Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at the Irvine Spectrum Center on 5/23

After my younger brother's graduation BBQ this past Saturday, I still had time to run over to the Irvine Spectrum to stop by the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck to grab some treats with my friend Jen and boyfriend Scott. The truck had been posted up since 10am in front of the Giant Ferris Wheel (which is currently being renovated, but I've seen the new lights at night and they look phenomenal) and serving up Hello Kitty sweets until 9pm. The lemonade had sold old by the time we got there, but Jen got macarons and donuts and Scott and I picked up donuts. If you live in the OC, did you stop by the Hello Kitty truck? Visit the HK Cafe Truck's page and social media handles to see where they will be traveling next!

A fan of Hello Kitty? Check out my experience at the Hello Kitty exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum.

As well, this Saturday 5/30, the Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach will be hosting a Saturday Style Pop-Up from 2-4pm in which the stores Seafolly, Trina Turk, and Rebecca Taylor will have in-store activities and shopping incentives. I won't be able to stop by for the fashion fun because I'll be in Vegas for the weekend, but if you can make it definitely stop by!

Love & Lace Bridal Salon, Irvine

I wrote about Love & Lace Bridal Salon in Irvine HERE on the Swell Beauty blog, and I had the chance to stop by last Wednesday to take a look at all the beautiful gowns and catch up with owner Ramona. She is the sweetest and I always enjoy stepping into her bridal boutique because all my bridal fantasies come to life in there. She offers a little bit of everything in terms of bridal gown styles, but is most known for the bohemia-chic brands that she carries. If you're in the Orange County area and currently on the hunt for a bridal gown, you will need to stop in:

Love & Lace Bridal Salon and Tailor
3800 Barranca Parkway, Suite F
Irvine, California
Tel. 949-861-8455
Email: info@loveandlacebridalsalon.com

*Located in the Crossroads Centre

Book Your Appointment | Facebook | Instagram

Blue Ombre with Conway Grooming, Costa Mesa

You may have noticed that sometime in the past couple of weeks, my ombre went from blonde to blue and I'm absolutely in love with the change. Don't get me wrong, I was obsessed with my blonde ombre which took me about 8 months (you can see here and here) to achieve the look I had desired; but I was ready for a somewhat drastic and edgier change.

When my friend Casie of Conway Grooming contacted me about changing up my hair, I knew I couldn't refuse; she is the queen of coloring hair with colorful dyes. We discussed going grey, blue, or purple, and settled on a mixture of grey (titanium), sapphire blue, and a touch of indigo. Before being able to dye my hair a fun color, Casie had to bayalage my current ombre to lighten it up (oh the woes of having dark hair).

I love that Casie is based out of downtown Costa Mesa right near where the freeway ends on the way to Newport Beach. She is currently working from salon suite #18 at Sola Salons, and it is just the darn cutest nook to be doing hair out of. There's just enough space where it doesn't seem cramped or too open. Casie immediately welcomed me and asked if I wanted a refreshment, so I selected a soda beverage. A plus in my book is that there's wifi available, so I was able to get some work done while she did my hair.

The entire process took approximately 6 hours which included bayalaging my hair (lightening, washing and drying), dying the various colors (applying fashion colors to my ombre, drying and washing), and then a cut and style (a couple inches to keep my ends healthy and a blow out).

I have had nothing but compliments and I am just so glad I dove for a switch up like this! The color of my hair photographs really well, and it's always interesting to see all the various hues show up in under the sunlight. If you're looking for any kind of color change, change-up, or haircut/style, you need to visit Casie! See her entire service menu here! Also stay tuned for some fun tutorial videos with Casie!

Conway Grooming

By Appointment Only
949) 287-3719
Website | Youtube | Instagram |  Booking

Headshots & Portfolio Work by Renee Rogers

I'm off to LA Fashion Council A/W 15 Collection Showings in DTLA and can't wait to share my coverage, but in the meantime, follow my adventures on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook. Before heading out to La La Land, I wanted to share how my dear friend Renee Rogers is an amazing artist; she not only is the designer for 16th Colony, a style blogger for Hanger Shortage, but a phenomenal photographer and filmmaker. We had run into each other at a couple local blogger events, but finally got the chance to connect over coffee and it has been a creative romance ever since. I am addicted to her carefree, but chic style; she is beyond supportive of all my endeavors, and inspiring on so many levels that I push myself harder to achieve my wildest dreams. You can see our collaborations here, and these headshots and other snaps below are what she photographed for my modeling portfolio since I have decided to pursue modeling. I wanted a more down to earth, personal feel with my photos and Renee captured just that; book her for all your photo and video needs:

Renee Rogers

Orange County, CA

renee@hangershortage.com

RARE by Goodwill in Anaheim, CA

I was invited to come check out new concept specialty boutique, RARE by Goodwill back in November but unfortunately couldn't make it to their media preview. I had attended an event and shopped the OC Goodwill boutique in Tustin before and was therefore expecting RARE to be very similar, boy was I wrong when I finally got to stop into the location a couple weeks ago. RARE is a treasure trove of specially handpicked and curated clothing, accessories, and home goods; whereas as the other thrift locations, the items on the sales floor have not been as carefully selected for the store. The artful and intriguing displays and fixtures are r-epurposed items or elements that were taken from the materials used in the daily operations of the Goodwill company, and clothing is hung on recycled hangers; therefore promoting eco-consciousness and sustainability.

One of the most striking displays of the store aside from the old television chandelier, t-shirts situated to create am ombre effect at the cashwrap, and three floating chairs showcasing shoes; is the amazing book wall with the statement 'We are ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY - We are Rare', which perfectly encompasses what the store is all about, and also serves as a great lounging and reading nook. A very exciting feature of the store is the vinyl records section in which you can peruse the wide selection then get to listen to the record with a Crosley record player! Every item is individually priced compared to a flat price for each category of items at the usual Goodwill store; and instead of a 'sticker color' of the day discount, RARE hosts weekend sales such as 25% off bottoms.Visit this beautiful gem of a place that is constantly supporting our community.

RARE by Goodwill
411 W. Broadway, Suites C-H
Anaheim, CA 92805  
(Find the entrance off the Center Street Promenade)

Phone: (714) 786-6642 / Street Parking, but call for other parking options and SALES!

Business Hours:
M-Sat: 10AM-8PM
Sun: 11AM-6PM