Big Salty Customs Grand Opening

Saturday I rode the Diva Glide down to the opening of a new custom motorcycle shop...Big Salty Customs on 1594 S. State St. in Salt Lake City. Aaron and Christine are creating a laid back and comfortable shop --selling everything from Team Diva hats and beaters to custom bikes! They have big plans ahead and lots of rides scheduled to benefit various groups. We found each other because of my Salt Lake riding buddies--crazy Joel and Candace, the Mule, and BOB are all friends of Aaron's. We even took a little ride--Joel on Gangsta-one of the bikes he bought from Billy Lane, Bob rode Candace's "Guapo" and Candace rode her Kicker. This cute Kicker is a 150 cc, no clutch, electric or kick start, gets 100 miles per tank, retails for approx. $1500 and great to ride on surface streets!!! If you'd like more info--email Candace me@gasolinekouture.com

I spent the weekend creating some new hats --using the fidel silhouette--embellishing with crystal broaches to buddhas--they turned out pretty cute--check them out on my web site under limited editions--I can make some for you! I found all these great wine corks in many drawers here and got inspired. I came up with the D-Wino cowboy hat. You can see the photo how cute this turned out--it's my funny attempt at being "eco" and "green"--if you have any special corks you would like me to style into a cool hatband--send them to me( I need at least 6)--then email me to discuss the other design details!! I do have a collection of corks if that works better for you--and any of you who would like to contribute--save them --- I would love to have them. I could even make a white trash wino hat with the Charles Shaw corks!!

Friday night was a fun Park City old town evening for us. We girls started off with pedicures, happy hour at a restaurant called Jean Louis--he is a character-his white chef coats have leopard print collars and cuffs--his food is amazing---we had cocktails and steak tartar he fixed table side just for us! Auntie Zildjian was quite impressed! Next--a short walk to Butcher's Chop House--meeting friends on the patio---fabulous setting --the Town Lift moves overhead---bright pinks and purple flowers amongst all the green of the slopeside. We were a party of 10 to celebrate Uncle John's b-day--sampled one of each of the appetizers--and the Lavender Creme Brulee was to die for!!! It was a "warm" mountain evening with friends and family and lots of wine!!!!

Adrienne and I are off to San Diego this Wed.--I have lots to accomplish there, OC, and LA. SEAL at Irvine Amphitheater this Sunday--!Stay tuned!

Photo #1 Big Salty Gang
Photo #2 Candace's Kicker with Stud on top
Photo #3 Fidel Peace broach
Photo #4 Fidel Cross broach
Photo #5 Top view of Wino

Diva links:
http://www.teamdiva.com/
http://www.bigsaltycustoms.com/
http://www.jeanlouisrestaurant.com/
http://www.butcherschophouse.com/


Viva la Diva
Summer is going WAY too fast!!

A's Birthday Trip Park City to Aspen

Thursday, July 10--the 3 of us--Adrienne, Tim, and I hit the road via our favorite Wolf Creek Pass to Hwy 40--ending up in Steamboat Springs for the night on our first leg of A's b-day trip to Aspen. She wanted to have her b-day dinner at our very very favorite restaurant in Aspen..., D19! Tim rented an Ultra Classic Harley from Eaglerider in SLC so she could be more comfortable--backrest, armrest, and her own volume control for the tunes! We stayed in Steamboat right in town on Hwy 40/Lincoln Ave. at the charming Hotel Bristol. 24 rooms in one of the historical buildings in town with western/ranchy decor. Will and Roy rode their bikes over from Aspen (in record time of course!) We had a nice dinner at the Yacht Club right in town on the Yampa River. Next morning we walked to the famous "Winona's Restaurant" on Lincoln Ave.---don't miss this place--especially if you love your giant cinnamon buns--or homemade corned beef hash! This day --July 11, is Will's b-day--so he got a candle in his bun!!!

We headed south on Hwy 131--all of us on the bikes from Steamboat to Wolcott on I70. We had a nice b-day lunch at Wolcott Yacht Club on their patio--they are very famous for everything from fish tacos to their burgers. Mounted up and said good bye to the boys--(they wanted to go the "fast way "---we wanted picturesque!) We headed a few miles east on I70--then turned south on Hwy 24 through cute town of Minturn--over the glorious Tennessee Pass--part of the Continental Divide at 10,424 feet. After some great photos--(check my gallery), we rode through Leadville and turned off on Hwy 82--a road I have travelled since my childhood. My goal years ago was to ride on my own bike over Independence Pass (elevation 12,093 ft. and another stop on the Continental Divide) --and now I can say I have ridden it 4 times--on my 2 different bikes!! Made lots of friends on the top of the pass--more photos and chatting with a great family from Palm Beach--Diva Darcy, Neil, their darling daughter and her friend--we are now invited to stay with them there!!! The ride down the pass makes you fell like you are in the movie set for Sound of Music--all the wildflowers are blooming, snow on the peaks, shimmery Aspen trees, and the old miners shacks--makes you think what it had to be like back in the day of those silver miners who travelled here! At the end of this rainbow is the even MORE shimmery town of Aspen. I have travelled here since I was in elementary school, even learned to ski here--so I have a fond place in my heart for this little "mining" town. We rolled into one of my favorite places to stay--THE GANT--a deluxe unit, flowers waiting, and Zach the bellman helped me wash the bike!!!

Now of course --travel to Aspen would not be complete without experiencing great food. We ate the first night at my super friend Tommy's new place called "Social." It is right next door to his other fab restaurant, Elevation. We sat on the patio that is 2 stories up and a view extraordinaire from Independence Pass to Aspen Mountain. The concept we loved was the "social cuisine" ordering small dishes to sample different fair--eating family style --but much more contemporary. We ordered 6 different dishes--for the 3 of us---and finished off with chocolate fondue and handmade ice cream sandwiches--under the twinkling stars--with great music and a lively crowd. The evening was complete with a chilly walk home window shopping--the most affordable type of shopping in this little designer town!!

Next morning, A's b-day--we shopped the Saturday Farmer's Market--featuring all Colorado made, produced, and grown goodies--everything from sheep milk soaps, darling kids clothes, and locally grown cherries and peaches! Talk about lucky--to be in Aspen on your birthday and Dad with his credit card for shopping !!!

Now--on to the reason we came here--to see Dena, Marcus, and their new baby Cash at their famous restaurant---D19. We not only ate lunch there--but also dinner . Dena is an award winning chef, rubbing elbows with the likes of Emeril, Mario, and Tyler--she creates incredible Italian dishes--and of course we tried as many as we could in our 2 meals in one day we had there! Make sure to call ahead for reservations--it is so popular! A's Aspen Daddy Ron and his family joined us for dinner and b-day singing! After dinner I dropped in to see my favorite, award winning bartender--Jordan at Eric's--we have known each other since the Tippler days---yikes----loved those Disco Tuesdays...an era gone by!

A beautiful Sunday morning to hit the road home, and a nice surprise--dear friend Andy Mill stopped to see us before we left--haven't seen him in years--and the years have been so kind to him--looking good!!! Time to hit the road--- travelled HWY 82 to Glenwood Springs--I70 west to Rifle--north on Hwy 13 to Meeker--then west on Hwy 64 through Rangely, Dinosaur, and Duchesne. A cool ride over Wolf Creek Pass and back into Park City.Another fabulous trip and luck was on our side!!The bikes ran great, ate great food, and visited with old friends and made new ones on the road--love it--ready to roll anytime!!!

Diva's links:

http://www.eaglerider.com/ Harley Rentals

http://steamboathotelbristol.com/ lodging in Steamboat Springs

http://wolcottyachtclub.com/index.htm lunch in Wolcott

http://gantaspen.com/ lodging in Aspen

http://social-aspen.com/ new, hot restaurant in Aspen--tell Tommy Diva Amy sent you!

http://www.d19aspen.com D19 Dena in Aspen

Photo #1 Diva Amy taken by Will in motion on the Hwy

Photo #2 Lunch at Wolcott Yacht Club

Photo #3 Palm Beach Darcy's Divas top of Independence Pass

Photo #4 Chef Dena, partner/husband Marcus, Studly Cash

Photo #5 Lovin' Our Andy

Check out my gallery for more photos

http://www.teamdiva.com/

See ya next week!

Viva la Diva

Ride Safely

Happy July 4 in Park City, Utah

Celebrations for the 4th of July here in Park City are abundant--always a matter of choosing which activities to join in--there are so many!!July 3 we chose to hit Willow Creek Park to watch the fireworks at Canyons Mountain Resort. We had a big group with lots of toddlers--I love to see them watch the fireworks!! My aunt, Andy Zildjian drove in from Scottsdale by way of Durango and Moab to celebrate with us. Sammy flew up from Phoenix late this evening, and so did Krista Tye--my dear friend who is the cheif operations and buyer for all retail at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas! Krista's friend, Elizabeth also flew in that night--both girls were in desperate need of a mountain, nature, and cool air fix--to de-stress!

July 4 we hit Park Ave in Park City to see the parade--we saw the tail end as we were too busy talking and relaxing to head off our mountain in time! I rode my FATBOY into town and as you can see--people love to photograph that bike! My buddy on the bike is Mr. Cooper--age 3 who already knows how to turn on the ignition and honk the horn--I will be taking him for a ride as soon as his parents will let him! The other photo is with Cooper and "Motorcycle Sam. "We finished off the day with a party at our place--ribs , local corn, more tasty dishes,and lots of great friends. The grand finale-- Tracy's homemade peach and apple pies.
July 5, Krista and I actually worked sitting up on our deck with our inspiring view and came up with some great things for me to create for the main store at Hard Rock. I have been selling cowboy hats to her at that store since they opened years ago. A fun and new category will be the Do Rags embellished with Swarovski crystals--they will be in the main store as well as Pink Taco! Ride ON!!!!!We finished this day off with a sunset boat cruise at Deer Creek Reservoir, south of Heber City with a view of Mt. Timpenegos--Sammy and Tracy braved the water to wake board!
July 6 we shopped town and hit the Park City Silly Market. This is a fun event with vendors set up on lower Main in Park City. Vendors are selling everything from giant adult teeter totters to lobster rolls from Maine!! Music everywhere, tasting goodies, and lots of clever items to buy for home and apparel. It is every Sunday till Oct. from 10am to 4pm. We also visited my friend, Karen Terzian's gallery. Krista and I couldn't resist new necklaces made by a new designer--L. Jonas---we liked a lot of her pieces--but the ones we bought---she had tied turquoise nuggets to create the "chain" --I bought a hammered PEACE symbol pendant and Krista bought a gorgeous sterling cross. This designer uses her vast collection of items from all over the world to create fabulous necklaces and bracelets--the gallery is on upper Main on the right side heading uphill. I rode the big bike in and parked on the corner from Mary Janes-- had lots of fun talking to the people who couldn't pass by the bike without comments and pictures!!!
We are just catching up from all the festivities and look forward to our next travels. This Thursday,we are heading to Aspen on the bikes by way of Steamboat Springs, Colorado for my daughter, Adrienne's #23 b-day July 12. Make sure to tune in next week for more adventures!!
Diva Tip: Everyone who knows me--knows I am a confirmed tequila drinker--but I have found a new drink I love this summer!!!Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion mixed with pink lemonade!!! Yummy!!


Diva Links:
http://parksillysundaymarket.com
http://terziangalleries.com


Ride Safe and Viva la Diva!