The dead have never looked so good – last weekend, the Hotel Mondrian invited us to its exclusive ghastly gathering: Wicked Paradise Halloween. The 80s Horror Movie Themed Party featured a star-studded lineup featuring DJsGeorgia Sinclair,Amicaz, and more.
Skybar served all kinds of drinks you could imagine. We were provided with their signature Skybar Mojito made of Bacardi superior rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and mint. Besides cocktails, they offered various kinds of wine. Bonterra Merlot was the one that we tried that night. This resulting wine has aromas of black plums, dark cherries and a touch of oak with flavors of plums, dark berries, toasty oak and vanilla spice. In the mouth, this wine has an elegant and restrained style with nice structure and balance, soft tannins and a long finish.
As painted faces danced past ghostly reflections on the open-air pool, the live DJs spun haunting mashups. If skulls could talk, they’d speak of nothing other than Skybar Mondrian for this year’s Halloween extravaganza. We got to experience the most thrilling Halloween yet while looking out on the city’s most expansive views of the Los Angeles skyline and the glittering Hollywood Hills, turning LA into The City of Devils.
Everyone was dressing up distinctively. With the popularity of Netflix Original Squid Game, there were plenty of people dressing themselves in green jumpsuits as players 001 or 456. The DJs also seemed to know how much love the public had for this show, as there was even a trap remix of the theme song.
Additionally, Mondrian took great care of us with valet parking for the entire event that let us enjoy the night without any worry about parking.
About Skybar
Boasting some of the finest views of Los Angeles,Skybar is an open air, ivy-covered pavilion perched above the pool at Mondrian Los Angeles.
Skybar’s newly reimagined design brings a fresh approach to this iconic space. A chic poolside lounge by day, Skybar provides an idyllic oasis to take in the sun and enjoy impeccably fresh cocktails. When the sun sets, the pulse of Skybar beats even louder, stirring a seductive energy, aroused by world-class DJs and Hollywood glamour.
About Mondrian
Mondrian’s journey to Los Angeles marked a new chapter in the evolution of the iconic brand. Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Mondrian lights up the stellar California city with a vision of contemporary style and sophistication unlike any other.
For the first time in more than 18 months, vaccinated individual and group travelers from the United States are welcome to enter Israel and explore the country’s rich culture, history, and stunning landscapes.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism announced that as of today, vaccinated tourists from the United States can resume all travel to Israel. After kicking off the pilot reopening program in May of 2021, which initially allowed a select number of tour groups to enter the country, all vaccinated travelers may now visit Israel after the extended closure due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“To say we are excited that Israel is reopening to travelers today is an understatement,” said Eyal Carlin, Tourism Commissioner for North America. “Israel has taken incredible steps to protect its people and visitors and we pride ourselves on ensuring a COVID-safe and unforgettable trip to those who will be entering our beautiful country. With leading vaccination rates and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, we are eager to welcome visitors back with open arms — of course, at a safe social distance.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett along with several other Ministers within the country (Tourism, Health, Transportation, etc.), have come together and formed the following plan which has been approved by the COVID cabinet and will take effect today, November 1 – with developments and new COVID variants being monitored closely.
“We have been awaiting this moment, to bring back international travelers into our country, for a very long time now,” said Yoel Razvozov, Israel’s Minister of Tourism. “We’re ecstatic to share our country with everyone once again and I’m proud to be working closely with our Prime Minister Naftali Bennett among other Ministers within the country to ensure a thoughtful, safe return to tourism.”
As of today, the guidelines for entry include:
Taking a PCR test 72 hours before an outbound flight, filling out a passenger declaration, and a taking a PCR test upon arrival in Israel (needing to quarantine in hotel until results return or 24 hours pass – the lesser of the two).
To enter the country, one must:
Have been vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 14 days prior to the day of entry into Israel (14 days must have passed since receival of second dose upon arrival into Israel, but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel – I.e., if it has been six months since the second dose, you will need the booster shot to enter).
Those that have received the booster vaccine dose, and at least 14 days have passed since received, can enter Israel.
Have been inoculated with one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 14 days prior to the day of entry into Israel (14 days must have passed since second dose receival upon their arrival into Israel, but no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel – I.e., if it has been six months since your second dose, you will need the booster shot to enter).
Those that have received the booster vaccine dose, and at least 14 days have passed since received, can enter Israel.
Have recovered from COVID-19 and who present proof of the results of a positive NAAT test at least 11 days prior to the day of entry into Israel (no more than 180 days upon leaving Israel).
Have recovered from COVID-19 and have received at least one dose of the WHO-approved vaccines.
In-depth guidelines can be found HERE. For more information, please visit the official website for all updates on entry protocols and forthcoming answers to FAQs.
Protecting yourself and your loved one with health insurance is essential, and there are lots of packages and options to consider.
Some people choose to go a step further with the help of supplemental health care coverage, which offers additional protection on top of what a standard plan includes.
Known as Medigap, this type of cover is increasingly popular, so here is a look at what it is, what is included and how you can take advantage of additional insurance yourself.
What is Medigap?
When you are looking to find a suitable Medicare plan, you might believe that the basic level of cover which is included across the board is not adequate for your needs.
This is where Medigap comes into play, letting you account for any inadequacies that you perceive in a Medicare policy with the help of private insurance providers.
In essence, this not only allows you to make claims in more healthcare scenarios, but should also reduce the amount owed in others. This should prevent you from being left out of pocket compared with if you just stuck with an entry level Medicare plan.
What do Medigap plans cover?
The type of coverage offered by Medigap insurance policies varies depending on the type of plan you select, of which there are a total of 12 different options that have been officially recognized by the government.
Because of this, you should research prospective plans closely to get a full idea of what is covered. It is better to talk about what is not covered by Medigap policies; specifically, things like long-term care for chronic illnesses, prescription drugs, as well as elements like dental treatments and optician services, are usually not included in such a plan.
Things that are included across the majority of plans are the costs of blood transfusions, the hospital costs incurred for an emergency visit, and the use of hospice services where relevant. Some plans also cover overseas medical costs that you incur while travelling, usually up to about 80% of the total bill.
How much can Medigap plans cost?
Medigap plans are purely supplemental, not a replacement for Medicare, so the cost needs to be calculated in addition to the existing insurance premiums you are already paying.
Once again, the price will also vary depending on the plan you pick, as well as your own circumstances, medical history and preferences. Your age also comes into play; those under 65 may either be ineligible for Medigap insurance, or might have to fork out more for the privilege.
Can I get an extension if I don’t use my plan?
With all of the variables involved, individual eligibility for plan extensions and exceptions can vary wildly on a case-by-case basis.
It is also worth noting that different states have different rules regarding Medigap plans and how they can be used.
How can I get help paying for Medigap?
Medigap premiums have to be covered by the customer, as this is an additional service that is not factored into Medicare itself, even if it operates alongside it.
If paying is a problem, you may be eligible for other forms of health insurance, such as via your employer.
How do I choose a plan?
Be sure to shop around for Medigap plans that are available in your area, as this market can be competitive. Prices may vary, but so long as the plan in question sticks to the government-approved standards, it should give you identical coverage regardless of the provider.
Also keep your own requirements in mind when looking for a plan, so that you can find the perfect package for you.
Cold Collective Announce New Album, Weathervane, out December 3
To Honor Tim Landers, Pre-Orders Include Donation To Massachusetts Sober Living Home, Dean’s House
Boston-based band Cold Collective announce their upcoming album, Weathervane, out December 3 via Rise Records.
Vocalist Tim Landers (Cold Collective, Transit, Misser) began working on songs for this new album before his untimely passing in 2019. To honor Tim, the band finished the songs together, leaving some in their original acoustic state. Together with the Landers family, all pre-orders include a $5 donation to Dean’s House a sober living home in Massachusetts where Tim stayed during his recovery.
“Words can’t express how excited we are to finally show you all this album that we started many years ago with our brother Tim,” Cold Collective share in a statement. “While the process was both technically and emotionally harder than any of us bargained for, we couldn’t be prouder of the results. Tim took a staggering number of songs with him when he left us. We present to you these 16, as selected by Tim’s nearest and dearest.”
“Tim’s music is a gift,” Tim’s father Terry Landers shares. “We love that more of his heart and work are being shared through this release.”
Listen to the album’s first two singles, “Forever, For Nico” and “If You Could Be There” HERE.
IT’S GAME TIME ON NBC AS JIMMY FALLON INVITES ‘THE VOICE’ COACHES TO PARTICIPATE IN A SNEAK EPISODE OF ‘THAT’S MY JAM’
Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend Join the Fun on Monday, Nov 29 at 10pm ET/PT
Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, “That’s My Jam” is an hourlong music and comedy variety game show that draws inspiration from the most popular “Tonight Show” games. Each episode features two teams of two celebrities competing for a charity of their choice in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances.
Kicking off the show on a high (musical) note, “The Voice” Season 21 coaches – Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend – will appear in a sneak episode of the show on Monday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, bringing their A-game on behalf of their chosen charities.
Signature games to be played include “Wheel of Impossible Karaoke,” “Perfect Mashup,” “Vinyl Countdown” and “Slay It, Don’t Spray It.”
Following the Nov 29 telecast, the season will begin in early 2022. “That’s My Jam” is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Fallon’s production company, Electric Hot Dog. Fallon, Jim Juvonen and Mike Yurchuk serve as executive producers.
ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES BLACK BADGE GHOST – THE PUREST BLACK BADGE YET
“After considerable internal debate, Rolls-Royce announced that it would create an officially sanctioned response to a new kind of client: a permanent Bespoke treatment to its motor cars named Black Badge. These products, which were launched in 2016, would be darker in aesthetic, more urgent in personality and dramatic in material treatment.
“In the five years since Black Badge became publicly available, this bold family of motor cars has come to symbolise the pinnacle of a new type of super-luxury product, setting in motion a shift across the wider luxury industry. Subsequently, nearly all luxury makers create products that seek to capture the Black Badge spirit.
“Today, we announce a product that represents a new kind of Black Badge motor car, one that seizes on the minimalist, Post Opulent design treatment that has recast the legend of Ghost but amplifies and subverts it with the application of black. Our most advanced motor car yet has been reengineered to characterise the alter ego of Rolls-Royce: assertive, dynamic, and potent. This is the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque’s history. This is Black Badge Ghost.” – Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
INTRODUCTION
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has a unique fluency in its clients. Its close relationship with the women and men who patronise the marque affords the company’s decision-makers an unparalleled understanding of the super-luxury consumer: their aesthetic preferences, uncompromising lifestyle requirements and changing taste patterns. Only with this understanding, and briefings supplied by the brand’s Luxury Intelligence Unit, is the marque able to create an accurate product response. Black Badge is a vivid example of this.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has always attracted subversive clients – rebellious women and men who built their success by breaking rules, taking risks, and challenging conventions. In the 2020s, these women and men engage with luxury products on their own terms. They reject suits for streetwear, use blockchain not banks and influence the analogue world through their digital endeavours. In doing so, they have created new codes of luxury that resonate with their sensibilities: darker in aesthetic, assertive in character and bold in design.
Their approach to Rolls-Royce products is no different. The marque has responded accordingly, developing new colour palettes, more technical surface treatments and even more powerful driving experiences without ever compromising the effortless sensibilities that have drawn this bold group of clients to the Rolls-Royce brand.
Black Badge, the highly successful alter ego of Rolls-Royce, now represents more than 27% of commissions worldwide and is codified by the mathematical symbol that represents a potential infinity, which is found within the motor car’s interior. This graphic, also known as the Lemniscate, was applied to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s record-breaking Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3 hydroplane and the marque’s designers nominated this hallmark for Black Badge motor cars to reflect their own unrelenting pursuit of power.
Rolls-Royce debuted Black Badge with Wraith and Ghost in 2016, followed by Dawn in 2017 then Cullinan in 2019. Today, a new, Post Opulent expression of Black Badge joins the family. The purest and most technologically advanced Black Badge motor car yet, Black Badge Ghost.
THE DARK SIDE OF POST OPULENCE
Conceived in response to a group of clients who requested a Rolls-Royce that was agile, discreet, highly connected, and free of any superfluous design, the new Ghost is not just the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet, but also the most aesthetically pure. In the twelve months since this motor car has been available, it has become one of the fastest-selling products in the marque’s history, representing more than 3,500 commissions worldwide.
This motor car also started a new design conversation in its relentless pursuit of minimalism and purity. Named ‘Post Opulence’ by Rolls-Royce designers, this aesthetic movement is characterised by reduction and substance. In service to this, exceptional materials are selected and celebrated while overt design is limited, intelligent and unobtrusive.
However, within this group of clients – who celebrate minimalism and material substance – a rebellious subset sought to create a disruptive expression of Ghost by permanently cloaking it in a shade so pure that its very classification as a colour remains a subject of debate: black. Black Badge Ghost reflects these clients’ desires. It is the dark side of Post Opulence: minimalism in extremis.
EXTERIOR
Clients are free to select any of the marque’s 44,000 ‘ready-to-wear’ colours or create their own entirely unique Bespoke hue. However, most women and men who requested this darker expression of Ghost have selected the signature Black. To create what is the motor car industry’s darkest black, 100lbs (45kg) of paint is atomised and applied to an electrostatically charged body in white before being oven dried. The motor car then receives two layers of clear coat before being hand-polished by a team of four craftsman to produce the marque’s signature high-gloss piano finish.
At between three and five hours in duration, this operation is entirely unknown in mass production, creating an intensity simply unattainable elsewhere in the automotive industry. It is this depth of darkness that serves as the perfect canvas for clients to add a high-contrast, hand-painted Coachline, which has done much to create the Black Badge ‘black and neon’ aesthetic that has come to characterise this vivid family of Rolls-Royce motor cars.
To match this dramatic coachwork, the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople collaborated to create an entirely customisable process that allows Rolls-Royce hallmarks such as the high-polished Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille to be subverted. Instead of simply painting these components, a specific chrome electrolyte is introduced to the traditional chrome plating process that is co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate, darkening the finish. Its final thickness is just one micrometre – around one hundredth of the width of a human hair. Each of these components is precision-polished by hand to achieve a mirror-black chrome finish before it is fitted to the motor car.
The exterior treatment resolves with a Bespoke 21-inch composite wheelset. Designed in the Black Badge house style and reserved for Black Badge Ghost, the barrel of each wheel is made up of 22 layers of carbon fibre laid on three axes, then folded back on themselves at the outer edges of the rim, forming a total of 44 layers of carbon fibre for greater strength. A 3D-forged aluminium hub is bonded to the rim using aerospace-grade titanium fasteners and finished with the marque’s hallmark Floating Hubcap, ensuring the Double R monogram remains upright at all times. To celebrate the material substance and remarkable surface effect, a lightly tinted lacquer is applied to protect the finish but still allow clients to observe the technical complexity of the wheels unique carbon fibre construction.
INTERIOR
Advanced luxury materials have been meticulously created and crafted for a unique ambience in the interior suite. While recalling the dramatic mechanical intent of Black Badge Ghost, the materials are true to Ghost’s Post Opulent design philosophy – one defined by authenticity and material substance rather than overt statement. In this spirit, a complex but subtle weave that incorporates a deep diamond pattern rendered in carbon and metallic fibres has been created by the marque’s craftspeople.
Multiple wood layers are pressed onto the interior component substrates, using black Bolivar veneer for the uppermost base layer. This forms a dark foundation for the Technical Fibre layers that follow. Leaves woven from resin-coated carbon and contrasting metal-coated thread laid in a diamond pattern are applied by hand to the components in perfect alignment, creating a three-dimensional effect. To secure this extraordinary veneer, each component is cured for one hour under pressure at 100°C. This is then sand-blasted to create a keyed surface for six layers of lacquer, which is hand-sanded and polished before being incorporated into the motor car.
If specified in the client’s commission, the Technical Fibre ‘Waterfall’ section of the individual rear seats receives the Black Badge family motif: the mathematical symbol that represents potential infinity known as a Lemniscate. Rendered in aerospace-grade aluminium on the lid of Black Badge Ghost’s Champagne cooler, it is applied between the third and fourth layer of a total of six layers of subtly tinted lacquer, creating the illusion that the symbol is floating above the Technical Fibre veneer.
Aesthetes from the marque’s design team elected to further enhance the noir ambience of Black Badge Ghost by subduing the brightwork. Air vent surrounds on the dashboard and in the rear cabin are darkened using physical vapour deposition, one of the few methods of colouring metal that ensures parts will not discolour or tarnish over time or through repeated use. The Post Opulent principles of simplicity have also been applied to dramatic effect in the Black Badge Ghost timepiece design: only the tips of the hands and the twelve, three, six and nine o’clock markers are picked out, in a subdued chrome finish, creating a remarkably minimal clock. Additional timepieces are available within Black Badge Ghost to suit the client’s aesthetic preference.
The timepiece is flanked by a world-first Bespoke innovation that debuted with Ghost: the Illuminated Fascia, which displays an ethereal glowing Lemniscate, surrounded by more than 850 stars. Located on the passenger side of the dashboard, the constellation and motif are completely invisible when the interior lights are not in operation. As in Ghost, the Lemniscate motif is illuminated via 152 LEDs mounted above and beneath the fascia, each meticulously colour-matched to the cabin’s clock and instrument dial lighting. To ensure the Lemniscate is lit evenly, a 2mm-thick light guide is used, featuring more than 90,000 laser-etched dots across the surface. This not only disperses the light evenly but creates a twinkling effect as the eye moves across the fascia, echoing the subtle sparkle of the Shooting Star Starlight Headliner.
ENGINEERING
Black Badge is not just an aesthetic – it is an experience. The clients who requested this motor car demanded that the Bespoke treatment of Black Badge Ghost extend from the design atelier into the marque’s engineering department. In doing so, the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople collaborated to create a vivid driving personality that matched Black Badge Ghost’s visual intent without compromising the marque’s effortless ride proclivities and exhaustive acoustic tuning.
Key to its potent character is the Architecture of Luxury, Rolls-Royce’s proprietary all-aluminium spaceframe architecture that debuted with Phantom. This sub-structure not only delivers extraordinary body stiffness, but its flexibility and scalability allowed Ghost to be equipped with all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and the award-winning Planar Suspension system. For Black Badge, these peerless engineering qualities have been comprehensively re-engineered, including the fitting of more voluminous air springs to alleviate body roll under more assertive cornering.
The capacity of the Rolls-Royce twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine was deemed sufficient. However, the flexibility of this celebrated power plant has been exploited to generate an extra 29PS, creating a total output of 600PS. The sense of a single infinite gear has also been dramatised with the addition of a further 50NM of torque, for a total of 900NM. The powertrain has also received Bespoke transmission and throttle treatments to further enhance the engine’s increased power reserves. The ZF eight-speed gear box and both front- and rear-steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of feedback to the driver, depending on throttle and steering inputs.
As with all products in the marque’s Black Badge portfolio, the ‘Low’ button situated on the gear selection stalk unlocks Black Badge Ghost’s full suite of technologies. This is asserted by the amplification of the motor car’s engine through an entirely new exhaust system, subtly announcing its potency. All 900NM of torque is available from just 1700rpm and, once underway in Low Mode, gearshift speeds are increased by 50% when the throttle is depressed to 90%, delivering Black Badge Ghost’s abundant power reserves with dramatic immediacy.
To bolster confidence when exploiting Black Badge Ghost, the braking bite point has been raised and pedal travel decreased. Non-Black Badge Ghost is provisioned with a robust braking hardware package that was deemed more than ample under extreme conditions, even accounting for the Black Badge alter ego’s increased power output. However, a new suite of bold high-temperature brake calliper paint colours has been developed in preparation for forthcoming Black Badge Ghost commissions.
The Advantages of the Transaxillary Method According to Memorial Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Patrick Hsu
When considering breast augmentation, one of the most common concerns patients have is the scarring that will occur after the procedure. And while this depends on the incision made during the surgery, Dr. Patrick Hsu of Memorial Plastic Surgery favors one particular method, called transaxillary breast augmentation, for its minimally-invasive approach which leaves no visible scar on the breast.
Dr. Hsu offers transaxillary breast augmentation at his clinic in Houston, Texas, as an alternative incision technique compared to the more common inframammary and periareolar methods of implantation.
This cutting-edge technique soared in popularity among Asian breast augmentation patients who are at an increased risk for darker, pigmented scars because of their skin tone. But because it causes minimal scarring that’s hidden beneath the underarm, it’s now a preferred technique by patients of all ethnicities.
“I consider this technique to be extremely safe. It allows our patients to recover faster as there is no large incision and they can enjoy their results sooner,” he shares.
Dr. Hsu is a well-known advocate of safe cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, performing the most complex surgeries using minimally invasive techniques that ensure the patient experiences no complications after the procedure. He is actively involved in raising awareness about one of the most complicated surgeries, the Brazilian Butt Lift, and has spoken out about the importance of finding a plastic surgeon who understands the complexity of the procedure and performs it with the patient’s safety in mind.
Every patient who visits his clinic at Memorial Plastic Surgery receives an initial consultation for Dr. Hsu to understand their goals and make treatment recommendations that will help them achieve their specific goals with the shortest possible downtime and least complications.
Explaining the Transaxillary Method
Transaxillary breast augmentation involves making a small incision in the armpit. Dr. Hsu uses an endoscope to assist in the dissection to minimize bleeding and to create a precise, clean pocket for the implants.
Both silicone and saline implants may be used with this method, though the size of the incision varies depending on the implant used. The implants are typically placed under the muscle. Once healed, the scars are almost indistinguishable from a natural crease in the armpit.
“What makes this technique much safer is that it eliminates the need to cut through the muscle or the breast when accessing the implant site,” Dr. Hsu explains. “Because of this, it’s also less likely to cause a temporary loss of nipple sensation, which is a common side effect of other breast augmentation techniques.”
Dr. Hsu employs a no-touch technique that prevents any contact between the implant and the patient’s skin during implantation. This greatly reduces the risk of bacterial infection and capsular contracture.
Check out this video of Dr. Hsu performing a transaxillary breast augmentation.
A series of videos featuring Dr. Hsu and his team are found on his social media accounts so that potential clients can get a sense of how he performs breast augmentation and see a glimpse of the excellent, life changing results he’s able to produce.
Get In Touch with Dr. Patrick Hsu Today
Now that lockdown measures are easing across the country, Dr. Hsu and his team at Memorial Plastic Surgery have implemented strict COVID protocols to safely reopen their clinic and cater to a new surge of patients requesting cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation. Patients considering breast augmentation with the transaxillary method can consult with Dr. Hsu for a comprehensive treatment plan to help them achieve their specific goals.
In the last decade, Dr. Hsu has performed hundreds of breast augmentations using the transaxillary method and has achieved satisfactory results that meet their cosmetic goals and provide a safe and quick recovery process.
Get in touch with Dr. Hsu today by visiting Memorial Plastic Surgery’s website to schedule a consultation or by calling the clinic’s hotline at 713-633-4411.
COACHINTRODUCESCOACH × MICHAEL B. JORDAN‘BLUE THE GREAT: THE ART OF COLLABORATION’
Capsule Collection Designed in Collaboration with Michael B. Jordan and Blue the Great
Coach introduces Coach × Michael B. Jordan, its next collaboration with actor, producer and Coach men’s ambassador Michael B. Jordan. The capsule collection, titled ‘Blue the Great: The Art of Collaboration’ is a partnership between Coach, Jordan and his friend, LA-based artist and painter Blue the Great. The collection and campaign recontextualize inclusivity in art—using the house’s heritage as a canvas to spotlight the importance of collaboration and friendship amongst the two artists––and the creative community at large.
Inspired by Jordan’s personal approach to style and Blue’s contemporary take on art, the all-gender collection of ready-to-wear, footwear, bags and accessories combines the house’s heritage in craftsmanship with sportswear and streetwear in a limited edition drop. It features Coach’s iconic codes—Signature and Rexy—updated with Blue’s trademark mummy-wrapped art, as well as a tote crafted of 100 percent recycled materials.
To introduce the collection, Coach will release a campaign photographed by frequent Coach collaborator Shaniqwa Jarvis. Featuring portraits of Jordan, Blue and friends, Khat and Frank Brim (beauty and lifestyle influencers) and Tori Kirihara (artist) in an “open door” art gallery, the story repositions this traditionally exclusive place as a venue for collaboration and authentic connection. Inspired by the inclusive and optimistic spirit of New York and Coach, the campaign continues the house’s tradition of spotlighting the voices of up-and-coming and under-represented artists in its storytelling.
“We had worked with Blue as part of our Spring 2021 campaign, so I was excited to partner with him and Michael on this special collection,” said Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “Mike and Blue have a great friendship, grounded in mutual respect for each other’s artistic approach. The combination brought originality, dimension and significance to this collection.”
“I’ve been painting since I was a kid. It’s crazy and pretty exciting to be able put my spin on such an iconic brand like Coach. Whenever art and fashion mix exciting things can happen,” said Blue the Great.
The New York Botanical Garden: Tickets on Sale Now for the 30th Annual Holiday Train Show® and NYBG GLOW
Tickets are on sale now for the 30th annual Holiday Train Show and the return of NYBG GLOWat The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). The Holiday Train Show a favorite holiday tradition is back at NYBG for its 30th year. Returning for its second year, NYBG GLOW will offer more displays to wander through and explore.
The annual Holiday Train Show is a treasured holiday experience for New Yorkers and visitors to the city. It marks the start of the festive season in New York, a magical tradition as essential as a stroll past colorful department store windows on Fifth Avenue and ice skating at Rockefeller Center. A day or an evening at NYBG is one of the city’s top holiday experiences and the perfect outing for families with young children, friends, or date night.
The Holiday Train Show
The Holiday Train Show features a miniature wonderland in the warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Famous New York landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and many other favorites, are crafted from natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, and seeds. To celebrate the 30th year of the Holiday Train Show, a showcase of NYBG’s buildings and structures will feature a new replica of the majestic LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building along with the iconic Haupt Conservatory. Both are designated New York City Landmarks.
Visitors will marvel as model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. As day turns to night on select dates, families and friends can start a new holiday tradition exploring the Botanical Garden’s festively illuminated landscape and enjoying music, dance, food, and more at the expanded outdoor color-and-light experience NYBG GLOW. It will be the perfect night out this holiday season.
NYBG GLOW
Returning for its second year, NYBG GLOW will offer more displays to wander through and explore. The beauty of the Garden’s landmark landscape and historic buildings will be breathtakingly illuminated with a newly expanded 1.5-mile colorful experience. NYBG’s iconic sights and buildings will become dramatic, glittering canvases with the Haupt Conservatory and Mertz Library Building as the centerpieces. Washes of brilliant color, thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient LED lights, illuminated plant stories, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations reflect the surrounding gardens and collections, creating a spectacle not to be missed.
HOURS
The Holiday Train Show opens to the public on Saturday, November 20, 2021, and runs through Sunday, January 23, 2022. NYBG GLOW will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. on 25 select nights starting Wednesday, November 24, 2021, and running through Saturday, January 22, 2022.
During NYBG GLOW evenings, beverages and light fare will be available at one of NYBG’s outdoor bars or the Bronx Night Market Holiday Pop-Up, and festive offerings will include artistic ice sculpting, music, and pop-up performances around the Garden to add to the seasonal atmosphere.
NYBG GLOW will take place on 25 select dates: Wednesday, November 24; Friday, November 26; Saturday, November 27; Thursday, December 2; Friday, December 3; Saturday, December 4; Thursday, December 9; Saturday, December 11; Thursday, December 16; Friday, December 17; Saturday, December 18; Thursday, December 23; Sunday, December 26; Monday, December 27; Tuesday, December 28; Wednesday, December 29; and Thursday, December 30, 2021; Saturday, January 1; Thursday, January 6; Friday, January 7; Saturday, January 8; Friday, January 14; Saturday, January 15; Friday, January 21; and Saturday, January 22, 2022.
Tickets for both the Holiday Train Show and NYBG GLOW are on sale now for NYBG Members and the general public.
This holiday season, visitors to NYBG GLOW will be able to round out their experience with an after-dark visit to the Holiday Train Show by purchasing a special combination ticket.
GETTING TO NYBG
NYBG is just 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan, via Metro-North Railroad. On-site parking is available at the Main Entrance of NYBG at 2900 Southern Boulevard as well as at the NYBG Parking Garage at The Peter Jay Sharp Building at 401 Bedford Park Blvd.
Tickets for the Holiday Train Show are $32 for adults and $18 for children (ages 2ߝ12). NYBG GLOW tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children. Combination tickets are $49 for adults and $34 for children. Children under 2 are free.
Advance timed tickets are recommended to guarantee admission as tickets do sell out.
The New York Botanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10458. For more information, visit nybg.org.
Why kicking an addiction is more than just quitting; the importance of self-improvement to recovery
Regardless of what someone becomes addicted to, be it drugs, food, or a computer game, there are usually underlying causes that have led to the addiction developing. So, it makes sense that when the addict chooses to try and break their addiction, it is not just the addiction that needs to be addressed but also the underlying causes. Without doing this, the person is far more likely to fall back into their habit. Thankfully there are many routes to self-improvement that can be used in the fight to overcome addiction.
Talking therapy can be a valuable tool for uncovering deep-seated issues that have eroded a person’s confidence and mental health and pushed them into escapism that became a dangerous addiction. Whether you choose to use a psychologist or a trained counselor, they will work to improve your mental health, giving you much-needed strength to break that addiction. Therapists are also there for you once you’ve broken the addiction but are perhaps still struggling with old triggers or when other stresses arise that could become triggering so that you can develop coping mechanisms to overcome them.
Rehab centers can be a scary thought, but they aren’t just there for those at the lowest ebb of their addiction issues. Rehabs are also designed to help you learn how to deal with day-to-day life after addiction so that you don’t need their services again. An Arizona Rehab Center will also provide outpatient services to provide that ongoing support while you reintegrate into the community. Being in a rehab facility also lets you see others who are at different stages of recovery than yourself, letting you look back at how far you’ve come and forwards to where you will soon be.
A general improvement to mental health is beneficial for anyone, especially when dealing with deeper issues. As well as therapy and addiction-specific help, look at other approaches to balancing the mind, such a meditation and mindfulness, which can be practiced in a group setting or alone in a quiet moment. Many people’s addictions stem from trying to escape the noise in their heads. The practices of meditation and mindfulness work to help you calm that internal noise and reset your mind, thus allowing you to step away from chaotic thoughts that have become overwhelming and, therefore, harmful to your mental health.
As well as working on your mental health, paying attention to your physical health is very important, too, especially if you’re fighting an addiction that has a particularly detrimental effect on it. Start small and gentle; if you’re coming off drugs or alcohol, a heavy gym session will not go well. Instead, opt for gentle exercise such as a yoga class or join a walking group (classes and groups have an added social benefit that will lift your mood). As you see improvement in your fitness and overall health, look at finding other activities in which to get involved.
