“To be Slayed by Vae” said client Lance, after having his locs twisted and styled, “is a special thing because of what she can do with the hair. Words can’t describe it. You just gotta come get slayed.”
Video: See what it means to be “Slayed By Vae!”
Based in Ohio, natural hair stylist Vae Wilson travels the states slaying locs, braids and revitalizing hair. With skills in high demand, her days quickly fill up with appointments each time she visits Denver (at Joi’veon Hair Studio owned by Toya Johnson.) “I'd be able to find nobody else to do it as good as her,” said client Monnie, slayed with micro-braids. “Other people may be cheaper, but their’s won’t last long.” ...
Photo: Freshly done micro-braids.
Styling hair is a passion Vae discovered nearly 15 years ago. She started with braiding and took off with dreadlocs six years ago. “I love being able to take someone’s hair and create an art form,” Vae said. “I love to take something basic and bring life to it.” This artistic expression makes Vae’s styles special and unique for her clients. Many of them come to her with no directions on what style they want. “They just say ‘Slay me!’”
Photo: Monnie, slayed with micro-braids
The Colorado-born stylist was inspired to take her dream career to the next level when she began slaying hair at Headlines By De’Franco salon, owned by Demetria “Meechie” Francis. As her clientele grew, Vae was motivated to become a traveling stylist. “This year, I also want to visit Texas, Florida and New Orleans. We’ll see how that goes,” she said with a smile.
Photo: Vae maintains her own locs.
As a licensed stylist working in an industry dominated by chemical straighteners and colorings, Vae received some controversy for establishing her craft strictly on natural hair. “I did have a few people looking at me like, ‘Uh, natural hair, I don’t know,’” she said. “I’ve even had a cosmetologist tell me that I would never go anywhere doing natural hair.” As the natural hair movement has only gained speed, Vae has found success and has seen a growing need for natural hair specialists. “The natural industry is overtaking everyone,” Vae pointed out. “I feel like now is the perfect opportunity. It’s my time.”
Photo: Vae also rehabilitates damaged hair. She can even reattach locs.
Vae is excited to continue expanding her brand. She plans to travel more, develop a line of hair products - free of harmful chemicals - and to start her own clothing line. She wore a t-shirt that reads “Pardon My Locs,” designed in support of the dreadloc community and her own locs.
Photo: “Pardon My Locs”
Since I myself have gone natural, I couldn’t wait to ask Vae (who is also my cousin) what types of hairstyles are best for summer. “Any type of protective hair style would be good for you,” Vae advised me. “I could do different types of braids for you - crochet, single braid, corn rows - it keeps that extra heat off your head. If you are going on vacation and swimming, braids can help keep the elements from damaging your hair.” I’m looking forward to her return to Denver, so that I too can get Slayed By Vae.
Photo: “@Slayed_ByVae”
You can find Vae on Instagram as Slayed_byVae, Facebook as Vae Wilson and Twitter as SlayedByVae. If you are in Denver, you can make an appointment by Email at [email protected].
I’m Angelica, multimedia producer. You can visit my home on the web at AngelicaOnline.com.
Photo: You’ve gone through the newspaper listings. Now you are ready to move!
The best time to move in Colorado is definitely summer, as the colder months can be freezing, wet, inconvenient, slippery and downright dangerous. In fact, the majority of Americans make their moves from May to September, according to rent.com. Not only is summer weather better for carrying your couch, but this time of year offers higher turnover of available rentals, meaning there are more places out there for you to call your new home. This also means that many renters and home-buyers need to make fast decisions and move in quickly. This can be a daunting task, but luckily there are a few tricks you can use to make the transition easier.
5 Tips To Move Easier
Photo: Everything has a place, before it ever gets there.
1. Plan out your space. Most new homes have a floor plan available. You don’t have to just use this to decide where you want to live and then put it away forevermore. Print or draw out the floor plan and then pencil in your furniture. Deciding early where your dressers, couches and work desks will go will save you a lot of time setting up your new space when you arrive.
Photo: You may not even need tape with a sturdy box.
2. Get yourself some free boxes. You are definitely going to need lots of boxes for your big move, but you shouldn’t have to spend a small fortune on them. Chances are, the mail room at your place of business has lots of boxes coming every day, all of which are broken down and left in the recycling bin outside. You may be able to get all of the boxes you need right there. You can also find free boxes at office supply stores, grocery stores, bookstores … pretty much any place that receives large shipments and doesn’t need the extra cardboard. Also, U-haul has a box exchange program where you can pick up used boxes, totally free.
Photo: Things with nice photos sell better on Craigslist.
3. Ditch your old clutter. While packing, you may run into those old items you never use, collecting dust for the past three years. Those bowls you got at your wedding that you never asked for, and that dress you haven’t worn in 2 years will probably continue to go unused. Or maybe you have certain items that simply won’t fit in your new home. Now is the perfect time to give these things away. Locate the local thrift store, or make a few extra bucks on Craigslist, a garage sale or a consignment store. A little pocket cash can come in handy while you travel and you will have less things to put away later. (By the way, If you are in or around the Vail Valley, check out this Bowflex on Craigslist.)
Photo: This trick helps pack and unpack your closet super fast!
4. Plastic-bag your hanging clothes. If you are like me, then you have a lot of clothes hanging in the closet. Instead of slowly packing up each item one by one and then slowly unpacking and hanging them up one at a time, grab some large trash bags. While the clothes are still hanging, pull the bag up around them and tie the bag with the hanger-hooks still sticking out. When you unpack, all you have to do is hang up the whole bundle and cut away the bag. Closet done!
Photo: Live out of one suitcase, and use the rest to pack.
5. Fill up your suitcase. Most people begin packing days before the move-in. Pack up a suitcase of your necessities first (like you are going on vacation), so you can then pack up everything else unhindered. The rest of your bags and luggage would make great packaging. Make sure to fill them up instead of hauling them around as empty, wasted space.
Depending on how large your space is, you may be able to pack up, move and completely unpack in just a matter of days!
I’m Angelica, multimedia producer. You can visit my home on the web at AngelicaOnline.com.
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North Americans generally eat a “melting pot” of foods, with origins all over the world. But for the 4th of July, I’d like to celebrate the United States’ Independence Day with a list of all American-born foods!
Buffalo Wings
Chicken wings smothered in hot buffalo sauce are one of my favorite foods for a party! Most historians say that Buffalo Wings were invented during the 1960s in Buffalo, New York. That’s right: the sauce is named after a town; not a large, bovine, plain-dwelling animal.
Ranch Dressing
Ranch is the most popular dressing in the U.S., and it was born in California. Steve Henson, owner of Hidden Valley Ranch, invented a buttermilk dressing with herbs and spices in the 1950s. I make my own home-made ranch dip with yogurt as a base (pictured).
Corn Bread
Today, corn bread is a staple side-dish of southern cooking. The dish originally came from Native Americans. Historians say that Native Americans were likely making corn bread long before the first European ever set foot in North America.
Peanut Butter
Whether it’s slathered on bread or eaten straight from the jar, Americans love peanut butter. South American Incas may have been the very first to grind peanuts into a paste, but you can’t talk about any modern peanut products without mentioning Dr. George Washington Carver, who came up with more than 300 uses for peanuts - including peanut butter as we know it today. It was also debuted at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
America’s favorite cookie was first baked in Whitman, Massachusetts by Ruth Wakefield in 1930. It is said that the cookies were a happy accident: Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate (for chocolate cookies) and substituted chunks of Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate. She expected the chocolate pieces to melt throughout the whole cookie, but the pieces remained whole. She named it the Toll House Crunch Cookie after her family-owned inn.
Soul Food
If the food has soul, then it’s down-home American. Since they were brought to the U.S. in the 18th century, African Americans created dishes out of whatever was available to them. Thus, some of southern cooking’s favorite recipes were born. For the 4th of July, much of my own family will be cooking up foods like fried catfish, collard greens, ham hocks and grits (pictured), and sweet potato pie! By the way, the term “soul food” was coined in the 1960s.
These are only a few of the many foods invented in the USA. What is your favorite thing to eat on the 4th of July?
I’m Angelica, multimedia producer. You can visit my home on the web at AngelicaOnline.com.
Pictured: My wedding, 6 years ago! Photo by Heather Eddy.
Summertime is in full swing, and so is wedding season. According to a recent study by The Knot, June is by far the most popular month to get married, which also means it's full of anniversaries. (Mine included!)
While bridal registries make gift giving easier for weddings, coming up with new ways to celebrate your own anniversary can get tougher with each year. So here are a few gift ideas to make your anniversary extra special.
5 Anniversary Gift Ideas
1. A one of a kind experience. Take your spouse out on an unforgettable date, like a hot-air balloon ride.
Pictured: An amazing anniversary with a hot-air balloon. Photo by Sean F. Boggs with Camelot Balloons.
2. A sporting game or spa trip. Spoil your spouse with a facial, send them golfing, or buy them tickets to a NASCAR race.
Pictured: Sanctuary Golf Course.
3. That new gear they've been eyeing. Maybe it's workout equipment. Maybe it's a new camera. That thing your spouse has been quietly hinting at for the last month would be a perfect gift.
Pictured: I bought my husband a new kettle bell and he bought me a stainless steal, insulated water bottle.
4. A mountain getaway. Take the weekend to spend some alone-time at a resort hotel or a cabin in the mountains. Bonus tip: ski resorts offer the best, most affordable prices in early and late summer.
Pictured: The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, CO.
5. Picnic and a hike. Prepare a favorite lunch for you and your spouse and bring it with you on a hike. Spread out a blanket and enjoy a romantic meal in the prettiest spot you can find!
Pictured: A lunch made with love, ready to be packed up and enjoyed in nature!
I’m Angelica, multimedia producer. You can visit my home on the web at AngelicaOnline.com.
The largest ever GoPro Mountain Games brought in thousands of participants and tens of thousands of spectators. This year, the games returned with an extra day and included four new events. Mountain sports enthusiasts explored vendor booths, won prizes, danced to free concerts, cheered on athletes and participated in 9 different sports and 25 disciplines. Sports included kayaking, running, disc golfing, slack-lining, dog docking, wall climbing and more. Of course, there was no shortage of GoPro cameras. They could be seen attached to helmets, strapped to dogs and recording the action from every angle...
Featuring the best sports that the mountains have to offer, the GoPro Mountain Games has become a beloved tradition. One participant even had her bachelorette party at the Mud Run event. “They’re awesome!” the bride-to-be said of the games. “I’m coming back next year.”
Super Short Highlights Video: GoPro Mountain Games 2015
Not all of the GoPro Mountain Games competitions were sporting events. I decided to participate in the “Mountain Click Photography Competition.” You can find a link to all my photographs at AngelicaOnline.com.
Here are some of my favorite images from the GoPro Mountain Games!
I’m Angelica, multimedia producer. You can visit my home on the web at AngelicaOnline.com.
Photo: Pineapple in the Rocky Mountains. This one came from Hawaii.
Finally, it’s summer, and one of my favorite fruit is bountiful to buy. Pineapple! The first time I tasted a perfectly ripe pineapple, it was like eating sunshine. These yellow delights are amazing when eaten at the right time. But an unripe pineapple is hard, bland and burns the tongue. And preparing them can be a prickly, sticky mess.
Strange Fact: Once pineapples are plucked from the ground, they stop ripening. That’s why they need to be just right when bought from the store, and eaten within a few days. Happily, I learned a few tips on how to pick and prepare a perfect pineapple from a farmer in California. Now, it’s much easier to enjoy that juicy, sweet slice of heaven, without any tongue-burn!
How to Pick and Prepare the Perfect Pineapple
Video: How to get the best pineapple and cut it easily.
3 More Strange Facts about Pineapple
A pineapple is actually composed of a couple hundred flower fruitlets all joined together.
Pineapple contains Vitamin C and an enzyme called Bromelain. This makes it good for digestion and tenderizing meat.
Each plant only produces one pineapple at a time, and they take a couple years to ripen. Farmers tend to harvest them when they are small, but a pineapple in the ground can keep growing for decades.
I’m Angelica, producer of multimedia content. You can visit my home on the web at www.angelicaonline.com.
Monday wrapped up what was perhaps the largest event in Colorado over the long weekend, the Denver Comic Con. Going four years strong, the Denver Comic Con has already become the third largest Comic Con in the U.S., with close to 100,00 people in attendance. This huge event centers around pop culture (movies, television, video games and of course, comic books.) The Denver Comic Con benefits the Pop Culture Classroom, a non-profit organization that uses pop-culture to educate and improve literacy.
The largest draws of the Denver Comic Con include meeting celebrities, art showcases and the year’s best cosplay costumes. The elaborate costumes are my favorite part of the Comic Con, so here are 5 pictures of the best cosplay makeup I’ve ever seen.
Pictured: Beaver Creek Village in May (yes, it sprinkled snow)
Gorgeous decor. Gourmet dining. All day spa relaxation. Entertainment and adventure. The beauty of the mountains and the charm of a tyrollean village. During the busy season, booking a trip in the Vail Valley with all this luxury can quickly cost a couple thousand dollars for just a couple of people. However, with a few local secrets, you can enjoy a decadent weekend for two for less than $300 (and that’s with a little extra splurging.)
Here’s how I planned a luxury weekend escape for a portion of the price.
Pictured: me at The Pines Lodge
Timing
The secret to scoring the best value for a getaway lies in the timing. Considering a ski resort during its off-season can save hundreds of dollars. During the warmer months, everything from lodging to entertainment costs less, making summer the best time for affordable leisure.
Pictured: cafe lounge in The Park Hyatt
In early and late summer, most hotels and lodges in the Vail Valley offer their very best prices. Many of these places have amenities that could serve as destinations themselves: full service spas, fully-equipped fitness centers, fancy bars and restaurants, quaint gift shops and more.
Pictured: outdoor jetted hot tub at The Pines Lodge
For my own recent trip, I found a fantastic, summer deal at The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek. The hotel charmed us with cozy, alpine aesthetics, the fine-dining Grouse Mountain Grill, an outdoor pool and hot tub, an indoor steam room, a large fitness center, coffee and complementary banana muffins in the hallway.
Pictured: room at The Pines Lodge
The lodge also offers valet parking and a shuttle into the village. For all of this, the typical winter cost per night is about $650, whereas, the early summer cost is about $150 (I’m including taxes and fees in this number.)
Fine Dining Discounts
Pictured: lunch at Boxcar
Restaurants in the Vail Valley also have awesome summer deals. These specials are most abundant during “Mud Season” (May and September-October). My mom and I indulged in a food-venture. Boxcar in Avon was sporting a new summer lunch menu, Vin48 in Avon offered great happy-hour and dinner specials and 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill at Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek served a fantastic Mother’s Day dish of lobster, eggs Benedict with a glass of champaign (for $13.50.)
Pictured: brunch special at 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill
To compare with winter prices, a typical dinner for two might run $60-$90 for gourmet restaurants like these. With a special, a bigger dinner costs more like $40-$60 for two. It seems there are countless restaurants at various price points in the Vail Valley. Checking the (free) local paper for daily specials is a great way to find out the best deals around.
Free Entertainment and Adventure
Pictured: statue seen during my art-walk through Beaver Creek
In the summer, guests can find adventure and entertainment that is 100% free. On my recent trip, I took an art-walk through Beaver Creek. You can also go on a hike or a bike ride. Raft or kayak down the river. Enjoy live music at a local pub. Check out the free summer concert series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail (on Tuesday nights.) Again, the local paper is a great resource to check for free/ low cost events that may be happening during your stay.
Pictured: hiking in the mountains
Winter vacations in the mountains are always popular. But when comparing the cost, they simply can’t compete. For me, summer is the most fun and affordable time to bring in family from out of town or to enjoy a “staycation.” I’ll say “cheers” to that!
Pictured: champaign at 8100 Mountainside Bar and Grill
I love colorful foods, full of vegetables and flavor, that won’t destroy my diet goals. (It is swimsuit season, after all.) This loaded coconut curry is one of my favorite dishes to make, and it looks as good as it tastes! This recipe makes a giant pot of curry to feed a family or last you through the week.
2. In a large pot, bring the coconut milk to a boil. Start the stovetop on High, and lower it to Medium once bubbles begin to appear, so the coconut milk will simmer.
3. Stir in the spices and onion. Measurements do not need to be exact and can be adjusted to your taste. Warning, that Mongolian fire oil is super hot, so if you aren’t a fan of spicy food, you may want to skip it or start with 1/2 tbsp and add more slowly, to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add in the vegetables. It’s time for them to simmer while you prepare the chicken and rice.
5. Place the rice and water in a covered pot and cook for about 30 minutes or until the rice is soft.
6. Bake the chicken at 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until fully cooked. Optional: season the chicken with red pepper and paprika. I just sprinkle a light layer over the chicken.
7. Once the chicken is cooked, chop it up and add it to your simmering pot of vegetable-laden curry. Let it simmer for 5-10 more minutes to allow all the flavors melt into each other.
8. Finally, spoon the rice into a bowl and pour the curry over it. Enjoy!
The GoPro Mountain Games are coming back to the Vail Valley with a larger list of athletic events and an additional day to accommodate for all the extra fun. According to Mountaingames.com, this is “the country’s largest celebration of adventure sports, music and the mountain lifestyle.” This June 4-7, the GoPro Mountain Games are adding four new events: a down river rafting sprint, a kayaking challenge, a paddle-board race and a disc golf tournament. These are in addition to returning events like slack-lining, road biking, climbing, kayak free-styling, mud running, dog-docking (dogs catching frisbees as they jump into a pool) and more.
Of the new sports coming to the mountain games, disc golf may be the most highly anticipated. The president of the Flying Eagle Disc Society, Steve Klehfoth, says disc golf is a perfect addition. “While disc golf can be played on practically any terrain, the sport truly shines in a mountain setting. Mountain disc golf courses are usually some of the most challenging and most beautiful.” Klehfoth says the already popular sport is garnering more interest, with tournaments in Colorado filling up in a matter of days or even hours.
Hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, the GoPro Mountain games attract hundreds of athletes, both professional and amateur. 2015 will feature nine different sports and 25 disciplines. Other activities include a film class, live music concerts and a photography competition. If you would like to play in this year’s games, you can register at http://www.mountaingames.com/summer/register.aspx.
I’m Angelica, producer of multimedia content. You can visit my home on the web at www.angelicaonline.com.
The mountains may be famous for winter snow, but I contend that Colorado’s most sensational season is summer. Few places can match a sunrise in the Rockies, when golden rays climb over mountain peaks and sparkle across the lakes. From May to September, Denver hosts some of the most colorful festivals in the country. Fair temperatures encourage health and wellness with outdoor activities and fresher, more abundant produce. I can’t wait to trade in my snow boots for sandals, and these are the top five reasons why:
1. Summer Events
Each year, festivals celebrate everything from food and rodeos to art and music. I’m looking forward to this summer’s Denver Comic Con, Beaver Creek’s Blues Brews and BBQ, Vail’s International Dance Festival and A Taste of Colorado in Downtown Denver. Countless other concerts and carnivals come to Colorado all summer long!
2. Outside Adventure
When the snow melts, the sun shines and the rivers rise, it’s time to head outside! Colorado boasts fantastic water sports such as river rafting, kayaking, tubing and swimming. Denver is home to Water World, one of the top-rated water parks in the U.S. The mountains offer gorgeous hiking, camping, running, climbing and biking trips. Also, this year’s sporting events look to be bigger and better than ever. Some popular community events include the Bolder Boulder 10-K run and the GoPro Mountain Games.
3. Wedding Season
When your Twitter feed fills up with #wedding photos you know it’s wedding season! Colorado wedding venues are some of the most charming places in the world. The vast options showcase the vibrant beauty of Denver and the incredible views of the mountains. Colorado’s hotel industry is strong and healthy, making the state a great choice to stay and invite your family for a destination wedding. I can’t wait to attend a few mountain weddings this season.
4. Perfect Produce and Grill Season
Any foodie can appreciate summer’s sweet and savory menu. I love fresh raspberries and grilled kabobs in the park. More fruits and vegetables are in season during the warmer months. I recommend visiting a Farmers’ Market to pick up the tastiest locally grown cherries and peaches!
5. Sunlit Fashion
Finally, we can ditch the giant winter coats! The warm weather is perfect for sundresses, big derby hats and fun shades. I’m looking forward to seeing the best Colorado fashion trends this summer: stripes and florals, maxi dresses and boho sandals.
I’m Angelica, producer of multimedia content. Visit my home on the web at angelicaonline.com.
