BACARDI Rum Room Event Rundown

Last weekend, I attended the BACARDI Rum Room event downtown. And yes, it was awesome! 

There was something for all the Atlanta socialites: endless selfie opportunities, music, and of course, DRINKS! However, being the nerd that I am, I enjoyed learning more about the history of Bacardi and the art of aging rum. 

This man is David Cid, the BACARDI Global Rum Master.  He talked to the media about the history of  the Premium Collection which includes  BACARDÍ Añejo Cuatro, BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho and BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez. I learned some cool things about the aging of rum. Did you know that most of the Bacardi rum is aged in barrels in Puerto Rico? Did you also know that a rum can taste two times its age if it is aged in a tropical climate? 

This installation does a great job of explaining how rum is aged. Once you understand it, you can really appreciate how precious every drop of rum we use in our cocktails is. 

Speaking of cocktails, there were a number of different BACARDI cocktails for attendees to try. Above is the Ocho Old Fashioned, which included the BACARDI Reserva Ocho Rum, syrup, and bitters. 

The VIP area had the feel of a really cool, old library. There, media and VIP guests had the opportunity to participate in a rum tasting. There was a cigar demo as well as live BACARDI bottle engravings. My bottle says LOVE, HOLLY. 

The VIP area also included artwork from Oriel Ceballos and, later in the evening, there was a performance by Swiss Beats. 

Are you ready to get your rum on? You can visit the BACARDI website here.

RECAP: Arts, Beats, and Lyrics

Art and hip-hop enthusiasts made history as the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Art, Beats and Lyrics national tour made its way home to Atlanta, serving as the first hip hop/urban event at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 
Among other art displays, an art installation by Charly Palmer, was displayed on an electronic LED board in the Art, Beats and Lyrics exhibition.  Patrons also got to enjoy cocktails from the Arts, Beats, and Lyrics sponsor, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey. 

The Arts, Beats, and Lyrics crowd also got to enjoy a performance from the legendary rapper Rakim, demonstrating why he is recognized as one of the most talented and influential Emcees of all time.  

For information on Art, Beats and Lyrics please visit www.JackHoneyABL.com. (Photo by Kat Goduco/AB+L)

Amrita Sen Home Collection at Bed Bath and Beyond

If Amrita Sen looks familiar to you, it is probably because she is a known singer and artist. I became familiar with her when she published her adult coloring book Cosmic and Eternal Love: An Everlasting Love Story. She is now expressing her love to create through her new bedding line, Amrita Sen Home Collection, which is now available at Bed Bath and Beyond. Her collection is an array of bedding and pillows, full of colors and intricate designs, guaranteed to breathe life into any bedroom. Below are a few of my favorite pieces from her collection, available here.

Amrita Sen Varkala Reversible Comforter Set in Full, $129.99

Amrita Sen Nandini Square Throw Pillow in Pink, $39.99

Amrita Sen Nandini Oblong Throw Pillow in Tan, $39.99

alice + olivia X Basquiat

alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is proud to announce that the late Neo-expressionist artist and frequent Andy Warhol collaborator Jean-Michel Basquiat has been selected, through the Basquiat Estate, as the partner for the second capsule collection that will help support the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s efforts to promote young talent. The collection, shown as part of the alice + olivia Resort 2017 season, will land in stores and online in November 2016.

Dream Series by Gray Malin

Colorful sheep and the Australian farmland were the focus of Gray Malin's
new Dream Series. Encouraging viewers of his work to think outside of the box
and to not be afraid to be different while, of course, playing on his love of
animals, Malin used the colorized sheep as a medium to help us to open our minds.

On a surface level yes, the colorized animals are beautiful and fun to look at, but something about them dares its viewers to be creative and to see more than what is on the outside of not just these adorable creatures but different arenas of our individual lives.



Not only do Malin's pictures stretch ones imagination to the limit, but purchasing one of the pieces helps to give back to the community. Malin is donating 20% of the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping the children it benefits reach their dreams.

For more info on the Dream Series, visit GrayMalin.com .



"SHAPESHIFT" by Greg Mike

I am kicking myself because I was unable to attend the "Shapeshift" by Greg Mike exhibit at the DAX Gallery. The exhibit, "...explores the concept of transformation and evolution." Call me a simpleton, but I love the pieces because of the funky colors, shapes, and cartoony vibe. If you are in Cali, check it out. The exhibit is showing until July 22.