Fashion - SUITed for Spring

Spring has arrived. We want color, we want texture, we want simplicity. How do we get it all? The suit.

Throwing together matching separates makes for a speedy put together on hectic mornings and leaves you looking polished. The looks this spring have rich colors, textures, and strong elements.

From Ann Taylor coordination cropped jackets and pants to The Row's velvet jacket and pants, suits are popping up all over. Underneath the jackets are printed shirts with colors, simple white-collared shirts, or bold print t-shirts. It's up to you.

Once the weather warms up, you can trade the jacket for a sleeveless vest and some chunky accessories to punch up your look.

Have a great time experimenting with this effortless but polished look.

Yours in Style,
Coco Blackwell.

253 Deal of the Week

It's that time again! What's the deal?
Have you seen our Embellish or Die hoodies? They are made by T-Town apparel with the design by the 253 Republic. This week, our chosen winner will have the opportunity to buy this $40 sweatshirt for $20.53. Great deal!
So, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter - @embellishtacoma, or follow us on Pinterest. The winner will be chosen on Monday, April 2. If you've already done all of these things, leave us a message on one of these outlets.

The 4 Cs - How We Do What We Do

We are thrilled to have this new image to communicate our vision of who we are and what we do.

The 4 Cs of Embellish: Community; Commitment; Creativity; Competency. These are the things that we strive to live and model as we move forward.

You can rely on our listening as you share your understanding of who you are, championing your individuality, knowing what is happening in the realm of beauty, hair and fashion.

Take a look. Let us know your thoughts and how you've experienced the Daymakers and Embellish. You are the reason we're here.

253 Deal - Treat Yourself

It's a new week. It's a new Season. It can be a new you!

This week our deal is a way to treat yourself to some pampering and give your hair a healthy boost. All who enter will have a chance to win a Davines Natural Tech Treatment for just $2.53.

These treatments are a extra-special boost for your hair. There are six treatments to choose from: Nourishing - this feeds the hair and scalp; Detoxifying - how to get those chemicals and other toxins out of your hair; Energizing - promotes healthy hair growth; Purifying - Anti-Dandruff treatment; Rebalancing - Oil Control treatment; Calming - a desensitizing treatment.

So, go to our Facebook page and Like us - or if you already have, leave us a Wall Post; follow us on Twitter, @embellishtacoma - or if you already are following us send us a Tweet; or follow us on Pinterest - if you've already done that, leave a comment on one of your favorite pins.

The winner is drawn and announced on Monday. One winner this week; is it going to be you? See you on the interwebs.

Sasquatch Music Festival Series: GROUPLOVE

Happy Monday! SASQUATCH...it always reminds me of fun, music and freedom. So does the music of this week's pick, GROUPLOVE.
When the members of Grouplove met it was like a dream. The setting was a remote artist colony on the exotic and mysterious Greek island of Crete. Drummer/producer Ryan Rabin and his childhood friend and former bandmate, guitarist Andrew Wessen, came from California; guitarist Christian Zucconi and keyboarist Hannah Hooper traveled from New York, and bassist Sean Gadd was the lone Brit. Each member went to Greece for their own independent reasons but over time they gravitated toward each other and discovered the sound that unified them: a merging of richly narrated, intricate songs with anthemic classic pop production.
It took the band the better part of a year to reunite after they left the island, but as they prepare to release their debut album, Never Trust A Happy Song, they’re starting to realize what began as fantasy has now become reality. I love this band; their attitude and energy toward music continually inspires me and puts a smile on my face.
So please enjoy my favorite track from this band.....TongueTied!

xoxoxoxox
Najamoniq


Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Winning and More Winners

Kate O'Sullivan came in last week and got some beautiful highlights! Congrats and thank you for entering.

Now, to announce the winners from this past week's 253 Deal! Drum roll please ... Shannon Koch Straws, Teresa Imholt, Renee Pierce, Gee Bear, and Sarah Nunn. You all can come into the salon and pick up three Davines products for $20.53.
You'll be selecting from these products: Rebalancing Shampoo for serum production balance (for oily hair); Rebalancing gel - a treatment for over production of scalp oils; Energizing Shampoo for scalp stimulation and healthy hair growth; Purifying Gel for dandruff treatment; Awakening Shampoo - an oxygenating scrub for hair; Nourishing Shampoo and Enzyme Enfusion for breakage; and Be Phase Anti-oxidant Spray.

Come back tomorrow to find out what this week's 253 Deal is!

Hide/Seek in Tacoma

The biggest art exhibit to come to town opens tomorrow. Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture opens at the Tacoma Art Museum. Running from March 17 to June 10, this is the ONLY West Coast stop of the tour, and it's final stop.

The exhibit opened last year in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian's Portrait Gallery, and while it was closed due to patron complaints, the exhibit has toured to great acclaim. The exhibit spans almost 150 years of American art and contains works by, among others, John Singer Sargent, Andy Warhol, and Georgia O'Keefe.

The Tacoma Art Museum has a feast of events, lectures, and movies planned around this exhibit. Some highlights: April 19 is the Third Thursday Art Walk - this night you are encouraged to share your thoughts about the exhibit in an "open mic" setting (opens at 6pm); March 20, April 10, and May 29 the Grand Cinema will be showing films that will enhance the discussion started by the exhibit.

Go check out the Tacoma Art Museum page to get all the information you'll need. You do not want to miss this exhibit!

Third Thursday Art Walk

It's Third Thursday Art Walk today. We've got Kate Pascal on the walls and Michael Coucoules will be playing in the salon. What more could you want? The Art Bus has us as one of their stops this month!
Come on out tonight and see some great art, hear some fabulous music, and spend time with amazing people!

Coco Out and About

I've been out and about in the shops of Tacoma looking for a new outfit for Spring! And I found one at Megs n Mo on Proctor.
My main focus was finding THE piece for my Spring wardrobe. This pink skirt is IT! Last week I posted on the top ten trends for spring. This skirt fit three of them: a statement skirt; bright/neon colors; and geometric pattern. I was thrilled to find it.
In addition, the shirt underneath has a great pattern on it. The jacket serves well for those cool mornings and evenings, but when it comes off the outfit rocks on!
What items are you looking to add to your Spring wardrobe?  So many things to look for! So much fun! Grab a friend and let me know what you find.
Happy Styling,
Coco Blackwell

253 Deal of the Week

First off, congrats to Kate who is the winner of last week's 253 Deal! We had a great time getting to know those who entered the 253 Deal! Now, for the details of this week.

We love Davines hair products, and we want to share that love with you! Those who enter the 253 Deal will get a great deal on selected Davines products. At the end of the week, we will pick five (5) winners who will get three (3) selected Davines products for $20.53. This deal is too good to pass up!
Here's what we've got for you: Rebalancing Shampoo for serum production balance (for oily hair); Rebalancing gel - a treatment for over production of scalp oils; Energizing Shampoo for scalp stimulation and healthy hair growth; Purifying Gel for dandruff treatment; Awakening Shampoo - an oxygenating scrub for hair; Nourishing Shampoo and Enzyme Enfusion for breakage; and Be Phase Anti-oxidant Spray.

So, go to our Facebook page and like us, if you've already liked us then leave us a message - follow us on Twitter (@embellishtacoma), when you do send us a tweet and let us know - follow us on Pinterest, leave a note on your favorite board so that we know you've been there - subscribe to the RSS feed for the blog - or leave a comment below. Let us know that you are engaging with us, and you're entered to win. The winner will be picked on Monday, March 19, from all entries. Get clickin'!

Sasquatch Music Series: Purity Ring

Photo by B.A. Davis

Good Monday Fellow Sasquatchians! It's New Music Monday, and keeping in line with our Sasquatch music picks, this week's pick is the band "Purity Ring."
Megan James and Corin Roddick formed "Purity Ring" in 2010. James, a 23 year old trained pianist, has been writing music and lyrics since the age of 1; Roddick., 20 years old, has drummed in various hometown bands since the age of 16.
Although both dedicated musicians, Purity Ring finds these two setting down the live music aspect and leaning more towards an electronic bevy of stammering beats and pitched down vocals, derived from a personal favorite of Roddicks - southern hip-hop.
This show is gonna be a fun one folks. I've actually had the pleasure of seeing this band when they opened up for Neon India;, this is gonna be one fun sensual dance explosion!!
I hope you enjoy my favorite track from this duo, "Belispeak."

Xoxoxoxoxo
Najamoniq

"After silence that which comes close to expressing the unexpressable is music". -Adious Huxley

And the Winner is:

Kate O'Sullivan! You've won the first New 253 Deal of the Week - a highlight foil for $2.53. Call 253-752-8144, tomorrow, to make your appointment.
We can't wait to make your day!

Did you miss last week's 253 Deal, or not get picked? No worries, new deal goes up tomorrow, Tuesday, March 13. Stay tuned!

Weekend in the 253

You've made it to Friday! Congratulations! Now what are you going to do with your weekend?
Here are a few suggestions from our friends over at the Weekly Volcano.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9: AMOCAT LIVE

Time flies when you're having fun. Or so the saying goes - and fun is definitely one of the many great, hyper-local bits of awesomeness being served every day at Tacoma's Amocat Café, celebrating one year this Friday with the aptly titled, "Amocat Live." Expect an evening full of live music for all ages including John Dolge, Jon Parker, Micaela Cooley, Sam Bogle, Russ Dahler, Gen Obata, and The Collaborators. Best of all, it's free. Plus, the ambiance at Amocat can't be beat. This event is a win for all involved. Stop bye and thank proprietor Morgan Alexander for a year of service to his community.

• Amocat Live, 7 p.m., NC, 625 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.242.3370

SATURDAY, MARCH 10: THE BAD PLUS

Everything is jazz. Or damn near everything. As The Bad Plus proves, bald heads and fu Manchu mustaches are pretty freakin' jazzy, too. But let us not trivialize this world-renowned jazz band, hitting Tacoma's Pantages Theater Saturday, as anything but remarkable. There's good reason why Billboard, and subsequently the Broadway Center's website, hypes the band as, "America's most "audacious, rule-breaking jazz trio." It's because all those aforementioned adjectives apply. Plus there's the facial hair. Catch The Bad Plus in Tacoma Saturday taking on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring - a pairing that should make for quite an evening of entertainment.

• Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m., $24-$56, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

SATURDAY, MARCH 10: POETRY OUT LOUD STATE FINALS

In high school, you went to State in pizza eating and acne. It could have been cooler. Saturday, you'll have a chance to see a dozen Washington high school students get a better jump on their lives than the Little Caesar's slogan, "Pizza! Pizza!" ever afforded you, competing in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Presented by the Washington State Arts Commission, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, Saturday's Poetry Out Loud State Finals will pit winners from seven regional finals held across Washington state in an ultimate throwdown of poetry recital. Along with ultimate statewide bragging rights, competitors will be vying for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Poetry Out Loud national finals.

• Rialto Theater, 1 p.m., free, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890

SATURDAY, MARCH 10: AUGUST WILSON'S JITNEY

Playwright August Wilson is best known for his Pittsburgh Cycle - a series of 10 plays each set in a different decade recalling the struggles and comedies of the African American experience in the 20th Century. That's what happens when you win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. At 3 p.m., the Broadway Center, Northwest Playwrights Alliance and hosting venue Washington State History Museum bring us a staged reading of Jitney, part of Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle that centers on a cab driver's station in the late 1970s. Hype on the Broadway Center website describes the play, saying "his character driven performance features sharp-witted, hustling co-workers who gossip, argue and dream in between jobs."

• Washington State History Museum, 3 p.m., $14, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3500

SUNDAY, MARCH 11: FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Speaking of how everyone is becoming a major techie, collecting newfangled and ever-fancier gadgets at warp speed, our desk drawers here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters sure are full of a lot of obsolete pieces unwanted tech - from flip phones to classic Fisher Price Viewmasters. While we're not about to give away the Viewmasters, everything else can go - which is why we'll likely head to Sunday's free electronics recycling event in the parking lot of Tacoma's Champion Centre (1819 E 72^nd St., Tacoma). Organized by the Seattle-based organization Friendly Earth, the goal of Sunday's event is to take as much unwanted tech off the streets as possible, and recycle it instead of letting it rot in the ground or in your desk drawer. Tax write offs will be given to any donated tech, and the list of accepted electronics is substantial, including appliances, metals, computer equipment and components, home and business electronics, batteries and machinery. Sadly, speakers, light bulbs, paints, wood based products and small miscellaneous plastics will not be accepted - making disposing of that pimped out yet unused lizard tank in your closet still difficult.

• Champion Centre - Parking Lot, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 1819 E 72^nd St., Tacoma

Kickstart Libertine Tacoma Salt Mine

Thursdays at Daymaker Dish is about people. Today's person is Christy Reedy.
Christy is the mastermind behind Libertine Tacoma Salt Mines.
Christy creates gourmet, culinary salts and blends that are natural, contain no additives or anti-caking agents. Best? There are blends are are unique to Libertine Tacoma.
Christy started the business in 2011. This was just one more step in Christy and her family making Tacoma their home. In 2006, they bought an almost 120 year old home in the Hilltop Neighborhood, where now they create an urban oasis for their family, friends, and neighbors.
Christy says it best, "Tacoma is a city that I have felt has it's arms wide open for anyone willing to embrace it's charms. It is the city I chose to make a dream of mine come true in. Libertine Tacoma is providing a well crafted local product with a smile and genuine care for our clients."
Check out Christy's kickstarter page and help make another successful business in Tacoma. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/libertinetacoma/expanding-the-libertine-tacoma-salt-mine

Street Chic from NY Fashion Week

Fashion week is over, but the trends are still being analyzed. I stumbled upon this list of 11 trends seen on the streets of New York City during Fashion Week.
1. Wind Power: Skirts, dresses, and long shirts that flow with the breeze. Let go with your inner Marilyn.
2. Neon: Whether an accessory, like a purse or bracelet, or a piece of clothing, these colors were seen on and off the runway.
3. Statement Skirt: If you're only adding one piece for Fall, make it this - a skirt that says something about your style.
4. The Hardcore Heel: Powerful shoes for powerful looks.
5. Valentino clutch: Oversize and studded, these clutches are gaining cult status.
6. The Necklace: Bold necklaces are used to accentuate the shirt collar.
7. Shorts: They are defying the seasonal boundaries and staying out even when the temps may start to dip.
8. Geometry: Bold geometrical shapes in prints and on accessories.
9. Sunglasses: The bolder the better!
10. The T-shirt: The good old standard is out and about.
11. Friends: Find a friend and share the fun.
Check out all of these looks at Elle.

Happy Styling,
Coco Blackwell

253 Deal of the Week

This week's deal is like no other! This week, we want to hear from you.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @embellishtacoma, follow us on Pinterest, or sign up for the RSS feed for the Blog (on the right hand side of the page,) and you're entered in the drawing to receive this week's awesome 253 Deal -- Highlight Foil for $2.53!
You read that right! So, get clicking now.
When you've liked or followed us, leave a note on Facebook, send a Tweet, leave a note on the Blog comments or on Pinterest and we'll enter your name for the drawing on Monday, March 12.