IMATS 2015 - "I Woke Up Like This"

Photos are all my own

I squeal with excitement to share that I finally attended my first ever IMATS show in Pasadena, California this year. The thrill ran through my veins like a girl poked with an IV made up of adrenaline and pink glitter sugar water. 

Silly me didn't think at the time to attend the show as a beauty editor. No, instead I chose to make my first experience as simple as pie, and walk the blue colored carpet as plain ol'....er, who are we kidding, I walked as sassy, dolled up, we wear pink on Wednesdays, me! 

I attended the two day event, two because I don't have a pro-card (yet), from the mid-morning until mid-afternoon, and let me tell you, I was thrilled beyond my little heart's wildest dreams. 

From ghouls to goblins, fairies, to YouTube sensations, celebrity makeup artist to self-created makeup personalities, to the girl-and-guy next door who loves makeup, it was a jam-packed event.   

Day 1:

Angels sing: Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhlllealuia.....  alleluia.. Ok, not quite, but to me, I could of sworn I saw the doors glisten as I walked through the entrance of the Pasadena Convention Center. What a roar of chatter you heard the moment you stepped foot through the lobby. People, everywhere, and not just women. No sir-re-Bob, there were plenty of men there as well, fellas. 

In fact, some of you may even know award-winning body painter and photographer Vargas. His work has appeared in international galleries, MTV and runway fashion shows. He was incredibly sweet and humble. His model on the other hand was smoldering and brave. Yowzer!

 As I continued to walk around, I found a few more interesting characters...

I, was so amused by the way people could design costumes through some simple paint and glitter. I was more than just impressed, I couldn't blink. I swear this last girl found me staring at her for what probably felt like several minutes until I uttered, "can I take a picture?" She was so sweet and quickly dropped what she was doing to pose for me. The picture itself doesn't do this look any justice, but up close she looked like the sweetest fairy full of pixie dust. It was so stunning to see up close.

Sigh. The day was starting to wind down and I was just about ready to go home, but not before taking a quick selfie. The dudes in the back were part of the deal, they just didn't know it. Success!

Day 2:

All jazzed from the previous day, I was ready to go for round two. 

It was a beautiful Sunday and although the ladies working the booths the day before stated, 'day two would be quieter,' I beg to differ. I think it was even more crowded than Saturday. Holy Moly was there more sightings of makeup artist, models, TV personalities and aisles upon aisles of major foot traffic. And then, the rows of people parted. Could it be? There she was just standing there waiting to smile for a picture and talk to all sorts of people oohing and ahhing to meet her, Ve Neill, the three Oscars, two Emmys, four Saturn Awards, celebrity makeup artist just hanging out. 

Her posture was delicate but ever so relaxed. Her smile came and went as she chatted with strangers while they swooned over her work in films such Star Trek, Beetlejuice, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the Hunger Games, to name a small few. And, who could forget her current role as a judge on the Syfy network's makeup effects show, Face Off. 

Okay, whatever, she's not a big deal to you, but I was intrigued to meet her and chat her up about flowers and how the sky was relatively cobalt blue that day. She was quirky and nice. I shook her hand, she called me "dear," and we snapped a photo of ourselves for memories sake, as we had now become life-long friends. 

I finished off the day, snapping a few more charitable photos with odd ball creatures. 

Spotted Amanda Ensing, the adorable YouTube makeup artist and incredibly sweet girl of all things lovely. You can check her out on Instagram @amandaensing or +Amanda Ensing 

Took a #sigmaselfie pic

I'm such a cheese ball, I know, but at least I was having fun. #YOLO 

(translation: You Only Live Once) for you non-genXers

And wrapped up my day with a delicious bag of beauty loot. 

"What did I buy," you ask? 

-warm neutrals pallet by Sigma

-angle eye liner and contouring brush by Sigma

-a few foundation and eyeshadow brushes by Crown Beauty

-RCMA #11 palette ( I needed this in my life)

-Several Eye Kandy glitters

-Received a free CoverFX primer (Thanks, Ava. You were a pleasure to meet.)

...and a few other mini treats. I was good. I didn't over indulge. 

All in all, IMATS was very good to me, and I had such a wonderful time. Until next year...

Lots of Love,

Lisa xoxo

Bella's Checkups & Road to Recovery

We're here! It's the second followup. One week after Bella's horrific ordeal on Thanksgiving.

Poor Bella had a blood glucose level of 20, (normal levels are between 70 and 148), she suffered a fever and an anal gland infection. The treatment was several days in the hospital on IVs, antibiotics and steroids. Once released from the hospital, Bella has been on liquid steroids for the blood glucose, and antibiotics for one week. 

After anxiously waiting, It's now time to see Dr. Earnheart. "Hi, Baby Cakes!" Dr. Earnheart greets Bella. Her affection towards a rather moody pup, both astonishes and pleases me. "How's my little Addisonian doing?" She ask.

Dr. Earnheart has labeled Bella after she was positively diagnosed with Addison's disease. A disease that doesn't allow Bella to produce stress hormones. So, instead of going into fight or flight mode, Bella's body shuts down.

Thankful for great doctors and veteranarian assistants, Dr. Earnheart and her assistant Jessica take Bella to the back to check her anal glands, watch her walk, take her blood pressure and temperature.

 Bella yelped a bit as there were still signs of an infection in her anal glands. I could only assume the yelping was from discomfort. Her temperature seemed a bit better, and her blood glucose was at a normal range of 74. Good Job, Bella! 

Dr. Earnheart however, still seemed concerned. Especially about the infection, so she switched Bella's antibiotics. Here we go, 10 more days on antibiotics in addition to steroid; Bella will be on steroids every day, for the rest of her life. 

Poor Bella. She can't catch a break.

During those next 10 days however, Bella would be responding well to the extra attention. Playing with her little sister, Lulu, napping on every blanket possible, and being snuggled and kissed all day long.

It's now round two. We're back at the vet. Oh, boy! Bella walked right up to the door and snooped around like she owned the joint. A few minutes of waiting allowed for the shivers of anxiousness to set in, but things perked up the moment some soft chicken treats were offered from the front desk girls. 

Finally. It's our turn. "Let's check her weight," the vet assistant, Jessica advised. 8.6lbs. "Awesome!" 

What's next was even better, Bella allowed Jessica to hold her. After that, Bella's anal glands were expressed and looked at, she didn't cry or yelp one bit. She even got her temperature checked, which was no big deal to Bella. She did show her teeth at Dr. Earnheart, though.

 Bella was definitely feeling better. "Hooray! Great job, baby girl, Dr. Earnheart is so proud of you."

"Grrrrrrr..." Bella responded.

Bella snuggled up to me right away, and I shared a few more words with the doctor. Bella seems to be doing very well. Her next check up is in six weeks. Thankful for Bella's recovery and smooth transition from near death to a steady life once more, I'm in awe of this little girl. There's so many things to be thankful for, but life with her, is by far my favorite. 

Merry Christmas, everyone. Be thankful for what you have. Nothing is promised.

Many Blessings!

Love Bella & Lisa 

Bella's Nightmare before Thanksgiving

The last few days have been incredibly tough for one cute pup and her mother. The night of Thanksgiving eve, I was winding down my evening with a sister date, and on my way home, when a quick text alert came in from my mother asking me to 'come home right away!' When I asked if everything was ok? She said, "Bella wasn't." I rushed through the front door to find my parents in a panic. Bella was seizing. The episode was going on for what felt like several minutes, so I called two animal hospitals, one who seemed un-attentive, and another who said come in. I rushed to my car, my dog in tow, (still seizing), until a moment of pure fear broke in. I screamed over and over "I can't lose my dog! I can't lose my dog!" 

The intense array of life's moments were all being held in my arms. All the secrets, all the happy moments and all the fears of where my life was going next were right with Bella. For the past 10 years my life has gone through just about every up and down imaginable and she sat shotgun. 

My best friend, the keeper of my heart. I've always said Dog is God spelled backwards, and everything about a true companion encompasses the love of God. My Bella is all of those things to me and I couldn't lose her, not like this. 

My dad ran out to follow me and jumped in the car just as my mind broke from the handcuffs of fear and pure adrenaline set in. I flew low on the freeway, bobbing and weaving between cars like a drifter. My dog, still seizing. 

The moment I showed up at the hospital, the veteranarian and her assistants pulled my dog out from my Father's arms and straight to the back room. My dad rushed in after them, until he was escorted back out. My body was pumping so much adrenaline that the fight or flight mode was in overdrive. "Your dog is in critical condition, please sign and initial here if you would like us to continue forward," One assistant had to repeat over three times until I responded with sound. I couldn't think, or read, I could barely sign, but I know I muttered, "just save my dog." 

Then deep fear set in once more as I sat in a room quiet as a mouse, hearing only the voices in another room while I prayed my heart out, until, the door opened...

The doctor came out and asked about Bella's past medical history. I rambled out everything I could in a very short time.  I was her Mom, I remembered everything about her, by heart. As a Mom, it's our job to. 

Bella's blood glucose came up as 20. A normal dog's blood glucose should be between 70-148. My baby was hypoglycemic and who knows for how long. On top of that, she had a fever. What was going on? 

After receiving fluids, sugar and electrolytes, Bella seemed to come to. She stopped seizing and recognized me. She tried to get up quickly and wobbled to me. I held her in my arms as her little body was shaking scared. I whispered in her ear, "don't you give up on me. Keep fighting. I love you." 

I swear she understood every word. 

One overnight stay, turned to two. Bella still had a fever and seemed wobbly on her back legs. A third fever check by the technician led to an intuitive observation. Bella had an anal abscess that was infected. Calling on the emergency doctor who handled the abscess swiftly and infused Bella with antibiotics. Her fever started to go down within a few hours-- thankfully, but what was still causing the low blood sugar? 

Through countless phone calls and ruling out other diagnosis, reviewing X-rays and talking over past history, the last thought was to do a stim test. A test that checks to see your resting cortisol level and then the doc injects a medication that stimulates the cortisol hormone, or so it should. Bella's resting cortisol level was .2, a normal dog should be between 5-8. After the injection, Bella was at .9, when a normal healthy dog's level should be 6 and above. My baby was sick and diagnosed with Addison's disease. She was put on prednisone immediately. A steroid that helps your body produce healthy blood glucose levels and allows your body to function at a higher level. What Bella's was doing was shutting down, because her body couldn't produce the steroids that naturally come from the adrenal glands. 

A sigh of relief came out as the doctor read Bella's chart to me. Although I was sad, I was relieved to have heard a proper diagnosis and to know my little girl was in stable condition. Her blood glucose was at 155. I was pumped I said that's my Bella, "kicking ass and taking names." 

It was now Friday morning and I had to pick up Bella from the emergency pet hospital, but we weren't out of the woods just yet. We needed to transfer to a day time vet that would continue monitoring Bella until she was safe to go home. Before we left we received another blood glucose test. 113. Still really good. Go, Bella!

 I prayed the hardest I think I've ever prayed during those last two days, and gracefully was given the allowance of taking Bella home that evening. No moment went unspoken in prayer to my God, our angels and the asking of prayers from Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. 

I slept with Bella by my side. While she slept, I woke up every two hours to make sure she was still breathing. "she's your baby," my Mom said. That, she is.

Saturday morning started off with  a recheck visit at the day time vet. Bella wasn't too excited. 

Good news continued as We were able to get her catheter out, check her temperature (normal 101) and Blood glucose level. We were at 98. Thank you, God. I had only him to truly thank as he worked through the hands of those who watched over Bella. In any second he could have taken my Angel home, but I'm so grateful for the extra time he's given me, the amount of courage he showed through my Bella, and for reminding me at full force, that you only get one life; Focus on what matters most before it's gone. 

Tonight (Sunday evening) Bella is doing a little better. We have another recheck in one week to make sure she's going forward in the right direction. I can't be more moved and overwhelmed than I am right now. God's grace is fearing and beautiful and I will never forget what he showed me. Love all your fur-babies a little more this evening, and stay positive, for like my friend Jenna stated to me, "they sense it."

A very special thank you goes to Dr. A. Volkman and Dr. M. Lafave for saving Bella's life.  To technicians Kim, Leslie and Kevin for watching her day and night. To Day time vet Dr. Earnheart and technicians Eli and Jessica. To my Dad, and boyfriend for staying with me through every visit. To my best friend Miguel for praying with every ounce of his soul and to his dog, my niece, Bella Fatche for praying also. To my family and friends who have learned of the scenario and continue to pray and offer words of encouragement, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

-Love, 

Bella & Lisa ❤️