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

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

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!

High-Low: It Takes A Village & Too Much Everything

HIGH: It Takes A Village

High-Low: It Takes A Village

Well, you may have noticed that I took a little break from BF the past few weeks. Believe me, it was not voluntary. I was in the throes of celebrating our BeautyFrosting 2nd bloggiversary and threw quite a fête here at The Cupcake Palace to celebrate (more on that later).

With the help of my mom, friends, assistants and generous sponsors, I “single-handedly” threw the party that I had dreamed of to celebrate 2 years of BeautyFrosting. See, that’s the joke! Everyone said, “Wow! How did you manage to pull off a party at your home for 70 people when it’s just you working full-time at it?” Well, here’s the thing. I may be a one-man shop but I’ve got a whole host of people who help it run smoothly and make it so much more fun. From friends to part-time assistants to my champions cheering me on, I never feel like I’m alone in making my dreams come true.

I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who believe in the beauty of my dreams and who encourage me to keep doing my best and giving my all every single day. I am beyond thankful for them.

So, my high this week is all of you folks who have supported me the past 2 years, who helped make this dream of a “BF Turns 2″ bloggiversary party a reality and to the people who inspire me every day. There are SO many of you but let’s just start with the party people who made my party a seamless and beautiful affair: Mom, Vanessa York, Chris Richards, Lindsey Vaerst, Joey LiMandri, Lindy Ryan, Heather Adair, Rosy Usagi and Malina Li. Between stuffing giftbags, hanging decorations, shopping at HomeGoods, bringing ice, waiting for people to arrive, offering to help in any way and offering moral support, y’all make it all so much sweeter!

 LOW: Too Much Everything

LOW: You can do anything but you can't do EVERYTHINGI’ll be honest with ya, here. People often ask me how I do it all – “How do you come up with ideas to write about? How do you go to so many events? How do you stay so positive? How do you make time for spin class? How do you make time for makeup? How do you find time to bake with all of that going on?” And when they ask me this, I always feel really flattered. I’m so happy that I make a busy life seem so easy and fun. But let me tell you, y’all, it’s not all rainbows and cupcakes and puppy dogs all the time. The past month has taught me a lot. The main thing is this little life lesson above – “You can do anything but you can’t do everything. Yep. I hear ya. LOUD AND CLEAR.

For a person who really thrives when they’re multi-tasking as much as I do, it’s really hard to know your limits. And it’s even harder for me to say no to a friend or business associate. But, by golly, I am learning  – albeit, verrrry slowly – that I cannot do everything, no matter how hard I try. I can’t do it all. I can’t please ’em all and  I can’t be it all to everyone. But I sure can try to do my healthy best.

So today I am trying to focus on the things that I can do, the ways I can improve the lives of those around me and am trying to let go of the superfluous so I can have a little bit more me-time every now and then. Because when your business is, well, you, the lines can between work and play can get pretty blurry.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

*So what exactly is a High-Low, you ask? High-Low is the BEST & WORST part of your day, week, month, etc. I started this tradition with friends & family after I discovered it through a movie decades ago. Not only is it useful for reflection sake but it is also an excellent way to communicate with your spouse, kids or friends over the dinner table. By introducing this tradition to folks, parents have told me that their kids have opened up more and friends have told me that their spouses have become more communicative. Try it for yourself and let me know what your experience is! 

High-Low 11/11/13: Boudoir & Boundaries

I’m constantly amazed by how much your life can change in a week! I had tons of work to complete and over 8 events last week to attend (3 in one night on two nights) so there were a ton of “highs” to choose from and not too many lows, thankfully. But this “high” really took the cake and the “low” – as always – taught me a hard lesson that made me stronger.
HIGH: Boudoir Shoot with Unbuttoned Photography

Getting Primped before our first look by Emma Willis of Contour Fossa Makeup & Hair. Photo credit: Sherry Lewis & Claire Pearce, Unbuttoned Photography

It’s not every day a girl does a boudoir shoot. On a Sunday. In her home. On a day that a lunar eclipse is ending and a solar eclipse is beginning. A day on which my pilates teacher informed me that we’re destined to break patterns we’ve had for the past 19 years. (Gosh, that just sounded really LA, didn’t it?)

Especially not a girl raised in Dallas by professor parents and a southern baptist grandmother. But through this seemingly “stripping” experience, I gained so much more than I shed.

A behind-the-scenes selfie between shots for my shoot with Claire Pearce of Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography. Hair & makeup by Emma Willis of Contour Fossa Makeup & Hair

 

Here’s the thing. I’ve always been a girl. Girly-to-the-max with the spirit of a child and the responsibilities of a woman. Much of my childhood was spent being very grown up so perhaps I have held on to childhood a little longer than most. Not in a bad way at all – I’m just a bit more wide-eyed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than some folks my age and I sometimes see the world through rose-colored glasses. So I guess I really can’t complain.

Cupcakes and Pigtails - Behind The Scenes with Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography & Emma Willis

When I decided to do a boudoir shoot with Claire Pearce and Unbuttoned Photography, a few things came to mind. The first being that it was important that I do this. See, I turn 36 this month. For most of my life, I’ve had this feeling that 36 would be a critical year for me. It’s a weird feeling but it’s one that I trust. And it’s shaping up already to be an interesting one. My friends have complained forever that they want to see the sexy side of me more often. See, publicly, I embrace the girl – but the woman? Not so much. Well, this shoot helped me bring out the woman. And, y’all, she came out in spades.

Behind-the-scenes selfie at my Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography Shoot with Claire Pearce of Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography; Hair & makeup by Emma Willis of Contour Fossa Makeup & Hair

 

I was beyond at ease and sexy thanks to Claire’s soothing presence, Emma Willis of Contour Fossa Makeup & Hair’s beyond-gorgeous hair and makeup looks and a great team of assistants. I felt like a butterfly emerging out of a silky cocoon – thanks to lingerie and hosiery from In Bloom by Jonquil, Victoria’s Secret and Jet Rag vintage – while Robin Thicke, Meiko & D’Angelo played seductively in the background. Since it was at my house, it was a comfortable environment and I felt safe. I can’t recommend it highly enough for every woman out there.

*If you’re in LA, Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography has a special running right now for $745 for 14 images, hair and makeup! Um, can you say perfect holiday gift for the honey or yourself?

Sneak peak at the shoot - and a great deal for you!

**There’ll be more coming over the next few weeks with the actual shots from Unbuttoned Photography and more thoughts on my experience but I hope you enjoy these behind-the-scenes looks for now!

LOW: Boundaries

LOW: Boundaries

So if my high was the boudoir shoot, my low would have to be the opposite of that: boundaries. Ironic, huh? That these would be in the same week? Here’s the thing.

I friggin’ love people. Like so much that when someone asked me the other day what my passion was, I said “people”. I love making people feel good, making people feel better about themselves, making them feel loved and making them feel deliciously satisfied with homemade cucpakes.

But, y’see..there’s this little thing called boundaries that sometimes I forget about. I get a little too generous with someone who maybe doesn’t warrant it or I get a little too involved in helping someone I don’t know that well. And, well, all you’re left with is lost time and a feeling of being let down when it goes unappreciated. My low this week was realizing this trait in myself. And realizing that you’ve gotta have boundaries…even when you’re the cupcake queen… Perhaps ESPECIALLY when you’re the cupcake queen and live in a place called The Cupcake Palace. My heart and head are gonna be a lot better with a few boundaries In place. Don’t worry, though, I’ll still have cupcakes for ya…if you’re reaaaaal good.

High-Low 16: BIRTHDAY GIRL

If you read Friday’s post, you may have gotten the hint that I looooooooooove birthdays! I love my birthday, your birthday, friends’ birthday, kids birthdays, celebrity birthdays and even half-birthdays. My mom has always thought it is borderline unhealthy how much I love  birthdays.

Regardless, I love to celebrate life and my birthday is my ultimate life celebration on a yearly basis! So this week’s highs are all centered around my birthday. It was a magical week filled with friends, parties, surprises, fun gifts and celebration!

Here’s to this year being my best year yet and yours too!

HIGHS

1) Birthday Flowers are always the most lovely surprise!

Flowers from my brother, delivered in person, at my office:

Good job, brother!

 

2) These beautiful Haute Hostess aprons were sent as a gift and they are the cream of the crop when it comes to kitchen couture! Soooo gorgeous! I couldn’t stop staring at them!

 

Haute Hostess aprons ($350) in Rosalynn & Ashley: the BEST birthday gifts ever!

 

3) Birthday morning mimosas!

4) One of my dearest friends, and my former college roomie, Mary Beth, is the BIGGEST Hostess Donettes fan. So when I heard about Hostess going out of business, I bought the last package of powdered Donettes at the grocery store and decided, I would eat them on my birthday morning and send her a little tribute. RIP Hostess Donettes.

5) The best gift in the world is beautiful artwork from a talented friend. And when it’s a customized vision of your favorite inspiring catchphrase by Nami M. Scott? There are no words.

I was so surprised!

And DEEEELIGHTED!!!!

6) My little friend/ adopted “niece” across the street, Nora, made me the most beautiful, loving card. I especially appreciated when she said that I am “the best lovemaker”.  I just thought it was hilarious!! And so sweet! From the mouths of babes!

7) On my actual birthday, I was treated to a lovely, intimate dinner with a few girlfriends at Vinoteque (one of my favorite haunts). It was the perfect way to celebrate the night before the big party! As I often do on my birthday, I went around the table and told each friend why I love them and what I admire about them. But then they turned the tables on me! I got in back in spades. It was great fun! Love those girls!

8) I had been looking forward to hosting my Toddlers & Tiaras – redneck-themed party for a long time. So when it actually came, I was prepared. And when I say prepared, I mean I had my full Toddler pageant costume ready!

A lot of my friends were ready too:

Stay tuned for more recipes from the party – including my Go-Go Pageant Punch!

9) And then there was the cake!!! Oh, the delicious lemon raspberry cake from Hansen’s Cakes:

I loved my wish this year and I hope, hope, hope it comes true!

10) The party ended up drifting into the backyard and turned into a backyard dance party that raged til 3 am! I would also like to note that I have taken part in 3 (!!) dance parties in the past week and a half! Who says getting older means growing up?

The whole night was incredibly sweet so I, of course, had to do a few signature Toddlers & Tiaras moves:

My birthday week was AMAZING!! And I am soooo thankful and humbled by my precious friends who continue to be my greatest champions, inspirations and co-conspirators every day. Life is so fun when we have wonderful friends & family to share it with! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
And thank you, BF readers, for all of the birthday wishes and messages. They meant the world to me!

LOW

Sometimes when you’re juggling a lot, you drop the ball. And, like you, I am not one who like to drop the ball. Unfortunately, I did this week and I just hate that feeling. I missed a phone conference I was supposed to be on because I missed it on my iCal. I felt like I disappointed people I respect. Ugh. But if I’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s that you have to forgive yourself, pick up the ball and get in the game again. And that’s exactly what I did.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

and

BF Asks: When was your last impromptu dance party? If it’s been a while, why don’t you change that this week and have a little dance party in your living room! With friends, your spouse, your kids or even by yourself! Just crank the tunes and have some fun!