News and Events

Juju Salon & Organics Storefront

Juju Salon & Organics graciously agreed to introduce Bonded Forever to their community and customer base in a very big way.  During the month of October, Juju will be giving a 10% off discount on haircut services to customers that donate their hair to Locks of Love.  Juju will also be generously donating 10% of their sales profits to the Joan Karnell Cancer Center and Abramson Cancer Center on Sunday, October 28th.  Please make sure to schedule an appointment on the 28th so that a portion of your service can go towards cancer research and patient care!

Juju Salon & Organics LobbyI will hold Juju’s October special promotion and generous donation sentimentally very close to my heart.  After my mother successfully (hip hip hurray!) completed her last round of chemotherapy, her hair was in a desperate need of a good haircut.  Although her particular chemo medication luckily didn’t cause her to go completely bald like some medications do, her hair was much thinner and had a different texture than it used to.  She wanted to make sure that she went to someone that would do an excellent job and be sensitive to her situation.  I of course recommended my trusty hair stylist, Christie, whom at the time was working at Juju.

Christie gave my mother a stylish and spunky short haircut that really suited Juju Salon & Organics Haircut Stationher well!  The haircut literally made her look healthy and vibrant again and brought the color back to her cheeks and the sparkle back into her eyes.  It was amazing and emotional to see the transformation first hand.  The chemo fried hair that littered the space around her chair by the end of her appointment was a symbolic reminder of her brave and triumphant battle with cancer.  I remember feeling relieved when they started sweeping it all away, because it felt like we had just ended a chapter and started a bright and promising new one.

I also had a transformational moment of my own at Juju Salon & Organics that same year.  After I saw so many people in my mother’s chemo treatment center with wigs or hats on week after week, I felt that I needed to sacrifice my hair (which I was pretty attached to) so that someone less fortunate could Juju Salon & Organics Productsenjoy it.  I had always wanted to get a chic, short bob, but would always chicken out last minute.  However, on the the day of my appointment, I sat in the chair with only a slight bit of trepidation and bluntly told Christie, “Just do it.  Chop it all off.”  It actually felt really freeing after Christie detached the ponytail from my head with several swift cuts and showed it to me.  I felt lighter and excited to acquire a new look.  The bob that she gave me was awesome!  I loved accessorizing it with cute headbands and clips and wearing bright red 1950’s inspired lipstick.  My new hairdo uplifted my spirits and mood and made me feel like a confident modern woman.

I hope that you are as content and happy with your shorter haircut as I was if you decide to take the plunge and donate your hair to Locks of Love.  You are truly in good hands if you do.  Juju has been voted, “Best in Philly” numerous times and they are well deserving of that title.  Their salon also works very hard to be as green and eco-friendly as possible.  Their hair, skin care, and beauty products are all natural, organic, and good for both you and the planet.  I truly hope that you stop in, make an appointment, and be ready and willing to transform yourself!

**During the month of October, you can get free shipping on any Bonded Forever bracelet gift set by entering the following coupon code: FREESHIPGS.**

Instagram picture of Roland Dela Cruz and Cassandra Hoo at Gratitude Yoga 

My sister is the one responsible for encouraging me to practice yoga seriously.  Yoga has become a special shared activity that we love to talk about together when we are far apart and do together when we visit one another.  We have taken so many wonderful and meaningful yoga classes together over the years and it is always a blessing to be able to practice yoga next to my big sister/best friend.

Roland Dela Cruz's My Global Mandala PosterLuckily, during my visit to New Jersey last week, we were able to attend a benefit yoga class together to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc and ICanServe Foundation Inc.  The event was hosted at a beautiful yoga studio in Princeton, NJ called Gratitude Yoga.  Gratitude Yoga is a donation-based yoga studio that operates on an honor system.  Although the suggested donation amount is $12, yogis can anonymously pay what they can afford for every class.  The sustainable business model has served the owner, Gemma Farrell, very well.  Her classes are always packed with limber and eager learners week after week.  My sister had been telling me about this yoga studio for a while and I’m so happy that I finally got a chance to practice there.  I will definitely be back the next time that I’m in the area.

The yoga class that we attended was taught by Roland Dela Cruz.  He is the co-owner and yoga teacher of Bliss Yoga, which is located in the Philippines.  Yes, that’s right — the Philippines.  Roland left his country on September 17th, 2012 to embark on a 50 day journey around the world.  Traveling lightly with only a backpack of the essentials, a camera, and a yoga mat, he is on a mission to raise money for Breast Cancer victims, increase cancer awareness, and spread love and peace through his gift of teaching yoga.  To further educate and spread cancer awareness, Roland is documenting his journey on his blog, My Global Mandala.  I highly encourage you to subscribe to his blog so that you can live vicariously through his amazing trip.

I really enjoyed Roland’s class a lot.  His class was playful, challenging, and dynamic.  I was able to work up a sweat and also find moments of calm and stillness.  I’m thankful that I was able to attend his class and support his wonderful cause.  His 50 day excursion was motivated by his sister’s fight and survival (yay!) of Breast Cancer.  Since my own company was also inspired by a loved one’s fight and survival of cancer, I felt that Roland was a kindred spirit that I could relate to and root for.

I attended another cancer charity fundraiser last week as well.  Stay tuned to read more about it!

Melanie's Place Anniversary Party

Melanie’s Place is celebrating its second year in business this Saturday at 6 o’clock.  Melanie, the owner, and some of the artists and jewelers that sell their work at the store (including myself) will be attending.  Please come and mingle, learn about the stories and creative processes behind some of the beautiful pieces in the store, and have some fun!

Melanies Place is located in Old City at 53 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (on 2nd St. between Arch and Market).  I hope to see you there.

Bonded Forever's Launch Party - Pic of owner, Cassandra Hoo

I’m so happy to announce that Bonded Forever’s First Friday event/launch party at Spirt of the Artist (SOTA) was super successful.  My Mom, Dad, and Sister drove all the way from New Jersey to come support me and many of my good friends made an appearance as well.  Several people bought some Bonded Forever jewelry and others seemed very interested in buying it in the near future.  I have never felt so loved and appreciated.

I want to give a special thank you to Jonathan Kerr, who is the manager and design consultant for SOTA.  The event went so smoothly and he did a great job displaying and marketing my jewelry.

Bonded Forever's First Friday/Launch Party - Me, my Mom, and Jadian

Here I am with my sister, Jadian, and my Mom (the woman who inspired my jewelry)

Bonded Forever First Friday/Launch Party - Hope Collection "Be Brave" Series

 Bonded Forever’s Hope Collection “Be Brave” Series on display

Bonded Forever's First Friday/Launch Party - Don Brewer Wears "Be Brave" Male Supporter Bracelet

Bonded Forever’s first sale: DoN Brewer, from DoNArTNeWs, bought the “Be Brave” Male Supporter Bracelet.

I’m so happy that Bonded Forever had a positive launch.  Positivity only leads to more positivity and growth.  There are a lot of fun and exciting events happening in the near future.  Stay tuned for more info 🙂

Bonded Forever will be celebrating its company launch at Spirit of the Artist (SOTA) this upcoming First Friday (September 7th) from 5-8 pm.  The store is located on Philadelphia’s historic Antique Row at 1022 Pine St. Sponsored yummy snacks will be provided by  Varga Bar.  All of the other shops along the street will also be serving up lots of good food, alcoholic refreshments, music, and merriment.  If you live, work, or play in Center City, I highly suggest that you stop in on your way to Old City.

SOTA holds a very special place in my heart.  I lived in an apartment above SOTA for two years and I still consider SOTA as a home away from home.  I resided there while my mother was battling cancer and the apartment truly was a great refuge during that frightful time.  Pennsylvania Hospital and the Joan Karnell Cancer Center were luckily located only several blocks away from my old apartment.  I was able to conveniently attend all of my mother’s doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and chemo treatments and hang out with her and my father as much as I could whenever they visited.  We always made all of her doctor’s visits fun too.  After my mother’s very long chemo infusions, she fearlessly wanted to walk all over the city (even when she had neuropathy in both of her feet) and eat a good meal before her nausea and exhaustion set in.  I will always cherish those times that we had together, despite the horrible circumstances.

Jonathan Kerr, the manager and design consultant at SOTA, also was such a great friend to me during that time period.  He always knew how to cheer me up and was there for me when I needed someone to talk to.  After I received the grant from the Creative Incubator to start Bonded Forever, Jonathan became my jewelry consultant/mentor.  He provided wonderful advice and guidance and taught me so much.  He also always believed in me and knocked me to my senses whenever I had any self doubt.  He believed in my company’s vision from the start and promised me that he would sell my jewelry at SOTA the minute that I was ready to.  I am honored and appreciative that he kept to his word.  SOTA is literally stuffed to the ceiling with amazing handmade gifts and works of art.  I am thankful to have my work surrounded by so much beauty.

Today is a monumental and special day for Bonded Forever.  I’m excited to announce that I just dropped off some beautiful Bonded Forever jewelry at Melanie’s Place today.  This is a big cause for celebration, because now Bonded Forever is officially open for business!  Woo-hoo!

Melanie’s Place is a beautiful boutique and custom upholstery store located in Old City, Philadelphia (53 N. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19106).  The store carries a plethora of fun accessories, keepsakes, furniture, and art.  I’m really honored that my jewelry will be displayed next to so many other beautiful things!

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I’m very excited to finally debut my video promo for Bonded Forever.  This movie will give you some insight on my company’s backstory and jewelry design scheme.  Thank you, Mom and Dad, for dedicating so much of your time and energy!  I love you both very much!

The Corzo Center for the Creative Economy’s Creative Incubator Program just launched my company’s profile on their website today.  Please read my profile to learn about the progress that I’ve made over this past year.  The Creative Incubator is a great program and I encourage all University of the Arts alumni with an entrepreneurial spirit to apply for a grant.  The Corzo Center also offers a lot of useful free business classes and business consulting.  I took a lot of of the Corzo Center’s business workshops and they were very informative and helpful.

Enjoy!

Lynne Reingold-Hoo at Carousel Farm Lavender 2010

The picture of my beautiful mother, Lynne Reingold-Hoo, happily posing in the middle of a vast organic lavender field, was taken by my father on my parent’s wedding anniversary on June 26th, 2010.  It is one of last photos that I have of my mother before we found out that she had Colon Cancer.  She was so carefree, happy, and in good spirits that day and I remember that she was excited for all of the adventures that she had planned for the remainder of her summer vacation.  Below, is the first blog entry that she wrote on Care Pages to let all of her friends and family know her diagnosis and the events that led up to it.

BACKGROUND STORY

By Lynne Reingold-Hoo

The summer of 2010 was wonderful. I read seven books while working on my tan. Billy and I went on a week vacation to Charleston, SC where we indulged in fantastic food, explored the city where you can walk everywhere, hiked through the gardens at Magnolia Plantation, boated our way through Cypress Gardens, spent time on Sullivan’s Island where you can walk out into the ocean for what seems like miles because of the sand bars, and even fit in a day trip to Savannah, Georgia! Billy captured this trip with gorgeous photographs that we hope will be seen in art galleries. They are that beautiful. As if this were not enough, we spent ten days in Kansas City with our daughter, Jadian and her husband Matt, being the first overnight guests in their beautiful new home!The joy that we experienced in sharing time with them, helping them add finishing touches to their house helped me feel so much closer to them since I can now visualize where they are when we have our phone visits. We spent two days on Lake Ozark with Donna and Mike, Matt’s parents, and were spoiled with great meals, a boat trip and just having family fun, playing games and talking for hours.

Anyone who is a teacher can relate to the fact that the other piece of summer is spent going to doctors. It is so difficult just making appointments and getting to them during the school year. I have always been diligent about this…my annual physical, GYN, mammo, eye exam, etc. My story of why I have started this blog really begins here! Upon returning from Kansas, I received a phone call about the blood work taken during my physical showing that I was acutely anemic. Of course, I am thinking, this is not uncommon for woman; I can take some iron supplements, but instead was referred to a GI specialist. Apparently, when there is a significant drop from earlier baseline tests within a year, it is a huge red flag for possible internal bleeding. Thus, the battery of tests begin…endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI…all within the week before Labor Day. Dr. Rho, my GI specialist was so accommodating, knowing my panic about the new school year beginning and I wanted to start on time. I don’t think either of us expected the outcome since I had a normal colonoscopy five years earlier. The shock: colon cancer. I was able to start the school year so that I could connect with my class and help Jen, my lead partner get the classroom set up, procedures in place, and do as much as I could to feel OK about needing to take leave so early in the year.

Finding a surgeon that my family and I could feel comfortable with seemed like an endless search, but we finally chose Pennsylvania Hospital. The care that I received was wonderful, and it is a great comfort to know that it is one of the best medical centers in the country. On September 29th, I had about a foot of my ascending colon removed (where the tumor was on the verge of obstruction) as well at the lymph nodes and the colon was then reattached. I was so fortunate to be so fit prior to the surgery so I bounced back quickly and actually returned to work during the third week.I would have hoped that this was the end of my story, which it often is, but unfortunately, the cancer metastasized to my liver.

I promise that future entries will not be as long, but felt the need to inform those of you who are unaware of the details. I should have started this blog from the beginning!!!!! If I sound devoid of emotion, it is only because I have been living this for weeks, and I have tried to focus on the positive. I am amazed at how much love, concern and support that has been bestowed upon me and it has helped me to keep moving forward. I know that I still have a battle to fight, but I am determined to beat this!

* * *

Although my mother originally started this blog as a way keep everybody updated with her situation and progress, the act of writing down her thoughts, struggles, and triumphs became a daily therapeutic ritual that helped her get through each and every day.  Everyone was amazed by her ability to write regardless of the amount of pain and discomfort that she was in (she even wrote while she was in the emergency room).

My mother’s unfortunate situation also sparked the initial concept for my jewelry company, Bonded Forever.  You can read about how it all began on my About Page.