wet, hot, american summer” issue for june/july 2012
DESCRIPTION
The June/July 2012 issue features delicious summer drinks, style for every warm-weather occasion, skin advice for getting bare and bronzed from a former Real Housewife, international travel tales from Jamaica, Costa Rica and Israel and lots more.TRANSCRIPT
June/July 2012Wet, hot, American summer issue ◊
Show me your clips
The indescribable pain of a light breeze
Dinner and a movie Camp-themed food and Wet Hot American Summer
Summer sippers
2 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
Facets is now available to order in print! Order a printed copy via HP MagCloud today and have it on your coffee table in as little as three days.
volume 6 3
Don’t miss out!Check out our social media vehicles between
issues for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes photos and inside information.
4 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
Say hello to the Facets team.I’m going on a road trip and I’m bringing …?
BRITTANY ABEIJONfounder and editor in chief
Sunglasses that cover three-fourths of my face
Urban Outfitters, $14
TOM SALEKfounder and managing editorAntibacterial wipes for combating unwanted germs
MELISSA GRIFFINlead graphic designer
Tinted lip balm to keep my sunburned lips protected
burtsbees.com, $7
ASHLEY JOHNSTONgraphic designerMy GPS, or else I’ll definitely end up in the wrong state
RACHEL KOSMALfounder and creative direction/graphic design
An open-top tent to sleep (bug free) under the stars
REI, $99.50
LYNN W. CONWAYfounder and photographerMy iPhone so I can listen to all my favorite songs
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JENNY SCHULERweb publisher/designer
Floral Burlap Toms to keep my feet stylish and comfy
ANDI SUMMERSeditorJason Mineral Sunblock to stay sun safe
Toms, $58
Amazon, $9
SAIGE HOOKERadvertising coordinator
Michael Kors Hamilton Tote to store my sunscreen with style
SAM LAWWELLadvertising coordinatorA pair of nude wedges to wear with any outfit
Michael Kors $348
ModCloth, $90
MAX CRUMPLEYeditor
My Nook so I can pass the time in the passenger seat
BECCA FRUMKINsocial media strategistClinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss to prevent my lips from having withdrawal
Clinique, $15
6 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
Facets Contributors
Kelly Bradley Occasionally borrows makeup from her brother Naperville, Ill. writer
Steven Cohen Inspired to finally venture
outside North America Chicago
writerJessica Deming Rooftops aren’t just for Santa anymore Chicago writer
Megan Kelly Saving money, one
coupon at a time Kansas City, Mo.
writerMelanie Krakauer Wishes she could live in a pitcher of sangria Chicago writer
Courtney Leiva Beauty is my middle name
Stanhope, N.J. writer
Renee Mailhiot Stalker of celeb style, hunter of low-priced finds Frankfort, Ill. writer
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Casey McCallister Outdoor adventurer and lifestyle
photographer Denver
photographer
Lindsay McCown Officially bitten by the travel bug ... and 20 other kinds of bugs Los Angeles writer
Diana Nguyen Staying away from stingrays
Chicago travel enthusiast and editor in chief of
To & From
Allison Sickert Shades of choice: classic Ray-Ban wayfarers Libertyville, Ill. writer
Kara VanderBijl Story hoarder
Chicago writer
We love contributors! Email [email protected]
if you’re interested in working with us.
Kathryn Wright Idea seeker Wheeling, Ill. innovation intern?
8 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
Contents June/July 2012WET, HOT, AMERICAN SUMMER issue
12
22
27
36
Fabulous festivals from coast to coastA summer must-do list for your region
48
Wet, hot, American summerA letter from the editors
11
Skin, meet summerYour guide to getting bare, bronzed
and beautiful
22
12FASHION/BEAUTYSummer style solved
Channel celebrity style for all your summer occasions
24Sunnies side upFind the right sunglasses for your
face shape
36Summer sippersFive drink options for every warm-
weather occasion
FOOD/DRINKDinner and a movie
Camp-themed food and Wet Hot American Summer
27
ENTERTAINMENTSetting the bar high
Feel on top of the world with these enchanting views and intoxicating drinks
42
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50
60
71
78
TRAVELPura Vida!
Costa Rican travelers embrace beaches, bug bites and Bob Marley
50
Catch and releaseA peek behind the curtain of Cirque Du Soleil
71
Show me your clipsA beginner’s guide to extreme(ly simple)
couponing
78
Travel tales from a 38 percenterA first-time transatlantic traveler explores
London and Israel
60
Jamaican me annoyedBattling for the beach in Jamaica
65
Facets’ favoritesWhat we’re loving right now
82
Social media fridgeGet social with us
88
Baby, you were born this wayConsider donating to Facets’ favorite charity
85
LIFEThe indescribable pain of a
light breezeA woman’s battle with one of the
most painful conditions in the world
68
10 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
We’re currently looking to bring on graphic designers, advertising
coordinators and PR/Marketing specialists.
Interested?
Read more details on our website, or email [email protected].
we’re hiringand we want you.
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Sliding on slippery grass through the sprinkler. Box fans blowing humid air in homes. Sticky fingers from dripping Firecracker popsicles on the Fourth. Summer vacation may be
a thing of the past, but summer memories are surfacing like yesterday’s sunburn.
Feeling a little nostalgic for carefree summers spent as kids, we couldn’t decide on just one theme for our June/July issue—so we settled for four. Inspired by the film, we’re calling this issue Wet, hot, American summer and bringing you content that says it all.
Speaking of the movie, the latest installment of our Dinner and a movie series features our issue’s namesake film paired with classic campout cooking. You can also wet your palate with our tasty suggestions for summer sippers.
If you plan to spend some time in the sun (and who doesn’t?), check out our guide to getting bare and
bronzed with tips from a former Real Housewives of New York cast member, or find the right sunglasses for your face with advice from eyewear expert Shane Baum. After the sun goes down and the day cools to night, linger at some of the best rooftop bars in America.
Looking to scratch your travel itch this summer? Read the intercontinental tales from several of our contributors who recently jet set to Jamaica, Costa Rica and England and Israel. In contrast, uncover the emotional story of a 25-year-old woman who developed Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome after she suffered a horrific accident while traveling to Qatar.
We hope you enjoy the Wet, hot, American summer issue of Facets, which you can view on your computer, smartphone, tablet and now in print. From the morning of Memorial Day to the last few minutes of Labor Day, soak in every moment of summer. Oh, and wear your sunscreen.
Wet, hot, American summerA letter from the editors
If this isn’t Wet, hot, American summer, then we don’t know what is.
12 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
SUMMER STYLE SOLVEDChannel celebrity style for all your summer occasions
By Renee Mailhiot
From fancy lakeside weddings to simple lunches on outdoor patios, social schedules fill up in a hot minute during the summer. A maxi dress for this, a pair of nude heels for that. Dressing for it all can be exhausting.
Whether you’re getting festive for the Fourth of July or going monochromatic for a music festival, let these celebrity looks be your guide. And who knows? You may even be able to rock Kate Bosworth better than Kate Bosworth.
SUMMER WEDDINGLadies
Embrace your feminine side. Girly frills are in, especially in the form of semi-formal frocks. From bright pinks to friendly florals, there are many great styles to wear to a summer wedding. Go for an A-line silhouette if the event is outdoors for some extra breeziness, or score a super trendy peplum look to fit in with sleek city nuptials. Coco Rocha and Gabrielle Union, both wearing Jason Wu, show different ways to dress like a lady, while also being fashion-forward. Perfect looks for standing out, but not upstaging the bride.
Female celebrity photos from InStyle.com
Coco Rocha White embroidered top; Pink peplum skirt
Gabrielle Union Floral midi dress; Pink peep toe pump
• •
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FASHION/BEAUTYGentlemen
Wearing a button-down and nice pants is the standard wedding uniform, but try mixing it up for a fresh look. For a more casual celebration near a beach or outdoors, go for a crisp blazer and T-shirt underneath, a la Ed Westwick. For a more formal affair, channel Mark Ronson in a tiny, polka-dotted steel suit, complete with this season’s pop of color.
Ed Westwick Gray one-button blazer; White cotton T-shirt; Black pants
Mark Ronson Gray plaid suit; Coral fitted button-up
Photos from Vogue.com
14 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
FOURTH OF JULYLadies
Celebrating America’s birthday typically results in barbeques with close friends and family, and comfort is key when attempting another helping or chasing younger cousins. Plus, being patriotic without wearing an actual flag around your body is always encouraged. Choose a simple white T-shirt dress with embellishments. Jazz it up with a sheer red lip stain, a look Lea Michele pulls off. If white isn’t your thing, go for a trendy denim dress and cinch it with a nautical-inspired belt in the Kate Bosworth fashion. While it’s stars and stripes forever, there’s no need to wear red, white and blue.
Lea Michele Fringe T-shirt dress
Kate Bosworth Chambray dress; Chevron printed belt
back of dress
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FASHION/BEAUTY
Gentlemen
Discard the flag-emblazoned T-shirts and cargo shorts in favor of a classic American style. David Beckham may not hail from the U.S., but his loose chinos and comfy V-neck polished off with a belt and Ray-Bans provide the perfect Fourth of July ensemble. A color-blocked polo is also functional and will keep you cool, as will a wide-brimmed hat, a la Samuel L. Jackson. Top it off with some unique shades, and take it to the patriotic level by opting for a red or navy polo.
David Beckham Wayfarer sunglasses; Blue V-neck T-shirt; Stretch khakis; Brown leather belt
Samuel L. Jackson Polo shirt; Straw trilby hat; Spitfire sunglasses
Photos from Glamour.uk and Askmen.com
16 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
MUSIC FESTIVALLadies
Whether you’re going for a three-day party at Lollapalooza or hitting up the local music scene in your town, festivals call for a laid-back, I’m-so-much-cooler-than-you ensemble. Printed denim Daisy Dukes work for those who like to show a little leg, like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Pair short-shorts with a deep V-neck top and a bold, gold bangle. The all-denim look is back in style, but make sure the bottoms are a darker wash. Wear a light chambray shirt on top to imitate Charlize Theron, and balance it out with some wayfarers and ankle boots so you can dance the day away.
Charlize Theron Sleeveless chambray shirt; Dark skinny jeans; Cowboy ankle boots; Printed wayfarer sunglasses
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Pleated vintage blouse; Reconstructed denim shorts; Beveled cuff bracelet
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FASHION/BEAUTY
Gentlemen
Comfort is always key, but there’s no style associated with elastic-band shorts and old college T-shirts. Ian Somerhalder perfects an effortless attempt at cool with a straw fedora. Make an outfit with a casual white tank, dark jeans and combat-esque boots. Henry Holland shows that if the weather gets cooler, it’s possible to maintain your own level of cool. Put on black jeans, an old-school tee and top it off with a denim jacket.
Photos from Huffingtonpost.com and Vogue.com.
Ian Somerhalder Sailor tank top; Straw fedora; Combat boots
Henry Holland California Girls tank top; Black chinos; Acid wash denim jacket
18 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
ALFRESCO DININGLadies
Outdoor café patios are a great way to shake off the stress of a workday while enjoying a good meal and drinks with friends. As soon as the sun sets, flirty camis may not suffice for that extra round of drinks unless you bring the party inside. Beyonce pairs vibrant pants with a loose basic top, complete with bright heels for a great alfresco look. Looking for a little edge? Layer a thin leather coat over a flirty, full skirt and printed blouse, topped off with a pretty pink clutch, all inspired by Emma Watson.
Emma Watson Printed racerback tank top; Black leather jacket; Blue skirt
Beyonce Ikat print pants; Slit back chiffon shirt; Yellow suede strappy heels
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FASHION/BEAUTY
Gentlemen
Dining out on a fancy patio can be a difficult summer situation to dress for, but go with classic separates pieced together for a polished, effortless look. Taylor Lautner’s gray blazer with black henley is casual enough in itself, but paired with a dark denim keeps this look committed to a cool, laid-back vibe. Who says shorts and blazers don’t go together? Take a tip from Marcus Troy, who wore a plaid shirt underneath a blazer and paired it with slim-fitting shorts and boat shoes. ◊
Taylor Lautner Black henley shirt; Slim fit dark jeans; Houndstooth blazer
Marcus Troy Plaid shirt; Black slim fit blazer; Boat shoes; Black denim shorts
Photos from Glamour.uk and Askmen.com
20 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
Chicagoans: interested in being photographed and interviewed for a future fashion feature?
Email [email protected] if interested.
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FASHION/BEAUTY
Christine Khashoprofessional makeup artist
312.532.2048 • [email protected] • @chriskhasho
Rateswedding consultation and trial: $50
wedding day: $150 bridal party: $50 per person
Specializing in HD, TV and film *By appointment, fees are upon request
22 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
We all know the formula for summer: as temperatures increase, layers
of clothing decrease. The skin you’ve hidden all winter is suddenly exposed to the sun, and it’s like walking out of a movie theater in the middle of the day. You need a little time to adjust.
And adjusting may require some extra effort if you’re one who skipped shaving your legs more than once during the cooler months with the rationalization that pants covered them up anyway. But no matter if you’re a Pale Gail or a Hairy Gary, getting your person summer-ready doesn’t have to be daunting. We consulted the spray-tan specialists and the waxing wizards—and even one Real Housewife—to bring you the best skin solutions for summer.
FOR THE LADIESAfter being bundled up all winter, it’s time to ready your body with a sun-kissed glow. When you
begin to expose more skin to the sun, always wear sunscreen. At Naturally Bare Salon in West Hollywood, Calif., founder Deidre Gavin said it all starts with proper protection.
“It’s great to look like you kissed the sun, but always use sunscreen,” Gavin said. “I recommend a spray sunscreen that absorbs quickly with no heavy chemicals.”
Fairer skinned beauties should have no fear. Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare in New York City and former Real Housewives of New York cast member, said you should never underestimate the power of a faux tan.
“I recommend a spray tan one to three days before hitting the beach,” Barshop said. “It completely transforms the body.”
Before stepping out for your spray tan, consider
focusing on bikini area hair removal. While it may feel like a painful chore, there are options for every pain tolerance and body part.
“To ensure a completely bare bikini area, schedule an appointment at a salon for waxing or laser hair removal,” Barshop said. “Before the appointment, exfoliate and moisturize your entire body. Preparation is the key to a successful experience.”
FOR THE MENFor the men who maintain
a diligent shaving schedule during the workweek, the summer months are the perfect time to loosen up a little. This time of year is all about freedom and fun, so give your razors the day off.
“A light five o’clock shadow will protect your skin and is a great
Cindy Barshop, owner of hair removal spa
Completely Bare in New York City and former Real Housewives of New York
cast member
FASHION/BEAUTY
Skin, meet summerYour guide to getting bare, bronzed and beautiful
By Courtney Leiva
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FASHION/BEAUTY
look for the beach,” Gavin said. “Keep it low with a glow and you’re ready to go.”
For those who want a clean shave, start by using a cleanser with alpha hydroxy acid, which helps straighten facial hair. Lightly exfoliate the skin to get a better, closer shave. Follow up with a light moisturizer and sunscreen, and you’re on your way to soft, touchable skin.
When it takes more than a razor to feel comfortable in fewer layers (think Andy in The 40 Year Old Virgin), men should consider waxing.
“Men should make sure their neck and shoulders are waxed, and the chest area should be trimmed if it’s long,” Barshop said. “I also recommend a sculpted spray tan. It helps avoid weird tan lines around where socks and T-shirts cut off.”
HOME REMEDIESFor those who prefer to save a few dollars with DIY spa treatments, try hair removal at home.
“To keep skin smooth, purchase an exfoliating and hydrating moisturizer,” Barshop said. “I’d also recommend purchasing a gradual spray tanning lotion, which can be used daily or every other day for a gradual glow.”
Home hair removal is the specialty of Sue Madigan, founder of Project Fig. From shave gels to soothing serums, Madigan knows a thing or two about DIY hair removal—especially when it comes to your intimate areas.
“Exfoliate your intimate grooming areas a few times before your first wax, and trim down the hair to a quarter of an inch so the wax sticks,” Madigan said. “Afterward, be sure to have a hot bath or shower to soften the skin.” ◊
Men, take a hint from The 40 Year Old Virgin and don’t let this be you.
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Skin, meet summerYour guide to getting bare, bronzed and beautiful
By Courtney Leiva
24 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
Round
Round faces are as wide as they are long, and they often have a rounded jaw line.
Baum’s advice“Avoid pairing round frames and large frames with a round face. Try looking for smaller lenses. Ostentatious frames and glitz will hide the beauty of the face.”
Our suggestions
Cat eye - Fossil, $70
Small squares - Ray Ban, $99
As founder and designer of Leisure Society, Shane Baum knows sunglasses.
Sunnies side up
No matter if you’re buying for function or fashion, it’s important to find sunglasses that match your style and facial structure. Eyewear expert Shane Baum, founder and designer of Leisure Society, a luxury lifestyle apparel collection, takes the guesswork out of finding the right sunglasses for your face shape. With his advice and our suggestions all for under $100, you’ll soon be stepping into the sun in a style that suits you.
Find the right sunglasses for your face shape
By Allison Sickert
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FASHION/BEAUTY
Oval
Oval shaped faces are noted for being well balanced and proportionate. The length of the face is about one and a half times the width.
Baum’s advice“The most difficult challenge is finding frames that fit comfortably around the ears. Try look-ing for eyewear with springs in the arms of the frames, made out of lightweight material, like titanium, for a comfortable fit. Wear styles that are longer with more linear shapes.”
Our suggestions
Long and linear - Macy’s, $80
Rectangular - Macy’s, $55
Square
Square faces are as wide as they are long, but are more angular. People who have a square face have a linear bone structure, typically with high cheekbones.
Baum’s advice“The most common difficulty for people with this type of facial shape is finding frames that sit well on their cheekbones. Aviator and oval frames are great for this face shape, and lens-es that wrap around the eyes and rest nicely on the cheekbones are typically a favorite of people with this facial structure.”
Our suggestions
Aviators - Aldo, $12
Round - Shopbop, $30
26 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FASHION/BEAUTY
Triangular
Triangular faces boast a full jawline and a nar-row forehead.
Baum’s advice“People with a triangular face structure can try a variety of styles from square, rectangu-lar, oversized, round and geometrical frames. The key is making sure it fits comfortably on the face.”
Our suggestions
Geometric - Urban Outfitters, $10
Square - Vince Camuto, $70
Heart
Heart-shaped faces are defined by wide cheekbones, a narrow jaw line and a fore-head of about the same width.
Baum’s advice“Medium-sized frames work best for heart-shaped faces. It’s important to never exag-gerate the look and size of the frame, or your face will look lost in the lenses. Round and oval frames are great for this face shape.” ◊
Our suggestions
Round - Nordstrom, $58
Oval - Zappos, $79
Summer is just beginning, but summer camp is over in Wet Hot American Summer, this issue’s choice for our Dinner and a movie feature. The film follows a handful of
counselors on the final day at Camp Firewood, a Jewish summer camp in Maine. In their final hours at camp, each counselor looks for a secret admirer to kiss following the camp’s talent show. Filled with
laughs and a star-studded cast—think Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce and Bradley Cooper—Wet Hot American Summer is a surefire way to light up your evening.
Channel Camp Firewood’s counselors by breaking out the red-and-white checkered tablecloth and lighting up a bonfire. It’s time for an old fashioned American cookout.
Dinner and a
movieCamp-themed
food and Wet Hot American Summer
By Brittany Abeijon and Tom Salek
Photography by Lynn W. Conway
FOOD/DRINK• •
28 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FOOD/DRINK
SNACKNo-fail trail mix
Start off the evening with our No-fail trail mix. In just seconds, you’ll have guests saying mmm with this satisfying twist on traditional snack mix.
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup roasted cashews
• ½ cup roasted sunflower seeds
• ½ cup dark chocolate roasted almonds
• ½ cup chocolate-covered raisins
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Eat your heart out.
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FOOD/DRINKDRINKBoozy bug juice
Mix up some Boozy bug juice to wash it all down. Although it looks like a carefully crafted kitchen cocktail, you don’t even need a blender for this beverage. Just mash the ingredients together with a fork, pour in plastic cups and enjoy.
• 24 ounces frozen strawberries, thawed
• 6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 quart ginger ale
• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• Vodka to taste
1. Place the strawberries in a bowl and mash with a fork.
2. In a large pitcher, mix the strawberry mash, lemonade concentrate, ginger ale and vodka.
3. Serve in plastic cups and add a handful of blueberries for the “bugs.”
Feeling campy? Serve guests
their drinks in mini canteens during a camp-themed
cookout.
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FOOD/DRINK
MAINChicago-style hot dogs
No campout would be complete without some classic hot dogs. Here, we used kosher dogs and piled on all the qualifiers to call it Chicago-style. Boil the hot dogs in a pot over an open fire, or roast them on sticks for this simple camp favorite. Just be sure to hold the ketchup or Chicagoans everywhere will judge you.
• Kosher hot dogs
• Poppy seed buns
• Mustard
• Green relish
• Chopped onion
• Pickle spear
• Tomato wedges
• Sport peppers
• Celery salt
Satisfy Southern roots by skipping the Chicago-style toppings. Instead, slather a sweet, finely chopped, mayo-based slaw on top of the hot dogs.
Try a popped pairing for a simple, healthy side. We love airy, gluten-free Popchips, especially the chili lime flavor.
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FOOD/DRINKDESSERTS’mores
Whether you’re pitching a tent in your backyard or heading to your favorite campground, you’ll make everyone smile with a big ol’ stack of S’mores. The gooey dessert is simple to make, and will make you feel like a kid again. ◊
• Graham crackers
• Hershey’s chocolate squares
• Jumbo marshmallows
Take sticky to the extreme by spreading peanut butter on your graham crackers before adding the chocolate and marshmallow. The combination is unbeatable.
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FOOD/DRINK
The next installment of our Dinner and a movie series will feature celebratory cooking and a movie selection you’re sure to
36 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FOOD/DRINK
Summer sippersFive drink options for every warm-weather occasion
By Melanie Krakauer • Photography by Lynn W. Conway
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FOOD/DRINK
Summer sippersFive drink options for every warm-weather occasion
By Melanie Krakauer • Photography by Lynn W. Conway
38 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FOOD/DRINK
For those of us who live in parts of the world with cold, harsh winters, summer
signals people to emerge from their cocoons and rejoin the rest of humanity at outdoor cafes, beaches and parks. It’s the time of year when the sun stays up later and people everywhere stay outdoors longer.
Take advantage of the warmth with a barbecue, a bike ride or just a bask in the sun, but know there’s more than just water to cool you down. Get creative with these five unique drink selections that will quench your thirst on a scorching summer afternoon.
For the barbecueBetter than any margarita, this spicy, icy cocktail is the perfect treat to complement your grilling eats. If you’re grilling on the patio for the Fourth of July, or just indulging in a late night snack, the added burst of tequila is a sure way to make your burgers and brats more memorable. Or is it?
Pink tequila
• 6 cups chopped watermelon
• 1 pint strawberries
• ¾ cup lime juice
• 1 Tbsp agave nectar
• 8-10 ounces white tequila
1. Blend all ingredients together except for the tequila.
2. Pour mixture into a large pitcher, add a few cups of ice and top off with tequila.
3. Stir, taste and add more tequila to your liking.
After a work outTake off your helmet, kick off your running shoes, wipe down your yoga mat and cool down with this healthy
smoothie. The Greek yogurt adds a protein punch to help your muscles recover, while the frozen pineapple serves up both icy consistency and tropical flavor. Multiply the serving size if working out with friends.
Sunrise smoothie
• ¾ cup coconut milk (try Almond Breeze Almond Coconut milk)
• 1 cup strawberry banana Greek yogurt
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ cup frozen pineapple
1. Blend all ingredients and enjoy.
At your deskChannel your summer vacations of the past with this homemade flavored water. Even if you’re on the job for more than 40 hours a week, this drink will leave you feeling cool and hydrated. The refreshing effects of the added cucumber make getting your daily water intake easy and delicious.
Citrus cucumber water
• 1 large lemon, sliced
• 1 large lime, sliced
• 1 large orange, sliced
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced
• ½ gallon of water
1. Place the fruit slices and cucumber in a glass pitcher and add water.
2. Refrigerate for two hours to allow flavors to infuse.
3. Serve in a glass over ice.Blend watermelon, strawberries and lime juice together for Pink tequila.
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FOOD/DRINK
Impress a dateYou don’t need to prepare a four-course meal to impress a date—and with a recipe like this, you won’t even need an extra trip to the store. This concoction takes your taste buds straight to Spain, the birthplace of this red wine alternative.
Kalimotxo
• 1 liter cola-flavored carbonated beverage
• 1 750 mL bottle red wine
• Ice cubes, for serving
• Lemon slices for garnish
1. Place ice in a wine glass or goblet.
2. Fill a red wine glass about 2/3 full and top with coke.
3. If using, squeeze lemon and drop in.
4. Stir with a straw or bar spoon. Mix cola and red wine to make Spanish cocktail Kalimotxo.
Infuse water with lime, lemon and cucumber slices for a refreshing thirst quencher.
40 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
FOOD/DRINK
Two parts Hoegaarden beer and one part Framboise make this beer cocktail a Dirty Ho.
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FOOD/DRINK
During happy hourStep aside, Snakebites. We have a new favorite beer cocktail. Impressive in taste, color and head (that’s what she said), this one is both fun to say and fun to drink.
Dirty Ho
• 1 bottle of Lindemans Framboise
• 2 bottles of Hoegaarden beer
1. Fill a tall, thin Pilsner glass halfway with Hoegaarden.
2. Fill the rest of your glass with Lindemans Framboise, leaving room at the top for the foamy head.
3. Let the foam settle and get dirty.
For the coolerSometimes you’re in no situation to play mixologist and you just have to call in the classics.
• Corona
• Leinenkugel Summer Shandy
• Dogfish Head Festina Peche
• New Belgium Somersault
• Abita Strawberry
• Arnold Palmer Tea
• Grapefruit Izze
• IBC Root Beer ◊
42 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
ENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT
Atlanta: SkyLoungeSkyLounge, located on the 11th floor of the Glenn Hotel, provides Atlanta with the premiere rooftop experience. SkyLounge offers a sweeping view of the Atlanta skyline, and drinks average around $10. Open every day, SkyLounge never charges cover to get in. If you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out Flip-Flop Fridays for $5 signature drinks and DJ music.
Setting the bar high
F rom Minneapolis to Melbourne, rooftop bars have sprung up all over the world—literally. Set in the sky far above the bustling city
below, patrons get both stunning sights and hand-crafted cocktails. Scared of heights? Then don’t look down. We encourage you to rise to the occasion with America’s best rooftop bars.
Feel on top of the world with these enchanting views and intoxicating drinks
By Jessica Deming
• •
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ENTERTAINMENT
Boston: Top of the HubAlthough technically not a rooftop bar, Top of the Hub offers one heck of a view of the Boston skyline from the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower. Fusing New England style with Asian and Californian influences, this full-service restaurant and jazz lounge offers everything from duck leg confit to 2-pound lobster with Ritz Cracker and crabmeat stuffing. Most cock-tails average around $13, but if you’re feeling a bit more ambitious—or if someone else is buying—try one of Top of the Hub’s luxury drinks, which run as high as $90 per cocktail. While there may not be a cover charge, expect to pay a $24 minimum per person if you want a table after 8 p.m.
Chicago: ROOF on the WitWindy City dwellers and tourists alike should head to ROOF at the Wit Hotel on State Street. This rooftop bar offers gorgeous views of Chicago’s downtown year-round with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Showcasing various DJs nightly means ROOF is a great place to dance the night away with a group of friends, but you can also grab a small plate or dessert with a date. ROOF charges cover on Friday and Saturday nights, and if you want to host a special event, expect to pay upward of $70 per person for 2.5 hours at a table, plus desserts, a bottle of vodka and one magnum of champagne..
A laid-back, baseball cap kind of rooftop
For those who prefer a more laid-back vibe, try out the rooftop experi-ence in Chicago’s Wrig-leyville neighborhood. If you’re a Cubs fan (and even if you’re not), keep an eye out on your favor-ite daily deals websites for discounted all you can eat/drink tickets for a game on one of the 16 rooftops—like the Shef-field Baseball Club, the Ivy League Baseball Club or the Wrigley Field Rooftop Club—that surround the field. Though each rooftop of-fers a different view, each ensures a similar experi-ence with food, booze and America’s favorite pastime. Most of these facilities offer corporate or group specials, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50-200 depending on the opposing team and time of year.
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ENTERTAINMENTDetroit: Coach InsigniaLocated on the 72nd floor of the GM Global Renaissance Center, Coach Insignia stands as the second tallest restaurant and bar in the country. After a ride on an external glass elevator—think Charlie & the Chocolate Fac-tory—patrons arrive at a full-ser-vice steakhouse with an amaz-ing wine list, surpassed only by the views of Detroit and Wind-sor, Ontario. Wine starts at $8 a glass, but their weekday Happy Hour offers discounts on drinks and food. The restaurant tends to be business casual, however during baseball season you can always spot Tigers fans as they drop by the lounge to enjoy a quick bite or drink on game day.
Las Vegas: SKYBAREven if you’ve lost your life savings at the poker table, the views at SKYBAR may make you forget, at least temporarily. SKYBAR, one of three pools located on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, provides impeccable views of the Strip. Hard Rock guests can venture up to SKYBAR at no cost, but there is a $20 cover for the general public. Once up at SKYBAR, you can unwind from the chaos that is Vegas with drinks and light snacks until you’re ready to try your hand at the slots … again.
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ENTERTAINMENTMinneapolis: ProhibitionIf you find yourself in the Twin Cities, head over to Prohibition. Located on the 27th floor of the W Minneapolis Hotel, the panoramic views of the downtown make the trip worth-while. Aside from private party spaces, Prohi-bition also offers general access spaces with beer starting at $7, wine starting at $10 and cocktails starting at $12. If you like gourmet bar snacks, try the truffled deviled eggs with diced chorizo for $10. Prohibition also offers specialized events like whiskey tastings and cigar rolling demonstrations. This beautifully designed space is also a great spot for drinks with clients, especially with the daily $5 Happy Hour special from 5-7 p.m.
New York City: PlungeLocated in the heart of New York City’s Meat-packing District, Hotel Gansevoort is home to Plunge, a rooftop pool and loft. Drinks start at $10 for beer and $14 for wine and cock-tails, and there’s a grill menu available with assorted salads and skewers. Once settled in on the 14th floor, enjoy 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Plunge is open year-round from 11–4 a.m., but the best time to go is midweek when you can avoid the weekend crowds.
San Francisco: The ViewLocated on the 39th floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown San Francisco, The View is open to the public with no cover or table minimum. Although the view of the downtown is stunning, food options are somewhat limited with small plates ranging from $7-15 each. There’s one burger option for $29, and a glass of wine will set you back at least $12. There are also about a dozen different beers that average around $6-7, as well as hard liquor or mixed drinks that cost $12-15. At those prices, stop here before the sunset for a few drinks, then move on to somewhere more affordable for the rest of your night.
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Washington, D.C.: P.O.V.On the 11th floor of the W Hotel Washington, D.C., sits P.O.V., a trendy tapas bar that provides indoor and outdoor seating. Though it’s open daily with no cover charge, there are table minimums enforced after 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The views at P.O.V. show off the White House and other monuments located on the National Mall, without hav-ing to push your way through a glacially moving bunch of tourists. So say hello to the nation’s capital in style. ◊
Seattle: RviewRview, the restaurant and bar on the 28th floor of the Renaissance Hotel, not only offer views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay, but also an extensive food menu with prices from $10-30, and reasonably priced drinks starting at $4. Although there are no cover charges at Rview, it’s only open until 11 p.m., so be sure to make plans for later.
Photos by each bar or restaurant.
ENTERTAINMENT
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YOUR AD HEREIf you are interested in advertising your brand, product or company to Facets readers, email
[email protected] for rates and availability.
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Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew FestSnowmass Village, Colo. — June 8-9 Embrace summer with beer, chili and music. Enjoy tastings of great brew and meat with an
unmissable weekend in Snowmass Village.
Fabulous festivals from coast to coast A summer must-do list for your regionBy Rachel Kosmal
Seattle Erotic Art FestivalSeattle — June 16-26 Is it hot in here? Erotic art, dance, music, film and literature for those looking for some steamy summer entertainment.
Gilroy Garlic Festival Gilroy, Calif. — June 27-29 Pack some breath mints and eat hundreds of tasty dishes prepared with the culinary staple at this three-day festival. Luling Watermelon Thump
Luling, Texas — June 21-24 What would summer be without watermelon? Enjoy food and entertainment, but don’t miss the
champion melon judging.
Potato Days Barnesville, Minn. — Aug. 24-25 Fans of the root will enjoy potato wrestling, sculpting, shooting, cooking and peeling. You’ll never look at a fry the same way again.
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Fabulous festivals from coast to coast A summer must-do list for your regionBy Rachel Kosmal
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ FestivalCary, N.C. — Aug. 3-4 The name says it all. A flat rate gets you a sampling glass for your all-you-can-sample tastes of great bourbon and
beer.
Luling Watermelon ThumpLuling, Texas — June 21-24 What would summer be without watermelon? Enjoy food and entertainment, but don’t miss the
champion melon judging.
Purple Hull Pea Festival & World Championship Rotary Tiller RaceEmerson, Ark. — June 29-30 If you don’t know what a tiller is, then you’re in for the race of your life. Between the races, pageants and pea-centric cook-offs, this is one
festival you’re going to want to share.
Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft and Music Festival Quechee, Vt. — June 15-17 Food, entertainment, shopping and hot air balloon flights are just a few of the reasons you should be in Vermont this summer.
Whiting Pierogi Festival Whiting, Ind. — July 27-29 Smaczny pierogies abound in this annual festival. Get your fill of dumplings, live music, dancing and meet Mr. Pierogi himself.
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Pura Vida!Costa Rican travelers embrace beaches, bug bites and Bob Marley
By Lindsay McCown • Photography by Casey McCallister
“Judging by the looks of these people sitting on the beach and holding pineapples,” I told my boyfriend, “there appears to be a direct correlation between
happiness and drinking rum out of hollow tropical fruit.”
It was time for my pitch. Recently I’d found a website featuring an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation and desperately wanted to mark up the pages of my passport. But before I could jet set to another country, I had to make the case to my boyfriend, Casey, convincing him that laying on the beach sipping cocktails in a foreign land was really the way to go.
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Casey, on the other hand, had another idea: a 19-day hike through the Himalayas. Forget all-inclusive, I envisioned myself having to bribe him just to agree to a Sherpa. Fearing I’d face certain death by tripping on a rock and tumbling off the side of a mountain, we agreed to wait on hiking through the Himalayas, and instead I’d practice my hiking skills while at a different international destination.
Planning a trip was not exactly new territory for us. Casey and I vacation very well together, likely due to the fact that it’s all we ever do because Casey lives in Colorado and I live in California. When we meet up every couple of weeks, we have an amazing whirlwind weekend in one of our home cities, or we meet in a new town (or an old favorite) in any given city or state. Our life together is a blur of plane rides, hotels, incredible restaurants and exploring. Casey loves seeing different regions and documenting them through photos, and I enjoy experiencing the unique regional culinary traditions and staying in hotels that supply fluffy, white bathrobes. One thing we hadn’t tackled, though, was the long, international vacation together. So after two years of being together, we finally decided it was time.
Costa Rica here we comeIt’s no secret that Casey and I are quite different. It’s a fact we both love. Casey is an adventurous outdoorsman and photographer. He’s always climbing a mountain, snowboarding or traveling for the sake of getting the perfect photo. The number of bones Casey has broken is almost double the
FOR THE EQUIVALENT OF AROUND ONE U.S. DOLLAR, THEY’D PULL OUT A YOUNG, GREEN, CHILLED COCONUT, HACK IT WITH A MACHETE, POKE A STRAW INSIDE AND GIVE YOU ONE OF THE BEST DRINKS OF YOUR LIFE.
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The travelers’ ocean-view villa in Playa Samara (above); Pipas frias, coconut water, at a roadside stand (left).
In case you missed it, you can read Lindsay’s
advice on long-distance love from our February/March
2012 issue.
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number of hikes I’ve been on in my 27 years of life. While he’s out in the wilderness, I’m more likely to be found in the kitchen attempting the perfect béchamel sauce, cooking for a dinner party, or going to the beach.
Like much of our life together, we had to find a way to blend my beloved beach and sun with his love of adventure and gravel roads. Casey had the answer: Costa Rica. It’s the perfect destination for adventurous types, due to its jungles, volcanoes, cliffs, beaches and opportunities for deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and kayaking. But it’s also hot, full of gorgeous beaches, has a strong local culture and best yet, mind-blowing coffee.
We planned our Central American trip for mid-April, before the rainy season began, and booked the relatively short and inexpensive flight. With my 48-pound suitcase stocked with a dozen outfits and eight pairs of shoes rolling behind me–yes, I hated myself in that moment–I flew from Los Angeles to Denver where I met Casey for our red-eye flight to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a vibrant, beautiful country in the heart of Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia, you can drive around the whole country in a day. Unlike other countries in Central America, Costa Rica enjoys a stable democracy that hasn’t had a military in many years, which allows them to funnel the saved money into social programs.
Just under six hours after our plane left Denver, we touched down in San Jose. From there, we exchanged our dollars for brightly colored Costa Rican colones, heaved my suitcase (that the airline had discreetly labeled “excess” with a hot pink sticker) through customs and boarded the shuttle that took us to the rental car company where we picked up our well-appointed chariot that took us around the country.
Settling into our tropical abode As we waited for our rental car, the staff pulled our vehicle around and presented us with the French equivalent of a Geo Metro. There, in its gray, one-hubcap glory, was our car. It had an engine that sounded like a golf cart, a tiny backseat in lieu of trunk space and dim headlights to blaze the way. We fell in love with it immediately. We had the suspicion that we wouldn’t be able to get it up a large hill–and we confirmed that just a few days later. But this stick shift with a rusty transmission and brakes on the verge of failure was ours, and it would do right by us.
A shot glass filled with a receipt and colones,
the Costa Rican currency (below, left);
The tiny rental car that took the travelers
around Costa Rica (below, right).
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CASEY AND I LOVE FEW THINGS MORE THAN DELICIOUS FOOD, SO WE SAVORED EACH MEAL IN COSTA RICA ... NOT TO MENTION CUP AFTER DELICIOUS CUP OF COSTA RICAN COFFEE.
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Costa Rican coffee, pipas frias and banana pancakes up the coast at Nosara (right); Breakfast
spot and surf school in Samara (below).
Steve, the couple’s adopted lizard that followed them around for eight days,
in his “stoic” pose (right).
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Throughout our journey, Casey maneuvered it through the busy, pedestrian-filled roads of San Jose, while I covered my eyes and stifled my screams. Understandably tense in the traffic-thick San Jose, I spent the first part of the trip crumpled into a ball in the passenger’s seat while frantically begging a higher power to spare our lives. I finally wore myself out and accepted that if I was going to die, it would be pretty cool to do it here.
Once Casey became comfortable with the stick shift and I relaxed, we were both able to enjoy the hilly Costa Rican countryside. We stopped a few times: once to pick out mangos and bananas at a roadside fruit stand, twice to nap on the side of the road and once to eat a breakfast of fried plantains, eggs, fruit and empanadas at a roadside snack shop. After being stalled for some time by an overturned fruit truck, we finished the five hour drive from the airport to Playa Samara.
While we were planning our trip, it wasn’t hard to choose Playa Samara for our destination. Playa Samara is a picturesque, tropical beach that sits on a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay. It’s a peaceful, quaint town at the foot of a steep hill on the west side of Costa Rica in the Nicoya peninsula. It has solitude when you need it, but a short excursion into town offers a small selection of beach bars, taquerías and little shops.
As our car puttered into Playa Samara, we located our one-bedroom villa on the lush grounds that sat just steps away from the beach. It was bright and full of windows, and had a kitchen, a hammock on the ocean-view patio and even an air conditioner in the bedroom. We happily settled in for the seven nights ahead. Exhausted, Casey and I fell into the hammock and woke up to the sunset and a pack of wild horses standing near our porch.
Delicious food and gorgeous landscapes Casey and I went into the trip with an itinerary of places to explore, volcanoes to hike and jungles to zip line through, so we were surprised to find ourselves taking a more laid-back approach to our time there. Long, lazy afternoons talking and drinking icy Imperials, Costa Rica’s signature lager, on the beach while watching surfers, lingering sunsets that Casey photographed, reading on the sand. Breakfasts lasted for hours and entire days were spent in the hammock, breaking only for piña colada refills.
Casey and I love few things more than delicious food, so we savored each meal in Costa Rica. Costa Rican food is generally mild, but healthy. It’s full of fruit, vegetables, black beans and rice. We felt fantastic after eating here for a week straight, until we got back to the bustling city of San Jose to catch our flight and quickly found a Denny’s. After a short stack of pancakes each, we felt miserable. That continued for a few days after arriving back home as we resumed our normal diets. I vowed to implement more Costa Rican foods into my diet at home, and I actually feel better as a result.
Our usual day began by waking early, a natural side effect to the early sunrise. For the first few mornings, we went to a nearby restaurant and piled our plates high with fried plantains, eggs, gallo pinto (rice and beans), fresh mango, papaya and pineapple. Not to mention cup after delicious cup of Costa Rican coffee. We discovered a fantastic taquería on the beach in Samara. From then on, we’d
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Playa Carillo, a stone’s throw south of Playa Samara.
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make coffee and slowly head over to the small picnic table where we’d spend the next few hours. We’d order more coffee and our favorite breakfast, a plate of fresh fruit and corn tortillas stuffed with eggs, cheese and fresh pico de gallo. We’d sit and watch the surfers as they gathered in the shack next to our table. Then we’d wander around the little town buying bracelets and sarongs and turning down multiple offers to buy Bob Marley-inspired items.
One of our favorite things in Costa Rica were the pipas frias, or coconut water, we’d find at roadside stands. For the equivalent of around one U.S. dollar, they’d pull out a young, green, chilled coconut, hack it with a machete, poke a straw inside and give you one of the best drinks of your life. In Nosara, I enjoyed the best pipas frias I’ve ever tasted. Ice cold, sweet and perfect.
In the afternoon, we’d eat crispy corn tortillas filled with fish, vegetables or steak, and fresh pineapple daiquiris made of ice, just-chopped pineapple and rum. Another favorite was the ceviche, chunks of fresh, raw fish soaked in lime juice and spices, we bought from a woman walking along the beach. Tart and very fresh, we ate it straight from the cup. On the blistering hot days, we’d head into the ocean or duck into a nearby pool. After some beach-wandering and
hammock-napping, I’d settle in and read while Casey took photos. We’d spend more time on the rocks by the beach before heading to an early dinner of fresh fish, fruit, fried plantains and gallo pinto. Since the sun set around 5 p.m., we’d go to the beach for sunset and then make our way back to the hammock to prepare for an early bedtime.
No matter what you do, you’re going to sweat a littleSince Costa Rica was blazing hot, air conditioning was a welcome treat wherever we could find it. On the days where we explored, we’d blast the air conditioning in our car and head to our destination early, because nothing was exactly nearby. Early starts allowed us to explore the little stands and beaches that caught our eye along the way. We took the long drive over to Jaco, a well-known surfing village, to wander
around the city, drink mojitos and eat fish tacos while admiring the impressive waves. Another day we took our little car on a bumpy, hour-long trek on a dirt road up to the gorgeous
town of Nosara, the perfect beach town where we enjoyed banana pancakes and breakfast tacos. We kayaked out to Isla Chora, a beautiful island off Playa Samara. It was magnificent and horrifying at the same time, due to my enormous fear of deep water. We made new friends, saw monkeys and spent more time in the ocean—a foreign concept to me thanks to California’s freezing waters.
For the adventurous, Costa Rica is paradise. Adventurers can take advantage of the many zip line and canopy tours through the jungle. And those who prefer something more relaxed can try horseback riding on the beach, hot springs or mud baths. You can visit the Arenal volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest or Manuel Antonio National Park, or take coffee tours, surf lessons or scuba dive at the many gorgeous beaches along the border. It’s also a safe, friendly and accommodating place for those who just want a less conventional getaway.
Loving the breezy Costa Rican lifestyle I was wary of leaving my well-structured life behind (and to be honest, my work BlackBerry) for more than a week, but as soon as I arrived, it wasn’t an issue. I immersed myself in the incredibly relaxed culture, and I couldn’t help but feel the breezy, Costa Rican lifestyle catch on. Sharing this experience with Casey was incredible. I saw the country through his eyes as he took photographs and pointed out new things. The time on the clock suddenly stopped mattering and we simply planned our day around when the sun came up and went down. The hustle-and-bustle of the American lifestyle, one which I’d fallen so deeply into, melted away and opened the door for incredible conversation and quality time. It was truly the most relaxed I’ve ever been.
The morning we got back to Denver, we found ourselves with an entire day of nothing to do before my flight back to Los Angeles. I felt incredibly
THE TIME ON THE CLOCK SUDDENLY STOPPED MATTERING AND WE SIMPLY PLANNED OUR DAY AROUND WHEN THE SUN CAME UP AND WENT DOWN.
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TRAVELTips for traveling to Costa Rica
» On any given day, street vendors know the exchange rate. It’s good to have colones, but a mix of colones and dollars were accepted almost universally.
» Before I left with my comically enormous suitcase, my friend told me the only things I’d really need were swimsuits, a sarong, sandals and an over-the-shoulder purse. She was right. Pack light.
» Like any other location, be street smart. Protect your belongings by carrying a small over-the-shoulder purse.
» Bring sunscreen and bug spray. The sunscreen in Costa Rica is quite expensive, so stock up before you go.
» The bugs are abundant and I still have marks a month later. Bug spray is your friend.
» Ladies, leave the makeup bag at home. Seriously.
» Book a rental car before you leave, and don’t be surprised when the price soars a few hundred more than your quoted price.
» The majority of rental cars have manual transmissions. Be prepared to pay more if you want an automatic.
» Many people in Costa Rica speak some English. Memorize some key phrases before you go if you aren’t familiar with Spanish.
» Driving in the dark was terrifying. Try to be home before the sun goes down.
Foggy sunset at Isla Chora, where the couple kayaked.
anxious. Shouldn’t we be doing something? How long until dinner? Back on U.S. soil, I instantly craved structure. I started answering work emails the moment the plane touched the ground, and my stress level was instantly elevated as I checked news websites and social media. When I got back to Los Angeles and back to work, I started to forget the ultra-relaxation I’d felt in Costa Rica.
As a way to extend the relaxing lifestyle from just a few days earlier, I went to Trader Joe’s and bought a carton of Zico coconut water, downloaded some reggae songs and closed the door to my office. I closed my eyes and instantly I was back in Playa Samara.
One of the uses of “Pura Vida,” the Costa Rican motto, is to say “this is life!” The Costa Ricans have it down to a science. Casey noticed that no one in Costa Rica seemed to be rushing anywhere—they just sat comfortably, whether on the side of the road or on a log on the beach, taking everything in. Until I can get back there, I’m working on bringing that spirit into my daily life, one imported carton of coconut water and Bob Marley song at a time. ◊
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Here’s a fact I’ve always been ashamed to admit: besides going to Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas, I’ve never taken a vacation abroad. Yes, that’s right. Until this
May, I’d never crossed the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.
While my passport is somewhat sparse, I downplay the fact that it only has one stamp, gathered a few years back from a trip to Mexico as an undergraduate. Instead of saying I only have one stamp, I like to point out that unlike nearly two-thirds of Americans, I’m part of the 38 percent. Since 2001, I’ve been in the top one-third of the country that the U.S. State Department touts as having their very own passport.
Although my passport has gone bare for most of its life, recently, thanks to my dad turning the big 6-0, it now has a bit more ink. I always envisioned Spain or Italy as part of my first international voyage. But with my dad’s milestone birthday (and his only wish to visit Israel) coinciding with my brother’s girlfriend visiting her family in the United Kingdom, booking tickets to London and Israel seemed predestined.
First stop, LondonWhen the wheels touched down at Heathrow Airport, I was still in disbelief that I was on another continent. With a pleasant, yet soggy, country ride from
the airport to our hotel in Bexley, a quaint borough about 15 miles southwest of London, I finally started to believe I was in a completely different part of the world. Converting dollars to pounds and ounces to liters, driving on the “wrong” side of the road, trying to understand the variety of British accents and the letters B, B and C also made it a reality.
My first proper English meal consisted of a warm pint (OK, maybe two and a half), fish and chips and peas at King’s Head, an ancient inn that dates back to the 14th century. Feeling stuffed with beer and food, I took a deep breath and sat back in my chair. While this was just the beginning of what would be a memorable vacation, it was the only time I actually relaxed before beginning an eight-day
Travel tales from a 38 percenterA first-time transatlantic traveler explores London and Israel
By Steven Cohen
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journey through the streets of England and Israel.
After Bexely, I raced around London for the next three days with my brother, his girlfriend and several of her family members. We first strolled up the Thames to the London Eye, overlooking all the destinations we’d soon be visiting. We started at Big Ben, whisked by Westminster Abbey, posed for a picture in front of Buckingham Palace, did some bird watching at St. James Park and then strolled through Trafalgar Square before finding another local pub.
On day two, we nibbled our way through Borough Market en route to snap a few more shots at Tower Bridge. We then hopped on the “Tube” and headed to Picadilly for some shopping before dancing into the wee hours at the renowned Fabric nightclub. To round the trip out, I got my first live taste of professional rugby at a London Wasps match, and watched the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool at yet another pub.
Not bad for a first-timer. When reciting the laundry list of attractions visited and sites seen to a family friend who lived in London, she said with a hint of jealousy, “Wow. I haven’t even done some of those things.”
Advantage: Cohen. The only disadvantage was waking up at 4 a.m. to catch an early flight from Heathrow to Tel Aviv.
Last stop, Tel AvivAfter seeing years of American news reports filled with stories about the violence between Jews and Palestinians, and witnessing the raised eyebrows of friends and co-workers after telling them I was headed to Israel, I didn’t quite know what to expect in Tel Aviv. As the plane touched down, I wondered if I would experience paranoia, terror and security checks. In retrospect, I can say without hesitation, nope, nope and nope to all those feelings.
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What I found instead was a vibrant county. Passionate about its communities, its history, its food—I had some of the best falafel, hummus, olive oil, eggplant and yeast cake ever—its beautiful landscape and above all, its people.
From atop a hill in Northern Israel, one of our Puzzle Israel tour guides pointed to the communities below and told us that many Israelis live in one of the 270 kibbutzim across the country. A kibbutz is essentially a collective community. Nir, one of our Puzzle tour guides, took us on a special trip to Yuvalim, his own kibbutz. Yuvalim has a population of about 1,000 people. While there, we had coffee and kenafeh, a warm, syrupy pastry filled with cheese, on a mountaintop at sunset. Nir told us that every year, the entire population of Yuvalim gathers for a walk to honor a fellow kibbutznik who died while serving in the Israeli Army. Although it was just one of many stories, this story cemented the fact that in Israel, people are what truly create a community.
Everywhere we went, I was able to learn more and more about the history of Israel. While most history books point out that the nation known as Israel today dates back 64 years, every part of the nation is layered with centuries of historical tales stretching back thousands of years to the times of the Old Testament. Seeing the ruins of ancient cities like Caesara, Masada and the City of David, and grazing the bricks of places I’d only seen on The History Channel and Wikipedia, sent a rush through my body. As did the “Danger mines!” signs I saw throughout the country, notifying passersby that war is always a looming presence.
However, no destination was more special for me than the Western Wall inside the old city of Jerusalem. While I’m half Jewish, I never had a bar mitzvah or fully explored my faith. Explaining this to Nir #2, another Puzzle Israel tour guide, he helped my dad, brother and me recite a special prayer at the Wall. In addition to our own reflection time, the prayer seemed to bring me a little bit closer, even
Tel Aviv, Israel
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for a few hours, to my ancestors who probably helped build that exact Wall.
From the top of the Golan Heights to the depths of the Dead Sea, we traversed the country to the max in a minivan. It sure beat all the tourists I saw riding in coach buses wearing matching shirts and hats. Seeing the country through the eyes of those who lived as normal Israelis held a bit more meaning than a pre-programmed mega-tour.
As the trip came to an end, the jetlag from the 24-hour, 8,000-mile commute back to Chicago was absolutely worth it for the trip of a lifetime. That is, until I book the next one. ◊
Golden moments• Randomly strolling onto the exact location
where the cover of Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? was photographed
• Contrasting the feeling of drinking Monmouth Coffee in the Borough Market in London and Arabic coffee in a cave about 300 meters above sea level in Israel
• Swimming in a century-old Commander’s pool built by British soldiers in a secluded forest in Israel
• Floating in the Dead Sea at dusk
London Wasps rugby match
People-filled street outside the Western Wall in Jerusalem
“Danger Mines!” signs are plentiful throughout
Israel
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Don’t miss out!Check out our social media vehicles between
issues for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes photos and inside information.
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Resort cabins in Negril, Jamaica
Jamaican me annoyedBattling for the beach in Jamaica
By Diana Nguyen • Illustration by Rachel Kosmal
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When people think of beach vacations, images of lounging along white, sandy shorelines under the tropical sun come to
mind. Add in some drinks with little umbrellas, and it’s paradise.
A few years ago, my boyfriend and I took a trip to Jamaica with two other couples. What started as a relaxing vacation in a tropical wonderland turned into a scenario that got us wondering, what exactly is paradise?
Honeymoon’s overUpon checking into our rooms at the resort, the six of us realized we were, let’s say, different from the other hotel guests. I don’t know if it was the constant kissing, public hand holding or abundance of flowers, but we soon realized the resort was packed with couples on their honeymoon. Let’s face it, newlyweds deserve a honeymoon after months of wedding planning. We, on the other hand, were there simply
to get away from our jobs with some R&R at an all-inclusive resort. We tried not to interrupt the bliss of new matrimony, but we also planned to take full advantage of one aspect of the all-inclusive package: free drinks. Our goal obvious, the honeymooners kept their distance, with a few annoyed looks sent our way. Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water...After we got settled into our rooms, we met at the hotel bar for our first round of drinks. A couple of rounds later, we questioned why we were stationed at a bar surrounded by love-struck couples. With no reason not to, we decided to take our party to the actual beach. We looked to the shore and began our pilgrimage to the ocean. Standing waist-deep in the warm water and sipping on our drinks, we began chanting “We’re in freakin’ Jamaica!” Sounding like the coeds that we weren’t, we decided this was the perfect vacation. We splashed. We laughed. We pestered each other. “Stop kicking me!” one of my friends yelped. She turned around ready to defend herself against her aggressor. Instead, her eyes encountered an unexpected culprit.
“Stingray!” We bolted out of the water. “What you running away from, mon?” one of the beach bums asked as we raced onto the shore. On cue, the stingray floated languidly behind us. “Is it dead?” Staring at the body of the creature lying on the sandy beach, we weren’t sure how to respond. The stingray suddenly answered his question, flopping around and scattering away from the shore.
“My butt hurts,” my friend moaned, realizing her pain. Turns out the stingray knocked itself out when it ran into her backside, leaving her with a large bruise in an unfortunate place.
Nguyen and her boyfriend in Jamaica
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You just gotta coexistAs we enjoyed the remainder of our vacation, we made sure to keep an eye on the surrounding water. Word had spread quickly of the incident, and everyone at the resort approached the water cautiously. However, we also noticed another change in the atmosphere at the resort.
The honeymooners who once scoffed at us as we took in some rays—from the sun, that is—decided we weren’t as annoying. After the incident, instead of a sneer we were greeted with acceptance. Suddenly, we were both trying to coexist with the unwelcome visitor. ◊
Shoreline of resort in Negril, Jamaica
For more travel stories, read To & From, an online travel lifestyle magazine designed for those who enjoy the journey, even when they’re not traveling.
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Doctors call it the most agonizing disease in the world, yet for 25-year-old Danielle Cosgrove,
the daily battle with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is largely invisible. Unlike other extreme physical conditions, CRPS leaves little physical evidence of its presence. And according to most experts, it outdoes all of them in pain.Originally from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, Cosgrove’s first confrontation with CRPS began during the time she was studying for a master’s degree in human rights at the University College London. In March of 2010, one of her friends was getting married in Qatar. On the second day of the trip, a group piled into SUVs and headed out for a camping trip. Deep in the desert dunes,
the Yamaha Rhino carrying Cosgrove and another guest flipped after a simple turn and rolled before landing on the passenger side. While the other passenger remained unhurt, Cosgrove’s body was trapped beneath the crushing weight of the vehicle.
Hours passed before help arrived. Cosgrove and her companions were isolated in the rugged, harsh desert. When a helicopter carrying paramedics finally arrived, they delivered a grim prognosis. Cosgrove had sustained numerous injuries, including two dislocated shoulders, but the damage to her left foot was the worst. It was so bad that the paramedic believed they would have to amputate in order to remove her from the wreck. Infection was highly probable given the amount of sand and grime that had entered the wound. When they were finally able to pull Cosgrove out, all the skin and muscles around her foot had been cut away—without painkillers—while it remained attached.
“At one point during the accident,” she recalled, “it felt as though I’d been dropped into a volcano.”
The indescribable
pain of a light breeze
A woman’s battle with one of the most painful conditions in the world
By Kara VanderBijl
• •LIFE
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From discomfort to diagnosisAfter arriving at a local hospital, doctors believed Cosgrove would be able to keep her foot even though broken bones had pierced through damaged tissues, and joints were completely entangled. But to everyone’s astonishment, her damaged limb survived. It wasn’t until a year after the accident when she would begin training to walk again.
However, the external scars soon seemed insignificant compared to new, distressing symptoms. The skin on Cosgrove’s left foot dramatically changed color, swelled up and fluctuated wildly in temperature. Relentless, searing pain—triggered by anything from a passing wind to blankets pulled gently over her cast—pointed to extensive nerve damage. In November 2010, eight months after the accident, Cosgrove was officially diagnosed with CRPS.
Although between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans struggle with CRPS, it remains largely unknown to many people. Doctors are not exactly sure what causes CRPS because it has no known instigator. Most commonly, the syndrome follows an injury to the arm or the leg, like Cosgrove’s. When the body undergoes extreme physical pain, the sympathetic nervous system, which controls blood flow and other aspects of the skin, goes rogue. Nerves misfire, sending constant, exaggerated pain signals to the brain. Because
the condition happens at random and only affects about 5 percent of all nerve injuries, most people visit at least five physicians before being correctly diagnosed.
Fire and iceEvery day Cosgrove experiences pain so intense she says it’s almost indescribable.
“My pain may change hourly,” she described. “Besides the fiery pain, there’s a chance I might also have ‘ice pain,’ which feels as though a frozen knife is cutting through my skin. This is painful in its own right, but thankfully not as bad as the heat.”
Left untreated, the disease will spread to other previously unharmed limbs, eventually reaching internal organs and even the brain. Symptoms are best alleviated by aggressive and early medical care. Because there is currently no cure for CRPS, treatments are most often geared toward pain relief. In the best of cases, patients may go into remission.
This faint hope of remission is what got Cosgrove through the first harrowing months, the majority of which she spent recovering, completely bedridden, in Texas. For a girl whose parents’ careers had taken her family from their Caribbean island home to destinations like Qatar and Colombia since she was a small child, immobility was a shocking change of pace.
Once physical therapy got her back on her feet, she began engaging in many available forms of CRPS treatment, starting with the least invasive: medication, nerve blockers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ketamine infusions. Just last month,
A Middle Eastern nurse pushes Cosgrove in a wheelchair down the hospital hallway.
Danielle Cosgrove’s left foot shows physical signs of CRPS, which occurs most often in the arms, legs, hands or feet.
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she received a spinal cord stimulator, which uses electrical currents to interfere with the misfiring nerves.
“There’s no handbook for this disease,” Cosgrove explained. “Anything can happen; any procedure can be done.”
Treatments that work for certain patients don’t work for others. Stress, exhaustion and pressure changes may aggravate the condition, making the unbearable even worse.
Staying positive despite the painFor Cosgrove, dealing with the pain comes not just from the treatment, but also by remaining patient, hopeful and positive. Her physical therapy, for example, is paired with a good dose of positive visualization, a practice she swears by.
Her relentless attitude and joyfulness is reflected in her blog, Project 3x5. She challenges readers to encourage each other and visualize an otherwise
invisible illness, with words imbued with a warmth sometimes absent in the digital world.
“I’ve unlocked the secret of life,” she confided. “It’s finding joy in the little things, like spending time with my baby goddaughter, Olivia, my family, my boyfriend, Josh, and my friends all over the world.”
During her time in the hospital, Cosgrove has made friends with many others suffering from the same or similar illnesses. “I’ve seen many friends sever ties with the outside world ‘because of the pain,’ ‘due to exhaustion,’ or because ‘no one understands.’ At times, it has also been the case that those friends cut ties with the ones in pain because the ‘ill’ are downright cranky.”
While she empathizes deeply with those in pain, she admits she can’t blame their friends.
“Rather than alienate those around you or whine that no one understands what you’re going through, use the outside world as an aid and a tool,” she said. “If you have a funny friend, invite them over and have a laugh. If you have a chatty friend, go for coffee when you’re exhausted. You won’t have to say a thing, but it’s a great way to feel included in your group.”
No matter how difficult it may be in the beginning, having hope is crucial.
“We really all deserve medals for the pain, along with massive beds and soft comfy sheets to crawl under when we’re exhausted,” Cosgrove said. “But the cruelest part of an invisible illness is that remission will most likely only happen the more active, optimistic and normal we choose to be.” ◊
Cosgrove stays positive through the pain, and shares her experience with CRPS on her blog, Project 3x5.
Cosgrove in the hospital with her mom, who she refers to as her best friend, nurse and support system.
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I quickly make my way through the crowded theater to find my seat. The lights dim, silencing the crowd. No one wants to miss a second of Cirque du Soleil’s “O.” I hear the sound of water dripping, one loud, repetitive droplet after the other. Suddenly, two white gloves appear, contrasted against the red, velvet curtain drawn shut
across the stage. The curtain slowly opens exposing a clown, hunched over and frowning menacingly at the audience.
The clown slowly makes his way through the crowd without a sound, and drags a frightened audience member onstage. It’s not until the audience member is shot into the air that I realize he’s not really an audience member. As he disappears into the top of the curtains, the music booms and the cast rushes onstage, revealing the most spectacular display of costumes and props. The cast gathers around a sparkling pool of water in the middle of the stage, and that’s when I see him, dressed in red from head to toe, blending in with his fellow acrobats. A smile spreads across my face and can’t believe that man dressed in red is my brother.
Catch and releaseA peek behind the curtain of Cirque Du Soleil
By Kelly Bradley
Ross Bradley, Cirque du Soleil performer, poses with the cast of Alegría.
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Two years ago, my older brother, Ross Bradley, joined Cirque du Soleil as a catcher, an acrobat who hangs upside-down by their knees while catching other flying cast members. Had he always dreamed of working for one of the most creative and artistic entertainment companies in the world? Not exactly. Although he’s currently traveling around Europe performing in shows, sometimes twice a day, I caught up with him to learn more about his experiences with Cirque, how he got into the industry and the celebrities he met along the way.
Kelly Bradley: Did you always want to pursue Cirque as a career?
Ross Bradley: It all started with an interest in gymnastics when I was about 5 years old. I really didn’t think about Cirque as a possibility until much later, while I was on the gymnastics team in
“The makeup wasn’t too hard for me to learn because I like
to draw. It was just weird that I was drawing on myself
instead of on paper.”
Ross in stage makeup for Alegría (top) and his final performance during training in Montreal (left, above).
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KB: Tell us what your—our—parents think about Cirque as a career.
RB: They’re very supportive and love that Cirque fits with both my creativity and my background with gymnastics. They like how being a performer allows me to explore my creative side.
KB: How long do people typically work for Cirque?
RB: There are people that work with this company for a month, and others who have been with them for 15 years. It definitely depends on the type of activity they’re involved with.
KB: What would you do if you weren’t working with Cirque?
RB: If I hadn’t been involved in gymnastics growing up, then I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m really into skateboarding, so I’d say in a different lifetime I’d give that a shot. I also have a passion for drawing. When my time with Cirque comes to an end, I’ll try to pursue something that relates to drawing or design.
After auditioning in Las Vegas in 2010, Ross went to Cirque’s training headquarters in Montreal to train in general formation. This process puts potential employees through dance and acting classes in order to see what they’re most talented in.
KB: How did Cirque contact you? Was it an intense process?
RB: Cirque contacted me about a month after I auditioned in Las Vegas. They told me it was between me and a couple other guys for a spot to train in Montreal, and they ended up offering me the position. The hardest part was waiting after my audition to see if I would even hear anything. I didn’t know whether I should start looking for jobs in communications or continue pursuing my goal to work for Cirque. Thankfully, I heard back!
KB: What was training like?
RB: During general formation, I had to attend classes and training every day. In the classes, trainers want to see you grow as a performer and really come out of your comfort zone. One time they asked me to act like glue in front of the entire class. So, I had to move around and act like glue! It
was pretty weird at first, but I got used to it.
KB: What were the most difficult aspects of general formation? The most fun?
RB: Not knowing when and if an opening in a show would ever pop up was hard. However, the most fun was definitely meeting a whole new group of people from all over the world. We all became really close friends.
During training, Cirque offered Ross a temporary contract with the “O” show at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. His job requirements? Catch flying people 30 feet in the air from a bateau, or a flat-bottomed boat.
The title “O” is a name derived from the French
Cirque du Soleil crew works to set the stage for Alegría.
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word “eau,” which means water. This is appropriate considering the performers dive from up to 60 feet in the air into a 1.5 million gallon pool. There are even underwater speakers that allow performers to hear audio cues while submerged.
The show follows a young Sicilian boy who’s immersed in a dreamlike state. He realizes his fears, fantasies and a quest for adventure throughout the acts, which range from quirky clowns to contortionists to trapeze acts. The combination of unique music, costumes, makeup and dance tell a story in a way that’s magical.
KB: How did the coaching staff ease you into performing? Or did you just jump right in?
RB: Because I was replacing someone who was injured, the coaches didn’t waste any time. As soon as I learned the basic cues and could do a few catches, I was in.
KB: What are the costumes and makeup like?
RB: During each performance we change costumes about four times. We also had to learn to apply our own stage makeup. It took me about an hour when I was first learning the makeup, but once I got the hang of it I was able to do it in about half that
time. The makeup wasn’t too hard for me to learn because I like to draw. It was just weird that I was drawing on myself instead of on paper.
KB: Did you meet any celebrities while performing with “O?”
RB: I met Eva Longoria! She asked where I was from and I almost forgot what to say. We did have other celebrities come in that I never got the chance to meet, like Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice.
Ross performed in the “O” show for about five months before Cirque offered him a permanent
contract with “Alegría”—another Cirque show that tours Europe. “Alegría,” which means “jubilation” in Spanish, is described as a state of mind or mood. The show is much darker than “O,” emphasized by the music and lighting. Ross accepted the position, packed up his things on Christmas last year and then flew to Lisbon, Portugal to begin touring with the production. He has an opportunity not many people will ever have—to travel the world and entertain thousands of people every day.
KB: What does a normal day for you look like?
RB: A normal day with “Alegría” changes all the time. I’d say it includes breakfast around 10 a.m. followed by high-bar training. After training, I watch a recorded video Ross (third from left) smiles with fellow “O” performers
in full stage makeup and costumes.
The “O” cast practices with the bateau, a flat-bottomed boat that hangs 30 feet in the air.
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of it to study my technique. Next, I usually eat lunch and then it’s time to put on my makeup and get ready for the show. In between shows I eat dinner, and afterward I head back to the hotel and sleep.
KB: How often do you travel? What’s your favorite place you’ve seen with Cirque?
RB: The travel schedule is also constantly changing, but we usually travel every week. Right now we’re in Birmingham, United Kingdom. In about a week we travel to Dublin, Ireland. I’d have to say my favorite place so far has been Nice, France. It was beautiful and right on the Mediterranean.
KB: Cirque’s employees and artists represent more than 50 nationalities and speak 25 different languages. What have you learned about other cultures as you’ve worked with people from different parts of the world?
RB: The people I work with closely are Russian, Chinese and French, so I pick up words from them here and there. It has definitely opened my eyes.
KB: What surprised you most about being in Cirque?
RB: Cirque has more than 5,000 employees, but I was surprised to see how many employees they take on tour to make a show function. It’s amazing. Technicians, riggers, stage managers. So many people work together to make each show come to life.
KB: How do you balance this kind of a career with a personal life?
RB: That’s the hard part about the job because I’m constantly moving around and I’m not allowed to have anyone with me on tour. I spend a lot of my free time on Skype trying to keep up with family, my girlfriend and friends. A lot of the time it’s hard
Ross practices for “O” with another Cirque performer. His job title? A catcher.
“I love seeing the looks on people’s faces when
I’m performing. That will never get old.”
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Home • Naperville, Ill.
Training •Montreal
First contract with “O” •Las Vegas
“Alegría” tour•Lisbon, Portugal•Granada, Spain•Bilbao, Spain•Toulouse, France•Nantes, France•Lyon, France•Toulon, France•Nice, France•Montpellier, France•Strasbourg, France•Brussels, Belgium•Manchester, England•Glasgow, Scotland•Birmingham, England•Dublin, Ireland
Cirque Adventures
because the Internet connection isn’t always the best at the places we visit.
KB: Some people may think of a traveling circus as a thing of the past. Is there a nostalgia factor with a job like this?
RB: I also thought of the traveling circus as something that existed in the past, with lions, elephants and sword swallowers everywhere. It’s different now though. I have a set schedule everyday with training, rehab work to prevent injuries, stagings, not to mention the actual shows. Once I think about it that way, it seems pretty normal … but then again I don’t exactly have a desk job.
More than 100 million spectators have seen a Cirque show since 1984 when it was founded by two street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. It’s truly Cirque’s daring and imaginative energy that keeps people coming back for more. Each of the 21 shows strikes a balance between fantasy and reality, and offers a glimpse into an unknown world.
In the final breathtaking moments of “O,” large aerial hoops slowly descend from the ceiling, as elegant acrobats dangle from them by one leg. The music matches beautifully with the graceful movements of the performers. As the hoops and acrobats delicately dip into the water for one last time, the curtains close and the theatre erupts in claps and cheers. I’m truly in awe. The magical way the music, intricate costumes, vibrant colors and mind-blowing acrobatics come together creates an experience that is truly indescribable. ◊
Rain, sculpted by artist Richard MacDonald, is one of the first statues you see as you walk into the “O” theatre at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. MacDonald has done many
sculptures based on Cirque shows.
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Show me your clips
A beginner’s guide to extreme(ly simple)
couponing
By Megan Kelly
Photography by Lynn W. Conway
If the incredible popularity of companies like Groupon
or Living Social has taught us anything, it’s that we’re obsessed with finding a great deal. Whether we’re shopping for day-to-day items or splurging on nice-to-have items, we like to save money when we can. How do we do it? With coupons.
The appeal of couponing has recently grabbed millions of reality TV viewers. On TLC’s show Extreme Couponing, savvy shoppers use a plethora of coupons to purchase large quantities of products at small prices, such as $1,000 worth of ketchup for just $10. To find these mega savings, couponers spend most of their time prowling through newspaper inserts, websites and even dumpsters. And because 500 ketchup bottles don’t usually fit in the pantry, some couponers are forced to convert their garage or basement into a mini convenience store to stash their product masses.
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While Extreme Couponing may show the satisfaction one gets from huge savings, it doesn’t necessarily give a realistic or applicable approach to couponing for the common consumer.
Instead of hoarding unneeded items, use these simple couponing techniques to save a few bucks during your next trip to the store.
Set a couponing time limit. For example, allow yourself 30 minutes each week to research, clip and organize coupons. No more.
Get a Sunday newspaper. Each Sunday, newspapers are sold with coupon inserts, so buy a paper and start clipping. Be sure to only clip coupons for products you plan to buy. Does your office provide free newspapers? Many of them do. Every Monday, snag the Sunday paper and pillage the coupon inserts.
Read the ads. Learn what’s on sale. If you can combine coupons with a sale, it’s a double win.
Visit Coupons.com. There are more than 250 coupons for common products available to
print from this site. You can even search for local coupons for deals on nearby restaurants and stores. You’ll have to download a free coupon printer program for your computer, but it’s worth it.
Check out your favorite brands online. Many brands will offer coupons directly on their website. Don’t forget about Facebook either—sometimes businesses offer coupons just for “liking” their page.
Use Web resources. There are several websites, such as Krazy Coupon Lady and Raining Hot Coupons, dedicated to coupon matchups and savings. Those in the Kansas City, Mo., area for example, can use Penny Pinchin’ Mom as a go-to resource for local and national coupon matchups. Google “coupon savings” plus the name of your city, and you’ll likely find a site dedicated to deals in your hood.
If you, like so many other shoppers, eschew brick-and-mortar shopping, RetailMeNot offers deals for online shopping, from free shipping to $15 off an order. Before clicking “check out,” a quick search on RetailMeNot might save you some money.
TARGETEXPECT MORE. PAY LESS.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHEALTH-BEAUTY-COSMETICSOral-B toothbrush $1.84(-$0.75 coupon) = $1.09 Covergirl foundation $6.64(-$1 coupon) = $5.64
GROCERY Kashi granola $6.582 @ $3.29 ea(Sale: $2.75 ea)(-$0.50 manufacturer coupon) = $5 Healthy Choice dinners $12.505 @ $2.50 ea(Sale: $1.89 ea)(Buy 4 Get 1 Free sale)(Buy 3 Healthy Choice Dinners, Get 1 Free” Target coupon)(-$1 on two Healthy Choice Dinners manufacturer coupon)(-$1 on two Healthy Choice Dinners manufacturer coupon) = $3.67
SUBTOTAL $15.40(-$5 Target gift card)
TOTAL $10.40
YOU SAVED $17.16
Real (easy) savingsA need for necessities inspired a recent trip to Target. Paired
with a $5 Target gift card from an in-store incentive the
previous week, here’s how we saved by being smart.
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Use double coupons when possible. You’re not allowed to use two identical coupons on one product, but you can use one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon. What’s the difference? Most coupons—including newspaper coupons or those on Coupons.com—are manufacturers’ coupons. However, many retailers print in-
store coupons with your receipt or offer them online or via a mobile app.
Target is a good example. There are more than 150 coupons listed on coupons.target.com. If you print out a Kashi coupon from the site and it says “Target Web Coupon,” you can combine that with a Kashi manufacturer’s coupon you found in the newspaper and earn double savings on the same product.
Organize your coupons. Categorizing coupons alphabetically by product type in a notecard box, for instance, makes it easy to find coupons quickly.
Go shopping and watch the savings. Just remember to coupon prudently, buying only the items you need. Otherwise you won’t really be saving money. ◊
Ditch grandma’s coupon bookOn-the-go money-savers can access mobile coupons at thousands of retailers through these three free coupon apps.
1. Coupon Clipper features more than 50,000 mobile coupons at your favorite local places, and is available to download on your iPhone/iPad or Android smartphone.
2. Coupon Sherpa provides hundreds of in-store coupons from merchants. The app offers both exclusive discounts and general coupons posted online, and is available to download on your iPhone/iPad or Android smartphone.
3. Yowza!! finds the best deals in your geographical area. The app offers unique discounts you won’t find anywhere else, and is available to download on your iPhone/iPad.
Don’t forget to download your favorite retailers’ apps. Some, such as Target, Walgreens and even H&M, have special coupons available on their app.
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Brittany’s picks:
Great for a picnic, an outdoor concert or a movie theater on a rainy day, these Sofia mini cans of champagne are my new favorite accessory. Complete with a tiny, pink straw fixed to the side of the can, they make me feel like a kid again. Er, besides the whole consuming
bubbly thing.
I recently caught up with Showtime’s House of Lies On Demand, and became instantly addicted. The show follows four management consultants who travel across the country Monday through Thursday and stop at nothing to get the business done. Some of the characters possess
more of that “hot mess” quality than others, but each is entertaining in his or her own ethicless way. Catch the first season on Showtime On Demand.
After donning ASOS’ neon-toe black-and-white striped flats, $45, for one afternoon of errand running, I heard passersby whisper things like “funky” and “traffic-stoppers.” Two true descriptions of a great pair of shoes. A word of wisdom if you decide to impulse buy: they’re more neon than
they appear.
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Tom’s picks:
When I buy a new album and I love it, I have a tendency play it constantly on my iPod—sometimes for weeks. Right now that album is Jack White’s debut album Blunderbuss, $10. With a more complex sound than White’s work in The White Stripes,
and more bluesy sounding than his work in The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, Blunderbuss is straight up rock ‘n’ roll.
With a film adaptation from David Cronenberg coming out later this year, I finally decided to read Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel Cosmopolis, $10. While the plot is about a 28-year-old billionaire who embarks on a journey across Manhattan to get
a haircut, the book is also a commentary of the role technology plays in our daily lives.
Besides its cool name and label, Owen Roe winery’s Sinister Hand, $24, is also a new favorite red wine. This smooth blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Counoise is dark and impressive in every way.
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FacetsFavoritesWhat we’re loving right now
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What we’re loving right now
Rachel’s picks:
Drinking eight or more glasses of water a day has never been tastier. These zero calorie, flavor intense syrups add a little zest to your H2O to keep it interesting and you hydrated. Try Kraft’s Mio in Mango Peach or Essential Everyday’s Raspberry
Lemonade, both $3, to kick up your summer water consumption.
Keep your furry friend hydrated on those long summer hikes with the Bison Designs Fold-A-Bowl, $14. Lightweight, waterproof and compact, this pop-up dish works great for thirsty pups on-the-go and collapses in a flash. A clip on the
inside lets you attach it to your belt loop so you’re back on the trail in no time.
Any sun damage to your skin is bad sun damage. Protect yourself from nasty burns with UV Monkey, $10, a handy key-chain device that lets you know when UV radiation is at its worst. Simply place it in the sun to get an idea of when to
charge solar-power devices or when to whip out the sunblock.
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Melissa’s picks:
I’m totally smitten with my new Maddy Nash clutch. I’m a girl who usually carries a large purse to keep everything I need at hand, but this clutch is large enough to fit all your essentials without having to sacrifice due to limited
space. They’re customizable with bold, modern geometric prints, your choice of matching or contrasting lining and even a customized label.
Amazon Prime is the greatest “invention” since ... well, ever! A subscription earns you free two-day shipping on almost anything in their catalog (sometimes I even get it next day). Not to mention instant streaming on tons
of TV shows and movies and some freebies for your Kindle. Olive oil, swimsuit and wiper blades, all waiting for me on my doorstep in less than 48 hours. Try it for free!
When you head out to the beach or pool, don’t forget your jambox. No, not the old school 50-pound boombox, but Jawbone’s Jambox, $200, which easily fits in your beach tote. It’s a tiny bluetooth speaker with
killer sound, so pump up the jams on your phone, tablet or mobile device anywhere you go. ◊
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Lynn’s picks:
Gap’s Essential T-shirt (formerly their Favorite T-Shirt) is a staple in my warm-weather wardrobe. These T-shirts are soft and comfy, not too thick or thin, they fit the body well and
come in lots of colors and styles. I suggest buying one size larger because they shrink after several washes. Available for both women and men, $15-17.
We all scream for ice cream! Indulge in my new favorite sweet treat, Edy’s Grand Ice Cream. I’m pretty picky when it comes to ice cream, but I came across this brand and I
couldn’t turn away from the alluring flavors. My two favorites are Nestle Drumstick and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, both $4.
My latest hair product obsessions are all by Kevin Murphy, $20-50. I use the HYDRATE-ME.WASH shampoo, HYDRATE-ME.RINSE conditioner and style with the YOUNG.AGAIN
treatment oil. Just a drop and these products will leave your hair feeling soft and silky. Also great for color-treated hair—trust me, I’ve tested it. Although a bit pricier, they’re definitely worth the splurge.
volume 6 85
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86 JUN/JUL 2012 | thefacetsmag.com
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