Blockbuster movies at a plush hotel, international cuisine, and solar-powered lanterns
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Savor world-class cuisine and authentic Middle Eastern flavors at the Jordan International Food Festival (JIFF) in Amman, running Aug. 6-11.
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Blending international cuisine and cultures
Savor world-class cuisine and authentic Middle Eastern flavors at the Jordan International Food Festival (JIFF) in Amman, running Aug. 6-11. The festival, now in its second year, returns with the theme 'gathered,' describing a fundamental Arab way of being — of bringing people together to cook, to eat, to remember, and to celebrate. The festival blends traditional and creative flavors from across the region and brings locals and visitors together in this vibrant city. JIFF features live cooking demonstrations, hands-on master's classes with renowned chefs, nightly concerts with local performers, food-focused panel talks, and more than 200 participating international and local food vendors and restaurants. Don't miss the collaborative dinners with international guest chefs and local Jordanian culinary artists and, for kids, the interactive children's zones. This year's event introduces a Gastro-Diplomacy Pavilion where embassies and expat communities present their national cuisines in a celebration of cultural connection through food.
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Solight Design's origami-inspired inflatable lanterns collapse for easy packing and then unfold to create cube-shaped lights that are powered by the sun.
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A light source for off-the-grid travel
Keep your tent or campsite illuminated with Solight Design's solar-powered inflatable lanterns. These lightweight origami-inspired lights — invented by Alice Min Soo Chun, a former professor of material technology at Columbia University — collapse for easy packing and then unfold to create cube-shaped lights that are powered by the sun. Each light has a small solar panel on top and, on the other side, bulbs attached to a reflective surface that casts light into the cube. The waterproof lights are made from recycled sailcloth, float on water, and come in a variety of sizes and color options. The Helix Hybrid has warm and bright-light settings and provides up to 90 lumens of light for up to 10 hours, while the SolarPuff Multicolor Solar Lantern offers the same brightness and battery life but has six color options or a rainbow setting that cycles through all those colors. The 4000 mAh MegaPuff Lantern provides 40 to 300 lumens and comes with a USB-C port for charging a smartphone or other small device while off the grid. $22-$68.
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Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Soak in the views — and the champagne — at Bubble Bath
The interior at Bubble Bath, with telescopes in the windows and bubble-themed decor. Erin Clark/Globe Staff The backstory: This is the second Bubble Bath. The first branch of the champagne and wine bar is located in downtown food hall High Street Place, where Faison's Big Heart Hospitality also runs seafood-focused Dive Bar and retro pizza joint Tenderoni's. Bubble Bath's menu is a kindred spirit to that at Faison's 'adult snack bar,' Fool's Errand; if you frequented her now-closed Orfano, you may recognize the cheeky name plates on the bathroom stalls. Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up The lobster bun, a classic roll writ small, is among the snacks served at Bubble Bath. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Advertisement What to eat: The menu delivers big flavors in small portions, starting with a list of 'fancy lil sammies': the lobster bun, a miniaturized take on a classic roll dressed in sherry aioli; the butter and Gruyere, a luxe grilled cheese, made luxe-er if you add on a shaving of summer truffles. The 'chilled & dressed' section of the menu serves the likes of steak tartare tonnato, tomato and plum salad with burrata, and Greek salad 'sculls,' cucumbers sliced lengthwise into boats prettily loaded with feta, tomatoes, and herbs. 'Warm & roasty' offerings include crispy cod cheeks on shiso leaves, summer vegetables from the Copley farmers' market over pesto, and a more-substantial steak frites. Or head straight for the caviar: white sturgeon, Sevruga, or Osetra. If you want to splash out, call for caviar cart 'tea service,' which brings you 125 grams of the stuff with Spanish potato chips, toast points, mini biscuits, and DIY cannoli, plus all the trimmings. The evening ends with Dum-Dums lollipops served with the check. Advertisement Views of the city from the rooftop patio at Bubble Bath. Erin Clark/Globe Staff What to drink: The cocktail list bears potions with one-word names (divas!). The Char brings together spicy and herbal notes with grapefruit and mezcal; the Miel features cognac, honey, and bubbles. And bubbles feel right here on the rooftop, especially with caviar. There are several options by the glass, from capital C Champagne to Italian pet-nat, along with a list of bottles. The wine selection runs the gamut from funky (orange wine from Mexico) to impeccably classic (white Burgundy). Vodka service is available, too. Greek salad "sculls": cucumber boats topped with feta, herbs, and more. Erin Clark/Globe Staff The takeaway: This corner of Newbury Street, hovering over the highway at Mass Ave, languishes no longer. In addition to the citizenM and Bubble Bath, Peruvian restaurant Rosa y Marigold is on its way from the team behind Celeste and La Royal, and New York-based Avra Group will open an estiatorio, bringing more 'refined Greek cuisine' to a city already rich with it. Everything in its time. But champagne, caviar, and stellar views are eternal, and Bubble Bath is a stylish spot in which to indulge. 408 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston. . Dishes $10-$29, caviar $90-$495, cocktails $17-$22. Caviar cart "tea service." Erin Clark/Globe Staff Devra First can be reached at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
One Couple Planned a Beachfront Ceremony and a Jungle-Inspired Reception for Their Destination Wedding in Mexico
"We chose somewhere that our friends and family could make into a vacation,' one bride says. Fate has a funny way of putting the person we're meant to be with in front of us as the perfect moment. Hilary Hamm and María Siller, who goes by Maru, are proof of that. The two, who both attended graduate school at Columbia University, first met in May of 2019 when Maru was just weeks away from graduating and returning home to México. Mutual friends set them up just in time, and the two enjoyed a first date that last over eight hours. Four years later, the couple knew they were ready for their next step. "Gay engagements are the best because there are no rules. We decided we both wanted to propose, and I told Maru I wanted to go first," Hilary recalls. In October of 2023, she popped the question at their favorite restaurant in Brooklyn, surprising Maru with a heartfelt proposal surrounded by flowers and candles; later, both their families joined them to celebrate. Six months later, in April of 2024, Maru orchestrated a proposal of her own, creating a city-wide scavenger hunt that ended in their new apartment in Dumbo. Hilary walked inside to find hundreds of candles and Maru down on one knee. Knowing that a number of their guests would have to travel to attend wedding no matter where it took place, the brides-to-be decided to make their nuptials a weekend-long celebration. Their chosen locale? Imanta Resorts in Punta Mita, Mexico, a 12-bedroom resort tucked into the jungle with private access to a hidden beach. 'We chose somewhere that our friends and family could make into a vacation,' Hilary says. The privacy of their venue allowed them to host a deeply personal celebration that honored Maru's Mexican culture, Hilary's Jewish background, and the significance of their nuptials being the first gay wedding many of their 270 guests would attend. 'With guests traveling from conservative communities in México and Oklahoma, we saw the weekend as an opportunity to lead with pride, warmth, and authenticity and to show what a beautiful, inclusive love story can look like,' Hilary explains. To bring their vision to life, Hilary and Maru worked with Peter de Anda, who designed and planned their weekend, including a rehearsal dinner, welcome party, and wedding on the beach. Read on to see how photographer EFEGE captured every detail of the couple's wedding weekend in Punta Mita—from the mirrored glass aisle and greenery-draped arches to the intimate cultural touches—on January 19, 2025. Related: Why Couples Are Incorporating Wellness Practices Into Their Wedding Weekends—And 11 of the Most Popular Ones Although rehearsal dinners are not traditionally part of a Mexican wedding, it was important to Hilary to have one so that loved ones could give speeches. The brides invited their closest guests to Zicaleta on January 17, 2025. 'My mom, dad, sister, and best friend Megan had all planned to give speeches, while no one from Maru's family had fully committed to speaking,' Hilary says. 'But then, in a moment that completely surprised us, Maru's mom, sister, twin brother, and older brother each stood up to speak. There wasn't a dry eye in the room!' The pre-nuptial party had a cocktail attire dress code, so Hilary wore a midi skirt and strapless top with a sweetheart neckline and Maru wore a crochet dress with a sweetheart neckline and side cut-outs, both from PatBo. They hung rattan pendant lamps and string lights from the ceiling and went with a tropical tablescape featuring lush greenery runners and red floral centerpieces. The next day, Hilary and Maru invited guests to Conrad Hotel for a welcome party. 'We decided to flip the traditional color scheme for the day and asked our guests to wear white while we wore vibrant, colorful looks,' Hilary says. She wore a multicolored beaded dress from Staud while Maru wore a fringe maxi skirt with a matching crop top from PatBo. The couple chose bold and colorful décor for their welcome party, including a pink checkerboard painted bar, vibrant florals, and colorful banners of 'papel picado,' a traditional Mexican decorative craft. Guests enjoyed traditional Mexican games and a surprise choreographed dance by Hilary's friends to 'Despacito' and 'Hips Don't Lie.' 'Their goal was to get the dance floor going, and it worked,' Hilary laughs. 'The energy shifted from laid-back sunset vibes to a full-on party that went late into the night.' Once the dancing started, a saxophonist joined the party and guests decorated each other with neon body paint to keep the evening's energy up. On the morning of their wedding, Hilary and Maru shared an intimate and emotional first look. 'It felt like a powerful reflection of everything it took for us to get to that moment,' Maru says. 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'They say you experience that 'this is the one' feeling when wedding dress shopping. I definitely felt that with this dress,' Maru says. 'I FaceTimed my mom in the dress, and we all started crying together. It was a beautiful feeling.' As a nod to her parents, Maru wore the ring her mom received from her dad in honor their 25th wedding anniversary, which he gave her the year before he passed away. Given the couple's beach wedding location, she knew she wanted her hair up, so her stylist gave her a low bun with face-framing bangs. 'Then he added two real white orchids to my hair,' she says, 'I loved it!' Hilary's bouquet was inspired by the English rose design on her wedding dress, while Maru carried a more colorful arrangement of blooms. The couple's ceremony took place on the beach, where a custom platform draped in white fabric was built; from their seats, guests were able to see and hear the crashing waves of the ocean. The mirrored aisle was lined with white and green flowers and sculptural arches were covered in succulents and white blooms to create a chuppah over top the brides. Hilary and Maru also opted to add tasseled umbrellas over guests' seats to keep everyone cool beneath the Mexican sun. When the ceremony began, Maru's mom walked her down the aisle; then, Hilary's parents accompanied her down the aisle. 'We had a live band, Soul by Carranza, sing 'The Only Exception' by Paramore as we walked down the aisle,' Maru says. 'This was the song playing in the background while Hilary proposed to me.' They incorporated Jewish traditions into their ceremony as a way to honor Hilary's background, including having the rabbi wrap them in a tallit (or prayer shawl) and asking Maru's cousin to sign their ketubah. The couple's siblings and parents were also asked to each read one of the seven blessings. When Maru read her personal vows, Hilary says she couldn't help but chuckle throughout. 'As soon as I began my vows, it all made sense: Without comparing notes, we had both structured them the same way, starting with our many nicknames for each other, revisiting the same special memories from our relationship, and even naming the exact same moment when we each knew we wanted to get married,' she recalls. 'It was unintentionally perfect, and made the vows feel even more connected and true to us.' Related: How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows—Plus, 30 Examples from Real Couples After the ceremony concluded, the newlyweds celebrated back up the aisle to the band's live rendition of 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None the Richer. The couple offered not one, not a few, but eight different signature cocktails, which included unique options like a pineapple jalapeño martini, a St. Germain spritz, and an espresso martini. 'We also featured a tequila and mezcal tasting bar showcasing rare and artisanal varieties,' Maru says. 'In true Mexican tradition, these were paired with a selection of edible insects, creating a memorable experience for our guests.' To create their beachfront reception, the couple's planning team had a multi-elevation platform draped in white fabric created to fit the space. "We wanted to create something as dramatic as the coastal backdrop. We envisioned a ceremony overlooking the ocean, and a reception where the waves came crashing against the platform as the tide came in through the evening," Hilary says. "We also wanted to extend the jungle onto the beach and bring guests' eyes upward." To that end, their florist created oversized arches covered in ferns, mosses, vines, and other greenery, mimicking the look of the nearby jungle and creating a natural boundary around the space. A green and white checkerboard dance floor anchored the reception space and coordinated well with a hand-painted green bar and DJ booth. A mix of long and round dinner tables were arranged throughout the space, all surrounded by white woven chairs. The brides chose ivory linens for their tables and had each decorated with plenty of candles and lush, loose garden-style centerpieces. Hilary and Maru came up with a creative way to prioritize fun throughout the night: "At each table, one guest received a custom letter along with a bottle of tequila or tamarind vodka, naming them the 'Capitán de Mesa,' or table captain,' Maru says. 'Their job was to lead the table in celebratory shots throughout the night.' A coastal Mexican-inspired dinner menu was on offer; guests started with local fruits and cheeses and ended with molten chocolate lava cake and dulce de leche cheesecake. Guests (and the couple!) were also treated to a spectacular surprise. 'The sunset during dinner was unreal,' Hilary remembers. 'The sky was soft pinks and oranges for the entire dinner while our band, Soul by Carranza, played an emotional set with songs like 'Holocene'.' After dinner, DJ Santi got everyone on the dance floor with a mix of reggaeton, electronic, and pop music. Hilary shared a special father-daughter dance to 'My Girl' by The Temptations and Maru danced with her mom to 'I'm Alive' by Celine Dion. 'Maru and her mom chose this song as a celebration of life, love, and the memory of her father who passed away a decade ago,' Hilary shares. 'Midway through the song, she brought her three siblings onto the dance, turning it into a deeply emotional family moment that left us all in tears.' Hilary and Maru had their first dance to 'Your Bones' by Chelsea Cutler. 'In classic Jewish tradition, we also did the Hora right after our first dances,' Hilary says. 'There's nothing more exhilarating than being lifted in a chair. Our moms also got to experience it before the song ended." Since Hilary and Maru knew their wedding reception would stretch late into the night, they wanted their guests to be well cared for. They offered everyone slippers and personalized water bottles at the start of the reception. Late-night snacks were also offered throughout the party: At 10 PM, everyone was treated to tamales; then, at 1 AM, guests dug into chilaquiles. Related: A Hydration Station Is the One Thing Your Summer Wedding Is Missing—Here's How to Create One The couple's two-tiered cookies and cream wedding cake was decorated with fresh flowers that matched their centerpieces. The brides used their cake cutting as an opportunity to change into their second looks of the day: Hilary chose a tulle A-Line gown from Galia Lahav. 'I wanted something fun, easy to dance in, and perfect for the party portion of the night,' she says. Maru changed into a Fleur du Mal silk corset with matching tuxedo pants paired with a Krismil Bridal cape, which she fell in love with when she saw it on another bride on Instagram. 'I ordered it right away, and as soon as it arrived, I tried it on. I loved it instantly,' she said, 'It made me feel comfortable, confident, sexy, and strong.' When the DJ played Beyonce's 'Texas Hold 'Em,' Hilary and Maru's friends surrounded them in Dallas Cowboys jerseys and hats. 'They surprised us by placing custom 'Brides' Cowboys jerseys and hats on us, creating an unforgettable moment that honored my love for the Cowboys and Hilary's roots in rural Oklahoma,' Maru says. When the wedding started to wind down around three in the morning, Maru asked their DJ to play their first dance song again. 'We danced in the middle of the floor, while our friends and family formed a circle around us, everyone crying and holding each other,' Hilary says, 'It felt like time stood still. That spontaneous moment perfectly captured the whole weekend.' Hilary and Maru spent their honeymoon exploring Australia, New Zealand, and Bora Bora. For couples planning a destination wedding, Hilary and Maru recommend taking off work early to acclimate and be fully present. 'Hire a concierge team to communicate with guests regarding the wedding (invitations, flights, hotels, time and location of events) so that you're free to focus on the bigger pieces,' Hilary suggests. Real Weddings Credits Wedding Photographer and Videographer EFEGE Wedding Planning, Design, Rentals, and Favors Peter de Anda Wedding Venue Imanta Resorts Rehearsal Dinner Venue Zicaleta Hair and Makeup Ti Modella Officiant Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman Flowers Amato Studio Art and Floral House Invitations and Guest Communications She Said Web Music Soul by Carranza, DJ Santi Catering iLatina Cake Sweet Atelier Content Creator Maria Andonie Up Next: How to Plan the Ultimate Destination Wedding Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
4 days ago
- The Hill
‘Jurassic World Rebirth' is the perfect metaphor for Mamdani's socialism
' Jurassic World Rebirth ' is the perfect metaphor for Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign. The New York City Democratic mayoral nominee and Democratic socialist Mamdani is enthralled with the dinosaur that is socialism. He wants to take New Yorkers to a place where the dinosaur will roam free. Despite all previous visitors having been devoured, Mamdani promises he can do it right. What could go wrong? Socialism is undisputedly a dinosaur. Dressed up as new and avant garde, it goes back centuries in Europe. In the 1820s America had socialist Owenite communes; even its now standard Marxist variant is a product of the late 19th century. It's not timeless; it's Jurassic-age technology. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' where the dinosaurs live, is a place people should not go. The movie explicitly tells us this. We moviegoers know all too well why: Dinosaurs devour people. Whatever their rationale, dinosaur projects always fail. Always. Yet, filled with humanity's hubris (and that is what the 'Jurassic' movies are about), each new group imagines it holds the key: Dinosaurs can be lived with. We will all be better for it. And each new group is wrong. The movie's cast is young and attractive; after all, hunting dinosaurs is a young person's game — at least when the dinosaurs are breathing and not merely bones. There's a young woman, a young male professor, a father, children scattered from teen to 'tween,' some locals for color and a corporate executive, for greed. Like the movie, Mamdani's attempt at socialism features stock characters. Through all runs the thread of passion — and anger, always anger: clenched fists thrust upward, clenched jaws thrust forward. All represent far more than they actually are. Of course, Mamdani is the lead: young, earnest, with a beard that adds just the touch of gravitas, while maintaining the millennial vibe. An accomplished actor, Mamdani began his career auditioning as a Black student for a role at Columbia University. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is the femme fatale, just a beret short of Che. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brings the tousle-haired head of experience, an avuncular mentor and guide. Although he has never been to where he professes to take his followers, the others don't doubt he knows the way. And there are ensemble characters. The Squad, not intended to be closely scrutinized, communicate by their presence. They look so right for right now, how could they be wrong? The movie's location is exotically tropical — an island just offshore of Suriname and next door to Guyana, which by coincidence is where another American, Jim Jones, failed to establish a socialist utopia half a century ago. Mamdani socialism's intended location is New York City. Here, in the words of Frank Sinatra, it is looking to 'make a brand-new start of it.' If socialism can 'make it there,' it can 'make it anywhere.' As for the movie's plot, no spoiler alert is needed. If you've seen one of the earlier versions you know what happens here. It's a good romp, but suffice it to say, people get eaten. The same applies to Mamdani's socialism's plot: If you've seen one attempt, you've seen them all. People will get 'eaten' here too — lots and lots and lots of them. Everything will come crashing down at the end, or it will die with a whimper. Socialism has many routes to its coda, but always the same one: failure. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' offers a new cast, higher production costs, better special effects and an updated plot. Mamdani's socialist project offers the same. He brings with him a cast of mostly young, new faces dressing up the old premise that you can somehow get something for nothing — housing, free bus rides, government-run grocery stores and childcare. His New York special effects are new to the U.S., and if he gets his hands on the city's budget, his production costs will be massively larger than any other American socialism project before it. 'Jurassic World Rebirth' is a summer blockbuster. People are lining up to see it. People are also crowding to see Mamdani's socialism project. And if he wins the mayoral race, they will be lining up too, only then, to get out. J.T. Young is the author of 'Unprecedented Assault: How Big Government Unleashed America's Socialist Left.' He has over three decades' experience working in Congress, the Department of Treasury, the Office of Management, and Budget, and representing a Fortune 20 company.
