Preview of My Momma

"But, Mo-omm. I don't wanna bring my camera."

Yes. I still whine.

After a lunch with my family, I had planned to spend the rest of the afternoon at my parent's house since my dad had to work. My mom had asked that I bring my camera along to snap a few photos of her with the flowers that she received from my dad and niece. Nothing fancy, just a few shots to share with family. I wasn't sure that I was up to lugging my camera bag, purse, and a 15 pound cockapoo named Kona Bean down the stairs, into my car, and all the way to my parent's house, but what the heck, it's Mother's Day and it's just a few photos, right?

Alas, I don't know what it is, but my little perfectionist photographer enthusiastically emerged as I realized that the afternoon light was still bright - hence, I couldn't settle for a few photos by the dining table with flowers. Most of my studio props are stored at my parent's house and Mom seemed game to play photo studio, so why not go all out?

Here's a little sneak peak into the impromptu photo shoot of my beautiful mommy. (Please, please, please I inherit whatever it is that makes you look like this at 59 years old.)

There's definitely more so stay tuned!

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!


Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Because her beauty is timeless.



White Linen Suits

A peek out the airplane window revealed jewel-blue waters and speckles of homes along the Florida coast. As we stepped off the plane and into the sun-kissed skies of Miami, both my husband and I found ourselves super excited to explore this city we've never been to.

Sunscreen packed? Check.

Sunglasses packed? Check.

White linen suit packed?  Oh yeah, baby...you better believe it.

Happy Monday!

Preview: Laura. Monterey Photo Shoot. 2013, Cannery Row, Monterey

Every mom's story is different. 

From the details of how they dealt with sleepless nights with their newborns, the ways in which they toughed out the challenges of raising teenagers, and to the way their hearts reacted to the day their young ones left home fort to venture out into the world of college, new jobs, and adulthood. 

In my book, moms pretty much deserve the lifetime achievement award. With a box of chocolates and a serious high-five.

Meet the lovely Laura. Laura had received a gift certificate from Heartbox Photography during a fundraiser auction and contacted me for a time to set up her make over and photo session. We picked a day that was blessedly filled with the beautiful coastal sun and breeze that is Monterey - perfect for an outdoor photo shoot. 

As we chatted, I found out Laura was not only a career woman and soon-to-be-law student, but also a mom. And I thought it was tough for my own mom raising three children, but my jaw just about dropped when I found out that Laura was a mother who had successfully raised six beautiful children. That right there? Well, that's just proof to me that Supermom does exist. 

It was an incredibly fun photo shoot for me, and in my book, not only is Laura Supermom/Supercareer Woman, but simply a beautiful woman inside and out. 

Below is a sneak peak of Laura's shoot, so stay tuned for more!

Many thanks to Emily Nguyen of A-List Makeup for her fabulous work on Laura's hair and make up.

Happy Wednesday!
makeover-for-women

Chasing the Simple Things

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap! The sound of her nails on the wood floor echo every morning as she runs to the kitchen, ears flapping, tail excitedly wagging, anticipating her morning breakfast of kibble.

In the whirl of weekend activities and the busyness of work, commutes, dishes, laundry and to-do lists, I am still amazed at how this little kid faithfully follows closely at the rushing footsteps of her mommy and daddy.

With a loyal and loving wag of her tail and eyes that always beckon us to play a simple game of chase the ball down the hallway, she is our constant reminder to appreciate and enjoy the very simple things in life.

Happy Monday!

Ah-Choo Season and Monterey Photo Shoots

Hello, springtime!

I am absolutely loving the warmer days and the sunshine in the late afternoons. The smell of the flowers, dodging around the swarm of bees near the flowers when walking Kona...love it all.

And how 'bout them allergies? Well, let's just say that there's nothing a little tablet of children's Claritin can't solve. I toughed out as much sneezing as I could but when it came to the itchy eyes that were, well, just ruining my eye make up, I took a stand and relented when my husband offered to pick up some allergy meds/Children's Claritin.

Low dosage usually works just fine on me and no it has nothing to do with the fact that they're grape flavored and taste exactly like Sweetheart candy. Like, exaaactly.


This weekend I'll be following the spring and sunshine down to Monterey's Cannery Row for an outdoor photo shoot that I'm super excited for! I love indoor studio photo shoots but it's always fun to take the glam to the great outdoors.

With springtime's late afternoon golden sunlight, I can just feel Monterey beckoning my camera and me to come out and play - stay tuned for previews from the latest makeover and photo shoot with Heartbox Photography!

Happy springtime and Happy Friday!

Ahhh-chooooooo!!




Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Because her beauty is timeless.



The Funny Middle Kid

I am blessed with two awesome sisters - we're all different and yet, we're also very much the same.

This is one of them with her fiance. She's the wacky middle one, the one who always keeps life interesting and all of us laughing.

And me saying this might make her cringe, but who cares, I'm the older one and I live for moments to make my lovely siblings cringe.

I hope she knows just how beautiful she is. Truly.


Mother's Day Gift Promotion

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Because her beauty is timeless.



A Prayer for the City of Boston

To be honest, it's a bit hard to blog about anything right now after hearing the news of what happened in Boston today. Some close friends of ours are participating in this year's Boston Marathon and thankfully are safe and sound and will hopefully be making their way home soon amidst the chaos the city is in right now.

To the city of Boston and those affected by this tragedy, our prayers are with you all.

Stay strong.


Ode To Saimin....Again.

Though I have no ties to Hawaii like my husband does, saimin and I are still BFFs. Friendship bracelets and all.

For the next few days we are visiting family in Vegas and though I may have mentined this a zillion times before, it's worth saying one more time: I. LOVE. SAIMIN. And boom! That makes it a zillion and one.

California Hotel in  Las Vegas is the absolute best spot to get a good bowl of it, this side of the Pacific. Besides hanging with family, I look forward to this dish everytime we make the trek over to Sin City.

And thus ends my random food post. I don't use Instagram, so here's my food photo for the week.

Pinned Image
God bless the invention of noodles and the makers of Hawaiian comfort food. =)

Happy Friday!

Mother's Day Promotion

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Because her beauty is timeless.



Trashing The Doubt

I've always loved to collect random articles here and there especially when I feel it was well-written, speaks to me on a different level, or just plain cracks me up when I'm in the middle of my day lookin' for a pick-me-up or something to read while I'm having my daily snack of mini-Snicker bars carrot and celery sticks.

Sometimes last year I printed up an article/devotion from a great website called Proverbs 31 Ministries. This site is specifically geared for women and is an awesome resource if you're looking for some encouragement or advice. I can't tell you how many times I've come across certain devotionals that always seem to speak specifically to what I may be going through in that moment, in that day, or in that season.

The printout was buried beneath a pile of a paperwork on my desk and as I skimmed it, I was reminded of why it was a "keeper" kind of article, especially for us women. So I thought I'd share it with you.

Enjoy and Happy Monday!

How To Stop Trashing Yourself

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)

One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn't until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I'd thrown it away.

Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that's how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.

It's usually very subtle. Sometimes I'll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can't do that. You're not good enough. Out of the blue, I'll just get that awful, insecure feeling.

Too many times in the past I've gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.

For years, I didn't tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they'd see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.

However, I didn't call it doubt.

Maybe you don't either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.

Other times I'd call it fear—fear that I wouldn't measure up, fear that I'd look stupid, fear that I'd look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I've realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.

What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?
I've learned to ask God to show me when I'm tempted to trash myself and then depend on Him to help me trash my insecurities instead.

• When self-doubt whispers, "I can't do that. I'm going to fail and look foolish." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)

• When self-doubt whispers, "I'll never change." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB)

• When self-doubt whispers, "This is too hard for me. I don't have what it takes to..." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me]." (Romans 8:37, NIV)

Dear Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will You help me recognize when I trash myself, and remind me to trash my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tell me I can't do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Still A Grand Adventure

There are peaks and valleys in every season, I'm told, especially when it comes to getting a small business off the ground.

And today, even with the molasses-like slowness of the week and having been in a valley for a little while longer than I want to be, I'm still going to send up a big cheer because it's Friday - and because life is still a grand adventure worth smiling about.


Happy Friday!

My Gold Dancing Shoes and Mother's Day

Whatever you've been told, you're worth  more than gold
So hold your head up high
It's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold.
                                                                        -Britt Nicole

I stuck it on repeat. Like, probably 5 times.

Ok, I'm lying. More like 35 times.

Whenever I hear a song that makes my heart smile, makes my ears perk up something crazy happy, and and simultaneously makes me want to break out my gold dancing shoes, you can bet that I will be that annoying passenger in the car who will press the replay button on that CD - and proudly sing aloud all the way through 5 hours of traffic like a BOSS.

 Road trip, anyone?

I love how music can spark inspiration and today my ear buds at work have been blasting Britt Nicole's song "Gold" all afternoon. I'm in a dancing mood, so hit that repeat button! I think I love love love love this song because my heart and photography are all about wanting to make every woman feel that she's worth more than gold.

 Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th and while the ideas for Mother's Day gifts range anywhere from flowers to candy to home decorations, why not celebrate it this year by giving her a something a little different - the gift of a professional makeover along with a photo shoot with Heartbox Photography?

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for a session with just her or even as a mother/daughter shoot.

Remind her this year that her elegance and grace as a woman and mother is definitely something to celebrate - every year.

Because her beauty is timeless.



The Ninja Pigeon

Over the weekend, I got spend time with an old friend of mine in San Francisco's Chinatown. As we wove our way through the crowds of pink thank-you bags and cars zooming by, it dawned on me how awesome it is be close enough to the melting pot that is the City. Sunshine beamed down on the local park, as we chose a bench to sit down at and chow down on the shrimp and veggie dumplings while catching up on life.

In the whirlwind of life and schedules, I sometimes forget how satisfying it is to slow down, enjoy the warmth of a sunshine-filled day in San Francisco, and take time to connect with a friend over some great grub. Because my friend and I have "vintage" phones (ahem), we weren't connected to the constant ping of emails that Internet connection allows or tethered by the notifications or status updates on Facebook. Get this...we actually talked, listened, and laughed, observing the activity around us versus the activity on our phones. (Good thing, too, because I swear that city pigeon was planning a ninja attack on my lunch. Had I been distracted, I would have made the news as the girl who beat down a bird over a shrimp dumpling.)


Conversation and good times with friends over great grub never gets old - even if it means fighting off ninja pigeons.

Happy Monday!

Allergies Make Her Breakdance

It's springtime and in our home, springtime means Benadryl and nose sprays in our house.

Boo to allergies. I don't get them as badly as Justin, my pops or my sisters, but I get them enough. Enough meaning the need to scratch and fuss at my itchy eyes has ruined a make up application or two in the past. Ohhhh, the problems of my world, I know.

Allergies are also very real to the littlest one in our household. At least us humans can properly rub at our eyes with our hands. This poor kid has to deal with the fact that her thumbs and fingers are non-existent. Ever see a dog breakdance? It's pretty cool. That's what Kona becomes when her allergies have turned her into a fluffy and watery-eyed mess - she can spin around on the carpet like no other just to get that hard-to-reach itch.

We're sooo talented in my house, it's freaking ridiculous.

Happy Friday!





Be Well

I may as well just come out and say it - I am absolutely terrified of one day becoming  part of the statistics of folks who get that dreaded phone call from the doctor relaying news that I have a terminal illness.

Where is this coming from? Well, just yesterday, I was pulled into an impromptu meeting with a few colleagues at my day job to discuss something important. We all chatted cheerfully as we normally do before a meeting but that happy banter came to a screeching halt. We came to find out that the purpose of the meeting was to be informed that a co-worker of ours had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I distinctly remember the wave of chills that overcame me as everyone's chatter fell into a cold silence once their ears registered this horrible news. I think what was even more shocking was that with this recent announcement the total number of women in our building who are currently battling breast cancer or have survived it now came to a total of 4. As crazy as it sounded, my colleague blurted out "Sheesh....what's going on? Is there something in the building?"

That meeting was a harsh reality check for all of us that cancer of any sort doesn't discriminate on age, race, background, or whether you're in sunny California or in snowy Alaska. At the end of the day as I walked to my car for the commute home, I couldn't help but be reminded once again that health is so far more precious than money or things in this world.


More than ever, I am extremely grateful for the life and health I have been given. And I hope you are, too.








My Mom, The Hip Hop Hula Girl

There's definitely something very awesome about getting out there and trying something new, even though it scares you. I find that this is especially true when it comes to us women and exercise.

Just recently, my mom and I attended our first Hot Hula class together. And now I know why all the testimonies talk about how much it's a challenge and fun all at once! I've never been a graceful or coordinated dancer who knew how to stay in step with everyone around me (my childhood dreams were filled with daydreams about being a backup dancer for MC Hammer), but I am so glad I took the chance on trying this class out. It gave me a chance to step out of my little shell and hula my way to fitness, regardless of I was hula-ing to the left while everyone else hula'd to the right. =)

Once I got over the fact that my mother can dance better hip hop and hula than I can (wait, whaaaaa?), I found it refreshingly fun and a challenge especially since I have been stuck in a bit of a rut as far gym routines go. It's been told to me time and time again that sometimes your own body hits a plateau when it's used to the same routine over and over again so for sure this class is going to help me shake things up a bit. It was awesome to see that there was a variety of women attending, all ages and backgrounds. Truly, it was evident that everyone was there to have fun, break a sweat, and get your shake on!

And the music the instructor used? Too awesome and lovely. Let's just say I have a strong feeling Hawaii wants me to come and visit again.

The verdict? Definitely check out a local class in your area if you want to get fit and try something new. Lovin' Hot Hula!



I Think I Can Dance

I stared at the blinking cursor on this post thinking "Ehhhhh. What should I write about?"

And believe me, it's not because my mind is on screen saver mode. Rather, it's more of a problem because too many things are running through my mind and I want to write all of them down with enthusiasm and hope that the rest of the world will find my random thoughts just as funny and interesting as I do. One can hope, right?

Hands down (and my husband will certainly vouch for this), I am one of those weird folks who always have random things running a mile a minute in my head even though I may be doing something that has nothing to do with it. Like, doing the laundry......and thinking of how Spam Musubi makes a good breakfast for whenever I am in the mood for a sodium/salt fix. At the same time wondering how cool it would be to participate in a flash mob. Something like that.

There have been many a time where Justin and I will riding in the car, stuck in traffic and I will randomly blurt out a thought about something completely out of left field like, "I just love baked potatoes!" Or, "Baby, did you know I used to be able to rap this entire song back in high school?" (Add that talent to my awesome Running Man skills and you will discover why my husband married me.)

 So hence this random post. What's running through my mind today? Well, I am super, duper, nerdy/geeked-out excited to attend my first Hot Hula class this Saturday with my mommy. I invited her to go because she loves a good cardio work out just as much as I do. What she doesn't know is that her first born child possesses the graceful dancing skills of a gorilla with a sprained ankle.

Let's hope this goes well tomorrow and that I don't end up like the last girl in this dance off.



Happy Friday, everyone!