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Los Altos

My Makeover at Halo- A Blow Dry Bar

March 25, 2015 By kimwheeler No Comments

 I’m ready for a change when spring arrives. You know I feel so done with winter and all that. So when I got an opportunity to have a makeover at the new, Halo-A Blow Dry Bar, I jumped at the chance! Last week I headed over to the bright and chic Los Altos location.

  Even better, my friend Adrienne Shubin, blogess of The Rich Life(on a budget), did it with me!
We both needed to get pretty for an evening event so it was a perfect timing.

Adrienne said let’s be brave and do before shots so here you have us!
(Notice I’m not blowing this one up.)
First we had our hair washed with some beautifully scented shampoo.  I like that they use very high-end hair products like Renee Furterer, Oribe, and Seven. (I do think good hair products make a difference!)
My stylist Rocio starting on my blow-out. My hair never felt over-dried or pulled-just relaxing and she was extremely gentle. 
 Adrienne has a thick mane and hers took a bit more time than my fine hair did.

 One very cool thing they offer after blow-dry is root touch-up. This is exactly what I needed as I was a day away from getting my regular highlights. I get a white stripe right at my part, which can look terrible. (It’s not one of those cool looking stripes either.) Rocio expertly applied Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray in Blonde and it really covered the grey! I was thrilled and bought one to take home. 
 Checking out my swingy hair sans grey in the mirror. I wanted something bouncy and smooth.

Adrienne chose a more curly style. Doesn’t she have gorgeous hair? 

Now onto makeup with our new dos. They have these cute little signs all over.

Another thing I appreciated is they use Jane Iredale Cosmetics. These are luxurious mineral-based cosmetics that are cruelty-free and actually good for your skin. I have used some of them, but was excited to get my makeup done with the whole spectrum.

Rocio was also my makeup artist and she is just very talented. She understood I like a natural look, but wanted a little more eye makeup for that evening party. 
They also do brows here and specialty makeup such as weddings. In fact they have a whole menu of makeup looks to choose from if you aren’t sure.
 I think she did a perfect job for my coloring. I loved it! 

Did I mention we had wine too? They really make it a fun place to go with friends!

Lovely Adrienne taking a sip while we were made up.
While Adrienne finished I bought a Jane Iredale brow pencil and face spray that smells divine.

Some very pretty travel pouches and makeup cases I liked too!

The very good hair products are all for sale here.

TA DA! Our ‘After’ shot.
We felt so pretty and pampered. It was just a blast and made it a breeze getting ready for our event. I just popped on my dress and went. 
I cannot recommend Halo-A Blow Dry Bar enough. Service is wonderful and they have a talented team, great products, and fun atmosphere.  I know now why so many women get regular blow-outs. It just feels great and why not get a little boost in your confidence once in a while?
Halo also does girls’ night out parties, teen and tween parties, and can even makes house calls. Gotta love that.
 Thank you Rocio and everyone at Halo Los Altos! 
Kim
You can read more about our Halo visit on Adrienne’s blog, The Rich Life (on a budget).
Halo-A Blow Dry Bar has locations In Los Altos, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Burlingame.

Filed Under: Blow-Outs, Hair & Beauty, Halo-A Blow Dry Bar, Los Altos, Spring Makeovers

Northern Cal Restaurants I Love -Bumble Los Altos

January 17, 2014 By kimwheeler No Comments

A bright spot in my week was slipping out for a girl’s lunch to celebrate a friend’s 50th at a darling spot called Bumble in the little town of Los Altos. I had been to Bumble one time before and right now it tops my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area for a so many reasons. First and most important it’s fun!

Silver punch bowls of Veuve Clicquot and footed pedestals of the yummiest baked goods greet you as you enter the sunny front room. The food is yummy, unique and farm to table. Most everything is  organic, local and sustainable. That includes breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Lunch has items like quinoa salad with pancetta (my favorite), BLTs, chicken salads, flatbreads and the list goes on. Bellinis and Mimosas are always available during the day too, should you be so inclined!

 They’ve turned an old house into a terrific hang out. There’s the feeling your in someone’s charming home. They had me at banquette! Bumble does cozy nooks, banquettes, and sofas to help get your relax on. I love the Carrara marble, and cheery mix of white and yellow decor. You can even sit in pretty succulent-filled patio with coffee or a glass of bubbly while you watch your toddler in their sandbox play area.  I ask you where else can you do that?

Kids are catered to here and there is a healthy menu for them as well. There are darling jars for them to drink from with colorful straws, diapers in the bathrooms, and a supervised play area for a small fee, should you want to have a cozy dinner with the hubs.

Service is beyond good. Everyone is smiley, competent and kind. For our friends’ birthday they brought a giant bowl of gourmet vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with carmel and pecans for us all to share. On the house. Nothing seems much trouble!

Moms can get a break here, but it’s also filled with ladies lunching and guys doing business as well. The magnet is the great atmosphere and food. I cannot think of another place like this in all of the Bay Area. I am hoping to go for dinner next with my husband and try one of their fun cocktails!

 A  day trip to Los Altos is fun if you haven’t been in a while or ever! If you are visiting the Bay Area, Los Altos is close to Stanford and about ten minutes South of Palo Alto. If you’ve got a special birthday or lunch to plan, this is the place!

To read more about Mary Heffernan, the mom of four who founded Bumble, visit their site (link at top) and about her Los Altos businesses (she is working on 9 right now!), in the  Los Altos Patch just published today coincidentally.

Have a MLK weekend everyone!

 One year ago I wrote about Martin Luther King.
He is one of my heroes and I find his words uplifting and truly inspiring, especially now.
It’s one of my most popular posts ever and you can catch it again here.

Filed Under: Bumble Los Altos, Los Altos, Mary Heffernan, Northern California Restaurants I Love

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Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has been seriously sick and fortunately is back home now, but still struggling with pneumonia. If anyone wants to send her a snail mail note please dm me and I will share her address. She loves unique cards and pretty postcards you’ve saved from travel, so she would be thrilled to get a little note!

It seems like just yesterday we were in her gorgeous yard taking photos for my Californians at Home series. It’s still one of my favorite photo shoots and if you want to read it again -or missed it I will link to it in my bio today. She’s one of a kind, so let’s get her well soon and bolster her spirits!!💛💛

#californiacontessa #californiansathome

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