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The waxMAMAS

]]> http://waxmama.com/homepage/feed/ 0 http://waxmama.com/6124/ http://waxmama.com/6124/#comments Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:24:54 +0000 waxmama http://waxmama.com/6124/

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It is with great sadness that I write to you today.  After sixteen months at the helm, and with a very heavy heart, I must sadly tell you that today is waxMAMA’s last day.

When I dreamed up the idea for wM in February 2009, I was so excited that all of my fingers and toes tingled and my eyes literally sparkled.  The idea, to me, was like a dream come true.  It was my dream to be your eyes and ears so that you could carry on with your day, but all the while be totally in the know.  I wanted to bring to the light all of the amazingly fabulous, talented and beautifully eclectic people, places and things in this wonderful city of ours.  DANG, this town is great.  It is so AWESOME.  Just look around you.  Everywhere you go, there are gorgeous people doing gorgeous things that make our lives better.  And, I wanted you to know about them.

I also had this idea that if I were really me, that if I wrote like I talk, and that if I did my best to not sugar coat (as us ladies often do), that it would help bring us southern sisters out of our shells.  I had this dream that if I could get girls to read wM everyday, then they would see that it’s fun to go against the grain, to be an individual, to go for your dreams and dang it, to laugh out loud at penis molds.  I had this dream that if you read wM, that you’d somehow be able to just relax and enjoy.

So, after sixteen months, I have no idea if I’ve accomplished any of these things.  I really have no idea at all.  But even so, I do know that I have had one HELL of a time.  I have met the most amazing people, seen the most incredible things and learned more about this city that I ever thought I could.  And, you know what?  The more I learned, the more I loved it because WE are who make this city… and WE rock.

When I picked up my keyboard and started typing last May, my hope was that wM would shoot to the moon; that it would grow so quickly that advertisers would be lined up and that I’d have editions in every southern city.  It was a huge goal and a huge dream, but I was going for it.  I’ve honestly never been so certain in my life that this was the right direction for me.  I’ve never been so excited.  I hadn’t ever written one stitch before that day but, damn it, I was going to figure it out.  I taught myself how to write (and am still learning), taught myself Photoshop, designed my own logo, taught myself html and words like “SEO,” taught myself how to write a press release and make a media kit, learned how to talk at super speed when on TV and most of all, taught myself how to go for a goal that carried no teachers or mentors along its way.  It would be my goal and my path, but I was on my way.

Today, on this September 17, 2010, 485 days, 330 posts and countless hours of wonderful time later, I will be laying it to rest…. at least for now.  In all honesty, I have realized that my dream is not going in quite the direction that I had intended and I must realize that, at the end of the day, my bills must be paid.  And unfortunately, I have not been able to generate enough income from wM to keep her, and me, running.  As I’m sure you all know, not many companies are placing their focus on advertising these days and since advertising is wM’s funding source, it’s just not happening quite how I had hoped.  So, after several months of sleepless nights, I have made the very difficult choice to lay my baby to rest and to instead focus my time on the next phase of my life… the job hunt.  If things go my way, however, I will find a job that will allow me to pick wM back up, on more of a hobby basis, and keep on plugging.  Until then, however, I simply must lay her aside.

I want you girls (and boys) to know that from the very deepest and bottom most part of my heart, I love you and I thank you.  I thank you for everything you have done to help me and to enrich my life.  I thank you for reading my stories everyday and for lending me your ideas.  And I thank you for coming along with me for one incredible ride.  I view every single one of you as a dear friend and hope that you will continue to email me, call me, come say hello to me, and be my friend the way I will be yours.  You are waxMAMAS and you are wonderful.

With all my heart,
Brooke

THE GRAPE HOP – TONIGHT, 7:00 pm, Whiskey Warehouse – Come, eat, drink and be merry.  WW will be hosting a wine tasting and tutorial featuring seven wines from around the world and light apps. Email Al@whiskeycharlotte.com to RSVP.  $15

IMBIBE – Friday, 6:00-9:00, West Elm (Metropolitan) – This incredible artist, Sharon Dowell, will have her work on display at West Elm for the next couple of months, BUT if you really want to enjoy, head over this Friday and free wine will accompany your viewing.  Hells to the yea.

BLACK THUMB – Saturday, 10:00-12:00, Wing Haven Gardens - As part of the Arts and Science Council’s effort to offer free events all over town, Wing Haven will be open for FREE for two hours only this Saturday.  In the heart of Meyers Park, these homes are absolutely and unequivocally gorgeous and green.  If we were you, we’d go stroll and then head to Mueller’s afterward for a patio lunch.

WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! – Thursday – Sunday, All Day, zMAX Dragway – Holy Busch beer and tank tops, it’s the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Nationals at zMAX Dragway up in Concord!  Honestly, when have you EVER heard a noise so loud that your hair blows back and your beer falls out of your hand?  AWEsome.  And, when’s the last time you watched flames coming out of a car whilst imbibing on mountains of cold beers that you brought in your OWN COOLER?  And, when’s the last time you could swing your hat, take your shirt off and scream “Holy SH**!” and everyone gave you a high five?  Yep, only at zMAX.  We’ll be there, as always.

“DEAR GOD, PLEASE MAKE ME A BIRD.” – Sunday, 12:00-5:00, Carolina Raptor Center -  Normally $10, the CRC is offering FREE ENTRY for one day only.  Have a conversation with a magpie, meet one of the biggest owls in the world, or try to spot the twenty-three species of raptors living on the 3/4 mile raptor trail.   This place rocks. You should take advantage of this one.

The amazing thing about 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 is that even though these are the parts of our life that give it substance and make it diverse and whole, these are also the things that struggle tooth and nail to survive.  Thus, when we found the Web site KICKSTARTER, we were immediately consumed.

Founded on the premise of giving artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, writers, illustrators, explorers, curators, performers, and others a chance to bring their projects, events, and dreams to life, Kickstarter is a place where you can go to financially support others’ ideas or to raise money for your own.  By giving money you don’t become an “investor” by the standard definition, but the person you give money to guarantees to give you a token of gratitude for your donation, or as you might say, a gift.  You can donate as little or as much as you want and can watch as your chosen projects come to life.  What an amazing way to keep our culture alive and kicking.

MAMA like and MAMA add: 10-good tunes.  Feels good to feel good.

www.kickstarter.com

Jane Pope Cooper is the founder and designer for the masterful BALBOA JEWELRY as well as its higher end sister, JANE POPE COLLECTION.  Originally from Newberry, SC, Jane started her line right here in Charlotte back in 2001 and, in nine short years, has grown her business so dramatically that Marie Claire recently named her “10 Best Style Makers to Watch.”

Hosting both the costume line, Balboa, and the finer line, Jane Pope, Jane aims to create a vintage, organically textured feel with each piece she designs.  You will see everything from vintage statement pieces to delicate gold natural pieces that fit together so amazingly (see pic) that you’ll instantly shine like you’re the only one in the room.

Jane has sold at the likes of Barneys New York and at boutiques and shows nationwide.  Keep an eye out for this former Charlottean… we have a feeling it’ll soon be “We knew her when…”

Yo, go buy it.

www.balboajewelry.com

Ha, ha.  Has the corny aforementioned fun settled in yet?  It’s Lice Education Day here at The School of waxMAMA and we’re coming after your noggin’.  Believe it or not (we were “or not” for a long time), there is a service right here in Charlotte that offers in-home lice inspection and treatment with guaranteed results.

NIT NABBERS was founded in April 2009 by long-time teacher Jessica Sammis as a way to fill a long-standing void.  As a teacher, Jessica often saw the worst of the worst when it came to lice and, knowing that 10% of all kids between the ages of three and fourteen will get lice (and can then give it to you), she knew her expertise was needed.  She comes to your home for approximately one to two hours, uses only all-natural products and top of the line tools, and leaves you good as new and nit free.

So, a little lice education from TSOwM… How do you know if the little guys have chosen your dome?  If you suspect, first shake your hair vigorously over a sink.  If you see a little bug fall out, you’re in business.  Or, you can buy a lice comb, run her through, and see what comes out.  Be sure to look for something brown, not white as is commonly misconceived.  Or thirdly, look for “nits,” or eggs, that will be attached to your hair.  All in all, however, don’t forget that you might have had the little guys for up to six weeks before you even notice as an itch isn’t the only thing to look for.  Delish.

So, how’s your stomach?  Ready for a lice big nitty lice of filet mig-louse?

The rate is $80/hour and usually takes one to two hours.  www.carolinaliceremoval.com