Life is like an escalator…

Posted on October 6, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Oh, just me on the escalator of life…

Life really is like an escalator. You ride it up and down and back up again, stepping out onto different floors, to take in all the options, only to sometimes find yourself back on the same floor you started on, looking at a whole different season of options, through a different pair of rose-colored sunglasses.
That’s how I feel about Nordstrom.

My first job in LA was at Nordstrom. I worked as a Trish McEvoy makeup artist at Westside Pavillion and Topanga Canyon. What I remember most is how I so terribly yearned for the day when I would “make it”… meaning that I would be working as a full-time creative, with no one to answer to.

Funny thing, life. Tonight, as I toasted the grand opening celebration of the grand new Nordstrom Del Amo – as a guest this timeout Nordstrom & the charity, Walk With Sally – I could feel that girlish spirit alive and radiating through me. I recalled such fond memories of kind customers, comedic quips of my counter co-horts, jotting down my dreams in my journal at lunch, calling casting directors on breaks, and just biding my time, yearning for the day when those days would be but a memory.

Well, now they are. And, I miss that girl. A lot. But the one thing I’ve learned in this cyclical little life of mine is to not be so busy looking for what’s up ahead, that you miss what’s right there in front of you. Look at each step on the escalator you’re on, even as you’re climbing on to the next one.

And, here’s a little hint: You ALWAYS have someone to answer to, not least of all…yourself. And, I’ve found that that chick is the toughest boss of all.

Thank you for a beautiful night, Nordstrom and Walk With Sally. My heart is grateful for our memories then, our present now, and out future ahead.

xoxo,
Dawn

On The Board: Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association

Posted on September 26, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

At the LA Kappas Kickoff Brunch with my fellow board members, co-president, Mikey (right) and treasurer, Nuphar.

Ok, confession: I was not the most active sorority girl.

Just ask my Kappa house roommates.

While a Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Texas at Austin, I was actively pursing an acting career, withdrew in the middle of my junior semester (with my dean’s approval & much to my parents’ chagrin) to be a “Player’s Wife” in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday, was dating a producer 7 years older, was appearing in commercials you never saw, and even took 25 hours of classes to graduate in 3 1/2 years (which had to happen or my professor parents would have KILLED me for leaving that one semester).

So, to perhaps make up for my lackluster college participation, I was honored to be asked to be on the board of the LA Kappas Alumni Association, as Philanthropy Chair.

I’m looking forward to encouraging as many women as possible to get involved with the charities I work with currently, and many more.

If you work with a charity and would like to partner with Kappa, send me a message, and if you’re a Kappa living in LA, and would like to join the Kappa alum fun, hit me up.

Loyally, Dawn 🔺

‘Tails: Dress: @Forever21 (coachella 2014, baby! @jennifercchan @rocuriel)

Hair: @beautybyninfa

xoxo,
Dawn

Gone From The Peripheral Vision Of Our Everyday Lives

Posted on March 15, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

So sad that oftentimes it takes beloved city institutions going out of business to make us yearn for how good we had it. Such is the case with Sunday’s closing of Jan’s Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles for me.

Jan's Restaurant in Los Angeles

Jan’s was one of the first places I ever went to in Los Angeles when I moved out from Texas to pursue a career in entertainment, following my college graduation in the summer of 2000. My college professor mom had accompanied me on my road trip out here from Dallas, and we had the mission of finding me an apartment as quickly as possible, before her fall semester commenced. Every morning, we would start the day, fueling up on my dreams and diner grub at Jan’s, a restaurant reminiscent of the diner on Alice, that was eternally and delightfully stuck in a 70s time warp. There, I would order their deliciously unhealthy powdered sugar-slathered French toast (back when I was still able to eat carbs with abandon), and Mom would order their signature spinach salad, even in those early hours of the morning.

The epic spinach salad at Jan's Restaurant

Upon Mom’s last day in LA, after 3 weeks of being out here setting up my first real apartment, before returning to Dallas – and leaving her baby for good in Los Angeles – our regular waitress at Jan’s, named Ann, helped ease the transition for us. As we sat in our regular booth, Mom and I were tearful, and a bit shaky, as I could already feel the homesickness creeping up in my throat. Ann came over to our booth and patted me on the back. She told my mom, “Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll take care of her.” She turned to me, “Whenever you are homesick, honey, you come here and see me!” She then took out a pen from her apron and wrote down some words on the back of our check. It was a Buddhist chant that she felt had changed her life, and she told me to say it to myself whenever I needed help falling asleep at night or when I felt homesick, lonely and far from home: Nam-Myo-Ho-Renge-Kyo.

Mother & Daughter in 2000

I think of how many things have changed since those days so long ago at Jan’s as I set out on this new adventure in a new city as a new adult – I’ve had different boyfriends and different jobs, I’ve moved to Nashville and moved back from Nashville, I’ve made two records, lived in four different houses, fallen in love a few times, broken up with those same loves, started a blog, been the voiceover for numerous national commercials, and have achieved my own little corner of sweet success out here in Los Angeles. Yet, one of the constants in my life is that I still say that chant that Ann gave me in times of unrest, when I need calming.

On the next to last day that it would be open, before it becomes a Chipotle, I went to Jan’s. I asked to sit in Ann’s section (there was a wait of course, due to her popularity), ordered the spinach salad, quietly watched her work, and observed the other patrons, who looked as though they were feeling as sad and nostalgic as I was.

I saw elderly men arguing about the bill, an offbeat, artistic-looking mother and daughter team taking in the menu, groups of friends reminiscing in the corner booths, lots of 40-something parents who had brought their little kids to give them one last sip of their own lost youth, and a young man upset that the oatmeal and iced tea had run out. After all, no need to order more when you’re closing up shop the next day.

But, mostly, I saw folks like me – people visiting their memories of yesteryear, housed in this family diner – and trying to taste that last bittersweet bite of nostalgia before every morsel was gone. In the booth across from me, sat a little old lady, armed with a parked walker and a smile. She was eating an Egg Beaters omelet, drowning in picante sauce. She told me that she had come to Jan’s every Saturday and Sunday. When I asked her how long she had been coming, she replied, “Too many years to count!” I have a feeling she’s one of many who would have had that same answer.

As much as it warmed my heart to see all of these patrons who loved Jan’s there, I couldn’t help but think how annoyed the owners and employees must be with us – “If you guys had been loyal and turned out like this all along, we wouldn’t be going out of business.” Sure, I can head over to their sister restaurant, Astro in the valley, for that spinach salad, or to splurge on french toast when the craving hits me, but it’s less about the food and establishment; it’s more about the people who fill the space, run it every day, give it its soul, and make it feel alive…people like Ann.

Ann.

While it hurts us as individual patrons – and our whole society – that institutions like Jan’s are closing in droves and will be no more, it hurts even more that the figures at the heart center of these institutions will no longer be living in the peripheral vision of our everyday lives. Whenever I went there, it felt like home – as much as anything did, and now the time has come to bid adieu to another home I knew. Another home I loved.

Before I left today, I shared with Ann, that I still have that check with her handwritten chant on it, and have been repeating that chant, almost nightly, for 15 years now. She remembered me, and inquired as to how my mom was. I told her that Mom was fine, but she would sorely miss those spinach salads.

Then, I asked Ann what she would be doing now that Jan’s was closing. She said that after 31 years there, she won’t be relocating to the Astro location. Instead, she’ll be retiring, and then hopefully, moving back to her native Thailand. I can only hope that she gets as much peace in her retirement, as she has given me these past 15 years. I hugged Ann, gave her my business card, she gave me her address in that same familiar handwriting, and said, “Maybe you can come visit me in Thailand!” I left her a $50 tip on a $12 bill.

Somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough.

xoxo,
Dawn

Friday Funday: The Loverly First Look Event at The Washbow

Posted on February 6, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

Oh, how I LOVE surprises!

This is the one! Eva Franco for Loverly

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the most precious, pretty girls brunch with a first look preview of the new Eva Franco for Loverly Collection at The Washbow, hosted by Be Inspired PR.

Eva Franco For Loverly

These dresses! I mean…can spring just come already?

A rainbow of dresses to match the cake you'll see later...

Besides darling dresses for your bridesmaids, showers or award season, the party itself was a stunner!

With Valorie Darling of Skinny Fat Girl Diary

Charming party rentals with tons of personality like this pink bar from Archive Rentals!

Charming party rentals like this bar from Archive Rentals! (I WANT!! Too bad there's no room in my house!)

Champagne & mimosa bar from One Hope Wine:

One Hope Wine hosted a sparkling champagne & DIY mimosa bar

Glam bar from GlamSquad. Just look how glam we look!

Thanks for the glomming, Glam Squad!

Delicious bites from 24 Carrots Catering. Helllloooo, glazed donut hole – and chicken nugget – sandwiches!

Donut hole and chicken nugget sandwiches! Say whaaa???

Rainbow cake from Beverly’s Best Bakery:

Pastel Rainbow Cake! And, y'all, it was one of the best cakes I've had in ages!!

Cakelet party favors from Beverly’s Best Bakery in assorted pastel rainbow colors:

The perfect take-home treat for a girl with a blog named BeautyFrosting

I got blue cake!

And LOTS of fun, laughter and good times with some of my favorite girlfriends!

Dawn and Jenn together again. Are y'all tired of pictures of us together yet?

Thanks for having us yesterday, Loverly & Leila Lewis!

xoxo,

BF Asks: Which would have been your favorite part of the party – the fashion, the festive decor, the furniture, the food or the fun?

BeautyFrosting Pictorial: A Girl, A Brew, Her Book and Her Boo

Posted on November 13, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Life can be so busy.

So I have been making a conscious effort lately to relax a bit more.

Hang out with my dog. Pop a cold one.

Unwind.

Read a book.

Relax.

And soak in the sun.

I’m liking how this is going.

*This orange-themed pictorial features an Alexx Jae and Milk tee and a Sandcloud beach towel.

xoxo,
BF

#Bf30DaysofGratitude Day 5: Anti-Bullying & Kindness Campaigns

Posted on November 5, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

#Bf30DaysofGratitude Day 5: Today, I am so grateful for all of the anti-bullying campaigns and organizations alive today, such as @kindcampaign @noh8campaign @trevorproject @stompoutbullying and @bravetrails (whose bingo fundraiser is tonight at WeHo Hamburger Mary’s). As a woman who spent a good portion of her young life yo-yo dieting and straightening my naturally curly hair as a result of a few cruel, careless words uttered by 8th grade kids, I can assure you that the effects of bullying can last a lifetime.

And I know how easy I had it. So many aren’t that lucky. Thus, I am so thankful that these forward-thinking organizations exist to encourage and educate the bullied, the bullies, the parents and the educators. Bullying cannot – and – WILL NOT – be tolerated. And I support any and every organization that fights it.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Were you ever the victim of a bully? How did it affect your life?

Mani Monday (a day late): The Killing Moon

Posted on October 28, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Halloween manis don’t have to be SCARY!!!

Just look at my gel mani this week, designed by my girl @noemihk at Enamel Diction !

I call it “The Killing Moon.” With the stiletto shape, it’s just enough wicked without being witchy.

Mani Monday (a day late): The Killing Moon by @NoemiHK at Enamel Diction

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What mani is haunting your nails this Halloween?

Mani Monday: The Newly Refined French Mani

Posted on October 13, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

I love me some nail art. It’s always fun, whimsical and unexpected.

But when it came time to decide what nail design Enamel Diction would adorn me with for my annual fall trip home to Dallas, I was a little reticent.

I wanted to keep it simple and classic (so Mom would approve), showcase the natural length of my once-bitten nails (that have plagued my mom for over 30 years) and add a little LA flair (because, well – hey! – that’s me).

This is what we – @DaniJean_W and @Mairanisnails and I – at Enamel Diction came up with. I call it The Newly Refined French Mani.

Upside Down. Boy, ya turn me. Mani Monday: The Newly Refined French Mani by @DaniJean_W & @MairanisNails of Enamel Diction (Jewelry 'tails: on the right hand, A.V. Max NYC ring and bracelets & Marcia Moran rings and bracelets on the left)

I wanted a classic french manicure with a twist. So a gold diamond-centered stud on the ring finger and a chevron-defined french mani with a band of gold seemed like the perfect compromise.

Turn it up. Mani Monday: The Newly Refined French Mani, ℅ Enamel Diction (Jewelry 'tails: on the left hand, A.V. Max NYC ring and bracelets & Marcia Moran rings and bracelets on the right)

Now, what will the Enamel Diction girls and I come up with next?

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What mani should I get for the spoooooookiest day of the year?

Reward Rosy Day

Posted on September 19, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

As with many inspirations in my life, it started unexpectedly…with a text. From Rosy (accompanied with pictures): “Do you know of a salon with a good colorist? I’m looking to change my look a bit.”

Oh, Rosy, you don’t even know the heavenly hornet’s nest you just stirred up.

If you checked out my post yesterday, you learned all about Rosy Garcia – a very inspiring girl and special friend of mine whom I met through my involvement with Step Up Women’s Network, an organization that I just love to bits. That one innocent text led me to deciding that instead of just taking her to afternoon tea, as I had planned, to celebrate her hard work and UC Berkeley acceptance, I needed to give this girl a day of pampering before she took off to begin her new collegiate chapter.

But I knew I couldn’t do it alone. So I gathered some of my top-tier beauty friends and salons, who were excited to help, and we ended up giving her a day to remember. As much as I had meant for it to be a gift for her, it ended up being an even bigger gift for me. I got to spend a day with Rosy and get to know her not only as a mentee and Step Up alumna, but also as a friend. Learning more about Rosy led me to respect her even more than I already did, and made me very giddy about the future she has ahead of her. Now, every time she texts me or posts on social media, it’s like connecting to a member of my family. The pride I feel for her accomplishments? There’s nothing like it. Pure joy.

Here’s what Rosy experienced on Reward Rosy day, thanks to my talented and generous friends in the beauty world. Let it inspire you to take a “Reward You Day” of your own at these, a few of my fabulous beauty meccas.

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014: Reward Rosy Day

#EverythingsComingUpRosy

8 am Gagik of Uber started the day off on the right foot by picking Rosy up at her home in an Uber Black car.

The queen has arrived! Reward Rosy Day begins with the help of Uber

8:30 am Then he dropped her off to meet me for a quick breakfast at Blu Jam Cafe, where we had the sweetest waitress, Chloe, who made sure the breakfast was a delight! Rosy needed to fuel up for the big day ahead! And I, unfortunately, had to hot-step it over to Santa Monica to record some voiceovers for Marshall’s!

Rosy and I at Blu Jam Cafe for breakfast

9:30 am I dropped off Rosy for 3 hours of pampering at Zenii Skin and Nails, where the ladies of Zenii made her feel like a queen. I’ve been going to Zenii myself for a while for all sorts of services. So what keeps me going back? It just feels like home. It’s comfy, quick and everyone’s courteous and, thankfully, creative. On the agenda for our girl, Rosy? They started with their Classic Laddi Facial ($60) by esteemed esthetician, Candace, whose facials and waxing are SERIOUSLY legendary. She was left with clean, gorgeous and glowing skin – just what a UC Berkeley student needs to get her on the right path of a lifelong skincare regimen. Next, they shaped her brows, giving a defined frame to her already beautiful face. And lastly, she enjoyed a gel manicure ($40) and a Classic Ladii pedicure ($25).

And, lastly, those lovely ladies of Zenii gifted her with a beauty kit of her own to maintain her look, complete with exfoliating gloves and nail care kit. Zenii is zeee best!

Queen Rosy getting her Ladii pedicure at the fabulous Zenii Skin and Nails. What's she thinking, you ask? "I could get used to this."

Rosy getting her gel mani at Zenii Skin and Nails

12:30 pm Next on Rosy’s agenda? The hair she was dreaming about at Maven Beverly Hills, with my friend – and fellow southern belle – Meredith Morris. After consulting with Meredith and showing her Rosy’s ombré inspiration pics, she decided to do some of her famous melted highlights and ombré to create Rosy’s dream look. Now, here’s what you have to know about Maven Beverly Hills. It reminds me of the salons I grew up going to in Dallas…except, well, a bit more chic. Besides Meredith’s visionary talent, when it comes to the coifs she creates, her design aesthetic is straight off of my favorite Pinterest inspiration boards. So, not only are you getting a great color and cut, but you’re doing it in the most pretty, pristine environment in town. And Meredith’s beautiful blue eyes and charming accent certainly don’t hurt.

Here is Rosy, PM (Pre-Meredith):

Rosy: Pre-Meredith (side)

Rosy: Pre-Meredith (back)

And during. (I had to include this, y’all. Rosy sent it to me with this caption, “I feel like Storm from X-Men!!!”)

Storm, er, I mean Rosy during her Maven experience

Aaaaaaand Post-Meredith (PM). Oh shoot, I already did that! Okay, we’ll go with Post-Meredith.

Post-Meredith: Rosy with melted highlights and the ombré she craved

After this pic, Meredith moved on to her next appointment (she's a busy gal) but she was kind enough to let our next surprise take place at her studio!

2 pm: In comes my friend – and suuuuper talented makeup artist, and all-around sweet gal – Colleen from Pixi Beauty to give Rosy a makeover.

Colleen pixifying our girl, Rosy at Maven Beverly Hills

And not just a makeover. Pixi also gifted Rosy with all of the beauty essentials she’d need as a busy UC Berkeley babe! Here’s Rosy with her favorite Pixi shadow palette!

Rosy with her new friend and beauty guru, Colleen from Pixi. Just LOOK at those brows!!

3 pm: I had planned one last surprise for Rosy – afternoon high tea at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. And, it was a treat for me too because I’d never had afternoon tea there before in its entirety! It was luxe, y’all. But the more luxe part was getting to just sit…and relax after a busy day…and really catch up and connect with Rosy. For more of what we talked about, read yesterday’s post. Be sure to read what Rosy has to say about why she’s one of the most confident people I know. I promise it’ll inspire you, like it did me. As for the yummy stuff? Ohhhh. It. Was. Good.

Teatime with Rosy. Cheers to many more! At The Peninsula Hotel's Afternoon Tea with Rosy on Reward Rosy Day

No big deal. Just Rosy and I sipping some tea and showing off our gorgeous Zenii gel manis.

Um, did I mention that it was yummy?

6 pm: Now, here’s the thing. It was time to take Rosy home. But, well, I didn’t want to. Nope. Not yet. No, I’m not talking about kidnapping, but it did feel like a shame for her to be dressed up with no place to go. Soooooo…

6:30 pm: We went to The London West Hollywood rooftop pool! Not just randomly. I had an American Brand Project event to attend, and I had the prettiest date in town! We took in the sights of the city and snapped a few pics before taking Rosy home.

I thought I looked like Cher from Clueless in this pic. Rosy LOVED it. I think because it's funny? Or ironic? Or both. But now, I love it, too. Because it's the perfect pic for the end of our perfect day. Really. A PERFECT day. When can you say that?

And I have to tell y’all this. Sorry to out you, my friend, Rosy. But my favorite part of this whole day? Rosy just couldn’t stop looking at herself in the mirror. She’s a humble girl, so don’t get me wrong. But it speaks volumes about what an impact Zenii, Maven and Pixi Beauty had in making her feel her best as she headed off to UC Berkeley that week. At one point, I was asking her a question repeatedly, and she was so distracted by her own beauty, she didn’t even hear me. My heart just melted. It really was my favorite moment because I knew we’d made something special happen, which is exactly what I wanted for this girl, Rosy, who makes special things happen for everyone all the time.

The note I wrote for Rosy on the Cover Girl Inspiration wall at a VMAs event the next night.

xoxo,
BF

Mani Monday: The Thin Gold Line

Posted on September 15, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Just another Mani Monday.
This week it’s back to gel manis. I need some super durability in my life!

I call this one…The Thin Gold Line by @Hyewon8803 at my new neighborhood nail salon, Enamel Diction.

With the nude and gold, it’s such a classic, chic and sophisticated minimalist mani. I’m only sad I only get to have it a week! Why, you ask? After all, Enamel Diction gel manis usually last 2 weeks. Welllll…I’m headed to the iHeartRadio Music Festival and I need my nails to match all the fun that I’m gonna have!!

*necklace featured by Anthropologie

Mani Monday: The Thin Gold Line at Enamel Diction - mani by Hyewon Kong

xoxo,

BF Asks: What mani are you rockin’ this week?