(L)ooking to conjure a few good spirits for your next gathering? Allow 2(X)IST to play mixologist by stealing these specialty cocktails created by SKYY Vodka for The 2(X)IST Fashion Show. Each signature drink contains a minimum of ingredients —including one part SKYY Infusions Vodka plus a few key mixers and garnishes —so they're easy to recreate at home. (But you can still inform your guests that tips are encouraged.) Enjoy…

THE CONFIDENCE & SODA
Ingredients:
2.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Ginger Vodka
Soda
Lime (for garnish)

Directions:
Stir. Serve on the rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

THE (X)-FIZZ
Ingredients: 
2.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka
1 oz. Grapefruit Juice
1 oz. Lime Juice
Ginger Ale
Lime (for garnish)

Directions:
Combine SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka and fruit juices into a glass with ice. Stir, then top off with ginger ale.

 

 

 

 

CONTOURED CHERRIES
Ingredients:
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Cherry Vodka
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Soda
Cherry (for garnish)

Directions:
Combine SKYY Infusions Cherry Vodka and cranberry juice in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a champagne flute. Top off with soda.

 

 

 

 

THE PERFECT FIT
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple Vodka
1 oz. Lime Juice
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Basil Leaves

Directions:
Muddle basil leaves in a shaker, then add ice. Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple Vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup in to shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into a martini glass. [NOTE: Simple Syrup can be purchased at better spirits shops or made at home by mixing equal parts water and sugar in a pot, boiling mixture until sugar dissolves, then cooling until ready to use at room temperature]  (X)

(B)y now, brandfans are well aware of TOUCH, 2(X)IST's irresistible collection that feels as good as it looks. But does the launch of the tactile-pleasing TOUCH have you wondering what will make your other four senses tingle this season? Here, a shortlist of what to get psyched for this springtime…

(MACARONS)
These colorful French pastries—picture two small, chewy cakes sandwiched with a ganache center—will be big this year, thanks to the stateside arrival of original Parisian patisserie Ladurée in New York … and the inevitable crush of usurpers/impersonators. Think of macarons as the cupcake of 2012:  irritatingly cute, inescapably tasty, and seemingly everywhere (but all with an extra dash of je ne sais quoi).

(THE OLD FASHIONED)
What's old is new again, and Esquire magazine nominates the gentlemanly Old Fashioned as "The Retro Cocktail of 2012." Maybe it's "old" because it was first created in 1806 (as a post-breakfast beverage to aid digestion…good morning, indeed), but this strangely sweet/savory concoction consisting of muddled sugar, Angustora Bitters and Rye will taste like new to those over-saturated with boring, bland vodka beverages. 

 

(FROZEN PLANET)
The producers of Planet Earth go bi-polar with Frozen Planet, exploring the north and south caps of the globe and all its cuddly (and not so-) inhabitants. Expect FP (like its predecessors) to play like hi-def porn for your flat screen, all whilst being seduced by the voice-over work of smooth talker Alec Baldwin. (Frozen Planet Premieres March 18 on Discovery Channel)

(CRAZY HORSE)
Documentary crews go behind-the-scenes at the famous Parisian erotic revue/tourist trap that—despite the obvious gentleman's clubbiness (red banquettes, champagne in buckets, oh and plenty of T&A)—prides itself on the actual creative process and choreography (cue Balanchine and Fosse) behind showing, well, plenty of behinds (albeit tastefully). (In theaters)

 

(GOLDFRAPP)
The English duo behind, like, every commercial soundtrack for the past decade (Verizon, Target) returns this spring with The Singles, an anthology of members Alison Goldfrapp and WIll Gregory's charting records plus two new singles, "Melancholy Sky" and "Yellow Halo," the last of which boasts a video shot completely with an iPhone. Perhaps another ploy for an advert deal? Paging Cupertino... (goldfrapp.us)

(DIE ANTWOORD)
Are they a joke or the next wave of happy dance music? (Just ask LMFAO.) Futuristic rap-rave crew Die Antwoord hail from South Africa, but they may as well be from cyberspace, as their Afrikaans-laced freestyling merged with fascinatingly weirdo visuals made them overnight YouTube superstars. Their party anthem "I Fink U Freaky" (off new album Ten$ion … and yes, that's a "$" as in Ke$ha) is so darn hilariously infectious that even David Letterman made it a catchphrase du jour,  egging guest Michelle Dockery (of equally buzzy Downton Abbey) to say it on camera in her best posh accent. (dieantwoord.com)

 

(SOULCYCLE by JONATHAN ADLER) 
Rarely has the phrase "The gym smells so good" been used without irony, but when one is shelling out $30 a pop to ride a bike, that shit best smell like roses, or in the case of indoor cycling gym SoulCycle, pink and white grapefruits with a touch of freesia. The bicoastal spin centers—where Kelly Ripa, Anderson Cooper, and Tom Cruise saddle up—pump this signature citrusy fragrance into their lobbies, but now prince-of-kitsch decorator Jonathan Adler bottles it up into a candle so you can feel the burn at home. (SoulCycle by Jonathan Adler Candle, available at soul-cycle.com) (X)

[PHOTO CREDITS: laduree.fr; esquire.com; BBC/Discovery; mubi.com/films/crazyhorse; goldfrapp.us; dieantwoord.com; soul-cycle.com] 

 

 

 

(W)ho's a bathing beauty and who's a beast? 2(X)IST dips into Hollywood's pool of stars to see which ten movie moments went swimmingly (and maybe a few that sunk).

An iconic movie kiss so smoldering that you (almost) forget how uncomfortable it really is to make out on the beach. (Funny how sand can manage to find its way, er, up there.)

Despite multiple high-octane action scenes, it was this moment when audiences were fully convinced of a blonde Bond and finally learned a new men's swimsuit vocabulary beyond the words "board short."

Sure, sorority gal Elle Woods had a 4.0 (in fashion marketing?) and got a 179 on her LSATs, but it was her itty-bitty sequin bikini that cemented her admission to Harvard and Reese Witherspoon's graduation to America's Sweetheart status.

Keanu's excellent adventure as a rookie FBI agent investigating Patrick Swayze finds him in all kinds of extreme get-ups, including a parachute pack, but it was his rashguards and wetsuits that gave this surfing flick's title gravitas.

The coming-of-age flick's seminal scene stars a red bikini-clad Cates emerging out of a pool, and thereby sending a generation of teen boys to lock themselves inside the bathroom.

The original Brat Pack vixen dropped off the radar for a few years but came back with a bangin' bikini bod and enough heat to melt her much-junior counterparts Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore.

Top Gun cadets Cruise and Val Kilmer hit the volleyball court in gym shorts and denim, not swimmies,  but it is on a beach and thus worthy of mention. Also because it's the most random use of beefcake in cinematic history, despite the scene being totally integral to the plot.

Yes, Halle Berry was hot in Die Another Day, but it was an homage to Ursula Andress as Honey Rider in James Bond installment Dr. No. Maybe it's best not to question it, lest she will cut you with her holstered knife.

 

As blue blood ex-pat Dickie Greenleaf, Law's trunks certainly weren't short on style (if not length). Too bad the same can't be said for co-star Matt Damon's chartreuse number in the same scene. (Let's just say Damon would've killed for Law's look.)

SBC's over-the-shoulder boulder holder is certainly good for laughs, if not much else. (And the brash color doesn't help either. See: Matt Damon reference above.) And then when John Mayer dogs your style, then you know it's game over. (X)

[PHOTO CREDITS: Columbia; Columbia/Eon; MGM; 20th Century Fox; Universal; Columbia; Paramount, Eon/United Artists; Miramax; 20th Century Fox]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(W)hen it comes to pulling on any ordinary swimsuit, the simple question is often, "Pool or Beach?" But when it's 2(X)IST, everything is bigger—global, in fact— which explains why the current six styles of 2(X)IST SWIMWEAR are the namesakes of super-chic, yet accessible, locales around the world.

"We chose these destinations as the names for SWIM to mirror the life of the well-rounded 2(X)IST man. He is well-traveled, educated, evolved, and on the cutting edge of trends," says 2(X)IST Creative Director Jason Scarlatti. "These are places that are youthful and have an energy to them, and places our Brandfans already visit or aspire to visit."

Check out 2(X)IST SWIM's six essential destinations, and perhaps by article's end, you'll be ready to name your next vacation too. Bon voyage.

COUNTRY: Brazil
FLY INTO: Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International (GIG)
STAY HERE: Portinari Design Hotel. While it pales in comparison (in terms of clout) to hip juggernaut Fasano, this small boutique hotel is like a winning lottery ticket. Each floor of the 66-room Portinari is kitted out by a different Brazilian designer, so while there's no saying what decor you'll get, just know you'll be intrigued. (Portinari Design Hotel. 17 Francisco Sá St. Copacabana)
BEST TIME TO GO: Set your watch to Carnaval. Exact date varies per year, but roughly the week prior to Ash Wednesday in late winter. But if that seems, well, obvious, Cariocas (that is, citizens of Rio) also throw a wicked New Year's Eve.
PRESSED FOR TIME: Take a break from finding the girls and boys from Ipanema with a stop at popular juice bar Polis Sucos. Freshly-pressed choices ranges from commonplace (watermelon, passionfruit, et al.) to uniquely Amazonian concoctions, all at under $3 USD. (Polis Sucos. 70A Rua Maria Quitéria, Ipanema)
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST SWIM NEON Rio Swim Suit in Bright Green

 

COUNTRY: Australia
FLY INTO: Sydney International (SYD)
STAY HERE: Ravesi's Hotel on Bondi Beach. Yes, this is the same Ravesi's with the raucous, good-times bar. But lodging in a hotel room above the party never hurt Las Vegas, right? (Ravesi's Hotel. 118 Campbell Parade. Bondi Beach)
BEST TIME TO GO:  Australia Day, akin to American Independence Day, is celebrated every year on January 26, during the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer.
LOCAL FLAVOR: "After a day at Bondi, it's always a toss up between Bondi Beach Burrito Company for a burrito and a frozen margarita or Speedo's Cafe for a sandwich and a smoothie," says Sydneysider, model, and 2(X)IST Brandfan Daniel Garofali. (Beach Burrito Company. 252 Campbell Parade. Bondi Beach / Speedo's Cafe. 126 Ramsgate Ave. North Bondi)
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST CORE Bondi Racing Suit in Poppy Red

 

COUNTRY: Mexico
FLY INTO: Los Cabos International (SJD)
STAY HERE: Los Milagros, Cabo San Lucas. It's easy to be seduced by the cookie cutter resorts of Baja California, but Los Milagros manages to be a sweet deal, considering the potentially sour, drunk co-eds at the those other hotels. This is no nonsense, straight-to-the-point, and decidedly more hippie than Hollywood. (Los Milagros Hotel. Matamoros #116. Cabo San Lucas)
BEST TIME TO GO: With mild temperatures year-round, it's always good to be in Cabo. The high season from October to May brings the crowds (and the prices), but also the whales making their migrations in the Pacific.
PLACE TO GET PAPARAZZI'D: If you're staying at tranquil Los Milagros, tip the scales with a visit to posh Nikki Beach Cabo San Lucas. Lounge all day in a white teepee until the DJ takes residence in late afternoon, then move your entourage to the Passion Lounge & Nightclub and party like a VIP. (Nikki Beach Cabo San Lucas. Playa El Medano S/N El Medano Ejidal. 23410 Cabo)
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST SWIM (X)-PRINT Cabo Square-Cut Trunk in Black

COUNTRY: Spain
FLY INTO: Es Codolar International (IBZ)
STAY HERE: Atzaró, Ibiza. Even if foam parties and house music brought you to this Mediterranean paradise, Atzaró is the welcomed aspirin to your hangover. Nestled in the orange-groved countryside, this retreat boasts luxe accommodations and a fine spa.  Don't worry, there's still a live DJ (playing chill out, natch). (Atzaró. Ctra. Sant Joan KM 15. Ibiza)
BEST TIME TO GO: If you like crowds, August is when all of Europe is in full holiday swing. To avoid the masses—but still feel the on-season perks and party atmosphere—try June or September.
FORGET ME NOT: "You can fully immerse yourself in the Spanish culture during the day, and then come night, it turns into the club capital of the world," says 2(X)IST Brandfan Patrick Crough, Artistic Production Director of event firm Matinée (whose next "CircuitFestival" hits Barcelona this August). "My fave club has to be Amnesia on Saturday nights. Matinée has been throwing their signature glam parties in Ibiza for nearly 15 years, and it keeps getting better and better." (Amnesia. San Antonio Road Km. 5. San Rafael)
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST SWIM STRIPE Ibiza Swim Short in Victoria Blue

COUNTRY: United States
FLY INTO: John F. Kennedy International (JFK) or MacArthur Regional (ISP)
STAY HERE: C/O The Maidstone. Perfect if you're a little bit country and rock 'n' roll, C/O The Maidstone tickles both the lover of the B&B and the boutique hotel, with a trad-gone-Scandinavian sensibility and amenities like courtyard yoga and bikes-to-borrow. (C/O The Maidstone. 207 Main Street. East Hampton, NY)
BEST TIME TO GO: May-September, when the population of The Hamptons (actually a collective of 12 villages and hamlets), swells with urbanites escaping the friction of Manhattan.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE: Townies and tourists alike take a liking to Townline BBQ, an easy-going spot with communal, cafeteria-style seating and down-home comforts like fried mac & cheese, hush puppies, and of course, smoked meats galore. (Townline BBQ. 3593 Montauk Highway. Sagaponack)
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST SWIM SEERSUCKER Hampton Swim Short in Classic Green

COUNTRY: United States
FLY INTO: Kahului International (OGG)
BEST TIME TO GO: May and October are considered "off-season," but unless you have school-age children, this shouldn't apply to you. Take advantage of lower prices and less-annoying crowds (again, "school-age children") during these months when the weather is just (if not more) glorious.
STAY HERE: Inn at Mama's Fish House, Paia. Adjacent to the famous Mama's Fish House restaurant, the Inn is actually ten cottages, ranging from private to family-sized, all situated within a quiet coconut grove. You'll come for the unobstructed sunset vistas from the beach … and stay for the room service catered by Mama's herself. (Inn at Mama's Fish House. 799 Poho Place. Paia)
FIND SOME ACTION: Adventure sports enthusiast and 2(X)IST Brandfan Thomas Crowley suggests "mountain bike riding down Haleakala following the sunrise, swimming and wave surfing at Little Beach, and snorkeling at Molokini Crater."
WEAR THIS: 2(X)IST SWIM SPORT Maui Board Short in White (X)

EDITOR'S NOTE: All styles mentioned can be found at 2XIST.COM

[PHOTO CREDIT: 2(X)IST]

 

 

 

(E)ight floors above New York's bustling Madison Avenue sits the headquarters for the vocalist/producer musical duo North of Madison. Though somewhat new on the scene, the group's first two singles—the mesmerizing "Watching" and the punchy "Do It"—received wide notice as the soundtracks to both the SLIQ and ALL STAR campaigns for 2(X)IST.

In truth, North of Madison's HQ is the apartment and recording studio of Andy, the duo's producer. As he mills about the industrially-designed space, Andy (with his jovial, English accent) informs the room that he's about to offer a preview of their new tune "Let Out Your Love." Meanwhile, Vasi, North of Madison's singer with an intoxicating voice, refills wine glasses with generous glugs of Grüner Vertliner.

Song cued and the room's walls begin to reverberate with R&B-inflected, beats-heavy bass; "Let Out Your Love" is a clubthumper. Almost intuitively, Vasi puts down the wine bottle, gestures to Andy and starts duetting with the speakers' output: "It's easier said than done my love/You've gotta step up, be man enough/Do it now, cos I won't wait anymore."

"I was with a guy at the time …," she explains, before pausing to ponder then resuming her refilling duties. "I was trying to write an anthem to just let it out. It was about, in particular, asking a guy to choose between me and someone else."

"Let Out Your Love," like all of North of Madison's songs, are co-written by Vasi and Andy. For some, charged lyrics like theirs are an emotional avalanche for two people that aren't romantically linked. But, and perhaps more interesting, it's also a window into a strong working relationship. (For the record, Andy and Vasi are strictly platonic.)

Exactly how the duo coupled up reads like a stylized, Manhattan-worthy boy-meets-girl story: Vasi had been working with producer Tony Mangurian (U2), and together they cut a full album in 2004. Then Manguria decamped to Los Angeles, leaving Vasi in New York with "all these song ideas and no producer." Meanwhile, Andy was producing and remixing music for a rotating roster of singers, but had yet to find his one vocalist muse.

So at the behest of mutual friend and art director Richard Austin, the two met with the intention of working together professionally. Much like dating, Andy and Vasi entered a discovery period.

"There was a big period of time where we were getting used to the way each other worked," says Vasi. "But there was always this great connection between us, not just personality-wise, but music-wise. We loved the same things and we'd bring inspiration to each other and say 'Let's do this!'"

So what came from a bonding over '80s tunes and artists like Imogen Heap and producers Benny Benassi and Guy Sigsworth was a singer/producer collaboration of their own. Slowly, the two started writing music and fine-tuning their eventual sound. But things didn't really gel until Andy moved to a new Manhattan neighborhood just north of Madison Square Park, complete with bigger digs and a fresh mindset.

"When I first met Andy, I had to record in his closet, and I would joke that I was coming out of the closet!," recalls Vasi. "But when he moved into this new apartment/recording studio, it definitely opened up a new vibe for us because I could be right next to him singing and he could be mixing and producing at the same time."

Adds Andy, "A lot of artists have found that working that way is actually much more efficient. Even big artists now, they all record in their home studio with a producer … it is really a room where two or three people are working close together."

And the intimacy started to pay off. Aforementioned friend Richard Austin was set to art direct a new 2(X)IST campaign and video and, noticing their burgeoning partnership, he approached Andy and Vasi to create a custom song. The result? "Watching," the haunting soundtrack to the 2(X)IST SLIQ video campaign.

With a borderline creepy beat and breathy vocals, "Watching" was the perfect backing track for the video's voyeuristic bend in which 2(X)IST model André Ziehe is relentlessly hounded by webcams, the Internet, and ogling eyes. The lyrics themselves ("I'm watching you … wherever you may go") played like scripted dialogue.

"I think the cinematic part is what 2(X)IST appreciated when they first heard 'Watching,'" says Andy, who offers further explanation. "We want people to spend a little more time getting the mood of the piece, and then it delivers. A lot of pop songs are about the hook and the chorus and ours is also about the journey that it takes you on the way there."

After the success of "Watching," Austin approached Andy and Vasi about using their song "Do It"—which Vasi describes as "about seizing the day and just being confident"—to support the 2(X)IST ALL STAR range while other friends and acquaintances with influential creative jobs wanted a piece of the duo too.

"We have an amazing sounding board here in New York City with people in all sorts of industries offering feedback. Some of our friends who have started up companies asked for our tracks and I think that's one of the best signs of whether your work is in the market or not," says Andy.

With all the new attention, and their songs migrating onto various companies' YouTube pages, Andy and Vasi decided it was time to incorporate. Needing a group name, they did so by coming home to North of Madison.

"It's where the album was recorded," says Andy. "It doesn't necessarily say 'New York' in the location, but it's got a New York state of mind."

On North of Madison's mind too is making their music more available to the public. Currently, their singles are available on iTunes and Spotify, and a fuller-length eponymous EP is due this fall, followed by live club performances. Despite the schedule, Vasi and Andy are determined not to make every move seem pop-perfect calculated.

"We don't sit there and try to create a formula or try to make masterpieces," remarks Vasi. "We know we're not musical geniuses. We do this for fun. We do this for wanting to hear a great song in the club that makes you want to let loose. We don't put too much pressure on ourselves."

Either way, we'll be "watching" you, North of Madison.  (X)      

 

THE ESSENTIALS: NORTH OF MADISON
North of Madison (www.facebook.com/NorthofMadison)
Listen to North of Madison on iTunes and Spotify

[PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy North of Madison]                                              

(W)hile you were emotionally eating over the economy this Thanksgiving, these top chefs were busy whisking up new ways to make their formerly frou-frou food relevant. After all, nobody has a hankering for terrine with foam when your portfolio is in the toilet.  That's why star chefs are hitting home runs by looking towards Comfort Food. Familiar, substantial, delicious, and fuss-free, the home-spun recipes in these ten cookbooks will inspire the at-home cook to whip up something yummy (and maybe hopeful) now through New Year's.

 

Paleo Comfort Foods: Homestyle Cooking for a Gluten-Free Kitchen
by Julie and Charles Mayfield
Call it a fad, but the proof is in the (gluten-free) pudding: Tennis champ Novak Djokovic shot up to the no.1 ranking (and stayed there) after adjusting his wheat intake. Maybe the recipes within can help win your own Grand Slam.

Momofuku Milk Bar 
by Christina Tosi
Anderson Cooper can't get enough of her crack pie and this 360 degree view of pastry chef Christina Tosi's repertoire reveals all the secrets, including what exactly's in her aptly-named compost cookie.

Home Cooking Made Easy
by Lorraine Pascale
She may have started out as a model (gracing the cover of American Elle), but this (sexy) British bird is all about the food. Her show, Simply Baking, currently runs on the Cooking Channel, but her maiden flight penning a savory cookery book soars.

Home Cooking with Jean-Georges: My Favorite Simple Recipes
by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Inspired by stays at his country house, Chef Jean-George creates family-friendly fare like Lamb Chops with Smoked Chile Glaze and Crab Toast with Sriracha Mayo that would satisfy even the most jaded of city-centric palate.

My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking
by John Besh
James Beard Award-winning Besh plays handsome everyman, cooking up homefood based on his recipes written for people who may not have a perfectly-propped pantry. (This means you, bachelors.) 

 

Bi-Rite Market's Eat Good Food:
A Grocer's Guide to Shopping, Cooking & Creating Community Through Food
by Sam Mogannam and Dabney Gough
Bi-Rite is where discerning San Franciscans get their treats, and in this book, owner Mogannam reveals all his tricks, including ninety recipes and useful tips ranging from how to buy greens to what labels really mean.

The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adria
By Ferran Adria
Yes, he was the chef of El Bulli, often considered the world's best (and most exclusive) restaurant, but here Chef Adria gives step-by-step tutorials on making family-style, multi-course meals with impressive mains like Mexican-style Slow-Cooked Pork.

The American Cocktail:
50 Recipes That Celebrate The Craft of Mixing Drinks from Coast to Coast
by Karen Foley
Often overlooked as a part of the meal, the cocktail is the bookend of a party: It kicks the night off, sets a mood, and at the end of the evening, helps wind it down too. Cheers to this book for providing 50 new ways to say hello and good night.

Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi
by Yotam Ottolenghi
A vegetarian cookbook by a dedicated carnivore? Absolutely, especially when the chef-in-question is London-based foodie darling Yotam Ottolenghi, who turns what-would-be-relegated-to-side-dishes into the main event.

Off The Menu: Staff Meals From America's Top Restaurants
by Marissa Guggiana
A restaurant's best dishes often don't make it table. Instead, they're ladled out to waitstaff pre-opening and author Guggiana lovingly documents the best from 51 of America's backstage kitchens. (X)

[PHOTO CREDIT: Shop these books and more at bn.com and amazon.com]