December 2010/January 2011 by BRINK Magazine

CONTENTS

3 CONTENTS 5 ED LETTER 5 CONTRIBUTORS 6 WALK ABOUT 7 DAFOODIE 8 a priority delivery 9 speechless: Keiko 10 CULTURE CLUB + the rant with kat + spirit: peace of my mind + music: poor illiterate ramblings + from la with love/from nyc with love + almost famous + 30 second shorts + media 16 Christmas in la/nyc 18 gifts for yo friends and yo mama: Holiday guide 22 get the look 24 before the countdown begins 32 caroline knows

before the countdown begins Photographer & Creative Director: Kikomo.p, www.KikomoP.com

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ED LETTER

Welcome to the December issue of BRINK magazine!

When BRINK hosted its launch party back in May we had the pleasure of meeting an extraordinary photographer by the name of Kikomo. Months have passed and her talents have been waiting in the BRINK queue. Now, here we are in December and its Kikomo’s time to shine. Kikomo has truly directed some fantastic imagery in the pages of BRINK. She conceptualized a holiday theme for more than one culture and nationality. Kikomo uses vibrant colors and tones to draw the eye in to the image. Check out her work starting on page 24. A holiday issue of any magazine wouldn’t be complete without a gift guide! We have provided a fun gift guide for the hip and trendy. Most items are available online or at one of our favorite local shops - Etoile Boutique in the Milk District! With 2011 fast approaching we have many new things in the works. We hope you stay with us, check in our Facebook (www.facebook.com/brinkmag) from time to time and keep in touch. Much love and Happy Holidays! Kyle M Menard Editor-in-Chief editor@brinkmagonline.com

Caroline St. Clair is a marketing brand manager and spends the weekends scouring thrift stores, hanging out in the backyard with friends, and dj'ing at venues around town. A talented listener, she has earned the unofficial role of "therapist" to many of her friends by analyzing and offering frank advice on their relationship issues.

Shelika Baez is a vintage-loving, film obsessed fun hunter on the quest to show readers Orlando beyond the mouse trap. When she’s not working in the media industry, you can find her reading, blogging or uncovering Orlando’s best kept secrets.

My name is Stephanie Crisan and I live a fabulous life in New York City. I am currently a Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing major at the Fashion Institute at Technology. I am a certified makeup artist and a cosmetics fanatic. There is nothing I love more than a little retail therapy at my neighborhood Sephora.

I’m Patrick Johnson and I live in Orlando, Florida. I enjoy the entertainment business, particularly the animation film aspect. Working on a degree in advertising from International Academy of Art & Design. Three words to describe myself - hardworking. Alphamale. Jackhammer.

Mark Dodds, self proclaimed street philosopher and cloud-envy-ist. Rather be drinking, rather be reading, but mostly ends up sleeping.

Orlando native, music snob, cat lady. Listen to her DJ during Poor, Illiterate Ramblings on WPRK 91.5 fm, Wednesday 5pm-7pm.

When Scott Moore is not adding Oscars to his mantle, the retired alpaca farmer & former Nobel Peace Prize winner for chinchilla relations during the Carter Administration, Scott Moore now currently resides in Los Angeles where he works in the entertainment industry.

fest This month Walk About guru Mary Seay is skipping from one festival to the next. Check out these special events that Mary hand picked just for you to “Walk About!”

Holiday on the Drive Dec 2

Voci Dance's iMove_2.0: iCandy Light Up Winter Garden Dec. 3 For a similar event in an equally charming main street on the west side of town, take a stroll through Light Up Winter Garden. Relax to live entertainment, browse local vendors and take advantage of extended hours for the quaint shops dotting the idyllic thoroughfare. Lets not forget the family fun activities especially for the kiddos, either. Although it officially kicks off at 6pm, the lighting ceremony brightens up the night just 15 minutes later, so don’t miss it! Christmas lights always makes gift shopping that much sweeter! Friday, December 3, 6-9pm, Lighting Ceremony at 6:15pm Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787Holiday

College Park’s Edgewater Drive is a year-round shopping, dining and socializing hot spot, but sometimes the shops close too early for us movers and shakers to take full advantage. On Thursday, December 2, not only will neighborhood merchants hold extended hours from 6-9pm, you’ll feel like you’re in your own holiday commercial amidst live music, carolers, carriage rides, and Santa, natch! Holiday on the Drive has become a College Park tradition, so bring friends and a blanket, grab some beautiful baubles and take out from an assortment of fabulous restaurants and make yourself a cozy, festive picnic on the Drive! Thursday, December 2, 6-9pm Edgewater Drive, Orlando

Cracker Christmas Dec. 4 & 5 The name might sound like a Chris Rock punchline, but Cracker Christmas was my fave holiday event last year! It’s in Christmas, Florida, a pastoral pit stop about 30-40 minutes outside Orlando along County Road 420. More specifically, it’s a rousing, down home festival at the historic Fort Christmas, with fascinating tours through old cabins, school houses and a replica of the original fort, lively folk music, and rows upon rows of Central Florida’s best artisans offering handmade handbags, jewelry, earthy soaps, trinkets and other beautiful, gift worthy treasures. It’s a fun day adventure with one-of-a-kind finds! Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5, 10am-9pm 1300 Fort Christmas Road/Co Rd 420, Christmas, FL 32709

Sparkle: A Handmade Holiday Market Dec. 12 For a handmade holiday shopping event a little closer to home, stop by Dandelion Communitea Café in the Mills 50 area for Sparkle: A Handmade Holiday Market. Hosted by SEED Orlando Art Alliance, Sparkle features a collaborative of local artisans selling unique pieces that are sure to please! It’s a great way to support our community and get your holiday shopping done! Sunday, December 12, 11am-8pm 618 N. Thorton Ave, Orlando

Grandma Party Bazaar Dec. 19 If you can’t make it to Sparkle, there’s another artisan extravaganza that’s marking its 8th season this year, the Grandma Party Bazaar held at Stardust Video & Coffee in Audubon Park. Every item is handcrafted, meaning you’ll have no trouble finding personal gifts for everyone on your list. Of course, you can’t have a party without entertainment; past vendors have included photo booths, henna artists, massage, and it’s different every year! Why wait till Christmas morning when the best surprise is right here? Sunday, December 19, 10am-7pm (or whenever people decide to leave!) 5 1842 E. Winter Park Rd, Orlando

DaFoodie.com is the easiest way to decide where to eat. Submit a dish photo from your fav place today!

/dafoodie

Orlando Food & Wine Fest up in here! The 3rd annual Orlando Food & Wine Fest was upon us last month along Lake Eola on Saturday, November 13 and Sunday the 14th, presented and produced by 103.1 WLOQ, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and beneÞting the ChildrenÕs Home Society. Was that a mouthful or what?! It featured Top Chef Season 7 contestant Kenny Gilbert in a live cooking demonstration, collegiate and professional sports games in an outdoor sports bar, entertainment by national recording artists, food from 36 of OrlandoÕs Top restaurants and over 50 wines from all over the world! Where you there?

FOODIES

FOODIES SMILING

FOODIES AT A TABLE

FOODIES CUDDLING

FOODIES BEING SERVED

FOODIES JAMMINÕ

A Priority Delivery: Art + Peace

Art Series Seeks to Initiate Peace Discussion BY GRETHA MCCANDELE Images courtesy of FDLM Studio www.fdlmstudio.com/hm.html never think about that since it is hard to grasp, but you take it all in and in my case; it never left me. Many experiences and images resurfaced time and time again,” de Las Mercedes said. He came to understand that he didn’t need to be “this enlightened figure or political pacifist to make peace.” With the “Priority Boxes” project, de Las Mercedes seeks to show people that “one must find ways to keep the peace within and around you each day, in spite of any negative feelings or experiences.”

mpty, abstractly painted boxes with a “Handle with Care” label have been delivered to 25 homes in Orlando and to more than 8,500 homes around the world. Each box contains a “Fragile” yet strong and urgent message—Peace. The boxes are part of “The Priority Boxes Art Series: A Message of Peace and Hope” by artist Franck de la Mercedes. The project is a public art series that seeks to initiate discussion and question the importance given to concepts such as peace. Each work of art is sent by mail for free to anyone who makes a request. The project is funded by de la Mercedes and donations from the public. De Las Mercedes paints the boxes as one large canvas from 12 to 16 at a time, which makes the current wait time on each box from six to eight months. The project started in 2006. At first, the boxes were labeled “Contains: Peace” but soon expanded to boxes that contain different concepts such as justice, love or freedom, as requested by people. De Las Mercedes said the project “started as an initiative for peace.”

In 1985, de Las Mercedes along with his family left Nicaragua for the U.S. as opposing groups who sought to overthrow the Sandinistas were gaining strength. His family settled in New York where he grew up to become an artist.

“The war in Iraq was ongoing news at the time and having experienced war as a child myself I wanted to bring awareness, start a dialogue about peace and our ability to influDe Las Mercedes said he ence change as individuals,” he said. paints because he needs “to create, The war experienced by de explore, and could not give that up for Las Mercedes was the struggle for lack of sales, time and success.” control of his native Nicaragua. The two parties fighting for control were Though the bad economic climate has chalthe Sandinista lenged the ecoNational Libnomic stability eration Front, a of art programs socialist party and artists all whose members over world, de are called SandLas Mercedes inistas, and the believes that dictatorship of true artists would Anastasio Somonot give up the la Debayle. arts because it’s In 1979, who they are. the struggle be He also has tween the two some encourparties ended when the Sandinistas overthrew So- aging words for artists: “Be disciplined moza. The war left Nicaragua with and rely on discipline more than inspi50,000 dead, 600,000 homeless, and ration. Inspiration comes and goes as it pleases, but discipline is loyal and a broken economy. when inspiration comes back and finds “There was a lot of violence you working magical things happen.” and unrest all around. As a kid, you [] 8

speechless

By: mark dodds | Photo: Christopher K. Garcia www.CKGphotography.com

On the down and out cusp of prior postpunk hardcore and the fruition of a three year concept comes the must-be-heard album Speechless in Sleepless Dreams by Keiko, better known as local musical storyteller, Adam Smith. Among bedside angst staring at ceiling dwelled paper lanterns came the dream of hot air balloon back drops outlining the journey of two lovers torn with time. Self realizations hanging on black elms and learning deeply about another’s love affair, his solitude passes to insanity and horrific acts of destitutional romance. Keiko’s prominent voice carries you on a journey of timeless love truths, the upbeat riffs and ambient sounds bob your head, unwavering in the sound, bringing emotional knives swaying and glistening until they become in tune with the response of understanding what everyone has been through and will, at some point, be going through - Love and the death of love; the love that was given and the love that was lost will beat in your head like a noir movie script, saying, ultimately – “Who overlooks what true love does find? Why are we not to survive? Please spare our lives.” [] For more info on Keiko, please visit www.myspace. com/keikomusic

YOU’RE ORLANDO

with peter murphy Photo Kelley Sorrel

sprinkle on food to honor our City’s founder (please do not carry around gun powder).

By the time you finish reading this column, fifty local businesses will go out of business. FIFTY! So really, your only recourse is to not read this article, and loiter inside a local farmers market all day shooting antagonistic glares at any women that walks in with a designer handbag or nonorganic-cotton-blend-mesh-machine-washed T-shirt. You’re thinking “pfffsh, what does she know about free range, cage free chicken cutlets?” By sheer percentages alone, six local Orlando businesses have already closed since you started reading this. Stop reading, what are you doing? Thank God I’m here to help. Here are two major indicators to assist you in identifying if you, or your friends are killing Orlando’s local business landscape. Pay close attention, anyone could be guilty of these lethargic, and negligent acts of social vandalism. #1 If someone isn’t eating at at least one taco truck per day, then why are you his or her friend? Taco trucks in Orlando are the newest hottest things, and some of them don’t even sell tacos, WOW! It shouldn’t matter what they sell; buy it. Who cares what’s inside those trucks, or what block of OBT they are parked

on. It’s local, so eat it. Just eat it. Would Orlando Reeves have cared about the contents of a taco truck on the street? NO, he would only be concerned about his granulated sugar (or rifle, whichever fable you choose to believe). So to honor him, keep a package of organic, locally cultivated sugar in your pocket at all times to

#2 If you’re not going to go to every holiday sing along, theatrical play, block party, art opening, or tweet-up in Orlando while eating a locally made cupcake and sketching a picture of the scene, while simultaneously raffling yourself off for a performance art piece, and updating your twitter about said event that links to your blog, while preparing to perform at an improv show later that night- Well then, you just aren’t Orlando enough to read this magazine. Remember that part in the Universal Studios movie “Along Came Polly” when Ben Stiller yells out “Fifty!” as he climaxes at the end of his sex scene with Jennifer Aniston? You can go ahead and do that right now, because you just killed 50 businesses. Now go shop at Publix, you animal.

E-mail Peter Murphy of Orlando LIVE at Peter@OrlandoLiveStreaming.com with your questions, pictures, and suggestions on what part of Orlando he should feature next.

poor illiterate ramblings with Lindsay Smith

ierney Tough is amazing. She’s one of those special and purposeful individuals who makes Orlando a city worth living in. Her band The Pauses is releasing their debut album A Cautionary Tale on January 11th, 2011. I like Tierney because she fills this city with finely crafted pop sounds you can shake your hips and tap your toes to. Ms. Tough is working up a sweat to put on a little holiday event in The City Beautiful, it’s the Orange You Glad Sleigh Ride Festival & Pub Crawl. Here’s the deal: with ten dollars you can purchase a wrist band and tour the 32803 zip code venues of Will’s Pub, Redlight Relight, Peacock Room, Stardust Video & Coffee and Park Ave CD’s and engage your inner concert goer by perusing a selection of local music offering served up to relieve some of that holiday season tension. You’ll get to see darlings like Telethon, and bands you should see like Potsie and The Mudflappers. Shipyard will be providing a bus which will transport people to each venue throughout the night, so you can keep yourself and the rest of us safe while also avoiding a nasty DUI. Your mother would be proud. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Toys for Tots and those crazy musician kids are going to adopt a Garden District median and make our city even prettier.

Holiday Time Means Getting and Giving… Your Guide to Online Shopping That Goes the Extra Mile The Rant with Kat Peabody: Give A Little Bit

santa please BY: stephanie crisan

There is something for every makeup junkie at Sephora this holiday season. Every brand has or is coming out with really fun holiday collections, palettes, and kits. Make Up For Ever’s rock-in-roll inspired makeup case called Rock For Ever Dany’s Essentials went to the top of my list to Santa immediately, however it is $299.00 so unless I am REALLY good . . . that just isn’t happening. Luckily, there are several equally as awesome limited- edition products by Make Up For Ever and other brands that are much more affordable. My number one

Product The Jewelry Box Brand tarte

Sephora is located at The Florida Mall and Loop West in JC Penney

Price $52.00 Where to buy it Currently in Sephora stores and the Sephora website The tarte Jewelry Box recently came out in Sephora stores and it is truly fabulous. For $52, the combination kit has 32 eye shadows that are both matte and shimmery, 5 mini eyeliners in gorgeous colors, 8 super pigment-

ed lip glosses, tarte’s most popular mineral powder bronzer, Park Avenue Princess, and a new shimmery illuminating powder. I am absolutely LOVING the colors and diversity of this palette. You can create so many different looks just using this one kit. Not to mention, the gold packaging is extremely cute, fashion-forward, and fun. Even more of a bonus, the jewelry embellishment on the lid is actually a detachable necklace! This product is a great value and would make a fantastic holiday gift for any make-up lover.

Hurry up and grab The Jewelry Box now! This kit is limited- edition and it is going fast! []

It’s that time of year… the holidays. You are probably setting up your party calendars, making your gift lists, sending out cards, decorating, cooking, and so on. That’s what we do around the holidays. We plan, we prep and we drive ourselves crazy trying to fit so many details into such a short amount of time. Like many of you, I turn to the web to help me get some of my holiday planning marked off my list.

There are many options, but something that is incredibly important to yours truly is the idea of serving others while doing something we all do, shop! In my research, I found a few sites that really allow one to get the items they need while giving a little bit back to some very worthy causes. Check these out: Shoppers with a Cause. If you are looking for some great, unique items, check out Filanthropists.com (http://www.filanthropists.com/). They offer a list of causes to choose from and you can select specific items that will benefit that particular charity. Save Money… Save the World. With over 1,500 stores to choose from ranging from Amazon, Bebe, Delia’s, Groupon, Half.com, HBO Store (you know you want to score some True Blood stocking stuffers), New Balance and many, many more, Good Shop (http://www.goodsearch.com/ 12

goodshop.aspx) is the best bet! A service of Good Search, Good Shop provides coupons, discounts and deals to a diverse array of stores that will donate a percentage of the proceeds to a charity of your choice. There are over 95,000 causes to choose from too. This is a site that helps everyone! Shopping Malls for a Cause. There are many different online “malls” that will allow you to choose a charity and shop from specific products within that store. Some of these even allow you to get additional discounts. A couple to try out are iGive (http://www.igive.com/ welcome/index.cfm) and Nonprofit Shopping Mall (http://www.nonprofitshoppingmall.com/). There are thousands of causes and items to choose from and the donations are strong to the charities you select. Causes that Give a Hand Up. Some of the greatest organizations that help people living in poor economies and impoverished areas are those who support through microfinance. Build a Nest (http://www.buildanest.com/index4.asp) is more than microfinance and more than fair trade. It’s empowerment and creativity working together to transform lives. Build a Nest enables female artists and artisans around the world to produce their goods and sell for profit to make a living. The gifts are unique, beautiful and functional. Check them out to find a Nest near you or to shop or donate. Bead for Life (http:// www.beadforlife.org/) also empowers

people to produce jewelry for sale and helps transform lives in places like Uganda. I even own some of the jewelry and it’s lovely and very different from anything else I’ve ever owned. While you can find most any gift you are looking for and help out charity at the same time, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some other great online stores that provide the customer with options from tech, wacky and extraordinary. For the Techie. If you are looking for great gifts for any technological genius or if you know a guy who just really loves gadgets, there are some great ideas out there, ranging from a mini helicopter-Parrot AR.Drone ($300; brookstone.com-watch the chandeliers) to the Wicked Lasers E2 laser pointer ($50; wickedlasers.com), there is something for everyone who wants to have gadgets and gizmos galore! Get Personal. For unique and personalized gifts for anyone, check out Red Envelope (http://www.redenvelope.com/christmas-gifts-rcfav). The gifts range from kids toys to romantic gifts. Most items can be engraved to show that special person that there is no one else quite like them. Give the Gift of Green. Going green and living green are very important to each of us. There are some great organic, eco-friendly and affordable gifts from some great vendors. Here are a

few to try: Organic Perfume by Sweet P (http://www.sweetpskincare.com/). The fragrances are affordable (around $20) and are produced naturally, without the use of harsh chemicals. They even have bottle toppers that can be personalized. Make some gentle music with Woodstock Chimes (http://www. chimes.com/home.htm). They are made of antique copper and metal and can be found at a retailer near you. For the Wacky and Wonderfully Weird. If you need to entertain your inner child, head over to Perpetual Kid (www.perpetualkid.com). From inflatable turkey’s, to ninja bread men cookie cutters to yeti forest floaty pens, there are items that everyone would find amusing or creepy! They even have some great stocking stuffers too such as lump of coal soap, astronaut ice cream sandwich, jingle bell ring and a nice Jewish guy calendar! Something sweetly strange for everyone! And for those into chic lit, check out author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, from the Dirty Girls Social Club series, who is releasing a new book that has a play on words. It’s called The Three Kings, which is based on three men with the last name Reyes (Spanish for King) and a girl who is on a dating quest. A reliable source says it’s very funny (which the Dirty Girl Social Club series is very funny and bit naughty) and holiday themed! Enjoy your holidays, Orlando, and remember to give a little bit back! Be courageous! [] are available and the prices are comparable to other accessories.

with Love

It seems like everyone has the iPhone 4. The product quickly vanished from shelves upon release and people were either upgrading or joining the iPhone nation. Well, this nation needs the ultimate case which comes from our friends at FusionWerkz.

This extremely “raw” and structurally perfect case is the ultimate accessory for any iPhone owner. The design is sleek, gritty and very well made. Various color choices

“The RAW design was finalized after careful consideration of results from numerous focus groups and months of prototype testing. The specially-designed RAW provides iPhone 4 users the protection they want for their most valuable communications tool,” said Phil Tearne, FusionWerkz founder and lead designer. “FusionWerkz will continue to expand not only our product line, but also will cater to other phone manufacturers and models. We will continue to create the ‘Best in Class’ U.S. designed and crafted mobile phone protection cases.” www.fusionwerkz.com

sarah BY: camille thomas

Sarah Khanjian’s blog, Sarah Hearts, is dedicated to many different elements of design. There are posts about pottery, note cards, wedding decoration, typography, food and home decoration. Topics can range from the more traditional like embroidery hoop art to the more contemporary things like iPhone4 cases. Everything on the site is simple, neat and most likely handmade, like something you might see sold on Etsy or Poppycock Handmade’s web site. Everything is placed into

categories on the blog. M a n y of the products endorse o t h e r handm a d e vendors and enc o u r age the viewer use their hands take on DIY projects themselves. Sarah, a local to Florida, is now based in Winter Park with her husband. She has a background as a graphic designer and her site is a reflection of seeing the world through those graphic goggles. Sara will soon be opening an online shop for her note cards and other creative designs just in time for the holidays. www.sarahhearts.com

er twittnd arou do Orlan One way to stop complaints about airport full body scanners & pat-downs would be to hire supermodels as the ones doing the searches. @dmc1138

Don’t forget about Grandma’s rummage pile! Bring your unwanted clothes, toys, books, music, art to grandma party the day of the event! @GrandmaParty

We have multiple food drives coming into the warehouse today. We are so grateful to have such a giving Central Florida community! @2harvestCFL

30 SECOND shorts with Kris Gilpin

I’ve always thought that, along with Paul McCartney (as in “Oh! Darling”), the late/great Nilsson had perhaps the sweetest voice in rock/pop and now a docu called Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? is out on DVD. It’s the ultimately sad story of how his father ignored him before finally just leaving one day (“Well, in 1941 a happy father had a son, and by 1944 the father walked right out the door...” Harry once sang), how he came to record a lot of great music with his amazing, angelic voice, his crazy days with John Lennon, then how booze and drugs killed his velvety pipes, his song writing talent and ultimately himself. The only good thing about his last years is at least he found the (Irish) love of his life and they made some lovely kids too. If you want to hear some sweet songs by a guy whom some people have still never heard of, please listen to the simple but beauty Nilsson Sings (Randy) Newman CD -- I promise you you’ll be hooked from then on & then check out this excellent docu too. I’ve caught every Woody Allen film, though I think his last great comedy was Deconstructing Harry and his last good drama was Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It’s always fun to see all the famous faces (all working for him for scale) in his films like in his 46th movie, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. Anthony Hopkins has a good moment here and Naomi Watts is the best thing about it -- as often happens with her lesser scripts. It’s all about love and second chances and sometimes screwing them up, etc. It’s not a comedy but only a minor drama and it would’ve had a slightly “stronger” ending if he’d cut to black after James Brolin’s stunned look in the hospital, instead of deflating what little tension had been built up with the last milquetoast scene. The saddest thing W.A.’s been doing to his own (once great) oeuvre is insisting on pooting out a movie every year, thus screwing up his batting average with fluff like Scoop, Anything Else, Cassandra’s Dream (terrible, rushed ending) or this one. Sometimes he does manage to get great, (usually female) work out of his actors, like Evan Rachel Wood, Samantha Morton, Sean Penn or Colin Ferrell. But this one’s for hard core Woody/Watts fans only. 15

Wow! Recently the modern, serious horror film has been re-imagined outside the States (see Inside, Frontier(s) and the brilliant, Martyrs). Now comes the Aussie flick The Loved Ones. A cute wallflower type (Robin McLeavy, terrific here) is rejected by a dude for the prom -- so she goes insane (again). Along with her slimy father, they kidnap him, and uh, use hardware on him to keep him inside their home. This is more than simple torture porn though, it’s well done and suspenseful too, Like the aforementioned movies, it happily goes further than any domestic horror show is willing to go. It’s so satisfying to an old horror fan to know that someone somewhere is doing it right again, as opposed to our worthless PG-13 remakes, the empty new [Nightmare on] Elm Street & weak scares like the last three Saw movies. If you love crazy, hard core horror, search out The Loved Ones on DVD. For more on Kris, check out his FREE, online movie crosswords (NO personal info required!) Google: “BestCrosswords Gilpin Movie Puzzle” for dozens of fun film puzzles!

From LA with Love by scott moore

Ahhh the holidays are once again upon us and visions of palm trees, blue skies, sunshine, and strolls on the beach in flip flops and shorts and evening festivities at the Disney theme parks! I may have just described either Los Angeles or Orlando. There’s more in common than not! But there are some differences in LA, one of the biggest figuratively and literally are the mountains! You can take an hour drive to the north and east and suddenly you’re transported into a Winter Wonderland of real snow and all that comes with it: skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating etc. Sometimes the snow-capped mountains can be seen from all around Los Angeles on not so rare smog-free days! Another only in SoCal experience is the not-to-miss Haunted Mansion at Disneyland which each year undergoes an approximately $2 million dollar transformation into a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ spectacular. It is a beloved tradition that is just Disneyland. Back in downtown LA, Pershing Square has its own outdoor version of an ice skating rink with vendors selling hot chocolate even if it is 70 and sunny! Near Beverly Hills, The Grove shopping center lights up and does the nightly snow flurries event much like Celebration, FL and tries to rival the Rockefeller tree in the middle of the plaza. And finally how could not mention Hollywood—the place where every dream can become reality and anything is possible. You can take a walk down any studio back lot that can be transformed into a magical bedecked winter wonderland Walking the streets of Manand any kind of weather event is possible. hattan, I have seen and felt the seaCostumes and the best make-up artists son of Christmas throughout the month around can turn anyone into an elf or of November. New York City does not back Santa! Well its time for me to head down on it’s “Christmas VIBE” reputation. off to a sunny beach run but Happy The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller C enter is Holidays to you and yours and already up and had its annual ceremonial lighthere’s to a rockin’ ’11! ing on November 30, 2010. Even Saks Fifth Avenue had their ceremonial event for the reveal of their memorable window displays, never did I think tourists would actually stand in line to take pictures around these window displays. Now how can we compare this to The Magic City of Orlando, I don’t know actually. Like always New York takes the cake. But I will say New York does not have Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and when they decorate the Castle and its Kingdom it is perfectly majestic. They try to bring in the Christmas feel but the truth is New York “is” Christmas. Guaranteed, there’s no place like NYC if you want to feel Christmas the way it should be. It’s like that movie Miracle on 34th Street. You can’t wait to go to Macy’s to meet and greet Santa Claus and walk Central Park and enjoy a day of ice skating at Wollman Skating Rink. Next time you think of Christmas, make sure you’re plans include a trip to NYC. Happy Holidays!

from new york city with love by nicole girata

almost famous With amanda sixx

There is one thing you can always say about Val Emmich, he puts his heart and soul in his music. His new album “Looking For A Feeling You Never Knew You Needed” is no different. This is his seventh full length album release and comes out September 21st in digital only format. F r o m start to finish the album is full of many different layers and backed w i t h melod i e s a n d catchy, brilliant lyrics. T h e album kicks of with two upbeat tracks that will make even the wallflowers want to dance, “Don’t Wanna Go Home” and “Sidekick” both have a pop feeling but not lacking in substance. Then Val brings the synthesizer and beat back on “Next to Me ”but doesn’t completely neglect his guitar. One of Emmich’s talents is not telling but showing listeners a picture through his songs with thoughtful lyrics. Like in his song “Gone” which is beautifully haunting ballad of a man returning to his past, and finding it to be nothing like he remembered while “E.S.T” paints a picture of a troubled woman fighting her unhappiness with her family and friends thousands of miles away. The well-written, up-beat song, “Change of Scenery” is about being tired of the ordinary, and getting away from it. The music starts mellow and builds “Grown Up Man” while the lyrics focus on growing up mentally and changing. “Resume” is a sad but true view on life and the irony we see put to an up-tempo anthemic melody. The album comes sonic and lyrical perfection with the song “Come Clean.” The next track is a duet called “Convince Me” with Allie Moss and Emmich’s voice meshing together perfectly. The up tempo songs “Waiting for the End,” and “Call It Off” bring the album to a close. Overall the album comes together beautifully and merges a mix of different sounds that leave the audience with the feeling that they didn’t know they were missing. [] 17

Gifts for Yo Friends and Yo Mama The gifts that really show how much you love yo BFF’s and yo mama. Items available at Etoile Boutique except where noted Etoile Boutique Images: Stephanie Gail Photography

for yo “green” friend 1. Terrarium Lou Gardens Handmade by Ashley Brown with moss, vines and antique porcelain figurines $11-$40 2. Owl Light $16.00 3. Eco-Me Cleaning Pack $44.00 Individual $6 - $13

www.eco-me. com

for yo fabulou gay frien s d

1. Cufflinks by Kentucky Wild $7 2. Necklace with Leather work by Imperial Wolf Leather $20 3. Moxie Vintage sunglasses $10 4. Being Gay is Disgusting. or God Likes the Smell of Burning Fat A biblical parody by Edward Falzon $13.45 www.beinggayisdisgusting.com 5. All Natural Big Candle by Jillian Says! $17.50 (small also available)

for yo d girlfrienot or yo h mama 1. Owl Ring by Vera Meat $48 2. This Cage Has No Bottom

The Ascetic Junkies 9.99 + s/h Digital download: 7.99 www.theasceticjunkies.com 3. Owl Dish Price varies 4. Sunglasses by The Dead Lady and Moxie Vintage $15 - $25 5. Chic Boom chicboom Cassette Speaker $19.99 www.chicbuds. com/chicboomcassette-speaker. html 6. Scarves by Pudgy Panda $25 - $35

for yo ybo hipster r yo friend o ad emo d 1. Juliet, Naked [Paperback] Nick Hornby $15 Bookstores, www.amazon.com 2. Lonely Avenue Ben Folds and Nick Hornby $11.99 3. Jojoba and Shea with Grapeseed Oil Vegan Lip Balm with Spearmint by Winter Park Soap Company Lip Balm/Larson $3 4. Ashtray by Moxie Vintage $15 5. The Propheteer by Jason Coe $9.95 www.thepropheteer.com 6. The Ascetic Junkies Pint Glass

9.99 + s/h www.theasceticjunkies.com/store

Before

the

Countdown

Begins

Photographer & Creative Director : Kikomo.p, www.KikomoP.com Art Director: Robyn Maphet Make-up Artist: Safia Michelle of Lipstick Mixtapes and Zelanda Bailey of In Zee’s Hands Hair Stylists: Safia Michelle of Lipstick Mixtapes and Zelanda Bailey of In Zee’s Hands Wardrobe Stylist: Jennifer Class Models courtesy of : BMG Models

Hanukkah

December 1st-9th

Model: Chris Johnson White Shirt by Mark Ecko Brown Wool Scarf by Banana Republic Gray Striped Sweater by Mossimo

December 25th

christmas

Model: Cameron Gagne White Dress by ABS Red Patent Leather Belt by Poised Pearl & Crystals Pin by Poised Crystals Bracelet by Poised Silver Shoes by Michael Antonio

Kw a n z a a

December 26th -Jan1st

Model: Glen Anthony Button Neck T-Shirt by ZARA Red Scarf by ALDO Black V-Neck Silk/Cashmere Sweater by Banana Republic Flat Front Pinstripe Dress Pants by Kenneth Cole

December 21st-25th

Pa n c h a G a n a pat i

Model: Stephanie Germany Gold Earrings by owned by photographer Necklace by Jennifer Class for Poised Bangles/Bracelets by Poised Gold Ring by ALDO Purple Dress by ABS Tights by Xhilaration Red Shoes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Owned by Model

NE W YEARS E V E

December 31ST

Model: Chris Johnson Black V-Neck Silk/Cashmere Sweater by Banana Republic Gold Silk Shirt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Owned by Model Navy Blue Striped Denim Jacket by Marc Ecko Black Dalton Pleated Wool Pants by Ralph Lauren Model: Glen Anthony Micro Structure Shirt by ZARA 3 Piece Tailored Dark Gray Suit by ZARA

December 31ST

NE W YEARS E V E

Model: Stephanie Germany Dress by ABS Black Patent Leather Belt by Poised Green Pearl Necklace by Jennifer Class for Poised Metallic Sequined Handbag by Poised Metallic Flower Hair Pins by Poised Black Gloves by Forever XXI Brown Patent Leather Shoes by Michael Antonio Model: Cameron Gagne Gold Earrings by ALDO Black Lace Top by Xhilaration Black Belt by Forever XXI Gold Bracelets by Poised Leopard Print Skirt by Jones NY Black Leg Warmers by Xhilaration Black Patent Leather Shoes by ALDO

caroline knows With the season of gift giving coming rapidly upon us I want to address the sometimes sticky situation of choosing presents for a significant other. It is important to respect the stage and intensity of a relationship when it comes to giving gifts; after all, what you give a person speaks way more about you and your intentions than you might realize. An extravagant or hyper-sentimental gift given at the wrong time could send the wrong message and harm a budding relationship. At the same time a gift with too little value can label you a selfish cheapskate. Here is a brief guide that will help you safely maneuver through the holiday gift-giving vortex:

Dating under three months: Keep it inexpensive and unsentimental, but cool. For a guy, maybe a bottle of his favorite cask-aged bourbon or a pair of tickets to a concert for the two of you; for a girl it could be a mini-herb garden for her windowsill (if she likes to cook) or a coffee table book of her favorite artist. 3 months to 6 months: You have a little more room to be emotive in this phase, but don’t overdo it. No jewelry or anything that has initials engraved in it, please. For a guy, a beer making kit is always fun, or a special edition DVD set of his favorite movie director is good for movie buffs; for a girl a pretty hand knit hat from a local artisan or a Japanese maple bonsai in a beautiful pot are thoughtful but not too overly romantic gifts. 6 months to just under a year: After the 6 month mark you can relax a bit and go a little more romantic. For a guy, maybe an elegantly framed vintage concert poster of his favorite band or a sleek wallet from the eternally hip Diesel brand; for a girl a refurbished vintage Polaroid camera (with lots of extra film), or a knit cashmere throw are thoughtful and lovely gifts. A year and up: Congratulations! After the oneyear anniversary there are no restrictions on types of gifts—you have finally earned the privilege of putting your smooshy, bleeding heart right there on the table. The sky is the limit, depending on your budget. For a guy, it could be that ipad he’s been craving (I know, not super sentimental, but we’re talking about men here) or the vintage fender jaguar he’s always dreamed of possessing. For girls, a pendant of her initial on a chain in either (real) gold or silver is a classic gift that suits all styles, a weekend getaway to the beach (fully planned and paid for by you of course), or a hand-painted portrait of her favorite pet are all examples of gifts that are guaranteed make a heart swoon.

WITH CAROLINE ST CLAIR

G ift g u ide Beer making kit $49.95 and up: www.MrBeer.com

Japanese maple bonsai $39.95 and up: www.JoeBonsai.com Diesel wallet $37.50 and up: www.Zappos.com Pendant initial c harm price varies: www. GenerousGems.com Fender Jaguar guitar, price varies on condition: www.Fender.com Vintage refurbished Polaroid camera, $95: www. ebay.com or call ‘The Impossible Project’ store at 212.219.3254 Pet portrait, $100 and up: www.shepaintspets.com

Peace of My Mind with LORI PARKS

Practicing Giving

hen we hear the word gift we typically think of material items. However, non-material gifts are just as meaningful. When you are practicing giving, your heart opens and radiates light. The holiday season lends a special time for us to embrace giving. It can easily be accomplished when it comes from a place that feels good, purely for the benefit of someone else, but leaves the giver elated as well. The ultimate goal is to be in a continuous flow of giving, as it is said to promote good health and happiness. Here are some ways you can give in every day situations. Spending quality time, being an active listener, giving compliments, smiling and making eye contact, giving away books that you enjoyed, sharing helpful or relevant information, being kind, saying prayers or sending blessings, holding open doors, showing compassion, giving hugs or patting people on the back, saying hello and engaging in conversation, inviting others to outings and events, donating clothes, sending letters, cards or emails, placing litter in trash cans, volunteering and many more. When your intentions are to make a positive impact on those around you, you will began to notice more and more ways for you to

give. Every conversation you have will be a chance for you to practice giving the gift of listening. Every stranger you see is an encounter in which you can make eye contact and give a smile. Giving definitely has a domino effect. We humans love to reciprocate. When someone does something nice for us, we feel inspired to perform a similar act. An excellent demonstration of this is in the movie Pay it Forward, which is about receiving and then performing random acts of kindness. Whether you are someone that gives all the time or someone feeling moved to give more, know any act of giving you perform is making a positive impact on the world. May the joy of the holiday season be with you.

the barometer Think you know whats hot or not? Submit your picks to info@brinkmagonline.com!

One year anniversary of BRINK magazine! Mariah Carey’s “Oh Santa!”

LANVIN AND H&M! Super sexy fashion forward looks are at H&M now! (PHOTOG-

RAPHER: DAVID SIMS MODELS: SIMON NESSMAN)

Yelp is pledging to support local business. You should too! #supportlocalorlando

The festive track from the diva’s second holiday album is already a number one song and creates the perfect holiday vibe.

Simple Times; Crafts for Poor People by Amy Sedaris. The holiday gift that keeps on giving.

Small Business Saturday! Support local shops!

Swap and Shop! www.otherpeoplesproperty.com

Grandma Bazaar! www.facebook.com/grandmaparty

Gaylord Palms Resort brings back ICE! Featuring “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” TWO MILLION pounds of ice!

This edition of “The Barometer” is only hot! Happy Holidays!

we can’t promise inner peace. but inner purity? yeah, every bottle comes with that.

PURE ZEN

PURE ZEN PURE ZEN

we can’t promise inner peace. but inner purity? yeah, every with that. webottle can’tcomes promise inner peace. but inner purity? yeah, every bottle comes with that.