Photo by Hue12 Photography
CONTENTS September’20
12
Luxurious & Iconic Black Desert House in High Desert
16
ÉCRIN BLANC Courchevel
20 Buy Now, Paradise Later 22
LXR Hotels & Resorts Brings Unsurpassed Luxury to the Aegean Coast
25
The Enduring, Historic Charm of California’s Oldest Hotels
28 Uncrowded Getaways to Soak Up the End of Summer 32
America’s Best Cities for Easy Getaways
36 Tennis Champion And Entrepreneur Maria Sharapova Invests in Global Tech Wellness Brand Therabody
16
40 Cove, A Breakthrough Wearable Device That Effortlessly Reduces Stress And Improves Sleep 42 A Tourbillon in Still Waters 46 H&M X Sandra Mansour
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KATE CELENK Publisher, Editor in Chief CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Gokce Gizer
CREATIVE DESIGN
Innosance LLC
COVER PHOTO
Therabody
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Liz Galloway Gokce Gizer Kate Kubra Celenk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Hue12 Photography Jeremy Thomas Roberto Nickson Timothy Dunbar Johan Taljaard Gerson Repreza Casey Horner Sam Kolder Jazmin Quaynor Jennifer Pawlas Roberto Nickson Samuel Austin Artem Beliaikin Ava Sol Erol Ahmed Georgia de Lotz
Cover, September 2020 Photo Credit: Therabody
Copyright © 2020 The Evolve Mag by Innosance LLC. © 2020 The Evolve Mag by Innosance LLC.’s Copyright subsists in all work published in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. The Evolve Mag by Innosance LLC. cannot accept responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Innosance LLC a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine. The Evolve Mag by Innosance LLC. endeavors to respect the intellectual property of the owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact with us. Publication of articles does not necessarily reflect the official position of the The Evolve Mag by Innosance LLC.
CONTACT
Editorial Inquiries: kate@theevolvemag.com Contributing Inquiries: gg@theevolvemag.com Advertising Inquiries: info@theevolvemag.com 7
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EDITOR’S LETTER
M
aria Sharapova. Without a doubt, among the few prominent names that come to mind when we so much as see a tennis racket. The retired tennis champion recently made the news with her investment in tech wellness company Therabody.
Theragun is the most trusted percussive massage therapy device among professional sports teams, professional athletes, celebrities, world-renowned trainers, physical therapists, and people in more than 60 countries. With the addition of Sharapova to the team, it seems that Therabody will increase its wellness offerings, having recently released their USDA Certified Organic CBD product, TheraOne, the company is already on a path to become an all-around solutions provider for all post-workout needs. In our September issue, we continue to explore venues from around the world. For those getting ready for a winter vacation on the snowy mountains of France filled with fresh air, we are checking out Écrin Blanc in Courchevel. For anyone who is not yet over the summer vacation and is looking for weekend getaways, away from the crowds, due to limited times, we assembled a list of beaches to check out before the end of the season. However, if you still have time for a proper summer vacation, check out our pieces on Maldives and the Bodrum, on pages 20 and 22. Moving on to products of style and comfort, I encourage you to check out the Soma products on page 48 with their unique designs and simplicity, and the stylish and affordable pieces on page 46, from the collection of Sandra Mansour and H&M collaboration. This month, as part of our “7 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success” series, we take a look at some wellness practices and how you can approach “wellness” in a way that takes the pressure of the process and helps you find your own recipe to truly feel good. I wish you all the best during this change of season!
Kate Celenk Kate Kubra Kacmaz Celenk Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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CONTENTS September’20 48 Soma Launches Brand Refresh with a Strong Message of Inclusivity and Comfort 50
Makeup Museum Unveils Digital Preservation Of Kevyn Aucoin’s Historic Journals
52
Do You Need A Therapist?
54
Create Your Wellness Recipe to Feel Good
58
THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes
60 Everything You Need to Know About Gut Health & Probiotics 65
Find Your Center in the Time of Coronavirus through Meditation Journaling
66 “Everybody Loves California Figs” Podcast kicks off the California fresh fig season 68 Enjoy Seasonal Favorites with Fall Comfort Foods 70
Home Design Trends Change with COVID-19
73
Design for Wellbeing
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LUXURIOUS & ICONIC BLACK DESERT HOUSE
In High Desert
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Photos Courtesy of Homestead Modern
ne of the most alluring and recognizable examples of modern desert architecture, the Black Desert House, is now, for the first time, available for guest bookings. The iconic home seemingly emerges from a jumble of fantastically weathered boulders in the private community of Rock Reach in the Town of Yucca Valley. The Black Desert House is only available for 52 guest bookings each year and has been 100 percent sold-out during its threeweek soft-launch period. Starting immediately, the Black Desert House can be booked through theblackdesert.house. For a short time, it will also be available on traditional short-term vacation rental sites before becoming exclusive to direct bookings. The Black Desert House sits on a 2 1/2-acre parcel of spectacular High Desert scenery — including giant boulders, stunted pinyon pines, desert oak, and ancient juniper trees. Access is via a gated driveway that leads up to the house. The views from the house’s main rooms are of jaw-dropping vistas into hundreds of acres of the virgin desert landscape — every bit the equal to sights in the national park. The house features two bedrooms (one with an ensuite bathroom), a media room, and a gourmet kitchen. The living room’s main feature is an enormous wall of glass, offering the sensation of flying over the spectacular terrain. A swimming pool features a shallow tanning shelf, and the adjacent in-ground hot tub spa beckons for yearround soaks. A built-in gas barbecue is nearby — as is an outdoor shower. There is a gas fireplace inside and a gas fire pit on the patio — offering warmth for stargazers. The Black Desert House, which was completed in 2014, was commissioned by the noted Los Angeles-based designer Marc Atlan for himself and his family. The architects were Oller & Pejic Architects of Los Angeles.
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During the day, the interior of the house recedes and the views are more pronounced. At night the house completely dematerializes and the muted lighting and stars outside blend to form an infinite backdrop for contemplation. - Tom Pejic, Architect
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Despite the sense that the Black Desert House in the middle of a wild and untamed desert, it is close at hand to the key attractions in the High Desert. It is approximately 20 minutes from the west entrance to the national park and about the same to famed Pappy & Harriet’s. Several grocery stores are within a 15-minute drive. Homestead Modern LLC, with offices in the Town of Yucca Valley, is a leader in the High Desert vacation rental market. The company manages the highest-grossing portfolio of short-term vacation rental properties, builds new homes of its designs, and renovates existing properties before managing them as rental properties for clients. Homestead Modern also works with investors interested in engaging in the booming High Desert economy. For more information, visit HomesteadModern.com.
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Photos Courtesy of Écrin Blanc
ÉCRIN BLANC Courchevel
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TRAVEL.
Nestled in the heart of the 3 Valleys, in the famous ski resort of Courchevel, the Écrin Blanc offers unique services in a natural setting. It is a place where the notions of leisure and serenity take on their full meaning. Built using wood and stone, like traditional Savoyard chalets, the hotel is in perfect harmony with its surrounding environment. The interiors are conceived by Chantal Peyrat, an interior designer who arranged the entire resort in a friendly and traditional spirit. The feeling of being in the mountains is infused through small touches around the resort, offering comfort and relaxation.
The resort is located in Courchevel 1650, at the foot of a lift allowing access to Courchevel 1850. An ideal destination for families, friends, and companies, Écrin Blanc offers the best skiing and après-ski experience in addition to all the services of a four-star establishment. In addition to this, the hotel is directly connected to the Aquamotion, the largest leisure and aquatic center in the French Alps, accessed through a private underground tunnel. The Aquamotion features family-friendly swimming areas and aqua wellness facilities. The center is also equipped with spa care and massage room, which offer cryotherapy and other body treatments. A wide range of activities is also available on-site which include: fitness coaching, indoor surfing, rock-climbing, and outdoor beach-volleyball courts amongst others.
A COMFORTING COCOON, WITH VIEWS OF THE SNOWY PEAKS The Écrin Blanc hotel consists of 127 rooms and suites, ranging from 30 to 120 m² that can accommodate between 2 to 8 people. They also offer different styles of rooms, which are arranged into various living spaces, making it possible to adapt to all types of clientele including families, groups, and companies.
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The Cocoon rooms are ideal for couples, the Comfort and Superior suites easily accommodate families and small groups, the Love at First Sight suites are distinguished by their singular style, the Large and Superior Large suites guarantee the same comfort as a luxury apartment, the Very Large Suites are true mountain refuges, while offering the luxury of a four-star establishment. All the rooms, which are bright and spacious, offer an unobstructed view of the slopes, the mountains, or the surrounding nature. Some have balconies and terraces to enjoy the sunny moments. Subtly mixing old charm with elegance, the decorator Chantal Peyrat favored soft tones and natural materials that reinforce the soothing and comforting atmosphere of each space.
A PLACE TO SHARE IN AN RELAXED ENVIRONMENT Imagined as a local produce store, the Cellier, is both a place of consumption and sales. At any time of the day, it offers a selection of products from local producers. Ideally located in the heart of the hotel, it is a friendly space, where guests are free to meet to enjoy a moment of indulgence over a glass of wine, a platter of cold meats, or lounging with a book and a hot chocolate. In the evenings, the place converts into a soft and subdued setting, where the bartender offers made to measure, signature cocktails that guests can sip quietly at the bar or in one of the small lounges for more privacy. The bar offers a more festive atmosphere with DJs on the weekend.
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A GOURMET EXPERIENCE AT ANYTIME OF THE DAY The restaurant serving authentic French grill is surrounded by large windows which creates a luminous space and a warm atmosphere. From farm to table, the Chef and his team offer simple cuisine, served generously, and are cooked seasonally made using organic local ingredients. The breakfasts - included - are generous and full of delicacies: hot or cold buffets, sweet, salty, gluten-free products, and detox juices. Homemade pastries at the hotel are a must for dessert or afternoon tea. The hotel offers in the Jardin des Neiges, - facing the large terrace of the restaurant – a seafood bar and a food truck, also accessible from the ski slope. Seafood or pizzas on a wood fire, in the purest respect to tradition, are also offered continuously to vary the pleasures and satisfy all desires of our clientele.
A PLACE OF DREAMS AND DISCOVERY SURROUNDED BY NATURE At the Écrin Blanc hotel, children from 4 to 17 years old can be taken care of during their whole stay. A dedicated team creates daily programs charged with playful, sportive, and creative framed activities. So that the stay is as pleasant for them as that of their parents, the Chef of the restaurant and his team propose a kitchen adapted to satisfy the gourmet palates of children with homemade and seasonal menus.
SENSATION AND RELAXATION WITH PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS Aquamotion has 15,000 m2 of fun and well-being spaces including Aqualudique, Aquawellness, and Sport & Fitness area. Completely immersed into its environment and bathed in the outside light thanks to large windows, the center offers an exceptional setting and latest generation equipment for a unique experience throughout the year. Included in the reservation, the private access from the hotel to Aquamotion allows each guest to enjoy the most complete offer in Courchevel in terms of sports, games, and well-being. Aquamotion also offers a dining area accessible directly from Aqualudique and Aquawellness without having to put on shoes.
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BUY NOW, PARADISE LATER
Accor Launches Voucher Sale with Up to 40% Off Across Its Five Resorts In The Maldives With The Flexibility To Book Stays Until September 2021 TRAVEL.
As the Maldives opens its doors again, travelers can look forward to planning an idyllic getaway at one of the world’s most popular destinations. From now until 4th September, guests can book hotel packages of up to 40% off valid until 30th September 2021.
Whether it is a romantic getaway for couples, a fun-filled family trip, or a diving expedition, Accor offers a wide range of affordable packages ranging from three to seven-night stays including domestic flight transfers from the luxurious Raffles and Fairmont resorts, the upscale Pullman and MĂśvenpick resorts, to the midscale Mercure.
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Check out the below-mentioned hotel package offers: Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is offering the luxurious Ocean Residence - A Family Experience package starting from USD 12,200 for four nights in the two-bedroom Ocean Residence inclusive of return domestic flight transfers for four, daily breakfast and dinner, marine butler and a 60-minute Traditional Balinese Massage for two adults.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
For an unforgettable holiday experience for the whole family, enjoy a four-night all-inclusive package at Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi. Starting from USD 9,125 the offer includes a twobedroom Beach Sunset Villa stay with domestic flight transfers from Male for four, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, complimentary drinks, complimentary use of non-motorized water sports, daily yoga lesson, and more. For those seeking an adventurous getaway, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is offering an Ocean Pool Villa all-inclusive package starting from USD 4,199 for three nights with domestic flight transfers from Male for two, unlimited à la carte dining at six restaurants and bars, and free-flow drinks. Fitness enthusiasts should not miss the resort’s Fit Trail island jogging track, a beach bootcamp Raaveriya Workout experience, yoga session, and nature walks.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
Couples seeking a romantic hideaway at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives can enjoy the Romantic Villa Escapes package inclusive of seven nights stay at its Beach Pool Suite Sunset, domestic flight transfers from Male for two, daily breakfast and dinner, complimentary use of the non-motorized water sports equipment and daily sweet indulgence of its signature Chocolate hour, starting from USD 5,749.
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is offering one of the bestvalue packages for two with its Best of Beach and Overwater Villas package, starting from just USD 1,549 for a two-night stay at the Beach Villa and another two-night stay at the Overwater Villa. The package also includes returning domestic flight transfers from Male for two, Male airport lounge service, daily breakfast, and complimentary use of non-motorized water sports equipment. Vouchers can be purchased on accor.megatix.in.th. Stay dates are flexible for redemption until 30th September 2021 and may be amended free of charge.
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Photos Courtesy of Hilton
LXR HOTELS & RESORTS BRINGS UNSURPASSED LUXURY TO THE AEGEAN COAST 22 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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TRAVEL.
Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts opens its doors, offering travelers a chic new destination along the Aegean Coast which stays true to the natural beauty and spirit of Bodrum. The first hotel in Turkey under LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s collection brand for independent luxury properties, and just 3.5 miles from downtown Bodrum, Susona Bodrum boasts a private beach, world-class spa, and gourmet dining experiences, offering guests the ultimate place to find their balance and serenity. Every element of the hotel is connected to its sense of place with a focus on protecting and preserving the local environment. Named after the mystical Susona, a legendary aquatic creature in Turkish mythology, Susona Bodrum is set in Torba Bay, a peaceful hideaway surrounded by turquoise waters. Each of the 76 guest rooms, suites, and villas features panoramic sea views and interiors inspired by the sea. In the bathrooms, guests will be treated to indulgent amenities from Atelier Rebul’s Mandarine Collection, made from the fruity and citrus fragrance of Bodrum mandarines, blended with aromatic flowers and musk. Guests can also enjoy dipping into a private pool at each of the hotel’s 10 standalone villas. The resort’s five jetties offer a myriad of opportunities for guests to enjoy the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, with a host of seaside venues to choose from. These include Frankie Beach Club and Malva Restaurant, concepts created exclusively for Susona Bodrum by Kaya Demirer and the team behind the famed Frankie Istanbul, taking guests on a gastronomic journey while allowing them to soak in the coastal town’s breathtaking seascapes. Susona Bodrum stays true to LXR Hotels & Resorts’ promise of offering guests a singular travel experience native to its place, history, and tradition. The resort’s gracious hosts not only delight guests by scouting out the best relaxation spots on-property and preparing perfect settings for sunset viewing, but also by delivering locally immersive experiences. Hosts at Susona Bodrum can curate personalized local trips, encompassing visits to Bodrum’s famous hand-crafted leather sandal workshops, local wine tasting at nearby vineyards, and a journey into the world of Turkish carpet making at Etrim village. With Susona Bodrum hosts working to create the perfect itinerary, guests are free to relax and absorb all that the hotel and its surroundings have to offer.
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Diners can savor gourmet food and immerse themselves in the coastal surroundings at the resort’s five restaurants and bars: -Frankie Beach Club Bodrum builds on the success of the celebrated Turkish hotspot Frankie Istanbul and brings its culinary experience to Susona Bodrum. Guests can indulge in a range of delectable cuisine prepared with fresh and local ingredients, as well as worldclass cocktails and fine wines, against the beautiful backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Diners can also enjoy a Power Lunch, which features magnificent food presentations paired with magnum wines, all the while listening to the club’s resident DJ play uplifting beats warming up to live music entertainment in the afternoon. -Brought to you by Frankie, Malva Restaurant is a boho-chic culinary, microlocal destination that offers a mouth-watering range of succulent slowcooked dishes that feature a fusion of handpicked ingredients. After finishing dinner, guests can enjoy relaxing live tunes, including international and Turkish covers of jazz, soft funk, and soul. -At Malva Cocktail Bar, guests can savor light bites alongside artisanal cocktails, a rich selection of Spritz, and the finest local and international wine, all the while enjoying breathtaking views of the beautiful coastal sunset.
-Located next to the rooftop infinity pool, Ezi offers panoramic views of the peninsula. Offering tranquillity in a comfortable and elegant setting, Ezi is the perfect alternative for those who want to disconnect. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast, filled with homemade artisanal baked delicacies, a variety of smoothies, and third-wave coffee. Here, guests can also enjoy local comfort food throughout the day while listening to relaxing poolside beats. -Guests can also unwind at the resort’s Family Beach, where they can sip on fresh juices and a thirst-quenching selection of homemade infused iced tea. An oasis of relaxation, Susona Bodrum’s Spa Soul provides guests with the
definitive sensorial experience. Each guest undergoes a systematic analysis of their individual needs and is prescribed a combination of authentic treatments that will leave them feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Spa rituals include the ‘Organic Origins’ treatment, which is a form of care that comes from ancient Turkish civilizations and uses delicate fragrances and organic ingredients to reveal each individual’s natural beauty. Meanwhile, signature treatments include the Stress Relief Massage, which utilizes the application of brewed plant seed pouches that have cleansing, activating, and relaxing properties – a technique that originates from Turkish philosophy and is believed to play an important role in strengthening the immune system. A 24/7 state-of-the-art gym fitted with the latest TechnoGym equipment also ensures guests can continue getting their healthy dose of adrenaline at any point during their stay, with fitness experts providing personalized training services readily on hand. “Hilton has a rich history in Turkey, which was home to our very first hotel outside of the US more than 60 years ago,” said Simon Vincent, Executive Vice President and President, EMEA. “With the coastal town of Bodrum providing fantastic facilities and breathtaking views, it is the perfect spot for us to expand our portfolio, and we couldn’t be happier to be opening our first LXR Hotels & Resorts property in the country.” For more information or to make a reservation, visit Hilton.com.
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Photo Courtesy of L’Auberge Carmel
THE ENDURING, HISTORIC CHARM OF CALIFORNIA’S OLDEST HOTELS TRAVEL.
Some of California’s oldest hotels in the state have survived fires, earthquakes, pandemics, the Great Depression, and various cycles of neglect and renewal. While the current pandemic has left few destinations unscathed, these enduring hotels will no doubt enchant travelers with their historic charms once again.
1859 Historic National Hotel
In the Gold Rush town of Jamestown, the 1859 Historic National Hotel has been in nearly continuous operation since it was first built. Stephen Willey is only the third owner of the hotel, which he purchased with his brother in 1974. The hotel’s saloon had been a place they would stop for drinks on their way back from skiing and backpacking. When his brother learned the hotel was for sale, he convinced Stephen to move
to Jamestown and run the hotel for at least six months. The original six-month commitment turned into a 40-plus-year restoration and modernization project. In 1974, the aging hotel had 12 rooms and just one bath. Working room-by-room, they tore the hotel down to the studs, upgraded the electrical, plumbing, and insulation, and added baths. Instead of the original 12 rooms, the hotel now has nine guest rooms, each with private baths. The rooms feature high coved ceilings, dark-stained wood trim, and beautiful period details. The hotel’s authentic Gold Rush-era saloon features the original back bar from 1859 and a stamped tin ceiling.
The Upham Hotel
The Upham Hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1871 and is the oldest, continuously operating hotel in Santa
Barbara. Originally named the Lincoln House, the New England-style boarding house was built by Amasa Lincoln to welcome the growing numbers of pioneer settlers turning up Santa Barbara. The first visitors to the hotel arrived by horse, steamship, or on foot. Beginning in 1880, the hotel was sold to a succession of owners who continued to make improvements and build out the estate, including Cyrus Upham who changed the name to the Hotel Upham in 1898. The hotel survived a devastating earthquake in 1925, and the Great Depression beginning in 1929. The current owner, Carl Johnson, purchased the hotel in 1982. He and his sons embarked on an extensive renovation project to modernize the buildings’ systems while restoring the hotel’s period details. The landmark hotel continues to embrace its legacy, providing modern amenities with historic charm.
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Monte Cristo Bed & Breakfast Inn
Photo Courtesy of Monte Cristo Bed & Breakfast Inn
If the walls of the Monte Cristo Bed & Breakfast Inn could talk, they would have undoubtedly had stories to tell. Possibly the oldest surviving hospitality building in San Francisco, the hotel was originally built in 1875 as a bordello and saloon. When a large fire swept through the city after the 1906 earthquake, homes were torched on Van Ness Avenue to create a firebreak. The saloon not only survived but served as a refuge for newly homeless residents following the earthquake and fire. In the 1920s, the hotel served as a speakeasy and has since evolved into one of the top boutique hotels in San Francisco’s exclusive Pacific Heights neighborhood. The 14-room bed and breakfast has been lovingly restored and features high ceilings, hardwood floors, Persian rugs, authentic antique furnishings, luxurious beds, and private, modern baths. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. The hotel is within an easy stroll of great shopping and restaurants.
of a historic renovation while incorporating structural upgrades and modern conveniences. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the award-winning hotel recalls a bygone era of style and grace and is just a stones’ throw to coffee houses and restaurants in the HaightAshbury district.
Tallman Hotel
Walking the wide, wrap-around porch of the elegantly-restored Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake is like stepping back in time. The Western-style hotel was built in the 1870s by one of Lake County’s first non-native settlers, Rufus Tallman. It was popular among many well-heeled travelers who journeyed by stagecoach from Sacramento and San Francisco to soak in Lake County’s natural mineral spring waters. Rufus’s daughter and son-in-law inherited the hotel in 1912 and continued running it for decades. Two owners succeeded them, but eventually, the hotel fell into disrepair. It stood vacant for 40 years before current owners Bernie and Lynne Butcher purchased the property in 2003 with the vision of restoring the hotel to its original grandeur. They salvaged many architectural details, including the fir floors, staircases, and banisters. They introduced period moldings, tile floors, and claw foot tubs in keeping with the vintage of the hotel. The period-perfect 17-room hotel now exudes the grace and luxury of a turn-of-the-century hotel run by a family with impeccable taste.
Stanyan Park Hotel
Across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, the Stanyan Park Hotel was designed at the turn of the 20th century to be the most elegant and fashionable
The Queen Anne Hotel
hotel along the park. Shortly after its completion, Beaux Arts-style hotel sustained damage in the famous 1906 earthquake but was spared the devastating fires that consumed most of downtown San Francisco. Repairs were made and the hotel re-opened. The hotel changed names and ownership numerous times over the years before it was purchased by the current owners in 1980. Upon seeing a neighbor’s historic photo of the original hotel, the owners scrapped their planned remodel in favor
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Entering through etched glass doors of The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco, guests step back in time to an opulent, bygone era. Built-in 1890, this grand Victorian rose from the wealth produced at the Comstock Lode and first served as Miss Mary Lake’s Finishing School for Girls. After surviving an earthquake and a fire in 1906, it became an exclusive gentlemen’s club and was then later sold to the Episcopal Diocese. By the 1970s, it had fallen into disrepair and was boarded up, only to be fully restored and re-opened as a hotel in 1980. Today, the hotel offers 48 elegant rooms and suites with luxurious amenities, period-perfect details, and lavish Victorian charm. Some of the rooms offer large bay windows, woodburning fireplaces or Jacuzzi tubs for two. In keeping with the vintage of the hotel, tea and sherry are served each afternoon in the Parlor Room.
Cornell Hotel de France
At the turn of the 20th Century, A.W. Pattiani was among the most soughtafter architects in the San Francisco Bay Area. His work lives on in the hundreds of Victorian-era residences and buildings he designed, including the Cornell Hotel de France in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill District. Built in 1910, the hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been owned and operated by the Lambert Family for 50 years. In that time, the Lamberts have created the kind of intimate, moderately-priced hotel that could be found on the southern bank of the river Seine in Paris. With an easy-going, European vibe, the 50-room hotel combines historic charm with art and modern amenities. The hallways feature fine art prints of Modigliani, Matisse, Chagall, Gauguin, Toulouse, Lautrec, and others. The hotel’s groundfloor restaurant, Jeanne d’Arc is a French bistro offering a four-course prix fixe menu and a well-curated selection of French and California wines.
Hotel Charlotte
Just west Yosemite National Park, the Old West-style Hotel Charlotte in Groveland was built in 1921 by one of the town’s most notable female pioneers. Born in Italy in 1881, Charlotte DeFerrari migrated to the California gold fields with her family when she was 16. After arriving in Groveland, her father was killed in a mining accident, and Charlotte was left as the sole provider to her mother and younger siblings. Her hotel and restaurant rode the wave of prosperity spurred by the Hetch Hetchy Dam project and then weathered declines due to the completion of the dam and the ravages of the Great Depression. Surviving the Depression, Charlotte went on to attract a new wave of visitors on their way to Yosemite. She ran the hotel until her retirement in 1948. Today, the
hotel offers 15 cozy rooms that blend modern amenities with vintage touches. Downstairs, Charlotte’s Tavern features Californiafusion comfort cuisine paired with craft beers, cocktails, and local wines.
Benbow Historic Inn
Steeped in Old World charm, Benbow Historic Inn in Humboldt County is an elegant, Tudorstyle hotel near the Avenue of the Giants and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built above the banks of the Eel River in 1926, the hotel became a popular resort destination for motoring tourists traveling the newly completed Redwood Highway. It was designed to be the cornerstone of the resort community that the Benbow family envisioned for their 1,290-acre valley. The hotel’s seclusion, luxury, fine dining, and access to the great outdoors attracted early Hollywood stars and numerous dignitaries. The hotel survived the Great Depression and remained in the Benbow family until it was sold in 1962. The current owners, who bought the hotel in 1994, have made numerous upgrades and restorations—including a new ADA compliant wing—all of which have been designed to seamlessly blend the old architecture with the new.
Hotel Marisol Coronado
Just two blocks from the glittery sands at Coronado Beach, the Hotel Marisol Coronado was one of many small hotels that sprung up in the early 1900s after investors turned San Diego’s Coronado Island into a seaside resort. Originally called the Blue Lantern Inn, the hotel was built in 1927 in a Spanish Eclectic style that had been inspired by San Siego’s Panama – California Exposition of 1915. The hotel suffered a myriad of alterations and name changes until the newest owner restored it to its original Spanish Eclectic architectural style. The completely revamped hotel, which
reopened in 2014, features smooth white stucco walls, a red-tile roof, high ceilings with exposed wood beams, arched windows with ornate wrought-iron scroll details, wrought-iron light fixtures, and an enchanting courtyard patio. A vintage 1920’s Otis elevator serves the hotels’ three floors. The hotel is located just around the corner from Coronado’s main street lined with shops and cafes.
L’Auberge Carmel
In the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, L’Auberge Carmel was built in 1929 by one of early Carmel’s most colorful figures, a seafaring adventurer named Allen Knight. Knight based the design on Bohemian architecture he had seen traveling through Prague. His ideas were realized by noted San Francisco architect Albert Farr. The collaboration resulted in an enchanting three-story wood frame and stucco building with an open interior courtyard. A series of recent renovations have recaptured the building’s elegant Old World charm while incorporating modern luxuries. For example, the enlarged baths feature antique travertine tiles with radiant floor heating and hand-hammered copper sinks. Other restored features include the original coved plaster walls, French windows, and antique doorknobs. Guest rooms are furnished with open-canopied or tufted beds, original antiques, and custom fabrics, assembled by San Francisco designer Helga Horner. The hotel is also home to the Michelinstarred restaurant, Aubergine, and its impressive 2,500-bottle wine cellar. For more information on these and other California boutique hotels and bed and breakfast inns, visit cabbi.com.
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Uncrowded Getaways to Soak Up the End of Summer Written by Liz Galloway, Travel & Lifestyle Contributor
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Photo by Roberto Nickson
The ebb and flow of waves caressing beaches is a sound that puts many of us in a meditative state. The sand ripples left behind by the energy of the waves are almost irresistible to dip our toes in. Breathing in the benefits of the negative ions in the ocean air and exhaling the weight of negativity brings about a certain bliss in our lives. You can almost feel the ions neutralizing the free radicals in your body. Well, not technically, but surf on the mind does do a body good. It’s even better if you’ve found a first-rate beach chalet to settle into. So, it’s time to step away from the routine and take a 72hour recharge. There are plenty of options out there for every type of beach lover but here are the top picks for playing hooky and using up some PTO time. Call it in because we’re going to the beach baby! 29 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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Orcas Island, San Juan Archipelago, Washington The pull of the lush temperate rainforests of Orcas Island is well known to the locals and those seeking to retreat to the emerald isle of the North-Western United States. For those arriving via the Seattle airport or Washingtonians seeking a change of scenery, the trip it’s a fun 89-mile excursion and a ferry ride from Anacortes. The area is full of the history of the Salish Sea and a haven for resident marine mammals and wildlife. Named after the Viceroy of New Spain, Horcasistas, later shortened to Orcas. You’ll have the chance to mingle with sea orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants, and great blue herons while you sip an island-made beer or local wine. And there are plenty of shorelines to watch the sunset dusting the horizon next to an open fire or dining alfresco. Orcas Island offers endless outdoor possibilities in the cooler air with the refreshing ocean waters lapping at the shores. The creative art community is a perfect getaway with your choice of private cabins on the water, cozy B & B’s, or quality hotels in the heart of town.
Calusa Beach, Big Pine Key, Florida
Photo by Johan Taljaard
It’s hard to beat the pleasant 80-degree temperatures of Florida beaches, so why resist? Calusa Beach is located along the expansive stretches of coral reefs and silky blue waters of the Florida Keys. A bit further out, lesser-known and less crowded it’s a great choice for a quaint getaway. Here you’ll find reefs bursting with marine life, options for kayaking, fishing or simply enjoying the balmy breeze under a palm tree. Snorkeling anyone? This beach is part of the Bahia Honda State Park, originally a tropical stopover in the 1900’s when a railroad was attempted to Key West. The picturesque waters are inviting and with small concessions nearby you can shop for souvenirs, stroll the neighborhood, or visit the marine sanctuary before retreating to your private veranda at the Tranquility Beach Bay Resort. Other options include local bungalows overlooking white sandy beaches or setting up camp. It’s a tropical oasis that is hard to leave.
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Photo by Timothy Dunbar
Folly Beach, Charleston, South Carolina A must-do mini-retreat is Folly Beach just south of the historic port town of Charleston. Easily move between city and beach to fit whatever feels playful. There’s a little something for everyone here from surfers to fishermen, to families, and couples looking for a slice of utopia. If you’re wanting a bit of nostalgia you can explore the cobblestone streets by carriage in town then float off to the catch some vitamin sea at the beach. Sip wine at the upscale Uncork Charleston or kick up your feet at BLU’s Beach Bar for a more casual feel while you watch the waves roll by. Looking for more? Book a charter or hop on a sunset cruise with local captains and mingle with new friends. Sailing Folly is one of the best ways to capture the expanse of the shoreline, watch the brilliant sunset colors light up the marsh, or do some dolphin spotting. The pull of the ocean is strong here and Folly’s 12-mile barrier island has always been a haven for South Carolina lifestyles. You’ll have plenty of choices to be outdoorsy, campy, or glamping with exclusive hotels lining the beachfront, cozy cabins, or camping options. Folly is just a short drive from Charleston or a short flight from several major U.S. cities.
El Matador Beach, Malibu, California If you’re looking for a less crowded experience amongst California’s four hundred and twenty beaches, you may want to check out El Matador State Beach. The views from the blufftop give you a snapshot of California’s well know iconic cliff beaches and tumbling waves along the shoreline. The dramatic eroded rocks form large sea caves and arches that will make you want to book a personal photoshoot or inspire you to play with sea stars in the rocky tide pools. Bring a backpack full of goodies or set up your posh picnic basket with wine and cheese for a true hideaway experience. If you’re feeling adventurous take a dip in the ocean or slip in your neoprene for some body boarding or surfing. With sun, nibbles, and natural beauty all near a refreshing drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, this is a conveniently fun weekend getaway. After a day in the sand snuggle into your cardigan and stroll to a nearby cafe. Book vacation villas or apartment homes for a day, a week or a weekend in nearby Malibu. Whatever your beach style, focus on your connection to the ocean and the warm rays of the sun. Breathe deep and stay safe out there, travel is different now and these beaches still provide options for physical distancing. On the flip side, your body and brain will thank you for the rest and that just might make your Monday morning a bit more energized.
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Photo by Casey Horner
America’s Best Cities for Easy Getaways
TRAVEL.
In 2019, the last-minute getaway experts at Hotwire brought new meaning to the term ‘quickie’ when they released the “America’s Best Cities for a Quickie Index” which ranked 40 U.S. destinations predominantly based on factors like leisure and entertainment for a two to three-night getaway. But with trip planning looking a bit different this year and impacted by a rapidly changing health and safety landscape, recent traveler preferences called for new city ranking factors such as savings on lastminute bookings, driveability and population. To create the 2020 index, Hotwire’s robust ranking system analyzed more than 300 cities coast-to-coast, compiling more than 10,000 data points and taking into account today’s most pressing travel factors, including Ease of Arrival - Driveability, Best Bang for Your Buck - Value, Things to Do - Leisure and Population as travelers look to escape crowded destinations.
Photo Courtesy of Hotwire.com
While jet-setting abroad may be off the table this summer, many Americans are turning to their own backyard for a change of scenery after months of stay-at-home orders. In fact, more than four in five of adults agree that after quarantine, quick, local trips are the perfect way to test the waters before investing in a longer vacation according to a recent survey by online travel site Hotwire but these trips will be accompanied by added safety precautions. Key changes travelers plan to make include traveling more by car, visiting less crowded spots, researching a hotel’s cleanliness procedures and traveling close to home in case of emergency.
America’s Best Cities for a Quickie Index 2020 - Top 40 Major Metropolises
Mid-Size Must-Sees
Small Town Favorites
Itty Bitty City
Las Vegas, NV
St. Louis, MO
Orlando, FL
Charleston, SC
San Francisco, CA
Tampa, FL
Scottsdale, AZ
Newport Beach, CA
Washington, DC
Atlanta, GA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Santa Barbara, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Arlington, VA
Reno, NV
South Bend, IN
Seattle, WA
Tucson, AZ
Salt Lake City, UT
Sarasota, FL
Memphis, TN
Tulsa, OK
Springfield, MO
Savannah, GA
Indianapolis, IN
Virginia Beach, VA
Madison, WI
Temecula, CA
Austin, TX
Pittsburgh, PA
Shreveport, LA
Troy, AL
Denver, CO
Miami, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Wilmington, DE
Portland, OR
Cincinnati, OH
Toledo, OH
Atlantic City, NJ
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With 20 fresh destinations on this year’s Index, three categories saw new cities hit the #1 spot. Las Vegas kept its claim as the top Major Metropolis for a quickie, thanks in particular to its high value and leisure scores and moderate population. To ensure a safe and seamless trip, Hotwire strongly recommends checking the most recent local travel guidelines for your city and destination before booking. They have also been working closely with their hotel partners to communicate property cleanliness precautions during checkout to indicate enhanced health and safety measures taken to protect travelers. “No one is certain how much longer COVID-19 will disrupt travel plans, so quick getaways can help Americans enjoy a change of scenery right now without making major commitments,” said Nick Graham, head of Hotwire. “In the midst of everything, Americans are craving a much needed break. We’re seeing that people are taking certain precautions such as staying within driving distance of home and waiting until the last-minute to book so there’s no risk of their plans changing. And what’s really exciting is that these types of spontaneous trips actually offer outsized benefits: Hotwire users can save an additional 50% when they book within a week of their trip!”
Last-minute deals on Hotwire give you the flexibility to book a trip on the fly while saving more money than ever. Book a mystery Hot Rate® Hotel right before you want to travel and save an average of 52% more vs. booking a listed rate hotel two weeks earlier. Hot Rate deals are also available for car rentals, making a quickie getaway even more accessible. For more information on how to “Make it a Quickie,” see travel resources and deals, or to view the complete city index and tips, visit quickie. hotwire.com.
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MARIA SHARAPOVA Invests in Global Tech Wellness Brand Therabody, Joining The Company As A Strategic Advisor
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Photos Courtesy of Therabody
Tennis Champion And Entrepreneur
T
herabody, formerly known as Theragun, the global leader in tech wellness and percussive massage therapy, officially announced today that tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova has made an investment in the company while joining Therabody as a strategic advisor. In addition to this capital investment, Sharapova will play an instrumental role in supporting the company’s global growth strategy as a member of its Advisory Board. “Throughout my career, as both an athlete and entrepreneur, it’s been important to me to work with brands and partners that have great potential and can have a positive impact,” said Sharapova. “Since Therabody’s launch, they have continued to demonstrate they are on the cutting-edge of combining technology, fitness, and wellness, bringing more balance to people’s lives. I’m thrilled to join the team as they continue their mission to transform and revolutionize the tech wellness space.”
After retiring from professional tennis in February 2020 as a five-time Grand Slam title winner, Sharapova has been investing in health and wellness companies. Parlaying her extensive business acumen and professional sports background, Sharapova’s involvement as a strategic advisor with Therabody will go above and beyond the scope of a traditional investor, working with Therabody on its product offerings, advising on strategic initiatives from concept to execution as well as supporting the company’s continuing expansion in the European and Asian markets. As a member of Therabody’s Advisory Board, Sharapova will also play a critical part in helping advise and liaise on company partnerships, growth strategies, and Therabody’s future direction within the burgeoning tech wellness space.
Throughout my career, as both an athlete and entrepreneur, it’s been important to me to work with brands and partners that have great potential and can have a positive impact - Maria Sharapova
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“I am proud to welcome Maria Sharapova to our Therabody family as an investor and strategic advisor,” said Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody. “As we continue to innovate and offer whole-body wellness products, Maria shares Therabody’s vision to improve people’s lives with natural wellness solutions. As a former professional athlete, she knows exactly how to recover and take care of her body on and off the court. The Therabody team is excited to work with Maria to use that experience to share with our growing community to continue to change people’s lives.” A former No. 1 ranked tennis champion, and the 7th female tennis player ever to complete the career Grand Slam, Sharapova understands the value of unifying technology with sports, wellness, and recovery. Following Theragun’s rebrand to Therabody in May 2020, the brand has become an undisputed industry leader to integrate these respective fields. In tandem with the rebrand, Therabody also launched its proprietary USDA Certified Organic CBD line, TheraOne, last month. Sharapova’s involvement with Therabody will also help expand the company’s future wellness offerings, developing new products beyond its two current divisions of Theragun and TheraOne.
MARIA SHARAPOVA Maria Sharapova is a world-class tennis champion and entrepreneur. After moving to the United States from Russia at age six to pursue her tennis career, Maria turned professional at age 14. She won Wimbledon at age 17 - the first of her five career Grand Slam titles - and was the 7th female player in the open era to complete the career Grand Slam. Outside of tennis, Maria is the founder and CEO of her premium candy brand, Sugarpova, where she oversees the day-to-day decision-making and growth of the company — from creative branding and packaging to product R&D and retail expansion. She is also an active investor and mentor, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. In addition to her work as an athlete and entrepreneur, Maria is passionate about design and architecture and brings a creative and hands-on approach to all of her projects.
THERABODY Theragun was created in 2008 and officially launched in 2016 by chiropractor Dr. Jason Wersland after suffering a life-altering injury. Building on over a decade of research and development, the brand’s gold standard Theragun Percussive Massage Therapy devices use proprietary state-of-the-art technology to effectively reduce muscle tension, accelerate recovery, and improve performance. Theragun is the most trusted percussive massage therapy device among professional sports teams, professional athletes, celebrities, world-renowned trainers, physical therapists, and people in more than 60 countries.
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Photos Courtesy of Feelmore Labs
FEELMORE LABS INTRODUCES COVE, A BREAKTHROUGH WEARABLE DEVICE THAT EFFORTLESSLY REDUCES STRESS AND IMPROVES SLEEP Patented Technology Pioneers a New Generation of Self-Care and Mental Wellbeing INNOVATION.
Feelmore Labs, an innovative wellness technology company driven by neuroscience, unveiled its inaugural product: Cove, a new wearable consumer device that is scientifically proven to effortlessly reduce stress and improve sleep. Using cutting-edge, patented neuroscience technology, the device silently applies gentle vibrations behind the ears that initiate a natural biological pathway between the skin and the brain. By harnessing this connection, Cove is able to activate the part of the brain that regulates anxiety, leading to a profound and durable sense of calm.
With Cove, Feelmore Labs is filling a void within the wearable tech category, delivering a product that actively improves your wellbeing and has proven results. Scientific studies show that consistent daily use of the device in 20-minute increments results in reduced stress and enhanced sleep, ultimately improving resilience to stress. Poised to be the future of selfcare, Cove may be worn at any time to reduce stress -- during the course of the day while doing other things, like working, or at night before bed to help the user fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
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“Particularly during these challenging times, many of us are facing stress, uncertainty, fear, and doubt. The traditional ways to overcome and manage these feelings have yet to naturally activate resilience, which is where Feelmore Labs and Cove comes in,” said Francois Kress, Co-Founder, and CEO of Feelmore Labs. “Cove was created as a simple tool to effortlessly build resilience to stress, better equipping you to deal with it as it arises, while also improving sleep. As Cove doesn’t require dedicated time or effort, our goal is for users to seamlessly incorporate it into their daily routines, using it as a resource to find a healthy balance between stress and relaxation. Cove helps you put on peace of mind.” Over a four-year span, clinical studies found that more than 90% of participants who used Cove for 30 days experienced a stress reduction of 41% and a sleep quality improvement of nearly 50%. These results show Cove’s promise versus other solutions like meditation, which according to a 2014 Johns Hopkins Medicine study, only improved anxiety symptoms by 5-10%. The Cove device comes with a companion app (available on iPhone and Android) that can be used to view session history, check stats and streaks, and keep a progress journal. In the near future, heart rate and motion data collected during each session will be used to report stress measurements of the user. With the comfort of the user in mind, the app does not need to be used during Cove sessions; however, it is recommended to check it between sessions for a more complete experience and to support consistent daily use of the device.
Feelmore Labs is backed by major venture capital firms including True Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, and M13, and is led by a diverse team of scientists, medical professionals, and business and technology executives. Its scientific advisory board is made up of experts in neuromodulation, mood disorders, and sleep science from top institutions including Brown University and Harvard Medical School. Cove will be available to consumers starting Fall 2020 and can be purchased online at feelcove.com.
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A TOURBILLON IN STILL WATERS 42 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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Photos Courtesy Arnold and Son
Delicately placed on a mother-of-pearl dial, hand-painted carp and sculpted lotuses surround a flying tourbillon. Arnold & Son presents the Ultrathin Tourbillon Koi, a delicate unique piece that blends fine watchmaking and the artistic crafts. The House showcases its broad spectrum of skills within a red-gold case measuring 8.34 mm thick. Here, the finest craftsmanship builds on tried-and-tested watchmaking technique.
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STYLE.
Arnold & Son is highlighting its tradition of bespoke watch creations. Ever attentive to the wishes of its customers, the brand is offering them the chance to personalise its collections. Customers can apply substantial changes, making a case, movement or dial unique through engraving, gem-setting, miniature painting or sculpted elements. One of the models that is particularly well suited to this exercise is the Ultrathin Tourbillon, with its off-centred dial at 12 o’clock. This arrangement frees up space to provide an empty canvas that can be filled with whatever the customer desires.
Beneath the surface
In the same vein, the Swiss brand with English roots presents the Ultrathin Tourbillon Koi, a unique piece that depicts two carp gliding between lotus blossoms. Koi are a popular theme in traditional Japanese art and inspire tranquillity. Above and beyond their beauty and serenity, they are a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. A Tancho carp, recognizable thanks to the large red mark on its head, swims on the right-hand side of the dial. Peering out from beneath the sleeve, it is the first to be seen when checking the time. The scene continues with another koi in shades of white and orange gracing the other side of the dial.
A pond in full bloom
Above these ornamental carp float three lotus blossoms. The petals are cut from silver and shaped, before being engraved, polished and painted in dazzling white lacquer. Each flower’s pistil is formed separately using the same techniques, then the two parts are combined. The carp and lotus leaves, meanwhile, are painted by hand using incredibly thin brushes that allow a wealth of details to be added, such as scales,
The movement displays the hours and minutes in an offcentered dial at 12 o’clock. At 6 o’clock, an aperture reveals a tourbillon whose construction is special in more ways than one.
Movement in the water
barbels and striped fins. The base of the dial is made from bluetoned mother-of-pearl, its iridescent shimmer evoking the water in which this charming scene unfolds.
A ripple of opportunity
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Beneath this poetic depiction of pond life, Arnold & Son draws on the vast possibilities presented by the caliber A&S8200. Its thickness of 2.97 mm puts it within touching distance of the all-time records for thinness in this category.
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First and foremost, the tourbillon is a ‘flying’ variety, meaning that it only has a lower carriage bridge. Since the top is not held in place, a few precious millimeters of height can be saved, thus freeing up the view of this timekeeping mechanism. The balance, meanwhile, is off-centred from the carriage axis, creating a dynamic visual impression as the tourbillon rotates. Another distinctive feature is the balance bridge, which is domed and extends slightly from the dial, ensuring that the rest of the movement is unaffected by the total height. This, in turn, makes the tourbillon’s rotation all the more spectacular. The effect is further accentuated by the skeletonised main plate located just beneath the tourbillon. The resulting transparency creates an ethereal impression consistent with the refined theme of the Ultrathin Tourbillon Koi. Finally, this manually wound movement features an exceptional 90-hour power reserve – another technical signature of the House.
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Functions: Hours, minutes Movement
Calibre: A&S8200, 1 minute flying tourbillon, manual winding Jewels: 29 Diameter: 32.00 mm Thickness: 2.97 mm Power reserve: 90 hours Frequency: 3 Hz / 21,600 vph
Finishes:
Main plate: Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the centre and hand-engraved tourbillon bridge Bridges: Polished and chamfered by hand Wheels: Circular satin-finished Screws: Blued and chamfered, mirror-polished heads tourbillon carriage: satin-finished, polished and chamfered Dial: Miniature painting on black mother-of-pearl silver lotus flowers, engraved and painted by hand
Case
Material: 18-carat red gold (5N) Diameter : 42.00 mm Thickness: 12.23 mm (with crystal) Crystal: Domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides Case back: Sapphire crystal Water-resistance: 30 metres / 100 feet
Strap
Material: Hand-stitched alligator leather Buckle: Pin buckle, 18-carat red gold (5N)
Reference: IUTAR.M99A. Edition: Unique piece
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Photos Courtesy of H&M
H&M X SANDRA MANSOUR
FEMININE AND EMPOWERING WOMENSWEAR COLLECTION DEDICATED TO THE LOVE OF NATURE 46 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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STYLE.
H&M is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Sandra Mansour, the eponymous Beirut-based brand known for its dreamy and daring aesthetic — always with a modern coolness to it. Inspired by strong female artists and the beauty of nature, the collection features intricate designs in a muted color palette, where handcrafted details like edgy ruffles and layers of romantic fabrics create a youthful, empowering look. Sandra Mansour established her fashion house in 2010 and her attention to detail and craftsmanship, mixed with inspiration from art and her surroundings in Beirut, shines through in all her designs. For Sandra Mansour x H&M collection, Sandra draws inspiration from elements of nature and female artists such as Toyen, Dorothea Tanning, Lena Leclercq, and Bibi Zogbé. The result is a feminine and strong range of dresses, blouses and skirts, a tailored blazer, and a printed T-shirt and hoodie. Fit-and-flare shapes and ruffled hems are mixed with volume and statement details in an earthy color palette of mushroom greys, ivory, and black. Mansour names each of her collections, and the Sandra Mansour x H&M collaboration is entitled “Fleur du Soleil” after becoming fascinated with the way a sunflower follows the sun from day into night. Dot, floral and sunflower motifs enrich sheer, delicate fabrics and emphasize the craftsmanship, while the feminine silhouettes exude power and urban edge. “The first things you notice about Sandra Mansour’s designs are their dreamy qualities and sheer beauty, but then you get further drawn into the craftsmanship, the storytelling, and the modern youthfulness. There’s also something empowering about femininity. We’re proud to be collaborating with such a trailblazer and look forward to launching the collection worldwide!” Maria Östblom, head of design womenswear at H&M.
The inspiration for the H&M collaboration was nature and natural elements. Especially the sunflower, which represents the cycle of life, and its dependency on sun and light. Poetry and painters inspired the selection of fabric – the dark laces, jacquards, and embroidered organza. With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now. - Sandra Mansour, CEO and Designer 47 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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Photos Courtesy of Soma
Soma Launches Brand Refresh with a Strong Message of Inclusivity and Comfort 48 T H E E V O LV E M A G S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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STYLE.
Soma is the only national intimate apparel omnichannel retailer dedicated to comfort and inclusivity for women. The brand is devoted to its dominance as an industry leader in inclusivity, using a wide range of diverse models and influencers, including various ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. Soma continues to embrace ultimate comfort by launching a new modern loungewear collection, Soma WKND. The Soma WKND collection consists of multiple fabrications that are extremely soft and lightweight. Soma WKND also includes styles with sustainable eco-yarn that are comprised of soft recycled yarns made from plastic bottles that require less energy. The collection is available in a variety of colors in sizes XS-XXL and ranges from $34-$89. “Now more than ever, women are seeking comfort and a good support system in every facet of their life,” says Kimberly Grabel, Senior Vice President, Marketing. “We’re embracing our evolution and know a woman’s greatest strength lies within. The new campaign showcases an example of empowerment and modern femininity.” “It’s important for our logo to evolve as we do. We took the capital S of our previous logo, in Snell font, and turned it on its side – just as we have done with the new brand vision,” states Grabel. “The flourish of the S symbolizes the curve of a woman’s body, the softness of our latest collection, and the ability to shift into something new.”
For over 15 years, the women-led design team has crafted bras and panties, pajamas, and loungewear that aim to make women feel comfortable and confident. Soma understands that women want and deserve fashion and function without compromise. “We support our customer through all phases of her life and encourage her to find joy in the everyday details,” continued Grabel. With over 1,500 bra fit experts and a 90% bra fit satisfaction rate, Soma continues to be a leader in transformation using innovative solutions that fit women’s bodies.
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Photos Courtesy of Makeup Museum
Makeup Museum Unveils Digital Preservation Of Kevyn Aucoin’s Historic Journals
ART.
Seven original journals from legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin are now preserved through an extensive digital archive created and maintained by the Makeup Museum. Makeup Museum unveils images from a new digital archive of journals kept from 1983 to 1994 by legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. Aucoin (born in 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana) moved to New York City in the early 1980s where he was soon hired as a lead makeup artist by VOGUE magazine. Before his untimely death in 2002 at age 40, Aucoin had worked with countless models, celebrities, and pop culture figures, and published world-renowned books about makeup artistry including The Art of Makeup, Makeup Faces, and Face Forward.
“While the Makeup Museum cannot yet open its doors in New York City, our efforts to preserve makeup historical artifacts and share makeup history gems with the public is core to our mission to educate, inspire and celebrate all things beauty,” said Doreen Bloch, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Makeup Museum. “Kevyn Aucoin has continued to inspire generations of makeup artists, and it has been an honor to lead the effort to preserve his personal journals.” “Kevyn’s imprint on our industry is still very much alive today,” said Rachel Goodwin, Makeup Artist, and Makeup Museum Co-Founder. “He opened the door for new generations of
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makeup artists to walk through, and legitimized our craft in a way no one had done before.” Throughout his life, Aucoin maintained scrapbook-like journals to document his meetings, contacts, career highlights, and personal milestones. Seven journals, one each from 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1994, and two from 1993, had been lovingly stored by his family. Because of the challenges with the conservation of paper-based documents, the Makeup Museum worked with the family to create a digital archive of the journals to ensure the preservation of this important set of historical artifacts. “The journals are so special because they show what was important to him. He loved what he did and he loved the friends he made along the way. It feels to me that he documented everything because he was so in awe of the life he was living, and he might need to glance back for a pinch-me moment when he doubted if it was all real,” said Samantha Adkisson, niece of Kevyn Aucoin. “We are so grateful to the Makeup Museum for digitizing these journals. The process of preserving them alone is very difficult, so the Makeup Museum was a blessing in this endeavor.” Full-page images from the journals have never been published before, and the polaroid images therein represent one-ofa-kind images from photoshoots with the world’s most iconic photographers like Avedon, Penn, Meisel, and more.
The journals also served as space to safe keep mementos from Aucoin’s meaningful life moments, like his backstage pass to the 66th Annual Academy Awards show in 1994, his Madison Square Garden ticket for Barbra Streisand’s The Concert, a newspaper clipping of an article about his parents founding the PFLAG chapter in his hometown, animal rights stickers, birthday cards, and family photographs.
“So much has changed in the beauty business since Kevyn’s era,” explains Goodwin. “His journals allow us to take in what has changed and what has stayed the same in a very personal way. The kind of tenacity and passion it takes to build and sustain a career of his level is nothing short of extraordinary. Nothing about Kevyn’s journey was passive or unintentional, his journals grant us a map from which to trace the heart and mind of a creative genius.”
“Kevyn’s journals reveal that none of the extraordinary experiences in his life were taken for granted,” said Troy Surratt, Protégé of Kevyn Aucoin and Advisor to the Makeup Museum. “The journals are beautifully detailed documentation of days filled with a lot of gratitude, and I’ve always believed that Kevyn was fully aware of the importance and magnitude of the work that he was doing. He was thrilled and proud of all that he had accomplished.”
The Makeup Museum will showcase exclusive images from the new Kevyn Aucoin digital journal archive on Instagram (@MakeupMuseumOfficial) and in the newly launched Makeup Museum mobile app on Apple iOS ($2.99). Users of the Makeup Museum mobile app have exclusive first-look access to digital content, including special artifacts available through Augmented Reality such as the rare Salvador Dali “Bird-in-Hand” vintage compact, and skincare prescriptions from Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy. The Makeup Museum will continue to unveil special artifacts with in-depth educational insights each month on the mobile app as part of the Makeup Museum’s ongoing digital initiatives.
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DO YOU NEED
A THERAPIST? THESE 5 SIGNS POINT TO YES
COVID, Recession, Unemployment, Race Riots, and an upcoming election -- 2020 has set out to stress out even the most stable minded among us. Even those full of optimism cannot help but become depressed or anxious during one or more of these circumstances and need help beyond what a trusted friend or loved one can provide. So many of us right now may be asking ourselves -- “Am I in need of a therapist?” How can we tell when it is time to find a professional to help us process the things we are going through? To walk us through some of the signs we should be observing, we have Dr. Sanam Hafeez, who is an NYC-based licensed clinical psychologist with a faculty appointment at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College. Dr. Hafeez is also the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services. Here are five signs you may benefit from working through some of your stress and anxieties with a therapist:
You are indulging is high-risk coping conduct.
You are not abnormal if you develop coping mechanisms that are not always the healthiest. Many people struggle to find healthy and productive ways to unravel their issues, and this doesn’t mean they are bad people, or that their stress cannot be soothed. If you find yourself, masking or ignoring your core issues, by medicating with sex, drugs, alcohol or other behaviors that put you or people you love in harm’s way, you may find that therapy can provide tools for you to help with pivoting your experience in a more positive direction. Anytime you attempt to “escape” your problems with substances, or momentary pleasures, you are just shortly forgetting about them. But our issues have a way of resurfacing until we deal with them and find a more hopeful approach to life.
You are sleeping too little or too much.
Grief and depression can often sink someone into a mental space where the thought of getting out of bed, working, or even enjoying themselves is a farfetched concept. For other people, stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil can manifest in the other extreme of the spectrum. These people cannot fall asleep. They tuck themselves in only to find their mind active into late hours of the night revisiting issues repeatedly. So they get up and start cleaning, working, or distracting themselves on their phones for hours into the next morning. Again, oversleeping or distracting
caused
Most of your mental energy goes into focusing on your flaws.
2020 is difficult enough without you constantly counting your shortcomings. If your moments of thought are saturated with self-doubt, remorse, and self-disparagement, therapy can help you navigate some of the things that you have not had an opportunity to work through. Perhaps you find yourself drifting off into negative thoughts and self-disparaging inner monologues, and this can be a sign that you’ve fallen into a cycle of self-defeating consciousness. A therapist can listen to your perception of yourself and talk through some of the ways in which you can break this cycle of what can often become selfsabotage.
You are physically manifesting the turmoil you feel inside. If you find that you are a healthy person but have fallen into feeling physically fatigued, faint, and or experience stomach aches, twitches, or trembles when certain situations or topics arise, you can benefit from speaking to a therapist. Therapists screen patients to see if perhaps there are signs of chemical
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ourselves so far that we don’t sleep at all is a coping strategy that we must observe and work through. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts and as well as the reasons why sleep has become such an issue. Through therapy, you can address the core situation, helping you relieve yourself of side-effects that could be by too much sleep or too little rest.
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Photo by Jazmin Quaynor
WELL-BEING.
About Dr. Sanam Hafeez: Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…).
imbalances that may be causing these physical reactions and sensations. It is important once you make the decision to start therapy that you are honest with your doctor about the physical manifestation you are experiencing. A good therapist will ask purposeful questions as part of your onboarding that helps in assessing some of these occurrences.
You are overwhelmed enough that you neglect your duties or loved ones. The human mind has a finite supply of energy, and the weight of our issues can lead us to neglect things we know we are capable of accomplishing. This can wear down your stamina, your effectiveness, and your ability to focus. You can find yourself preoccupied to the extent that you become forgetful and nervous. This can affect your work, your family, and your goals. A therapist can help you find ways of centering yourself and process the things that are crowding your thoughts. With as stressful a year as 2020 has been, our minds can easily be overwhelmed with concern for the economy, issues pertaining to social justice, health-risks and pandemic, and the state of the environment, to name a few.
In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.
Why is there such a stigma about realizing you could benefit from consulting a therapist? Dr. Hafeez explains that we are living through some of the most stressful times in modern history. “Self-care and mental health go hand in hand and right now our psychological state is under pressure not just because of problems in our personal lives, but also with the current state of the world. It isn’t the time to keep yourself from something you think you may benefit from, such as therapy, because of stigma,” explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez. There is a perception that going to therapy makes you weak or crazy, but Dr. Hafeez flips this notion saying that “having the determination to deal with your issues instead of letting stress overwhelm you is a brave thing to do.” Seeking therapy is a self-loving action to take.
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Photo by Jennifer Pawlas
CREATE YOUR WELLNESS RECIPE
to Fe e l G o o d
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Written by Gokce Gizer, Coach & Consultant
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WELL-BEING.
As we embark on our journey toward creating and leading a more fulfilling life, we must first focus on taking care of ourselves, to feel good - mentally, physically and emotionally. With more and more people attributing their happiness and success to following a certain set of “wellness” practices and habits, we tend to wonder if their recipe is the key to a fulfilling life for us. There’s no doubt that waking up early to journal, practicing yoga and meditation, following a healthy diet or a strict exercise program are all wonderful additions to our lives, but only when we view them as the supportive healthy habits that they are, rather than the ultimate goal of living.
Photo by Roberto Nickson
We might find ourselves struggling with the anxiety of following these “wellness recipes”, even feeling guilty when we “fail” to make some of these habits stick. Wouldn’t that just defeat the purpose of taking care of ourselves if these prescriptions make us feel anything less than amazing, to the point of turning into unhealthy obsessions over wellness? Before I found a mix that truly worked for me, I struggled with the anxiety and pressure of following other people’s wellness recipes, until I questioned the true purpose of incorporating these practices into my routine. As we strive for “wellness”, let’s take a moment to assess how we approach and can incorporate some of these popular practices, specifically meditation, yoga and journaling, into our lives in a way that works for us so we truly feel good (and not burdened at all).
MEDITATION “I can’t meditate, I have too much on my mind”. Yes, I’ve also uttered these words when I first attempted to meditate about 8 years ago following the advice of a fortune teller in Greenwich Village in New York. I felt relieved to find out that we don’t do meditation, we “practice” meditation, and that there could be no right or wrong way of practicing something. It’s about finding a technique that feels more natural to us, one that aligns with our unique preferences, because I believe there’s a meditation practice that works for each one of us. In addition to mindfulness and breath awareness meditations that you might be more familiar with, there’s visualization, movement, loving-kindness, sound healing, zen, mantra and transcendental
meditation techniques as well. Before you start exploring, I’d like to share some of the ways in which meditation helps us take care of ourselves, so you might have a sense of what might feel good for you. The mindfulness practice of sitting down, closing your eyes, focusing on your breathing, and what you are experiencing through your senses, is a way for us to become more present, more aware and feel more connected. In a world where we try to make the most of every minute, we may find ourselves rushing from one place to another, one experience to the next, one interaction to another, without even realizing how much we miss out on simply by not being present. If taking time for this meditation practice feels challenging right now, you can try to incorporate this sense of connectedness and mindfulness throughout the day, by paying closer attention to what you are experiencing in the moment, what you hear, smell, taste, see, how you feel, what you are sharing with others and become more explicit about your experiences. As we widen our experiences and connections, this mindfulness practice will enable us to deepen them as well.
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Personally, I turn to guided visualization meditations to find the space to unburden my distressing thoughts, to put things into perspective, to become more intentional about my path and to dream of endless possibilities. These guided meditations (usually by The Honest Guys) give my cluttered mind a structure to follow so I can stay aware of my thoughts and achieve greater clarity as I’m not burdened by the distracting thoughts in the process.
Yoga is both a physical activity, improving strength and mobility, and a mental practice boosting clarity and focus. Practicing yoga serves as a mental reminder of how everything in life is transient, how both good and bad experiences exist only in the moment. During a yoga practice, whether you’re trying to breathe into a hip opener or a backbend that challenges you, or relaxing and sinking into a child’s pose or corpse pose (savasana), you are aware that it’s not going to last forever. Yoga shows us that we have the mental and physical capacity to endure the challenges of the practice, that we can access and unleash this power through a deliberate, focused and mindful practice. The more we practice yoga, the more we internalize this mindset and start to apply it to our lives, truly believing that we have the strength, patience and the mental capacity to persevere through adversities.
Reflect on the deeper feelings that challenge you (e.g. anxiety, anger, loneliness, doubt, uncertainty, disconnect) and explore how meditation might help you accept, explore and handle these feelings. Some of us turn to meditation to gain insights, some to find deeper relaxation and to sleep more peacefully, some prefer groups and some prefer to practice individually. Explore the systems that work for you, try simple mindfulness practices and breathing exercises throughout the day and check out a comprehensive meditation app like Meditopia.
Photo by Samuel Austin
Whether it’s a Sunday evening group practice to stretch physically and reset mentally or an individual practice to feel more centered and to get stronger, you can practice yoga and take advantage of its amazing benefits. For at home sessions, check out apps like Yoga Studio, Glo and Alo Moves, but I’d encourage you to find dedicated teachers to guide you through both the physical exercise ensuring your safety and through the mental process to share the teachings of yoga with you.
Meditation is a practice that offers wonderful benefits by increasing the levels of your physical and emotional awareness, helping you feel more centered, grounded and connected with the world and with those around you. Once you find the techniques that work for you, it feels so rewarding to practice meditation on a regular basis.
YOGA The moment I get out of bed, I pull out my mat, and practice yoga, some days for 5 minutes some days for a whole hour, but every day nonetheless. Of course, sometimes, I wake up feeling tired, rushed, bitter or simply “not in the mood” to practice yoga, and I tell myself to just go to my mat even for a brief moment. I remember the feeling of relief, peace and hope that washes over me the moment I sit on my mat and take a deep breath.
The forces of the universe support those who work at healing themselves - Yung Pueblo
Photo by Artem Beliaikin
I believe yoga to be a practice that my body and soul not only need but also deserve. For some people, yoga is a form of exercise, for others it’s part of a spiritual ritual, or it’s both. I don’t intend to convince you to pick up yoga or practice it on a daily basis but I’d like you to consider the benefits yoga offers for your mind, body and soul, for you to make up your mind about it.
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JOURNALING I love the fact that as complicated and powerful as our brains may be, they are so easily manipulated. That’s why journaling to set intentions and as a gratitude practice works like magic to make us feel happier and more purposeful.
Similar to that, I take a couple of minutes in the morning to set intentions for the day, writing down a few words to both anchor me and guide me throughout the day. When you plant the seeds in the morning of how you want to be and to act that day, you become more receptive to opportunities to live by your intentions or to recalibrate when you feel out of sync with them. Intentions could be simple and still powerful: be kind, be present, listen carefully, be ready to contribute, have fun or be open to receiving help. Journaling is a powerful practice to help you gain clarity, to deal with your emotions, to increase self-awareness, to envision your future, and to capture and organize your thoughts. I believe that we’d all benefit from a little journaling, whether it’s to capture random thoughts in a little notebook or to incorporate this practice into our daily routine with the “5-Minute Journal” in a more structured way.
Photo by Erol Ahmed
“As our ability to know and heal ourselves deepens, we will be better equipped to examine the world more carefully and heal it more effectively.” - Yung Pueblo
Photo by Ava Sol
Before I go to bed, I take my little notebook and write down a few things I feel grateful for, and a few amazing things that happened that day. Nothing is too big or too small to capture, and my snippets comprise of a wide range including “spending a nice day with my niece and nephews”, “a random person smiling at Hendrix (my dog) in the park”, “a curly fry in my regular fries”, “having a supportive family”, “the nice breeze from the window”. This practice causes my brain to apply a selective perception process throughout the day where I unconsciously focus on positive experiences and things to be grateful for as I know I will have to write them down at night.
We might find ourselves struggling with the anxiety of following these “wellness recipes”, even feeling guilty when we “fail” to make some of these habits stick. Wouldn’t that just defeat the purpose of taking care of ourselves if these prescriptions make us feel anything less than amazing, to the point of turning into unhealthy obsessions over wellness? - Gokce Gizer, Coach & Consultant
Wellness might seem like a luxury, though it’s one that we can all afford and we certainly deserve. It doesn’t matter whether you are leading a team, taking care of your family, supporting your community or building your business, you have to be at your best to offer the most to these people and the world you live in. When we incorporate these practices with the sole purpose of really taking care of ourselves we benefit greatly from them, becoming healthier, happier and stronger, truly feeling our best. We definitely owe it to ourselves, to feel our best, so we can perform at our best, making better contributions to our world, ultimately leading a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This article is part of the “7 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success” series. Check out our previous issues for steps on “Knowing Yourself” and “Identifying Your Values”.
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Photos Courtesy of ThriveOn
THRIVE II: THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES Releases trailer August 8th in 15 languages for sequel to one of the top watched documentaries of all time
WELL-BEING.
THRIVE: What on Earth Will it Take? is one of the most widely viewed documentaries in history with over 90 million views across 27 different languages. Released in November 2011, the unconventional documentary lifted the veil on what is truly happening in our world by uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. THRIVE I connected breakthroughs in science, consciousness, and activism, offering real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and future. The creators, Foster Gamble and Kimberly Carter Gamble prepared a powerful trailer to air on August 8, 2020, for their sequel which answers “what on earth it will take” with THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes. THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes brings viewers behind the scenes with the people and innovations that have the power to transform life for everyone. It follows a journey across the globe investigating the most promising solutions in energy, health, consciousness, and non-coercive self-organizing while unpacking the underlying science, principles, and strategies that make them possible. Inspiring trans-political, grassroots, and decentralized solutions THRIVE II offers practical tools for reclaiming authority over our lives, an endeavor more significant by the failures of governments and authoritative institutions amid the pandemic and civil unrest sweeping the globe. The
film will be released on September 26, 2020, in 15 languages to a world disenchanted with the status quo and hungry for hope, grounded in solutions. Following the release of the first film, over a thousand innovators from around the world reached out to the ThriveOn team eager to share their inventions and join the movement. “Many feared their inventions were so challenging to the status quo that they already had been or might be suppressed,” said Foster Gamble. “The inspiring response prompted Kimberly and me to journey across Africa, China, Thailand, Egypt, Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, and all over the United States along with a team of engineers, doctors, and other experts to vet various breakthroughs.” These interactions with global innovators are accompanied by on-camera commentary from prominent scientists and philosophers such as Nassim Haramein, Gregg Braden, Dr. Kelly Brogan, Bruce Lipton, Larken Rose, and others. In this new era where the old systems rarely work for anyone but the financial elite who perpetuate them, THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes offers actionable solutions, a behind the scenes unveiling of bold breakthrough innovations, empowering new paradigms for creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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Photos Courtesy of BIOHM
Special Interview with the co-founder of Biohm and the author of ’Total Gut Balance’ Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GUT HEALTH & PROBIOTICS Written by Kate Celenk, Editor-in-Chief
What is ‘gut health’ and why should you pay attention to your gut health? Gut health refers to the optimal physical function of our digestive system. When you have a healthy gut, your organs all work together in harmony to allow you to eat and digest food without discomfort and unwanted gastrointestinal symptoms. Recent discoveries have shown that having a healthy digestive system is dependent on harboring a balanced gut microbiome. The microbiome is defined as the collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites that live on and in our bodies (specifically the bacterial and fungal communities residing in our gut). Bacteria and fungi, when in balance
(in homeostasis or equilibrium), work together for our benefit to break down food and turn it into small nutrients that our body can use to provide us with energy and macronutrients (proteins, carbs, fat, etc.). These macronutrients enter the bloodstream, distribute to different organs and tissues, and support the growth of our cells. Like society, some of these microbes are “good guys” and some are “bad” ones. The good news is that the good guys keep the bad guys under control. Some good examples are probiotic strains such as the bacteria Lactobacillus and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, which keep Candida (a pathogen that can cause disease) under control. Having a balanced microbiome will not only improve gut health but also these microbes exert
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influence beyond the gut to improve/ maintain overall physical and mental wellness. A healthy gut with a balanced microbiome will positively impact overall health. Balance is a beautiful thing; it brings calmness to life and calmness to the gut, too. When this balance is disrupted (a situation we call dysbiosis), problems can take root and ripple throughout the whole system. Dysbiosis is the result of complex interactions between fungi and bacteria residing in our gut. An uncorrected gut imbalance will result in disease and dysfunction. Microbial imbalance puts your beneficial microbial communities at risk and gives the pathogens a foothold, often
causing uncomfortable symptoms for you and even potentially serious disease health issues, including gastrointestinal inflammation that we see in patients with Crohn’s disease. Recent researchbased discoveries are starting to show the association between gut microbiome imbalance and a wide array of health issues such as bad breath, bloating, constipation, concentration problems, diarrhea, and neurodegenerative concerns such as depression, anxiety, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease. That is why you need to maintain a healthy, balanced gut. Your aim is to keep different members of your gut microorganisms in balance, where the good guys are present in high enough numbers to keep the bad guys under control. Having a balanced gut is completely in your hands. Think of your gut as a garden. If you want roses in your garden to bloom, give them food, and keep the weeds at bay. You can do the same to keep your fungal and bacterial gut communities balanced.
What are the signs you need probiotics?
Let us start by defining “probiotics.” Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when taken in adequate amounts, can provide health benefits to both
humans and animals. The most widely used bacteria in probiotics belong to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Besides bacteria, the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii is also used as a probiotic. It is particularly good at fighting off Candida. Probiotic supplements are nutritional supplements that are intended to provide beneficial bacteria and fungi that will support our microbiome and help restore and maintain microbiome balance. What are the signs that you need a probiotic? Listen to your body and ask yourself: Do I have bloating, gas, constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, loose stools, or vomiting? Do I suffer from leaky gut, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO), Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis? Do I suffer from depression or anxiety? Do I have food allergies? Do I have skin issues, such as eczema and other rashes, acne, or rosacea? Do I have an autoimmune disease? Autism? Did I recently take an antibiotic?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you know that something in your gut isn’t working as it should be, that your microbiome is likely imbalanced, and that taking a probiotic will be helpful. The balance is often restored after a short time, but if the symptoms become chronic, you should consult your physician who will help you with a diagnosis and can treat your condition. I also came out with a checklist (I call it Dysbiosis Risk Checklist) that can help you know whether your gut microbiome is imbalanced. The following conditions/ situations can put you at a greater risk for microbiome imbalance:
Check all the items that apply to you:
□ Were you a C- section baby? □ Were you ever hospitalized as a child? □ Were you fed with a bottle rather than breastfed?
□ Did you have colic as a baby? □ Did you take antibiotics multiple times as a child?
□ Did you grow up in a home without any animals?
□ Did you grow up in an exceptionally clean, hygienic environment?
□ Did your family always use a
dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand? □ Have you taken antibiotics multiple times as an adult? □ Did you ever have a C. difficile infection? □ Do you or did you ever have asthma and/or allergies? □ Do you have a diagnosed autoimmune disease, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease? □ Are you or were you ever very overweight? □ Do you eat a high- sugar diet? □ Are you under a lot of stress for prolonged periods of time? □ Would you describe yourself as mostly sedentary during the day (like working at a desk or spending many hours at home sitting)? □ Are you over 50 years old? If you checked more than three, you are at greater risk for dysbiosis. It doesn’t mean you have it right now. You may have suffered from dysbiosis in the past that has resolved.
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What happens in the gut when you start taking probiotics? Now that you decided to take a probiotic, what should you expect when you first start taking them? Everyone is different. This includes our microbiome, where each individual has a unique gut microbial profile. Consequently, one size does not fit all. In other words, what happens in our gut when we start taking a probiotic will depend on each person. Some individuals may feel great from the get-go, while others might actually feel a bit under the weather at first, but this soon passes. This is not a surprise, as we are introducing live beneficial microorganisms to our gut to rebalance the microbiome. These friendly strains work hard to crowd out the bad bacteria and fungi in your gut. During this cleansing process, the dying pathogens can sometimes release toxins/ mycotoxins much quicker than your body can wash them out. At the same time, your immune cells are recruited to participate in the cleansing process to eliminate the pathogens which are accompanied by some inflammation symptoms. During these cleansing activities, you may experience some temporary discomfort such as bloating, aches and pains, gas, alterations in the regularity and texture of bowel movements, and even some skin irritations. The good news is that these symptoms are temporary and as your microbiome rebalances, you will start feeling the benefits of taking the probiotics. You can help alleviate these symptoms by drinking lots of water throughout the day. If you are having difficulty tolerating taking the probiotic then ease into it by cutting back on the amount of probiotic you are taking, and gradually increase the dose as your body gets used to it. Our studies show that your microbiome starts to restore itself within two weeks, and by week four, the gut reset should be complete. Research has demonstrated that probiotics contribute to health in the following ways: • Improve digestive function • Enhance immune function • Reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea • Reduce the development of allergies • Improve lactose intolerance • Manage the relapse of some inflammatory bowel conditions • Decrease Helicobacter pylori colonization of the stomach (the bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers) • Help reduce the risk of certain acute common infectious diseases (such as infections caused by C. difficile) • Reduce crying time in colicky babies (talk to your pediatrician)
When is the best time to take a BIOHM Probiotic Supplement? Although the pH of the gut is generally considered to be highly acidic (i.e., pH<3.5-5), studies have shown that following a meal, the pH of the stomach can rise to a range of 4.0 – 6.0. Approximately two hours after eating, the pH then returns to pre-ingestion levels. Our data show that S. boulardii and L. rhamnosus can survive while passing through the stomach at the fasting pH of 1.5. Moreover, our study showed that both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve are able to survive in the stomach at a pH that would be typical following a meal (between 3.5 and 6.0.). Thus, not only has the BIOHM probiotic been shown to deliver effective levels of probiotic strains when taken within 30 minutes following completion of a meal, but it also provides the advantage of a beneficial yeast organism with greater acid resistance than some other commercial products. Based on our studies, the best time to take BIOHM, or any probiotic for that matter, is within 30 minutes of a meal. I personally take BIOHM after my morning breakfast. Others may prefer to take it after dinner. We received feedback that taking it at dinner time may help in achieving better sleep.
How many times should we take BIOHM Probiotic Supplement in a month/year? What is its frequency? BIOHM Probiotics are safe to take one capsule per day. This dosing regimen is generally recommended for probiotic nutritional supplements. It is important to mention that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine. Therefore, we strongly suggest talking to your physician
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or pharmacist about whether probiotics might help you. This is particularly important if you are immunocompromised (have an immune deficiency) as cancer or transplant patient.
Can probiotics cause weight gain? The relationship between the microbiome and obesity is well documented. Therefore, it is not surprising that some ask if probiotics cause weight gain. A number of studies conducted in humans have shown that the gut microbiome composition is significantly different between obese and lean individuals. Based on this evidence, manipulation of the gut microbial communities with probiotics has been suggested as a possible approach to prevent and treat obesity. However, additional studies are needed to gain more insight into whether probiotics can be used to prevent and treat obesity. These studies should investigate the dosage, duration of administration, and long-term effects of probiotics on weight gain/loss. Until more convincing data is available regarding whether probiotics can help you lose weight, I recommend that in addition to taking a probiotic you should also follow a dietary and a lifestyle approach to maintaining optimal weight.
human clinical research. After taking Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 oral supplements for 12 weeks, human subjects had significantly decreased transepidermal water loss. In a separate placebo-controlled human study, bacterial supplementation was shown to have a positive effect on the skin barrier function. Volunteers who took Lactobacillus paracasei NCC2461 supplements for two months had decreased skin sensitivity and transepidermal water loss, an effect attributed to an observed increase in circulating transforming growth factor-beta, a cytokine known to have a favorable effect on barrier integrity. The mechanism of how probiotics affect our skin appears to be related to the modulatory effect of these beneficial microorganisms on our immunity. Certain gut microbes and their secreted small molecules (retinoic acid, for example) promote anti-inflammatory responses. Other beneficial compounds secreted by probiotic strains are called Short Chain Fatty Acids, including propionate, acetate, and butyrate. These compounds are believed to play a pivotal
role in determining the predominance of certain skin microbial communities, which subsequently influence cutaneous immune defense mechanisms. These findings provide supportive evidence for a functional interactive mechanism between gut and skin.
Can you tell us a little bit about your book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Total Gut Balanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? Can we take it as a guide to health? I developed the Total Gut Balance diet as a new way of eating that specifically promotes gut health and targets fungi and its nature for rapid change, as well as the beneficial bacteria whose job it is to keep fungi under control. I tried to take the best elements from the paleo, lowcarb, vegetarian, and Mediterranean diets while leaving behind the aspects of each of these diets that have specifically been proven to increase pathogenic fungi and/ or decrease beneficial bacteria and fungi that maintain balance in the human gut. This way, the diet keeps your gut working for you and not against you. It teaches you to sustain those positive changes and manage your fungal community by:
Do probiotics make skin and hair better? How? The influence of probiotics on the skin were discovered more than 70 years ago when Stokes and Pillsbury first proposed a gastrointestinal mechanism for the overlap between a probiotic strain and a number of health issues including skin conditions. Among the remedies advocated by these authors were Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures. Additionally, Sugimoto examined whether oral administration of live Bifidobacterium breve, a typical probiotic strain, could exert photoprotective effects in hairless mice. Their data suggest that oral administration of probiotic B. breve has the potential to prevent UV-induced skin damage, supporting the hypothesis that probiotics are beneficial not only to the intestine but also to the skin. These effects were reproduced in
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• Limiting the growth of pathogenic fungi with a diet designed to stifle its growth: 1. vitamins A, B, and C, 2. low-carb, and 3. a good balance of plant-based protein and fatty acids. • Enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria by providing prebiotic food (vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, especially those containing resistant starches) for them to grow and flourish, thereby keeping fungal growth under control and at the same time crowding out pathogenic bacteria that cooperate with pathogenic fungi in their biofilm-making efforts. • Breaking down existing digestive plaque using particular kinds of vegetables, fruits, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and that spice celebrity, turmeric. Some probiotic strains shown to break down biofilms formed by bacterial and fungal pathogens are also included. • Fostering and nourishing beneficial fungi to crowd out Candida and solve uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms. • Reducing overall inflammation that weakens the immune system with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods rich in targeted vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial constituents. In addition to a healthy diet, adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes moderate exercise, reducing stress (through meditation and yoga practice for example), and maintaining good sleep habits. The result is making all your good-health efforts (including dieting for weight loss and exercising for fitness) more effective. Here are some tips that will ensure you are on your way to a healthy gut and overall wellness: 1. Carbs aren’t bad. Certain kinds of carbs in certain amounts provide essential nutrition for your most beneficial gut microbes. 2. Don’t fear dairy. Low-fat dairy products actually improve microbiome health, if you tolerate them. 3. Cut down on refined sugar. Refined sugar is the fuel for the trouble maker Candida yeast which could cause serious health problems from severe digestive problems to joint pain. 4. Go for a walk. People who either exercise less or are chronically stressed tend to have more microbiome imbalance, even when they eat a good diet. 5. Try plant protein. High-fat meat products increase gut bacteria that promote inflammation. High-fat plant foods do not have this effect. 6. Say “yes” to soy. Organic non-GMO versions are great microbiome food, in moderation. 7. Play outside. If you are too clean, you will have a less diverse and healthy microbiome. A little dirt can be a good thing, especially for children. 8. Pile up on sauerkraut. Cabbage is a powerful gut-balancing food. Other gut-balancing foods include lentils, brown rice, blackberries, and pistachios. 9. Eat garlic to dissolve biofilms. Bacteria and fungi can work together to form harmful biofilms in your gut, but the right foods (such as garlic and apple cider vinegar) can actually dissolve those biofilms and restore your gut health. 10. Get a dog. Kids who grow up with animals are more likely to have healthier microbiomes and are less likely to have asthma and allergies.
What transformational outcomes should people expect? To determine whether adhering to the Total Gut Balance will impact your health, I conducted a clinical trial where we showed that: • Overall, adhering to the Total Gut Balance does indeed lead to positive shifts in fungal and bacterial communities in your gut, and that these shifts typically result in reduced GI distress symptoms, healthy weight loss, decreased fatigue, increased energy, more restful sleep, and fewer cravings for empty-calorie foods. • Being on the diet, you will have dramatic improvements in your gastrointestinal symptoms. • You will start losing weight (up to 10 pounds) over four weeks. • You will dramatically feel higher energy levels and reductions in fatigue. • You will have a better night’s sleep with less waking during the night. • You will have a reduction in hot flashes. In the first week, your body will start adjusting to the diet. The two-week timeline is when you will clearly see the difference being on the diet. This “feeling good” coincides with an improvement in your microbiome where we see a decrease in the level of harmful bacteria and fungi and an increase in the beneficial ones. Differences include: • You will start having more energy • You will feel much better waking up • After the first two weeks, your craving for sugar and carbs will subside • Your gastrointestinal symptoms will start to slowly improve By three weeks, your GI symptoms will improve significantly. Your energy level will go up and you will feel better than you have in months. By week four, you will start to notice weight loss and improvements in GI symptoms including bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
What the Total Gut Balance diet can do? In conclusion, when people learn about the fungi within them and how their own behavior (diet and lifestyle) directly affects the control fungal species that impact health, they conquer health issues that they hadn’t been able to before. Over the years, I have seen many people suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, low energy, overall poor health, and unhappiness. By implementing dietary and lifestyle changes that address fungi, I’ve seen people become more energetic, with massive improvements in digestive health and mood. This is my goal for you in creating the Total Gut Balance diet.
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Photo Courtesy of Baronfig
Find Your Center in the Time of Coronavirus through Meditation Journaling WELL-BEING.
Form a mindfulness habit and recognize the impacts of meditation practice to get the most from your waking life. Baronfig and mindfulness expert, Justine Bloome, introduce Bloom Meditation Journal—a guided journal that aims to increase self-awareness through the practice of meditation. Meditation provides numerous benefits, including reduced stress and increased happiness. Bloom encourages users to explore these benefits by forming a daily meditation habit and recording progress throughout their journey. Why journal your meditation practice? Meditation journaling has been shown to help you draw deeper personal insights and really notice the benefits of meditation in daily life. Recording your progress will help you prioritize meditation, even when you are busy or stressed. To aid in these goals, Bloom Meditation Journal features a daily log, weekly reflections spread, and a meditation tracker. Co-creator, Justine Bloome, draws on real-world experience to educate users on meditation journaling and how to recognize the impacts of daily practice.
“Journaling our daily meditation practice creates momentum. Reflective writing improves our ‘eyes open’ experience of life, and can be the most rewarding and validating part of maintaining a meditation practice—the self-awareness and insights from this alone are worth it!” —Justine Bloome JOURNAL FEATURES Twice-daily meditation log Meditation guide and learnings Trackers for daily and weekly reflections Weekly awareness log BENEFITS OF MEDITATION JOURNALING Reduced stress, anxiety, and fatigue Improved concentration, focus, and memory Increased energy levels, creativity, and self-confidence Improved sleep patterns Ability to make responsible decisions, even while under pressure Greater emotional stability A greater sense of happiness, flow, and wellbeing Available now at baronfig.com.
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“EVERYBODY LOVES CALIFORNIA FIGS”
Photo by Georgia de Lotz
Podcast kicks off the California fresh fig season
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ccording to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association, the 2020 California Fresh Fig season is here and will continue through midNovember. This year’s crop will be plentiful and colorful, providing lots of flavors and textures throughout the season. Look for these five primary varieties of California Figs this season: • Brown Turkey. Light purple to black skin with robust flavor like a Pinot Noir. Available mid-May through November. • Kadota. Creamy amber skin with a light flavor like a Sauvignon Blanc. Available mid-June through October. • Mission. Purple and black skin with deep earthy flavor like a Cabernet. Available mid-May through November. • Sierra. Light-colored skin with a fresh, sweet flavor like a Riesling. Available June through November. • Tiger. Light yellow color with unique dark green stripes and a bright red-purple interior fruit with fruity, raspberry, citrus flavor like a Sparkling Rosé. Available mid-July through November. California Fresh Figs add color, flavor, and nutrition to many dishes. For more California Fig recipes, visit www.californiafigs.com. “Everybody Loves California Figs” Podcast The California Fig Advisory Board is simultaneously launching a new podcast series showcasing California Fresh and Dried Figs, according to CEO Karla J. Stockli. “Learn how our family farmers propagate and grow this fruit, explore the flavor characteristics of the five varieties and see how California Figs can be included in a wide variety of recipes,” Stockli says. Aimed squarely at enthusiasts for this remarkable fruit, the podcast will feature conversations with growers, chefs, retailers, and dietitians. Stockli adds, “While figs are an ancient fruit, California Figs are ideal for today’s lifestyles… healthy, versatile and delicious.” Beginning August 2020, there will be one 30-minute episode released per month. As a bonus, every conversation will end with a favorite fig recipe available for listeners. The podcast can be found free to download from all the leading sites including Apple, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, i-Heart, and more. It will also be posted at www.EverybodyLovesCaliforniaFigs.com.
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Photos Courtesy of California Walnuts
ENJOY SEASONAL FAVORITES WITH
Fall Comfort Foods
FOOD.
While this autumn season will likely look different than years past, wholesome meals celebrating fall flavors provide something to look forward to. Eating foods like walnuts, colorful fruits and vegetables, and whole grains can be a solution for improving overall well-being in an enjoyable, delicious way. Along with fall favorites like root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, apples and cranberries, kitchen staples like walnuts also have their own prime season. Walnuts harvested during autumn from
the fertile soils of California supply more than 99% of walnuts in the U.S. and more than half of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walnut trade. Each harvest produces enough walnuts for you to enjoy the tasty and nutrient rich benefits year-round. Pro tip: Storing them in the fridge or freezer maintains freshness longer. Welcome the flavors of fall with this Apple Pear Walnut Crisp and Pumpkin Walnut Sage Risotto.
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APPLE PEAR WALNUT CRISP Walnut Crisp Topping: 1 1/2 cups California walnuts, divided 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, chilled and sliced into 1-tablespoon pieces Apple Pear Filling: 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices 2 Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Anjou pears, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon lemon juice ice cream (optional) caramel sauce (optional) To make walnut crisp topping: In food processor, pulse 1 cup walnuts until finely ground. In small bowl, combine ground walnuts, flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumb forms. Coarsely chop remaining walnuts and stir into crumb mixture until incorporated. Set aside. To make apple pear filling: Preheat oven to 350 F. In bowl, toss apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice. Place fruit mixture in bottom of 10-inch cast-iron pan or baking dish. Sprinkle walnut crisp topping mixture over fruit. Bake 45 minutes, or until fruit mixture is hot and bubbly and topping is golden brown. Top with ice cream and caramel sauce, if desired.
PUMPKIN WALNUT SAGE RISOTTO Risotto: 6 cups vegetable stock 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice 1 cup pumpkin puree 1/4 cup grated pecorino cheese Walnut Sage Pesto: 2 cloves fresh garlic 1 cup California walnuts 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves, plus additional for garnish, if desired 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese, plus additional for garnish, if desired 2 tablespoons olive oil kosher salt, to taste black pepper, to taste To make risotto: In medium pot over medium-low heat, heat vegetable stock. In large, heavy pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until soft. Add rice and cook, stirring often, 2-3 minutes until rice is translucent except for white center. Add hot stock 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently. As stock is absorbed, add another cup. Continue until all stock has been incorporated and rice is cooked al dente, about 20 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and cheese. To make walnut sage pesto: In bowl of food processor, combine garlic and walnuts; pulse until minced. Add 1/2 cup sage leaves, 1/2 cup cheese and olive oil; pulse until coarse pesto forms. Season with salt, to taste. In final few minutes, add 1/2 cup walnut sage pesto to risotto, stirring until well incorporated. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with remaining pesto, cheese and fresh sage, if desired. For more recipes to celebrate the season at walnuts.org/fall-favorites. Courtesy of Family Features.
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Home Design Trends Change with COVID-19 Renovations and Homeowner Investment Increasing DESIGN.
It’s been a tough year with the global pandemic impacting jobs, income, and responsibilities. Parents are juggling work, child care, and at-home education, but with all that change, they are gaining new perspective on the places they call home. What was once the place, “they came home to,” is now the place they spend 24 hours a day. This is driving changes in what families want in the design of their space. Consequently, the NKBA Economic Indicators Dashboard notes home ownership spikes as high as 20% in Q2 of 2020 and the renovation industry is adding jobs, up almost 5% according to the same report.
Nina Green, Principal Designer for NGD Interiors, a Philadelphia Interior Design Firm, recently commented, “Homeowners, especially those with families, are shifting from open concepts and floor plans, to more traditional architecture. Rooms that can be closed off for offices, playrooms, and individual spaces are helping homeowners better manage playtime for the kids, conference calls for work, and peaceful alone time.” Even if the challenges with Covid-19 are minimized over the next year, the traditional work environment has changed, education has changed, and
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homeowners realize that quarantine conditions could happen again. With mortgage rates continuing to drop, homeowners are increasingly interested in updating and renovating their home to keep their families happy.
making a comeback. “However,” says Nina, “the biggest change is in outdoor spaces where homeowners want space to cook, swim, run, play and relax outside without having to travel to a congested park or lake.”
In addition to modifying the architecture of homes to more traditional layouts, homeowners are investing in the furniture and finishes to enable their new lifestyle. “Instead of just purchasing an inexpensive, build-it-yourself desk for an office, they are investing in heirloom-quality furniture that withstands heavy use and the accessories like lighting, window treatments, rugs, and more to complete the look and feel of the room where they will spend most of their day,” says Nina. This extends to all rooms where childrens’ bedrooms are getting sophisticated upgrades, living rooms are expanding with more traditional furniture, and dining rooms are
Nina commented that homeowners are surprised at how cost effective a renovation can be, when you plan it correctly with an interior design professional. Unfortunately, homeowners generally believe they can’t afford a design professional. “If your budget is $25,000 or higher, the cost for a designer is minimal and they can save you thousands in change orders, contractor confusion, and product selection,” says Nina. Interior Designers do more than decorating; they handle the entire renovation project, start to finish. NGD Interiors’ website, talks about the process (https://www.ngdinteriors.com/interior-designprocess/) and how they handle drawings, space planning,
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product selection, contractor management, and photorealistic renderings and virtual reality presentations. These allow the homeowner to see what their space will look like and understand the actual cost, before they ever start demolition. “Now is a great time to start a home project,” says Nina, “you can update and enjoy the place you live and increase the value of your home at the same time.” While Nina says you should definitely start with an email or call to NGD Interiors, there are several resources to find designers including NKBA.org, houzz.com, ASID. org, and more.
Photos Courtesy of NGD Interiors
after
before
NGD Interiors (www.ngdinteriors.com) is an award-winning interior design and kitchen design firm located in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Nina Green’s work has been featured in regional and national publications and she continues to delight clients with beautiful kitchens and stressfree interior design.
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Photos Courtesy of CHACCRA
DESIGN FOR WELLBEING
CHACCRA Launches Uplifting, Summery Rugs as We Welcome the ‘New Normal’ and Home-centric Wellness DESIGN.
This summer sees the launch of two new flat woven rug designs for CHACCRA’s eponymous design collection; the Chakra Design Collection. A collection that fuses Nepalese artisanal rug craft with innovative weave methodologies and abstract design, both handcrafted designs play with pile heights and the unique nature of pure Tibetan wool to create soft and encouraging textures and mindful interaction. The first of the new additions, Kiraṇa is inspired by the Chakra of the Solar Plexus; soft and fluid, reminiscent of leaves on flowing water. Kiraṇa is an expression of the traditional colour set of the Third Chakra, harnesses warm and curious shades to inspire creativity, curiosity and new beginnings. The second, Ātma rug is inspired by the Sacral Chakra. Designer of both rugs Julia Guenther said: “Ātma invites vitality and
creativity into rooms with a collection of vibrant and emotive oranges, a variety of playful pile heights, and lucid, tactile textures. Ātma harnesses a sensual and flourishing motif that blossoms and unfolds in movement, following fluid lines and organic compositions reminiscent of nature and earthly intuition.” On the collection, CHACCRA’s founder Sharon Shi said: “With the unique situation that we’re currently in globally, we want to continue nurturing and supporting the wellbeing of our customers by encouraging new beginnings as we endeavor to make it through our ‘new normal’. With summer looming, we wanted to introduce new energy to the home, with warm summery hues and mesmerizing fluidity, to stimulate the sense of new beginnings at home.” Kiraṇa and Ātma are handcrafted by expert artisans in Kathmandu are now available to order at chaccra.com.”
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