I almost wanted to burst into a rendition of “My Favorite Things” as I walked through the Vibiana a couple weeks ago for this year’s Pamper Me Fabulous event. It was as if someone had peeked into my mind and pulled out all of my most adored things – fruity drinks, delicate chocolates, girl talk, fresh magazines, spa treatments, sweet architecture & design, overflowing swag bags, and best of all, a good cause – and made a huge fabulous event out of it. I thought Pamper Me Fabulous was a 100 on the Fabulometer (a new device I just invented) last year, but this year’s event was completely off the charts!

I started snapping away the second we exited our car and first caught site of the majestic Vibiana (I believe I was ooh-ing and clicking away while Scott was still struggling with the bags). Upon stepping inside, we found ourselves in a decadent oasis in the midst of downtown LA – clean lounge furniture, magazines on tables, and an amazing line-up of salons and spas, bazaars, and of course, the food, the FOOD. When I’m on the job, it’s always about focusing on the shots and not on the Fabulous Tier of Endless Cupcakes, but I do admit to being convinced by the woman at Mignon Chocolate table to try ONE teensy Mojito-flavored morsel.

Amanda, Ada, and the their team at Fresh Events definitely outdid themselves this time. The ambiance was divine, the treatments as relaxing as ever, and the causes beyond noble. This year they put together the Fabulous Female Awards as well, recognizing amazing women who serve within our community. The awards ceremony concluded the day perfectly with a message of empowerment and giving.

And now for a walk through the day!

The drinks below are amazing fruit smoothies from Glowelle. They come in luxe flavors like Raspberry Jasmine and Pomegranate Lychee and are chock-full of vitamins to refresh your skin from the inside out!

Councilwoman Jan Perry kicks off the Fabulous Female Awards.

Karina Smirnoff presents; Alice Crisci, who launched a foundation for breast cancer patients, speaks about her cause.

I know it’s not for everyone – many claim it’s too boring, or too kiddish, too crowded, too expensive, too colorful, too happy. But I’ve always been of the flowers/puppies/rainbows-loving variety, and Disneyland has always been fascinating to me. I don’t know if it’s indeed the Happiest Place on Earth, but it definitely ranks up there. Contending only against our comfy living room couch, the nook of Scott’s arm, and the backyard of my childhood home where my sister and I used to do cartwheels until our brains hurt.

And it’s not just because of the overabundant churro vendors and the pastel teacups (which somehow seem to get more and more nauseating every year) and the singing pirates, but more because of the 26 years of memories that all these things have created. I realized how immensely vital these memories were to me when Scott and I entered the park and I immediately demanded that we go to Tomorrowland first because “that’s where we always start!!!” Obviously. I believe the order goes Tomorrowland, followed by Fantasyland, followed by New Orleans Square and Adventureland, and ending at Splash Mountain, because there’s clearly no better time to get soaked than when it’s dark and cold out and you have a wet car ride home to look forward to.

The shots below were modified with the awesome Poladroid application (first introduced to me by Serena). You can watch the photos “develop” before your very eyes! You can even shake it, shake, shake it like a Polaroid picture! You have to try it!!

Edited to add:

Since we both hadn’t been to Disneyland in years, it was our first time going on the Buzz Lightyear ride. And here’s the shot they snapped midway through. Now I know it looks like I’m hiding. But let me assure you, those targets were DEFINITELY hiding from me and the wrath of my blaster gun. Hiding so well in fact that it um, sort of affected my score. It all makes sense now!!

One of the things I love most about what I do is meeting new people and going through the process of getting to know one another. But it’s an equally wonderful thing working with people I’ve worked with before. It’s like having coffee with an old friend – you pick up right where you left off, with old laughs, new stories, and a warm sense of comfort. So when Gabi contacted me to do another photoshoot, I was super excited to work with her again. This time she had a wonderful vision of creating shots with movement, images that really showcased her killer dance moves. We brainstormed locations and ended up shooting at UCLA, our joint alma mater, since it provided lots of opportunities for jumping, spinning, climbing (you know, all the normal things we Bruins used to do in between classes). I loved seeing locations on campus in a new light; little corners that I never gave a second thought to as I walked to finals with my head buried in my notes (I was one of those “cram-everything-in-30-seconds-before-the-test” type of “studiers.” Not necessarily always “effective.”)

Thanks Gabi for a wonderful session! I’m continuously amazed by your talents and wish you success in everything you do! :)