US - Joie de Vivre LIFESTYLE

About Us -- get to know us, get to know yourself

One of the best ways to find out what really makes us tick is to read our blogs. They are actually mildly interesting and full of tips

Siren School

Joy of Tea
SocieTea

Member Log-in

The very 1st take on our very 1st vlog ... complete with trespasser... oh those were the days

Who are we?
We are just like you.. in fact we ARE you -- the inquisitive, the adventurous, the joyous!

About Carmen (our FitnessJamz guru)

"CARMEN is a native of the Los Angeles Harbor area and started dance training at the age of 7. She studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Gymnastics and eventually went on to continue her studies as a Dance Major at California State University at Long Beach, California. Her love for music and dance reflects in her passion for 'hot and sexy Latin Rhythms of Salsa, Samba, Cumbia, ChaChaCha, Merengue, Bachata, Flamenco and Reggaeton.

Her extensive knowledge of Dance gave Carmen the opportunity to appear in both film and television and can be seen as a featured dancer in Blow with Johnny Depp, Hot Chicks with Rob Schneider, Heartbreakers with Ray Liotta, Showtime's Resurrection Boulevard, HBO's Six Feet Under, Telemundo's Viva Vegas, the WB's Charmed, CBS The Agency, CBS First Monday and ABC's Ugly Betty. Carmen has also appeared in numerous music videos with artists auch as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Montell Jordan, Britney Spears, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Jay Z and Enrique Iglesias and performed in stage productions, concerts and tours. She has also appeared in many Middle Eastern music videos and television commercials. From 2000 to 2006, Carmen was a regular dancer on stage at the original, famous Conga Room in Los Angeles owned by Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits and Paul Rodriguez.

After 20 years of dancing professionally, both locally and abroad, Carmen still enjoys performing and shares her experience by teaching dance and fitness classes for teens and adults in Long Beach and San Pedro, California. She teaches all Latin Styles of dance and Bellydance. Private lessons for singles, couples and groups are available. Wedding Couples can take advantage of Carmen's talent to choreograph their very special and personal First Wedding Dance together.

Carmen is also a Certified Fitness instructor, teaching her own LATIN DANCE 4 FITNESS by Carmens, Belly Jamz and La Bomba Fitness. And, she is a certified ZUMBA instructor. All of her fitness classes teach you basic dance moves, while getting you in shape using a fun, dance inspired fitness workout, dancing to all of her favorite Middle Eastern and Latin Rhythms."

About LaVonne (our Premier Party Eventeur)

LaVonne has been serving as a caregiver professionally for the last 17 years and at home to her 3 beautiful children since the age of 19. She says that as a single mom she has known what it is like to be a woman on the go, to be so busy taking care of others that you neglect yourself. In the process it can be difficult to see your self or your life as being meaningful, hard to find the resources to give to the community, and hard to maintain relationships.

She noted that so many things in the world try to "beat you up as a woman," and make it difficult to focus on what really matters. In LaVonne's case what matters most to her is spirituality. She says the stigma or 'title' of 'single mom' wreaked havoc on her self-esteem. "Things fall apart, crashing around you, and then you find God and it clears it all up."

LaVonne is passionate about helping other women find their inner beauty; and wants to use her opportunity with Joie de Vivre Lifestyle to lead women into their own unique path and walk with God. She says, "and then the other stuff will pass."

LaVonne has a bachelor's degree in Behavorial Science, an associates in Business Management, has extensive library experience, a sideline 'reading' service and has worked with a variety of home party businesses. I asked her why she was so excited about working with JdV, given that she has worked with the giants of the at-home party industry. Her answer was twofold... and humbling.... She said, first, it is because we are not selling products, we are promoting a LIFESTYLE... she emphasized that over and over.

And second, which she also reiterated many a time... she said we are helping women to find their own individual and vital purpose. "Joie de Vivre helps women live their purpose -- and we all do have one! It can be hard to see through the junk, but this group of women working together can help pull you out of the world so you can find YOUR purpose."

I am thrilled beyond measure to get to work with this vibrant, caring, and VERY detailed business woman, who keeps me on my toes with thoughtful questions and suggestions. She is a forward thinker with a generous spirit. JdV is very fortunate to have her spearheading our Party Eventeur collective. Oh and lest she throttle me, I should mention her passion is BOOKS!!!! Look to LaVonne to start up a JdV book club!

About Cristina (our joyous spokesgirl)

In trying to find a woman who embodies the Joie de Vivre Lifestyle, the answer was obvious - Cristina Valenzuela. Cristina Vee (as her fans know her) is beautiful, happy, successful, and as fun and down-to-earth as they come.

She is a singer and voice actress known for her work in anime, video games, and her YouTube channel. She was discovered by dubbing studio Bang Zoom! Entertainment through a voice acting panel at Anime Expo 2004, a popular anime convention in Southern California.

In addition to voice acting, she is also known as the co-host for AnimeTV alongside Johnny Yong Bosch as well as the live portrayal of Haruhi Suzumiya in The Adventures of the ASOS Brigade after Patricia Ja Lee. At Anime Expo 2010 it was announced that she will also play Mio in the K-ON web marketing campaign for Bandai Entertainment. In June 2010 she was the opening act for Japanese pop artist, Halko Momoi in Las Vegas, NA.

What a joy it is to have the opportunity to work with her. Look for her vlogs on a bevy of fun-filled findings and fetes.

About Kelby (our JdV Juniors girl about town)

Kelby is an actress, singer and improv artist.... (she draws pretty darn well too!). She was born and raised in Oklahoma. Her love for acting began when she played Annie in her hometown's community theater. She moved to California at 13 and graduated from John Glenn High School where she was heavily involved in drama, and was the Drama Club president her junior and senior year. She now attends CSULB where she is studying theater. More recent professional acting credits include leading roles in Gypsy Theater's The Land of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan as well as ensemble roles in Fiddler on the Roof and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Kelby is a delightful ball of energy and good humor who brings the perfect sense of whimsy du vivre to our little world of joy.

About Carol (our SocieTea gal)

Carol was a founding worker of the original SoCal SocieTea. A tea party caterer for more than a decade and former tea room owner, Carol is a volunteer for The Red Hat Society, and a veteran of 'the phone company." Additionally, she occasionally demonstrates the popular Cricut crafting device and supply line.

Carol is a perpetually cheery go-getter and the most generous business owner one could hope to meet, spending as much time promoting those around her as her own enterprises and events. What a thrill to have an excuse to get to work with her... usually over tea!!!