Summer Cocktail Craziness

Deadly Venom CocktailsWhat do you get when one of the hottest mixology companies in town teams up with North County’s own Venom Vodka at the Encinitas Foodie Fest VIP After-Party? Smoke & Mirror’s Cocktail Company aptly titled Deadly Venom walloping watermelon creation. Visit smokeandmirrors.com to book San Diego’s sensational Chris Simmons and Shawn Barker for your next party. Or, try the recipe below to concoct your own killer cocktails.

Deadly Venom

1 1/2  oz Venom Vodka (available at Albertsons and other local retailers)
3 oz Fresh Watermelon mint juice*
1/2 oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz Serrano Simple Syrup**

*To make watermelon mint juice, combine small seedless watermelon with ¼ pound mint in blender and mix.

**To make Serrano Simple Syrup, Combine 1 cup water with 1 cup granulated sugar in small pot. Slice 5 Serrano Peppers and add to mixture. Slowly simmer over low heat until sugar completely dissolves. Strain the peppers and chill the syrup.

Shawn Barker of Smoke & Mirrors Cocktail CompanyChris Simmons of Smoke & Mirrors Cocktail CompanyVenom Vodka

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Annual Foodie Festival is Sensational Hit

Encinitas Foodie FestThe first annual Encinitas Foodie Fest attracted hundreds of people this past weekend. Attendees enjoyed San Diego top chef demonstrations, local gourmet foods, sustainable goods, live music and dance. Proceeds from an Art to Table auction and Opportunity Drawing benefited the Coastal Community Foundation’s Healthy Day Fund. Sponsors and volunteers celebrated at the VIP After-Party held at the luscious Lemongrass Center garden. Encinitas music legend Jack Tempchin and The Rocket Science Band rocked the house!

John Gonzales demonstrates cooking Bottaro Wood Fired PizzaWhole Foods Chef Dennis HortonNaturally to Your Door Organic KumquatsThe California OliveMarlena Medford and Sara Cremedis of Encinitas PatchAleza Martin at the Encinitas Foodie Fest

Center for a Healthy Lifestyles Tea Party
Sadie Rose Baking Company Bread

Pacific Beach Peanut Butter TastesWhole Foods Barbecue Home Grown Meats SlidersEncinitas Foodie Fest CostumesFirehouse Chefs Food Truck at the Encinitas Foodie FestBread and Butter Baking Company PieJimmy Patton and Enrique Platas perform at the Encinitas Foodie FestDanny Salzhander's Art to Table Auction Donation

Jack Tempchin and the Rocket Science Band

Tara Nel and Delilah Brown of Lemongrass Center
Bottaro Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Sea Salt Candy Company Ginger White Chocolate CaramelShawn Barker and Simmons of Smoke and Mirrors Cocktail Company

Magners Irish Cider

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Foodie Frenzy Hits Encinitas

Ahi Tuna StarterThe first annual Encinitas Foodie Fest gets underway this weekend Saturday, June 23rd from 10am-5pm at Pacific Station. With a focus on sustainability, this free family fun event is the first of its kind to bring gourmet artisanal food vendors, art, music and local business together while promoting The Coastal Community Foundation’s Healthy Day Fund. Highlights include:

• Top San Diego chef demonstrations from Bottaro Wood Fired Pizza, Kitchen 4140, The Marine Room, St. Germain’s Bistro & Cafe, Union Kitchen & Tap and Whole Foods
•Firehouse Chefs and FoodFarm food trucks
•Artisanal Gourmet Food Product Vendors
•Jimmy Patton & Enrique Platas lead the live music performances throughout the day
•Center for a Healthy Lifestyle’s Children’s Cooking Booth
•Whole Foods Encinitas Homegrown Meats Barbecue Sliders & Honey Bee Day
•an unique Art to Table auction of living succulent centerpieces created by local artists
•an opportunity drawing featuring over 20 amazing prizes donated by local businesses

Please visit encinitiasfoodie.com to see the full schedule and for more information.

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Hip Home Decor & More…

Just Modern Throw PillowsJust Modern is the newest and one of the most hip additions to Palm Springs’ exploding scintillating shopping scene. Chris Mobley and Stewart Penn expanded from cyberspace etailer to brick and mortar establishment with the launch of their new retail store this past month at 901 North Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 105. Friends and loyal customers flocked to the grand opening in a show of support for the talented designers behind this uber cool modern furniture and home décor showroom.

Exceptional offerings include:

•Just Modern desks and credenzas by Detschermitsch
•Atomic Living Design coffee tables and consoles
•San Diego’s own Marcus Papay’s Sinouos Floor and Table Lamps
•Chris Mobley’s new throw pillows based on vintage sixties dishes

With its open white space and gallery-like appeal, Just Modern has emerged as a must-see-to-experience shopping destination in the desert.

For more information, please visit justmoderndecor.com.

Stewart Penn, Chris Mobley and David A. LeeMarcus Papay Sinuous Table LampJust Modern Bookcase DisplayJust Modern Glass DishesJust Modern Wall Hanging

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Enchanted Orbit In/Hideaway’s Hospitality Heaven

Orbit In Complimentary Cocktail HourPalm Springs is a hotbed of California boutique hotels but there are few that compare in comfort and friendliness to the Orbit In and sister Hideaway properties. Well-deserved accolades abound, the hotels attract guests from all over the world, even during the scorching desert summers.

What sets the Orbit In and Hideaway apart from the plethora of other Palm Springs options?

•Concierge check-in service
•Personal fun and friendly staff
•Superb convenient location with stunning mountain views near downtown yet quiet enough to relax and escape the crowds
•The wonderful open-minded clientele who appreciate the mid-century modern aesthetic
•Exuberant Orbit In owners/fifties fanatics Kevin Miller and wife Jinny Park who as past frequent hotel guests, were inspired to purchase the property after simultaneously wishing the same dream upon a shooting star
•And last but not least, the fabulous architecture designed by Herb Burns carried throughout the properties as seen in the original vintage tile, furniture pieces and finishing decorative touches

Overall, these characteristics contribute to a happy retro chic vibe and welcoming sense of nostalgia. As veteran manager Jade Nelson explains, “I feel like this is my home away from home.” When you add to the mix a complimentary cocktail hour featuring Jinny’s yummy sake-based “Orbitinis” along with fresh popcorn, an extensive self-serve continental breakfast and free cruiser bike rental, the hotels’ astonishing allure becomes readily apparent. Finally, inclusion in the One World Guide elicits well-deserved admiration.

Please visit orbitin.com for more information.

Spacious Ray's Retreat at the HideawayHideaway Bath AccessoriesPhoenix Artist Tim Mitchell's Wall HangingOrbit In's BossaNovaVille SuiteOrbit In's BossaNovaVille Suite BathBossaNovaVille Suite AccessoriesOrbit In PoolThe Hideaway

Orbit In Owner Jinny Park and her Dog Blue

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