East West Players 47th Gala "Spirited Away"

I have so much fun at my jobs, despite of the crazy hours I put in the office. As East West Players designer, I get to make the promotional art for all their events, including the Spirited Away Gala. Above is the invite I designed with a foil emboss. I'm happy how it all turned out.

In addition to working, volunteering at the gala held at the Hilton in Universal Studios is a must. I got the fun job of working with the VIPs, particularly the artists and the actors/actresses. =)

Everybody was pretty nice. But they assigned me to VIP escort the one person I would possibly lose my shit with and fangirl out- Steven Yeun from "The Walking Dead." In fact, staff kept referring to me and calling me their "Walking Dead Expert" as they asked me questions about Steven's character, Glenn. Yeun was awarded Best Breakout Performance at the Gala and a special performance was dedicated to the honorees with a special song.

I was informed that a lot of it is waiting... and timing. I was given a schedule and I kept my eye on my watch the whole time. 

The ballroom with the lights matching my designs.

What the ballroom looked like on stage.

My friend K and the marketing director who I work closely with. I was not allowed to take pics with my phone because it was unprofessional. However, with Kat having clout, she was able to take a pic with me and Steve. Not before she blasted me and told him how much I was a big fan. haha! He was mad cool and was a very nice guy.

Can't wait for season 4!

Warby Parkers

 

(Emporio Armani glasses)

Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that my job gives me benefits and they are pretty decent. Not having health insurance while a full-time artist was a downside to being self employed. But now I have the benefits, the eye care is not that entirely great. First off, glasses have always been way too expensive for my fickle taste. Granted, I get some coverage but $500 glasses end up being around $320 and that is still a lot of money.

Because of that, I’d have to pick the “safest” design and it ends up being boring, especially since my styles change daily.

And as much as I love these duo-tone Emporio Armanis, it cuts my vision sight in half.

It took me about a year to mosey myself over to Warby Parkers. I knew about them last year but completely forgot about it until a friend at work reminded me about them and bought a couple of pairs.

 

$95- designer frames and lenses.

 

$95!!!

 

 

That is more than half the price of the Ray Bans I wanted to get at LensCrafters. (With the discount, it was $320 before insurance.)

 

 

I took advantage of the Try-on offer; 5 frames, 5 days, free shipping.

 

(From top to bottom: Crosby, Roosevelt and the Thatcher)

 

I'm pretty sure you will see all the fashionista bloggers looking all cute in their frames. I will not bore you with another selfie photoshoot. (Besides, I'd feel silly doing that.) But the concept of being able to be at home and at your leisure, try on the frames before buying.)

 

I've done two rounds, which I am glad I did because frames that I thought would look good on me ended up being okay.

 

What I am loving about the selection is that there is SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Which means, they cover all shapes of faces.

 

 

My first purchase was the slate blue Holt.

 

A week later, I decided to get the Thatcher in Revolver Black.

 

So now I went from one frams to now owning two of different styles and I still didn't pay the price as I would get if I went to the optometrist. I am ENAMORED with my new frames that I can see myself buying two more frames before the end of the year.

 

 

As if it weren't cool enough that they send you the frames to try on at home (there are two showcases in LA but being so busy, I don't have time to get there,) they have a WARBY PARKER CLASS TRIP school bus that also equals to a pop-up shop!

 

 

This is located at 8201 W. 3rd Street, LA

 

This pop up shop has almost every frame possible in the collection. It was like being a kid in a candy shop being able to check out all the difference styles. I am thinking that my next purchase should be prescription sunglasses, being that my optometrist say that the sun still damages the retina of the eyes. Well, sounds good to me and the best part is, my insurance will cover some of it!

 

 

I went from being vain and not wearing glasses to being vain and owning four pairs! My next post will be about Kahoy Kollection, all wood frames and more!

 

 

 



 

 

 



Celebrating Love: Michele and Chris

Wedding Watch 2012 continues on. As I earlier posted, my man and I went to the East Coast to attend his college friend's wedding. The trip was memorable as I wouldn't have seen that part of the US had it not been for this event. I had a wonderful time discovering a new area of the country and getting to know where he had grown up.

Now back home, long time friends/loves finally tied the knot at what locals called the "Glass Church." Located in Rancho Palos Verde, we drove all the way up the hills over looking the ocean to this beautiful spot where Michele (a writer and teacher and vintage fashion boutique owner) and Chris (a graphic designer and fellow Beatrock artist) made their vows.

I love how recently, weddings are more so about labors of love, creativity and personalization. It used to be weddings were  all about being flashy and excessive, bigger is everything and this puts couples in huge debt for a celebration that is bigger than the real true message. The money saved can be now towards a honeymoon, a house or just a nice nest egg for them to secured with. 

engagement photos

waiting to make her entrance

handmade felt roses

photobooth bookmarks

handmade number table plaques

mr. and mrs.

clinking our glasses for them to kiss

mark canto and i drawing on our doilies

my bf was working so i brought one of my best friends

Now, michele and chris are part of my reading joy!