Estero's Ingénue // Spring Issue

Featuring | New Look Spring Summer 2014 Look-book // Courtesy of GPS Radar Gallery

VOLUME NO 5 | REAWAKENED

CONTENTS Featuring | Butterfly Illustration by Nabil

WORK MEETS PLAY EDITORIAL BEAUTY TRENDS TO TRY BEAUTY GEO-POP HOME DECOR RETRO READY EDITORIAL SPRING SAKE

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REAWAKENED SPRING APRIL 2014

DETOXING YOUR SOUL, SELF & SURROUNDINGS

It’s typical that like clockwork every spring, people open the shudders, dust off the shelves and commence the cleaning. We routinely do this year after year, but do we actually embrace why we do this? Or do we just fall into autopilot? And at what point do we start to spring clean ourselves and really take fearless inventory about the traits that have served us well, and the traits we need to turn over with the season? Too often I see people changing the sheets but not their habits. If we are going to reinvent a space let’s do it with a lighter and fuller self so we can truly welcome the new season and bloom with Mother Nature.

Don’t be overwhelmed, change is beautiful and we are here to transition with you. Try new tips to get the most of your skin and makeup routines, include pops of color into your living space, and join us as we cheers with a new cocktail that makes you inhale pink and exhale gray. We’ll let you decide what you’re ready to let go of and what is here to stay, but if it’s (whatever you decide it is) going to stay it needs to support you effortlessly and make your life easier, fuller and happier. (Much like Léka separates that can take you from work to dinner dates – swoon, we love!)

Breathe in deep and sigh softly. Know that sigh is the winter shedding off of you and you are ready, not only to spring clean your home, but yourself – and we are cheering you on all the way!

Featuring | New Look Spring Summer 2014 Look-book // Courtesy of GPS Radar Gallery

Dance under the stars, laugh with your loved ones and be inspired by the pages to follow, but more importantly, enjoy your new journey.

Maria Kontgis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Susi Kontgis CHAIRMAN & CEO

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Life is chaotic enough with work, family, social gatherings, gym dates and the other necessary tasks of everyday life - A woman shouldn’t have to work so hard to look on point as she swiftly moves from meeting to dinner date. In this editorial we had our favorite international, emerging, designer Leka, pull together some of her go-to looks that will effortlessly take you from the office to the after-party.

Photos courtesy of Lekanyc.com

WHERE WORK MEETS PLAY

This page: Leka Stripe top and wool pants.

This page: Leka Red cotton jacket, and white collar shirt.

Opposite page: Black and red cotton body and flower print shorts.

Opposite page: Leka Geometric cotton dress, Black cotton shirt and stripe knee length shorts

REAWAKEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

Sometimes we don’t realize that when the weather changes we actually need to change our beauty routine as well. Don’t worry, nothing major. Just incorporate a few tips and tricks here and there to freshen up your look and breathe new life into your daily routine. We met with beauty experts and got the basics (literally Beauty 101). Read on for our top 20 list and implement a few that work for you.

Let us know your favorite beauty tips on twitter @Esteromagazine #EsteroBeauty and you’ll be eligible to be of our trusted experts for future issues.

#1

The skin is our canvas for makeup so it’s imperative that we do our best to cherish it. Apply moisturizer and eye creams gently in upwards circles with a patting motion.

#2

#3 #4 #5

#6 #7 #8

Your face needs to breathe; make sure you sleep with clean skin, set with a fool-proof routine (think wash, toner, serum, moisturizer etc.). We know this can be overwhelming, especially if you’re already tired and can barely remove your makeup, but consider this: don’t wait for bedtime. As soon as you get home from your daily routine prep your skin for the evening as needed, and then worry about the laundry and packing for the next day. That way you wont have an excuse to skip the TLC to the skin.

Take it down low – whether it’s moisturizer, sunscreen or anything else to benefit your skin don’t stop with your face. Drag it down your neck and over your chest as well.

Mask it all – At least 1 to 2 times a week soothe, hydrate, calm (or whatever is needed) the skin with a mask.

Primer makes a world of difference adding a flawless, airbrushed affect. Too much primer though (especially if it’s silicone based) can turn your face into a slip-n-slide where your makeup can’t help but run off. A little goes a LONG way.

#9

#10

#11

No makeup, makeup is simple.

Blend a few drops of foundation into your daily moisturizer for a tinted glow effect. Perfect for spring and no additional BB cream needed.

#12

Mix two drugstore foundation shades to create your perfect color. This also adds relief to not being color matched by a sales associate.

#13

Drink at least 75 oz. of water everyday. No excuses. We can’t even begin to list the benefits and how many people still resist it!

Oil-pulling is definitely worth the open mind (–er mouth). The latest of ancient remedies to reemerge makes a HUGE impact on your oral hygiene. If the taste or smell of the oil is too overwhelming then add a drop of peppermint oil.

Instant plumper – line your Cupid’s bow with a highlighter or white pencil. Take the slightest amount of your bronzer and line the center (not the entire) bottom lip. This creates a highlight on top and shadow on the bottom, then add your favorite lippy and smile.

Make it last – after applying lipstick, place a tissue over the lips and brush translucent powder over the pout so it’s set for hours.

Line your tear ducts with nude or white eyeliner. This will ‘push out’ your mascara, making your eyes pop.

Mascara 101 – Don’t pump the wand in and out of the tube to get more product, this actually dries out the mascara and causes it to clump when applied to the lashes. Instead, apply in layers for a full set of falsies: Mascara, baby powder (applied via a Q-tip), mascara and so on until you’ve reached your desired look.

The baby powder allows the mascara to build on top of each other creating the illusion of false lashes.

#14

#15 #16 #17 #18 #19

#20

Bright Eyes – don’t have time for a complete eye shadow routine in the morning? Pop a dab of white or bright shimmer in the inner corner of your eyes closest to your nose; add a swipe of mascara to the lashes and you’ll look brighteyed-and-bushy-tailed.

Layering counts but order of layering counts more; spritz your perfume first and then use your lotion, your scent will last all day.

Heal cracked feet with Vicks Vapor rub on your heels before bed and cover with socks.

Essential oils are perfect for balancing or setting your desired mood – double time the effects by rubbing your oil of choice on your cuticles right before bed and inhale the relaxing aroma.

Touch-ups - Apply topcoat to your manicure every few days for continued shine and protection.

Volume where it counts – no need to flip all the way over when blow drying your hair. Just brush your hair forward from the back on the crown of your head, after all, that’s where you want volume, not at the nape of your neck.

Dry shampoo is not only your friend but crucial for the woman on the go. Most hairstyles hold better with 2nd day washed hair too.

Featuring | BHS Spring Summer 2014 Look-book // Courtesy of GPS Radar Gallery

GEOpop

Take a peek into BHS’ latest and boldest creations.

The Rules

Featuring | BHS Spring Summer 2014 Look-book // Courtesy of GPS Radar Gallery

BHS Brings us their “Geo Pop” Spring ’14 home wear collection in an effort to illustrate the best and brightest décor pieces to open up any room. Inspired by geometry and pops of color, each piece is subtle yet substantial enough to reinvent a space. Pick a few pieces to harmonize into one complete redesign or add simple touches throughout the home. Regardless, just remember 2 simple rules: leave space – (seen in the stacked square stand on previous page) and don’t shy away from color: an accent color here and there via a throw pillow or furniture piece is more than enough to get you going in the right direction. Play, be inspired and most of all have fun stepping out of your comfort zone.

RETRO READY Join Estero as we explore the Spring Summer Looks We Love by designer Katty Xiomara.

Xiomara shows us how to complete the perfect spring look with a mÊlange of abstract patterns, solid colors and small details. Reminiscent of her winter collection inspired by her native Portuguese tiles, Xiomara springs forward and creates a fun, flirty aesthetic we can’t get enough of.

Photos courtesy of Katty Xiomara.

PRETTY IN PRINTS

DARING DETAILS

A CLOSER LOOK AT DESIGNER THE Q: What is your identity as a designer?

A: “My identity as a designer it’s a reflection of my own image. I don’t have boundaries between work and my personal life because they blend daily in a natural form.”

Q: Where are you from and does your origin translate into your collections?

A: “I was born in Venezuela, but I always had big passion from where my parents were from, Portugal. By the time I turned 18 years old Portugal became my new home. Definitely the duality between tropical and European reflects in my collections. These experiences are important as well as others will appear in the future. For example this huge passion that I have with Japanese culture.”

Q: What inspired you most about this collection?

A: “This specific collection was born from the urban architecture and inspired by the tiles within. The artistic work from them gives such a colorful pallets and small geometric figures, which is why the colors and the mixture of patterns are extremely important.”

Q: What is your favorite go-to Spring piece?

A: “One of my favorite looks is the dress with subtle colors that looks like a college uniform combined with a simple blouse. This exactly look was our opening look for the runway show and the image for our invitation.”

Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far?

A: “Our big accomplishment so far is to make the brand to be known internationally.”

Q: What’s next?

A: T”he next step is to strengthen the collection and continue with our work, but of course always with a ray of light.”

Spring Sake: Pink Grapefruit, Ginger, & Lemon-grass Sake Cocktails

When it comes to changing the seasons and freshening up our recipes there is one guru we always go to for inspiration: founder and creator of www.bojongourmet.com, Alanna Taylor-Tobin. With an emphasis on “seasonal produce, excellent chocolate, whole grains, and the occasional nip of booze” her creations are not only incredibly tasty, but so beautiful they could make your eyes water. In pursuit of springing our taste-buds into a new state of bliss we immediately knew her cocktails could take us to new heights. {enter Alaan Taylor-Tobin and her recipe grapefruit, ginger, and lemon-grass sake} I used to only order sake occasionally, always at a Japanese restaurant, and always hot. But a recent dinner with sake expert (and chef and artist) Miwa Wang inspired me otherwise.

Miwa worked as a sake retailer for nearly a decade, and she knows sake inside and out. That evening, she described the intricate sake-brewing process to me and our mutual friend, photographer Shelley Eades, over glasses of chilled rice wine, both of which gave me a newfound appreciation for the stuff.

So I started picking up a bottle or two here and there, and sipping it on the occasional afternoon or evening, (sometimes but not always with Asparagus Sushi Bowls) enjoying its clean flavor and relatively low alcohol content (well, relative to, say, straight whiskey or gin – not that I drink that in the afternoon, Mom).

Sake has a slightly lactic, funky taste that I’ve grown to enjoy on its own, and not just to wash down sushi. I reckoned that its delicate flavor would pair well with tangy pomelo juice.

Pomelos are like giant grapefruits, and their flesh is dense, bright pink, and sweeter than grapefruit. (As a bonus, you can use the skin to make a helmet [a.k.a., Pomelmet] for your cat.) Since pomelos are most often found in Southeast Asian cuisine, I decided to add a bit of lemon-grass and fresh ginger to the mix.

I lugged home two giant, yellow orbs the size of my head, sawed one open, and tried to squeeze it on our little plastic juicer. The head of the juicer made nary a dent in the large fruit, so I changed tactics and used my hands to try to squeeze out the juice.

ARTICLE & RECIPE

BY ESTERO’S FEATURED BLOGGER Alaan Taylor-Tobin

After about ten minutes of strenuous squeezing, I had acquired a measly half cup of juice (not to mention a killer upper-body workout). At that point, I didn’t care how concentrated in color or flavor the juice was, I was never juicing another pomelo until I acquired a set of giant man hands.

I’m willing to work fairly hard for a good drink, but not that hard.

So I grabbed a grapefruit out of the fridge and within thirty seconds had enough juice for several drinks. Grapefruit sake cocktails it was.

Since heating ginger and lemon-grass alters their flavors, I decided to muddle them with sugar rather than making a simple syrup. (Plus, you get more instant gratification that way.) Muddling helps to extract the flavors, and it also helps the sugar begin to break down and dissolve.

(Muddling the fibrous ginger and lemon-grass is a bit labor intensive, so if you’re making a large batch of these, do yourself a favor and pulse these ingredients together in a food processor.) In goes a bit of Meyer lemon and grapefruit juices, and then the sake. Stir, strain, and pour it over ice.

(Or for stronger drinks, shake with ice and strain into chilled glasses.)

I like Sho Chiku Bai’s Nama Sake, which is organic and made in Berkeley, and has a smooth, clean flavor that pairs nicely with the delicate ones in this drink. You could also use a high-alcohol sake for more of a kick. I tried a sparkling sake, but the only type available was too sweet for the drink, not as clean-tasting as the Sho Chiku Bai. In these cocktails, the delicate flavor of the sake comes through clearly. You get a kick of floral spice from the ginger, which softens into tart, floral grapefruit and a hint of exotic lemon-grass.

The flavors blend together smoothly, and since the drink is made with sake, you can have a glass and still get some work done (as Jay pointed out this afternoon before heading to the bedroom for a nap).

If you can’t find lemon-grass, know that the cocktail is good without it, too. If you don’t do alcohol, you could try a virgin version with fizzy water or coconut water in its place.

Since citrus can vary in sweetness, feel free tweak this to your taste, adding more lemon or grapefruit if the drink is too sweet, more sugar if you’d like it a bit sweeter. If you don’t have Meyer lemons, use 1 tablespoon regular lemon

juice, and adjust the sugar if needed. If I were making these for a crowd, I would pulse together the ginger, lemon-grass, and sugar in a food processor, then stir it into the citrus juices and sake and chill until ready to serve, whereupon I’d strain the whole thing through a fine-mesh sieve and into a large serving pitcher. I’ve made this with both the bright pink Rio Red grapefruits and also with the lighter, orange-pink Marsh Rubys.

While the brighter fruits give the drink a prettier hue, I prefer the more subtle, complex flavor of the paler Marsh Rubys, though either one works just fine. If you want more ginger-lemon-grass flavor, let the muddled cocktail steep for 5 minutes, or up to several hours in the fridge, before straining and serving. For a stronger drink, strain the shaken cocktail into chilled glasses with no ice.

For a more refreshing drink, add ice and a bit of sparkling water to the glasses.

RECIPE // All ounce measurements here are by volume.

Makes 2 drinks 2 T packed chopped lemon-grass (tips reserved for optional garnish) 1 T packed chopped ginger root 1 T organic, blond cane sugar 2 T (1 ounce) strained Meyer lemon juice (or 1 T regular lemon juice plus 1 additional T grapefruit juice) 6 T strained pink grapefruit juice 1 Cup (8 ounces) dry sake (such as: Sho Chiku Bai’s Junmai-Shu / Nama Sake) Ice In a measuring pitcher or jar, vigorously muddle together the lemon-grass, ginger, and sugar until the mixture is broken down fairly well, about 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice, muddle a bit longer, then stir in the grapefruit juice and sake.

(Optionally let the mixture steep for 5 minutes or up to several hours in the refrigerator for a stronger flavor.) Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and into a jar or cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, pressing on the solids to extract all the good stuff. Stir or shake the mixture for 10 seconds to chill, then strain into two wine glasses filled partway with ice. Garnish with a lemongrass tip, if you like, and serve.

For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, head over to www.bojongourmet.com.