PRIME Living's 2014 "Jet Set In Style" Issue

The Luxury Lifestyle Magazine of Texas

gorgeous gladiators 7 stylish sandals for this summer’s trendy battle

bird’s-eye

toes sand in the

Discover the perfect beaches to pair with this summer’s top reads

viewS

Extraordinary experiences for soaring above destinations around the world

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A movie theater man cave designed 20,000 leagues under the sea

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At Johnson Development we take pride in designing our communities to foster the active lifestyle of our residents, while preserving and utilizing the natural beauty of the local landscape.

Today is your day, your time—live it. johnsondevelopment.com

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features

nose in a book, toes in the sand 32 discover your beachgoer style

22 Getting a Bird’s-Eye View

See the world’s best views from above

64 Educational Escapes in the Land of Enchantment 5 New Mexico learning experiences

May/june • 2014

3

alsoinside Style

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9 • cocktails & conversation • Must-Haves keeping you in the know Talking Points • Style • Look Who’s Talking • Point of Interest My Life • Nostalgia • Bucket List • Design

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Karyn Dean

kdean@prime-living.com

39 • connoisseur • Prime’s Guide to Discerning Taste Table Talk • Uncorked • Main Dish • Bragging Bites • Entertain

Publisher Terry Dean

tdean@prime-living.com

51 • the gentlemen’s room • For the man who commands the very best Man Cave • Driver’s Seat • Wealth • High Tech • Outdoors

Editorial Assistant Ginny McCord

49

gmccord@srgserv.com

Summertime Cocktail

59 • escape • Greetings from destinations

near and far

Enlightened Explorer • Postcards

Art Direction & Design LuckyYou! Creative Erin Loukili, Dawn Williamson erin@luckyyoucreative.com

69 • live well • Feel Good, Look Good, be good Health Buzz • Feel Good • Focus & Function Look Good • Be Good 76 • prime list • Events, Galas and Fundraisers Hats Off to Mothers Luncheon • Tiger Ball The Ultimate Southern Experience

the

director of marketing Jennifer Dean

jend@prime-living.com

70

Circulation/ Distribution Brian Stavert

bstavert@prime-living.com

PoundDropping Electronic Fork

list

Contact 311 Julie Rivers Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77498 281.277.2333 Editorial Inquiries editor@prime-living.com Advertising Inquiries advertise@prime-living.com

76 The Luxury

LifesTyLe

Magazine

77

of Texas

on the cover rgeous go gladiators 7 stylish sandals ’s for this summer trendy battle

bird’s-eye

es nd tosa in the

s to perfect beache Discover the summer’s top reaDs pair with this

Ponta dos Ganchos is a haven for beach lovers who appreciate laid-back elegance, romance and seclusion. Private bungalows perfectly complement the natural splendors at this luxurious adults-only paradise in South Brazil. Photo Courtesy of Ponta dos Ganchos

views

extraorDinary for experiences soaring above Destinations worlD arounD the

MAY/JUNE } $5.95

4

US

ep

in de ter wa

designed r mAn cAve A movie theAte sea s under the 20,000 league

prime-living.com

“Toes in The Sand” (page 32 ), “A Bird’s-Eye View” (page 22 ) “Gorgeous Gladiators” (page 12 ), “In Deep Water” (page 52 )

subscribe AT prime-living.com ©2014 Prime Living Magazine is a publication of SRG Services, Inc., published bi-monthly. Copies are mailed and handdelivered to households and businesses throughout Texas. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.

We love living along the Guadalupe River.

Cordova on Canyon Lake is the perfect place for us.� – Steve and Julie

Gentile

Schedule a tour of Cordova on Canyon Lake today.

Lots are going fast.

Come Home to Texas Waterfront Living.

1-800-400-0057x221 www.CordovaOnCanyonLake.com info@CordovaOnCanyonLake.com

publisher’s note

Ihelp couldn’t butadda few additional

destinations to my list,after researching

opportunities whereyou canviewthe

karyn dean Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

coming up Our annual Food & Wine issue will uncover the hottest dishes and the coolest cocktails in Texas!

Like something you read? want more?

Check out our bonus content online on prime-living.com

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F

scenery from up high.

inally, it’s time for summer sandals! My favorite is the Girafina Ankle High Python Gladiator Sandal by Christian Louboutin—flat heel and wrapped up the ankle (throwback from my teen years). I’m ecstatic that the gladiator is back and challenging the traditional sandal this summer. Get your feet looking fabulous for your summer travels with gladiator style sandals found in “Gorgeous Gladiators” (page 12). And what goes better with sandals than a great tan so be sure to check out our recommendations on self-tanning products in “Pale is a 4-Letter Word” (page 73).

Most everyone has at least one destination on their bucket list—mine is to cruise around Alaska. I know, predictable, huh? However, I couldn’t help but add a few additional destinations to my list, after researching opportunities where you can view the scenery from up high. Especially, Bagan, Myanmar where you can view the temples from a hot air balloon!

See for yourself in “Getting a Bird’s Eye View” (page 22). But be warned, you’ll most likely be adding to your bucket list too.

Our Gentlemen’s Room has long been a favorite of mine—especially “Man Cave”—and this issue is no exception. If you loved the 1954 movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” starring Kirk Douglas, then you’ll want to check out “Water Logged” (page 52). Move over Captain Nemo, Audio by Design has your number! And while you’re there, flip to page 52, “National Treasure”—you’ll be reminded of why you always knew that the Corvette would make a strong comeback. It’s true what my mom told me, “What is old will be new again, just wait!”

In the next issue, we’re bringing Craig Vanderslice, a well known cigar blogger, on board for a new department in “Gentlemen’s Room.” And even though I don’t smoke, his writing style is like reading about a vintage wine and makes me wish I had taken up the habit years ago. For the discerning man—or whoever is influencing the fashion purchases for the men in your family—we’re adding a men’s style page. Another new department will be in “Cocktails & Conversation” that will focus on a cocktail, its recipe and pairing tips.

Safe Travels!

kdean@prime-living.com

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A Northern California wine country retreat unlike any other. Underground spa. Unforgettable cuisine.

For special PRIME Living seasonal packages, call 855.441.0087, visit TheMeritageResort.com or contact your travel professional.

cocktails & conversation

cocktails & conversation the prime living guide to what's happening now

Dive Cenotes Mexico

inside:

Divers in the cenotes of Mexico

10 • Talking points New around Texas 12 • Style gorgeous gladiators 13 • Look Who’s Talking KC & the Sunshine Band 14 • Point of Interest high ambitions 15 • My Life jet broker 16 • Nostalgia theater al fresco 18 • Bucket List taking diving to a ‘hole ’nother level 20 • Design kitchen tell-all May/june • 2014

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cocktails & conversation

Talking points

Restoration Hardware The Professor's Leather Chair with Nailheads features RH’s new leather, shown here in Vintage Cigar, Italian Brompton Oxblood and Italian Brompton Ebony.

>> For the Exotic Fruit Lover

Quince

>> For the frozen cream connoisseur

Blue Bell Blue Bell Creamery is getting

into the July 4th spirit early this year with the release of their newest summer flavor—Red, White & Blue Bell. Consisting of three ice creams packaged side by side like Ultimate Neapolitan.

In this case, it is strawberry ice cream with chunks of strawberries, vanilla ice cream and blueberry ice cream with real blueberries. With every scoop of Red, White & Blue Bell, ice cream fanatics will face a bit of a dilemma: Do you eat the flavors separately or together? bluebell.com

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The California Rare Fruit Growers organization (CRFG) has declared 2014 the “Year of the Quince.” The book Simply Quince by Barbara Ghazarian sparked a revival five years after publication—when few in the United States knew what a quince was. The small, delicious, treeborn, pome fruit is similar in appearance to a pear and bright golden-yellow when mature. Keep your eyes peeled for the Texas version, called the “Texas Scarlet.” queenofquince.com

Restoration Hardware recently introduced the first-of-its-kind compilation of 13 source books—five inspirational lifestyle books and eight categorical books. The books feature the debut of RH Leather and RH Rugs. restorationhardware.com

>> For the Appointment Setter

Beauty Booked Popular New York-based service BeautyBooked (BB) recently

launched in both Dallas and Houston. BB is the modern, convenient way to search, discover and book appointments at the best salons. Created by two industry insiders, BB simplifies the booking process by allowing members to discover new beauty spots, read expert reviews and book services instantly with just the click of a button—no receptionist needed. beautybooked.com

Blue Bell Creameries | Barbara Ghazarian | Restoration Hardware | BeautyBooked

>> For the Home Designer

Mount Gay | City of Addison | Ivanka Trump | Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

Talking points

cocktails & conversation

>> For the epicurious

Fork & Cork The town of Addison is excited to introduce an-all new culinary

event—Fork & Cork, May 16-17. Designed for the epicurious, this intimate, two-day event will bring together celebrated chefs, craft breweries, wineries and spirit makers—tempting palettes with refined culinary style. Attendees can get their hands dirty with interactive cooking classes, dive into delicious bites, and imbibe in divine cocktails, craft beers and wines. Guests can also channel their inner sommelier or brewmaster in wine and craft beer seminars. addisontexas.net

Ivanka Trump

Patras, the second collection in the Journey series inspired by Ivanka Trump’s passion for travel recently launched worldwide.

Named after the city in western Greece, the series is a reinvention of the artistic design from the art deco era. The jewelry line of white gold and blue gemstone pieces is appropriately reminiscent of the crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Patras. ivankatrumpcollection.com

>> For the Rum Lover

Mount Gay Black Barrel

Longtime rum distiller Mount Gay now brings us Black Barrel, a small-batch, handcrafted blend from master blender Allen Smith. In a process called finishing, the blended rum is matured for a second time in deeply charred Bourbon oak barrels (hence the name).This wonderful new rum is great for sipping neat, over ice or mixing in cocktails. mountgayrum.com

>> For the Stylish Traveler

>> For the Brewmaster Wannabe

Craft Brew Experience Grapevine’s 30th Annual Main Street Days, held May 16-18, is packed full of exciting events for connoisseurs who are enjoying the craft beer revolution. Attend a pre-festival experience at a local Grapevine restaurant where brewmasters and local chefs will work together creating fantastic beer and food pairings. Main Street Days will have craft beer throughout the festival as well as rare cask tappings, craft brew tasting events and experienced brewmasters giving demonstrations. grapevinetexasusa.com

May/june • 2014

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style

Havkina Studded Gladiator Sandal by Vince Camuto Available at Dillard’s

Rock Stud Triple Strap Thong Sandal

by Valentino Available at Nordstrom

Dillard’s | Nordstrom | Neiman Marcus

cocktails & conversation

gorgeous

gladiators Becky Sandal by Gucci Available at Nordstrom

Selkie Gladiator Sandal by Volatile Available at Dillard’s

Belva Sandal

by Isolá Available at Nordstrom

Get your gladiator on with more sandals when you visit prime-living.com

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prime-living.com

Girafina Ankle High Python Gladiator Sandal by Christian Louboutin Available at Neiman Marcus

Omera Sandal

by Vince Camuto Available at Nordstrom

look who’s talking

cocktails & conversation

dirty martinis

with harry wayne casey

W

ho of you can’t recite some—or for many, all—of the words to the hit song, “That’s the Way (I Like It)?” With music that has been featured in more than 100 motion pictures, television shows and national advertising campaigns, KC and The Sunshine Band have been credited as the founders of disco. Their feel-good dance music is based on KC’s love of R&B Pop and a strong desire to make people happy with his music.

Grammy award-winner KC grabs time in between performances and touring to write new material. Fans new and old are in for a treat with the band’s new album, “Feeling You” which will be available this summer. The new album includes a variety of dance music from their new work plus a healthy dose of songs from the ’60s.

Fast forward four decades later and KC is still getting people out of their seats dancing.

Q

What is your drink of choice?

Absolut filthy dirty Martini dry, straight up and really shaken cold, no vermouth.

Q Q Q Q

What is something on your bucket list?

To see the pyramids in Egypt and go to Israel.

What is one thing you always have on you?

My wallet.

What has been the greatest influence in your life?

Motown Sound.

What is an item or trend from the past 25 years that you wish would be brought back?

I never did follow trends much. However, I grew up in a much quieter and less stressful time and that is definitely something I’d like to bring back.

Q Q

A. Streiber, Webster & Associates

What was the last thing you Googled or looked up online?

I just ordered some extended lighters online.

What is something that you would do every day if permitted?

My passion has always been music. I already get to do what I love everyday and that’s listening to music.

Q

What is something that most people would be surprised to learn about you?

I don’t eat beef.

Q

What’s next for you?

I don’t ever think about what’s next. I just do what I’m doing right now because I’m having a great time doing it. I don’t let life distract me and I just go with whatever God has in store for me.

Q

What was the last song you listened to that wasn’t yours?

“All of Me” by John Legend—the dance version.

May/june • 2014

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cocktails & conversation

point of interest

High ambitions

Longview

in

more upcoming balloon events

Story | jessica mebane

If the Texas heat has you trapped indoors, take a break with a long weekend to Longview and discover why it’s the hottest fun you’ll have this summer.

T

he sights and sounds of more than 70 hot air balloons gather for display and competition at the Great Texas Balloon Race, the last week of July. While it takes a small army of volunteers to get this ambitious venture off the ground, there are several great opportunities for the public to see and feel the hot air balloon experience for themselves.

Imagine waking before dawn to rendezvous with dozens of like-minded individuals at the East Texas Regional Airport where large silk and nylon balloons or “envelopes” are carefully laid across the ground. Watch as the balloon crews successfully unfold the 30-foot tall, 20-foot wide silk and nylon giants. Rigged with wicker baskets, parachutes and heavy propane tanks together in such a way that the pilots will be able to expertly navigate an elevation of several thousand feet.

From there, go check out some of the shaped balloons or an exhibit around town.

At dusk, festival goers gather to experience

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the “balloon glow,” where many of the teardrop-shaped aircraft are lighted up to look like an ethereal, colorful array of bulbous lanterns on standby for a giant’s twilit stroll across Texas. The pilots are happy to answer questions about their balloons and their dedication to this champagne sport. “The event is full of electricity and excitement, with 70 balloons being lit up together, some to the beat of music, and you can feel the energy,” says Gai Bennett, marketing director for GTBR. And because no Texas festival would be complete without music, The Great Texas Balloon Race has a boot-scootin’ concert that kicks off following each glow on Friday and Saturday night.

So embrace the best of what the Lone Star state has to offer in the high heat of summer and gain a whole new appreciation for the power and beauty of hot air in motion.

Watch as colorful silken behemoths glide through the East Texas sky. You won’t soon forget the experience.

The Sky’s the Limit Balloon Spectacular September 12-14 in Gainsville This event offers all of the traditional balloon events such as ascensions, glows, competitions and rides. The event supports the North Texas Medical Center Foundation. theskysthelimit.org

Plano Balloon Festival September 19-21 in Plano The 35th annual event will be full of live music and plenty of activities to get your blood pumping, including a half-marathon and a parachute exhibition. planoballoonfest.org

Big Country Balloon Fest September 26-28 in Abilene Hosted by the Optimist Club Unlimited, this festival is held in Abilene’s Redbud Park. With a kite team, tether rides, a glow and of course food and craft booths. This Texas festival isn’t missing a thing. bigcountryballoonfest.com

my life

Par Avion LTD

There are lots of little tentacles to buying or selling an aircraft—and sometimes you’re not always sure which string to pull on.

cocktails & conversation

jet broker Janine Iannarelli Story | holly beretto

J

anine Iannarelli readily acknowledges her career as an aircraft broker just sort of happened. The founder of Par Avion Ltd. was in her final year at Montclair State University in New Jersey when she picked up a part-time job in the thenemerging aviation business.

“My plan was to go on and get a job in advertising, but my bosses convinced me there was a future in this industry and that if I stayed with them, I’d have a greater chance of success,” Iannarelli says.

Fast-forward 30 years, and she’s running her own business, an aircraft brokerage firm specializing in Bombardier, Citation, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker and Phenom product lines.

Bringing people together to find the right products and the right pricing is what stays consistent in her day-to-day operations, she says. Her days frequently consist of brokering an aircraft sale, then coordinating financing for the transaction.

She counsels her prospective buyers to have a full pre-purchase evaluation conducted by experts in the particular model of aircraft.

Each make and model of aircraft has problem areas, so these areas also get a visual inspection in addition to being highlighted on the evaluation. Pre-purchase affairs also include a full record review and of course, a test flight.

Iannarelli is willing to take on most any project, but she avoids planes that have titles so encumbered that they are nearly impossible to untangle—nor does she pursue aircraft in parts of the world that are currently in conflict, embargoed or logistically difficult to get to. Other than that, the sky is the limit when choosing a plane to work with.

She says each transaction is a delicate affair.

“There are lots of little tentacles to buying or selling an aircraft—and sometimes you’re not always sure which string to pull on.” Her favorite part of the process though, is working with people. “I’ve met so many interesting people over the course of all this,” she says.

Some clients even evolved into good friends.

So far in Iannarelli’s aerial adventures, the Falcon 900EX is her favorite—for its size, performance, beauty and its rich history.

“Dassault makes one heck of an airplane,” she says.

May/june • 2014

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cocktails & conversation

nostalgia

Story | bruce farr

T

he boom of drive-in movies was short lived, but left many of us with fond memories of that place to see the stars, under the stars.

“Drive-in Short Reel Theater” one, summoning a cacophony of first opened its gates to the public car horns blaring in protest. in 1934, but was destroyed by a The history of the drive-in tropical storm less than month movie phenomenon is welllater and never reopened. documented in countless books Sadly, in the 1970s and onward, and articles on the topic. Its origins the spread of more movie channels actually stretch back further than coupled with the advent of highyou might imagine, into the The drive-in movie—for fee at the little ticket booth and quality projection and audio for early 1930s, when a New Jersey millions of children who grew maneuvered into one of the rows chemical company magnate named indoor movie theaters helped sound up in the latter part of the 20th of white-painted speaker posts, the death knell for most American Dick Hollingshead nailed a bed there was always the struggle to century—it seemed like one test the clumsy, cast-metal speaker, sheet to some trees in his backyard outdoor movies. But there is a of those hallowed American handful that persists, some of and balanced an ancient Kodak traditions that would never go out to make sure that it worked well them even newly built to carry on projector on the hood of his car enough. Then there was the of fashion. So ingrained in all of the tradition. Here in Texas, the finesse it took to thread the heavy to show movies. For sound, he us was the drive-in ritual that we Galaxy Drive-in in Ennis opened set up a radio behind the screen. felt nothing could ever dislodge it. speaker through the window and And make no mistake—it was carefully suspend it, so that, under Hollingshead later opened a public in 2004 as a multiplex, with three drive-in theater, where (charging a separate screens (it now boasts your mother’s protest, you could a ritual. First, there was all of 25-cent admission fee) he sparked six). In Houston, the Showboat crank up the tinny-sounding the fuss and excitement around Drive-in, which opened in 2006, an iconic trend that lasted for audio right next to your ear, as packing up the family auto with still welcomes families to relax many decades. loud as it would go. pillows and blankets; maybe a under the stars with their favorite Not surprisingly, Texas, with As the twilight dimmed to gallon thermos filled with Koolmovie, inviting them to indulge in its vast wide-open spaces, figured darkness, Americans of that Aid on ice; perhaps some candy a glorious moment of American early and prominently in the era settled back for the double and homemade popcorn popped popular history. drive-in movie craze. Galveston’s feature, the giant screen with up hot and greasy in a paper the movies projected onto it grocery bag. finally coming into crystal-clear You piled into the car— Did you know? sometimes on a particularly warm focus. It was pure magic—even when occasionally the movie reel summer night you even got to The very first movie ever shown in a drive-in theater was wear your pajamas and slippers— spooled out and the projectionist the second run of a popular 1932 mystery called “Wives took a minute to reset another and once your dad had paid the Beware,” starring Adolphe Menjou and Margaret Bannerman.

Richard Hollingshead, who’s credited with inventing the drive-in theater, aired the film in 1933, at his newly opened For locations in Texas where you can still catch a Automobile Theater, in Camden, NJ. movie at the drive-in, visit prime-living.com

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prime-living.com

nostalgia

cocktails & conversation

drive-in

trivia

1

The cost to build the very first drive-in movie theater in 1933, Camden, NJ., was:

A. $10,000 B. $75,000 C. $30,000 D. $100,000

2

The largest drive-in theater on record, the All-Weather Drive-in, in Copiague, NY., was built to accommodate __________ vehicles?

A. 5,000 B. 1,000 C. 10,000 D. 2,500

3

In the late 1950s, during the peak years of their popularity, approximately one-third of the movie theaters in the country were drive-ins; how many were there in the United States?

A. 1,200

A. Outdoor speakers that also contained a heating element to warm cars.

B. A “fly-in” outdoor theater that catered to both cars and small airplanes.

B. 4,000 C. 20,000 D. 500

4

5

Pick the following bizarre practices (spawned by drive-in movies) that are actually true:

Approximately how many drive-in movie theaters are still open and operating in the United States?

C. “Drive-In DDT,” a spray sold to moviegoers to combat mosquitoes.

D. A drive-in located on top of a shopping center

A. 350 B. 1,800 C. 10 D. 1,000

Know your drive-in movie music trivia!

1. In the late 1950s, a highly popular rock-and-roll duo had a giant hit that featured a drive-in movie theater; can you name the duo and the song?

3. A popular 1990s-era Texas hard rock band from El Paso released three studio albums paying homage to drive-ins; can you name the band?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which popular 1970s female star sang a tune called “Alone at a Drive-in Movie” in the film, “Grease?”

4. Popular Austin songstress Nanci Griffith had a hit with which pop tune named for a drive-in movie experience?

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Multiple Choice Drive-in Lore: 1. (C), 2. (D), 3. (B), 4. (A), 5. (All of them are true.)

Know Your Drive-In Movie Music Trivia: 1. The Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie!” 2. Olivia Newton-John 3.“At the Drive-in” 4.“Drive-in Movies and Dashboard Light” May/june • 2014

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cocktails & conversation

Bucket list

Taking Diving to a

’Hole ’nother Level Blue Grotto

Story | Jake Poinier

Dive One Of The Largest Clear Water Caverns

One of the first distinctions for a recreational diver to understand is between cavern diving and cave diving, both of which generally require additional certifications. The technical definition of a cavern is that the primary light source is the sun (even if you’re using supplemental light) and that you should be able to see the exit at all times. Once you’re past that zone, you’re in a cave—and in much more serious territory.

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The Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Williston, Fla., offers divers the perfect option, with a large wide-open cavern on one side, and a pretty good-sized cave on the other. “On the cavern side, the area between 60 and 100 feet deep is technically called a cave—but the real cave goes for miles and miles,” instructor certifier Kurt Huber says. “We allow open water certified divers all the way down to 60 feet, because there is an air bell safety feature at 30 feet as an emergency stop.”

While the cavern side of Blue Grotto can be dived with basic open water certification, the cave side requires cave diver certification and accompaniment by a qualified guide. If it’s your first dive there, you’ll need to pass a skills/ability screening.

One of the main draws to the Blue Grotto is its year-round 72-degree temperature and 100-foot visibility, thanks to the crystal-clear spring water. “People come from all over the world to learn to dive here,” Huber says. “No waves, no currents, and you don’t need a boat.” divebluegrotto.com, bluegrottocave.com

Sandra Koster Photography

T

he beautiful sights of the underwater world can provide enchanting perspectives. Whether you’re a newcomer or a pro, here are a few unique cave diving sites to add to your scuba bucket list. Dive in and explore!

before you go

bucket list

cocktails & conversation

before you go Advanced open water certified divers should consider taking a guided adventure into The Pit. The deepest part of the Dos Ojos cave system, with a maximum depth of 400 feet, the Pit features a hydrogen sulfate cloud that creates an otherworldly lighting effect—and an unforgettable experience.

dive the third longest underwater cave

Dos Ojos, which translates to “two eyes” in English, refers to two neighboring cenotes set inside the jungle, which connect into a very large cavern zone shared between the two. A section of the cenote, called the Barbie Line, gives divers a lot of space to swim around huge formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The Bat Cave is the darker of the two dives, leading around an air-filled bat cave with little daylight entering.

The water is exceptionally clear, with 300-foot-plus visibility, and maintains a constant temperature of 79 degrees yearround. If the underwater scenery looks familiar, it’s probably because the Dos Ojos underwater cave system was featured in the 2002 IMAX film “Journey into Amazing Caves,” the 2005 movie “The Cave,” and the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series “Planet Earth.” divecenotesmexico.com, divedosojos.com

Dive a Cave Less Explored

is a bit logistically challenging: about seven miles of gravel road, followed by a 1.5-mile hike up the side of the mountain carrying your equipment. Oh, and don’t forget that all the equipment then needs to be ziplined into the entrance before you plunge into the brisk, 43 degree water.

“Once you’re in the water, the cave quickly narrows down to a restriction where divers need to scrape and sometimes

dig their way through to the other side,” Crisp says. “But the rewards are tenfold, as the cave opens up into four large tunnels heading in all directions.” A swim into the deep section of the cave brings you into a chamber called the Cathedral, which is 150 feet deep at the floor where you enter.

Beyond the Cathedral, the cave plummets to a depth of 230 feet with another restriction to navigate. globaldive.net

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula features its own version of cavern and cave diving in cenotes (pronounced “say-NO-tays”), which are deep, water-filled sinkholes in the limestone created by the collapse of an underground cavern. Recreational divers can dip into Cenotes Dos Ojos, the world’s third-longest underwater cave system, as a way of getting comfortable in an overhead environment.

Dive instructor Tom Crisp of New Zealandbased Global Dive describes cave diving as one of mankind’s last frontiers. To dip into his favorite cave dive, Blue Creek Resurgence, definitely requires a pioneering spirit—and they still run an expedition every year to explore the unexamined depths. The site is located at the base of Mount Owen in the Kahurangi National Park, but let’s say access

Tom Crisp | Susanne Simader

before you go Cave diving requires a higher level of dive certification, which includes training, experience, technical skill, complex navigation techniques, and dive planning for longer duration and longer distance cave penetrations.

Consult your dive shop or travel planner for specific qualifications and preparation.

May/june • 2014

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cocktails & conversation

design

Kitchen Tell-All D

o you ever enter someone’s kitchen and immediately get a sense of his or her personality based on the color and décor?

For example, if a kitchen features neutral hues and streamlined appliances, do you get the idea that its owner is a minimalist with a neat and organized personality? Likewise, if you enter a

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kitchen with patterned wallpaper, knit dishtowels, pots on the stove and glass art on the walls, do you get the impression that its owner is a happy-go-lucky type?

Kitchens of all styles can tell a lot

about the homeowner. With the vast array of color-coordination, appliance and decoration options, there are countless ways to give off a first impression via your kitchen. You might be wondering what your kitchen says about you.

Eli Mechlovitz, home design expert and owner of glasstilestore.com, put together a list to help you discover what effect your kitchen has on someone’s first impression. Use it to discover what your kitchen says or try other décor options to express a different side of your personality.

design

cocktails & conversation

Messy & Disorderly

If your kitchen is in a state of disarray— with dirty pots on the stove, dishes stacked up in the sink, crumbs and papers on the table—it tells others that you live a hectic lifestyle leaving little time to relax. If you see your kitchen in a cluttered messy state, schedule 30 minutes in your day to wipe down the counters, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and get a little organized. This will immediately make you (and your future guests!) feel at ease and comfortable.

Metallic & Chrome Finishes

If you have a stainless refrigerator and stove and a backsplash featuring mixed metals, your kitchen tells others that you are a confident go-getter driven by success. It also lets them know that you love entertaining and would be the first person to throw a fantastic wine and cheese party.

Black & White

If your kitchen has black counters, white cupboards, black pots and pans, and black polka dot dishtowels, you give a sophisticated and confident first impression. Choose a black and white color palette to show off your cosmopolitan and modish side!

Home-Sweet-Home Cozy

Light Greens & Blues

From light blue pans to wasabi green dish towels, to an aqua and green tile backsplash, decorating your kitchen with blues and greens tells others that you have a relaxed, tranquil disposition. Your guests will immediately feel at peace and content when they step into your kitchen.

Ethnic-Inspired Palette

Decorating your kitchen with teal blue, khaki and bright yellow dish towels alongside Spanish-style decorations tells

others that you are an inspired and cultural being. Choose utensils and a tile backsplash featuring this ethnic-inspired palette to show off your love for immersing in different cultures.

Bold & Eye-Catching Colors

Decorating your kitchen with bold colors such as royal purple, gold and red tells your guests that you are an outgoing, creative thinker. Try royal purple dishtowels, shimmery gold pots, a vibrant blue backsplash and a red rug to show off your spunky and daring side.

From dish towels featuring knitted animals to cast-iron pans on the stove to fruit patterned wallpaper and cushioned chairs, this style tells others you are a happy-go-lucky homemaker. It gives off the impression that you are nurturing and want all your guests fed and cheerful.

Minimalist & Neutralized

Choosing streamlined, ergonomic appliances and a backsplash featuring a neutral palette lets others know you are a neat, organized, critical thinker who dislikes clutter and values efficiency. It also tells them that you are a fan of to-do lists and getting things done in a timely manner.

Once you’ve identified what your kitchen says about you, use the kitchen profiles to show off a different facet of your personality.

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getting a

Bird’s Eye

view Paragliding over the Swiss Alps with Skywings Paragliding & Adventures.

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Bird’s Eye

Enjoy the sights from the perspective of a winged creature with these up-in-the-air activities.

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Story | Haley Shapley

Skywings Paragliding & Adventures

here’s just something about the sky that inspires awe—consider the freedom of birds, the power of Superman, the stillness that exists up where the clouds live.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return,” Leonardo da Vinci is said to have written.

Whether the quote truly came from da Vinci’s pen or not, you can’t argue with its sentiment. In this day and age, we have the opportunity to take flight often via airplane, but there are plenty of more interesting ways to explore the heavens, from floating and falling to cycling and strolling.

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A Floating Fantasy

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he first hot air balloon with passengers included a sheep, a duck and a rooster. But today, it isn’t just farm animals who get to have all the fun—humans have been taking flight in beautiful, basketed balloons since the late 1700s.

One of the most extraordinary places in the world to launch is in Myanmar, which in recent years has emerged as a viable tourist destination for Americans. Known for hundreds of pagodas, temples and ruins that stretch back centuries, creating a skyline of fascinating and unusual shapes, Bagan is even more spectacular from the sky than it is from the ground. Upon seeing all the landmarks of this city on the Irrawaddy River, explorer Marco Polo wrote: “They make one of

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the finest sights in the world, being exquisitely finished, splendid and costly. When illuminated by the sun they are especially brilliant and can be seen from the great distance.”

The most well-known ballooning company in the area is Balloons Over Bagan, which offers sunrise and sunset floats that start with a vintage bus ride to the launch site and end with a champagne toast, a worldwide ballooning tradition. The maroon-and-gold balloons add their own elegance to the scene.

The tours fill quickly and only run from October to March due to weather, so booking beforehand is recommended if you want to explore the ancient city from above.

Balloons Over Bagan

Bagan, Myanmar

Balloons Over Bagan

Bird’s Eye

Floating over ancient temples after a champagne breakfast in Bagan, Myanmar.

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Inside the Bubble

Canton Tower

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Gavin Jones

Guangzhou, China

Gavin Jones, coasterforce.com

Bird’s Eye

E

nclosed in a glass dome almost 1,500 feet in the air, you’ll be pretty close to being on top of the world—literally and figuratively—in the Bubble Tram at Canton Tower.

The 111th-floor attraction, which dubs itself a horizontal Ferris wheel, takes about 25 minutes to encircle the tower, offering lots of time to acclimate to the dizzying heights—and take a few photos, of course. From atop China’s tallest building, you’ll take in panoramic views of the country’s third-largest city, Guangzhou, a sight to behold both during the daytime and at night.

That’s not your only option at the sky-high Canton Tower, which

opened in 2010 and features a distinctive twisted shape inspired by a woman’s figure. You can also climb spiral stairways on the outside, peer out from multiple observation decks, eat in a revolving restaurant, walk across a glass skywalk, and take a 100-foot drop in a ride that starts near the top of the tower.

The Bubble Tram though, is your best bet for a novel experience.

The pods are positioned at a 15-degree incline and are said to be able to withstand earthquakes that register a magnitude of 8. Fortunately, chances are good that you won’t need to test that out—the only stat you’ll likely be focused on is just how far across the landscape you can see.

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Glide Like a Bird

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ou can get a bird’s-eye view with a lot of activities, but to truly feel like a bird, nothing is better than hang gliding or paragliding. And there’s perhaps no better place to soar through the sky than in the Swiss Alps, where the legendary mountains and brilliant blue lakes create a picture-perfect backdrop for floating.

In the Bernese Highlands city of Interlaken, conditions are good nearly year-round for gliding through the air, an adrenaline rush whether on a hang glider (a metal frame covered by a cloth that looks like a big kite; the riders hang beneath it in a lying-down position) or paraglider (a parachute-like device that riders sit underneath). Neither

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requires previous experience—you’ll ride tandem with an instructor, who will explain everything you need to know before you take flight.

Because the area is filled with both stunning scenery and ideal meteorological conditions for the sport, there are a variety of providers. SkyWings Adventures receives rave reviews for customer service, safety and fun—and can set you up with other area adventures. They cater the ride to everyone from the daredevil who wants to feel the sensation of falling out of the sky to the sightseer who wants to quietly take in the terrain. Either way, you’ll feel as if you’ve sprouted wings.

Skywings Paragliding & Adventures

Interlaken, Switzerland

Skywings Paragliding & Adventures

Bird’s Eye

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A Walk (and Jump) on the Wild Side

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tanding at the base of Auckland Sky Tower, thrill seekers can crane their necks and look up to see their next heart-pounding adventure.

At the top of the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand— about as tall as 37 buses end to end—are two options: a jump and a walk. Those may sound tame on the surface, but consider that both are happening 632 feet in the air.

The SkyJump, a TripAdvisor reviewer favorite, is like base jumping while attached to a wire. After inching toward the edge in your superhero-inspired flight suit, you’ll look at the city skyline below and jump, reaching speeds of about 50 mph before safely landing

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in a plaza below. When the fast-and-furious ride is over just seconds later, you’ll have joined the ranks of musicians like Beyoncé and One Direction in making the famous plunge.

If you think jumping is scary, try not jumping—with the SkyWalk, visitors are challenged to tiptoe along the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest tower, taking in the views and hearing about Auckland’s history while navigating the edge sans handrail. Below, the city will look like a dollhouse landscape as you make your way around the circle with nothing but air on either side of your (possibly trembling) feet.

Want to try both? Use the password “Look & Leap” to get a discounted rate—and some serious bragging rights.

SkyJump NZ

Auckland, New Zealand

Bird’s Eye

Biking in the Sky Glen Sutton, Quebec, Canada

VéloVolant

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t Au Diable Vert, an eco-friendly getaway in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, owners Jeremy Fontana and Julie Zeitlinger wanted an attraction that would fit with their green ethos but wouldn’t be too extreme. What they settled on may not be extreme, but it is extremely cool—and rare.

VéloVolant is a recumbent bicycle in the sky that allows riders to pedal through the treetops, suspended by cables strong enough to support five cars. There are only three canopy cycles in the world, and VéloVolant is the highest—reaching 100 feet off the ground at some points.

“It’s a very unusual experience,” Fontana says. “You get an interesting exhilaration, but you’re in control. It’s extremely unusual to

have control and exhilaration.”

The course, which opened last year, winds its way through pines and maples for a kilometer and takes about 45 minutes to complete at the recommended leisurely pace. This isn’t a race track, after all—it’s an opportunity to connect with nature from a different vantage point than you usually get. You’ll cycle over ravines and waterfalls, with a view of Vermont’s Green Mountains in the distance.

Afterward, you’ll get the link to a video of your adventure that you can share through social media. If you like the idea of staying up in the treetops after the ride is over, keep the theme going by sleeping in one of Au Diable Vert’s treehouse cabins.

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nose in a book, toes in the sand

What’s your beachgoer style?

The Beachcomber

The Beach Bum

Gifts from the sea are your thrill—you enjoy walks along the shoreline and allow yourself to get lost in the hunt just long enough to escape the rest of the world.

You’re a seeker of all things relaxing and Zenlike—grab a book and a beverage and you’re set for the day.

The Beach Enthusiast

The Beach Beholder

The beach is about action for you. Catch a wave, start a game in the sand, scour the ocean floor with your snorkel gear—no need to leave till your mission is accomplished.

You’re a “regular” here and you’re here with a purpose: to watch the surfers, the sand sculptors, or maybe to capture the perfect wave on camera.

If you’re heading to the beach this summer, consider some of these lesser-known beaches we’ve uncovered—each with its own unique personality. And for those who believe that every beach pairs well with a good book, you’re in luck. We’ve included our recommendations for the perfect beach-book pairing.

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The Beachcomber Cannon Beach

is great for the serious beachcomber— packed with hidden rock treasures, visitors will love the hunt for agates and sand dollars. Lucky treasure hunters will also find petrified wood and Japanese glass floats. Experienced beachcombers say that two hours after high tide is the best time to start your treasure hunt!

Cannon Beach, Ore. cannonbeach.org

Books Out with It: How Stuttering Helped Me Find My Voice

by Katherine Preston Memoir from Simon & Schuster What began as a vague search for a cure for Katherine Preston became a journey that debunked the misconceptions shrouding her condition—a story about understanding yourself and learning to embrace the voice within.

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The Invention of Wings

by Sue Monk Kidd Fictionalized history from Viking Adult From the author of The Secret Life of Bees, comes the story of an urban slave girl, given as a handmaiden to a young girl only one year her senior, and how they dramatically shape each other’s destinies.

10% Happier

by Dan Harris Non-fiction from Harper Collins After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris shares his findings from his bizarre adventure from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene.

The Beach Bum Wauwinet

The private beaches at Wauwinet are perfect for the beachbum looking for a luxury experience. Loungers on the green lawn look out over the beach to the ocean, just a short distance away. Relax with your summer reading and cool drink in hand, in a serene luxurious setting with hotel amenities close by.

Nantucket, Mass. wauwinet.com

Books Four Blood Moons: Something is About to Change

by John Haggee

Nantucket Island Resorts

Non-fiction from Worthy Publishing Inspired by NASA projections and history, John Hagee reveals direct connections between four upcoming blood-moon eclipses and what they portend for Israel and all of humankind.

Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs

by Mary Jane Hathaway Fiction from Howard Books This story of a modern-day journalist is a comical contemporary take on the Jane Austen classic, featuring a colorful cast of spunky Southern belles.

Sisterland

by Curtis Sittenfeld Fiction from Random House A mesmerizing novel of family and identity, loyalty and deception, and the delicate line between truth and belief, this story is about twin sisters with paranormal senses. This book exemplifies Sittenfeld’s unerring talent for finding the extraordinary moments in our everyday lives.

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The Beach Enthusiast

Hamoa Beach

With hala trees and swaying palms fringing salt-and-pepper sand and backed by black lava cliffs, there is plenty to keep the adventure seeker busy at Hamoa Beach. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boogie boarding and body surfing—when you’re ready to catch a breath, grab a spot on the beach and don’t mind the sand crabs scurrying across the sand that’s consistently named one of “Maui’s Best Beaches.”

Hana, Hawaii, hamoabeach.org

Books Private L.A.

by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

Red Rising

by Pierce Brown

Fiction from Little, Brown and Company

Fiction/Sci-Fi from Random House

Private Jack Morgan investigates the disappearance of the biggest superstar couple in Hollywood.

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Darrow works all day, believing that he is making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Soon he discovers that he is nothing more than a slave to a decadent ruling class. Longing for justice, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the dominant caste.

Midnight Crossroad

by Charlaine Harris Fiction from Penguin Midnight, Texas is a town populated by more strangers than friends—but then, that’s how the locals prefer it. Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay a while, and learn the truth.

The Beach Beholder Trestles

With a reputation as a “locals-only beach” Trestles is the place for beachgoers who enjoy watching some serious surfing. Inaccessible by vehicle, this particular slice of coast is nestled between Orange County’s San Clemente State Beach and San Diego County’s San Onofre—and is world-famous for its surf break. Mornings are best for watching the surfers, runners and other eclectic beachgoers. San Clemente, Calif. daytrippen.com/trestles-beach.html

Books Bark

by Lorrie Moore

Cutting Teeth

by Julia Fierro

The Good Spy

by Kai Bird

Fiction from Random House

Fiction from St. Martin’s Press

Biography from Random House

A new collection of stories by one of America’s most beloved and admired short-story writers, her first in 15 years. These eight masterly stories reveal Lorrie Moore in a perfect configuration of craft, mind, and bewitched spirit, as she explores the passage of time and summons up its inevitable sorrows and hilarious pitfalls.

The dynamics within a group of friends on a summer getaway, bring to the surface complex dilemmas of early midlife—the vicissitudes of friendship, of romantic and familial love, and of sex.

From Pulitzer Prizewinning biographer Kai Bird comes this compelling portrait of the remarkable life and death of one of the most important operatives in CIA history.

May/june • 2014

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Follow the Signs to Texas Pride

Look for Texas-Grown Goodness at Your Local Retailer or Farmers Market Want to find the pick of the season? Look for the GO TEXAN mark on fresh-from-the-field fruits, vegetables, nuts and more grown right here in Texas. Whether you are shopping at a farmers market, pick-your-own farm or local grocery store, the GO TEXAN mark will help you identify Texas products. You’ll also be supporting local farmers, which supports the Lone Star economy. To locate a GO TEXAN retailer or farmers market near you, visit gotexan.org or download the free GO TEXAN mobile app.

C o m m i s s i o n e r To d d S ta p l e s

Te x a s D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e

connoisseur

Brenlee McKnight

the prime living guide to discerning taste

inside: Olivia chocolate cake with rosemary ice cream

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• • • • •

Table Talk Dining News Uncorked Ponche De Vino Main Dish defining Texas terroir Bragging Bites killer kabobs Entertain a peach of a party

May/june • 2014

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connoisseur table talk

>> FOR THE DEVOTED KID

A BRUNCH TO CELEBRATE {AUSTIN}

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NEW DIGS FOR JW MARRIOTT {HOUSTON}

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rin Smith, former culinary director for the Clumsy Butcher Group, has been appointed as executive chef of the forthcoming JW Marriott downtown, scheduled to open this summer. The Houston native and graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco has worked in impressive restaurants including Thomas Keller’s Per Se and Mario Batali’s Babbo in New York City.

The 328-room hotel has named its restaurant Main Kitchen. marriott.com

>> FOR THE FRESH-PICKED FAN

ENTER THE GREEN DOOR

{DALLAS} he Dallas Farmers Market has a brand new logo and is getting a $64-milllion makeover which should be complete this summer. A new eatery named the Green Door Public House will be joining the compound in the former Preston Loan and Liberty Bank building.

The eatery and bar, by the same owners as Uncle Uber’s Sammich Shop in Deep Ellum, will also open its doors early this summer. Expect a crowd-pleasing menu including grass-fed burgers, fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks and rotating blackboard specials made from ingredients at the market. facebook.com/greendoorpublichouse

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>> FOR THE JUICE LOVER

LET IT FLOW {HOUSTON}

F

low Juice Bar recently opened in Montrose next to a new Max’s Wine Dive. Both newbies are owned by Lasco Enterprises, the guys behind The Tasting Room and Max’s.

Although the group still pushes “fried chicken with champagne” (and bodacious burgers) at Max’s, Flow is all about healthy.

Choose from more than 20 tasty juice combos including Second Wind with ginger and apple for an energy cleanse; Bounce Back with cucumber and turmeric to purify and hydrate; or the Wrinkle Free with sweet potato, celery, flaxseed and almond milk. Nosh on a menu including sesame noodles, tabouli with tahini or Kaleifornia salad. Cheers to health! flowjuicebar.com

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Morris Malakoff Photography | Kelly Rucker | Kevin Marple | Green Door

>> FOR THE DOWNTOWN CROWD

o reason to ask “Mother may I?” if you want to take her to charming Epicerie to celebrate her special day. Brunch on full flavored Cajun-French fare like mussels, steak frites, oxtail stew, eggs Benedict over buttermilk biscuits, or a slew of creative salads. Or, pop in for a nosh at the cool marble cheese and charcuterie counter while the staff prepares a gift basket to go. Home-baked French bread, French onion soup, cured salmon, farm beet salad, and wine or gourmet coffee are at your fingertips. epicerieaustin.com

connoisseur

>> FOR THE HUNGRY SHOPPER

table talk

WHOLE FOODS EXPANDS {AUSTIN} {HOUSTON}

Side Sips

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hirsty for a sip and a nibble while perusing the colorful aisles of Whole Foods? You can pretty much do it all at the new Whole Foods at the Domain in Austin. The 63,000-square-foot store, which opened in February, not only has music, juice bars and a wine bar outside—it serves oysters, in addition to local cheeses, charcuterie and craft beers. There’s even a place to play games, do yoga and work on crafts.

In Houston, the Kirbside Bar recently opened inside the bustling Kirby Whole Foods location. Look for daily specials and events at the bar like Pint & Pizza Monday or Local Brew Friday.

Fun fact: The first Whole Foods Market opened in 1980 in Austin, Texas, founded by four local business people. It had a staff of only 19 and was an immediate success. wholefoodsmarket.com

Wine events you can’t miss

owner and executive chef Matt McCallister

>> FOR THE CHEF FOLLOWER

GUEST CHEF DINNER SERIES {DALLAS}

Whole Foods | Kevin Marple | Dish Society | Russian River Valley Winegrowers

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udos to FT33’s executive chef Matt McCallister for being honored one of America’s Best New Chefs 2014 by Food & Wine Magazine. FT33 is sharing the chef love with its Guest Chef Dinner Series which welcomes top chefs from across the country to cook for an evening. Imagine the luxury of staying in town and going to one restaurant to enjoy five different incredible dinners.

They start May 19 with the Jason Dady Restaurant Group from San Antonio and run through Sept. 15 with chef Lachlan Patterson of Frasca, Boulder. Houston’s Seth Siegel-Gardner of award winning Pass & Provisions will cook up a storm August 18. Don’t miss it! ft33dallas.com

>> FOR THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

DISH SOCIETY {HOUSTON}

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at Local. Be Social,” is the mantra for newcomer Dish Society by Austin entrepreneur Aaron Lyons. Designed by Collaborative Projects, the all-day-dining venue is welcoming with a modern industrial look incorporating walls of glass, pale woods and playful pops of yellow and slate gray. Chef Johnny Romo, formerly of Apothecary in Austin, designed a comprehensive fast-casual American menu that impresses with affordable yet sophisticated choices. Think citrus glazed salmon with avocado and quinoa relish; spinach berry salad with walnuts and strawberries, and grilled flat-iron steak with chimichurri. They’ll dish up counter service for breakfast and lunch with table service at dinner. dishsociety.com

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Pinot Envy There’s still time to shop for airfare to California and grab tickets to the Pinot Classic, a multi-day celebration of Russian River Pinot Noir, May 2425. The exciting new event includes seminars, Passport to Pinot adventure, and the highly anticipated Paulée dinner. Passport to Pinot is a worldclass tasting experience that takes you through the vineyards along the Russian River, introducing you to hidden gem wineries, local foods and the winemakers. On the agenda you’ll find exclusive events at participating wineries, ranging from food pairings, to library flights and barrel tastings.

Coveted wineries involved include Arista, Dutton Goldfield, Hartford, La Follette, Gary Farrell Vineyards and more. At the famed family-style Paulée dinner, winemakers and guests bring their best bottles of Pinot to impress! pinotclassic.com

robin barr sussman Robin Barr Sussman is a Houston-based freelance writer who specializes in food, wine and travel. Her work has appeared in Texas Monthly, My Table, and Private Clubs magazine.

May/june • 2014

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connoisseur uncorked

ponche

de vino

Story | John DeMers

Woodbridge

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n the mid-1960s, there was only one alcoholic beverage to set out for large groups of people—partially because it was cheap to make and partially because the guests could serve themselves. The idea came via the Spanish pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair—talk about large crowds!

So the Spanish name stuck. And since it was usually made with Spain’s blood-red wines (blood being “sangre” in Spanish), the ’60s hipsters were proud to call their favorite drink sangria.

More delightful still, the stuff is staging a comeback.

Much has changed from then until now, however. Since sangria was originally made here using the cheapest red wine at the liquor store, it attracted very little respect from true wine connoisseurs. Today it falls under the label of mixology, and is mixed with red wine (sometimes appropriately Spanish, like Rioja or Ribera del Duero), a diverse collection of fresh-squeezed fruit juices, and one or more flavorful spirits. Indeed, these days sangria has morphed into a craft cocktail.

In Spain itself, there have long been variations on this red-dominated theme.

During the consecutive “golden ages” of chardonnay and pinot grigio, a market has evolved for sangria blanca—made with white

wine—perhaps even more refreshing than the red classic. A white wine with too much oak is your enemy; so seek out the crispest whites you can find—including my favorite from Spain, albarino. Because Spanish sparkling wine (not called Champagne, of course, but cava) has recently gained a following, you should give that a whirl too.

A typical sangria is made by pouring a red wine of your choice into a bowl; expanding that with a mix of orange, lemon and lime juices; and maybe adding a touch of brandy.

Sangria typically has a little sweetness from sugar or honey and some fizz, achieved though seltzer water or, more likely in America, 7-Up or Sprite. The whole affair gets plenty of cubed ice to keep it cold, plus floating pieces of apple, orange and other fruit for a festive garnish.

Thanks to regulations adopted this year by the European Union, the same controls that keep people outside the French region of Champagne from selling their products under that name, now protect commercially produced sangria. Only sangria made in Spain or Portugal can be labeled as such, under this new law. Before long the EU may even force me to capitalize the S. For now, though, I’ll keep my “s” lowercase and my sangria bowl full to overflowing.

For more sangria recipes visit prime-living.com

CABERNET SAUVIGNON STONE FRUIT SANGRIA Courtesy of Woodbridge

by Robert Mondavi.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Ingredients 1 bottle (750mL) Cabernet Sauvignon 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup sugar 2 cups club soda 1 plum, sliced 1 nectarine, sliced 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced Directions In a large pitcher, combine the fresh sliced plum, peach, orange, lemon, brandy, Cabernet Sauvignon wine and sugar, mixing until sugar is dissolved. Flavors are best when refrigerated 1-2 hours, but it can be served immediately. Add club soda and gently mix. Serve over ice, if desired. Salud!

John DeMers John DeMers is the author of 52 published books and host of the Delicious Mischief radio show heard weekly in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. He divides his time between Houston and Marfa.

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connoisseur main dish

defining Chef Max Petty

s

TEXAS TERROIR

Story | robin barr sussman Photography | Brenlee McKnight

itting on the limestone paved patio in the twilight next to the rustic restaurant garden just might be the perfect Saturday night. But it can be just as recharging to be inside this gorgeous contemporary farmhouse wrapped in glass with robin’s nest blue and moss green walls.

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Lofty ceilings, dim lighting, a semi-open kitchen and uncluttered walls lend an airy sophistication. Eventually, you spot the lone objects d’art right on the kitchen window mantel: hand crafted cowboy boots with the Olivia logo. These people know how to make a Texan smile.

Those designer boots and other subtle touches like the vintage “Good Eats” sign out front reflect chef-owner James Holmes’ love for antiques or “junk,” as he calls it. So much so that a 1956 Lone Star beer truck anchors his chicken coop right by the petite restaurant garden.

Olivia, named after Holmes’ second daughter, is hitting its five-year mark and he has transferred the kitchen reigns to chef Max Petty. Although Petty is only 25, he trained in the Pacific Northwest cooking in high-end kitchens before he joined Olivia three years ago. Now he is known as an up-and-coming Austin chef.

Olivia’s new American menu is heavy on culinary trends: utilizing local ingredients, catchy names for dishes and an ever-changing menu. Although some like to order the same dish as last time, “it isn’t always possible with our local sourcing,” explains Petty.

What you will get every time is art on a plate seasoned with big-as-Texas flavor, each ingredient contributing to the final taste.

Many dishes verge on exotic such as the meaty antelope ribs with fried green tomato, peach-habanero barbecue sauce and spicy charred shishito aioli.

More delicate starters, like spanking-fresh white tuna tartare, come accessorized with foams and darling miniature garden specimens such as Swiss chard or tiny huckleberries, all culled from nearby organic farms.

Just want a steak? Try the steak

frites: a mouth-melting 8-ounce Wagyu tri-tip with homemade bread-and-butter pickles, brisket fat butter, local olive oil and of course, skinny seasoned fries.

Also Texas-proud is the glazed quail, a mouth melting morsel glazed with sweet lavender honey, served with savory bacon braised cabbage and bites of opal apple and black cambozola, a rich Brie with hints of blue veining. Even dishes that appear simple, like the Olivia green salad, can send your taste buds on a shocker joy ride with a perfect shot of vinegar, lemon, nutty olive oil and hint of anchovy.

Although the menu is concise with inventive starters and about five entrees, don’t expect to rush in and out. There’s a relaxed Austin vibe with youthful service to boot. Weekends can get boisterous with brunchgoers hungry for the hearty fare: Willie Nelson chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy; foie gras and grits with duck proscuitto, and French toast with apples, pears and vanilla syrup—all shut-thefront-door good.

Speaking of sweet, you’ll find a food-friendly wine list with eccentric choices including blends from smaller producers.

Although Olivia doesn’t serve cocktails or spirits, there’s a delightful aperitivo selection, as well as craft beers. One final tip: don’t wave away dessert.

The portion size is perfect and the delivery is guaranteed to surprise. Popcorn sabayon with fresh mango, anyone?

First class food. Local to the bone.

olivia 2043 s. lamar blvd. austin (512) 804-2700 olivia-austin.com

connoisseur main dish

white tuna tartare Ingredients 3 ounces tuna, raw (or fish of your choice) 1 pinch sea salt, coarsely ground 5 pickled blueberries (recipe below) 1 teaspoon red onion, very finely diced salt and vinegar soil (recipe on prime-living.com) seafoam (recipe on prime-living.com) nasturtium garnish Preparation Small dice the tuna and season with sea salt. Add 5 pickled blueberries and red onion to the fish and mix. To plate, place a spoonful of soil down, then layer fish mixture, top with foam and garnish with nasturtium.

Surf and Turf

Lobster Risotto

Monk Fish Liver

PICKLED BLUEBERRIES Ingredients 1 pint blueberries 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon fish sauce 2 bay leaves Preparation In a sauce pan, bring vinegar and sugar to simmer. Remove from heat and mix in fish sauce and bay leaves. Let sit until it reaches room temp. Pour over berries and let sit over night.

Grilled Quail

Chocolate Cake with Rosemary Ice Cream White Tuna Tartare

Chef Petty layers the white tuna tartare over salt and vinegar soil and tops it with seafoam.

Find those recipes on prime-living.com

Root Vegetable Benedict

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connoisseur Bragging Bites

killer

kabobs w Story | Robin Barr Sussman

hether you call it shish kabob, spiedini or skewers, it just wouldn’t be a summer grill without these marinated, smoky flavored meats threaded with crispy peppers, juicy tomatoes, sweet charred onions and other garden treats.

Sizzling on your backyard “barbie” is best but sometimes you can’t. So which Texas kabobs are hot enough to claim bragging rights? We’ve taken a stab at it. En garde!

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connoisseur Bragging Bites

Dragna Harris | Ted Munger | Brio Photography

TRICKED OUT

Who knew that fajitas could be kabobs? If you don’t have time to shop, chop, skewer and grill, Molina’s will bring the party to you. Plump, juicy and marinated in a limey-spicy mix, these grilled chicken kabobs with rich sizzling fajita flavor are the perfect meal on a stick. What more could you want than juicy chicken or beef, crisp bell pepper, caramelized onion, juicy cherry tomatoes and zucchini cooked with a grillmeister’s char? Well, maybe the fruity mango salsa that comes alongside, brightening things up even more. Plus, there are warm tortillas, salsa and Molina’s escabeche (marinated pickled carrots, jalapenos, onions and Mexican spices). This could be habit forming.

MOLINA’S HOUSTON 3801 BELLAIRE BLVD. MOLINASRESTAURANTS.COM

EXOTIC KABOB

HEALTH STICK

Chef owner Matt Pikar opened Nora in Dallas after a culinary career in Washington, D.C. where he owned Afghan Grill, known for the best kabobs in the area. Similarly, his menu at Nora showcases Afghan food, a rich and unusual mix of spices and cooking techniques. Nora’s meaty kabobs are immaculately seasoned with a mix of cardamom, saffron, cilantro, garlic, ginger, onions, chiles and other secrets before being carefully cooked over a fiery grill. Choose from salmon, chicken, rib eye, lamb, beef kofta or the combination—a mind-boggling feast of all the above. Each plate includes grilled vegetables—red onion, eggplant, green pepper—drizzled with yogurt sauce and terrific saffron rice garnished with grated carrots, parsley and currants. Bob for this kabob!

Tarka Indian Kitchen—founded to be the casual version of the beloved Clay Pit—is fairly new to Austin. Along with everything else on the menu, the kabobs are the bomb—juicy creations that ignite with flavor. The chef steps up his skewers by marinating the meat in a surprisingly creamy concoction of garlic, ginger, cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and Indian spices. The secret? “We use a little cream cheese and yogurt as the base of the marinade to add a creamy tang,” co-owner Tinku Saini says. On the plate, you’ll see grilled veggies, basmati rice and refreshing mint-tamarind yogurt chutney. For a fun twist, the chicken kabob can be served over a crisp salad of greens with cucumbers, red onions, chickpeas and roti bread crisps, and finished with honeytamarind dressing. Nutritious, light but satisfying—the ideal summertime bite.

NORA DALLAS 1928 GREENVILLE AVE. NORADALLAS.COM

TARKA INDIAN KITCHEN AUSTIN 5207 BRODIE LANE TARKAINDIANKITCHEN.COM

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entertain

peach of a party

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Styling | C & A Event planning

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Photography | kitt creative

ake advantage of Texas’ best summer fruit and have a peach of a party! Incorporating touches of peach in your color scheme, invitations, signature drink and menu will make this party come to ‘fruit’ion before you know it! This simple and fresh entertaining theme works equally indoors or out.

Find more peachy ideas on prime-living.com

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connoisseur

the goods

entertain

Photographer Kitt Creative kittcreative.com

Event Planner/ Coordinator C & A Event Planning caeventplanning.com

Flowers Anthomanic anthomanic.com

Cake Simply Sweet simplysweet2001.com

PEACH YUMMIES Consider menu items such as peach cake with buttercream icing, chipotle peach salsa, grilled peaches with whipped cream, peach and berry salad, peach ice cream and of course, peach cobbler.

ALL NATURAL COASTERS Cuts from a tree make the perfect coaster and help create a rustic feel.

FLORAL EMBELISHMENTS Add peach roses in a vintage vase or wrapped loosely in burlap or cheese cloth. Add a touch of “mint green” to make them pop!

IZKALI Texas Peach Makes a 38-ounce pitcher

IZKALI

SIMPLE SETTINGS White cloth table runners and white dinnerware will set off your peach coloring.

FRUIT OF HONOR Don’t over-think your decorations. Keep it simple and earthy.

Ingredients 10 ounces IZKALI Reposado tequila 10 ounces Bacardi Frozen Peach Mix 5 ounces Bacardi Frozen Margarita Mix 13 ounces Ginger Ale Directions Allow frozen ingredients to slightly thaw. Add IZKALI Reposado and mix until dissolved. Slowly add ginger ale and mix gently. Garnish pitcher, punch bowl or individual glasses with fresh or frozen peach slices.

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gentlemen’s room Dillon Works

For the man who commands the very best

inside:

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• • • • •

Man Cave water logged Driver’s Seat national treasure Wealth education technology High Tech high-tech hiking Great Outdoors travel in coach-class

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gentlemen’s room man cave

water

Logged Home theater

20,000 leagues under the sea

Story | Bruce Farr

W

Dr. Moran, a Colleyville, Texas-based dentist, is an admitted lifelong Disney fanatic—fanatical to the degree that he and his wife have filled a room in their house with nothing but Disney collectibles. But that’s not the most impressive thing about the Morans’ fascination with Walt, Mickey and company.

A few years ago, Dr. Moran hired a team of premier artists to design and build what is arguably one of the most unusual mancaves ever created to suit a fellow’s seafaring whimsy. In the process, he was introduced to former Disney Imagineer, Mike Dillon, who made his dreams come to life.

When he was a kid, Moran and his

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family toured the famed Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif., where something caught his then 13-year-old eye. “They had this really impressive home movie theater, and it planted the seed that one day I might like to have one of my own,” Moran says. “Fastforward to around 2001—I started getting serious about it. One of my favorite movies is the Jules Verne classic, ‘Twenty-thousand Leagues Under the Sea,’ from 1954. We decided that we wanted a themed theater, and I thought, why not try to go with the interior of the Nautilus submarine?”

Why not, indeed?

Moran didn’t skimp on details. He

interviewed no fewer than 10 home theater companies before settling on Audio By Design, owned by Paul Bohnsack. Through Bohnsack, Moran located a like-minded architect and fellow “Twenty Thousand Leagues” movie-lover Michael Malone.

Malone, in turn, introduced Moran to Mike Dillon, whose company, Dillon Works creates a wide array of fabulously imaginative creations of all kinds. Dillon worked directly for Disney on the Tokyo Disney Seas theme park outside Japan’s capital city. “Mike Dillon and his people were very gung-ho about our project,” Moran says. (As if to prove that point, Dillon Works’ trademarked company

Dillon Works

hen they want to get away from it all, not many people think about doing so seven miles below the ocean’s surface, getting harassed by a giant squid. Dr. James “Randy” Moran happens to be the exception to that rule.

gentlemen’s room man cave

Dillon Works | Oppo Digital | JVC

MUST HAVES

motto is “We Kick Ass.”) A long year in the making, Moran’s man cave results are nothing short of spectacular.

Today, if you’re lucky enough to be invited to their home for cocktails and a movie, the Morans will escort you into a darkened, soundproofed 850-square-foot chamber where you’ll be transported into an authentic replica of the Nautilus’ viewing deck. Thus ensconced, you can nestle into one of 11 plush recliners, munch on popcorn and fantasize about floating miles below the ocean’s surface, in the surreal, sea-born kingdom of Verne’s staunchly British Captain Nemo and heroic Ned Land.

It has to be a heady experience.

Moran sums it up rather matter-of-factly: “It’s just a good, high sanctuary for me. I can go in there, close the doors, read books and do whatever. It’s just like being under the sea in a submarine.”

Moran’s advice for man-cave-oriented, home theater- planners? “Go with someone— an artisan—who you know is capable of making your wildest dream come true.”

Oppo Blu-Ray Player At $1,199, the latest Oppo BDP-105 sits somewhat isolated at a price point higher than most players available at your local retailer, but Moran describes it as the Cadillac of Blu-ray players.

Acoustic Innovations theater seating The seats in the Nautilus are Victorian style, covered in red velour with a gold fringe. “They recline and are exceptionally comfortable,” Moran says. Acoustic Innovations pioneered hand-built, modulebased reclining theater seating.

Screen Research viewing screen—these handcrafted European-built screens are engineered to meet any design and installation requirements. The company offers a large choice of customized products for what they say is the perfect individual home cinema experience.

JVC DLA X900 series projector This projector gives you the 3-D, 150,000:1 native contrast ratio. The brand-new DLA projectors promise to deliver “substantial improvements in image quality” thanks to upgrades to JVC’s e-shift technology, Intelligent Lens Aperture and support for 4K (60p) signals.

Solus Audio Speakers With meticulous hand-built construction, performance-first design and custom components this company produces some of the finest loudspeakers available. “I’m no audiophile, but these 13 surround-sound speakers give us a pretty fantastic sound,” Moran says.

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gentlemen’s room driver's seat

national

treasure

was practically surreal when the Stingray we were delivered You don’t mess with Texas and you turned out to be a convertible. don’t mess with the Corvette.

Chevy claims the C7 (as seventh-generation Corvettes are also known) was designed from the get-go as a drop-top, and aggressive. The makeover ven in the darkest days of which explains why the nicely moves the look upscale, making the Great Recession—an appointed cloth top stows the $54,000 buy-in seem like economic tsunami that perfectly—flush with the body— a smoking deal. Of course, as saw General Motors kill off the in less than 30 seconds. demanded by consumers, other Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer— The only thing that tops it’s a safe bet that no one was crazy key numbers are improved, enough to suggest that economies starting with the 455 horsepower open-air motoring might be open-wheel hot laps, but the of scale couldn’t justify producing delivered by a revamped directStingray makes that easy to injection 6.2-liter V8. the low-volume Corvette.

The classiness of a performance accept. We had a blast cruising The iconic Corvette generates and occasionally flogging the extreme passion—and expectations. car’s command-and-control Stingray. Satellite radio and A hero car has to deliver the goods center is a make-it-or-break-it the Bose system provided proposition for enthusiasts. For when you’re ready to turn ‘vette the tunes while the Stingray’s 2014, the Stingray finally gets dreams into reality.

50/50 weight distribution and the interior it deserves and The 2014 edition, which Michelin performance tires kept buyers have demanded—real ushers in the seventh generation everything entertaining, but leather, aluminum and carbon of the two-seater, moves the legend forward on several critical fiber in a handsome new driver- sure-footed, on those banked transition ramps. centric cabin. fronts. The European styling Our creak-free loaner came Getting the keys to any of the Corvette Stingray (yes, with the optional performance new Corvette is a blast, but it the name is back) is fresh, sexy

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exhaust system. Along with the five extra horsepower, it would be nice if a $1,195 addon delivered a meaner sound around town and saved owners the trouble of searching out aftermarket solutions.

Of course, the Z06 version for 2015 that packs 625 supercharged horsepower may be the (even pricier) fix for that flat note. We’re also intrigued by the new eight-speed automatic transmission that’s reportedly in the pipeline.

There’s no rest for the wicked—or Corvette engineers.

jeff yip Jeff Yip’s work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, Houston Chronicle and the New York Times, as well as consumer and trade magazines. He’s a second-generation car guy who still has the 1969 Chevy his dad loved.

Chevrolet

Story | jeff yip

gentlemen’s room wealth

Education Technology A Long-Term Investment Q&A with Belinda Phelps, Senior Vice President, Private Client Advisor, U.S. Trust

What is education technology and how is it affecting the investment community?

Education Technology is the use of technological innovation to assist, not replace, traditional teaching methods. With roots in the science and technology wave that began in the 1970s,i EdTech now often involves the integration of devices in school curricula. This method increases teaching efficiency and reduces the time that it takes for students to master curriculum materials. This touch-enabled visual interactive experience, inside and out of the classroom, is changing both the education and investment landscapes, helping to drive the tablet sales that have so enthralled analysts and investors. The markets continue to see significant opportunity driven by both public and private sector demand, from government projects to tech app developers.

What are some of the factors dictating the education technology market opportunity for investors?

Are there any current trends impacting the market demand for EdTech?

Not only are more students enrolling at all levels of Driven by developing nations education, but a majority of such as Nigeria and India, the those students are completing population under 24 is predicted their education objectives. to grow by 260 million over the This creates a higher demand next 40 years.i This prospect of for education technology and, an even more robust global youth therefore, higher expenditure. population creates a long-term Additionally, women’s enrollment demand for education products has increased across all levels of and services and is a core factor education in the past few decades. dictating the scale of opportunity Furthermore, since 1970, not for investors. Simultaneously, the one country has experienced a reach of the internet is expanding, decline in its literacy rate.i With broadband access is increasing these trends expected to continue and there has been significant to develop even further, demand proliferation of mobile devices. will drive public and private With greater use of technology expenditures across all levels of and significant long-term demand education. for that technology, EdTech is growing at a rapid pace. GSV Advisors estimated that the global e-learning market totaled approximately $91 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $256 billion by 2017.i

Is investing in education technology a trend that is developing globally, as well?

Across the globe, countries are recognizing that the economic returns of an educated population cannot be ignored and are therefore investing in EdTech.

This is a particularly notable trend in some developing countries where EdTech provides an innovative means to educate populations that traditionally suffered from lack of opportunity.

While these innovations are beginning to benefit many populations, industries, and economies, education technology is still in the early stages of a long‐term development.

Belinda Phelps is a Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management’s portfolio management team in Houston, Texas.

This content represents thoughts of the author and does not necessarily represent the position of Bank of America or U.S. Trust.

Equity securities are subject to stock market fluctuations that occur in response to economic and business developments. Technology stocks may be more volatile than stocks in other sectors.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value U.S. Trust operates through Bank of America, N.A. and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. © 2014 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. i. U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. “Educational Technology’s Global Reach”, 23 Jan. 2014.

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gentlemen’s room high tech

high-tech hiking Story | Michael Garfield

BIOLITE CAMPSTOVE Lighting a fire used to take forever once we found dry kindling wood, leaves and two sticks. Now it can be done in a matter minutes with a push of a button on the BioLite CampStove and USB charger. This small, portable device is light enough to carry in a backpack. It uses a patent-pending thermoelectric technology that converts heat to electricity that powers a fan to make the fire ultra-efficient. Extra electricity can be used to charge small electronics like mobile phones and LED lights— and an accessory grill attachment can be added to cook your favorite foods. biolitestove.com

GARMIN RINO GPS + RADIO Navigating with a compass is so 1970s. A GPS unit is a must-have when camping and hiking but the Garmin Rino 655t is so much more. It also has a FRS/GMRS radio, 2.6 inch color touch screen with preloaded maps, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, NOAA weather radio and 5-megapixel camera. Free software can also let you view and organize maps, waypoints, routes and tracks. sites.garmin.com/rino Nepal EVO GTX BOOTS Winter might be over in Texas but if you are looking for a pair of boots that will protect you in the coldest temperatures around the world, the Nepal EVO GTX is one ice-crushing monster that’s designed for the most hardcore of mountaineers. These super-light-weight stompers have seam-sealed Gore-Tex Duratherm liners to keep your feet warm and dry, plus snow gaiters to keep stuff from sneaking in through the top. A 3D flex system at the ankle stabilizes your feet while a roller lacing system and locking D-rings allow for effortless on and off even while wearing gloves. When your feet are the most important thing to protect when hiking, you should spare no expense. sportiva.com

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Apps for the outdoor adventurer GoSkyWatch Planetarium

A fun app to have around the campfire: just point your iPhone at the star-speckled sky and GoSkyWatch identifies constellations and provides information about the celestial bodies.

Army Survival

From dealing with poisonous snakes to finding water or building a shelter, the U.S. Army Survival Guide provides vital information for just about any outdoor situation. It includes detailed guides on how to tie knots, predict weather and deal with minor wounds.

Sunrise

A simple yet handy app that pinpoints the exact time of sunset, sunrise and twilight based on your location.

Great information to have when planning your trek.

Michael Garfield Known as “The High-Tech Texan®” to audiences nationwide, Michael hosts technology and issue-oriented talk radio shows six days a week on The 9-5-0. See what he’s up to at HighTechTexan.com.

BioLite | Garmin | La Sportiva

B

ack in my Boy Scout days, we learned how to dress and pack comfortably for the outdoors, start a fire and how to survive using just a compass and a sleeping bag. We’ve come a long way since then and if you plan to roam the wilderness you may want to look at these advanced products to make your trip smoother.

gentlemen’s room outdoors

travel

in

Story | doug pike

coach-class

No wonder Willie Nelson couldn’t wait to get on the road again. He rolled in a motor coach that had all the comforts—and then some—of home.

photo courtesy of Winnebago Industries, Inc.

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n the 30-plus years since Nelson released his iconic song about traveling and making music with his friends, luxury motor coaches have improved exponentially. Today’s super buses are as big as the law allows and packed with more computing power than early spacecraft.

Chris Hoover, owner of the Ron Hoover RV stores around Texas, says that trends in highend motor coaches tend to mirror those in custom homes. Currently that translates to travertine floors, granite countertops and a mile or more of wiring to support hightech electronics, such as highdefinition televisions and state-ofthe-art navigation gear (as if signs and maps wouldn’t still do the job).

At the higher end of civilian investment, you’ll find the likes of the Winnebago Tour, 43 feet of luxurious comfort with tag axles and a “loaded” sticker somewhere north of $375,000.

For the money, you get an

exquisite house on wheels and your choices between a handful of colors, upholsteries and floor plans. Bells and whistles and beauty abound—as they should.

Even at that level, however, you won’t get rock-star appointments. Traveling in hyperstyle can roll up a seven-figure sticker—and there’s a line of emerging talents who don’t mind writing big checks to transport themselves from town to town in five-star comfort.

Names that came up often as frontrunners in this class of transportation are Prevost, Newell, Liberty and Marathon. One of Newell’s most recent offerings was priced at $1.7 million—and based on the photos, appears worth every dime.

Coaches in that group are built with all the attention and engineering given a luxury sedan and ride about the same. And when you invest that much money in something that lacks wings and

a flight attendant, you get pretty much whatever you want.

Gold-plated fixtures? OK. Sports-themed walls and chair covers? You bet. Half a dozen televisions and a satellite setup to receive hundreds of channels sharply at highway speeds? Not a problem. A sound system capable of being heard across the length of one-light towns you cross in the middle of the night between gigs? Nothing less would do.

Some buyers of these impressive machines prefer to travel incognito, as best they can in a bus that doesn’t have sprinting dogs on its flanks.

Others have their names and likenesses painted larger than life from fore to aft down both sides so everyone knows they’re in town—or passing through.

The owners of luxury motor coaches and buses are as unique as their vehicles, but they do share two things: a taste for the best and the purse to pay for it.

check it out There are hundreds of ritzy coaches on the pre-owned market, each with its own stories to tell. Before you buy, get a quality inspection.

Service providers such as rvinspect.com will invest a full business day in a fore-to-aft, nook-and-cranny inspection that goes where no mechanic or electrician or plumber likely has been since the bus was christened.

At $850 (plus travel expenses for inspections of coaches parked outside of their service area), they should.

Pay it. On a million-dollar bus, you can’t fix much of anything for less.

doug pike Doug Pike has traveled the world to satisfy his passion for the outdoors.

During his career, he has won 100-plus state and national awards for writing, broadcast and photography.

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Magical Setting

Exceptional

Experiences

U

niquely situated on the banks of Oak Creek in Sedona’s magnificent Red Rock country, L’Auberge de Sedona is a place where magical moments happen. Dine on our creekside patio under the cool canopy of sycamore trees. Take a private outdoor shower under the starry night sky. Our staff will take every opportunity to delight you. Quite simply, this is a hotel experience unlike any other.

Conde’ Nast Gold List 2011 • Travel + Leisure World’s Best 2011 Contact your Virtuoso Travel Specialist to reserve your stay and enjoy exclusive benefits including daily resort credits. www.virtuoso.com

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/laubergedesedona

Find us on Twitter twitter.com/laubergesedona

301 L’Auberge Lane • Sedona, AZ 86336 • Phone 1-800-905-5745 • lauberge.com

escape

escape Trinette + Chris

Greetings from Destinations Near and Far

inside:

60 • enlightened explorer Travel Buzz 62 • postcards Rockport 64 • feature educational escapes

Auberge du Soleil

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>> For the golfer, spa-lover & outdoors-person

Country Manor-Style Luxury

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New Attractions in Napa

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uberge du Soleil, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic and sought-after luxury hotels, has recently unveiled new rooms by famed San Francisco interior designer Suzanna Tucker. In keeping with the hotel’s original design, which was inspired by the rustic romance and warmth of Provence, the redesigned rooms create an inviting country-inn atmosphere, featuring a muted color palette, custom fabrics and furnishings, and detailed stonework.

For the consummate wine lover, Auberge du Soleil is now offering “Weekend with the Masters.” Private groups take part in a personalized wine tasting and culinary journey under the guidance of some of the world’s most esteemed wine experts. aubergedusoleil.com

Kathryn Hunter Kathryn Hunter is an Austin-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.

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>> For the cultural explorer

Peruvian Palace

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usco, the imperial city of the Incas, offers travelers a vivid glimpse into ancient days.

From Incan ruins to the Spanish colonial era’s Baroque churches and cobblestone streets, the city is a fascinating and easily explored treasure trove of history and culture.

Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel centrally located across from the Incan Temple of the Sun, captures the essence of Cusco’s historical influences. Built atop a foundation of Incan ruins, the nucleus of the 203-room hotel is a stone mansion dating back to the 16th century, once the residence of Spanish conquistadores.

After recently undergoing a two-year, $15 million renovation, Palacio del Inka sparkles with the new as well as the old. Guests will enjoy opulently furnished guest rooms, a business center, spa, bar and the acclaimed restaurant Inti Raymi, which features Andean specialties and international cuisine made from ingredients organically grown or sourced from the Sacred Valley. libertador.com.pe

Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas | Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa | Auberge du Soleil

>> For the wine & design connoisseur

agle Ridge Resort & Spa, tucked in the rolling hills of the Galena Territory, a 6,800-acre community about 150 miles west of Chicago, combines country manorstyle luxury and Midwestern hospitality with a host of opportunities for relaxation and fun.

On resort grounds, guests can take advantage of 63 holes of championship golf, the 6,000-square-foot Stonedrift Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a selection of awardwinning restaurants, and accommodation options that range from quaint inn rooms to distinctive homes and villas. The picturesque Lake Galena beckons fishing and boating enthusiasts, and more than 23 miles of hiking and biking trails allow for ample exploration of the area’s natural scenery. Take a hot air balloon ride to get a bird’s-eye view of this perfect playground. eagleridge.com

enlightened explorer

escape

>> For the globe-trotting photographer

Streamlined Camera Bag

W

hether you’re traveling across the country or around the world, Lowepro’s line of Pro Runner AW Roller/Backpacks make transporting bulky photo equipment hassle free. At the airport, roll the bag from terminal to terminal. When you need to carry it through a crowd, convert the roller to a backpack. Rainflap lids and a built-in all-weather cover offer protection from the elements, and a convenient tripod mount system allows you to secure a tripod at the front of the pack. Many models are carry-on compatible and can fit a DSLR with attached lens, additional lenses, accessories and a laptop. store.lowepro.com

>> For the bespoke adventurer

Mediterranean Magic

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ince 2002, Blue Parallel has guided discerning travelers on private, tailor-made journeys to Latin America. Now adding trips to the Mediterranean Basin, the bespoke travel service is offering new and exciting experiences in Andalucía, Corsica, Greece, Morocco and Turkey.

Characterized by rare insider and behind-the-scenes experiences, Blue Parallel’s trips center on the theme of your choosing—from World Heritage destinations and outdoor adventures to regional cuisine or exclusive lodging. Whether you’re heli-hopping through the Greek Islands or relaxing in a private luxury tented camp in the Sahara, you’ll find unparalleled adventure. blueparallel.com

>> For the traveling foodie

Baja Cuisine

Lowepro | Blue Parallel | Capella Pedregal

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t luxury oceanfront resort Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, indulge in a four-day culinary experience that celebrates the best in locally and globally inspired cuisine. The hotel’s annual Food & Wine Festival, held from July 9-13, is a gourmand’s ideal getaway.

Limited to only 120 guests, the festival has a singularly intimate feel. Guests enjoy meals and cooking demonstrations from internationally renowned chefs throughout the weekend, as well as two wine tastings, a tequila seminar, a gourmet barbecue and an after-party with live music. The vacation package also includes four nights and five days in an ocean-view room or suite, as well as round-trip airport transfers by private car.

In this casually elegant beachside setting, you’ll mingle with celebrity chefs and like-minded culinary aficionados while you discover a delicious and unforgettable new way to explore the world of food. capellahotels.com/cabosanlucas

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ettled along the Golden Crescent between the dirt roads of Port O’Connor and the high-rises of Corpus Christi, you’ll find a gulf coast gem that’s not to be missed—Rockport, commonly referred to in conjunction with its neighboring town as Rockport-Fulton. The city is home of the first Blue Wave Beach in Texas and offers summer fun for every taste.

Across the bay, you’ll see Key Allegro, a luxe neighborhood where local residents and vacationers mingle. George Straight is even said to have a getaway there.

Find a recipe from chef Karey Butterworth of GLOW on prime-living.com

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When you visit, don’t forget your fishing pole. On a number of piers, you can fish at your leisure or team up for one of the many fishing tournaments hosted during the summer. The 15th Annual Babes on the Bay takes place May 16-17 and includes a “Babe-ettes” division for anglers under age 16. The Paws and Taws Convention Center in Fulton hosts the Salty Dog Fishing Tournament, June 27-28. For those fishin’ for their supper, rumor around town is a couple of restaurants will even cook up your catch. Visit the RockportFulton Chamber of Commerce in their new visitors center to find out where (rockport-fulton.org).

Treasure-hunters who’ve had their fill of the water will want to comb through the boutiques on Austin Street downtown.

Don’t be deceived by Rockport’s small town feel—you’ll

find dining that rivals Chicago and New York. Check out GLOW, an old boathouse-turned-restaurant where chef Karey Butterworth dishes out seasonal favorites and coastal selections, alongside craft cocktails. You won’t go wrong with a meal at Chartroom or Latitude 2802 either.

If you haven’t landed a vacation rental on Key Allegro or a cozy cottage near the waterfront, you’ll find plenty of places to hook up your RV, including Drifter’s Resort with sites that include cable and Wi-Fi. Rockport makes a great Texas escape and hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year, such as the upcoming Rockport Festival of Wine and Food, May 24-25. If you catch Rockport Art Fest, July 5-6, be sure to go early to see the city’s fireworks display over Little Bay on the Fourth of July!

see & do Texas Maritime Museum Discover the ocean’s impact on Texas history, from as far back as Spanish exploration. texasmaritimemuseum.org Rockport Center for the Arts Catch an exhibit, attend a workshop, or learn where to find the art galleries that speckle the Rockport area. rockportartcenter.com Aransas Pathways These guys have your Rockport adventure mapped out! Choose your path from birding, history, hike and bike, or kayak—and don’t forget to download their app. aransaspathways.com

Joey Stewart

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Educational

Escapes in the Land of Enchantment Story | Kathryn Hunter

This year, bring back the ultimate souvenir from your summer vacation— knowledge. These five New Mexico learning experiences, ranging from the creative to the spiritual, offer unique opportunities to get away and expand your horizons in a truly “enchanting” Southwestern setting.

Clay is a satisfying and versatile medium—from the creation of pottery to ceramic tiles and adobe bricks—earth is shaped into objects and structures of incredible beauty. Beginners and seasoned artists alike can get their hands dirty at the third annual CLAY Festival in Silver City, July 30Aug. 3. Explore a wide selection of clay-themed workshops, demonstrations, lectures, films and shopping opportunities.

CLAY also offers tours of a handmade tile factory and the Gila Cliff Dwellings, live music, juried exhibitions and more in its comprehensive and imaginative celebration of clay. clayfestival.com

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Claude W Smith III

Creativity and Clay in Silver City

escape feature

Santa Fe Culinary Academy

Gourmet Cooking in Santa Fe Whether it’s chiles rellenos or calabacitas, when you want to learn the art of Southwestern cooking, it’s best to go to the source. In Santa Fe, a city wellknown for its artistic flair and delectable cuisine, you’ll find a wealth of culinary opportunities, from demonstrations and hands-on classes to multipleday culinary boot camps and restaurant walking tours.

The Santa Fe School of Cooking, an internationally acclaimed recreational culinary school, specializes in foods and ingredients of the Southwest.

The Santa Fe Culinary Academy, a professional program, also offers classes for recreational cooks that feature a wide variety of topics and cuisines. santafeculinaryacademy.com, santafeschoolofcooking.com

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escape feature

Taos is famous for its dramatic landscape and the artwork it inspires. Get behind the lens to take advantage of the area’s legendary light and scenery at DeYoung Outdoor Photography’s five-day workshop “Mountains, Canyons & Adobe: Landscapes of northern NM,” held June 2-6.

As you learn techniques to improve your landscape photography from 20-year veteran professional photographer and instructor Michael DeYoung, you’ll maximize time in the field at some of New Mexico’s best outdoor locations, including the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

Individual instruction and photo tours are also available for those on a tighter schedule. deyoungoutdoorphotography.com

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DeYoung Photography | Larry Hastings

Landscape Photography in Taos

escape feature

Ghost Ranch | National Institute of Flamenco

Flamenco Fun in Albuquerque

Workshops for All in Abiquiu Ghost Ranch, located about 65 miles northwest of Santa Fe, was once the home of celebrated artist Georgia O’Keefe. In 1955, the ranch became a national education and retreat center, now offering more than 300 classes for all ages and interests.

Try your hand at creative pursuits, such as memoir writing or jewelry-making. Dig deep into topics

like paleontology, bluegrass or religion. Options range from the classic to the eclectic.

Lodging and meals are included in workshop fees. Ranch guests also have access to amenities like hiking trails, on-site museums, massage and an astounding array of natural beauty. ghostranch.org

Though its roots are in Andalucía, Spain, flamenco has a passionate following in New Mexico’s desert climate. The annual Festival de Flamenco in Albuquerque, held June 9-14 and hosted by the National Institute of Flamenco, is the largest flamenco festival in the United States. Featuring performances by some of the world’s most talented artists, the event allows festivalgoers to experience and participate in the magic of this visually striking and emotionally charged dance form. Visitors can take part in workshops for all experience levels, including an accelerated workshop for beginners, and enjoy Spanish food and film. nationalinstituteofflamenco.org

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vitamins Healthy living

live well

budget

low carb relax Cardiovascular

Concierge medicine

Fitness health Active aging

yoga

flexibildance ity

organic

Firmness

Prevention

Burn calories

nourish zumba live well Beauty bliss

marriage allergies

endurance vitamin d

guilt free

hydrate

the prime living guide to better health

inside:

Soothing massage

70 • Health Buzz What’s New 71 • Feel Good don’t forget to pack your health 72 • PRime Finds seaweed products 73 • Look Good pale is a 4-letter word 74 • Be Good 6 behaviors for a successful marriage May/june • 2014

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h e alt h b u z z

Story | Sally j. Clasen

The Veggie Lowdown on HBP

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hile beef is an American food staple, maybe it’s time to make vegetables the main course. A Japanese-led review of seven clinical trials and 32 observational trials found that a vegetarian diet can help combat high blood pressure, which affects nearly one-third of the United States population. In the seven clinical trials, participants following a vegetarian diet had a systolic blood pressure that was 4.8 mm Hg lower on average than their omnivore counterparts. The vegetarians’ diastolic blood pressure was lower by an average of 2.2 mm Hg. In the observational studies, a vegetarian diet was associated with an average decrease of 6.9 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 4.7 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. Vegetarian diets have less sodium and saturated fats—and more fiber and potassium, which aids in weight loss and lowering blood pressure.

The GlutenFree Facts

Destination: Health

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ravel is a great escape for the soul but hitting the road is good medicine for the rest of the body, too. A study conducted by the Global Commission on Aging and the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, revealed travel offers both physical and cognitive benefits. According to the research, women who vacationed every six years or less had a significantly higher risk of a heart attack or coronary death compared with women who vacationed at least twice a year. In addition, men who didn’t take annual vacations had a 20 percent higher risk of death and about a 30 percent greater risk of death from heart disease. The travel-health link was particularly clear after only a day or two, when 89 percent of respondents saw significant drops in their stress levels.

A Jewel of a Sunblock

When you head outside to soak up the sun, don’t forget to wear your jewels. The June bracelet, created by Netatmo, monitors total daily sun exposure to protect you from harmful UV rays that cause sun damage and premature aging.

A sensor masquerading as a multifaceted gemstone, which is attached to a slim leather band, syncs with an iPhone app and alerts the wearer on when to apply sunscreen, or wear a hat or sunglasses based on individual skin type and the UV index.

June is available in gold, platinum and gunmetal finishes and can be found in select fashion, beauty and consumer electronics stores.

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Put a (Vibrating) Fork in Weight Loss

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f you are trying to lose weight, pick up an electronic fork—the Bluetooth-enabled HAPIfork, which warns you if you are eating too fast. At mealtime, the HAPIfork will gently vibrate to remind you to slow down if you are a food racer—the default setting is 10 seconds per bite. The alerts are supposed to help reduce caloric intake and improve digestion.

Of course, it can’t stop you from eating dessert but the device also tracks the length of your meal as well as total number of bites.

Netatmo | HAPIfork

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luten-free diets are all the rage but few people actually react seriously to the protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. According to the National Institutes of Health, only about 1 percent of Americans have celiac disease, a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine due to a reaction to eating gluten and interferes with nutrient absorption. In addition, approximately 6 percent are gluten-intolerant.

The verdict is still out on the health benefits of a gluten-free diet for those who do not have a sensitivity or celiac disease.

feel good

live well

don’t

forget

to pack… your health If you’re heading overseas, you’ll need more than a passport and a sturdy set of luggage. To ensure a safe trip abroad, plan ahead for vaccinations, medical exams and supplemental health insurance.

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Story | Angela Ambrose

he first step, before booking your flight, is to check for travel warnings.

The U.S. Department of State’s website provides regular updates on civil unrest, terrorist activity and health outbreaks that might affect your safety. This website also provides links to each country’s U.S. embassy— your best point of contact for finding reputable hospitals and healthcare providers.

For the latest vaccine recommendations, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. The number of vaccinations and preventive medications required will vary depending on where you go, how long you stay, and the degree of risk you undertake during your trip. For example, if you’re going on a remote Kenyan safari, you will need to take more precautions than if you go sightseeing in Paris.

“Medically required vaccinations go up exponentially when you get to the tropics,” says Edward R. Rensimer, M.D., director of the International Medicine Center in Houston. “It really correlates with the quality of the food, water, sanitation and the living conditions of the general population, as well as mosquito-borne vector diseases.”

The sub-Saharan and central belt of Africa, India, Southeast Asia and parts of South America are

hotbeds for infectious diseases.

If you have a pre-existing health condition or are visiting a high-risk area, consider getting a pre-travel exam before you go. A full-service travel medicine clinic is staffed with infectious disease specialists and provides a 24/7 point of contact, in the event of a medical emergency overseas. If possible, get vaccinated at least six weeks before you depart, so you have time to build up immunity to the diseases and

did you know?

“Bad” food is not necessarily what causes digestive distress known as “Traveler’s Tummy.” Foods found in different regions of the world have different natural bacteria—which conflicts with the bacteria from home that your system is accustomed to. A good rule of thumb for minimizing bacteria that is foreign to your system: Cook it. Wash it. Peel it.

to evaluate your tolerance to preventive medications such as anti-malaria pills.

Keep all prescription medications in their original containers and place them in your carry-on luggage, in case your checked baggage gets lost.

Check with the country’s U.S. embassy to make sure your medications are not considered illegal narcotics.

Most health insurance plans have exclusions for overseas travel and high-risk activities such as scuba diving and mountain climbing. Review your benefits ahead of time and determine if a short-term health insurance policy or supplemental Medicare plan is necessary. If you will be in a remote location, consider medical evacuation insurance, which could save you thousands of dollars if you need to be transported back to the U.S. in an emergency.

May/june • 2014

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live well

Focus & Function

prime finds

Seaweed products packed with nutrients straight from the ocean

Powder Cheek Stain

Long lasting powder blush. Available at gloprofessional.com {FOCUS} Formulated with Laminaria Ochroleuca, an extract derived from seaweed, this cheek color by gloMinerals keeps cheeks moisturized throughout the day.

Wild Organic Seaweed Skincare. Available at sea-flora.com {FOCUS} Potent Seaweed Serum is the signature facial product in the Ocean Authentic Skincare Series

by Seaflora. It is rich in seaweed nutrients and contains an added boost of vitamins A, C, E and K to fight visible signs of aging and improve skin elasticity. {FUNCTION} A lightweight serum protects and hydrates, leaving skin plump and renewed. Elasticity is restored; skin tone is balanced; and epidermis feels firm and tight.

Big Blue Bath Bomb Relaxing seaweed soak.

Available at LUSH.

{FOCUS} When seaweed soaks in hot water, it becomes skin softening and soothing.

For an escape to the seashore, take a dip in the deep blue sea with this Big Blue Bath Bomb from LUSH. {FUNCTION} The lavender instantly relaxes the body and mind, and the lemon oil helps renew energy. For a truly authentic experience, LUSH included some of the ocean’s finest ingredients—sea salt and seaweed. Packed with minerals, the salt helps rid the body of toxins, while seaweed softens and soothes your skin.

Find recipes to create custom seaweed masks on prime-living.com

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Organic Atlantic Kelp

Make-your-own-mask gift set.

Available at salvenaturals.com. {FOCUS} Your pores will graciously thank you with this gift set from Salve. It includes deep cleansing rhassoul clay, skin smoothing kaolin clay and organically harvested Atlantic sea kelp. Adding this arsenal into your weekly routine is sure to give your skin everything it needs. {FUNCTION} Sea kelp contains chlorophyll, an essential fatty acid that helps detoxify the skin and body, and improve the skin’s elasticity. This ingredient is perfect for stimulating the skin’s ability to heal and normalize.

Seaflora | LUSH | gloMinerals | Salve

Potent Seaweed Serum

{FUNCTION} The vibrant long-lasting color keeps cheeks flushed with a rosy tone all day, and glides on smoothly. Don’t hesitate to apply this water-and-sweat resistant powder before going on a swim or to the gym. It will complement your bronzed summer complexion.

pale

live well

look good

Is a 4-Letter Word

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Story | Jessica Mebane

Clarins | Kate Somerville | Hampton Sun

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t’s time to get outdoors and put some skin in the game—your tanning game, that is. Whether you’re making a splash around the neighborhood swimming hole or just lounging artfully through happy hour at some favorite alfresco café, check out this season’s best sunless tanning products to kick-start your best summer complexion. After all, a good sunless tanner should be easy to apply, long-lasting and skin-tone appropriate—no Oompah-Loompah orange shades—and if it smells nice and leaves a teensy, tasteful shimmer, so much the better.

try Clarins’ Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint for the face, which should be applied with a light hand using a cotton ball for accurate and even color. This product dries quickly and leaves the face and neck feeling smooth rather than tight and tacky. We tried using a makeup sponge for better control instead of the suggested cotton ball, and were really pleased with the results. clarinsusa.com

1. Staking out a Good Tint Nowadays there is a veritable surplus of great self-tanners on the market that will tint legs and arms to an appropriate color and coverage level, but what about the face? To avoid having a mismatched skin tone look,

did you know?

2. Throw in the Towelette While Texans certainly have the inside track on achieving

the perfect tan just by stepping outdoors, if anyone could come close to winning the gold for long-lasting bronzed skin, it would have to be the sunkissed citizens of California, with a helpful assist from LA’s skin health experts at Kate Somerville Medi-skin clinic. Try the Somerville360º™ Tanning Towelettes for a realistic base color that will last long after your first summer outing, and if you moisturize beforehand, you can stretch the color an extra day or so. Self-tanning products are notorious for having noxious aromas, and

The most important ingredient in any self-tanner is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a type of sugar that is colorless and commonly found in plants such as sugar beets. When applied to the skin, DHA creates a harmless enzymatic reaction that causes the top layer of dead skin cells to temporarily turn brown. This temporary “browning” takes a few hours to fully develop—so if at first glance, after self-tanning, you think you’ve turned yourself a strange shade of citrine, wait a few more hours to let the DHA do its job properly.

we were pleasantly surprised by the citrus-y smell of these towelettes. katesomerville.com 3. Shine On, You Crazy Diamond Once you’ve got a great summery shade underway, why not raise the stakes with a little shimmer? Hampton Sun’s Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray is just what one needs to take your tanning game to the next level, with its slightly lemony, grassy scent and cooling body mist that contains aloe vera, chamomile, and vitamins A through E to rejuvenate the skin. The spray also contains mica, which imparts a subtle shimmer along with a slightly bronzed finish. hamptonsun.com So put your best golden foot forward this summer, with a little help from these sunless tanning products to take you from pale to posh in no time at all!

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six live well

be Good

behaviors for a

successful marriage a

new study rocked the boat of traditional marital therapy by suggesting that it only takes one partner to save a marriage. Traditional marital therapy focuses on the couple—however, many times if one partner changes his or her reactions or communication style, the relationship benefits. Because there was a higher improvement in relationships in which women altered their behavior, we’ve identified six behaviors that wives can focus on to turn their relationships around.

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Avoid passive and aggressive extremes.

Women are not socialized to show anger, so when we feel angry it can be tempting to invoke the silent treatment or beat our point to the ground— both behaviors typically produce negative results.

Be mindful of the type of communication to which your partner best responds.

2

Address your needs.

When women ignore their concerns in an effort to avoid conflict, they grow resentful. Don’t let lack of communication create bitterness and anger in your relationship.

Therapy can be helpful for

Be direct in your communication.

Women are notorious for dropping hints. This might work when communicating with other women, but not men! Be direct with your partner and tell him exactly what you need.

Watch your tone of voice.

It’s no secret that men have the “gift” of selective listening.

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Addressing your spouse as if he is one of the children can be belittling. Keep your tone respectful of your partner, even when you are frustrated. Find a time that is quiet when you will not be competing for his attention.

prime-living.com

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processing your frustrations and figuring out the best way to address them with your spouse.

5

Make sex a priority.

Many times women feel as though sex isn’t as important as other forms of communication—but this isn’t true. Intimacy and sex are important for healthy bodies, minds and souls. Intimacy with your spouse tells him that he is needed, loved and desired—three qualities that are the glue of a healthy marriage.

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Verbalize appreciation— often.

Women are more verbal than men, which can work well in creating a healthy marriage.

Each day tell your partner at least

three things that you love and appreciate about him. This creates positive energy for both parties in the relationship.

Ultimately, marriage requires work from both partners every day to be successful.

It is encouraging to see how small changes will improve a troubled marriage within weeks.

The behaviors listed above have a proven track record in contributing to successful marriages. If you feel that your partner and you have grown apart, working on these six behaviors might be enough to jump start your marriage and help to get it back on course. The first and toughest changes are always the changes we must make within ourselves.

mary jo rapini Mary Jo Rapini is a Houston-based psychotherapist specializing in sex and relationships. In addition to being a speaker, author and TV personality, she shares her expert advice Tuesday mornings on Mix 96.5 and Friday mornings on Fox 26 Houston. For information, visit maryjorapini.com.

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Hats Off To Mothers Luncheon

the

River Oaks Country Club • 3.25.14

list

Honoring Houston mothers who have made significant contributions to their families and the Houston community, the Hats Off To Mothers Luncheon is an event to doff one’s hat to. This year’s event was a huge success, with 420 attendees, raising $205,000 for programs of Easter Seals Greater Houston. In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Hats Off To Mothers, they honored 15 fabulous mothers who have given their all to the Houston community. The event featured a reception, seated luncheon and informal fashion show by Neiman Marcus Galleria.

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Photographer | Jenny Antill

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get on the list at primelist@prime-living.com

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1 Andi and Megan Fry 2 Millette Sherman, Gina Bhatia 3 Joann Hering, Danny Ward 4 Kristin Nix, Karen Sussman 5 Kelli Cohen Fein, Kelli Kickerillo 6 Kim Padgett, Hershey Grace, Blake Barber, Bruce Padilla

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Tiger Ball

the

asia society texas center • 2.27.14

An unforgettable evening of high style was in full bloom at Asia Society Texas Center’s magnificent Tiger Ball, one of Houston’s most anticipated social events. More than 650 elegantly adorned guests celebrated Japan as the Asia Society pulled out all the stops for a soldout, standing-room only party. The Texas Center’s interior spaces were beautifully transformed with the pink hues found in Japanese sakura cherry blossoms. Crowds mingled on the lawn, enjoyed sushi bites in the grand hall, and bid on irresistible auction items, before local taiko drummers sounded the thunderous dinner bell. Guests were then seated in the education center, terrace and gallery to enjoy an exquisite dinner prepared by City Kitchen. Tiger Ball grossed $840,000 for the organization and its programs, plus in-kind contributions of an additional $110,000, resulting in a record setting Tiger Ball.

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Photographer | Jenny Antill

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See More photos at Prime-Living.com

1 Ann and Don Short 2 Bonna Kol, Donna Cole 3 Viet Hoang, Henri Merceron 4 Ping Sun, David Leebron 5 Lily and Charles Foster 6 Carolyn and Jimmy Robertson 7 Miwa Sakashita, John Bradshaw Jr. 8 Sheela Rao, Charles Foster, Ashok Rao 9 Ambassador and Mrs. Suk-bum Park and Nancy Allen

May/june • 2014

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Ultimate Southern Experience

the

historic waldo mansion • 3.4.14

list

PRIME Living magazine and John Daugherty, Realtors recently hosted nearly 300 guests to the “Ultimate Southern Experience.” This private event was held at The Waldo Mansion, which is a Historic Texas Landmark and was featured in the award-winning movie “Terms of Endearment.” Table restaurant served up everything from appetizers to desserts on the grand dining room table. While Chef Monica Pope brought her favorite southern veggies and Eleven XI dished out mouthwatering apple tarts. Guests enjoyed delicious southern cocktails provided by Maker’s 46, Knob Creek and IZKALI. Local experts showcased southern style with hats by Gabriela Dror, menswear by Michael Wiesenthal and home décor by Ken Kehoe & Company. Guests also received an exclusive unveiling of PRIME Living’s 2014 “Home & Entertaining issue” and Lucchese’s spring 2014 collection.

Photographer | Silahis Loyola

get on the list at primelist@prime-living.com

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See More photos at Prime-Living.com

May/june • 2014

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parting

shot

of a heart wanderer the

A must-do experience for your bucket list is to balloon over the temples around Bagan, Mayanmar. Traveling to other countries gives us a different view of how others live and this is a view you won’t soon forget. photography by Balloons Over Bagan

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Indulge

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Croatia is a luxury destinations newcomer, but already a big hit with locations such as Dubrovnik or the region of Istria, well established for their unique landscapes, care for traditional arts and crafts, natural food and the best accommodation facilities. But there is more to Croatia, like its countless islands, some of which, such as Hvar, are already well established luxury holiday settings.

Whatever your destination of choice in Croatia, Volo Luxury will provide you with a memorable experience, taking care of all aspects of your journey.

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