ELLEGANCE

Blog Begone

2011-09-21T01:46:00.000-04:00

What happened to my blog?????

I think this may be my punishment for being the world's worst blogger... I honestly have no idea what happened to all the images on my blog--images making up 90% of my blog material--but one day I came to the site and exclamation points everywhere! This may be a sign... I think I may need to "terminate" this blog and reconstruct it into a new, improved blog with a revamped blogger behind it as well!

Stay tuned...

xoxo,
Elle

If you need to smile...

2011-07-11T21:13:00.000-04:00

Can we say adorrrrrable???
Preview
This photo should put a smile on anyone's face because it's just too cute not to make you smile! And that reminds me of one of my favorite quotes...

"Never frown because you never know who's falling in love with your smile."

Taken from this blog

Geek Chic

2011-07-05T13:09:00.000-04:00

Everyone has an inner dork or nerd that's waiting to be exposed in the right time and place. And that time is now. We can feel comfortable expressing the nerd in us now with the oversized nerdy glasses making a statement in today's fashion. It's definitely a cool way to dress down an outfit or make a statement... as ironic as it seems. Check out these beauties rocking the trend and expressing the inner dork in them.

The beautiful Anne Hathaway in Gucci & oversize specs

The ever-so-down-to-earth Jen Aniston, fabulous with or without specs

Taylor Swift in her music video "You Belong With Me"

The nerd in me

So if you've ever been been called "four eyes" or made fun of for wearing glasses, shut them up with these trendy oversize specs (I'm sure they will follow).. and if you have 20/20 vision (like me) but want to wear this trend, you can buy prescription-free glasses.

You can find some great glasses at warbyparker.com and just like TOMS, they will give a pair when you buy a pair! Look geek chic and help someone in need?!

Don't wait another sec... start buying specs!

xo,

Elle

Nail Obsession: SS '11 Trends

2011-04-19T23:19:00.000-04:00

This year, nail trends are going BANANAS!

Literally.

On the Prada runway was nail art inspired by bananas. And of course there's the moon manicure where you paint the moon on your nail another color. Rihanna and Dita Von Tees were spotted rocking this trend. But one of my favorite trends is the Coral trend! Try matching your lips to your nails for the perfect spring-summer look! Chanel and Bobbi Brown came out with some stunning coral lip colors!

Lastly, to neutralize the bright colors you'll be wearing from head to toe is a light minty green polish.

Trends are ranging from bananas to moons to mint green. So much craziness in the land of manis and pedis... go bananas and have fun with your nails! :)

xo,

Elle

Color Craze

2011-04-12T23:58:00.000-04:00

SPRING 2011 is definitely here (my allergies tell me so) and it's time to put the blacks and greys into your boxes labeled "winter clothes" and bust out the bright colors because Spring 2011 is all about the brights!

Happy Spring!

xo,

Elle

images via zara

SPOTLIGHT: Victoria Stiles, Hair & Makeup Artist

2011-03-29T02:10:00.000-04:00

Today, I want to shed light on celebrity hair & makeup artist Victoria Stiles. Somehow through the beauty of social media, I so luckily found her and have since become a fan. Her work is great, her life seems dynamic & awesome (I know because of her tweets) and she's also from Washington, DC! I thought it'd be a great addition to bring some interviews to ELLEGANCE to spice things up a bit... so without further ado, I bring you to my interview with Victoria Stiles who so awesomely agreed to do it. Thanks V~!

1. Please share a brief bio about yourself.
Since 1999, Victoria Stiles has worked as a makeup artist in fashion and beauty and has collaborated with the industry’s leading creatives. A career as a freelance artist has allowed Victoria to travel and work throughout the United States and parts of Europe, both as a creative and as an educator. Her clients include Condé Nast, Niche Media, Modern Luxury, Surface, Twill, Kurv, People, Washingtonian, and Virginia Living. Celebrity and political clientele include Vice President Joe Biden, Verve Music Group’s Melody Gardot, Paula Zahn, Roberta Flack, Sherri Shepherd, Gary Sinise, Olivia Thirlby, Jordin Sparks, and Emmitt Smith.

2. What is a day in the life of Victoria Stiles like?
I have an assistant to help me with emails and scheduling but mostly, I'm a one-woman-show. A typical day would start off with traveling on site for a client, usually a photo shoot, television show, or commercial. Once my booking is finished, it doesn't necessarily mean my day is finished. I manage all aspects of my business from client bookings, correspondence to updating my site and blogging. It's more than a full time job but worth every minute.

3. How did you get started in your career as a Makeup/Hair artist? And how did you get your first big break?
I started working with M.A.C. Cosmetics in 1999 while attending George Mason University where I studied Communications. I stuck with the company until 2004 and had opportunities within M.A.C. to work on concert productions, such as Cher and Missy Elliott. After a successful career with M.A.C., I decided to go full time freelance. My first "big break" was working with Universal Music Group's Melody Gardot in Paris.

4. If you weren't a MUA, what would you be doing right now?
I'm not sure because being a makeup artist is all I ever wanted to be!

5. What do you love about makeup?
Everything. I love how you can subtly transform a look and give someone a self-confidence boost.

6. Everyone I know will bend over backwards to have perfect skin, but it's never easy. What's your recommended skin care routine for flawless skin?
I love basic skin care, ones that do not use perfumes. I've found Cetaphil, yes the product you get from the drugstore, to be the best cleanser and moisturizer.

7. What is the product you can never leave the house without? (Fine, you can answer up to 3.) ;)
FACE atelier Ultra Foundation, T3 Featherweight Blow Dryer, and Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

8. Do you have a favorite cosmetics brand? Please share!
I have many. I love FACE atelier, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Yaby, Graftobian, MAKE UP FOR EVER.

9. For all the aspiring MUA's out there, please share some insight on industry secrets and/or tips to "make it".
Hard work. Flexibility. Never give up. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.

10. What are the best and worst aspects about this job?
It's exciting to work with magazines and celebrities, I would say this would be the best aspect. Worst would be not knowing if you have work the next week, LOL!

11. For all the ELLEGANCE readers, please share some words of advice on beauty.
Enhance your natural look and do not try to dramatically re-create features. Keeping your look soft and natural is key to a timeless look.

12. Lastly, please feel free to add any other comments or notes that you'd like to share here:
Thanks for the interview! This is an exciting job, not everyone is cut out for it. The key is to be flexible and never give up. :)

Some images of her work taken from her website

Alright ladies & gents. You heard it hear first! Hard work, flexibility, never give up... and Cetaphil!

Thanks again to the lovely Victoria Stiles for taking the time to do this interview and sharing her secrets and tips! Hope you guys enjoyed the interview... look out for more in the future! :)

Be sure to check her out:

www.victoriastiles.com

www.twitter.com/victoriastiles

Until next time... xo

Elle

Nude Obsession

2011-03-16T23:31:00.000-04:00

***Spring is here!***

And that calls for pedicures, floral print skirts, bright colors, cute sunglasses, allergy medication, and NUDE SHOES! Everything goes with nude so whether you stock your shoe closet with 10 new pairs or just 1 fabulous pair, make sure you have a solid nude sandal to go with all your spring outfits! :)

xo, elle

Music Update: Stand With Me

2011-02-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

I know I've been such a slacker and it's unacceptable. And though I know it's even more unacceptable to make excuses, I'm gonna do it anyway and blame it on music. Hehe :)

Lately I've been busy in and out of the studio recording a song that I had the pleasure of being a part of with DMV musicians Sky Muzik (producer), Jae Jin (singer), J. Han (rapper) and Infinite Track Minds, LLC (producers). It started as a sample track that I recorded for Sky but developed into a really big collaborative song including the aforementioned artists.

So that's "why I've been away"... Please forget about my absence and my pitiful excuse-making as you listen to and hopefully enjoy the song. :)

Stand With Me - Jae Jin & Elle (feat. J. Han)

You can download the song here!

xo,
Elle

My Red Carpet Picks: Golden Globes 2011

2011-01-17T00:41:00.002-05:00

When I look at the best & worst dressed, I'm not just looking at the dress.

It's the total package.

From dress to hair & makeup to accessories--they should have all that

and of course... a touch of Ellegance.

*My favorites from the red carpet*

Amy Adams ~ Marchesa

Angelina Jolie ~ Versace

Catherine Zeta-Jones ~ Monique Lhuiller

Eva Longoria ~ Zac Posen

January Jones ~ Versace

Olivia Wilde ~ Marchesa

Lea Michele ~ Oscar de la Renta

In my book, these ladies pretty much always make it on the

best dressed list.

And for the Golden Globes, they did not disappoint!

...I think I may have a girl crush on them ;)

P.S. I really don't like Emma Stone with blonde hair. I think it makes her look 5 years older for one, and two, she just looks better as a ginger/brunette. That's my 2 cents.

P.P.S. I'm on a hunt to find an emerald green blazer. Please let me know if you come across one!

Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar

Beauty Report: Foundation Reviews

2011-01-16T01:45:00.000-05:00

One of the key ingredients to mimicking flawless skin is foundation. It's extremely important to have the right foundation and there are several characteristics to factor in when choosing the one(s) for you.

1. Color

You want to make sure to choose the right color by testing out 2-3 swatches on your face to see which shade comes closest to your own skin color. Also, you want to make sure the color blends in with your neck--there shouldn't be a huge difference. People are usually paler in the winter and tanner in the summer so it's good to have 2 foundations for each season.

2. Coverage

The coverage of a foundation depends on your skin as is and how much of its imperfections you want to cover. Here are the 3 different levels of coverage: light, medium, full. If you want a "barely there" foundation, you may even opt for a tinted moisturizer as it will even out your complexion but won't necessarily provide coverage. I love wearing tinted moisturizer when going to the gym or going snowboarding. It's hardly foundation. Then when I want to go out and about or go to work, I'll wear a medium coverage foundation because it's enough to even out my complexion as well as provide a little coverage for the flaws (sun spots, acne scars, pimples) without really caking it on. But when I really want to make an impression or go out for a long day/night, I need a full coverage foundation to completely ensure I have no imperfections peeping out.

3. Texture

There are different types of foundations: powder, liquid, stick, cream, etc. I usually use a liquid foundation but during winter seasons, I prefer something heavier so I go with the cream foundations. Then, when I'm on the go, I'll usually take my foundation stick with me since it's compact and easy for travel. I usually top off my foundations with a loose powder or foundation powder anyway, so I mix and match when I feel like it. Sometimes certain textures will feel oilier than others so keep that in mind while shopping for your foundation.

4. Finish

The finish of a foundation is extremely important. How do you want your skin to look and feel? Some days I prefer a matte finish while other days I prefer a dewy finish. It's all about personal preference so decide on how you want your skin to look. Right now, I'm obsessed with Giorgio Armani's 'Designer" Shaping Cream Foundation because it gives the most natural matte finish with full coverage, it's not heavy and it looks like I have flawless skin with no makeup at all!

*Extra Tid Bit*

Don't forget to prime your skin with a foundation primer to create a smooth canvas for your foundation and to last all day long. Also, finish with a setting powder!

Elle's Favorites:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20: Here or Oil-Free Here

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick: Here

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation: Here

MAC Studio Fix Foundation: Fluid or Powder

Giorgio Armani 'Designer' Shaping Cream Foundation SPF 20: Here

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation: Here

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer: Here
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder: Here
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish powder: Here <-- This is seriously amazing!

I would love to hear what foundations you love and/or what you end up getting after reading this review! Please share in the "love notes" section! Hope this was helpful! Good luck :)

xoxo

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

Last night concluded the first decade in 2000!

Whether you stayed low-key or went to a big soiree filled with glitz & glam, champagne & disco balls, I hope you were in the company of your loved ones to end the year 2010.

And as we look forward to a new year and a fresh start, I hope you set your goals high, dream a big dream, and chase after your aspirations!

In 2011, I vow to blog more consistently, keep you informed on latest and greatest fashions and finds, and take ELLEGANCE to another level! Thank you for journeying with me through the year. It's been a fabulous ride thus far and will only continue to get better! Love you all!

Happy 2011!

xx, elle

Fashionistas & Bloggers Unite: Jinna Boo for FTF

2010-12-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

Hey lovers!

Have you checked out Jinna's blog for FULL TIME FABULOUS yet????

She is such a cute and sassy blogger with serious style.

Though only a few days remain in this contest of a lifetime, join me in supporting this awesome fashionista and blogger by visiting her BLOG and liking, rating (5 stars, duh), and commenting on her posts!

Every click counts so go ahead and start clicking! I guarantee you will love her material.

Tell a friend, tweet this post, share it on Facebook, do what you must. As long as you are showing some LOVE, it doesn't matter what you do! Here's to Jinna Boo for Full Time Fab! <3

xoxo

TanTowel: Elle's Review

2010-12-22T23:39:00.000-05:00

The winter is here, the summer is long gone, and along with summer and fall's departure goes our tan. One of the things I hate about the winter season is that my skin starts to become dry, flaky and ghostly... not a pretty sight! But we still have our holiday parties to go to and we still have our cute dresses to wear, baring our (ghostly) skin. I mean... you can fake and bake, but there are so many negative side effects that can come along with tanning in salons, so one (smarter and better) option that we can resort to is sunless self-tanners! Well obviously, like the one I'm doing this review on... TAN TOWEL!

Tan Towel contacted me last week asking me to sample their product and write a review on it. They couldn't have asked at a more perfect time! Since I was eager to get this review out so that you all can go out and get your tan towels in time for Christmas and New Years, my sister Mina and I went to work last night. :)

A little 411 on Tan Towel:

"TanTowel® was incorporated in 1998 by Australian-born Lori Braun, the president and owner of Tan Towel®. Lori´s dream to create the ultimate self-tanning product came true with her creation of the patented process of the tan towel which she started researching in her home town of Melbourne, in 1997. Lori´s desire to produce a product that would provide a healthy, natural looking glow that was simple to apply, odorless, no mess, and would not streak, brought her to the United States where she was able to achieve all of the product standards and quality that she demanded. With continued advancement, the ever-growing Tan Towel® business has seen and will continue to see the same care and quality of products being added to our line. Lori´s vision has not only exceeded expectations for herself and millions of customers all over the world, but has helped in the education of the sun damage that leads to skin cancer.

In March 2008, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary. To go along with that celebration, we have redesigned our packaging. We have the same great formula, with a brand new look."

The product we tested out was the Self-Tan Towelette for Full body application (for face and body).

(The packet they sent me)

(Product tested)

(TanTowel Towelette)

The towelettes are super easy to use. It's in the form of a baby wipe. All you have to do is evenly rub it on your entire body and face! Just to be cautious, though they stated it doesn't leave effects of discoloration, we made sure we rubbed our elbows, knees and ankles last, since most self-tanners are known to discolor those areas leaving them to be darker. Once you are done, you wash your hands immediately and voila! You are done and ready to be tan! It takes about 4-5 hours for the tan to show up, but because it dries not only immediately but clear on your skin, you can dress yourself immediately after. We actually went to sleep right afterwards and woke up to a beautiful tan. :)

So... they sent us TanTowels for 2 different types of skin: fair to medium and medium to dark. Since my sister had more of a tan to build on than I did, she used the latter. If you are gradually trying to build your tan, I would recommend going with the fair to medium towelette. The tan is lighter and is more forgiving for you accident prone people. ;) However, if you already have a darker skin tone, then I would recommend going for the medium to dark (obviously, but I just had to state it hehe).

Some perks of TanTowels is that it is a pulp fiber towelette that exfoliates your skin as you use it. Make sure you are using it on clean, dry skin! And if you think your skin needs even more moisture post use, they recommend using their Moisture Mist or their On The Glow moisturizer that will enhance your tan even more. I just used body lotion so that is fine too.

Also, the color of the tan is great! It doesn't come out orange like a lot of self-tanners do. And even greater is that they make their towelettes in Classic and Plus so you can choose according to your skin tone.

Words of precaution!

When you are applying the towelette, make sure you apply with the same force around your entire body. I know it sounds silly, but my sister had some spots that she just briefly ran the towel across without rubbing and there definitely was a difference in shade!

Also, when you are washing your hands after use, make sure you wash your hands only, and try to avoid washing your wrists. I have a few streaks on my left wrist.

But with these mistakes, they can be covered on your 2nd or 3rd rounds of using the towelettes, so no biggie. ;)

TanTowel can be purchased on their website, Sephora, Ulta, and some salons. Click here to find out where you can purchase these goodies to make you tan & glam for your cold holiday season!

Thank you TanTowel for sending me your products to test out! I definitely see myself using these in the future and I recommend them to everyone and anyone in need of a fabulous tan!

Check out their website here: www.tantowel.com

Happy tanning,

Elle

Last Christmas

2010-12-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

Hey guys!

Aren't you sooooooo excited for Christmas?!? It's right around the corner!!!

To bring you a little Christmas gift for your eyes and ears, I've been working on a fun little project in collaboration with Sky Muzik. Just wanted to add a little Christmas cheer all around so here it is...

My version of one of my Christmas favorites "Last Christmas".

Music and video credit to Sky & Jay.

Tweet them here: SkyMuzik and Jay

And of course you can tweet me too!

Hope you enjoy it, Like it, Share it, and Favorite it! :)

xo,

Elle

I'm in love...

2010-12-14T01:09:00.000-05:00

with a dress!

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011

I just had to share this breathtaking Monique Lhuillier gown with you all since it took my heart and breath away. Talk about a serious show stopper! I love how delicate the neckline is and how it blends in with the skin, creating an effect almost like this gown was just painted on. This is my idea of serious perfection. This is one of the main reasons why I wish I was a Hollywood actress... so I would have places to wear lustrous evening gowns like this to... For now, I will be happy just lusting after luster. Bravo, Lhuillier! xo, elle

CLARISONIC: my 30 day review

2010-12-09T01:17:00.001-05:00

Call it a revolution. Call it magic. Call it whatever you will.

If you have been searching for the secret to flawless skin--without having to pay hundreds and thousands of dollars at your local medspa or the dermatologist--I have some good news for you:

It's called Clarisonic.

Clarisonic is man's latest & greatest invention in the beauty industry. From the same makers of the Sonicare toothbrush, Clarisonic uses the Sonic cleansing system that works magic on your skin. These little gadgets cleanse your face with more than 300 movements per second, removing 6x more makeup and dirt from your skin. The results? Clearer, smoother, as-close-to-flawless-as-you'll-ever-achieve skin! I mean... who doesn't want that?

Ever since my college days--aka the day that irregular diet habits and late nights of partying entered my life--my perfect skin started showing signs of acne, my worst nightmare, and then the not-so-perfect skin took over entirely and what seems to be indefinitely. Since my very first breakouts, I've been left with acne scars to remind me of those dreadful days and though I've tried multiple acne and scar-reversal products, nothing's really seemed to get me the results I wanted...

Well... that is until 30 days ago, when I started using my Clarisonic Mia! Well, maybe it's an exaggeration to say that after 30 days of use, I have perfectly clear skin (the results I'm aiming for), but after 30 days of using this magical gadget, I can confidently say that my skin has experienced a huge makeover. I can see and feel a drastic difference in the texture, glow and overall complexion of my skin. It's pretty much as if I'm giving myself an at-home facial twice a day.

A perk of Clarisonic--besides making your skin smoother and clearer--is that its effect on your skin also correlates with the effects of the products you use on your face. Because your pores are smaller and cleaner, your products are more effective than before because it gets to sink deep into your pores and work its magic. So those anti-aging creams that you recently thought you wasted your money on? Give it a little more time as you start seeing the results when you start using them in conjunction with Clarisonic.

Yet another perk is that it is waterproof! You can take it in the shower with you. And I have the Clarisonic Mia (small) so it's so great for travel. I just took it on my Puerto Rico trip with me and it barely took up any space at all. The Mia is the smaller, 1-speed cleanser that is perfectly all you need for your face. But if you want to use the Clarisonic for your body as well, you may want to get the Plus which has a larger brush head for the body.

PRICES:

Clarisonic Mia $149
Clarisonic Classic $195
Clarisonic PLUS $225

Okay, this is starting to sound like a paid advertisement, but honestly I have nothing negative to say about the Clarisonic! It really is man's greatest invention and contribution to the beauty/skin care industry.

If you don't own your own Clarisonic, I suggest you get one right now, here. Or at least add it to your Christmas wishlist. It'll change your life... and if not, it'll at least change your skin. ;)

xo,
Elle

Stylish or Not-- Who's to Judge?

2010-12-06T17:36:00.000-05:00

In fashion, I guess there really is no right or wrong.

Though in my books, this horrendous outfit would be put to shame and categorized in the "never again" pile of mistakes, this seemed to capture the likes of a different audience who so happened to don this guy as one of "The Eighteen Most Stylish People From Day Five of Fashion Week".

Your reliable fashion source? nymag.com

If this guy is considered one of the most stylish people from fashion week, I really pray and hope there was a serious scarcity of attendees that day... and by that I mean none.

But who am I to judge?

xo,

Elle

His & Hers: Holiday Edition

2010-12-03T15:04:00.004-05:00

Christmas is in exactly 22 days!!!

I'm sure you have been eyeing the goods and subconsciously adding new items to your never-ending wishlist for whoever your Santa may be. I don't know about you, but when I go shopping for myself, I usually end up buying way more than intended... and though this is unfortunately selfish of me, I usually end up buying way more than imagined for myself as well when I'm actually there to shop for someone else. But... good to know that you are the same way!
So what is my point? I'm sure you've been creating your own wishlist... but the question is, do you know what you are getting for your loved ones? It's much easier to shop with a list in mind, so I'm here to help you create your holiday gift list.

Holiday shopping is a pain in the (fill in the blank) and we all know that mall traffic around this time of year is just as hectic as Black Friday shopping at 12am...if not worse. I know I definitely cringe at the thought of going to the mall around this time of year, and I prefer to do all my shopping online (thank God for e-shopping) but if you do muster up the courage to step foot into the world of chaos, you might as well be prepared with gift ideas in mind, right?

After reading through magazine upon magazine and website after website, I realized that maybe I should ask the people in my life what it was that they actually wanted. So I've asked on Twitter and Facebook for the past week what people had on their holiday wish lists to get real ideas from real people to help everyone have an easier shopping experience. When I'm shopping for guys, I haven't the slightest idea what they might want and I've heard from many guys that they end up in the same predicament. So whether you are stuck in a rut shopping for his or her present, I've got you covered with this Holiday Gift Guide (created from the most popular answers) to help you maneuver through the frantic last-minute shoppers (us included) to make this as quick and painless as possible!

I've broken it up into 3 major categories: HIS, HERS, HIS&HERS
Then divided it further into subcategories based on price range.
Keep in mind: These are real wishes from real people, however outrageous they may be.

*H I S

= $20 Range =

North Face Power Stretch Gloves

North Face Beanie

Under Armour Cold Gear Gloves

$25 Best Buy Gift Card

= $50 Range =

Kiehl's Ultimate Man Collection Set

for a well-groomed man (present or forced future)

Madden NFL 11

other video games: Call of Duty, Winning Eleven

Bleu de Chanel

only the sexiest scent out there!!

Mad for Plaid

$50 Best Buy Gift Card

= Hundred Somethings =

iPhone 4

A DigiCam

i personally like canons

You can never go wrong with TIES

Designer Wallets

Bottega Veneta

Prada, Gucci, Burberry

Lanvin Shoes

Ride Machete Snowboard

Rated #1 in Snowboarder Magazine's Best of Test 2011

= $The Big Dreamers $=

Burberry Trench

IWC Portuguese Collection Watches

Range Rover

*H E R S

= $20 Range =

Philosophy Cheers! Set

MAC Tartan Tales

= $50 Range =

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Palettes

seriously. i kid you not. these are the season's BEST eye shadow palettes out there!

gift & be loved.

Furrrr

earmuffs, hats, scarves, gloves. all great ways to wear fur!

Gold Accessories

will never fail you

= Hundred Somethings =

Michael Kors Watch

he's been on a roll.

Tiffany's: Always a Winner

Clarisonic: Skin care's BEST invention yet

alice + olivia

i'm pretty sure there's not a single girl in the world who doesn't love a+o

Designer Clutch

=$ The Big Dreamers $=

Christian Louboutin

nothing better than red soles

CHANEL

Have you ever met a girl who didn't love CHANEL?

BULGARI

If guys are asking for IWC watches, we can ask for Bulgari

*HIS & HERS

Skullcandy Earphones

iPad - #1 most requested gift!

TOMS - the gift that keeps giving (read here)

Websites where you can find great gifts at even greater prices:

If you need an invite to join, leave a comment with your name & email.

Hope you found this Holiday Gift Guide to be helpful! Now GOOD LUCK shopping for those special people in your lives! Happy holidays!! :)

I leave you with some *holiday ear candy*

xo,
Elle

THANK YOU.

2010-12-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

I want to say a quick THANK YOU to everyone who participated in my pursuit of being SGH's Full Time Fabulous fashion blogger. Unfortunately, I did not make the Final 10, but pity me not--I am extremely happy to have had this opportunity and experience. Through the voting process, I made many new friends and was thrilled to see how much love and support I received from family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike! I received many encouraging emails, tweets and messages from people who just happened to stumble on my video, and each and every message put a huge smile on my face and made me feel ever so grateful for such adoring supporters... so thank you.

With everything I do and pursue in life, I always strive forth with the same age-old mentality that pushes me to give it my all and never look back:

"Everything happens for a reason".

With that being said... this really was an incredible, eye & door-opening experience that I am so happy to say that I've had the opportunity of being part of. So thank you again! :)

Now... I would like to introduce you to one of FTF's Finalists Jinna. Check out her blog as she continues in the race to becoming SGH's first Full Time Fabulous fashion blogger! Since I can't win, might as well root on the other Korean girl, right? ;) With all jokes aside, she has a unique and strong approach to blogging, styling, and being fabulous. So check her out and join me in rooting for Jinna!

xo,

Elle

VA-VA-VS-VOOM

2010-12-01T00:12:00.001-05:00

Adriana Lima in the $2 million bra

I mean... these girls really know how to strut their stuff... not to mention, making every other girl in the universe feel a teensy bit insecure about themselves and down right jealous. Life isn't fair... but why complain? Off to the gym we go!! Well for me, I got off the couch about 5 minutes into the show and hopped right onto my treadmill to go for run #2. I just felt a little bit guilty sitting there on the couch, watching these drop-dead-gorgeous bombshells strut their perfect little bodies on the gold glittered runway.

On another note... I thought Katy Perry's performance was stellar! Very high energy--making me want to get up and dance--and of course she looked absolutely gorrrgeous, as always. I definitely think Katy Perry is one of the most beautiful girls out there!

But WHAT A PRODUCTION, huh? They never fail to amaze a highly anxious crowd with their va-va-vs-voom.

xo,
elle

Photo credit: Hollywoodcelebgossips.com

Leftover Makeover

2010-11-30T18:21:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you all have leftovers sitting in your fridge from Thursday night's Thanksgiving feast. Luckily, my family did a pretty good job cleaning out the fridge by Saturday and were only left with a few things like ham, tons and tons of cheeses, and salad mix. So, I did what any food-loving, aspiring chef (well, not really... just for my future family) would do... I created something new from something old.

Oh ps. This was our ham on Thanksgiving (of course we had turkey too, but that was gone by Friday)...

Amazing, isn't it? I can't take credit. It was my dad's creation. He's such a food artist... I'm jealous!

So anyway, I'm here to share my recipe for my mac & cheese creation, thanks to @Jill's tweet request. :)

I actually eyeballed the measurements but I'll try my best to share as accurately as I can.

Creamy Four Cheese Mac & Cheese with Honeybaked Ham

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

4 cups Elbow Macaroni

1 1/2 cup Milk

2 TBS Flour

Assorted cheese (I used what I had: aged cheddar, sharp cheddar, gouda, white cheddar)

Ham, cubed

1 tsp butter, softened

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 375°

Cook the elbow mac in salted boiling water for 7 minutes, or until al dente.

Meanwhile, place flour in a saucepan and gradually add the milk on medium heat. Cook for about 7-8 minutes, or until the sauce thickens, stirring continuously. Add cheeses and continue to stir. Add ham and s+p. Remove from heat and add the drained mac.

Coat pan with cooking spray then add the mac & cheese into the pan. Combine breadcrumbs with softened butter and sprinkle over mac & cheese. Stick in oven for 30 minutes, or until you see it bubbling with a golden brown top.

That's it! Super simple and very yummy. Make sure you hit the gym afterwards! Cheese isn't the most figure-friendly food you know. ;)

Happy cooking/eating!

xo,

Elle

Bienvenido a Puerto Rico!

2010-11-29T21:15:00.002-05:00

Hola queridos,

I recently took a family vacation to Puerto Rico (my excuse for being away from my blog) and because it was so beautiful, I wanted to insert a little bit of personal flavor and share some photos here. We stayed at the beautiful El Conquistador Resort (A Waldor Astoria Resort) in Fajardo, PR. I definitely recommend it to anyone who may be taking a trip to PR in the future. It's nice and isolated, and they own a private island which is nice and serene.

So for the next few minutes just let your mind take a mini-vacay and let it escape into these pics!

From the ferry to Palomino Island

One last look out on the blue ocean before leaving El Conquistador.

So happy I got to see an iguana right before my departure!

My vacay in a nutshell?

Clear skies and blue waters. And lots and lots of sun.

It was a blissful get-away.

xo,

Elle

But I can explain!

2010-11-24T01:03:00.001-05:00

...I was doing so well too.

Since my last post on my latest project, I've been itching and dying and dreaming of all these new posts I wanted to share with you all... but being thousands of miles away in an exotic island called Puerto Rico, the best I could do was tweet about my adventures and share my sunny photos, and save the ideas in well-composed notes in my iPhone. So that's my explanation for my brief hiatus if you will accept it. But being as tired as I am from travel--though I can't say that I did much that took strenuous efforts, the rays are really exhausting, you know--I will have to save these posts for tomorrow! That is of course after I make a trip to H&M to see what, if anything at all, is left from the Elbaz produced line.

Will post photos on my blog to share with those of you who didn't vicariously take a vacation with me!

xoxo,

a sun-kissed elle

SENIOR PORTRAITS

2010-11-17T00:12:00.000-05:00

Introducing to you... two adorable high school seniors, Eunice & Cathy.

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of teaming up with Jen Roh from Photoria Studios (the one who made my amazing video for my Full Time Fabulous contest entry) to do the makeup for these two lovely girls for their senior portraits. I can barely remember when I took my senior portraits. It seems like eternity since I was in high school. But being around the jovial, young spirits of Eunice and Cathy quickly restored my youth in some ways, and it didn't seem like too long ago that I was also a teenage girl. Being around teens definitely inspires me to inspire them. Growing up as the oldest child, I didn't have too many role models to look up to, but the very few I had, I loved and worshipped. I think it's important for the younger generation to have good role models to look up to. We rarely realize what an impact we can make in their lives... but believe me when I say, they are all looking for someone to look up to. So go out there and befriend that young girl or boy, adopt a little sibling, and make change. It all has to start somewhere, doesn't it?

These girls were so charming and endearing... and not to mention, such naturals in front of the camera! I wanted them to look youthful and not older than they are; so I used a bright pink blush (Pale Pink, Bobbi Brown) and kept the rest of their makeup pretty natural, using golds and browns on Cathy and soft blues and greys on Eunice. They had such great skin and I advised them not to wear heavy makeup in order to maintain that natural glow. They were such excellent models and super fun to work with!

Jen and I both fell in love with the charming girls immediately and both wanted to adopt them! Lol. Hopefully we won't grow such fond attachments to every single client we meet; otherwise we may end up becoming the Branjolina's of senior portraits... Parents beware... haha jk! ;)

Here's a couple more photos of the beautiful girls for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

xo,

Elle

Beauty Show over Beauty Sleep? Yes Please!

2010-11-14T17:00:00.002-05:00

Saturday mornings are usually the times when you catch up on your much needed sleep, sleep without setting an alarm, and dream on and on about whatever whimsical life you wish to be living. At least that's usually what my Saturday mornings are like...except for this one particular Saturday.

Yesterday, instead of catching up on my beauty sleep, I woke up at the crack of dawn, choosing beauty show over beauty sleep, and attended Nordstrom's Fall 2010 Cosmetics Trend Show. This is a show that Nordstrom puts on twice a year (spring & fall) to share, demonstrate and apply new beauty trends for the current season. Me being obsessed with everything and anything "beauty", it's safe to say that though I may not be able to wake up for fire alarms, it's no problem waking up bright and early to get my juices flowing for the sake of beauty.

"Paint the Town Beautiful", the theme of this season's event, was held at Tysons Corner's Nordstrom and was hosted by Nordstrom Beauty Director Julianne De'Chaump, who was extremely festive and energetic...to the point where you're thinking, "How in the world is this woman this crazy at 8 in the morning?!" Talk about severe passion! Well it's needless to say that she got the 700+ crowd to wake up and to get us all riled up over the latest and greatest beauty trends for FALL 2010!

In order to "paint the town beautiful", there are 3 essentials (and then some) to be equipped with before you go on your beauty rampage. I will share what I think are absolute musts, but don't worry... there's more to come. Ready to paint the town red???

1. RED LIPSTICK

Red lips pretty much scream sexy, bold, & confident: everything you want to be. It turns heads, stops traffic, and pretty much is the #1 beauty essential for this fall/winter season! Not only are you going to wear this to all of your holiday parties, you are going to wear it to work, to date night, to shopping with friends... pretty much everywhere. Try to find the perfect red for you. What works for your best friend may not necessarily mean it'll also be the best match for you. Try different swatches on your hand and compare the colors. Is one too blue? Is one too pink? Find a TRUE RED as it is the most coveted lip for this season. It's such a bold statement that you don't want to go overboard with the makeup, but rather ease up on the eyes by pairing it with trend #2...

2. THE ULTRA-WINGED EYELINER

We've all been exposed to the smokey eye, the two-toned lids, and everything else in between. Playing with eye shadows and mixing colors is one of my favorite things in makeup, but this season, let's try to clean it up a bit and try a look that basically gives you an instant eye lift. Winged eyeliner. That's it. Especially when you're going with a bold statement on your lips (red, dark berry, coral), you may want to use a matte eyeshadow in a soft neutral shade as a base, then go with one clean sweep of black eyeliner and wing it like you've never winged before. This way it's simple enough to compliment your lips, but loud enough to make a statement on its own. Top it off with eyelash primer (for healthier, thicker, longer lashes), mascara, and there you have it! Trend #2!

3. LUMINOUS SKIN

Luminous skin = healthy, young skin. I think we all want an order of that! Grab an illuminating highlighter from MAC, Smashbox, or Lancome and cheat your way to glowing skin... or work from the inside out. You know what they say! "Beauty comes from deep within." But what I mean by within is deep within your skin cells. (Go to church to get the beauty from deep deep deep within, like within your soul.) One of the latest and greatest gadgets in the cosmetic industry is CLARISONIC. Lucky for me, I just got a Clarisonic Mia for my birthday and I've been using this little piece of heaven day and night, every single day... meaning I'm giving myself an at-home facial every single day!

Clarisonic is a cleansing tool used to wash your face. But this isn't just any kind of wash. It's like the King Supreme Ultimate car wash of facials. By washing at over 300 movements per second (sonic technology), it removes six times more makeup than if you normally washed your face, and makes pores smaller, giving your smoother, softer, better skin. I've been using this new love of my life for about 8 days now, and I can honestly say that I already feel my skin being softer and looking more radiant! If you really want luminous skin, invest in a Clarisonic because it surely is skin-changing.

Here's to fresh fall beauty and a new fabulous you!

xo,
Elle

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All that Glittersss is Gold*

2010-11-08T20:57:00.000-05:00

One of my absolute favorite trends for this fall is the all-time luxe way to be a showstopper: in glitzy gold!
It's an obvious way to shine and stand out at a party but you can also work it into your daily outfits... even to the office!

You don't want to overdo the trend by dressing from head to toe, but bits and pieces of sparkle here and there are a necessity! Here are some dreamy pieces you can work into your very own closet:

This Elizabeth & James number would be gorgeous for dinner or a night out paired with a loose, silk white blouse, some opaque black tights and of course sky-high heels. $385 Buy it here!

If you're looking for a new way to spice up your LBD, go to this gold sequined jacket from BCBG Max Azria for added glamour. $398

For the really bold chics out there, this gold sequin Aqua dress is really a showstoppin' number! This would be great for a holiday party, birthday party or any party! As long as you have a champagne flute in hand filled with bubbly, you're good to go! For added drama, intensify your eyes with a black smokey look! $178 - What a steal.

You can wear this sparkly top under your suit for just a little bit of day time shine and when you're done with work, switch your blazer with your black leather jacket for an quick and easy work-to-night transition. Find this tank at your local Nordstrom for just $39!

Need I say anything at all??? This piece will stand alone against any monochromatic backdrop. You could totally rock this necklace to work even! I'm in love. Amazing. $275

Dazzling shoes to make every head turn, and at every price.

Jimmy Choos $950

Jimmy Choos $465

Joan & David $220

Steve Madden $89.95

With these suggestions, whether you decide to add a piece of gold to your accessories or your wardrobe, add a little sparkle into your life and remember: all that glittersss is gold!

xo, Elle

Sass & Pizazz. Lanvin for H&M!

2010-11-02T02:28:00.001-04:00

So we've all been waiting for this...

Lanvin x H&M = a fashionista's dream come true!

I particularly love Lanvin because designer Alber Elbaz really understands how to capture the essence of a woman's beauty. His inspirations come from women he knows, and even women he doesn't know, but wishes to know. He designs with an understanding of what makes a woman look good and feel good. His dramatic designs of puff one shoulders, ruffles, and bright colors are what I hoped he would infuse into his H&M line, and he did just that. It's so great to have him designing for H&M because now we can actually afford his masterpieces! Elbaz never fails to arouse excitement, love and joy with his clothing. And his H&M line is no different.

November 23 is the big day for Lanvin x H&M. His collection of womenswear and menswear will hit 200 stores worldwide on this special day that shall go down in history. So mark your calendars and get ready to shop Lanvin for H&M!

I <3 Alber Elbaz!

~Queen for a Day~

2010-11-02T00:12:00.002-04:00

This year for Halloween, I decided that I wanted to be royalty and chose to go as Cleopatra! Not only is her costume regal with all the gold accents and headdress, just the makeup alone is exotic! It's all about the eyes--the winged eyeliner, the bold colors, the defined, extended eyebrows--I love Cleopatra's makeup! I wanted to share some of my pictures with you so please look through and enjoy! Unfortunately, I could only take photos from my MacBook Pro so I didn't get to capture the details as I had hoped.

All 3 characters were done by me:

Zombie

Kanye West

Cleopatra

I also made my own headdress :)

What I used on my eyes: Sephora's Flashy Ultra Green as a base, mixture of blue shadows on top with the darker blue on the outer corner. Gold eyeshadow on the top, blending into the green-blue, also gold on the inner eyelid. Bobbi Brown's Black Ink gel liner. I also added little skin gems to the corner of my eye and at the tip of the wing where it meets the eyebrow!

The Zombie makeup was done using my brightening BB cream, translucent powder, purple and gray eyeshadows to give a sunken in look around his eyes, mouth and hollows of his cheeks. I added some red blush right below his eyes to give a bloodshot effect. We used fake skin to create bruises and scabs, adding red and purple shadows on top, and a lottttt of fake blood!

I love this picture because everyone's full in character mode!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! :)

The Gift of Giving

2010-11-01T01:19:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of TOMS shoes?

It's an amazing movement.

Read on...

When you give a gift to someone, doesn't it feel really great? Whether it is a physical gift for a special occasion (like a birthday, wedding, or anniversary) or an intangible gift (such as love, laughter, or comfort), we give from our hearts and we give just to give. The greatest gift of all is when you know you've impacted another person in a positive way by making them happy, excited, motivated, etc. We feel good when we give, and that in itself is a beautiful thing.

When Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, went on a vacation to Argentina, he actually got inspired for his next (successful) business endeavor as he witnessed a reality that broke his heart. It was on the streets of Buenos Aires that he witnessed many children walking around barefoot. And when he dug deeper, he found that it was a sad reality for many children living in 3rd world countries.

Blake had the opportunity to interview some mothers in Argentina asking them about their children. One mother told him that she had three children, and those three children only had one pair of shoes that they all had to share. In order to go to school, you have to have shoes on... so if the first child went to school on Monday, he wouldn't be able to go again until Thursday since his brother and sister would go to school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Can you imagine not being able to get education because you don't have shoes? We are so fortunate to own shoes for every outfit, style and season. We don't even remember our first pair of shoes because we had them since before we could even walk. Some children never even own a pair of shoes until they are 10 years old!

Wouldn't it be amazing to help these children by giving a pair of shoes? That's exactly what Blake was thinking when he witnessed these unfortunate realities. He was moved, convicted and inspired to help.

So he started TOMS.

TOMS are canvas shoes. They may not be the cutest or most stylish shoes out there, but they are shoes that spread the gift of giving--and giving is always in fashion. When you purchase one pair of TOMS, another pair is donated to a child in need in a third world country. How amazing is that? Not only are you donating a pair of shoes to a child, you are helping them in more ways than you could ever imagine. They get to play outside with protected feet, they are less likely to contract a disease, they get their education... it's an amazing gift. It feels great to know you're making a difference in someone's life, doesn't it?

Blake started the company four years ago and the main focus and vision for the company was one word: give. It was derived from a biblical principle in Proverbs 3:9-10 which says "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine". Before Blake started TOMS, he had bought out his shares from another company he owned. With that money, he could've bought 40,000 pairs of shoes and given it to children in need. Instead, he invested that money into TOMS, which actually is the only investment ever made to this day, and by doing so, they have been able to give away so much more. In the past four years that they've been in business, they have gifted over 680,000 pairs of shoes!!! Incredible, isn't it???

As amazing as it is to know that there are over 680,000 kids who now have shoes, the truth is that there are still millions of kids in need. It is never too late to give a gift of love, hope and joy. You can help in changing a child's life! Buy a pair of TOMS and help a child in need. It may be the first pair he or she has ever owned in his or her life!

Also to spread the word and be part of this incredible movement, mark your calendars for "One Day Without Shoes". On APRIL 05, 2011 go to work, go to school, go meet your friends... barefoot. It doesn't cost anything to take your shoes off, but surely people will ask you "Why?". And that's when YOU get to share this inspiring story!

Make an impact. Create change. Let's do it together.

Let's give the gift of giving.

www.toms.com

Trick or Treat?

2010-10-28T03:31:00.000-04:00

Do you have your Halloween costume planned out?? Well, considering it's 3 days(!!!) before Halloween--but really only 1 or 2 days before the parties--most of you will probably answer "yes" to that silly question.

Every year, I look forward to dressing up and doing some fun makeup for Halloween and I get pretty excited for it starting September. However, excitement does not necessarily mean execution. I never have an idea of what I am going to be until couple days before the party... and that's when I become that girl who waited until the last minute, and is found rummaging through what's left in the costume store on Hallow's Eve, trying to come up with a decently cute costume idea, when really I could've avoided the frustration of having barely any cute/sexy options to choose from, and ends up having to settle for something "easy" and more often than not, played out.

Well, the tradition continues on... but I'm a little better off this year than previous years. I have an idea of what I want to be (although I'm still taking an easy route) so I've been to the mall twice this week already! But I'm still left frustrated, annoyed and burnt out from costume shopping because now that I actually do know what I'm looking for, it is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! Don't you hate that? I swear every time I'm on a mission to find something at the mall, it's more than impossible.

I'm thinking of going to the fabric store to just buy fabric and trimmings and make a DIY project out of my procrastination.

One thing I actually did accomplish at the mall today was buying the makeup! Hehe~ I just so happened to walk right into Sephora and well, you know how it is when you walk into that kingdom of makeup! ;)
I'm super excited to do my makeup! I even bought tiny little skin-jewels to really add some sparkle.

I'll give you a *hint* of who I decided to be....
This is the color of my eyeliner:

Well good luck guessing and good luck to you all with your costume adventures! I'll post photos later!
Everyone BE SAFE & HAVE FUN!

xoxo,
Elle

---

*PS!* Voting for the Full-Time Fabulous contest is now open! So please vote for me and tell all your friends to vote too! Thank you!!! VOTE HERE!!

FULL-TIME FABULOUS

2010-10-25T23:56:00.002-04:00

IS WHAT I WANT TO BE!!!!!!!

HI LOVERS & FRIENDS! AHHHH! Oops, sorry for the "all caps"... I'm just a little too excited right now and my blog is where I can truly express myself, right? SO LIKE I WAS SAYING... AHHHHHHHHHHH! :)

Sunglass Hut--an amazing store btw--is giving one lucky winner the opportunity of a lifetime! They are hiring one fashion savvy, super passionate, stylish blogger to live in NYC for a year, travel to all the fashion shows in Paris, Milan, London, live like a serious superstar earning $100,000+--all basically a dream come true to anyone like me--and all I have to do is continue being passionate, continue loving fashion, beauty and travel, and write about the super fab life as a FULL-TIME FABULOUS blogger!

I know... how ah-mazzzz-ing, right?!

So to enter this fab contest, I had to submit a video entry. There will be a voting period from this Thursday, October 28 through Wednesday, November 17! On December 01, the top 10 finalists will be revealed and then there will be a one month long "BLOG-OFF" before the one lucky contender is chosen and handed the golden ticket to a full-time fabulous life!

So for now... I urge you to watch, love and vote for MY VIDEO and of course, tell the world about it!!
Tweet, IM, Facebook, and e-mail the link to your friends, your family members, your co-worker, your boss, your lover, your acquaintances and even the random person sitting next to you on the Metro! Tell one, tell all! And help me win MY DREAM JOB!

I love you all and I love Ellegance but if I win this job, I'd be giving you way more exciting content! First hand glitz and glam from fashion shows, fashion events and parties, exclusive interviews, latest trends, the list goes on and on.... you know your reading material will only get more exciting! ;)

So what are you waiting for?! Spread the word! It's a fashion virus!
Starting Thursday, please VOTE VOTE VOTE!

VOTE FOR ME! ELLE C! VOTE HERE!

xoxo <3

I Love Bobbi

2010-10-23T19:12:00.000-04:00

If you know me, you know my obsession with BOBBI BROWN cosmetics. I've loved her ever since my first application of her Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. It was the easiest, smoothest, greatest eyeliner I've ever tried. And the colors! Ah~ so many beautiful colors to choose from--whether it's a matte or shimmer finish you are looking for--she's got 'em all and in different colors to enhance your eyes and make them sparkle.

Speaking of SPARKLE! I just bought an eyeshadow quad from her NEWEST collection. It is the Limited Edition Sparkle Glamour Quad. Everything about the quad screams GLAM, FAB, PARTY, STYLE!

Is this not the most amazing eyeshadow quad you've ever seen? It's perfect for all the holiday parties that will be coming up but also wearable during the day as well! You can just use the lighter two shades for day and then edge it up at night by adding the darker tones in the crease. One cool perk of this quad is that it's actually not really a quad. The separation of eye shadows and the border is actually a gold shimmer eyeshadow as well! Cool, huh?

Last Thursday, Bloomingdales in Tysons Corner had a Bobbi Brown event where I got the opportunity to meet one of Bobbi's very own makeup artists Ricki. It was such a pleasure to meeting her and having her do my makeup! I so envy her job! She was really great. I asked her to create a nice fall look for me using this Sparkle Glamour Quad so she gave me a soft smokey eye with dark lips. I love the dark lip trend! Don't be scared of it... give it a try! You'll be pleasantly surprised. :)

What she used: Hydrating eye cream, Corrector in Bisque, concealer in Warm Beige, the NEW Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12 in Beige, Light Bronzer, Peony Blush, Malted Cream Eyeshadow, Cavier Gel Eyeliner Extreme Party mascara, the NEW Black Cherry Creamy Lipcolor and of course the Sparkle Glamour Quad!

I LOVE BOBBI BROWN! <3
www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com
twitter: @askbobbibrown

LANVIN Spring 2011 RTW

2010-10-10T01:18:00.000-04:00

Collection summary: A combination of edgy, chic and bad-ass. Listen to it say....

"I'm bold, bad and beautiful!"

"The whole idea of fashion is to make women fly and to make women beautiful, and to make women glamorous."

-Alber Elbaz

Don't Be Moody...

2010-10-08T16:20:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning feeling the fall breeze and I was certain today was going to be a chilly day. So I reached for my knit over-the-knee socks that I had been dying to pull out. Then I go outside and find the weather to be rather warm... like it was still summer, just with a cool breeze. The weather really needs to make up its mind! Are you summer? Or are you fall? Stop being so moody! Maybe if I started dressing for fall, it would just turn into and stay as fall weather... ?

If you read my other blog "La Dolce Vita", you probably already know the story about my ring. Literally seconds after this photo was taken, the big pearl fell off and rolled into my sink... and down, down, down the drain in went... I'm devastated because this was a handmade one-of-a-kind ring I had so carefully chosen in a jewelry boutique in Florence, Italy, and I had treasured its uniqueness so much. Sadly, the ring is now incomplete without the main pearl... so unless I can find a perfect tiny pearl to fit into the empty spot, this ring will no longer be treasured in my collection. It will be loved, but never worn. :(

Cherish your jewels. xoxo.

Pamper Yourself!

2010-10-05T16:31:00.000-04:00

Dove Deordorant presents this fall's SPA WEEK EVENT!
The dates are from October 11 ~ 17.

This event runs across the entire nation, and also includes Canada!
Major spas participate in this event where they offer their spa packages or specific treatments at a fixed $50 rate just for Spa Week! Last year, my friends and I bought treatments at Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa and instead of paying $75, we got our treatments for $50! Different spas offer different packages and treatments so just browse through the different spas in your area, see who's participating and choose the package/treatment you'd like to indulge yourself in! Take a friend or two, or maybe make it a ladies family event with your mom, sis, whoever and enjoy being pampered at just $50!

Who doesn't need a spa get-away?

Check out the Spa Week website, follow them on Twitter, and book your appointment today!

What are you going to indulge in?

Beauty Report: ELLEGANCE BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

2010-09-23T22:50:00.028-04:00

I want to look beautiful.

Isn't that every girl's confession? The summer is now coming to an end and we've all had our fair share of fun in the sun, leaving our skin anything but fair. Many of us are probably guilty of not protecting our skin from the sun and there's nothing harder than trying to reverse sun damage. (Go see a dermatologist.) However, with a touch of the right makeup, we can all look and feel beautiful with that perfectly flawless face--and for FALL '10, every makeup guru, every beauty editor... they will all tell you that they're all crazed about a clean, luminous palette.

So I'm here to share some of my favorite beauty products that I use to achieve a flawless look, whether I'm enhancing already beautiful skin or merely creating a clean canvas from scratch by playing with what the makeup geniuses have created for us. Here are my Beauty MUST-HAVES:

Perricone MD Citrus Facial Wash $35.

Citrus Facial Wash is non-drying gentle skin cleanser that removes all impurities including makeup. It provides anti-aging benefits with DMAE and Vitamin C Ester to help improve tone, clarity and texture, unveiling skin's natural radiance. Paraben-free.

The Vitamin C in this cleanser acts as a brightening agent to improve your skin, scars, and spots left or created from sun damage. I've been using it for about a year and have no plans on changing my cleanser.

Philosophy Hope In A Jar $38.

The 'hope in a jar' original formula was created for the medical market and is a world-renowned skin cream. It contains beta glucan, a powerful antioxidant, which enhances skin immunology; and lactic acid, which gently exfoliates skin to reveal smoother, healthier-looking skin. For years, plastic surgeons have been recommending this formula to patients in pursuit of younger, healthier skin. Results can be seen and felt within days, leaving a healthy, rosy glow to the skin that doesn't require makeup or cover-up.

My skin feels so refreshed and rejuvenated after using this moisturizer. When I first tried the product, I think it only took about a week for me to actually see the results!

A perk: It's also Oprah's favorite moisturizer! :)

Try the Hope in a Jar SPF 25 for the day time. SPF is vital since sun damage is the #1 source for wrinkles, sun spots, and al the fine lines and spots we don't want on our face!

Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener $38.

Bobbi’s Tinted Eye Brightener, now in a NEW portable pen. Back-of-cab makeup artists (you know who you are): With just a quick twist and a click - no need to pack a separate brush - you can apply this lightweight concealer to instantly brighten under-eye circles and refresh your makeup. Available in eight shades.

By brightening the under eye area, you instantly look more awake. Not only does this pen work as a concealer, it also works as a highlighter to define your cheekbones, brow bones, nose and cupid's bow! It's a 2-in-1 done deal. My fave product, especially when I'm on the go.

Bobbi Brown Lip Treatment Balm SPF 15 $17.

Specially formulated with Wheat Germ and Olive Oil, this comfortable, non-greasy lip balm immediately goes to work comforting and protecting lips. Wear alone for natural look, with Lip Liner or Lip Gloss. Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15 comes in a sleek and portable polished silver tin.

It might seem a bit pricey for a lip balm, but it is so worth every penny! I can never go anywhere without this balm because not only does it lock in moisture in my lips, it gives a nice polish! So even if I leave the house without lipstick or gloss, I know that this balm will rescue me every time.

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation $50.

Laura created this modern, lightweight foundation that floats over skin without visibly settling into fine lines. The hydrating formula includes a multipeptide complex infused with Dermaxyl and advanced optical diffusers that help to visibly smooth out lines and wrinkles. Perfect for normal to dry skin, Creme Smooth Foundation offers buildable coverage with a radiant, smooth finish. Available in 12 shades across a range of skin tones.

Her newest formula, and probably the best! The coverage is great and it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. Your skin really looks as smooth as a baby's butt. Two thumbs up to Laura for her Creme Smooth Foundation! Genius in a jar!

Note: Finish with Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder for a soft, natural finish.

MAC Soft 'n Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish $28.

A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face.

With this finishing touch, your skin looks flawless and luminous every time. It's a definite must-have!

With the use of these products, you will be able to create that clean, luminous, perfect face for the fall. These are some of my beauty essentials and I'm pretty sure after you try it out, it will soon be added to your collection of Must-Haves as well. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and hope you enjoy the products that I recommended just as much as I love them! All of these products are available at Nordstrom.com and most are available at Sephora.com.

I would love to hear and SEE feedback so please feel free to post up photos of yourself!

But remember: there's no better hydrator to make your skin glow than water itself, so make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and get your beauty sleep! ;)

See you with a fresh new face soon!

Elle

Are you RTW Fall '10?

2010-09-15T23:06:00.013-04:00

Fall is finally here!!!

After months of humidity, heat and mosquitos, I'm finally starting to feel the humidity being cut back and the cool breeze blowing through! Thank God!

Summers are always fun -- BBQ cookouts, fireworks, pool parties, shorts & sandals, beach trips, etc etc. -- but let's face it. Fall's where it's at! Perfect weather, foliage, and most importantly... FALL FASHION!!!

This fall, like every fall, there is soooo much to look forward to! Fur, leather, smoke, layering, wo"mens"wear, bling, teal beauty, socks like you've never worn 'em before, glitz & gold, and for my male audience... football! ;)'

I've been waiting and waiting... and now that I'm finally starting to feel the cool air, I'm ready to fall back!

Love & Glamour

2010-08-19T15:58:00.003-04:00

Fashion is a lifestyle.

It's a choice.

It's a freedom of expression.

You have to live it, you have to love it

You have to breathe it...

Life's all about love & glamour.

Summer Eats

2010-06-20T17:05:00.008-04:00

Do you live to eat? Or eat to live?

Whatever the case, I'm here to share some "summer eats" with you all. In the summertime, it's so hot and the last thing you want to eat is something hot or heavy. I mean, we need to stay in shape for the pool/beach, right? ;) I love to use fresh foods to keep things light, healthy and still very tasty!
Here are some of my "summer eats" to eat, share and enjoy!

This is the light dinner that I prepared for me and my friend.
Menu:
Caprese Bruschetta
A mixed salad with chicken
Kono Sauvignon Blanc
Cupcakes *courtesy of Lisa*

Mixed salad with chicken--

When I studied abroad in Barcelona, my host mother would sometimes pack me this random salad for lunch... it literally had every random vegetable in it, and was mixed in the simplest vinagrette, but it was so yummy! So I made something similar, but of course with a twist.

Ingredients:
Romaine lettuce,
Vine riped tomatoes
Red onion
Avocado
Grilled corn (you can use canned but grilled is much yummier!)
White beans (rinsed and drained)
Cilantro
Grilled chicken

I mixed all the above ingredients together and tossed it in a simple vinagrette I made with Balsamic vinegar, olive ol, s+p, dijon mustard, honey, and sugar.
Then at the end to give it a little punch, I squeezed lime juice over the salad!
For the grilled chicken, I had a balsamic glaze but you can do whatever your tastebuds crave. :)
It's a really great salad if you want something light, fresh and filling.

Caprese bruschetta--

I just LOVE caprese salads and bruschetta. This is so simple to make.
Slice the baguette (I used Batard from Wegmans) and drizzle a little olive oil on it and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.

For the bruschetta, dice your vine riped tomatoes, fresh mozarella cheese, julienne fresh basil leaves and red onions. Add salt, pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Mix together and top it on each slice of bread! So simple, so delicious and so perfect for the summer! :)

Today, I woke up in the mood for a breakfast sandwich. But when I looked over at the baguette I had leftover from last night's dinner, I immediately craved french toast. But I still wanted an egg and cheese sandwich, especially since my fridge was filled with different cheeses. So I decided to be a little creative and fuzed the 2 foods into 1. :)

Michelle's Egg and Cheese Toast--

You can use any kind of cheese or bread you desire. I chose Vermont White Cheddar and the batard baguette I had leftover.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare in a shallow bowl egg mixture-- egg, splash of milk, salt and pepper.
Thinly slice the baguette and soak in egg mixture as you would french toast slices.
In a frying pan, drizzle olive oil and then cook the bread about 1 minute per side or until done with a nice golden brown finish.
Once the toast is done, place on a baking sheet. Top one slice with your sliced cheese and then place another bread on top to make a sandwich. Repeat with others and then bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until you see that the cheese starts oozing.

That's it! Your Egg and cheese toast is ready to be enjoyed! :)

The dishes are super simple. Anyone can make it and they are all full of flavor! Hope you guys enjoy these "summer eats" and share with your loved ones! :)

Eat well, pray often, laugh much.

Cheers,

Elle

Breaking out? It's the simple things we need to be aware of...

2010-06-11T02:50:00.006-04:00

Hey all!

You know how we get random pimples on our face? And we have no idea why and it drives us crazy that we get 'em? Well, I'll tell you some of the most common reasons why we break out and will offer some solutions to get rid of these problems!

How often do you use makeup? Everyday?
And how often do you clean your makeup brushes? Not so often?
Well ladies... one of the most common reasons we break out is from the bacteria build up caused by our frequently used, yet unwashed makeup brushes! It's such an easy thing we can do to eliminate stupid zits! I recommend washing your makeup brushes once a week. However, with your liquid foundation brush/concealer brush, you should be washing those everyday. Yes, it's annoying and you're asking yourself "Really? Everyday?", but yes, we should wash our foundation/concealer brushes everyday because the liquids are more prone to build up bacteria in our brushes and that is also the brush that sweeps our entire face!
I use MAC's brush cleaner for mine and it works really well. Make sure you get all the guck out... even all the foundation/eyeliner/shadow/blush stuck in the core of the brushes!
And if you don't want to invest in the brushes, you can definitely use mild soap and water... or even shampoo works!

Cell phones. How often do you talk on the phone daily? You know your phone is literally sitting on your face when we are gabbing away with our friends about where to go tonight or what happened last night... and in the meantime, whatever bacteria might have been on your phone screen is now on your face. I'd recommend talking on speakerphone when possible and if not, then at least try not to have it press against your face!

Do you toss and turn in your sleep? Or do you sleep upright? ...the whole night??? I'm sure at one point your face is laying on the pillow and yep, you guessed it! Pillow cases need to be washed every so often! Think about it... your head lays on the pillow. The oil from your hair gets on the pillow and when you face is against the pillow, the oil from your hair is now on your face! Not like we process these things in our head when we are trying to have a good night's sleep, right? It's the simple, everyday things that we overlook that is causing the random pimples! Yeah, they may also be caused by your "time of the month", change it diet, or hormones... but often times than not, they are forming because we are careless and not mindful of these simple solutions that could leave us with clear, blemish-free faces! :)

So now that I've pointed out some of the not-so-obvious-but-obvious causes and offered some simple solutions... start minding the simple things that are so easy to be overlooked and see if this helps with those random breakouts from appearing on your face!

Wishing you all beautiful skin... :)

Product recommendation:
Kiehl's Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment

Available on www.kiehls.com and www.nordstrom.com

MUZIK!

2010-05-25T23:44:00.005-04:00

I have so many friends who are so talented and they are doing their thing, living their dream so I just want to give a shout out! (or two. or three. lol.)

These guys are local rappers from the NOrthernVA area and they are so diligent in their music careers! They're doing their thing so if you haven't heard of them yet, check them out!

MANIFEST
He just released his 3rd album: OPEN BARS
I've listened to the whole thing and it is amazing!!! Not to mention I have a little feature in one of the songs ;)
Check out his stuff at whosmanifest.blogspot.com
and follow him on Twitter! @whosmanifest
or his YouTube vids are at www.youtube.com/whosmanifest
and become a fan on his Facebook page!! :)

J L
He finally released his first album! YAY!!!! :)
He's from the 757 but now in NOVA!
Get his new album: GUARANTEED RAW @ www.gauranteedrawmusic.blogspot.com
and follow him on Twitter! @JL757

SICKBOI
He just featured on a song with BaeKyung in Korea! Check out the song "2010"!
And his official site just launched so check it out at sickboimusic.com!
Follow him on Twitter! @thesickboi
And his album is coming out soon so stay tuned!!!

I think it's great that they are pursuing their dreams and I'm so proud to call them my friends! Definitely check them out, show some love and buy some CD's!! ;)

To all the dreamers out there... turn your dreams into a reality! These guys are doing it. So can you! ;)

California Love

2010-05-18T00:38:00.004-04:00

Just got back from my weekend trip.

Los Angeles. City of Angels. Never fails.

I always have a great time out there. First, just seeing all my friends and meeting new people, eating all the good food and enjoying the great weather... great shopping, a nightlife with unlimited options... what more could you ask for, right?

Being in LA this weekend rekindled my love for the city and the lifestyle. Everything is much more laid back on the west coast compared to VA. As soon as I got back to Dulles airport, I noticed the difference when I saw people rushing up the escalators. People on the west coast seem to enjoy their lives more; it reminded me of my life in Barcelona, Spain. Longer meals, lazily walking the promenades, spending hours at the beach, the nightlife filled with options upon options. I realized this really is the life for me. VA is great and all but while I'm young, I need to be filled with some more excitement, some freedom to do whatever I feel.

I've gotten stuck in the nova life. I just had this conversation with a friend who is living in a big city about how people in nova get so comfortable and live the same lifestyle day after day, year after year. We need to be exposed to new lifestyles to step out of our comfort zones. I for sure want to be in a place where one, fashion is prominent and two, there are endless opportunities to have the freedom of creativity without the world of judgment on your shoulders.

I have been home for 1 day and already all I can think is "Take me back!!!!" ;)
It was definitely a fun trip! I'll post a couple of pictures for visual stimulation ;)

I came, I saw, I conquered.

2010-04-18T21:41:00.007-04:00

Travel abroad. It's the best thing you can do for yourself in terms of opening your eyes, seeing things from a different perspective, and learning something new about yourself.

Try a new fashion, a new food or a new language. Be open minded, be curious, and go explore.
I've traveled quite a bit to different cities in the US, but it's nothing like my travels abroad. When you're placed in a different country, you're completely taken out of your comfort zone, and that is when you gain eye-opening experiences.

If you haven't done so before, go. Go somewhere. Anywhere. It's good for you. ;)

Places I've traveled:
*Canada (Vancouver <3)
*Mexico - Guadalajara, Sierra Tarahumara, Juarez, Cancun
*Bahamas ;)
*Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Costa Brava, Toledo, San Lorenzo, Girona)
*Italy (Milan, Florence, Rome, Pisa)
*Paris, France <3
*Porto, Portugal
*Gran Canaria
*S. Korea

I really love to travel. I've grown so much and have broken out of my shell through these travels. I've broken out of bad habits I never even realized I had while being in my comfort zone. Whether it was for work, study or pleasure, I've gotten so much exposure to the life around me, learned new fashions/cultures, and realized that travel is a necessity in living a life of happiness.

Where to next...?? ;)

Dream On~

2010-04-14T01:11:00.004-04:00

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I'm sure you all had your dreams when you were younger... but did you pursue them? Have they changed? Did you give up? Are you living your dreams?

When I was younger, my dream was to be in entertainment--a singer, model and an actress. These dreams haven't changed much since then, although as I grew older in the recent years I've learned to set those dreams aside. I always said "this is God's calling" and tried to pursue what I could, but not much of it was in my control since my parents didn't support it.
Now that I've started my career and ball's starting to get rolling, I feel like digressing would be such a huge set back in my career and life. I'm 23. Yeah, I know I'm not old, but I'm not young either. I'm not at that stage anymore where I can just do whatever I want and not worry about taking responsibility for it afterwards.
I'm not living the dream that I hoped I'd be living but I now have new dreams and ambitions. To throw those away to pursue my long "forgotten" dreams would be silly, wouldn't it? But dont you all have an itch that brings you back to those days way back when you had your dreams of what you wanted to be when you grew up? What if we did close our eyes and took leaps of faith hoping that those first dreams really were what we were intended to do? That those first dreams should still be our dreams today? Whatever it is you decide to pursue, pursue it with all your heart, mind and soul because no matter what the outcome, you will learn from it, and they will all be a life experience you can live to tell about. Right?

Maybe I will reach for those stars again to pursue what I first wanted to do.... just maybe.

Put your mind at ease

2010-03-25T19:12:00.004-04:00

Well Hello!

Yes I've been away for a few months and have not been very diligent in keeping my blog updated. SORRY~

I've been pretty preoccupied lately with work rolling along, starting my training for future growth meaning more meetings, more this, more that. I've been pretty stressed out lately and I've been trying to find a cure to end sleepless nights, my shopping splurges to find healing in retail therapy and eating whatever I crave at the moment--obviously that will indefinitely cause more stress when I start seeing the chocolate on my butt/thighs, right? Anyway, so after doing all this to find peace and tranquility (and nothing seemed to work), I went back to the simplest form of relaxation which should've been an obvious answer from the get go: yoga.

I rushed over to the gym last night at 8:20, 5 minutes late to the class, but I went in anyway to find my inner peace. And let me tell you... for those of you who feel any sort of stress in your life, please resort yourself to yoga. It is the best hour getaway you'll ever find and treat yourself to. I can't believe how much time, money and calories I wasted when the answer was so simple! So if you're stressed, let yoga be your best friend to comfort you. It truly works.

I'll be sure to post more. Sorry for the hiatus.

Xx,
ELLE

Live, Love, Laugh!

2010-01-08T00:58:00.002-05:00

2009 was an eventful year full of fun-- I lived, loved, and laughed. Well, maybe not loved besides my family and friends, but I certainly lived and laughed! Time sure knows how to fly... 2009 not like the other years where I got to embrace every event and every random moment, but literally flew to the point where I can't find any clear distinction between the months. All I remember is that I graduated (woo hoo!) in May, had two amazing vacations in Cancun and Miami, built some solid friendships and started my first job! I partied like there was no tomorrow, I ate like there was no diet in mind, I travelled as much as time allowed and studied/worked as much as I needed to. ;)

In 2010, I want to continue to live an exciting life, love with all my heart, and laugh until my stomach hurts. And hopefully, I'll embrace it all. Cheers to a year filled with success, health, love and happiness!

Eye Candy

2009-10-28T20:16:00.004-04:00

This is a glimpse of how I spent one Saturday evening. 3 friends. MUA: me, model: Joanne and photographer: Ben. We got together to paint some faces, pose with poise, and shoot what came out to be what's pictured above. This was a learning process for all of us.

I love these two photos. They were both fun to work with and hopefully, there will be more photos to share in the near future!

LUST OBJECT: Chloe Sally Bag

2009-10-11T17:54:00.003-04:00

Seriously... how luxe is this??? It comes in calfskin, snakeskin and python. So hot!

www.chloe.com

Makeup can be FUN FUN FUN!

2009-10-03T03:43:00.007-04:00

Hey all!

I just wanted to share some of my experiments here on my blog. I normally wear earth tones when I go out or maybe play with some black and blues, but make up can be FUN! I love the colorful eyes! I tried this look on my friend last year and it turned out so pretty so I re-did it and added a twist to it! Animal print is a fashion statement... why not wear it on your eyes?? ;) Last year I used Urban Decay--the colors showed up very well! This time, I used MAC shadows, NYX glitter creme palette and Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner.

I was just bored and playing around so I didn't actually have anything planned which takes away a lot from the pics looking professional. My camera is a regular point and shoot so it can't really pick up on details or come out high def. I need photographers and models! I only use myself as a model if it's the last resort but I'd love to work with other models & photographers so let me know if you want your makeup done/picture taken or if you know anyone who might be interested! :)

I started with the pink to blue eyes. White shadow underneath with defined bottom lashes (Chanel inspired).

And then started adding a cheetah print around it with the black gel liner and adding sparkle with the NYX glitter creme palette! Fun, right?!

The colors don't really show up in high definition.. but you get the gist!

The secret to real beauty is beautiful skin. That's something I'm trying so hard to focus on these days. I don't think it helps that I'm up at 3:52am writing this blog post! But definitely trying to find some good skin care tips and regimens out there so let me know if you have any secrets you want to share! ;)

Some that I've stumbled upon or found to be true...

*Beauty sleep really does work

*Drink tons of water to keep your skin hydrated

*Drink peppermint tea for glowing skin!

*Wear SPF everyday

*Exfoliate once a week!

*Control shine with black tea-- splash with black tea and don't rinse!

*Take alcohol out of your diet!

*Treat yourself to an at-home facial! I just put a hot towel on my face to relax, rejuvenate and replenish my skin! It works for me!

I want...

2009-10-01T23:42:00.003-04:00

this Free People tank/dress! Isn't it cute???

I love sparkle~!!!! :)

On Repeat~

2009-10-01T23:25:00.006-04:00

My friend just had me listen to Karina Pasian's "Slow Motion" 2 days ago and it's been playing on repeat ever since! I am just obsessed with this song because it's so simple yet one of the best song's I've heard in such a long time! Her vocals sound so good on it with the simple piano accompaniment.

I couldn't find an "official video" but the point is, you have to LISTEN to the song so hope you guys love it as much as I do!! :)

Happy listening~

Go Green!

2009-09-30T23:32:00.003-04:00

...Literally. You can wear this gorgeous, to-die-for varnish by ZOYA in this sexy green VERUSCHUKA, which is part of their MatteVelvet Winter collection. Zoya is a completely organic nail polish brand that has such a eclectic variety of colors! I love their nail polish! It lasts longer than most other brands and has such a nice finish. I know that Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa carries Zoya and you can order it online! Not sure where else they use this but let me know others if you know of any other salons!

Green nails are so hot right now so get a bottle of Veruschuka by Zoya and make all other nails go green with envy.

Who's Hungry???

2009-09-21T18:54:00.006-04:00

Hey yall!

So another one of my favorite hobbies and interests is cooking and eating yummy foods! One of my favorite celebrity chefs is Giada de Laurentis and her recipes always inspire me to cook in a way that's healthy, full of flavor and so asthetically presented!

Today I experimented and made a pasta dish. I wanted something that was simple & light but also flavorful. I didn't have too many ingredients to work with so I used what I had on hand and the result? A savory, light, buttery pasta! Just wanted to share the recipe here for you guys to try, share and of course give me feedback on what you thought!

Rotini pasta w/ Tomato Balsamic sautee
serves 2

4 cups of Rotini pasta (I used Barilla Plus)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
goat cheese
olive oil
balsamic vinegar

Bring pot of water to a boil, salt and oil. Pour in pasta and cook until al dente (10-11 mins). Drain and pour in serving plate. Salt, pepper and drizzle olive oil.

Meanwhile, in a small pan, coat with olive oil and sautee the minced garlic. When it starts to sizzle, add the red onion and sautee together for about 2 minutes. Make sure you don't burn the garlic as it will turn the sautee bitter! Then add in the tomato and sautee all together for another 2 minutes, or until the tomato softens. Drizzle about 2-3 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar and cook for about 1 more minute. Salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle desired amount of goat cheese on top of the pasta while it's still hot and then add in the sautee mixture and toss together! The pasta is now ready to enjoy! :)

**I didn't have any arugula, but I think it would be a great touch to add at the end to give it spice and texture!

Give it a try and let me know how it turns out, if you guys like it and any other comments! :)

Buen provecho!

I can do all things...

2009-09-11T02:20:00.005-04:00

It always takes me a while to get into something...whether it's a sport, food, music, or just a project. But once I get into it, the passionate side of me just takes over and I am just overwhelmed by my enthusiasm and motivation. It's just the start that's always hard to overcome.

In these last couple weeks, I started to sing again... but this time more seriously than just a hobby. I've always loved singing and wanted to pursue a career. I felt like this was the reason why God put me on this earth but once my dad tried to shatter my dreams by telling me to focus on graduation alone and by telling me how corrupted the music industry was, I tried hard to fold these dreams. But whenever I let out a few notes and sing, I am reminded of my love and passion. It's not that I believe that I have the best skills out there--trust me, I'm far from it!!-- but it's just the passion I have for singing and music, the talents that He's blessed me with and the experiences He's put me through, along with the belief that He's put me on this earth to be an inspiration that gives me the motivation to sing, to write, to be more than just a nobody doing nothing.

I know that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" so I'm asking Him to show me the way and give me a guiding light to do and complete His will. Whatever it may be. I know He's been giving me a couple different options and maybe they will all come in together, but I know that the breaking barrier from being and wanting to be is the lack of believing in His plan. However, I want to be ready now. I'm excited! Through prayer and even more aspirations, I definitely can't wait to see what kind of crazy plans He will unravel and use me for!

Phillipians 4:13

Become a Victom of Fall Fashion

2009-09-08T19:54:00.011-04:00

Summer has come to an end and it's time to bring out the jackets, scarves & boots because fall is here!

Fall '09 RTW is looking HOT! Just here to share some of my faves for the season~

Animal print. Always loved it, always will.

Big statement necklaces. Whether it is a collared, stranded, chunky, laced or pearled necklace, one will do the trick to seriously jazz up your neckline and will turn your outfit into a show stoppin hault!

Boots, boots, & boots! There are so many hot boots out this season! I am loving the over the knee boots with a a little mini but the booties are still in fashion too! Wear your booties with some killer leggings to spice up your outfit this fall! Try lacey, printed or bright legs with something simple like a LBD to really make your legs stand out.

LEATHER!!! The staple to our wardrobes is still leggings. You can wear it with everything and anything and your legs look slim and your outfit looks sleek! Now, change it up by getting a pair of hot leather leggings! Also hot are leather miniskirts, vests and of course jackets. If you already have a leather fave, maybe you can give another piece a try or even switch up the color! Gray leather is super hot and easy to wear with what you have.

NEON. If you saw Marc Jacobs collection, you know what I'm talking about. Neon accents are so hot if you do it right. Just make sure you don't go over the top with it!

BEAUTY FLASH: Dare to be BOLD!

DARK LIPS is a beauty fave this season so if you like to kiss & tell, you better choose your lips wisely.

EXTREME SMOKEY EYES. Enough said.

When choosing a dark lip, do a simple, clean eye with a neutral color and a fun liner. If you don't think you can wearthe black lips, try a red! It's still bold and sexy but a lot easier to pull off.

And when wearing dark eyes, try a nude lip to go with it. I dab concealer on my lips and gloss it with a nude/peachy color.

Xx,

Elle

Korean Music Invasion

2009-09-02T15:48:00.008-04:00

Kpop--Korean pop music--is like a drug. I haven't been up to date with my Kpop in a while until my friends all seemed to talk about it 24/7 so I decided to give it another go. Getting back into it, I knew I was going to get sucked into listening to kpop and only kpop and become an addition to the world of kpop addicts... and I was right, because now I'm addicted!

And now, with Korean artists making their moves into the states, it'll be harder to try to just "like it"... It's practically everywhere from internet ads, clubs, music stores, and even the big screen!

The artists who I've seen transitioning from Korea to America are big stars in Asia... Se7en, BoA, and Wonder Girls in the music scene, and Bi/Rain and Daniel Henney on the silver screen.

I think it's awesome to see such groundbreaking steps in the Korean entertainment industry. With Korea's entertainment maven SMEntertainment holding weekly auditions in LA, where everyone is an aspiring artist, they are sure to find amazing talent!

Koreans are very influential, determined and some of the most diligent people in everything they do so I definitely see them influencing the world of entertainment. Let's keep an eye out for them! :)

My Idea of Bliss

2009-06-09T15:57:00.014-04:00

When I need a vacation spot that offers the beach, good shopping, never-ending nightlife, and fine dining, I go to MIAMI! It's the perfect get away for a single gal and the best part is... what happens in Miami, stays in Miami! ;)

My arrival @ FontaineBleau--
Hottest hotel in South Beach!!

*Why i love the M-i-A!*

First! This gorrrgeous beach...

Work on your golden glow!

You want fine dining? You got it.
@HardRock TATU

A decadent delight~
@FontaineBleau VIDA

They spin the hottest beats...
DJ Vertigo

Beach or sky-rise, both a Kodak moment
@Downtown Miami

Love 'em boutique hotels!
@Delano

!!South Beach never fails me... always a sexy time!!

Help A Starving Artist

2009-06-06T00:53:00.007-04:00

Hello!!

Any music lovers out there????

For those of you who know what it's like to be a starving artist, you know support is the equivalent to an extravagant meal! Well my amazingly talented friend, Laura Song, is a singer who has the sweetest, smoothest, sexiest voice ever!!! She just needs her 1 big break to be recognized by the music world!!

She's entered this contest at http://www.wyclef.com/ to win a chance to record with him. You can hear her remix of his song "More Bottles" and if you keep scrolling, you will be able to vote for her @Laurasong so please do so!!! And please, please spread the word to everyone you know!!! Viral marketing/word-of-mouth is the best way for her to reach a lot of votes and for her to get the chance to record with her favorite artist!

It literally takes 2 clicks! Please Vote for LAURA SONG and tell all your friends!!! :-)
Thanks guys!

Sweat Does the Body Good

2009-05-27T00:05:00.006-04:00

Four years ago, I started practicing Hatha Yoga. Once I was introduced to it by my fellow Miss Korea companions, I immediately became a fan of it. I bought a DVD and did the 45 minute exercise everyday. It felt great and I could see the results of yoga not only on my body as it slimmed down into a nice, shapely figure, but also on my mind and spirit as I felt very calm and free.

Yoga's a great way to keep your body in shape, increase flexibility, eliminate wastes from your body, and to live your life with more peace and relaxation.

As I slowly started slipping away from this lifestyle of practicing yoga, it was harder for me to get back into the routine. The first year, I did great without missing many days at all... but the second, third and fourth years grew worse and worse as time went on.
Recently, I decided that I needed to get back into a healthy lifestyle and there was so much talk about Bikram yoga, which is doing yoga in a heated room (about 110 degrees farenheit) that I wanted to try it so badly! Last night, I finally googled Bikram yoga in Virginia and found a location that was close enough.

So today, I went to the yoga studio and took a 90 minute session. Let me tell you... it was AMAZING! The yoga that was practiced was a Hatha yoga, a routine I was used to from my DVD, so it wasn't too much of a struggle to follow along. After about 3 minutes into the session, I felt my body starting to sweat already! I was kind of really excited haha because I knew it was gonna be a great session! After about 30 minutes into class, I pretty much looked like I had taken a shower in my own sweat. I know it sounds gross but it felt great! Knowing that I was detoxifying my body from all the unhealthy toxins and wastes was a great feeling and I kept enduring the heat and sweat that was falling into my eyes. Honestly though, I did get light-headed twice and I felt like I might faint but I just sat for a while and drank a lot of water... it wasn't bad. After the class ended, we ended in a relaxation pose and the instructor walked around and gave us cold, Lavendar towels to put on our eyes. It felt incredible. I walked out of that room feeling super accomplished and extremely refreshed! The instructor said that the first day is always the hardest but it only gets easier so I can't wait for tomorrow's session!

I definitely recommend that everyone tries it at least twice! :)

Namaste~

HOT Summer Trends!

2009-05-25T14:00:00.011-04:00

I finally went shopping yesterday after a long drought of no shopping! The trends this season are SO hot--flirty florals, boho chic, indie hippie, golden goddess--and it made me super excited so I just wanted to share a few of my favorite trends for this summer!

First of all, this is my favorite shoe! It is DIOR's Extreme gladiator sandal-- gladiators are a recurring trend for this season, flats or heels--both very hot, and this one goes for $780! However, I managed to find the same exact design in Blacksburg, VA for only $20!!!!! It was suchhhhhh a steal so I bought it! It is such a hot sandal and it spices up any outfit! You can also find this model at Aldo and Bakers for much cheaper prices than the original DIOR Extreme. ;)

Another hot trend for this season is floral prints. Pair it with the fabulous maxi dress and you get a double whammy for hotness! Maxis are so comfortable and it's perfect for vacations and just everyday wear as well. Floral prints are just a way to make a la femme statement and it's so refreshing for the summer! Also, pair one of these maxis with a hippie headband and you can look very boho chic~

Hats! My fave for this season is the fedora. Whether you're wearing a silky dress or a tank with bermuda shorts, the fedora is the perfect way to top it off!
My fave is from BCBG Max Azria-- tan straw hate with black ribbon and black straw rim. Sexy, classic and sweet for only $40.

I've gone head to toe with some of my fave trends, but I haven't touched on beauty so I'll leave you with a golden touch. There is nothing better for the summer than sun kissed skin! Whether you go to the pool, beach, or tanning beds, make sure you apply lotion with SPF to protect your skin from any damage and potential risks of skin cancer. What I like to do when I go to the pool/beach is to apply a sunblock lotion of high SPF like Neutrogena's SPF 55 Ultra Sheer Sunblock lotion, and after about 10-15 minutes, I apply a dry oil to give me a nice golden tan such as Hawaiian Tropic's dry oil (SPF 8). That way, I can get the golden tan that I want and protect my skin at the same time! Definitely apply oil-free sunblock on your face to avoid sun spots and freckles--I even like to apply some Bare Minerals on top which has SPF 15.
This way, you get a nice, healthy, golden tan! :)

Now after you are sunkissed, to get that golden glow when you go out at night, apply a golden bronzer on top of your foundation based skin. I particularly love Stila's bronzing powder! Apply it along your cheek bones, brush it down your jaw line and along the line of your forehead (basically outlining your face to make it appear smaller and give it a bronzed tan). And then on top of that, brush on a shimmer bronzer to give your skin a beautiful glow! I recommend Trish McEvoy's bronzer that's frosted or Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick in Copper Diamond. I guarantee this will give you the perfect golden glow for the summer! :)

Stila Sun Bronzing Powder, SPF 15 $28
Trish McEvoy Dual Resort Bronzer $35
Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick $40

Now go out there and enjoy the summer while looking great! :)

Sample Sale websites

2009-05-08T14:24:00.003-04:00

I know my last post was on a sample sale as well haha but I just felt the need to post about more!
I recently got invited to a couple members only websites that offer premium designer sample sales. They're such amazing deals!!! Where else can you find new arrival D&G dresses for $100? Yeah, these deals are that good! Haha...

Some of the websites:
www.hautelook.com
www.gilt.com
www.editorscloset.com
www.ideeli.com

If you want in on the goods, leave a comment with your email addy and I will invite you!

Ed Hardy Intimates Sample Sale!

2009-05-06T01:58:00.007-04:00

Hey all!

For those of you in LA, you're so in luck! There will be a sample sale this Saturday for Ed Hardy Intimates!!! I wish I could go but since I can't, I thought I'd at least share the good news to anyone who is able to go. If you're in the same position as me, pass the word to your girlfriends in LA! :)

Go, shop & enjoyyy~!! Jealoussss!! Hehe...

Who doesn't love a sample sale, right? ;)

Beauty Art

2009-05-05T16:12:00.006-04:00

I've been blessed with hands that paint. Faces, that is. Trust me, when it comes to any other kind of painting, I should steer clear. Ever since I was in middle school, I developed a love of this art. My friends would always ask me to do their make-up and quickly I realized that I had a natural talent! Whether it's been doing friends' make-up for formal dances, photo shoots, or just for a hot night out, I've been asked multiple times and complemented even more times.

Recently, as I've been applying for jobs and looking into different careers, I decided that maybe I should really look into being a professional make-up artist! Although I picked up most of my skills from just playing around or imitating faces I've seen in fashion magazines, I was also blessed with an amazing opportunity to learn from the professional makeup artists at SOHO while competing in the Miss Korea pageant. (SOHO is a beauty salon and makeup school in Seoul, Korea and their clients include but aren't limited to Miss Korea, noted fashion designer Andre Kim, and Korean celebrities.)

One of my beautiful, talented friends Annie Gay has been building her own portfolio for modeling and acting so she has asked me to do her makeup for her on a couple occasions. Through that, I decided to build my own portfolio of makeup in case I really do decide that I want to continue on this path.

Here is an au natural look that I did on her. Isn't she a doll?

I will definitely start using this blog to share work that I do and of course to share random beauty tips and styles!

Cheers! Xx

Bittersweet

2009-05-05T15:30:00.001-04:00

Graduation is in 10 days...

HOLY SMOKES.

When I try to depict my feelings towards grad, I'm an emotional mess! One minute I will be screaming with joy because I am so excited to be done with school and to move on to the real world (which I am extremely excited for), but just wait a few minutes and you will see me shedding tears because I am sad to leave all the amazing memories I've built in the past 4 years, not to mention it's kind of scary that I will be completely independent very soon--once I find a job, that is. Ha!

I read this quote somewhere and it really stuck with me, so I'll share...
"Don't be sad it's over; be happy it happened."

This quote has definitely helped me control my mixed emotions about graduation and I can't change my feelings of bittersweetness, but I can look back at the past 4 years and smile, knowing that I've done everything right and look forward to an exciting future (even with all its uncertainty in the way).

Graduation here I come~!!!

ELLEGANCE

Blog Begone

If you need to smile...

Geek Chic

Nail Obsession: SS '11 Trends

Color Craze

SPOTLIGHT: Victoria Stiles, Hair & Makeup Artist

Nude Obsession

Music Update: *Stand With Me*

My Red Carpet Picks: Golden Globes 2011

Beauty Report: Foundation Reviews

Happy 2011!

Fashionistas & Bloggers Unite: Jinna Boo for FTF

TanTowel: Elle's Review

Last Christmas

I'm in love...

CLARISONIC: my 30 day review

Stylish or Not-- Who's to Judge?

His & Hers: Holiday Edition

THANK YOU.

VA-VA-VS-VOOM

Leftover Makeover

Bienvenido a Puerto Rico!

But I can explain!

SENIOR PORTRAITS

Beauty Show over Beauty Sleep? Yes Please!

All that Glittersss is Gold*

Sass & Pizazz. Lanvin for H&M!

~Queen for a Day~

The Gift of Giving

Trick or Treat?

FULL-TIME FABULOUS

I Love Bobbi

LANVIN Spring 2011 RTW

Don't Be Moody...

Pamper Yourself!

Beauty Report: ELLEGANCE BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

Are you RTW Fall '10?

Love & Glamour

Summer Eats

Breaking out? It's the simple things we need to be aware of...

MUZIK!

California Love

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Dream On~

Put your mind at ease

Live, Love, Laugh!

Eye Candy

LUST OBJECT: Chloe Sally Bag

Makeup can be FUN FUN FUN!

I want...

On Repeat~

Go Green!

Who's Hungry???

I can do all things...

Become a Victom of Fall Fashion

Korean Music Invasion

My Idea of Bliss

Help A Starving Artist

Sweat Does the Body Good

HOT Summer Trends!

Sample Sale websites

Ed Hardy Intimates Sample Sale!

Beauty Art

Bittersweet

Music Update: Stand With Me