The Style File

6 DAYS! HAIRSHOW Mania

The countdown begins! Our Legendary Loves are in final preparation! It is going to be AMAZING!

 

Legendary Loves 2015 AKA Hair and Fashion Show

  Is there a book or a movie that after reading or watching haunts you for days after with it's legendary love story?  There are so many couples we could have used in our theme this year!  We chose a variety of different types of love stories from every era and genre.  "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald was a story I found so beautiful and haunting when first read and the newest version of the film was so stunning.  Austin Kade Academy had to use Gatsby and Daisy as one of their legendary loves!

 Come see our show this Saturday at the Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls, two shows 4p and 7p.  Tickets are available at each of our locations in Idaho Falls and Pocatello or at the door.  The most awesome part of the show and all of the students hard work is that we donate the profits to charitable organizations.  For Idaho Falls we have chosen The Haven Shelter and for the past 6 years we have been able to raise over $40,000 for them with the previous shows.  For Pocatello we have chosen Bright Tomorrows so that our Pocatello students can benefit the community they live in.

 Our goal this year is $15,000 to make between both shows on the 26th, this Saturday.

 Join us for an awesome, family friendly and fun evening with our student's and staff's fantastic hard work and some LEGENDARY LOVES!

7th Annual AUSTIN KADE ACADEMY Hair and Fashion Show

REBIRTH of the Style File

One of my many jobs at Austin Kade Academy is the imagery and verbiage that showcase who we are.  I started this blog more than 10 years ago, it started as a creative outlet for fashion and hair.  It then evolved to a more personal journey and had elements of hair.  It sat dormant for several years as I struggled do all of the things to fulfill Austin Kade's needs.  Now I have such a fantastic staff and support in my life that I am ready to blog again!  We are launching the new and improved Austin Kade Academy website this week and there is a link from there to to this blog, so it made sense this needed a facelift as well.  I plan to showcase activities the school is participating in, hair tips and help, personal stories of inspiration and all the joy and occasional challenges of my experience in the greatest industry in the world. Welcome and come back often!

9/11

I can't believe I have not posted for over a year.  I am going to be more dilligent. 

 

 Today is 9/11/11.  Ten years ago today were the terrorist attacks on our country, hundreds lost their lives, millions were changed forever.  We have one of those stories. The tragedy of that day started a chain of events in motion for us that, looking back, guided us to the places and people we are with now.  The day of the attack I woke up feeling uneasy.  We usually don't watch TV trying to get the kids off to school, but we turned on the news to see smoke coming from the first tower.  The news was unclear what had happened.  I took the kids and got back in time to see the second plane hit and then the first tower crumble, followed by the second, then the pentagon, then the plane in PA. We were in shock all day.  Our home was on the west side of the Salt Lake valley, so we were right under the flight plan for all the planes that circled for landing.  I didn't sleep well for months. 

 So if not for 9/11 there probably wouldn't be an Austin Kade Academy and we definately would not be in Idaho right now.  Here is a short version of our story:

Tyler had been working for Gateway Computers, it was a great job and we were doing well.  He was a top salesman in Salt Lake.  Then Gateway closed it's facility in Salt Lake.  Tyler went to selling cars.  He really liked selling cars even though the money wasn't as good as Gateway.  When 9/11 happened, no one bought cars.  People were more introspective and a new car seemed frivolous and unneccesary.  This led to us needing to sell our home before we lost it.  We moved in with Tyler's parents.  About 6 months later his dad suffered kidney failure and because we were in their home we were able to not only care for his dad but also saved his life several times while he was the most ill.  I went back to work for hair schools to supplement us while helping with Tyler's dad. Also in this time we had our last child, Liberty.  A few months after Libby was born I was asked to return to work for my old boss Larry Curtis, who was splitting up with his partner at Dallas Roberts Academy in Provo.  Larry wanted to start a new school in Salt Lake named Taylor Andrews and wanted my help.  I of course jumped at the offer.  I worked at Taylor Andrews for 5 years as the creative director and learned so much and met the best people!  It was the best experience for me and I knew that I could make a difference in my home town of Idaho Falls, ID, just like Larry had in Utah.  I left amicably from Taylor Andrews, and Larry was so gracious and kind to see I needed to grow on my own.  Tyler's dad was doing well from a kidney transplant from Tyler's youngest brother and it was time to move on.  We moved up to Idaho 4 years ago next month.  How time flies!  We know we are where we are supposed to be and that our family is too.  We are hoping to inspire new beauty professionals with the staff we are so proud to have and their examples and the awesome school they are able to go to. 

 We are so grateful to so many people!  But today I wanted to thank all those who lost their lives that day, all those who have lost their lives in the ensuing war and all those who have to live with those holes in their lives.  I hold this day dear to me as a catalyst of change in my life that was hard and neccesary for us to grow and learn and expand. It was a day that I remember with horror and with reverence. 

 As I am going to visit NYC in 20 days and get to see the waterfall and light memorials I wanted to share with you a picture I took at the world trade center site a few years after the attacks: 
 And one of the new memorial:

 
 

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

20 Years Ago...

Tyler and I were dating and on Labor Day weekend we were engaged.  Was it really that long ago?!  We haven't had professional pictures taken of just us since our engagement shots so my best friend Alison, who is AMAZING, took these shots of Tyler and I when she was visiting this summer.  One of the many reasons we are friends is she makes me look great (thin) in every shot! 

I love the light coming through us in this shot!  Thanks again Alison and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!  Next post, Gina's birthday and the big girls summer photoshoot with Alison!

ECLIPSE Premeire

So I know it is ridiculous and luckily I have a man who is secure enough in my love for him to not be fazed by my "thing" for all things Twilight!  And what was my favorite book of the series (besides "Midnight Sun"-Stephenie, please finish it!) ECLIPSE!  So back sometime near Feburary I bought out a WHOLE THEATER to make sure that myself, Sammy, Sid and all the AKA family could be part of the ECLIPSE midnight premeire!  We had a blast and did some fun special FX makeup for the movie goers and fellow "Twlighters".  Here are a few pictures from that evening!  (If you are wondering or care I am TEAM JAKEWARD- movie Jacob, book Edward.) 

 This first picture is Brad and Tara from Z103, they let us make them up each premeire (Thanks guys!) and I think they make a great Bella and Edward!

This last one is funny, first because Austin REALLY doesn't like Twilight, but had to be in on the fun and second his shirt is Southpark that says "Vampires are Lame". 

Spirit Week was in April...but here are the pictures!

We have a tradition here at Austin Kade Academy, that we brought from our former schools.  It is called SPIRIT WEEK!  So on the anniversary of the first class starting, which for us was 2/14/08, we have a week of fun!  This week we had Superhero Day, Tutu and Fairy Day, 80's Day (I know,I love the 80's), Hawaiian Day and Mowhawk Day.  Here are a few pictures from our anniversary week!

 
 




We can't wait until next year!

STAFF Retreat 2010

I really do have the greatest staff in the world.  I know everyone says that, but I really mean it.  We would not have the school we do without our dedicated and loyal and kick butt staff!  We went up to Isalnd Park and basically chillaxed for a couple days and we ATE.  Boy did we EAT!  Here are a few pictures from our trip, thanks everyone for going!

BEAUTIFUL and FUN! 

STYLIST Portfolio SESSIONS Available!

Alison will also be doing Stylist Portfolio Building Sessions while visiting AKA and Idaho Falls this next week.  If you have an interest in expanding or starting your portfolio, or just want some awesome shots taken of yourself and want to use a stylist/makeup artist from our academy, this is your chance!  You can contact myself at 208-360-1459 or Alison through her site and set up your time to shine!