Just like in fashion, the cocktail industry has its fair share of trends. We all remember the appletini, then there was the mojito, and how could we forget the days of Red Bull & vodka?

These days, the latest trend to arrive on drink menus around town is the spicy cocktail.  Made with everything from jalapeños to habaneros to black pepper, these drinks take the spicy and sweet combo to a whole new level.  On a cold winter night, one of these will warm you right up.  And like a true fashionsta, you’ll be right on trend.

Here is a rundown of some of the “hottest” drinks in town -

The Heated Affair at Grace –

If you’re a newcomer to the spicy drink scene, this is a safe cocktail to start out with.  The Heated Affair is definitely on the fruitier side, but with a hot little kick.  The combination of the fruits gives the drink a delicious passion fruit taste that compliments the hint of spice perfectly. 

Chili Pineapple Margarita at Sonny’s -

A delicious mix of salty & sweet, Sonny’s Chili Pineapple Margarita is a really smooth drink.  The best part about this cocktail?  The chili salt rim.  It gives a nice savory spicy kick. 

Habanero Watermelon Margarita at Zapoteca -

This yummy margarita tastes like a spicy watermelon jolly rancher and it definitely has its fair share of spice (you can actually feel your lips tingling!).  Be sure to enjoy the delicious fresh chunks of watermelon when you take your last sips. 

The Slow Burn at El Rayo Cantina -

Hands-down the spiciest drink in town, The Slow Burn (at El Rayo’s new sister restaurant – El Rayo Cantina) has no problem living up to its name.  Not a frilly drink by any means, this peppery cocktail is complex & fiery – but like all things spicy – leaves you craving more!

 

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Brenda Poole, Owner of Adore Rouge, gives MainelyMara some tips on how to beat the winter beauty blues…

For most people winter means some dryer skin than normal.  Adding a good night time moisturizer, and for some people, using their nighttime moisturizer for day wear, is a great fix for the flaky dry skin that Jack Frost graces us with.  Sometimes even our oily skinned friends can benefit from a heavier than usual moisturizer this time of year.

Anyone who has ever had dry skin and tried to wear foundation can tell you how difficult it can be.  So I have gathered a few tried and true tips to share -

• Avoid powder foundations as they tend to exacerbate the issue.  Now don’t get me wrong, mineral powder can be great for everyday wear but they aren’t the best choice if you are trying to bring less attention to your minor flakes.
• Instead try a cream or liquid foundation over plenty of moisturizer.  Make sure you give your moisturizer time to set (about two minutes) before applying the foundation.
• If you don’t need a lot of coverage, opt for a tinted moisturizer.  I really like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with 40 SPF, or if you are more of a DIY kind of girl, just play around mixing different proportions of moisturizer to liquid foundation.

• If you absolutely cannot live without your powder, use it to “set” your makeup at the end of your routine.  Just LIGHTLY dust your T-zone and ever so gently brush out towards the perimeters of your face.

Shall we move onto to the fun stuff?  “Clean” looks are definitely in right now.  Try the Naked Eye Shadow Palette by Too Faced for colors that flatter every skin type and eye color while still creating that natural looking beauty.  Not a lot of time in the morning?  Skip the eye shadow and grab your mascara instead.  A shadow-less look with stellar lashes is never out of style.

One of the main components to making this work is the brows, ladies.  Bold brows are coming back.  Maybe not as intense as the days of Brooke Shields, but the days of pencil thin lines are on their way out the back door. 

Now don’t make any mistakes – bold and “wooly” are quite different from each other.  Well groomed, moderately arched brows are flattering to everyone.  Consider seeing someone to help you with shaping your brows to best flatter your face shape.  Keep up with your waxing or tweezing and try a brow filler (regular matte eye shadow works).  You will be surprised at how much it truly makes your eyes pop.  People will be drawn to your baby blues (or browns or greens) but won’t really know why.

Hope you got something you can use to make sure that the winter blues don’t take a toll on your gorgeous look!  For more tips, look for my up & coming beauty blog at http://www.adorerouge.com/.

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By:  Liz and Anna, Guest Bloggers and Founders of The Sequined Blazer

It’s true, Maine has been popping up on fashion radars for quite some time (think Sea Bags, Angela Adams, Brooke There, etc.), and with so many exquisite downtown boutiques and an amazing array of restaurants worthy of incredible ensembles, we’re hardly surprised.  

Yet, come winter, getting around can be treacherous.  Although we adore them, the cobblestone streets can be slick, and when heels are competing with snow, slush and ice, they’re fighting a losing battle.  Even the most dedicated fashionistas have to slip their toes into something more practical, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be sacrificing style.  So what’s a girl to do?  While we admit we’ve rocked an UGG boot or two in our time, our older and wiser selves are interested in footwear that can actually withstand a winter in Maine. 

Enter: The Bean Boot.  Once reserved strictly for hunters and woodsmen, this sensible shoe is just as likely to be seen trekking through the Maine woods as it is strutting down the streets of New York City. 

Here in Portland we’re finding there’s a Bean Boot for every look you’re after, regardless of what’s on your schedule.  We’ve put together 4 ways to wear the beloved Bean Boot that will suit every style.  Whether you choose to stash yours in an oversized tote come party time or you feel like rocking them all night long, we promise you’ll be thankful you didn’t tackle our favorite Portland streets in your sky high stilettos. 

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