Good Deed

On Friday, July 1st our salon is having a fundraiser for Mariah's Promise, a non profit animal sanctuary located in Divide, CO. Last year we organized an event for Maxfund with help from our friend Cat, local artist, local vendors and of course the community for donating $3500. This year Christy and Tina have been working hard at organizing the "Decks for Dogs"event.  Big thanks to Joey Coloroso at Ronin Press for donating his time and flyer's again this year. The staff at Luxe de Vil salon is awesome for working hard at organizing this event,  I am pleased to work with people that are happily willing to invest their time and effort to raise money so that the animals can get a second chance. Our neighbors at La Muerte Apparel and the Helldorado Car Club will be hosting a car show. This event is free, we will have skateboard decks that are painted by local artist as well as other items and gift certificates up for silent auction. Cream City Treats, Bon Bon Buggy (yes Bon Bon's), The Pink Poodle, Sailor Jerry Rum are also sponsoring the event. The Bloody Fives will be performing and will will have drinks so what more could you ask for? If you live in Denver we hope to see you there!

I just wanted to give props to everyone that helps out in anyway, shape or form. I think it is pretty amazing that people dedicate themselves to the well being of an animal. Every staff and volunteer member at a shelter make such an impact on the soul of an animal. I know people are selfish and cruel but I am glad that there is hope for some of these unwanted animals. I know everyone is busy but it might mean a small donation to your local non profit animal shelter. I know money might be an issue for some people but volunteering any amount of time is always greatly appreciated. I just wanted to personally ask all of my friends and family to help support their local animal shelter. 

In the rain

I took a last minute trip to Oahu to meet up with my best friend Robie from California and her fiancee Dan. I wasn't planning on going because of money, time off school and the fact that Greg couldn't go but Dan twisted my arm. They were staying in Kailua with one of Dan's friends and offered me a place to stay. Dan also arranged a rental car for me at the airport. Robie had no idea Dan had been secretly planning my visit. He made up a story about his friend Chip needing the rental car and left it in the garage with the key on the tire. He emailed me the address to his friend Rob's house and left a note outside, "Come on in Jen, we are out back in the hot tub". So Robie had no idea and she said "no way, no fucking way". I had an hour of sleep and did 8 hrs of flying so I was ready for some hugs, a shower, hot tub and a drink. It was a good surprise. Earlier that morning Dan and Robie had gone on a hike up to Koko Head and Dan popped the question. Robie gave a strong maybe :)

We went for a quick swim, Rob's place was right on the beach. Rob and Robie prepared a fantastic Mahi (that Rob caught) and grilled artichoke to die for. We took a nap and then headed into Chinatown for a Cinco de Mayo block party. It was raining and we went to some college bar, I drank too much and I'm going to leave it at that.

Friday we went to Waikiki to do some shopping, had lunch at Dukes, but it was too overcast to lay out on the beach. We went to Chinatown for the First Friday Art walk, a few galleries and shops, some awesome break dancers. We had some drinks at Indigo's, cool bar with $4 lychee martini's at happy hour. Then back to Kailua, it rained hard all night. It was beautiful but it poured.

Saturday we went to hike up Makapuu, an easy paved trail with views of Koko Head. We had brunch at Cafe Kaila in Honolulu. It was about a 40 minute wait to eat in a small hole in the wall in a strip mall but we waited and it was worth it. Super tasty crab cake eggs benedict and good service. After we filled our bellies we headed to Hanauma Bay. I stayed on the beach while Robie and Dan snorkeled. It was overcast and it started to rain so we headed to Manoa Falls. It was pouring rain but we were in our swim suits and it was warm. We were surrounded by nothing but gorgeous green plants and trees, nothing but green on the short hike up to the 100' ft waterfall. We stopped off for something to eat before I took a red eye flight back home. I didn't want to risk getting stuck and having to miss another day of school (I'm already on the school's shit list for attendance). They had a week vacation there and on the one day of sun they were able to take out the boat and Robie was able to catch 5 fish.

New York City

Just a weekend in NYC. It's been two maybe three years since my last visit and Greg had been only once when he was 13. We had to get away for a few...We did the tourist thing and stayed at the Millennium Times Square, went down to Little Italy and Chinatown. We ate at Bella Notte on Mulberry, probably the only decent tourist place down there. We also found excellent pizza at Pizza Supreme next to Madison Square Gardens. I love the East Village so we checked out Trash and Vaudeville, Search and Destroy, Obscura Antiques, MUD Coffee, Gruppo Pizza, Crif Dog, Enzo's Rockabilly Clothing, Toy Tokyo, Vampire Freaks Clothing (found a super cute hoodie). We stopped by Washington Square Park to check out the street performers. Every place we stopped was worth a visit. We went down to WTC site, sad to say the least. Though Battery Park then back up to Times Square and bought some overly priced M&M's at M&M World :) Before we left we went through Brooklyn. I really wanted to check out Fuego 718 but it was closed. Lots of cool shops and eats but didn't have enough time to check them out. The last stop was Graham Avenue Meats and Deli but do not fear vegetarians for they have eggplant parmesean and veggie delight sandwiches. It was good and right off the L so you only have to walk a few blks from the station.

Too many things to do and see in such a short amount of time but that is always the case. I would rather take a little something than nothing.

People, Art & Places Vol 1

Elemental Ink

Elemental Ink

The last few weeks have been busy, exciting, stressful...which is my norm. Friday Feb 26 we had friends  from Upstate NY and we met them out to Bar Standard for the La Muerte Fashion show then the Beauty Bar. Good times- drank, danced and acted a fool. Friday Mar 4th was our First Friday event at Luxe de Vil we had a last minute show with the talented ladies from Elemental Ink. We had a good turnout considering it was cold. January and February were extremely slow. We hired a new stylist Adam Hester, we got to hang out with him for a bit during the art walk and he starts this week.

I made a quick escape to Los Angeles this weekend. I had approximately 27 hrs to visit. I was able to have a short visit with the family. I was fed and sat on the couch and relaxed for a bit. I went down to Little Tokyo and popped into Mako Sushi, Q Pop Shop and Mini Gallery, and Hold Up Art. I met up with Cara in Echo Park. We had chai at Intelligensia Coffee in Silver Lake, and it was a damn good one. Headed down to Wacko/ La Luz de Jesus Gallery. They always have a really good show, so I took lots of pictures but with my cell phone so they aren't very good. My trip was shorter than planned due to school but I had a smooth trip and it was sunny and warm. When I arrived back in Denver it was lightly snowing but I'm always glad to be back. I do enjoy my life here.

Karen @ Elemental Ink

Grendal @ Elemental Ink

Grendal @ Elemental Ink

Elemental Ink

Q Pop Shop & Mini Gallery is a great spot for one of a kind art and gifts. I loved it and the prices are reasonable.

Q Pop Shop

La Luz de Jesus Gallery has been around for a long time and I always visit on every trip. Funny because I noticed they still have stuff on their shelves from 10 years ago (or longer...)

Wacko

La Luz de Jesus

La Luz de Jesus

La Luz de Jesus

Our delicious chai 

Intellegensia Coffee

Cara laughed at me for taking this picture...

Filming a movie downtown

Cara got home from work at 8am and had her meet me at 1230pm. I stayed up late. Yes we look a little tired.

Long Days

MAGIC '11 in Sean D'Anconia's Booth

MAGIC '11 Loungefly Booth

MAGIC '11 Pawn Stars guys sell t-shirts too

Last year was pretty damn good considering being self employed has been rough to say the least. In the spring of 2010 I got my flight benefits back by working for Skywest Airlines part time. Trips to Honolulu, LA, New Orleans, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Needless to say I had a fantastic summer. Early fall was dreadfully slow at the salon but the holidays picked up as well as a promo on Groupon and our fourth quarter was the best since we've been open. Santa Claus visited me with Louie Vitton, a Mac Book, Juicy Couture, Hello Kitty footed pajamas, lots of fabulous material joy. Things were looking good, the seas were calm for smooth sailing ahead and then another storm hit.

On New Years Eve the temperature dropped and our pipes froze and burst. Since our house was built in 1860 it didn't have very good insulation and now a very costly remodeling is taking place. It's been 7 weeks since we've had a shower in the house and fortunately we belong to Pura Vida and it hasn't been too bad of an inconvenience. I started school full time at the Aveda Institute on January 3rd for dual spa, which is esthetics and massage therapy. So now I am in class 30 hours a week and have little time to work. The salon has been slow, which is normal this time of year. It's been ridiculously cold and our First Fridays have been quiet. So I've been broke and tired. No money to go out and no energy. Homework and housework has and will be consuming my free time until mid September when I graduate.

It's not all been bad...I can successfully wax lady parts and school is going along rather smooth. I get to invite my friends to get free facials, body treatments and wax. I like doing it and I guess that's the point. Working at the airport has me on my last nerves but I don't want to give up my travel benefits. I was able to take one day off to check out the MAGIC fashion trade show in Las Vegas. You really need 3 full days to see everything. A few new vendors I would like to buy from and some old ones I would rather not. I can't believe some vendors are too cool to say hello when you come into their booth. Are they selling or what? I did meet a cool artist Sean D'Anconia and hopefully we can get bring him to Denver to do an art show later this year. From February through the end of March we will be showing the work of Sandi Calistro at Luxe de Vil / Zombie Rock.

Some shop news and updates...Christy is working on a fundraiser this summer for Mariah's Promise a non-profit no kill animal sanctuary that houses pit bulls. It's called Decks for Dogs, we will be auctioning off skateboard decks that are painted by local artist similar to the fundraiser for Max Fund last year. Please contact us at the salon if you are interested in donating an item to be auctioned at this event. Last year we auctioned off gift cards and certificates in addition to the art pieces. We were able to raise $3500! Also, this spring we will be doing some construction in our back garage area that was used to serve as a kiln and pottery room from the previous tenants. We are going to have a spa room and will be offering full body services such as facials, body treatments, wax, and massage.

I hope to see my friends and family again soon. I've been a grouchy hermit so I've decided to babble in blog form to keep everyone updated. If anyone was to do yoga or any classes with me at Pura Vida, I can take up to two guest per month and we can do lunch afterwards :)

MAGIC '11 Retro A-Go-Go Booth