Earlier this month, Steve and I jetted off to Mexico to attend the Dead Ahead Festival for our very first time... and to say we had a BLAST is an understatement! Mix the beautiful backdrop of Rivera Maya, Mexico with the spirit of the Grateful Dead... add bottomless Margaritas, and I would say you have the Ultimate Paradise! It was so inspiring to meet so many Men and Women of the fabulous Dead Head Community, and I was really moved to see so many people wearing their Grateful Dead Fabulous at the 4-day long event!
We spent the days hanging at the pool, and the nights dancing in the sand right on the beach to the sounds and stellar interpretations of the Grateful Dead! A super highlight of the trip had to be handing out hundreds of gift bags that I had created for all of the other Fabulous Dead Head Babes in attendance. I absolutely love the culture among other Heads of trading gifts and keepsakes with each other as a way to show kindness and love to one another. Gift giving has always been my love language and I was so happy to connect with so many fabulous ladies and show them my appreciation with the crazy gift bags I made!
Each gift bag was chock full of Fabulous Swag including one-of-a-kind blinged out sunglasses, earrings, bracelets, stickers, party candy, and lots of fun!
The pool at the resort was totally blanketed in Fab all weekend long with all of the babes wearing their sunglasses around. Steve was even gifted a crocheted mushroom bag that he's totally obsessed with!
We even got a chance to take the Resort's Hobie Cats out for a few sails... that was AWESOME!
Every night was better than the next; incredible artists interpreting the Grateful Dead's music in new and different ways. Seeings artists like Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Jeff Chimenti, Don Was & Jay Lane perform the music we love with all of the other Dead Heads was really a priceless experience. Swaying to the music in unison created a feeling of community and love that made me love the music even more on a deeper level.
I was especially captivated by Sturgill Simpson's performance! I LOVED his on-stage swagger, and his interpretation of "Mama Tried" was really grass-roots awesome. Oteil Burbridge absolutely killed it and I am obsessed with his funky style. My new goal in life is to make him one of my fabulous one-of-a-kind wearable art kimonos!
LP Giobbi stunned as always (all weekend long) in her Grateful Dead Fab outfits. It was a real blessing to create and partner with her on specific looks for her Dead House sets. Look for a blog post dedicated just to her looks coming soon!
We had such an amazing time making lifelong memories and connecting with fellow 'Heads from all around the world, chilling by the pool with all the ladies in their fabulous sunnies, and sailing on the water. Steve and I have definitely added all future Dead Ahead Events to our calendar!