Published in Hawaii Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, April/May 2014

It gives me great pleasure to finally blog about this because I've had to keep mum for a few months. A while back, I think you'll remember my post about my Rambutan Mojito Mocktail, and I guess somebody besides my own circle of friends was reading because the editors of Hawaii Luxury Lifestyle Magazine caught wind of it and decided to publish my work for an article on exotic fruits! I'm tickled as I write this because not only is it published in this amazing magazine, but it's for that beautiful place that is near and dear to my heart. If you're a regular on this blog, you already know just how much I adore the aloha aisles and if you also happen to be enjoying spring break on the islands during this time, be sure to snag yourself a copy before hitting the beaches. Mahalo!

Published in Anthology Magazine, Winter 2014 Issue

I've been pinching myself because the day has finally come: I got published! It was only March 2013 when I officially launched the rebrand of Chandara Creative, and on my mental list of personal accomplishments was the opportunity to see my name in print and showcase my talent (if you will) to the world. I've been a long-time fan of Anthology Magazine, a life and shelter magazine dedicated to highlighting some creative design talent when it comes to decorating and entertaining for your home. I love the look and feel of the magazine and just adore the design aesthetic and vision of Meg & Anh-Minh, the magazine's lovely co-founders.

Anthology W14 Issue | Styling: Chandara Creative | Photography: Jen Siska

I really believe things happen for a reason, and opportunities are meant to be seized. I first met Bryant Terry, an eco-chef & food justice activist, and Meg when I was styling a photo shoot lookbook for my gals of Retrofit Republic over a year ago. Fast forward six months later, when both Bryant and Meg approached me with the opportunity to style a shoot for Bryant's release of his upcoming Afro-Vegan cookbook,  I was completely and utterly flattered and before they could change their minds, I was already shooting back an email inquiring about what time they should expect me to arrive. This could not have happened at a more opportune time because if you recall, my first four months of pregnancy was really brutal with a severe case of morning sickness and had they called on me then, I would not have been in any condition to do anything. Luckily, everything worked out and the shoot was amazing, to say the least, and I found myself working alongside some creatives who I've admired for so long, and that was definitely icing on the cake.

Anthology's Winter 2014 issue hits the shelves of all Anthropologie stores nation-wide  in the United States (and even to some international boutiques) starting in early February. My styling feature, A Fusion of Flavors, begins on page 119. I hope you enjoy it and thanks so much for believing in me because it really does mean the world to me!

Here's a magazine preview and video trailer for you:

Published on Style Me Pretty Weddings: A Summer-Inspired Wedding Editorial

I'm absolutely honored Style Me Pretty Weddings featured this amazing summer-inspired wedding editorial today. There are so many things that inspire me, but what tops it off is my favorite color palette: coral + peach-toned hues to match with my favorite summertime fruits: melons! Here's a few snippets  from the shoot captured on film by my amazing friend, Coco Tran Photography, and be sure to visit SMP for the entire collection!

 

Photographer :Coco Tran Photography | Creative Vision+ Styling: Coco Tran | Flowers: Vo Floral Design | Makeup: Cathy Dung | Hair: Gabi Baker | Food Styling: Chandara Creative | Models: JE models Alana+Edward | Linens: 1000 Fine Events | Stationary  + Calligraphy: Kathryn Murray  | Ceremony Location: Private Backyard, California | Bride's Dress: Bo Lee Boutique  |Groom's tux: Banana Republic |

Bride's Earrings: David Yurman

Published on SMP Living: Entertaining with Oysters

I'm absolutely thrilled and giddy beyond belief that my first styled shoot with my favorite briny friends was published today over at Style Me Pretty Living.   Many thanks to the fabulous Silvana di Franco for capturing the beautiful day. 

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Oftentimes, whenever we do something new, we talk about and embark upon grandiose goals, but truth be told, when I woke up this morning to this tweet, my heart jumped up and smiled like I'd just won the lottery. No, no money involved, but just this crazy passion of mine doing backflips to the nine. I still remember drooling over the features from other amazing creatives they'd highlight, and wondering if perhaps someday, if I ever created something just as amazing, that just maybe...I could grace the SMP Living blog, even for a split nano-second, that would be uber-fantastic in my little world. And so today, when my feature did just that, I realized that these small, incremental moments of happiness are what I live for...these milestones that serve as a recurring reminder that doing what makes me smile is really why Chandara Creative was born and why I know, it will continue to shine on.

Don't have an oyster set? No worries. I used a drink dispenser stand and a small plate to re-create my own. No biggie.

See the full feature at SMP Living.