Looking back...

I was going through my facebook photo albums and came across this picture of me and Elisa a year and half ago when we ran the half marathon together. I actually trained myself for couple of months and stopped one month before the marathon but it was so much fun jogging together with Elisa.. Well... she later went ahead of me because I couldn't catch up... haha

I was 30 pounds lighter back then...
Gosh.. it's gonna take me a while to lose my all the weight I gained during pregnancy... *sigh* Maybe I should print this picture out and post it up on my bathroom mirror?? :) I would love to do it again or challenge myself with the full marathon before I turn 35... Elisa.. if you're reading this, wanna do it again next time? :)

Side by Side

I love these photos of the happy couple strolling away on a bike! A perfect way to relax before the wedding - or escape after the ceremony.




Photo Credits:
Jose Villa, Five Petal Design & Photography, Amelia Lyon, Kate Headley
Black & White photo of couple by Five Petal Design & Photography, Our Labor of Love, Couple in front of the barn by Michele Waite
Laurence Kim, Tiny Water Photography, Last two images from the Quintessential Image

I miss the blog world...

Dear readers,
I just wanted to give you a quick update before I hear the baby cry! I am officially back from maternity leave which means I am available to schedule appointments and will have increased phone and email access. However, I probably won't be blogging much until the rest of this month. I really do miss the blog world but I simply have NO time to sit down and read through it all. Already one month have gone by with a big blur and I don't remember the last time I sat down to put on some make up. :)
Life is so different now with the baby but I do feel like I am adjusting to taking quick power naps, nursing him every 2-3 hours, changing his diapers 15-20 times a day, pumping my milk every 3 hours.. gosh.. I feel like a cow!!
I promise you I will be back in action with tons of wedding images/inspirations and upcoming weddings in few weeks! Until then, enjoy some few pix of our little guy!

I was finally able to catch him smiling on camera! Have a great week everyone!

-Happy St. Patricks Day-

Don't forget to wear green today!

Here are some green themes you can use for your wedding.

Click on each image to go to its source and to find out how to make some of the DIYs!

GUEST BLOGGER: ELISA YOON

40% off + free shipping after spending $50 from Payless Expires March 23, 2009

Castle Bride Contest!

Kirstin Fox from CastleBride Couture sent me an email to let our readers know that they're holding a contest! They are giving away a one headpiece from their Formal Feather Collection. In order to enter all you have to do is 1) comment on their blog about why you think you should win and 2) the style of your choice! (Bridal items are NOT included in this contest.)

Starts: Friday March 6, 2009 at 5PM Central Time

Ends: Friday March 13, 2009 at 5PM Central Time

E-mail entries will NOT be accepted. You must leave the comment on their "Formal Feather Contest" entry on their blog. Good luck, ladies!

Vendor Spotlight- Nicole DeAnne

Hello Readers! Hope everyone is doing well! Now with the baby in our lives, everyday is different yet usual- changing diapers and smelling his poops, nursing him every 2-3 hours, eating lots of seaweed soup (yuk! I'm so sick of it already), but I finally getting used to having baby Grant around and slowly learning to love motherhood.

I usually get all sorts of questions through email about vendor recommendations, especially bilingual MC/DJs and make up artists. Here's an email I received couple days ago from Candance and I thought today's vendor spotlight would be perfect for her question.

Q: "I just came across your blog and found it to be so informative and interesting and I love that you are a fellow Korean American! I really liked some of the vendors you have highlighted, but I wanted to ask you who you might recommend for wedding makeup and hair. I know that Hills might be on top of your list, but I didn't have the best experience there when my best friend got married, she even ended up in tears on her day! I also don't feel that comfortable venturing out to American makeup artists as I'm not sure they know our facial features that well. I can tell you that I've had one too many bad makeovers at the MAC counter because I don't have the nice double eyelids that the typical Caucasian woman enjoys. I am also on a pretty tight budget, but don't want to not look my best on that special day so was hoping to see if you might have any advice or wisdom to share from your experiences. I think you are super talented and the weddings that you have done look so nice. Thank you for all the insight and info that you provide. Hope to hear from you soon."

A: Even if you received recommendations from friends, it's important to get a trial session. And It's not easy to find someone who is good at doing both, hair and make up. Most of Korean vendors I know have separate person doing bridal hair so make sure you also get your hair trial on the same day to see if you completely love the look. It's about $100-$200 extra to spend out of your wedding budget but it's very well spent than getting dissapointed and crying about it on your wedding day. (I've had several cases where brides cried on her wedding day because she either didn't like the makeup or the hair) Every bridal hair & make up artist should have a general price guideline for brides, bridesmaids, mothers, traveling fee and etc so make sure you also know exactly how much you're paying before you hire.

To all Asian brides out there who are a bit skeptical about hiring a non-Asian make up artist, I introduce Nicole DeAnne.


Here's Nicole DeAnne looking absolutely fierce and gorgeous with her husband.



Take a look at Nicole's magical touch as she beautifies her brides. (Please visit her blog to see more of her latest work) All photos are taken by her talented sister Amelia Lyon, one of my favorite photographers!!

Q: Could you tell us about yourself.

A: My name is Nicole DeAnne Thompson. I am 24 years old and I was born in Utah and raised in California my ENTIRE life. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I also have 5 nephews & 1 niece that I absolutely adore.. I LOVE my family! On January 11, 2007 I married my wonderful husband Jeff at LDS Temple. I have been married for 2 years, but no kids of my own yet, but one day... I have been doing bridal hair & make-up for 4 years. And I also color & cut hair at my Studio Salon. I just started my Nicole DeAnne Bridal hair & make-up business last year and I couldn’t be happier. I love to travel and I enjoy listening to live music and I change my hair color quite often.

Q: How did you get started as a makeup artist/hair stylist?

A: I grew up wanting to be a dental hygenist, but I soon realized my calling was to do hair while I was working as a receptionist at a salon. After going to Citrus College for hair I worked at Design Visage in Newport Beach doing bridal hair and make-up and all other sorts of salon services for 3 years. There wasn't much room for me to grow so I started Nicole DeAnne Bridal hair & make-up. Soon after I was being contacted by so many brides asking about my service. I am VERY happy I started my own business!

Q:What is your typical day like?

A: Well Lets see, I wake up, work out (most of the time), check my email, clean, get ready, head out to the salon to work for a few hours, come home, make dinner, and email some more, organize my office, and maybe watch some TV before bed or read. That's my typical day!

Q: What are some of your favorite moments of a client's special day?

A: My favorite moment.. honestly, is when I am finished doing my brides hair & make-up. The look on her face when

she looks into the mirror! Her smile, shock, & excitement... It makes my job complete!

Q: What do you enjoy the most and least about your job?

A: I enjoy EVERYTHING about my job. I get to meet all kinds of amazing women & people and travel to different places. I love weddings and the fact that I am a part of someone's special day. I also love that I feel like I am NOT working!! It is so much fun for me. I love that everyday is different too. I LOVE my job.

Q: What should brides expect as they consult with you?

A: Brides should expect to feel beautiful when they leave me. I would recommend all my brides to arrive with a few hair & make-up inspiration photos. It really helps me get a good idea of what the bride is going for. From there we can tweak the hair & make-up to their liking. It's hard when a bride arrives with no idea and expects me to come up with an amazing hairstyle & make-up.... Which I can do, but the problem is that we might not have the same tastes. I might do something that I absolutely love, but they might hate it. When it comes down to it, I want every bride to feel 100% satisfied & beautiful.

Q: What is the hardest thing about dealing with Asian faces? :)

A: There is nothing really hard when it comes to dealing with Asian faces. I find them fairly easy. Maybe it's because I mostly do make-up on Asian faces. I enjoy working with them. If I had to choose one thing that is hard to deal with is the different shape & contouring. Finding the correct shade that looks great for the bride's skin in photos & in person is the hardest thing, but it isn't specific to the Asian face, but every face. However, just as long as my client is happy, I'm happy.

Q:What was one lesson you learned after you started your business?

A: Being a business owner I learn at least one lesson everyday. Owning a business is all new to me so the more I grow, the more I learn. One thing that is definitely important is to stay organized and positive! Encourage yourself to be better then before. Learn from your mistakes. I try to be prompt and clear in explaining myself and honest because it's important.

Q: Any suggestions to the brides who are interested in your services?

A: I would suggest to all brides to be honest in what they REALLY like. It is your wedding day not mine & when it all comes down to it, I am there to help you in any way to make you feel like the most beautiful bride. Come prepared with photos and have fun! This is a once in a life time opportunity!

The Curious Case Of Grant Kim

Baby Grant is finally here!
He was born last Monday (2/23/09) at 7:30pm, weighing 7 pounds. I cannot tell you how painful the labor procedure was even with the EPIDURAL but Bobby and I were both ecstatic to finally hold him in our arms. One week has passed, and oh boy... I'm physically and mentally exhuasted from learning to breast feed my child. Who said breast feeding was a pleasant experience? It's not at all instinctual!!! It hurts like crazy but he's slowly learning to latch on.

Here's baby Grant at day four... I can't really tell who he looks like now, I guess we'll have to see in a couple of weeks.