Bliss

This is my idea of a great time. Iced coffee, my Vogue monthly and a chocolate eclair. Alone. One of my favorite Denver places to do that is Crave Dessert & Wine Bar on 14th & Champa. Then my phone rang and I got sucked into the internet right after this shot.

P.S. Crave serves up Novo coffee, one of my favorite, and local coffee roasters.
P.P.S. Yes Marion Cotillard is incredibly gorgeous and is gracing both covers- you’re not seeing doubles. Well, you are, but you know…
P.P.P.S. AS you might notice, the quality of photos here is slightly better. That’s because I am the proud mama of a new-to-me Nikon D70! Hopefully that means things will be getting a lot better around here! Use one, own one? Have tips for me? Would love to hear some pointers!

Five Points Jazz Festival: Babies, BBQ and Break Dancing…

This gorgeous duplex mansion we parked in front of. Please have me for tea if you are reading this…

Last Saturday I FINALLY made it to the 4th annual Five Points Jazz Festival. I woke up to clouds and drizzly rain coming down outside my window. That did not stop me nor my adventurous new momma friend from Toronto. She bundled that baby up in her Britax and we had a ball!
We found easy parking on the street at 24th and Washington and strolled on over to Coffee at the Point. We figured we could fuel up here, and wait for the rain to subside. We caught the timing just right and found a comfy leather couch to snuggle up on. Guess what another favorite part of mine was…they served Novo coffee!

Me in a Disigual sweater purchased at an outlet in Barcelona on our honeymoon last March, layered over a blouse from H&M, funny, also purchased on our honeymoon but at H&M in Florence. Oh, and that’s my chopped off due…from Daniel at Matthew Morris- the best.

We listened to Chris Kroger Trio, and then just as we were about to head out, we were lured back to our seats, literally lulled right back down, by this awesome group called Impromptu! Must download or find their tunes stat! They were incredible! The violinist, Katie Glassman, “returned to America from studying Gypsy Jazz in France with the renowned violinist Didier Lockwood,” and she must have picked up on the Parisian fashion, because she had an incredible sense of style- you know as those artsy musicians do- sort of Florence Welch wearing tattered Versace.

We wandered out hesitantly, we left their set early to get some fresh air and a bite. My friend fancied jerk chicken, I had a beef Philly cheese steak sandwich- nom nom NOM! Vendor food, but I remember it was called Flava and they had an Aurora location. We took snaps of the awesome architecture and stumbled upon a stage wear they had youth break dancers and hip hop. It was such a fun afternoon! I know I missed some booths, like the Colorado Creative booth and all the art installations, but for two girls traveling with a 3 month old baby, in the on and off rain, I thought we saw, heard and tasted what the jazz fest was all about. You can follow me on instagram @gschinagl and search #5pointsjazzfest.

Up To…

Okay, now THIS is the life. I am sitting comfortably on our new patio furniture under a covered patio, with cotton flying and birds chirping and Pandora playing…As they say on Instagram #nofilter, well, here I’ll insert #nolying. Ahhh this is the perfect setting to….BLOG damn it!
I am super inconsistent, as you regulars well know. #badblogger So here is an update of things I’ve seen, places I’ve been, food and drinks I took down, and tidbits of life worth sharing.
I want to preface by stating that my friends and acquaintances have much more exciting lives than me- raising amazing kiddos and running marathons, biking across California, getting financing for their entrepreneurial idea, creating and running their own businesses….just to name a few.
My loved ones and really near friends know that my finances are more “Walmart” than “Neiman Marcus,” and most nights I am sprawled out on our American Furniture Warehouse sectional watching C.S.I. just like the rest of middle America!!! I started Fashion Folio to showcase fashion from a Denverite’s perspective. To inspire people to shop at new places, discover new designers, local stores, and small businesses, encourage readers to step out of their comfort zone and attend a party or event, and for others to notice us- DENVER! We are a fantastic city, with amazing people and things to do, see and taste- this is my space to showcase my little experience with it all. So keep enjoying Fashion Folio, and ALWAYS keep living YOUR life, your fable, your own version of your own blog.
XO,
Glo
I saw Beckham on the field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Field! Rapids v. Galaxy game! (That was the best shot- sorry folks.)

I visited the Denver Botanic Gardens by myself on a Free Day. So relaxing and meditative. I sat on bench and read. Smelt lavender bushes..it was nice.






I tried Bittersweet with some girlfriends. We just had some Rose and the meat and cheese plate or as Tess so eloquently ordered for us, the “Charcuterie Plate.” It was scrumptious. The owner/chef has a garden right outside and I can’t wait to go back because they have a glorious patio! I want to try their main courses too. It’s on Alameda in between Pennsylvania and Pearl I believe- and I highly recommend it for a date night.

And then it was off to the Kitchen, downtown location on 16th and Market for drinks. Naturally, I ordered the “Persian,” and it was delicious! I also ordered the Lamb and it was excellent! Great atmosphere, great service, nice layout and overall a great place for dates, events or drinks with friends. I recommend it!

Birthday brunch back in April at Table 6. Fun place, with a live DJ spinning during brunch. The place fills up literally 10 after 10. Great mimosas, but this was NOT my favorite dish. It was basically like a thick tomato soup with a Bisquick top. I should have stuck to an omelet. No matter, I love Table 6 and will be back.

I also was treated to a Birthday lunch at Kitchen. The beet salad was really good, and the garlic fries were finger lickin’ good!


I discovered a new coffee spot towards the end of the spring semester, called Crave Desserts and Wine Bar, but yes, they are open in the morning and have a great selection of pastries, and my fave, NOVO Coffee! I stumbled upon it after getting off the Light Rail at the Convention Center. It is on 14th and Champa. The staff is SO SO sweet and helpful, and although the interior is super modern, it feels very homey and comfortable. I have been back several times. Try the ricotta cheese and spinach danish with sea salt. MMMMMmmmmm.. I am craving one now!



I also stumbled upon David Cho’s graffiti artwork on 13th & Champa this very same day of exploring!



Husband and I had a Sunday date at Lola’s in LoHi and we ate up the entire a la carte menu and had this really refreshing cucumber vodka drink. The shrimp tacos were delicious, I’d skip the goat cheese queso- too sweet, and had a funny after taste- but such a great view and fun people watching! Plus, on Sundays from 2-5 pm they have a Happy Hour and live music!

FINALLY tried Z Cuisine- the adorable French place in LoHi. Drinks were VERY good, I forget what I had, but I am most certain it had vodka and something fruity in it. Of course…we had the cheese plate too! I would recommend drinks and apps here if you don’t eat pork or cheese. The menu was very, how shall we say…FRENCH. Meaning we were still hungry when we left after this very teeny tiny offering of cheese samplings.

I visited my friend Tess Vigil’s showroom space at Walnut Workshops. She has decorated the space so cute and her dresses were a hit!


I made quiche for Mother’s Day brunch…they turned out really good!

Leg shots…
That there is a fabulous blue clutch purse by Steve Madden, a birthday present from my sister in law! And the shoes are Forever 21, jeans Hudson.

And that there is a Rebecca Minkoff from last year, purchased from her site online before I went on my honeymoon. Jeans by Tory Burch scored on sale at Alicia boutique in Cherry Creek back in January, and those are Elizabeth and James wedges scored at Nordstrom Rack back in early April.

I also had niece’s birthday parties (three turned 3!) an anniversary, Maz and I celebrated our first year already! I think that has me all caught up..for now anyway! Off to watch Pregnant in Heels and eat hot dogs and potato salad with husband who just got home from soccer. See, a dose of reality gets peppered in…

Silver Bells n’ Wishing Wells: Christmas List and Gift 2011

Image above found on an amazing site called SantaLetterss.com

***Disclosure- Before reading this, you must be a jaded adult who has realized by now that the Big Man in Red is…well…you. Guard this from believers and babes.

I think adults miss that magic and mystery of writing a list to Santa Clause. Don’t you you? At least I know that I still wish there was an elusive wish grantor out there that we could send letters to once a year in hopes of just one of those wishes being granted; no Oprah and Ellen, you do not count. I’ll never forget how I discovered that there was no Santa. I saw the tube of “special” wrapping paper in the back of the coat closet, halfway through the year, probably looking for my other shoe or this big green bowling bag I remember being into; ball was still in bag sadly, otherwise I could say I was hip and way ahead of the trend. I remember not telling my momma, because I wanted to hold onto that spirit of Christmas, and I didn’t want her to know I knew. Maybe I was secretly afraid, like any normal kid, that I might get jipped on “Santa” gifts if I fessed up that I knew he wasn’t real. You know because Santa wrapped his gifts at the North Pole and would never, ever, leave behind a roll of paper! (Parents don’t make this mistake.)

To resuscitate that lost spirit of yesteryear I typed up a wishlist, major emphasis on wish, back in 2009, right here on Fashion Folio. Needless to say, the letter must have got lost in cyber space or sent to Santa’s spam box because Chloe boots and bag I did not receive, BUT…I did get a MAJOR L.O.V.E. and Nutcracker Prince since then, so I can live with my very loved and worn handbags and plastic knee high boots.

Photo above from PearsonProPhoto.com

Despite the come-to-Christmas moment in the closet, the days of my youth, being dropped off at the Buell Theater downtown to paint up as a rat, a toy soldier and an Arabian attendant in Colorado Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, have forever instilled the blissful wonders of Christmas in me. The smells, the lights, the candy, watching the Sugar Plum Fairy from the wings….sneaking behind the giant stage Christmas tree before our big debut…even the bad Secret Santa gifts, they are all incredible memories I replay in my head this time of year. By bad Secret Santa gifts I would say the ginger flavored candy canes and old lady bath beads made that list.

My momma, Mother Gingerbread herself, also brought me and my three siblings up in a home where Christmas filled the home to make it this perfect, cozy and warm place. A gingerbread house in the cold frosty window sill, and the lights on the tree hitting the colored ornaments creating our own version of a stained glass window, that site always welcomed me home from a long day of school and dance. We used to get a box of amazing pears from her best friend in Seattle every year- the kind you have to wear a bib to eat because they’re so juicy. My grandmother would send a box of gifts, and she never used boxes to wrap clothes, so I could feel the squishiness of clothes through the wrapping paper. We would get so excited when that box arrived! Momma would read us The Night Before Christmas and we would all camp out together in the basement family room because the excitement was too much to handle if we were to sleep in our beds all alone!

Enough nostalgia…my point is I LOVE Christmas and I love making memories and traditions so I decided I should make a new tradition of doing an annual, extravagant wish list on this ole blog. I do want to say that I truly do love gifting gifts more than getting- in fact, when I was little I would go around the house and wrap up items that already belonged to my family, just because I wanted that feeling of giving! True story, ask my momma. I also want to say, that what I REALLY love receiving are the sorts of gifts that really show thought, the kind that make you say, “WOW, this was so thoughtful and they know me sooo well!” For example, my husband is THE best gift giver- the most thoughtful. last year he gave me a pink Schwinn and I have rode the hell out of it this past year! Great gift! And our first Christmas he paid my outstanding bill to school so I could register for the Spring session….um…yes, I cried.

On this list, there’s a little bit of everything from the practical and affordable, to the “As you wish upon a star,” yeah right, sorts of things that I have filed away in my moleskin journals all year long. Other incredible gifts are tickets to shows, concerts, and events that you know someone is a fan of and if they recently got married, say within the last 2 years, check and see if their wedding registries are active and surprise them with a gift from that! They usually stay active forever unless the bride took it down or they, lucky them, received everything! I would also HIGHLY SUGGEST finding something totally unique and LOCAL at a craft fair or bazaar!!! There are loads of Holiday craft shows going on this time of year including, PLUG- The Fancy Tiger Holiday Handmade Craft Fair happening this Friday and Saturday at the Sherman Event Center! Do. Not. Miss. This. Really good gifts…You can also show off your creative talents and gift a framed photo, LOVE, or a piece of original art, PRICELESS. Enjoy and happy shopping!!!! If there are any secret Santa’s or admirers out there, I am currently accepting packages!

Without further ado, here’s my extravagant, way-out-there, wish list to cyber Santa for 2011!!! Of course, feel free to utilize this as suggestions for any of your fashionable lady loves in your life too!

Stocking Stuffers

1. Aquiesse mini candles. They smell great, last a while, and they’re only $6 each. You can find them at Perfect Petal or Posh boutiques.

2. Essie nail polish. Always perfectly current color palette. LOVE this greenish-gray color- “School of Hard Rocks” Winter 2011- $5.99 at drug stores.

3. Hue tights. I can never have enough tights. Black and brown are staples, but I would like to get into more colors and patterns. Affordable and you can find them anywhere from Macy’s to TJ Maxx.

4. Chanel Lip Gloss. Because every girl should have a piece of Chanel and since I can’t afford a tweed blazer, I go for their amazingly un-sticky, long lasting, lipstick like glosses. $27-$30 at fine department stores.

5. Bond No 9 Parfume Petits bon Bons. Mini Luxury. You can purchase 6 sample size viles for $15, when you purchase a bottle of parfume. I am a total parfume gal! Actually, I am a Nuits de Noho gal!

Bondno9.com

6. Novo Coffee. I am very much a coffee-evry-morning gal, and this is yet another affordable luxury. AND LOCAL!!!

A Pound of Novo Coffee, a local Roaster, is always welcome in my stocking!

7. Fun napkin rings like these gold starbursts found on OneKingsLane.com- $25 for 4

8. Earrings. Earrings. EARRINGS! I can not have too many earrings! And GOLD! I love this pair by Miguel Ases on Gilt.com right now- $112.

9. Fuzzy. Warm. Anything from Wooden Ships. I am out in the elements a LOT so I have a basket full of scarves, hats and gloves sitting by my front door. I love Wooden Ships bohemian and girly flair! I do not have a pair of these “Texting Gloves,” Yet…

10. Fruit ornaments. I collect them! This lemon lovely would be nice! Photo from TrendyTree.com

For Under the Tree:

Practical and Somewhat Affordable

Fuji Film for my Instax Mini Polaroid Camera

An internal battery for my Sony Vaio Laptop

A fun and fashionable case for my new I Phone 4- Maybe a "Blingy" one like this!

A Monthly Unlimited pass to try Pure Barre classes!

Target Mossimo Kendal Bootie- Online Clearance for $25

A purple velour Juicy Couture track suit. Yes, for real. I love to sleep in them and wear them around the house- the only place they should be worn.

More 5 Piece Sets of my Mikasa Pure Red wedding China! Hoping to get at least 12 collected before the pattern retires! Now on Amazon for $59.99 each- also seen at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Macy's

A new pair of Oliver Peoples! My favorite, and only, line of sunnies! Love the cat eye shape on theis Daddy-B pair- $325.00 on OliverPeoples.com

Pushing It…

A great, structured, lady-like, leather handbag! The "Pippa Middleton" Modalu London Bag....

Or...another Rebecca Minkoff Bag- Like this "Cupid" version in Copper. Structured Carry All

The orange and silver glitter booties by Miu Miu! With jeans, with dresses, with me under my tree!

No words. Burberry Prorsum trench coat with leather sleeves.

A gorgeous statement necklace by Philip Crangi! DIe!!!! So rocker chic!

Any piece of bangin' jewelry from Solange Azagury...killer, love the quirkiness of her...

A mirrored vanity. I first saw this photo in Domino Mag, and have kept that issue because I loved this NYC bedroom so much. Mirrored dresser, mirrored night stand...those will work too!

And…because I’ve been a REALLY good girl and I have been riding public transportation most of my adult life….THIS…which will almost fit in my stocking!

The Gucci Fiat 500....

Days 10, 11 & 12: Twelve Days of #GlamBomb2 Event Giveaway

Why three? Because all good things come in threes!
So to wrap up the twelve days of the #GlamBomb2 event, which is SOLD OUT BTW, giveaway your true love will give to you…

A mauvey-pink multi-strand of natural beads… or…

A purple acrylic Ideal Woman necklace on a silver chain… or…

A blingy cubic zirconia tennis bracelet!!!!

I am so very, VERY excited for tomorrow night’s Glam Bomb event, hosted by one of my favorite boutiques, Posh. For those of you who are on the list and RSVP’d, be sure to check your e-mail as the address for the event was sent out today as well as a link to the site where you should purchase your ticket before hand to avoid waiting in lines. Come early to find parking and get right in to enjoy the evening!!! You should also “friend” Posh on Facebook for updates, news, photos from the event and future events and products. How you can win one of the twelve gifts posted here? Well, it is open to guests who are attending, and just be the first to approach me, say hello, and say the phrase, “on the ______ day of #GlamBomb2 my true love gave to me!” Obviously filling in the blank with whatever day, gift, you want! See you tomorrow, get some beauty sleep!

I wanted to also shout out a special grazi to the Glam Bomb’s vendors Crema Coffee House who brews up my favorite Novo Coffee, and catering by Occasions by Sandy.

Nighty, night!

Novo Coffee Open-hizzle

A couple Fridays ago my hubby and I popped on down to Lodo to our friends’ roastery, Novo Coffee for their open house party. They had cuppings and a barista championship, chalk art and face painting for the kids, Flobots made an appearance, great grub and, of course…ping a da pong. It was a great time had by all, and there was a plethora of hipster fashion to feast your eyes on! If you haven’t yet had a cup of Novo, get on it! They have a shop in the bottom of the Museum Residences downtown and a kiosk inside the Denver Art Museum! They’re also brewed up at various coffee houses and restis around town, oh, and pick up a bag at Whole Foods in Cherry Creek!

Table 6 Brunch

So, the place to see, and be seen, out for brunch on Sunday mornings is apparently Table 6. My friend Renee Mudd of The Intersection was in town a couple weekends ago and we decided to brunch it out. Not only is the food amazing, the blueberry french toast was scrumptious, and the staff attentive, thanks for those goblets of mimosas, but the people watching is fun too! I’m pretty sure I spotted Denver stylist Tobie Orr, of Riverfront Fashion fame, in a little, blue cotton dress with a Louis Vuitton backpack at the table across the way. There’s a dj spinning great tunes, and a photographer bopping around from table to table to snap your picture before you leave. Almost forgot one of my favorite things about Table 6, they serve up a mean cup of joe by using beans roasted by local coffee company, and personal friends of ours, Novo Coffee. See more photos of brunch at Table 6 here. Photos below by Renee Mudd.

Photo by Renee Mudd

Photo by Renee Mudd

Blueberry French Toast at Table Six- Photo by Renee Mudd

Denver Weekend Guide

Eat: Start with a Dangerous Monkey drip coffee at Pablo’s Coffee to get you wide eyed and bushy tailed. Stroll down 6th Avenue to the Esquire Theater and see Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell on the silver screen in Crazy Heart, at the Esquire Theater. After all the hard drinking and broken marriages Bridges’ goes through, you may have worked up an appetite. Head straight to Table 6 and nibble on Little Phillies and Fried Brussel Sprouts before cutting into your Sirloin Minute Steak. Cap off the evening with a closing Novo espresso (served at Table 6). Voila! Perfect date night!
Pablo’s Coffee: 630 East 6th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203 303.744.3323
Esquire:590 Downing Street, Denver, CO 80218 303.352.1992
Table 6: 609 Corona Street, Denver, CO 80218 303.831.8800

Pray: With Good Friday and Easter this weekend, if you are spiritual or a believer, be sure to count your blessings and give thanks to the Lord. What better place than the gorgeous, magnificent Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, on Colfax and Logan, to attend an Easter service.

Fashion Denver First Friday attendees-photo courtesy of FashionDenver.com

Love: This also happens to be First Friday of the month which as you all know means, art, shopping, drinks and more than enough to do. My top picks would be the champagne First Fridays at True Love Shoes and Accessories on Broadway first and foremost. Get your shop on! Spring has arrived, and you’ll definitely find a strappy sandal and bright, shiny handbag for that Easter egg you have to man this weekend. Next, shake it up and take a break from the usual Santa Fe Art District crowd, and cab it over to the Golden Triangle District for the First Friday festivites. Courtney Cotton’s work is the perfect eye candy to start April off with a pop. “Cotton’s work tends toward the experiential—capturing the emotional essence of an instant, often in a riot of rich color.” Meet the artist from 5-9 pm. And since you’re in the hood, head to Bannock Street to celebrate Fashion Denver’s one year anniversary of their showroom space! Have a beer from Wynkoop brewery and listen to jams by Sammy T. and give your congrats to Brandi Shigley and company for their constant support of Denver fashion designers!!!!
True Love: 42 Broadway, Denver, CO, 303.860.TRUE
Courtney Cotton Studios: 1280 Sherman St. Suite #201, Denver, CO 80203, 720.289.9323
Fashion Denver Showroom: 1070 Bannock Street