| Amanda Shi – Designing Outside the Box with Eco-Friendly Avita Line
Avita is not only breaking out of conventions, but is also showing the fashion world that there are an infinite variety of ways of wearing cashmere and bamboo.
In an attempt to help the environment, Amanda Shi of the Avita line did something outside of the box. She came up with a way to recycle cashmere and bamboo and create trendy wearable designs. Her inspiration for such a venture came when she purchased eco-friendly clothes from Whole Foods. She thought it would be a nice thing to expand on that idea and make eco-friendly clothes hip and trendy. Shi’s initial marketing plan was designed for women from the ages of 25 – 40, but she soon realized that her designs reached far beyond that demographic. Teenagers and their grandmothers wear her clothes. Having been featured in OCEAN, Justine, Item, Stylephile.com,Audrey, Apparel News, STAR Magazine; and worn by Andrea Bowen, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Teri Hatcher, just to name a few; Amanda Shi has created a brand that has been embraced by the media, celebrities, and consumers. The inspired, purpose-driven designs not only aid in protecting the environment, but help to create a fashion statement. And Avita has forged a trend that is rapidly gaining momentum. With Avita, Amanda Shi has revolutionized fashion by providing cashmere and cashmere silk blends as everyday wear. She also introduced bamboo as a breathable, stylish fabric. Her current collection features an interesting pallet, which includes sand, topaz, mushroom, lavender, and black. And some of the most popular designs this season feature scooped backs, split open sleeves, Russian military buttons, and dresses with wraparound strips.
Why did you decide to recycle? What was your motivation to do it this way as opposed to the more traditional way? We live in an environment that we should start caring about, and I’m not even talking about global warming. That was awfully forward thinking of you. What is it about you that would make you go to these lengths to help save the environment? Because this is my business and I love clothes. I actually have very sensitive skin too. I even used to go to Whole Foods to buy clothes because they are environmentally friendly. Most of our pieces feel like butter on the skin when you put [them] on. The cashmere and bamboo really breathe. How did you decide to use bamboo? It’s really very interesting. We were looking for organic cotton and we couldn’t find How long has the Avita line been around? The Avita line has been around for 3 years. The bamboo line has been around for a year and a half. We were one of the first to start using bamboo. Where can people find your clothes? We have them at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, and we have a current store list across the country. You can find them on our website. If you type in the zip code, you will find the store closest to you. Do you do all the designing yourself? Yes, [but] we have a team of course, and I have a design assistant, and we work together on getting the marketing research done in getting the collection out every season. Tell me about your background. How did you get involved in designing?
Did you go to school for it? I studied fashion sketching, but I never went through a full program. I studied multimedia design, which is more focused on computer graphics, and motion graphics. Do you use any of that in your marketing? Yes, absolutely. Everything suddenly came into the picture. It’s very interesting, too, because I did business first and then I did multimedia design in school. I didn’t even know why I was doing it, and now I do. (Laughs.) Somebody had a bigger plan for you. Where are your parents from? We’re from Hong Kong, and the factory is in China. We moved the factory from Hong Kong to China in the early 90s because we wanted to expand the factory and spin our own yarn, but that was when I was in Canada. What do you charge for your designs? Our long sleeves range from $69-$89 wholesale, which is about $150-$200 retail. That’s unheard of, because that’s part cashmere, right? The fine gage silk and cashmere—we did it to give you a better figure, and we like to mix materials, something like a patch, to make it more funky or trendy. Who are your buyers? What is your demographic? Our marketing plan was for women between the ages of 25 – 40 in their career, because the idea was to have women wear it during the day and not have to change at night if they go out. At this point the demographic is pretty large: girls 15 and 16 years old, up to women in their 50s and 60s. It’s kind of ageless at this point. What is the actual process of making a blouse like the one you’re wearing?
There are a lot of things we do that cannot be done by computers. For example, some things are actually patched on. So it gives it a more contemporary look, instead of just knitted with a different color. Highest High (Laughs) When I see so many orders coming in, it’s proof of what we’ve done right. Even though it is a small business still, from the design, to the office, sales and distribution. Distribution is one of the biggest things. From sampling to production, everything has to be right to get that order shipped. Lowest Low There is a problem every day. It’s hard to keep the balance. Sometimes I get so frustrated. Because I am more of a creator, I am not completely on the logical side all the time. It’s really frustrating when something doesn’t work. I just keep telling myself if everyone could do this, then the Avita line would not be special. We really have solved a lot of problems since day one. It has been a great experience. That’s because you’re doing something that is so different. Yes, for example, the bamboo—a year and a half ago, it was so hard to sell. People liked to hear about it. The buyers thought it was interesting, but they kept on moving at the trade shows. It was really disappointing. Do you ever do any of the big shows, like the Fashion Weeks? We did the Mercedes Benz Suite Shows, a runway show with Audrey Magazine this year, and we’re trying to do something once a year. We don’t do too much because we’re trying to focus on sales and we’re trying to get the editorials so we can get the brand out. Because you’re doing something that is so different and you’re paving the way yourself, you have to be patient with yourself. It’s going to take longer than somebody doing something typical. We believe that we’re doing something good to influence this industry. Where do you see Avita line in 5 years?
Do you do all the season’s collections? Yes. We are trying to stay in the eco-friendly fields. So it makes it harder, but more specific. But it’s easier to do research. We want to go global. We want to get into Europe and go back to Asia. Currently everything is in the USA? Yes, we want to do a strong foundation here and have a brand. Within 5 years we will be everywhere. What advice would you give somebody in this industry who is trying to do something outside of the box? Just go with your gut feelings and don’t believe everybody else’s opinions because people like to comment—good and bad. Take the good and leave the bad, because if you start questioning yourself, that’s what’s going to stop you. So never give up. To learn more about Avita, visit the website at www.avitastyle.com. Interview by Kaylene Peoples |
Category: 2006
Jersey Comes to San Francisco for the Holidays!
Jersey comes to San Francisco for the Holidays!
By Marilyn Anderson
The smash Broadway hit “Jersey Boys” is having its West Coast Premiere beginning December 1st at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco. “Jersey Boys” is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and how this group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.
They wrote their own songs, invented their own sound, and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they were thirty. The familiar songs make audiences light up; there are lots of the Four Season’s greatest hits, such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.”
But this musical is more than just a bunch of “Golden Oldies” strung together into a jukebox musical. It’s a rousing, drama-filled musical that won four 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical; and it continues to set weekly box office records at the August Wilson Theater on Broadway. The show was directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, written by Academy Award Winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio. It runs at the SHN’s Curran Theater in San Francisco from December 1st – February 11th .
What a perfect holiday present: A trip to San Francisco and tickets to this amazing show! Tickets run from $30-$90 and can be purchased online at www.shnsf.com, through Ticketmaster, or at the Orpheum Theater Box Office. Los Angeles audiences will also have the chance to see “Jersey Boys” at the Ahmanson Theatre, May 25th -August 5 th .
SHN’s other show is a pre-Broadway musical production of Tim Burton’s whimsical movie, “Edward Scissorhands.” This magical adaptation was devised, directed, and choreographed by Matthew Bourne. It runs through December 10 th at SHN’s Orpheum, after which it comes to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, running from December 12th – December 31st .
So make your plans to see some wonderful theater over the holidays and into the New Year. It’s a present you can happily give to friends, to family —and don’t forget—yourself!
So have a Happy Holiday and head out to a great show!
Curran Theatre
445 Geary Street between Taylor and Mason
San Francisco, CA 94120
www.shnsf.com
Main Box Office
Orpheum Theatre Box Office
Corner of Hyde and Market at 8th Street
P.O. Box 7110
San Francisco, CA 94120
Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets (213) 628-2772
Phone: 415-551-2000 (recorded information)
Sister Act Is a Class Act! At the Pasadena Playhouse until December 23rd
Sister Act Is a Class Act!
At the Pasadena Playhouse until December 23rd
By Marilyn Anderson
When I heard that the movie Sister Act had been turned into a musical, I thought it seemed like a good idea that would make a good show. After going to the Pasadena Playhouse, I realize it was a “perfect” idea that makes a fantastic show! The production sparkles with fun, zest, and disco! The plot follows the movie religiously—pun intended—with humor and style. Remember the story of trashy nightclub singer Dolores Carter, who witnessed her boyfriend kill a man? She goes to the police, who put her in hiding as a nun in a failing convent. While she and the Mother Superior continually butt heads, Dolores ends up leading the nun’s choir.
It’s a simple story that simply works! Add to that the most marvelous songs with clever smile-inducing lyrics that never cease to amaze. Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glen Slater have created gem after gem; I can’t wait to get the CD and play it over and over!
The cast is terrific, belting out their numbers with skill and verve. The nuns are great fun, particularly Amy K. Murray and Audrie Neenan. When they do their first number, the show takes off and never stops. The costumes are a big part of the show. They’re fabulous and even funny, getting laughs just by being put on and taken off! The direction, the choreography, the sets! It all comes together perfectly, and it’s all capped (and I know I’m repeating it) with a collection of fantastic musical numbers with incredible lyrics.
Sister Act, the Musical is headed for Broadway, and I predict it will stay there a long time as an absolute treat for audiences. So boogey on over to the Pasadena Playhouse for a religious experience that’s heavenly fun!
The show ends December 23rd—so see it before Christmas!
Pasadena Playhouse
39 South El Molino Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 356-7529
Fax: (626) 792-6142
email: boxoffice@pasadenaplayhouse.org
Sister Act, The Musical moves to the Alliance Theater at the Woodruff in Atlanta, Georgia, and runs from January 17 – February 25
Phone: (626) 356-7529
MAGICAL SHOW “SNOWS” ON LOS ANGELES
MAGICAL SHOW “SNOWS” ON LOS ANGELES
by Marilyn Anderson
“Slava’s Snowshow” is an internationally acclaimed theatrical experience that has its Los Angeles premiere over the holidays. It’s a spellbinding show that blends the art of clowning with stunning spectacle and inspiring visual images and fantasy. Filled with humor, poignancy, and imagination, it uniquely captures and entertains the child in all of us.
A veritable fantasia on snow – the evening includes everything from squirt bottles, giant beach ball balloons, blinding fog, miniature houses with tiny lights – and a sensational climax with a heart-stopping snowstorm that engulfs the entire audience.
The creator, Slava Polunin, was born in a small town in Russia, and spent his childhood in forests, fields, and by a river – enjoying every winter in a world of snow. His love of fantasy and whimsy led him to become a clown and then to found his own theater company, which moved clowning out of the circus, onto the streets, and then into the major theaters of the world.
“Slava’s Snowshow” has been seen by audiences in 25 countries and 80 cities around the world and is the winner of the Olivier Award in London for “Best Entertainment.” The show continues its third successful year off-Broadway in New York – and now has a limited run of 31 performances in Los Angeles – from Tuesday, December 12, 2006 – Sunday, January 7, 2007, at UCLA Live’s Royce Hall on the UCLA Campus.
Bring your children – or just your “inner child” – for a magical and joyous snow-filled holiday spectacular.
Slava’s Snowshow
Dec 12 – Jan 7, 2007
Evenings and Matinees
UCLA Live’s Royce Hall
Tickets:
Online at www.UCLALive.org
Phone at 310-825-2101
In person at UCLA Central Ticket Office
or at all Ticketmaster outlets.
$32-$68; Student Tix & Rush $15-$20
“Romance On the Road” – A Taste of Orange County
“Romance On the Road”
A Taste of Orange County
by Marilyn Anderson
What a fantastic time we had at all the places we went! The Fairmont, Newport Beach was excellent: we loved the Gold Floor, and especially the Gold Lounge with their beautiful and delicious treats for breakfast and happy hour! Going for “the Gold” gets you so much more at the Fairmont and is really worth the extra $80 during the week—or only $50 extra on the weekend. You get free Internet, a gourmet breakfast in the Gold Lounge, beautiful and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon; and in the evening, the most exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth pastries. Mmmmm…lemon-pomegranate mousse cake, tiramisu pastry, chocolate-raspberry tarts, and other decadent delights.
The restaurants we dined at were fabulous. 21 Oceanfront is a beautiful place, and we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner of surf and turf—i.e., I had the Cioppino, and Dennis had the rack of lamb. Both were delicious!
Friday was fun at Disneyland—and Friday night was Nirvana! The ambiance and meal at Catal Restaurant were both amazing. They took such good care of us! I loved the unusual selection on the menu—such a nice change from the typical. We had an assortment of luscious appetizers and entrees. Instead of “from soup to nuts,” it was “from escargots to oysters.” And that’s just the starters.
My main course was an amazing combination of Russian scallops, agnoletti with braised pork, and brussel sprouts from heaven. Dennis had paella, and the only thing that wasn’t perfect was that it was such a huge portion he couldn’t begin to finish it! For dessert, we shared a trio of gelato and sorbet. We were simply too full to try any of their other scrumptious-sounding treats. I’ll just say it was all so good that I sent a party of 10 to dine there on Saturday night!
After the meal was our exciting and romantic flight with Gary Reeves in a single engine, four-seater plane at Sunset Flying. He was soooooo nice…and a great pilot. The visibility was a little low before we went up. In fact, I almost chickened out. But I believe in the old saying, “Carpe Diem,” so I forgot my fear, and went up, up, and away in the plane. It was incredible. Gary was the best, explaining everything and being both so kind and so enthusiastic about flying. We couldn’t go as far or as high as when visibility is good, but we did get to see the Disneyland fireworks from the window of the plane, as well as amazing views of the city below. And guess what? He even let me fly the plane a bit! Whoooo-eee!
Oh, and on Saturday – we had massages at the Spa at The Island Hotel. D-I-V-I-N-E! No other word describes it. Both Dennis and I had masseuses with magic hands; and at the end of our massages, they served us champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, dressed in little dark and white chocolate tuxedos! (That’s going to be called a “Magical Moment” in our book!)
It was a grand little getaway that we will remember with joy.
This is all just a little taste of what we’ll be writing about Orange County in our book and blog, “Romance on the Road.”
Hug your honey on the holidays! xoxo — Marilyn
Marilyn & Dennis’s – RomanceOnTheRoad.com – to be launched in January 2007
DECK THE HALLS WITH BEADS & HOLLY – in NEW ORLEANS!
DECK THE HALLS WITH BEADS & HOLLY – in NEW ORLEANS!
By Marilyn Anderson & Dennis Lanning
New Orleans for the Christmas holidays! Why – you ask? Isn’t it still under water? Isn’t everything closed? Isn’t it empty? The answer is no, no and NO. Instead, think go, go, and GO!
We went there recently – and WOW – it was the most fun we’ve had in an alligator’s age! And when we hit Bourbon Street on Saturday night – it almost seemed like Mardi Gras – I can just imagine what the real Mardi Gras is like.
We were amazed at the crowds and excitement – and whole-heartedly joined in with wild abandon. At 9 PM a parade started down Bourbon Street with marching bands, clowns on stilts, folks in costumes and lots of smiling faces. Boosted by the NAR (National Association of Realtors) conventioneers in tow, thousands of revelers crowded through the French Quarter, dancing along with the parade and tossing beads this way and that – as people on the balconies above the street tossed even more beads downward.
Music blared from almost every doorway, attracting customers with shouts of “No Cover – No Minimum” as the festivities continued late into the night. We made sure to sample the music and drinks at a variety of spots. If you like Blues, Rock, or Soul—Bourbon Street is the place to be!
Food in New Orleans is fantastic. We love the Louisiana diet: eat, eat and eat! There are lots of fried foods, of course—it’s a staple of southern cooking. But there is also plenty of fresh fish, vegetables and Cajun specialties that we find irresistible. Our resolution for the New Year – if you go to New Orleans, don’t start your diet until AFTER January 1st .
So here’s the holiday scoop for NOLA, as it now touts itself, standing for, obviously, New Orleans, LA. Most hotels are open. Most Bed & Breakfasts are open. Most restaurants are open. Clubs are open. Stores and attractions are open. The people are friendlier than ever. You’ll love them… and they’ll love you for coming and helping with the tourist revival of New Orleans.
One note of a serious nature to visitors: Despite the joy of revitalization, the hurricane-damaged areas still cover a vast area. There is some effort being made at renewal, but overall the situation is sad. It is highly recommended that you tour these areas for an awakening and remembrance, and to pay your respects to the lost souls who have moved on to another place. The tourist trade will help New Orleans and the people in it, so tell everyone you know to visit soon and often!
New Orleans is a wonderfully exciting and vibrant city, where everyone can let their hair down and lift their spirits up. So many things to do, places to go, and meals to eat!
So, don’t miss any of it – get your Santa to take you here for Christmas… and stay for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve. Or make any day New Year’s Eve with a trip to this playfully decadent, spiritual, and alive city!
Here are some of the great things you can enjoy in New Orleans:
The Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast
Located on St. Charles Street in the Garden district, a fun trolley ride slightly west of downtown, The Grand Victorian was designed and built in 1893 by New Orleans architect Thomas Sully. Several years ago it was lovingly restored by Bonnie Rabe, our gracious innkeeper.
This Victorian jewel features beautifully restored interior details, period furniture and an indefinable “warm and fuzzy” feeling, making your stay that much nicer. Amenities include free wi-fi for laptoppers, a house computer for checking your email if you left your laptop home, and an ample continental breakfast.
Our stay in the Nottoway Suite was reminiscent of apartment living in another era. Except we had such hi-tech niceties as a completely separate a/c system and a huge hot tub in the bathroom, features not normally found in your typical Victorian B & B. We were made to feel as comfortable as being at home. There are 8 rooms and suites, all named after the grand plantations that lined the Mississippi River, some of which still operate as tourist locations.
We can wholeheartedly recommend The Grand Victorian to anyone seeking lovely, comfortable, and reasonably priced accommodations. It would be a cozy and intimate setting for your Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
However, if B & B-ing isn’t for you, the city has thousands of rooms available at hotels in the French Quarter and downtown.
The Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast
2727 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
800-977-0008
www.gvbb.com
The Court of Two Sisters
Justifiably renowned for their daily Jazz Brunch Buffet, this beautiful and friendly restaurant offers a sumptuous spread containing almost every edible concoction man can prepare. In the morning, the buffet features made-to-order omelets, Eggs Benedict, sausage and bacon, grits and grillades, and shrimp and veggie pastas with a creamy Alfredo sauce. The afternoon’s sampling includes Creole jambalaya, turtle soup, oysters Bienville, Duck a l’Orange, and Shrimp Etouffee. There’s also a cornucopia of delectable cold salads and appetizers.
The desserts were in equal abundance: pastries, fruit, cookies, ice cream, you name it. We had to force ourselves to “suffer” through the Oreo Cookie cake and several brownies. And we couldn’t leave without a taste of their unique “King Cake,” a colorfully iced coffee-cake ring symbolizing the Mardi Gras tradition.
But what makes this world-famous restaurant truly special are the romantic outdoor courtyard, attentive service, and musical trio that plays softly elegant New Orleans jazz while you dine. We think you’ll agree… it’s a glorious place for a holiday feast!
The Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 522-7261
Acme Oyster House
We have never passed by this historic oyster bar when there wasn’t a line outside. No matter, it moves fast and with other people chatting all around you, you’re seated in what seems like a flash. Don’t like lines? Walk right in and sit at the bar.
We like the small bar section in front of the “shuckers” – a friendly bunch of fun-loving guys who shuck and “plate” the oysters you are about to eat – and provide entertainment at the same time with a constant rap of amusing banter.
Mostly raw or fried favorites populate the Acme menu, but all is first rate. After a dozen raw, we opted for a dozen char-broiled. What a treat this dish is! Somehow they all “slide” down easily and taste delectable. Dennis likes the raw ones and washes them down with Abita Amber, a Louisiana specialty beer – but I prefer them cooked. Hmmm – this Christmas, instead of chestnuts roasting on an open fire… how about oysters!
Joey K’s
Heading up Magazine Street in the Garden District one night, we passed what looked like your typical neighborhood tavern. Except, this place was packed. Every table was full of happy faces downing beer from chilled, thick glass mugs and eating voraciously. With a recommendation from a friend, we figured how we could go wrong?
The menu is standard diner fare but sprinkled with some specialties like Trout Tchoupitoulas. There are Daily Blackboard specials like brisket, lamb shank, white beans with pork chops, or jambalaya. We sampled the pork loin special with green vegetables and the pan-fried trout topped with grilled veggies and shrimp.
Don’t expect gourmet fare here, but for a satisfying meal in a very pleasant atmosphere, Joey K’s is AOK!
Joey K’s Restaurant
3001 Magazine Street
New Orleans
(504) 891-0997
Table One
While just across the street from Joey K’s, this restaurant is miles away in style, ambiance, and menu. Part of a family of locally owned restaurants, Table One is an ambitious attempt at gourmet greatness on the local level. It’s a beautifully designed space with both upstairs and downstairs dining and a long attractive bar area on the first floor.
The menu is limited, but Chef Gerard Maras has filled it with a variety of fresh tastes for almost anyone. Unfortunately, the night we were there, they were out of several dishes, not specials, but standard menu items, which surprised us.
Almost filled up from non-stop eating for the past several days, we decided to share a few dishes between us. First, we tried the Fresh Sea Scallops, with frisee, Belgian endive and Italian parsley, dressed with lemon verbena caper sauce. We had asked what “fried New England Style” meant, and our server assured us it meant they were sautéed in a pan, not deep fried. Unfortunately, they came deep fried and were rather tasteless.
The salad of Bibb lettuce with roasted beets, fresh “fine herbs” and naval oranges, dressed with orange blossom vinaigrette was well presented and tasty, but not overly special.
Our entrée of duck with plum sauce and boiled apples was also well presented, with a nice-sized portion. Our first few pieces of duck were excellent, tender, and perfectly done. But the remaining slices were tough and neither juicy nor tasty. We tried to imagine how some of the duck was so succulent and the rest… NOT. Maybe it was on the run… hoping to escape being someone’s Christmas dinner-to-come.
The choice of wines by the glass were limited but well chosen. Although it didn’t end up being our favorite place, this restaurant deserves another try.
Table One
2800 Magazine Street (Cross Street: Washington Avenue)
New Orleans, LA 70115View Map
(504) 872-9035
Pizza on Magazine Street: Rocky’s and Reginelli’s
There are several Italian eateries as you roam along Magazine Street, and we visited two of them.
Rocky’s interior is mostly dark wood, with private booths and a variety of things hanging on the walls. There is an open kitchen and you can watch them create your own pizza.
They have an extensive selection of “gourmet” pizzas and we ordered a Cajun Pizza with loads of seafood sitting on top. Other originals include the Muffaletta pizza and the wild Tchoupitoulas with pepperoni, Italian sausage, red peppers and jalapenos. The menu also includes focaccia sandwiches, salads and pastas.
We thoroughly enjoyed the comfort, quality and care that the young college-type pizza pros served us. We left with smiles and full stomachs, and highly recommend this local stop.
While Rocky’s is more of your old-fashioned pizza parlor, just up the street is a new, more stylish retro-deco eatery called Reginelli’s Pizzeria.
With bright pastel colors and oddly shaped tables, this is the newer, hipper version of Pizza “Parlorology.” Cool and comfortable, we ordered salads, pizzas and drinks and were more than pleasantly surprised with our meal. Our great surprise came when Dennis asked for a glass of Abita amber and got a full pitcher for $2!
Neighborhoods need little places like this, where the tables are full of young people enjoying life and getting the best in foods. As satisfying as our meal was, our server made it even better.
Waitress Stephanie was as fresh as a daisy and sweet as the tiramisu. She loved helping us and accompanied every trip to our booth with a smile and desire to be helpful. Recently graduated from Indiana University, she had planned to move to Los Angeles, but came to NOLA instead by accident. I think her mistake was fortuitous. She loves New Orleans and makes her customers feel extra welcome.
| Rocky’s Gourmet Pizza | Reginelli’s Pizzeria |
| 3222 Magazine Street | 741 State Street at Magazine Street |
| New Orleans, LA 70115 | New Orleans, LA 70118 |
| 504.891.5152 | 504.899.1414 |
Café du Monde
High on your list of not-to-miss NOLA landmarks should be this historic spot in the French Quarter. Open 24/7 and bustling every one of those hours, this is the ultimate fried dough (called Beignets here, not donuts) and java house in the city. Since 1862, Café du Monde has been pleasing locals and tourists alike with its Beignets (fried, rectangle-shaped doughnuts covered in powdered sugar) and cafe au laits. Also available are fresh-squeezed orange juice, regular and chocolate milk, hot chocolate and soft drinks. Sit on the patio or indoors and watch the world go by. You’ll love the laid back atmosphere and white-jacketed servers working their way around the crowded tables – no matter how late at night or early in the morning it is. A great stop for some more sweets and coffee after all that New Year’s Eve partying!
Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur Street at St. Ann Street
New Orleans, LA 70116-3306
(504) 581-2914
The Funky Pirate
Blues, blues and BLUES! We love the blues – and try to find the best clubs in every city we visit. We actually discovered The Funky Pirate on a pre-Katrina trip several years ago. So we were absolutely thrilled to find it was still here – along with their main blues-belting guy – Big Al Carson.
From the outside, this club doesn’t look much different than all the other dark, smoky, music joints on Bourbon Street. It’s when you step inside and capture the image of Big Al sitting ruefully on a huge chair, filling every inch of the room with a haunting blues sound, that you know you have found heaven.
He is the essence of the blues musician, digging deep into his 550 pounds of soul, and mesmerizing everyone within hearing range. You can dance or just listen – but don’t miss this place when you come to New Orleans.
Funky Pirate
727 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70116View Map
(504) 523-1960
Editorial Description
Pat O’Brien’s
This bar experience is all about fun. Any one of the taverns in the FrenchQuarter can pour a pint, but Pat O’Brien’s pours more, much more. We spent our time at the Piano Bar, directly across from the people-packed Main Bar, where talented singers belt out tunes like home runs in a fun and pleasing way. It’s a party as everyone participates in the mayhem, and you forget about going anywhere else. It’s no wonder that the line for this venue often goes around the block, but the wait is worth it. A highlight of the Patio is the flaming fountain, a unique water fountain with fire emerging from its center. Don’t forget to take a picture; your sweetie will love the romantic gesture. Or, like we did, ask a waiter to snap a photo of the two of you enjoying a holiday hug.
Pat O’Brien’s Bar
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504.525.4823
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
We didn’t get to Snug Harbor, but friends of ours went there to seeCharmaine Neville, cousin of Aaron Neville, perform. She’s among the many New Orleans talents who regularly grace the stage, including Ellis Marsalis, Astral Project, and Jesse McBride.
It has a reputation as the city’s most prestigious jazz club, and includes three sectons: a cozy restaurant with candlelit tables; a bar area; and a performance club with seating on two levels. Apparently, a lot of young jazz musicians frequent the place – and bring their instruments, ready to jump up on the stage at a moment’s notice. Next time we visit, we’ll be sure to check it out. How about making a date to meet us there!
Snug Harbor
626 Frenchmen StreetNew Orleans, LA 70116
504.949.0696
Celebration Tours
This company offers a variety of city tours in a 12-passenger van. We took the Katrina Recovery Tour, and learned a lot from our driver and guide, Ozzie Laporte. He knows and loves his city, and you can sense the concern in his voice as the tour winds its way through the French Quarter and away from the now-lively downtown, to the outer sections known to millions of TV viewers as the Lower 9th Ward and 17th Street Canal.
Here, the devastation of 16 months ago is a daily reminder of the worst natural disaster to ever hit the United States. We were stunned by the scope of damage and destruction levied on these areas. Approximately 200,000 evacuees of the storm have not returned to the city; and seeing these areas, you will understand why. From here, we were taken back to see the other active sections of the city. Ozzie’s colorful narrative told all about the history of each site we passed, and helped us understand and enjoy the background and beauty of New Orleans.
We recommend this tour to see the progress New Orleans has made in just one year. It’s a tale of two cities. You see the devastated areas, then go to the uptown area and the Garden District, ultimately ending with a positive look at one of the most unique cities in the world – New Orleans!
Celebration Tours
1229 St. Thomas Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Toll-Free: (888) 587-7115
Phone: (504) 587-7115
Other attractions in or near NOLA:
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Audubon Zoo
Beuregard-Keys House
Blain Kern’s Mardi Gras World
Cajun Pride Tours
Destrehan Plantation
Hermann-Grima House
House of Blues
Laura: A Creole Plantation
Louisiana Children’s Museum
Louisiana State Museum-New Orleans
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Save Our Cemeteries
Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion
…. And many, many more!
Enjoy a Spa Treatment from Your Own Kitchen!
The Beauty Agenda
Enjoy a Spa Treatment from Your Own Kitchen!
that time of year when winter weather leads to dry skin and dry hair. Don’t have time or money for the spa treatment? Not to fear. You can treat yourself to the spa treatment right in your own home. Your kitchen has just what you need!
Banana Facial
This one is good for wrinkles as well as providing a mild sloughing effect. It acts as a peel and a scrub. Mash an overripe banana and mix with a little salt. Smear on your face and neck. Let it dry. Take a washcloth and scrub it off. Makes an excellent exfoliater, and a mild peel that will polish the surface of your skin. The salt acts as a mild scrub. It’s not too harsh on the skin because the salt dissolves, as you wash off the masque.
Avocado Masque
Works as an excellent skin moisturizer! Just mash a ripe avocado and slather on your face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
Papaya Facial Peel
Don’t pay hundreds of dollars to your dermatologist for a chemical peel! Papaya works just as well at a fraction of the cost.
The papaya contains an enzyme that dissolves dead skin cells and facial oils.
First remove the seeds from the papaya. Then mash a little. About one tablespoon should do it! Smooth it on your skin for about 20 minutes and then rinse off. You will feel a mild tingling sensation. Follow up with a mild moisturizer.
Olive Oil Hair Treatment
This helps repair split ends, gets rid of dandruff, and makes your hair shiny, silky, and lustrous. Massage a few tablespoons of olive oil into scalp and hair. Cover hair with a plastic cap and leave on for 30 minutes or more. Then shampoo as usual.
Mayonnaise Hair Moisturizer
Makes an excellent Hair moisturizer and scalp cleanse.
Take about 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and slather on hair, wrap hair in plastic and cover with a towel for 1 hour. After one hour rinse off with warm water and wash hair with a good conditioning shampoo.
The following facial sauna will not only moisturize and hydrate the skin, but will also dissolve away stress.
Bowl of boiling water
Sage
Green tea bags
Dry towel
Put on some relaxing music. Add tea bags and dried sage to the bowl of boiling water. Make a tent with your towel and head over the mixture. Enjoy a few minutes of the best moisturizer and pore cleanser money didn’t buy!
Written by Lisa Trimarchi
Beautician or the Beast – When Friendly Stylists Become Dangerous Foes
The Beauty Agenda
Beautician or the Beast – When Friendly Stylists Become Dangerous Foes
A Jerry Seinfeld episode sums this article up perfectly. Seinfeld had a barber who never cut his hair to his satisfaction. One day, while in his barber’s chair, he saw a new barber who was much better—hisbarber’s nephew. Jerry was always too scared to complain about his hair. So one day, after yet another bad haircut, he snuck off to get his hair done by the new guy—he crossed enemy lines. What happened next? His main barber found out and went ballistic. Sometimes the fear to confront a less than adequate stylist is not always unfounded.
I have been going to my beautician for years and have learned to trust her. I sit in the swivel chair while she applies all sorts of chemicals to my hair. She has dyed my hair and advised me against over processing. Over the years, I have learned that my beautician knows best… or does she?
I was casually having coffee with a dear friend of mine, and noticed her hairstyle. I complimented her and she half-heartedly thanked me. I asked her what was wrong, and she proceeded to complain about her, our beautician. You see, we both go to the same salon and have been for over a decade.
Charlotte cut my hair too short. I was just getting used to the look and she chopped it off before I ever knew what hit me. I didn’t even ask her to cut it. She just started cutting and before I knew it, my hair was 2 inches shorter.
Last week another female friend of mine was complaining about exactly the same thing. Even I had moments when I left the salon disappointed that my own hairdo had been compromised by those unwelcome scissors. If so many clients are unhappy with their stylists, then why doesn’t anybody do something about it, I wondered. I remember leaving an old beautician for the exact same reason. I didn’t want to go through another one without speaking up first.
I made a decision that the next time I sat in Charlotte’s chair, I would speak my mind, diplomatically of course. Charlotte did her normal routine with my hair, and after I emerged from under the dryer, my moment had come. I was sitting in the chair and Charlotte reached for the scissors. My heart was pounding. It was now or never.
Charlotte, do you think we really need to trim this time?
Charlotte looked at me and agreed not to cut this time. I felt power. I overcame! O. K., now I had the confidence to go all the way.
Charlotte, would you mind not cutting my hair for a while unless I ask you to? It’s just that I am trying to grow my hair long and you keep cutting off the new growth.
Charlotte got defensive and told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to trim my hair and that she wasn’t trying to sabotage my look. My hair just needed to be cut. I pleaded with her, re-emphasizing that it was my hair and if I didn’t want a trim, it should be my choice; but according to her, I had no say in the matter—she was the gatekeeper for my coif! She raised her voice, and I was humiliated by the stares of the other customers in the salon. Was I overreacting? Should I just let her cut at her whim? Do I have the right to ask her not to trim? After all, she took care of my hair for so many years. Was I out of line? Of course not! It is my hair, not hers. I was paying her for a service. By the time I escaped the salon, I had practically kissed Charlotte’s butt, stroked her ego, before she calmed down and finally agreed to wait until I asked her for a trim. I left her chair that day nervous and totally shocked that she reacted with such vehemence.
So what are women supposed to do when they are unhappy with their beauticians? There are really only three options:
1. Look for a new salon.
2. Express your grievances and hope for the best.
3. Learn to do your own hair.
Look for a New Salon
The easiest way to find a hair salon suited to your needs is to ask people with hair styles similar to what you want for a referral to their hair salon. These may be people you know or complete strangers that you see while you are out shopping. Do not be shy. If you see a cute style that you have been unsuccessfully trying to achieve, ask the person which hair salon they go to. You may never get a chance to do so again.
—Michael Barrow, Stylist—
I was at the Los Angeles courthouse one day and the clerk who helped me had the longest, healthiest hair I’d ever seen. I complimented her, and she told me she goes to the Long Hair Specialists in Pasadena. I called The Long Hair Specialists and they seemed like the perfect salon for me. They specialized in haircuts that compliment your hair while it’s growing out of a cut. Therefore, they are not a scissor-happy salon and rarely cut your hair at all. They focus on hair care and maintenance.
Express your grievances and hope for the best.
You should never leave the chair disappointed, but when it happens, here are a few tips to help you. Tell your stylist that the haircut or color isn’t what you had envisioned. If it’s a bad dye job, it can usually be fixed. It may not end up being what you wanted ultimately, but it most likely will at least be tolerable after she fixes it. If your haircut isn’t what you asked for, try to find a picture next time to show your stylist what you had in mind. After all, they are not mind readers. Many times, we envision one thing but don’t properly intimate that to our beautician. Many times we are too vague and leave too much to their imaginations. Just complaining about a bad hairdo isn’t enough. Keep in mind that cosmetology is an art, and you are dealing with an artist’s temperament. To express dislike is the equivalent of rejecting a painter’s painting.
Do it Yourself
Many people dye their own hair. There are so many consumer products like Loreal and Clairol. And I know a lot of women who have successfully dyed their own hair. If you’re trying to relax a curl, there are several do-it-yourself relaxers on the market like Dark and Lovely and Naturalizer Kit in a Jar. Some relaxers are even premixed and require very little effort. The same goes for perming (adding curl) like Wella Perm and J. Redding. As a precaution, always do the pretest to make sure there isn’t a skin reaction to the products.
Written by Kaylene Peoples
That Time of Year
That Time of Year
The Christmas season is upon us, and while it is often disparaged as being too commercialized, I believe that is just a way for us to be less and less introspective about how even now in this day of commercialism we still find ways to bond with one another. We find ways to show we care throughout the year. We do. It’s simply more popular to put ourselves down and say we are a cold, unfeeling people who care only for ourselves. That simply is not true.
Underneath all our clothes lie our individual hearts. We feel the pressure of having to buy gifts for everyone on our list because after all, we do not want our loved ones to think we have forgotten them. We become so busy throughout the year that Christmas is simply the time we finally take to catch up on everything we missed. We’ve forgotten our grandmother in that nursing home and put off visiting her too long. We’ve neglected to call our parents and let them know we love them. Now is the time of year we find the time. We recognize our measure of peace in finally finding the time.
This is our culture. More and more we are finding the time throughout the year to give. The media has been playing a part in assisting us in lending a helping hand. More and more commercials are depicting little acts of kindness. We like to see people serving others.
All too much anymore we are seeing how short life can be and how every moment can be our last. Some of us have not become desensitized to the horrors of terrorism and war we see on our screens. I ask myself, how will I help those hungry and suffering, those frightened by forces of which they have no control?
Oh, Iraq, will there ever be peace for you? Will there ever be an end to the horrible conditions? My impulse is to pray and ask for peace. Will there be peace on earth?
I commit to letting that peace begin with me.
Some of us are having a tough time. Some of us are apart from our families and friends. Some of us are trapped in bitterness and cannot see a way out. Sometimes the hardest journey out is from within.
Sit down. Breathe. Take stock of your life and try to make an appreciation list. Maybe that bitter darkness can be penetrated by a little warmth.
And for those of you who need it, I am sending you warmth, hope and love.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Hare Krishna!
Written by Lisa Trimarchi
Books, Etc., of Note
Books, Etc., of Note
(That Would Make Great Christmas Gifts)
*Let Your Goddess Grow!
7 Spiritual Lessons on Female Power and Positive Thinking
ISBN: 0-9766012-0-6; $19.95
*The Women’s Book of Empowerment
323 Affirmations That Change Everyday Problems into Moments of Potential
ISBN: 0-9766012-I-4; $19.95
Two personal growth/self help books by Charlene M. Proctor, PhD, help lead people to a more positive mind and heart set. “She believes in your potential to transform the world through higher levels of conscious awareness.” Both books are available in most bookstores and online.
*How Much Is Enough?
Balancing Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Retirement Goals
ISBN: 0-471-73871-9; $14.95
This book by Diane McCurdy, CFP, provides helpful information for anyone planning for financial independence. Having recently retired, I was interested to see which decisions I had made were right and which were wrong.
For the forty-eight percent of Americans who choose to be self-employed rather than work for someone else, the chapter entitled “The Entrepreneurial Option” should be of particular interest. “The Entrepreneur Quiz” at the beginning of this chapter tests whether or not your personality is suited for the risks an entrepreneur must take.
The book is divided into two parts: What Is Enough? and Getting Enough. Thirteen chapters on financial planning further divide the book.
*The Fitness Challenge is a game designed for “the wannabe exerciser.” It was created by Vicki Sorensen and her mother, Stephanie Rhodes, “life-long wannabe exercisers who continue to rely on The Fitness Challenge to jump start their workout regimens.” The object of the game “is for two people of any age or fitness level to challenge each other to participate in and complete an eight-week exercise program.”
To learn more, visit www.fitnesschallenge.com. The game costs $29.95 and can be purchased at any Borders bookstore, online at Amazon.com, drugstore.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com.
By Lee L. Peoples
