Pipeline

I was listening to the Pipeline by Depeche Mode on my way home from the studio and suddenly, I started to smell the aromatic fragrance of clove cigarettes.

My Stash

Can you believe this? It looks like a kilo of ecstacy imported straight from our Canadian neighbors, but it's actually M&M's clever way of making you think they produce and distribute a version of Spanish Fly (trying to be all cool and stuff with the inference that you'll feel frisky after eating them). I just want some 2% organic milk, thank you very much. These were on sale at the Rainier Beach Safeway, it's the only reason I bought them.

Passion Pit

On my way to the studio one morning, I was listening to KCMU, I mean, KEXP...and this song came on and I was like, OMG - I have to have it. And then I realized, it's already in my collection. It's Passion Pit "Chunk of Change".

Plastic Bracelet

I found this fantastic plastic bracelet from Barneys for $850!

Sike, I got it at Value Village in a plastic bag filled with other random thangs for 1.99 (such as a Marlboro key chain and a pin that says "I Love Paris"). What a deal. The bracelet reminds me of Mrs. Roper. The key chains, my father.

The marbeling on the bracelet looks as if it was whittled out of a bowling ball.

Knuckle Ring

I always wondered if I ever got into a cat fight at a night club - what would I do. Since I often forget to bring my butterfly knife, shanking someone wouldn't be an option. And I wouldn't grab for the hair, because that's trite (and everyone wears clip-on extensions anyway). Though a swift jab to the jugular using this rhinestone bracelet from Rhinestone Rosie would make a lovely makeshift knuckle ring - a fabulous and resourceful option, no doubt.

Emi's Bib

I went to Happy Delusions in downtown Renton to pick up this sweet little bib for my sweet little niece, Emi. For some strange reason Emi slobbers like a saint bernard and it seems like she goes through a ton of these, so I hope it comes in handy. In this photo, the bib is hung on our mailbox slot - and I am confident that when Emi gets older, she'll be grabbing the handle and dropping it onto the floor as the hinges have broken, but every kid who comes over must grab it - and then I get all mad - and then I tell them to sit down over there - and then it's all awkward.

Paris, my love

Paris J'taime. Paris taught me to savor my meals, keep things simple, have good eye-contact and always say, "bonjour."

Shop Hitchcock

Erica is the boss lay-day at Hitchcock in Madrona and she is as brilliant as the refined bling she slings at her shop. I had the honor of attending one of her trunk shows featuring another brilliant gem of a lady...Susan Goodwin. I went with my friend Michelle, and together, we are two shopping "enablers" and we provide sage advice to one another like..."Buy it, buy it, buy it."

Hollerrrrr.

I LOVE Sweet Minis

My friend Mei-I is so cool. She's the owner and operator of Sweet Minis in Seattle and she makes the most delicious sweet treats. I love the pistachio cookies, the brownies, the butterscotch cookies...I like everything she makes! And I'm not a sweets person (even though I pretend I am because cool people like sweets). I'm not a big cake person either, but one year, she baked me this delicious pistachio cake for my birthday that I will never ever forget. The cake design was simple and elegant, the buttercream frosting had a texture that was so unique yet classic. The cake and frosting complimented each other beautifully. I couldn't even bare to eat the last slice because I wanted to prolong the experience. But of course, that last slice got old, and I eventually had to throw it out, but it was down to a thin-as-paper sliver of a cake, so I don't feel so guilty. Mei-I is an incredible talent - remember that name, she's going to be famous. She was also the pastry boss lady at the lovely Serafina. I'm just sayin - she real cool.

Eyelash Refill

An eyelash refill is recommended about 3 weeks after the intial session in order to refresh the appearance and maintain fullness. Waiting too long for a fill might warrant a full set again.

Here's my work in progress on a client who waited just a little under four weeks. These lashes have stayed on nicely - but it was definately time for a fill.



The white dressing around the eyes consists of some tape and an anti-wrinkle gel pad that feels like a cool sticker. It's infused with vitamin e and collagen to refresh the delicate tissue around the eyes, and it helps prevent the bottom lashes from getting stuck to the top lashes.

Once the eyelash refill is complete, the client's lashes are restored to its abundant volume. And then as our natural lashes fall off and grow back, we'll do this again in another 3 weeks, so is the cycle of the curious and beautiful eyelash.

Flowers always say Bonjour!

And everyone bonjours!



Bonjour, mon amie!



Bonjour, Miki!



Bonjour, Le Tour!

Old Things, New Uses

I found this old mustard tin with its lid intact at a vintage shop in Port Townsend. It works perfectly as a napkin holder.

Marie Haggin

After enjoying some afternoon tea with Maki, we walked all over Kent Station and she bought a beautiful scarf and I found this lovely candle from Marie Haggin.

Tea

I hide Maki's cookies in here, because no one would ever think of it to find them inside a container that blatantly says "tea."

Paris Tea

I drink this more than water. But less than wine.
The little tea cup (pictured is 1 of 4 in my collection) these cups have served me well over the years: as a business card holder, as a container to mix tint, as a tea light votive and also as an actual tea cup.

Tea cup Candle Votive

I totally bit this from Martha Stewart: Take an old porcelain tea cup. I found this one at a rummage sale for like .20




and place a votive or tea light candle inside of it - the light that illuminates from it is just beautiful at night, and it shows off the design of the cup.

Bonne nuit!

Vases and Vessels

I look forward to filling up these containers with fresh flowers.

Making Fresh Herbs Accessible

Cooking with fresh herbs is a simple luxury. Though sometimes in our haste we just throw the herbs into the refridgerator bin along with the produce and then they're forgotten, and then later, I come across it while getting an onion and notice it's in the process of decomposition and then I'm trying to understand what type of herb it was in the first place.

I knew a guy called "Angel" who used to work at a restaurant and he told me that fresh herbs are best retained when kept in fresh water after a good rinse. What a simple, common sense solution! It keeps the herbs visible and accessible.

Saponika Soap - Orchard (pink label)

Orchard is one of many Saponika soap bars available at Lady Lam. This sweet and floral bar is scented with the fragrance of tea rose and apple, and a pinch of finely ground organic herbs give this soap a unique color.

Stacks of Saponika Orchard just chillin before they are wrapped.


Saponika Soaps are handmade, so each bar has it's own unique characteristic. Notice the slight wrinkles and the beautiful yet subtle dusting of soda ash from oxidation during the curing process. (You're probably going, "shut up, who cares") but it's what gives Saponika that rustic appeal. Cuz if you don't know, now you know.

Once the soaps are cured, they can finally be individually wrapped.



And then the pink Orchard label is affixed, finished with a blingy dollop of glitter strategically on Esther's little cloche hat - and then the bars are ready for your indulgence.

Lady Lam Lash Extensions

Before



After



Before



After

Eyelash Refill - Helpful Hints

1) To make the most of your scheduled appointment, please arrive on time.

2) Review the Lady Lam website and learn more about the maintenance schedule, application process, cost and time commitment before booking.

3) Remove eye makeup before your appointment instead of during your appointment to maximize the time spent volumizing the lashes.

Lash Extensions at Lady Lam look natural - like this



NOT like this



These store-bought strip lashes are super cute, however, Lady Lam offers lash designs that yield a natural finish - just greater in diameter and longer in length than your natural lashes.

Lash Extensions - FAQ

I've been asked so many thoughtful questions about lash extensions: Does it hurt? How long do they last? Can I wear makeup?

Please visit the Lady Lam website for information about pricing and be sure to check out the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. And as always, please call or email me if you have additional concerns. I offer three price points to accomodate the different budgets.

French Macaroons

My friend Maki is a certified baker and she makes the most amazing French macaroons. They're light, airy and perfect in every way. She can easily compete with Laduree. Thank you, Maki, for bringing a little bit of Paris to me!

A Whole Lotta Waxing in Renton

February Promotion: Wax-o-rama

Brazilian Bikini 45.00 (reg 55)
Extended Bikini 35.00 (reg 45)
Basic Bikini 30.00 (reg 35)

Shape things up ya'll!

Ok, pick a card...any card

My niece is always showing me that crazy card trick. I still haven't figured out how she does it! But these cards are cool cards because they've been refined by the lovely Anne Bryant of Anne Bryant Creative, and I heart her!

Saponika Soaps

Saponika Soaps are handmade with love and packaged by yours truly in my Seattle laboratory. A bar is 3.95 - but if you buy 3 or more, you get 15% off. Get one for yourself, one for your honey, and one for the hostess at the upcoming dinner party.

Tulips

I love bunches of the same flower. It's simple, elegant and tres chic. Tulips are the only flowers that continue growing after they've been cut! They drink lots of water and require a trim once a day to fit perfectly in the vase.

Smoothie

For the past week, I've been craving smoothies. Particularly pineapple/coconut. I kept forgetting to buy ingredients at the store. And I really had to have one tonight, so I improvised with what I already had at home. Here's what I put in it:

Freezer Jam (from my sister-in-law Sonia)
Small can of pineapple chunks and its juices.
2% Organic Milk
Ice cubes
Splash of rum.

It's definately hitting the spot!