Archive for 'omaha'
I love Omaha: A sweet afternoon at the Omaha Community Playhouse
Posted on 30. Aug, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Last week my friend Eric and I took a break from working at CAMP and headed out for dinner and show. I haven’t been to a play in ages so we went to the Omaha Community Playhouse in midtown and saw a hilarious one-woman show we had been hearing about called The Lady With All The Answers about advice column HBIC Ann Landers.
Acted by Kathy Wheeldon, the play is set in 1975 in Ann’s office while she is trying to write a particularly difficult column. Recounting her experiences, sharing stories of some of the best advice she has doled out, and even musing to the audience and asking for their input–for example, polling us on who is married and which way we like to have the toilet paper facing. I went from having tears in my eyes to laughing out loud, and overall it was a wonderfully engaging comedy with these brilliant moments of poignancy and emotion.
From the Omaha World-Herald:
If you’re familiar with Landers’ voice, speech patterns and mannerisms, you’ll know Wheeldon not only studied the essence of this real-life character — she’s got it down cold. The wry grin, the sparkle in the eyes, the energy and humor that radiated from Landers in personal appearances are all there.
Costumer Lynne Ridge has done her job, too: the bouffant hairdo with a flip, the bright red nails and lipstick, the sparkling chunks of jewelry, an elegant dressing gown and pajamas, a full-length mink. The illusion is complete: Ann is in the room.
Nice room, too. Jim Othuse’s set design features cream-colored wooden pillars with crown molding set in a black void, an alcove with the skyline of Chicago peeking out, a couple of Impressionist paintings, Ann’s desk and typewriter, a cabinet hi-fi on which crooners and light jazz give Ann something to dance to. Even a collection of owl statuary.
Truly! The styling on the set was brilliant to me. I loved the hanging crystal chandelier, the vintage furniture, and the way posts were used to create the illusion of walls–they displayed photos and artwork but through them we could see into her hallway and foyer. The owls were also a thoughtful touch–Ann loved collecting them because they represented wisdom. Even Ann’s styling was perfect–she reminded me of my ever-stylish Grandma (who is from the same town as Ann!).
So I think we were the only people in the room under 60 for this particular matinee, and Eric seemed to be the only unmarried one (judging by Ann’s poll). He swears that some lady gave me the evil eye when she saw us together. Ha!
It was such a professional and memorable experience and I wish more people in the metro realized what awesome acting talent we have here locally. I also feel like I have a new personal heroine in Ann. She advised people through their troubles through four decades of American history and culture. The grace and class with which she approached tough issues throughout the decades is remarkable.
I had so much fun at the Playhouse–I resolve now to go more often. I forgot how beautiful the building is, how kind the greeters and employees are, and how easy it is to lose yourself in a quick afternoon at a performance. It’s cheaper than a movie. The audience is more polite. And they have wine, hello.
I am getting a season pass to the Playhouse and I would love to see more college students and young people in my generation support this art. Seriously such a blast. Actually, yeah, just go buy tickets now. Other shows coming up that I really want to see include Footloose, Nunsense (heeelarious), Steel Magnolias, and Guys & Dolls.
Photos (except the one of me) courtesy of Omaha Community Playhouse.
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in list form: parties, links, mad men.
Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
1. My good friend and model Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik has entered a contest to be on an episode of Mad Men. You can vote for her every day and if she wins, I will do a giveaway for a free dress from my upcoming line. Isn’t she beautiful?
Fancy pro photos by Bill Sitzmann. Go vote!!!!!!! Every day!!! And win a dress!!!!!
2. Last Saturday we hosted one of the legs of the Joslyn Museum’s annual Young Art Patrons art crawl event at CAMP where I showed the progress of my dress line and explained the coworking concept to attendees. It was a great turnout–almost as many people as we had for our opening party. Here are a few pictures from the night.
So yeah Dave and his friends came and played Magic the whole time.
3. I had so much fun reading the comments from Meg Duerksen’s blog about things to do with your kids in the summer. I can’t wait until Alice gets older and we can do some of these awesome activities. Actually I can wait…she’s already growing up so fast. Take your time, pancake. Anyway this stuff looks way fun and creative.
4. CAMP was recently featured on the front page of the Omaha-World Herald money section. It’s a good read about coworking.
5. …and we were also featured on KPTM news here locally. I’m linking to my friend Andy’s site instead of KPTM’s because I don’t know when they are taking the video down and I don’t want the link to be broken. Also the KPTM site has too many ads. I had to be here at 10am for the interview! Too early!\
6. I’m in the final stage of finishing up all the embellishments on the dresses…I can’t resist a tease.
A LITTLE tease.
xo
meg
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today’s outfit and week 40
Posted on 06. May, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Thanks everyone for your sweet feedback on my last post. It felt good to get that out there and it feels great to think of the love that’s coming this baby’s way! I am feeling more and more like she’ll be here on Mother’s Day (my birthday) this Sunday.
I really didn’t want her to be born then–I’m a little possessive of that day. The whole month, actually (I do celebrate a “birthday month”). But as my mom always reminds me, “‘YOUR’ days are OVER.” While laughing maniacally.
Yesterday, my friend Eric and I went to Jones Bros Cupcakes, the newest bakery in town. They did a hush-hush soft opening on Saturday and sold over 2,000 cupcakes!
My initial impressions were extremely positive–Jones Bros has that beautiful stark, minimalist architecture that I love so much, and they also used some of my favorite typefaces (Neutraface, Archer, and something that looks like Hand Writing Multu) in their branding. No detail was spared–the scalloped circle imagery was found on top of each cupcake, on all of the signage and paper products, and even the coffee stirrers and tabletops (which were obviously custom-cut).
I ordered cinnamon sugar, red velvet, chocolate, and carrot cupcakes and they were given to me in an adorable box. I also had a hot chocolate that came with a delicious, generously sized homemade marshmallow. The details!!
Eric and I were grateful to sit down with two of the Jones brothers themselves and talk to them about their branding and buildout process (since we are going through that right now with CAMP), and they also shared some wisdom about the bumps and setbacks they hit along the way. I was more surprised to learn that this is the Jones brothers’ first venture in the food industry, considering how well-thought-out the whole experience was.
I’m excited to go back to Jones Bros Cupcakes and try more from their menu. I can also see it being a great meeting place throughout the year as we plan events and parties!
Dress: Old Navy
Shoes: Kenzie
Bag: BCBG
Necklace: Subversive for Target
Bracelet: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson
Sneaky cat: Turbo
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Shout! Weekly’s 30 under 30 article
Posted on 29. Apr, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
On Monday I joined 29 other local people for a photoshoot for Shout! Weekly’s inaugural “30 Under 30″ article which was conceptualized to highlight the accomplishments and aspirations of Omaha’s young creative class. Silicon Prairie News’s recent blog post about the issue sums it up well and includes a list of everyone included.
Here’s my little place in the article (and I spy a grammar error in my quote…embarrassing) right next to my good friend Eric Downs (and other friend, filmmaker and design director Jon Tvrdik, who co-hosted a baby shower for us!). The weekly magazine is available (just in time for Berkshire Hathaway weekend, which I love) now at local kiosks, coffee shops, and cafes.
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daily snaps
Posted on 26. Apr, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Still waiting on that overseas shipment. It’s getting a little silly.
1. A cardboard box full of little posie flowers…I spent six hours working on these last night! Finishing the other half tonight. I love the colors–I think they are very Todd Oldham or Orla Kiely. 2. On Saturday morning, Mr. Lasertron and I went to the newest vegetarian restaurant in Omaha, Daily Grub (formerly Clean Plate). (Isn’t that a huge juxtaposition in names? “Clean Plate” to “Daily Grub?” Complete opposite connotations.) The farm-to-table diner has gotten rave reviews so far, but we didn’t have a good experience. I will wait another week and try them again before passing final judgment. 3. Tonight I got my picture taken for the cover of Shout Omaha’s “30 under 30″ issue! The magazine should be on newsstands all over Omaha on Wednesday or Thursday. The photoshoot was at Catch Creative and I’m posing there with Eric Downs of Downs Design. This was the last thing that I have to do in my pregnancy–for the next week or so I’ll just be vegging at home in my pajamas and working! 4. My grumpy boys doing their homework.
Announcing the giveaway winner tomorrow. Very interesting answers from this year’s reader survey! Thanks to everyone (over 600 of you!) who took the time to share their thoughts with me. I’m going to finish reading through the responses tonight and share what I learned!
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day of fun
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Well I did fewer things today than I planned to.
I woke up late and asked myself what I really wanted to do today. If I could do anything. I decided that I wanted to take a long shower, lay around in my husband’s soft bathrobe, and then get a pedicure later (lavender). After visiting the salon I trolled around a few vintage shops looking for furniture. A little more relaxed than I originally planned!
But here are a few random pictures from my day of fun.
And I worked anyway. (I’m waiting on a shipment of more headbands from the UK…it’s been held up forever because of the volcano and I’m frustrated!)
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A day in LNK for the American Marketing Association social media panel
Posted on 27. Feb, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
On Thursday in the early AM I was picked up by my getaway driver (really–check his business card!) Steve Gordon, owner of Rdqlus, to speak at an 8am breakfast panel hosted by the American Marketing Association in our fair capital city of Lincoln. We were joined by several other expert panelists including Danny Schreiber of SiliconPrairieNews.com, Deb Averett of Fresh Nest Design and TooLuLu, Christy Nelson of TooLuLu, Khara Plicanic who owns Kabloom Studios, and Lori Havens, Social Media Guru at Ervin & Smith Advertising and Public Relations.
So that’s a lot of people.
I was really hoping that more people would be attending than were on the panel. I was thinking…8am on a Thursday? With an admission fee? With metered street parking? Sure thing, good luck with that.
And I was SO HAPPILY SURPRISED to see person after smiling person walking through the door of the Lincoln Community Foundation building filling up rows and rows of tables–they even had to bring another one in!
I was also impressed by the participation and enthusiasm of all the attendees. After the scheduled one-hour panel session, we stayed about an hour longer to mingle and chat with other local small business owners, marketers, and people who were just interested in getting started and finding motivation.
Hopefully we were able to offer some helpful insights!
On our way home, Steve and I stopped at my Favorite Restaurant in the Whole World, Bread & Cup. I had a sandwich on homemade bread with their homemade peanut butter and apple butter. Served on a stark white plate with a side of apple slices. I love simple food. The owner, Kevin, who I often talk to on Twitter, even came over and introduced himself. Kevin, I love your restaurant.
Today is our district competition for forensics. I’ll be getting up to leave for the bus at 4:30 AM. Wish my kids luck! Whoever makes it to the top four gets to be driven to the state competition by me when I’m 8 months pregnant. Go Blair Bears!
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omaha area readers–check out the cover of omaha magazine!
Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
A few weeks ago I was asked by the editors of Omaha Magazine to participate in a feature they are doing on young local business owners (I wrote about it earlier here). Today I finally saw the cover. I am shocked!
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week 26, today’s outfit, and a peek at a new photoshoot
Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Quick post because I have to go get some sleep…I’m feelin crazy big!
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Silicon Prairie News website launch!
Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
Silicon Prairie News is a local blog and event producer (Big Omaha, anyone?) dedicated to exposing and and supporting the region’s creative business owners, artists, and organizations. And today they launched their gorgeous, newly redesigned website! It’s cleaner, easier to navigate, and I also like that they now have a searchable video library. There will also be more relevant content to visitors outside the region (many of you!).
Founded by Dusty Davidson and Jeff Slobotski and maintained with the help of several talented writers, SPN has had a hand in the success and advancement of so many young local professionals (like me!). Whether it’s the scrappy independent designers or successful local entrepreneurs, the organization works hard to elevate our exposure and I deeply respect their mission! I know I couldn’t run my business anymore without the support of my local community and Jeff and Dusty have been two of my most encouraging personal friends.
I’m excited for the launch party tonight. If you can’t be there, you can track the conversation on Twitter by following the hashtag #SPNLaunch or @Siliconprairie!
For a while now, national players have been noticing the electricity and culture of innovation in Omaha, and SPN is in the middle of all of it. Check out their new website today and leave them some comment love!
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22 weeks: pictures from new year’s eve
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.
On New Year’s Eve we went to Goo, a dance party hosted by The Slowdown (where we got married in 2007).
I was going to wear my favorite Karta dress and I was elated that it still fit me, but after I got my hair and makeup done and Dave came to help me zip it up, the zipper split.
While Dave worked hard googling “split zipper” and trying to fix it, I moped for half an hour or so because I couldn’t find anything else that fit and was remotely formal. But I think I did a good job of prettying up this big tent-y dress from Ryu. And luckily it was comfortable.
Dress: Ryu
Belt: Kimchi Blue
Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: Etienne Aigner
The theme was “masquerade” so we went as kitties.
What did you do to ring in the new year? Quiet and relaxed or crazy and wild?
