Foodie Friday: Paleta Catering – A Marriage between Healthy & Sinful

Here’s the conundrum.

Picture it. My BeautyFrosting 2nd Bloggiversary. April 16th, 2014.

Just a few of the 70 fab-fashionista-fit-foodie bloggers at the shindig. What-oh what- to do? Photo by Drunken Pixel

You have 70 bloggers as guests. Fashionistas – who are foodies – who are fit – who are fabulous…who also have to be photograph-ready at all times. And you also have cocktails. And, um, cake.

So corndogs and pizza are definitely out of the question. But what you do when you have a houseful of nutritionally-minded mavens who are hungry but don’t want to blow their diets and want to be healthy but don’t want to sacrifice taste?

Well, there’s only one way to turn – my godsend –  Paleta.

The Paleta spread: When Healthy Meets Sinful. Pacific Rim Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce, Local & Imported Cheese Board, Crudite with Assorted Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip and Paleta Power-Up Chewy Bites *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

 

I’ve been a fan of Paleta for a while now – ever since I met Chef Kelly and learned about her passion for pleasing the palate while promoting health through healing. What sort of healing? The kind of healing that comes from eating farm-to-table fresh and filling your body with whole foods.

Paleta Crudité with Lemon Hummus, Sundried Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip. Um, You know, "Taste the rainbow?" Well, this truly IS tasting the rainbow - but of farm fresh veggies rather than high fructose corn syrup. Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

My guests couldn’t stop gushing about the eats. I was shocked at how much these girls could put back. Sorry, y’all, just speaking the truth here. It was refreshing to see my fashionista friends ACTUALLY EATING at a party. It’s a rarity – like seeing Bigfoot or something. But, yep, that’s how good it was.

Paleta Pacific Rim Thai Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

I did have one complaint though. My guests ate ALL the satay and I never got a taste!!! I was craving it so much after hearing everyone rave about it that I actually just ate a spoonful of the spicy peanut sauce. Oh, don’t you judge.

Next up for me? After a month of Coachella, trips to Palm Springs and events galore (see aforementioned cake and cocktails), I’m gonna give Paleta Home Meal Delivery a try. At the very least, I’ll be giving myself the gift of health and at best, I may lose a few pounds so I can be a swimmie siren this summer. Lofty goals, I know, but I really do think Paleta can help me get there!

Thanks so much, Chef Kelly and Paleta for being a BIG part of my very special day!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which Paleta delicacy are you most craving now?

Looking Back – How BeautyFrosting Was Born

BF Turns 2 Bloggiversary Party Co-Hosted by HomeGoods & Hope At Home - fashion illustration by Kara Endres of Sprinkles in Springs and cake by Magnolia Bakery - Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

When I started this little adventure called BeautyFrosting 2 years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never written a blog. Actually, I had never even really read a blog! I mean they seemed like such a fad and, um, who had the time?
How BeautyFrosting came to be.
Then one day I found myself in Dallas sitting at our fave family spot, Mi Cocina, pondering the possibility of moving home from LA to Dallas. I was at the lowest point of my life having ended a 7-year relationship and having left my job that I’d had for years with Barbra Streisand as her personal shopper. I was down, depressed and my life wasn’t looking so beautiful.
I was searching for an answer and I found it while talking to my mom and one of my oldest, best friends – Kristin Merritt Liles. We were talking about beauty, baking and how much I love connecting with people and came up with the crazy idea of starting a place of positivity and light filled with all of the people and things I love so much. From that little, crazy nugget of an idea, BeautyFrosting was born.
Looking back, I realize that this one little leap of faith gave birth to so much. In the months following, I hit the ground running. I researched blogs that had similar aesthetics to my own, learned about the best ways to start a blog and would spend hours on Pinterest getting very clear about what exactly I wanted BeautyFrosting to be about.

Celebrating BF Turns 2 with dear friends - photo by Drunken Pixel

Introduce yourself to people, be kind and be clear about what you want.
Knowing what I know now, I realize that folks must have thought that I had some major cajones – or maybe they just thought I was naive. I was told repeatedly by brands and other bloggers that I was doing it all wrong – backwards even. I was building the brand and consulting the PR before the blog had even been written or made its online debut. But I was doing it my way and it just made sense to me. After all, why would anyone (brand, person or otherwise) want to work with me if they didn’t even know who I was? Yep, that’s where my southern sensibility comes in. Whether it seemed smart or not, pr agencies and brands that I still work with have told me since that they worked me simply because I seemed charming and honest. So there ya go, folks – charm and honesty are the way to go!
Work with the talented people you already have around you.
Rather than be yet another blog to hit the already-saturated market, I decided to spend 4 months sending emails and making phone calls to hundreds of pr agencies and brands. I decided to pool my brain trust of dear, talented and creative friends to create a blog on a budget that was literally less than $200.
I created a logo and branding template – that would shape the entire blog and brand – thanks to my talented best friend and former roommate, Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe. After all, who could understand my aesthetic better than my best friend who had lived with me for 2 years? I asked my talented photographer friend, Amy Opoka, if she would take my profile photos for the site and she did an amazing job of executing my vision on a shoestring budget.
This early experience taught me how crucial it is to collaborate with the talents of those you know best. I learned to always ask because the worst that could happen is that they say no. By the way, no one ever said no.

With my BeautyFrosting logo and graphics goddess - and best friend - Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe - photo by Drunken Pixel

Celebrate every milestone in life.
Ask my mom and she’ll tell you – I love celebrating and I love me a party. Even as a child, I would try to find reasons to celebrate every occasion. My Barbies were getting married? Let’s throw a wedding! I got an A on a test? Let’s have a tea party! I made the cheerleading squad? Let’s have a tex-mex party! So in true Dawn-fashion, I decided to throw a Cupcakes and Cocktails debut party here at my house to celebrate the debut of the blog before anyone had even seen it. Besides being a precious affair, we brought out the laptop and let friends and former coworkers get a sneak peek at what BeautyFrosting would be. I really think a lot of things got rolling because of the choice to celebrate this little milestone. And celebrating milestones is a great way to remember the gratitude every step along the way.

Celebrate the milestones - and little victories - along the way - Photo by Drunken Pixel

Most important lesson learned on this journey? Don’t be afraid to be a fool.
Was I fearful of starting a brand new chapter of my life? Hell, yes. But you get past the fear, accept that you may indeed be a fool and get past yourself. I asked pr companies to send samples before I even knew what that meant. I asked friends to devote hours of their time and because I believed in this so much, they believed in it and wanted to be part of it, as well. And I realized that it was more important to appear confident than it was to have 1 million readers. I have never been more proud of anything…and that’s coming from someone who was never raised to be proud. This blog has literally changed my life and I am so much better because of it.
Most Importantly…Thank YOU.
I know that I am nothing without all of you guys – my readers and social media followers – finding interest in what I write about, take pictures of and who I am. So, I want to thank each and every one of you who read this every day, like my pictures on Instagram and Facebook and tweet at me. (By the way, 2 years ago, I had no idea about what any of that was – that’s how much things can change in 2 years.) I have a feeling that the next 2 years will bring even more exciting change and I hope that you will be there for my journey every step of the way. You have made my hearts so full.

Cutting the cake and celebrating 2 years of BeautyFrosting - thanks to YOU!! Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What’s your favorite feature on BeautyFrosting? What would you like to see more of?

10/5/13 Beauty Beat with Dawn McCoy of BeautyFrosting on The Moll Anderson Show on I Heart Radio: oil, Oil, OIL!!!

Every week, I stop by the “Moll house” on The Moll Anderson Show  on I Heart Radio to bring Moll my Beauty Beat. This week, it’s all about my favorite beauty tip – oil, Oil, OIL!!! Yes, imagine me screaming that at you – because it’s THAT important. Ha!

Oil keeps you young! That’s why the Italian and Parisian women look so good!

BF Tip? Keep your skincare by your bedside. You’re less likely to forget it if it’s right there as you go to sleep.

Here are two of my picks for integrating oil into your skincare regimen.

 

Beauty Beat on The Moll Anderson Show on I Heart Radio 10/5/13: oil, Oil, OIL!!!

Talika Huile Vitale ($47)

Murad Renewing Cleansing Oil For Face, Eyes & Lips ($32)

And Here’s the link so you can take a listen:

10/5/13 Beauty Beat with Dawn McCoy on The Moll Anderson Show: oil, Oil, OIL!!!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Do you oil your skin? 

My Pamp Party is happening today at 1pm PDT/4 pm EDT on Pampadour!

The day has arrived! My Pamp Party that I’m hosting happens TODAY at 1-3 PM PDT, 4-6 PM EDT on Pampadour (www.Pampadour.com)!
And did I mention that there’s a FAB GIVEAWAY???!!!

Pampadour Giveway of Antonym Cosmetics Products (over $200 value) - Win it!!!

For every question asked with the hashtag #PampFrosting , Pampadour will donate $3 to one of my favorite charities, Step Up Women’s Network.
Additionally, with every question asked, you’ll be entered to win the Antonym Cosmetics giveaway where you can win over $200 of beauty products & brushes from my favorite new line (which just so happily happens to be vegan and cruelty-free)!
Here’s what you have to do:
1) Register on Pampadour
2) Log in
3) Ask me any beauty question you want! Just be sure to include the hashtag #PampFrosting !
4) You’re automatically entered into the giveaway & you’ve done something good without spending a dime!
Please share with your friends as I’d love to answer as many questions as you can bring and would love to raise money for SUWN!!
Thanks so much for your support!
xoxo,
Dawn

BF Asks: What are your favorite charities to support?

You’re Invited…to a Pamp Party I’m hosting tomorrow, Tuesday August 27th!

Happy Monday, you beautiful people!
I’m hosting an online “Pamp Party” on Pampadour – my FAVE new site for beauty – tomorrow Tuesday, August 27th from 1-3 PM PDT, 4-6 PM EDT! Join me, won’t you?

You're invited to the party...the PampParty that is on Pampadour TOMORROW!

Not only can you ask me ANY question you want (and I’m contractually obligated to answer) but you also will be doin’ good with every question. So, how’s that work?

Just register and log on to Pampadour (it’s TOTALLY free!), ask your questions and hashtag each of them with #PampFrostingFor every participant who logs into Pampadour & asks a question with the hashtag #PampFrosting, Pampadour will donate $3 to Step Up Women’s Network, which empowers teen girls and women to succeed.

Another bonus? All participants will be entered in the Antonym Cosmetics giveaway, which includes an 11-brush set, eyeshadow duo, eyeliner and sharpener (valued at over $200)… every beauty addict’s dream! Plus, that eyeliner is my FAVORITE right now…but more on that later.

Spread the word for this great cause by tweeting and posting questions from now on http://pampadour.com/, using the hashtag #PampFrosting! And I’ll see you (well, I won’t SEE you but you get the point) at my PampParty on Pampadour tomorrow!
xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What questions are you guys gonna ask me? 

Discussing my “Game-Changing Miracle Products” on New Beauty Magazine’s TeaTime Chat today!

Hi beauties!

There are a bevy of beauty tips in this 30-minute long hangout! Check it out and get the scoop on 8 (!!) of my favorite beauty products. From glowing skin to defined eyes to a perfectly polished pout, I had a lot to say. And the other beauty experts had some INVALUABLE tips that I’m still reeling from. Like what, you ask? The best way to get Beach Waves!

Check it out here and let me know your thoughts below!

xoxo,
Dawn

Magic Monday: How Marilyn Helped Ella – true beauty

Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe

In the 1950s, the popular nightclub, Mocambo would not book Ella Fitzgerald because she was black. Fortunately for Ella, she had a powerful and unlikely benefactor Marilyn Monroe. “I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt…it was because of her that I played the Mocambo, a very popular nightclub in the ’50s. She personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she promised she would take a front table every night. She told him – and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status – that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman – and ahead of her time and she didn’t know it.” – Ella Fitzgerald
Thanks to Ann Delisi’s Essential Music for this sweet and inspiring story.

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

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!

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday: Meg’s Makeup comes over to dish on Revlon Fall Faves for People.com

Happy Wednesday, beauties!
For today’s Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday, I’m sitting down with Meg of Meg’s Makeup to discuss our favorite Fall Revlon products.

Meg called me up and said she’d like to have a little wine and dish a little on a few of her Revlon faves.
And that’s exactly what we did!
She came on over to The Cupcake Palace and we chatted about Revlon’s new PhotoReady Eye Primer Plus Brightener and Revlon Top Speed Nail Enamel.

Already on People.com, I had to share these great products with you guys!
Enjoy!

xoxo,
Dawn

BF Asks: What Revlon products are you loving for Fall?