So Much Cuteness: Enjoying Afternoon Tea at The Bow Room at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe

I love two things: Hello Kitty and high tea. So when I found out that, not only is there a Hello Kitty Grand Cafe in Orange County, but that they serve afternoon tea, I absolutely jumped at the chance to go! I immediately texted my friend Erin to see if she'd want to go with me, and her resounding "YES!" came back about 5 seconds later. So we made our reservation, (im)patiently waited the month and a half for the day to arrive, and finally stepped inside the magic that is this totally adorable cafe.

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#TextureTuesday: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream

Oh, how I love a good play on words. And when it's combined with a beauty product that just makes my life better? Yeah, that's a total win. Enter First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream.

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#ManiMonday: Essie Just The Way You Arctic from the Winter 2018 Collection

For someone who claims to love nail polish as much as I do, it's been an embarrassingly long time since I shared my manicure with you. And it's not because I haven't been painting my nails -- I've still been painting them at least twice a week! I just got lazy about showing you what's on them. I promise to be better in 2019 -- let's call it one of my resolutions! And let's kick things off with this gorgeous color, Essie Just The Way You Arctic.

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Year in Review: Looking Back on 2018

2018 is about to draw to a close. And, as is customary at the end of any year, I'm in the midst of some deep reflection. 2018 was one of those years that, while it had some ups and some definite downs, was still by all accounts a very happy one. I don't know if that's because I'm finally at a good place with my mental health (thank you to three very intense years of therapy for that one -- and, actually, that's something I'll be talking about and sharing more of in the coming year), but it seems that even when life threw some pretty major curve balls at me, I was still able to approach them with positivity, happiness and good intentions.

I don't really make resolutions. But my one main goal for 2018 -- I guess you can call it a resolution if you will -- was to be HAPPY. And I'd say I approached that goal/challenge/resolution head on. (See the photo above for proof -- that's me on my birthday.) I made new friends. I went to Disneyland -- A LOT. I took one of the best vacations of my life.

Not all was rosy. I lost my job and spent three months unemployed, making no money, burning through my savings and worrying about how I'd pay my rent or eat. I've never worked so hard to find work. This unfortunately also took its toll on my body -- I've definitely gained some weight, and I've also spent the last two months of the year suffering from a bout of stress hives (though I think they're hopefully, finally going away). Thankfully, I'm ending the year with an amazing new job at a company I really love, and I am beyond grateful.

We only have one life. And, the fact is, we never know how much time we're really going to have. This past year, I continued to take it upon myself to make my life everything it could possibly be. Am I exactly where I want to be now that 2018 is ending and 2019 is fast approaching? No. But am I pretty darn close? A resounding yes. LA has been and continues to be the place that makes me feel like my true, best self.

My hope for all of you is that, as 2018 ends and 2019 begins, you feel like you're on the path toward being happy, healthy and both who and where you want to be.

Please indulge me as I take a (not so) quick walk down the memory lane of 2018. (Spoiler alert: there are a LOT of photos!) Here's to everything 2019 has to offer -- happy new year!

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Salon and Spa Directory Meets First Look Fridays Interview Series: Cupping at Massage SoCal with Paloma Sanders

Have you ever tried cupping? And, if not, have you been interested? I did it once before, about 10 years ago, with my acupuncturist in New York. And I honestly loved it, but I just never had the inclination to do it again ... until I discovered Paloma Sanders of Massage SoCal, that is.

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