Sunday, January 5, 2014

Wiggin Out all the way to the top of Half Dome, Yosemite with my BFF

The Summer of 2013, was a pretty amazing for me.

It's the summer I climbed Yosemite's Half Dome with my BFF Elle.

Long time friends since the fourth grade Elle and I set forward to conquer Half Dome.

A 22 mile hike climbing 8.890 feet to the top.

The base at Half Dome

This is where some people get then fear the cables as its a long drop down..
As for me (amateur hiker) I had no fear. This is where I gained my second (or was it my seventh) wind and I was ready to climb that rock and get to the top . 

snack time

Me & Elle taking a break before the final stretch.

A view from the top.

Finally, I'm here!

Me and Elle in Good Ole Wig Fashion


and down again…

It certainly wasn't an easy task. I'm not a hiker. In fact I hardly ever work out. However, I 'm always up for a challenge and I had the day off.  We entered the lottery to get the tickets to go up the cables and found out the night before that we got them.  So, it was a pack everything you need kind of night and get to bed cause were leaving early in the morning to start our hike.

The morning started out a lil rough for me as I was passing Vernal Falls. I only had a few hours sleep the night before so that first part of the climb made me a little dizzy and I had to sit, eat & hydrate before continuing.  

All the while on the hike, I had a fear that I was going to be attacked by a mountain lion or bear.  It was that one Oprah Winfrey show where that woman was attacked by her own pet chimpanzee. After watching that episode I decided that I never wanted to be attacked by a wild animal. That one show kept me off trails for years.  We did see a snake on the trail. but for some reason I did not have fear of the snake.  Just the fear of how quickly I could get down the mountain if it attacked me.

Once we got to the base of Half Dome I sat for a break and that is where I sat on my camelback nozzle and drained the rest of the water that I had.  From that moment forward I wasn't afraid of being attacked by a wild animal I was more concerned of dehydration as the day was quite warm and it took a lot of water to get to the top.

Although, a bit dehydrated and out of our minds we did make it back.  There was some really nice day hikers on the trail that day. They gave us water that held us over till we could get back.

Half Dome was an AMAZING feat to conquer with my BFF Elle.

GET YOUR 'DO UP! Launches eCard Gift Card and Registry

get your 'DO up! is excited to launch 

a new eCard Gift Card and Registry


eCard Gift Card

Use your eCard to get a haircut, buy a bobbie pin pendant or to gift wedding styling services.







Saturday, December 7, 2013

Relationships: Dr. Alexander Nguyen


I'm in the business of relationships.

As a hair and makeup artist that specializes in weddings, relationships have always been important to me.  One of the best relationships that I have that was created over 15 years ago was the relationship that was created between me and my Dentist. Dr Alexander Nguyen.  I first met him while styling his bride on their wedding day.  I happened to be needing to get to the dentist and decided that I would give him a try.

One visit had me convinced. This was the best experience I ever had at the dentist office.  As a wedding stylist spending weekend/weekday mornings with my clients/brides, I am often photographed while styling.  Knowing that not only was my smile important to me,  how I smiled was just as important. After a number of hours working on my smile for the camera and after braces I still needed a lil work. Dr. Nguyen made it easier for me to make my smile all it could be.   I'm not sure I used to love my smile then like I do now.

Some people try and avoid the dentist. I definitely used to be one of them. I absolutely look forward to my appointments now.

Dr Nguyen or Alex as I call him is in my opinion an AMAZING DENTIST. His attention to detail superseded my expectations then and continue to do so now.

Here's my prescription: If you have an important life changing event or are in need of regular dental care get yourself in to Dr. Alexander Nguyen's office. He'll keep you smiling like you never have before.

Dr. Nguyen is an award winning Dentist/Cosmetic Dentist

For more information about Dr. Alexander Nguyen   Please visit: Saratoga Dental Spa

Relationships I. Dr. Alexander Nguyen | Dentist

Friday, December 6, 2013

In Celebration of 20 Years of Styling Brides, Armando Sarabia launches The Bobbie Pin Pendant

To celebrate my 20-year anniversary in the wedding industry, I designed a one-of-a-kind sterling silver pendant to match my iconic logo, the bobby pin.  Several years ago, I started using the bobby pin on my business cards, as a unique and fun way to promote my business.  

While the bobby pin might seem insignificant at first, it is something we use in our industry every day and is the foundation of a great up-do. It’s one of the reasons my tagline reads, “keeping it up, ‘til it’s time to come down."

The Bobbie Pin Pendant is handcrafted of sterling silver by the artisan Amy Torello. It is offered in polished or brushed silver and is available in twelve brilliant birthstone colors, black onyx, turquoise and pearl.  Just as the left ring finger is said to be a direct link to the heart, I designed the Bobbie Pin Pendant  so the stones face toward the heart.  The idea is that every time the Bobbie Pin Pendant sparkles, you are reminded of those you love.
This has been an inspiration of mine for the past couple of years, and I hope you love the Bobbie Pin Pendant as much as I do.

To check out more about The Bobbie Pin Pendant please visit my store


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

The Makeup Forever Road Show

The Makeup Forever Pro Road Show is back in San Francisco on July 21- 23
It will be held at the W Hotel in San Francisco

After attending the Pro Road Show last year it changed the way I approach the art of makeup.  I know after you attend it could do the same for you.

Below is the line up for the classes taking place that weekend

See you there!


MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Road Show San Francisco July 21-23, 2012
Day
Time
Instructor
Class
Saturday
10:30 -12:00
Nick Lujan
The Art of Contour
1:00 -3:30
Colleen Hefflin
Detailing your Work
4:30 - 6:00
Michael DeVellis
Rethinking your Personal Brand








Sunday
10:30 -12:00
Nick Lujan
Exploring Beauty
1:00 -3:30
Patrick Eichler
Working in Catalog and Commercial
4:30 - 6:00
Erica Carr
Building your Bridal Business








Monday
10:30 -12:00
Patrick Eichler
Red Carpet Beauty
1:00 -3:30
Armando Sarabia
Beyond Bridal
4:30 - 6:00
Michael DeVellis
Ten Words to a Stronger Career


Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay - Hindu Wedding

Rachna & Jordan's Wedding Day


I absolutely love when a bride allows me creative freedom...
xoxo Rachna
See more vibrant wedding colors that were used in Rachna & Jordans wedding,
 their wedding is featured in Style Me Pretty

The Team of Vendors
Photography and Cinematography: Studio Nine / Event Design: Asiel Designs / Event Planning: Sonal J Shah Events / Ceremony Location: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay / Reception Location: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / DJ: DJ Raj, Sound Nation / Cake: Cake Coquette / Hair and Makeup: Armando Sarabia, Get Your 'Do Up!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Getting Schooled at the, MAKE UP FOREVER PRO ROADSHOW

San Francisco, CA August 13-15 W Hotel San Francisco 

Armando Sarabia, Taking a weekend to get schooled at the
 MAKE UP FOREVER PRO ROAD SHOW
With most photography and video now being shot in HIGH DEF,  
I knew this was a weekend I couldn't pass up.  

Celebrity Makeup Artist David Hernandez, started out the morning giving us the 411 on "HD For All" - all skin tones, all skin types. David shared with us his techniques and how the MAKE UP FOREVER products can be applied to every area of my work.

The Powder Group founder Michael DeVellis, shared a look at the business of make up artistry and marketing our careers from the perspective of branding, marketing and promoting.




Celebrity Makeup Artist, Patrick Eichler,
also shared his creative talents with us. Patrick showed us how he creates clean, flawless beauty
 for all areas of our work

More to come...

GET YOUR 'DO UP! receives Editors Choice - Northern California BRIDES Magazine


Congratulations to the other Editors Choice Winners
RECEPTION SITES
Banquet/Reception Hall:
Casa Real
Garden/Outdoor:
Thomas Fogarty Winery & Vineyards
Hotel/Resort:
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Loft/Raw Space:
RF80 Robert Fountain Studio
Unique Venue:
Bimbo's 365 Club
Mansion/Historic Site:
The James Leary Flood Mansion
Museum/Art Gallery:
de Young Museum
Restaurant:
The Cliff House
PHOTOGRAPHER
Anna Kuperberg
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Justin Fone
HAIR & MAKEUP
Taylor Pham
Armando Sarabia of Get Your 'Do Up!
ENTERTAINMENT
Big Fun
Martini Straight Up, (925) 236-2663
CAKE DESIGNERS
Cake Coquette
Studio Cake

read more about it at BRIDES.COM

CREDITS

I make all attempts to credit images from other sources and no photos are used for commercial reasons unless specified; if you would like me (ARMANDO) to remove an image or a link, please email me at armando@getyourdoup.com and I will do so immediately.


beauty product reviews

If you'd like your hair styling products, styling tools, skin care or cosmetics reviewed, feel free to contact me @ armando@getyourdoup.com


SHIP PRODUCTS FOR REVIEW TO:

get your Do up!

c/o Armando Sarabia

630 N. 1st Street

San Jose, CA 94114


NOTE: “No product submitted for review will be returned, under any circumstance”


PRODUCTS REVIEWED: products received for review will be reviewed then posted no later than 4 weeks from date received


POLICY:

get your Do up! will only post unbiased reviews. All products submitted for review are appreciated I will give an honest review for products received.

get your Do up! reviews are given for exchange of product Should the product(s) received receive a unfavorable review , a favorable review or no review at all. get your Do up! will not pay for any product received for review. get your Do up! appreciates the opportunity to review your products.

get your Do up! has the right to not post reviews or review products that we did not specifically request or that don’t meet our standards.