The G&F Blog - Glossed & Found

Jun 8, 2017 >> The Simple Art of Flower Pressing

We went Full Bloom in our Summer Beauty shoot to celebrate the rebirth of the season—you know, since we rarely get Spring in Chicago, it’s all about Summertime Chi. Our beauty shoot included dreamy butterflies and romantic flora galore, and one of our favorite accoutrements were pretty PRESSED FLOWER tattoos. Inspired by this nostalgic summer accessory, we asked CHRISTINE NOELLE of namesake Christine Noelle Design to teach us how to transform precious petals and blooms into a mandala masterpiece that can be framed into forever art.

We stopped by Christine’s whimsical studio to freshen up our pressed flower skills—an activity that makes us reminiscent of childhood crafting during summer breaks. Christine recommends capturing your story in a Mandala, a geometric pattern representing the metaphysical universe, if you have many blooms to preserve. A Mandala also creates a sort of meditative and mindful practice to this DIY, crafting with good vibes and positive intentions creates an art piece that communicates the same. And don’t worry if you’re not doing it right. It’s all about experimenting, trial and error. But Christine notes: “Some of our fatter blooms left markings of the paper, making the prettiest negative images of themselves. Frame worthy, for sure!”

WE DIY THE PRETTIEST DIY PRESSED FLORAL >>

Jun 8, 2017 >> Meet our new Country Crush: RaeLynn

Just in time for our good vibes Summer Issue, we hung out with budding country music star—and serious ray of sunshine!—RAELYNN. The Texas-born, Nashville-based spitfire made a quick pit stop while on her RaVe tour to chat about her rise to fame, country roots and how giving back is the best way to spread positivity. And to make this Texan feel at home, we brought in some bright blooms to create good ol’ fashioned daisy chains.

RaeLynn first stepped into the spotlight at just 17 years old while vying for celebrity mentorship on NBC’s The Voice, and her debut single God Made Girls was a chart-topping success. Now at 22, RaeLynn has a brand new album Wild Horse, and is playing country shows around the nation. And she’s partnering up with trendy brands like Forever21 to spread good vibes—and her undeniably funky style. RaeLynn’s music is all about being true to yourself, living life to the fullest and having fun through life’s ups and downs.

RAELYNN: GIRL CRUSH ALERT >>

Jun 8, 2017 >> Eden’s Most Instagrammable Dish

Our new favorite West Loop haunt, EDEN, embodies all the feelings of Summer in one ridiculously chic restaurant. As an ode to the new season, we tapped into the Eden menu to bring you the perfect summer recipe, Ahi Tuna Crudo, courtesy of CHEF DEVON QUINN. And we love this rustic, airy restaurant so much, we made it the backdrop for the G&F Summer Fashion shoot, which celebrated, well, celebrations. Celebrating for celebration’s sake—because why not?

Eden opened its doors December 2016, featuring a refreshing farm-forward menu of new American fare with a Mediterranean twist. Fresh flavors are year-round at Eden as Chef Devon Quinn grows the freshest bounty in his 500-square foot greenhouse on site to sprinkle throughout his dishes and cocktails, taking hyperlocal to a whole new level. Rounding out Eden’s team are Pastry Chef Stefano Tulipano, Sommelier Arif Rahman, and Mixologist Alex Rydzewski, each procuring bites and sips symbiotic with Eden’s menu.

LEARN THE ART OF EDEN’S AHI TUNA CRUDO >>

Jun 8, 2017 >> Qi Gong for a Healthier, Happier Life!

Most of the time, being happy is easier said than done. That’s why our Summer Issue is all about spreading positivity and kindness through different movements, meditations and even some crafty DIYs that are simple to do. For this topic, we had to enlist the help of G&F’s favorite magazine-editor-turned-health-guru GISELLE WASFIE. We spent an afternoon with Giselle learning the ancient art of QI GONG—a meditation practice that’s like smiling to your organs. With a combo of sounds and movement, Giselle led us through the process of clearing out negativity stored in our vital organs to be able to usher in positivity, growth and goodness.

As an acupuncturist and herbalist (to name a few!), Giselle started her Chicago practice REMIX Acupuncture + Integrative Health in 2012. And as a former style editor for magazines like Glamour, it was only natural for Giselle to take her skills and bottle them up into an aromatherapy and beauty line, REMIX by Giselle Wasfie. Featuring some of the most chic and laidback-cool packaging we’ve ever seen, REMIX products include candles, colognes, serums, toners and more. Each product blends organic, wild-harvested and selective essential oil aromatherapy with Chinese herbal medicine that are 100 percent natural and effective on a mind-body-soul level.

WE GET THE QI GONG BASICS >>

Jun 8, 2017 >> Creating your own Spiritual Orb

Energy is sometimes hard to imagine, hard to quantify and even harder to make tangible. But our Summer Issue is all about what you can do for your spiritual wellness to send positive vibes to yourself and the world around you. We met up with YOLY ROJAS of MARGRAUX ARTISAN TERRARIUMS to create a tiny terrarium (a.k.a your energy orb). Yoly walks us through the process of building a terrarium by adding crystals to help cleanse energy and making a space that fosters creative and emotional growth.

Yoly brings her centered attitude and mindfulness to every little petite plant and succulent she makes a home for. Her adorable terrariums make a perfect companion for your home, while harnessing the healing powers of nature to help bring out your best self. And we love Yoly’s “Believe in Something Weird” philosophy that’s all about keeping an open mind and an open heart.

CREATE YOUR OWN LITTLE ORB OF HAPPY >>

Jun 8, 2017 >> Modern meets the Mix at The Savoy Flea

We visited our favorite vintage studio in Chicago, THE SAVOY FLEA, to take antique granny goods from frump to fabulous. Owner and proprietress MARIANNE DE LEY takes us step-by-step—and sip-by-sip!—through an easy Jackson Pollock-esque painting DIY with an antique frame finish. Just relax, have fun and pour a little glass of something to loosen up and start splattering.

Marianne opened The Savoy Flea in West Town in 2011. Her love for Parisian antiquing and estate sale foraging is oh-so-apparent the moment you step foot into her dreamy, eclectic space. From a tiny brass genie incense burner from Morocco, a modern lucite table, to a pair of huge 1890’s brass wall sconces taken out of a Belle Epoque Theater, the studio’s brimming with goods. Her philosophy is all about buying what you love and putting it where you love so your home reflects you to the core. And no doubt, Marianne’s genuine positivity fills up her space and covers her treasures, too.

DIY WITH THE SAVOY FLEA >>

Mar 24, 2017 >> Learn to Make The Blood Orange Lemonade

With spring right around the corner—hello sips and snacks al fresco!—we’re in desperate need of a cocktail that’s in season right now and gets us inspired for the many patio hangs, BBQs and rooftop fun the warm weather has to promise. Enter MASTER OF MIXES. You know them. You’ve seen them. And most likely: You like them. A lot. Master of Mixes is the colorful company behind your favorite grocery store mixers, and now they’re making it easier than ever to swizzle up the freshest drinks with their online cocktail bible, MixologyPro.com. We put it to the test with an easy-peasy BLOOD ORANGE LEMONADE cocktail perfect for spring.

Mixology Pro by Master of Mixes gives you all the inspiration, ingredients and tricks you need to take your at-home cocktail to the next level. Mixology guru and Director of Beverage Applications Dean Serneels transforms these store-bought mixers into creative cocktail designs. With over 45 flavors, there are endless possibilities with Master of Mixes’ one-step mixers. When you’re looking to elevate your spirits further, Dean recommends putting a little time into a cocktail that looks good, too—think glassware and seasoned rims!

“Funneling margaritas into mini milk bottles with decorative straws or pouring a Freshly Minted cocktail in a mason jar make the drinking experience unique,” explains Dean. “When it comes to the drink rim, I like to mix it up with unique sweet and salty flavors. You can even rim your glass with a dusting of cocoa powder for your next Martini!”

LEARN TO MIX THE BLOOD ORANGE LEMONADE >>

Mar 21, 2017 >> Backstage of Destiny of Desire

Destiny of Desire begins on a stormy night in small town Mexico. Two baby girls are born into two very different worlds—one to privilege and one to poverty—but then are secretly switched. And so begins a wild romp of a musical play that leaves the audience Ooh-ing, Aah-ing and desperately leaving wanting more. And the star of the show? It’s the generous, tongue-in-cheek nod to the classic telenovela in its most vibrant, celebrated form.

With twists and turns—and the occasional rewind!—Destiny of Desire honors the Latin American art form that has achieved global notoriety. We went backstage at the Goodman theatre to talk with Destiny of Desire stars Esperanza America and Ella Saldana North on how everyone can relate to life feeling like a soap opera, and what you might expect from this fast-paced, quick-witted musical production.

MEET THE STARS OF DESTINY OF DESIRE >>

Mar 20, 2017 >> Jessica Murnane’s Mexican Fried Rice Nachos

Here at G&F, our love for JESSICA MURNANE knows no bounds. We’ve whipped up a plant-based Grasshopper Pie with this green goddess, and she’s even guided us through a smoothie bootcamp back in the day. And now—finally!—Jessica is sharing all her palate-pleasing, taste bud-exploding and good-for-the-soul recipes to the masses with her new cookbook ONE PART PLANT: A Simple Guide to Eating Real, One Meal at a Time. Follow along as we talk the healing power of food, why eating plant-based meals isn’t about what you can’t have and how to make nachos One Part Plant-style.

For Jessica, who lives with endometriosis—a chronic and painful condition that affects women’s reproductive health—choosing a plant-based lifestyle was a last-ditch attempt to avoid a hysterectomy. She said bye to her Sour Patch Kids, Diet Coke and Lean Cuisines. And after a couple weeks of eating plant-based, whole foods, Jessica’s symptoms subsided. It wasn’t easy, she explains, but it worked! The One Part Plant cookbook isn’t just about plant-based recipes, it’s a real story about real food and the ability to transform your life from the inside out.

If you’re looking for a catch, there isn’t one. One Part Plant creates a dialogue about what food can do for you. It’s not a diet. It’s not a strict regimen. It’s not about what you can and cannot have. Jessica’s call to action is quite simple: one plant-based meal a day. Jessica’s book gives you a hot sheet of everything your pantry needs to get started, like nuts, seeds, grains and legumes. And it shows you how to have the most delicious, fun and healthy eats you’ve ever tasted.

VIEWER BEWARE: YOU’LL BE ADDICTED >>

Mar 2, 2017 >> Frutas of the Loom [VIDEO]

We’re taking back the often neglected all-inclusive resort this G&F Travel Issue south of the border. We landed in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico at the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort where our relaxing getaway was woven in with Mayan and Mexican culture. This sustainably-driven resort promises to work alongside the Mayan community to celebrate traditions and support their towns. The resort grants space to Maya artists free of charge to sell their crafts to guests. Sandos Caracol is committed to this initiative which benefits the communities and promotes a direct relationship with the people and culture of this region of the world. And that’s how we found a Mexican staple and beloved souvenir. Augustin creates textiles using traditional looming techniques on site at Sandos Caracol. We got a behind the seams look into the heart and soul of the vibrant textiles of the region.

LEARN THE ART OF TRADITIONAL MEXICO >>

“This is the region of Mexico that created the shawls known asrebozos, the best rebozos in the world,” explains loom shop manager Antonio Gomez. “They were striving for a way to make a wider fabric without needing any seams, to make products like blankets, tablecloths, and all those kinds of woven items.” READ MORE >>