Guns N’ Roses: Appetite for Democracy

13 Aug

I will never forget the first time I heard the name Guns N’ Roses. It was 1987, summer, and I was in LA hanging out with my childhood best friend Nicole at her sister Rene’s apartment on the Sunset Strip. It was definitely one of the cooler places to live in the 80s, CC DeVille of the band Poison lived in her building and the band was always there.

Downstairs hair bands hocked their tapes up and down the boulevard between gigs and I was lucky enough to buy Appetite for Destruction (one of the greatest albums of all time) for $5 from some guy selling them out of his backpack. Nicole and I had the tape on repeat and I couldn’t wait to get back to Vegas to turn my all my friends onto it. I was a fan and I saw them every chance I could when they played Vegas.  Then the bottom fell out and they broke up. I was devastated.

Starting on Halloween night, Guns N’ Roses will have the Appetite for Democracy residency for 12 days inside The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sans the original members: Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler. The new band, which played two sold out show this past New Year’s, is now made up of Axl Rose, DJ Ashba, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Chris Pitman and Frank Ferrer. 

Like I said before, about Faith Hill & Tim McGraw – Soul2Soul, “this is sure to cause a frenzy to purchase tickets and count on this show selling out quickly.” Halloween is a big deal in Vegas and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.

Inside The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

On Sale: Friday, Aug. 17at 10 a.m.

Ticket Prices: Starting at $45 (plus applicable services fees)

Box Office

702.693.5583 │ 702.693.5000 │www.thejointlasvegas.com

 Ticketmaster

800.745.3000 │ www.ticketmaster.com

Show Dates

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Friday, Nov. 2

Saturday, Nov. 3

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Friday, Nov. 9

Saturday, Nov. 10

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Saturday, Nov. 17

Sunday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 21

Friday, Nov. 23

Saturday, Nov. 24

 

 Adrienne xo

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Blue Eyes, a Dimple Chin and a Rewards Program

9 Aug

Evelyn Grace JohnsonMy lovely friend Lisa and her husband William recently added Evelyn Grace (a perfect tiny bundle with big blue Liam and Evelyn Grace Johnsoneyes and a dimple chin) to their family to join big brother Liam on his adventures in toddler hood. Of course I had to get this precious little bundle a gift, and I love buying baby clothes. I get a kick out of the miniature versions of adult clothing and shoes. Seriously, who can resist mini ruffles? I can’t.

Juicy Couture Kids - Girls' Ikat Floral Print Romper (Infant)So I headed to Saks Fifth Avenue’s Off Fifth because they have the most adorable baby section and their items are always really girly. And to my delight, the retailer also has a new and free rewards program called MORE! offering weekly deals. Just for signing up I received an additional 30 Saks Fifth Avenue’s Off Fifth free rewards program MORE!percent off my final purchase (in the spirit of “back to school” through August 14 they are offering 30% off kids’ collections.) How cute is this Juicy Couture Kids – Girls’ Ikat Floral Print Romper (Infant)? Too much! I also got the matching Ikat floral print sandals.

Lisa and William JohnsonLisa didn’t know I had a present in tow the day I met Evelyn, plus she’s the type of person who doesn’t expect gifts.  Even before she was pregnant I pleaded with her to have a baby shower and she just laughed at me and said, “Okay we will have one. You will be the only guest.”  She’s a smart ass!

Thank You Card - Lisa Leishman JohnsonThe point of this story is her kind gesture of mailing me a thank you card. I believe in the ‘The Art of the Hand Written Note’ because it shows someone took the time to express their feelings and it means so much more than a quick email or a card you can buy at the store with a prewritten message a million other people received. So to my friend, I say Thank You for our friendship. It means the world to me too!

Adrienne xo

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The Venetian Las Vegas is Going Country!

7 Aug

Last week I received an exciting invitation from The Venetian Las Vegas to attend a press conference as an invited guest to witness the announcement their newest limited engagement headliners. I was tickled to be included because Las Vegas hasn’t had entertainment news this big since the opening of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, plus I’d almost forgotten the magnitude of a big announcement, and all the planning that goes into it for a Strip property because it has been many years since I worked for a hotel group.

I had been wondering who the major headliners were going to be ever since a teaser announcement was made at the opening of The Bourbon Room in June. I really had no idea until Chris Saldaña posted it on his Facebook page this morning, then I got really excited because it’s the hottest couple in country music and I am a fan.

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, John Caparella

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw

 

This is sure to cause a frenzy to purchase tickets and count on this show selling out quickly the same way Garth Brooks does at Wynn Las Vegas and Shania Twain’s SHANIA: STILL THE ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (opening December 1.) It will be next to impossible the first two weekends with the NFR in town so unless you plan on attending months in advance and during the slow time of the year like after New Year’s but before Valentine’s Day weekend    ̶  good luck!

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Soul2Soul

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Soul2Soul at Venetian Las Vegas

 The Venetian Theater at the Venetian Las Vegas

Box Office

702.414.9000 │ 866.641.7469

Private Pre-sale: Wednesday, August 8 at 10 a.m.

Open to Grazie members (The Venetians loyalty program), Clear Channel subscribers and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Official Fan Club members

General Public: Monday, August 13 at 10 a.m.

Ticket Prices: $95.50-$295.50; VIP packages $1,000

Show Dates
December 7-8, 14-15
January 18-19, 25-26
February 1-2, 15-16 & 22-23
March 1-2
April 12-13, 26-27

Adrienne xo

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Thank You @GeneralElectric!

6 Aug

Who doesn’t love a little unexpected recognition? This is exactly what I received last week after posting I was at 24 Hour Fitness on Foursquare. To my surprise, General Electric sent me a tweet and our conversation went a little like this:

GE: Enjoy your workout, Adrienne! What does your work out consist of?
AH: Lots of cardio. I love it!
GE: We like your dedication to fitness, Adrienne! Would you mind following @GeneralElectric so we can send you a DM? 

At that point I followed GE and waited for my message which was asking for my mailing address. Today I received a note of encouragement and a lovely basket of healthy nuts, dehydrated fruit, granola and crackers to encourage healthy eating habits.

It’s the little things in life-like being recognized by a company ranked number six on the Fortune 500 list to make working out worth it a bit more.

Thanks again!

Adrienne xo

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Remembering a Life Well Lived

4 Aug

This post has been very difficult to write. I had no idea it would take me this long to share my grandmother’s life. On Sunday, March 11, 2012 my grandmother Marguerite Washington (our family’s rock, my best friend, hero and role model) went home to Jesus after sharing herself for nearly 94 years.  On Saturday, March 17, my family grieved and celebrated as we laid her to rest next to my grandfather Lud “Dee Dee” Washington of whom she was married to for 49 years. Born August 4,1918 in Walsenburg, Colorado, she had one brother (my Great Uncle George, a standup bass player and an original member of the group the Ink Spots) and one sister (my Great Aunt Audrey) who both preceded my Grammy in death.

The month of March was the hardest I’ve had to live. If it hadn’t been for my boyfriend James’ support I don’t think I would have been able to accept it. James is about facts and easily accepted the years of her full life. I’m emotional. I cry at movies, during commercials, listening to songs, looking at babies; I simply drive him nuts with my passion for things.

At her life celebration I wasn’t much of a support system for my mother either. When it came time to walk past the casket, which was the same model as Whitney Houston’s minus being set in platinum and 20+ thousand dollars, I was shaking uncontrollably and almost hyperventilated as my legs started to give out. At that point, my mother resorted to guilt to help me get it together. She glared at me and said, “Your Grammy would not be pleased with you right now. She expects more.” Really?! Mothers have a way about them that make you listen regardless of age. Let’s just say I did not try to climb into the casket like I did when my Dee Dee passed away … but I digress.

On Tuesday, March 20 my lovely mother asked me to join her at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. We see the troupe every time they come to Vegas, and I have to admit, it was good being out in public with my her. I love seeing family traditions passed down (my family at Lion King during Christmas 2011) especially when it involves children and there were many in attendance at Alvin Ailey.

Once REVELATIONS, classic Alvin Ailey portraying the history of black life, all bets were off that I would hold it together. My Grammy was the keeper our family’s legacy with stories of ancestors being house slaves, and as a child how she grew up with oil street lamps, horse and carriages, and how the Lord always directed her path. 

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

I hold on to her lessons of faith to continue to guide me through life more so than ever since I am no longer able to pick up the phone and call her. I will forever miss her reciting a verse from the bible during our calls. Nearly 94 years is a long time. I understand clearly now why her favorite Bible verse was:

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust.”

(Psalm 91)

 I find peace and comfort knowing my grandmother is where she always wanted to be at the end of her life… with the Lord.

Happy Birthday and I miss you so much.

Love your Adrienne

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I Miss Changing Her Diapers

2 Jul

It seems like overnight my beautiful and talented niece Sierra grew up. I am really going to miss changing her diapers. She was a cute baby with full lips and cheeks I loved to kiss. And those arms. Yum! I would nibble on them up to her neck then kiss and hug her way too much. She was so adorable!

Honestly, it wasn’t all butterflies and lollipops either. Especially when it came to her long curly hair. The only person who could comb it was her mother or she would become overly dramatic screaming and crying. I wish I knew about Mixed Chicks products back then. Her hair did have a mind of its own. Sometimes it was red then once summer hit it would turn blond on the ends, and as she got older it stayed more brownish-blond like in this picture with her brother Dorian in July 2002.

Then there was this one time with a bad hair cut, but luckily it grew out in time to attend another Alpha  Kappa Alpha luncheon with my mother and my other niece Jaslynne (Jassie.) My mother lives for her grandchildren. She was grooming them to be AKATeens (they lasted two years before she finally gave up.)

Sierra is an athlete not a debutante. She excels at what ever game she plays, a trait she inherited from my brother.  She played youth softball and soccer and was constantly sidelined for being too rough and too good. She is competitive. It was a hard pill for my mom to swallow for obvious reasons. As sorority sisters we prefer ball gowns, makeup and super cute accessories. Sierra prefers a pair of Nike Dunks and baggy basketball shorts. 

I write this for my niece as a small token of how proud I am to be her auntie. I want  her know she will always have my love and support… even though there were many times I wanted to knock better decision-making skills into her head, then I remembered all the really dumb decisions I made during high school. Plus, I got a giggle  lecturing her into boredom instead. She matured A LOT during her final year in High School. To say I am proud of her is an understatement.

On Monday, June 18 at noon, I toughed it out with a debilitating migraine to see her walk across the stage at the Thomas and Mack Center and then stood in 103 degree heat to give her hug afterward. Now she is off to Southeast Community College in Nebraska to play basketball on a scholarship. I am excited for your future.

I love you Sierra.
a.k.a. CC Piece
a.k.a. Pieces
a.k.a. Aunties Baby

XO

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VEGAS Saturday Nights

12 Jun

Last week, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation to the VEGAS Magazine 9th Anniversary party hosted by GRAMMY Award–winning artist Kelly Rowland at the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. I haven’t attended an anniversary party for the publication since March 2008 when I last worked with Greenspun Media Group as a publicist in the marketing department. I was looking forward to attending because I knew it was going to be a reunion of sorts seeing former colleagues.

Originally, my handsome other half, James, and I were hosting a cocktail party I themed Rieslings & Rosès’ (a theme he laughs at, but that’s a future post), anyway, we decided to post pone it when half our list was already committed to attending the event. We started out having dinner with Nevada Ballet Theatre PR dynamo Jenn Kratochwill and her husband Chris at Sen of Japan, a hidden gem I found by a simple Google search and a place I’ve driven by many times over the years and never stopped to try it out. My mistake! It has some of the freshest sushi I’ve tasted in a long while. My other favorite forward thinking place is Sushi Wa in Henderson (Try both. You’ll thank me later.)

After dinner we head to the Strip amidst thousands of other party-goers heading to either the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley fight at the MGM Grand or this party. Not to mention all the beauty industry peeps in town for the International Beauty Show (IBS Las Vegas.) To say it was a madhouse at every stop is an understatement.

Once we finally find a parking space deep beneath the resort, we make our way to the East Deck. As soon as I walked in I run into friends/coworkers from back in the day: Josef Vann who is now publisher, the very bubbly bride-to-be Katy Ball, and former Kirvin Doak superstars Michele St. Angelo and Kala Peterson. The list goes on.

After a night in the wind, we are all starving and head to Secret Pizza. It’ was now close to 2am and I had no more energy which made me grouchy. Needless to say, my feet ached the next day after seven hours in 5 inch heels, but it was worth it!

Thanks for reading.

Adrienne xo




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11 Jun

Such a great message

Live & Learn's avatarLive & Learn

Back in 2005, I read Joan Didion’s book “The Year of Magical Thinking” after hearing much acclaim for the author and the book.  I was underwhelmed and said so in my Amazon Review at the time.  Yet, it rankled me that so many others were on the other side. (Why? Perhaps, I just missed what was readily understood by the intellectuals.  Maybe you just didn’t get it Pal.)

emilydaisypage - Self PortraitSo, more than 7 years later – I trip across a post at Brainpickings.org on Joan Didion’s 1968 collection of essays in Slouching Towards Bethlehem.  My head immediately snaps to attention.

Oh what delicious irony…the excerpts are “On Self-Respect.”  (Excerpts on ‘On Self-Respect.’ Deepak Sharma would say ‘Nothing is a Coincidence.’)

The post left me shaking my head.  (Sweet Jesus.  I did miss something.  Apparently I missed everything.)

On to the excerpts…

View original post 564 more words

A Super Stylish Mother-To-Bee Shower

3 Jun

I’ve been to a few baby showers in my time and I have to admit I am not a fan of the traditional baby shower format. I hate when I have to guess how big the mother-to-be is in width. I’m sure she hates it too. Please don’t ask me to “diaper the baby” in a relay or team either. It’s a doll, not real and I would not use one hand in real life so what’s the point? However, when I received an unexpected invitation in the mail to attend Courtney Rogers-Werner’s Mother-To-Bee, I knew it was going to be a fabulous affair because she is super stylish. Upon arrival, I was given a mini safety-pin and a string to tie around my wrist and told “Don’t Say Baby,” the most popular game, and that was it. Just my type of party! The next time we played a game was right before she opened all her gifts of love. It was the memory game of guessing how many items and what they are on the tray. Whoever guessed the most won a nice gift. Congratulations to Ashley Bell.

If you plan on throwing an upscale baby shower here’s some helpful tips from Courtney’s celebration to make it extra special:

  1. Customize and mail the invite and require an RSVP.
  2. Have a fun yet sophisticated theme.
  3. Greet guest at the door and give any directions necessary.
  4. Limit the number of games to a select few.
  5. Cater the food.
  6. Hire a bartender to serve wine and champagne.
  7. Have groovy music.
  8. Hire a photographer or videographer.
  9. Make the cake amazing.
  10. Relax and have fun.

Thank you for reading.

Adrienne xo

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“The Week that Disco Died”

21 May

My friend Ralph Agretto said it best on Facebook today that this is “the week that disco died.” Robin Gibb was another childhood favorite as a member of The Bee Gees. I hate to say it, but I have always referred to him as the ‘buck toothed one’ and for obvious reasons. He was an amazing song writer with and without his brothers, and with that, below are a few favorites.

22 December 1949 – 20 May 2012

“If I Can’t Have You” performed by Yvonne Elliman live on Top of the Pops circa- 1978. I used to sing this song in the mirror with a hair brush and think of Marc Roseberry who was my first backward slow skate kiss at Crystal Palace on Boulder Highway.

 

“Emotion” by Samantha Sang. For years I thought it was the Bee Gees singing because the background tracks are just as prominent and they sounded like women. Anyway, this song had me falling in love every time I heard it on the radio.

 

 “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb because he was simply sexy. Even in this video with his skin tight jeans, feathered hair, and deep golden tan with dance moves more like a disco queen than a teen idol. 

 

And from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack: “More Than A Woman,” “Jive Talkin’,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “More Than A Woman” performed by Tavares. My list could go on for a while. I even have a Bee Gees station on Pandora to keep his memory “Stayin’ Alive.” (sorry, it was too easy.)

 

Thank you for the music and thank you for reading.

Adrienne xo

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