I spent the holidays truly savoring every moment and every bite of food with friends and family. It made me really happy. Before I get back on track tomorrow, I wanted to post a little tribute to food that makes me happy just by looking at it. I will save the making and eating of these for special occasions. Now who has a birthday coming up?? 
Eating Rainbows
A Time to Love 2012
Happy 2012! I can’t believe 2011 flew by so quickly as there were many changes and moves amongst friends, family, lovers and career. I have a great feeling for 2012! I know it is going to be amazing! My resolutions (which are many so I will keep it down to 3) are first, to continue to take good care of my body and health. I have been on a roll in the last few months and plan on keeping the ball rolling. Second, I want to clean and simplify all of my stuff aka DECLUTTER to make room for positive change and let go of all attachments. Third and definitely not least, I want to have healthy and loving relationships with friends, family, and lovers. Here’s to a positive, healthy and loving 2012 and beyond!!
Dragon Tattoo
Happy New years Eve to all! I am currently in NYC and have been having a wonderful time adventuring with friends. I am spending NYE in East Hampton and yesterday was a perfect day to see a movie. We rounded up some friends and went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I absolutely loved Roonie Mara in it. The movie did drag at the beginning a bit (kind of like the book) but once it got going, the mystery solving became super suspenseful and thrilling. Roonie plays Lisbeth Salander ,whose style throughout the movie was bad ass. From her baggy pants and leather jackets, to the contrast between her flawless, porcelain skin and her tattoos and piercings, to the different types of smoky eyes, these looks were all so fitting to the character she played. Now I feel like getting some piercings and tattoos. uh oh. Have you ever gotten a tattoo inspired by a film?
Framing Ways
When I moved into my new place exactly one year ago, there was an image that I fell in love with that really captured the spirit of me..I used it as inspiration to decorate my room and I have continued to build on this fantasy. I love looking through home decor magazines envisioning what my future home will look like. I’ve gathered a pretty fair share of ideas over the years. Having parents as artists, I have always payed great attention to detail on every piece of art. What always initially catches my eye is the frame. A frame can really make or break a great piece of art. The first image below is the one I fell in love with and I’ve included some others for inspiration. What cool stuff have you created with frames??
Reconstructing Brows
Every time a client sits in my chair, 95% of the time, the most requested tip or trick is how to achieve the perfect brows. As an esthetician, I have been shaping brows for years now and I have to say that the best brows are those who let them grow out. I have physically made my clients bring me their makeup bags and have confiscated their tweezers. You see, as we get older, the more we tweeze and wax, the less our hair grows back. Yes, the bikini wax, cool. I get it. Be my guest. But the brows? Please, I beg you, leave them alone. I challenge any chick that is obsessed with having perfect brows to only pluck 3 hairs every 2 weeks. Yes, 3 hairs. AND only in between the brows. AND maybe even hide your tweezers! ( Especially for those of you who like to pick. you know who you are). It may be difficult but trust. I have had women sit down with faded, blue, tattooed brows and it is just not cute at all. Please find inspiration in the pictures below and take the challenge. You will thank me when your older.
Iris by Cirque Du Soleil
I was fortunate enough to see the premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s “Iris” Sunday night at the Kodak theatre. My long time friend Guy LaLiberte, founder of Cirque Du Soleil, invited me and I was beyond thrilled! I saw the first Cirque Du Soleil show ever in 1984 on the Santa Monica Pier and I was so inspired, I took on gymnastics shortly after that. That one day at Cirque turned into the next 12 years of my life, where I traveled and competed in Rhythmic gymnastics all over the world for the US National Team. A lot of the elements in the Cirque shows involve rhythmic gymnastics where the performers use ribbons, ropes and hoops and contortion their bodies in unbelievable ways. Although my gymnastic days are over, I am always nostalgic by the elements, makeup and costumes of Cirque. Iris really went above and beyond in the makeup and costume department being that the theme was Hollywood cinema. Seriously Breathtaking! Below are some of my favorite makeup looks by Nathalie Gagne for Cirque Du Soleil. I bow down to you. 
NATHALIE GAGNÉ
MAKEUP DESIGNER – Cirque Du Soleil
Flower Girls
There is nothing that is more inspiring than nature. Living in Los Angeles, we are surrounded by mountains, deserts, the ocean, lakes and rivers. We can get in the car and be in any of these given environments at the drop of a hat and usually in under 1 hour. I have done a lot of photo shoots in Los Angeles. My favorites are the ones that I have done with close friends or family. In the springtime when the flowers are blooming is when I like to get out and do impromptu photo shoots. Below are some pictures where I have done both the makeup and hair. Below, in order of appearance, are Josie Maran (CEO and founder of Josie Maran Cosmetics and my sister Sofia Alberti (I was the photographer for this one as well). In the last photo, the makeup, hair and photographer are unknown but it is what inspired me to write and share this post with you. What is your favorite nature environment? 
Let’s Go
When I was a little girl, I watched the french film “The Red Balloon” over and over again, wishing I was that little boy flying through the sky with his giant, red balloon. I have always been adventurous by nature and these days, more than ever, I have an urge to travel somewhere I have never been before. Traveling afar always refreshes my soul, inspires my spirit, and creates memories that last me a lifetime. I am making definite distant plans for next summer and hopefully a quick little get away during the holidays. Until then, I will place a red balloon under my pillow and dream of distant lands….oh and if anyone has any suggestions, please do tell.
Bon Iver-Twinkling Star
Last night, I saw Bon Iver play at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and it was absolutely breathtaking! Justin Vernon’s voice is like an angel and every person in the band played at least 3 instruments and sang during the entire length of the show. The violin solo was so beautiful, I swear I started seeing stars…A truly incredible performance by all. Justin, at one point said that he was so lucky to have his job and get to sing to his audience for a living. I loved hearing that and it does feel good to be able to do what you love for work. I use a nude face as my canvas to paint and create my own kind of art. What do you love to do for work?
