hair does grow back and it doesn't change the fact that our Kona still has the sweetest heart around - rat look or not.

Happy Thursday!

The Fourth

When I think about it, it's amazing to say that we wake up in an environment that is not war-torn. It is amazing to say that though everyone is different and has opposing opinions, we are allowed to say it out loud. And it is amazing to say that there are still people in this world willing to sacrifice their life and time away from their own families in order to give us yet another peaceful day in this country.

I am honored to live in the United States and to be an American citizen. I am blessed to wake up, every day, in an imperfect, but peaceful environment. And, more than I can express, I am thankful for those men and women who make all this possible.

Happy Independence Day!

Pure Design Photoshoot. 2012.

Maybe it's because I'm a chic living in the midst of a world where self-worth and identity are constantly picked apart by the ideals of Hollywood. Maybe it's because I remember all too well what it was like to wander aimlessly through life looking for a solid identity of my own, a sense of wholeness to replace the mess of brokeness I carried around.

Whatever the reason is, I've always been drawn to causes and organizations whose goal and purpose was geared towards helping strengthen women.Whether intervening for domestic abuse victims or encouraging young women to use all their potential for great change in the world, I think makind a difference in the lives of women who need help is a great thing.

As I'd mentioned in a previous post, I had attended a fashion show called Pure Design a while back that was being held as a fundraiser for Transitions Global, an organization that provides aftercare programs for young girls rescued from sex trafficking. What caught my attention the most about this particular fundraiser was that it was comprised of a group of designers who took scraps of old table clothes, neckties, t-shirts (basically anything that would otherwise be perceived as useless trash) and used every single piece to create these beautiful designs of dresses, blouses - you name it, they made it. 

Their mission besides raising funds? To tell the world that God can take anything broken and make something beautful out of it, even after the world perceives it as useless. With young girls who are survivors of human trafficking, it takes so much to restore their stolen identity, but with the help of various organizations around the world like Transitions Global, it's being made possible.

Thank you to Kalani Germono of Kalani Style and Jenn Van Gundy for taking your creative talents and using them in the fight against human trafficking and the exploitation of women. To team up with both you and your models for this photoshoot was an honor.

Happy Tuesday!

To view the photos and video from this photoshoot, feel free to click here or simply scroll to view below. 

Murrieta's Well Livermore Wedding: Michael + Lorene

I think it's always important to be thankful for the big things and the small things. The available parking spot closest to Target. Sunshine-y weather on your day off. A good hair day with no frizz. The remnants of a Toblerone chocolate bar you forgot about in the kitchen cupboard. (Oooooh, my personal favorite.)

Even being thankful for learning experiences that take place outside of my comfort zone.

A few posts back, I mentioned that I had the opportunity to help shoot a wedding alongside Ananda Shorey of Bliss Fotography. And looking back at the photos, remembering how nervous and excited I was to have been given such an opportunity, still brings a smile to my face.

In the midst of the anxiety and running around trying to learn and absorb all I could from this experience, (and of course, trying to make sure I didn't drop my own camera, trip over my own feet, or get in anyone's way), I grew in ways that only happen when you're out in the field. As a photographer and as an artist, I got to dive right into a real experience outside way beyond my nice little comfort zone.


And for that, as I'd said, I am thankful.

Here's to being thankful for learning experiences. And for Toblerone chocolate bars. 

Happy Monday!

My Momma's Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday.

And while I was going to write a long and fancy, schmancy post about all the great things she's taught us (including how to make sure you use enough lotion on your feet...yes, she actually taught us this) and all the habits I inherited from her (I actually like LOVE disinfecting everything in my house and take the time to admire a shiny and clean kitchen sink), I scrapped that idea once I logged onto Facebook and saw this post from my little sister:

"My mother is a slim woman who has always taken good care of herself. So, in celebration of her birthday today, she informed me that for breakfast, she splurged and at three big potato wedges, and a donut. Oh yeah, and she sang happy birthday to herself before indulging. Lol, gotta love the woman."

And that, folks, just proves I also inherited my love for potatoes from my momma.

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you.

Sweater Vests & Justin's Birthday

This is one of my favorite baby pictures of Justin. Mostly because he looks like a cute little potato head in a sweater vest and I think potatoes are pretty darn cool.


Today is his birthday and I'm pretty sure his Facebook page is covered in a sea of red tags of well wishes and greetings from family and friends.

Just last night, we were chatting about years that have gone by, our pasts as individuals and as a couple.  And as is true with most of us, life had it's ups and downs for him growing up. The good memories, the not- so-good memories, and the in-between memories. But what has remained constant has been God's loving hand on him, writing his story, so to speak. And as we celebrate and remember this day as the first day of his life 32 years ago, I am filled with gratitude for the man he is and the fact that I am blessed to call him my husband and friend.

My dear bubby, today we celebrate you. How you continue to be a strong leader to your friends and family because of your ability to follow and serve first. How you have that uncanny ability to remind others, especially me, by your actions to be generous and genuine with our time, money, and heart. How you somehow find something to laugh at in every situation with that nerdy sense of humor of yours. How your integrity shows in both your work life and personal life. How you love God and let it show without shame or hesitation. And yes, we can even to celebrate your love for cool sweater vests and the color brown today. 

This blog post isn't enough to say how much I love you and am thankful to be celebrating another year of your life today, but I hope it gives you some idea on how much your life means a lot to others and to me.

Happy, happy birthday, my Bubby!

Lost and Found

Finding things, especially after you had forgotten about them or thought you lost them, is fantabulous.

Like that five dollar bill you thought you'd lost- until you find it crumpled in the pocket of your jeans. Covered in a weird blue lint and smelling Tide fresh, but found, no less.

Or how about the time at the mall you thought you truly, this-is-for-real-this-time, I'm-not-kidding-oh-emmm-geee-I-can't-believe-it-I'm-going-to-have-to-call-the-police, lost your car to an evil car thief. Or the mall parking lot that eats Toyotas for snacks. After frantically dashing back and forth between other cars with shopping bags slamming against your legs (dang shoe sale!), you sigh relief as you miraculously find your car hiding behind the shadow of a monster truck whose name looks like it could be Big Bo.

Yes. I'll say it again.

Finding things you thought you lost or forgot about is, to the moon and back, fantabulous.

In light of finding things, I just recently found some photography files I thought I lost. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to help assist in shooting a wedding with Bliss Fotography at the beautiful Murrietta's Well in Livermore, California. The learning experience was an awesome one of which I was grateful to be a part of. And after looking through my hard drive, I discovered that I still had the files of the photos I had shot. Yay!! Somewhere in the busyness of sending them to the main photographer, and making sure they were backed up, etc., I had forgotten that I still had a copy for myself that the photographer had given me permission to post. And now that they are found, I can now post and share them. Gotta love these little surprises!

There are more to come, but here's a sneak preview from that wedding.

Happy Wednesday!

Life Conversations and Serendipity...in Vegas

This weekend, as I'd mentioned in a previous post, we spent time with family in Las Vegas as we celebrated the high school graduation of my husband's niece. Amidst the celebration and well wishes, we were able to find some down time to hang out and get some ice cream. HOLLER!  Because really, as my sister once eloquently put it, the Las Vegas zillion degree heat just makes you want want to rob an ice cream truck of it's inventory, for real.

On the air-conditioned car ride to get some bowls of sugar goodness/I'll-regret-this-later at the popular Serendipity, my husband, his two nieces, and I found the conversation steering itself towards the topic of boys, being an independent woman, relationships, and growing up. Dun-dun-dun.

I have to hand it to Justin. Being a guy and all you'd think he'd have suddenly fallen silent or changed the subject as the girl-talk filled the car ride. But no. I was actually more quiet this time (*gasp*), and let him do more of the talking About how important it was for a woman to be a whole person in her identity before diving into a relationship. About the importance of being strong and trusting God first before trusting the relationship. About growing up, learning, and yes, even letting go.

I may be wrong, but I think the reason why I fell a bit more silent in this specific conversation is because somewhere deep inside, I knew it was more important for these girls to hear such important advice from a man instead of a woman. A man they trusted had their best interest at heart, in the midst of a world full of men who might try to tell them otherwise. And I think this was important, because to be frank, if I had been given such advice as a young woman, maybe I wouldn't have made the mistakes I would have in my younger years. Either way, it was a blessing to be able to have this conversation with these girls, especially since one of them was just completing a major milestone in her life before entering college. I truly believe that a woman who knows who she is in God and lets it show in all the relationships she builds, all the accomplishments she achieves, and in how she lives her life in general - well, now, that is a force to reckon with, so watch out world!

Oh, and on a side note, I think we've found Kona Bean's Halloween costume this year.

Because, surely, she's got big dreams, too.

Happy Tuesday!

Spontaneity, Charm, and Adventure

For the past few months, my fragrance of choice has been Eau de Vaseline Aloe Lotion and Dove Soaps and while that was all fine and dandy (and did it's job making me acceptable in a crowded elevator and rank low on the stink-o-meter), it was lacking in the fun department and I was in the mood to have some fun. 

This weekend in Las Vegas visiting family allowed for some mall time my husband and nieces to shop for a new perfume. I'm an overanalyzer by nature and it always boiled down to: Me + 1 million counters of perfume options = walking away with samples to take home, sniff, and analyze some more. And the award goes to.... Mrs. Type A of Northern California!


The myriad of options I saw in the department store, all contained in it's fancy bottles and even fancier prices, had my nose swimming in clouds of flower scents, hints of vanilla, you name it. Some fragrances even reminded me that though I love cotton candy and bubble gum, there was no need to walk around smelling like a candy factory experiment gone terribly wrong.

As I'd suspected would happen, too much time went by and I walked away with only a few options sprayed onto a small strips of paper and husband with the beginnings of an itchy nose and allergies soon to follow from all the floral scents/vanilla scents/candy factory scents I sprayed into his face. We were approaching the bazillionth time I asked his opinion and hence, decided to call it a day and try another time.

But after a quick detour into a Banana Republic store on the way home, I'm happy to report that I unexpectedly found the perfect compliment to my Vaseline and Dove collection. 

According to this website, my new fragrance, Wildbloom, is "designed for spontaneous, charming, and adventurous women to who enjoy every moment of their day."


Eh....no pressure, right?! 


I love this new fragrance and yes, I'll admit it: the little leather flower on the bottle that Mr. Banana Republic decorated it with certainly helped sway my decision a little. Tiny. Bit. What can I say? I'm a sucker for details and accessories. Even on fancy schmancy perfume bottles.


In other news, I will have the opportunity this weekend to help photograph a wedding alongside Ananda Shorey of Bliss Fotography. I am very excited about this opportunity as it will be another chance to work alongside another professional and hone my skills even more as a photographer. It's always nerve-wracking, but at the same time the challenge is fun and I am looking forward to it! Whoo-hoo!

Here's to the spontaneity, charm, and adventure in you.


Happy Monday!

Missing the Beanie Baby

I say this a lot, but I really don't know how parents do it.  The whole leaving their kids behind for a few days/five minutes/five seconds.

As I sat on my 6:35 AM flight (Mr. Sun looked at me and said "you craaaaayzaaaay" and went back to sleep) to Las Vegas this morning, all I could think of was one thing.

ONE THING. Was it breakfast? No.

Was it the fact that I was already awake by 4 in the morning getting ready with my eyes half open as I sloowwwly brushed my teeth? Nope.

My thoughts were on a four-legged, in-need-of-a-grooming-she-looks-like-a-hot-MESS furball named Kona. I left my baby for the weekend at my parents house as I met up with my husband and family to celebrate our niece's graduation. (Go class of 2012 and congratulations to Meilani!)

As fun as this weekend is sure to be, I'm already missing the puppy-kid. Oh, I hope she's entertaining herself ok while we're away and not missing us too much.

Our Up Years

I love looking at wedding photographs.

Yes, for looking at the details of her beautiful wedding dress and accessories. Yes, for the details of his crinkled smile at her as she walked down the aisle with her dad or the way their crazy family and friends were frozen in a moment of sheer joy at the reception. And yes, even for laughing at the photo captured of Uncle Bob who wore white socks with black dress shoes and did the moonwalk on the dance floor like it was nobody's business.

But even more than wedding photographs, the other type of photos I enjoy look like this:

The movie Up was the first movie my husband, Justin, and I watched together as a married couple. Yes, I bawled like a baby. (But for the record, so did Justin!)

And after watching it, I realized that while I'll always love to look at my own wedding photos that froze  a moment of our youth, I'll love even more the photos captured of us later on in life, when we're old, grey, and sporting the uber-cool fragrance of Eau de Toilette Icy Hot or Bengay.

Yes...I do indeed look forward to our Up Years.

Dressing Room Battles

I saw this cartoon on the Internet and laughed. Not only because it was funny and hilariously accurate for a lot of us women, but because I happened to discover this cartoon on this site at the same time I was inhaling a Snicker bar in front of my computer. (There's no reason NOT to have dessert in the middle of the day. 'Nuff said.)

Here's to the joys and dressing-room battles of being a chic.

Happy Tuesday!

My Vidal Sasoon Dad

It was a fun-filled weekend spent with the endless chatter and clang of utensils as we celebrated birthdays, time with family, good food, and then of course, Father's Day this weekend. And I don't know about your dad, but one memory I vividly recall as a kid was that my dad was responsible for crooked bangs and the uber dork-status hairstyles my sisters and I sported when we were little. Dad can get a little too creative sometimes and I think our haircuts were an experiment to see if he could be the Filipino Vidal Sasoon.

My dad is an interesting character. I'm proud to say that it's because of him that my sisters and I grew up knowing how to fix a broken toilet in the house like we were born plumbers, have the skills to get all MacGyver on minor household repairs with paperclips, tape, and the right can-do-attitude, and know how to have a nerdy sense of humor about life while making a fancy schmancy dinner out of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup and an egg. (You haven't LIVED until you've added an egg.)

Most of all, I always recall my dad encouraging us to be unique, creative, and unafraid to aim high, even if it meant not looking like everyone else, crooked bangs and all.

Hope you all enjoyed a fabulous Father Day weekend!

Happy Monday!

My First Best Friend

She was my first best friend - with a bad haircut.

Meaning, she was the first human I shared my toys with, first human smaller than me I learned how to fight with and boss around, first person I grumpily generously split the last piece of chocolate cake with after dinner. But mommy, it's MIIIINE!!

Growing up, people always thought we were twins which I hated because it basically meant that a slightly smaller and chubbier version of me would go around imitating everything I said and did and wanted to share everrrythiiiinggg. All candy included. To top it all off, my mother dressed us like we were the Olsen twins in the early years on Full House and even cut our hair in the same Bruce-Lee-ish style.

And at the same time I recount all of these "traumatic" moments of childhood, I also remember how she cried on my first day of kindergarten. Why? Because to her it meant our days as Siamese-twins were now going to be slightly altered with different schedules, math homework, and even new friends.

And today is her birthday. My sister Vanessa turns 30 years old (woot!) It's pretty crazy to see how time has flown from our days as the dynamic duo, to adolescence, through adulthood. This same person I happily bossed around for a good portion of her life is also the same person today who doesn't hesitate to protect her family, her daughter, her friends. I even remember a time when she was the only one who, without hesitation, stepped in when a friend of hers was involved in an abusive relationship.  And yes, even as grown ups, she was still the first person to cry when I went on to move into my own apartment later on - because once again, it meant we wouldn't be together in the same house.

I've re-posted this picture of us as kids because I think it's the one that best says without words how my sister and I are today even as adults. Laughing and still close even after all the years of life that's passed and grown us.

And maybe today I'll give her the whole slice of chocolate cake this time. We'll see. =)

Happy birthday, Nessa! I love you and am thankful you were my very first best friend, bad haircuts and all. 

Happy Friday!

Throwback Thursdays

I love studying photographs of famous people, both past and present. Their poses, their facial expressions, the lighting, what they were thinking in that exact moment a lucky photographer captured their essence in a photo. 

I think that when an artist has truly made an impact on the world through the sharing of their talents and unique ability in music, entertainment, or fashion, the end result is always the same - a generation forever changed and influenced because of their work.

If given the chance to rewind time, just for a moment, what celebrities would I have jumped at the chance to photograph? There's a lot, but the biggies for me? Well...

Lucy for her echanting smile and fiery red hair that made her the queen of comedy in an era when women were not known for that.

Ray Charles, for the way his lack of sight still powerfully enabled the rest of us to see joy in music with each strike of the piano keys his hands danced across.

Amy Winehouse for her vintage, eccentric sense of style and captivating voice that was all her own and no one else's.

And yes, Audrey, too.

For the way she influence the world of fashion with a grace and simplicity so long ago that still resonates through the trends of today.

To have been able to capture these people on camera? Oh, I would have died and gone to photographer heaven.

Here's to artists who've gone before us and influence the artists of today.

Happy Thursday!

There's Always Room: Nutella

Large jar, small jar, the scrapings on a spoon or even a fork (we all know desparation for chocolate will make you resort to using just about anything).

For breakfast or lunch, a spoonful before I head to the gym, just-because-it's-2:30-in-the-afternoon-don't-judge-me or even during dinner (yes, during!)...there is always room for Nutella.

Happy Wednesday!