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How To… Store Bikes for Efficiency

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We live in a one-bedroom apartment in Cap Hill. It’s definitely not the smallest, but really… how huge do 1 bedroom apartments get?

We have 4 bicycles and 1 frame currently, thanks to our two newest editions from State Bicycle Co’s Black Friday “Mystery Bike Sale”. Steve and I each paid $300, provided our size requirements, and had two random bikes shipped to us. Merry Christmas to US. 

Our savior has been this bad boy:

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Racor Pro PLB-2R Two-Bike Gravity Freestanding Bike Stand ($49.95 US + shipping). Check it out on Amazon.com by clicking on the photo. Photo Credit: Amazon.com, 2014

Keep in mind that it’s rated for 2 bicycles, however we have stacked 4 on it and all is well. We have the heaviest bikes on the bottom, the blue bike (“Devil in a Blue Dress”) weighing in at just under 30 pounds. Total weight on the rack right now, 4 bikes total, is about 100 lbs; maybe slightly over.

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Space is key in a one-bedroom. This rack makes that possible with 4 bikes! Photo Credit: Steve Mercer, 2014.

There are tons of racks that can actually mount flesh against the wall, however these are usually single bike mounts and typically cost more than the Racor Pro pictured above. Cool thing about the single, hand-crafted bike mounts is that they’re definitely more stylish, and can be made from recycled materials. We like how some of them have little mini shelving units for your gear, again catering to people who need that efficiency factor.

We found this cool item on Etsy, made by a Colorado company:

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Handcrafted Wall Mounted Bike Rack, made form recycled materials by RackandCycle ($119 US + shipping). Check them out on Etsy by clicking the pic. Photo Credit: RackandCycle, 2014.

We usually hang our helmets and gear on the handles of the bike, or store in our bike bags in the closet or beneath the bikes.

Outside can get pretty sketchy for us downtown, so we prefer the indoors where our bicycles can be kept safe and sound. How do you usually store your bikes? Any companies you love grabbing gear from? Share your awesomeness with us.

If you’re into bikes, check out our site for more bike events, gear, and activities.

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DenverSpeax + I Get Down = Save 10%

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We’ve partnered with I Get Down Clothing & Apparel as part of their “Pro” program, becoming stewards for this awesome brand.

I Get Down stands for what we believe in – getting down on all of the things you’re passionate about and love in life. What better way to promote that and the IGD philosophy than wearing their super comfy and awesomely designed gear?

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Check out a new release: Beanies! Pictured is the newest Pom Beanie in BUCKIN’ BRONCO – $28. Click on the photo to check out their site. Photo Credit: http://www.igetdownco.com.

Use Promo Code DENVERSPEAX and save 10% on your IGD purchase while supporting another local, small business right here in Colorado.  Continue reading →

I Heart Denver… the Store!

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A store that loves Denver as much as all of us? YES! It DOES exist! Photo Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Oct 2014.

There’s a store that loves Denver just as much as we do, and it’s located in the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall.

Unlike other touristy shops around that area, this is a place for proud natives, excited newcomers, and curious tourists alike, selling ONLY local apparel, artwork, and other fun gifts. They support over 150 local, Colorado artists! Know what’s even cooler? 70% of the sales in the store go back to the artists and business-owners so that they can keep doing what they do.  Continue reading →

Exploring the Highlands – Seafood Landing

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Seafood Landing has a great selection of seafood, and is located right in the heart of the Highlands on 32nd Ave. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Feb 2014

Remember a few months back when we explored The Highlands and visited places like Vert Beauty & The Matador? We also visited this fantastic seafood shop located at 3457 W. 32nd Ave called Seafood Landing. Open since 1974, the staff over at Seafood Landing really know their stuff, and carry an incredible selection. With the help of Seafood Landing, we can now make a May 2014 Crawfish Boil actually happen right here in DENVER!

When speaking with the staff, we learned that the original owners of Seafood Landing actually brought seafood to Colorado about 25 years ago – we’d say that’s quite the incredible feat, and deserves to be recognized.

Seafood Landing not only sells a great variety, they also have spices, cookbooks, and other novelties to help you do it right – this is definitely a plus! Not sure what spice or recipe to follow for your purchase? Ask them! They’re happy to help make your experience enjoyable in any way possible.

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We are big fans of the spices on display in this fisheye pic! Check out their marinades and spices to keep your seafood delicious and exciting. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Feb 2014

The Omega-3 found in fish oil is fantastic for your health! Looking to lower blood pressure and help out your heart? Fish! Trying to figure out a way to burn fat faster? Pick a day or two of the week and eat fish instead of red meat as your protein. The benefits are plenty – good thing we have Seafood Landing to help us out! Stop in and say hi – check them out and support local business that supports your health.

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Exploring the Highlands – Vert Beauty

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Denver, Colorado – a mecca for healthy rehabilitation for many individuals, it’s hard NOT to run into a store providing all-natural alternatives for food, housewares, cleaning, and medicinal products. It’s strange to think that cosmetics wouldn’t be a common part of that list, seeing as our skin is our biggest organ. We’re so used to focusing on what we put into our bodies that what we put on our bodies is an afterthought. Luckily, Vert Beauty has moved into town to change all of that.

Opening its doors December 1, 2013, on 32nd Ave in the Highlands, Vert (pronounced “ver”) Beauty is the only location we have found that focuses on natural and organic beauty products in Denver, Colorado. Now, we don’t want to throw you off with the words “cosmetics” and “beauty products” because when we visited last Friday, we found products for any age and gender. Vert Beauty also supports multiple lines of product, making it easy for everyone to find something they like. Additionally, if there’s not a fragrance that tickles your fancy, create your own at their fragrance-bar located near the rear of the shop.

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Inside the Vert Beauty store – Steve takes a look at what they have to offer in their multiple lines of products. To check out the lines offered at Vert beauty, click on the picture to be taken to their website. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, Dec 2013

The mission of Vert is to bring out your natural beauty utilizing natural products. Not only do they provide the goods, they also render services in application for special occasions, “just because”, or other consultation. Make sure to “Like” Vert Beauty on Facebook so you’re in the know on any special offers and discounts.

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Beautiful shop, friendly and helpful staff – Vert Beauty. Click on the picture to visit their Facebook page. Make sure you show your support and “Like” ’em!

If you’re looking for more information regarding natural and organic beauty products, here are a few of the sites we found helpful:

The Importance of Natural Products in the Age of Modern Cosmetics

A blog post from August 2013, this entry from the blog “Body Mind Beauty Health” provides some great insight regarding natural and organic products.

At-Home Spa Treatments: Relax Without Having To Pay The Bill

This article provides a list of natural ingredients you can pick up at the grocery store, and their multi-uses.

Ten Best Natural Beauty Products (per Totalbeauty.com, 2012)

Total Beauty provides unbiased reviews of 10 of their favorite natural products of 2012, some of which you can find locally at Vert Beauty.

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Best Booze Store in Denver – Argonaut’s

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Best Booze Store in Denver - Argonaut's

Whether it be wine, liquor, beer, pre-mixed margaritas, or guaro from Colombia – Argonaut’s has it. This is definitely a place I should have mentioned earlier in the blog’s life as when you move somewhere, you haven’t a clue where to get booze at a decent price. Again, this place has everything, the staff is super helpful, and the prices are totally right on. Check ‘em out by clicking on the picture, or visiting the corner of Washington and Colfax in Denver.

Happy Day of Birth, Sprouts on Colfax!

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I, amongst many others, have anticipated the opening of said beloved grocery store since the second week I moved to Denver, CO. With the opening of the Sprouts at 3625 E. Colfax Avenue in Denver, the opportunity to bike 4 blocks for groceries has arose, providing even GREATER opportunity for healthier shopping more often; in my eyes, this leads to a healthier lifestyle.

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Grand Opening of Sprouts on Colfax, July 10, 2013. Cick on the picture to find other Sprouts locations to visit. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, July 2013

Today marks the opening day of this great store, so of course I had to go and see how it was going. The store is PACKED, balloons are everywhere, and the sale prices are ridiculous: three red peppers for a buck? Yeah, I’ll take it! Although the lines are long, they move quickly, so don’t shy away once you walk in. Also, the staff is incredibly friendly – we can all imagine what kind of day they’ve had!

One bummer – Sprouts, where are all of the bike racks? It’s not cool to have your customers waiting outside for a spot on one of three rails, hoping that the shopping bikers inside come out soon. Might want to work on that small logistics piece, my friends.

Aside from that, WELCOME, SPROUTS! Welcome to the neighborhood! We’ve been eagerly waiting for your arrival, and thank you for providing us a place to buy good, wholesome food at sweet prices to reflect positively on our lives. See you in two days (or less).

Need something to do? Check out 16th St. Mall

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Looking at the 16th Street Mall from the median. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, June 2013

A couple of weeks ago, I took my new friend Jeff (also a Michigander – we’re everywhere) to the 16th Street Mall to walk around, as he had never been. As he had just moved to Denver a week prior to our mall excursion, I felt it necessary for him to see it in all of its glory! It’s a mall in the sense of the British term, so more related to a boulevard. Shops, banks, and other businesses line the street on either side, and free pedestrian buses drive up and down. There are multiple stops along 16th street, collecting and dropping off the tons of people that inhabit the area each day. Not only are the free buses a great way to get to one end or the other in a timely manner, they can also be a savior when your feet are disagreeing with your choice of walking shoes.

In addition to the commercial shops of the mall, art pops up everywhere – different sculptures of wood, metal, and everything in between line the 16th St. Mall, making it THAT much cooler to get out and walk both sides. Along the middle, or median, of the 16th street mall, brightly-painted pianos reside, ready for anyone and everyone to stop and play. These were placed by the Downtown Denver Partnership in a launch lovingly referred to as “Your Keys to the City” in 2011. All pianos are painted by local artists, using their own particular inspirations.

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Jeff found a new friend on the 16th St. Mall! Pictured: Jeff Doorn. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, June 2013

Whether you stop in at H&M, have a burger at Johnny Rockets, or just lolly-gag around, there’s plenty of things to do and see on the 16th St. Mall. Pick up a sweet Colorado shirt from one of the many tourist shops along with a few rad postcards to send to your friends and family. Make sure to take in all of the interesting and entertaining people watching and street performers. A robot street performer named RoboMike, pictured below, is an expert at making passers jump, laugh, and smile – make sure you say, “Hey” when you see him!

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RoboMike is an awesomely funny performer that is guaranteed to crack you up – give him a shout the next time you’re on the Mall! Pictured: Jeff Doorn (left) and RoboMike (right). Credit: Kirsten Ebey, June 2013

Have a great time visiting the 16th St. Mall – definitely one of my favorite places to hang out in Denver!