Bon Appetit just released their annual list of what will be hot in all things food and wine for the coming year. After close review, I selected a few predictions that I will personally be backing in 2012.
Pasta Basta:
As a self-proclaimed carbovore, nothing excites me more than learning about new varieties of pasta. Penne, Cavatelli and Farfalle will forever hold a special place in my heat, but there’s always room for the likes of Paccheri, Garganelli and Trofie.
Beer Cocktails:
Craft beer and cocktails were huge in 2011, but next year calls for a marriage of the two. I’m a novice when it comes to beer cocktails so I’m planning to start with the best at Trenchermen. Opening in Wicker Park next March, Trenchermen promises a wildly exciting cocktail menu (thanks to beverage director, Tona Palomino) that includes the likes of “Beer” – stout paired with a raisin infused bourbon and nutmeg. I’ll have another!
Amaranth:
You’re probably familiar with amaranth’s sibling, quinoa, and if you like that, you’ll love the grain of the future. Not only is amaranth a complete source of protein, but it’s packed with calcium and protein. I’m anxiously stocking up on recipes, so if you have any, send them my way!
Breakfast Cookies:
Sometime after college, I became a breakfast person, possibly because I was finally waking up in time for breakfast, or because I typically go to bed on a belly full of carbs. Either way, my stomach starts growling within an hour of waking up each morning. Best solution I’ve come across? Breakfast cookies! Erin Baker’s Morning Glory is a great way to start each day. With flavors like Double Chocolate Chunk and Carmel Apple, they even make a nice afternoon snack too!
To check out Bon Appetit’s entire list of 25 things to eat, drink and cook in 2012, click HERE.
When it comes to fashion, men do not typically see drastic changes in trend the way that women do. Men prefer comfort, versatility, and don’t always tread into uncharted waters. Even when designers showcase innovative trends, we see off the rack tends being pretty consistent from year to year.
Thankfully the Spring 2012 runway shows featured lots of color, bold prints, mismatched pairings, and variations on fabric. Although I don’t expect to be pairing mesh shorts with a blazer anytime soon I enjoyed seeing some new life breathed into menswear. I may not always be correct with my trend predictions i.e. my man leggings prediction of 2011, but I am confident we will see some great and more innovative menswear items coming our way in 2012.
Personal favorites of mine can be found below. Looking forward to seeing what trends our Zapwater fashion clients take to most when the temperatures begin to warm up! And by warm up in Chicago I mean mid-June. That is one trend I know I will be correct in predicting unfortunately….
5) Vibrant Camo prints
Because who still wants to wear classic camo?
4) Olive colored jackets
Whether in a flowy overcoats or a tailored military jackets it looks like this generally muted tone will be front and center come Spring.
3) Slurping Turtle prints
Pair these jarring prints with a more neutral or conservative color to make them really pop!
2) Orange!
I’m all for making orange the new pink for men
1) The Red James Dean Jacket
Nothing makes a statement like a statement in red. Cannot get enough of this jacket!
VitalJuice.com recently came out with their list of fitness trends for 2012 and it looks like they will have us working out a little harder. They predict that classes will get back to basics with interval training and cycling as opposed to the trendy barre classes that were popping up all over in 2011.
While, I don’t think that barre classes will ever disappear (nor do I want them to – I think they’re amazing!), I do agree with the trends that were predicted. I also noticed that one of Zapwater’s fitness clients, On Your Mark Coaching and Training (OYM) already embody many of the fitness trends pointed out by VitalJuice. Here are some examples:
WORK OUT WHENEVER VitalJuice predicts that gyms will offer more classes throughout the day to accommodate gym goers busy lifestyles. OYM has already added additional classes for the New Year and just opened a child-care center in their Bucktown location.
PUMP IT UP
Another prediction is that there will be music themed classes popping up. OYM has a class called ‘Rhythm Ride’ which is a cycling class taught using class participant’s favorite songs.
FUNCTIONAL TRAINING VitalJuice tells readers they will see a surge in functional training classes which happens to be what OYM is known for. Their signature class, F Train (which stands for functional training), leads people through a 45-minute long class consisting of interval style training. It also might be one of the most challenging fitness classes I’ve ever attended so I can see how this extreme training is gaining popularity.
Several members of the Zapwater team are obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy. The young adult science fiction novels follow Katniss Everdeen, a girl who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in a country called Panem. The government holds all the power and the Hunger Games are held as an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from 12 districts for a battle where only one person survives. The books are addicting – trust me.
As we look to 2012, I anticipate that the movie is going to be a blockbuster smash. Lead male characters Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth will become Hollywood’s newest heartthrobs (think Robert Pattinson). Jennifer Lawrence (who plays Katniss) will make the covers of multiple women’s fashion magazines. Rumors will surface of real-life romance between Lawrence and Hutcherson among countless other celebrity tabloid stories.
The movie hits theatres nationwide on March 23, 2012. As we patiently wait for the movie to come out, InStyle.com asked fashion designers to “re-image” Katniss Everdeen’s fire dress from the book. And check-out the movie trailer HERE.
Here are some of my favorite fire dress interpretations:
In 2012, expect to see shades of orange EVERYWHERE. Pantone listed Tangerine Tango one of the top 10 colors in its fashion color report for spring 2012, and the Color Marketing Group said saturated oranges will have a strong representation in the marketplace. Not only was orange a prominent color on the women’s spring 2012 runways, it’s expected to be a popular color in interiors too.
From cute suits for the workplace, to going-out-on-the-town LODs (Little Orange Dresses), this trendy hue adds a pop of color and confidence to any wardrobe (www.Fashionista.com).
If you are not into dressing yourself in head-to-orange, try spicing up an outfit with a bold, bright accessory (www.Topshop.com). Orange accessories look especially great with beige and gray neutrals.
Beauty trends for 2012 didn’t miss the orange memo either as models worked it on the runways with orange eyes, cheeks, and nails. Forget the fake orange from a spray tan overdose – instead,subtly incorporate orange into your beauty routine with eye shadow, bronzer, and nail polish.
Orange is a huge shade for interiors this year as well. While gray is expected to remain the anchor hue for interiors in 2012, there is no better way to add warmth to a home than with bright accessories. Zapwater client, Room & Board offers stylish orange accessories for the home, including the option of custom pillows (www.roomandboard.com).
This brilliant color may not be hot for long, so in 2012, hop on the bandwagon and paint the town orange.
As is tradition at Zapwater, over the next few weeks, the team will be predicting trends for the coming year. Keep checking the Zapwater Blog to see what we think will be hot in 2012.
