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By KRISTIN EDWARDS

Arched for success!
Published: Jan 21, 2008

Brau Haus is a fantastic modern salon for brows that opened last December. They invited me in to try out their service. I was, of course, more than happy to oblige.

The salon is bright and cheery, with a minimalist industrial feel. No glaring overheads here. As soon as I walked in, they took my name, and asked me if I'd like something to drink. Owner Zoey Van Jones was my first appointment. She was finishing up a client when I arrived.

I'm a pretty low maintenance girl, but I have had my brows professionally done in the past. Because I am hopeless at plucking, I'd rather have furry caterpillar eyebrows than look like I'm giving everyone the evil eye all the time. Van Jones has her clients sit up in a chair, so she's face to face with them. Then she looks at your face, and explains to you what she sees in your brows. For instance, one of my eyebrows is significantly higher than the other, and I never noticed. She then talked me through what she wanted to do to give me natural looking but cleaned up brows before starting.

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I HEART Holly Street!
Published: Jan 9, 2008

I’ve decided to start a campaign. I’m calling it I ♥ Holly Street. I’m thinking of making some bumper stickers, maybe some cute little buttons. Known mostly for destination shopping, this little street that could is growing into a fantastic sub-section of Old Pasadena. You’ve probably stopped by, visiting Violet’s Cakes for a sweet treat (I’m kind of obsessing over her chocolate cupcake with strawberry frosting). If after picking up your cupcakes you got back into your car and drove away, shame on you! There are so many fantastic stores on this street that deserve a visit.

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Going Green in 2008!
Published: Dec 31, 2007

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. The three R's have been thrown around for years and years, but how feasible is it to apply to your life? My own family has started to adopt a stricter recycling program, separating our glass from our plastics and dropping it off at Whole Foods, using aluminum or steel water containers instead of plastic bottles.

As more information is available, it becomes difficult to keep your head in the sand, to ignore the effect we have on our environment. I think the hot trend of 2008 will be going green, in our homes, in what we buy (and how we buy it), and I want to know what this means to you and how you accomplish it.

If you have interesting tips, tricks, how-tos, where-to-finds, tell me about it. Send me an email subject line "Going Green" to kristine@pasadenanow.com. I'll post interesting suggestions and tips in this blog from time to time, and research products and businesses for the rest of the Living! page. Happy 2008 Pasadena! Let's make it a great year!

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Holiday Sales: Your credit card can handle it!
Published: Dec 26, 2007

If you are lucky enough not to already be at your limit on your credit card and you feel the need to treat yourself to a little holiday shopping spree, check out Old Pasadena. Cruising down Colorado Blvd. you can see a cornucopia of sale signs, enticing you into stores with promises of up to 40% off!

In the name of holiday spirit, I researched the best deals for you, our lovely (or handsome) readers. For amazing deals on clothes and accessories, stop by Haute C Boutique on Holly, and receive 40% to 60% off storewide (no, you aren't hallucinating from too much eggnog). Veronica M. is offering 50% off select items for winter-check out their great selection of dresses.

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A lovely stroll through Whole Foods...
Published: Dec 24, 2007

I was wandering through the new Whole Foods store on Arroyo the other day, and I was so surprised at how easy it was get around the store. Like most people in Pasadena (and South Pasadena and Glendale and San Marino), I went to check it out when it first opened. I was so excited to see how much they offered, but it was so crowded that I wasn’t sure I could make it my regular shopping spot. I’m happy to say that things have calmed down considerably. I found a parking spot right away, and was able to explore the store more thoroughly.

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Pasadena: A Diverse Shopping Experience
Published: Dec 19, 2007

Pasadena is an amazing place to live (but we all know that already). For the last few years, the retail stores available in Pasadena proper have evolved, allowing for high-end luxury chain stores and independent businesses to flourish. In order to keep the fantastic mix that we have at our fingertips, we need to support the small business owner. Otherwise, they might disappear.

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The Great Ugly Pink Chair Debate
Published: Dec 13, 2007

I am the proud owner of an ugly pink chair. I bought it at a thrift store when I moved into my first apartment in college, and have been lugging it around ever since. At one time in its life (before we met), it was not ugly. It was probably part of someone’s living room, the fancy furniture that no one is allowed to sit on. The pale rose fabric was shiny, not threadbare and discolored from years of neglect. While my decorating style is a hodge-podge of hand me downs and thrift store finds, mixed with cozy throws and knick-knacks with personality, the ugly pink chair sticks out in its own resplendent ugliness.

I have long debated throwing a slipcover over it, or having it reupholstered, or moving it into a less noticeable corner of the room. It needs a facelift badly. The cushions have flattened out significantly from so many hours of me curling up in it to read, or watching a movie, and the fabric has split apart in places from wear, revealing the white stuffing inside.

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It's Snowing Somewhere...
Published: Dec 12, 2007

Good Morning Pasadena! The holiday season is truly upon us. Stores are decked out with twinkly lights and garlands, holiday sales are in full force, and it’s snowing! Well, maybe not down Colorado Blvd., but it’s snowing somewhere… in the Midwest. Read more


Holiday Shopping Calendar
Published: Dec 9, 2007

Whether you are a budding fashionista or want a fresh new look this holiday season, several Pasadena stores are opening their doors for holiday shopping events. A touch of glamour (and freebies and sales!) can be found in Old Town this season.

Toast the season with Elisa B. and Origins
Explore the fabulous selection of holiday dresses at Elisa B. and update your beauty regime at Origins this Sunday, December 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Don’t miss out on the Madison Marcus collection that features sixties inspired glam dresses, perfect for your office holiday party. Elisa B. also carries the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection... Read more