If you’re in the market for back to school gear, be sure to check out the The Outlet Shops of Grand River’s Back to School Bash, to be held tomorrow and next Saturday! The event, scheduled from 11 AM to 5 PM, will feature fashion shows, giveaways, two live makeovers, interactive gaming, plus text-to-win prizes.
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Football season is swiftly approaching, and while some of us are strictly concerned with the events on the field, others realize this is a prime fashion opportunity. For those of you in the latter category, get Gameday ready TONIGHT!
LOFT THE SUMMIT invites you to celebrate the kick off to football season with a Best Dressed at Gameday Grand Opening Event showcasing the most fashionable looks for tailgating modeled by some of Birmingham’s most fashionable women. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music by a live DJ and enter to win a $250 LOFT gift card and two VIP Field Suite Tickets to a University of Alabama home game. 10% of total sales from the Grand Opening event will benefit the Junior League of Birmingham’s Shop Save & Share fundraiser. The Summit is located at 214 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, AL. RSVP to LOFT Events@skoogproductions.com.
Did you miss Alexis’ recent appearance on 95.7 JAMZ’s Roy Wood Jr. Morning Show? Catch it here:
Special thanks to Roy Wood, Jr., Miss Nu York and B Money!
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Image via Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography
It’s time to see and be seen! Mark your social calendars, fab ones: the ‘Ham has several haute events happening this week:
Sinbad – appearing June 28 through July 1 at the Comedy Club Stardome; tickets are $35 plus applicable fees
Magic City Live After 5 [**Free!!**] – June 28 in Linn Park. Will feature live 
entertainment, libations and treats from various food trucks (NOLA Ice will be on deck at the first event!). This week’s musical guest is Todd Simpson & Mojo Child; Just a Few Cats are scheduled to perform July 5.
Art on the Rocks – kicks off its 8th season this Friday, June 28 at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The event will celebrate the Museum’s new Warhol and Cars: American Icons exhibit (which opened June 22). Sip 
cocktails, nibble on treats from Oscar’s and enjoy a scavenger hunt, a photo booth and the musical stylings of Ponderosa. Tickets are $20 for non-members and $10 for members.
Don’t forget about the Summer Film Series at the Alabama Theatre, and Free Friday Flicks at Homewood Park!
From the Birmingham Public Library:
“Birmingham Bound: Writers and Writing from the Birmingham Public Library Archives Presents Rachel Swarns
New York Times correspondent Rachel Swarns will discuss her book American Tapestry. This family saga is a remarkable, quintessentially American story—a journey from slavery to the White House in five generations. Yet, until now, little has been reported on the First Lady’s roots. Using the collections of the Birmingham Public Library Archives and many other sources, American Tapestry traces the complex and fascinating tale of Michelle Obama’s ancestors, a history that the First Lady did not even know herself. Books will be available for purchase and signing. ”
American Tapestry: The Story of the Black, White and Multiracial Ancestors of Michelle Obama was released June 19 by Amistad.
Interested in researching your roots? Swarns’ website has links to helpful resources such as the National Archives, Family Search and DNA testing.
Who knew public transit could be fabulous?
Join Birmingham’s young professionals (“a strategic assembly consisting of leaders, opinion drivers and stakeholders within the Birmingham YP community”) this Saturday, June 16 as they “utilize BJCTA bus system in an aim to drive awareness and strategic focus on the region’s dire need for a viable, interconnecting transit system.
“YP Dump the Pump Day” participants will board at the BJCTA Downtown location (1735 Morris Ave. Birmingham, AL 35203) at 11:00 A.M., record their observations, and follow route progress until conclusion at the Galleria Mall (300 Galleria Circle, Hoover, AL. 35244).”
For more information on YP Dump the Pump Day, please contact Jarvis Escott at (205) 527-0416.
From Saks.com:
“Men’s on the Main Level
Butler’s Grooming Salon Opening – Friday, June 8
Visit their new full-service men’s spa opening on June 8 in Men’s on the Main Level at Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham. Enjoy haircuts, straight edged shaves, shoeshines and hot towel treatments as well as manicures, pedicures, waxing and massage.”
Catch up on SCDD’s conversation regarding the fab expansion with Butler’s CEO Christopher Butler HERE.
In all seriousness, I am humbled and tickled to be named one of Birmingham’s Most Beautiful People for 2012. It’s an absolute honor, and the article in this month’s Birmingham Magazine (on newstands now and available online) is filled with a diverse, talented and community service-oriented bunch. (BTW, Mrs. Johnston was extremely jazzy; I want to be like her when I grow up!) What makes this a beautiful place to live is the spirit of the people who live here, no matter what we look like on the outside. At the end of the day, pretty is as pretty does, no?
And for what’s it’s worth dear reader, I think YOU are beautiful too.
XOXO Alexis
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James A. Adams, Jr. of R2 Express Salon and Renovare
IS YOUR SUMMER ‘DO a “DON’T”?
R2 Express Salon in Alabaster delights customers with fashionable and budget-friendly hair, done fast. Salon owner, color specialist and Clairol platform artist James Adams offers the Renovare System via his newest venture: R2 Express Concept Salon. The concept: “banging” haircuts, predictable color results and a variety of professional services including makeup and skincare, “whether you want to enhance your natural beauty or try out the latest trends”. Spending your entire day at the beauty parlor? That’s out. Go in for professional customer service and premier styling that is respectful of your schedule: the Managers’ Special offers a shampoo, reconstructor, round brush blow dry and flat iron finish completed in an hour and a half, for $30.
Or it’s FREE. Guaranteed.
R2 Express gets you in and out in an hour and a half, because you’ve got better things to do with your time.
R2 Express Salon was founded in May 2012 and uses only the best products by Design Essentials, Pravana, Nairobi and Clairol. The salon is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM-6PM and Saturdays from 9 AM-4PM. It is located at 1615 Kent Dairy Road, Alabaster AL 35007. James Adams, Renovare’s artists have been featured in Sophisticate’s Black Hair, have been selected Best Hair Salon by Fox 6 News, and were named one of the Top 100 Urban Elite Salons by Salon Sense Magazine. For more information regarding R2 Express Salon, please contact James Adams at (205) 620-1369 or via email at quivisfull@aol.com or visit the website.
Full disclosure: I’ve been James’ client for five years. A co-worker had GORGEOUS hair (I’m talking Pantene-commercial worthy hair), and one day I just asked who her stylist was. I’d tried multiple stylists since I moved here, with varying results plus many Saturdays spent in a salon. Over the years, James aided my transition away from chemically relaxed hair and has overseen several color changes, a major hair cut and helped me find the courage to rock my natural curls.
Image via James A. Adams, Jr.
Looking for fashionable and fun camp options this summer? Then check out these upcoming camps at The Summit and the Shops of Grand River!
The Summit is hosting a day camp for girls ages 6-12; registration began in April and can be completed by visiting the Summit’s Guest Services. On select dates in June through August, little fashionistas will receive tips on “style, accessorizing, makeup, decorating and entertaining.” The $65 per child fee includes lunch, a $25 Summit gift card, a gift and a graduation certificate. Participating stores include Sephora, Barnes & Noble, Vera Bradley and Gymboree. Campers will enjoy a week “like fashion week in Paris, a Hollywood makeover and an elegant dinner party all rolled into one!” For more information, call (205) 967-0111 or visit the summitonline.com
The Shops of Grand River will host Fashion Camp with Tracy Robinson, to be held June 11 through August 3. Attendees between the ages of 6 and 15 “will visit a host of The Outlet Shops of Grand River’s collection of favorite designer and brand name stores as they learn how to accessorize like a pro, identify prints and patterns, experiment with make-up the right way, the art of modeling, and much more.” The $50 registration fee includes “a catered lunch, a goodie bag complete with a $25 gift card to The Outlet Shops of Grand River, the opportunity to model in the outlet center’s upcoming Back-to-School Fashion Show, plus a VIP invitation to the outlet center’s Back-to-School Bash.” For more information or to register, go to www.shopsofgrandriver.com. Fashion campers may also register at Guest Services, in the Food Court.
Same Chic Different Day 