Ventre Magazine Travel Issue

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Q3 2019

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CEO & CO-FOUNDER OF WHYHOTEL

JASON FUDIN VEGGIE HOTELS USING R&R AS ACTIVISM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

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WANDERLUST Las Vegas, Detroit, Riverside, San Diego, Napa & Sonoma Valley

Tesla

Model X

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SHOP OUR INVENTORY OF NEW & USED CARS OR DESIGN YOUR OWN AT

TESLA.COM

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DRESSES

CLOTHING

SHOES

ACCESSORIES

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LEATHERANDCOTTON.COM

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VENTRE TOGETHER WE RISE

VENTRE.XYZ

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2019 SPONSORS

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VENTRE creates resources geared towards the growth and sustainability of business ownwership through increased brand awareness, partnership opportunities, marketing, event promotions, training and more.

We believe entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy and our mission is to help ensure success.

contributors

Rebecca Murdock is a graduate student, interested in peace studies, philosophy, and religion. She enjoys writing, dancing, speaking about her passions, and learning about new cultures and worldviews.

2019

Eric Lipsey is President of Phoenix Business Development, Inc., which is the parent company of VENTRE, VENTRE Magazine and Fashion Affair Magazine. Eric served eight years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard before starting his own business in real estate. He’s also partnered in other small business ventures. During the past 10 years, Eric has pursued his passion for helping entrepreneurs as a consultant providing strategic planning, training, leadership and brand awareness. He is a writer, public speaker and award-winning member of Toastmasters. His passion and purpose is business development and personal development and to that end, he has dedicated his professional life.

Sheila Liewald L.Ac. is a board certified acupuncturist, biopuncturist, and Chinese herbalist. She has served as staff acupuncturist for Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado and runs a private practice in Boulder.

She’s also a speaker, writer, and educator on the vast world of natural health.

Sam Russell is a bi-coastal writer, fashion stylist and founder of The Giving Closet. Always on the hunt for good people and the best soaking tub.

Photograph taken by Moshe Zusman

Joshua Thompson MS ATC provides sports medicine and performance coaching to Triathlon, CrossFit, High School athletes and people like you. He was playing international soccer, considering going pro, but was held back by injuries, so he turned this experience into a sports medicine career and even worked for Olympic athletes at the Lake Placid Olympic Training center. To learn more and see JT doing ‘safe’ sports like rock climbing and acro yoga, follow him @JTtheAT on any social platform.

content LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FEATURED AUTHORS COVER STORY

Jeni Tetamore is a writer, mother of seven, wife and business woman. She has recently made a conscience decision to seize opportunities, grasp the chance of adventures and appreciate the small things. Her new mantra: “Live in the Moment!”

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INSIDE JOB

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WANDERLUST

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HEART AT WORK

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CONTACT US VentreMagazine.com • facebook.com/ventremagzine2 • instagram.com/ventremag • twitter.com/ventremag

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TIME TO RENEW, REVIVE & UPCYCLE

J A S ON HYD E EIGHT DAYS A WEEK JASON HYDE watches bring the practicality of time-keeping together with the conscientious practice of upcycling paper, plastic, and fabric. These easily interchangeable cork-backed straps are available in an array of top eco-friendly materials: recycled paper, recycled plastic (PET), and fabric. Each timepiece is carefully drafted by handpicked designer dedicated to environmental responsibility and fair labor practices while crafting the highest quality fair-trade goods.

Enjoy one of these universal iconographic designs that is at once instantly familiar yet wholly contemporary for yourself or as a gift for a special someone secure in the knowledge that timeless beauty does not mean it will impact our planet’s future.

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jasonhyde.com

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VENTRE MAGAZINE

STIMULATE.

REJUVENATE.

DECORATE.

LIST OF SERVICES Paint Color Consultation | ReDecoration | Decor Shopping | Proper Furniture Layout | Proper Accessorizing & Placement Fixture & Finish Selection | Staging | Fix & Flips

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edensgarden.com High-quality essential oil diffusers are specifically engineered to maintain the therapeutic properties of the oils.When buying pure essential oils from Edens Garden, you never have to guess what is in your products because we use GC/MS testing to back up our 100% purity guarantee.

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Designed to dramatically elevate any interior, the Ceramic Ultrasonic Diffuser gently emits a refined mist of pure essential oil. Its sophisticated technology releases essential oil molecules to support therapeutic and aromatic benefits.

All diffuser parts are 100% BPA free.

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Safe for use with lash extensions • Use on brows, too! • Best-selling, award winning product

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Babe Lash is a luxury eye cosmetic brand committed to inviting you to indulge in the health and beauty of your natural eyelashes.

Our unique cosmetic eye line will deliver dramatic results, with products that will love your lashes before you do. Thousands of women are genuinely astonished at the beauty of their own eyelashes after only four weeks of faithfully using the Babe Lash products.

“My eyelashes are longer and my eyebrows are fuller. I have found a product that actually works.

Thank you BABE LASH!” - Editor in Chief/Ventre Magazine

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Get lush, healthier-looking lashes with Babe Lash Eyelash Serum. This transformative formula utilizes the latest lash technology to promote the appearance of longer, thicker lashes (can also be used on brows and with lash extensions). 3 month supply.

Begin to see results in as little as 4 weeks, with full results in 12. Best when paired with the rest of the Babe Lash Collection.

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NO REGRETS

EDITOR’S LETTER

Business Insider published an article about Bronnie Ware, an Australian palliative care nurse, who recorded her experiences with dying patients. She mentioned that people gain “phenomenal clarity of vision” at the end of their lives and spoke about their regrets.

Here are those top 5 regrets and my sentiments on each one.

1. I wish I’d have the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This regret was the most common. It takes a great deal of courage to live the life for which we aspire. Perhaps it should be the opposite. Why do people think “you’re crazy” for following your passion or doing what you love? Why do we feel we need to seek approval for going after what it is we desire? Why are we so afraid of being judged? Your time is now. What is the point in chasing someone else’s dream?

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

As an entrepreneur, this one hits home. I feel we work arduously to help build our future (and the furtures of others) that I may be missing out on other opportunities. Or am I creating opportunies that will allow me to have more freedom? It’s the damndest thing -- not possessing the ability to foresee the future. The most important thing is to have balance. There is nothing wrong with working hard to build a better future, but take the time to nurture what life is meant to be -- for living.

3. I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.

As I grow older, I realize the importance of this. When you have the ability to speak from your heart, something happens. You begin to value yourself more and others know exactly where you stand.

Tell those you love, or loathe, exactly how you feel. What’s the worse that can happen? You’ll either strengthen the relationship that was serving you, or voluntarily ceasing the relationship that wasn’t. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Isn’t it amazing how when one is near death, the most important thing to them is feeling that they’re not alone? There is nothing more important to them at that very moment. It’s a beautiful thing.

Because it is all they have. Pay closer attention and have more interest in your loved ones. Place as much effort and energy into their lives as you do trying to earn more money. In the end, you’ll want to see their faces staring back at you when it’s time to check out.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

I have always said that Happiness is a choice. Life is hard, I get it.

I don’t believe its possible to be happy all the time, but find a way to experience joy and satisfaction as much as possible and in a way that serves YOU. Do yourself a critical favor before it’s too late, and take time to reflect. Question the actions you take in your life. As far as we know, we get ONE chance and it’s broken down by a series of choices. Your choices. Choose to live the life you want.

No regrets.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Teresa Lipsey | Editor-in-Chief

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JANE IREDALE is an award-winning cosmetics brand recognized by beauty industry professionals for the high-quality ingredients and high-performing formulas. Iredale Mineral Cosmetics is a skincare and mineral makeup company that embraces the holistic approach to beauty developed by our founder, Jane Iredale.

The innovative, cutting-edge mineral powder foundation that launched her eponymous cosmetics line, jane iredale, more than 20 years ago was the first to offer healthy skincare benefits in addition to beautiful coverage.

Today, the jane iredale brand has grown into a comprehensive collection of mineral makeup and skincare products that nourish the complexion inside and out while enhancing its natural beauty.

janeiredale.com

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Latin American flare for fashion combined with a passion for purses is what sets Dylari apart from its competition.

With designs that incorporate Latin traditions with a chic, modern look, these fun and flexible handbags are sure to add vibrant color and style to any wardrobe.

Own a one-of-kind, handmade piece of wearable art created by women artisans from Guatemala and Chile, and make a statement all your own.

DYLARI dylariboutique.com

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WEEKENDER LARGE $289.00 Full Grain leather.

One zipper pocket inside Two pockets inside Two side pockets with magnet clasp One back zipper pocket Approximately 19” L X 14”H X 6”deep

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LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE INTRODUCING SUPERSHE & SUPERSHE ISLAND

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SUPERSHE.COM

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VeggieHotels P U R E LY V E G E TA R I A N

“VeggieHotels are taking on a pioneer role.”

Founders Thomas and Karen Klein, both travel journalists, and Peter Haunert, IT specialist; have been vegetarians since childhood.

According to the Vegetarian Times 7.3 million Americans are vegetarians, with 1 million of those individuals being vegan. A 2008 study showed that 47% said Environmental concerns were a factor in choosing a vegetarian diet. An even larger number claim to follow a mostly “vegetarian-inclined diet.” The Kleins and Haunert have tapped into that base to make it easier for those vegetarians and vegans to find accommodations that fit their lifestyle. It’s a simple as visiting their website and clicking, “find a VeggieHotel.”

According to chooseveg.com, vegetarianism reduces your impact on climate change, rainforest destruction, and pollution.

“Nearly 80% of land deforested in the Amazon is now used as cattle pasture.”

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With VeggieHotels you can use your R & R time as activism for the environment. Not just staying somewhere that will accommodate your vegetarian or vegan diet; but a place that is actively using their platform to fight climate change and stand up for sustainability in their industry.

VeggieHotels do not just cater to vegetarian and vegan individuals but in addition offer gluten and lactose free dishes.

FIVELEMENTS, PURI AHIMSA Banjar Baturning, Bali

Nestled alongside the Ayung River, Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa is Bali’s award-winning eco-conscious wellness destination deeply rooted in the island’s ancient traditions, nurturing harmony among spirit, human and nature. At Fivelements, we recognize that optimal wellness comes from embracing and respecting the body, mind and spirit, where health and self-realisation are reflections of the love, authenticity and harmony within.

VEGGIE-HOTELS.COM

Veggie Hotels P U R E LY

V E G E TA R I A N

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ALMODÓVAR HOTEL Berlin, Berlin The Almodóvar Hotel is not only Berlin’s first vegetarian organic hotel, but also a design Hotel with a distinctive style.

Centrally located on Boxhagener Straße, the hotel has excellent links to all districts. The 60 rooms are individually decorated in a modern style using natural materials.

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BISTRO BARDOT Enjoy delicious dishes from the vegetarian organic kitchen that will excite your senses. All our meals and beverages are sourced from controlled organic farming.

VEGGIE-HOTELS.COM

VEGGIE-HOTELS.COM

VeggieHotels P U R E LY V E G E TA R I A N

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A

unique collection of vegetarian, vegan and vegan-friendly hotels and guest houses from all over the world, made even more enticing by delicious recipes. The perfect gift for those who love healthy eating and sustainable travel.

What is the use of the most beautiful rooms and an inviting pool, if you are referred to the side dishes in the restaurant? For vegetarians and vegans a holiday in a hotel can be a challenge. But there are excellent alternatives - you just have to find them.

The travel journalists Thomas and Karen Klein also thought about this and invented 2011 toghether with their friend Peter Haunert the hotel cooperation and website VeggieHotels for 100% vegetarian hotels and b&b´s. In addition to the purely vegetarianvegan hotels, more and more venues now offer their guests an excellent vegan cuisine next to their conventional dishes. The founders of VeggieHotels therefore devoted a special web portal to the most recommended hotels in this area in 2015: VeganWelcome.

With their work, they not only made known some guesthouses that are run by enthusiastically-minded people, but also became pioneers of a tourism where ethical principles and sustainability are no foreign words.

by Karen Klein, Thomas Klein, Peter Haunert HARDCOVER $55.48 Available at Amazon.com

Veggie Hotels P U R E LY

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V E G E TA R I A N

Their success speaks for itself: Today more than 300 hotels and guesthouses from more than 60 countries are members of VeggieHotels and VeganWelcome. Here guests can enjoy a new, creative vegetarian and vegan cuisine, which also satisfies spoiled palates.

In this volume the best hotels of VeggieHotels and VeganWelcome will be presented with fantastic pictures and detailed information about their special advantages from cooking classes to yoga offers. The range of hotels ranges from trendy city hotels in the vegan hotspots of Berlin or London to the holistic health resort in Bali. Furthermore, kitchen chefs will reveal some of their favorite recipes, inviting you to start your culinary holidays already at home.

VEGGIE-HOTELS.COM

Eat clean. Leftovers cleaner.

Etee allows you to save your raw and cooked food in the refrigerator and freezer (not recommended for raw meat!) with their wholesome alternative to plastic. Made with organic cotton Muslim with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes, the USDA approved Certified Organic beeswax and coniferous tree resin keep your food fresh for days, even weeks at time!

Hand wash in cold water with an eco-friendly, ethanol-free dish soap, hang or lay flat to dry and use them again.

One set should last 4-6 months with hard, every day use; up to a year with casual use.

Available in multiple sizes and pouches. Protect your food better with a breathable, fresh seal that is better for you, better for the earth and better for our home.

JOIN THE REVOLUTION. SAY GOODBYE TO PLASTIC. shopetee.com

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FEATURED AUTHOR

TODAY’S CHOICES, TOMORROW’S HEALTH

By DR. JUSTIN TROSCLAIR, D.C. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Imagine Having the Blueprints You Need to Make Better Food Choices Now and Instantly Start Dropping Pounds... All While Increasing Your Exercise with Ease, No Guilt and Getting Rid of Your Low Back and Neck Pain.

• Ab routine I won’t quit in 2 days • 12 exercises with pictures for spine and core strength • 9 Nerve stretches to stop numbness in your arms or legs • Bonus exercises for strong shoulders • 10 minute cardio that’s better than doing 30 minutes • 3 minute stretching concept that won’t make me Roll My Eyes in Boredom

Improve your health, one step at a time!

We all want to be healthy. We all want to avoid nasty diseases which slow us down or even prematurely end our lives, but most of us tend to look for the quick fix.

Fad diets, crash exercise courses and all manner of crazy weight loss programs mean that people may feel better in the short term, but are unable to maintain it.

Now, with Today’s Choices, Tomorrow’s Health , there is a book which revolutionizes the way you should be approaching your wellbeing.

Divided into four sections, the book examines the four things which are the keys to good health: • Our overall health • Eating the right foods • Making sure you exercise • Create and stick to a budget What’s Inside? Can you reach your own Weight Loss, Cardio and Weight Lifting goals as well as Financial Success?

Weight Loss/ Food Choices • Simple Steps to Improve Food Choices • Will Power is no longer the Driving Force to better choices • Optimal Calorie Counter Calculator so no more guessing how much to eat • Carbs, Fats, Protein what is the proper ratio?

• Fact of Fiction: Fake Sweetener Alternatives • 2 Changes in how I eat that Nearly Guarantees Eating less with Limited Self Control • Trick yourself to feeling full faster with plate choices • Lessons learned in China for portion control • Cut Carbs without my family hating me

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Dr. Justin Trosclair, DC was born and raised in Louisiana. He is a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic and holds a degree from Texas Chiropractic College with academic honors, and a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University. At the time of publishing, he is celebrating 10 years in practice: 7 years in the United States with a private practice and 3 years at a hospital in China. Dr. Trosclair is also the host of “A Doctor’s Perspective” podcast where he interviews doctors and guests about success, overcoming obstacles, marketing, entertainment and how to have an optimal work-life balance.

• How excess Sugar is causing my pain • Sugar vs Fat: which hurts are health more Exercise Blueprints • 3 easy Step by Step Blueprints to actually Exercise • Coach Potato or Weekend Warrior: the steps are Semi-Personalized for each individual • Free Natural Legal testosterone Boost to Maximize my Gym time

Overall Health Reboot • Pain: does it have any redeeming benefits?

• Have you been brainwashed to distrust alternative medicine?

• Can you body heal itself?

• 3 Intermittent Fasting Guides- you heard about it, now do it • Why is the nervous system so important anyway • Speed up recovery from work injuries or post workouts.

• Headache Relief • Sleep Improvement Hacks Getting your Finances in Order • Simple tips to create a budget • Blueprint detailing how and why to make a budget • How to become frugal • Basics for retirement • Pay your debt down, learn how here My own 3 Blueprints on how I lost 25 pounds.

How I mastered my food choices, increased my cardio from less than 5 minutes to the magical 30 minutes, and effective weight lifting strategies that allowed me to loss 25 pounds and keep it off.

Buy the book and learn my step by step process.

Becoming healthier is a process and one which is best done slowly, to ensure a lasting effect. With Today for Tomorrow you have the perfect book to make a start on those life-changing habits.

adoctorsperspective.net/mybook

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FIND WHAT YOU NEED

When you need it.

Orbit is a family of Bluetooth trackers that will help you locate your valuable items in seconds using the free app.

Track your Orbit via Bluetooth connectivity (30m/100ft). When your Orbit disconnects, the last known GPS location will be shown on the map.

If your Orbit is hiding nearby, make it ring using our free-app to find it quickly. Work it both ways – press the button on your Orbit to make your phone ring, even on silent.

Using the Orbit, take the perfect selfie or group shot with a push of a button. *Selfie Remote not available with Orbit Glasses.

ORBIT STICK-ON Stick it, Find it and Take a Selfie.

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ORBIT

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ORBIT GLASSES

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ORBIT POWERBANK Charge • Find • Remind.

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ORBIT CARD

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PLANET F R I E N D LY • PVC free, biodegradable in 1-5 years in normal landfill conditions and made using high quality non-toxic materials • Naturally sourced sustainable rubber for the bulk of the mat • Etched the unique alignment guides, instead of printing with potentially harmful inks • Used an innovative heat-bonding process to eliminate the need for toxic glues to bind the top and base layer

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Finding the perfect yoga mat can be a lot like finding the perfect mate. If you’re unsure of what you want or where to look, fret no longer, we’re here to guide you to your perfect match.

This intrinsically designed brand does not discriminate. Liforme yoga mats are thoughtfully constructed to lead your limbs through any type of yoga practice.

Liforme mats were built to guide you through your proudly held poses and most challenging flows. Made from planet-friendly ‘GripForMe’ material, your sweat will be the only thing moving.

Visit liforme.com to find your perfect mat made in heaven. $140.00 (yoga mat bag included!)

Available in Pink, Gray, Blue, Green and Purple Earth

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MATERIALS: Natural rubber with specially engineered eco-polyurethane.

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bags • apparel • apothecary • home goods • accessories 36 VENTRE

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Made in America, these vibrant, unique bags are handcrafted with fabrics collected from every corner of the world.

Each bag’s inner lining is made with recycled plastic bottles, while a portion of every sale goes to the non-profit SurfRider Foundation, dedicated to keeping our beaches and oceans clean.

Vaalbara: the earth’s first supercontinent a symbol of connection, bringing people together, one beautiful bag at a time.

LA CLUTCH IN BLACK LEATHER

• handwoven ikat fabric • distressed black leather bottom & wristlet • lined with recycled plastic bottle material • antique arrowhead charm attached to zipper pull for good luck • each piece is one of a kind; pattern & colors will vary piece to piece

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HIGH

COVER STORY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CEO & CO-FOUNDER OF WHYHOTEL

RISER

Give these travel weary hands a reason to never turn back. Burned out by resort fees, the sticky fingers of maids, and questionable customer service, some wanderlusters would prefer to sleep in their familiar car then in just any random hotel these days. How can we get quality lodging back in one reliable brand?

What if we daydreamed you into a luxury apartment that was brand new and plush, fully furnished, secure and in one of the hottest areas? A tall building reimagined for high-end guests to reside in and select floors discreetly set aside as a boutique hotel within.

So, this hotel has fresh interior smells, modern amenities, new duct work, and 24/7 onsite service to boot. Does this sound like a better place to regroup versus sleeping in your car or grabbing that last chain place with a dodgy parking lot? It’s a proven fact that a good night’s rest allows you to see the best day ahead, so where you stop over is everything.

Ventre Magazine stumbled upon every reason to feel hope again. We chose WhyHotel because of location first—the Baltimore setting was perfectly close to BWI airport. Then the aesthetic drew us in—notice on their website how each WhyHotel locale has its own appeal and personality. Then third—free of melee.

No partying, non-smoking buildings (even on the private patios in some suites) means that for once you are going to sleep well after that cross-county excursion.

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Writtten by: Sam Russell

With WhyHotel locations in the pipeline in many cities—Seattle is ready for you and Houston is next—either the friendly prices or the attentive staff will disarm you first. This caliber of travel will be presented in your fine travels one day; we suggest you take that bait.

So, where do we direct some of this fanfare?

Ventre wanted to shine a light on the CEO and co-founder Jason Fudin and give you a peek inside two of his hottest East Coast properties.

We found Jason at a stage of his life where he’s thriving and hiring, and all the while making deals that are merging coast to coast.

You’ve never had a boss with this much focus, personality and zest for life. For sport, we nicknamed him the “Elon Musk of Lodging.”

Let’s see if we can make it stick.

Come meet Jason...

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COVER STORY

VM: Where is your hometown?

JASON: I’m from Albany, NY, but I’ve been in DC long enough that it’s now home!

VM: Wow. What a vision at such a unique time in your life. What is the gut feeling deep inside you when you leave a “cushy corporate job” to pursue a new start-up idea while your wife is in the hospital giving labor two months early? Talk about testing a relationship. Did you ever get a crazy stare in the delivery room or was your wife all in? Are you both natural risk takers?

Haha, I guess you read my post on LinkedIn. I would say that I have a pretty high tolerance for calculated risk taking. My wife is probably the same. She left her life in the UK with a bag of clothes to start a life together with me in the States, so she can definitely jump without a parachute (doesn’t hurt that she had to as part of her time with the Royal British Air Force).

The linchpin to making the move was having an exceptional business partner in Bao Vuong.

I’ll never forget the phone call where he agreed to take the plunge and turn our business idea into a fully realized venture together.

“

I’ll never forget the phone call where he agreed to take the plunge and turn our business idea into a fully realizeed venture.

”

While so many things have changed since those early days, I still find myself embracing the same advice that I share with aspiring startup co-founders now: Focus on what you do best and, when the time is right, bet on yourself.

Surround yourself with people you respect and enjoy working with. Build out a diverse professional network of people you enjoy helping. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of your personal life in your quest to build a career.

VM: WhyHotel accelerates the activity in these neighboring retail spaces, while the building it now shares occupancy with shares revenue. It seems to be a win, win for everyone. Can I refer to you officially as the Elon Musk of lodging? You are ‘out on a limb’ in such an innovative way. How many WhyHotels can we expect to see and where will 40 VENTRE

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they be over the next 1 - 2 years?

J: I definitely wouldn’t call myself Elon, but I’ll take it as a compliment! As we expand our physical footprint, WhyHotel’s next challenge will be the people we hire to build out our

team, brand, and hotel portfolio, as well as our upcoming geographic expansion. We recently opened a new location in Arlington, VA and have two more pop-up hotels launching in Northern Virginia this fall. Earlier this month, we made an exciting announcement that WhyHotel will be expanding our footprint outside of the Washington, DC area – launching a new pop-up location in downtown Houston in late 2019. Additionally, look out for announcements soon for openings across a half dozen new markets in the U.S. in 2020.

VM: Airbnb’s have always felt intrusive. Kinda like

decides this balance? It feels as if there is a similar thread of comfort from the Baltimore property to the Arlington, VA ones.

“

J: WhyHotel controls the design process for furnishing the units, but we always make an effort to match the aesthetic of the residential building. Our product & branding folks along with partners make all of the selections in our units. It’s important to us that the guest has a “like-home” experience, so we want the look and feel of the units to reflect that hospitality living.

Our product solves all of these pain points through found efficiently and a hospitality product laserfocused on our coustomers.

”

VM: What were your early experiences staying in hotels? What worked and what stood out over time as a buzz kill when on the road?

being welcomed on a friend’s couch for the night!

My nose is so sensitive to other people’s lives and being a proud germaphobe doesn’t help the equation either. The clean palate in a WhyHotel pop-up feels fresh and balanced. All the amenities you need without overly decorated spaces. Who

J: WhyHotel came out of personal pain points.

As real estate developers, Bao and I were faced with inefficiency in every new high-rise development. As people with young families, we have experienced the mismatch of hotel rooms to those traveling with kids. As a Monday through Thursday business traveler with IBM (early in his career), Bao experienced living life from a hotel room. Our product solves all of these pain points through found efficiency and a hospitality product laserfocused on our customers.

Bottom line, the space and experience is a better fit for the way business travelers and groups/families travel and stay. In our case, travelers love WhyHotel because our team hosts them in a brand-new home away from VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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COVER STORY

home, with full kitchens, bedrooms, living space, washer/dryers, and additional building amenities. For business travelers, this is a “home away from home” – where they can lounge in a living room while streaming Netflix when they get home, with a kitchen where they can make a home cooked meal, a washer/dryer they can use to launder their clothes after a long run, and shared amenities of other ‘locals’ with rooftop pools, lounges, etc. For groups/families, it is all about the multiple bedrooms and shared living room and kitchens. Our onsite 24/7 staff creates a uniquely local and friendly experience for our guests, and our full-sized apartments provide an elevated and spacious experience that is a perfect fit for these groups.

VM: Ventre Magazine has a large audience in Colorado, Texas & California. If a new luxury residential building wanted to join the WhyHotel concept, how can they be considered? What are you looking for as far as aesthetic and neighborhoods? What type of properties are not a fit?

J: We evaluate projects against three (3) main criteria: 1. Strength of the traveler market 2. Existing local regulatory environment – we only go into a new building if it has the full backing of the local jurisdiction 3. Based on the surrounding market conditions and our anticipated operational lifecycle within a given project, we do a deep dive on the scale and amount of multifamily development that is going on in a given city/submarket/ neighborhood.

With the right demand drivers, the WhyHotel model could work in any given submarket with short-term and longer-term stays. With that said, our current preference is to pursue locations in major urban settings with robust demand for accommodations from business and leisure travelers. Given our preference for new locations, there are clearly numerous 42 VENTRE

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opportunities to bring the WhyHotel concept to Colorado, California, and Texas. And these opportunities are becoming a reality, we just made the exciting announcement that we are expanding to downtown Houston in late 2019!

VM: WhyHotel is hiring?! How can like-minded gogetters join this high-growth startup?

J: WE’RE DEFINITELY HIRING! 2019 has been an incredible year for strategically growing our team. Expanding our geographic footprint is critical to the success of WhyHotel, but Bao and I have always said that the next great challenge for WhyHotel is hiring a team of A-players with diverse backgrounds, who can bring their different perspectives and invaluable experience to help us write the next chapter of WhyHotel.

We never take our talent acquisition efforts for granted, and we have an amazing People Experience team that spends every single day sourcing and recruiting the best talent to help grow WhyHotel. As a first step for those interested and reading this article, it never hurts to check out our website www. whyhotel.com/join-our-team for a list of our open positions.

Check out our Insider Candidate Playbook to get a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to work at WhyHotel.

Visit www.whyhotel.com to learn more and why you should consider WhyHotel when booking your next home away from home.

“

...our current preference is to pursue locations in major urban settings with robust demand for accomodations from business and leisure travelers..

”

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COVER STORY

ARLINGTON

If you’re perplexed as to how you landed a hotel in this area, join the club. Far from how you dreamed you’d be traveling in this lifetime is a stay worthy of your undivided attention. WhyHotel is making friends in high places in a booming little city known as Arlington, Virginia. The real estate is hot here and square footage is coveted like high fashion going out of style. Ventre Magazine swooned into town to see how Ballston N Randolph would compare with the other properties popping up.

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Labeled the ORIGIN building outside, this space is so sleek you’d think you were approaching a supper club or members-only lounge. Neighboring Ballston Quarter Mall plays host to eateries and shopping in every direction.

The long story short, this locale is desirable.

The mix media decor is stimulating and masculine, the check-in for hotel guests is done separately from the lobby (we’re noticing a trend here), so the residents of this high-end building aren’t disturbed by foot traffic.

Buzz yourself in as a hotel guest

or ask the always on-call front attendant for help. The building is “high art techy” in design and the feeling of being in a warm lounge is no accident.

But wait, it does get better. The loft upstairs awaits.

WhyHotel * Arlington, Virginia 703-828-8085 Ballston N Randolph Street 700 N. Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203 whyhotel.com/ballston

the suite

If your children or traveling cohorts are loud and uncontrollable heathens, this may not be the best stay for you.

This space is very adult—the views alone of the Boulevard is a reward. Ventre Magazine’s appointed loft was two-level and fully furnished. A full kitchen with all the amenities needed for comfort, even paper towels and dishwashing liquid. Everything stocked for comfort felt thoughtful.

The bedding was firm, and the pillows didn’t make me miss mine back home. The walls were so thick that a disturbance of neighboring guests was never an issue. Sleeping soundly was on the menu.

It’s no secret by now that I am a germaphobe. It’s been known that an hour of cleaning is needed before I unpack. Not the case at WhyHotel. Every corner, every crevice feels new (and by calendar date is still in its infant stage of use). The flat-screen TV comforts guests after a long day of sightseeing in DC nearby. We had a deep appreciation for the “no bar scene” on the street below; this block is a ghost town after 8 pm.

There is so much space to unpack that a preview of what a full-time residence can have may ping you with a bit of envy (or inspire a remodel of your closet back home). The building is generous in space and that is reflected in the rooms.

Come for a visit and love on this WhyHotel locale as much as we did. Just don’t post this article on your vision board as a future trip and miss out, as this concept of lodging will have popped onto a new locale by then.

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COVER STORY

BALTIMORE

Nothing about glamping speaks to my senses and when you look at how this pop-up hotel concept is spreading internationally, it’s astounding, but not necessarily appealing or terribly comfortable. So, let’s part with that vision of what this movement is. I’m for enticing future travelers and road warriors to delve into unexpected places that they wouldn’t necessarily expect to be so good—and that’s the alchemy the WhyHotel in Baltimore lives up to.

A short drive to BWI, walking distance to the National Aquarium, and central to the Downtown Baltimore vibe is the WhyHotel eating up every bit of this lusty geography.

Check-in was smart and cleverly located on a separate floor from the main lobby so live-in residents of the building aren’t bothered. With only one couple in front of me, getting settled was much faster than that line in Vegas, and making you feel at home is at the core of WhyHotel. A fullaccess refrigerator in the guest lounge (you have a fridge in your room, too) is always stocked with water, sodas and fresh Half-and-Half for your Zeke’s coffee...also readily available. Again, get the visuals that this space is more of a home, not a stale office. Find yourself lingering a bit too long and ask the staff for eating suggestions nearby.

The lobby is swanky and welcoming— there’s always a doorman available nearby to help. When waiting for the car service to arrive, this would be the spot you would find me taking selfies or reading the daily newspaper. And when it’s time to take a break from all the political talk of DC nearby, retreat to the little oasis upstairs.

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the suite

Group stays, corporate stays and extended stays are all available!

WhyHotel--Inner Harbor-Baltimore 443-455-1675 225 N Calvert Street Baltimore, MD 21202 whyhotel.com/baltimore

Love this space now and it can be yours later. WhyHotel is here temporarily until the building gets closer to capacity. Notice the fresh showroom smells of the couch and bedding. The kitchen is spacious and well stocked with essentials (dining ware, glassware, knives, paper towels, dish soap). To run down the street to CVS is just not needed. Come to town for work or play, but if you can’t get that Baltimore trip out of your mind, the lodging has everything to do with it.

Whether opting for a studio or a spacious 2 bed-2 bath stay, all rooms are fully furnished. Did we mention that every unit has a washer and dryer?

The complimentary Wi-Fi is strong, the walls are thick, and you’d swear you’re the only guest staying, except for the maids in passing cleaning rooms nearby. Large windows expose city views as a natural backdrop, a visual you could almost mistake as a painting.

Traveling with family or alone, WhyHotel will have you asking the question, Why? Why not this level of comfort on a better budget sooner?

Love all of this now, but don’t move to slow on this discovery.

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“Mantra” A word or sound repeated to aid in concentration in meditation.

MantraBand offers you the opportunity to focus your mind on the positive, on what you believe, on the victories you’ve won, and will win.

Mindfulness is not only a way of life, it’s a way to love your life.

Be You to the Fullest.

mantraband.com

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CREATES

ALKALINE WATER ON THE GO

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“

DYLN is bridging the gap between wellness and convenience with our ecofriendly alkaline water bottles.

We believe that living water is the foundation for healthy bodies, conscious minds, and inspired lives—and that you should be able to make it everywhere you go.

For yoga enthusiasts, athletes, and health-seekers alike, DYLN Inspired strives to energize your lives all while reducing plastic waste. Our goal is to preserve the environment while expanding awareness, one bottle at a time.

SHOP NOW AT DYLN.CO

”

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“We are a multicultural mix composed of the perfect combination of industry experience and designs. Basically, a team of highly experienced guys and impatient millennials about to revolutionize the watch industry together. That means that we work on creating innovative watches and a topnotch product. Our founders come from Europe, US, Latin America & South Africa, but all ended up in sunny Miami, where our office is based.

J A S O N HYD E EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

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All of our ancestors have worked in this great industry. Our Nonno (grandfather in Italian) Ariodante, Nonno Adriano, and Papa (grandfather in French) Meir, all sold and repaired watches and jewelry around the Mediterranean, We began this incredible and fun journey to create our dream product. A product that we have perfected and would love for you to wear with the same passion and pride that we have. Our watch is built with the best quality and you will find plenty of details that make JASON HYDE a reason to wear a watch again!�

jasonhyde.com

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RAGPOE TSCLOTHING.COM

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TIMELESS.

CASUAL. SIMPLE.

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ROLLIE .33 fl oz | $29 each

Let’s roll to your ultimate on-the-go scent essential. Meet Skylar Rollie, the Skylar scent you love in travel size. Unscrew the chic silver cap and choose where you want to roll. Dangerously intimate and discreet so no one will know how you smell this good. Spray in the morning. Roll in the afternoon. In your purse, at the office, in the car - your touch-up has never been so effortless.

OTHER SCENTS

Capri - Sparkling, zesty, and sweet.

Welcome to your carefree citrus escape.

In search of sunshine and sparkling wine, this is the perfect complement to your summer sabbatical.

Coral - Fruity, floral, and flirty. Feeling happy never goes out of style. With hints of grapefruit and a touch of apple blossom, Coral is bright and sun-kissed without being too sharp.

Isle - Clean, dewy, and fresh. You deserve a vacation. Every day. Inspired by the purity of water and the ease of a day spent near the ocean. You’ll be elevated with each wear.

Meadow - Floral, elegant, and beautiful.

For dreamers and doers, this light scent embodies everything we love about flowers without being overly fragrant.

Let your natural beauty shine through.

Willow - Woodsy, cool and lush.

Experience everyday serenity with one spritz. Inspired by the sound of wind blowing through the trees, this elevated scent will give you the peace only connecting with the Earth can offer.

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Clean, natural scents to bring out your natural beauty.

Cruelty-free and hypoallergenic, Skylar wants you to find your Signature Scent.

Take their Scent Quiz to be matched with your Perfect Perfume, or order the Scent Experience of all 6 of Skylar’s Signature Scents.

SKYLAR.COM

ARROW1.7 fl oz | $78 Warm, spicy, and seductive, Arrow pairs well with confidence (and a good smoky eye). Like you, Arrow is memorable with notes of midnight jasmine, warm patchouli, and vanilla. At the office or on a date, this fragrance is your perfect accessory.

Ingredients: organic sugar cane alcohol, distilled water, jasmine, rose, neroli flower, labdanum flower, vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean, birch tar, schinus molle, parfum (Skylar’s own fragrance blend with natural and essential oils).

Discover Skylar Clean, consciously crafted scents for yourself and your home.

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DRESSES

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CLOTHING

SHOES

ACCESSORIES

Lulus . com

Dress up. Show up. Never give up.

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Ladies, imagine a sustainable product that could replace your need for tampons and pads. A stylish and comfortable pair of underwear that works as a double agent to keep you clean and dry during you’re menstrual cycle.

THINX does just that!

“Every pair of THINX has a top layer that wicks all liquid into a thin absorption layer right beneath, so that you feel super dry. This way you can wear’em all day long.”

THINX women’s underwear are designed, by women in New York City, to absorb the liquid while keeping you dry and feeling clean. THINX are made in a family run factory in Sri Lanka that gives back by being committed to empowering the women they employ with education and training.

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THINX can be worn in addition to tampons or pads; and yes, even as an alternative!

THINX is also working towards a greater goal. They have partnered with AFRIpads in Uganda, which trains women to work for themselves making and selling reusable pads. Each pair of underwear you purchase helps to fund this cause. This cause in turn give girls access to protection during their cycle to help prevent them from missing school.

According to the article, Women can Bleed Green on alternet. org, a woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of feminine hygiene products in her lifetime. In addition the Ocean Conservancy found that tampon applicators made up 2.2% of debris on U.S. coastlines.

Consider all the waste that could be avoided by purchasing and wearing THINX.

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Life stinks sometimes. So do we. So do you.

LAVENDER & SAGE BUNDLE $32.98

Lume has got you covered – and with the Bundle Pack, you will never be without it. It’s the same great formula, just different containers.

Try both to discover which one works best for your lifestyle.

Lume helps us smell just a little bit better as we go through our lives. Designed by an OB/GYN and safe for women or men, this scientifically proven natural product is safe for all the places you normally use deodorant, and all the places you should (really, your partner will thank you!). Free of Aluminum, Silicone, Phthalate, Sulfates, Parabens, Talc, and Baking Soda, Lume actually blocks the ability for bacteria to consume fluids like sweat, semen, urine, and blood that lead to odor (yes, even there).

Live life smelling a little sweeter with Lume.

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The traditional propel cream stick can be used directly on underarms, and our travel-friendly tube allows you to easily control the amount you use, no matter where you use it. The water-based formula wont stain your clothes and leaves no residue behind.

The stick offers 110 underarm applications (two armpits) or 220 “anywhere else”uses. The tube offers 150 underarm applications (two armpits) or 300 private parts uses.

A little goes a long way!

FREE shipping throughout the United States. Shipping to Canada is available for an additional fee.

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At Beyond Meat, we believe there is a better way to feed the planet. Our mission is to create The Future of ProteinŽ – delicious plant-based burgers, sausage, crumbles, and more-- made directly from simple plant-based ingredients. By shifting from animal, to plant-based meat, we are creating one savory solution that solves four growing issues attributed to livestock production: human health, climate change, constraints on natural resources and animal welfare.

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WHY BUILD MEAT DIRECTLY FROM PLANTS? Removing the animal from the protein production chain simultaneously and powerfully addresses four major problems attributable to livestock.

PLANT-BASED MEATS: • IMPROVES HUMAN HEALTH • POSITIVELY IMPACTS CLIMATE CHANGE • ADDRESSES GLOBAL RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS • IMPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE

beyondmeat.com

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W THE INSIDE JOB

“REAL” ESTATE

WHY MARKET SATURATION MATTERS with Eric Lipsey

When the real estate market

is booming, it’s natural to see

I passed the test on my second try

opportunity. Real Estate schools

and was excited to start making

become packed as many seek

the big bucks. I quickly found

to make a fortune in the “newly

an agency at which to hang my

discovered” gold rush. Who’s

license. Within a few days, I

winning and who’s losing?

was armed with yard signs and

How do you compete? Can you

business cards. Little did I know,

compete? These are all questions

but I was about to learn many

you’ll be wise to ask before taking

business lessons that I hadn’t

the plunge.

anticipated such as marketing and relationships.

In 2004, I was in my late twenties and real estate in Arizona was

booming. I’d just finished reading the book, Rich Dad / Poor

Dad and thought I would set off

I’d just moved from Colorado, so

CEO, Entrepreneur | EricLipsey.com Photo taken by Barbara MacFerrin Photography BarbaraMacFerrinPhotography.com

I didn’t know anyone. Luckily the agency had a kiosk in the mall. I started working the kiosk twice a

into the world of real estate to

right answers and better answers.

week. The idea was to lure people

make my fortune. Teresa and I

More than 80% of students would

to the kiosk who were interested

planned to head out to Arizona

fail the test multiple times before

in buying a new home. I also held

immediately after we were

passing.

many open houses at other agent’s

married and we did just that.

listings. I later moved to doing the

I asked an instructor why the test

kiosk three days a week. Most of

A few days after we moved, I

was so hard. He said, “There are

the people were lookie-loos with

started real estate school. I was

so many people trying to get into

no intention of buying.

able to go full time so it only took

real estate that we’ve made the test

a few weeks for me to finish the

harder to thin the herd.” He went

Before I knew it, three months

course. The real estate test was

on to say with a smile, “Once you

had gone by and I had yet to start

harder than any test I’d taken in

have your real estate license, you’ll

making my fortune. Not being

college. There were questions with

appreciate that!”

one easily defeated, I pressed on.

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“Your strategy could make all the difference between winning or losing.”

of the mounting debt that I’d

meet anyone who didn’t know

accumulated. Three months

at least two realtors. I’d always

later, I closed my second deal.

heard the concept of supply

The money was good, but I wish

and demand, but I came to

I’d been better prepared with an

understand it on a much deeper

understanding of just how long it

level. There were far more agents

would take to build up a book of

in the industry than were needed.

business.

I would either have to find a way to make myself stand out in the

Selling real estate is not like selling

crowd or pack it in. This was the

coffee. Instead of repeat daily

case for many new agents who

customers, it could be years before

soon went back to their corporate

that person is ready to do business

jobs.

with you again. You’re basically only as good as you last sell. I

I didn’t pack it in, but rather

was constantly starting over. The

decided to move back to Colorado

solution was to build a continual

to practice real estate where I

pipeline where I would always be

knew more people. The Arizona

working with a few homebuyers or market was booming, but as I sellers at once and that takes time,

learned, a booming market is

considerable amounts of time.

not the ideal place to start. Get in while the market is down so

Meanwhile, there were others

that you’re in position when the

who’d been in the business for a

market booms.

I finally met a couple people who

while who seemed to be closing

were interested in buying. One

deals every other week. The

This is not to say that a newbie

turned out to be a complete flake.

difference between them and me

can’t make a living in real estate,

I drove them all over Phoenix and

was they already had established

this article is intended to give

surrounding areas like I was a free

relationships. They were in the

you a few things to take into

Uber service, only for them to

business before the boom. They

consideration before you quit

decide they wanted to wait. The

had already paid their dues.

your job to seek a fortune in a

other was promising and we soon

Unlike them, me and the other

market that’s saturated. Find an

had a house under contract.

hundreds of newbies flooding the

angle. Know how you’re going

market had to build up.

to compete. Your strategy could

Six months after obtaining my

make all the difference between

license, I closed my first deal,

Market saturation made building

just it time to pay down some

up challenging. It was difficult to

winning or losing.

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Vertellis is the ultimate card game that you can look forward to playing every year during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or a casual get together.

The game is played with friends, family, or colleagues. Through questions that trigger memories and stories you will get to know those closest to you in a new (deeper) way. At the end of the game you will know who has been paying attention but most importantly you will have had meaningful conversations with your loved ones.

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Watch out! Vertellis can cause…

Memorable moments Sincere attention, connection, and affection A peek into the players’ highlights of the past year as well as plans and dreams for the upcoming year Uncontrollable hugs and kisses

$19.99 Includes FREE Shipping in the USA

vertellis.com

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Thoughtfully designed for the way you actually travel and guaranteed for life.

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AWAY T R AV E L . C O M

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WANDERLUST

You can’t add more time to your life , .

WA N D E 1st and fabled...

Only a select few hold keys to pitch-perfect resort stays around the globe. The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is one of those gatekeepers that have these coveted keys and gets it right. The Mission Inn is the “it” getaway for presidents, fine architecture lovers, and Hollywood’s elite, hosting a full selection of savory food options, spa amenities and shopping—all within steps of each other, which will keep you close by. With breathtaking mountain views from every window and a lavish courtyard below, this Riverside destination transports you back in time to anywhere in the Old World.

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Ventre Magazine’s great big adventure began with our arrival at this ornate Spanish mission-style hotel with its five-story rotunda, full-service spa, and six restaurants on property.

Gobsmacked by all its wonderment, we may have passed the valet on our first go around the block. Red tile roofs, soaring domes and towers, and a grand archway with a trio of bells mean you just arrived at this historic national landmark.

Warm and inviting faces offering gracious hospitality begins immediately upon your arrival. The dapper younger gents at the valet station were eager to get our pampering off to a good start and the lack of pretentiousness is thread through the service here—pay attention to that.

. but you can add more life to your time.

E R LU ST with travel writer -- Sam Russell 3649 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501 951-784-0300 missioninn.com

Resident macaws were the second ambassadors to kindly greet us before our formal check-in. Taking notes wherever we could, we noted that the Presidential Lounge—paying homage to the ten U.S. Presidents who have visited The Inn—is the perfect landing zone for your first vacation drink. Sip on specialty cocktails as these former Commander-in-Chiefs gaze down upon you from stately wall portraits. Pose for a seat in President Taft’s chair that was made just for him (schedule a tour and learn some interesting tidbits about that). Side rooms host private gatherings and we would later learn of the varied secrets hidden on these massive grounds.

You’ll be surprised by how much you can see and do all weekend without the need of your car. Stroll the majestic grounds of The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa—you’ll never be quite the same again.

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WANDERLUST

THE SPANISH PATIO After checking in with that friendly face, make your way to the fourth floor to become one with the heartbeat of The Mission Inn— pinnacles and domes overlook a picturesque view of the Spanish patio courtyard with its mixed design aesthetic (four architects contributed to this vision…but yet another preview of that historic tour.) Stop and breathe this in; it’s that break from the fast-paced world you came for. Tiers of wrought iron walkways with grand views oversee the patio below enclosed by a bell tower, Anton’s clock and glockenspiel, and a collection of bells from missions throughout the United States.

It’s equipped for year-round dining and how lucky we were to have a beautiful evening for al fresco dining in this European style courtyard surrounded by lush foliage, a bubbling central fountain, and grinning gargoyles.

Those gargoyles weren’t the only visitors with a permanent happy grin that weekend.

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3649 Mission Inn Avenue • Riverside, CA • 92501 • 951-784-0300 missioninn.com

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WANDERLUST

DID YOU KNOW? The historic Mission Inn occupies an entire city block in the heart of downtown Riverside, but this was not always so. The Mission Inn and Spa began as “The Glenwood Cottage”—a two-story, twelve-room adobe boarding house—built in 1876 by civil engineer Christopher Columbus Miller. Miller’s eldest son Frank, later known as “Master of the Inn”, tried to make his mark through various entrepreneurial ventures including real estate, citrus farming, and retail. In 1880, at the age of 22 and in anticipation of his upcoming marriage, Frank purchased the hotel and land from his father for $5,000. He expanded The Inn in 1903 with over 200 guestrooms.

Miller’s family managed the hotel until the mid-1950’s, and it changed hands multiple times and risked demolition, until longtime Riverside residents Duane and Kelly Roberts purchased the iconic property and established The Historic Mission Inn Corporation. After a seven-year, $55 million renovation, the new “Masters of the Inn” re-opened the hotel in 1992.

Tours Daily - Call For Reservations: 951-788-9556 missioninnmuseum.org 3696 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501

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WANDERLUST

HOLDER OF SPECIAL EVENTS & GATHERINGS

T Old World charm makes such an impression and the romance in these walls is palpable. Since 1876, high-profile guests such as U.S. presidents, European royalty, Hollywood stars, and business leaders have laid claim to this Inland Empire treasure. The Mission Inn boasts the Grand Parisian Ballroom with its 20,000 square feet of flexible function space tucked away in all its majesty.

And we saw more than that! Board meetings, conventions and, of course, weddings keep this national historic landmark bustling.

We saw so much beauty, especially the Spanish Art Gallery Room which was lavishly decorated for a reception with just two hours before the guests’ arrival. Every detail looked polished and complete. The Santa Barbara Room was just being undressed after a function (less theatrical and more intimate) and is ideal for business meetings to family celebrations.

The Court of the Orient & Ho-O-Kan Room is breathtaking, flooded with antiques and a fun part of the hotel tour. Visit the website to peruse all the swank meeting rooms available (The Renaissance Salon, The Galleria, The Frank Miller Room).

3649 Mission Inn Avenue • Riverside, CA • 92501 • 951-784-0300 missioninn.com

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Lovebirds would be so lucky to exchange vows inside the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel (or even the Atrio Courtyard), situated warmly inside The Mission Inn. The chapel is exquisitely embellished with priceless treasures from around the world. Precious Tiffany stained glass panels (acquired directly from Louis Comfort Tiffany), a dramatic beamed ceiling and an 18-karat gold leaf Raya’s Altar dating back to the mid-eighteenth century adorn this wedding space and is perfect for 150 of your closest friends and family. The neighboring St. Cecilia Chapel features a carved gilt marriage altar, dating to 1740, and holds ten guests.

Both venues are often booked in advance.

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AMISTAD SUITE

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has 238 guest rooms, including 27 suites, and its AAA Four Diamond standing means there is sure comfort here for you.

Views of half-hidden steps, narrow winding stairways, open courtyards and pristine foliage in every direction led us to the most prominent landing in town—The Amistad Suite. Now, this is a different spin on living large.

The echo from this domed iconic room (also known as the Bridal Suite) is that first ping of greatness to hit you, the second is the doublestoried fireplace and oval shape room that wraps around you. A hand-painted dome ceiling is playful unto itself and magical to wake up under. With ample storage space, tuck the luggage out of sight and pretend this is a permanent stay. Flying buttresses are not what you commonly experience outside your hotel window, but they’re what you stand next to when viewing the street fair below from your private balcony. The morning sun had barely peeked over the mountains and through our floor-to-ceiling windows when our day plan began to reveal itself ! The Farmers Market on Saturday mornings is worthy of your time, but it’s a short window (a wrap by noon), so don’t miss out on the Goat Rodeo soap and fresh produce.

If peace and serenity is high on your list, make this your sound base. We couldn’t hear any of the neighboring rooms and we couldn’t believe the hotel was at full occupancy until we saw the maid’s cart the next morning.

With so many outfits planned for this unique setting, I forgot to pack my toiletry bag.

Luckily, The Mission Inn had this suite wellstocked with shaving and toiletry needs and all without me even asking. A quick walk to Kelly’s Spa downstairs for a new face wash purchase and my spirit realigned once again. Signature bath products from Kelly’s Spa are on hand to ease you into this spell.

Downgrade your expectations somewhere else.

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VENTRE SHOPPING TIPS!

Goat Rodeo Soap (available at the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays or visit their website at goatrodeosoap.com) Miss Tiggy Winkles 3675 Main Street, Riverside CA (a unique, unusual and fun-spirited gift store for everyone) Downtown Apothecary 3615 Main Street #102, Riverside, CA (we’re obsessed with the Fig Forest perfume oil)

3649 Mission Inn Avenue • Riverside, CA • 92501 • 951-784-0300 missioninn.com

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MISSION INN RESTAURANT Mission Inn Restaurant (at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa) 800-843-7755 *casual & upscale dining

The Mission Inn communicates a warm and inviting setting. It was a wise choice to start our weekend staycation here and what feels like the absolute heart of this serene dream is sitting outside in the Spanish Patio where guests speak in low civilized murmurs and classical music plays throughout these historic walls. Our hearts and Instagram pages would never be the same; everything presented in front of us felt a million miles away from big-city headaches.

Our fan-favorite was the calamari and shrimp cocktail—the shrimp so succulent and the calamari so light and perfectly breaded. Our server suggested the California Dreaming Cocktail. Smitten with every drop, it became my drink for the remainder of the trip. Saving room for the main attraction, entrees of pan-seared salmon and fried chicken made two once cranky road warriors friends again.

Celebrate carbs here, too, with the Innkeepers pasta (sausage, tomatoes, grated parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, penne pasta, spicy cream sauce).

If those sauce stains on our shirt collars could talk.

Ventre Tip: Lunch buffet also available here. It’s the resort life in these parts!

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Bella Trattoria---Italian (Mission Inn Hotel & Spa) 800-843-7755 *walk-ins and reservations

BELLA TRATTORIA

Another civilized break from all the sightseeing is a dinner stop at Bella Trattoria. Easy casual, friendly and polished—opt to sit on the patio and let the warm tunes of an extremely talented street performer nearby rock the evening into perfection.

Dinner here was quite the star of our day. Not that any day of lounging on the grounds at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is uncomfortable. But when you know it’s going to be your last day before heading home, one can only hold their head so high.

The starter was house-made beef and pork meatballs (OMG! Beam me up, Scotty!) and calamari sprinkled with parmesan basil aioli and spicy marina. Both were full of flavor and the sauces alongside killed it. The scene-stealer was the spaghetti carbonara with smoked pancetta (Italian bacon) and egg yolk. We devoured every bite and lied to our trainers the next week. The meat lover’s pizza (Soppressata, Finocchio sausage, pepperoni, tomato sauce) almost came back to our room, but I didn’t want the sound of my traveling companion gnawing away in the middle of the night disturbing my rest.

We found the service to be, yet again, chivalrous and genuine. The spirit of goodwill and thoughtfulness is in the DNA of the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Ventre Tip: Lunch buffet also available here. It’s the resort life in these parts!

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Learn more about who you are and what you are in the mood for at this highly personalized buffet.

And we mean exactly that! Made-to-order omelets and hearty breakfast options perfectly displayed and refreshed at every turn of the spatula. Hand-carved prime meat station (like Vegas-style), sirloin strip, bacon, sausage, homemade gravy, eggs Benedict, vegetarian options, fresh fruit, pastries, shrimp and scallop ceviche are all in close proximity to your hunger. Come casual, no matter how luxe this room. Sunday brunch at Mission Inn includes seating in Duane’s Prime Steakhouse & Seafood (open evenings) which explains the swank. The service is top tier, with every waiter having a supportive staffer close by keeping eyes on your coffee and mimosa needs.

You may have filled up three bites ago, but stay for the lavish dessert station. The last note on your palate that you want to remember before hitting the road is hot apple cobbler, mini crème brulee, and sweet fruit tarts. This brunch is by far the best in this region, so reservations are highly suggested!

And there’s nothing more adorable than the young servers in full tux. Loved every detail, every step of the way at the renowned Sunday brunch at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Mission Inn Hotel & Spa 800-843-7755 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

SUNDAY BRUNCH

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LAS CAMPANAS

MEXICAN RESTAURANT & TEQUILA BAR Las Campanas (at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa) 800-843-7755

If the front entrance of this hotel doesn’t charm you, the fresh kitchen creations at Las Campanas Restaurant sure will.

Your server found a friend in you by your second or third sip of that fresh Margarita, but the really good times begin with the fresh guacamole fresco and hot-off-the-press chicken tortilla soup. Texan by birth, authentic Mexican food cooked with heart and passion is a true art. Chain eateries cannot mimic and repackage this, but Las Campanas has tapped into the soul of South of the Border cuisine.

Stole a bite when I could of my lunch companion’s filet mignon quesadillas. Totally agreed, it was heavenly and generous with the meat. The tequila honey-lime dressing on the arugula was disarming and lusty. Chicken fajitas with fresh peppers, onions, and garlic made its way to my heart and danced by to other festive tables, as well. A group of the cutest teenagers debated which taco was better (carnitas, grilled fish tacos or House Rotisserie Chicken) as their parents looked on.

A lounging oasis fully immersed in nature, soft water fountains, and colorful fresh food sounds like paradise to our ears.

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3649 Mission Inn Avenue • Riverside, CA • 92501 • 800-440-5910 kellysspa.com

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THE SPA There has always been a common code that upscale spas across the globe speak.

Maybe it’s the low hum when greeted, perhaps it’s the soft plush robes that make you forget about Father Time, or maybe it’s the lux services that are just a reservation away from making you feel electric again.

Can you see yourselves doing a couple’s massage in a private poolside villa?

Or perhaps soaking in a coconut milk and honey bath, followed by a scalp massage, body sugar scrub, warm seashell massage, and mango sugar scrub pedicure and all with a Casey’s Cupcake, to boot? We can.

If you awoke from a light dreamy nap in a serene Tuscan-style therapeutic bath (perhaps from a vision of returning to the Mission Inn during the Festival of Lights), chances are good you took our advice at Ventre Magazine and booked that spa afternoon. This tranquil space is co-ed, well maintained with immaculate care at every turn and offers dual lounging areas (dependent on whether you are feeling social or not).

Book a massage with Amy and watch a 6’ 2”, broadshouldered, Type-A male finally unwind and sleep the afternoon away. Sound like a magic trick? It’s not.

Everyone surrenders at Kelly’s Spa somewhere between entering the front gate and the eucalyptus steam room. Hydra facial treatments, advanced skincare and facial options, hydrating Marine wrap, body polishing, tanning, waxing nails and even sanctuary options for young adults (yep, the life or Riley starts early when you love them so much).

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GET THE LOOK

California

"Handcrafted Leather Creations"

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Love like this is a two-way affair.

Your desire to conquer the day has a new ally: a master Italian craftsmen with passion somewhere behind the scenes at Maxwell-Scott Bags. Premium hand-stitched, full-grain vegetable-tanned Italian leather briefcases and soft-grain medium-sized messenger bags will be the first to catch your eye.

But wait, it gets even better. The attaché case will be

Mark your heirloom—um, territory!

Maxwell Scott’s personalization service offers tailored leather embossing on all products.

the hint dropped come Christmas time. A definite push back against the throwaway culture, you finally see adulthood and wiser choices in your future. The range of colors for select styles leaves room for many fans of all palates—camel, black, chestnut tan, dark brown and every shade in between. The canvas travel holdall (sized medium or large) has nautical notes that will style up with your weekday to weekend attire effortlessly.

If marooned on an island, you will want the Gassano L (pictured)—an iconic Gladstone style Italian leather holdall—in tow. The scent of full grain Italian leather reminds you of luxury travel and weekend drives to your favorite secret beachside get-away—anything to calm your nerves in an unforeseen circumstance.

The spacious cargo leaves plenty of room for your change of attire, jewelry, unmentionables, computer, phone charger, vino, and safety flare. And the 25year warranty means that any of those adjustabledetachable straps, locks, or buckles needing to be replaced will be—it’s this first-class quality guarantee that makes Maxwell-Scott the key to luxury and quality. So whether the bag lasts longer than you is up to how you pack.

No good man or woman shall be left behind.

Premium handcrafted leather purses, business bags, and accessories for the modern woman on the go will transition seamlessly from the boardroom to the bar.

You swear you can smell that leather before it even comes off the delivery truck.

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2nd& sensational...

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Somewhere between cradle and grave is a deep knowing that adventure awaits. Whether you find it or it finds you is up to the beholder.

Over the years, Ventre Magazine has noticed that the flavors of this unique landscape cannot be easily replaced. If we could show you a Vegas excursion like no other, would you believe your eyes? Sure, Sin City is synonymous with luxe dining, over-the-top shows, and casinos that you can disappear into for hours, but have you seen the thrillseekers side of town?

Grandma’s inheritance and last year’s savings isn’t going to bring you true happiness, but this motley bucket-list living will. If it’s time to pawn everything in sight to finally getaway, then we will see you at the next yard sale. So bring your giddiness, best-laid plans, your stylish self already, and come inside our…

Last Great Adventure

LAS VEGAS

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Las Vegas has splendid lodging for every palate and Ventre Magazine gladly accepts the challenge to bring you what we love.

Whether it’s your first or one-hundredth trip to these parts, make the Strip the obvious choice to lay your hat. Over our several stays here, we chose The Cosmopolitan this time around. A polished casino property with swank dining in every direction, entertainment, shopping, and a world-renowned spa and three outdoor pools may thwart all other plans you may have on the Strip. Not a bad dilemma to have. Upon arrival, everyone stops for a drink at the chandelier bar—conform to this moment. The space feels like the glamorous heart of Vegas.

Check-in was swift and the lobby is a visual art park unto itself—make note of the vending machines on select floors selling mini artwork. The Wicked Spoon buffet is also at The Cosmopolitan and you’ll soon realize it’s a wickedly delicious time. Luckily you won’t have to be wheel barreled far from that jaunt if you’re staying upstairs.

T HE C O S M O P O L I TA N

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How did you find a suite as colorful as you? You must be staying at The Cosmopolitan. From the unique shower/tub combos, large quirky wall art in the comfortable sitting area, and yes, even wallpaper in the closet, you will find yourself taking as many pictures as you can of those enviable mountain and Strip views. The bedding is firm, the blackout curtains let you sleep in at any hour of the day, and the private patios will be conversational for weeks and months to follow.

Don’t miss Duran Duran on Sept 8th at The Chelsea and Travis Scott on Sept 14th at the Marquee Nightclub!!

From the suite, use this desert oasis and Vegas city lights as your very own backdrop. Opt for the terrace studio fountain view, the wrap-around terrace suite, or really make this weekend count and use the famous Lanai Suite (see website) as your sound base between all that bro-hopping. To be sure, the bedding, amenities and germaphobe-approved room want you to cancel all plans and stay close to it.

Whether you’ve come to reclaim your story, blow your ex-husband’s savings or land a new deal, doing it at The Cosmopolitan is so very, very right.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd • Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 • 877-551-7778

cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

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T HE VENETIAN RESORT

The Venetian Resort 866-659-9643 • 3355 South Las Vegas Blvd • Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

venetian.com

Notables!

We interviewed all of our Presidential Limo drivers in Vegas and broke down the top four hotels they personally loved: The Bellagio, The Wynn, The Cromwell and M Resort in Henderson.

Use Presidential Limo for your next convention or Vegas vacation. Lincoln Town Cars, stretch limousines, and Cadillac Escalades will take you all around town in style. We noticed our drivers were always ready and waiting for us at the 94 VENTRE

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All the Vegas alchemy you came for is on this corner, too.

Don’t let your eyes, stomach or wallet miss any moment of the Venetian. Every resort in Vegas competes for your time and the Venetian does so with ease. Spacious grounds between two towers (Venetian & Palazzo) lay claim to a sea of high rollers, celebrities and even school teachers living the Life of Riley, and all underneath hand-painted frescos.

Let the chivalrous valet guys lug your suitcases to your quiet oasis above and catch a gondola ride to Buddy V’s Italian restaurant inside the Grand Canal Shoppes.

After touring the Love Art Installation downstairs, we went into appreciation mode for the silence high above in our room when our body clocks said the party was over. The Italian Renaissance is felt in every corner of your suite.

Plenty of space to unpack for our stay and mesh with the warm surroundings. The bedding felt oversized and firm, the bathroom was spacious and perfectly sized for two.

Where the Cosmopolitan felt like a fast, sexy sports car, the Venetian feels more like a Bentley.

Chart out lodging, adventure, entertainment, and a spa outing perfectly created for you! Vegas is a special city to explore and no two trips should ever be alike.

VISITLASVEGAS.COM

pickup times we selected! Bachelor/ bachelorette parties, dinner dates, Downtown Vegas, the airport—such a swank way to travel. We enjoyed the awesome personality and charm of our chauffeur Dominick who took us from DIG THIS back to our hotel.

Everything else is so over the top here, why not splurge on the transportation, too? Plan your Vegas ride with Presidential Limo. pllv.com

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Your heart and Instagram page will never be the same again. A short drive from the Vegas strip brings a continuation of bucketlist adventures.

High above the social media distracted drivers is a much better life for your senses. Give reality to that lofty dream with a flight instructor who can calm even the most frazzled of nerves, Paul Sallach. To capture this rare moment, I took video from the cafe bar next door to the actual take-off, watching my other half fly a plane for the very first

ALL IN AVIATION FLIGHT WITH PAUL time. The natural high afterward lingers for months, watching his face and spirit light up when replaying the feel of the Cirrus aircraft in his control.

The SR 22 Cirrus aircraft was so stylish up close and a techie’s dream: leather interior, remote keyless entry, tubeless tires, Cirrus Airframe Parachute System… we didn’t know we wanted to own one until we did. This must be the same feeling that took over Angelina Jolie when she purchased hers.

There’s having a cozy night in and then there’s flying over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead during your next Vegas trip in your very own Vision Jet (see website).

Choose wisely.

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All In Aviation Club Membership available!

Flight Instruction/Pilot Services, Simulators

Henderson Executive Airport 1410 Jet Stream Drive, suite 150 • Henderson, Nevada 89052 • 702-255-4622 allinaviation.com

President: Paul Sallach (Flight Instructor, Cirrus Aircraft Rental & Sales, and all around nice guy)

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SPEEDVEGAS

The good times never stopped rolling at SPEEDVEGAS. A short drive from the Strip and poof, your weekend plans just got a whole lot cooler. Exotic cars and off-road vehicles keep every human with a pulse itching for a birthday gift like no other. If you are not Kardashian blessed, then chances of getting behind the wheels of a bevy of high-end cars will most likely only happen on this race track.

Facts matter.

Your gaze is strong over the Lamborghini Huracan and the Ferrari 488 GTB. Torn between which car to drive, just stay for the afternoon and live out this dream fully. A short safety class first and pairing with a driver who has safety brakes on their end, SPEEDVEGAS is ready to get your adrenaline racing. There is no feeling quite like the power and strength behind the Acura NSX. Neighboring bucket listers swooned over the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Mercedes AMG GT-S. In the distance waiting to tear up the trails was the off-road Baja Race Truck. To take me away from this place could be the cruelest thing you could ever do to me.

Please downgrade your vacation plans somewhere else.

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Combo experiences available! 1.5 mile track (no cones here, silly)

SPEEDVEGAS

877-604-3748 • 14200 S. Las Vegas Blvd. • Sloan, Nevada 89054

speedvegas.com

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When you go, you get to tell the tale afterward of off-beat good times flowing under the giant tent at Absinthe.

Pure adult entertainment, Absinthe is a clever blend of cabaret, acrobatics, burlesque and raunchy adult humor (have a stiff drink before coming in to drop those uptight shoulders already).

In a very intimate, circular stage with the quirkiest seating we have ever seen in our adult lives, Absinthe is the perfect way to move your fantasy vacation along.

Don’t miss a beat of this intoxicating exhibition—balancing acts on a teetering tower of chairs, great feats of strength, and all hosted by the filthy rich and just plain filthy Gazillionare (you have been warned). Inspired by Absinthe cabarets of the late 19th century, this body of work is breathtaking and the choreography has an Eastern European flair with notes of a Rocky Horror Picture Show feel to it.

Just don’t stand up during the last jawdropping performance of roller-skating brother-sister duo Billy and Emily England. That would not turn out well for you.

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Ventre Tip: Come with an open mind! Select VIP for a cushioned seat and drink.

Absinthe (Four Court of Caesars Palace) Box office located just outside the Roman Plaza 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd. • Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 caesars.com/caesars-palace/shows/absinthe spiegelworld.com

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Not sure how this assignment landed on my desk. Fearful of heights (um, extremely), it wasn’t until I saw the laughter and glee on the rider’s faces twelve stories above The LINQ Promenade that I felt like I was missing out on something extremely fun. If dreams of flying or the past life bird in you are calling, take this joyous leap with Fly LINQ zip line.

FLY LINQ

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The set-up is impressive, putting my nerves in a safe place.

That is until take off. How the guy next to me was seated backward is beyond my thinking. Soar like Superman or travel seated forward was the only visuals I could fathom.

The laughter kicked in when I realized how short and breezy the ride was. In retrospect, this is something our camp would do again. It was a sublime blast and rush to the head.

Just don’t close your eyes and miss any of it as I did (that would be a rookie mistake).

The Strip’s ONLY zip line!

Go-pro videos available for purchase at the launch desk.

Fly LINQ at The LINQ Promenade 702-777-2782 • 3545 S. Las Vegas Blvd. • Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

caesars.com/linq/fly-linq

WANDERLUST

702-608-1812 • 800 W. Roban Avenue • Las Vegas, Nevada 89044

digthisvegas.com

Impressed to learn that each bulldozer and excavator was purchased just for DIG THIS. All brand new equipment in a well maintained, spacious, and safe property.

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DIG THIS You didn’t come to Vegas for rainbows and unicorns. You came for real man play, sandboxes and the power to shake the earth.

Didn’t know we loved playing in heavy equipment until we did. Time went by way too fast as we played with oversized Mac tires and drove a big dig D5k bulldozer on a sandbox. Come any time of year, the fully air-conditioned bulldozers and excavators are top-of-the-line good times. Ask for the site supervisor that we had, Brian Kersey.

He is a hoot! So personable, knowledgeable, and hearing him in your headset while operating the actual handles is a recipe for so much fun.

A neighboring family looked on in awe as grandpa drove his first excavator. We also noticed skid steer track loaders on hand for a birthday party group arriving after us.

Whether a kid at heart, bucket list checker or a simple lover of outdoor shenanigans, DIG THIS would love to have ya. Just be sure to plan this before you plan those endless poolside cocktails. If you can’t pass a breathalyzer, then you’ll be privy to watching all the good times from the sidelines. But hey, someone’s gotta take video.

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Spaaaahhhhhh....

SPA @ VDARA

Inside the ethereal Vdara Hotel is your destiny--a twostory luxurious spa. Yes, you are not sleeping and this is not a dream.

You will quickly see why the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating included this locale for the third consecutive year. The replenishing of your spirit starts with signature European heat experiences, taking you through a therapeutic journey of temperature changes and multi-functional treatment rooms where you lose all track of time.

Spa at Vdara (Vdara Hotel & Spa) 866-745-5654 2600 W. Harmon Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89158 vdara.mgmresorts.com 106  VENTRE | Entrepreneurial Lifestyle Magazine

Service charge added to each spa service.

So just relax and float when you get there.

16,000 square feet of spa space. Stay in the hotel and get back to your nesting space with ease!

Holistic healing and eco-friendly practices intersect with verified luxury. Volcanic rock body massage, head-totoe Glow Treatment (full body exfoliant and 80-minute facial) and a plethora of choices are all on hand to seduce your afternoon plans. Locals in the know and travelers in need of a fresh minute can be spotted around the clock for manicures & pedicures before shopping up a storm at ARIA and Cosmopolitan nearby. Reserve your time in all this glory at the salon, spa or fitness center.

This is that moment you discovered a new shade of you.

Spa at The LINQ 702-794-3242 3535 S. Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 caesars.com/linq/hotel/spa

We found the absolute perfect place to take a break from politics, our nagging bosses and the sound of teenagers whining. Yep, we went to Vegas again!

Before the gluttony and before the Absinthe show, pull yourself together with a regroup session at Spa at The LINQ. Express Spa Sampler does the trick: a trouble-spot massage followed by a skin glow scrub and hydrating facial will have you kissable by dinner.

Natural salt cave therapy, intuitive massage hands and a varied selection of package options will get you right side back up before the big weekend. No one needs to know you had a massive skin breakout two days prior—Peel and Reveal or Hydra Glow yourself back to life with the help of your new friends at Spa at The LINQ. Himalayan stone massage, couples massage, Thai Poultice (herbal body wrap), and Bridal packages keep wellness the main topic of conversation.

SPA @ THE LINQ That is, unless you haven’t drifted off to sleep yet.

Ventre Magazine Also Loves: Qua Baths & Spa (inside Caesars Palace), Canyon Ranch Spa located in the Grand Canal Shoppes and Golden Nugget Spa in Downtown Vegas Visitvisitlasvegas.com to map out an adventure perfect for you!

Back facials available!

Gentleman’s pedicure and the best blowout hair services on the Strip!

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VEGAS ON THE MENU Dinner is theatrical to the senses when your reservation for a night out is at Greene St. Kitchen inside the Palms Resort & Casino. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of casino life is an actual spacious escape from itself. With a Speakeasy feel, access to this acclaimed eatery is through a video arcade room and refrigerator door (no kidding).

Think Asian fusion Soho Art Park including Banksy, Kenny Scharf, Martha Cooper and Cleon Peterson (to name a few).

Savvy locals in the know and

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wanderlust seekers lounge in large swank rooms and bond over sliced Wagyu served tableside, succulent shrimp cocktail (perfect size for two), and vegan sliders.

No two tables seemed to order the same thing: Jidori chicken kabob and tuna pizza to the left and mini-Maine lobster rollsalongside grilled octopus to the right. The lighting is calm, but the scene is vibrant! The mixologists are enclosed in a gold bird cage-like structure—the theatrics only give flame to the goodnight you’re

about to have.

Before bringing your cinematic dinner outing to a close, definitely don’t skip the sweets. The dessert options were savvy. We opted for the Space Invader (cereal milk ice cream baked Alaska) which awakened the inner kid in us.

Make sure and catch this one on video, as well, when presented.

If you think food and art are competing for your love, you would be right.

Greene St. Kitchen at Palms Resort & Casino 702-942-7777 4231 W. Flamingo Rd. Las. Vegas, Nevada 89103 greenestkitchen.com/

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Rose. Rabbit. Lie at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas The Chelsea Tower-level 2 702-698-7440 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/restaurants/rose-rabbit-lie

ROSE, RABBIT, LIE.

Let every stranger here take you by the hand and guide you through paradise.

roasted giant Alaskan red king crab is just a succulent sampling of this lusty menu.

When it’s your turn down that rabbit hole, Rose. Rabbit. Lie. is dinner date gold. Ventre Magazine did a wild search online to find the hottest dinner spots on the Strip. When it comes to a culinary experience in a swanky supper club, this splendor is a true Vegas treasure.

Live entertainment was perfectly timed as each bite of the freshness worked in harmony with the sweet sounds of Skye Dee Miles. The space is extremely modern and walls open and close to prepare guests for the next round of jubilee. The service here shaped chivalry, the lighting was perfect.

Confusing reality with fantasy, marvel at the artsy drink presentation (Through The Looking Glass) and lounge in your best pair of shoes as the show is about to begin. Caviar tacos, shrimp cocktail topped with avocado mousse, Fresno chile and lime air, ginger glazed Chilean sea bass, beef wellington, and whole

Banana’s Foster served tableside, apple butter cheesecake and the famous chocolate terrarium will mean it’s time to loosen your Spanx a bit. As the cookie jar was presented to neighboring guests, we knew we had to come back and get more of this electricity in the future.

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BELLAGIO BUFFET The Buffet at Bellagio • Bellagio Hotel & Casino 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. • Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 bellagio.mgmresorts.com

If you came to these parts to fast, lose weight or calorie count, this page isn’t created with you in mind. A night in Vegas without one buffet visit isn’t going to work for my calendar, and all your bro-hopping on the Strip will need a meal outing that can handle a king’s and queen’s needs.

We’ve brunched at Aria and eagerly await a return visit. It’s strongly suggested that everyone cranky after the plane visit Bacchanal seconds after you land. Works like a charm every time. And Rio has been rumored to have coined the buffet market when it comes to seafood. I’ll be the judge of that on my birthday.

Ventre magazine capped off the last night in town with the celebrated Buffet at The Bellagio—a mirage we had only read about until now.

Vegas has foodie options in every direction on every budget. When you have room for one last memory before that trek home, make it this place.

We planted ourselves right in the middle of all this sumptuous feasting and plotted our path through this sea of gluttonous vacationers and never looked back. Prime rib pasta, chicken tikka marsala, seared salmon, fresh shrimp, pizzas, Asian fare, and even a carving station draws you in by scent and glaze alone. We might have filled up three bites ago, but that honey almond cake, creme brulee, and fresh custard donuts never left our minds when we first walked in.

Vegas is all about service that cradles and The Buffet at Bellagio is this fantasy realized. Plus, it’s these genuine faces that make you forget about that nagging boss back home...at least for now.

Ventre Foodie Favorites: Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace, Giada’s at The Cromwell and Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar (short jaunt off the Strip) Visit www.visitlasvegas.com for a foodie plan that works for you.

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GET THE LOOK resort wear Las Vegas...

Crafted with paradise in mind, Paradise Ranch Design’s luxury resort and swimwear should be on your radar.

Driven by design and comfort, your travel bag will overflow with mesh tops and mesh jackets.

To get you in the resort mood, wear your new favorite leopard sand dusters while at the airport or en route to your next destination.

The Marilyn top is classic and even more irresistible when paired with Paradise Ranch Designs board shorts. If you don’t see this top in your travel bag when unpacking at the hotel, don’t fret. Your daughter is wearing it.

Refreshing new choices from the Wedded Bliss collection sets a high bar for the body wear market and never misses a beat with the classics first (don’t miss their peek-a-boo items or mesh skirts online). Everyone at Ventre Magazine loves that feel good moment you get from wearing such fun, one-of-a-kind tropical attire. Resort wear that makes you feel like it’s your day off is the alchemy here.

Designer Kris Goddard has scored a win.

Find this team on Facebook and get invites to parties at their Canyon abode and big sale shoutouts. That is if you can handle getting closer to the heat.

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Photographer - WILLIAM THOMAS

paradiseranchdesigns.com

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3rd& thriving DETROIT

visitdetroit.com

When the invite says denim and soul,

The entrepreneurial boom is in the

chances are good you just landed in

air again—emerging Tesla rivals and

Detroit, Michigan. Detroit knows

business deals on every other corner

you better than you know yourself.

is palpable. The housing market is

Everyone’s favorite underdog City

hot if a job relocation offer is on the

has too much to see and do in just

table—it’s no coincide that your eyes

one three-day weekend. But go

brought you to these pages, perhaps

ahead, give it a try.

Detroit was recently presented to you. Come to pay your respects to

Have a little crazy fun for yourself

the great Aretha Franklin? Tour

with last year’s bonus at Motor

the list of places that influenced

City Casino or Greektown

her (as reported by Detroit Times),

Casino. Whether wine tasting

from United Sound Systems where

at Westview Orchards Winery,

she recorded hits like Jumpin Jack

touring extravagant art collections

Flash and Who’s Zooming Who to

at Detroit’s Institute of Arts, seeing

Woodlawn Cemetery where she lays

the art deco treasure The Guardian

in rest.

Building, singing your way through the Motown Museum or petting

Love on Detroit for any number of

animals at the Detroit Zoo, Detroit

reasons. Are you traveling coast to

has a plethora of memorable

coast so much that it hurts? Doesn’t

experiences to entice your time, no

happen when you choose lodging

matter how you’re packed.

vetted through the pages of Ventre Magazine.

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Detroit has a new living room.

Luxury brand Shinola has officially laid claim to the busiest downtown block in Detroit. For a brand that is making its first foray into hospitality, they got it incredibly perfect on the first try. Shinola Hotel is a unique experience centered around the guest and its tradition of fine craftsmanship. You feel steeped in mid20th Century luxury from the warm woodgrain decor and deco-inspired light fixtures to the red leather door tassel to signify “Do Not Disturb.”

Shinola Hotel is an 8-story, 129-room boutique hotel created by Tom Kartsotis of Fossil Watch fame and Dan Gilbert of the real estate venture, Bedrock. Locals know and trust this duo like they know winter is coming around the corner. In a modern highrise brick building, every amenity you could ever imagine has stylishly arrived. Shinola features some of the best new restaurants in Detroit.

Which of the fine stops on the property will stick with you the most?

Culture and diversity intersect at this very address. Shinola is pet-friendly with genuine service in their DNA. But don’t just take our word for it. Look at the Yelp reviews. Give them a courtesy call. Your next Detroit trip will never be humdrum again.

1400 Woodward Ave • Detroit, MI 48226 • 313-356-1400

shinolahotel.com

SHINOLA HOTEL PHOTOGRAPHY: Nicole Franzen

The allure is not subliminal. Shinola makes the case for sitting around and doing absolutely nothing so very well.

In select rooms, you can jam out to retro vinyls from Miles Davis and Sharon Jones spinning on the Shinola Runwell turntable. Italian cotton sheets and custom Shinola bathrobes wrap around guests recovering from that coast to coast trek nobody warned you about. The design elements—hardwood flooring and mid-century modern furniture— pull you in. Everything about this cozy escape will resonate with your senses.

Coffeemakers and tea service in the room are always needed, but not always provided by all. How else can I make that 6 am flight? Shinola knows this predawn dilemma.

The views of Woodward Avenue satisfy your need to stay in proximity to it all.

So if you must venture out into the real world, choosing this luxury property was a great call.

THE SUITE

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It’s my Lyft driver that got me the most excited about my hotel choice, way before the brochures did. On a recent Giving Closet adventure in one of my favorite cities, the driver from the Detroit airport to downtown proper spent the entire 25-minute ride ranting and raving about my destination. “It’s where the pretty people stay. Close to everything, definitely the best hotel in downtown.” As he looked back at me in the rearview mirror, cross country travel had me feeling not worthy of such a comment.

Luxury and comfort hit you in the face immediately. This historic skyscraper is impressive at first glance and from pretty much every angle and glance. Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Hotel is often booked to capacity and is the first choice for travelers that frequent the bustling area. Whether anchored on the property all day or barely in your room long enough to catch the closing credits of your fave television show, you’ll be smitten at first sight.

Think of Westin Book Cadillac like a mini resort filled with casual dining, fine dining, Starbucks, full gym, heated indoor pool and yes, even a spa at your beck and call. From across the courthouse and in walking distance from Comerica Park, there is plenty to see in every direction. The lobby is vibrant and buzzing with business travelers in every corner.

Get into the warmth of it during the winter months and cool down at the bar to beat that summer heat. Or hide from it all and regroup in a quiet room high above. It’s calling your name.

Can you hear it?

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“Keycard access to my corner suite” is fun to sing to yourself as you unpack your unmentionables.

Warm and easy on the eyes, the earth tones, generous space, high-speed Internet and signature Westin Heavenly Bed is the oasis you dreamt of when crammed into that airline seat hours prior. A tucked away mini fridge and all the amenities you need are here. White Tea bath products and Brazilian thick combed cotton towels only accentuated the spa-like experience in the room.

Did the time change do you in? Westin Book Cadillac has lavender balm oil for your pillow. Comfy bedding, germaphobe approved cleanliness and walls so thick I swear the front desk was lying when they said the floor was at capacity. Opt to have the city lights of downtown entertain you visually from your room or shut it all out with darkening room shades thicker than any back home.

If you can break away from that structured and overly packed schedule, Westin Book Cadillac would love to have you.

THE SUITE

1114 Washington Blvd. • Detroit, Michigan 48226 • 313-442-1600

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GET THE LOOK

East Coast

Galina Sobolev is a luxury brand consultant and creative director for Single Dress. Her days have a range like no other—from Fendi re-launch parties in Beverly Hills to spread awareness and support for the Special Needs Network to her unwavering redistribution of sample clothing to my passion project the Giving Closet. Despite her generosity of time and spirit, Galina still finds time to run the sexy female brand: Single Dress.

Ventre Magazine briefly caught up with Galina to discuss a few needs. This life of ours, between cradle and grave, would be humdrum without vogue direction. Single Dress has always stood for unapologetic individuality of style and confidence.

Kimberly Goodnight at Media Playground PR was the first to plug me in to this Los Angeles staple. Come inside the mind of Galina and see how her personal flare meshes with her design warmth.

SINGLEDRESS.COM

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MEET GALINA

We are over the moon at Ventre Magazine for your sleepwear. This is new for you. When did this adventure start?

We are super excited to launch the beautiful Single Dreamers Capsule collection of luxe loungewear, pajamas, and yoga sets. This adventure started a year ago and has since been received with much excitement with great selling and high demand.

Who influenced you early on in your career?

Early in my life, I was influenced by my amazing maternal grandmother. She was a couturier in a small custom atelier in Odesa, Ukraine, my hometown. She taught me how to sew by hand and crochet. Later in life, when my family immigrated to the U.S., I had the opportunity and privilege of attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where many of today’s fashion veterans influenced my career. Most important mentor in my career path was Carole Little in Los Angeles.

layer under sweaters. For this Fall we are featuring animal prints in various combos and we have a beautiful cheetah stretch dress in the collection that will get our Single Dress customer from the boardroom to dinner in the winter and looking fabulous. It is made out of brushed stretch Monalisa fabric.

We love following your adventures on Instagram. If you could be at any cafe in the world waiting to meet a friend where would it be?

My favorite café in the world is Café de Flore in Paris, off Saint-Germain. It reminds me of a time when many Bohemian artists and writers spent days pondering their next project.

I love to just sit there and sketch sometimes! I think of Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds who spent many days there over coffee.

The time stands still there.

Any advice for the next generation reader who dreams of getting into fashion?

All dreams come true, one way or another, but the most important advice I can give is to work for other fashion companies and learn. Learning, hard work, work experience, and execution are the keys to future success and the way to own your own company one day. Many young people today want things to happen fast and instantly, but there is something to be said for “on the job experience.” It is most vital and most important and has been the key element that enabled me and many others to realize our dreams.

Galina Sobolev

East Coast winters mean the locals embrace the seasons where summer dresses come out to play. What is the one dress we shouldn’t miss from Single Dress this season? Easy to wear and easy on our pocketbooks, please!

For East Coast winters we have many fabulous dresses & tops to brighten your life. Dresses that work with boots and VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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4th and UnFOURgettable Ready to see life differently?

SAN DIEGO

San Diego is something to write home about.

Being new to the scene, we chose the WorldMark San Diego – Balboa Park, a four-star hotel to hang our hats at this time around. Choosing a sound base is key for our loyal readers. We scream this from the mountain tops issue after issue. Gamble with untested lodging in San Diego at your own risk. But gosh, we are definitely excited to tell you about ours. Step up your game and apply your Wyndham points. This is our first WorldMark stay, and everything about condo living at friendly hotel prices sounds welcoming to our ears.

In a red brick building on a happening boulevard in the core of San Diego is the WorldMark San Diego – Balboa Park, a modern all-suite oasis proudly boasting spacious studio and one-bedroom resort suites. We noticed limited availability during the summer months and that translates to return business in our eyes. Glad it’s finally our turn at this 1920’s art deco building located in the heart of downtown San Diego.

Easing into this getaway is easy with friendly 24/7 customer service. A helpful resource is always within earshot in these parts. Upon learning that this was only our second trip to San Diego, everyone was happy to offer up their fave local attractions.

Valet your car and never call for it again unless you really must. Having a preference for cabs and Lyft drivers allowed these googly-eyed tourists to take in every bit of history and sights that we could. The same is suggested for you.

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WorldMark San Diego – Balboa Park

Wyndham Destinations • 1110 A Street • San Diego, CA 92101 • 619-795-4000

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ornings at this property start like this: a cup of coffee, the local newspaper and your kids nearby on an iPad charting out adventures at Legoland just 45 minutes up the road. The rooftop deck has city views like no other and the fresh air from the Pacific Ocean cannot be appreciated unless you are here.

A nearby BBQ Pit and furnished sitting areas hinted at a civilized late afternoon gathering later.

The reasons to stay another night present itself at the most unexpected moments.

Untethered to reality was our observation at the WorldMark San Diego – Balboa Park where time seemed to move a bit slower and we didn’t fight it one bit.

The Terrace

PERKS! • Location, location, location! A mile from the San Diego Convention Center and a short cab or Lyft ride to everything downtown proper!

• Beautifully restored historic building • On-site laundry at no cost • Mini gym on site (24-hour fitness close by for true health junkies that can’t get enough) • Off street parking and valet parking (for a fee).

It’s downtown San Diego, after all!.

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BALBOA PARK

Balboa Park is a wonderland for the young and young at heart with a world famous zoo, museums, carousel and more! The reasons to get out are well laid out in front of you.

WorldMark San Diego – Balboa Park

Wyndham Destinations • 1110 A Street • San Diego, CA 92101 • 619-795-4000

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hen life feels like the gas pedal, Worldmark San Diego feels like the brakes. Pretty sure there is a business center on site, but spending too much time focused on work back at the office can be hazardous to your health.

theSuite

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Everything felt remodeled and newly presented for our approval. The pops of color contrasted with muted grays instantly appeased our eyes.

Smitten with the full-size fridge and dishwasher, pack up your favorite snacks and bring your beverages.

Eating out with kids in tow can be too much on any budget, but wise travelers always opt for real at-home amenities. The kitchen in the one-

bedroom suite was fully stocked with plates, cookware, a blender for unlimited cocktails, and glassware. If these amenities apply to your travel needs, Viola! Alchemy.

The suite was germaphobe inspected and approved by yours truly. This writer has been known to spend a window of time “cleaning” hotel rooms before unpacking and settling in. Said paranoia wasn’t necessary

this time around.

A separate room with a pull-out sleeper is perfect for those who snore in the family.

We shall leave the unnamed anonymous. Ok, it was yours truly. Early morning TV channel surfing or just the simple appreciation of early morning peace and quiet could be the reason, too.

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TheDining

What makes food “soul food?” When the kitchen pours every ounce of heart into the experience. You want this from every cuisine outing and you’ll get this at Louisiana Purchase.

Your San Diego weekend adventures are thread together by a common goal, to look back and say “Remember when.” Louisiana Purchase was a short jaunt from our Balboa Park hotel and became the spot we couldn’t stop talking about for days after.

Chef Quinnton Austin nails it with a big easy charm and every supportive element to soulfully reel your heart in. Two once cranky road travelers bonded in a quaint French Quarter cocktail bar over comfort food favorites like garlic cheddar biscuits, garlic shrimp sliders, Crawfish Etoufee and foie cornbread and crispy cauliflower topped with Sriracha maple sauce, tempura butter and pistachio. If you are a true foodie, make this your cheat day.

A weekend away from Los Angeles meant we could splurge on carbs and neighboring tables weren’t watching a gasp. That’s code for “try the Black Truffle mash au gratin.”

The “Pecan Prailine Filet” with fried Brussel leaves and butternut squash puree was the new lease on life we were looking for. Pair something from the unique cocktail list (Urban Sombrero, Watermelon Seven Five, or the sharable Pablo Discobar punch served in an actual disco ball!). All the drinks were spirited and the perfect co-host to the creative aesthetic.

Every fork that delved into that alligator cheesecake came back a winner. The flavor profiles were authentic and surprisingly disarming—each savory bite had us coming back for more.

Return for brunch and see how Mama’s Chicken surrenders to the touch (two pieces with cheddar biscuits and a chili garlic honey drizzle). French toast, jambalaya omelette and the Trolly Stop Special look like dandy reasons to return.

The future of this diverse North Park neighborhood is definitely coming into focus. And the places we must revisit when back in town just expanded.

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Photography by Danny Desanti | @desanti_photography | desantiphotgraphy.com

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5th, final & oh so fabulous...

NAPA VALLEY SONOMA VALLEY

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Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley?

We’ll take both, please!

It will take many more trips up to the wine country to better gauge the answer to this question. Both areas hold a plethora of hidden rustic gems, lusty spas and retreats worthy of cashing in that nest egg your dearly departed granny left you. We could think of only one road trip notable to tap into your coveted vacation time, so now you must choose where to land: Napa or Sonoma? On our second trip to Northern California, we squeezed in as much downtime as we could on a limited timetable.

To help us navigate Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, we turned to our tried and true local wine vintner Doug White. Celebs like Emma Stone ask for his help when navigating these dream getaways, so why not us?

Soon to launch his newest passion project—a luxe multiwinery tasting room titled Mia Carta (1209 First Street, Napa, CA 94559) in downtown Napa—locals in the know

will be clamoring to get in close proximity to his vision of a good time. With the addition of this classy endeavor to his resume, natives and savvy travelers can come in for menu bites, cheeses, live music, private dinners and wine tastings starting October 2019. Ventre Magazine will be keeping an eye out for the launch of his tasting room; you can keep tabs on him, too, on www.BTLNV.com.

We only have one shot to get this right. Doug took a coffee break from his construction plans on Mia Carta to layout a sure-fire recipe for a successful adventure and we took note. See over the next few pages what we all think will make any wayfarer want to come in closer.

Doug’s Fave Winery in Napa Valley: Merryvale Vineyards & Honig Vineyard & Winery Doug’s Fave Winery in Sonoma Valley: The Donum Estate

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Gaige House

A special footprint in Sonoma Valley wine country is the Gaige House + Ryokan. So honest and sincere in their approach to how you’ll be received is a signature quality. Think boutique hotels at its very, very best.

This is not like any boudoir you’ve stayed in before.

It starts with 23 guest rooms and suites designed with modern Asian details—calming fountains, private zen gardens, fab Japanese soaking tubs, and yukata robes with obi sash to wash away the stress and bring you back to nature. But be warned, the tears you experience when looking in your rearview mirror after check-out are real and humbling. But, let’s not get 134 VENTRE

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ahead of ourselves and spoil any of the beauty for you.

Ventre magazine is smitten with, over the moon obsessed with, any hiccup of time we can spend at Gaige House + Ryokan.

Stroll past lush landscaping and enter through the main door or past the pool and meditation areas and enter through the rear door of the main house—everything about this place says welcome. Every design element is thoughtful with fresh flowers placed throughout,

13540 Arnold Dr. • Glen Ellen, CA 95442 • 707-935-0237

thegaigehouse.com

homemade cookies to greet us and the sounds of summer that made us feel miles away from home. This warm and homey reception is the alchemy that makes you want to add a third night here and let your plant back home fend for itself (chances are the suite you’re in will be booked the moment you close the door behind you, so expect those love pains in advance and plan accordingly). Gaige House has a beautiful commons area that hosts daily wine and cheese receptions, private nooks and crannies to chat amongst yourselves and generous patio lounges with a glowing fire pit table to sit by and take in the serenity.

We took the lantern from our room late one night, wrapped ourselves in yukata robes and geta slippers and headed to the main house for fresh baked cookies to satisfy our cravings. After-hours main house access is provided to guests and catch the uber-friendly front desk staff before 8 pm if you need any dinner leftovers heated up. Glen Ellen felt like a safe, hidden wine country oasis, just like the brochures promised. We felt that all the needs of home were within reach and a weekend of solace would dominate every bit of our beings.

We were right!

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Breakfast Buffet 8 am – 10 am

Reclaim your well-being every morning as you make your way to the main house for fresh pancakes, homemade quiche, Caggiano ham, fresh croissants, local produce and the air of luxe coffee to spark you in the right direction.

If you don’t have an appetite that early, sit with fresh orange juice and the newspaper, just

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don’t miss out on these zen ways to start your morning.

Just as comparable to the generous presentation are the smiles peeking from the kitchen looking on with warmth and gratitude for being of service to you.

..Mend Your Mind Wine & Cheese Reception 5 pm – 6 pm

You might have thought you were the only couple on the property, until you made your way to the daily wine and cheese reception to welcome guests. A beautifully presented artisan cheese board and local wines called our attention every late afternoon at Gaige House + Ryokan.

You can even find yourself later in the evening tucked in an adjoining room having soft conversations over sake or port.

Zen time is the common denominator at Gaige House + Ryokan. Spa yourself into submission! Book a massage or meditation class on property. See the website for more details. Pet-friendly, easy free parking and close to all the wineries, restaurants and shopping in Sonoma Valley!

13540 Arnold Dr. • Glen Ellen, CA 95442 • 707-935-0237

thegaigehouse.com

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Tranquility consumes you the moment you walk into your suite as notes of soft meditation music play on the Bose sound system. Suite 17 is truly grand with ample rooms and a generous hallway. Open the long fringe curtains and dual sliding glass doors to the back private patio and creekside sitting balcony. It’s a sensation you can’t experience on the website.

It felt intrusive to the serenity, so ignore the flat-screen TV, we did.

If the sound of work, LA traffic or anything else untoward starts to seep into your thinking, sit down a bit longer. There is an octave to this mini-community and you can tap into it with ease.

The decor is soft and easy on the eyes. Bold statements with an Asian flare can be found in thoughtful places—a large Buddha head statue bedside and Japanese geta slippers for outdoor use and zori slippers for indoor use ready in the foyer to slip on when you enter. A cast-iron teapot service and crackling fireplace were situated in our bedroom suite and oncall for our lounging needs.

The interior Zen garden atrium with calming water fountain and Japanese pagoda also served as a quick shortcut to the Japanese soaking tub.

Yet another indoor/outdoor Zen effect to your senses. High ceilings with an arched, polished wood beam guarded over our tranquility. The bedding was so firm and spacious that our plans to stay up late and drink a bottle of vino were thwarted both nights. You try and resist this comfort come 10:30 pm.

The amenities are luxurious and plentiful with an in-suite French press coffee maker, mini sink with barware, mini-fridge to hold that cache of wine, and a Japanese soaking tub that will undoubtedly need to be experienced several times a day.

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Zen your life up ASAP! It could be soul-crushing not to spend a weekend (or heck, even a weekday), waking up to the gentle sounds of a babbling creek and the soothing effects of a Zen getaway. Gaige House+ Ryokan is a Four Sisters Inns property. foursisters.com

Ventre tip: Only 8 out of 23 Zen suites offer these soaking tubs. Shower for two, restorative natural light coming in everywhere you look and so much space to unwind and unpack, you would almost think you LIVED here. Forget anything? You know, planning outfits for this swank suite can take up lots of mental space when it’s time to make the six-hour drive north. But rest assure, Gaige House + Ryokan has all the amenities in your room already. Fall in love with something in the Zen suite and want to add that accent to your space at home or work? A menu of items available for sale is located in each room.

RyokanZ enSuite Never thought this type of retreat existed for a hard-working bloke like yourself ?

Then make tomorrow your turn.

13540 Arnold Dr. • Glen Ellen, CA 95442 • 707-935-0237

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This intoxicating get-away to the wine country was brief, so we made every step of it count.

Before settling into the Gaige House in Sonoma County just 20 minutes up the road, we had to follow our vintner’s suggestion and try the hottest Mexican spot in town, Gran Eléctrica. If already a fan of the Brooklyn locale or you’re new to this sassy dream, think highquality Spanish cuisine served with rustic, chic, warm-spirited, big city flare. We’re talking fresh hand-pressed tortillas crafted with heirloom corn, house-made crema and queso fresco, as well as spicy chorizo made on site.

This space boasts some of the prettiest faces in downtown Napa with dishes to match.

The good vibes started with our server Cassidy, and if you catch the manager Kat on duty, this place will feel like home. For starters, freshly made guacamole & chips didn’t last two seconds on our table. We became giddy in anticipation of the colorful dishes to follow. Neighboring

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tables opted for ceviche and margaritas and the entire place was filled with laughter in one corner and intimate second dates in the other. Our next course of Carnitas and Tinga de Pollo tacos arrived just in time to seduce our senses. Succulent carnitas (braised pork shoulder, chile colorado, jalapeno torreado, onion and cilantro) had a bit of a kick; you never knew meat could surrender like that.

Torta Pambazo (house-made chorizo with pork from Llano Seco, potato queso, crema, chile de arbol soaked charred bread) was perfect for the two of us to split. The choice of high-quality meats with fresh, supportive ingredients explains why this place is a four-time Bib Gourmand recipient. The Spiked Prickly Pear Lemonade (Napa Valley distillery vodka, prickly pear, syrup, lemon juice and club soda) will be the final touch to remind you that you’re on vacation now.

Even though you filled up several bites ago, still order the Crepas de

Cajeta and box up what you can’t finish. Cajeta, candied pecans, cinnamon, and whipped cream all conspire to disarm and charm, much like everything at Gran Eléctrica.

The Space!!

Locals and savvy travelers sit in the back patio at Gran Eléctrica while Our Lady of Guadalupe prays over them > mural by internationally acclaimed artist DJ Agana. Upscale casual, indoor and outdoor seating, two bars and a separate private dining room. Skylights keep the space bright, the server’s station makes the room homier, not stale. The funky seats at the bar will be your personal obsession and a vantage point to view the notable wallpaper: Classic Day of The Dead themes with a quirky twist featuring Napa Valley landmarks by famous Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. The dualcoast eatery is owned by Tamer Hamawi, Elise Rosenberg, and Emelie Kihlstrom.

1313 Main Street • Napa, CA 94559 • 707.258.1313

granelectrica.com

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This is the prime example of how a change in scenery can change you. Take a break from all the vineyard hopping and reclaim your wellbeing at this Sonoma County gem.

Make your spa day and lunch plans at the storied Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Valet your fancy rental car or selfpark—the grounds are intimate and easy to navigate. Past the main lobby and all its majesty is a tucked away hidden poolside nook. Sit by the pool if you’re a guest, sit barside with a Stella in one hand and lamb burger in the other, or plant your derriere at a table near a water mister (especially if the summer months are still getting the best of the region) and prepare yourself for a swank meal that will blow your mind.

Reignite that fire in your heart with anything from this menu. Shrimp toast, Vietnamese Bibb lettuce cups with prawns and peanut sauce, and edamame are all-star starters.

If this was a preview of what was to come from this kitchen, our glee was palpable. No matter how five-star swift or slow the service, the next course of your meal will be worth every second of your life. Let the chef take that extra moment to add one more hunk of lobster to those lobster nachos. With pickled chilies, sour cream and homemade Mornay sauce, it was the star of the table and ordering two would be highly recommended.

The plastic dinnerware was funky and thoughtful and non-glass goods are always appreciated when poolside. Rent a cabana to push yourself further into that California vibration—this space lends itself to being social and flirty, or private and unbothered.

Whether nearing your final years of calm, or new to the drinking scene, come for the Picante More Mule (Tito’s vodka, blood orange, habanero, bitters, lime, and ginger beer) and pack up a Wagyu beef burger or turkey Reuben for midnight munchies later in your suite.

Lollygagging on these grounds would feel incomplete without some spa indulgence.

Whether a formal guest of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn or not, come partake in your next slice of the Promised Land: The Spa.

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Water Tower Bar (inside the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa) 707-938-9000 • 100 Boyes Blvd. • Sonoma, CA 95476 fairmont.com/sonoma

The Garden Spa at MacArthur Place 29 East MacArthur Street Sonoma, CA 95476 • 707-933-3193

macarthurplace.com/spa

I

If you want to look as fresh-faced as the valet boys at MacArthur Place in Sonoma, then the secret lies in the hands of Norma at The Garden Spa. MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa is a four-star lodging spot boasting eateries, wedding celebrations, decadent rest and relaxation, and every reason unto itself to never leave the grounds. It’s free to valet your car and follow the fragrant gardens until you see the three blue jays Spa & Gift Shop sign.

Carve out a window of time to experience the Garden Spa facial or custom Eminence Organic Skin Care Facial, as wine country proudly boasts some of the best spas in the world and all wrapped in the most serene settings.

The Garden Spa at MacArthur offers an apothecary shop and a unique array of treatments based on fruits, flowers and herbs grown on the property’s gardens and neighboring vineyards.

If you want a genuine glow and a passing smile by the pool, this place is it. I’m baffled by why there is no Greek statue at the front desk of the esthetician that won me over (or at least an oversized portrait with kale masque clumped in her hands). Say her name once (or never a word at all) and the alchemy begins.

Norma is a staple to this poolside retreat and probably knows Sonoma better than the Tourism Board. With fifteen years and counting, she proudly talks about her love for the all-natural ingredients used in the treatments at The Garden Spa (I always pry a short chat from my spa leaders— they know a lot about the areas usually).

Norma will work out ingrown hairs and calm unsightly disruptions due to travel or stress. She can customize or follow the playbook here—the gentleman’s facial for the other half could easily make this a day date gone right in Sonoma Valley, so bring him.

Pregnancy treatments, lavender baths, the Citrus Tree signature treatment—a body scrub with Mandarin orange and pink grapefruit, sweet orange massage, sweet orange and pink grapefruit bath—warrants a return visit unto itself.

Sensory awakening is thread through the experience. Resist the gift shop if you can (bath bombs, heavenly candles, even 100% THC-free CBD oil.)

No one can hear your prayers for better skin if you don’t speak up. The team at The Garden Spa is definitely listening.

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Thirsty for some distance from reality, screaming kids, and the demanding boss back home?

Think of Willow Stream Spa as your prayers answered.

Chivalrous service, warm and unexpected amenities (a sampling of whole body products in your private locker), mineral baths, a weightless Watsu pool, bathing ritual areas and showers at varied temperatures to sooth every achy muscle.

The social hub of this spa was an amusing clamor of well-heeled travelers gossiping about the local wineries. Bring your other half and tune into the couples locale or come alone and have a crop of young spa dwellers show off their bathing suits to you like a poolside runway show or rent a private cabana and play invisible to it all.

The masseur to know in these parts is Kaleo. The time will fly by way too fast under his instinctively strong hands and you’ll be lulled into a happy place that’s welcoming to your spirit. Communicate where you hold your stress and make sure he knows your ticklish spots and embrace the Zen vibration as fast as you can. A connoisseur of massages, it must be reiterated that Kaleo is the best we’ve had to date! He spent every second of the hour on every muscle of my body, taking me to a state of pure bliss andrelaxation.

Every discomfort I knew and didn’t know I had was gone.

THE SPA

Luxury should feel personal.

A variety of spa services in an oasis with historically unique architecture is the definite draw here. And a pair of island hands that we think should be better highlighted in the brochure.

My body would feel next level immediately afterward and in the days to come.

When ready to come back to life, you’ll be so glad you squeezed in that afternoon at Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. More than just a civilized break from all the sightseeing, it’s a purely invaluable asset to your spirit and well-being.

Historically revered by Native Americans for its healing power, the elegant Spanish missionstyle inn boasts an enviable location atop an ancient thermal mineral spring, flowing from 1,100 feet (335 meters) below the surface. The tranquility and beauty of this environment is echoed throughout the 40,000-square-foot (3,700-square-meter) spa.

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Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa 877-289-7354 • 100 Boyes Blvd. • Sonoma, CA 95476

fairmont.com/sonoma

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GET THE LOOK

Free shipping on returns! And whether protecting your money maker or hiding a blemish, Lulu’s hats will keep you in fine feather.

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Your heart and Instagram posts will never be the same.

Lulu’s is a must-see online fashion theater boasting a playful array of fashion needs for any occasion. Maxi dresses, little black dresses, skater dresses, short second date dresses, summer sandals, flats, heels, boots, and vegan footwear are all created and curated in one happy place. The struggle to find the swank accessories to tie it all together is over because that’s here, too. If you plan to make your social media pages more spirited and it comes into full bloom, then you took our advice at Ventre Magazine and cruised the online boutique Lulu’s.

This star brand on the rise is knocking it out of the park with fab rompers, resort wear, and every accomplice under the sun. And now crazy affordable wedding wear to boot?! The Emily white and nude sequin cutout maxi dress is that new lease on life.

If you reside in California or plan to vacation there soon, the lusty selection of sandals on Lulu’s is something to behold. Pages of laceups, embellishments, studs, animal prints, silver rhinestone, and, of course, the classics all under one tidy roof. Find brands you know and trust or let Lulu’s unveil it for you. Gladiator, thong, wedge or flat, selections this varied and thoughtful makes one think Lulu’s may know you better than you know yourself.

LU LU S . C O M

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ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT Actor

Luké Barbato Smith Luké is exactly where he needs to be at the age of 14.

When describing talent, the words “triple threat” don’t get used lightly in Hollywoodland. But when famed Debbie Allen noticed Luké Barbato Smith’s natural singing talents at an audition, she immediately took him under her wing for dance classes with her master dance instructors at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy—pushing this next generation actor into a highly coveted category.

Even though Luké landed an agent at the age of 4 and booked his first audition for a Disney Playhouse commercial, the support of Ms. Allen and her amazing team would be the catalyst to a career that no one could have predicted. After only a couple of months of training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Luké was ready to hit the road with Ms. Allen’s production of Freeze Frame at the Wallis Annenberg and later The Kennedy Center.

The added skill of dance opened the door to booking musical theater which he loves. The rave reviews nearly broke the Internet when he did the National Broadway tour for Fun Home.

a tiny peak into his credits and hefty resume.

What does five minutes with a teenager on the go look like in Los Angeles? Well, we caught up with Luké on the last extended week of Ragtime at The Pasadena Playhouse, an hour before he was set to go on stage as Edgar aka “Little Boy”. Those familiar with this awardwinning production know this is a key role that anchors you from scene to scene. We purposely kept our chat short, as this play runs late into the evening and Luké doesn’t get to bed much before midnight. To keep him for as long as we wanted wouldn’t be fair, and we will cut anyone who calls actors spoiled or lazy.

Not this time around.

Ventre Magazine: Where did you grow up?

Luké: In North Hills, CA. Mom calls me an old soul that could walk into any room and connect with it. I’ve always loved to take things apart and put them back together. I’m super curious about life, things, and people.

Ventre Magazine: Your mom says you got the acting bug from watching Bindi the Jungle Girl on TV. Is that true?

Over time, Luké would navigate a guest spot on The Goldbergs, a Chris Brown music video, Rachael vs. Guy segment andvoice one of the lead characters of Summer Camp Island Season 2 for the Cartoon Network--again just

then decided to let me give it a try.

Entrepreneurial Lifestyle Magazine

job is yours, so think of the auditions as the actual job. Any calls after that are just rewards, but stay positive! Mom always reminds me to eat, stay hydrated and to rest. Sometimes we get so excited about the auditions that we don’t eat well. You need to have balance and allow time still learning that one. Have fun and do what you love in the downtime.

Ventre Magazine: We know you have to finish

Luké: I was 3 years old. I’ll take her word for it. She says I nagged her until I was 4 and she

|

push through. Not every

for other activities—I’m

Not a bad start to your credits.

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Luké: Keep going and

Ventre Magazine: Any tips for other actors to help them thrive and not burn out?

your break and get back to set. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you first started? What lesson was learned from that?

Luké: “Um, I almost missed the cue where I

needed to be onstage.

It wasn’t because of focus. While I was doing a quick change my microphone cable got tangled in my clothes.

I was determined to be independent and I waited too long to ask for help. Finally, I had to get help and barely made my cue. Presetting the wardrobe before starting a scene is crazy important. Knowing when to ask for help is essential, even the adults need help. Now I know why my mom is always hounding me to have a plan to be organized and most importantly to be grateful to everyone.

At age 14, this writer was more focused on comic books and testing the durability of my Star Wars action figures in the microwave. How about you?

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Thou shall not covet all adventures to thyself...

Ventre Magazine had only heard rumors of this creative, lusty Asian locale where

TheBest Of

all inhabitants

are treated like royalty.

SoCal

Rumors that is, until it was our turn at

the table. The high-end gossip about this location doesn’t even stand up to the actual experience. Master Chef Helene An and Executive Chef Tony Nguyen are the ringleaders of this money address and reservations are highly suggested. When it’s your turn for cultural authenticity in a “mini-Vegas” wonderland, your neck will swivel between the artful dishes presented for your decadent eating pleasure and the bevy of recognizable faces dining in close proximity.

Lighting up our pleasure senses was the tuna cigar topped with Tobiko Caviar in a smoky cigar box. Sit back and let the visual theatrics of Crustacean make your Instagram pages explode. We surrendered our dinner cravings to the universe and allowed our five-star server to lead the way. Next up was the savory Hearts of Palm crab cake topped with spicy aioli—the vegan options tantalized the voracious meat eater sitting across the table from me…and that should say

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Beverly Hills

everything.

We grilled Kobe beef tableside while neighboring tables had homemade

LIVE MUSIC!

Red Hour at Crustacean is hot! Live music and Happy Hour prices on signature cocktails and bites every Wednesday from 4 pm - 6:30 pm (Like you need another reason to leave work early!)

ice cream prepared in front of their googly eyes. We may have lost track of time somewhere between the High Tea Penicillin and the Vietnamese Irish Coffee—the bar menu is expansive and worthy of a return trip unto itself.

Whether dining in the main room or sitting at the chef ’s counter to experience the action up close, Crustacean is you living your best life. Our host’s suggestions led us to finish this fantastical outing with the roasted Maine lobster and those famous noodles (yes, those noodles). Our obsession with An’s Famous Garlic noodles with roasted garlic and An’s secret sauce meant we would be planning an after-hours Mission Impossible style break-in to learn the secret of this alchemy.

Your happy tears will leave the perfect trail to the valet and back.

crustaceanbh.com

468 N. Bedford Drive • Beverly Hills, CA 90210 • 310-205-8990 VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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Renowned for its keen sight and powerful soaring flight, the eagle has landed in Century City.

The new chapter for this hot, hot, hot makeover at Westfield Century City wouldn’t be complete without a robust steakhouse to round out the scene. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is that bearer of good news. Whether entering from the valet side or the mall side, there is a genuine smile and greeting awaiting you.

Executive Chef Javier Fuentes is a master of everything land and sea and will prove so with decadent dishes in a polished, lively setting. Sleek architecture and large scenic windows with picturesque views of Santa Monica Blvd, bars on both levels and five spacious private dining rooms make this space alchemy. Whether in the main dining room or tucked away in a private setting, Del Frisco’s is the epitome of the perfect host. The dress attire is business casual, so best to leave your gym attire in your other bag. If your children are loud and uncontrollable heathens, this may not be the eatery for you.

Locals with something special to connect over and savvy tourists familiar with the Del Frisco’s brand bond over Shanghaistyled fried calamari and shrimp cocktails. The palate-pleasing moments

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The Best Dining

SoCal

Los Angeles

started with the lobster bisque soup— poached lobster, topped with crema and sherry. Our one-hour commute for a 14-mile drive seemed to be worth every traffic light once the smells from the kitchen warmed over us. Del’s jumbo lump crab cakes with Cajun cream sauce was love at first bite.

A morsel of the lobster roll is like opening a gift during the holidays. We strongly suggest that you delve into the lobster mac & cheese and lobster mashed potatoes. Take those extras as a carryout and those heathens back home with the babysitter will love you for it! Other notable dishes that whisked by and seduced us on the menu: filet mignon, Wagyu beef French dip, and Maitake mushroom melt—all are lusty lunch choices that warrant a return visit. The downstairs bar conjured images of future work chatter Happy Hours over corndog battered lobster tails and their new drink The Honey Barrel cocktail (Hudson Baby Bourbon, lemon, clover honey and basil.). The challenge to our waistline concluded with the butter cake (butter pecan ice cream, fresh whipped cream and caramel) for dessert.

Trust us when we say that Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is a one-ofa-kind experience that will have you soaring like an eagle.

delfriscos.com

10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 1700 • Los Angeles, CA 90067 • 323-784-0473 VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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Executive farmer Nathan Peitso has arrived at the corner of LaCienaga and 3rd Street (also known as The Beverly Center, silly). If you avoided this corner during the Grand Lux tourist trap days, it’s safe to say this street level access farmto-table eatery has reclaimed this block again, ten-fold.

TheBestDining

SoCal

If you are relentless about having healthy substance in your diet, Nathan works directly with his family farm and the region’s top farmers to bring you exactly that. When it comes to vibrant food made with care, YOU SHOULD consider Farmhouse LA the best of the best in this big city. Park in the Beverly Center or have Lyft drop you street side and let your senses do the rest.

Farmhouse LA is leaving an advanced footprint with its jumbo gulf prawns (squid ink spaghetti, calamari, arrabbita) and perfectly seared diver scallops served with fennel confit and a balsamic citrus reduction. Every bite was Technicolor and orgasmic. This isn’t the setting where you push your vegetables around; they are actually major shining stars on the table and bursting with fresh flavors. We 154 VENTRE

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took home a meat lovers pizza topped with short ribs, pepperoni, sausage,

As Seen on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!! Just so glad Camille didn’t end up in that cozy fireplace...

bacon and bourbon sauce. The car smelled like this heavenly dish for two days afterward and we didn’t mind one bit.

Our maestro brought the love affair to an end with a chocolate tart dressed in candied pecan and orange. My dinner guest opted for the seasonal sorbet and was lost in a trio of fresh citrus flavors. You know you’ve stumbled onto something special when you’re still speaking of the food days later.

This space is the perfect backdrop for any occasion: casual lunch for two, family gatherings for 50 or a movie premiere for 120—Farmhouse LA is primed and ready. And that service? Gracious and warm hospitality with zero attitude leaves a clear pathway for guest comfort in an upscale casual setting. This is brunch, lunch, and dinner with panache.

farmhousela.com

8500 W. 3rd Street (street Level at Beverly Center) • Unit 113 Los Angeles, CA 90048 • 310-818-4925 VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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The Best Experience SoCal GET YOUR MIND RIGHT SAMSKARA art exhibition can be found here.

According to the old Hindu philosophies, Samskaras are the imprints left by thoughts, actions, and intents that you have experienced. If you are ready to face the consciousness beyond the realities, join Wisdome LA for an immersive art experience like no other.

When buzz of a 360 avant-garde immersive art park started spreading amongst my colorful friends in town, I knew I had to learn more. It’s no surprise that Wisdome LA is based in the Arts District on the eastern edge of Downtown LA. This funky part of Downtown LA is the epicenter of innovation these days. There’s easy on-street parking or feel free to take a Lyft or Metro to skip the unpleasantness of a commute.

Wisdome LA is date-night gold and day date plans gone right. Think unpredictable and adventure with a message. Wisdome LA surfaced in 2019 and has taken Angelenos by storm with its sprawling five dome complex, each with its own unique immersive audio/visual experience.

If you lose an hour here, join the club. Re-entry available, just check with the attendant who welcomed you. Whether you’re an actual kid in search of something magical, a kid at heart or a grumpy denizen in need of getting out of your own head, Ventre Magazine just stumbled upon the venue to do exactly that.

Our senses were awakened by the mind-bending works of Android Jones’ Samskara 360 visual show and interactive photo experience. This immersive journey into the realm of virtual reality has mind-blowing visuals, customized 360 projections and surround sound (Ventre tip— come early with no wait.) We took breaks in between exhibits under Himalayan salt lamps in the open courtyard to share our stories on

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Photography by:

@muziqfiend

Instagram. Check their Facebook page or visit their website, as Wisdome offers Pink Floyd nights, sound meditation and visual journey nights, and a silent disco party to name a few. Come in organically or reserve space ahead of time for a birthday gathering—35,000 square feet with a capacity of 1,500 should give everyone plenty of room for shenanigans.

If you are not directing all of your thoughts, emotions, visions, and actions towards a better state of being after this exhibit, we suggest you go back again.

It’s the psychedelic trip without the usage of drugs to get you there. How do we thank Wisdome LA for feeding our addiction for everything visionary? We tell a friend or two.

wisdome.la

Wisdome LA (Downtown LA—Arts District 1147 Palmetto Street • Los Angeles, CA

Events with:

FOR REAL?

Fun for photo opps. Our first time trying a virtual reality headset--- its surreal!!

Ecstatic Dance LA, @ecstaticdancela Beyond the Wall, @think_exp Multiverse with Visual Reality @visualrealitymeditation

Samskara exhibition: @samskarapro @android_jones @microdoseVR VENTREMAGAZINE.COM

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Canyon Life ...

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The private calendar of a Bel Air native holds many secret outings free from the freeway gridlock down below.

Canyon life in these parts is million dollar views paired with captivating homes playing host to Angelenos with picky appetites.

These savvy locals—and really anyone passing through the canyon— can rely on the newly opened Jayde’s Market for quality food and goods matched with quality care. Family-owned, family-named and family-driven, this farmer’s market experience hits you with a warm vibration the moment you enter. The smell of oven baked breads and the abundance of fresh-picked flowers for sale will lure you in. The shelves here are brimming with locally-sourced produce, organic and all-natural meats, and freshly-baked breads.A one-stop spot dedicated to taking care of you.

Come in for a smoothie or a cup of coffee and almond croissant in a quaint setting. You’ll be tempted to leave with dinner for the weekend or a cart full of your favorite bath products. Order the succulent short rib grilled cheese for your last-minute picnic—we topped ours off with Gruyere cheese, tarragon aioli, olive oil, and pickled red onions on country bread. Not sure we even made it to our picnic before devouring it in the car. Eating on-the-go has never been this easy, healthy or delicious.

THE BOTTLE SHOP (inside Jayde’s Market) Offering shelves and shelves of artisanal wines, rare spirits and craft brews, The Bottle Shoppe at Jayde’s is home to the biggest selection of liquor in Beverly Glen. Step inside and explore their spirit and wine cellar, holding both exclusive affordable and higher-end brands.

Keep up with Jayde’s Market on social media for in-store demos, catering events and more!

Discovering the Scratch Kitchen is worthy of navigating those windy canyon roads, trust me. Freshly prepared artisan sandwiches such as the Italian picnic, turkey panini, chicken club, veggie wraps and so much more are perfect for lunch, dinner, or a picnic. Kale Caesar salad, Chinese chicken, Nicoise, soup de jour or Matzo ball soup will bring varied palates to a common ground. Containers with side dishes large enough for two should make it in your basket. Miss that slice of pecan pie or frozen Coolhaus ice cream at your own peril.

We were tickled pink to find our favorite, quirky wellness products on the shelves here. Fresh coffee, artisan cheeses, Honest Company fare—this setting has notes of Dean and DeLuca.

So many thoughtful selections in this independent market make you wish this was your local jaunt. The dream here is elevated, much like the whole canyon existence.

Jayde’s Market at Beverly Glen Center (310) 773-9483 • 2964 Beverly Glen Circle • Los Angeles, CA 90077

jaydesmarket.com

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Looking for brunch with panache?

The formula for wowing your friends when choosing the next brunch, lunch, or dinner gathering begins with these pages. Everything good about canyon life comes together at this hidden French bistro—but it’s Cali, so you’re spared the attitude and clouds of cigarette smoke.

And one day when you’re one of the lucky Angelenos tapping into canyon life and looking down at Bistro Jolie

With assurances of a memorable culinary experience to be had, Bistro Jolie became our destiny one lovely weekend afternoon. This is canyon life at its best, so bring a hearty appetite.

The artisan board is every reason in and of itself to make that windy two-mile trek up this way. The chef hand-selects charcuterie with all the yummy accoutrements and a freshly baked baguette. Didn’t know I was a fan of violet mustard until now.

Neighboring tables leaned in over Salad Nicoise and grilled King Salmon discussing the latest Hollywood gossip and laughing over weekend moments with passion.

Tap your heels and say Jolie Truffle Burger three times to watch your wish come to life. My hunger pains came to an abrupt end over freshly shaved truffles, 8 oz. prime Creekstone burger, truffle pecorino, grilled onions, herb aioli, arugula, on a brioche bun. My guest couldn’t get enough of the sauce that came with his succulent Steak Frites (choice of 8 oz. Angus filet, 10 oz. Prime flat iron or 10 oz. prime NY Strip). The portions were generous, much like the style and good vibes in this space.

If everything about Bistro Jolie feels fresh and bold, look at the faces of this renowned culinary team—Jackie Esbin, Cody Dickey, Miles Shorey— because behind this alchemy is the next generation of farm-to-table cuisine with award-winning experience.

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from your mansion above, please accept our humble invitation to this foodie scene and your pool in advance.

FUN TENDER Our mixologist at Bistro Jolie was a star! He had the classics covered (Rob Roy, Old Fashion, Vesper) and won our hearts with the ‘When in Cannes’ Bacardi rum, freshly squeezed grapefruit, Amaro Nonino, and ginger beer.

We wanna try more of the brunch cocktails like ‘A Night in Normandy’ or the ‘Parlez-Vous’ on our next return.

Bistro Jolie (inside Beverly Glen Centre) 310-773-9484 • 2922 N. Beverly Glen Circle • Los Angeles, CA 90077

bistrojolie.com

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When your other half knocks an anniversary or date night out of the park, your jealous friends will take notice. This fond date memory had notes of dinner and a show, and we found the locale for this perfect “should be on your radar” staycation in Southern California’s backyard. North of San Diego and South of Los Angeles is a dinner nook inside the swank Pechanga Resort Casino and Spa known as Umi Sushi & Oyster bar.

Think Asian fusion in an unpretentious upscale, hip casual setting.

Memories began over wise choices like the Calamari with Ponzu dipping sauce— every bite was divine and addictive—and the shrimp tempura with its citrus soy dipping sauce could make a fan out of anyone. Almost wishing we had friends dining with us that evening so we could try their poke tacos, salmon carpaccio, and pork belly tacos. The table next to us warmed their hearts and Instagram pages with the seafood tower (whole Maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, oysters, ceviche, tuna poke, and king crab legs). Ours may have been the only table without a lobster roll—a rookie mistake.

The service felt seamless and effortless, as our hosts seemed to read our table and food needs pitch-perfect—never an empty glass or plate to be found. Chef Kiyokuni Ikeda will become a local star attraction, mark my words. Umi Sushi and Oyster bar will test your Spanx— just plan on dancing it off later at The Eagle’s Nest and Nightclub. A medley of sweet shrimp, yellowtail, and freshwater eel really hits the spot before the main course. Scallops over mushroom risotto and Chilean sea bass arrived perfectly timed before our show at 7 pm. When artisan food is prepared with pride and care—and you can tell—every bite was received with sincerity. We opted for a spicy mango margarita to wrap up dinner and then let our senses do the rest.

You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy all the love on this property. But, would being in close proximity to all this fun be a bad thing?

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Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar (at Pechanga ) 45000 Pechanga Pkwy • Temecula, CA 92592 • 951-770-8504

pechanga.com/eat/umi-sushi-oyster-bar

DINNER & A SHOW Grab your date’s hand and find your way to the Pechanga Theater (just a few feet from the restaurant). With seating for 1,200, the space feels warm and inviting. The air conditioning and comfort level was top tier. Buzzy fun of every genre come through these doors. Concerts, sports events, and stand-up comics are scheduled throughout the year with upcoming performances by Kenny G on August 25, Chris Isaak on August 30, Deep Purple on September 6, Steve Miller Band on September 22 and Peter Frampton on September 29.

We were lucky enough to catch a rare performance of Trevor Noah! Watch this calendar of events in 2019/2020 for the unexpected!!

Visit pechanga.com for more information.

And if you find yourself posing as one of those casino “big check winners” after the show, tell ‘em Ventre Magazine sent ya.

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AWAYTRAVEL.COM

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TIMELESS.

CASUAL. SIMPLE.

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We know what you like in bed.

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THINK WITH YOUR VAGINA. Our 100% organic cotton tampons are free of harmful chemicals, rayon and fragrances, because we believe you should only put good stuff inside yourself.

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ORGANIC LUBRICANT

Our water-based formula is enriched with organic aloe vera, made to nourish your skin while enhancing your sexual pleasure.

Our formula is pHbalanced, ensuring biocompatibility with a woman’s body chemistry.

$12.99

*Available in Lavender or Unscented

INGREDIENTS

Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (reconstituted Aloe vera), Xanthan Gum, Agar, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate (natural, food grade preservatives approved by leading natural product retailers for use in body care products and are used in trace amounts), Lactic Acid, organic-compliant Natural flavors

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HEART AT WORK

HEART AT WORK

the business of giving back

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Entrepreneurial Lifestyle Magazine

OUR MISSION

Soles4Souls creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world.

Soles4Souls is a non-profit social enterprise based in Nashville, TN and a registered 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS. OUR VISION Disrupting the cycle of poverty.

OUR VALUES Transparent, entrepreneurial, accountable and meaningful.

OUR DRIVERS Serve those in need, create opportunities and protect the environment.

SOLES4SOULS.ORG

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HEART AT WORK

HOW MANY

Since Soles4Souls began in 2006, we’ve distributed over 35 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries. But EVERY SINGLE ONE of those pairs makes a difference in people’s lives.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

In many developing nations, walking is the primary mode of transportation. Every day millions are exposed to unsanitary conditions that lead to diseases. These diseases may lead to sickness, even death.

They also keep children out of school leaving them without an education and continuing the cycle of poverty.

With your help, we can provide a life-changing solution: a good pair of shoes.

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E n t r e p r e n e u r

L i f e s t y l e

M a g a z i n e

V E N T R E M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Q3 2019