LOVE LETTERS by A-LINE MAGAZINE

02 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

04 lists & letters A letter from the editor The a-list

Some of our favorite reads for February

Tiny Bits

Little bits of lovely for Valentines and letter writing

06 Fashion & beauty Test kitchen

Our trio tries the Venus ProSkin MoistureRich razor

Mirror, mirror

Give yourself a DIY food facial

The good life

A look at the link between food and sex

Beauty alert

Be your own Valentine this year

First look

Neon numbers, edgy accents, and pretty panty sets

Fashion

Cozy Catwalk: staying warm, comfortable, and chic

18 Arts & culture LOVE BUGS

Charley and Edie Harper lived and loved in Cincinnati By Zachary Petit

MAKING THE LEAP

How one simple choice can change your life forever By Megan Strasser

Music to our ears

Leyla loves to love love

mixtape darlings

A mixtape from musical couple Shiny and the Spoon By Jac Kern

Love ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

A glimpse into the lives of writer Anne Sexton and her husband Kayo By Vanessa Barber

28 Projects & recipes Make your own

Show your love with a classic Sailor Valentine

Cookbook

Make decadent chocolates with Shalini Latour

Homemade happy hour

Molly mixes up a champagne cocktail

street style

Lightborne Publishing Inc. 811 Race St., Fifth Floor Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-665-4700 Fax: 513-665-4368 a-linemagazine.com General inquiries: info@a-linemagazine.com Advertising opportunities: ads@a-linemagazine.com Editor in chief Maija Zummo CREATIVE Director Rebecca Sylvester editor at large Judith Turner-Yamamoto contributing editor Tamia Stinson Contributors Vanessa Barber, Kristina Gerig, Kate Harrow, Megan Kelly, Elle Morris, Zachary Petit, Ilene Ross, Leyla Shokoohe, Hannah Smith, Megan Strasser, Kelly Tucker, Molly Wellmann photographers Jesse Fox, Kristina Gerig, Cameron Knight, Emily Maxwell, Megan Strasser, Gina Weathersby, RVP Photography Interns Lisa Flick, Elizabeth Hicks, Sidney Hilley, Jordan Keller, Courtney Tynan director of sales and marketing Chuck Davis Advertising Account Specialist Shannon Loeffler INDEPENDENT Advertising Account Specialist Jessica Wolcott Advertising Account managers Tony Frank, Lauren Faulkner, Katharine Harrow, Tracy Walker, Neil White Circulation Manager Steve Ferguson BUSINESS Manager Jeff Dorsey receivables Latha Mannava administrative assistant Brandi Ballou events and marketing Kenneth Wright Publishers Dan Bockrath, John Fox On the cover Photo by Jesse Fox. Styled by Tamia Stinson Entire contents are copyright 2011 Lightborne Publishing Inc. and may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publishers.

Tamia Stinson recreates Cincinnati street style

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 03

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides The Marriage Plot follows three college graduates through their soul-searching first year out of school. The book is about love, fiction writing, and contains truths about the human condition that will stop you in your tracks and make you read sentences over and over again. If you love books, read The Marriage Plot. You’ll learn that not everything can be deconstructed. (KH)

Then Again by Diane Keaton With tales of legendary love affairs with the likes of Al Pacino, Warren Beatty and, of course, Woody Allen, along with her iconic movie roles, Keaton’s memoir is a testament to the relationships with her friends, family, and herself. (EH)

Blue Nights by Joan Didion Didion’s memoir recounts the tragic loss of her adult daughter, Quintana Roo, just after the sudden death of her husband. Interwoven with reflections on motherhood, marriage, and growing older, Blue Nights is a raw and unfliching look at suffering with powerful and cutting prose. (EH)

the 04 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

list

hat we’re reading now...inspired by themes of love and loss.

The dog of the marriage by amy hempel Despite the fact that it was published in 2005, this intense collection of short stories remains as poignant and startling on the fifth read as it did on the first. Inside you’ll find stories of sex, obsession, honesty, and all the intricate details of the pain of falling in and out of love. (MZ)

White Truffles in Winter by N. M. Kelby Famous French chef Auguste Escoffier is trapped in a love triangle. Torn between his wife, poet Delphine Daffis, and actress Sarah Bernhardt, he finds himself at the intersection of food, love, and yearning in this sensual novel set in a world on the brink of war. (EH)

{compiled By kate harrow, elizabeth hicks, maija zummo}

Missed Connections by Sophie Blackall A collection of poignant illustrations inspired by the stories of love and loss in Craigslist’s “Missed Connections” classifieds. Blackall says, “Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I’m trying to pin a few of them down.” (EH)

tiny bits

A collection of A-Line’s favorite odds and ends

letter from the editor Ah, February: the time of year when our thoughts, all bundled up in the cozy dark of winter, turn to love and loneliness and chocolate and wine—and, if you’re like me, the all-powerful, empirical Truth of love songs…and Bruce Springsteen. Specifically, Bruce Springsteen. Sure, the radio is always and will always be inundated with tales of love and loss, and there will always be great singers like Adele or eh, Katy Perry, but no one will ever write songs that hit the emotional chords of lust and longing that The Boss does. (You cannot tell me you can listen to “I’m on Fire” without dying a little bit inside.) I could pretend to like cool love music, and I do. I love sad, skinny modern dudes with beards or weird teeth that sing by producing obscure, whiny sounds that make me feel like I’m inside a snow-covered Swedish cabin with a multimedia artist. But there’s a specific genre of tightly denimed men from exotic places like Canada and New Jersey that make me think of freedom and motorcycles. And their music produces in me some kind of cinematic yearning that my prepubescent self didn’t quite understand on first listen, which has thus ingrained itself in my mind as the soundtrack of romantic desperation, loneliness, nihilism, and the whole of the 1990s— supplemented by visions of Hugh Grant and Winona Ryder at weddings, funerals or coffee shops. And so, in life, just as in the movies, there comes a moment when out of nowhere Chris Isaak or Springsteen starts singing slowly in the background: a slight swell, and then a sound that makes your heart race and legs ache until you want to run as fast and as far as you can until you fall off into nothing, eyes closed until you hit the bottom and wake up somewhere new. As far as I’m concerned, that’s what love is. And these, therefore, are some of the greatest love songs, all of which I have always and will always know all the words to, never get sick of, and sing very, very loudly when I’m alone in my car tapping the gas pedal a little harder than I need to… The aforementioned Bruce Springsteen, “I’m on Fire”; Bryan Adams, “Run to You”; Roy Orbison, “You Got It”; Annie Lennox, “Walking on Broken Glass”; Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares to You”; Mazzy Star, ”Fade into You”; Chris Isaak, “Wicked Game”; U2, “With or Without You”; Elvis Costello, “Alison”; and Rolling Stones, “Beast of Burden.” —Maija Zummo

vintage typewriter Atomic Number 10, OTR Price upon request

color changing lipstick Meijer $5.00

heart print tie Sloane Boutique, OTR $89.00

Dahlia paperweight HighStreet, Downtown $60.00

Hearts for Haiti Little Mahatma, OTR

$6.00 each, a portion of proceeds benefit Haitian artisan grant programs

horse clutch Sloane Boutique, OTR $150.00

heart paper clips Poeme, Hyde Park $7.00

Styled by Jordan Keller

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 05

Test kitchen

Product reviews from A-Line’s favorite friends

Venus ProSkin MoistureRich Razor With three blades and a built-in gel bar, there’s no need for shave cream. Just wet the razor and go. $9.49 online at pgestore.com

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ Jordan: 21 Although the three blades work like magic and the soap surrounding the head makes things easier and more time efficient, the soap washes away in as little as three uses. Even small amounts of water erode the magic soap, which is supposed to be the main attribute of the product. As a razor user myself, I know I’m not swapping out new razor heads after only three uses. All in all, the Venus ProSkin is a good razor but unfortunately may not be the best bang for your buck!

Brighten up this spring with Aveda’s

Sea Blossom

Spring and Summer makeup line

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ kate: 32 This Venus razor is truly amazingly designed, and seems like it would be impossible to cut myself with—it seems so ergonomic. I was surprised by how soft the wedges of lather replacement were, and they worked quite well. For someone like me, who is always running late and thus looking to shave (haha) a minute here or there from their routine, it’s perfect! You wouldn’t think just cutting out shaving cream would make a big time difference, but I swear it did. Very smooth shave, and really fast!

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

8740 Montgomery Rd. 5625 Deerfield Blvd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 Mason, OH 45040 513-794-0202 513-770-2120

06 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

LATHA: 40ish I love this razor! It’s winter, otherwise known as the season of “I don’t have to shave, that’s why they invented tights.” This razor smoothly shaved through a couple of weeks of cold weather neglect without any problems and left my legs looking summer ready. I was skeptical about the flat head because I’ve had problems with this design in the past, but the built-in gel bars made for a smooth, nick-free shave and the blades never clogged up. The flat head actually pivots enough to get into all curves without tugging. I’m never going back to my husband’s razor.

{mirror, mirror}

FOR TIRED EYES: Mix 2 to 3 rose petals with 8 oz. of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Cool, strain and soak two cotton balls in the rose tea. Apply to closed eyelids and relax.

food facial

for OILY SKIN: Try making a mask with 1 tsp. of Brewer’s Yeast and 1/3 cup yogurt.

lcohol, DMAE (aka Dimethylaminoethanol), triethanolamine...and the list goes on. I don’t know about you, but I like to know what I’m putting on my skin and the ingredients in many skin care products read like Klingon. So, if you’re looking to go green with your beauty routine, and save some money at the same time, then to the kitchen we go!

Dry, damaged, winter skin will find soothing relief with this artichoke facial.

Ingredients fresh artichoke hearts, cooked or canned in water NOT oil 1 tsp. light oil (try avocado, olive or Canola) 1 tsp. vinegar or fresh lemon

Instructions Step 1: Mash up the artichoke heart in a ceramic bowl. simple exfoliant: Mix 2 tsp. finely ground oatmeal, 1 tsp. baking soda, and lukewarm water into a paste. Apply to face and scrub.

Step 2: Mix in oil and vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Stir into a paste. Step 3: Massage onto face and neck. Allow to set for 10-15 minutes. Step 4: Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Megan Kelly studied Theatrical Design at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and cosmetology at Aveda Fredrick’s Institute and is a certified artist with M.A.C.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 07

{the good life}

By kelly tucker

sexy sustenance E

ating might be one of the most sacred acts in which two people can take part outside of the bedroom. Cultures throughout history take sitting down to a meal pretty seriously, and if you think about who you share your lunch breaks, business dinners, and holiday feasts with, we don’t chow down with just anyone. That said, it makes sense that people have been searching for edible aphrodisiacs to enhance their sex drives with special someones dating back to ancient times. Of course, there’s no magic potion that guarantees luck in the bedroom, and while plenty of companies promise sex in a pill, the Food and Drug Administration does not recognize food as an aid in sexual arousal. Aphrodisiacs aren’t about prolonging erections. They’re about spicing up a romantic meal with your significant other, and you might be surprised what kinds of sexy sustenance is already lurking in your kitchen. On a scale from hot to downright strange, A-Line has some insight on how to properly play with your food.

{HOT} Chocolate Body Paint

While chocolates are an age-old go-to for Valentine’s Day, you might be surprised to learn that the sweet stuff isn’t scientifically proven to cause sexual arousal at all...on its own. Ilene Ross, chef and founder of Hot Food! Catering (and A-Line contributor), loves to teach classes on creating this concoction for bedroom fun. Preparation is pretty simple: Ross recommends melting your favorite kind of chocolate and adding liquor. Alcohol is somewhat of an aphrodisiac on its own, but anyone who’s witnessed the unfortunate results of a night-long binge knows Ross’ simple rule: “Sloppy drunk: not sexy. Slightly buzzed: a little sexy.” Heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract or even chili pepper can be mixed in for extra flavor. Just make sure to wait for the chocolate paint to cool before use.

{SURPRISING} Eggs and Pumpkins

Amy Reiley, aphrodisiac expert and author of eatsomethingsexy.com, delves deep into the history and variety of aphrodisiacs on her website. Some of the more surprising staples she mentions are pumpkins and eggs. I can’t think of anyone I know who feels particularly sexy while munching on an omelet, but there’s a story for every item on the list. According to Reiley’s “Guide to Aphrodisiac Foods,” eggs have been hailed as a sign of fertility dating back to ancient Egypt. Today, she argues that eggs still reign as a great choice for romantic meals due to their high levels of protein and zinc, a nutrient known for increasing blood flow. This spike in circulation can fuel blood flow to erectile tissue as well as heighten physical and mental stimulation for both parties.

08 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

Pumpkins, linked more to Halloween and fattening holiday desserts, are another surprising item on the “Guide to Aphrodisiac Foods” list. They boast a history of use for treating low libido. Scientific studies show that a combination of pumpkin and lavender scents is one of the most tantalizing aromas around. Reily also writes that pumpkins contain nutritious antioxidants and zinc to fuel after-dinner fun.

{JUST PLAIN STRANGE} Shark fins, testicles and oysters

Some couples will go to extremes to find pleasureboosting foods, but with a lack of scientific proof that any of them will work, there’s no need to go overboard. Some cultures, for example, believe that shark fins contain the secret ingredient to the perfect sex life. This has led to a shark killing ban in several countries. De-finning sharks isn’t my idea of a good time, and neither is filling up on bull testicles, but that’s a common food on the aphrodisiac menu as well. “I just want no part of that,” Ross says. “I’m all about looking at [aphrodisiacs] as a fun type of thing.” One not-so-appetizing aphrodisiac Ross can explain, however, is the oyster. Sure, they’re an expensive treat to some, but others might be a little grossed out when it comes to slurping slimy sea creatures. Oysters are heavily infused with zinc, which Ross thinks could explain why they are linked to libido. And then, “There’s a little bit of sexiness when you eat the oyster,” Ross adds. “The slurping sounds, the way it looks. I don’t think there’s proof in any of this, but a lot of [foods are considered sexy] in the way that we eat them, or the way that you share them.”

{BEAUTY LERT} by elle morris

love yourself love letter

Did you ever notice that we are quick to compliment a friend or even a stranger but rarely do we compliment ourselves? Doesn’t it make you feel great when someone tells you that your haircut is incredible, your outfit compliments your figure, or your skin is glowing? Why do we, as women, rely on others to tell us what our assets are? Why is it so ingrained in us not to praise ourselves as much as we praise others? Now, I’m not talking about straight up vanity here—I am talking about genuine and sincere self-appreciation. I challenge all of us for Valentine’s Day to write ourselves a love letter. Focus on everything you love about yourself (and ladies, you’re not allowed to detract by saying things like “other people tell me that I have beautiful hands…”), stake your claim, own it, and write it down. The next step is an even tougher one. Whatever you celebrate about yourself—your eyes, your legs, your skin, your hands—go out and show that feature, that asset, some special attention. Enhance what you’ve got and acknowledge what is beautiful about yourself. Get a new eye shadow palette or have your brows waxed; get a paraffin dip to keep those lovely hands soft; have a facial; or get an airbrush tan on your legs to show them off. After all it’s your opinion and appreciation of yourself that should matter most, shouldn’t it? Advice from the VP & General Manager of LPK Beauty The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of Libby, Perszyk, Kathman Inc. or any of its affiliates.

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a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 09

Meet the A-Line community...

A-line is a refreshing delight in the local market. They’re so good - you’d think they were a national magazine... —Leah Spurrier Co founder

HighStreet

1401 Reading Road 513.723.1901 BeHighStreet.Com

Join the A-Line community. To advertise call 513.665.4700x114

10 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

first look clockwise from left denim spiked pumps Sam Edelman, Mustard Seed, Clifton $75.00

Wax coated jeans J Brand, Sara Benjaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Mariemont $176.00

snakeskin leggings H&M $17.95

skull shirt H&M $12.95

live free tank Free People, Nordstrom

toughen up

$58.00

chain cuff Jenny Bird, Sara Benjaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Mariemont $150.00

Edgy prints, fabrics, and accessories inspired by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

gold pyramind bangles Melinda Maria, The Wardrobe, Madeira $196.00

Mid-Calf Snap Boots Luxury Rebel, Morrison & Me, Hyde Park $250.00

suede and faux snakeskin belt Express $49.50

Styled by hannah smith

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 11

LE MONDE

ANCIEN

EST

NOUVEAU

A Boutique Consignment Shoppe

3071 Madison Rd Oakley, OH. 513-386-9885 Tues - Sat, 11am - 5pm Closed Sun & Mon 12 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

Styled by hannah smith

first look

mentionables Drop the “un-” and bring your skivvies to the forefront with these cute matching sets

clockwise from left Betsey johnson bump-up bra, thong and garter belt Knicker’s of Hyde Park $26.00-$42.00

honeydew bralette set Madewell $16.00-$34.00

Lace push-up and hipster set Calvin Klein, Nordstrom $24.00-$44.00

wild strawberry bra and hiphugger Victoria’s Secret $11.50-$36.00

purple lace set H&M $7.95-$12.95

chevron print bra and thong H&M $6.95-$17.95

Floral T-Shirt bra and tangA GAP $14.50-$38.00

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 13

January 2 – February 19 Admission: $3 Skate Rental: $3 Hours: Sunday - Wednesday: noon – 6pm Thursday: noon – 8pm Friday & Saturday: noon – 10pm Valentine’s Day (2/14) 7pm – 9pm Rink Line: 513.381.0782 Tuesday, February 14 7pm - 9pm At 2012’s Valentine’s Day skate on the US Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square, skaters will enjoy a 2-for-1 admission and skate rental

Classic or custom, start here to find the one timeless ring you'll treasure for a lifetime.

Jewelry, Watches, Gifts. Design, Restoration, Repair. Friendly, Expert Service.

117 Main St. Milford 513.575.KIRK (5475) KIRKANDCOMPANYJEWELERS.COM

14 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

first look clockwise from left colorblock top with zipper Ann Taylor $78.00

no. 2 pencil skirt J.Crew $110.00

Tie Front Blouse Halogen, Nordstrom $59.00

soft silk boy shirt Madewell $110.00

Vintage Coat Atomic Number 10, OTR $42.00

neon and silver sweater Express $88.00

striped Woven T-SHIRT GAP

Light BRight Spring comes early with these neon pieces

$49.95

neon T-SHIRT J.Crew $29.50

riviera cropped pants Vince Camuto, Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $89.00

Styled by hannah smith

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 15

A long skirt is basically a nightgown in disguise: Layer a cardigan on top of a sweater for added warmth On Her: Cardigan: Malene Birger, The Wardrobe, Madeira; Sweater: A+Ro, Sloane Boutique, OTR; Skirt: Fluxus, The Wardrobe; Mukluks, Pangaea, Clifton; Earrings: Nakamol, Morrison & Me, Hyde Park. On Him: Sweatpants: BOSS Orange, Saks; Sweater: Diesel, Saks; Mukluks: Handmade by The Hansa Guild, Clifton.

It’s cold, it’s dreary, and your main priority is lounging in comfort on the couch. How do you stay cute and cozy at the same time? STYLED BY TAMIA STINSON {PHOTOS BY JESSE FOX}

16 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

WARM UP! Coat: DV Dolce Vita, Sloane Boutique; Bag: Bagtique, Pangaea, Clifton; Scarf and hat: BMC Headwear, Sloane Boutique.

Leggings are good, but GOLD leggings make a cowlneck sweater and tunic look almost dressed up On Her: Tunic: Bluebird, Pangaea; Sweater: Splendid, Saks; Gold Leggings: Vince, Saks; Socks: Merona, Target; Gold Boots: Dirty Laundry, Pangaea; Bracelet: Stylist’s own. On Him: T-Shirt: BOSS Orange, Saks; Sweatpants: BOSS Orange, Saks; Sweater: Michael Kors, Saks; Mukluks: Handmade by The Hansa Guild. Hair and Makeup: Jessie Hoffman. Models: Mikel W. and Stacy G. courtesy New View Management Group. . Big thanks to Bromwell’s Gallery 117 W. Fourth St., Downtown.

Snug underNEATH Sweater: A+Ro, Sloane Boutique; Vest: Marc by Marc Jacobs, The Wardrobe; Skirt: Fluxus, The Wardrobe; Earrings: Nakamol, Morrison & Me.

Sweater: Duffy, Sloane Boutique; Vest: Sanctuary, Saks; Knit sweatpants: Fluxus, The Wardrobe.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 17

perfect pair In addition to painting, Edie tended to explore more mediums—enamel, acrylics, and in this piece, cross-stitching. “They loved each other’s works,” Doyle says. “They absolutely celebrated each other’s works.”

woven works Edie’s loom, which she used to make woven textiles. “She could do anything,” Doyle says.

family business Charley and Edie with their son, Brett. Brett, an artist today, learned to silkscreen by watching his parents at work in the basement.

always together and in each other’s hearts.” A world war breaks out and the couple is split apart as Charley enters the conflict, becoming an Army scout. From the battlefield, he sketches his version of what he sees. Back home, Edie puts her studies on hold to help the American effort by taking photographs for the Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, the Harpers returned to their studies—and each other—at the Art Academy. Charley wins a traveling art scholarship, and he and Edie marry in 1947 and turn the scholarship into a six-month-long cross-country honeymoon.

Side by side, they venture from one coast to the other, drawing, painting, and photographing their way across the American landscape. Charley sharpens his style: How do you fit a mountain range onto a single sheet of paper? You don’t. You simplify it; pare the shapes down to their stunning essentials. Edie keeps an illustrated journal. Decades from now, after both have passed away, some of Edie’s fascinating art-dabbled honeymoon letters can still be found in Charley’s studio. “They enjoyed each other’s muse,” Doyle says. “They complimented each other. They leveled each other out.” The couple returns home and maintains studios in the basement of Edie’s parents’ home in Roselawn. Their son, Brett—who will also grow up to be

an artist and writer—is born in 1953. Eventually, the Harpers commission young University of Cincinnati architect grad Rudy Hermes to build them a mid-century modern house in Finneytown. The house gives Charley two stories of windows to the natural world of the forest in his backyard. He takes jobs as a commercial artist to support the family, creating images for magazines such as Ford Times and Writer’s Digest, books such as The Golden Book of Biology, and honing his unique American modernist style. Edie creates art in a variety of mediums, and the two work closely out of their home, helping each other when they get stuck, cheering each other on. “They both regarded each other as equals,” Doyle says. “It was a family of art.” Today, walking into the Harper house is a bit like walking into either of the artists’ brilliant

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 19

inside the artist’s studio

american gothic

where the heart is

Charley’s studio, across a small courtyard from the house. These days, it contains some of his original work, busts of Edie and himself, prints, and numerous odds and ends. It’s also where Edie’s secret doorbell would ring.

Charley and Edie’s charming riff on “American Gothic.” Doyle says the photo was likely taken in the ‘90s. “They both had an awesome sense of humor and a sweetness to them,” he says.

The house tells the story of their relationship and the decades that followed: honeymoon mementos; Edie’s studio downstairs; a giant image of one of Charley’s famous ladybugs. One of the house’s most striking features is the giant glass window set that offers an uninhibited view of the wilderness beyond. Not a bad feature if some of your primary subject matter happens to be nature, as was Charley’s.

paintings—or the minds of the artists themselves. Past a long, hidden driveway and into the woods atop a hill, you’ll find lively color palettes and striking geometric shapes. Retro furnishings. A vast stockpile of art and botany books. Quirky handmade creatures. Hanging glass birds. Vintage chessboards. Original paintings. Charley and Edie’s studios. The Harpers’ two cats, Gussy and Snowy, who still roam the house. Hidden within a cabinet next to the refrigerator, there’s a tiny white button. Edie opens the cabinet and pushes it so it rings in Charley’s studio to let him know supper is ready.

20 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

“They finished each other’s sentences,” Doyle says. “They were just in sync.” Charley died in 2007, and Edie— his “most-respected critic”—passed away in 2010. But sometimes—if you sift through their photographs, walk through their house, and discover treasures such as Edie’s small box of woven cats, take in their lifetime of famous art at an exhibition, see Charley’s desk in his studio, with its paints still scattered all about—the past comes to life. And it’s almost as if they just left.

night vision A painting Charley did of the Harper house. Like much of his art, Charley’s home was created in a minimalist style. The Harpers told Hermes they wanted simple, clean design, then set him free to plan the house. “They made it a nice environment to entertain small groups of friends, artists and whatnot,” Doyle says.

furry friends Charley and Edie both loved cats, and their two felines, Snowy (left) and Gussy (right), still call the Harper house home. Here, Snowy leaves a warm spot by the fire and Gussy sits on a cardinal quilt that was gifted to the Harpers.

All interior and exterior house shots provided by RVP Photography. All personal photos and photos of works provided by the Charley Harper Estate.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 21

MAKING THE LEAP How one simple choice can change your life forever {By Megan Strasser}

For years I imagined what my life would have been like had I made one courageous choice. And now, just two years after making such a choice, I’m married, I live in Europe, and I recently welcomed a little girl into the world. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about how quickly my life changed or marvel at how I got to be here, in this place, simply by making one choice.

22 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

Six years ago I was living in Cincinnati and working at Coffee Emporium in Over-the-Rhine when I met the man who would change my life and open up the world to me. Stijn, originally from Belgium, was living in Geneva and working for Procter & Gamble when he came to live in Cincinnati for a three month project. The coffee shop became his group’s cafeteria, and after a few months of lunch orders accompanied by the exchange of smiles and sideways glances he asked for my phone number. I was reluctant but I thought, How many cute, foreign, Converse-wearing men are there? So I wrote my name on the inside of a sandwich box and off he went, literally, back to wherever in Europe he came from. Months later I set off on my first solo trip to Paris. I spent two weeks immersing myself in Parisian life, learning important words and phrases such as, “I would like a croissant,” and, “May I please try this on?” I memorized words that I never imagined would come in handy these many years later. It was here, sitting in cafés drinking rosé in the afternoon, eating the best food that I had ever tasted, and walking the streets of such a romantic city that I came alive. Then came a phone call. Behind a strange accent was the man that had caught my eye and smile months earlier. He had heard I was in Paris and asked if I would like to accompany him to Musée d’Orsay. And so we agreed to meet. An afternoon spent with a stranger from Belgium in the city of light and love and my life would never be the same. Never before had I experienced a more real and easy connection with another person nor had I ever felt more understood. Our time together came to an end and we both left changed. Following the magic of that weekend, we wrote to one another compulsively but soon the distance became too great and the writing grew sporadic. The ocean between us made a relationship impossible, or so we thought... Over the years my mind often flickered to him, recalling our time together, our connection, our words. I would question what my life might have looked like had we tried to pursue a relationship. I resolved myself to the idea that this was just a great tragic love story and that it was better this way as we never had the chance to ruin that beautiful weekend in Paris. But try as I might I could not shake him.

I remember my mother’s words. She said, “You have to do this, Megan. To settle it within yourself. Otherwise, you will always wonder.” Hey, a mother knows best and so, four years after that unforgettable trip, I found myself boarding another plane with nothing to lose. I set out on my second journey to Europe, but this time to him. It was better than either one of us expected or imagined. We seamlessly fell into step alongside one another and knew instantly that we had no choice but to find a way to make a transcontinental relationship work. We flew back and forth monthly, Skyped weekly, spoke daily, and sent countless emails and text messages. He met my family. I traveled to Belgium and met his. While in Belgium, Stijn took me to his favorite place, a bench under a tree next to the river. This was the place he had come to ponder many big decisions in his life. This was where he made the choice to take a job at P&G, the decision that ultimately brought us together. He tore a leaf from the tree, fashioned it into a ring, and asked me to marry him. My answer was yes and once I recovered from the shock of such incredible romance I knew that it was time for me to make another bold and courageous choice. It was time to erase the distance between us. In September of 2010 I packed all of my belongings into boxes and, with two suitcases and a large crate holding my enthusiastic dog, I left everything familiar and made the move to Europe. Today I am preparing for another move across that ocean, back to the U.S. and to Cincinnati to begin a new adventure, and returning with so much more than I arrived with. Now, as I sit here rocking our daughter to sleep in an apartment that we will soon be leaving, where her and our story began, I think about what I want for her and what I hope she can learn from her parents’ story. I want to foster an environment where she is safe to dream as big as she desires and I want her to grow up always with the hope that those dreams can happen. I wish for her to always be brave. If two people from opposite sides of the world can find one another and create the life that they were always seeking then anything is possible.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 23

For Rent:

music to our ears What we’re listening to now.

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

The first time I encountered The Magnetic Fields was on a mix CD my then-boyfriend compiled for me. I was enthralled with lead singer/songwriter Stephin Merritt’s basement-deep bass voice and the witty lyrics on every aspect of love. “I don’t want to get over love/I could listen to my therapist/pretend you don’t exist” is maybe one of the finest, simplest ways of describing what it’s like to lose that defining first love, and the resulting aftermath. Three albums compose 69 Love Songs (and its resulting 69 actual love songs), and my favorite remains the first album, Volume One. I suggest listening with an old photo album, chuckling at the folly of youth. Lyric referenced from my favorite song: “I Don’t Want To Get Over You”

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

MAIN ST.

RETAIL & YOGA, ART STUDIO or GALLERY

I don’t remember exactly when I was introduced to The Avett Brothers, but I’ve loved them since that first serendipitous listen. A folk-rock band named after lead singers/guitarists/brothers, Scott and Seth Avett, these guys are the most heartfelt, acutely accurate and poignant balladeers around. I and Love and You, their first major-label release, plays like a no-holds-barred diary entry—if these bearded, slightly solemn men with lovely lyrics and aching voices had diaries. The bros. Avett sing of heartache, plaintive longing, lessons hard-learned and honest understanding. Everything found on I and Love and You is cast in a twilight glow of wistful knowing and shot through with impeccable musicianship. It’s hard not to fall for these boys. Heart wrenching and gorgeous: “Laundry Room”

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

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513- 384-8708 24 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS

Dirty secret: I used to not like The Beatles. I know, I know, sacrilege. Then I actually listened to more than just “Penny Lane,” and, well, that was that. Please Please Me, The Beatles’ debut album from 1963, is a collection of short and sweet love songs. The mophaired British quartet brought a fresh touch to singing about the most examined topic in pop music with swoon-worthy harmonies and now-classic rock and roll instrumentation. Six of the 14 songs on Please Please Me are covers (“Twist and Shout” being the most notable) but the rest are all penned by the boys themselves. Singing about oftcomplicated matters of the heart in simple and straightforward terms, this album is just good old rock and roll. John Lennon rips a mean harmonica: “Love Me Do”

TRACK 1: The Beatles, “I Will” - AN: “The Beatles ARE love. Also, this song was played at Jordan’s brother’s wedding. So cute!” TRACK 2: Buena Vista Social Club, “Dos Gardenias” - AN: “Jordan used this early on in our courtship to impress me with his vast knowledge of music. It worked.” TRACK 3: Ben Folds, “The Luckiest” AN: “Great example of the innocence and cuteness of falling in love. Ben Folds’ faltering high vocals pretty much melt me on the spot.”

{mixtape darlings}

BY JAC KERN

SHINY AND THE SPOON A

mber Nash and Jordan Neff have a harmonious relationship—literally. The two have been a romantic item as long as they’ve been making music together under the moniker Shiny and the Spoon. “Making music together was the excuse for seeing each other again, which led to us as a band and a couple,” Nash says. Thankfully for local music fans, the two hit it off on both fronts and began creating fantastic folksy americana in 2008. The thought of working with your significant other is kind of stressful, nevermind the intense process of writing songs. But Neff and Nash have found a way to make it work. “It’s a little scarier,” Neff says, “because you know the other person is not going to mince words, but the reward is great. I know I was never all that into collaborating before I met Amber, but I absolutely love playing and writing with her.” “Jordan is the only person that I’ve written to this depth with,” Nash continues. “I can have an idea for a song, or part of a verse, and he can just tie it together with something from his own mind and it just seems to work.” This seamless connection, with help from Pete Brown (upright bass) and Matt Frazer (drums), can be found in their authentic sound; they’re really feeling what they’re singing, and audiences can feel it too. Their music makes you want to drink wine out of a mason jar, grab a guy or girl you really like, and dance barefoot in your living room. In honor of Valentine’s Day, Neff and Nash created a love song playlist for A-Line. “What’s funny,” Amber reveals, “is we made the lists separately and had to change some because we had some of the same songs.” All together now: “Aww!”

TRACK 4: “Wicked Little Town” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch - AN: “One of the sweetest songs from one of my favorite musicals of all time.” TRACK 5: Ivan & Alyosha, “Easy to Love” - AN: “We saw these guys at MidPoint this year and walked in while they were playing this song. It’s been on repeat ever since.” TRACK 6: Fruit Bats, “When U Love Somebody” - JN: “It’s a really cute song, let’s just get that out there. We both have some really fond memories attached to it, too.” TRACK 7: Tom Waits, “Sea of Love” - JN: “This is one of those songs that everyone has covered but no one has heard of. It’s like the primordial ancestor to the modern love song; the Sasquatch to ‘Believe.’” TRACK 8: Duke Ellington, “Flirtibird” - JN: “Amber’s going to be mad when she sees I put this one down. All I’ll say is this: tell me it doesn’t sound like a big, pink, lacy valentine.” TRACK 9: Fats Domino, “I’m in Love Again” - JN: “I just like Fats Domino, and he says love in this song.” TRACK 10: Al Green, “Tired of Being Alone” - JN: “For the lovers.”

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 25

love across the atlantic

‘60s-era poetess Anne Sexton and her husband kayo ‘rip themselves apart on purpose’ {by vanessa barber}

If there is a true, unequivocal love story in Anne Sexton’s life, it is the one between her and her unabashed, unheeded pursuit of the written word— despite her lack of formal education, despite her family’s discouragement, and despite her own crippling mental illness. The love story between literature and the famed ‘60s-era poetess—best known for her confessional style, her friendship with Sylvia Plath and her dramatic suicide by self-asphyxiation (she died in her car in her locked garage with a glass of vodka while wearing her mother’s favorite fur coat)—is often played out in biographies and manuscripts, and through letters exchanged with her fans, idols, and friends. There is also another wildly interesting, complicated, sordid, and sometimes ugly story of love in her life as well: the one between Anne and her husband, Alfred “Kayo” Sexton. The couple eloped when Anne was only 19 years old and had no interests other than becoming a housewife and a mother. It was after the birth of her first child that Anne began making regular suicide attempts and experiencing severe mental breakdowns. She began writing poetry for therapy and quickly catapulted into one of America’s most beloved poets, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1967 for her poetry collection Live or Die.

Kayo mainly rested in the shadows—a traveling salesman who worked for Anne’s father. He spent much of their marriage attempting to cope with Anne’s hopeless depression and rapid rise to fame, mostly through the use of alcohol and sometimes violence. The story of Anne and Kayo is much more difficult to find, to read, and to tell, as Anne does not often openly write or speak about her 25-year marriage that eventually ended in divorce. However, the love letters sent from Anne to Kayo between August and October of 1963—collected in a 2004 book, Anne Sexton: A Self-Portrait in Letters—expose the vulnerabilities, affections, and a clear and definite love shared between them, no matter how muddled it became in their dayto-day lives. On August 22, 1963, Anne set off on a traveling scholarship to Europe offered to her by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. At this point in her life, she was the mother of two young daughters and had spent enough time in mental institutions to know that her health was fragile and her dependency on her husband and the affection of her daughters was intrinsic to her sanity. Offered between a threemonth and a year-long journey, she was convinced by Kayo that she should accept the year-long trip and set off with her neighbor and friend as companion. It is, as Anne describes it, “the biggest joint project [they] ever undertook...to rip [themselves] apart on purpose.” Why Kayo encouraged such a long trip (she cuts it short after three months) is partly up to speculation —perhaps he believed it would strengthen her independence and help fortify her mental health, as he told her. However, their marriage was a volatile one to say the least, and it’s possible he saw the separation as a much-needed reprieve from her intense codependency and emotional neediness. What’s more, the division that existed so staunchly and wholly in

their marriage was her pursuit and endless desire to write. Kayo was a product of his time and had only hoped for a wife who would look after the children and provide a hot meal when he came home from a job he loathed. Instead, he found a pacing, chain-smoking wife who was waiting for him to make the girls’ dinner while she buried herself in verses, letters, and painstaking psychotherapy. Regardless of their original expectations, what emerged from her trip to Europe was an absolute rekindling of Kayo and Anne’s intense devotion to each other. From their separation, their “marriage, [their] understanding and [their] love...profited.” The letters from Anne Sexton to Kayo during this period of their marriage are some of the most confessional, emotional, and intense exchanges she shares with any correspondent, including her many lovers and her dearest friends. Part of why this is such a special and unique demonstration of Anne and Kayo’s love is that it is very difficult to find written materials wherein we learn much of Kayo at all or where Anne speaks kindly of or toward him. It is during this period that we are exposed to some of Kayo’s affections, rather than his abuses, which he is well-known for after cocktail hour droned on. Instead, his letters to her are “sad, nostalgic” and make her feel “missed.” When Anne and her friend are robbed in Brussels, she writes “WE NEED OUR HUSBANDS...we miss being kissed and hearing ‘it’s all right now.’” This is not often the portrait of Kayo that biographies, interviews and essays portray. Rather, we are often meant to see him as an adversary, one who “demanded [Anne’s presence]” despite the fact that when she was writing, she “knows it was what [she] was born to do.” It is also within these letters we learn that Kayo writes eloquently to Anne, enabling Anne to see him

in a different light, one that more closely resembles her own. For Kayo, his discovery of a need for her companionship and care-giving, no matter how untraditional it may have been, was a welcome surprise. Alternately, the Anne Sexton that we have come to know as wife to Kayo prior to her European travels is one with little regard to fidelity. Many of her letters are wrought with jealousies and insecurities about his behavior while she is gone, although there is no known history of him cheating on her but rather the opposite. She has dreams that he is cheating on her, and when he doesn’t write her for a time, she “wrote all friends asking why [he] didn’t write...thought [he was] sick or unfaithful.” But she is also incredibly confessional, and perhaps more honest about her infidelities without being spiteful or intentionally hurtful through her letters to Kayo while his absence enabled her heart to grow fond once again. At one point she writes, “I have seriously, at times, though of leaving you and have tested the thought of other men as my husband...and I made a choice, an adult choice. You are my mate for life.” These three months of letters between Anne and Kayo Sexton are harrowing and beautiful. The couple’s relationship before she leaves for Europe is full of abuses, both verbal and physical, anger and infidelities with glimmers of intense devotion, affection, and sexuality. The couple that emerges after her return and into their divorce falls back into argumentative, unsupportive, and yet deeply reliant. It may seem tragic that some of the best moments of their marriage occur with an ocean between them, but it is precisely that divide, that time and space, that frees them to be honest, faithful, and truly committed, if only for a brief time.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 27

{make your own}

sailor

valentine

Share your love with those near or far (but close to your heart) with this sailor valentine-inspired necklace

materials many little seashells (available at most crafts stores and online — Google “tiny seashells”) something for the neckstrap (pretty cording, ribbon, etc.) craft felt ribbon (3 inches per necklace) white craft glue hot glue gun and hot glue sticks small mouth canning lid (2.5 inch diameter, 1 per necklace) food coloring white vinegar bowls for the food coloring dye process paper towel or newspaper baking sheet

{Instructions & photos BY KRISTINA GERIG}

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{

Sailor valentines were sentimental gifts purchased by sailors during voyages between 1830-1890. They were hinged boxes, frames, or shadowboxes filled with intricate patterns and messages made from beautiful, tiny seashells.

STEP 1: Dye some of the seashells by mixing 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and several drops of food coloring in a bowl. Add a handful of seashells to each bowl. Let them soak for 10-20 minutes. Cover a baking sheet with paper towels. Remove the seashells from the bowl and place them on a baking sheet. STEP 2: Trace a canning lid onto felt with a pencil. Keeping a ¼ inch distance from the tracing, cut out two felt circles per necklace. STEP 3: Spread white craft glue on one side of the canning lid. Center and place one felt circle. Repeat on the other side of the canning lid. Seal the overhanging felt edge with a thin line of hot glue.

STEP 4: Plan out the design by positioning the seashells on the felt. Get a feel for how their textures, patterns and colors work together. STEP 5: Start at the perimeter of the felt and hot glue seashells as close to the edge as possible (you can trim the edge later). Line that circle with another row of seashells. Continue this for 3 or 4 rows. Leave enough room for the center shell. STEP 6: To make the center “flower,” find 3-5 similar seashells. The size of the seashells will determine how many petals the flower will need. Arrange and re-arrange until it’s just right. STEP 7: Once the flower is ready, secure the seashell petals down with hot glue in the very center of the pendant.

STEP 8: Add more seashell petals to create dimension. Place smaller seashells in or behind the first set. Finish by gluing a small, round seashell into the center. The pendant is now complete! STEP 9: Lastly, cut a ribbon 3 inches in length. Fold the ribbon in half and squirt some hot glue towards the end of the ribbon to attach it to the back of the pendant (decide beforehand whether you want to see the ribbon loop above the pendant or not). Position the neck strap into the fold of the ribbon BEFORE hot gluing down the other end of the ribbon. Hot glue the remaining end of ribbon into place. STEP 10: Are you impressed with yourself? You should be.

Kristina Gerig is a DAAP graduate who currently designs for Nike in Portland, Ore. Her work has been featured in media publications such as Frame Magazine, PBS’ “Art21” and Design*Sponge.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 29

about the chef

here’s a quaint house on a side street in Northside surrounded by tidy garden beds laden with herbs and roses. Step inside the front door and you’re not only greeted by the warm smile of the home’s owner, Shalini Latour, but with the deep, rich smell of melted chocolate which permeates every inch of her residence. Latour’s home is the headquarters of her thriving boutique chocolate business, Chocolats Latour, which specializes in the finest artisan-made sweets using fair trade chocolate, the freshest local ingredients, and earth-friendly packaging. Latour comes by her vocation perhaps genetically. Her Belgian heritage virtually guarantees that chocolate runs through her veins, but her career actually began with a 20-year stint as a pastry chef for Cincinnati’s famed BonBonerie bakery. While she still bakes custom cakes, chocolate has clearly taken over as her main source of business. Both her mother and grandmother were excellent cooks, and during the busiest holiday times, her mom arrives from Montreal to help with production. Latour is quite adventurous with the flavorings of her chocolates— those verdant garden beds in front of her home are not only there for their visual appeal. Most of the herbs, including juniper and rosemary, find their way into chocolate bars, providing a unique surprise for folks used to more traditional chocolate pairings. Most of the public has been intrigued by these uncommon flavor combinations, but Latour makes chocolate for all taste budes. She says, “Chocolate is a comfort food, and people seem to enjoy trying flavors that are a new

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experience. Using the juniper was the suggestion of a farmer. New things I plan to try are a honey basil truffle, working with fresh paw paw fruit, and a chocolate bar with sundried tomatoes, oregano, pine nuts and salt.” It’s also imperative to Latour that these ingredients are all sourced as locally as possible. In addition to the use of local produce, Latour uses milk and cream from Ohio’s own Snowville Creamery. “I think it makes a big difference in my chocolates. They’re fresher and the flavor is better...I also love supporting the local economy and other local businesses...It’s allowed me to become familiar with local things that farmers have suggested that I might never have otherwise tried.” It’s getting close to Valentine’s Day and thoughts turn to the theory of chocolate as an aphrodisiac. Whether there’s scientific evidence or not that it stokes our libidinous fires, Latour’s recipe for Spicy Chocolate Truffles will undeniably tingle the tastebuds.

PROFILE BY ILENE ROSS {recipe BY Shalini Latour} photos by Gina weathersby

{cookbook}

SPICY CHOCOLATE

TRUFFLES

STEP 1: Place chocolate in a medium bowl. STEP 2: In a small saucepan, place cream with chili(es) over low to medium heat until just simmering. Do not boil. This should take about 5 minutes. STEP 3: Strain chili out and measure cream. Add milk to return to ½ cup liquid. Return to saucepan and slowly bring to the boiling point. STEP 4: Pour cream over chocolate. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes, or until chocolate is completely melted. Slowly whisk the cream and chocolate from the middle. Continue whisking until all the cream is mixed in and the mixture is smooth and silky. Cover with

ingredients

plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight, or until 6 oz. dark chocolate, chopped finely the mixture is very stiff. This should take about 4 hours. (70 percent cocoa) STEP 5: Place the cocoa powder on a dinner plate. Us1-4 whole Poblano or Ancho chilies, ing a small ice cream scoop, melon baller, or teaspoon, depending on level of heat desired scoop out small balls of the chocolate mixture. Roll (leave chilies whole, or slice them lengthwise ball with hands using the cocoa powder to keep from and remove the seeds) sticking. Then roll balls in cocoa powder. Decorate the ½ cup heavy cream truffles with a rose petal if desired. Variation: Lavender Sea Salt Truffles Use 2 Tbs. of lavender flowers and ¼ tsp. salt to flavor cream instead of chili. Use the same process for the remainder of the recipe.

¼ cup whole milk cocoa powder for covering truffles (about 1 cup)

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 31

You’re already a part of the A-Line community Join us at our monthly events to meet new friends, see new trends, and support charities focused on issues central to our lives. We kept our New Year’s resolutions a reality with lululemon athletica Hyde Park. Goal-setting stations were peppered between our cocktail stand, POWERADE ZERO, New Horizons Credit Union, and food by Fusian and Naked Pizza.

Join us February 16 at La Poste in Clifton for our Valentine Aphrodisiac Tasting event. Check a-linemagazine.com for details. PHOTOS BY CAMERON KNIGHT

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hampagne is special. Cocktails are special. Put the two together and you get something even better than the individual parts: a champagne cocktail. And not just a drink where you drop a sugar cube and some bitters into a glass of champagne. I’m talking about a champagne cocktail with spirit in it. A champagne cocktail is a term used to refer to any drink made with sparkling wine. Note that only sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne, France can technically be called “champagne.” Champagne and spirits are a perfect combination for cocktails as champagne is a great way to soften the strength of the spirit. Champagne cocktails were primarily created by Benedictine monks and generally contained sweet fruit, brandy, and champagne. Many old newspapers and bartending books, like Jerry Thomas’ Bar-Tenders Guide from 1862, referenced different types of champagne recipes in the form of cups and punches. Typically when making champagne cocktails, use actual champagne or a Spanish sparkling wine like Cava or Italian sparkling wine like Prosecco. Or maybe even a few of the really good sparkling California wines. The best way to make a champagne cocktail is to shake the spirit with ice and the other ingredients separate from the champagne. Pour the mixture into a champagne flute, and, using a bar spoon set in the center of the flute, gently pour the champagne down the twisted stem of the spoon, topping off the mixed ingredients. The bar spoon helps dissipate the bubbles to avoid overflow.

{happy hour}

Ma-Belle cocktail {RECIPE BY MOLLY WELLMANN} PHOTO By emily maxwell Shoot location: Japp’s, Over-the-Rhine

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. Absolut Grapevine vodka 1 oz. Lillet ½ oz. St-Germain raspberry syrup sparkling wine

instructions

Combine Absolut, Lillet and St-Germain in a cocktail mixer with ice. Shake, shake, shake. Strain into a champagne glass. Top off with champagne. Drizzle raspberry syrup into cocktail and garnish with lemon twist. Molly Wellmann is an award-winning mixologist and an owner of Japp’s in Over-the-Rhine.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 33

for

Not Your Mother’s Salon

Take Two!

Maija will explain why and how she established A-Line, a sleek and trendy free magazine for, by and about women. Join other young professionals at Japp’s, one of Cincinnati’s newest hot spots. Owner and celebrity mixologist, Molly Wellmann, will demonstrate and serve classic and crafty cocktails.

street style

Come check out Maija Zummo, Editor-in-Chief

Jodi Owens, Over-the-Rhine Add some kick to your weekend jeans-and-jacket uniform with a patterned scarf and crazy red boots. jimmy choo scarf Nordstrom $180.90

anorak jacket White House | Black Market $118.00

shoulder bag The Limited

Monday, march 5th 5:30 - 8:00pm

$79.90

zelda slimfit legging jean Express $79.90

squared boot

hosted by molly wellmann at japp’s, over-the-rhine

Baker’s

$59.99

$25 in Advance / $30 at the door Limited to 50 people Early registration at Joseph Beth Bookseller in Rookwood Commons on Sunday January 8, 2012 from 11am to 5pm Registration line (513) 702-0031 will open on January 9, 2012

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Tamia Stinson is the culprit behind the fashion and lifestyle blog TheStyleSample.com and works as a freelance graphic designer and marketing consultant.

a-linemagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2012 | 35

36 | FEBRUARY 2012 |LOVE LETTERS