Posts made in January 2021

Motherhood Does Not Drive Support For Gun Control

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A recent study has found that moms are not more likely than other women to support gun control efforts. In fact, this new study finds that parenthood doesn’t have a substantial effect on the gun control views of men or women.

“Everybody ‘knows’ that moms are more politically liberal on gun control issues,” says Steven Greene, corresponding author of the study and a professor of political science at North Carolina State University. “We wanted to know if that’s actually true. And, as it turns out, it’s not true – which was surprising.”

To explore the impact of parenthood on people’s gun control views, the researchers drew on data collected by the Pew Center for Research in 2017 as part of Pew’s nationally representative American Trends Panel. The researchers then used statistical models to account for various confounding variables, such as political affiliation, allowing them to focus specifically on the effect that parenthood has on one’s beliefs regarding gun control.

The Pew surveys had examined a range of issues pertaining to gun control. Across the board, men were substantially more politically conservative than women on questions related to gun laws and regulations. In other words, men were more likely to favor fewer regulations and laxer legal requirements when it comes to guns.

On four of the gun control issues, parenthood had no statistical impact at all – meaning that the positions of moms were no different from the positions of women who weren’t parents, and the positions of dads were no different from the positions of men who weren’t parents. Those four issues pertained to: gun ownership, or how permissive gun ownership laws should be; home safety, or laws pertaining to how guns and ammunition are stored or secured in the home; teachers and guns, or whether school personnel should carry firearms; and whether stricter gun laws would reduce mass shootings.

However, parenthood did have a small – but statistically significant – impact on two other gun control issues.

Mothers were actually more politically conservative than other women on the issue of gun strictness – meaning that moms were slightly more likely to support less restrictive gun laws.

And fathers were more politically conservative than other men on the issue of gun prevalence – meaning they were slightly more likely to believe that more people should be allowed to own guns, and guns should be allowed in more places.

“When we talk about political movements and efforts to change laws, it’s important to have a clear, accurate sense of where people stand on the relevant issues,” Greene says. “Using the potent symbolism of motherhood in America in order advance a political agenda, in this case, is actually ignoring the fact that positions on gun control are virtually identical for women across the board. There is some minor variation, but even there, it actually suggests that mothers are less supportive of restrictive gun laws.

“To be clear, most women – including most moms – support more restrictive gun laws. But it’s not because they’re parents.” In conclusion, there is no true correlation between how adults feel about gun laws and if they are a parent.

The paper, “Do moms demand action on guns? Parenthood and gun policy attitudes,” appears in the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties. The paper was co-authored by Melissa Deckman, of Washington College; Laurel Elder, of Hartwick College; and Mary-Kate Lizotte, of Augusta University.

“Do moms demand action on guns? Parenthood and gun policy attitudes”

Authors: Steven Greene, North Carolina State University; Melissa Deckman, Washington College; Laurel Elder, Hartwick College; and Mary-Kate Lizotte, Augusta University

Published: Dec. 28, 2020, Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties

DOI: 10.1080/17457289.2020.1862130

Abstract: The idea that motherhood primes women to support stronger gun control policy permeates our contemporary politics. Motherhood shapes views on a variety of issues, but the question remains whether mothers hold distinctive views on gun control policies relative to their non-parent peers. We draw on 2017 Pew Research Center data to explore the ways gender, parenthood, and race intersect to shape attitudes on gun policy in the post-Sandy Hook era when gun violence has become prominently linked with schools and children, and during a time when the Black Lives Matter movement has drawn national attention to the relationship of gun violence and racial inequality. Most notably, we find that contemporary depictions of mothers as a distinctively pro-gun control constituency are largely inaccurate. The very real gender gap in gun policy attitudes appears to be falsely attributed to motherhood, rather than gender. We also find very little impact of parenthood for men. Finally, we generally fail to see much relationship between race, parenthood, and gun attitudes. Overall, despite common belief and media reporting to the contrary, the story is very much one where parenthood seems to play little role in gun policy attitudes.

Nic Tailor

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Nic Tailor is a new custom men’s underwear brand, (customizable online), that is changing the game of the undergarment industry by setting a philanthropic standard. The brand was founded by North Carolina natives Cal Mosack and Nolan Mills, along with Audie Cooper, a former designer for Ralph Lauren, taking the lead on the creative.

The trio sought out to create underwear for men made from high quality fabric, that was uniquely fit to your measurements, alleviating any discomfort or the need to adjust due to movement. In September of last year, Nic Tailor partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Actor Peter Facinelli, for a campaign to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Images of the actor went viral, making headlines as he stripped down to nothing but a pair of Nic Tailors for the campaign; one that hits particularly close to home for the actor, and a cause he is passionate in spreading awareness for.

Nic Tailor’s efforts to raise awareness continues, with a portion of their sales being directly donated to the prostate cancer foundation. They also just introduced the Dry Fly brief for men who have battled prostate cancer.

The company explains its premise perfectly on its site: “At one time or another, most guys complain about their underwear,” it states. “It never seems to fit quite right because it’s only available in S-M-L-XL sizes. What about your weight, shape, and well, other measurements? Wouldn’t it be great if there were customized underwear? Well now, we figured, with the customizing capabilities of the internet, we could create underwear that is made to your exact size and shape.” Nic Tailor, short for “tailored knickers,” takes into consideration butt size, groin size…everything that makes people different.

“We felt there was a need for a true custom underwear product that was 100 percent made in the USA,” says Audie Cooper. “If you’re going to pay for a premium pair of underwear you should not be limited to S, M, L, or XL. Our brand is especially great for the guy who sits for long periods of time, athletes, or those guys who have large buns.”

And with prices ranging between $38 and $51, Cooper notes that customers keep coming back for more. For spring, the brand is working on a traditional boxer product versus the boxer briefs it sells now. Cooper also says he is working on developing a new fabric that will allow the brand to offer more color selection and prints.

Morgan Wallen Rocks The Ryman

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Big Loud/Republic Records record-breaker Morgan Wallen showed off why he is “the most wanted man in country” (The New Yorker) and his live show chops last night Live From The Ryman in celebration of Dangerous: The Double Album.

Wallen launched into his set unconventionally, unaccompanied by his band sitting at a keyboard center stage, inviting fans worldwide into the hour-and-a-half long concert with tender album opener, “Sand In My Boots.”

Turning up the volume, Wallen powered into album cuts like “Somethin’ Country,” “865,” “Neon Eyes,” “Somebody’s Problem,” and more. Adding to the fun, Wallen brought out burgeoning singer/songwriter and labelmate Ben Burgess to perform their collaboration, “Outlaw,” after breezing through current Top 25 viral single, “7 Summers.”

Topping off the evening, Wallen closed the electric set with most recent #1, PLATINUM “More Than My Hometown,” and returned to the stage for a minimalistic encore rendition of his fan favorite Jason Isbell cover, “Cover Me Up.”

Watch Morgan Wallen perform Live From The Ryman HERE

Wallen will keep the party rolling tomorrow night (1/14) with his iHeartCountry Album Release Party. The virtual event, hosted by Amy Brown, will feature a five-song performance, an exclusive interview and needle drops from his new album. The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and broadcast across iHeartMedia’s Mainstream Country radio stations at 7pm local time and digitally on iHeartCountry Radio at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

Already making history earlier this week, Wallen set massive streaming records at Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify, stoking the success of what Billboard predicts will be “the country set to beat in 2021.”

ABOUT MORGAN WALLEN

Morgan Wallen has staked his claim as Country music’s next superstar with over 3.4 BILLION on-demand streams, MULTI-PLATINUM certifications, and four consecutive chart-toppers. The SNL guest’s widely praised sophomore effort, Dangerous: The Double Album (Big Loud/Republic Records), is out now. Featuring 30-tracks, the project includes record-breaking current single and one of TIME‘s Top 10 Songs of 2020, “7 Summers” – which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and inside the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 – 3X PLATINUM Diplo collaboration, “Heartless,” and recent PLATINUM chart-topper “More Than My Hometown.” As “the most wanted man in country” (The New Yorker), the Tennessee native has stacked up the accolades, winning 2020’s CMA New Artist of the Year and iHeartRadio’s Best New Country Artist awards, reigning #1 atop Billboard’s 2020 year-end Country Airplay chart with “Chasin’ You,” plus high-profile features in The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, The Washington Post, Genius, GQ and more.

KEEP UP WITH MORGAN WALLEN

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Alliances By Alisa Art Licensing

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When engaged couple Alisa Picerno and Alan Giana first met, they soon realized that they shared a common foundation of business savvy, faith, and creativity. Now, the pair has melded their similar drive and determination for success to become partners in a new venture, an art licensing agency called Alliances By Alisa Art Licensing. The agency already boasts an impressive roster of award-winning, international artists and fine art photographers. It markets their artwork to prominent print, puzzle, publishing, greeting card and textile companies.

“The idea for us to combine our professional experiences and launch the company came as the coronavirus pandemic immediately impacted my other business,” explained Picerno. “Like most owners of small companies, I needed to pivot in order to stay afloat.”

Picerno is referring to her successful public relations firm, Alliances By Alisa Media Relations, that she founded in 2000. The media marketing agency has represented businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Her clients have been featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, TODAY, Buzzfeed, Extra, The Doctors, Oprah Magazine, People Magazine and CNN. When lockdowns started in March 2020, contracts were cancelled as companies cut budgets.

“When Alan introduced himself, he wanted me to know immediately that he was not a stereotypical starving artist,” shared Alisa about their meeting in 2018 after a weekday Mass. “He said ‘I’m an artist but I’m not weird and I’m not poor’. I quickly learned how accurate that statement was!”

Giana began licensing his artwork to manufacturers around the world in the late 1990’s and have appeared on puzzles, calendars, checks, Christmas cards, gift bags, gift boxes, tins, mugs, canvas prints, placemats, note cards, list pads, coasters, magnets, clocks, music boxes, cross-stitch kits, and much more. These products are sold in stores both large and small, from mass-market retailers to independent gift shops and on the QVC television network. As a result, Giana’s in-demand landscape prints have led him to becoming a best-selling artist.

In fact, due to the current COVID pandemic, Giana’s popular imagery has reached new heights within the jigsaw puzzle industry as more families are staying home and constructing puzzles as a primary form of entertainment.

The couple realized this was the ideal time to combine business forces. “I always knew that Alisa would make the perfect art licensing agent with her years of marketing experience and her warm, outgoing personality. She is the perfect conduit between representing artistic talent and presenting their work to numerous industry manufacturers for their product lines.”

Giana’s extensive connections in the art licensing arena have proven invaluable in both attracting new artists, as well as getting the attention of a variety of product companies. Currently, Alliances By Alisa Art Licensing proudly represents the work of the below innovative artists, textile and pattern designers and photographers in the U.S. and around the world, including, Austria, India, Italy, Poland and Canada:

Alan Giana – scenic landscape prints
Catherine M. Elliot – contemporary impressionism prints
Joseph Elliot – luminous landscape photographs
Brandon Dowling – artistic humanity and nature photographs
Karen Burke – whimsical art of nature and human prints
Fineapple Pair – hand-painted clip art prints
Jesse David Harris – object and architectural photographs
Steven Bove – fantasy cartoon prints
Sue C. Brown – textile design prints
Patrizia Donaera – children’s book illustration prints
Christine Reichow – watercolor fine art prints
Jody Wheeler – children’s book watercolor prints
Lacy Tatum – hand-painted clip art prints
Sandra Hutter – design illustration prints
Marcin Poludniak – lively children’s illustrations
Stacey Lokey – Stained glass inspired designs and patterns
Monica Kapur – textile pattern prints

Thus far, the agency has secured licensing agreements with such notable manufacturers as Manual Woodworkers and Weavers, Ravensburger Puzzles, Evergreen Enterprises, Masterpieces Puzzles and Willowcreek Press with artwork being feature on greeting cards, calendars, fabric, puzzles, pillows, wall canvases, flags, and many other product lines.

“We are excited about this new venture and hope to become the go-to art licensing agency in the industry for artists as well as manufacturers,” concluded Picerno.

ABOUT ALLIANCES BY ALISA ART LICENSING

Alliances By Alisa Art Licensing is an energetic, international art licensing agency that represents some of the most innovative artists, surface designers and fine art photographers within the licensing industry today. Client creations have appeared on a variety of product lines for prominent print, puzzle, publishing, greeting card and textile companies. Visit www.alliancesbyalisaartlicensing.com for more information.

PHOTO: Engaged couple Alan Giana and Alisa Picerno are partners in love and livelihood with the launch of their new art licensing agency Alliances By Alisa Art Licensing, an international art licensing agency that represents some of the most innovative artists, surface designers and fine art photographers.

Space Station Vacation

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Culture Editor Tom Wilmer shares insights about civilian journeys to the International Space Station

By Tom Wilmer & Elizabeth Saylor

Today, even the best ultimate destination vacations are hampered by Covid-spector realities. Ubiquitous masks, goggles, testing and social distancing subconsciously ratchet up anxiety levels while simultaneously reducing pleasure and awe.

But what if there were a getaway promising out-of-this-world scenery, once in a lifetime thrills, a chance to make history and come away from it with a life-altering view of humanity’s totality — all possible without requisite plague masks, twinges of anthropophobia and hand-sanitizer-cracked hands?

Well, by thinking outside the box (or sphere, in this case), Directed by Roman Chiporukha and Erica Jackowitz, husband-and-wife co-founders of Roman & Erica, Inc., NYC-based lifestyle and luxury travel firm is the first company to offer such an epic adventure. Partnering with Axiom Space, seats are now available for a 10-day total “private astronaut” space flight experience to escape earth’s confines, designating a low-earth-orbit space station as “home” for eight of those transformative days.

It’s only natural that Mike Suffredini, former director of NASA’s International Space Station, would be willing to lend his expertise as Axiom’s CEO to help people experience the numerous social, economic and even cognitive benefits of space flight.

Hyperbole aside, space travel really is life changing. There’s even a term for visualizing earth from space: the “overview effect”, which is a profound sense of interconnectedness and euphoria whereby the viewer sees earth’s fragility, beauty and the oneness of all living things. Astronauts have even reported the cognitive changes re-made their perceptions of life’s purpose. Earthly, holiday vacation digital media memories are no match for life-affirming adventures beyond our atmosphere.

Aside from personal enlightenment, other private space-travel benefits are innumerable. For the industrially inclined, research and development opportunities from space’s microgravity/extreme environment will drive future discoveries unavailable on earth.

Scientific endeavors in the field of medicine, e.g. regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical R&D and accelerated-disease modeling– along with unparalleled possibilities for advancements in fluid physics and protein crystallization modeling, make the science/space coupling full of potentially profound discoveries.

Axiom Station will be constructed while attached to the ISS and, at the end of the ISS’ life, detach and operate on its own into the future.

And if a private astronaut’s proclivities are humanitarian, what better stage could there be to deliver a compelling message encouraging specific global behavioral change. No doubt, messages encouraging climate change awareness would strike an impressive cord with our delicate blue-dot planet framed by the cosmos.

So, how does one sign up for the trip of a lifetime? Of course, would-be adventurers must be very healthy, and a thorough medical evaluation with a physician’s clearance is required. Once greenlighted physically, a 15-week astronaut training (spread out over almost two years) is held at space agency facilities — with the training purported to be an incredible experience even with feet planted on terra firma.

The launch team usually consists of three private astronauts and one career-commander astronaut. Learning to function as a team is crucial not just for safety reasons, but for building mental health ease and camaraderie. The fact that training takes place in the same ultra-sophisticated, beyond-cutting-edge-tech facilities used by hero astronauts is heady stuff.

And then there’s the cost. With an all inclusive price tag of $55 million, it’s obviously out of reach for nearly all who may want to sail toward the stars… BUT for those who can afford to sign up now, their journeys will pave the way for the next wave of civilian astronauts and, within a relatively short period of time, drive down costs enough to enable hundreds, and eventually thousands, of eager space explorers to afford the mind-bending travel.

Though Roman & Erica, Inc. sold out the October 2021 flight, an extraordinary accomplishment, two seats are still available for the April 2022 launch. “We are the first travel company to successfully sell private astronaut seats for the ISS mission and are literally travel agents to the stars! It’s outta this world,” said Roman Chiporukha, CFO & Co-Founder of Roman & Erica, Inc. “We are thrilled to partner with Axiom Space. They are virtuosos in the private astronaut space and in the process of building the replacement to the International Space Station which is incredible!”

It’s been whispered that Tom Cruise is supposedly going for a 30 day mission in Oct 2022 with Mission Impossible director pal, Doug Liman. That would leave an extra seat, possibly, to chat up Top Gun while hurtling through space– hard to resist, right? After that, it’s your race to make a reservation with history. And if you’re not keen on travel to outer space, Roman & Erica will be happy to sort whatever else you’re interested in. We hear they have a waiting list to become a member and frankly, we are not surprised.

In this illustration, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is shown in low-Earth orbit. NASA is partnering with Boeing and SpaceX to build a new generation of human-rated spacecraft capable of taking astronauts to the International Space Station and expanding research opportunities in orbit. SpaceX’s upcoming Demo-1 flight test is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract with the goal of returning human spaceflight launch capabilities to the United States.

RICKY HIL – “TRYIN”

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Today, alternative singer/songwriter Ricky Hil releases his latest single and music video “Tryin,” out now via 10K Projects. Following up the success of his November single “Break My Heart,” “Tryin” gives fans a glimpse into Ricky’s next full length project, SSDD, out soon. “I strive to bring the gritty truth of my generation into my music and lyrics,” he says. The music video for “Tryin,” directed by Aidan Cullen, captures that feeling visually, as Ricky walks through the dark-lit streets of LA, singing “life is unfair to you / life is unfair to me.”

You can listen to “Tryin,” here and watch the new music video here.

Since his debut project The Lonely Limo—a fearlessly personal mixtape featuring guest spots from heavy-hitters like Lil Wayne—Ricky Hil has brought an unapologetic honesty to his music. Over the years, that approach has left a powerful impact on an entire wave of musicians in the underground scene, including a number of rappers/singers who’ve emerged as major cultural figures (Kid Cudi, XXXTentacion, The Weeknd, Juice WRLD, to name just a few). In his upcoming project SSDD, the consummate artist’s artist sheds even more light on his demons, and embraces a stronger sense of purpose than ever before.

“A lot of the time in my songs I’m saying shit I don’t really even want to say—but I do it anyway, because I know there are people out there that feel the same way I do,” says Ricky.

Born in Fairfield County, Connecticut but based in Los Angeles, Ricky first started experimenting with making music as a kid, armed with a turntable set-up and a stack of vinyl. “I fell in love with it, and I’d stay up all night every weekend—I didn’t care about anything else, I just wanted to create as much as possible.” Although South Philly rappers like Beanie Sigel influenced his early work, Ricky later discovered singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan and focused more heavily on sculpting potent melodies and sharpening his songcraft. Mostly raised on rock-and-roll, he later played in a punk band, infusing his songs with a kinetic energy that still permeates the music he makes today.

Ricky has recently refined his vision, and fully leaned into his love for darkly charged beats and slow yet dynamic tempos. “I went into all these new songs just wanting to be completely myself,” he says. As part of that creative revitalization—which includes recording up to five songs a night—he’s also begun drawing his own cover art, naming famed tattoo artists Jack Rudy and Mister Cartoon among the main inspirations on his artwork.

Make sure to follow Ricky Hil on Instagram, Soundcloud and Twitter.

Venice’s Hotel Ca’ di Dio May 2021

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Venice’s newest 5-star hotel, Ca’ di Dio, will be born in May 2021. The hotel sits within a transformed ecclesiastical compound dating from 1272 that has hosted Crusaders, pilgrims and tourists for more than eight centuries.

“We are honored to have been asked to represent the Ca’ di dio,” says Geoffrey Weill, “particularly at this moment in history when revolutionary vaccines are combatting a pandemic that has crippled the travel business in Venice and throughout the world.”

Located on the Riva Ca’ di Dio, the hotel overlooks Venice’s legendary lagoon, and is located adjacent to the Arsenale and the gardens that house the city’s Biennale, one of the world’s most iconic art festivals and exhibitions. The Ca’ di Dio is an easy stroll along the waterfront from bustling St. Mark’s Square.

The 66-key Ca’ di Dio (pronounced Ka-di-dio) is one of a new class of properties managed by Italy’s VOI Hotels, to be known as V-Retreats. The Ca ‘di Dio, like all V-Retreats, is set to be an oasis of peace, a palace of timeless beauty imbued with the finesse and warmth of Italian hospitality. The hotel’s general manager, Christophe Mercier, has a rich history of managing some of Venice’s finest properties.

The creation of the Hotel Ca’ di Dio was entrusted to the studio of the internationally renowned Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola. “My goal was to create an original and distinctive concept,” says Urquiola, “a Venetian ‘mansion,’ deeply linked to the history of the city with fine woods, rich textiles, colors, finishes and Murano glass; each decorative, architectural and lighting element is the result of the skillful hands of skilled craftsmen who combine the passion for their work with the secrets and techniques of Venetian tradition.”

The Ca’ di Dio’s accommodations comprise 57 suites and nine Deluxe rooms, spread over three floors. Ten suites have a unique view of the lagoon and San Giorgio Maggiore Island; two of the suites have a large roof terrace overlooking the San Marco Basin.

Two internal courtyards are home to the hotel’s Alchemia Bar and the Essentia Restaurant, whose design combines Venetian tradition with Urquiola’s contemporary signature. The hotel’s indoor-outdoor VE-RO Restaurant overlooks the breathtaking Venetian lagoon. Named for its Venetian roots, its cuisine is inspired by traditional dishes of the Veneto, reset in contemporary tones, respecting the seasonality of fish and produce. Many of the ingredients will come from the Ca’ di Dio’s vegetable garden secreted within yet another internal courtyard.

The Ca’ di Dio will offer a state-of-the-art wellness program in its Spa Pura, and will welcome small meetings and events. The colors and comfort of the reading room provide the ideal location for contemplation. The hotel’s elegant boutique will offer a selection of Murano glass produced exclusively for the Ca ‘di Dio. The hotel’s side canal entrance provides direct docking for water taxis and the hotel’s water-transfer cruisers.

The opening of the Ca’ di Dio coincides with a new reclaimed future for the city of Venice. “I was in the city in October when the Acqua Alta threatened the customary flooding of the city,” says Weill, “and for the first time, the lagoon’s new high-tech water barriers were set in motion, saving the city’s treasures from the customary flooding.”

The Venice Biennale 2021 has been postponed to 2022 because of Covid-19. The Venice Architecture Biennale, is now slated for May 22, 2021 to November 22, 2021.
Full details of the new Hotel Ca’ di Dio are at https://www.lifestyle-voihotels.com/en/ca-di-dio/and will be expanded in coming weeks.

2021 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

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As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, the team at 360 Magazine has come together to share their favorite gift ideas that your loved ones are sure to cherish. When getting that special someone a gift, it’s important that it’s romantic as well as useful and these gifts encompass these qualities.

ArT Wine Preserver®

More people are finding reasons to enjoy a glass of wine at home these days. In some areas, the bars still aren’t open. As kids go back to school, parents are finding themselves needing an extra glass of wine or two, especially with homeschooling and distance learning this year. What’s a better gift for Valentine’s Day than a tool to preserve this romantic beverage.

Most opened bottles of wine go to waste and an estimated $1.5 billion worth of wine is poured out every year due to oxidation. ArT Wine Preserver® wants to change this wasteful drinking habit. At the same time, it’s promoting moderation drinking in a sustainable way. This made in the USA, recyclable wine saver uses pure argon gas to displace oxygen. Argon gas is the preferred method by winemakers to prevent oxidation in wine.

Argon is a natural atmospheric gas that’s non-toxic and non-reactive. It makes the perfect wine preserver because it doesn’t react with your wine flavors or aromas, it simply displaces the oxygen. It also, keeps wine fresh 7 to 30 day, preserves up to 40 bottles per can and takes two seconds to use.

ArT Wine Preserver – Starting at $14.99

Patrick Mahomes II Signature Series

Oakley® and Patrick Mahomes II recently launched the Patrick Mahomes II Signature Series. Dreamt up by the reigning Super Bowl Champion and MVP, the debut sunglass of his Signature Series is a fresh and unexpected take on the all-new Sutro Lite. The stylish and functional frame features discoverable details throughout to honor the unconventional talent who is shaping the future of the sport. These are the perfect gift for the athlete in your life.

The frame features a red color theme for the quarterback’s teams: Kansas City Chiefs and Texas Tech, an etched lens with II for Mahomes, and a unique print that nods to the MVP’s nicknames “Showtime” and “2 PM.” Each frame is also equipped with Oakley’s Prizm™ Lens Technology, designed to enhance color and contrast to see more detail, and a custom microbag that features his signature.

“When I first joined Team Oakley, I was instantly drawn to the Sutro family – a bold and sleek performance frame that is style driven for life off-the-field,” said Mahomes. “Now today, to have the opportunity to launch my own Signature Series that represents who I am as an athlete has been an honor.”

Patrick Mahomes II Signature Series – Starting at $196

David Beckham Sports NEQI Mask

David Beckham, known for his high-quality performance and superiority in the world of Professional Soccer, is known to dress as equally well as he plays. The greatest soccer player of our time spares no details, especially when it comes to wearing a mask, and is among the latest celebrities to wear superior face covering, NEQI Reusable Mask!

Stay safe (and soft) with NEQI, the UK brand that specializes in keeping you clean and safe, which has now made its way to the USA via Amazon.com. Natives of the Earth standing for Quality and Innovation, is the motto that NEQI embodies. Founded in 2020, NEQI focuses on producing premium face coverings, disinfecting sprays, and hand cleansing gel products. NEQI believes good health belongs to everyone and stands behind quality.

The design affordable, reusable, sustainable face masks are lightweight, ultra-breathable and easy to style. Designed with comfort in mind to ensure we are protecting our environment as well as ourselves. Masks come in 3 colors and multiple sizes, all perfectly pocket-size for on-the-go storage. No one imagined face masks would be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, but in 2021, nothing says I love you like protection from Covid. The masks come in two colors and sizes and there is also a children’s option.

NEQI Face Covering – Starting at $10.99

Fine Jewelry from The House of Luxury

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like exquisite jewelry for that special someone. Jewelry has always been a classic gift for Valentine’s Day and The House of Luxury will ensure you pick the right piece. For Valentine’s Day The House of Luxury has created a beautiful selection of fine jewelry from their leading designers Alessa Jewelery, Tabbah, Aisha Baker, Terzihan, YEPREM and Dreamboule.

From a Y-NOT Necklace by YEPREM in 18K White Gold in Diamonds to Fizzy: Red Enamel Square Earring by Terzihan in 18K Rose Gold with Diamonds and Red Enamel, these superb selections are sure to be a hit with any woman in your life.

A variety of pieces and styles – Starting at $1,700

The “Don’t Block Your Blessings” Festival

Give your loved ones the gift of blessings and mental health as we navigate what holidays look like through Covid-19. We have loved watching the Don’t Block Your Blessings movement develop. They have announced a one of a kind live-stream festival featuring musicians, artists, and some of the most innovative minds in self-growth and healing. The DBYB Festival boasts three interactive rooms on an exclusive virtual platform allowing festival-goers to jump from room to room attending talks and sessions, accessing musical performances, and viewing live art as it’s created.

Produced by Erez Safar, whose first live-stream festival, Lo-Freq Fest, was featured in Billboard, and shared around the globe. The debut DBYB festival featured over 40+ world-wide presenters with 25,774 viewers.

The next festival will be free to participate in and free to attend virtually, and is set to take place on Valentine’s (Sunday February 14th), between 6-9pm PST.

RSVP Now by going to www.dontblockyourblessings.org/fest.

Virtual Festival – Free

The GMWB5000RD-4

Casio has recently introduced an all-new timepiece to G-SHOCK’s premium Full Metal Series, the GMWB5000RD-4. The new model is constructed with a tough yet fashionable exterior that boasts an eye-catching red stainless-steel case and solid stainless steel band.

The latest Full Metal 5000 model carries on the tradition of the original G-SHOCK DW-5000C with its classic square case shape and digital display. The GMWB5000RD-4 also features a band created with a bold red IP finish, and a screw back with a diamond-like carbon finish for outstanding wear resistance. This is sure to be a show-stopping gift for anyone in your life.

In addition to an updated look, the new Full Metal timepiece comes equipped with several of G-SHOCK’s new and most premium technical features, including Bluetooth Connectivity via the G-SHOCK Connected app, and Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping for self-adjusting and accurate hour / date display virtually anywhere on the globe. It also boasts a STN-LCD digital display that makes the watch easy to read from any angle, as well as Tough Solar Technology, making it capable of self-charging even with low sun exposure.

The GMWB5000RD-4 will retail for $600 and be available for purchase starting January 20^th at select Jewelers, the G-SHOCK Soho Store, and gshock.com.

The GMWB5000RD-4 – $600

Samsung Galaxy S21 Accessories

New accessories from ZAGG Brands that support the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra have just been announced and they would be the perfect gift for any Samsung Galaxy User.

The line consists of two screen protectors as well as a variety of cases in four different colors. The GlassFusion VisionGuard+ with D3O is a hybrid screen protector that is engineered to be unbreakable and features an Eyesafe® technology layer that blocks HEV blue light without distorting the color performance of the smartphone screen. It also contains anti-microbial properties that protect the screen protector by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The GlassFusion+ with D3O, is a slightly cheaper model without VisionGuard+.

The phone cases include the Havana , the Crystal Palace, the Copenhagen, and the Denali, all priced reasonably starting at $29.99. The cases are slim, stylish and protective, everything you could want from a phone case.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Accessories – Starting at $29.99

PUMA x Michael Lau Collection

This new unisex collection consists of footwear, apparel and accessories that features hand-drawn pencil graphics, graph paper textures and other playful design references with a hand-made inspired look and feel. Key footwear styles include bold iterations of the Mirage Mox, Ralph Sampson Mid, Ralph Sampson Lo and RS-2K. Additional items from the pack include the Two-Face track jacket which features a unique print with a pencil mark graphics, a reversible style and a tall collar, a Flat Brim Cap with a detachable “PUMA SAMPLE STUFF” graphic and a Tote Bag that comes with unique graphic prints.

The PUMA x Michael Lau collection will be available on PUMA.com, PUMA stores and select retailers starting Friday, January 22, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

PUMA x Michael Lau Collection – Beginning at $40

Sperry Men’s Bahama II Sneaker

Sperry has always been a classic shoe perfect for the summer. With a timeless style this shoe is 50 percent boat shoe and 50 percent sneaker which makes this boat-sneaker hybrid come with double the wearability.

It has a canvas upper featuring rawhide laces and uses Sperry’s 360° Lacing System™ for a customized fit. The shoe also features a non-marking flexible rubber outsole with molded Wave-Siping™ which provides the ultimate no-slip traction so these shoes can handle any slippery terrain. Sperry has a large selection of shoes for men, women and children which makes them the perfect gift for anyone.

Sperry Men’s Bahama II Sneaker – Starting at $59.95

Oakley® x Turtle Beach

The gaming accessory brand Turtle Beach recently announced a new partnership with Oakley^®, a leader in sports performance and optical innovation. As a brand rooted in competition, Oakley continues expanding its lineup of eyewear developed for gamers who share a passion for performance. The new partnership pairs Turtle Beach’s expertise in creating high-quality, glasses-friendly gaming headsets with Oakley’s quest for optimized vision and performance in a collection designed to help gamers see better, hear better and conquer their opponents.

The new collection features two products. The Metalink RX features headset-compatible temples to ensure they stay in place even in the most intense gaming sessions and come with a custom Turtle Beach logo microbag.

The Frogskins Lite is a limited-edition set that is the newest evolution of Oakley’s most iconic lifestyle eyewear. The eyewear features a throwback Turtle Beach color scheme, Oakley’s Prizm Ruby Iridium Lenses, and a rainbow gradient Oakley and Turtle Beach logo on the temple. Either of these are a great selection for Valentine’s Day for any game lover in your life.

Oakley® and Turtle Beach Collection – Starting at $166

Adidas Headphones

Whether your partner cranks up the music during workouts, listens to a podcast on a walk or has days filled with work calls, Adidas Headphones has you covered with lightweight headphones, long battery life and uncompromising sound.

RPT-01 (AH / Amazon)

Over-ear Headphones; washable ear cushions, launch a playlist with one button
40-hour battery life
$170 retail, $119 sale

FWD-01 (AH / Amazon)

In-ear headphones; knitted tangle free cord and passive transparency to hear your surroundings
16-hour battery life
$150 retail, $99 sale

The upcoming sale runs February 7- February 13 on Adidas’ website for all colorways, like the eye-popping Signal Coral. Adidas has a large variety of headphones for your loved ones, that are sure to support

FWD-01- Starting at $99

Farm-Raised Ossetra Caviar Malossol

Valentine’s Day is all about decadence and your Valentine’s Day meal should be no different. What better way to celebrate than with caviar, and D’Artagnan’s Ossetra Malossol Caviar is the caviar of the highest quality.

D’Artagnan’s Ossetra Malossol Caviar is unpasteurized, low-salt and preservative-free, giving it the best authentic and fresh flavor. This caviar is harvested from Siberian sturgeon on a state-of-the-art aquafarm in France. This sustainable product follows the strictest of animal welfare and environmental protocols. The high quality of the caviar is evident in its color, flavor, and texture. The round, plump pearls have a lingering and nutty flavor reminiscent of hazelnuts or fresh walnuts. With ultra-silky mouthfeel and a color that ranges from clear grey to golden chestnut to deep brown, this buttery caviar is truly unforgettable. Make your Valentine’s Day extra special with caviar.

Farm-Raised Ossetra Caviar Malossol – Starting at $124.99

WHOOP Health Monitor

In case you aren’t familiar, WHOOP is a 24/7 fitness tracker and health monitor that provides personalized, actionable feedback and tracks key metrics like heart rate variability, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep staging with industry-leading accuracy. WHOOP distills all of this data down into three key pillars – recovery, strain and sleep – and provides coaching so users can balance their daily lives, train optimally and unlock the secrets to their body’s true potential.

In April, WHOOP reported findings about the importance of tracking respiratory rate (RR) during the pandemic, and how sudden changes could be significant. In short, WHOOP found that people who had tested positive for COVID-19 had elevated respiratory rates (while people experience most other illnesses did not exhibit that change in RR). Pro golfers, Nick Watney & Scott Stallings, both used WHOOP to track RR and subsequent positive tests for COVID-19, and countless members have shared similar experiences on social media. Lots more info on WHOOP & COVID-19 here and here.

STRAIN, SLEEP & RECOVERY

Strain is a measure of the cardiovascular load your body takes on over the course of a day or during a given activity. WHOOP does not count steps, but calculates your personalized exertion and quantifies it on a scale from 0-21.

Recovery is a personalized measure of how ready your body is to take on strain each day. WHOOP calculates your recovery based on 4 physiological markers: heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), respiratory rate (RPM), and sleep.

Sleep Performance is the amount you slept compared to how much sleep you needed. WHOOP auto-detects your sleep and wake times each day as well as your sleep stages throughout the night to determine your sleep performance for that night.

The WHOOP Lux Kit includes a band and clasp and is the perfect gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. It’s sophisticated and useful, so it’s sure to be a hit. Add a WHOOP membership to your gift so they can always stay healthy.

WHOOP Lux Kit – Starting at $85

Roots of Fight x Kevin Hart

The apparel brand Roots Of Fight and American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer Kevin Hart recently announced that they have joined forces and launched a limited-edition apparel collection. The collection pays homage to different milestones in the comedian’s life that helped get him to where he is today.

The first capsule in the collection, titled the PHILLY 15 & ERIE COLLECTION, pays tribute to his North Philadelphia roots and the intersection where he grew up. Kevin is unequivocally Philly-made and the art in this capsule commemorates that formative time in his life. This capsule, and others to follow in the coming months, will see a portion of all proceeds going to charities.

Items included in this first capsule include a hoody, sweatshirt and tee, which retail for $48 – $85. The full collection is available in limited quantity for purchase now, exclusively on rootsoffight.com.

Roots of Fight x Kevin Hard – Starting at $48

House of Luxury launches the ‘Virtual Xperience‘

This month House of Luxury launched their new hyper-immersive luxury retail platform ‘Virtual Xperience‘. It is literally a virtual House of Luxury where exquisitely furnished 3D spaces like the ‘Parlour of Perfection’ and the ‘Chamber of Calibre’ accentuate choice designer products ranging from fine jewelry by renowned brands such as YEPREM, Simone and Alessa; contemporary art by Banksy, Condo and Kaws; interior décor from Fendi and Ralph Lauren; haute horlogerie from Patek Philippe and others; as well as limited-edition objet d’arts created by leading artists such as Zhuang Hong Yi.

This is the perfect way to shop for luxury gifts this Valentine’s Day in a covid friendly way. You will be able to find the most lavish, designer gifts that will wow anyone on your gift list.

Take a closer via the VX Tour – here

Bourbon Summer Cartoon Crisis

These clothes are the perfect unique gift for any fashion lover in your life. With bold prints and snazzy design, this is a gift that will show your love in a BOLD way.

“We use the post-apocalyptic artwork of BOURBON SUMMER CARTOON CRISIS! to produce exquisitely constructed clothing from the most sumptuous and sustainable fabrics. Our clothes explore the tension between ostentatious prints and refined silhouettes. These garments embody the CRISIS philosophy—finding meaning and beauty amidst the chaos that surrounds us.” Find out more about the product line and the company here.

Bourbon Summer Cartoon Crisis – Starting at $50

Sugar Plum Broken Heart Chocolate Pizza

There’s no better way to say I love you than with food! This chocolate heart pizza from Sugar Plum is a unique treat to share with your loved one.

The solid milk chocolate heart is topped with a festive assortment of chocolate candies and finished with a white chocolate drizzle. Every Chocolate Heart Pizza comes with a wooden mallet, so you can feel free to break this heart into bite-sized bits knowing it’ll never return the favor! Perfect to share with your girls on Galentine’s day
as well! Sugar Plum also offers complimentary two-day shipping!

Chocolate Heart Pizza – $40

Zoe Wees – Girls Like Us

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Eighteen-year-old Hamburg, Germany-based artist Zoe Wees who charted on Rolling Stone’s “Breakthrough 25” late last year, following the success of her debut single, “Control” kicks off 2021 with a brand new single, “Girls Like Us.” Blending vulnerability with strength, Wees send a message of togetherness and solidarity to girls around the world who are feeling the pressures of society. Itߣs a middle finger to the impossible beauty standards that are still being peddled by brands, influencers and algorithms. Released today by Capitol Records, “Girls Like Us” is available for download / streaming HERE.

Wees explains, “For me, it was the hardest feeling to grow up in a world that you feel doesn’t accept you. We all have insecurities, but this is what makes us beautiful.” “Girls Like Us” was produced by Patrick Pyke Salmy and Ricardo M., members of her core team. Look for the official video to premiere soon. Wees, who is featured on the cover of Apple Music’s “New Music Daily,” appeared on “The Zane Lowe Show” earlier today.

Last night, Wees made her U.S. television debut on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” View her performance of “Control” HERE. The track was added to the two biggest playlists in the world Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits and Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and has since amassed over 270 million combined global streams. Hailed as “an emotional powerhouse of a song” by LADYGUNN, the raw, emotional ballad became a worldwide hit and entered the top 20 at Pop radio in the U.S. “Control” charted in 58 countries’ Viral Charts on Spotify and has already gone Gold in five countries. Wees wrote “Control” as a way of dealing with the exclusion and helplessness she experienced as she struggled with rolandic childhood epilepsy. View the official video for “Control” HERE.

Wees has been named as a YouTube “On The Rise” artist, “One To Watch 2021” by Amazon, an iHeartRadio “Pop on the Verge” artist and a SiriusXM “Hits 1 To Watch” artist. Wonderland observed, “Zoe Wees has been capturing the imagination of fans worldwide with her deep enthralling vocals and therapeutic rhythms.” London in Stereo hailed her as “a rare artist in the sense she possesses a unique vocal & leaves you hanging on every word she says.” In this Essence “Girls United” column, she talks about her songwriting process, dealing with anxiety and what it was like opening for Sam Smith at Abbey Road Studios last fall.

CONNECT WITH ZOE WEES

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(G)I-DLE – I burn

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Kicking off 2021 in style, K-Pop sensation (G)I-DLE release their anxiously awaited brand-new mini-album I burn today. Get it HERE via Republic Records.

As the group’s most fully realized conceptual effort to date, I burn examines the emotional rollercoaster of a breakup, distilling all of the ups and downs into a genre-busting artistic statement. Incorporating Eastern instrument sounds, it depicts a story of mixed emotions one may go through in the process of parting and finding happiness again. As ‘my’ story begins with a burned heart by a painful breakup, the album ends by showing although these scars may hurt me, they make me glow and bloom a red flower.

Amplifying the members’ voices as creators and songwriters, the six-track project notably features writing by leader SOYEON on three songs, MINNIE on two songs, and YUQI on one song. Among SOYEON’s contributions, the lead single “HWAA” catches listeners’ ears with its addictive hook and lyrics depicting dramatic emotional changes. The song builds with its musical arrangements and Eastern instrument sounds to let the listeners feel the aching pain from a breakup. Lyrically, it explores “the pain of love by using blazing fire and a beautiful flower as metaphors.”

“LOST” reflects raw feeling with R&B production punctuated by synth loops and guitar, and “Where is love”brings (G)I-DLE back to the dancefloor with retro-style funky bass and a chantable refrain. “MOON” is an upbeat, honest pop track with a catchy hook built upon a danceable disco rhythm, bass, and synthesizer. Meanwhile, “HANN(Alone in winter)” reaches heavenly heights over cinematic production as the moombahton-inspired finale “DAHLIA” glide towards a sweeping refrain, “I’ll choose to love you anyway cuz you’re my dahlia.”

Last year, (G)I-DLE incited a frenzy worldwide with “DUMDi DUMDi,” which gathered 18.3 million Spotify streams and 74 million YouTube views on the music video. Not to mention, their “Oh my god” music video picked up a nomination in the category of BEST K-POP at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. Plus, they broke the internet with the 2020 (G)I-DLE ONLINE CONCERT ‘I-LAND : WHO AM I.’ Their official U.S. debut mini-album I trust claimed #1 on the iTunes Overall Album Charts in 61 markets with acclaim from MTV, Billboard, Just Jared, and more. (G)I-DLE have reached astonishing heights with 805 million YouTube views and north of 752 million streams on Spotify.

With I burn, they have the potential to catch fire like never before in every corner of the globe.

(G)I-DLE SOCIALS

YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok