Archive for April, 2011

« Older Entries

Simply Pho You

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

After a late night out with friends, what could be a better breakfast? Pho-nomenal.

I took Rio and Ross to Simply Pho You, a few blocks south of me. Nicole introduced me to the place, and I wanted to pass along the recommendation.

We ordered various pho and iced drinks to quench our thirst. I love sweets and tea, so naturally ordered the Thai iced tea. It hit the spot. My dumpling and veggie pho (photo 6) did the same, warming away my mild hangover. These pho-tos don’t do the meal justice. Hidden behind those meat chunks and veggies are yummy doodle skinny noodles.

I’ve been told when you’re sick, eat pho. This morning I wasn’t sick, but wanted to feel better. Pho filled me up without weighing me down. I came home ready to work and seized the day. Pho-k yeah.

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Food | No Comments »

The Body Shop’s ‘Brush with Fashion’ Makeup Event

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Yesterday I attended The Body Shop‘s ‘Brush with Fashion’ makeup event at the Beverly Center.

The Body Shop recently launched a new line of limited-edition makeup in collaboration with the London College of Fashion for Spring 2011. ‘Brush with Fashion‘ is cruelty-free and made using Community Fair Trade ingredients. Package design was done via student competition at the London College of Fashion. Congrats to Katarina Voloder, 21, for her adorable winning design!

Bloggers also received beauty makeovers featuring the new ‘Brush with Fashion’ line. I have to give Lia a HUGE thank you for her amazing makeover. If you know me, you know I don’t do eye makeup, and I definitely don’t do a smokey eye. Lia explained the steps to creating attractive but not overdone eyes. Products I especially liked include the Collection for Eyes, Hi-Shine Lip Treatment and, after working all those late nights, the Lightening Touch eye brightener is a must.

In addition to makeovers, we also ate sweets, sipped drinks and learned about social issues. The Body Shop is a socially conscious company, which I appreciate as a consumer. For Earth Day, and to promote their biodegradable products, the company encouraged customers to take the “Three Minute Shower” challenge. The Body Shop also donates a portion of sales from these products to support the Somaly Mam Foundation and end sex trafficking.

Thank you again to The Body Shop for hosting such a great event and the goodie bag. Click here to shop online and here to find a store near you!

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Beauty, Causes, Cool Companies | 1 Comment »

Fashion Friday: 4/29/2011

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

I know a lot of people expected to see my WRECKER featured in this Fashion Friday post, and I initially planned to wear them too, but after a prep-free morning decided to take it back to my Northwest roots in this vintage 70′s dress.

My mom bought this dress for me at an antique store in Richland for $30. I remember at the time trying it on (perfect fit) and thinking, “How perfect for a photo shoot.” It’s also entirely appropriate for The Gorge. When I asked Mom to bring this one-of-a-kind treasure to LA, she couldn’t believe I would actually wear it.

And why wouldn’t I? This is Los Angeles. Anything goes. I’ll admit, I felt a little insecure stepping out of my fashion comfort zone, and I garnered a few looks walking to The Body Shop blogger event, but this is who I am. If you don’t like my outfit, too bad. But guess what? The women at the event loooooved my dress. It might have been more memorable than my (dare I say it) WRECKER heel.

Moral of this story? Step out of your comfort zone. Try something different. Be proud of your appearance. Radiate good energy. People feel it. Now can someone show me the way to Fauxchella?

Dress: Montgomery Ward
Sandals: Urban Outfitters
Fine Feathered Friend: Teresa Does It

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »

April 2011 iMix

Friday, April 29th, 2011

April showers? Not in LA! It’s been nothing but clear, sunny skies. This is probably the tannest I’ve been in April in years. Is it still snowing in Pullman? Ha ha! In case you’re still stuck with the cold, enjoy these upbeat beats for your transition from April to May.

I’m brainstorming for my May iMix. Predictions on party tunes for Memorial Weekend? What are you listening to these days?

♥ BB

1. Who You Are (Acoustic) – Jessie J

2. No Sleep – Wiz Khalifa

3. Till the World Ends – Britney Spears

4. Up All Night (Clubfeet Remix) – French Horn Rebellion

5. Kidsos (Original Mix) – Sebastian Ingrosso

6. Dancing On My Own – Robyn

7. Young Blood – The Naked and Famous

8. Turning Tables – ADELE

9. My Body – Young the Giant

10. Need You Now – Cut Copy

11. Sadness Is A Blessing (Gold Panda Remix) – Lykke Li

12. Super Bass – Nicki Minaj

13. Will Do – TV On the Radio

14. Surfer’s Hymn – Panda Bear

15. Chasing Pavements – ADELE

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Music | No Comments »

San Pedro Street Sunset

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Driving home tonight I felt a weird mix of emotions. I felt motivated, eager, excited, independent and inspired. The wheels in my head would not stop turning. Then I turned. I turned down Sixth.

Driving down East Sixth Street I saw practically a small community of homeless people. Pitched tents blocked sidewalks. People pushed piled grocery carts. Passing homeless residents, many looked down to avoid eye contact, only to seem surprised when I said hi and acknowledged their existence. At one point I said aloud, “Wow… This is America.” The image of so many homeless people, paired with a picturesque California sunset, is a mental picture I won’t soon forget.

Downtown Los Angeles, once a power house for the West Coast, is now a hub for homeless residents. (No offense, there are a TON of homeless people here. Even compared to Seattle and Portland.) The DWC provides over 50,000 meals a year to more than 2,500 homeless or low-income women alone annually. 2,500 women!? That is a small corporation. A workforce of homeless Los Angeles residents.

How can we turn the problem of the homeless into a solution for the city? Like I said, the wheels in my head are spinning…

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Causes, Photography | 2 Comments »

MADE by DWC

Thursday, April 28th, 2011


This afternoon I received an email from Yvette about an event taking place tonight. Her friend worked to open a cafe benefiting the homeless and low-income women of Downtown Los Angeles. While I haven’t divulged this info to many, close friends know I’ve contemplated community awareness projects for some time. MADE by Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) sounded like a great way to meet people looking to make a difference.

MADE by DWC is “an innovative social enterprise” designed to break the cycle of poverty in low-income or homeless women. This is done by encouraging women to discover their talents and develop workplace skills through training opportunities. Women create handmade crafts while learning transferable job skills. One hundred percent of the proceeds from purchases at MADE go directly to supporting programs.

I am a huge believer in programs like MADE. If we want to change America, we need to start small. Start at home. Can we fix two problems with one solution? MADE creates jobs and housing for women in Downtown LA. The program is sustainable, using recycled materials for crafts like candles, journals, etc. Between my work at the WSU Career Center, love for DIY’s and passion for issues I believe in, I plan to volunteer here in some way, shape or form.

If you give a woman a fish, you feed her for a day. If you teach a woman to fish, you feed her for life. MADE by DWC teaches women to fish, and with time that has the power to feed a tribe.

Thank you to Patrick at the DWC for showing me around. Interested in volunteering? Do it! Click here and see how you can help end homelessness in LA.

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Causes | 4 Comments »

Thank You Mom!!

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

I cannot thank my mom enough for all her help over the past week(s), months and years. She truly is the best mom a girl could ask for.

While we often think of help in a monetary sense, my mom is also there for me emotionally. Transitioning to any city, be it Los Angeles, Beijing or even Pullman, always has a few tears, fears and frustrations. I can count on my mom to listen, let me vent and lend me her wisdom, shaping me into the woman I am today.

Thank you again Mom for all your help. I love you more than words can describe. Your support is priceless.

♥ BB

bloglovin

Tags: , ,
Posted in Family | 3 Comments »

« Older Entries