Just Jules and Your Average Joe

…to Switzerland!

 And are leaving our laptops and blackberries behind!  But we’re bringing our camera and camcorder so we’ll have lots to share when we get back!

Au revoir!

My new favorite store Freddrick Bradford! 

While cruising the streets of midtown this past Second Saturday, I made a pit stop for some Mother’s Day shopping at one of the newest additions to the  growing 1801 L Street complex, Freddric Bradford.    I know it seems last minute, but I knew my new favorite spot would have the perfect gift and not even ten steps in through the front door I found it!  My mother is revamping her kitchen with a retro-inspired theme and I found a five piece vase set that will compliment her groovy décor.

What I love so much about this shop, is that it not only has serious style ( I had New York City shopping flash backs when I first discovered this place) but it is also owned and operated by two incredibly kind, homegrown Sacramento-area natives, David Lee and Frank Alquicira, who have a huge passion for bringing style to the Sacramento masses with chic yet accessible home decor.  As David and Frank rang up and impeccably gift-wrapped my Mother’s Day gift, they filled me in on some exciting updates.  Not only are they ramping up to carry furniture in the next couple months, but they’re also enhancing their Web site with online shopping capabilities.

So next time you’re grabbing a glass of wine at the L Wine Lounge or indulging your sweet tooth at Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, treat yourself to a visit to Freddric Bradford…and tell Frank and David Just Jules sent ya

The turn out for last month’s Second Saturday Art Walk was nothing short of spectacular.  Never in my life have I seen so many people fill the streets of Midtown Sacramento!  With all the buzz surrounding this monthly event and the promise of beautiful weather,  there’s sure to be another great turn out this weekend.  And with so many exciting events happening, the best way to share them with you is to simply list the highlights, so here we go…

The Greens Hotel Grand Opening Party
Check out the unveiling of the new retro-inspired boutique hotel -  brain child of Sacramento native Dan Friedlander, owner of upscale furniture store Limn.  Enjoy drinks, dancing, and a sneak peak of the new digs at 1700 Del Paso Boulevard from 3 – 10 PM.  For more information visit The Greens Hotel Web site HERE.

Izzy’s mini-VanGo Gallery
This miniature marvel will be in a new location this month.  Look for it on 20th Street between I and J Street.  This month Izzy will feature Bay Area artist Maeve Grogan with her show “Altarworks,” a collection of gold leaf and mixed media paintings created for meditative spaces, wherever that may be. 

Felicia Strati Fashion Show
Just last night I had my hair styled by James, owner of Apartment 19 Salon, and he filled me in on Felicia Strati’s fashion show previewing the latest European spring/summer fashion trends.  James and his talented team will be providing hair once again.  Show starts at 7 PM and takes place on the sidewalk on Capitol Ave. between 19th and M Streets.

“Down the Rabbit Hole” by Mark Bryan at Solomon Dubnick
I’ve had my eye on this collection for the past couple weeks and am excited to finally go check it out.  In “Down the Rabbit Hole” artist Mark Bryan explores his “favorite topics such as sex, religion, politics, war, robots, monkeys, bunnies and free floating modern angst.”  If that doesn’t sound intriguing, I don’t know what does!

And here’s a little secret…be sure to be at the MARRS building around 8:30 PM. I can’t reveal too much, but I can tell you it will be the “light” of the party tomorrow night!

For more Second Saturday event listings, click HERE.

This week, I had to make a quick business trip to Southern California and as I was making my usual B line for the airport magazine stand, my concentration was broken by an assortment of candy-colored nail polishes in a posh Parisian style shop. 

 My inner style sleuth  had to investigate and what I discovered was butter LONDON– a full service mani/pedi salon with a delectable service menu.  From “Bread and Butter”(a full manicure in just 20 minutes) to “Spun Sugar” (a 15 minute hand or foot massage), each service is waterless, quick and uber hygienic.   

In fact, butter LONDON carries its own line of non-toxic lacquers and now through May 15, the company is running a “Turn in Your Toxins” promotion with Brand Habit.  How it works is if you bring in three old “toxic” polishes, butter LONDON will send you on your way with a free new bottle of its nail lacquer minus the Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP commonly found in cheap polishes.  My color choice? Cream Tea - a soft white color perfect for spring. 

But most importantly, the service was amazing! My consultant Sarah was so sweet and didn’t mind my interigation.  She informed me that Sacramento is one of only five locations. So we can say we were one of the first cities to get a sweet taste of butter LONDON!

To learn more about butter LONDON, click HERE!

Nearly two months ago I wrote a post announcing Sactown’s five “Maggie” nominations  - the academy awards of the magazine industry.  And I’m excited to report that Sactown brought home THREE wins, including the Best City & Metropolitan Magazine category, dethroning San Francisco Magazine from it’s two year reign. 

The other two wins were for Best Series of Editorial Photographs/Consumer for its June/July issue’s “In Harm’s Way” and Best Overall Design for its April/May issue.

Congrats Sactown!

Friday Night Concerts in the Park!
   

Beginning this Friday,  May 2 through August 15, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership presents the weekly concert series, Friday Night Concerts in the Park!

From 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM every Friday night, music enthusiasts flock to Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th and J streets to enjoy local artists representing a array of genres including rock, pop, punk, blues and folk.

And best of all, admission is FREE to this all ages show!

Below is the May line-up! For more information and to view the rest of the schedule, click HERE

MAY 2      
Bucho
Righteous Movement • Sol Peligro • Crazy Ballhead

MAY 9   
Kepi The Band
Kevin Seconds & The Altruistics • Kepi & Friends • Ghetto Moments

MAY 16 
Bright Light Fever
Self Against City • Middle Class Rut • Breva

MAY 23         
An Angle
Knock Knock • Jay Shaner & The Cowboy Killers • The Definite Article

MAY 30         
Rowdy Kate
The Golden Cadillacs • The Tip Top Trio • Hard Clumpin Litter

Here are a few photos from last week’s fashion show taken Scott Duncan of Pistols Photography.  I have to mention again, the fabulous hair and make-up was provided by the talented folks at Spanish Fly Hair Garage (1723 J Street). 

If you missed this production, don’t fret! This Thursday, Dara Denim will be featuring their  “Wear Your Jeans Out!” fashion show,  including some amazing t-shirts by my friends Devin and Ashley at Tea Stain Clothing.  If you visit the Tea Stain Web site, keep an eye out for Joe in their online spring  catalog!

This past Friday, while visiting my daily checklist of “must read” blogs, I was elated to read the headline, “’Just Jules’ finds Carly’s dress in Sac” in the Sacramento Bee’s 21Q blog.  Fashion reporter Leigh Grogan, who also provides Sacramentans with the most up-to-date American Idol news, gave Just Jules and Your Average Joe a very nice shout out and props for identifying Carly’s Smithson’s paisley Phillip Lim dress. 

So even after enduring some teasing from Joe and John for my overt enthusiasm when I uncovered the blog-worthy fashion find and Carly being booted, kicking me out of a front runner position in my office’s American Idol pool, Leigh’s complimentary blog post made it all worth it!  Read Leigh’s blog post HERE!

Wanted to quickly share a few pics from the Krazy Mary’s and Sugar Shack Fashion Show.  It was fun to see so many of my friends there and it was also great to meet some new faces. The night brought out a refreshingly eclectic crowd of people!  It’s amazing how fashion can bring people together

Stay tuned for more photos of the actual show!!!

As I was shopping as Sugar Shack this past weekend, I ran into my girl Mary ( aka Krazy Mary) who asked me to help her out with her fashion show.  I’m never one to turn down an opportunity to dress in pretty clothes and have my hair and make-up done all while helping a sister out.

So I’m inviting all my friends to come join me at The Park Ultra Lounge TONIGHT!  Come have a few drinks and get a sneak peek at some fabulous spring and summer fashions. You can pick up free passes at Sugar Shack or Krazy Mary’s.

Joe gave me a few runway pointers this morning… ohhh the perks of having a male model boyfriend ;-)  Hopefully I’ll make Joe proud.  If not, you are all more than welcome to laugh at my expense!

Hope to see you there!