Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Taste Like Cherry Cola....La-La-La-La-LOLA

I am kind of a nosy person...especially when it comes to perfume! My nose is quite selective and has left me with a few staples that I rotate between. Whenever a new scent comes out on the market, I rush out and take a big whiff...only to find out that, it smells like every other scent I am avoiding out there.

Lola by Marc Jacobs on the other hand, had me spritzing my wrist to enjoy the scent throughout the day. Yes, I am a fan of all of his perfumes and this one smells classic, yet unique in its own way. In any case, the bottle is so gorgeous it's worth the purchase alone! This perfume will be making its way onto my growing Christmas Wish List (yes I still make them for my parents).

Spill it...what's your signature scent? What should I be sniffing at the stores?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Clark

So I am totally two days late wishing Mr. & Mrs. C a happy anniversary, but that doesn't mean I mean it any less! The incredible talented couple celebrated their one year wedding anniversary this past Sunday in Palm Springs. Their wedding was romantic and intimate and full of wonderful South African traditions. The flowers were incredible, her dress amazing and all the colors had me smiling from ear to ear. Don't believe me...check out some swoon worthy pics below...


photos by the incredible talented Natalie Moser (love her!)


First sight of each other. I love Shelby's expression here!

Such a hot couple!

I DIE! So gorgeous!

The bride and her maids (all WSU alums - Go Cougs)! Love the parasols and yellow and pink details!

I just love this picture! The back of her dress, the groomsmen and bridesmaids in the back and the colors are fabulous!

Shelby used limes with guests names and different cities for place settings.

Shelby was crowned by her gorgeous Mother In Law, another South African tradition. Princess Shelby has a nice ring to it!

The gorgeous and tasty cakes that Rene (M.I.L) made. So talented!

One of my favorite moments of the night was our dear friend Coffey (now Mrs. Rina) rocking out to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". Quite a hit on the dance floor!

All the details were just perfection. The menu and little yellow billy ball greeted us at our seats.

Instead of a guest book, we signed a surf board with our best wishes for the newlyweds.

The flowers were huge and incredible and I got to take the centerpiece home with me! Bonus!

Us girls before the ceremony (the bride asked us to wear bright colors for fun pictures)! They were married at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe California.

Me, Mrs. R and L.Spry

The future Mrs. Clark walking down the aisle with her equally gorgeous mom.

First kiss as husband and wife! (It was a good kiss!)

Mrs. C taking it easy and relaxing at the cocktail hour.

Bride & Me

It was truly such an honor to get to attend this beautifully intimate wedding. I definitely felt the love not only between Shelby & Rich but also from all the friends and family present. These two are a match made in heaven and have combined their love for each other and passion for photography into a budding successful business - 927 Photography (named after their wedding date).

I wish the two of you lots of laughs, and love well in the years to come. You guys are beautiful!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Song Of The Week: Bulletproof



Itunes free song of the week has done it again! La Roux's "Bulletproof" is the free download of the week (until tomorrow) and I am just loving it so much! A total kick ass girl song with motivational, girl power lyrics, and perfect beat to dance and jam out to. Plus did I mention you can download the song for free until tomorrow?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lovin' It ~ Top Cheffity

I am not really sure where my head has been the previous five seasons but I am addicted to season six of Top Chef Las Vegas. I always think that if I had my career to do over again, I would have gone to culinary school (after attending WSU of course) as I truly enjoy cooking (regardless of how often I actually do it). The creations, flavors and concoctions these chefs come up with are beyond my brain, but it just makes me hungry and love the show that much more. Below are my top three picks for this season.

Mr. Kevin Gillespie is a genius not only in the kitchen but in real life as well. He was offered a full ride scholarship to MIT (I heard a few smart kids go there), and chose instead to hit culinary school. Good decision! His creations are good old southern food and have me salivating at my TV. He is my front runner to win, and he is just so darling and so lovable, how can you not root for him?

My next choice to win is the dry and sarcastic Jennifer Carroll. She is totally a "guys girl" and a no BS kind of gal which I can appreciate. Her creations are equally tasty looking and she does it all with such ease and composure. Lasts night episode was the first time I have seen her break a sweat and she still ended up in the top four! She is a good role model for women to take charge in the kitchen!

I am seriously crushing on Michael Voltaggio and his unique cooking techniques. So far he has created some incredible entrees and may I add watching him in the kitchen is quite sexy? I am loving his fork and knife tattoo and sibling rivalry with his brother on the show. He is seriously gifted and I enjoy watching the wheels in his brain turn with each challenge. I am hoping to have the pleasure to dine at The Dining Room at the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena one of these days.

I also kind of in love with Tom Colicchio and find him oddly sexy (am I the only one). So do you watch Top Chef? Who are you rooting for? If not Top Chef, then what's your favorite cooking show on TV? What chef do you adore? All this talk of food has me a little bit hungry....

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Red Carpet Review ~ Emmy Awards

Can I just say, I had a helluva hangover on Sunday from a night that we planned on keeping low key and in turn ended up taking three shots at the bar which included a last call round of tequila? Yeah, basically I was a tired Tanya and struggled to keep my eyes open during the ceremony. However, I was awake for the red carpet, and present my faves and not so much selections...

Best in Show:

all images by Frazer Harrison & Jason Merritt of Getty Images (click to enlarge images)

Toni Collete stunned in her coral gown and thank goodness she picked that dress because she looked incredible onstage accepting her award for best actress in a comedy. I gasped when I saw January Jones looking the exact opposite of her character Betty Draper. The dress was intense, artsy and phenomenal (loved the risk she took). Lastly of course was the youthful and sexy Blake Lively. The dress made my eyes bulge a bit but she pulled it off with class and a bit of playfulness. Wowza!


Shimmery Goodness:

These ladies looked incredible in varying shades of silver. Kate Walsh always looks incredible in my eyes, and at first I was like, "what's up with the casual hair" but then she explained it was chosen by a Suave Hair Care Vote and her cute clutch she carried was $30 at Aldo. Gotta love a budget savvy lady! Kara DioGuardi look classy and chic with just a peep of silver and that Mariska Hargitay never disappoints on the red carpet with a form fitting classy silver flecked gown. She is just such a class act!


Bold & Beautiful:

Blending in with the crowd was not an option for these ladies as they stepped onto the red carpet in eye popping colors. Ginnifer Goodwin could have done more with her makeup and hair but her dress complimented her skin tone and slender body lovely. I thought Debra Messing looks like a Hollywood Goddess in this red sparkly gown but was disappointed to hear fashion critics say it was "boring" and "safe". It's red for goodness sake and she looks incredible in it! Back off! The frickin' adorable Lindsay Price looked splendid in purple and her hair couldn't have been any shinier! I loved her dress because it was very different from anything I have seen in awhile and of course fit her perfectly.


Worst In Show:

I really wanted to try and like Olivia Wilde's dress. I kept turning my head at the TV as if I was trying to understand it and for the life of me, I just did not like it. Her makeup however was stunning and in the past she has always wowed me with her selections, so I give her a pass for this awards show. Padma, Padma, Padma....what were you thinking! I looked at the TV and just shouted "blech". She is possibly one of the most beautiful women on TV (or out there in general) and her hair looked like it was going to take over her head any minute and the dress was just ill fitting. The red flowers, the weird pieces hanging over her shoulder, not good. And Kristen Wiig...I adore you but this dress is just so silly and awful and gross. She looked so witchy and Morticia Adams like. Luckily with her sense of humor, I am sure she can throw up her shoulders and just say, "Oops...Sorry" like her character Gilly. Alas, no luck.

Overall I wasn't blown away by any of the fashion and the makeup and hair styles were just ok. I wanted all the actresses to have a little more blush and a little more lip gloss. Let's hope we see more goodies come January when the "real" award season begins. What did you think? Who were your faves and least faves?

Welcome Back Fall...

Even though I adore my iced coffees from Sbux, I am really looking forward to a hot double, tall, soy latte in the coming weeks.


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I am hoping to take a drive somewhere on street that looks like this.

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I want to take a walk in the rain, with an umbrella and just take it all in.

Welcome back fall....

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Simmers!

A very happy two year anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. S (who also are expecting)! I first met Mrs. S during rush my freshman year, and even though we didn't end up in the same sorority, we reconnected down in California and have been best of friends ever since. Mrs. S met Mr. S at a BBQ and it was love at first sight. Their wedding was absolutely breathtaking and I felt so lucky to be a guest at their nuptials. Here's a sneak peek into what happened two years ago today!

all images courtesy of Mi Belle Inc

The wedding was held at the beautiful Villa Amodei in Somis, California.



Husband & Wife!

Just a little moment together *sigh*

One of my absolute favorite pictures from the day. This picture just makes me smile :)

The yummy cake was accented with orchids, as was the entire wedding.




The happy couple!


Table 8 is great! Lindsay, Mrs. R, Me and Mr. R (who shares his birthday with this joyous occasion - Happy Birthday Mr. R!)

Lots of dancing!

LA girls capturing the mandatory girl shot (5 Cougs and a Husky).

Me & Mrs. R (Miss you!)

The ladies with the bride & groom (someone forgot to tell me not to make a ridonk face).

The beautifully stunning magazine bride and me!

The site at night, just gorgeous.

Congrats again Mr. & Mrs. S! I wish you both lots of love, happiness and am so excited to see that little bundle of joy when he/she enters this world. It will be raised in a home of pure love.

XOXO