WHERE can I buy these sequin pants?? Love this outfit and all the fun that it brings. The ruffles in the top with a subtle/sparkly necklace is the perfect touch.
LOVE this option for new years!
Category Archives: hair
New Year’s Eve Outfit Idea #2
Here’s my second option for new years eve. This doesn’t photograph as pretty as the gold dress, but it’s still such a gorgeous/elegant option!! I think I’d do the same makeup/hair as the gold dress for this one as with outfit #1.
Accessorized this outfit with…
Pim + Larkin Necklace, BCBG Clutch, DV Black Heels
Dress (click here)~ this is on sale too now!! Darn it…but at least you guys can get it for less!
Can’t wait for NYE ❤
New Year’s Eve Outfit Idea #1
I just got this in from Piperlime and I’m obsessed with this gold dress!! Not only is it incredibly comfortable/stretchy, but the gold really pops out!
I’m thinking I could pair this with hot pink lipstick and some romantic hair? =)
Paired the dress with a beaded black necklace (can’t remember where I got it), black BCBG clutch, bebe heels.
Dress (click here). It’s on sale right now!! I totally bought it before then (boo) but at least you can get it for a discount now!
Favorite Online Shopping Sites
Who DOESN’T love online browsing for clothes, accessories, shoes, purses…household goods??
1. Amazon
I have Amazon prime and probably buy something from this site no less than 1x per week. This site is seriously the most incredible .com site EVER. You can buy groceries, books, household goods, craft supplies, clothes, shoes, makeup…EVERYTHING. I swear someday they’ll sell lumbar and delivery it within 2 days. If I could only shop on one site for the rest of my life, Amazon would be it. As an Amazon Prime member, I get free 2-day shipping and it’s just SO EASY to get stuff in a flash. Shopping in LA is so hard with traffic/parking that I rely heavily on prime shipping. My coworkers say that as Mom’s, they buy all their baby stuff through Amazon so that they don’t have to go to a store with a screaming baby (just the hassle of traveling with the baby is avoided). AND returns are really easy!
2. Piperlime
My go-to site for all clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc. I even go here for GIFTS! It’s just so easy to order from there because I completely TRUST the brand, the items sold on the site AND you can return it for free. I have a banana republic luxe card and I get free shipping on all the orders as well. Shopping with Piperlime/Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy/Athletica is SO easy. Plus, shipping is FAST.
3. ASOS
Asos is a site that I go to for everything I can’t find on #1 and #2. Shipping and Returns are fast and free. There are THOUSANDS of products on this site and everything is incredibly trendy and fair priced. I don’t trust everything on this site the way I trust Piperlime, but I’m never afraid to order since I can easily return what I don’t like.
If you’re not used to shopping online or are afraid of it~ start with these three sites! They really make the buying/returning experience easy and each company comes with really superb customer service if you need help. =)
xoxoxo Happy Holiday Shopping!
Dead weight
Got my hair diiiid yesterday. I’m still in total shock…but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I chopped off about 8 inches. As soon as the stylist make the first cut, I wanted to take it all back and run away. *sigh *
I haven’t had short hair since…high school? I can’t even REMEMBER!! Luckily my hair grows pretty fast so I’m hoping it’ll be the length I want by Spring.
One really great part of this haircut is that ALL my bad/dead/damaged hair is gone. My hair feels thicker, healthier and just…brand new. I’m really grateful for that…now I just need to learn to stop coloring my hair!
Vegas Makeup
Vegas Makeup is my favorite Kind! I get to do some fun, funky and trendy tricks and just have FUN. During my normal life I keep to a normal makeup routine without much variation. Here’s a bad picture below. The lighting came out super yellow and you don’t get to see some of the more fun colors I picked. *sigh * I need to learn to bring my camera more often. *shaking head * So try to ignore the bad yellow lighting. =(
Anyway~~ I did some shading, highlighting…and used a VERY heavy hand =P I also curled my hair, which is a TOTAL rarity these days!
Here’s my fake eyelash trick below! I always wear TWO strips (different kinds) on each eye. It makes my lashes look fuller and my very small eyes bigger.
One set:
Two Sets:
(can you see the difference??)
I LOVE fake eyelashes and buy them in bulk in Koreatown. I rarely have a reason to wear them now…but it’s a big treat when I do get to put em on. ❤
Weekend Recap and Photodump
I know…I’m super late again on my updates. Here’s the update from two weekends ago (11/21-11/26ish).
I’m OBSESSED with tamales. Markel’s work had a guy come through and sell a pack of 3 homemade ones and he brought some home for dinner. ❤ YUMMM
Two weeks ago our small group had a big thai food + game night. My bff and I merged our small groups together and this was our first official meeting as a new group.
Thai Boom in Culver City/Palms is BEYOND amazing. You have to try it if you haven’t!
We played a game called “mike-boo” or as some other people know it as “salad bowl“. It’s SUPER fun but I get a little TOO competitive… >.< I always have to keep my temper in check when we’re fighting for points. lol.
GORGEOUS view of westwood! I’ve been going to training courses for UCLA and this was the view on Friday. It was a bit chilly and gloomy~~ but still so beautiful.
Friday night, Markel and I got free tickets to see the Lakers vs Warriors. SO MUCH FUN. We did a little pre-drinking and started the night excited to be out and doing something special.
LOVE stadium fooood~~ *droool *
We got free tacos!! Every time the Lakers score above 100 points, the audience get free tacos! hehe
My outfit of the night ❤
Saturday I spent the day with my lovely Aemy ❤ We’ve been trying to plan a get together for a while and Saturday ended was an entire day of funnn ❤ We started with a bottemless mimosa brunch at Overland Cafe in Culver City. After two bottles of champagne…we knew the day would be amazing ❤ hehe
In the afternoon we snacked, drank some wine and painted out nails! =) Another girlfriend of ours came over it was quite the afternoon party of reality shows and girl time.
Later in the evening the girls + our sig O’s went to the Disneyland Hotel to witness and celebrate the most amazing proposal ever. There were a lot of tears, laughs, and toasts!
Markel LOVES Earl of Sandwich. He was dyyyying to grab dinner here =P
Christmas is everywhere! LOVE the holidays~~
The newly engaged lady!
We ate dinner at Earl of Sandwich in downtown Disney and Markel bought me this amazing Minnie Mouse Hat! =) xoxo
I LOVE MY HAT!
Sunday was LIFE CHANGING for the Blair Family =) Here’s a longer post about Lucy: Click here
My friend from College is a Vet! He was kind enough to go with us to adopt Little Lucy Blair. =)
Her temporary home until we got her crate (it was a collapsible toy chest). We bought this little Dinosaur for her and it’s become her new best friend. When Lucy first started playing with it, the dinosaur used to win a lot. >.< But now that Lucy’s older, she dominates their play sessions. ❤
It was SO AMAZING to bring little Lucy into our family. I pray that she’ll be with us for 10, 12, 15+ years!
oh man, such a long post!! I have an even LONGER one coming for the Thanksgiving Weekend!! xoxo
Weekend Recap and Photodump
ahhh this is so late. the last few weeks have been pretty cray b/c of our littly lucy bear~ this recap is from 11/14-11/17ish
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This is a longggg recap because it covered more than just the weekend =)
First, my awesome co-worker of 4 years got a huge promotion. Friday was her last day in our unit, so we had 2 going away parties for her: 1 baby shower, 1 goodbye party. I wasn’t sad last week b/c she’s only a few buildings away on campus and I know we’ll see lots and lots of her~~ the 4 of us (counselors) do dinner/drinks 1x per quarter so it’ll be extra nice to catch up with her and now see her little one (once she’s born)!!
Friday Night, my friend flew into town from NYC. We had a quick Ice Cream Date at Scoops in Palms (off Overland). This place reminds me of a lot of ice crem joints in San Francisco~ where it’s all homemade and the spoons are real metal (to save on waste). LOVE IT.
The next Morning we all ate brunch at Ktchn105. Everything on the menu had pork belly in it and it was…a fattie’s paradise!!
We are trying to take more pictures together. We always forget!
Then we spent the night with Markel’s old roommie and college friend. We celebrated his big 2-7!!
Shots for the birthday boy!
drinks at fancy bar on Abbot Kinney~ The Tasting Room
A snack before dinner + drinks
Dinner at Gjelina in Venice
Sunday Markel and I hosted a huge Thanksgiving potluck in honor of our friend coming to town!
AND got to celebrate our special friend’s birthday ❤
I got some new owls for our TV =P Love these little babies~
Our new Bar Cart was ready to entertain!
This is a sunrise photo on Monday Morning! I started to train for a half-marathon this week and I wake up at 6am 2x per week to run. It’s been such a cool experience so far and I’m feeling so awesome physically/mentally too!
This has been such a big and fun week~ lots to update later. That’s why this week the weekend recap came on a weekend!! Hope you guys all have a wonderful weekend!
Going Out Makeup
I’m sure you can tell from this picture below but…I’ve got a LOT of makeup on. =P This is my “going out” routine~~ a heavier hand with everything from my day look (post here) and a nice bright lipstick to top off the look. In this picture below, it’s a rare day that I curled my hair and attempted to style it. Lately it doesn’t want to listen to me…>.< This is also the hair that I dyed light brown & platinum blonde…but was stubborn enough to stay black/brown. *shaking fist *
Markel and I went to his friend’s birthday dinner last Saturday and here’s the makeup from the night. In my younger 20s, I used to wear fake eye lashes to EVERYTHING…but I’ve been getting lazy. Perhaps my next big night I’ll do my signature double lashes look. =P
xoxo, Esther
Weekend Recap and Photodump
This weekend was a nice and long one. It started off a little sad (I was sick) but by the start of Saturday I was feeling normal again.
Thursday night I had a few friends over for some girl time. xoxo It was nice to hang out and catch up~~ Markel went over to our neighbor’s home (and good friends) were the boys watched the Laker game and the girls chatted over pizza, cupcakes, wine and nails.
Friday I was home sick eating soups/Ramen and watching Sons of Anarchy all day. I’m going through Season 4 right now and totally loving it. I heard seasons 5 & 6 aren’t awesome…so I really hope I’m not disappointed after investing so much! But the more I watch…the more I love Charlie Hunnam.
Saturday and Sunday were awesome. Markel and I spent the day running errands, and just spending time together. We RARELY get weekends to ourselves to hang out and try new things.
Saturday we went to downtown LA looking for a suit, but we didn’t feel comfortable buying anything from the stores we went into. The material was obviously cheaper, the deal was $100 for a suit, shirt & tie…but there was a WEIRD feeling that went with it~ so Markel and I ended up leaving. We also shopped in Ktown for groceries b/c we were hosting Markel’s bro, sis-in-law, friend for dinner. We seriously cooked up a huge feast of Korean food and I was so proud of the new things I’m learning to make!
I made pumpkin milkshakes on Saturday. SOO YUMMYYYY
The FEAST =)
Sunday Markel and I ran all over town getting him a new suit from Zara, shoes from Nordstroms and packing for his big trip this weekend. This is Markel’s first business trip and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He works SOOO HARD at his job~ like 60-70 hour weeks~ and it’s all paying off! He’s been getting more responsibilites/projects at work and these business trips are the start to his budding career. =) I love him so much and it’s so much fun to grow together in our careers and as a couple. We met in our early 20s and it’s been a fun ride as we mature, get settled in our careers, and make big decisions for our future. ❤
A toast to ourselves and our lives =P
Shopping in Century City at Zara~ I found so many cute things I wanted!!
Markel Getting a Haircut =) Such a small and random errand to run together, but I love doing them with him. ❤
Sunday Night we met up with Markel’s college friends that are doing BIG things!! Two are starting companies and it’s so exciting to hear about their adventures. Sort of motivates Markel and I to be passionate about our lives and our careers. We ate at Aroma Cafe (an Israeli restaurant) in Hollywood area. It was tastey! The appetizers were my favorite~~
(no pics to share =( I forgot to take some)
AND THENNNN…the best part?? Markel and I met up with our new neighbors (and good friends) to watch THOR at the grove. I always forget how much I love the Grove and how gorgeous it is. The Christmas decorations were all up~ really put you in the holiday spirit! ❤
Andddd Monday I had the day off for Veteran’s Day. =) It’s a day of purging, catching up on SOA (like Friday) and getting my baby ready for his big trip! Oh…and about ten cups of coffee (my fav treat).
HOW BEAUTIFUL is this fall weather??
This picture below is to celebrate Veteran’s day today. My big bro (and true life hero) has been in the Army since 2002. He has fought for his country in Iraq and served for 11 years and counting… I’m so proud of him and his dedication to the protection of this country. ❤ I’m definitely taking a moment today to remember that. xo
Weekend Recall and Photodump
This was the absolute perfect weekend. After weeks of running around like crazy people, Markel and I finally had 1 weekend of almost nothing. =)
Friday, I met up with a friend who was proposing the next day! (eek!!) We went over some last minute details at Susina Bakery in Beverly Hills. BEST latte I’ve ever had and the most amazing white chocolate cake!
After our little pow wow, I picked up Mulberry Pizza for dinner with Markel. A romantic dinner for two ❤ We’ve been craving New York Style Pizza all week and it we FINALLY filled that craving. Mulberry has 5 locations in southern California and…boy…it is FANTASTIC.
We spent the night hanging out, talking, drinking, watching a movie and spending much needed 1:1 time together. For the first time in a long time, it felt like we were 23 again having a super fun night together. Usually we’re so exhausted that we go straight to bed or watch a few shows in silence~ destressing from our week.
I guess Mulberry Pizza + wine + netflix is exactly what the doctor ordered =)
Saturday morning we helped stage the sweetest and most romantic proposal in Venice.
After the proposal, we walked along the canals and went to Canali cafe on Washington Blvd. We all celebrated together in one big group and just got to really love the newly engaged couple. ❤ Canali was aiite, but only because I hated our 1 waiter. The chai latte was amazing and I loved Markel’s meatball sandwich and my tofu sandwich.
My adorable hubby. xoxo as we waited for our food. ❤
We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for our Halloween party. ❤ We had lots of fun eating, drinking and carving pumpkins!
We made the most delicious Hallo-Tini’s =) They tasted like orange creamsicles and you couldn’t even taste the alcohol! SOOOOOOOO deliiiiic xoxo
Our dear friend also made homemade whoopie pies that were TO DIE FOR.
ANDDDD for the grand dessert finale, another friend brought Big Man Bakes Cupcakes!!
(I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures of the real food…oops! lol)
Party decorations! =) This is the first time I’ve ever used the spider web decorations and it was the perfect touch! I’m definitely buying them again next year. ❤
Pumpkin Carving! =)
My pumpkin has a perm. LOL
What I would look like at my mom’s age! hahaha Biggest Korean Perm for the girl that LOVES volume in her hair. LOL
Sunday has been the best day to unwind from the weekend and just relax. We woke up this morning and named it Markel’s day. We did only relaxing things. =) He’s been working so hard the past few weeks…MONTHS really… that today was all about him!
My au natural makeup look for today~
Today was the day that our good friends moved into our building!! We are SO EXCIIIIITED!! xoxo Can’t wait for the fun to commence! ❤
Markel and I grabbed brunch at Doughland a block away (we’re trying to walk more and explore our ‘hood). This restaurant was a great surprise. The food was SUPER good, the service was impeccable and the hefe beer was aaamaaazingggg. Markel and I have totally decided that this was our new “spot” for weekend brunches, dinners, and weekday happy hours! =)
Coming home from brunch =) our last pic of the day. xo
We spent the rest of the day/night watching football (Markel) and Sons of Anarchy (me). There are so many TV series’ that I’ve been dying to watch lately!!
Weekend Recap and Photodump
This past weekend was really chill. Markel was gone in San Diego for 3 days, so I had some nice quiet time since Thursday. I had Friday off, so I spent the day sleeping/relaxing (I was under the weather) and then Saturday was the first time I left the apartment. =)
Here are my thursday/Friday/Saturday Morning pics…
Pumpkin Crossaints from Trader Joe’s!
Made a ton of Korean comfort food since i was sick.
Decorated the apartment with these little pumpkins ❤
Dyed my hair–didn’t turn out great
Saturday I went to two events: Housewarming + Birthday Dinner. Both were so much funnnnnn
Here is handsome Ethan below <3 He‘s the first baby to be born in my group of friends and well…we spent 3 hours obsessing over every blink, smile, bite of food, and diaper change. He was SUCH a great baby~~ so happy and calm. I hope my first is as good as he is!
The ladies of the night ❤ Didn’t take pictures of the boys, they were too busy watching football.
Saturday Evening Part II! Birthday Party in South Pasadena at an amazing Thai restaurant called Saladong Song. DELIIIC. The outside seating area is super low key and romantic. I love this place!
Seafood Pad thai
The ladies ❤ The boys were too shy to be on camera.
Sunday was a huge day. Sunday was Markel’s grandmother’s memorial service. Grandma Cordaro LOVED chocolate. So in her honor, there was a big chocolate bar! YUMMMMM
The lunch spread for 50+ guests
The Blair, Cordaro, Reynolds, Hussey and Rafter family =)
Isn’t this doggie SO ADORABLE??
The day of the memorial service was our 6 month anniversary. Since we didn’t get to celebrate, or just take a moment to remember it~ we did so on Monday. =)
This week was so busy that I didn’t get a chance to update until now. And now…it’s already the weekend! I seriously hope to sleep in and just do a lot of resting with Markel. ❤
Weekend Recap and Photodump
This weekend was eventful and uneventful all at the same time. I had to work for part of it, and the rest of the time…I overindulged in spirits =P. I didn’t take very many pictures, but here are the ones I have.
Friday Night, we met up with our favorite friend in Echo Park and ate at Masa’s. This was the best chicago style pizza I’ve ever had! Plus, the gnocchi, caesar salad and bread were…out of this world. ❤ I can’t wait to go back and try more things on the menu!
Amazing bread + Caesar Salad
Meat Lovers Deep Dish Pizza *drooooooooooooool *
Gnocchi with mushrooms, peas and bacon
Drinks! To help ease us into the weekend and let us forget our stressful work weeks.
After dinner we walked around the new lake in Echo Park and it was GORGEOUS. I want to go back during the day or morning to check it out fully~ I had no idea this event existed in Echo Park!
Downtown Skyline. My camera phone did not do this view justice.
Lily pads! They were everywhere and it was so pretty to see it at night~
The Boys ❤
Saturday Markel and I went to the UCLA football game. It was a crazy day and we didn’t get to tailgate like normal~ but it was nice to cheer on the team!
Wearing a new lipstick color =)
My first time making Pollack Soup ❤
Sunday I had to work…so there were no pictures of our Fall BBQ. But these are my weekend pics. This upcoming weekend is a 3-day-er for me, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Happy Hump Day All!
Gorgeous Maui
Went through my phone and found more Maui pics! xoxo Seeing these photos…I seriously can’t WAIT to go back!!
there was a stingray family of 4!! i’ve never seen mike run down to the beach SO FAST before. while most people were jumping out of the water (it looked like 4 sharks at first), there was one crazy couple that stayed in the water and let the stingrays swim around them (dumbasses…)
Our first round of drinks!
mini tobascos!!
our first meal~~ while waiting for our room to be ready
Free bottle of champagne was sent to us from the hotel ❤
Our snacks =)
Breakfast on our lanai~~ coffee + mimosas. hehe
isn’t our view GORGEOUS??
Black Sand Beach (road to hana)
Markel’s awesome photo skills…
caves! it would have been cave DIVING, but i wouldn’t let markel do it. the water was so stagnant it seemed like he’d catch a bacterial infection or something… >.<
beautiful views ❤
I want to go back =( Maui was so magical… and the food left a permanent impression in my brain and on my tastebuds. *droool *
Best honeymoon spot everrr
Weekend Recap and Photodump
This weekend was…AWESOME. I went out on Friday night for my friend’s birthday and then I spent the rest of the weekend resting and catching up with my bff who moved to Sacramento this summer. I was feeling super under the weather last week and exhausted from LIFE. So over the weekend I kept to myself and relaxed at home.
Friday: Blue Cow Kitchen & Bar + The Virigl
It was my beautiful friend’s birthday party on Friday and it was SO MUCH FUN.
love these lights!
My favorite earrings from Banana Republic
The rest of the weekend I literally did nothing but relax… I really needed the down time. We sold some wedding items which was lovely, and then received some cool canvas prints we ordered. =)
For this upcoming weekend, Markel and I planned on doing NOTHING~~ but that quickly ended. We have plans Thurs-Sunday. LOL I guess we jinxed ourselves huh?
Hawaii (Part II)
My friends were on their honeymoon as well and we got to hang out together for 2.5 days =) Here are some of our adventures~~~
My mom makes delicious gimbap from scratch xoxo She made us snacks before we left each morning!
Along our drive of the island, i took some pics~~ but these really didn’t do the island justice. It’s GORGEOUS there!
Lanikai Beach ❤
Dave n Busters
Matsumoto’s Shaved Ice (not as good as Waiola, but still good)
Waiting for our shaved ice ❤
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck and Hono Shrimp Truck!
Turtle Beach
Dole Plantation
So many fat koi fish…it was kind of sick.
Random Pineapple to take pictures in~~
Markel and I got our first ornament as a married couple ❤
Dole plantationi Ice Cream and Float
adorbs~~
Zippy’s!! SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOD.
Duke’s on the water in waikiki!
Walking to Duke’s…I’m the only one who didn’t get the “lovebird” memo…
Leonard’s Donuts~~ i think i only like the original or the cinnamon. the other flavors… meh.
Flip flop wine from an ABC store. so cute!
Shaved Ice from Waiola! THE BEST SHAVED ICE, hands down. The consistency is soft like snow or powder. Seriously melts in your mouth.
Got a ton of candy from Lin’s! SOOOO GOOOOD. Hawaiian’s love Li Hing Mui powder on everything sweet they eat. It’s like a sweet/sour plum powder that has a really mild flavor. I don’t mind it, Markel HATES it.
Last picture before Maui ❤
Wedding Pictures (Part V)
Oops, totally forgot to post these from a few months before! The last and final post of the wedding ❤
The Reception!
This day feels soOOOOoo long ago. I can’t believe we got married and are currently living a newlywed life…so weird! lol Feels like yesterday when Markel and I met and were having a blast as early 20-somethings. But 5+ years later…here we are as a married couple. ❤
To check out the other parts of our wedding…
Pinterest Outfit Ideas & Inspirations
I love looking at Pinterest to help me decide what new items I want to buy or give me ideas on how I should repurpose some older items in my closet. Here ares one of my favorite looks that can transition from summer to fall and be my new fall staples.
Wedding Pictures (Part IV)
The Korean Cermony–this was my FAVORITE part of the wedding. The only time I was completely relaxed and having fun.
Elders throw dates (girls) and chestnuts (boys) and whatever the bride and groom catch signify how many babies we’re going to have ❤
Money Envelopes to help us on our honeymoon ❤
Each biting one side of a date ❤
Tea Love Shot
Carrying his Mama to thank her for raising him
Carrying Me to signify our new life together
Weding Pictures (Part III)
The Ceremony =)
–pretty much the only shot i have with my veil on before the wind blew it away >.<
Our face is basically—“ahhh we made it” The weeks leading up to the wedding were SO STRESSFUL, I know understand why people hire wedding planners ( we did not). They are worth EVERY PENNY!
Our gorgeous parents ❤
Friends during cocktail hour while Markel and I were doing our Korean Ceremony
designer swag without the designer pricetag 