S/S 17 VOLUME 7 | Issue 12
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Microblading by Mollie LLC Tallahassee’s Leading Authority
Eyelash Extensions Microblading Skincare 1304 East 6th Avenue Tallahasse, FL 32303 (850) 545-5668 @microbladingbymollie
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www.MilitaryMachinesofAmericanFreedom.org
Food seasoning for anything that walks, swims, crawls, or grows in the ground.
seminoleswampseasoning.com Seminole Swamp Seasoning 245 Mystic Warrior Trail Quincy, Florida 32352 850-875-3787 1
EDITORIAL Editors–in–Chief
JOURDAN PORTER and ANNALISE BEEBE Bookings Director Odra Dorante Bookings Assitant Idel Mena
CREATIVE Head Stylists ISABELLE WHITFIELD and IDEL MENA
Styling Assistants CASSIDY O’CONNELL, EMILY MALCOLM, COURTNEY COTTERILL Art Directors JOURDAN PORTER, ANNALISE BEEBE, ANNIE GRAFE, BROOKLYN WILLOW CAREY
MULTIMEDIA Social Media Director JOURDAN PORTER
Photographers LAUREN ALSINA, SARA SANTORA , JULIA CRABTREE, ANNIE GRAFE, COURTNEY COTTERILL, CARLOS CRESPO
MARKETING Marketing Director JOURDAN PORTER AND ANNALISE BEEBE Marketing Assistants and Ad Sales Team DEBBIE SANON, KELSEY KING, BROOKLYN WILLOW CAREY
WRITING Executive Editor, Head Editorial Writer ANNIE GRAFE Staff Writers COURTNEY COTTERILL, KATHRYN JEFFRIES, SAMANTHA DAVIS, ALESSA LACARTA, DEBBIE SANON, KELSEY KING, SARA SANTORA, GENEVA RODRIGUEZ
COVER MODEL
GRACE STALLEY
THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS and SPONSORS Aldo, Fab’rik, Narcissus, The Edison, Walter Green, Trending Now, Quarter Moon
Spring _ Summer 8 20 21 22
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Health & Beauty SHE’S A NATURAL TUMERIC CLAY KNOCK OUT
Fashion
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WHAT’S THE STITCH? EPHEMERAL MAILLOT DE BAIN CRAZY FUNKY STUFF OLD SCHOOL
Food & Culture KAT HALL GASTRO PUB BAET DESIGN GROUP HOOLIGANS
Meraki
to do something creativity, to put of youryour
(verb): with soul, or love; something self into work.
SWATCH /letter from the editors
Spring is a breath of fresh air. It is a chance to look back and reflect on what you have done and to begin anew. Spring is also a time for growth. Looking around and seeing the growth and blooming of life that surrounds you, it is impossible not to use that as inspiration for your own personal cultivation. As the buds of trees and flowers bloom, you are able to bloom the creativity, art, and expression within you. The full effloresce of nature serves as a sweet reminder of what all you are capable of. The idea of Meraki began, believe it or not, years ago, with Jourdan discovering the word and falling in love with its meaning. Come 2017 and the start of a new issue, when we came together to discuss this Spring’s theme, the word meraki was brought up and we knew it was meant to be.
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The meaning of meraki is to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself in your work. It is derived from the Greek culture and is often used to describe cooking or preparing a meal, but it can also mean arranging a room, choosing decorations, or setting an elegant table. Essentially, it is the idea of living life simply, but beautifully filled with love.
The meaning is quite substantial to us. It is a promise to ourselves, to our work, and to our future, that anything we produce or do, is done with love. Most importanly, that we love what we are doing. That is why the term is so fitting as a theme for SWATCH because this magazine has quite literally become a piece of ourselves. We aren’t exagerrating when we say we have put blood, sweat, and tears into each issue. Therefore, as we end our Editorship at SWATCH, the word meraki becomes a perfect sendoff for something that was so much more than a hobby– it was a passion, it was with love. So we bring you this issue, keeping meraki in mind, hoping you too find love in all you do and experience. We believe that within each page it is transparent that our passion has been embedded into them. It is imperative that you see the soul, creativity, and love put in by our hardworking team, and the wonderful Tallahassee community that we were able to feature in this issue. Yours truly, Annalise Beebe Editor-in-Chief
A&J
Jourdan Porter Editor-in-Chief
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SWATCH /health & beauty
S he ’ s a N atural Samantha Davis
Tallahassee is a bustling city and home to the exceptional Florida State University, which enrolls just over 40,000 students each year. It is also a city of great beauty, home to larger than life oak trees, rolling hills, and parks, with gorgeous flowers and greenery. Oftentimes, it can be a nice getaway to take a deep breath and break away from the mayhem of metropolis. Spending time outdoors and embracing the beauty of nature is a great way to destress and relax. Luckily, the staycation options are plentiful in and around Tallahassee.
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St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge Established in 1931, St. Mark’s is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the United States. This large area, just 30 minutes from FSU, offers a plethora of activities for those who are seeking an escape from the bustling streets of Tallahassee. The numerous hiking and biking trails, some of which extend for 20 miles, provide extraordinary views of wildlife, ranging from Monarch butterflies to bald eagles. 11
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Madison Blue Springs State Park Found just over an hour outside of Tallahassee, this crystalline spring is located in one of Florida’s newest state parks, and is becoming increasingly popular. Enjoy diving and exploring? Of course you do! It offers a unique underwater cave system, and certified divers are more than welcome to check it out. Other activities include kayaking and canoeing, hiking, and swimming. The area is surrounded by scenic woodlands and immaculate pine trees, making this spring a beautiful place to relax for the day.
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Wakulla Springs State Park Wakulla Springs is a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike here in Tallahassee. With its clear, cool water, abundant wildlife, and hands-on activities, you can’t really wonder why. The freshwater spring is one of the largest and deepest in the world, and people flock to it year-round to cool off. One of the most popular attractions is the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour, where visitors glide across the spring basin to catch a glimpse of the wonders beneath the surface. If you’re more of a thrill seeker, make sure to take a visit in the summertime and plunge into the chilly water from atop the two-story high dive! 15
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Tallulah Gorge State Park While 5.5 hours may seem like a long drive, Tallulah is well worth it. Visitors can camp under the stars and enjoy adventures like hikes and bike rides over the Gorge’s suspended bridge, which hovers above one of the five awe-inspiring waterfalls at the park. This park also has a swimming beach where you can kick back with friends and tan under the Georgia sun! Take advantage of a long weekend and make the drive to Tallulah Gorge for a truly beautiful time. 17
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Providence Canyon Dubbed as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon”, this 1,103 acre landscape boasts some of the most gorgeous views. The tall cliffs allow for a breathtaking view, and the vibrantly-colored canyons weave in and around bright trees. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as there are 10 miles of hiking trails (rated easy to moderate). The trek is undoubtedly worth it for the scenic panorama and photo-worthy backdrops. Providence Canyon is located 2.5 hours away from Tallahassee and is the perfect day trip with friends. 19
SWATCH /health & beauty
Kathryn Jeffries
Tum
Works its magic inside and out Known for its intense healing powers, health and beauty benefits, and myriad of uses as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, turmeric has been used for thousands of years in India and the Middle East, and is now recognized as one of the most valued spices worldwide. This bright orange spice contains more than 300 antioxidants and works its magic inside and out of your body. How? Turmeric’s main compound is an effective ingredient called curcumin that helps in the prevention and treatment of dry skin, oily skin, acne, burns, and wrinkles. Turmeric has worked its way up to being the key ingredient in DIY facial masks, lotions, and conditioners that will have you glowing head to toe. If you’re looking to attain beautifully smooth, radiant skin, ditch the plastic product bottles and take a natural approach by using this raw spice.
Turmeric + Honey • 1 tsp turmeric powder • 1 tsp raw honey • 1 tsp natural yogurt (or milk)
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Feel free to adjust the amount of yogurt (or milk) in order to achieve a f irm paste that will stick to your face. Apply evenly on a freshly washed face for about 20 minutes, then wash it off with cool water.
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While you’ll definitely reap the benefits simply by consuming this delicious spice, we found that applying turmeric on your skin shows instant results. If you’re anything like us, it will make you wish you had discovered turmeric long ago! Take a look at the recipes below and hop on the turmeric train. *NOTE: Turmeric stains—so be careful!
eric
+ clay
Debbie Sanon
Centuries-old remedy
Clear, flawless skin is what most of us wish for and few of us have. We’ll spend money on overpriced name-brand products that often leave us with the same skin we started with. It may sounds too good to be true, but there is a product currently on the rise that will leave you with beautiful skin in no time. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is pure calcium bentonite clay, also known as green clay, that has been sun dried in California. The clay, which can be used on skin as well as hair, binds to dirt, dead skin cells, pore-clogging bacteria, and toxins in the skin, and pulls them to the surface, effectively removing the damaging buildup. Historically, clays have been a part of skincare regimens for quite a few centuries. In fact, it has been said that even Cleopatra made them a staple in her beauty rituals. Starting in 17th century Europe, spas used clays and many continue to use them to this day for full body clay wraps and hair treatments. Bentonite clay is not only beneficial but is also very affordable, and can be purchased on Amazon for about $10. The clay softens your skin and evens your complexion. Not only can you use it on your skin, it’s also good for your hair. For kinky and curly hair, this clay can do wonders: it works to detoxify your hair and it leaves it feeling shiny, soft, and smooth.
Aztec Healing Clay Mask • 3 tbsp. bentonite clay • 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar In a plastic bowl, mix the clay and apple cider vinegar until the consistency is that of a semi-thick paste. Use your fingers or a makeup brush to apply the mix evenly on your face. Leave it on your face for about 30 minutes before gently washing it off with warm water. * Make sure to use plastic spoons and bowls and NOT anything metal.
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SWATCH /health & beauty
KNOCK
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SWATCH Magazine sat down with co-owner of Train. Fight. Win., Alissa Rudloe, to talk about the origin and success of Tallahassee’s favorite Mixed Martial Arts gym.
Annie Grafe
In October of 2012, just 10 months after Alissa and Skye Rudloe got married, they opened Train. Fight. Win. “We got married and opened like five minutes later…I don’t know if that was the stupidest thing or the best thing,” Alissa laughs. After seeing other MMA gyms fail miserably, Alissa and Skye saw that Tallahassee needed a gym that its members could rely on: one that wouldn’t be gone a year after opening. “There have been a lot of other MMA gyms here in town that were never really run like a business, they were run more like a club…” she says. “And I was often the only woman training there. It was kind of like a dog pit, you know? Nobody was friendly, nobody welcomed you.” At Train. Fight. Win., or TFW as the locals call it, a change was made. The front desk staff are attentive and welcoming to each person that walks through the door, ready to answer any question they may have. The coaches are warm and funny, ready to break down each move modified to each member’s personal needs. “We really focus on the community aspect of it, and making it like a family, and being welcoming to everybody,” Alissa says. The perspective on fitness at TFW is unique because the intimidating cult mentality is left out of it. There is no pressure to look a certain way and beating a personal record is the most impressive accomplishment. TFW offers conditioning, HIIT (high intensity interval training), weightlifting, grappling, wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing.
For members that want to fight competitively, TFW has a prize-winning grappling team that is based on a level system in which you can work your way up. Another perk is that no one is trying to look good while they work out here. Everyone is drenched, has pink cheeks and matted hair, and looks disheveled as they push through their intense workout; you earned that sweat stain, so embrace it. Alissa says that a special emphasis is put on women’s fitness at TFW. The gym offers self-defense seminars, as well as weekly women’s kickboxing classes. A popular choice for women is the “Total Knockout” package that is geared towards getting ladies into the gym to instill confidence and self-defense skills. The package includes classes that can help women protect themselves in potentially life-threatening situations. The owners believe there is no gender to fitness, so co-ed classes are a must! Forging strong bonds with a gym family helps create confident men and women that aren’t intimidated by health and fitness. Whether you’re starting out, or are a seasoned fighter, Train. Fight. Win. is the gym for you. Did I also mention your first day is totally free? Come in and ask Alissa or Skye about joining this amazing gym. Enjoy the perks of working out, relieving stress, and getting healthier in an environment that encourages you to do your very best, no matter where you’re at in your fitness journey.
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SWATCH /fashion
Flower Bomb 38
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G SWATCH /fashion
Gwen Everett Courtney Cotterill
Gwen Everett is a privately-owned boutique tailored for chic and stylish women seeking formal and bridal wear.
SWATCH sits down with designer Gwen Everett to discuss the love of fashion and design, the beauty of personal style, and even dolls with ten heads. Read on for details on your new favorite Tallahassee boutique.
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If you happen to be one of the many people who spends much of their leisure time at the mall in search of new additions to your ever-growing wardrobe, then you might have stumbled across Gwen Everett. Located in Governor’s Square Mall, Gwen Everett is a privately-owned boutique by Paulette Gwendolyn Everett, tailored for chic and stylish women seeking formal and bridal wear. Growing up in Jamaica, Gwen--as she she prefers to be called--discovered her love of fashion and design at a young age. This love of fashion blossomed as the result of receiving a doll with interchangeable heads during her childhood, she explains. The doll, with its ten different heads, each sporting different makeup looks and hairdos, inspired Gwen to design different outfits for each look using the fabric from her own dresses! But despite her love of fashion that persisted through her youth, Gwen hadn’t considered pursuing it as a career. Instead, after graduating high school and moving to the Cayman Islands, she began studying law and pursuing a career in criminal justice. But even while she was studying, she continued to love fashion and disliked that a career in law allowed her little room to dress stylishly. So, during mission trips she would arrange fashion shows and make garments for the models that participated in the events. Just one year into her studies, Gwen finally decided to alter her initial career plan and devote herself to fashion and design. “Although I believed that studying law could allow me to have a positive impact on the lives of individuals, it wasn’t my true passion,” says Gwen.
“What I really desired was to pursue something that allowed me to change someone’s life through how they carry themselves. That’s always something I’ve always been passionate about: changing lives through appearance and the way one dresses.” And so her career in fashion began. Fifteen years ago, Gwen opened her first boutique after moving the United States. She began designing and making her own pieces so that she could bring to life the dream-dresses that her clients envisioned for themselves. However, almost a decade later after moving to Tallahassee, Gwen decided that she wanted to take a new direction in her career. She bravely closed her business and committed herself to earning a degree in fashion. Despite her plethora of experience in the industry already, Gwen wanted to expand her knowledge of fashion though a formal education. “I went into [university] as if I knew nothing, so that I could learn it all. It was a pleasure being able to go in and learn design from the ground up.” Just a year and a half later, with a four-year degree already completed, Gwen reopened her business. Currently, she carries various brands of bridal and formal wear because it is more convenient and affordable for her customers. However, these pieces are hand-picked by Gwen herself and used as inspiration for her custom designs.
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“What I really desired, was to pursue something that allowed me to change someone’s life through how they carry themselves. That’s something I’ve always been passionate about: changing lives through appearance and the way one dresses.”
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In the concept-to-product design process, Gwen typically begins by helping the client find a ready-to-wear dress in her store they like and then sketching it to add custom details and changes that tailor to the patron’s desires. Presently, Gwen offers small-run production at her store, but she is transitioning to something larger so that she may begin to provide products to other businesses also. As she pursues this new direction, Gwen hopes to continue designing pieces with a clean, polished look to it, that every person desires to see themselves in. The silhouettes are simple and sleek and can be customized for even the most stylistically unique clientele. When asked what makes designing and providing formal wear for her clients so special to her, Gwen explained she loves how it makes her customers feel.
“When I fit someone in a gorgeous formal dress, I feel amazing for it because it makes my client feel like a beautiful woman. It makes me tear up when I see my customers wearing the dresses in my store and seeing how beautiful they look and feel in them. Although there are some days I might not make a sale, the days I am able to change a life are absolutely priceless.�
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Gwen’s immense passion for design has allowed her to enrich the lives of many females and she hopes to continue empowering women through fashion, at her store that caters to females in their twenties to forties. Next time you’re in need of some trendy formal wear or simply some retail therapy, be sure to visit Gwen Everett at Governor’s Square, open during normal mall hours. Allow Gwen to bless your closet with one of her gorgeous pieces and help you unleash your beautiful and authentic self.
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SWATCH /fashion
What’s the Stitch? Your new favorite trend is found at a crossroads between traditional stitching and lavish embellishment. Alessa Lacarta
One of the biggest trends to emerge from this year’s Spring/Summer Fashion Week is one we know and love: embroidery. With intricate designs and delicate nature, these stitches were highlighted by designers and seen by audiences on catwalks all around the globe. In New York, designer Anna Sui’s “Miss American Pie” themed collection flaunted western patterns embroidered on ‘70s style pieces, while incorporating lacey and dainty needlework on ‘50s inspired two-piece sets. Four-thousand and fourteen miles away in Milan, Gucci’s highly anticipated show brandished a myriad of animals embroidered on jackets, skirts, and blouses. Roberto Cavalli followed suit, taking inspiration from hippie subculture with heavily embroidered kaftans, dresses, and skirts. Long before catwalks and collections, embroidery first found itself embellishing clothing in ancient Greek and Syrian cities. These garments often contained threads of gold and silver, which were reserved only for the affluent and successful. Later, embroidery was used to reflect the history and traditions of a culture, with unique styles developing in countries such as India, Japan, and Mexico. It wasn’t until the 1800s that embroidery became more accessible to people other than aristocrats, and as a result, more seamstresses participated in the beautiful hobby.
As the twentieth century neared, embroidery became a common pastime, allowing women to freehand embroidered patterns on any garment of their choosing. It was around this time that embroidery began to emerge in not only handmade clothing, but also on mass produced clothing sold in department stores. Once embroidery made itself a clear contender in the fashion world, it became associated with 1970s fashion, specifically hippie culture. The era of the flower child saw embroidery on fringe vests, jackets, and loose blouses paired with brightly colored pants. It is also commonly seen in vintage Western wear, with classic shirts decorated with embroidery in the form of roses or traditional patterns on the yoke. These days, embroidered pieces frequent our favorite stores. Spring fashion is fond of bright and colorful flowers embroidered on pieces like jackets and cardigans to make that last layer, well, lasting! Accessory wise, shoes and purses with dainty embroidery and traditional patterns are all the rage and make for the ultimate statement piece. Unsure about the trend and want a trial run? Embroidered patches are becoming increasingly popular, so grab a pack or two at your local mall or craft store, and let your fashion imagination run wild.
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Crazy Funky S tu f f 114
One woman’s desire for unique and reliable jewelry benefits us all. Look no further: Janelle Edwards has the Crazy Funky Stuff you’ve been dreaming of... Debbie Sanon It all started in 2004 when Edwards got her ears pierced, but couldn’t find quality earrings to suit her standard. This problem was what sparked the origin from which her jewelry designing began. “When I did find earrings that I liked,” Edwards explains, “they woul≠d break and that frustrated me so much that I decided to make my own.” Now as an entrepreneur with a Master’s degree in business from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, she serendipitously realized that the corporate world wasn’t the place for her and decided to create Crazy Funky Stuff. Crazy Funky Stuff is an online boutique, powered by Etsy, full of unique pieces of jewelry. There are hoop earrings, dangling earrings, small adjustable brass rings, hand pieces, and chokers to choose from. The materials used to create these pieces include vintage pieces, plastic, shells, stones, and wood. Janelle puts emphasis on using material that is easily accessible to keep her wares affordable for her loyal clientele.
Through her entrepreneurship, Janelle also involves local artists. “I’m a big supporter of anyone who’s trying to follow their passion. Anything I can do to help inspire anyone to follow their dreams, to be who they are, I wanna do.” If you’ve ever walked by her table at Market Wednesday, you’ll notice the paintings and hand painted pieces of jewelry. These were created by Aquilla Johnson, Edwards’ best friend. “I want to see her grow and support herself more and more. There are people out there who get stuck in a rut and then tell other people that they too will be stuck in a rut...and I want her to know this isn’t true.”
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Edwards’ favorite piece of jewelry is a ring that has a hummingbird stone on it. “I like things that are big and elaborate for no reason, and I like the randomness. I’d say it matches my personality.” While some of her inspiration for pieces stem from custom orders, other are from refashioning found pieces that pique Janelle’s interest. “If I see a little thing that’s the shape of a cow eating ice cream, I might just buy it and make earrings out of it because I think it’s hilarious.” When it comes to making the pieces, usually Edwards sketches out the drawing of the jewelry that she is about to make, then copies the sketch over and over again to make sure the shape comes out right. This meticulous design process helps curb the time it takes to make the physical piece, from hours to minutes. Aside from her Etsy page, Janelle Edwards has been selling her pieces at Florida State University’s Market Wednesday since the end of 2006. She also sells her jewelry at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s Set Friday, First Friday at Railroad Square, the Downtown Marketplace, and also local boutiques. Janelle’s jewelry is unique and will always make a statement. You can shop her jewelry online at www.etsy.com/ shop/crazyfunkystuff or ask for a consultation to customize your very own Crazy Funky Stuff original by emailing Janelle at janellejewelry@yahoo. com.
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SWATCH/culture /culture SWATCH
Meet Kat Hall: newly minted Okeechobee Music Festival veteran, musical spitfire, and frontwoman out to change the world.
Cool Kat Sara Santora
Tallahassee is riddled with musical talent. Each week, venues all around town open their doors to the city’s locals to help these musicians pursue their dreams. Some of these artists are students of Florida State’s very own College of Music. Other artists come from TCC, FAMU, or are no longer students at all. When it comes to music, there are no rules or regulations. The one thing shared between all of these musicians is their passion for writing music and performing for others. One of the many Tallahassee-based musicians making waves is Kat Hall, singer/songwriter and frontwoman for reggae/funk band, Just Chameleons. Kat is an entrepreneurship major at Florida State who seeks to create a movement with the music that she writes. “There’s people who do music for superficial reasons,” says Kat, “but I don’t want to be doing [music] for superficial reasons, because I think that music, as a whole, is something that brings people together. It’s a bigger thing that you can’t really define and you can’t really put a number on, and so I want to use it as something that can unify people and to say ‘come together.” Kat’s love of music can be traced back to high school when her sister’s reggae band asked Kat to sing backup for a performance of theirs. From that moment on, Kat made it a
priority to perform as much as possible, and has been in bands of her own creation ever since. Currently, as the frontwoman of Just Chameleons, she recently performed a set at Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival. Kat, having always wanted to go on tour and perform at festivals, said that this experience solidified her career goals and aspirations. “Being a musician seemed far off to me,” says Kat, “but after [Okeechobee] I was like, no it’s real, it’s tangible, and it’s what I want.” As of now, Kat is working on recording music and is trying to plan a small Florida tour with her band in hopes to have an EP out by the end of the Summer. “I feel urgency to have an album out,” says Kat. “I want to get something out there so that when people hear my name they can just click a link and see what I sound like.”
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Kat also shared that she has dreams to get out to L.A. “After meeting all of these musicians, I realized that they all live in L.A.,” says Kat. “I just really want to get out to L.A. I already have a guy out there who’s trying to get me a gig, so I could book myself a little trip out there, you know, book myself a flight, get the money back with a couple gigs, and see what kind of connections I can make out there.”
Kat is dedicated to her music and dedicated to spreading a message of love and unity. “I eventually want to start a movement of people who are just down to change the world,” says Kat. “People who are just down to come together for a purpose of just being positive.” Keep up with Kat and Just Chameleons on Facebook and Instagram @justchameleons to see what they accomplish next.
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SWATCH /culture
Kathryn Jeffries
This unique specialty restaurant, supplying the best Punk n’ Gut you’ve ever had, keeps us coming back with unique recipes and warm Tallahassee charm. 144
If you’re a sausage fan, look no further, for we’ve found your haven: The Crum Box Gastgarden. Located in Railroad Square Art Park, The Crum Box Gastgarden caught our eye and kept us coming back. Native to Tallahassee, this dive is anything but ordinary for two reasons: 1) it’s attached to an old, red train caboose and 2) their food is nothing short of mouthwatering, and will have you munching to the point of “I’m literally not even hungry anymore it’s just so good.” Stepping into the Crum Box Gastgarden, you know you’re in for a treat from the smell of grilled sausages and welcoming smiles of friends and co-owners, Trey David and Pete Evarts. After deciding to open a place of their own to show off their expert sausage skills, they jumped on the opportunity to attach a small restaurant to the red caboose that now houses their kitchen, equipped with the necessities for making delicious sausages from grind to grill. The red caboose inspired their unique railroad-themed restaurant. The word “crumbox” is slang for caboose, coined within train riding language in the early 1900s. “Punk and Gut”, a signature house-made sandwich on their menu, is hobo slang for sausage and bread! Creativity at its finest, people.
Speaking of the menu, it offers items like the famous Punk and Gut, meatball sub, pulled pork sandwiches, and, lucky for you vegetarians, veggie burgers! Not to mention, there’s a wall displaying beer specials (oh, yes!) and an array of movie and band posters, making for a truly homey atmosphere. Besides the good eats, The Crum Box Gastgarden also has entertainment. There is live music every Thursday at 8pm featuring local artists, which is great for when you want to kick back with a beer and your buds. For all our film lovers, the Crum Box has a monthly movie night a-la Mystery Science Theater 3000 where local comedians—a group called the Film Crashers—come and do a real-time set about the film being shown, poking fun at B-movie sci-fis and cult classics that are just as fun to enjoy ironically. The Box has music, film, comedy, and even burlesque on their stage. The best way to stay up on all these fun (and free!) events is by liking The Crum Box and Film Crashers on Facebook. Tallahassee strikes gold, yet again, with The Crum Box Gastgarden, a hidden gem for foodies all around. So, grab your friends and head on over—we promise you won’t regret it.
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The great Pablo Picasso once said “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” The Bees and Enormous Tigers Design Group channels this principle into their art that brightens and beautifies Tallahassee’s exterior, brushing the monotony off with a swipe of paint.
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Make Art Not War Sara Santora
Feeling bored with the city you live in seems to be a universal bonding agent. College towns specifically seem to be thought of as places that need to be outgrown: they are merely stepping stones to the next big adventure. Though Tallahassee may seem tired and sleepy, the city has a lot of beauty to offer to those willing to take the time to look. Thanks to local artists, artwork can be found around almost every corner which helps to make the city feel more vibrant and alive. What makes Tallahassee unique in regards to the artwork it showcases is that local artwork can be found in more places than just studios and exhibits, and even goes beyond being seen in random underpasses and alleyways. Local businesses all throughout the city have commissioned local artists to come and design murals both in and outside of their businesses. Among these local artists are brothers Peter and Alex Koenig, otherwise known as Bees And Enormous Tigers Design Group. Before painting murals, the brothers were musicians, and actually pulled their name from a band they play in. Peter went to school for art and Alex went to school for history, and though art was a shared interest between the two of them, before painting murals, music was their main focus.
“We have the certain process for when we work,” says Alex. “Usually I’ll start off with a pencil design and then Peter is usually the graphic design-Photoshop dude, and those roles will kind of switch around, but generally that’s kind of how it’s done and we’ll just collaborate.” The two explain that their work is heavily influenced by comic books, something that can be seen most clearly in their work at Gaines Street Pies. However, though they spent a lot of time growing up drawing and creating their own comics, the two later realized they were a bit drained. After a year of studying art at Flagler, Alex transferred to FSU and switched his major to history, and though Peter went to school for art, he says he just kind of stopped art altogether after he’d graduated. “I guess I was just burnt out, so I guess that’s why we started doing music,” says Peter. “We did that for a couple years, and then got burnt out on that and went back to art!” Though the two love painting murals, they hope to start receiving a larger variety of jobs in the future. “We’d like to expand into a different realm, but murals are what’s going on right now,” Alex says in summation. Keep your eyes open for Peter’s and Alex’s next venture, and in the meantime, slow down, grab a slice of pizza, and enjoy Tallahassee’s beauty.
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Hooligans, a lifestyle brand dedicated to following your heart and doing what makes you happy, has taken hold of Tallahassee. Read up on the founders of the brand and how you can join in on the carefree livin’. S a r a
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Anyone who has walked through Florida State’s campus within the past year has probably seen the word “Hooligans”: either on a sticker on a wall of a classroom building, or on a tee-shirt along someone’s chest or back. Their sophomore year at FSU, Jack Shelgren, Indigo Hansen, Myles Blatt, and Will Jones began what is now known as the Hooligans Movement. They met through the University’s entrepreneurship program, and upon meeting each other and discovering that they all had a lot in common, they decided to group up and form a start-up. The foursome originally wanted to design skateboards, but quickly decided against it and began a clothing brand. “We were kinda sitting around and Indigo comes in and is like, ‘Hey, look at this drawing I made last night,’ and it was this,” said Jack, pointing at the Hooligans logo. “And we were just like, fuck yeah.” The designs on the Hooligans clothing are all “spur of the moment” and drawn by Indigo herself. “Every now and then Indigo will just be drawing something and we’ll be like, ‘give us your notebook,’ and she’ll be like, ‘okay,’ and we’ll flip through it and there will be like sixty new designs,” says Myles.
“We figure that in order to be successful you need to be happy” What is now the Hooligans logo itself was the original inspiration behind the brand. “We’re all hooligans,” continues Jack, “we don’t have to pretend. Like yeah we have our shit together in that we can run our business and we can be articulate and we can be professional, but at the same time, we know how to have a good time.” The idea of having fun and being happy are strong ideals the group holds, and it’s something that is important to their business as well as their everyday lives. “Whether that means following the rules, bending the rules, breaking the rules...it’s a lot easier to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission- be a hooligan.”
The Hooligans Movement has grown significantly in the past year. Their Instagram has grown to reach 19.4 thousand followers, and they were recently able to sell their clothing alongside brands such as Vans and Alva Boards at the Surf Expo in Orlando. They also collaborate with local musicians around town and throughout the state of Florida, and donate part of their proceeds to The Mockingbird Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing musical education for children. The Hooligans Movement is founded on the idea of having the confidence to go get what you want in the world. More than just designing ontrend clothing, they want to inspire others to break free from the status quo and maybe bend some rules along the way. “[It’s about] attaining what you want, attaining whatever lights your fire, just go out and do that,” says Jack. “You don’t have to abide by the conventions.” Pick up your own Hooligans merch and join the movement at www.hooligansmovement.com. 155
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