Mistaken Adventures Are The Best Kind Of Adventures…

Posted on September 26, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Sometimes mistaken adventures are the best kind of adventures…

I have many a golden Lindsey memory that shine in my mind: late night parties with giant stuffed teddy bears and an impromptu Bill Withers dance party at the Lyric Theatre on a weeknight rank high.

But, this was the first one where we set off on a mistaken adventure and ended up bathed in golden light at sunset in a pumpkin patch on a farm.

Bathed in the harvest glow.

Yes, I got the date wrong (SO wrong) on the charity dinner for my beloved Max Love Project, so my dear friend, Lindsey Vaerst and I drove all the way to Tanaka Farms in Irvine, only to find out that it’s…wait for it…in OCTOBER!! Ahhh. Didn’t even get the day right! (It’s October 24th NOT September 26th and tickets can be bought HERE for $150/person.)

Some might be frustrated or feel that a 3-hour round trip down the 405 is wasted time. Not us. We laughed. Oh, how we laughed! And then we took a picture, bathed in that gorgeous dusk light, to mark the moment – as though we could ever forget!

#MercuryRetrogradeIsReal #HonestLovesMax

Open Hearts, Can’t Lose: Goodbye, Sweet Ann!

Posted on May 25, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

It seems to be fate at work that my friendship with Ann started at Jan’s on Beverly, where she was my waitress 15 years ago, and ended here in America in a diner in North Hollywood, this past Saturday.

With Ann (center) and her friend, Sunny

I met Ann when I was 22 and she was 53. I had just moved to LA that week. Ann says Buddhism saved her life in 1983 when she was in an abusive marriage and was about to commit suicide, and now she considers it her mission to spread the “magic” of Buddhism to everyone she meets so that they can share her joy.

Well I didn’t become a Buddhist today, as Ann had hoped, but I will say that she shared a chant with my mom and me 15 years ago that helps me fall asleep whenever I have a sleepless night, and calms me whenever I’m feeling restless or nervous. She also planted a huge seed of joy in my heart, that continues to grow.

I’m so grateful to have met her all those years ago, so thankful to have reconnected with her a few months ago, and am so sad for me (and happy for her) to see her go back to her native Thailand on Wednesday, where she will reunite with her husband, and retire, after working double shifts as a waitress for over 31 years.

I’m so proud that today I got to sit NEXT to Ann in a booth, and buy her and her friend Sunny lunch, instead of her bringing me my lunch. Full circle, indeed. The lesson here? Always be open. You never know the friends you will make in your day-to-day life, the lessons they will teach you, and the impact their spirits might have on you, so, keep your eyes, minds and hearts open. Always open.

Ann was one of my first friends in LA, and you know I don’t often believe in accidents. I’m a better person for knowing this angel we call Ann…better known in Thailand as Sarinya Chaimongkol.

p.s. I can’t wait to visit!

The Annual Girls’ Giftwrapping Party, featuring PJ Salvage pajamas

Posted on December 24, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

A very pastel cupcake Christmas at The Cupcake Palace

Last year, my friend Lindsey and I started a now-annual tradition: The Girlfriends Giftwrapping party. I brewed up one of my signature holiday cocktails (this year was my Homespun Spiced Butter Rum Eggnog), pick up some festive holiday cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery and wrap gifts galore, thanks to my fun friends.

This year, we decided to make it a a pajama party and PJ Salvage upped the ante by sending some of their sweetest pjs – the Gingerbread Man flannel pj set…

Me sipping some eggnog in my PJ Salvage Gingerbread Men pjs

and the Cake Party pj set (both $65)

The lovely Lindsey in PJ Salvage The Cake Party pjs

to play well with my pastel cupcake Christmas theme.

Oh ya know…just hiding behind the tree, sipping our eggnog. Normal.

We wrapped presents, thanks to GORGEOUS gift wrap from The Container Store.

No brown paper packages tied up with string. All pastel paper with pretty bows. Giftwrapping paper ℅ The Container Store

Toasted to the new year ahead with eggnog and nibbled on cupcakes and cookies from Magnolia Bakery.

My Spiced Butter Rum Eggnog teams up delightfully with Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and holiday spritz cookies

And just had some good old Christmas fun…even a gift wrap sword fight!

Sword fight! It has to happen every year in my house.

It was a good chance to take a moment in the midst of a busy season, enjoy some delicious drinks, eats and conversation.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope the magic of Christmas brings you jolliness and joy!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How are you celebrating Christmas this year?

Holiday Up Your Bakery-Bought Cakes

Posted on December 23, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Few things are as sweet as old friends…but this Society Bakery-bought vanilla Christmas cake came close. I didn’t have time to bake for a holiday tea party with girlfriends, as I had planned, so I just hopped by Society, bought a cake and a gingerbread man and put that little guy right on top for a little additional holiday whimsy. Really easy way to dress up your holiday cake? Christmas cookies as toppings! #ItLooksLikeHesStuckInSnow

Fast, easy way to decorate a bakery-bought cake? Christmas cookies.

xoxo,

BF Asks: How do you “holiday up” your desserts?

Girls Night Out: SFGDiary Calligraphy Cocktail Party with Poppyjack Shop

Posted on November 11, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

I do declare – those girls of SFGDiary are just the cutest!!! And did I mention the MOST fun?

This group of girls was so fun! Some of my favorite femmes, including the ladies, Hannah from The Little Market, Allison & Rachel from LaurenConrad.com (and, yes, the lovely Lauren, herself), Stephanie from Styled by Noir, Mara from M Loves M, Courtney from Poppyjack and those sweet SFG girls, Jackie, Lauren and Valorie!

So, when they invited about 8 of us girls to head on over last night to Valorie’s for a calligraphy, crafts and cocktail girls night out with calligraphy expert, Poppyjack Shop, I didn’t bat an eyelash before promptly sending in my RSVP.

I arrived to the warmest, most welcoming tablescape,

Can you say, BEAUTIFUL??!

and to this cuteness:

The spread at the home of Valorie Darling of SFGDiary *Photo by Poppyjack Shop

And can you even believe how cute this is?

Popcorn with add-ons, including garlic parsley butter, vanilla protein powder and sugar and spice. LOVE this!

We toasted, sipped, munched and mingled for a bit, but then…it was time to get down to business. Calligraphy business.

We all had the same idea going into the night. We all thought that we were going to be calligraphy QUEENS. We were already preparing our speeches, “No, REALLY,girls! It really IS my first time. No, I’m not a professional. That’s so sweet of you to say. Oh, if I only had time for another career. Courtney of Poppyjack Shop is just an excellent teacher.”

Well, one thing about that little fantasy is true: Courtney of Poppyjack Shop is one uber-talented teacher. And her calligraphy? Well, let’s just say you’re welcome for the introduction to the calligrapher you’ll be using for all of your weddings, showers and soirees for the next 30 years.

But the students? Ummmm…well, we tried.

Trying. Really, really trying. And having a lot of fun doing it!

There were a few shining ones among us – I’m looking at you, Mara, Allison, Lauren Conrad and Rachel – but the rest of us, well, we just had fun.

Girls night out with SFGDiary - Let's learn calligraphy, shall we?

And I’m not at all ashamed to admit that I was by far the least gifted calligrapher. So much so, that I decided to celebrate it with the art form I, ahem, learned.

My main lesson learned? I'm not a calligrapher. But that didn't stop me from making a Christmas gift tag for Oprah. Oh! And did I mention I spilled ink on Valorie's tablecloth. I am the BEST guest. Ever. (Sorry, Val!!)

My takeaway? While I love the art of calligraphy, I now know that I do not possess that gift and the best takeaway of all? I know EXACTLY who I’ll call when I need it done. Instead of GhostBusters, she’s the PostBusters. Get it? Because she’ll create beautiful custom calligraphy for envelopes and invites and such?? Oh, never mind.

Thanks again, SFGDiary for a night of new and old friends, and talented and inspiring women who love creating, love to try new things, are willing to take risks, respect other girls, are good role models and are able to laugh at themselves throughout it all. It was so much fun that I’m already planning another girls night for December. Who’s up for cupcake decorating classes with Magnolia Bakery?

**Please check out the goodness of my fellow guests:
SFGDiary

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What “Girls Night Out” task should we tackle next?

Dawn on the Dear Mattie show on iTunes!

Posted on September 4, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Dear Mattie podcast on iTunes, EP. 6 DAWN MCCOY OF BEAUTYFROSTING.COM - Dawn McCoy is THAT neighbor who cooks food for you and just sits right down on your front porch for a chat. I love her. She's also the creator of BeautyFrosting.com, which is all things beauty, baking, & being.

Oh, Mattie!

I am so honored and thrilled to be a guest on the Dear Mattie podcast this week on iTunes with one of my best friends (and neighbors) host, Matt Marr!

Download and listen on your commute, on a walk (like I just did), on the plane or just while washin’ dishes! Listeners’ questions we answer include: parents with narcissism, cell phone etiquette, discovering your true self and a 33-year-old woman in a romantic relationship with a 19-year-old (oh my!).

We also chat about southern sins, new chapters, branding, Step Up, rediscovering childhood passions, my Nanny, how I almost became an FBI agent and the new definition of layover. And just wait til you hear the Chatty Mattie questions. Oh my.

What fun we had on that hot summer day!
Click here to download and listen:
http://www.talktomattmarr.com/podcasts/ep-6-dawn-mccoy-beautyfrostingcom/

xoxo,

BF Asks: Do you have a question you want Dear Mattie to answer? Send him one here. Or are there any questions you wish he’d asked me?

Freeday Friday: #WinInBloom Post-Valentine’s Lingerie & Book Giveaway!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Like this Peaches’n’Cream robe?

Enjoying a toast in my peach ladies room in my In Bloom Intimates by Jonquil Peaches'n'Cream Wrap Robe ($68) *Picture by Lindsey Vaerst

It can be yours, my coquettish cupcakes!

Just because Valentine’s Day is over tomorrow, who says the fun, romance and whimsy has to end??

You know you want it…this robe, that is. And it CAN be yours!! *Picture by Lindsey Vaerst

To celebrate the week after Valentine’s Day, I am hosting a FreeDay Friday Gorgeous Giveaway with In Bloom Intimates by Jonquil to celebrate romance all-year-long and to celebrate the debut of my talented friend, Katie Delahanty’s new novel, In Bloom (digital download for sale on Amazon for only $0.99!).

My favorite new book AND a $75 gift card from In Bloom Intimates by Jonquil? What could be sweeter than that?

It’s as easy – and sweet- as pie to enter:

To enter, you MUST be following BeautyFrosting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Then, you need to follow:
https://twitter.com/KTDelahanty
https://www.facebook.com/KatieDelahantyAuthor
http://instagram.com/bloomliv
https://twitter.com/InBloomLingerie

When you’ve done all of the above, just repost a pic from below with this comment or tweet:

I just entered #WinInBloom #contest @beautyfrosting @ktdelahanty @inbloomlingerie @bloomliv !

Keep the romance of Valentine's Day going all year long! *Picture by Lindsey Vaerst

That’s it! And then you’re entered to win a $75 In Bloom by Jonquil gift card and a digital copy of Katie Delahanty’s debut novel, In Bloom. I’ll announce the winner NEXT Friday, February 21st!
Pretty sweet, huh?

Hosting giveaways always makes me smile… *Picture by Lindsey Vaerst

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: If you win, which piece are you gonna get?

****Update 2/21/14: Congrats to our Winner-Winner-Chicken-Dinner, AILEEN B.!!!!

My Birthday Party 2013: Come As You Were…or WISH You Were In High School

Posted on December 10, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

The gang! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Oh, how I love me a theme party! I have one every year for my birthday and it always fills me with such joy. I mean what could be more fun than dressing up like someone – or something – else, being surrounded by friends, sipping champagne, eating delicious eats, polishing off some cake and dancing until the sun comes up? I’ll tell ya – not much. Previous birthday party themes of mine have included Dallas (the 80s show), 80s, 70s, Toddlers & Tiaras and more.

But this year’s had to have been my favorite thus far! I decided last year at my birthday that the theme would be “Come As You Were…or Wish You Were In High School.” So when I was home in Dallas in October, I broke out my Episcopal School of Dallas private school uniform (the skirt still fit! Yay!) and my cheerleading uniform (the top didn’t fit because I grabbed my JV uniform my mistake – oops!) and decided it was ON!

One of my best friends – and my former roomie and uber-talented BeautyFrosting graphic designer – Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe designed the adorable invite drawing on the colors of my home, varsity lettering and, of course, pom-poms.

The oh-so-cute invitation designed by Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe

Next, my dear hairstylist & friend, Robby LaRiviere, whipped my hair up into some pretty darned precious pigtails, I picked up some saddle shoes at Shelly’s Dance (my FAVE for costumes & alterations in LA!!!) and I donned Outfit #1. Oh, honey, you KNOW there was gonna be a wardrobe change!

THE FASHION

Outfit #1: My Episcopal School of Dallas uniform from 1996:

Donning my Episcopal School of Dallas original uniform! The fact that it still fit is cause alone for celebration! Photo by Guerrero Photography & Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography, Custom Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

And with glasses, of course!

And I had to wear glasses for a few, of course! Glasses by Ivory Mason, Photo by Guerrero Photography & Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography, Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

Outfit #2:
My Episcopal School of Dallas Cheerleading Uniform from 1993 (GO EAGLES!!!) – I grabbed by JV – and not my Varsity uniform – by mistake so Shelly’s had to let out the chest a bit. I was 15 when I last wore this one!

Donning my ESD Junior Varsity Cheerleading Uniform, American Apparel knee socks & saddle shoes from Shelly's; Photography by Guerrero Photography and Photobooth by Takahiro Watanabe Photography; Custom Tassel Garland by Studio Mucci

THE DECOR

I love that my birthday is so close to Christmas because I can decorate my house for Christmas and let it serve as deco for my birthday party. With my Studio Mucci custom tassel garlands, Shabby Chic decorations, pastel lights and vintage finds from Uptown Country Home that I’ve bought over the years, I love creating a Whimsical Winter Wonderland. Add some wintry pink & blue balloons and my high school yearbooks and you’ve got a party!

The living room...

Kids love those balloons...

More deco...

THE LIBATIONS

I remember that Queer Eye For The Straight Guy said it best once. “The right cocktails keep your guests socially lubricated.” When you’re mixing together over 50 of your closest friends – some who know one another but many who don’t – you want to keep the cocktails flowing. I decided to keep it simple by supplying a wine bar. Lucky for me, One Hope Wine and Hope at Home were eager to help.

One Hope Wine tantalized my guests' tastebuds with 4 of their wine varietals and a signature cocktail that we'll be debuting on Thursday on Thirsty Thursday this week!

With a signature cocktail, BeautyFrosting’s Spiced Rum Apple Cider Mimosa (catch the recipe this Thursday on BF on Thirsty Thursday), Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Pinot Noir 2011, Chardonnay 2012, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and their new California Brut Sparkling Wine (All wines are $18.99), my guests were totally socially lubricated. Everyone raved about my wine selection from One Hope – and my bartender & party hostess, Kristin – but the California Brut Sparkling Wine was the first to go! People were literally asking me how they could get some One Hope of their own!

A bucket full of hope on ice! Photo by Guerrero Photography

But my favorite thing about One Hope – besides the way it tastes – is the charity component that makes them who they are. With every bottle of One Hope wine sold, an impact is made as 50% of the proceeds goes to a variety of good causes including: AIDS, Alzheimers, Autism, Breast Cancer, Childhood Hunger, Veterans and more. I’ll be featuring One Hope every Thursday for the next 6 Thirsty Thursdays so you’ll see lots more of them – and the love I have for everything that they’re about!

THE NIBBLES

Well, we know I’m a foodie and I love to bake but, um, sometimes I can go overkill when it comes to my parties. For this one, I relied on a few of my party faves – such as Southern Shrimp Ball, Bandito Black Bean dip, L’il Smokies, Texas Ranch House Queso, Red Velvet Dip and Pistachio Thumbprint and Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies that are always a hit. And then I hit up Whole Foods for a veggie tray and Trader Joe’s for cheese, charcuterie and crackers.

The spread…a foodie's dream!

And then there was the cake…Oh my…

The cake by Hansen's Cakes

Hansen’s Cakes was responsible for this deliciousness. Marble cake with butterchip filling and buttercream frosting. I’m still dreaming of it but had to give all leftovers away!

THE PHOTOS

As a photographer’s daughter – and a blogger, of course – photos are super important to me. So I asked my friends, Takahiro Watanabe Photography and Guerrero Photography to help me out for the evening.
The DIY Photobooth with Takahiro that I literally just put outside against a stucco wall was a hit. That’s gonna have to be a whole other post because EVERYONE can do this and it was sooooo much fun!

Here are just a few of the 267 photos from the Photobooth. For more, check out the entire album of fun (complete with my house pics, food pics and more) at: Dawn’s Birthday 2013: Come As You Were…or Wish You Were in High School on Facebook (yep, I made it public for your perusal & enjoyment).

Photobooth fun! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

hotobooth fun! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Another group shot by Guerrero Photography:

The gang! Photos by Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Thank you to all of my friends who came, drank, ate, danced til 4 am, showered me with gifts & love and took pics with me all night long! It was a magical night I will always remember!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

CREDITS

Wine & Cocktails by: One Hope Wine & Hope At Home

Blowout & Pigtails by: Robby LaRiviere

Photos by: Takahiro Watanabe Photography & Guerrero Photography

Tassel Garlands by: Studio Mucci

Party Set-up Assistant: Sarah of TaskRabbit

Bartender/Guest Hostess: Kristin of TaskRabbit

Cake: Hansen’s Cakes

Wardrobe Alterations & Shoes: Shelly’s Dance Supply

Friday Funday: Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Posted on August 9, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

To me, Summer 2013 will always be about rooftop Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood.

On the rooftop of The London West Hollywood reflecting on all of the friends, fun and fine tunes Summer 2013 has brought into my world

I imagine I will forever think of that rooftop – set to the sounds of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” – as the frozen video of Summer 2013. And what a magical memory to have!

I have spent a few “Wednesdays at Sunset” at The London West Hollywood and each one has been better than the last. But I have to say the best one I’ve had yet was when I hosted a Rooftop Cabana Cocktail Party for my favorite blogger-friends a few weeks ago.

Hosting a cabana party for a few of my blogger friends at Wednesdays at Sunset at The London West Hollywood

Between the delightful conversation with my fellow bloggers, new friends meeting each other and delicious bites and cocktails, it was my favorite event of the year thus far!

The attendees at my Blogger Cabana Cocktail Party on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood

I get by with a little help from my friends...and with the help of the beautiful setting of The London West Hollywood

We snacked on seafood cocktail, BBQ chicken flat breads, the LA Street Dog and delicious marshmallow cupcakes and sipped Strongbow Mimosas which were DIVINE!

The delicious details at The London West Hollywood "Wednesdays at Sunset"

And with our soundtrack set to the spins of Infamous DJs, we were in summer heaven!

My guests included the Beauty Professor, Spoiled Little LA Girls, Skinny Fat Girl Diary, Jennifer Chan of E!, Rose Curiel of E!, Whitney Lader of hoopLA, Hostess Handbook, Elle contributor Ashley Terrill, Jessica Yudin of The Fetch Betch LA & FabFitFun and more!

And everyone was delighted to receive L’Oreal Paris giftbags courtesy of L’Oreal Paris USA and Corbis Entertainment!

Jess Garvey of Hostess Handbook (on left) with her luxe L'Oreal Paris USA gift bag!

I want to extend a special THANK YOU to our gracious hosts, The London West Hollywood (of course!) and my fairy godmother, Gina Wade Creative. This wouldn’t have been possible without your imagination, generosity and amazing service – not to mention – the most fab hotel, and rooftop, in town!

I'm always smiling at The London West Hollywood!

‘Til next time, my beloved London…

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What defines Summer 2013 to you?

Friend Friday: Guest Blogger, Nami M.Scott’s LAdies Interview #2 with me – on film!

Posted on December 7, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

I am such a fan of Nami M. Scott! I think you guys know that by now. She’s an engaging blogger, an amazing artist, a social media maven, a style icon and a good friend to boot.

So when she wanted to do another LAdies interview with me here at my home, which friends call The Cupcake Palace, I was thrilled!
Nami brought her video set-up, her interview hat (figuratively speaking), her style and her set of thought-provoking questions.
Our good friend Kristin came along with her film know-how, head-shaking and advice.
And I made Gratitude cocktails and picked up some pastel cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery since I didn’t have time to bake.
We all settled into my living room and ended up having a laughter-filled, delirious, delicious afternoon!

Thanks so much, Nami, for such a fun & memorable afternoon! Now, here’s Nami’s post from www.NamiMScott.com
If you haven’t subscribed to her blog yet, you really should!

*********
(Originally posted on www.NamiMScott.com on Friday 11/30, 2012)
LA LADIES: INTERVIEW #1 (REVISITED) – DAWN MCCOY (BEAUTY BLOGGER & MORE!)

What would you get if you combined Dolly Parton, Cinderella, Catherine Zeta Jones, a pound and a half of glitter, some ribbons, 3 ground pistachios nuts, 2 cups of sprinkles, a tube of red lipstick, and a large dollop of pink frosting?
Dawn McCoy of BeautyFrosting. Duh. Everyone knows that. (Well, everyone that knows Dawn knows that.)

So, remember back in the beginning of October when I interviewed Dawn? (No? You can check it out here – warning: it’s a transcribed interview, so if you don’t feel like reading a ton, hold on for a minute.)

Well, I just didn’t feel like Dawn’s sunny personality was conveyed correctly through the written word (though we did our damnedest and got pretty close), so I figured “why not do a video interview with her to make up for it?”

Well, ya know what? When I “figure” things…then I do them. (Insert a superhero pose here.)

And with that, I was able to pluck my dear friend Dawn from her ridiculously busy schedule to ask her some questions…and not only did I get to pick her brain, but I also got to do it at “The Cupcake Palace”…also known as Dawn’s apartment. (Imagine if you lived in a colorful pastry large enough to house a white baby grand and a truckload of vintage dishes…Have that image in your head? Ok. You’re ready for The Cupcake Palace.)

You know what else is exciting? It’s Dawn’s birthday today! (Insert me singing the birthday song very quickly because I always think it’s kind of awkward to sing it alone.) Timely post, eh? So, without further ado…To Dawn, may you have a wonderful, magical, fantastical birthday! Thank you so much for taking time out to sit with me, to share your pearls of wisdom, and also feed me cupcakes. (She also made “Gratitude Cocktails”…this woman knows how to take care of her guests!) Love you tons!

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy!

For those of you who are curious to know more about the things Dawn mentioned in the interview, here’s some info:

Dawn’s Top Fav Body Care Item of the Moment:
B&E Soap & Scrub Co.’s Vanilla Oatmeal Brown Sugar Scrub

Dawn’s Top Fav Make-Up Item of the Moment:
Mac Lipstick in Ruby Woo

Dawn’s Suggested Facial Oils:
Trader Joe’s Vitamin E Oil
Caudalíe Divine Oil
Darphin 8-Flower Nectar
Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil

You can also find Dawn’s Pistachio Thumbprint Cookie recipe here and her Pistachio Cupcake recipe here.

Hope you had as much fun as I did and if you want more of Dawn (who doesn’t?) check her out atwww.BeautyFrosting.com…

Now, let’s all go and find our “little happies,” shall we? xo!