Ready, set, fly!

Tonya grew up around a grandmother who crafted everything from clothing to quilts and a mother who had an knack for antiques and making stained glass. Through her upbringing and countless trips to estate sales and vintage markets, she developed an intense passion for antiques and vintage goods as well as an impeccable eye for the potential and beauty in these things. Originally, Tonya pursued this passion through gaining a BFA in Fashion Design, but after her skills in sewing, pattern making, and textiles were honed, she started working as a photo stylist. Later, she went back to school for interior design. Could there be a better recipe for a vintage and home restoration business? And Gypsy Recon was born.

After.

Tonya’s motto is, “If you have an idea, let’s talk about it,” and that just shows her continued love of her career. Inspired by nature and Bohemian culture, she does everything from redesign to refurnishing and painting of tables, lamps, etc. She also reupholsters, which is the treatment our beloved chair got, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Neutral shades with a black frame and piping, our new chair even showcases a hidden deer on the chair-back! We invite you to come sit in it soon as well as to check Gypsy Recon out for yourself. After all, special pieces can make a room.

But Ryan and Jen can’t do it alone. They’re asking for contributions via Indiegogo and we urge you to head over and check it out. In the words of the Hidinger’s themselves, “If you love food, contribute
. If you like good people, contribute. If you hate cancer, contribute. If you effing hate cancer, contribute. If you think Staplehouse will make Atlanta a better place, contribute. If you want to take care of the industry that’s taken care of you, contribute. If you want to make history, contribute. If you like awesome chefs with beards, contribute. If you like to contribute, um, contribute. If you don’t have money to contribute, share.”

Let’s do this, Atlanta.

Preserve Skincare serves up one thing only, the cleansing pad. It’s not your lazy day, drugstore run kinda cleansing pad though. Developed by two experienced estheticians in sunny San Fran, Preserve’s cleansing pads are all natural, ph-balanced pads made from purifying herbs and botanicals. And after two years in development, they’re ready for us (and we’re definitely ready for them).

The idea behind Preserve Skincare is as simple as the pads themselves. You know those nights when you come in late, kick of your shoes, and the absolute last thing you want to do is hang your sleepy head over the sink only to watch water and makeup remnants splatter everywhere? You can kiss those nights goodbye. The pads clean, tone, gently exfoliate, and remove that tired makeup with an easy, effective wipe. They can also be rinsed and reused for extra cleansing.

Remember, it’s important to keep that pretty skin of yours healthy and available in two soothing scents, Orange Blossom (all skin types) and Geranium Leaf (combination/oily skin), our new friends at Preserve have you covered. We know that it almost sounds too good to be true but publications like Style.com, Wallpaper, and SF Chronicle are even behind us on this one.

Since 1998, the idea of investing in a CSA has grown into a healthy phenomenon and all you have to do to get involved is sign up and drop by for your weekly box of D & A goodies. And don’t worry about having too little or too much. Half and full shares are available. Half shares are $342 for the approaching 18 week season and feed those households of one or two. Full shares are great for households of four and are $630. But our favorite thing about it is the relationship it develops between the farmer and consumer. Not to mention, buying a “share” of D & A’s Spring/Summer harvest provides the farm with money early in the season, which keeps the cash flow up and our local farms alive. CSA is a way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.

So, who’s D & A? Operated by Dave and Alan Bentoski, D & A is a 1^st generation, small family farm right down the road in Zebulon, Georgia. On 19 acres of cultivated ground, D & A grows and markets over 80 varieties of certified organic foods. Currently, their food can be found also be found locally at Morningside Farmers Market, Zebulon’s Wednesday Market, and several local restaurants. We look forward to seeing you beaming with your fresh food glow!

Amy (right) with her sister, Ashley Leavell, and pops, Chuck Leavell, at his 60th birthday in New Orleans.

You went from PR to skincare, what inspired you to open Aviary?
After spending my 20s in a haze of smoky bars and nightclubs, I felt the need to counterbalance with something a little healthier, for mind and body. Plus I have an intense need to fuel my beauty product dependency and because I am also a PR girl-in-recovery, I still think the things that I love you should love, too.

What’s your favorite thing about it? Besides the energy, I love the aesthetic you’ve created (and there has to be a little of you in that).
My parents are preservationists and the wood used inside the Aviary was reclaimed from my parents’ tree farm. So there are little hints of my childhood home. There is a piece of wood that faces the kitchen in the salon where obvious years of layers of paint are on it. One of the deepest layers is a mint green that had to only be available in the 50’s. My great-grandmother had her living room (now my parents’ living room) painted that color and the wood was a baseboard there. I like being reminded of that history when I walk by.

This cool, relaxing aesthetic carries over into your treatment room. What do you think about while saving our skin?
I am usually planning out what I am going to make for dinner. All kidding set aside, I am constantly thinking about what new products we need to carry (back to the product dependency issue) and services that we should offer and how I can perfect what I am doing in the treatment room. I’ve recently been focusing more on adult acne. Treating and understanding what causes it to occur to women in their 20s, 30s and beyond.

When you’re not working at Aviary (and when you are), you’re a full time wife and mom (to two cuties). What are your favorite Atlanta adventure spots?
We live in Inman Park so lately we are on the Beltline every weekend, either by foot or bike. My kids love going the Isamu Noguchi Playscape in Piedmont Park. Outside of town, we like hiking at Arabia Mountain and Sweetwater Creek.

And of course, if you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be?
A White-Winged Dove.

Our friends over at EVO even have some tips and products. First off, they recommend their Happy Campers Hard-Working Moisturizer, a lightweight, leave-in moisturizer. The important thing here is the added sun protection that will keep your locks healthy during those beltline walks. Day of Grace Leave In Conditioner is the next smart move because (as EVO claims) it provides “100% more movement then a recently botoxed forehead”. Using a dab before styling will keep your hair in balance (and bounce). And lastly, EVO recommends Love Touch Shine Spray, their solution to dry, dull hair. As a weightless finishing spray, it magically adds both hold and shine. Thanks EVO!

We also recommend their Water Killer Dry Shampoo that we just got in to ease your “I wash my hair too much” woes. Skin takes a similar beating as we do the constant shuffle between outdoor warmth and humidity to indoor heat and dryness. To combat this “extreme combination” skin condition, Amy recommends 4 weeks of Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner ampoules as well as Dr. Hauschka’s Toned Day Cream as a perfect spring product. It moisturizes and protects all skin types with its unique blend of quince seed extract, beeswax, and rose petal wax. Have a balanced spring, friends (and don’t forget that sunscreen either).

Arnica is in the sunflower family and has been used for centuries to relieve pain, revitalize after-physical activity, and even promote flexibility. It’s believed that the plant contains derivatives of thymol, which has anti-inflammatory effects so even those with arthritis are use it to reduce pain and swelling in joints. It is also loaded with compounds like flavonoids, silicic acid, tannins, carotenoids, and essential oils. These compounds make arnica a fantastic healer for skin and its own process of renewal and self-cleansing.

For us, arnica’s all natural soothing action along with its skin benefits makes it a superstar ingredient. Dr. Hauschka uses arnica as the main component in their Birch Arnica Body Oil and Sircuit in their refreshing gel moisturizer, Cool Aid. The best way to utilize arnica’s benefits is the massage it into the skin after exercise or those other strenuous activities. It’s soothing warmth will bring those muscles and joints back to live… so you can exercise again tomorrow.

So, we know, exercise is one of those things that we need to do, even want to do, but may not always like to do. This is where kettlebells come in. Originating in Russia, the kettlebell was originally used by the Russian armed forces to train their soldiers. In the 1700s, they were integrated into the Russian Olympics, becoming a point of national pride and symbol of strength. So, needless to say, the art practiced at Condition is intense and powerful. It’s a way to lose weight, gain muscle, and get energized and healthy. The exercise even lowers heart rate and blood pressure all while providing balanced development of all muscle groups. And while the wide range of benefits makes kettlebells a good option for everyone, it’s especially wonderful for those who let their mind wander in a workout and the “I ate a protein bar for lunch” busy. Why? Kettle bells are quick. We’re talking dropping 600-900 calories in 45 minutes quick.

Condition understands the curiosity and wonder surrounding a new workout and Delaine Ross, kettlebell pro and founder of Condition, offers a free consultation along with an awesome introductory workshop for $10 (regularly $47!) with mention of Aviary. They also believe in overall, whole body health and are partnered with Personal Trainer Foods to give you a nutrition kick-start as well. Let’s get healthy!

The sets offer well thought out daily (moisturizer) and weekly (mask) care for normal, dry, sensitive, and sensitive combination skin. Each duo even features a daily regimen to get you on track. For example, for normal skin, Hauschka’s team has paired Quince Day Cream with the Rejuvenating Mask. Quince Day Cream protects, hydrates, and supports balanced, healthy skin while the Rejuvenating Mask enlivens, refreshes, and boosts vitality (leaving you looking radiant). Rose Day Cream has been paired with the Soothing Mask for dry skin because rose nurtures and renews, sealing in moisture to prevent dehydration. Soothing Mask maintains moisture content and supports healthy cycles of skin renewal. Sensitive skin demands Rose Day Cream Light (a lighter version of Rose Day Cream that soothes and protects) and is again paired with the Soothing Mask. And for that sensitive combo skin, Melissa Day Cream is again paired with the Rejuvenating Mask, which has the power to calm irritation and redness. Melissa Day Cream softens and balances while reducing the appearance of minor blemishes as well as controls that unwanted shine.

Basically, Dr. Hauschka has us covered and with essential oils and simple smells included in each product, we’re even ready for the week ahead. And remember, these duos are in limited supply so we hope to see you soon!