Steal Magnolia Blvd.

You’ve heard of Frenchy, the Pink Lady from Grease, who dyed her hair pink in tinting class and became a beauty school dropout. Well that quirky cutie is exactly the inspiration behind this Magnolia Blvd. beauty parlor. Frenchy’s offers waxing, hair, and makeup but also specializes in vintage up-do’s and rocker/punk styles, as projected by it’s super sexy retro interior.





Black and pink dominate the parlor walls and accessories, such as it’s leather couch and skull pillow, and 50’s styled coffee table set up with some extremely interesting reads. Forget People Magazine! Pick up a copy of So Now You’re A Zombie: A Handbook for the Newly Undead, by John Austin or Sailor Jerry Collins: American Tattoo Master, by Jerry Collins himself. That is only one of the cool things around the salon that make it so unique and different.

As you all know I am a big fan of local artists and supporting neighboring dealers, and so is Frenchy’s. The salon offers a couple shelves of hand made accessories directly from their clients. One of a kind hair bows, with a stellar price. $10 for the small, $12 for the large. As well as some incense, flower hair clips, and extremely cute cupcake designed cooking utensils, including aprons and oven mitts.





If you haven’t picked up the vibe of this place by now, let me make it more clear. Rock music not in the background but in the forefront, so that you can actually hear it and enjoy it. Stylists with more coolness in their big toes than you and I have in our entire body. And my favorite, a tattooed version of a sexy Marilyn Monroe, framed and hung on the wall. My kind of place!

That’s not all that’s on these pretty in pink walls. Frenchy’s highlights different local artists and sells their work in the stores. Right now, the walls are covered in different pieces by painter, illustrator, and animator, Audrey Knight. Here is a description of the paintings from her Mammalian Military line that she has featured on the salon walls:

“They are the illustrations to accompany a grown-up fairytale; a world where hares plot assassinations, and horses are afraid to go back home to a life they’ve forgotten. The animals are proud, patriotic, and heroic in their devotion to their nations and their cause. But there is also a weariness, fear and the occasional pain of doubt that accompanies the atrocities of war. With blood and time even the clear lines between good and evil, holy and unholy, hero and villain blur and become unrecognizable.
The animals are at war with each other, yet each feels the moral justification of supporting the 'right' side.”



Enough about the layout. This beauty parlor doesn’t just have the looks, it has the skills to roll along with it. Using and carrying the complete Aveda hair-care and color line, Frenchy’s offers many styling options, including the new and popular hair trend: feathers and crystals. Or try their special Brazilian Blowout offer, $100 cheaper for the first session than other shops. Despite all the pink, this place doesn’t discriminate. They service people of all ages and genders, including children as young as 2 years old. For a full price list, see below.




New owner and stylist, Lacey Walker, has done a fabulous job keeping the salon fun and vibrant as well as economically progressive. She is very supportive of the community and environment and recycles all bottles and caps used, as well as using recycled paper products and energy saving lights. Everyone at Frenchy’s is very friendly and very talented in what they do. So, next time you need a trim or some highlights, drop by Frenchy’s for some great service and some visually stimulating artwork.





Location: 2403 W. Magnolia Blvd.
(818) 845-7545
Hours: Mon 11-4, Tues 10-6, Wed & Thurs 11-8, Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5
www.Frenchysbeautyburbank.com


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I have labeled this location, one of the most beautiful stores on all of Magnolia Blvd. It’s corner location can make it somewhat hidden, especially when you don’t know what you’re looking for, but once inside, Mindfulnest is not like any other place I’ve ever been to. It’s like you’ve left the busy city life of Burbank, and landed yourself in an artsy beach town like Laguna or Carmel. The high wooden ceiling, stone floors, and eclectic music gives this place a fitting vibe.



There is so much inside this store that I felt my eyes batting around in my head a million miles a minute. Nothing is less than perfect in this place, and I wish I could give every item inside a little bit of attention but it would just take me all day. Mindfulnest is considered a gift gallery or a contemporary Artisian gallery, and 100% of there items are from North American makers, while 50% is local. I find something so beautiful in supporting local artists and it isn’t easy to find retail stores that will carry them.



Mindfulnest offers a wide arrangement of items, such as monster plushes, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, greeting cards, light switch covers, wallets, hoodies, candles, magnets, clocks, mirrors, toys, chocolate, and every kind of art you can imagine. Art painted, sculpted, hand crafted with metal or clay. Art for you wall, or your tables, or your shelves. Art for every style and every soul. Although most prices aren’t within normal budget, they are very reasonable for one of a kind artwork, and there are still plenty of gifts for under $50.



For all the ladies, every last Friday of the month from 6pm-9pm, Mindfulnest, and other local boutiques on Magnolia Blvd. collaborate on a Ladies Night Out event, where women are encouraged to come shop at 15% off, enjoy goodies, gifts, and special events, as well as an array of food trucks that come and park along Magnolia.



Think it can’t get any better, well I have yet to begin the best part. Mindfulnest also offers a line of bath and body supplies, called Kleanspa, created and founded by Jennifer Hardaway. Her naturally focused line of body cleansers, scrubs, moisturizers, polishes, and scents are all made on site, at the back of the store, which is open to viewing. They also have a fragrance bar where you can create your own scent making a gift both fun and personalized. Every other month they hold an event called a Blending Bash, where for $50 you can create your own fragrance, including a roll-on and lotion, as well as enjoy “tasty treats and bubbly drinks.”





Kleanspa offers online shopping and gift wrapping at http://kleanspa.com

Location: 3319 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm, Sun noon-5pm
(818)840-0123
www.mindfulnest.net

Enjoy these beautiful photos from the Mindfulnest website...
















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With it’s modern exterior and retro interior, I had no idea what to expect. I figured probably vegan food or highly overpriced meals that can fit in the palm of your hand…but it was far from that. Urban Eats sits on one of the corner blocks, it’s wide glass walls, and stainless steel sign are extremely hard to miss. That’s probably why I chose this place first.



I had driven past it numerous times, always seeing the tables swarmed with people. This place was happening and I wanted in! The average price range for a lunch or dinner item is about $6-$10.95, which is pretty reasonable considering the taste and epic proportions. For a two person meal you’re looking to spend about $25. Plus, I walked out with a swollen belly and a smile on my face.



We ordered the Turkey Bacon Panini off the sandwich list in the menu, and the Red Tostada salad off the neon printed chalk board of specials. The service was fast and friendly, and luckily we had arrived moments before the lunch time rush. Whew! As you can tell by the picture, the Panini was gorgeous! Accompanied by a cute little side salad, this Panini was excellent. The turkey juicy, the bacon crispy, the cheddar perfectly melted, all pressed between two slices of well matched organic 9 grain wheat bread. Is your mouth watering yet? If not, the tostada will definitely do the trick.



In a red shell the size of a rotary phone, laid a bed of crisp romaine lettuce, topped with black beans, red bell pepper, mixed cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, hard boiled egg, and tossed in a creamy chipotle dressing. Talk about the works…this thing had sex appeal! It’s spicy and sweet flavors made every bite a surprise. This place had me hooked. Taste, presentation, and proportion: three things always on my checklist.

Think it can’t get any better? Just wait! They serve beer and wine, and you can even order wine by the bottle! A healthy meal, a bottle of red wine, and a beautiful array of artwork scattering the walls for entertainment. If you don’t like art, no problem, turn around and watch the flat screen t.v. It’s open glass gives the place a lot of natural light which is always a plus and the mod chairs are fun and relaxing. A definite must on my list.

Their website offers a full menu so you can come prepared, and they also offer takeout and catering.

http://www.urban-eats.com/
Location: 3501 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-8 (closed Sun)


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Scrapbooking is a method in which family photos and other special memorabilia is preserved on paper by use of decoration and journaling and stored in an album. Scrapbooking has been one of my personal hobbies for over six years, and a way to treasure precious photographs of my son, so he has something to pass on from generation to generation.



Once Upon A Page is a retail specialty store that carries all your scrap booking needs. Other stores in the area carry some paper and embellishments such as Michaels craft store and Target, but it’s nothing like the arrangement that lies before you when you walk into these Magnolia Blvd. doors.

The store is still run by its original owner, and has just moved back to its original location. In 1998, Once Upon A Page opened here at 2527 Magnolia but after five years, relocated to Burbank Blvd. After seven years there, they have returned home to 2527 and have just reopened this past March.



Once inside it can be very overwhelming to see so much stuff spread out into so many aisles and wall bays, but have no fear. The entire store is categorized by theme: baby, school, animals, music, holiday, Disney, travel, beach, seasonal, military, etc. Stickers and embellishments cover the walls, while paper and card stock as cheap as 29 cents a sheet, line up in racks below. If searching by theme isn’t what you need, then traverse to the other side of the store where paper crafting decorations are organized by color. Either way, the staff is always helpful and friendly and will guide you in the direction you need.

But don’t be fooled by all the racks and shelves, this retail store turns into a cropper’s heaven on Friday nights. Racks are rolled to the sides and tables are pulled out to accommodate customers to come and work on their albums in the store. Reservations are required as well as a $10 fee, but anything bought in the store during the workshop is 10% off. A separate room in the back of the store is also set up with tables and cropping supplies for customers to use during the day for a small $5 charge.

I’ve had the pleasure of coming and enjoying the Friday night crop workshops a couple of times, and they are a lot of fun. Not only is it a little vacation away from your busy life to relax and be crafty, but it is also extremely nice to enjoy the company of other avid scrapbookers and admire all of their hard work.

If scrapbooking is new to you, or you are looking to improve your work and learn new skill, Once Upon A Page offers tons of classes to meet your basic needs. For the up and coming Mother’s day, the store has put together classes to make Mother’s day cards, as well as a kids class to make “I Love You Mommy” books. Also in the month of May is a Harry Potter mini book class. They also offer beginner and intermediate classes. For a list and schedule of upcoming classes, visit their website.



The store also does custom scrapbooks and one of a kind invitations and greeting cards, perfect for holidays and special announcements. Not only is this a store for all your scrapbook supplies but for all your scrapbook needs as well.

To join their mailing list for special promotions, sales, new products, and events, send your name, email, and mailing address to the following link…
mailto:onceuponapage@aol.com

Once Upon A Page
2527 W. Magnolia (next to Full Of Life)
(818) 846-8910
Store Hours: M-Fri 10am-7, Sat. 10am-5, Sun. 12-4pm
http://www.onceuponapage.com/home.html


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