Adorn is going on the Amazing Pubcycle, but first we wanted to know more...

Adorn will be going on an Amazing Pubcycle tour in the next month and we are so excited! The pubcycle is a crazy looking trolley bike that 13 people can fit on and bike their way through downtown while getting their buzz on...so to speak. I sat down with Shawn Verbrugghe, the man responsible for bringing this wild thing to Asheville.

Tell me a little bit about the contraption you ride on. Is this something you invented or has it been around?

The contraption has been around. I think there’s at least 50 of them in our country. The concept came from Denmark a few years back. Denmark, Germany,  and Amsterdam  - they all have them. Long story short, I talked to a guy who talked to a guy who talked to a guy... I got the idea from a guy on a plane that showed me on his phone how cool this was. He had done it in Minneapolis. I immediately thought, ‘Whoa! This is a fantastic idea!’ Asheville seemed like the perfect place for it. We were scheduled to be moved here because I was transferring with my company down here.  Fast forward to today, we’ve lived here for about 14 months and started working on this last July and we launched it in August. We had it built in Arizona by a professional trolley bike builder - believe it or not, they exist. It’s custom made for us, custom designed for Asheville, for the hills and for the look and feel of [the town].

In what ways is it customized for the hills?

There’s a 48-volt battery system and a pretty decent size motor on it that’s geared for Asheville hills. I had to do engineering on all the different slopes, rates, and lengths of all the runs in downtown Asheville and then we put it all together in a spreadsheet and found out how we would need to gear this thing. It goes really slow, it’s got one gear called super-slow. This is because we wanted to make sure it wouldn’t have issues going uphill. So it can go uphill with nobody pedaling but it would just drain the battery very quickly. The pedaling is actually what gets this thing around it’s just that when we go uphills, there’s a gas pedal. Just like a go-cart, there’s a gas pedal you push down whenever you’re about to go up a hill and it just takes away the climactic experience of the hills here.

You said you were transferred here with your company. What company is that and what do you do?

I work on energy conservation projects - commercial industrial projects. I work with Granger and so that keeps me busy during the day, this keeps me busy during the nights and on weekends. We’ve been super busy lately; we launched about two weeks ago. We’ve done probably 30 runs so far; 30 real tours.

What’s it been like so far?

It’s super cool! It’s a super fun business because people are happy. We’ve done birthday parties and other fun parties; it’s neat because people are so excited to get on this thing. You’ve never seen anything like it, really, and just watching it go down the road, whether it’s me or somebody that’s never seen it, it’s really fun to watch. People are having a good time and it looks silly.

I had this epiphany the other day where I was asking myself, ‘Why is this so much fun?’ Because I’ve been on it several times and it’s a blast and I think it’s because you’re sitting at a picnic table with all of your friends, but you’re riding your bike down the street sideways, and you’re at the bar. It’s like all these different experiences you’ve had in your life combined into one and there’s good music…

What kind of music do you usually play?

There’s good sing-along 70's yacht music - whether it’s Journey, or Low-Rider, or other classics. Then our drivers are really good. They make the fun happen - Chase and Dennis. It’s a good crew.

So do you sell beer on board?

It’s BYOB. Beer or wine only - for the city. Cans are easier; we have cups and a cooler on board. People can either bring it with them or - we pick up at Aloft - people can buy unopened beverages from them and bring it down.

So how much is it to go on one of these tours?

$23 for an hour and half tour and $10 for 40-45 minutes. That’s a cheap way to get on and experience it and most people who do that say they want to come back with an entire group for a birthday party or celebration.

Find out more about how to book a tour and the making of the Amazing Pubcycle their website here.

Also, stay tuned for Adorn's Amazing Pubcycle trip!

The skinny on our products

 How to replenish and nurture your skin using the very lovely products offered at Adorn Salon and Boutique!


1) Find out your skin type. There are four general skin types: dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive. 

DRY
If your skin is dry, you lack elasticity, you seldom break out (if at all), and your skin is sensitive to harsh sun, winds, and cold weather. The best option for you is to wash with a creamy cleanser and use a hypo-allergenic moisturizer. My favorite cleanser for dry skin is Humphrey's  moisturizing cleansing milk:

My Favorite moisturizer for dry skin is Weleda Skin Food. It's pretty rich, but it smells amazing and can be used on rough spots like the elbows and knees in the winter. A little goes a long way: 

However, if you find that too heavy, Pangea Organics' Italian Red Mandarin with Rose is really pleasant: 

OILY

If your skin is oily then you are prone to breakouts and enlarged pores. You skin has a lot of elasticity, but it also has a lot of shine. My favorite cleanser for oily skin would be Humphrey's cleansing Gel which looks a lot like the cleansing milk, but is not as moisturizing and a little more invigorating. Oily skin is highly temperamental, you want to do what you can to not strip it completely of oil, despite what you may think. Oily skin also needs a toner. I recommend Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel. There's nothing quite as soothing as lavender and the witch hazel locks in the right kind of moisture while refining your pores: 

If you want to use a moisturizer, I'd recommend Pangea's Moroccan Argan with Willow & Rosemary cream for blemish prone skin: 

COMBINATION

Combination skin is a bit trickier because it is two different skin types on one face. Generally speaking, you are usually a 'combination-to' as in a combination-to-dry or combination-to-oily. It's best to follow the regime that your skin is most partial to. For example,  if you are a combination-to-dry, you will have more luck with a dry skin regime, etc. Being someone that suffers with combination skin, I know how frustrating it is trying to find the right regime, especially as a teenager when I was a combination of oily and sensitive skin and it felt like I kept shooting myself in the nose to spite my face or whatever that expression is. My main rule (after many, many trial and errors...emphasis on errors)  is that less is more and if it feels in any way like I'm becoming too aware of my skin, then I probably am doing something very wrong. For cleanser please determine which way your skin leans in terms of dry and oily and then use the corresponding cleanser. Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel is a godsend because it's a toner, but it's super moisturizing - more than the Lavender, but not as much as the Cucumber and not as gentle as the Aloe - for me, it's perfect. I can't imagine it not being perfect for any kind of combination skin: 

As for a moisturizer, Pangea Organics Nigerian Ginger with Lavender & Thyme is great if your skin is more of a normal combination:

Normal

You lucky ducky, you can kind of go where the road takes you on this one. Just be sure that you are using sunscreen, moisturizing and taking care of those delicate areas around the eyes and mouth. We will get into those later...

Sensitive

For sensitive skin, I think that Humphrey's cleansing milk is a great option, it's very mild and full of amazing ingredients like jasmine and witch hazel. Thayer's Rose Petal Toner is my favorite, but Aloe and Cucumber are very soothing options as well, depending on how reactive your skin is. As for moisturizer, I would stick to something unscented and light if anything, and I honestly feel that the best option is a simple jojoba oil or argan oil as a finishing oil just to keep the skin dewy. 

Extras

EYES and LIPS:

The areas around the eyes and mouth need special care and are often neglected. The skin is thinner around those areas and doesn't moisturize as well, either. I genuinely adore Pangea Organics' Turkish Rose and White Tea Eye Cream. It comes in this little tube and for a minute you're like, "Gimme a Break," but it lasts for forever and it is just excellent: 

I am a bit of a minimalist, and I hope that it isn't deterring, but I have always been loyal to Burt's Bees and their lip products. They never let me down and I know that I am putting something good on my mouth that isn't going to slowly poison me over time (not to get intense, but have you read what is in your lipgloss lately?! Geez Louis!) :

BODY

body care might need to be a separate topic because there's a whole lot to say about that. I will recommend one like that I think you should consider as the sole line for your body care. 

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to exfoliate, moisturize, soak and nurture your whole body. Luckily, we have an entire line of handmade products dedicated to giving you just the tools to do so!

I just can't briefly sum up how awesome this line is, you are going to have to visit their website here to really see just how incredible they are. I will say that your skin will never feel so refreshed and healthy as when you use their products and you will definitely feel nurtured in a way that you haven't in a while...guaranteed. In addition to that one of the two founders of this company is a former Ashevillan! 

Amanda McKenzie and Ten Minute Color/Color10

     

       Amanda McKenzie recently taught a class on Schwarzkopf's new line called Color10 which is a quick processing hair color that is perfect for clients who are in a hurry, book last minute, have short hair, or don't have the patience for long processing hair color.
      Some of Amanda's students had already been using the Color10 line before the class and one of the stylists said that many of her clients refuse to use anything else on their hair now. Since the color is only on for ten minutes the damage to the hair is greatly reduced, because of less exposure time to the chemical reaction that needs to take place for a change to occur in the color.
     The experience for the client is like this: The application of the color needs to be completed within ten minutes (this is why short hair or a hi-light mini are the perfect options when using this color), then the processing time lasts for 10-15 minutes depending on the how much gray coverage you need or if your hair has been colored before, etc. Finally, you are washed and toned at the bowl, this is to ensure that there is a consistency in the color from roots to ends - the hair is blown dry, styled and viola! The entire appointment runs about an hour. For those of us use to 1 1/2 to 2 hour long appointments for color, this new option is quite a thrill!
     Amanda needed a last minute color model so I got to be the guinea pig for this class. Here's the before and after:

Pretty big change, huh? Much needed!

Lion Makeup by Andrew Williams

The very talented Andrew Williams displays his cross-species transformation skills!

Sped Up Adorn Pedicure by Heather

This is what our pedicure looks like when you speed it up a lot!

Sharing is Caring: OSiS Hair Cocktails to Make You Swoon

OSiS Twin Curl + OSiS Buff

- apply OSiS Twin Curl to wet hair. Proceed to diffuse. Finish with OSiS Buff.

Results in a soft natural bouncy curl.

OSiS Hold Miracle + OSiS 4-Play

- gives ultra strong hold, shine, and great light texture and separation for

more textured cuts.  Also phenomenal for very coarse/wiry hair or hair that

is insanely curly and coarse. I will also add either a tiny drop of OSiS Magic or

BC Oil Potion Light Treatment.

OSiS Hold Miracle + OSiS Soft N' Straight

- strong hold (for the amazing summer humidity we have right now), smoothing,

and shine

OSiS Grip + OSiS Dust It

- For those fine haired women who claim their hair just "won't hold a curl"

- just a few shakes of dust it adds that extra grip

- also been known to add a shake of shine duster into the mix if wanting to add

shine

OSiS Soft N' Straight + OSiS 4Play

- great for extra smoothing and light separation on ends.

OSiS Thrill or OSiS Fiber Light + (1 Shake) OSiS Dust It

- nice separation on ends with more natural to matte finish.

- As well as adding more control/hold.

Rose Hecht Takes on Adorn's New Website!

(Above: Rose and Rebecca Hecht at the LAAFF. They worked together as vending coordinators for years in order to make LAAFF the amazing event that it was.)

Rose Hecht got her start as a photographer, she is the sister-in-law of Adorn’s owner, Rebecca Hecht. Rose’s creative intuition has landed her lots of creative jobs taking photographs and using her design skills. She lives in Asheville with her chihuahua, Jackie. In addition to photography and web development, she likes going out and dancing to Beyonce’ . Rose is probably one of the biggest self-starters I’ve ever met, she is always pursuing something new. We recently hired Rose to take on the arduous task of transforming our website that we are excited to launch in in the next few months! We hope you will be too! In the meantime, a little bit about our own creative genius, Rose A.K.A. ‘Ro-ro’ Hecht:

So tell me a little bit about what we’re going to do with Adorn’s new website:

I just want to give it a nice modern look. Revamp it, make it nice and clean, easier to maneuver for our customers and just be able to have the features and all the social media inputs that we use.

How did you get into Web Development?

I was always into photography. When I went to school for photography, I also started picking up the graphic side of things via photoshop and illustrator. I got really into that and through that kind of spawned moving into web and layout design. Then two Januarys ago, went back to school and started taking web classes and found that I really had an niche for it and really understood it.

You created the website for Biscuit Head, how did you get that gig?

Those are my friends. The chef and owner and his wife I worked with at the LAB when we opened there so, I’ve worked with them for three plus years now. We all work together really well and they needed somebody here that they could talk to and that understood what they were looking for and the kind of feel that they wanted and that’s where that came from.

Where do you see yourself going with this in the future?

Right now, I am working on three sites - two for downtown local businesses and one is for a band. Hopefully, I’m looking to use these as a nice start to my portfolio and starting to use my contacts to get my name out in Asheville and get people to use me.

What I’ve always admired is the confidence you have when you pitch yourself to people, what kind of advice do you have for others doing the same work as you?

You can always know more, there’s always far more you can learn. I mean, I don’t by any means tout myself as an expert or a pro, I know that I’m good at the stuff I know, but I’m also smart enough to know that there’s a whole other world of stuff in my field that I can learn. There’s always online forums, Linda.com classes, Adobe does professional certification classes... There’s all sorts of other avenues to take to continue to use that education and that’s the other thing, you do have to continue to educate yourself, because every year formats change, procedure changes, html language changes, so you really have to keep up with what’s happening in the field.

  I also did a lot of work for free and got to a place where I was comfortable asking to be paid for the work that I was doing because I had all this experience and was confident that my work was good.