Maroon 5 absolutely ripped it Thursday night at the Sleetrain Pavilion in Concord.  Normally, I don't enjoy shows at larger outdoor arenas -- especially if I'm on the lawn -- but I seriously have no complaints.  Levine was on point.  That amazing voice of his isn't just for recording.  He's STELLAR live.  He did a little run before the 2nd verse of "Won't Go Home Without You," and everyone's heart stopped.  You think I exaggerate!

 Light show was interesting, sound quality was pitch-perfect, and we all got to witness a lucky fan recieve a guitar from the band at the end of their encore. 

 Long live Maroon 5!  Time to listen to "She Will Be Loved..."

I'm off to NYC and will be there for the next four days --- and have absolutely no idea what to pack!  It's almost summer, but the accuweather forecast says the Big Apple is experiencing "unseansonably cool" and unsettled weather right now.  Should I pack summery clothes that can stand the rain?  Or is it really really cold out there right now?  Help me, New York Splendoritas!  What kind of clothes/shoes should I bring???

 After months of networking, contracting, designing, reviewing and approving, the logistics of the fund raising gala for the Asian Women's Shelter have finally come together!  I'm proud to officially invite all Splendoritas to the event:

ASIAN WOMEN'S SHELTER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

Everyone is invited to extend their support to help women and children survivors of domestic violence rebuild lives free from abuse.   

When:  Saturday, May 3, 2008; 5:30 - 7:00 pm Buffet Reception and Silent Auction, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Program

Where: St. Mary's Cathedral Conference Center, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

 Cost & RSVP: Standard Reservation $75; Student/Senior/Nonprofit Reservation $50.  Part of our fundraising efforts at the event is a raffle drawing.  This year's prizes include: a big-screen, flat pannel HDTV, a $500 Macy's shopping spree,  a jetcopter ride around the Bay, courtesy of KGO radio AM 810 & more.  Individual raffle tickets are $10 each, or 6 for $50 (buy 5, get 1 free).  Winners will be drawn at the event, but you do not have to attend the event to win.  Just send me a message if you'd like to purchase raffle tickets.  Funds raised  will support the critical services the Asian Women's
Shelter provides to vulnerable Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

More on AWS & the event:   For 20 years, the Asian Women's Shelter has been on the forefront of providing culturally competent and language accessible services to immigrant and regugee survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Through its Direct Services Program, AWS provides safety, food, shelter and advocacy for women and children building new lives free from violence and abuse.  

This year's event theme is "Like Water on Rock:  20 Years of Transformation."  The evening's program, emceed by award-winning journalist Emerald Yeh, will include performances by the all-women Korean American drumming group Jamaesori, Korean Youth Culture Center (KYCC), and renowned Tibetan opera singer Tsering Wangmo.  The keynote speech will be delivered by two former residents who will share the challenges they have overcome and the lives they continue to touch through their experiences. 

For more information, to make a reservation or donation, contact us at:

(415)751-7110 ext. 307 or www.sfaws.org

You can also ping me on Splendora - I hope to see you all there! 

I'm so excited.  My sister Eileen and I are collaborating on a Tshirt print together.  If I hurry up and get her the info she needs, it could really turn out fantastic.  I love having a patient creative genius for a sister. She always humors my spastic epiphanies =)

Something about Common's performance last night wasn't quite right. I'll have to think about it a little longer to pinpoint, but it may boil down to stamina. Here's the thing -- Lupe Fiasco, who is a relative new-comer, rocked the house for almost three hours when I saw him. Common, who has TONS of material to work with, konked out after an hour and a half.

Don't get me wrong, there were some bright spots in this performance that were kick- ass: 1) his freestyle: he autographed a single for a fan while rapping about it 2) he rapped and played the drums at the same time - I can barely walk and talk on my cell phone at the same time! 3) a lyrical hip-hop montage with snippets from records that shape the genre 4) he acted out "Testify," and 5) "The Light" - I'll love this song no matter what!

So it definitely wasn't a bad show ... and yet ... it didn't strike that perfect balance between being satisfied, and still wanting more. I’d see him again, but would think twice before buying my ticket.

I've been celebrating Lent since I was a little girl, and it's truly one of my favorite traditions in the Catholic Church.  It's all about sacrifice and self-reflection and it ends in the beautiful celebration of Easter.  Each person is encouraged to give up something that they love until Easter, as a symbol of the sacrifice that can lead to spiritual fulfilment.  For the past 20 or so years, I've given up things like pizza, potato chips, bread, candy, cursing ... and now it's all feeling a bit hypocritical.  Because who really benefits from all of that, except me???  This year, my Lenten observation is going to experience a coming-of-age.  Every day, I will put aside money that would've otherwise gone to a soy latte, (ANOTHER!) lipgloss, an extra color of the same shirt ... you get the gist ... and on Easter, I'm handing that money over to the Shelter.  I've been soliciting donations and sponsorships from people I know and places I frequent, but never asked myself.  So there you go.  My Lenten promise is not to give up something, but to give back.  Now it's in writing!  And you're all my witnesses!

Ok ladies - I've got one day to nab the perfect dress for a close friend's wedding -- and I need suggestions from the Sassiest of Splendora!!!  Here are the parameters:

- Wedding is THIS Saturday at 3:00 pm, reception at 5:00 pm

- I'm one of the Church readers (I feel like this means I need to stay away from the shorter dresses, and brighter colors ... right?)

- Budget - $300 -- going shopping tonight around Union Square. 

Any suggestions on what style I should look for?  And where to find my dress?  I know I'll look fabulous with your help!

Charismatic, inspired and cool ... my three words for Lupe Fiasco. I caught his show at the Filmore on Sunday and had so much fun, I took Monday off!  He performed cuts from both albums - and I have to admit, he connected with the crowd so much more than I thought he would. The whole crowd "listened with their eyes and followed with their ears" the entire show. He did the concert in a "rememeber when" format, so we all went on a trip down memory lane while rapping along to "Kick, Push," (oh and acting out skateboard moves to that one, too!!!), "American Terrorist," "Little Weapons," "High Definition," and 2 hours more of fresh, provacative poetry. He closed up shop with "Superstar." I know for some folks, double-meanings and a sociopolitical perspective have no place over a dope beat, but hopefully "The Cool" will reach a few of them.

That's my mantra for 2008.  Speak the heck up -- stop being so hesitant when something is on your mind, feel free to share it!

 My other New Year's resolutions are:

- More Yoga 

- More Veggies & Fruits

-Establish a signature dish so you're known for it at parties

-Get over your clausterphobic fear of the freeway! 

-Plan an 'SC homegame with mamma.

Lately, I've been itching to incorporate something creative and hands-on into my daily routine.  Working as an account exec doesn't really afford me the opportunity to express myself creatively.  (I mean, seriously, PowerPoints and spreadsheets can only be beautified so much).  So, I want to take makeup classes.  I think it would be so fun to learn how to be bold with colors and experiment with different formulas.  Do any of you beauty mavens/product junkies know about an affordable class or school that offers this type of introduction class?