Im Cabaret, Au Cabaret, To Cabaret!

Last Saturday, I watched a live showing of my favorite musical ever - CABARET! 

My English teacher in high school was very theatrical. I am so thankful she introduced the 1972 movie version with Liza Minnelli to us. I fell in love and it's been one of most favorite productions of anything of all time!! 

If you like musicals, Cabaret is definitely one to check out if you haven't heard of it already. Don't be fooled though. Musicals typically sound "happy." This is a dark musical but with many lessons to be learned!

It takes place in Berlin right before the Nazis come to power. It highlights social and political issues that still parallel today's societal issues. I am not going to give a full synopsis of the film or preach about social issues. I'm not trying to make a political or social statement.

In a nutshell, it is a drama of love, lust, passion, political and social dismay, avoiding reality, change and acceptance.

The movie is amazing, but seeing it live in front of me was 10x more absolutely amazing. Still, no one (in my book) can beat out the voices of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, but the live cast is still very talented. Their voices were powerful. Their acting moving. I got goosebumps on several occasions and even teared up a few times. 

GAHHH...Pardon me, I'm totally gushing. I just really really really love this musical if I haven't made it clear already. I love it so much I am seeing it again in two weeks and possibly a third time. Obsessed, I know. I just really adore talent and a classic!

WHAT I WORE:

I apologize. This is a very sloppy "What I Wore" as I just didn't have much time to take better photos. I took this while waiting for my curling iron to heat up.

Cabaret is very out there in fashion. At least for the women, it's flashy, it's raunchy, it's edgy, it's gaudy. After all, it is a cabaret. When I think of Cabaret, I think of the color schemes black, white and red which is what I went for.

Let's use our imagination!

I wore these black and white vertically striped leggings with a black floral print. I wore a black short sleeved peplum top. My shoes of choice were black booties with a small heel. 

As for hair, I had it curly and big (which deflated in about an hour, lol). My eyes were a dramatic black wing with heavy mascara. And lastly, I wore a bright red lip.

Black red nails inspired from a picture I saw on Pinterest. It never looks like the picture! :( Close enough, I suppose.

My friend and I dressed in the spirit of Cabaret. We walked in only to stick out like a fish out of water. We were the youngest ones there (everyone else was a lot older - like gray-haired older - and in casual clothes). Compared to these folks, my friend and I looked like we really belonged to the Cabaret.

Oh well, I guess I shall consider myself an old soul.

Enjoy

<3<3<3

Summer 2014 Favorites

Am I the only one super excited to see summer go?! Los Angeles had two weeks of a dry dry heat wave last week and the week before. I am so happy Fall is here! YEEEE!! Hello boots, scarves, and beanies! Well, it's not totally Fall weather just yet, but the weather is cooling down daily. YAAAS!

This summer, I did find some product that worked well for me. I'm so happy I came across them :)

(photo credit: www.benefitcosmetics.com)

Benefit Posietint

At first, I thought it would be too much of a bright pink on me. Boy. was I wrong! It took me some time to understand how to use it. Once I got the hang of it, I fell in love <3

Why I love it: The blush gives me a natural flush and lasts for the full work day and then some :)

Benefit The POREfessional

Why I love it: Definitely minimized my pores. I love the way my skin feels after application - silky and smooth! This also helps my daily tinted moisturizer last throughout my work day.

(OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, It's A 10 Leave-in Product, OGX Moroccan Oil)

Why I love it: Going as light as I did with my hair can really make hair look dry. I have gotten compliments, "Your hair looks so healthy despite the bleaching of your hair" / "Your hair looks so soft and healthy!" And as an added bonus, the coconut milk shampoo and 3 Minute Miracle both smell like coconut so my hair always smells so tropical :)

The reason why this is so exciting is because my hair is naturally dry. I've spent most of my life with coarse and unmanageable hair. It only took me 28 years to figure it out -__-

Minute Maid Watermelon

Yes, yes, I know super random! This has been my summer drink (beside the iced coffees, of course!). 

Why I love it: It's actually pretty tasty and a great drink for summer :)

What are your summer favorites?

<3<3<3

Bear Latte

A few of my favorite things all in one: latte, taro, purple, mug, bears, and coziness. 

And to top it off, it was just as tasty as it looks! Mmmmm!

<3<3<3

Four Year Purple Anniversary

If you read my post on My Lupus Story, you will learn a big part of me: I have Lupus. As a refresher or for your knowledge, Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system is hyperactive. This means, my immune system is in overdrive. My immune system cannot distinguish between the bad cells and the good cells of the body. Instead of destroying the bad cells, my body destroys both the bad AND good cells.  Destroying good cells is not a good thing. It leads me to getting sick in all types and forms. Lupus can affect any organ of the body with the kidneys being the most common. Kidney problems is a major functioning organ of the body. When the kidneys don't work, your body has difficulty functioning...okay, my intended refresher lasted longer than I had hoped...but I hope you learned something :)

Every year in July, I celebrate what I call a "Purple Anniversary." Purple is one of the colors that represent Lupus (the other is orange). My Purple Anniversary is my celebration of life. It's my "F*ck You" to Lupus saying, I'm still here and I'm happy and healthy to the best that I can be. 

Every year, I try to do something in the outdoors. Lupus patients are sensitive to the sun rays. Too much sun exposure (and some are more sensitive than others) can lead to a Lupus episode, or flare. In the past, I've done bonfires at the beach in the late afternoon when the sun is down, afternoon beach trips, and dinners. I also make my guests wear purple :) I'll link all my relevant Lupus stories below if you're interested in seeing my Lupus journey.

This year, I didn't have my typical Lupus celebration. I felt that I had a lot of triumphs and celebrations this year, that those successes in themselves were a big "boo yeah" to Lupus. This year, I've paid off both my undergraduate and graduate school loans, I found out I was able to keep my $18,500 scholarship (long story), I was stepping up at work as a leader, I had many amazing birthday celebrations, I went to the Philippines. To be honest, by the time July hit, I was celebrated-out!

So this year, I didn't quite have the typical July celebration but I do feel I had a lot to celebrate. My triumphs and my feats are enough "F*ck Yous" to Lupus. 

I have a lot to be thankful for. Lupus still has time to progress and takes it course, but for the time being, I am as healthy as I can be. And I hope and I pray that I can continue to be. 

So here's to celebrating another year of life, health and happiness. I don't necessarily need a certain month to kick Lupus in the arse ;)

Happy One Year Purple Anniversary

Happy Two Year Purple Anniversary

Happy Three Year Purple Anniversary
Lupus Awareness Month
Graduating With Lupus

YEAR THREE

Beach Bonfire

YEAR TWO:

Wine and cheese party

Afternoon beach date

YEAR ONE:

Dinner, beach and gelato

Dinner party with purple flowers

YEAR FOUR: I JUST KEPT CELEBRATING LIFE

Philippines Trip

Leading a pilot program at a major Los Angeles hospital

Freedom Party: CSUN Edition

Freedom Party: UCLA Edition

And the celebration continues...

<3<3<3

Hair: Orange is NOT the New Black

In my Peekaboo: Summer Cut and Touch Up post, I wrote about my bi-annual hair routine. This year, I got my peekaboo color done in caramel. Within washes, my hair quickly turned orange.

Blondish-light brown colors are not new to my hair at all. I've been doing this to my hair for 5 years, but this is the first time my hair turned orange. And it was not okay with me!

(source : online Google image)

Anyone remember Carrot Top? As iconic as he is, that was not the look I was going for. 

I got my hair done on July 5. This is my hair on August 23. 

I attended a friend's engagement party on August 23. And of course, a myriad of photos were taken. I knew my hair was orange walking in, but I never really realized how orange it was until the photos came out. 

HOLY FREAKIN COW is that ORANGE!! Yikes!

After seeing those pictures, I dyed my hair asap. I headed to the drugstore with a friend and bought boxed hair dye. I can't remember what brand it was or what color it was exactly. Sorry, #BloggerFail. You wouldn't want to listen to me anyway...after all, my hair was orange.

All I remember is that the boxed dye was a light to medium brown. It was a bit ashy, but I like it. After a few washes, it's still this color. Phew!

This is the result. It is more me. It is more pleasant to the eyes. 

Note to self: Never do caramel.

Question for self: Is this a sign that I should stop with the peekaboo blonde/brown?

I am even contemplating chopping my hair off, but I just can't. There are reasons for why I can't, or why I won't. I'll explain that in a future post.

Whoever said orange is the new black lied...well, at least for hair.

Until next time...

<3<3<3