#levoi

[pixietenenbaum]

There’s a hidden gem in the city of Newcastle that’s a haven for all things beauty.  Once in a while, you come across a great little place that just hits the spot, whether it’s a cool suburban coffee shop, a beachfront surf shop, or in this case a super cute independent nail bar.  These are the places that get us a little bit more excited than the big franchises that scream at us from the sidewalk.

Levoi – pronounced Le-vwah – is one of these places.  Right in the heart of Newcastle, it’s a basement level champagne nail bar with a colour scheme to die for.  Aiming to bring a friendly feel back to nail grooming after the influx of conveyor belt nail salons to the city in recent years.  There’s not a Dremel in sight at Levoi so you know from the outset that your nails are in safe hands.

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Hidden away at ankle level on St Mary’s place, close to the Haymarket, Levoi is a friendly welcoming salon that prides itself on not only its flair for creative nails, but also its service.  I’m greeted on arrival by owner Ann who tells me that the name Levoi is a simple anagram of her mother’s name, Olive.  Already pretty cute, right?  The colour scheme is a subtle tribute too, with soft muted greens and a signature nail polish created in her honour, it’s clear that family is at the heart of this business.

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With a bar stool nail bar as the focal point of the first room in the salon, I take my seat and before my butt has touched the leather, I’m handed a glass of champagne and a strawberry dipped in chocolate – the staple diet of Levoi clients.  My nails are prepped and sanitised before the cuticles are trimmed back and the tips shaped.  I’ve opted for a service called “One For The Road” which is the salon’s most popular treatment.  It includes cured gel that lasts up to three weeks and it’s Levoi’s own bespoke gel in a range of colours mixed and selected by the staff themselves, each one named after a cocktail, natch.

Now you know me pretty well by now Voyeurs: pastel hair and glossy black nails, that’s my jam, but today I’m throwing caution to the wind and I let Kayley Ann, my Nail Technician for the afternoon, decide on the colour.  I know, shocking.  She seems to have the measure of me as she selects a deep navy blue shade called Kir Royale, topped with a subtle glitter fleck, the finished product is called a Royal-Tini & it’s pretty fitting that they’re blue, as it’s Autism Awareness Month.  Winning.  After each nail treatment, hands are massaged with an own-blend of lavender infused olive oil which leaves my hands smelling flippin’ lush.

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The big difference you’ll notice with Levoi, is its laid back LA vibe;  Nothing is rushed, chat isn’t forced, and it’s a relaxing environment.  It doesn’t have that feeling of being turnover orientated, staff take time to chat and they’ll mix bespoke colours for clients if there’s something in particular you need to match.  Ann recently created a bespoke tartan checked nail for a client to match to a dress and says she loves a challenge.

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There’s a simple menu of services and it’s not just about the nails, Levoi offer a range of waxing services in a private room at the back of the salon, and even ear piercing.  There’s also the option of exclusive use of the salon for birthday or bachelorette parties, or times when you and your squad just want to monopolise the place like the girl bosses that you are.  Prices are competitive for a city centre salon and there’s parking close by meaning that you can ‘hit and run’ when you just need a polish for a big night out.

Wanna see the place for yourself?  Course you do.  You can find Levoi at 6 St Mary’s Place, Newcastle, and make sure you ask for a Bubbles Card which gets you your 6th treatment free.  You’re welcome Voyeurs.

Pixie xo

I was given an on menu nail service called One For The Road which takes 45 minutes and costs £35.

To book an appointment with Levoi call 0191 2305859

Levoi Champagne Nail Bar in #Newcastle There's a hidden gem in the city of Newcastle that's a haven for all things beauty.  Once in a while, you come across a great little place that just hits the spot, whether it's a cool suburban coffee shop, a beachfront surf shop, or in this case a super cute independent nail bar.  

[rocksaltandroll]

I added a little geisha to my gorgeous #purplerain gel nails from #levoi

[icemankazansky]

reminder

levoi --> clairedearingftw

[icemankazansky]

levoi --> clairedearingftw

[starspangledsprocket]

AN: This is a Rhodeyfest pinch hit for the wonderful @levoi. Sorry it’s taken such a long time to post!

Tony honestly couldn’t remember a time in his adult life when he had been without Rhodey or Pepper. He actually didn’t think he’d spent a full day without seeing one or the other of them in damn near twenty years. Dependent... didn’t even really begin to cover it. 

But thank god, because they were wonderful, patient human beings, Pepper and Rhodey never begrudged him his dependency on them. If anything, they encouraged it, because all three of them could see that Tony needed positive influences in his life, and Pepper and Rhodey were definitely positive influences. 

Tony couldn’t ask for better friends, really. 

“All right, grease monkey,” came Rhodey’s voice from the workshop doorway, and Tony turned just in time to see him walking towards him, arms outstretched, before he was enveloped in a big hug. “You stink.”

“Good to see you, too,” Tony laughed, patting Rhodey’s arm. “Is this how you greet everyone now?”

“Well Pepper didn’t stink like the inside of a dog’s asshole, so no,” Rhodey replied, pulling away from him again. “But seriously, it’s good to see you.”

“You too, Platypus,” Tony grinned. “Is... is this just a flying visit, or have you got some time -?”

“You’re stuck with me for two whole weeks,” Rhodey grinned, and Tony felt his heart swell excitedly. “So get your ass upstairs and into a shower and some clean clothes, because I’m taking you and Pepper out for dinner.”

“Oooh, I love it when Daddy’s home,” Tony grinned, and Rhodey smacked him in the arm playfully. 

“You always make it weird.”

---

Tony managed to make it upstairs to get washed and changed just as Pepper had stepped into the shower to freshen up herself, so he spent and enjoyable twenty minutes soaping up her hair and letting her gently wash his face and hands. 

God, he loved her so much. 

“Rhodey, honey, settle an argument for us,” he hummed indulgently a further half hour later as he stepped out of his and Pepper’s room, Pepper not far behind him as she simultaneously walked and put her earrings in. “Which tie works better - the pinstripe or the navy?”

He held up both ties against his shirt and posed, letting Rhodey and Pepper’s scoffs of laughter wash over him happily. Honestly, he barely managed to repress a contented purr. 

“Definitely the pinstripe,” Rhodey nodded, and Tony pouted when Pepper let out a triumphant hum. 

“What do you guys know anyway,” he mumbled, though he still tossed the navy one onto the couch and began to tie the pinstriped one all the same. 

“We know what looks best on you, honey,” Pepper replied, accepting Rhodey’s arm when he offered it to her. Then, gesturing for Tony, she continued, “Now come on; I’m starving.”

---

Had Tony mentioned that he loved Pepper and Rhodey? Because he adored Pepper and Rhodey. He couldn’t remember the last time he had had so much fun, and it took their third bottle of wine appearing for him to realise that he had managed it without a single drink all night. 

That’s how much he loved Pepper and Rhodey; he didn’t even need to be drunk to enjoy their company. 

He may have not managed to snag a drink, but those two bottles had gone somewhere, and by the time they had made it back to the tower a few hours later he had Pepper slung over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift, and was firmly holding onto Rhodey’s hand so he wouldn’t get lost. 

“I cannot believe,” he laughed, staggering slightly under Pepper’s weight as Rhodey banged into him, “that you guys always get judgy when I get drunk, and yet here we are -”

“M’sleepy,” Pepper yawned, cutting him off, and then swatted at Tony’s ass. “Beep beep.”

“Having fun back there?” Tony asked, amused, and got a hum of approval from Pepper in reply. “I’m glad.”

He thought about dumping them both on the couch to try and sober them up a little, but realised he probably wasn’t going to be able to get them back up again if he sat them down. Instead, he steered them through the living room and into his and Pepper’s bedroom. 

“Shoes and belt off, Rhodey-poo,” he instructed, leaving Rhodey to take care of his own clothes while he carried Pepper over to the bed and gently eased her down. “Two minutes, honey, and then you can get in bed.”

Pepper let him take her shoes and tights off, and only put up a token protest when he went for the zipper of her dress. 

“No funny business,” he promised, and felt very weird about the mere thought. Instead, he grabbed his own sleep shirt and quickly slipped it over her head. Her small frame drowned in it, but she hummed happily and let him tuck her into bed, so Tony counted the experience as a win. 

Once he was sure she was okay, he straightened up and went in search of Rhodey, who seemed to have disappeared. He didn’t have to go too far - he found him hunched over the toilet in their ensuite, throwing up most of his $500 dinner and doubly expensive wine. 

“Doing okay, pudding pop?” he asked fondly, filling a glass he found next to the sink with water and handing it over. “Sip.”

Rhodey did as he was told, sitting back on his haunches to take the glass from Tony. “M’good.”

“For what it’s worth, you look incredible,” Tony snorted, handing over a towel for Rhodey to wipe his sweaty face. 

“Sorry,” Rhodey mumbled, batting awkwardly at his face. 

“Eh,” Tony shrugged. “Better to get it out before you go to sleep. It’s always worse to throw up with a hangover headache.”

“True,” Rhodey hummed, eyes fluttering a little. “Think m’done.”

“All right, peaches,” Tony nodded, getting to his feet. “Let’s get you to bed.”

He helped Rhodey to his feet and led him back through to his bedroom. Pepper was dead to the world, and Tony made short work of Rhodey’s belt and shoes before nudging him over to the bed and tucking him in beside her. 

“No arguments,” he murmured when it looked like Rhodey would. “You’re too drunk to stand, never mind get yourself to a spare room. Plus, me and Pepper are cuddlers.” 

Rhodey sighed, but settled quickly, shuffling up behind Pepper to wrap an arm around her. 

“Taking liberties with my gal, Rhodes?” Tony grinned as he moved away to change into his pyjamas, and just got a sleepy “fuck you” in reply. 

By the time he was climbing into bed, tucking himself up against Rhodey’s back, both Rhodey and Pepper were sound asleep. He hummed happily and shuffled just a little closer, wrapping an arm around both of them and preparing himself for sleep. 

He really, really loved his little family. 

[starlightiing]

I love your "lonely nights" fic! If you're still taking prompts, "salt", "hold your breath", "old tracker's tricks". To be used independently or all together, whatever you like. Also, I hope you're feeling better today! :)

Woah hey there friend! Thank you so so much <3 I’m really glad you like that old thing 8) 

I’m not really currently taking requests b UT I’m gonna post this and tag it so that I can come back to it whenever I’m looking for something to write/have the inspiration. And thank you so much for sending me some prompts! Hopefully I can get to them sooner rather than later :D 

This was just a really nice message oh gosh thank you <3 

[carlamlee]

Hi, yes, why is the image of the Grand Canyon being filled with blood filed under writing: inspirations?

I will be writing something involving the Grand Canyon being filled with blood at some point in the future. Possibly some sort of world-ending sacrifice. We will see.

(I like monsters and magic and blood.)

[icemankazansky]

traits: levoi