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Stefanie Van Aken

Category Archives: RSMLV

drybar Las Vegas

03 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Featured, RSMLV

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

fashion, hair, Las Vegas, rockstar mom recommends, salons

UPDATE! December 2017, a new drybar location opened inside the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. Located on the 2nd floor, facing the Strip. Admittedly, the space feels smaller, I wish there were more wash bins, and they are struggling a bit in keeping time (schedule your weekend appointment at least 30 minutes before the time you actually want to arrive) I find this new location to be way more convenient than Planet Hollywood- I might be biased. drybar does offer a really easy booking service via their app or online. You can call, too, the customer service peeps are very friendly and thorough. I find the app to be just as easy, if not easier.

You want a RockStarMom LV tip? Get your hair done at drybar Cosmopolitan Las Vegas then walk across the bridge to get your make-up done at Tom Ford at the Shops at Crystals (minimum purchase of $100, but tip your stylist because these gals really are talented).

drybar Cosmopolitan Las Vegas | Photo by Stefanie Van Aken

Getting ready to bring in 2018 with JuanYa at the drybar Cosmopolitan Las Vegas! 🍾

 

It’s amazing. Your blowout will last for days. You have to have this blow dryer. I kept hearing about this drybar from my friends who live in almost every major city in the country. After countless Christmas gift exchanges year after year with requests for drybar gift cards that I had to keep buying online…I was starting to get a little offended that this place had not graced my presence on the Las Vegas Strip. Until now. My friends were right, and I want to extend one of the warmest welcomes to drybar Las Vegas…(it’s about damn time!) located at the Miracle Mile in Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip. Yeah for me! And all of you! Here’s why….

What is drybar? In case you’ve been living in an ashram for the past 6 years…it is the creme de la creme of hair styling salons. Featured on TV series like the Housewives of {insert city name here}, you can basically feel like you are rich and fabulous by getting your hair blown out daily, weekly, or monthly. It is a blow dry only salon meaning no cuts, no color. Just style. And folks there is a formula to this style. After browsing through their LookBook, you choose the style most suited for your mood at the time: Cosmopolitan, MaiTai, CosmoTai and the list goes on. Any hairstyle you have ever seen any glam actress or en trend model sport on the runway or in Vanity Fair….honestly, you can have that done to your hair here. I mean it. I don’t care how much you love your hair dresser, they cannot style your hair like drybar does. (To a stylist in action check out the videos on my Facebook page.)

drybar las vegas

drybar las vegas| photo credit Jeff Green

What is drybar Las Vegas? Yes, I asked that question twice-ish because Vegas is the only location with a DJ and full bar on premises during operating hours. Yup. Only in Vegas is more than just a hashtag, it’s for reals. We bring the fun and the life to any party! Especially the one happening at drybar Las Vegas! So, order it up! Your service will take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on what your style selection, which means plenty of time for a cocktail.

drybar las vegas

Where is drybar Las Vegas? Located in the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood. If you are visiting Vegas, I would suggest either walking or Uber yourself here to make it easier. Otherwise, my local peeps, valet park at the Miracle Mile valet (yes, this is a thing…bypass the main valet and look for the Miracle Mile Valet…easiest way to get there is via Harmon behind the actual hotel). Once in from the valet, go up the escalator, make a right and keep walking. And we are walking and walking past the food court, and towards the middle of the Miracle Mile. You will see LUSH (my other favorite place) which is right next door.

Drybar Vegas Storefront_Credit Jeff Green

Drybar Vegas Storefront_Credit Jeff Green

How Much is drybar Las Vegas? In Las Vegas, the price for a wash and blow out is $49. You can add other services like a braid ($10) or extension ($20), or add treatments to your hair like a floater ($10 for 10 minute scalp massage) or hydrating hair shot ($20). Uptinis (updos) are $100, Shirley Temples (kids blow outs) are $35. There is also a barfly membership: $80 a month for 2 blowouts, plus a free birthday blowout, 10% off products bought in-store, and $5 off additional monthly blowouts. With this membership, your blowouts roll over to the next month if you haven’t used them. So let’s see, for my daily blowout, I can factor in $49 + $10 (who doesn’t want a floater??) + $10 (suggested tip)= $69 into my budget (30 x $69= $2070…). OK, maybe monthly…or bi-monthly.

drybar menu

Why drybar Las Vegas? Because why not? What better way to pamper yourself than having someone wash and style your hair while you sip a Sin City Fizz and listen to some delicious beats spun by the hot, I mean, hottest DJs around? But, truthfully, as a local, I don’t see myself getting there as often as I would like, which is probably a good thing for my wallet. Lucky for me, my hubby works down on the Strip, so I DO see myself booking appointments when I plan on meeting him for dinners or events, because, again, why not? And, easy location for me to access as all I would have to do is cross the foot bridge that connects the Cosmopolitan (City Center for those staying at Aria or Vdara) to Planet Hollywood. With that being said, the valet at the Miracle Miles Shops is actually pretty easy to access as well from a local’s stand point. But consider drybar for those special occasions as well: Girls’ Night Out, Bridal Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Mommy/Daughter days, Mother’s Day, New Year’s Eve (if celebrating on the Strip)….the lists and ideas could go on forever. Locals cross your fingers and send good vibes out to the universe that other drybar locations start popping up in Henderson and Summerlin ASAP.

drybar before after

What I 💜 about drybar Las Vegas? Besides everything I mentioned above…product. LOVE LOVE LOVE the product!! Vegan, Earth-friendly, products! No parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. No animal testing. How amazing is that? They all smell divine, they work well and they are reasonably/competively priced for the market. There are products for every concern you can think of it when it comes to preserving and extending the life of that fabulous blowout. drybar offers many of their hair stylist tools as well.  My first experience with the buttercup blowdryer was lovely. Priced at $195, it’s definitely a hair tool investment, but I have friends with thick, curly, luxurious locks who claim the buttercup is the only way to go. There is also the baby buttercup now available which is a travel blowdryer priced at $135. But my true love here in this paragraph is the product. I’m obsessed with finding vegan hair and body products. Way to go drybar!

drybar products

What needs work? I can honestly say my experience at drybar Las Vegas was outstanding. Cocktail waitresses, DJ booth, friendly stylists who listen and do what they say they are going to do. Products and hair styling tools were phenomenal. Atmosphere lively and fun. I brought my 10-yead old daughter for a Shirley Temple, which she had both the style and the drink. By the way…just because it’s called the Shirley Temple it does not mean the only style for kids is a head full of tight corkscrew curls…they can choose their own style as well from the LookBook. My daughter had fun, too! There is a selfie booth, and plenty of photo opps around the salon.

drybar stella

Go ahead…you know you want to…BOOK IT! and Enjoy!

drybar las vegas

 

disclaimer: my daughter and I were invited media guests by drybar Las Vegas to experience their newest location located on the Las Vegas Strip…I speak 100% of the truth. 

 

 

 

An Interview with Disneyland Parks President, Michael Colglazier

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Disney, RSMLV, Travel Inspiration

≈ 4 Comments

The time I  have spent in the House of the Mouse all started  when I was two years old and my mother took me to Disneyland for the first time. Though I don’t remember to exact details of the trip, I do remember being pushed around in my metal stroller with a suction cupped Mickey Mouse stuck to my plastic snack tray. I had an iconic swirly lollipop in my hand, and I had just snagged a stuffed Donald Duck as we were walking out of one of the stores. After a brief reprimand for taking something that wasn’t mine, my mom’s friend who was with us, purchased the doll for me, which I proudly sat next to me for the rest of our trip.

Disneyland 1977

A few years later, my parents surprised my younger brother and I by pulling up to the Disneyland Hotel, where we would be staying for our first time. They were so excited that they had saved up their money to take us on a most Magical Trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. It was a shining moment for them as parents. It became a cornerstone for a lifetime of experiences with Disney.

disney_photo_opp

Even with Las Vegas a short 4-hour car ride to Disneyland we  still felt like we own a little piece of it. My siblings and I would have competitions to find our way around without a map. Every time I walk through those turn-styles, I feel the connection. A home away from home. My playground, so to speak.

disney_siblings

Now it is a place where I get to combine business and fun.  A few weeks ago I was invited to interview newly appointed President of Disneyland Parks, Michael Colglazier. Mr. Colglazier  spent over 20 years with the Disney Company, based in Orlando, Florida, where he served as Vice President, from 2010-2013, of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. But California and Disneyland are new to him.

Disney_Dream_Suite

We sat, face to face, inside the living room of the Dream Suite. Mr. Colglazier looking comfortable in an antique reproduction of a Queen Anne’s arm chair, with a Disney-fied fire illuminating the grand wood carved, white fireplace behind him. We had just taken a tour of the rooms and living space the Disney family had intended to fill upon completion. Sadly, Walt Disney passed before the suite was finished, and the family felt, without him, the suite just wouldn’t be the same and left it unfinished. Years later, the Disney Company decided to re-open the Dream Suite and allow it to be used for very special cases and events. An open conversation about the parks pursued, and a question came up about the main difference between Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Mr. Colglazier said,

” Walt Disney World is clearly a tourist destination, and the people you talk to about it are OK with that, with it being a tourist destination. When I get into any conversation about Disneyland and the Disneyland Resort with my neighbors (here in California), it is clearly not the tourist destination. This place is so woven into the fabric of people’s lives for generations. Everybody has their own version of bringing that out. People really view Disneyland and Disneyland Resorts as theirs. It is a part of their lives, and that is really special. That is important for me to continue to understand more deeply. To undertand what goes into that generationally so we can make sure it continues on as generations move forward.”

I’m not sure if it was the company, the atmosphere or the moment, but when Michael Colglazier made that statement, it went straight to my heart. My throat got tight, and my eyes blinked fast to hold back tears. Yes. Exactly. That was exactly it. It is an ownership. I felt and feel connected to that particular park. It’s my park. Those are my rides. My experiences. My memories. They are my grandparent’s memories of saving up enough money to buy a ticket book and entrance for my mom and her siblings. They are my mom and dad’s memories of bringing us to the park for the first time. My memories with my siblings, my cousins, my friends. And, now my memories with my children. Every inch of Disneyland Park holds a memory for me. It is mine, and it belongs to me. Just like it belongs to you.

Dream_Suite_Stefanie

The Disneyland Dream Suite is not open to the public. I was invited to a Private Event representing TravelingMom.com.

The Smith Center Las Vegas | Top 10

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in RSMLV

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Las Vegas, Las Vegas Lifestyle, The Smith Center

I am at a loss of words to describe the excitement within me when it comes to The Smith Center. Last week, I was invited to tour the facility before it opens to the public this Friday, March 10th.

Awe.

That’s it. I don’t have any other words left. You have to see it for yourself and you will then know what I’m talking about. And, if you are a supporter of the Arts and Education for the city of Las Vegas, then I highly recommend taking the time to learn more about the history and the people who made this bold idea a reality. We are blessed. If you follow me on Twitter, then you would have experienced the tour right along with me. Just in case, here’s my Top 10 of Why I am in Awe of The Smith Center:

10.  It is breath taking. From the outside to the inside. Every step is beautifully planned and laid out, and it is just absolutely breath taking.

9.The decor and art work pay homage to the days that built the city of Las Vegas, namely, those days during the construction of the Hoover Dam.

8.  The replica of the Winged Victory Angel in the lobby.

7.  The Terrazzo flooring used to pay tribute to the style and decor of the Hoover Dam.

6.  The bronze pig statue and iris flowers in the Founders Room.

5.  The colorful iron sculpture in Symphony Park.

4.  The Bowman Pavillion.

3.  A new place for the Nevada Ballet, Las Vegas Philharmonic and Discovery Children’s Museum to call home.

2.  Candy Schneider, the Vice President of Outreach and Education, and Myron Martin, CEO.

The Smith Center VP - Candy Schneider

Vice President of Education and Outreach, Candy Schneider (Photo Credit Kim Ulmanis)

And, the number 1 thing that has me so wrapped up in awe for this magnificent building…The People.  The people that designed the acoustics, the people who built the facilities, the people that loaned the art work, the people commissioned to create the artwork, the people who donated their time, the people who donated their money, the people who committed to building a project this city has been needing and wanting for years.  This truly is a project by the people, for the people.

Here is your chance to not only support the Arts and Education for our city, but to also enjoy it! Right here, in our own backyard, Downtown Las Vegas, is one of the most extraordinary theatrical and musical facilities that rivals many of the greats not only in our country, but around the world.  Do something amazing for yourself…get down to The Smith Center and enjoy a Broadway show, or a cocktail at The Bowman Pavillion, or an outdoor concert in Symphony Park.  Date night, girls night or bring the kids, no matter how you roll, it’s going to be a memorable experience.

James Canfield Artistic Director Nevada Ballet

James Canfield, Artistic Director Nevada Ballet (photo credit Kim Ulmanis)

Fast Facts:

The Star Studded, “I Was There,” event for  Opening Night is Invitation Only, but you can still request tickets (if you hurry!).  There is a very limited availability starting in the $250 range and up.  Black Tie affair with some pretty impressive peeps, like Neil Patrick Harris.

Whether it’s your first theater production, or one of many, it is usually a rare opportunity to find tickets to a Broadway show for $24 a ticket! Tickets are now on sale for The Color Purple, the premier show at Reynolds Hall.

The Nevada Ballet will celebrate it’s 40th anniversary with it’s first performance at The Smith Center, Saturday, May 5th at 7pm.

 

 

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