Jams of Whimsy with Gables Delight

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to spend our New Year’s breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove!

While dining there we discovered the scrumptious jams of Gables Delight, a local Coral Gables based jam company.   With flavor delights from Strawberry Jasmine to Guava Habanero to Blueberry Lavender it was quite the whimsical New Year jam discovery. 

Gables Delight is all natural, made with no artificial flavors or colors.  Founder Almudena Gudiel grew up in France where she learned to make jams at a young age.  Almudena later received a culinary degree in Florida and proceeded to work in top restaurants in Miami before starting her jam business.  And she's delightfully good at her job, as each of the flavors is mischievous movement in your mouth!  

So if you’re looking for Floridian whimsy in a jar make sure to wish for a pot of Gables Delight jam!

Here’s to life being delicious and all your jams be those of whimsy!

SM Observer Article: NSFW - The Best Adult Toys from this year's Oscars of Porn

Happy 2017 ES-ers!!!  Our Editor in Chief, Kat Thomas recently wrote an article for the Santa Monica Observer entitled NSFW - The Best Adult Toys from this year's Oscars of Porn.

Check it our below!

Saturday wrapped up the last day at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at the AVN Awards aka the "Oscars of Porn"! You've heard it before: Sex Sells... in a BIG way!
The adult entertainment business is estimated to bring in around $13.3 billion annually in the United States. 25% of all search engine requests are adult entertainment related, in case you were wondering this translates into 68 million requests a day!

The awards run tangent with the AVN Novelty Expo which is the adult industry's premiere B2B event. The AVN Novelty Expo brings together the latest and greatest items from a wide range of cutting edge companies such as toys, lingerie, lotions, sex furniture and other novelty items.



At the AVN Novelty Expo there something for everyone... And for that reason here are some of the Best Adult Toys of 2017!



For Your Loved One Who Wants to Be Punished - Leather By Danny's Split Thumper - Leather By Danny was started in the 1990s with the purpose of sharing Danny's love of bondage and BDSM leather goods handcrafted by artisans. One of their most popular items is LBD's Split Thumper, a leather striking toy that is designed to give more thud than sting. One of the coolest things about this thumper is that on the inside of the handles there are two strong magnets that hold the handles together while being used as a striking toy but can be separated to be used as a come-along (a device used to pull your playmate into the bedroom with you. Thank you Sir (or Mistress), May I have another? $110

For Your Speed Racer – Motorbunny –This device goes all the way to 11! Motorbunny is a straddle-style personal pleasure machine designed to deliver orgasms, with or without a partner. You plug it in, chose an attachment, and hop on! The Bluetooth capable Motorbunny twirls, buzzes, and vibrates mimicking cowgirl-style sex. And there's no reason guys should save its powerful motor for the ladies. The Motorbunny Jiggle Butt is the industry's first saddle vibrator attachment for men. Hop on to see for yourself! $899

For Your Game of Thrones Lover - Bad Dragon – What's your fantasy?!? Bad Dragon sells a variety of sex toys, dildos, masturbators, and adult accessories based on fantastical creatures! Founded in 2008 out of a desire and love for all things fantasy these toys offer magic like elements such as stalagmite shapes, sea monster tentacles, and a rainbows of colors. Bad Dragon also offers suction cups which will keep you sticking around for a long time to come. This feature allows you to mount their products on almost any surface such as chairs, tables, walls, and floors. Something might be coming other than winter... $55-$240

At the AVN Novelty Expo there something for everyone

For Your Inner Fifty Shades - Adam and Eve's Fifty Shades of Darker Clitoral Vibrator – Approved by Fifty Shades author EL James this clitoral vibrator will tickle your bits with 12 tingling vibration modes. Made from smooth and body safe silicone the Fifty Shades of Darker Clitoral Vibrator is great for foreplay with a partner or solo fun. The small massager fits easily in your hand, making it easy to hide at home or carry in your luggage on a trip. And even if someone does find it, the massager looks nothing you're your typical sex toy. Oh and it's also waterproof for wet and wild fun as well as easy cleaning. ). Mister Grey will see you now! $69.99



For Your Inner Child: Teddy Love – Absolutely the cutest and function sex toy you'll ever get for your honey! ;-) Teddy Love keeps you warm and satisfied on those long lonely nights. Teddy Love is a unique, discreet, teddy bear sexual toy that provides hours of pleasure through its dual, vibrating mechanism. Teddy Love has soft fur, twinkly eyes and is ohhhh... so cuddly. Available in Teddy, Teddy in a Tux, and BDSM Teddy. Let playtime begin! $39.95

SM Observer Article: Hack 2017 With These Adult Toys!

Happy 2017 ES-ers!!!  We can't wait to make every day of this year full of moments that are postcard worthy!

Our Editor in Chief, Kat Thomas recently wrote an article for the Santa Monica Observer entitled Hack 2017 With These Adult Toys!  

Check it out below!

Hack 2017 With These Adult Toys!

As we finish out 2016, a great way to forget all of the hatred we're expounding about this year on social media is to invest from some toys to hack 2017! As every parent knows the perfect toy can distract even the crankiest of kids. So here's a couple of items to help you forget and look forward to a life changingly awesome year ahead that was nothing like this year (no pressure 2017...)!

Deck of Scarlet

A sister company of Scentbird, the makeup subscription service Deck of Scarlet launched its first makeup palette just in time for the holiday season! Deck of Scarlet delivers a different makeup palette to your door every other month that was crafted in collaboration with a popular YouTuber. Each cruelty free, paraben free palette comes with eight or nine makeup products and YouTube tutorials to see each palette's range! http://www.deckofscarlet.com ($29.95)

 

Nest 'Smart Learning' 3rd Generation Thermostat

As we enter 2017 every thrifty Silicon Beachy techie should have a smart thermostat! Hooked up to Wi-Fi and Alexa, Nest will learn your comfort patterns and keep your temperature efficient and your bills low. You can turn it on and off via its app so you'll always come home to a warm or cool house depending on which spouse is in charge of the app! ;-) http://www.nest.com ($250)

Flight 001's "I Sleep With Strangers" Eye Mask

Flight 001's exclusive "I Sleep With Strangers" printed eye mask ensures plenty of in-air shut-eye while still keeping a sense of humor. The light eliminating insert provides extra coverage across your nose bridge while wide elastic straps and velvety lining ensure crease-free comfort! http://www.flight001.com ($24)

Yohola Cork Yoga Mat

Yes, this was also featured in our Holiday gift giving guide but we can't get enough of this cork based yoga mat! This mat increases grip the more your sweat so sliding all over the Vinyasa floor is a thing of the past! Plus Yohola's yoga mats are eco-friendly as they contains no PVCs, harmful chemicals, and all of their mats are 100% recyclable. Our favorite is the brand's Native Cork Yoga Mat, lightweight and comfortable, this mat is great for the yogi-on-the-go. The Native's innovative, durable design features a thick layer of cork backed by a non-toxic, Green Label compliant foam. http://www.YoholaYoga.com ($119)

 

SM Observer Article: 'Tis the Season for Non-Stop Shopping! Holiday Gift Guide for World Domination

Happy Holidays ES-ers!!!  Our Editor in Chief, Kat Thomas recently wrote an article for the Santa Monica Observer entitled 'Tis the Season for Non-Stop Shopping!  Holiday Gift Guide for World Domination!

Check it our below!

'Tis the Season for Non-Stop Shopping! Holiday Gift Guide for World Domination

Love it or hate it the Holidays are here!

It's time to lighten your wallets as you spread Christmas cheer!

Here are some of the Observer's favorites for under the tree!

They're the perfect gifts for those deserving of smiles, magic, and jubilee!


For the Santa Monica Yogi: Yohola Cork Yoga Mat

Once you go cork you never deal with torque! (On the yoga mat that is!) Yohola are the originators of the cork yoga mat, which increases grip the more you sweat (unlike your typical PVC mats)! So say goodbye to slipping and sliding all over the Vinyasa floor!

The result of cork based yoga is a more confident practice every time you step onto the mat! Plus Yohola's yoga mats are eco-friendly as they contains no PVCs, harmful chemicals, and all of their mats are 100% recyclable. As an added bonus to you (and your family) Yohola's states its cork surface is "anti-microbial, naturally killing bacteria, mold, and bad smells."

Our favorite is the brand's Native Cork Yoga Mat, lightweight and comfortable, this mat is great for the yogi-on-the-go. The Native's innovative, durable design features a thick layer of cork backed by a non-toxic, Green Label compliant foam. The cork is sourced from sustainable farms in Portugal and is hand-crafted responsibly in the USA. The Native Cork Yoga Mat is $119 and can be found at http://www.YoholaYoga.com/

For The Millennial Mover and Shaker: Scentbird Subscription
Millennials LOVE subscription box services! Enter Scentbird a simple and fun way to try new fragrances every month! Born out of frustration with the "perfume graveyard" (expensive bottles of designer fragrances collecting dust on your dresser or cabinet) Scentbird was created for the pickiest girl (or boy), allowing you the chance to "date" luxury fragrances before "marrying" them. With Scentbird, you get access to a 30-day supply of over 450 top designer fragrances delivered right to your door for just $14.95/month!

It's a super simple! Pick your scent from their collection of 450+ designer and niche fragrances. Get a generous supply of fragrance (0.27oz/ 8ml) in a travel-friendly spray. Every month, their birdies will deliver your fragrance right to your door.

Scentbird offers gift boxes that include 3 perfume fragrances and a one month subscription to Scentbird free! Our favorite was Miss Pretty, designed for the gal whose motto is, "Excuse me while I politely take over the world." Perfumes include: Lalique's L'Amour, Salvatore Ferragamo's Emozione, and NEST Fragrances' Midnight Fleur. The Miss Pretty set is the perfect complement to the grace and style you put forth! The 3 piece set is $59.95 and can be found at http://scentbird.com/

For the Kitchen Cook Who Hates Doing Dishes: T-Fal Performapro Cookware
We LOVE to cook but cleanup is always the pits! Enter T-Fal's Techno Release technology, a textured interior that creates soft contact zones for easier food release and clean up. We've been using their frypan for the last month for everything from frying to searing to browning, and our cleanup has never been easier!

Performapro Cookware is induction compatible providing even heat distribution and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. Riveted stainless steel handles wrapped in silicone provide a more comfortable secure grip. Made of premium stainless steel, the fry pan is dishwasher safe. The 14 piece cookware set for $99.99 and can be found on http://www.Amazon.com/

For the Budget Urban Country Girl: BootRoxx Boot Covers
Country girls love their cowboy boots, but not the $600 price tag each time they buy a new pair. Enter BootRoxx. BootRoxx boot covers have the ability to transform your favorite cowboy boots into a lively, sexy new pair. It's as simple as 1-2-3. 1. Get your favorite (or not so favorite) boots. 2. Slip on a pair of BootRoxx. 3. You're ready to go!

For the Kitchen Cook Who Hates Doing Dishes: T-Fal Performapro Cookware

There's a wide variety of choices to jazz up your boots from fringe, to veils for brides and bridesmaids, to rhinestones, rhinestones, and more rhinestones. The Observer's favorite Bootroxx pair is their Sugar Skull boot covers featuring a white rhinestone skull that has red rose flowers for eyes and is decorated with hearts, flowers, with green and pewter winding vines. Placed on smooth black fabric these boot covers have the ability to transform a plain pair of cowboy boots into something perfect to ring in the New Year with that charming cowboy by your side. The Sugar Skull set runs $49.99 and can be found on http://www.BootRoxx.com/

For the American Girl (or Guy): I'd Rather Go Commando T-Shirts
Pinups on Tour is committed to providing low or no-cost entertainment for Veterans as part of their Morale Boosting Mission. In addition, proceeds from their shows go to support their work entertaining our nation's veterans inside and outside our nation's VA Hospitals. Along with their shows, Pin-Ups on Tour has a fantastic line of merchandise, so be a little cheeky and show your support with their "I'd Rather Go Commando" t-shirts. Available in Lieutenant Green for the men's sizes and Gunmetal Gray for the ladies. Proudly made in the United States. Pin-Ups on Tour t-shirts are $22 and can be found at http://www.PinUpsOnTour.com/

To read the full article check out: 

http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/12/07/lifestyle/tis-the-season-for-non-stop-shopping-holiday-gift-guide-for-world-domination/2354.html

SM Observer Article: Beachy Casualness: Escaping the Holidays with Hotel MdR

Our Editor in Chief, Kat Thomas recently wrote an article for the Santa Monica Observer on escaping the Holidays at the Hotel MdR in Marina del Rey!  Check it our below!

Beachy Casualness: Escaping the Holidays with Hotel MdR

By Kat Thomas

It's that time of year! For better or worse, the tidal wave known as the Holidays has crashed onto our shores. But for those looking to escape from the Ho Ho Ho hubbub perhaps a night of beachy casualness at the Hotel MdR is exactly what the Christmas elves ordered.

Equal parts style, comfort, convenience and service, Hotel MdR has set a new standard for Marina del Rey hotels. Peppered with constantly looping surf movies and doggie bowls for men's best friend in the expansive slider filled lobby this DoubleTree by Hilton in Marian de Rey screams beachy contemporary.

The Hotel MdR has 283 newly updated guest rooms and suites worth of relaxation waiting for its Xmas getaway guests featuring brand new plush beds and lighting. The rooms push forward the agenda of casual sophistication with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, a coffeemaker with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brand coffee and tea (and real cream), and a mini-fridge.

The only agenda at Hotel MdR is unwinding. The bed is curated with a Plush Sweet Dreams® mattress by DoubleTree beds and features five jumbo hypo-allergenic pillows. Each room is equipped with a sleek and stylish bathroom, where everywhere you look are smooth flat surfaces. For those looking to exodus with a bubble bath there's a curved shower rod, a hair dryer, and a granite vanity.
Hotel MdR is the perfect gift of fun in a casual setting for anyone wanting to experience the Beach atmosphere without the craziness of Venice or Santa Monica. Hotel MdR is within walking distance of Fisherman's Village, a five minute Uber ride to Venice Beach, and strategically positioned by Loyola Marymount University.

The Hotel MdR is also pet friendly with rooms conveniently located on the first floor, making walks and potty breaks a breeze for man's best friends. Canine comforts include: a welcome treat provided at check-in and a head scratch and paw shake from the general manager.

To read the full article check out: 

http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/12/03/lifestyle/beachy-casualness-escaping-the-holidays-with-hotel-mdr/2334.html

SM Observer Article: Crumbs and Whiskers Cat Café Opens in Los Angeles!

Our Editor in Chief, Kat Thomas recently wrote an article on Los Angeles' first cat cafe Crumbs and Whiskers!  Check it our below!

Crumbs and Whiskers Cat Café Opens in Los Angeles!: Time Spent With Cats is Never Wasted

Crumbs & Whiskers drastically improves the lives of shelter cats by placing them in an environment where they have space to run around, people to interact with, and places to hide all day instead of having to live inside cages. 

"Time spent with cats is never wasted."--Sigmund Freud

A massive line of humans stand in front of a storefront on Melrose Blvd gawking and smiling like they do at the Christmas displays in the film "Miracle on 34th," but instead of a magical man in a red suit on other side the other side houses 20 magical creatures of the four legged furry kind: CATS!!!
LA's first cat café has come to town in the form of the second location of the DC based Crumbs and Whiskers. But this isn't BYOC (Bring Your Own Cat) because Crumbs and Whiskers has got your covered on the (adoptable) cat part, trust me!

A cat café is a theme café whose main attraction is cats that can be watched and played with. Usually patrons pay a catmosphere cover fee, generally hourly, and thus cat cafes can be seen as a form of supervised indoor pet rental.

Crumbs and Whiskers houses 20 cats in house ranging in age from 4 months to 13 years. Human guests are limited to 15 people so the four legged friends don't get stressed. This leads to time at Crumbs and Whiskers being constantly sold out (on the weekend I attended they were booked solid).
The world's first cat cafe, 'Cat Flower Garden' opened its doors in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. The Taiwanese cat café eventually became a tourist destination, attracting tourists from Japan as well as all over the glove. These Japanese tourists then took the concept back to their home nation where the concept blossomed. The first Japanese cat café was named 'Neko no Jikan' (literally Cats Time) opened in Osaka in 2004. Due to the Japan's land size and population, many residents live in small apartments or condominiums which do not allow pets, making a cat café a very popular destination for young workers looking for the companionship and comfort offered.

Crumbs and Whiskers "Founding Mom," Kancha, is a woman who was inspired by a cat cafe in Thailand. While traveling in a city called Chiang Mai, Kanchan stumbled upon a cat cafe. After she came back home, she couldn't stop thinking about how it could be used as a force for good for shelter cats. And the rest is history with the company opening its Los Angeles location two months ago!.

To read the full article check out: 

http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/11/08/lifestyle/crumbs-and-whiskers-cat-caf-opens-in-los-angeles-time-spent-with-cats-is-never-wasted/2229.html