Spread The Warmth Suggestion #2: Sempli

Earlier this year Kelly and I traveled to Santa Barbara to attend the Garagiste Wine Festival, an event that celebrates the individuality of the small winemaker.  While in Solvang we discovered the artistry on Sempli’s hand blow wine glasses, only to discover that their studio is mere blocks away from my house in Culver City.  

So for our next Spread the Warmth Holiday Gift Guide we suggest the sensory experience of enjoying a glass of your favorite vino from Sempli’s unique Cupa Vino.  Sempli’s hand-blown wine glasses were created after Swedish designer, and Sempli owner, Daniele ‘Danne’ Semeraro realized that the stem on a traditional glass was aesthetically and technically superfluous. 

Semeraro, who has a degree in Interior and Industrial Design at Accademia Italiana from Florence, Italy, had worked for wide range of design firms from automotive companies in Sweden to interior and lighting design companies in California.   

He designed Sempli’s Cupa wine glasses as an alternative to the everyday.  Made from lead free crystal, their unique stemless construction creates a swirling rotation when set down, assisting in the oxygenation of the wine.   For those who are more cocktail minded this glass also lends itself perfectly for a refreshing libation like a Mojito or Singapore Sling.   Set includes two wine glasses in an elegant gift box. 

And for those looking for more sizable gift set, you can add on Sempli’s Vaso Vino, their handblown decanter.  The Vaso Vino is designed to aerate your favorite wine in an unsurpassable way.  It comfortably fits one whole 750ml bottle, and works for both white and red wine.

Hoping all of your wine is looks as good as it tastes and that your holidays are delicious!   

Spread the Warmth: Desert Essence Beauty Oils

Edible Skinny has fallen in LOVE with oily skin.  CORRECTION: we’ve fallen in LOVE with making our skin oily through Dessert Essence's Blended Beauty Oils to then make it fabulously luxuriously soft.  

Beauty Oils (many with names we can’t pronounce) have been used since ancient times to moisturize and revitalize the body from head to toe.   And Dessert Essence aims to improve the globe with these old world beauty techniques by way of a new world spin of supporting Plan International’s USA’s Because I AM A Girl, which directly improves the lives of girls in the world’s poorest countries.

Our favorite from Dessert Essence’s line is the Moringa, Jojoba, & Rose Jip Blended Oils ($13.99) which combines the now ubiquitous Jojoba Oil with Morigna.

Morigna Oleifera, is known as The Tree of Life plant.   The oil extracted from Morigna, contains more antioxidants than any other vegetation on the planet and is considered to be one of the greatest cosmetic oils ever discovered as it holds in its golden droplets Vitamins A, B, C, & E along with being rich in fatty acids needed to fight skin fatigue.  Rubbing a couple of drops over our face at night has the lasting result of waking up with skin rejuvenated and silky smooth.     

Other products released from Desert Essence's Because I'm a Girl Beauty Oil line include the morning refresher, Organic Coconut, Jojoba, & Pure Coffee Blended Oil ($16.99) and the calmer Organic Coconut and Jojoba Blended Oil ($16.99).  The best use for both is to leave in your hair for twenty minutes before rinsing out.  The result is satiny sleek hair that has no use for static electricity  whatsoever. 

So if you’re looking for a simple Holiday gift with long last effects head over to your local Whole Foods and grab a bottle or two.

Here’s to our hair and skin glowing with the essence of the Tree of Life and to life being delicious this Holiday season!

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #9 – Cleansing Inside and Out!

Looking for some last minute gifts that will get you ready for the blank slate of 2015?  How about some good old-fashioned cleansing, spiritually and physically!  And all for the bargain price of under $10.

For your soul I present Shaman Durek.  Shaman D is a Los Angeles based spiritual guide and gifted healer.  As a Shaman, he acts as mediator or “bridge” between the spiritual and physical planes, applies ancient spiritual wisdom, coupled with decades of devoted study and practice, to help bring success, happiness and healing into people's lives.  Shaman Durek has been featured in Details, Daily Candy, LA Weekly, and on The E! Channel.  He travels around the world helping others (seriously Iceland, Turkey, Russia, NYC, and Los Angeles in the new few months) but if you’re not in one of those metropolitan cities for a session, you can do the next best thing which is listen to one of his $1.99 meditations!

And once you’re spiritually all clean, it’s time to move on to the physical.  Dessert Essence’s Peppermint Soap Bar ($4.99) energizes your skin and senses with rich-foaming Peppermint Oil and Australian Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil to thoroughly cleanse and soothe, while Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil nourish skin.  And these bars are free of guilt!  Free of EDTA, sulfates, glycols, artificial fragrances or colors, gluten free, vegan, and made with sustainable palm oil.  

Here’s to a brand new 2015!

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #7 – Alexander Valley Vineyards Wine

AVV Chardonnay and Gerwurz

Having Fun at AVV!!!

Edible Skinny Loves Alexander Valley Vineyards in so many ways!

Earlier this year we were able to experience their wines at their rustic Sonoma based tasting room, hike their lush grounds, and a spend a night on their estate (in an 18th century schoolhouse no less!!!) as part of our Vine to Vino Tour!  It was an amazing experience where we got to see every bit of their extensive dedication to winemaking!

Alexander Valley Vineyards is also one of the most Do-Gooder wineries we know!  They were super quick to donate to Pin-Ups for Vets “Evening with Bettie Page” event held a few weeks ago at the Creast Theater in Westwood! 

The Schoolhouse!!!

But besides the experiences Edible Skinny has had with Alexander Valley Vineyards the company, we’ve mostly enjoyed our experiences with their wine!  Of all our touring of the Sonoma and Carmel valleys with our Vines to Vino trip, Alexander Valley Vineyards was personally my favorite wines!  

The reasons for this run the gamut from the price point (most wines are under $20, and even their reserve wines are under $100) to their dedication to the environment through green winemaking to the Wetzel family living on the actual property and experiencing the winery day to day to the taste (deliciousness in all forms!). 

So if you’re looking for a great bottle of wine for a holiday party or gift we HEART AVV; Why don’t you?!?

(They are also running a special holiday deal at the moment where shippingis only $1)  Some of our favorites include:

2012 Sin Zin ($20)

2012 marks 35 years of Sin Zin at Alexander Valley Vineyards.  Their first vintage in 1978 was a family wine, which they bottled and shared with family and friends.  It was so popular they decided to make it a tradition!  This wine is 100% Zinfandel with aromas of spice, black pepper, dark fruits, and vanilla.   It’s a versatile wine that works great with anything from the casualness of pizza (pepperoni or Vegan) to the formalness of roasted turkey and grilled filet mignon. 

Miss Jovane Marie w/ some Sin Zin

2012 Temptation Zinfandel ($14)

This wine is my favorite of the Wicked Weekend (which includes the aforementioned Sin Zin, Temptation Zin, and finally Redemption Zin)!  A medium bodied wine that is full of the fruit forward flavors of plum, strawberry, cherries, and black pepper.  Plus with at $14 price tag this wine is an absolute bargain!

2013 Estate Chardonnay ($18)

The Alexander Valley Vineyards estate is bordered by the Russian River Valley and since 1975 they have showcased this location with their Estate Chardonnay.   They harvest 70% of their Chardonnay grapes at night when the grapes are cool to retain their natural acidity.  They then cold ferment those lots in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging to highlight the citrus and green apple flavors. The other 30% is barrel fermented to give a hint of oakness to this rich white wine.

2014 Gewürz ($12)

AVV’s Gewürz wine is harvested exclusively from a single small CCOF (“California Certified Organic Farmers”) vineyard about one hour north of the Alexander Valley Vineyards  estate, located in Mendocino’s cool growing region of Potter Valley.  This rugged location is the key to the great acidity of their Gewurztraminer grapes!   This wine is a refreshing glass of tropicalness with flavors of grapefruit, pear and minerality!  

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #6 – A Great Ass from Pop Physique!

 

 So I’ve been a barre addict for the last six months.  These super specific classes focus on the teeny tiny muscles under your big muscles that lift and tone like no other!  A through the wonderful world of Groupon I’ve tried on many different studios but hands down Pop Physique is my absolute favorite!!!

 

Their philosophy is “an artistic approach to exercise.”  Their fleet of handpicked and personally trained instructors pairs graceful ballet moves with other low-impact exercises in order to chisel cores without injuring muscles.

Pop Physique takes their inspiration from Lotte Berk, who created the barre concept in London in the 50s to a modernized level that fits into every lifestyle. Lotte was a dancer who created a unique and fun class structure that was quick to show results.

Pop Physique workouts are intense enough to make muscles strong and supple, and engaging enough to keep brains from leaping out of the skull from boredom.   Classes are set to trendy sounds that are an eclectic mix of EDM and singer songwriters.  And pretty in pink resistance balls are a staple of these classes.

So give the gift of a great ass.  Because when it comes the stakes of looking good in a pair of jeans, Pop Physique is not merely exercise, it’s art.

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #5 – New Year's Eve Plans

One of the biggest hassles after the Christmas gifting season is trying to figure out what everyone’s doing on December 31st!  So this year why not give the gift of New Year’s Eve plans?  Along with the gifts of class and style, it’s the ultimate present of peace of mind (and also all the time since you won’t have to discuss, and discuss, what you’re going to do)!

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #5 – New Year's Eve Plans  

TheFairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, a amazing friend of Edible Skinny, is all about having fabulous luxurious options to ring in 2015!  So dust off your most marvelous tuxedo and pick the one that’s right for you! 

FIG Restaurant

FIG Restaurant, the seasonal bistro with an emphasis on organically grown and locally sourced ingredients, will be holding two festive seatings for dining on Wednesday December 31st!  The first will feature a 5 seasonal menu from FIG Restaurant.  The second seating will feature an extended 7 course menu AND enjoy a free flowing champagne service throughout the evening AND a snack bar after the ball drops to keep the party going.

$85 per person first seating, $124 per person later seating 

 

The Miramar Lounge

Welcome the New Year with an evening of live entertainment, a champagne & caviar bar, and an exclusive a la carte menu from Chef Yousef Ghalaini of FIG Restaurant.  Festive New Years Eve attire required.

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #4 – Try Something Brew

Monkish

This December: Try Something Brew

By Kelly Grace Thomas

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." And thanks to LA Beer Hop, now we can be both hoppy and safe. 

These days Angelinos of all ages and neighborhoods are flocking toward the city’s breweries and their delicious craft beer. However, as beer lovers know, the biggest downfall to enjoying a cold one or three is often the worry of how to get home. While LA has some of the most well-respected labels in the country, with breweries like Angel City, Golden Road, Smog City and Monkish, the drive (plus traffic) from point A to point B is enough to keep beer lovers from venturing outside of their designation driving zone.

Smog City

LA Beer Hop tours provide brewery tours of Los Angeles, Orange County and Long Beach, exploring locations all over greater LA. Each tour includes three destinations, with guided beer tours and tasting, as well as private and public transportation. And for those wanting to know a little more, at least one destination has a walkthrough tour where beer lovers can dive into the art of the craft.

LA Beer Hop tours offer three tour choices 1) South Bay which includes Monkish Brewing, Strand Brewing Co, El Segundo Brewing, Smog City Brewing, Beachwood Brewing and BBQ or Timeless Pints.  2) East LA which includes Eagle Rock Brewery, Golden Road Brewery, Angel City Brewery or Sunset Beer Company.  3) Long Beach which includes Beachwood Brewing, Timeless Pints, San Pedro Brewing and other locations.

LA Beer Hop public tours are 4-5 hours long and run from $65 Friday, Saturday or Sunday to $50 Monday through Thursday with a flight of beer is included at each location. Just buy a ticket online and they LA Beer Hop will pick you up at a designated metro station. Private tours are also provided to groups of 6 or more. Private tours run around the same duration, but will pick you up wherever you like. For more information or to book a tour visit labeerhop.com or call 323-928-2113.

Don't let distance get between you and your brew. Try LA Beer Hop, to sip cerveza in style for a stress free, brewery experience. 

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #3 – The Getaway Wine Weekend

The Thomas Gals at Hartford Family Winery

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #3 – The Getaway Wine Weekend

Edible Skinny loves travel and adventure, especially when it involves wine country!  Earlier this year we experienced a fabulous trip to the Russian River Valley!  And because we have a most spectacular time we thought it would be a fabulous getaway wine weekend for our Spread the Warmth Gift Giving guide!

DO

Wine Cube Tours

Raymond Rolander, a grinning bearded guy in pageboy cap, knows where to go and what to drink in the Russian River Valley.  Driving around wine country in his Nissan Cube, Sonoma Magazine referred to Raymond as “a one man Uber.”  A super smart native of Sonoma County, Raymond’s a former tasting room manager with a decade of bar work under his belt.  Rolander tailors all tours based on whatever you want in wine, experience, and location preferences in a fun and 100% worry free environment.  With a catchphrase of: local is knowledge, he specializes in access to small, off the beaten path producers of wine, cheese and olive oil while serving up a side order of local history!

STAY

The Rio Villa Beach Resort

Located in the tiny hamlet of Monte Rio (Population: 1,152,) the Rio Villa Beach Resort, is a Bed and Breakfast Inn located on a quiet bend of the famed banks of the Russian River.  Just moments away from the Sonoma Coast and over a hundred wineries, this quaint resort offers a variety of accommodations for couples, families and individuals traveling for relaxation or business.  Surrounded by majestic redwoods, the Rio Villa has a private beach that is totally bathed in sunshine.  The grounds are meticulously manicured and aglow with the color of flowers and the aroma of herbs.  Just next door and around the river bend is the Monte Rio public beach where canoes and kayaks can be rented.

EAT

Boon Eat +Drink

Located in close by Guernville (Population: 4,534), Boon Eat + Drink is a modern California bistro.  Tiny, yet airy with tables composed from felled redwood trees, Boon is all about the blessings of simplicity.  Its simple menu is meant to show off produce from backyard garden and area farms.  Owner Crista Luedtke (who’s dog is the inspiration for the name of the restaurant) has her details in every nook and cranny of this minute restaurant that Food and Wine noted as one of the best restaurants in “America's Best Little Food Towns.”

So here's to Life Being Delicious!!!

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #2 - Be a Do-Gooder

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #2 - Be a Do-Gooder

‘Tis the season to give back! Be a rockstar to a non-profit by supporting while gifting! 

PINUPSFOR VETS

Since 2006 Pin-Ups for Vets has raised money for under-funded hospital programs that support America’s Veterans and recovering military service members.   

2015 Calendar

Their 2015 calendar is the 9th year the non-profit Pin-Ups For Vets has done their annual fundraiser Pin-Up calendar with each month displaying gorgeous pinup models in classic poses and locations.  This year features 12 exceptional Veterans, 9 women and 3 men who represent four branches of the military and who have all honorably served. 

 

And if want to be a double do-gooder you can donate a calendars for an active duty service member in Iraq or Afghanistan or to Vets in VA and military hospitals that Pin-Ups for Vets founder Gina Elise visits.

FOODFORWARD

Food Forward rescues fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.  They convene at private properties, public spaces, and farmers and wholesale markets to recover excess fruits and vegetables, donating 100% to local direct-service agencies who feed their community’s most vulnerable.  Combined, their diverse distribution partners provide food to over 100,000 clients a month across Southern California.

                                     

100% of their limited edition holiday gifts supports Food Forward's produce recovery and hunger-relief efforts.  Edible Skinny's favorite is the:

FoodForward  "The Cocktail-ier"Gift Box

This awesome swinging do-gooder cocktail set includes:

•        Food Forward Mason Jar Cocktail Shaker

•        Fruitanthropy Etched Natural Wood Muddler

•        Fruitanthropy Embroidered 100% Cotton Flour Sack Kitchen Towel (color may vary)

•        Food Forward Artisanal Grapefruit Rosemary Simple Syrup

•        Food Forward Hand-Crafted Cocktail Recipe (not pictured)

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #1 – Healthy Beauty

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #1 – Healthy Beauty

Every girl wants to look beauty, but no one out there wants yucky chemicals and other gunk that harms the body transdermally!   Earlier this year Kat’s Burlesque YouTube Channel Workin' The Tease interviewed Dr. Jen of Atomic Cosmetics and it an eye opening introduction into the world of how harmful the world of makeup could be!

So with this in mind, our first day of the Edible Skinny’s Spread the Warmth Gift Ideas celebrates companies that are paving the way with healthy beauty products while still making a girl Sparkle!!! 

ATOMIC COSMETICS

Most major cosmetics brands contain chemicals hazardous to the health of your skin and body.  People often have no idea that they’ve likely been using toxic cosmetics products every day for years.  These chemicals enter skin cells readily and stay in your body for decades.  It is possible for damage to appear at any time, but it will be a cumulative response to prolonged exposure.  The good news is you don’t need to poison yourself to look glamorous, and as Atomic Founder founder Dr. Jen says, “Just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean everything needs to be in f**king earth tones!”

DragEraser ($6-$24)

This is an amazing makeup remover that can handle anything!!!  They make it with non-comedogenic jojoba butter, which won’t clog pores while dissolving every last bit of your heaviest makeup (including waterproof). Massage on and wipe off with a tissue or face towel. Leaves your skin makeup-free and lightly moisturized.

Custom Lipstick ($35)

Atomic Cosmetics offers a variety of lipstick colors with fun names like Date Bait and F*** You I’m Pink.  But sometimes its hard to leave a lip color you’ve had a long term relationship with, even if its horrible for your body.  So with Atomic Cosmetics you can trade it in!   Mail it to their hometown of Seattle and Dr. Jen with send you back the matching color, in a non-toxic, longer-lasting version that you’ll absolutely Love.

PACIFICA

The healthy fragrance company Pacifica is reinvented themselves earlier this year with a selection of new skincare and makeup products available at Target.  Their collections are coconut water-based which acts as a skin balancer while soothing and softening; an ingredient creates a creamy, crease-free formula that supports long wear.  Two of our favorite products from their line were the:

Dreamlit Under Eye Brightener ($15)

This under eye cream brightens while being super smooth so it doesn’t looked painted on!  Its hydrating liquid coverage leaves skin looking energized, radiant and wide awake.  Reflective, brightening minerals and natural beneficials minimize dark lines and dark circles.  Boom!!!

Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Palette  ($14.00)

Smooth is the best word to describe these rich long lasting creaseless eye shadows that are infused with coconut water for a velvety, cream-like finish.  These four highly pigmented mineral satin makeup and iridescent shades are specially curated and designed to brighten the eyes and make you look gorgeous and awake (after a long night of Holiday parties!!!).   Shades include Urchin (Purple), Golden (Gold), Coral Sand (Pinky), and Skinny Dip (Buff).

Sparkle, Shine, and Be Healthy!

Here’s To Life Being Delicious!

Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #3: Alexander Valley Vineyards

Just because Christmas is over doesn't mean that you're done with the gift giving!   There's all those people on the list you missed, New Year's Eve parties to attend, and any other excuse you can come up with to avoid your family!

Which leads us to Spread the Warmth Gift Idea #3: Alexander Valley Vineyards Wines.  I came across this vineyard almost six months ago as part of a wine tasting at Catch at Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, and Holey Moley and Boy Oh Boy all in one!

Alexander Valley Vineyards is located on Highway 128 in northern Sonoma County, 75 miles north of San Francisco.  AVV was started in 1963 by the Wetzel Family who boldly planted premium grape varieties in Sonoma (one of the first in the are).  The Wetzels sold the grapes for a number of years to other wineries and often produced a little homemade wine in the estate's adobe as a family project.  In 1975 the Wetzel family built a small winery and Hank Wetzel, oldest son of Maggie and Harry, produced Alexander Valley Vineyard’s first wine in 1975.

Alexander Valley Vineyards is best know for its Zin Trilogy: Temptation Zinfandel, Sin Zin, and Redemption Zinfandel (prices run in the $20 range).  In the beginning the Wetzel Family made four wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.  During this time their estate grapes, including a small section of Zinfandel, were sold to other wineries.  In 1978 the pickers came and harvested the ripe primary clusters of their Zinfandel.  AVV founder Hank Wetzel noticed that the estate had a large secondary crop of Zinfandel grapes on their hillside vines that ripened some time after the pickers had finished.  Frugal winemaker that he was, he mentioned this “free” crop one evening to the rest of the family after sharing a few bottles of wine over a meal.  It was decided that the Weztel Family would pick this later crop and make a little homemade wine for friends and family.

When it came time to bottle and label the wine, family friend and employee Dennis Hill browsed through an old art history book and found a 17th German etching, titled “Des Knabben Wunderhorn”, meaning “The Horn of Plenty.”  Katie Wetzel thought the image looked perfect for a wine label, and its bacchanalian character inspired her to name their rich and robust wine: Sin Zin. 

My absolute favorite wine I tasted from the Alexander Valley Vineyards is their CYRUS, which is their tribute to the Alexander Valley and Bordeaux grapes (these bottles are still a great buy in the $50-$60 range!).  AVV takes the best of lot to make this luscious blend.  CYRUS is named for Cyrus Alexander, a 19th century adventurer, rancher, gold miner, and founder of the Alexander Valley.  The staff of AVV say that he overseas aging operations since he’s buried on hill over AVV's wine coves. 

Alexander Valley Vineyard's 2006 CYRUS received 92 Points in Wine Enthusiast Magazine and was Grand Champion, Best of Show at the 2011 Houston Rodeo Wine Competition.  The wine is aged in French Oak for a year, 2 years in the bottle, and then AVV has a release party closest weekend to March 15th (which was Cyrus Alexander's birthday).  Its taste includes intense aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis, and chocolate combine with rich complex fruit, spicy oak, and velvety mouth feel.  This year Cyrus was 206 years old!

One last reason to explore AVV is they're green (always a great excuse to drink wine)! Alexander Valley Vineyards has been certified as a Green Business in recognition for the steps they've taken to follow the best environmental practices and conserve resources (1 of only 14 in Sonoma).  As planet do-gooders they've installed solar panels to generate power for winery operations from pumps to computers to bottling equipment, constructed 25,000 square feet of wine caves, using natural insulation properties to age and store their wine and eliminating the need to build an energy gulping air-conditioned warehouse for that purpose, and they plant cover crops like rye grass and peas, preventing erosion and providing nutrients for the soil while eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.

All reasons to grab a bottle to taste out 2013 and toast in 2014!