High Holidays Wth Matisyahu

The streets of Los Angeles felt pretty empty on Rosh Hashanah, but that wasn't the case inside The Hollywood Palladium for the Matisyahu show last night. It was packed with people feeling the positive vibrations, kicking off a HAPPY Jewish new year.

My dear Stephanie Hobgood recently groomed Matisyahu (Matthew Paul Miller) for the premiere of his film, The Possession, and it turns out that the guy that who had been buried under all his Hasidic beard and hair, is extra handsome.

They invited Steph +1 to the LA show, and though I'm pretty much a Studio One reggae purist, I wanted to check it all out. What a good decision! We got there in time to see openers Dirty Heads, who were stirring the crowd up, putting them all in a good mood.

 It wasn't hard to be in a good mood either, as it was a gorgeous night out in L.A., and the staff - to a person - of the Palladium were all charming and helpful and lovely. I can almost never say that about a show venue around town, and last night even the usually dickhead security people were dolls. The whole staff should get raises, and I told them all so.

We cruised around, making new friends, and were on the side of the stage when Matisyahu came out to join Dirty Heads on their single now blowing up KROQ, "Dance All Night". Even the crew were surprised by this joining for the duet, to say nothing of the enraptured crowd. It WAS dope.

I was really only familiar with the big singles from Matisyahu, so it was great to learn more about him and his music, which ranged from Enya style chants with the reggae beats, to some full on hard rock shreds that his band tore up. The bass was so heavy I felt it in my heart, and my hair was blowing from it way out in the middle of the crowd. Who knew?

Speaking of the crowd, it was very diverse, though surprisingly lacking in obvious Rasta men. Skinhead looking white guys sang along. Dolled up Hollywood blondes teetering along on their heels. Young hippie girls with string bracelets waving their arms and singing along to every word down front. Corporate looking guys. Obviously observant Jewish brethren. Chubby Mexican gangster types ... you name it. I was very happy to see that, as I can see where the Matisyahu story would draw more of a niche crowd, but that's not the case at all. EVERYONE loves good music.

I have to now go and really study the Matisyahu catalog, as the lyrics heard last night contained some deep ass knowledge, all while confidently rap flowing. His dance moves are very controlled and smooth, which seems to be the character of the man himself.

You have to be very controlled to observe all the Hasidic dietary rules and conduct regulations, and yet it also seemed like the guy would be a lot of fun to know and hang out with.

This was clearly evident when his friend, Kosha Dillz, came out (in his Star Of David baseball cap) to rap battle with Matisyahu, causing the crowd to go crazy.

 The guys exchanged freeestyle rhymes and had a blast doing so, you could tell. I was duly impressed. Kosha Dillz killz.

The weed smoke in the building was making it a very high holiday indeed, and probably helped to further instill the positivity being sung about. I liked very much how the mood would go from fully sunshiny reggae to heavy metal from one song to the next. His band, The Dub Trio, is TIGHT, and held it down all night.

I mean, it's hard not to like the guy who sings in his single "Sunshine" (off the new album Spark Seeker):

Reach for the sky
Keep your eye on the prize
Forever in my mind
Be my golden sunshine
It's raining in your mind
So push them clouds aside
Forever by my side
You're my golden sunshine

That is directly up my alley, as I'm sure you all know.  It's also hard not to like a guy who for his last song, the hit that he's most known for, "One Day", not only crowd surfed standing, but ended the night inviting anyone and everyone to join him up on stage (a page from the Iggy Pop and Tom Morello notebooks) for the finale. 

The smiles on all the faces would let you know how much everyone loved the show, but the best was in the bathroom line after the show when I heard a much older and grey haired lady sharing excited anecdotes about the show with a dyed red haired and tattooed young girl ... "I KNOW. He's so positive!" "How does he do that above the crowd stuff without falling?" "Well, everyone loves him so they'd never let him fall." "Well, I just loved him. What a wonderful show!"

I couldn't agree more.


*Photos by Me and Stephanie Hobgood

Stephanie Hobgood Hair Grand Opens on Abbot Kinney!

New Year, new endeavors! I'm so happy and proud to report that my BFF, Stephanie Hobgood, is opening the doors of her very own private hair studio today on Abbot Kinney! After living and working in Venice for years, then switching over to Sunset Plaza (in between styling the locks of you name the celeb, all over the place), she is back in the neighborhood for real, with Stephanie Hobgood Hair.


The very first time I walked in the light, airy bare space to just check it out with Steph, I immediately said, "This place has good vibes." It does. One whole wall is windows looking out toward the sunset sky over the beach a few blocks away. The rest of the room feels exactly like you're in the room getting done up before you head out to the set of a late night show. Steph has Henry Diltz rock photos around the room, because she is rock, and you can feel the Venice of the place as you look at The Doors walking down The Boardwalk back in the day. Black and White and Metal sums up the interior, but the warmth of Steph and the bright sunshine cozy the place right up.


But what you're really here for is the best hair cut/color/style of your life. Stephanie has been in the hair biz a long time, and has a loyal clientele. Over the years, many of these clients have become friends, and it is so exclusive and private now (Just Steph!), that it will be like going to your friend's pad to get your hair done and talk and chill with total anonymity ("It's like therapy!"), and without the hubbub and noise of a busy salon. Steph is so on the go, moving and shaking, between red carpet gigs for Oscar nominated actors, extreme sports heroes, etal ..., magazine shoots, special events, film festivals/junkets and all of that, that her schedule is always changing, and having her own space now allows her to take control of her own environment, and booking (by appointment only!). It's the perfect set-up, and she made it happen.

The location is so great for people hooking up a day of beauty too: the front space is Alexandra Wagner Skincare for you to get a facial. Next to her is Lavish Tan for a spray tan. Next to them is Kelley Baker Brows - the best. And now, in the back space is Stephanie Hobgood Hair, Ta DAH! You could walk in the front door, work your way back, and emerge out the back door looking the best you've ever looked. Try it!


Steph loves Venice, and a real perk of her new studio will be bringing her little Boston, Nico, with her to work, looking out at the tangerine sunset, and then loading Nico into her bike basket and heading out for a post-work day breath of fresh air. Dope. She loves the Abbot Kinney neighborhood and all its creative excitement. When I asked her, Why Venice? She shut her eyes and smiled and said, "Venice is my Homegirl."


Stephanie is MY homegirl. Who I couldn't be more proud of and excited for. If you would like her to make you look all hot, and have it done in the coolest rocking space, call for an appointment now, before it gets as busy as it's going to. New Year, new looks!


Cheers & Congratulations to my hair do-er, and dear, darling friend!!! Wow.




Stephanie Hobgood Hair
1636 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Second Floor
Venice
(310) 775.0299


*Studio photos by Jennifer Everhart

Kelley Baker Brows Grand Opening on Abbot Kinney!

Update 12/2/13

Happy 2nd Birthday to Kelley Baker Brows! Wow, time flies when you're making everyone look gorgeous!

In the last two years, things have grown in leaps and bounds for Kelley Baker Brows, with her brow styling getting attention all over the country. You can now buy her products online, and in Fred Segal's New Beauty store. She has two more brow artists working with her, Vanessa Ceballos and Tinel Carapia. They now also offer makeup for special events, and Kelley herself has even been doing makeup for HBO red carpets for show like Game Of Thrones. Kelley had a pop-up brow studio in the Gansevoort Hotel in New York by popular demand, and finds herself being begged for classes by people that follow her Instagram account. Stay tuned for those. Kelley is also going to be training brow artists and placing them out in the big, brow world. Busy lady!

As busy as the last two years have been, the priority is still her eight year old son, Travis, who Baker clearly dotes on. She also has no plans to leave Venice, where she loves the people and the vibe. "Venice is home", she says, and I'm so thankful that it is.

The new Kelley Baker Brows hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 8 pm.

Happy, HAPPY 2nd Birthday to everyone at KBB - and many more!


The Original Story:

Kelley Baker Brows has a brand new location, all to itself and it is GORGEOUS. As will your eyebrows be the minute you see brow guru to the stars (Venice and International), Kelley Baker. After 6 years of beautifying Abbot Kinney at other venues (Mathis Murphy, Trim), Kelley has struck out on her own, in a beautiful new location that is a one stop shop for day of beauty needs ... Facial (Alexandra Wagner), spray Tan (Lavish Tan), now brows (Kelley) and soon, the very best hair (Stephanie Hobgood Hair!!!) - all on one floor in a dope building across from Wabi Sabi. So convenient. So nice.


You can read up on Kelley's history here, but just know that she is a gem, and your brows will never look so good. If you think eyebrows are no big deal to your face, go see her just once, and you'll see the difference it makes to your hotness. This includes dudes (as Kelley says, "Men. You're supposed to have TWO eyebrows". Two.).


The new location is all white and sunny and inviting, and smells good too. Emily Hogan will welcome you at her reception desk, and you will sit and chill with Kelley, and she will proceed to change your face for the much better.

I asked Kelley how she felt about the new space, and the smile she gave me was all the answer I needed. I agree. It's so great. The entire place practically throbs with good energy.



Kelley held out to find just the right place to open for herself, but knew it had to be Venice - the people and the vibe were crucial to her dream. When things are meant to be, they have a way of working out just so. This location opened up, she went for it, and as I stopped by on opening day, it just had the feeling of RIGHT and HAPPY. I couldn't be more proud of her, or more thrilled to make my own appointment, pronto. Kelley will also do your make up for special events, and seeing how absolutely flawless she always looks, that will be my choice for the next super gala. Of course.


Kelley would like people to know that even if you have that deal where you have no hair or plucked your eyebrows beyond reason 'til you have to draw them on, there's always something that can be done. I've seen those results (on other people), and it's pretty darn miraculous. Have faith!

I asked Kelley what the most important thing she'd like people to know about her and her new space, and she simply said, "Peace and Love". Now you know for certain why I'm such a fan.

Kelley Baker Brows is there for you by appointment, or the lucky walk-in. Call 310.314.BROW to get shaped up right.


Kelley Baker Brows
1636 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, 90291

Stephanie Hobgood - Friend & Stylist Extraordinaire!

You've probably seen her walking or biking around the streets of Venice with her Boston Terrier, Nico. You really can't miss the tall gorgeousness of Stephanie Hobgood ... it's fairly jarring.



She's an Oregon girl, but has been living in Venice again (after a stint here when she first moved to L.A.) since June ... and it's been oh, so lovely to have one of my best home-girls near me again. The very best (and truest) thing I've heard said about Steph is "You know she'd have your back in a bar fight." And she's proven that time and time again (not necessarily in bar fights - yet, but in daily life for sure).

Steph is a stylist at Trim on Abbot Kinney, and the only one currently offering the latest craze for ladies that have crazy hair "and still want to go to the beach", the Brazilian Blow Dry. It's a fairly spendy process ($300), but if you're one of those (I say blessed, they all say cursed) with curly or wavy hair, apparently this is THE jam. Straight, shiny and silky - right out of the shower. The Anti-Frizz. It lasts from 6 weeks to 3 months, and that's a lot of good hair days. Ladies are freaking out for it, so call and make your appointment with Steph at (310) 396-3330 if that sounds like your hair dream. My hair is already stick-straight, and Steph cuts it that way too. I've been stopped on the street by strangers commenting on how ruler-straight my hair is across the bottom. That's Steph's able hands - that she makes me stand up to accomplish. She does all the Venice Gronners' hair, and most of our friends too. Venice is looking GOOD since Steph came to town!

You'll see her cute dimples a lot too, as this one is hilarious. We were talking about the merits or demerits of our local coffee spots the other day, and Steph said, "Why does it have to be a science project, just give me a coffee. And I want a FAT coffee to start my day, I'm an American, Super Size it!" That was about the new cafe at Equator, who shrank their cup size (ha) from one week to the next. So now she's a Groundworks on Rose gal (good dog park en route, and Steph is nothing if not a doting Mother to her little Neeks), while I remain true to The French Market. (But don't stalk us.)


Steph is a crucial member of my Bikini Team - the bike/walk/swim triathalon we do each weekday morning, but she has been much in demand lately for hair on photo shoots, so she's been slacking on the Team. Which is fine by us, she's Bikini Team Emeritus. For always. She's also about to be on a hair salon reality show as the only white girl that does weaves in the shop. I cannot WAIT for that one!

Stephanie Hobgood was born to ROCK. She is happiest in the V.I.P. area of a Slayer show ... and has a lot of good rock and roll stories up her tattooed sleeves. It's one of the things I love most about her - her gamer attitude, and her raised rock-horn enthusiasm.

Check her out when you need to look real good - she will lively up your look in no time.



*Oh, and Gentlemen, she's single.