By Lucia Paula

There are very few films in the genre of drama that can capture an essence of je ne sais quoi while delicately balancing the human experience with elegant relationship pragmatism. Loves Park, the flagship film by renowned filmmaker Carol Rhyu, captures the fleeting moments we all hold dear while lensing them in a realist, nonchalant form that introduces the viewer to the world of love less explored.

On the surface, Loves Park is about love and lost, the exploration of simple and complex relationships through the perspective of a twenty and thirty-something crowd coming of age at the height of the millennium and exploring these intricate bonds as generation-Yers and millenials. However, unlike the world this age group was brought in, the film effectively ventures into the idea that love, with all its wonders and heartfelt good intentions, isn't always ours to adore.

When pregnant housewife Edie Canody learns that her father-in-law has died, she and her husband Benjamin return to a disquieting small town of Loves Park for the funeral, Edie's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and bizarre as she learns that Benjamin wants to stay and run his family's business. She thinks it's a bit odd and Benjamin's actions appear a bit mysterious. The more time Edie spends in Loves Park the more she becomes aware that the kind of life she thought she wanted doesn't quite seem to fit with her values and beliefs.

The 95-minute film takes us on a journey of self-exploration and challenges the viewer to question core beliefs on relationships, including what is love to me - the viewer? For Rhyu, the essence wasn't so much about the concept of love as it was about a stylistic, visually-stimulating and enchanting manner of conveying the pull between personal expectations and what society wants from us.

"For Loves Park, I was more interested in mood and atmosphere rather than plot and information. Veering away from traditional narratives, I was drawn to explore more of the unconscious, surreal, and symbolic language of dreams."

The symbolism is real in the film, even as early on when Edie half-heartedly discusses the concept of letting babies choose their names, or faithfully encouraging her boyfriend to quit living off his parents' money: both themes dealing with a generation unlike that of its predecessors.

"Some years ago I felt pressure to have children. While I was never pregnant, I felt as though I was having an out-of-body experience. It was strange this loss of identity, and I believe the film reflects on some of these feelings."

Loves Park is an eclectic, stunning journey of creative ecstasy that leaves the viewer both intrigued yet very connected. While the film officially debuts on December 24, it is now available to pre-order for online streaming and download via Vimeo.

Carol will be both in Chicago and Los Angeles promoting Loves Park.

Pepe is wearing Calvin Klein briefs and was photographed in Los Angeles.

About The Bourbon Bombshell Cocktail

This cocktail adds a hoppy IPA to 100-proof bourbon, some citrus and the kicker: muddled fresh marjoram, resulting in a variety of summery flavors that blend together nicely.

Ingredients
1 3⁄4 oz Old Forester 100-proof bourbon
3⁄4 oz Grapefruit juice
1⁄4 oz Lemon juice
1⁄4 oz Simple syrup
3 oz Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA sprig
Fresh marjoram

Directions
Dry-muddle the marjoram.
Add all of the other ingredients except the beer, and give it a quick stir.
Strain into a pint glass, and add ice.
Top with the beer, and garnish with the grapefruit peel.

Glenn, model with #PdMModels in Chicago, shows off in the bedroom just in time for spring. For the full photo-set, make sure you get the spring edition of the magazine.

Glenn wears 2(x)ist briefs and shirt by H&M.

A signature cocktail makes entertaining easy. It eliminates mundane choices while creating one spectacular option. We always love a traditional mimosa, but this champagne punch is a colorful, flavorful and memorable addition, making it the perfect brunch signature cocktail.
 
This signature cocktail is an easy to sip drink, making it a crowd pleaser. It’s also a beautiful addition to any spring table setting. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Brunch Signature Cocktail
Preparation 5:00, Total Time 5:00, Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c lemon juice
• 1/3 c simple syrup
• 1 bottle champagne
• blueberries, apples, strawberries

Instructions:
Combine berries and place them in glass. It is worth noting that you may lose some bubbly depending on how many berries and other fruit you add to the mix. Make sure simple syrup comes first to avoid all sweetness at the top. Top it off with champagne, make pretty, and serve chilled. Yum! What do you think?

We are almost in spring-mode, and definitely ready for something fresh and savory. We have created a recipe so fresh, delicious, and healthy that you'll wonder why you bothered eating anything else these past few months: shrimp ceviche stuffed avocados.

Recipe:
Ingredients

• 3 large ripe avocados
• 1 lime wedge
• kosher salt
• 1 pound fresh raw shrimp, chopped
• 1 red Fresno chili, minced
• ½ cup finely diced white onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• ½ cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• kosher salt to taste

Instructions

1. Cut in half the avocados. Peel the skin off and dispose of the pits. Arrange the avocado halves on a serving platter. Sprinkle them with lime juice and kosher salt.
2. In a medium bowl add the chopped raw shrimp, and then add the chili, onion and cilantro. Mix well and then add the lime juice. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Add the orange juice and vegetable oil and stir well. Season to taste with kosher salt.
4. Spoon the Ceviche into the hollow in each avocado half and serve chilled.

Preparation time: 25 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6

This is an ideal dish for a warm spring or summer day, or when you're nostalgic for beautiful, hot steamy nights in Mexico with a few fine glasses of tequila waiting for you. It is a complex mix of fresh and spicy, fragrant and delish. This is best enjoyed with a refreshing glass of prosecco or a nice tequila: let us know how you enjoy it!

For more recipes and fun cocktail pairings, get the latest issue of the magazine.
xo

We borrowed the boys from #PdMModels and crafted a custom shoot of two stunning and talented guys, Nelle and Kyle. Photography by Jorge Zavala (@BROMOISH)

Catch the full photo-series in our spring print editions, available here.
xo

We always love the IDEA of a Shamrock Shake (so colorful! so festive!), but find the taste is kind of lacking. Is it just us, or do you prefer mintier than most? Shamrock Shake loyalists, please don’t hate, but we’ve definitely had a shake or two that tasted like plain-old-vanilla with food coloring.

Our take on this cult-followed, boozy shamrock shake recipe is made with actual fresh mint, and of course, plenty of booze. We use Branca Menta (Fernet’s minty cousin) for herbal mint goodness and Irish Cream… because — well, it is a St. Paddy’s Day drink and all.

If you’re looking to fulfill your Shamrock Shake craving with more fresh mint flavor and less green dye, you really need to try this boozed-up version!…

• Serves 2

Ingredients

• 4 ounces Irish cream liqueur
• 2 ounces Branca Menta
• 1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves
• 1 pint good quality vanilla ice cream

Instructions

• Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Pour and serve with whipped cream (fresh is best!) and cherries (classic Shamrock Shake style) or with a touch of grated chocolate for added decadence (We used the dark side of some peppermint bark for added mint flavor).
  

Let us know what you think, and send pics!
xo