Love was in the air

Love was in the AIR last weekend at Tera Rae Stephens blowout fundraiser at Tek Salon in Costa Mesa for Team Tiny Oranges benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and I was truly blown away by the turnout (pun intended!)

So many women (and even some men!) showed up to get gorgeous $25 blowouts, $10 brow shapings by Josette D’Agnenica of Tek Salon and $10 make-up applications by Jeni of Pretty Winks.   The women (and men, sorry guys!) walked out looking like a million bucks.

At the end of the event, Tera had raised over $3000 for pediatric cancer research!!!!!  A-MAZING.

The event was Tera’s brainchild and such an amazing idea. She came up with it out of her desire to do something to fundraise for our team and help kids with cancer. She is remarkable.  And gorgeous, there she is her KISS shirt which was quite fitting for the heart day weekend…

The photos in this post are all compliments of the uber-talented Lindsey from The Mod Chik and Kathleen from Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.

I am a big fan of both of their blogs and their photography so I asked them last minute if they would consider coming and taking some pictures for this post-event recap.  They showed up with the biggest smiles and glowing hearts.  Here they are (Lindsey left, Kathleen right. )  So beautiful on the inside and out…

The salon was truly overflowing with love that day.

I was so touched by the generosity of spirit of everyone involved…

…starting with the stylists.  Tera gathered 10 stylists to donate the better part of their Saturday to blowdry and style client after client after client.  All of which had a smile on their face the entire day. Blowout after blowout after blowout…

Here is the amazing team…

Then there was the delightful Sharon from Cupcakes & Cutlery and Lauren from A Fabulous Fete.  Again, big fan of their party blogs! It all started by me asking if they had any cute ideas.  Um, they did. The Valentine Day party theme cuteness was brimming over.  So much that it made Tera and I tear up when we arrived! They outdid themselves with vintage, romantic touches throughout the salon reminiscent of our LOVE theme.

Here is their darling beverage and sweet bar….

And mixers for the Bellini Bar! Thank you Kitsch Bar for the bubbly…

And of course, a candy bar…

Then look how Sharon did these cute flowers in vintage tins!  She took regular tin cans, then spray painted and adorned with themed hearts, doiles and vintage fabric.  So very sweet. You have to visit her blog, she has the most amazing party ideas.

And, when Lauren pulled out this piece I almost squealed!!!  A huge FRINGE heart to be placed on a fushia and lace backdrop for our “after picture” photo station!!!   I mean, what an incredible idea!

The signs were all hand drawn by Lauren (she does beautiful, whimsical calligraphy) and the fringe was cut again, by hand, out of tissue paper. Talk about a labor of LOVE!  Thank you Lauren – we loved it!!

At the event we had raffles of amazing hair products.

Hannah, the daughter of Timeout4Mommy.com (who incidentally was the one that came up with the name “Love is in the Hair”) was on raffle ticket selling duty all day at $1 a ticket.

She sold $180 worth!

Although only 12 years old, she might have a sales career in her future.  Or modeling.  Pixie cut also done by the talented Tera.  Just adorable.

Melanie from Sensitive Sweets did some of her gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free mini cupcakes for us that were soooo yummy.  If there wasn’t a sign next to them you would have never known there were FREE of all those ingredients!  If you know anyone with food allergies in their family – please pass on Melanie’s website.  She can make a custom cake or cupcakes for any dietary situation.

And the soon-to-be-open, Nothing Bundt Cakes on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, donated some of their bundtinis. The red velvet was to die for…

The guys from Spray White Tooth Whitening were also there doing demos and making women swish away to brighter, whiter teeth. A ton of people bought these kits afterwards – big hit.  Tek Salon sells these kits in case you are interested.

Fellow team member Sarah from Whoorl.com came by to see us as did Erica from CoreAthletica.com.  Sarah has a very personal story about how pediatric has affected one of her family members. I am planning a separate post to share her story as she has inspired our team to fight that much harder to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

The lovely Cassie from Smarty OC was there “live tweeting” the event!  Thanks so much ladies!  So amazing to have the support of the amazing women in this OC blog and Twitter world!

My friend Kristin was one of the first to arrive with her gorgeous daughter, her mom and grandmother. Kristin is the one who inspired me to start our team in the first place. She was a survivor of pediatric cancer when she was three years old.  Click here to read her story.  I love this picture…the cute little one must have been lulled by the sound of all the dryers!

A special thanks to Debra Hoppe, owner of Tek Salon, who donated the salon for the day and was there the entire time with a smile on her face.  The most positive attitude.  Ever.   Please check out the amazing stylists in this salon if you live nearby.  I love it Tek.

Shanna from My Favorite Everything was in TWICE.  Once to volunteer her time to help for two hours, and then came back at 4:30 with her posse of hot mamas to drink some bubbly and get gorgeous for a girls’ night out!  THANK YOU Shanna!   And one of readers turned friends, Holly, also volunteered her time.  It truly meant so much.

Lindsey, me, Tera, Kathleen, Shanna

And everyone was sent home with a little favor of hair products and a label that said, “Thanks for your donation. Hugs & Kisses.” With of course Hershey’s Kisses included!

All in all, it was just such a LOVELY event.

Thank you to everyone for your support, donations and enthusiasm.  And thanks to all that donated their time and talent to make this special event just that – SPECIAL.  It was really a day that I will always remember.  It is quite overwhelming when you experience that much goodness in one room.  Again, the word I think of is love.

And, Tera, what can I say?  YOU ROCK!!  Thanks for all your hard work.  You made a big difference.

Want to join our Team Tiny Oranges and fight pediatric cancer?  We are a fun bunch – let me tell you!  Click here and click “Join Our Team” at the top!

See, this is how much fun you can have while raising money for a great cause :)..

Have a great weekend everyone!

XO

Jen