A progression of art.

Weddings are always on the brain at the Bee house (I seriously just spelled "house" as "howse."  Give me a break; it is 4:30 AM).  We have decided to make weddings our "business," so we are in a constant state of research and preparation in order to make weddings more remarkable.  Photos taken should evoke a gush of warmth and tender memory.  Photos taken should make a girl feel something like this:

Although recently I have received inquires about wedding cakes, I have quite a bit more experience in the hair/makeup department.  This area of my industry is despised by most, but the entry is a beacon of light and relief when I see formal hair or makeup on my book.

Saturday I had a trial run with a bride whose wedding I am particularly looking forward to.  This sweet girl has two sisters and a mother whose hair I also do, and their family couldn't be more precious to me.  The girls are like Disney princesses- with long, lustrous locks flowing down the middle of their backs- but smarter, less apt to showing their mid-drifts, and not likely to talk to vermin.  They are polite, well-spoken, determined, kind, and geez- downright intimidating at times!  The woman responsible for this trio is no different- but add consistent joy and encouragement (always, always a smile).  Rarely do a group of such women fall into your chair, and I am grateful for them.

I thought originally that the whole gang was going to come Saturday, and that is why I brought my trusty camera man along.  Although I am sure the bride is not used to having the constant strobe of flashbulbs in her eyes, she (of course) performed beautifully.  What is notable (and typical) is the consistent hilarity of my face in this progression of photos.  I can pose and model all I want, but stick a teasing comb and a few bobby pins in my hands, and I become a goof.

Enjoy!

Is there anything more beautiful than a table full of MAC??

 OK.  Perhaps the shiniest most gorgeous natural hair ever?

"Yes, sir.  I cannot abide the awesomeness of your tattoos."

Thinking, hard. 

"Man, this is looking good.  She is going to love this!"

The part when she gently tells me she doesn't love this.

Yanking bobby pins out, putting them back in (HAVE to appreciate honesty:)

There will be a second pin, and a bit more over to the side.  And less fuzzy.  No spray used in this "do."

Love this one.  What a strong and yet lovely woman.

I could have put hot pokers to her eyes and she wouldn't have flinched. 

Makeup artists: ever want to look at someone and say, "Uh- mascara and blush ought to do it?"  Her skin was nearly flawless.

Despite the silliness of my face in this picture, I love it.  

I got into doing hair as I looked up at 25 and thought, "I am not a 'famous' singer.  Ouch."  I went to get my hair done by my regular stylist after having one of the worst days of my life, and she suggested cosmetology school.  In the past I had dabbled in nearly every art-form, and I had always been interested in hair; but I never thought I would ever need to get a "real job."  I took her advice, and 6 years later I really don't have a single regret.  Although most of us have it, hair isn't something that everyone can do, and I appreciate the special skill.  I do get frustrated with the "salon world" as I don't care for the way the industry is headed (more on that later), but moments like the one above- the look in the bride's eyes- make all the difference to me.  I am probably saying something unintelligent, but her eyes speak trust, girlish-anticipation, and a general "Rachel, you're alright."

And I like that.

And I like my job.

And I like you.

Rachel Bee

A night that warranted a week off...

All or most of you know that Friday night a week ago, my church had a special event called "The Big Show."

Many churches have a volunteer banquet of some sort, but this evening was so much more than a dinner buffet over sterno warmers.  It was a full-on award show a la Golden Globes, with a catered meal served at round tables; and (I am sure) the very best green beans I have ever tasted in my entire life.

I know.  It is weird to give the first of my compliments to the green beans, but they were heaven.  I have a source who might divulge whatever sweetness made them irresistible.  Then I will keep the recipe to myself, and eat nothing but green beans for the rest of my life.

Despite the event being in it's first year, I would say that it went off so well, and everyone looked amazing. I had so many people come up to me to say that they were "wearing my eyes" or  how they had pinned up their hair per my instruction, and it made me feel so warm.  Thanks to all of you who brighten my life.  Really.

And those of you who were there also saw way too much of me, as I played "Miss Big Show," or the stage manager in a pink dress.  I (not always so gracefully) handed out awards to presenters, and made eyes at the sexy photog in the back of the room.  You can all guess who he is.

Here are a few pics of what I did with my hair and makeup for the night...

I told my friend, Stephanie, to give me a style I could not do on myself; so with a deep breath, a few pins, and a handful of weave: she went.

Sorry, Steph.  These were taken at around 10:30 PM, about 8 hours after you pinned my hair up.

Here is a pic of me, award in hand...

...and a guy named "J." And that was not my award, if there is any confusion.  The "awards" were given to people who had shown extraordinary effort in whatever ministry they are a part of.  They are called "Vollys."

From "volunteer."

Oooooh.

And here I am with my beloved dad, who IS single by the way...

I wish you all could see my shoes.  They are adorable, and look like the ones worn in "Dirty Dancing."

As we are going on about the Big Show, I would be remiss not to say that I went through 11.5 pounds of sugar last week, making these...

And these...

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Swiss Meringue Buttercream.  The toppers were little gumpaste stars with gobs of edible glitter and a little pearl inset.  They sparkled beautifully against the low lights, and I am told they tasted just fine.  Or good.  I did not try one.  When you make 168 of something, you have eaten plenty.  And this, the most unflattering picture of me, is a great snapshot of what one's kitchen looks like after baking 168 cupcakes.

Really.  Could it look worse?

It was fun, and all I can say, and state, and reiterate, is that I love my church.  It is a generous group, and I would bake a million cupcakes for them.  And if it wasn't incredibly inappropriate, I would take my pastor by the face, and squeeze it up against mine (like cheek to cheek: nothing funny).  And while I am completely violating his personal space, I would say, "thank you, thank you, thank you.  I really am having a blast."

What a good idea it was to show me back to Jesus.

Really.  Thanks, Brent.

Have a good one, all.

Rachel Bee