Skin Studio

Amy Runyan - Owner of Skin Studio

When it comes to the beautiful community of Lake Baldwin Park, the best place to get a facial and a wax is Skin Studio. Skin Studio offers professional skincare on a personal level.

Amy Runyan is the owner and esthetician of Skin Studio. Her years of experience in the entertainment industry have taught her the importance of skincare. Through her exposure in the industry, she has gained knowledge of skincare and has started her own skincare studio!

If Amy looks familiar to you then you might know her as the former Miss Ohio America or in national commercials such as: Geico, Klondike, Florida’s Natural Orange Juice, Friendly’s, Academy Sports, and many more. Every client that comes in to Skin Studio can trust that their skin is in the perfect hands.

Amy truly cares for each of her clients and her facials and services are personalized to each client that walks through her doors. Every single minute is truly utilized to help each client with their needs. Amy is friendly, knowledgeable, and personable. Not only are Amy’s services excellent, but the products that she uses and offers are great and beneficial to the skin. Skin Studio is by appointments only, however Amy’s services and expertise will nurture and rejuvenate your skin. Your skin will truly be thankful at Skin Studio.

Lily Nguyen

for About Town With Shel

Universal Studios Mardi Gras Grand Celebration

Mardi Gras. When think of this, we think of beads, drinking, beads, food, beads, and more beads. Mardi Gras is known for being held in New Orleans, Louisiana right in the center of the French Quarter. If you couldn’t make it this year then you might have visited Florida’s version, right here in Orlando, Universal Studios Mardi Gras Grand Celebration.

Photo Credit: http://disneyways.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/resources-digitalassets-mardi-gras-at-universal-orlando-resort-5.jpg 

After the concert, unfortunately the park closes, but if you are not ready for the night to be over then head to CityWalk for the after party! There is a live DJ on the stage near the water, or if you are still feeling the Mardi Gras spirit head to Pat O’Briens to experience their famous Hurricanes, or sing a song with the dueling pianos in their lounge! 

While our own home version extends longer than what they have going on in Louisiana, the atmosphere is the same. On select nights from February 8^th to June 7^th, Universal Studios Florida turns into the French Quarter. You can find amazing food, crazy dancers dressed up in costumes, as well as performances from well-known artists right after the parade and of course beads, beads, and more beads.

I was able to experience this tradition at one of the last nights of the celebration.

Mardi Gras officially starts at 5 P.M.  in Universal Studios. You can find stilt walkers, performers, and jesters all dressed up in the Mardi Gras spirit right near the French Quarter in the park, which is to the left of Transformers, and in front of Twister: Ride It Out. You are able to joke, take pictures, and get a few beads right before the parade begins.

If you are going to try some of the New Orleans specialties, I highly suggest going early to avoid lines! All the food was fantastic, of course, whether you love potato twists, jambalaya, shrimp po boy’s, or my favorite, beignet’s you will not be disappointed. Universal definitely brings the Cajun spice to make these dishes transport you straight to New Orleans.

Depending on the time of the performance, the parade will start forty-five minutes before that (The last parade will start at 8:15pm ). The parade will start out of the Esoteric Gates (right across the street from Mel’s Diner in Hollywood) and it will make a loop from there to in front of Shrek Monster’s Café, turn into New York, and head back to exit through the gates once again. The best place to stand, for the most beads would be right in front of the Horror Make-Up Show, that way you can  experience the floats not once, but twice.

With over ten different types of floats  will all amaze, and astound you. Every year there is a theme to the floats, this year’s theme is “Around the World in Eighty Days”, from the classic Jules Verne’s story. Each float has a story that will take you around the world from beginning to end.

After you have gotten more beads than you can dream of owning, head to the concert yard to experience the live performance, with only one performer, Robin Thicke, who is known for singing “Blurred Lines”. These concerts are fun, short, and worth standing next to someone who might pop your personal space bubble by dancing too close.

Photo Credit: http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/images/orlando.gif

We hope you have fun! We know we did!

Morgan Mcgee

for About Town With Shel

Cafe de France

Nestled between a sub shop and a candy store on Park Ave is a small, elegant and fine French cuisine restaurant called Cafe de France. The oldest single owned restaurant on Park Ave. I had the pleasure to enjoy a decadent meal fit for a king. 

When I first walked in I noticed there was not much lighting except for candles on every table which made the room very romantic, with jazz playing in the background and pictures of France all over the walls. My server knew so much about the menu, telling me the origins of some of the platters, how they were made and the ingredients are always fresh because they are delivered daily.  He used such great detail, I could picture every plate in my head as my mouth watered from each description.

I started out with a French Martini and a creamy P.E.I. Mussels Mariniere, next I  enjoyed the Steak Tartare and a Romain BLT Salad. Each platter looked as if it was a work of art. The portions were perfect and I left completely full and satisfied.

I was honored to sit and talk to the owner, German Gutierrez. He told me, he and his wife Dominique, have owned the cafe since 1982 and have worked as a balanced team since. Her handling food orders while working lunch and him beverage orders and dinner times. They change the menu at least twice a year and are open Tuesdays through Saturdays for lunch, then close and reopen for dinner. They also are available for private parties and may I say it would be a lovely event space.

Cafe de France is hands down the best French cuisine I have had since I visited France many, many, years ago. With a knowledgeable, friendly staff and an even greater choice of food and wine, German and Dominique have done it correctly. I encourage everyone to enjoy the ambience, the food, and the charm of Cafe de France.

Nicholas Del Orbe

for About Town With Shel