Thanksgiving weekend is coming up.

taoStyle turns 5 that weekend, and I am certainly filled with gratitude; for life, for family and friends, and for you, my readers, without whom, this blog would not have made it this far. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for being there through thick and thin!

For many, Thanksgiving means a chance to gather around the table, with good friends and family, to eat, drink, give thanks and enjoy everything about the experience; good, bad, sad and hopefully, joyful. Family gatherings bring up the gamut of emotions. But for others, it’s not such a happy time; family members are scattered in faraway places, and the dread of Christmas shopping (and Black Friday), looms.

Well, Black Friday is a made up story by the corporate retailers who want to keep you in thrall to the slavery of perpetual consumption, as I noted in Monday’s post. And truthfully, it’s no fun being caught up in that mania, so what are the alternatives?

Lucky for us here in Northern New Mexico, the clever folks at Heritage have already thought about it and provided us with a great solution; one that includes fine dining (yes, if you want it, turkey is included), a cocktail or two at a rooftop bar overlooking the city, along with a comfy, clean room to return to at the end of the day, without leaving Old Town once. 

The New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation (NMMCF), a non-profit promoting the multiple cultures within the state of New Mexico, educating the public about these cultures, and Heritage Hotels & Resorts, the largest independent hotel group in New Mexico, have gathered more than 150 New Mexico-based artisans to showcase their wares at the 2019 New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town Friday, this coming Thanksgiving weekend, November 29th through Sunday, December 1st.

Last year, my daughters and I, along with my youngest grand-daughter, stayed at Hotel Albuquerque for two nights after the Holiday, for the inaugural event. The three-day Artisan Market featured a number of carefully chosen  artists and artisans, representing a broad spectrum of New Mexico communities, including the pueblos. Applications for the 2019 New Mexico Artisan Market have doubled from 2018, and selected artisans were chosen from a large variety of contemporary and traditional styles, all of which showcase New Mexico’s unique creative genres. 

Visitors and guests have the opportunity to browse and purchase from a huge array of beautiful, handcrafted items; art, apparel, jewelry and accessories, home decor, and much more. The New Mexico Artisan Market also hosts a variety of activities during the market, including artisan sponsored workshops, raffles, and other fun events.

“The New Mexico Artisan Market is more than a shopping experience; it’s a place to connect with and truly support New Mexico’s finest artists and artisans,” said Chris O’Donnell, Director, New Mexico Artisan Market and Creative Director of Heritage Hotels & Resorts/Sawmill District. “The Market is excited to be a holiday tradition for visitors to meet with and learn about locally made goods and these artists’ talents. We’re proud to continue to support these local artists and benefit our local economy, our people, and our culture.”

In 2018, the first-ever New Mexico Artisan Market experienced nearly 7,000 visitors and generated more than $700,000 in combined merchandise sales over the three-day holiday weekend.  Clearly Heritage gets “it” that New Mexico’s Arts and Culture impact our economy more than most other industry in the state. The Artisan Market keeps this in mind as it seeks to “ celebrate the state’s tradition of community marketplace by supporting and promoting local creative talent. “

Taos of course will be present at Old Town! With Angelo and Jacquelene McHorse (last year’s winners for Best in Category) Bison Star Naturals,  there again this year, among others. Shopping is hardly a chore when approached in this way. It becomes a pleasure; supporting our local economy is a sustainable practice.

If you have been wanting to stay at Hotel Chaco, book early (it’s no longer a secret), and head directly to the rooftop bar upon arrival, for a bite to eat (the food is fabulous – farm to table – and fresh), and a view to die for, before heading next door to Hotel Albuquerque to peruse the stands and enjoy a cocktail in one of the hotel’s several bars and restaurants. Taos treasure, Patricia Michaels,  designed the stunning uniforms worn by the chic staff at Hotel Chaco, seen in the image above. Items from the Project Runway finalist’s PM Waterlily line are for sale in Heritage’s gift shops.

End your day with a dip in the spectacular shared pool and turn in early. 

On your way over to the Artisan’s Market the following morning, you can’t help but notice the modern and very urban, Sawmill District that’s being developed just behind Hotel Chaco. Or perhaps you sighted it from your rooftop perch at Level 5 the evening prior?

Projected for a February 2020 opening, the Sawmill Market is New Mexico’s first artisanal food hall.  The market, set in a former lumber warehouse located in the Sawmill District, will feature local farmers and food artisans, craftsmen, and artists, again celebrating the diverse cultures and culinary traditions that make up the eclectic New Mexican landscape. 

A rich part of the city’s history, this location was a bustling epicenter for industry from the late 1800s and early 1900s along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, first as agricultural land, then owned by the American Lumber Company, the largest lumber company in the Southwest. The building was once home to over 800 sawmill employees, and is Heritage Hotels founder, the unstoppable Jim Long’s newest baby.

Founded in 2005 by Long, a native New Mexican, Heritage Hotels & Resorts are a collection of culturally distinct hotels in New Mexico and is the largest independent hotel brand in New Mexico. Through  architecture, design, landscaping, cuisine, art, entertainment, and music, Heritage Hotels & Resorts provide their guests with an authentic to New Mexico, cultural experience. Their properties include Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Hotel Chaco, and Nativo Lodge  in Albuquerque, Hotel St. Francis, Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe, Inn and Spa at Loretto, and The Lodge at Santa Fe, in Santa Fe, Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces in Las Cruces and El Monte Sagrado and Palacio de Marquesa here in Taos. Each hotel donates a percentage of its revenue to (domestic), cultural causes. 

The company not only promotes and supports our diverse culture and heritage, it also provides more than 2,000 jobs in NM. With Hotel Chaco and the Sawmill District, Heritage have reinvented the way visitors see our state, by reimagining a New Mexican present and future that includes the past in a brilliant continuum; the juxtaposition of the old and new, comes together here through great design and impeccable attention to detail.

I’ll have a post on the Sawmill Market itself in the very near future, but meanwhile, please visit 

sawmill market

The 2019 New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town opens on Friday, November 29 at 11 a.m. for VIP Early Admission and will be open from 12 – 5 p.m. for General Admission. Doors for all ticket holders will open on Saturday, November 30th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday, December 1st from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

General Admission tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 before October 30th and for $15 after. VIP tickets can be purchased for $45. Tickets can be purchased at:holdmyticket

To learn more about the New Mexico Artisan Market, please visit them at nmartisanmarket

 For more information about Heritage Hotels & Resorts, please visit their site linked below

heritagehotels&resorts

All images thanks to Heritage Hotels & Resorts

The post Heritage Holidays appeared first on taoStyle.

Mabel Dodge Luhan was an American socialite.

She was also a renowned salon hostess, writer and patron saint to some of the most talented artists, literary figures, and political radicals during the early decades of the 20th century. Taos would not even be on the map, if not for her.

Nowadays, Taos is mostly known for its world class ski resort – faraway from the everyday, but closer than you may imagine – so if you are having a hard time making up your mind about where to travel this season, I’m here to help.

All of New Mexico still has that small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe – and in Taos, that’s especially true. You’ll see former governor and presidential candidate Gary Johnson on the slopes along with a host of visiting or locally based, celebrities, hanging with regular folks.  

“Oh, sure, you see him here all the time during ski season,” a friend told me recently. “I’ve skied with him often.” Evidently, the Libertarian’s futile 2016 campaign for POTUS hasn’t stopped him from flying down Black Runs in this offbeat resort, hand-built by a German-Swiss war refugee, lovingly upgraded by a billionaire conservationist, that happens to be one of the highest-elevation municipality’s in the U.S. at 9,207 feet. (A friend just informed me that Leadville, CO, is higher, at 10,152, so I’ve corrected my error.)

The crown jewel in a $300 million series of improvements undertaken by Taos Ski Valley’s owner, Louis Bacon, who purchased the resort from the heirs of resort founder Ernie Blake in 2013, is the Blake, an eco-friendly, 80-room boutique hotel with ski-in/ski-out accessibility to the slopes. It also houses an enviable art collection of the Taos Masters; a nod to the early origins of both the art colony and the mountain resort.

Because without women like Mabel Dodge and Millicent Rogers, none of this would exist. Without O’Keeffe’s Modernist impressions of the desolate landscape, none of this would exist. Of course others had come before them. They too were newcomers. The intrepid early pioneers including the Taos Society of Artists had clearly paved the way, but between these two Society heiresses, beginning with Mabel, they brought the world to Taos.

The impressive collection of vintage photographs, original and important art, along with alpine artifacts, that fill the hotel’s Arts and Crafts-inspired hallways help tell the story of the resort, which the indefatigable Blake – a Jewish émigré and friend of Millicent Rogers, who worked for U.S. intelligence during World War II, interrogating Nazi POWs – started as a one-slope operation in 1955. The resort – and, indeed, the town itself– continued to grow in an odd fashion, in fits and starts — a building here, a new lift there, for almost six decades until the ownership changed.

But what truly makes the 1,200-acre ski facility unique – besides its 300 days a year of sunshine, are its high percentage of expert runs –  great for Black Diamond lovers but if that’s not your jam, there are plenty of languorous runs to keep you happy. Taos Air makes it very easy to get here during the winter, or you can fly into Santa Fe and take the Taos Ski Valley shuttle to the resort from the airport. 

Taos Ski Valley should not be confused with Taos proper, the somewhat funky little Southwestern art colony and historical pueblo at the foot of the mountain, where many of the ski resort’s seasonal workers actually live. I’ll have more on Taos Ski Valley on Friday, but no trip to Taos would be complete without… a trip to Taos. And any trip to the town, must begin with Mabel.

Mabel Dodge Luhan was born on February 26, 1879, in Buffalo, New York, to an affluent family living on inherited wealth. Both of Mabel’s grandfathers had made fortunes in banking. Mabel Ganson, like most women of her social background at the time, was educated to be a charming and decorative wife, which she dutifully  became at the age of 21. Her husband, Karl Evans, was a member of her social set whose chief attraction for Mabel was that he was engaged to another woman. Evidently she longed for a little excitement to alleviate the boredom of her bourgeois upbringing.

Emotionally deprived as a child, she would continue to believe that she had a right to “steal” love whenever the opportunity presented itself. In 1903, shortly after the birth of their son, Karl Evans died in a hunting accident. Mabel suffered a nervous breakdown. Her family sent her to Europe in 1904 to recover. This was the first of three journeys—the second would be to Greenwich Village and the third to Taos, on her search for both a personal identity and a place where she could feel “at home.”

On her way to Paris, Mabel met “a nice young man in tweeds”—Edwin Dodge, a wealthy architectural student from Boston. Dodge became her second husband, and together they moved to Florence in 1905. There, depressed and trapped in a loveless marriage, Mabel began to devote herself to the love of art. The couple purchased a grand Medician estate which they named Villa Curonia, and for the next eight years she spent enormous amounts of money, energy, and creativity transforming her surroundings and herself.

Filling her home with objets d’art and artists, Mabel’s reputation as a salon hostess began in Florence, where she entertained lavishly, and sat the rich, famous and most noteworthy members of the international set at her table. The French novelist André Gide, actress Eleanor Duse, painter Jacques-Emile Blanche, Gertrude and Leo Stein were frequent guests among many others.  Mabel who dressed in Renaissance costumes wanted to be seen as a muse; the inspiration for the genius she surrounded herself with.

Bored with her life in Florence by 1912 and greatly influenced by Gertrude and Leo Stein’s philosophy that the individual could overcome the ill effects of both heredity and environment and create herself anew, Mabel returned to New York. Separated from her husband, Mabel moved to an apartment in Greenwich Village, the heart of America’s avant-garde. There, at 23 Fifth Avenue, she launched the most successful salon in American history. For the next three years Mabel entertained the “movers and shakers” of pre-war America, men and women who were sweeping in their condemnation of bourgeois values and industrial capitalism. Gathered together at one of Mabel’s “Wednesday evenings” one might find artists, philosophers, writers, social reformers, and radicals. Mabel was determined to make herself the nucleus of the spirit of her age by embracing its most idealistic and committed men and women. She was in many regards, way ahead of her time,

Mabel Dodge gave generously of both her time and money to support the various causes she believed would liberate Americans from the shackles of their Victorian past. She helped to sponsor the famous Armory show which introduced post impressionist art to an American audience; contributed to The Masses, the leading left-wing literary and political journal of her day; wrote a syndicated newspaper column popularizing Freudian psychology; and supported a host of organizations, among them the Women’s Peace Party and the Women’s Birth Control League.

A model of the  “New Woman,” Mabel experimented with free love, and ended up having several unsatisfactory affairs, the most famous of which was with radical journalist John Reed. She soon married again however and  in 1916 Mabel and her third husband, artist and sculptor Maurice Sterne, moved to Taos, where she finally found the “cosmos” she had been searching for all her life.

Soon enough and predictably, she fell in love with Tony Luhan, a Taos Pueblo native. Divorcing Sterne and marrying Luhan, her fourth and final husband, Mabel saw their alliance as a bridge between Anglo and Native American cultures. For the rest of her life Mabel took on the cause (creating yet another role to play), of calling “great souls” to Taos to help her create “a city upon a hill.” 

The American Southwest was destined, she believed, to serve as a source of social and psychic renewal for the dying, decadent, jaded and disillusioned postwar Western civilization, Among the “great souls” she called to Taos to help her spread her gospel of American regeneration were D. H. Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe, Willa Cather, Thomas Wolfe, Andrew Dasburg and Carl Jung. 

During the 1920s Mabel began to write her memoirs: Background, European Experiences, Movers and Shakers, and Edge of Taos Desert, but her book, Winter in Taos, published in 1935, remains my favourite.

“Then the sun was low and shining already below branches of the cottonwood trees and turning the mountain into a big crumpled rose. It is a lovely hour to walk about the snowy lanes, hastening a little, for the bitterness of the night comes down fast. The air grows quiet” She describes a winter evening in this valley. The book captures the magic of the winter season in the Land of Enchantment.

She wrote numerous articles while here, calling attention to the integrity of Native American culture and the needed protection for their tribal lands. She died in Taos of a heart attack on August 13, 1962, and continues to be remembered, as one reporter described her in the early 1920s, “the most peculiar common denominator that society, literature, art, and radical revolutionaries ever found in New York and Europe.” In attempting to alter the direction of American civilization, she captured the imaginations of her generation’s most talented writers, artists, and thinkers, and profoundly influenced their understanding of modern America. And like a magnet, she drew them all to her home, right here,”faraway from the everyday.”

Her home was owned during the 70’s by the late actor and artist, Dennis Hopper, who continued Mabel’s legacy by bringing the most creative members of his generation to the house that Mabel built. 

We all still live in that house, where the edge of the desert inspires vision and creativity, where the ghosts of the not too distant past commune with us in the present, where tables are laden with food for the senses and soul as winter closes in. Where else in America can you ski all morning and look at great art all afternoon? This is what sets Taos apart from every other ski town in the states.

At the end of the day, it’s still all about Art.

For more information on Taos, Taos Ski Valley and Mabel, along with how to get here. please visit the sites linked below. 

kitaos.com/discover-taos/getting-here 

skitaos.com/lodging/blake

mabeldodge/remarkablewomen

harwoodmuseum

mabeldodgeluhanaccomadations

All images of Mabel, her house, Ernie Blake and TSV Stock Files. Painting of Mabel by Nicolai Fechin

The post The House That Mabel Built appeared first on taoStyle.

Less than half an hour north of the town of Taos, a winding road through towering pines leads to Taos Ski Valley.

Known to serious skiers for its steep terrain, backcountry access and European vibe, the ski resort at Taos is truly an extension of the town itself — quirky, whimsical, full of history and charm.

These inherent qualities have largely informed the revamping of the ski area, initiated by Louis Bacon, the billionaire philanthropist who has long been invested in land and water conservation. Bacon purchased Taos Ski Valley from the Blake family in 2014. Ernie Blake, a German-Jewish émigré, founded the resort in the mid 1950s in the likeness of the resorts he’d skied in the Alps growing up.

At the center of Bacon’s massive renovation and restoration project is The Blake, an 80-room LEED-certified hotel at the base of the mountain which, through art and architecture, pays homage to the region’s historical and cultural influences.

The Blake, as I noted in Wednesday’s post, has an impressive, museum quality art collection that also serves as a de facto Taos history lesson. As Robert Mirabal, Grammy Award winning actor and musician from Taos Pueblo once remarked, “all roads lead to Taos.”

And it’s true; cultures come together in Taos where many roads end. It’s the end of the Santa Fe Trail and the El Camino Real. It’s the northernmost of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico. It’s the eastern edge of the Dine migration lands, the western edge of the Plains tribes’ migration lands, and the southern end of the Ute migration lands. Cultures have converged here for aeons.

Then you add into the mix the artists that began coming in the late 1800’s, creating a bona fide art colony here, followed by Mabel Dodge and her crowd, then Millicent Rogers, Ernie Blake and ski culture. The Blake tips its proverbial hat to them all. Guests at the hotel can also sign up for art tours of the hotel during their stay.

But even more important than the sophisticated yet elegantly understated, remodel of the resort, is the fact that Taos Ski Valley can claim it is the world’s first B Corp ski resort, committed to using their business as a force for good, and in doing so, creating a more sustainable way forward sounding their clarion call to “Ski the Change!”

Certified B Corporations are an innovative new business model that balances purpose and profit, with an obligation to consider workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment in everything they do.

As a company that depends on environmental sustainability and reverence for its local communities, B Corp status is a natural fit for Taos Ski Valley, and visitors vacationing here, can do so with the knowledge that they’re supporting sound ethical principles. The resort adheres to business practices that are not only environmentally friendly, but which promote a more resilient and robust community “that celebrates the rich, living cultures that are woven together in the region”. The cornerstone of this mission is the Taos Verde initiative, which includes five core areas of focus: energy efficiency, land stewardship, efficient water use, responsible waste management and community engagement.

Several partnerships with other organizations have been forged, including local schools and UNM. Taos Ski Valley also utilizes the local Centinel Bank, for its banking needs. They have built a strong relationship with Taos Pueblo and recognize the value and importance of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site that is at the root of our community.

The resort has partnered with New Mexico Workforce Connection to recruit a local workforce and they have tapped into the local culture and history by commissioning artists and artisans to provide furnishings and amenities for The Blake, The Blake Penthouses, and expanding our scope throughout The Blake Residences. The renovations to the resort are ongoing, with much more to come, but we can be certain of one thing; they will continue to respect the existing spirit and vernacular, and most importantly, the genus of the land itself.

CEO, David Norden, is a signee of the Camber Outdoors CEO Pledge, ensuring that Taos will be an inclusive workplace where diversity of experience and people as a strategic business imperative will set the organization above the status quo. A great work culture is only one of the things that sets a B Corp company apart, but when you break it all down, it comes right back to the environment, and sustainable practices all around. Focused on waste management and recycling, water preservation and land conservation, TSV is walking its talk, right down to sourcing local products for the Spa & Wellness Center at the Blake.

The Blake at Taos Ski Valley elevates the Taos Ski Valley experience. This modern rustic alpine retreat features 24-hour hausmeister service, valet parking, ski valet, heated saltwater pool, and hot tubs, along with the aforementioned Spa & Wellness Center, making it the perfect (and low/carbon-neutral), location to host a big event, including a Winter Wedding!

Taos Ski Valley is now offering a completed redesigned mid-mountain wedding venue for up to 250 people. This new 6,334 sq ft venue includes the newly renovated Phoenix Lodge with dedicated reception space and two outdoor ceremony areas with 360 degree mountain views. 

The resort provides unique New Mexican accented menus for weddings of all sizes, featuring locally sourced ingredients from around the region. Farm to table and sustainable. 

When I met with Robin Naylor, (formerly at El Monte Sagrado), now Taos Ski Valley’s new Wedding and Social Events Sales Manager recently, she was excited about the upcoming season. “It’s all looking so beautiful up there,” she told me, “ and we are booking up fast, people really need to make reservations early. The secret is out.” She laughed. “Taos is hot.”  Not to mention, extremely Instagram friendly for your high altitude wedding photos!

So if the freak avalanche that happened here last year, is still giving you the jitters just thinking about skiing Taos this winter, let alone being married here, don’t be afraid! Yes, a terrible tragedy occured, and the ski patrol and first responders were heros that day, but we can’t live our lives in fear, and although we may be known for being a bit off beat (and off the beaten track), we are not generally known as “Avalanche Country.” 

“I can’t think of a more beautiful and romantic spot for a magical Winter Wedding!” Robin mused as our conversation drew to a close. “And with all of our sunny days, they can be married outdoors and take the party inside at nightfall.”

The resort has a shuttle service to transport you and your guests back and forth from venue to lodging.

Robin is also booking other major events besides weddings, and has a special offer in the cards if you host your Holiday Party at Taos Ski Valley this winter. For much more information and all the details, you can contact her at the site linked below.

skitaosgroupsandweddings

Taos Air makes getting here (from Dallas and Austin), a breeze. I’ve included that link also.

Ski smarter, ski the change!

skitaos

taosair

Editor’s Note:  I have edited and updated this post after a friend pointed out that the paragraph about last year’s avalanche tragedy, in which two skiers lost their lives, came off a bit glib. I apologize for that, and have clarified my comment.

All images of TSV, the Blake and the art (Georgia O’Keeffe litho), thanks to TSV.

Photo of Louis Bacon, Stock File.

The post Taos Ski Valley Raises The Bar appeared first on taoStyle.

Floating World Imports and the Cellar 

Will be sampling some rare Whiskeys from Japan, Wales and Scotland.

Whiskey gets its name from the Gaelic word “uisge beatha,” meaning “water of life.”

The Scots spell it whisky and the Irish spell it whiskey, with an extra ‘e’. The difference in the spelling comes from the translations of the word from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic forms and whiskey with the extra ‘e’ is also used when referring to American whiskies. This ‘e’ was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants in the 1700s and has been used ever since.  

Scotland, Ireland and America all have a rich heritage in the whiskey industry. But Japan? And Wales? Who knew?

So what are the differences between these whiskies?

Scotch whisky is malt whisky or grain whisky made in Scotland. Scotch whisky must be made in a manner specified by law. All Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley, but commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century.

Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: single malt Scotch whisky, single grain Scotch whisky, blended malt Scotch whisky,  blended grain Scotch whisky, and blended Scotch whisky. All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed-age whisky. A whisky without an age statement is known as a no age statement (NAS) whisky, the only guarantee being that all whisky contained in that bottle is at least three years old.

The first written mention of Scotch whisky is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, 1495. A friar named John Cor was the distiller at Lindores Abbey in Newburgh, Fife, where, in October 2017, malt whisky production restarted for the first time in 522 years.

Welsh whiskey has been distilled in Wales since the Middle Ages, but production died out in the late nineteenth century. In the 1990s attempts were made to revive the practice, resulting in the establishment of Wales’s first distillery in over one hundred years.

Japanese whiskey on the other hand is relatively new, compared to the whiskey’s from Britain, but is fast gaining in popularity. Whiskey production in Japan began earlier than you might think, around 1870, but the first commercial production was in 1924 upon the opening of the country’s first distillery, Yamazaki.

The style of Japanese whiskey is more similar to that of Scotch whisky than other major styles of whiskey. Several companies are producing whiskey in Japan,  There are also many special bottlings and limited editions.

You probably grew up hearing that drinking a Hot Toddy is a great cure for a cold, but surprisingly, like chicken soup, this old wives tale  has its basis in science. The ingredients of this favorite winter beverage have many of the same properties as a dose of Nyquil, without the icky chemicals! Whiskey acts as a decongestant by dilating your blood vessels, while the honey, lemon and tea have anesthetic properties, and can loosen mucus. Whiskey has also historically been used as a digestif in many cultures throughout the ages. If you’ve had a heavy meal, an after dinner shot of whiskey may be just what you need to finish it off properly.

Another  great health benefit of whiskey is its high concentration of ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that is shown to neutralize cancer-causing free radicals in the human body. Single malt whiskey is said to contain more antioxidants than red wine. Because of its blood-thinning properties, a daily shot of whiskey can lower a person’s risk of stroke.

The key is to consume in moderation,  so raise your glass and toast to these potential health benefits of drinking whiskey.

This Wednesday, November 20th, you can try a few rare brews from Japan, Wales and Scotland.

Floating World Imports will be pouring:

 -Port Askaig 

Islay, Scotland 

-Penderyn Legend 

Wales, UK

-Fukano 

Kumamoto, Japan

-the Matsui

Kurayoshi, Japan

-the Kurayoshi 12yr

Kurayoshi, Japan

Please join Floating World Imports at the Cellar  for this unique opportunity from 4-6pm.

For more information please visit the Cellar at their site linked below.

The Cellar

All images Stock Files

The post Wednesday Whiskey Tasting At The Cellar appeared first on taoStyle.

Thanksgiving (also known as Thanksgiving Day) is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. 

Thanksgiving, it is said, was first celebrated by the Pilgrims in gratitude for the food collected at the end of the harvest season.

But this year, while you are getting your Thanksgiving menu and guest list together, it might occur to you that Thanksgiving is a little later than usual this November. And you’re right!  And as it turns out, there’s a reason for that and the story dates all the way back to 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt decided to shake up the tradition a bit in the name of good ol’ capitalism!

Thanksgiving had been celebrated on the last Thursday of the month since the time of Abraham Lincoln. But in 1939, the calendar had been unusual, as the month of November started on a Wednesday, so there were five Thursdays as opposed to four.

To restore some order and sanity, Roosevelt moved the national holiday to the second-to-last Thursday of the month and justified his decision with a pro-shopping response: merchants would now have a holiday further from Christmas to allow for more shopping time. In a way, this birthed the consumer craze known as Black Friday nearly 80 years ago.

As 1941 ended, Roosevelt made the final permanent change, signing a bill making Thanksgiving Day fall on the fourth Thursday of November, regardless of if it is the last Thursday of the month or not.

This year, the month of November began on a Friday, which means the fourth Thursday of the month falls on Nov. 28—it’s the first time Thanksgiving has been this late since 2013.

So Turkey Day snuck up on you and now you are pressed for time (or have none at all), but don’t fret, the whole team at Cid’s Food Market is gearing up to make sure that your family’s holiday dinner is filled with the most  delicious, healthy and clean ingredients they can  provide.

Fresh turkeys have started to arrive. Cid’s do not take special orders or reservations for Turkeys, so it’s a first come first serve basis. The early bird gets the bird!

Mary’s Non-GMO birds are a steal at just $2.99 /lb.  And Local Embudo Valley Free Range Organic turkeys will be arriving in very limited quantities this week at $4.99 /lb. 

For the second year in a row, Cid’s Kitchen can also take the entire load off you and prepare your Thanksgiving Dinner.  From the turkey to the sides as well as the dessert, their stellar staff has you covered, using only the finest, freshest and mostly organic ingredients.  

The latest they will be taking  orders is this Sunday, 11/24, so get yours in ASAP by emailing sprice@cidsfoodmarket.com.

For a full list of pricing and what’s available, check this link for their special Thanksgiving catering menu –cid’s menu

And to help make shopping a little less stressful this year, Cid’s will be open on Sunday 11/24 from 8am-6pm., enabling you to avoid the rush and stock up on what you need before TSV opens, and lots of visitors begin to arrive!

Thanks to Cid’s, there’s even more to be thankful for this year! Tardy Turkey Day not withstanding.

cid’sfoodmarket

All images Stock Files

The post Cid’s Makes Thanksgiving Easy appeared first on taoStyle.

What would the Holidays be without chocolate?

Real chocolate; the stuff dreams are made of, the kind that melts in the mouth like butter, with subtle flavors that remind one of a good, vintage wine, exploding on the palate and satisfying the deepest hunger. For after all, real chocolate is food.

Lucky for us, here in Taos, we don’t have to go terribly far to source some of the world’s very best, bean-to-bar chocolate!

Bean-to-bar is chocolate produced by processing cocoa beans  in-house, rather than melting chocolate from a large manufacturer. Some are in fact, large companies that own the entire process for economic reasons; others aim to control the whole process to improve quality, working conditions, and/or environmental impact.

Chokola, a family owned, small batch artisanal chocolate company aims to do it all. In the few short years since opening their flagship store on Juan Largo lane off the Plaza, owners Deborah Vincent and Javier Abad who met in Venezuela in 2003, have grown their small company beyond their wildest dreams.

Moving to Taos in 2015 with a young family, (Debi’s grandmother was Taos folk singer and social activist Jenny Vincent), Deborah and Javi made the Land of Enchantment their base as they continued traveling to learn more about their shared passion; chocolate.

A trip back to Caracas, Venezuela to meet and learn from renowned chocolate makers Chloe Doutre-Roussel and Maria Fernanda Di Giacobbe would change the course of their lives forever.

Six months later, they opened Chokola.  

The bars they have become famous for, feature limited edition wrappers designed by local artists including Larry Bell, Erin Currier and Zoe Zimmerman among others. Debi is an Art Historian and quite naturally pays homage to her academic and Taos roots. 

The couple’s shared vision has paid off. After winning two prestigious Good Food Awards in 2018 (see site linked below this post), Chokola Bean to Bar has gone on to win even more awards this year.

“This has been an amazing year we are so grateful for the support we’ve received from the Taos community and our visitors,” Debi told me when I talked with her recently, “ and we are also thrilled to represent the state of New Mexico in national and international competitions.”

Chokola won two Gold medals in the Northwest Chocolate Festival Awards, a respected international competition,  one in the dark chocolate category and the other and the confection category. The festival was held in Seattle. The world’s top education workshops, 20+ countries of global exhibitors, came together on the Northwest Coast to revel in indulgent chocolate tastings!

Then just this past weekend, the couple took Bronze as finalists of the International Chocolate awards, a worldwide competition. The International Chocolate Awards had  announced the Grand Jury Finalists of the World Final Competition which was held 7-12 October, 2019 in Florence, Italy. The event last weekend, was held in Guatemala.

As we chatted, Debi’s son Sebastian came to where we sat, to say hello. He lives in Los Angeles where he is at University studying Business. 

“We are thinking of opening another store there in the near future,” Debi told me. “Taos will always be home, but it’s time to stretch our wings.” She smiled.

Quite natural – once children begin to discover their own wings also. The couple’s daughter is now 15 and soon the proverbial nest will be empty.  “For now, we are just tossing the idea around.” Sebastian chimed in. But how perfect having a brilliant businessman built right in, I thought. For the moment however, Debi and Javi continue to make their bars and bon-bons aqui en Taos! 

“I’m back to the bon-bons!”  Debi laughed. Her chocolate origins started with confectionary over two decades ago in Venezuela. Before Javier and bean-to-bar.  “Full circle to where I began.”

Last but not least, Chokola is once again nominated for the prestigious nationwide  Good Foods Awards. 

“We have already won 2 awards in 2018, bringing the first ever Good Foods Awards to New Mexico.” Said Debi. “This year we got nominated as finalist Good Food Awards 2020 with our Tanzania + Nibs origin bar.”

I left with the bar in my bag. It tasted like home, or close enough. The distance from where I was born on the tip of the African highveld, is not too far from the country bordering Kenya.

For much more information on Chokola and all their awards, as well as to order online, please visit the sites linked below.

chokolabeantobar

nwchocolateawards

internationalchocolateawards

goodfoodfdn.org

All images thanks to Chokola

The post Chocolate For The Soul appeared first on taoStyle.

This Thanksgiving.and throughout the Holidays at Taos Blue!

A family Holiday Season that is  more sustainable, less wasteful and better for the environment might have seemed a bit Grinch-like only a few years ago, but there are signs that many more people  will be opting for more eco-friendly festivities  this year. 

Activists behind Buy Nothing Day and Green Friday, who encourage supporters to spend nothing and celebrate sharing instead, are presenting a real challenge to the traditional commercial frenzy of Black Friday. Putting a squeeze on the corporations that have long controlled our spending habits, is at this time, the most political act of all.

But can this growing backlash against consumerism really make a difference? 

According to a recent study, the US creates almost 40% more waste than usual over the Holiday Season. Literally miles of wrapping paper and plastic packaging are mindlessly bought, used for a moment, and thrown into the trash.

November and December traditionally account for over 25 percent of total annual retail sales, but 2019 has already been a challenging year on and offline. Sales growth in the past 12 months has fallen to its lowest ever level, reportedly propelled by Britain’s Brexit uncertainty and Trump’s unpredictability.

Clearly this growing movement  is having an effect. You can get on board too. And even if buying nothing is out of the question, you can buy mindfully, and less. Consider abbreviating your list this year, to include only your children and close family members. Make or bake for friends. It’s true it is the thought that counts.

Choose carefully the gifts you do purchase. Buy locally and buy things that are “both useful and beautiful.”  William Morris’ wise words, spoken during the height of the Arts&Crafts rebellion against Victorian excess, ring even more true today. With Thanksgiving Weekend ahead, lovely things for the table, from locally sourced linens to handcrafted ceramics, are always a great gift idea for the hostess.

Sue Westbrook at Taos Blue has made a point of carrying American made Arts&Crafts at Taos blue for three decades, with an emphasis on things for the home; lasting, useful and beautiful. This year is no different. As Sue celebrates the Season with a nod to pure, unadulterated Americana and sustainable style!

Along with the changing scene in her Seasonal Windows, Sue has curated a collection of table accessories and tableware, to make the Holiday table joyful and colorful; unusual; serving pieces, great mugs for hot chocolate and other steaming drinks or soups are perfect gifts for the loved ones on your shortlist. 

Objects that will be used time and again; worthy of being passed along from generation to generation, heirlooms in the making.  Elevate basic dinnerware with exquisite hand made textiles; napkins and table runners, and gorgeous ceramic vases for the flowers guests inevitably bring.  

Research proves that experiences provide more lasting happiness than things, so most of all, enjoy the Holiday, stress free, whether you are joining family and friends around the table, or eating dinner alone; it’s a wonderful opportunity to slow down, and be grateful for what we do have; realizing that enough is enough.

This year, after sitting out Black Friday, you might want to think about skipping the tree as well! An estimated 6 million real Christmas trees end up in landfills each year. If you do get a real tree, please repurpose it afterwards; use the needles in a potpourri, the branches for kindling, and keep the ornaments natural, edible or collectable, unique and reusable. Like the ones Sue has on sale year round, at Taos Blue on Bent Street.

For more information on Taos Blue, please visit the site linked below.

taosblue

All images thanks to Jeff Spicer and Taos Blue

The post Green Is The New Black appeared first on taoStyle.

Last Wednesday, members of Congress did something that they had never done before.

In a historical move, a body of the U.S. Congress voted to end cannabis’ nearly century-long status as a federally prohibited substance. By a vote of more than two to one, members of the United States House Judiciary Committee passed passed legislation, House Bill 3884: The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act. 

The MORE Act removes the marijuana plant from the federal Controlled Substances Act,  enabling states to enact their own cannabis regulations free from undue federal interference.

The vote marks the first time that members of Congress have ever voted to federally deschedule cannabis. 

The decision to move forward with the MORE Act is significant; this act is the most comprehensive marijuana reform bill ever introduced in Congress, backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups.

This legislation intends to address  millions of Americans who suffer from the stigma associated with a low-level marijuana possession conviction. It provides funding and inducements to states to enact policies that expunge these criminal convictions from citizens’ records so that they can successfully move on with their lives. 

And it also seeks to assist America’s military veterans by, for the first time, permitting physicians associated with the Veterans Administration the authority to recommend medical cannabis therapy to patients who reside in legal marijuana states. It also permits players (in the existing state-legal marijuana industry),  to access banking and other necessary financial services. 

Currently, federal law mandates that this multi-billion dollar industry operate on a cash-only basis — an environment that makes businesses more susceptible to theft and more difficult to audit. Growing a successful business is hard enough. Doing so without access to banking and credit is even tougher. The MORE Act ensures that these state-compliant businesses, and those millions of Americans who patronize them, are no longer subject to policies that needlessly place them in harm’s way.

This is a huge step forward, but now it’s even more critical that members of the full House now take up this issue.  Not only does this bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it also provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered the most under federal criminalization. It is time for Congress to right those past wrongs of the federal war on marijuana and for every member to show their constituents which side of history they stand on; to end the federal prohibition of marijuana and to reform this nation’s laws to no longer discriminate against its consumers. 

This Thanksgiving we have much to be grateful for, with these, and other big changes on the horizon!

But to really enjoy the holiday, you must first simplify the day. Celebrate being with those you love. Don’t overdo the cooking – and truly savor what you make. Linger over dessert, play games, watch football or a favorite movie, take a walk. There’s no need to buy  Thanksgiving decorations. Head out to your yard with a pair of shears and find tree branches, stems loaded with berries and flowering grasses to fill tall vases, hollowed out pumpkins, and autumnal baskets.

And as it’s now officially time to begin making the dishes for your Thanksgiving dinner, and considering this year’s family gathering is bound to be filled with heated political conversations leading to potential emotional melt-downs, I think it’s best to keep Turkey Day chill by imbibing low levels of cannabis all day long. Thanksgiving turkey is even better when it’s infused with weed, but presuming children are in attendance as well, it’s best to keep your cannabis out of the bird. I’ve come up with a few other ideas to help you keep calm and carry on through the weekend!

Spiking hot cider with a couple of bottles of cannabis infused lemonade is one way to get the party started, while adding a tablespoon of cannahoney to a dish of sweet potatoes, is another way to take the edge off the day. Just be sure to keep both away from the children. 

My favourite way to ensure a mellow time, is to whip up two gravies; one for the kids and one for the stoners at the table, should do the trick nicely.

CannaGravy

Ingredients 

½ cup Cannabutter (butter infused with cannabis, easy to make in a crockpot, Google a recipe.) 

turkey, chicken, or vegetable stock

2 onions, sliced thin

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped

⅓ cup flour

½ cup balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Melt Cannabutter in skillet over medium-low heat. Be careful not to burn.

Add onions and saute for 10 minutes.

Add rosemary and sage. Saute for 10 more minutes.

Add flour and whisk vigorously for 1 minute.

Gradually whisk in enough stock until gravy thickens. Stir frequently.

Add vinegar to gravy and let simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 8 to 12 Servings

To keep things carbon friendly, turn down the heat. If all your holiday cooking doesn’t heat up your house, your guests will. Turn your thermostat down 3-5 degrees – no one will notice the difference, and plan to send guests home with leftovers in glass jars rather than wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil.

Remember to keep a bin for glass, plastic and paper trash you can recycle rather than toss. Make soup from vegetable peelings, leftover meat and bones. Picked-over vegetables can be composted, though remaining meat and bones will need to be thrown away. Keeping the holiday simple (and green), will add to the attitude of gratitude, by making the day as stress-free as possible!

And there’s one more thing to be grateful for: Southwest Wellness have a great sale on this weekend so you can keep the party going long after the dishes have been done! 

 – “J-Stack 6 pack” (6 Slim Pre-Rolls + Lighter + Hempwick = $35)

 – $1 off ALL Flower (different strains at each store)

 – 20% off select edibles (varying depending on store)

 – 25% off Lemonades 

All specials run  Today – Sunday (closed for Thanksgiving.)

For more information on Southwest Wellness and all the services they provide here in Taos and in Albuquerque (with a Santa Fe location opening soon), please visit their site linked below this post.

southwestwellness

All images Stock Files

The post A Green Thanksgiving appeared first on taoStyle.

This weekend the New Mexico Artisan Market returns.

For the second year and now as an annual event, in Old Town at the Hotel Albuquerque, the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation (NMMCF), a non-profit promoting the multiple cultures within the state of New Mexico, educating the public about these cultures, and Heritage Hotels & Resorts, the largest independent hotel group in New Mexico, have gathered more than 150 New Mexico-based artisans to showcase their wares at the 2019 New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town Friday, this Thanksgiving weekend, through Sunday, December 1st., to provide us with an alternative to the Corporate Insanity known collectively, as Black Friday.

Ignoring the hype and staying offline and out of Big Box stores, while choosing to shop mindfully, spending less and buying locally, is better for your soul and your wallet!

Along with the best artisans from all around the Land of Enchantment, Taos will be represented by a few of our local favorites, including Jaquelene and Angelo McHorse, the couple behind Bison Star Naturals.  Native owned and family operated, the McHorse’s manufacture their great bath and body product line here in Taos.

“We wild harvest our own herbs and flowers, and created our line inspired by Taos and the greater (New Mexico), region.” Jaquelene told me. “We made all of our (soap), molds with oil clay, and one with an actual fossil.” 

Last year the couple won Best in Category for Bison Star Naturals at the inaugural Artisan Market. This year they return as seasoned pros, along with Logan Wannamaker, who also participated in the first Market.

Logan’s pottery is truly out of the ordinary. He explains his work by noting that in “our temporary existence objects that help us relish life take on the greatest importance. I want the collector of my artwork to cherish his or her piece because it helps them slow down and absorb life.”

His pots are the product of countless hours in the studio formulating specific clay, slip and glaze ratios, as well as, meticulously crafting assorted minerals into a permanent object. Everything that goes into the finished product has been compressed, glazed and manipulated for the desired effect.

Wannamaker says that his objective is for no pot to look entirely the same.

“The clays decision to take on a specific identity in the process of creation is something in which I try not to interfere.”

Peter Gilroy was born and raised in Taos.

“I was lucky to have grown up with the mountains in my backyard. I grew up creating, working summers for my uncle, master goldsmith Phil Poirier.” He says. “ In college I studied photography, and after graduation I started building custom furniture. I got sucked into the endless work, struggling to find balance between my love for climbing and the outdoors on the one hand, and my creative work on the other. In time, I found my way back to metal, and I experimented with making my own jewelry”

Peter says that he’s inspired by the experience we have while outdoors, and wants to both capture them, and then bring them forward as mementos, to be savored in all the other moments of our lives.

“Everything is made by me, in my small studio, in Taos, NM. I work with American-made machinery and tools. All materials, like stones and metal, are from the best, local if possible, eco-friendly sources.”

Jared Casias says that at the age of fifteen: “I became a street child, and hitchhiked the country crafting jewelry to survive through my teens. Every piece I created carried the story of my life.”

After a lifetime on the road, he says he came home to New Mexico, where his family has been for generations.

“I brought back with me, my leather trade, and new art medium. I now handcraft leather goods based in Taos. Every piece still carries the essence and spirit of my life, and the spirit of New Mexico.”

His bags are coveted by many and are sure to please someone special on your list!

Sarah Newberry is originally from Southwest Michigan. She arrived in Taos, in 2010 for an Artist in Residence position at Taos Clay. Almost a decade later, she is still here and enjoys being a full-time studio artist. Making functional dinnerware and participating in socially engaged projects which brings people together over a meal is Sarah’s dream gig!

Every piece is hand painted, then carved and each is a bit different. All glazes are food safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, although Sarah recommends handwashing if possible.

Sarah does not have a website but you can contact her directly at snewberry.clay@gmail.com

Find all of these wonderful Taos Artisans at the Market in Old Town all weekend, making it perfect for a quick day trip, or just an excuse to get away from it all!

Happy stress-free Holiday shopping!

For much more information on all of the above, Heritage Hotels & Resorts and the New Mexico Artisan’s Market, please visit the sites linked below. 

nmartisanmarket

heritagehotels&resorts

bisonstarnaturals.com

peterwgilroy.com

handmadeleatherlove.com

All images thanks to NM Artisan Market

The post Taos Artisans In Old Town appeared first on taoStyle.

The weekend is over.

The food has been eaten and your waistband feels a tad tighter.

But it’s Monday morning and work beckons with no time to get in a little exercise to mitigate the overindulgence of the weekend festivities! Hold on before you sink into that blue mood! Grab a cup of coffee, get on with the duties at hand, and plan on doing a few yoga poses at day’s end.

One of the best things about practicing yoga is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home as long as you have a yoga mat, or better yet— a hardwood floor!

The New York Times recently reported that many yoga studios are actually ditching the mats and turning instead to bare hardwood floors. This is especially common during hot yoga, where bacteria from sweat can become ingrained into the yoga mat or in a carpeted studio’s floor.

In addition to being more sanitary and less wasteful, some say that hardwood floors actually meet the ultimate goals of the practice, arguing that rubber mats  get in the way, especially if your practice doesn’t require you to remain stationary on your mat. In addition, when strengthening key muscles, practicing on a hardwood floor eliminates the tendency to “cheat” by gripping a mat or carpet with your fingers or toes, as opposed to developing the necessary strength to support your poses.

Easy to clean, wood flooring can simply be mopped and dries quickly. It’s also a very stable surface for most yoga poses. When I talked to Liz Fox (Shree Yoga Taos’ Manager), recently, the subject of Shree’s floor came up, inspiring this post.

“In thinking about how we are better than other yoga studios in Taos, one thing stands out for me.” Liz said. “Our floor.”

“We have an awesome floor.” She explained.  “ I used to practice at other studios with concrete or Pergo floors, and when I came to Shree, the first time I hopped forward from Downward Dog to forward fold, I was blown away.  The floor has bounce, give, so it even felt safer. “  

My daughter Genevieve Oswald and her partner at Shree Suki Dalury, often practice on the floor without mats. In fact when Genevieve teaches classes, she never uses one to demonstrate poses. But we already have established that these two women are Yoga Goddesses. So how does a mere mortal get started practicing anywhere?  Still think you need a mat? You might imagine you do when your protruding ankle bones say ouch as you take a seat,  but eventually the hardwood floor will begin to soften as you learn to breathe deeper and move with more awareness.

It is certainly helpful to be able to practice yoga with a full arsenal of props on hand, but to what degree is all that “stuff” actually necessary to practice? Your yoga mat and accoutrements have become synonymous with “doing yoga”, but what happens when you’re traveling, or outside in nature?

Unlike other forms of physical activity like bike riding, lifting weights, or even running, yoga requires nothing other than your body and breath, which luckily, you always have with you! It’s easy to forget this, but it’s the truth. You can practice anywhere. Even on that hardwood floor, regardless of whether or not you actually have a yoga mat. Several postures can be done anywhere, at anytime, and will help you connect to your body, breath, and the present moment. They may even help with that lingering indigestion from too much turkey and all the fixings!

It may look like you’re just standing there, but in Mountain Pose, your whole body is alert, awake, relaxed, and in it’s optimal posture. Tree Pose is a foundational balancing pose that can be done anywhere, and allows you to connect to your body, breath, and present moment.

Downward-Facing Dog is perhaps one of the most common yoga poses, and for good reason as it offers lots of benefits. Taking a Forward Fold is one pose you can practice even with only  a few minutes to spare, or even include it into your daily rounds. Try it when you’re bending over to tie your shoes, picking up your kids’ toys, or petting your dog.

Once you’ve experienced Mountain Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, you’ve got the beginnings of a simple flow; a Half Sun Salute simply incorporates flowing movements to feel greater connection to your breath and how energy moves through you.

At the end of the day, put your feet up! Traditionally performed where the floor meets the wall, one of the best ways to do this pose is in bed against your headboard. If you also get an early night, chances are you’ll feel totally back to normal tomorrow morning with time for an actual class before work, or at lunchtime.

“We have this totally awesome space; historic with ancient vigas, old thick adobe walls along with the great wood floor.” Liz reminded me. “Truly nothing compares to Shree’s space, and not a week goes by that some visitor to Taos does not remark that it is the most amazing space they have practiced in.”

And even better, especially during this busy time of year, is the studio’s convenient downtown location, making it perfect for a spontaneous drop-in at lunch time or any time for that matter!

For more on Shree Yoga Taos, their schedule and everything they offer, please visit the site linked below.

shreeyogataos.com

All images thanks to Shree Yoga Taos

The post Yoga With Or Without The Mat appeared first on taoStyle.

Taos is unique at any time of year.

Even the light is different here in New Mexico, which  was already old when George Washington was born. 

The light here in northern New Mexico reminds me of the Mediterranean – in a way, it’s  like America’s Provence, and little wonder so many artists including Georgia O’Keeffe, have called the Land of Enchantment home. The wondrous play of light in the sky and on the raw and rugged landscape and adobe architecture, is especially enchanting at this time of year when the sun is low in the sky.

The air is different too; crystal clear and imbued with palpable energy. And the colors are more saturated, brighter and deeper, from the ubiquitous red chili pepper ristras hanging from porches to the famed Taos Blue doors that lead one  into ancient adobe interiors. Then there is the forever-changing light transforming Taos Mountain into something more than the sum of its parts; “The Mountain,” with the Taos Pueblo, nestled at its base, sacred to the Tiwa People who have lived there over a thousand years, becomes mythical, a place of spirit and magic 

Taos also  has a four-hundred-year-old plaza, a three-hundred-year-old graveyard, and a renowned Southwestern Art Colony,

Taos glows with a special aura any time of year. But that aura’s especially bright at Christmastime. In fact, Taos has been included on the Travel & Leisure list of the “Best Places to Spend Christmas” in the U.S. So is you are thinking of  visiting Taos in December (easier now than ever with direct flights from Dallas and Los Angeles on Taos Air), try to plan your trip during this weekend’s Lighting of Ledoux Street.

Ledoux Street is one of the oldest streets in Taos. Named after Paul Ledoux, a French trapper who settled in Taos in the 1800’s, Ledoux is a winding,  narrow path housing shops, homes, art galleries, Shree Yoga Taos (the best yoga studio in town), restaurants and museums including the famous Harwood Museum of Art.  Ledoux is a must see during any visit to Taos but during this event when the street is closed off to vehicles for two hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm the second Saturday in December, it is truly magical.

Over a thousand farolitos (small paper bags filled with sand containing a lit candle) line the street and buildings creating the only light.  Most buildings have a luminaria (a small bonfire) in the front courtyard. Merchants and gallery owners hand out wooden sticks with marshmallows attached for toasting.  Hot cider, cookies and hot chocolate are served to everyone. 

Of all the Taos Holiday celebrations, Lighting Ledoux is my favorite.  It represents the essence of Taos: Filled with families and friends, wide-eyed children enchanted with the lights, there is a true feeling of community with everyone coming together to celebrate the magic of Taos and the spirit of the Holidays

Spending an hour or so wandering through the wonderful Harwood and Blumenshein Museums soaking in the art, gallery hopping and meeting the artists, catching up with old friends and making new ones – this is a great way for a first time visitor to get a feel for our little town.Then next weekend the festivities move to Bent Street, with bonfires and more celebration! I’ll have more on that next week.

Taos is  one of the few towns in America that celebrates Las Posadas – a Mexican Christmas tradition starting on Dec. 16 that runs through Christmas Eve. Las Posadas is an actual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. Each night, a group of carolers will serenade an individual house, asking for lodging. Followers trail behind, carrying candles, and searching for a home to eventually take them in on Christmas Eve.

The Taos Pueblo celebrates with a colorful Christmas Eve Procession that starts out amidst bonfires, with Taos Pueblo Deer dancers or Matachines. There is dancing on Christmas Day as well.

During  December in New Mexico, you are more than likely to find snow on the mountains, a big bonus is an opportunity to ski or snowboard at Taos Ski Valley. Taos offers some of the best skiing in America  just a short drive from town, where you can ring in the New Year with a bang at the “New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks,” with a spectacular parade of skiers carrying torch-lights as they schuss down the slopes under a blanket of stars. And then come the fireworks!

In Taos, celebrations happen throughout the holiday season. It may be cold here in the upper elevations but the lights and our Christmas cheer will warm your heart.

For more on the Lighting of Ledoux, please see the Harwood Museum’s site linked below.

Lighting of Ledoux

When: Saturday, December 7, 2019

5:00PM – 7:00PM

Where: Ledoux Street

Lighting-of-Ledoux

The Blumenschein will have live music during the event.

taoshistoricmuseums

For more on the Holiday Season aquin en Taos, please visit Taos.org

taos.org

All images thanks to the Harwood and/or stock files, my iphone.

The post A Little Taos Holiday Cheer appeared first on taoStyle.

Green just happens to be one of the traditional colors of the Christmas season.,

But the green I have in mind is the environmentally friendly kind.

It’s that time of year, when newspapers delight in feeding us Holiday-themed climate change statistics. Largely accurate, certainly urgent but also casting a bit of a dampener on the festive fun. 

Statistics tell us that Christmas consumerism creates the same carbon footprint as a car circling the globe 6,000 times! That is deplorable. Perhaps you’re contemplating treating yourself to a nice party outfit? But are you aware eight million garments bought for Christmas end up flung onto landfill after just one wear? Consider buying gently worn  this year.

And instead of taking to your bed in a sorry state of depression, thinking there’s nothing one can do to stop the damage done, commit to making this year our most eco-friendly, sustainable holiday season yet. Small changes can make all the difference in reducing our environmental footprint during the festive season. And it’s easier now than ever, because  2019 marks the moment eco-friendly festivities have gone mainstream.

I’ve come up with some eco-friendly, energy saving tips that will help you sail through this holiday season guilt free. From buying second-hand to choosing sustainable products (and avoiding companies that aren’t eco-friendly), there are plenty of ways to show your loved ones, and the planet, a little love.

Limit Lighting. Turn Christmas trees on only when you’re in the room to enjoy them. Turn outside decorations off before you go to bed at night, or put them on a timer that will remember to do it for you. Better yet stick with traditional farolitos. Simple votives in a brown paper bag filled with sand.

2 Use LED Lights.These small Light Emitting Diodes use 80% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, plus they’re cool to the touch. Look for the Energy Star seal for ones with the highest energy efficiency rating.

3 Replace snail mail cards and letters with e-cards and e-mails to save paper and mailing expense. It also will reduce your carbon footprint since it eliminates the fuel used for transporting standard mail. As an alternative, consider homemade cards, using compostable paper. If you must buy cards, do look for those made from recycled materials.

4. Shop Local. Rather than burning gas driving out-of-town searching for that perfect Christmas or Hanukkah present, shop locally instead. Having your gifts shipped directly to far flung recipients by the store where you purchased it, saves even more energy.

5  Presents shouldn’t cost the earth. Consider giving eco-friendly or homemade gifts to those on your shopping list. Locally made counts too! Energy saving items include: Bicycles, gift certificates to health food stores or an organic farm to table restaurant, baked goods and other food items, paintings and photographs, pottery and ceramics, sewing and knitting supplies, handmade ornaments, eco-friendly scented drawer liners and hand milled soaps, or tea and a tarot reading – the list is endless once some thought is put into it. 

6. Use eco-Friendly methods to reduce the waste from gift wrapping:Buy gift wrap made from recycled materials, make your own gift wrap from cloth and other materials,save wrapping paper from gifts you receive to use next year, reuse boxes for shipping and gifts, recycle wrapping paper and boxes rather than throwing them away. (Speaking of which, what is going on in Taos regarding recycling? This should be on the top of the Town’s agenda.)

7. Buy a Green Christmas tree or cut down your own. Not only is it a fun family activity, but it eliminates the transportation required for shipped trees. Try to find an organic tree that is pesticide free to reduce the toxins in your home. An even greener option is to buy a live Christmas tree then plant it in your yard after the holidays are over.

8. Rather than buying plastic ornaments, wreaths, and decorations made in China, make your own from pine cones, holly, seashells, river stones, and evergreen branches. Creative types can make their own wreath using paper and twine. Gingerbread men threaded on ribbon are another option, as are foraged red berries. If you want candles, choose eco-friendly soy or beeswax varieties rather than paraffin based. Home made menorahs are a fun activity to do with kids, or have one made by a local artisan that can be reused for a lifetime.Recycle your decorations after the holidays, rather than sending them to the landfill.

9.Between shopping, trips to visit relatives, and the flurry of parties and other activities, the holiday season often involves a lot of travel, which in turn adds more pollutants to the atmosphere. Every gallon of gasoline used by your car releases 19.4 pounds of CO2, and air travel is equally bad. So if you really want to go green, consider limiting your travel plans this year. If you do take a trip, plan to use public transportation at your destination rather than renting a car upon arrival.

10. While saving energy is a good idea anytime of year, it’s especially important to address during the holidays with a long winter ahead.Plan to reduce your energy bills while helping the environment at the same time, by turning down your thermostat when you’re asleep or not at home, or install a programmable thermostat to do it for you. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs) to reduce your lighting bill by 75%. It really is all about the small stuff. Tiny changes make a huge difference.

Stay safe and warm, and I’ll have more Holiday tips and cheer, next week and throughout the remainder of the year!

For more information on how to make your holidays more sustainable by shopping local, please visit the sites linked below.

taos.org

Carbon Footprint Calculator 

All images stock files except top image, by Bill Curry

curryimages

The post Go Green For The Holidays appeared first on taoStyle.

“So many clothes and yet nothing to wear…”

If this sounds like you, well there’s a revolution in the air!

The Fashion Revolution is for people who “love fashion, but don’t want our clothes to come at the cost of people or our planet.”

Fashion Revolution a not-for-profit global movement with headquarters in over 100 countries around the world,  campaigns for systemic reform of the fashion industry with a focus on the need for greater transparency in the fashion supply chain. 

On 24 April 2013 the Rana Plaza disaster occurred on the outskirts of Dhaka in Bangladesh; more than 1,130 people died after the factory building in which they were working collapsed. The disaster galvanised Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro, co-founders of Fashion Revolution, into action. Fast-forward to now and it has grown into the world’s largest global fashion activism movement.

Their message is simple. They are urging the industry to take more responsibility. If brands do not know what is happening in the factories that supply them, it makes it  difficult for them to improve conditions.

Fashion Revolution asks one question: who made my clothes?

The cheap quality of fast fashion, and relentless recycling of trends, creates a system that thrives on textile waste, with no real solution for curbing the appetites of fast fashion consumers. Fashion has now become a vicious cycle of hunting down the next trend, which means our wardrobes are getting larger and less individual, while putting a heavy environmental burden on our planet.

Yet there are alternatives. The call for more sustainable fashion has never been louder, with consumers from around the world asking fashion houses to provide more transparency to their customers. There has been an overwhelming response from consumers, retailers and even celebrities.

There are many ways to support the campaign. By holding our favourite brands accountable, it is possible to help create change that minimises the risk of such a tragic disaster from recurring.

Fashion Revolution has designated the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh as Fashion Revolution Day.

The single most important thing you can do is love the clothes you already have. So continuing from where I left off last month in my Sponsored post for Clean Taos., I’ve got a few ideas on how to accomplish that while Holiday Parties scream “New dress!” or “Shirt!”

1)  Rethink the way you wear your clothes this season. Think out of the box. Don’t get stuck on the way you normally wear a piece. Get creative and check out Pinterest and fashion magazines for inspiration. Break the rules and wear whatever makes you feel good. Tuck your flannel shirt into a sequined skirt and wear it during the day with combat boots. Wear white in winter and save the black for a heatwave. 

2) And with that in mind, go season-less. Most clothes can be layered making them perfect for any time of year. Basics like leggings,  tanks, tees, turtlenecks and cardigans stretch a woman’s wardrobe to infinity! Men can benefit from these ideas too. 

3) Shop with your wardrobe in mind when adding a key new piece to your wardrobe – choose quality well made pieces that will work with your style and always factor in cost per wear when buying new.

4) Be more creative with styling what’s in your existing wardrobe. Becoming more familiar with what you already have will help you to shop smarter. As in the aforementioned tip, try on unlikely combinations – put outfits together using old clothes in new ways. Mix day with night, high with low. Wear it all. No saving anything for special occasions only! 

5) Go on a treasure hunt and discover the thrill of gently worn, second hand! That new dress that’s been calling? Bag yourself a Designer brand bargain –  vintage shops can be full of little treasures. Give yourself an afternoon to trawl the local thrift shops. While sifting through the racks and piles, keep an eye out for things that look current – unless you are off to a fancy dress party, you risk looking like you are wearing a costume if you attempt to emulate the actual era of the garment.

6) I find it’s helpful to go with a clear idea of what you’re looking for in mind, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or uncertain. So, decide on an outfit you need for an occasion and look for key pieces you can build around. This key piece can either be from the thrift shop or it can come from your existing closet of clothes, and if this is the case, then be sure to bring it with you. If you need inspiration the easiest place to start is back on Pinterest, with the new season’s trends.

7) A few key pieces you can mix and match, should see you nicely through all the swanky soirees you plan to attend, but before donning your new to you finery, you must first clean it.

Luckily Clean Taos is here to take care of all our special eco-friendly cleaning needs. So fill that tote bag and drop it off on your way to work. Clean’s expert staff, will know exactly what each garment requires, and your dress will look and feel brand spanking new once they’ve cleaned and pressed it to perfection!

Before you leave, you might consider checking out their small retail section – great scented drawer liners, hand milled Marseilles soaps, hard to find, refillable eco-friendly laundry detergents, wool dryer balls that can be scented with aromatherapy and more wonderful things to inspire you to take better care of your clothes. 

For more on Clean Taos and all the services they offer, please visit their site linked below.

cleantaos.com

For more on the Fashion Revolution, visit them at their online site.

fashionrevolution.org

Photo of Clean Taos thanks to Genevieve Oswald

All other images stock files

The post The Clean (Clothes) Revolution appeared first on taoStyle.

Local Flavor’s new issue is out!

And Editor Cullen Curtiss informs us: “Herein we celebrate our makers–the writers and photographers who tell the stories we deem important, including a look at two mindful developers, about whom the Publisher writes, “What they build anew and what they preserve of the past will define how we live in the future.” Also, backcountry skiing, sparkling cocktails compliments of 5 new hot spots, and plenty of regional, Winter-especial experiences. 

THE LEGAL TENDER SALOON AND EATING HOUSE. Above, Murphy O’Brien of Cafe Fina wasn’t looking for a second restaurant. He says of his collaboration with Allan Affeldt: “Allan’s enthusiasm is totally contagious.” Affeldt says of his newest historic restoration / preservation project: “We’re approaching this as a labor of love, and people respond to that in a beautiful way.”

THE TRAILHEAD AT BACA RAILYARD. Co-owners, co-designers, co-developers Solange Serquis and Andres Paglayan of The Trailhead in the Baca Railyard share a particularly important perspective about development. “Every time we have a project, we get crazy about the story, the history. Any place should be a link and a destination. I thought this place should be revitalized and not destroyed.” They welcome you to their new restaurant Cafecito.

CHRISTMAS DAY AT OKHAY OWINGEH. Photographer and writer Charles Mann shares his personal ruminations about the mysterious ceremonial Matachines Dances. He writes, “It’s a glimpse through a doorway into another world and it’s one that expands my feelings of hope and possibility for the future of us all.”

LURE OF THE BACKCOUNTRY. A story of hardy adventures in our beautiful snowy backcountry written by Daniel Gibson, columnist of “Snow Trax” in the Santa Fe New Mexican for more than 25 years.

2020. Writer Mark Oppenheimer asked 10 of our friends in food, hospitality and marketing (including the inimitable Joanie Griffin of Sunny505) to reflect on the past and share their hopes of the shiny new decade ahead.

STILL THIRSTY? Writer Caitlin Richards reports back from 5 new hot spots–Sassella, santacafé, Crafted, The Adobe Bar and radish & rye–with sparkling wine cocktail recipes for your celebrations, a different Gruet vintage each and every time.

CAPTURING THE MOMENT. Seven of our photographers, including Gabriella Marks picture below, share their favorite assignment of the year, complete with all of the tenderness and joy we hope people feel toward their work.

THE GIFT OF WORDS. Eleven of our writers dig deeply to share what writing for Local Flavor Magazine means to them, including Sommelier Mark C. Johnson pictured above, who writes, “I want what I write to be something positive that lifts them up.”

ON THE ROAD. Author of Exploring New Mexico, Sharon Niederman is back this month with more road trip recommendations for your late winter adventures, including a visit to the Solstice at Aztec Ruins, Dec 20 and 21.

TOP TIX. What would we do without Top Tix columnist Stephanie Hainsfurther’s tips on the hottest performing arts tix in town, including AspenSanta Fe Ballet’s Nutcracker.

CHEF’S BUZZ. Writer Lynn Cline delivers her monthly round-up of foodie highlights, including the very exciting news that VARA Wines picked up five medals at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition. Cheers to pictured co-founder Doug Diefenthaler et al!

ART BEAT. Writer Mia Rose Poris’ picks for your December gallery-hopping, including a trip to Hat Ranch Gallery, where you can see John Hogan’s Athena’s Owl.

BELOVED BEASTS. Thank you to all the readers who submitted adorable, silly, darling images of your constant companions. Congratulations to Coco, and owner Gregory Durrell for being the funnest.

REST IN PEACE. Wake Self, this space in Local Flavor Magazine is for you because you are not coming back. It is also for those who looked to you for hope and resilience, who knew you were singing for good on our behalf. We are at a loss for words, so we will continue to listen to yours.

Look for Local Flavor at more than 500 locations statewide, including Cid’s here in Taos. And visit them online at their site linked below.

localflavor

All images thanks to Local Flavor Magazine

The post The December Issue appeared first on taoStyle.

 What’s Christmas without festive lighting and window displays?

The tradition of holiday display makes Christmas what it is, and here in Taos, just like in every corner of the world, the  holiday season is announced by the appearance of festive decor in shop windows.

From clothing boutiques  to grocery stores, every proprietor makes use of Christmas ornaments to decorate their storefronts in the hope of catching customer’s attention to improve their sales during one of the busiest shopping months of the year. 

From the sparkle of  Christmas tree baubles and blinking lights to the warm scents of the season, no online boutique can ever take the place of physical shops or indeed deliver the spiritual magic of this wonderful time of year.

Sue Westbrook at Taos Blue has become known for her whimsical Christmas window displays, and this year she’s really gone all out!

A forest of trees with garlands of red berries, nestled in a bed of smooth river rocks, creates a fairy tale glade filled with mythical flora and fauna created by some of the most talented artists and artisans Sue represents at her gallery on the corner of Bent Street.

You might be tempted to linger a bit longer in the cold to take it all in, but do go inside where the storybook magic continues!

From the richly decorated tree, to the sparkle of colored glass and the shimmer of metallic finishes on pottery and wall art, the rooms that were once part of the home of TSA co-founder, Bert Phillips, are all aglow with the Christmas spirit.

There are treasures to be discovered throughout these rooms, from exquisitely had carved wooden spoon sculptures (meant to be used), to the fabulous fiber-art wraps made by Nancy Diamond, with so much more besides! 

This year, along with classic Americana – vintage cowboy hats and boots – Sue’s added a little something  new to the room at the back of the gallery.

Hand felted (and very apropos) Roaring 20’s cloche hats in jewel-like colors are hard to resist – and then there is nothing like a gift that keeps on giving. The waterproof booties along the wall, paired with socks crafted from recycled materials, give a percentage of their profits away.

The prices are easy on the wallet and the style and colors are hip and current, so do consider picking up a pair or two for visiting friends who may have imagined their Uggs would suffice!

If you are feeling very generous, Sue has gorgeous fine art and sculpture, along with hand made, hard to find ceramics and jewelry. There is truly something for everyone here, at Taos Blue, including a xylophone for the musical child in your life!

So while you are joining in the festivities during the Bonfires on Bent Street this weekend, don’t just stop at window shopping, make a point of going into the wonderful shops that line this historic street, and you’ll be sure to find those last-minute gifts that have eluded you till now!

Taos Blue will be serving Holiday Breads from all over the world, along with a non alcoholic, spiced cider and plenty of Holiday Cheer!

For much more about Taos Blue, please visit the site linked below.

taosblue

All photos taken on my iphone

The post Window Shopping At Taos Blue appeared first on taoStyle.

During the early 2000’s the Lighting of Ledoux Street appeared on a national morning T.V. show

Toni Leigh remembers a conversation we had soon after, at Desert Blends on Bent Street (then occupying the space that now houses Chocolate Cashmere) about bringing people our way during the Holidays. I worked for Toni at that time, part time while I freelanced as a writer.

We talked to Loretta Chuzum at the Wild Life next door and then Susan Bacharach from Moby Dickens got involved, and the following weekend, we initiated the first Bonfires on Bent Street!

Fire pits blazed between our stores and a small crowd gathered to hear Ruben Medina’s drumming and partake of the cookies and hot cider we offered to last minute shoppers.

It was successful enough to make us continue the following year and all these years later, it has become one of the most beloved events of the season.

Interestingly, I was among the initiators of the Lighting of Ledoux also, when I worked at Flying Carpet, owned by the late Ambassador William Eagleton when he was called to service by the U.N. in Morocco. His sister-in-law Mary Valdez and myself, joined with artist Inger Jirby (we met in her kitchen), and other gallery owners on Ledoux, to try to bring business from town down our way during the Holiday Season. Et voila!

The Bonfires on Bent Street continue to follow on the heels of the Lighting of Ledoux, and now you know why!

Once again, this year the Bent Street Merchants are joining with the John Dunn Shops for what has morphed into a truly spectacular holiday event. The shops will offer hot beverages, snacks, hors d’oeuvres – a feast for all, along with entertainment, live music, bonfires and farolitos to elevate your shopping experience!

Sam’s Shop will have Belly Dancer Julia Fernandez de Maez  dancing outside around the bonfires. Mudd N Flood will have their famous  posole with their special farm made goat cheese and sourdough crackers. They’ll also have their “Wheel of Fortune.”

Taos Cookery  will serve hot cider and cookies and  special treats with each purchase will be given!

Taos Blue will have their Smores table near the bonfires and inside there will be hot tea and Holiday breads. Grab prizes available with each purchase.

In fact everyone on the street, from Artimesia to MoMo and all the others in between, will deck their halls and pull out all the stops to welcome you into their shops tomorrow on Bent Street and John Dunn Way starting at 10 a.m. With the evening reception from 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information please visit their Facebook Page linked below.

bonfiresonbent/facebook

All images thanks to Bent Street Merchants

The post Bonfires On Bent Street appeared first on taoStyle.

Peter Douthit who was better known as Peter Rabbit

And his life partner poet Anne McNaughton, had a huge impact and influence on modern American poetry, especially what came to be known as Poetry Slams.

For decades, the Taos Poetry Circus brought internationally known poets to perform in New Mexico alongside New Mexico’s own  poets –Allen Ginsberg, Greg Corso, Patricia Smith, Sherman Alexie, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Saul Williams, Andrei Codrescu, Danny Solis, Amiri Baraka, Anne Waldman, Simon Ortiz, Demetria Martinez, Don McIver, Socorro Romo, Jim Carroll, Victor Hernandez Cruz, John Trudell and dozens more went into the ring to battle it out in the infamous World Poetry Bouts that drew thousands of visitors from all over the world, to Taos.

Peter and Anne met in Colorado before moving to Taos shortly thereafter. Here they settled along with all the other exiles from main street America, searching for an alternative to the mundane daily grind of urban life. Their kids grew up and went to school here; the same schools Anne taught in for decades. 

A fine poet herself, Anne MacNaughton has published her work in several anthologies and was a founding member of Lucid Performance.

Peter Rabbit Douthit, “ was the sly, joyful, sometimes caustic “Don King of Poetry” who gave the circus its special flavor as he flaunted his trademark red fez , raised glass and razor sharp wit.” Says Anne.

“And truly, “Rabbit” was the kind of man you don’t meet every day!” She told me laughing when we met for lunch recently.

“Peter  and the Poetry Circus will be remembered and celebrated with songs and poems and drinks and laughter, the way Rabbit wanted to be remembered,” she noted. 

“Just say I was a good poet,” were among his last words.

Peter Rabbit  performed poetry, published several chapbooks and was also a founding member of the jazz-poetry ensemble Luminous Animal. 

After founding SOMOS, the couple had gone on to expanding their literary vision and from 1982 through 2003, they worked tirelessly to bring poetry out of the chapbooks and anthologies (that were, like the political broadsides of the time, the only means of discovering new poets and critical thinkers outside of the mainstream media), and onto the stage.

The “Circus” is remembered fondly by those of us who witnessed and/or participated in it, and its legacy continues in our schools and with the annual Poetry Festival curated by James Nave, who like myself was once on the Board of the “Circus” along with Brigid Meier.

The best known of the Festival’s ongoing reading series was the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP POETRY BOUT. This improvisational event featured the best poets in a competitive performance staged as a boxing match.

Billed as the “Main Event” of the Circus, it was presented in ten rounds, with a boxing ring, referee, bell, ring person and three judges whose scoring was patterned after the “Illinois Ten-Point Must System.”

Other events took place all over town in cafes, back rooms and bars during the weekend the “Circus” came to town, and to discover more about it, you can visit the Minor Heron link included below this post, for archived material and much more information.

What goes around comes around, and Anne has teamed up with her old friend Brigid Meier, to publish Peter’s last work, an epic poem that centers on the life of conquistador Álvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.

The poem surprises the  reader with a new take on the indigenous source of conquistador Álvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca’s skill as a healer.  The tale is told through the voices of six characters, including that of the author himself. Filled with humor and aphorisms the book presents historic (and transcendent) information highly relevant to the present time. In fact, it could not be more timely.

Poet Peter Rabbit discovered (and uncovered) in writing about de Vaca, the missionary’s philosophy that put him at odds with the Spain Crown and the Holy Roman Empire. 

Informed by the poet’s personal relationship with the psychedelic gurus leading the underground drug revolution of the ’60s, as well as his own decades as a respected peyote road man along  with years developing a potent strain of cannabis indica that preceded Medical Marijuana by decades, the tale of de Vaca is spun from both factual and the imaginary threads. 

“Disquisition and dialogue, peroration and prayer.” Says Anne.  A lapsed Catholic and a dedicated mystic, Peter Rabbit devoted the last years of his life to completing this poem.

Tomorrow evening from 6p.m. -7:30p.m. Anne McNaughton returns to SOMOS to read from “Cabeza de Vaca: an epic poem.”

The book is published by Brigid Meier’s Crescent Press and you can pick up a copy at SOMOS tomorrow evening. The event is FREE  to the public. For more information please visit their site linked below along with others of interest.

somostaos.org

minorheron.com

taospoetrycircus/amazon

Top photo of Peter Rabbit Rick Romancito/Taos News, 

Other images thanks to Anne. Photo of the book taken on my iphone

The post Cabeza de Vaca: Peter Rabbit’s Taos Legacy appeared first on taoStyle.

If you read taoStyle regularly, you know I am big on sustainable style.

And a supporter of the Fashion Revolution, a global movement that started in the U.K. advocating for change and transparency in the clothing industry. The campaign targets all fashion designers, manufacturers and sellers — big and small, and was initiated after the 2013 factory collapse at Dhaka, Bangladesh, that killed more than 1,100 workers.

I love clothes as much as the next woman, but fashion shouldn’t be killing people and nor should it cost the earth. 

Last week I popped into Reneux to see owner (and Floral Designer extraordinaire), Shelia Ross and her right hand gal, Michael Simone Mingo, who many of you may know from the late, great Pieces. They were busy with putting out new inventory, helping several customers as well as tidying up the carefully curated racks and myriad displays in the gorgeously appointed space, that feels more high-end boutique than second-hand store

In fact, the major difference between Reneux and hunting through secondhand clothes at the local thrift shop, are the brands on offer – a Gucci wallet and a Jean-Paul Gaultier jacket and bodysuit among them. And its continued existence is testament to the growth in “preloved” or “preowned” fashion.

Recent years have seen a boom in the number of people buying this way – this year the area is expected to grow by 15 percent, compared with three percent  in the regular luxury goods market.

The reason is, in part, simple – people can buy brand name and  designer goods at lower prices. But its popularity is also about a higher emphasis on sustainability.

A recent study  found the preloved market was “moving into the spotlight” and any stigma about wearing secondhand had gone as more consumers were rejecting fast, disposable fashion.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world and consumers increasingly understand that extending the life of a garment has a big positive impact.

“People come into the shop and say they are not buying anything new this year. There is a money-saving element, but it is usually about shopping ethically and not creating so much waste.” Says Michael, who emphasises that shopping for clothes in itself, should be fun. “Whether pre-owned or not.”

“All the items we choose are in amazing condition – almost new.” Says Shelia, as she drapes a sparkly sequined scarf around her neck.

Sparkles are aplenty at Reneux right now, after all, ‘tis the season. A pair of black sequined pants hanging near the dressing room caught my eye. Size 2 wouldn’t fit, but if they did, I’d rock them with moto boots and a chunky pullover. During the day. Christmas after all, only comes ‘round once a year!

Michael told me they are happy to assist women in styling outfits around old and new to them, pieces.

“We encourage them to bring in key items and help them to create new looks with things they already have and love.” She told me. She was dressed all in vintage that day, but the printed midi dress she wore with boots, could have been shown on the most recent Fall/Winter runways.

“I look for stuff that translates,” she explained. 

Quality wool coats can cost a small fortune when new, but savvy shoppers can pick up one preloved at Reneux for under $100. And a new leather saddle bag would set you back a paycheck but here the bargains are beyond!

“Handbags typically sell quickly, particularly if they are current or from designer collections.” Shelia said. And in some cases, a handbag with a blue-chip name – Hermès or Gucci for example – may even appreciate in value. This is because, for some styles, it is difficult or impossible to find exactly the same item in the primary market. When demand is high, limited or rare, prices rise. Look for classic designs with not too much hardware, and learn to care for these luxury items.

Consumers are buying into the resale trend, whether to make money, save money, or help the environment by reducing the amount of discarded clothing.  And the resale industry is responding.

“It’s an economical way for a shopper to purchase clothing, and a socially conscious way for a seller to part with unneeded garments.” Says Shelia. It’s also a way for a business owner to become part of the fabric of the local community.  

Reneux accepts current and vintage styles in excellent condition apropos to the season, and will look at your garments every day. Consignment agreements have the term of about 60 days from the date they are put on the floor. Reneux  pays 40 percent of the final sale price by check or store credit. 

“In essence we partner with our consignees. People are much more comfortable with buying something, wearing it once or twice then selling on – perhaps using the resale to fund their next purchase.” She explains.

Buying and selling gently used clothing is more than a trend—it’s a movement.  And by choosing consignment or resale, smart shoppers and sellers are guiding the flow in a fashion forward direction.

So whether you are on the lookout for some sparkly pieces to see you through the Holidays or are in town visiting family and friends and need ski gear, or are shopping for unusual gifts, do drop into Reneux, just off the Plaza, next door to U.S. Bank. The sizing and styles are all-inclusive.

“There’s truly something for everyone.” Shelia emphasizes.

The selection of accessories and jewelry is truly mind-blowing. And if you are looking for a pair of dancing shoes, well, they are here too!

“Our mission statement is clear,” says Shelia. “Create a passion for fashion;rewear, recycle and reuse.”

For more information on Reneux, please visit their Facebook Page linked below. 

reneux/facebook

For more on the Fashion Revolution and how you can get involved, please visit their site as well.

fashionrevolution

All photos taken on my iphone

The post Reneux: A Passion For Fashion appeared first on taoStyle.

We’ve all been there.

It’s down to the wire and we’re sweating the small stuff!

Guests are beginning to arrive – kids are officially on break – the house is beginning to look and feel like Christmas, but the stockings are still looking a bit forlorn. What to do?

Well, I have a few ideas to help you fill those empty stockings pronto. And if stockings are not on the agenda, because you are celebrating Hanukkah,  Kwanza or the Solstice instead, never fear; these gifts are all non denominational, inclusive and better yet, sustainable!

Considering the stress associated with the season – this year in particular with the political roller coaster ride we find ourselves on, as we hurtle into the 20’s – I’ve looked for items that offer warm comfort during cold and uncertain times.

Who knew you needed bubble bath in a honey bear container? Not I, but Genevieve at Clean Taos has them on her shelves, along with whipped soap, hand milled French soaps, scented drawer liners and bath bombs that look like sugar donuts!

Shree Yoga Taos has real Taos Honey for sale on their shelves, along with the cbd version, which I highly recommend substituting for the regular kind this time of year. Maybe pick up a few jars along with gift certificates for a series of Yoga classes in the New Year, for the really wound people on your list? 

Getting back to that bubble bath, what would bathtime be without a bar of Sage&Pine soap from Bison Star Naturals? Especially when it looks like an intaglio jewel with its carved buffalo.

Bathtime would be no fun at all without a few bon bons to nibble on. And where better to find those than right here in Downtown Taos at the award-winning, mouth-watering and inspiring  Chokola?

Bean to bar, world-class chocolate doesn’t get better than this. Make sure you pick up an extra bar or two for yourself, so you don’t wind up eating all the bonbons!

I recently read that red wine and chocolate combined amp up the powerful antioxidants present in both, to specifically target skin; people who indulge in this miracle duo, appear years younger according to studies. Already long a favorite indulgence of mine, I plan to up my intake now and into 2020! Pick up a great bottle of organic and/or biodynamic wine from the Cellar to go with those bars and bonbons.

While there you might want to pick up a bottle or two of Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay), Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995 by internationally renowned artist and Taos resident Ron Cooper.

Through his deep and long association with Zapotec producers in the remote villages of Oaxaca and Puebla in Mexico, Ron introduced the world to previously unavailable artisanal mezcal handcrafted using an ancient and traditional organic process.

Ask for the hand-woven cylindrical basket to contain your gift. It makes a great pencil or brush case once the bottle is empty.

For the teetotalers on your list, (and don’t forget yourself), well there’s nothing better than a cup of fairly traded, organic tea from tea.p.graphy to calm frazzled nerves. All tea.o.graphy blends are carefully handcrafted with a special focus on organic & fair trade ingredients.

Stir in a spoonful of that cbd honey and sink into that well deserved bubble bath you just ran. Yeah, you used the Bear Bubbles that were meant for so and so, but oh well, there are more where that came from!

And once you’ve soaked your cares away, it’s time to get ready for yet another round of entertaining and parties to attend, and you completely forgot to wash your hair!

But you did remember to pick up a stash of mini-sized, eco-friendly Kevin Murphy products, while having your hair done at Salon X last week, and a little Motion Lotion should work in a pinch. Just scrunch and go! Let your hair air dry while you throw on that party dress you found at Reneux. What could be easier (and more chic) than that?

Don’t forget a little self nurturing goes a long way during this busy season, so do find time for a bit of pampering and relaxation! Be safe and warm and happy (sustainable), shopping!

For much more information (and more gift ideas, please visit the sites linked below this post.

cleantaos.com

shreeyoga

teo.g.raphy

chokola

The Cellar

bisonstarnaturals

salonxtaos

All images thanks to the featured businesses

The post The Small Stuff appeared first on taoStyle.

My whole world is about life and color surrounding me. Everything is overflowing with color.

Late in life, Beatrice Mandelman—best-known as a Taos Modernist— wrote those words while reflecting her creative journey.

Beatrice Mandelman, known here in Taos simply as Bea, was an American abstract artist associated with the group who came to be  known as the Taos Moderns. 

Beatrice Mandelman was born on December 31, 1912, in Newark, New Jersey, to Jewish immigrant parents who imbued their children with progressive social values and love of the arts. By age 12, Mandelman had begun taking classes at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art and had already determined that she would become an artist.

Early on Mandelman had developed a broad,  international sensibility, absorbing influences from all  forms of Modernism being made both here and in Europe. In 1924 artist Louis Lozowick, a family friend, had returned from a four-year sojourn in Europe and Russia, and was an important source of information about Russian Constructivism and other avant-garde developments abroad. 

Mandelman met graphic designer and illustrator Robert Jonas, who introduced her to Willem de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, and other New York vanguard artists. After studying art in New York City and being employed by the Works Progress Administration Federal Arts Project, she had got her start as a social realist painter working as a muralist.

Mandelman was a prolific painter, known for her use of vibrant color in her primarily abstract works, but ironically she ended up spending the majority of her career in Taos, New Mexico, far removed from the center of the American art world.

Mandelman arrived in Taos, New Mexico, with her artist husband Louis Leon Ribak in 1944 at the age of 32.They would live in this mythic desert town for the rest of their lives. The couple, along with their close friend painter Agnes Martin, were among the leading members of the Taos Modernists, a group of artists active during in the 1960s. Their initial move to New Mexico, they told people at the time, was in part because Ribak suffered from asthma, but the couple, who were considered radical leftists in reality left New York to avoid undue scrutiny of their political affairs.

They were trailed by the FBI, who  searched the couple’s apartment even after they had left New York. And later in Taos, an undercover agent enrolled in the Taos Valley Art School run by the couple. Mandelman’s political leanings are easily identifiable in much of her work, especially in the anti-war collages made in response to the war in Vietnam. Though she sold work throughout her career, the couple never had much money, so many of the works were small, and made with available materials at hand.

Mandelman’s oeuvre consisted of paintings, prints, and collages. Much of her work was highly abstract, including her representational pieces such as cityscapes, landscapes, and still lifes. Through the 1940s, her paintings featured richly textured surfaces and a subtle, often subdued color palette. 

The New Mexico landscape and culture had a profound influence on Mandelman’s style, pushing her to use a brighter palette, more geometric shapes, flatter surfaces, and sharply defined forms. Hugely influenced by both Cubism and Expressionism, it’s work that is still relevant today, both aesthetically and politically.

The primary colors and thoughtful compositions featuring bold shapes that  the cut-outs of Henri Matisse (she spent a year studying art with Fernand Léger in Paris) are what she became most known for, and although Mandelman was quick to deny being a “Southwestern artist,” the influence of the New Mexican desert and its ever-changing light clearly informed the work she made after moving here.

Last Friday, December 13, 2019 Beatrice Mandleman: Overflowing With Color, opened at the Harwood Museum of Art. The show runs through  Sunday, April 26, 2020. 

The exhibition of serigraphs (silkscreen prints) and color lithographs is drawn from the Harwood Museum’s Mandelman-Ribak Collection. The selected works reveal the initial phase of Mandelman’s immersion in color and form, during the period (c. 1938-1943) when she worked in the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. The Project’s mission was two-fold: to provide meaningful, salaried employment to artists; and to bring accessible, affordable works of art to Americans everywhere. 

For Mandelman, working in the Silk Screen Unit offered opportunities to work in color lithography and to experiment with a new medium—fine art serigraphy—under the supervision of Anthony Velonis, the acknowledged innovator of the process. The exhibition  showcases the color-saturated prints she produced of everyday scenes—realistic streetscapes, landscapes, and seascapes among them—transformed almost into visions by layers and layers of colors carefully laid one over another. 

This exhibition is being presented in conjunction with the Bea Mandelman Documentary by New Mexico PBS, Creation is pure freedom ~ Bea Mandelman which will premier  on April 11, 2020 in the Arthur Bell Auditorium at the Harwood, who inform us that: New Mexico PBS is bringing one of Taos’ great artistic stories to life in a special one-hour documentary about painter Bea Mandelman. An intimate portrait, Bea’s voice rings out through recently available private journals that she kept throughout her life and a candid, radio interview produced by Phaedra Greenwood in 1995. Her unmistakable voice complimented with her writings provides rare insight into Bea’s thoughts about painting and process. Her story is richly illustrated with a lifelong collection of artworks and personal photographs from Bea’s archive. Featured are interviews with those who knew Bea best: David Witt, Phaedra Greenwood, John Nichols, Alexandra Benjamin, and Brenda Euwer.

The goal of the documentary is to further recognize and celebrate the great contribution of New Mexico’s women artists through Bea’s story. The documentary is being produced and directed by Michael Kamins and made in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Foundation, UNM’s Center for Southwest Research and the Harwood Museum.

This show of Beatrice Mandleman’s work could not be more timely. This remarkable woman’s courage and determination to continue creating meaningful work while constantly under political scrutiny, lives on in her work; her Taos legacy that continues to inspire so many.

For more information about the artist and the exhibit,  please visit the Harwood Museum’s site linked below this post.

The Harwood

All images thanks to the Harwood Museum

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