GIFT GUIDE: Get Her a Pair of handmade Lip Earrings by Female Alchemy

In our opinion the perfect gift should always be unique and conversation worthy. That simple critiera fits the description of the artistic Lip Hoops earrings that are part of the Female Alchemy jewelry collection by Miami ceramicist Tatiana Cardona, in collaboration with New York jeweler Konstantinos I. Leoussis.

This collection is an homage to female empowerment, imagination, ideals and art, thoughts and words, and runs the gamut from necklaces to rings. What this means is if you were looking for a gift that truly celebrates Her, then a jewelry collection that celebrates Women is the ideal fit.

Tatiana says, “My work started off as an ode to the female artists that paved the way for the rest of us. With time it has since evolved into the embodiment of the fun, creative, lively feminine spirit. Lips carry our words out into the world, and help us articulate the messages we wish to send. My vessels carry their own message of the power in female energy.”

We think that these are fantastic pieces that you are going to want to wear as much as possible, especially while knowing that to the sharp observer there is more to them than meets the eye. The earrings are designed as a pair of lips with the hoop formed from the somewhat erotic and provocative tongue. The Lip Hoops come in either sterling silver or 18 karat gold plate finishes.

Says Konstantinos I. Leoussis, founder of KIL N.Y.C, “The pieces were hand carved from wax, and I also used softer wax to sculpt in a similar manner to Tatiana. I cast them, and all of it is done here in New York City with recycled metal. The Lip Hoop design is inspired by one of Tatiana’s first collections, from a piece that I fell in love with. We both had a really similar idea in mind, and combined them to create something that could be worn daily and makes a statement.”

For Tatiana, the lip motif is inspired by the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s, when red lipstick stood as a symbol of protest. Of course in our modern day and age, the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s has evolved into the women’s rights movement of the current millennium. Which means that this collection might not just be a form of celebration, it might also be a form of protest. As the designer puts an edgy and contemporary motif on her creations, she believes they will not be just wearable, but also heirlooms.

The public reaction to the Lip Hoops in particular has been extremely positive. According to Konstantinos, “They have been our best sellers. Several of my friends have supported our work and wear them which is really fun and they fuel a lot of my passion.”

Good for Mother’s Day gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, holiday gifts, and 5th dates. You can find more of the Female Alchemy Jewelry collection at:
https://www.femalealchemy.com/collections/jewelry

About Female Alchemy

Each piece in the female alchemy collection is handmade by Miami-based ceramicist, Tatiana Cardona. As an artist, she strives to create lively, empowering functional art, to brighten up one’s home. The lip motif is inspired by the feminist movement of the 1960’s and 70’s, when red lipstick stood as a symbol of protest. Cardona’s work has since evolved into a positive and fun way to promote femininity in the sacred and ancient medium of ceramics.

About KIL N.Y.C.

Inspired by a life of travel and antiquities, jeweler, Konstantinos Leoussis created KIL N.Y.C. in 2018, to showcase his love of old-world techniques and motifs. KIL N.Y.C. puts an edgy and modern spin on sentimental jewelry, creating styles that are both easily wearable and instant heirlooms.

 

Recipe for Red Sangria with Chianti

Sangria is a refreshing drink any time of year. It can be enjoyed during the holidays, during the warm summer months, during the chill of fall, or even after a great hike or swim. The balance of fruit and wine gives it almost the feel of a beverage and snack all in one.

Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva has shared a wine cocktail recipe that you can quickly whip up when the feeling strikes you.

Recipe for Red Sangria with Chianti

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva
  • 1 large orange, sliced
  • 1 large apple, chopped
  • 1 large pear, chopped
  • Seeds of 1 pomegranate
  • 4 cinnamon sticks

Directions:

  1. Add fruit to large pitcher
  2. Top with Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva
  3. Place in fridge for an hour before serving
  4. Spoon fruit in glass before pouring wine
  5. Garnish with cinnamon stick
  6. Add ice to top (optional)

 

 

Chef Adrianne’s Recipe for Honey-Jerk Roasted Cauliflower

 

Cauliflower used to be shunned by many, but these days it’s a hot and stylish food to cook and eat, especially when roasted with olive oil to bring out its essence.

Miami celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo has created an innovative cauliflower recipe that highlights her concept of Maximum Flavor that makes every single delicious bite count. She pairs it with a quick pickle dish.

Honey-Jerk Roasted Cauliflower + Flash Fresh Pickles

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1/2 cauliflower, cut into stems

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons jerk seasoning, store-bought

1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced

1 cup white distilled vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Have a bowl of ice on hand. In small stockpot, bring vinegar to a boil with salt and sugar. Once it is boiling, add the cucumber slices. Cook for 30 seconds. Remove cucumbers from cooking liquid and place in ice bowl, set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, jerk, honey, curry, and salt. Add cauliflower and toss to coat evenly. Place seasoned cauliflower on a baking sheet and into the oven for 20-25 minutes. Place roasted cauliflower on a dish and serve with pickles.

ABOUT CHEF ADRIANNE CALVO:

Adrianne Calvo is the Executive Chef and owner of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, Host of Maximum Flavor Live on NBC’s 6 in the Mix, author of four cookbooks: Maximum Flavor (2005); Chef Adrianne: Driven by Flavor Fueled by Fire (2008); #MaximumFlavorSocial (2014); and Play with Fire (2015), and founder of the Make it Count Foundation. Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar opened in 2007 and offers a varied and rotating menu with something for everyone. Monthly, the restaurant holds its signature event, Dark Dining, where guests are blindfolded for a sensual experience eliminating one sense to enhance another, providing Maximum Flavor.

Social Media

www.instagram.com/chefadrianne

www.facebook.com/chefadriannecalvo

www.twitter.com/chefadrianne

Mango Bread Recipe from the South Beach Mango Festival

The first South Beach Mango Festival takes place August 5, 2018, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at South Beach’s beautiful, white sandy beach in Lummus Park, adjacent to Ocean Drive. www.SobeMangoFest.com

South Florida wants to commemorate and celebrate the importance and peak of its famed fruit. The event is aimed at tropical fruit lovers and culinary enthusiasts, as well as the domestic and international visitors who flock to South Beach. The event will also benefit a vital non-profit philanthropic organization, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Visitors will have the opportunity to continue to educate themselves on healthy eating options and alternatives, using mango in their recipes, with activities including a farmer’s market offering more than 40 varieties of juicy, sweet, locally farmed mangoes; mango tastings; cooking classes for kids and adults, featuring the golden fruit; a children’s play area; and an entertainment area with live music and dancing; top chef demos, and a memorable mango-mixology competition.

Get a taste with this Mango Bread recipe by star Chef Allen.

South Beach Mango Bread Recipe

Ingredients to Serve-10 slices

¼ Cup Butter
¾ cup Sugar
2 Medium Very Ripe mangos pureed
1 Large Egg, slightly beaten
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons Lime juice
1 ½ Cups All purpose flour
1 ½ Teaspoon Baking powder
½ Teaspoon Baking soda
½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1 Cup Chopped walnuts

 

To prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar. Add the mango, egg, vanilla, and lime juice. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add the mango mixture to the flour mixture stirring until the dry ingredients are just moistened.

Stir in the walnuts.

To bake the mango bread: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x5x3 inch non stick pan with non stick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean. Cool in the pan 10 minutes before removing from the loaf pan. Allow to cook for 1 hour on a rack before serving.

 

 

www.SobeMangoFest.com

 

Your new Tiwal Personal Sailboat is in the Trunk of Your Car

The inflatable sailing dinghy Tiwal 3 can be taken anywhere, in the trunk of a car, camper van or caravan. This means you can take it on vacation, to the beach, to the lake, or for a quick outing in your Olympic-sized swimming pool.

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