Latest news with #Juliette
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Viral Video Shows Vlogger Making Pickle Tiramisu. Internet is Divided
The internet has become a playground for quirky culinary experiments. We are sure you must have watched videos featuring fearless fusions like mango momos, dahi Maggi, chocolate samosa, and the list goes on. These viral creations reflect a spirit of experimentation and creativity in the kitchen. While some of these concoctions have baffled our taste buds, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. The latest entry in the trend is the Pickle Tiramisu. In a video shared on Instagram, food vlogger Juliette is seen making the unique dessert. She starts off by dipping ladyfingers in pickle juice. Then, she adds a layer of pickles at the bottom of the glass container, ladyfingers on top and covers them up with whipped cream. After topping them with huge pieces of pickles, Juliette takes a bite of the dessert and describes the taste as "sour, salty and sweet." Watch the full video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by juliette (@itsmejuliette) Since being shared, the video has garnered more than 6 million views on the platform. The new creation has sparked a debate within the online food community. While some expressed concern over the taste, others want to try it. One user wrote, "I don't speak Italian but I wish I could swear in that language right now." Another added, "Actually, this is exactly what I'm craving." "If I bite into a tiramisu and I get a mouth full of pickles, hands are being thrown," remarked a viewer. Someone joked, "This goes against the Geneva Convention." "Wow cool video, also I sent the mafia to your house so have a great last day," read a comment.
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Casetta Launches Hotel Willa in Taos, New Mexico
In the high desert of northern New Mexico, where the light has long lured painters and poets, a new kind of refuge quietly emerges. Meet Hotel Willa—the latest addition to Casetta's growing constellation of design-forward boutique stays, and the brand's first foray into the American Southwest. Tucked at the edge of the Downtown Taos Historic District and framed by views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the 50-room retreat reimagines a 1960s adobe-style motor lodge with a reverence for place and a contemporary sensibility. Earth-toned minimalism meets layered cultural storytelling here: from an Artist in Residency program and gallery activated in partnership with The Paseo Project, to Juliette, the hotel's marquee dining concept helmed by celebrated chef Johnny Ortiz-Concha and Maida Branch of SIEMPRE Design, where each dish is a love letter to the local landscape. Part sanctuary, part salon, Willa is poised to become both a community hub and a destination unto itself—rooted in heritage, designed for now. A Distinct Design-Forward Boutique Getaway in the Heart of Taos' Vibrant Art Scene Hotel Willa reimagines a 1960s adobe-style motor lodge through the lens of contemporary design, marking a striking new addition to Casetta's portfolio of adaptive reuse properties. Conceived in collaboration with Los Angeles-based architecture and interiors studio Electric Bowery, the property pays quiet homage to the vernacular architecture of the Southwest—think hand-troweled terracotta walls, original wood vigas, arched thresholds, and sculptural adobe details—while layering in a modern sensibility. A muted palette of sun-bleached neutrals, earth tones, and gemstone-inspired accents nods to the surrounding New Mexico landscape, creating a mood that is both grounded and luminous. Public spaces include a gallery-style lobby dotted with foraged, flowering branches, a serene pool deck landscaped by local studio, Etvernal, and The Store at Willa, a retail destination curated in partnership with Santa Fe-based, SOTE. Each space is designed as invitations to linger, converse, and exchange ideas. Throughout, artisanal craftsmanship anchors the aesthetic: handwoven textiles, bespoke furnishings, and curated local artworks breathe texture and authenticity into every corner. Guest rooms continue the narrative, with layouts that prioritize both character and comfort—some featuring kiva-style fireplaces, others opening onto private patios with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. An original adobe residence has been thoughtfully preserved and reimagined into a set of interconnected suites, marrying historic charm with understated luxury. The result is a hospitality experience that feels intimate, inherently place-driven, and utterly of the moment. In line with Casetta's deep commitment to sustainability, Hotel Willa partnered with Taos Initiative for Life Together (TiLT)—a local nonprofit focused on community development and environmental stewardship—and architect Doug Eichelberger on an inventive project to build its parking lot walls from 2,000 pounds of repurposed plastic waste. As part of TiLT's Repurposing Plastic Project, which has diverted over 70,000 pounds of material from landfills since 2020, the walls are reinforced, finished with stucco, and demonstrate how discarded resources can become high-performance building materials: lightweight, waterproof, insulating, and long-lasting. This collaboration offers a compelling model for transforming local waste into meaningful infrastructure. Rooted in Ritual, Raised in Taos:JulietteMakes It's Dining Debut at Hotel Willa Tucked within the newly opened Hotel Willa, Juliette isn't just one of the most anticipated new dining destinations in Northern New Mexico—it's a soulful expression of land, lineage, and deeply personal cooking. Helmed by chef and artist Johnny Ortiz-Concha in collaboration with his partner, Maida Branch of SIEMPRE Design, Juliette celebrates the extraordinary beauty and nurturing energy of the matriarch, and is named in homage to Ortiz-Concha's mother, who lived just beyond the hotel for much of her life. Bread for the table is home-baked by Ortiz-Concha's younger sister, Allysa Ortiz. Food is served and plated on ceramics made by Taos-based, Logan Wannamaker. The space—earth-toned, inviting, quietly reverent—feels more like an ancestral kitchen than a conventional dining room. And that's exactly the point. A rising force in the new American culinary landscape, James Beard Award-nominated Chef Ortiz-Concha shapes a profoundly expressive culinary vision that is as much about memory as it is about terroir. Born and raised in Taos Pueblo—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the U.S.—Ortiz-Concha brings a reverent intimacy to the plate, one informed by generational tradition, seasonal intuition, and a lifelong connection to the destination, channeling a culinary philosophy steeped in ceremony, sustainability, and Indigenous traditions with fine-dining finesse. The menu unfolds like a conversation between inheritance and modernity—wild-foraged herbs steep into broths with the cadence of ritual. Coal-roasted vegetables, pulled from the hotel's edible garden, share space with nose-to-tail preparations that reflect a deep respect for the entirety of the animal. Heirloom staples—many sourced from nearby farms and ranches—anchor the kitchen's ethos of place and season. Communal by design, meals are meant to be shared: delicate small plates of calabacitasand chile-honey glazed proteins give way to heartier fare—perhaps a cast-iron skillet of braised rabbit or blue corn atole spooned warm. Desserts lean rustic and ingredient-driven, while the beverage program offers low-intervention wines, small-batch spirits, local brews, and an elegant array of non-alcoholic options, from herbal remedio teas to house-fermented sodas infused with medicinal plants. Juliette's cuisine is less about spectacle and more about spirit—rooted in place, wrapped in story, and crafted with extraordinary care and intention. Juliette doesn't try to reinvent Northern New Mexico cuisine—it honors it, refines it, and makes it unforgettable. Engaging Experiences, Thoughtful Amenities & Immersive Programming At Hotel Willa, leisure is reimagined as a form of communion—with nature, with self, with the layered cultural rhythms of Taos. The property invites guests to slow down and sink in, offering a curated array of experiences that feel less like amenities and more like rituals: a serene pool and hot tub edged by desert flora; a contrast therapy circuit of sauna and cold plunge; fire pits that flicker to life at dusk, setting the stage for storytelling steeped in local lore. Evenings unfold beneath the town's storied dark skies on a stargazing deck designed for quiet contemplation. True to its setting, Hotel Willa leans into Taos' creative heritage with an Artist-in-Residence program in collaboration with The Paseo Project, a celebrated platform for site-specific, immersive art. The hotel's on-site, 2,000-square-foot gallery rotates with exhibitions from both rising and established talents, creating a living dialogue between guest and place—where inspiration is both the backdrop and the invitation. Activated and managed by The Paseo Project, the gallery serves as a platform for local creatives, beginning with its inaugural exhibition: ON SITE: The Artisans of Hotel Willa—a dynamic group show that brings together a diverse roster of artists whose work is deeply rooted in material, place, and craft. The exhibition celebrates the many hands behind the hotel's transformation, from visual artists to the artisans who contributed to Hotel Willa's plumbing, security, and construction. Featured artists include Paulina Ho, Mark Kemper, Afton Love, Debbie Long, Randy Martinez & Todd Wynward of TILT, Johnny Ortiz-Concha, Dean Pulver, Sean Ratliff, Abby Salsbury, Boramie Sao, Dawning Pollen Shorty, Ky Sturges, Aron John Dubous, Johnny DeFeo, and Izumi Yokoyama. A comprehensive overview of the artists and their work may be found here. A Place to Gather, With Intention At Hotel Willa, community is more than a concept—it's a carefully composed atmosphere. Designed with the modern aesthete and mindful traveler in mind, the property's gathering spaces invite connection, creativity, and a certain Taos-bred ease for all who visit. Under the vast New Mexico sky, events unfold on a sweeping outdoor terrace framed by views of the Couse pasture and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains—ideal for star-lit soirées, artist salons, or group retreats with a cinematic backdrop. For more intimate occasions, The Gallery and the Adobe House offer bespoke environments layered with texture, art, and soul. The latter—a preserved 1960s adobe residence—features a private patio and grilling station for personalized culinary experiences curated by the hotel's in-house team. Whether hosting a 200-guest celebration or a quietly luxe dinner among friends, Hotel Willa's spaces are less about convention and more about creating moments that feel grounded, beautiful, and entirely of place. An Exciting Year Abounds for the Casetta Hotels Brand As part of the Casetta Hotels portfolio—a collection of boutique properties celebrated for breathing new life into historic spaces through modern design, elevated hospitality and a deep commitment to sustainability—Hotel Willa exemplifies the brand's purposeful approach to placemaking. Its opening marks Casetta's continued dedication to preserving the character of architecturally significant buildings while reimagining them for today's discerning traveler. Known for transforming storied structures into intimate, design-forward destinations, Casetta blends preservation with innovation—infusing each project with sustainable practices that honor both place and planet. With acclaimed properties throughout California including The Pearl Hotel in San Diego, Casa Cody in Palm Springs and The Surfrider Malibu, the brand has established a strong presence across Southern California and is expanding beyond. Two new openings are slated for Q2 2025—Hotel Marina Riviera in Big Bear Lake and Hotel Lucile in Silver Lake—with a new hotel in Hudson, New York on the horizon in 2026. Casetta will further foster a sense of community and guest loyalty through the introduction of an exclusive members' club, offering privileged access and bespoke perks across its entire portfolio, including Hotel Willa. For more information, please visit and or follow along on Instagram at @hotelwilla, @ and @casettahotels. Hotel website
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jo Malone's 'fruity' summer perfume now comes in £24 travel size
"Perfect Springtime scent. You definitely get the Nectarine and Peaches notes once it dries down. Even though Jo Malone usually doesn't last long on me, this one does" I'm a perfume expert and have spent countless hours searching for the best quality products with great value and travel-size bottles are always a good idea. Jo Malone have had 9ml bottles for a long time, which can often be found in their duo sets - but a sleek 10ml design has just been released on Sephora. Shoppers can get a 10ml bottle of the brand's summery Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne for £24. This sleek round bottle is ideal for trips abroad, nights out, and to be slipped into a clutch bag. The scent was a 2005 release by the brand's founder and namesake. It opens up with green notes, petitgrain and blackcurrant, before softening to a heart of nectarine and black locust. There's a fruity base of peach, plum and vetiver. It's been compared to Juliette has a Gun's Magnolia Bliss (£100 for 50ml) and Oakcha's The Beekeeper (£28 for 50ml). Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne has an impressive 277 five-star ratings on Sephora. One shopper said: "Love this scent! It's super light but enough to get you noticed. Great blend of citrus and honey, honestly wish this scent was in a hair perfume because this beats the Gisou original honey hair perfume." A second wrote: "I love it. If you like fruity, juicy scents this is for you. There is very little flower to the nose. Compare to the English Pear and Pea flower perfume, Peony Blush perfume that I love too, this one is completely unique and different! Feels like a sunny day by the pool and I'm here for it." A third penned: "Perfect Springtime scent. You definitely get the Nectarine and Peaches notes once it dries down. Even though Jo Malone usually doesn't last long on me, this one does! Love this!" A fourth added: "This is my favourite by Jo Malone. Unfortunately, the scent disappears soon after applying—before I can even finish getting ready. I've been so disappointed the cologne scent doesn't last especially with the price point of many perfume! If they could make it last, it would be my favourite go-to of all time." It's worth keeping in mind that the application of perfume can impact how long it lasts. One tip is to spray perfume directly on pulse points, ideally when freshly cleaned and moisturised, and to not pat it down. It's also best to store perfume in a cupboard or drawer away from any radical temperature changes or light.
Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Drysdale finally buys house - but mayor not moving in yet
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has bought a house in Pāpāmoa, but won't move with his family from Cambridge until the end of the school year. Drysdale told Local Democracy Reporting he and his wife Juliette have decided not to 'uproot' their primary school-aged children mid-year to avoid disruption. Juliette was also doing a teacher training course and had a lot of family support in Cambridge, Drysdale said. 'It's a little bit challenging from a family perspective, but we're all looking forward to being together again at the end of the year.' After being elected in July, Drysdale said he would move to Tauranga by the end of last year. 'The plan was to be here this year, but not having a base and finding a home made that challenging.' Drysdale came under fire in February for not living in the Bay of Plenty city he was elected to lead, despite his election comments. He said this week Tauranga's housing shortage and schools that were 'very hard to get into' had made finding a home difficult. 'You've got to be in zone of the schools that you want to go to.' The housing situation was an eye-opener and Tauranga was one of the most unaffordable cities in the country to rent or buy a home, Drysdale said. They had hoped for a house in the Avenues area so the children could go to the same schools he did. Drysdale attended Tauranga Primary, Tauranga Intermediate and Tauranga Boys' College. But they had to pivot and settled on a home in Pāpāmoa, he said. 'Finding the right place was hard, but we're very happy with what we've got.' Despite buying a property, Drysdale said he would continue to stay with his mum when in Tauranga until the family moved. 'Once we made the decision not to uproot our children until the end of this year, and with the limited amount of time I spend at home when working, we made the decision to rent the house out on a short-term basis until we move in.' It also meant he could spend more time with his mum, who had some health challenges. Drysdale was in Tauranga from Monday to Friday, and if he had events at the weekend the family would come to stay. It was hard being away from the family, but not too dissimilar to when he was rowing and would be overseas for three months. Drysdale retired from rowing in 2021 as a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion in the single sculls. 'We make it work. They [the children] love it here, being with grandma and the beach so they're really excited about coming over', he said. 'I promised to move here, and we will absolutely fulfil that promise. It's just a year later than we hoped.' According to his financial interests declaration, Drysdale was already the beneficiary of a trust that owns seven rental properties - two each in Auckland, Hamilton, and Cambridge, and one in Mount Maunganui. The trust also owned family residences in Cambridge and Mount Maunganui and two commercial properties. Drysdale, who was a financial adviser between his rowing and local government careers, said he was enjoying being Mayor but it was a 'very challenging position'. 'This is a business managing around $8 billion of assets. With the Annual Plan we're looking at spending and investing over $1b in the next financial year.' Tauranga had an infrastructure deficit and the council needed to fill that while balancing affordability for ratepayers, he said. The draft 12% rates rise for 2025/26 has attracted criticism and claims it will be unaffordable for ratepayers. Drysdale has said the council was working to get it down to 10%. 'Some people are struggling and we acknowledge that. On the flip side, there's a lot of people that are very encouraging about what's happening in the city and they want to see more things delivered. 'We're trying to deliver is a city that people want to live in. It's for future generations. We're looking out to 30 years and what do we need in that time.' He said the city's potential was 'pretty exciting'. His favourite part of the job was the monthly citizenship ceremonies. 'It's such a fantastic occasion. Seeing the joy of people that have moved from around the world to choose Tauranga as the place they want to be. 'Overall, I'm really enjoying the role and all that comes with it.' - By Alisha Evans Local Democracy Reporter LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tauranga Mayor finally buys home in city – but isn't moving in yet
Article – Alisha Evans – Local Democracy Reporter After being elected in July, Mah Drysdale said he would move to Tauranga by the end of last year. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has bought a house in Pāpāmoa, but won't move with his family from Cambridge until the end of the school year. Drysdale told Local Democracy Reporting he and his wife Juliette decided not to 'uproot' their primary school-aged children mid-year to avoid disruption. Juliette was also doing a teacher training course and had a lot of family support in Cambridge, Drysdale said. 'It's a little bit challenging from a family perspective, but we're all looking forward to being together again at the end of the year.' After being elected in July, Drysdale said he would move to Tauranga by the end of last year. 'The plan was to be here this year, but not having a base and finding a home made that challenging.' Drysdale came under fire in February for not living in the city he was elected to lead, despite his election comments. He said this week Tauranga's housing shortage and schools that were 'very hard to get into' had made finding a home difficult. 'You've got to be in zone of the schools that you want to go to.' The city's housing situation was an eye-opener, Drysdale said. Tauranga was one of the most unaffordable cities in the country to rent or buy a home, he said. They had hoped for a house in the Avenues area so the children could go to the same schools he did. Drysdale attended Tauranga Primary, Tauranga Intermediate and Tauranga Boys' College. They had to pivot and settled on a home in Pāpāmoa, he said. 'Finding the right place was hard, but we're very happy with what we've got.' Despite buying a property, Drysdale said he would continue to stay with his mum when in Tauranga until the family moved. 'Once we made the decision not to uproot our children until the end of this year, and with the limited amount of time I spend at home when working, we made the decision to rent the house out on a short-term basis until we move in.' It also meant he could spend more time with his mum, who had some health challenges. He was in Tauranga from Monday to Friday, and if he had events at the weekend, the family would come to stay. It was hard being away from the family, but not too dissimilar to when he was rowing and would be overseas for three months. Drysdale retired from rowing in 2021 as a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion in the single sculls. 'We make it work. They [the children] love it here, being with grandma and the beach so they're really excited about coming over', he said. 'I promised to move here, and we will absolutely fulfil that promise. It's just a year later than we hoped.' According to his financial interests declaration, Drysdale was already the beneficiary of a trust that owns seven rental properties – two each in Auckland, Hamilton, and Cambridge, and one in Mount Maunganui. The trust also owned family residences in Cambridge and Mount Maunganui and two commercial properties. Drysdale, who was a financial adviser between his rowing and local government careers, said he was enjoying being Mayor but it was a 'very challenging position'. 'This is a business managing around $8 billion of assets. With the Annual Plan we're looking at spending and investing over $1b in the next financial year.' Tauranga had an infrastructure deficit and the council needed to fill that while balancing affordability for ratepayers, he said. The draft 12 percent rates rise for 2025/26 has attracted criticism and claims it will be unaffordable for ratepayers. Drysdale has said the council was working to get it down to 10 percent. 'Some people are struggling and we acknowledge that. On the flip side, there's a lot of people that are very encouraging about what's happening in the city and they want to see more things delivered. 'We're trying to deliver is a city that people want to live in. It's for future generations. We're looking out to 30 years and what do we need in that time.' He said the city's potential was 'pretty exciting'. His favourite part of the job was the monthly citizenship ceremonies. 'It's such a fantastic occasion. Seeing the joy of people that have moved from around the world to choose Tauranga as the place they want to be. 'Overall, I'm really enjoying the role and all that comes with it.'
