Our Lost City

It’s still the first month of the New Year and it’s safe to say that our resolutions have flown right out the window!

Here are 10 things we lied to ourselves about ~

1. Cleaning

2. Gym

Expectations

Reality

3. Eating Healthier

Expectations

Reality

4. Work Harder

Expectations

Reality

5. Being Social

Expectations

Reality

6. Family Time

Expectations

Reality

7. Travel

Expectations

Reality

8. Waking up early

Expectations

Reality

9. Body Cleanse

Expectations

Reality

10. Texting Back

Expectations

Reality

The Black Sheep has long been a symbol of waywardness; of independence. To be a black sheep means going against the conventional is in your blood. A born rebel. We exist everywhere, but remain in the shadows. Outcasted and branded as pariahs, we thrive where you least expect us. Some of us even find our way into the fashion world.

“Our name means black sheep in spanish, and it derives from our rebellious nature, that thing that sets us aside from the masses or the herd. This seems to be the motivation behind a lot of the things we do; from our creations, to the way we bring bread to our table.”

Ova Negra are a local Miami business. Fronted by married couple Juan Alvarez and Silvina, they seek to offer a wide variety of handcrafted accessories’ including leather bracelets, feathered earrings, and an array of Native-inspired items. However, they aren’t ignorant hipsters looking to capitalize and appropriate a culture that isn’t their own.  Ove Negra is the real deal. Juan Alvarez is hispanic and Silvina is Native American.

“We both have a great connection to native cultures, which makes it easy for us to collaborate with each other,” said Juan. “She’ll have an idea and we’ll start to develop it. Usually when we find a product that we like it will evolve every time we make it; we are constantly improving our jewelry line.”

They seek to keep the art of handcrafting alive in a business climate that depends on mass production and cold industry.

“The philosophy of our brand comes from our craft. For us it has to be 100% hand made; I feel that we’ve lost craftsmanship due to technology and mass production. Some things need to pass through other people’s hands. That’s what makes these objects unique and full of personal  touch.”

A true black sheep isn’t afraid to show their color to the world.

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You can find Oveja Negra at all Wynwood artwalks, Lincoln Road, South Beach, and at their instagram: @ovejanegradesign

With the drive for luxury at a price anyone can afford, Monica Arellano and Richard Milstein have done just that without sacrificing any of the quality.Beginning in 2011when the couple was in search of décor for their new home, they found a need for pieces they had envisioned but couldn’t find. Their frustration led to the birth of RedNoir, which inspired them to find the best hand picked materials to bring to customers for a fraction of the price. Richard started as the main designer and eventually gave Monica the opportunity to test her hand, bringing a new feel behind the creations.

Perfectionists with a vision to bring color and spark to the world around them Richard and Monica have fought to bring the products they’ve envisioned in their minds to reality. Creating the masterpieces they originally intended from scratch has tested their patience.

“It is extremely hard to get the desired end product and this was something that I did not expect. To give you an example, it took exactly two years to get to the pillows we are selling today.”

Said Monica.

The couple has expressed their desire to work with the artist Philippe Starck. These two are eager colleagues who’d love to collaborate in the future. If any of our readers are in contact with him please pass along the message.

Check out their website: http://rednoir.com

Widely known for it’s historical ancient ruins and breathtaking mountains, while living in Greece for a summer model turned jewelry designer Kelly Hughes became inspired by the country’s culture to design bracelets that would begin to effect our very own. Ranging from gun metal to gold and everything else in between, these exquisitely crafted bracelets are taking over Miami’s local businesses while slowly having worked it’s way into LA. And ladies, while you’re in a rush to purchase a pair for yourselves, make sure to pick one up for your special guy as these bracelets are catered to both sexes. Starting as a one woman band so-to-speak it has kept this designer mainly focused on bracelets. However, in her current collection you can expect to see necklaces as she has every intention of broadening her accessory line.

Hughes says:

“The greatest inspiration is in my life experiences. I can definitely see the influence of where I’m at in my designs and as a designer I find that to be a real truthful representation.”

Inspired by men’s accessories, Hughes has perfected her craft by not conforming to typical feminine aesthetics in which we would see in most bracelets yet still making it a much needed statement piece in every woman’s jewelry box. She isn’t limited by gender or location — instead soaking it all in during the creative process to create something unique and wearable for all. One thing is certain, while this brands inspiration started in Greece, there’s no telling where it will end as it looks like this is just the tipping point for this creative beauty.

For a closer look at her work check out her site: http://www.byhues.com

New Year’s Eve Traditions! To ensure your 2016 is lit!

WHAT COLOR SHOULD YOU WEAR ON NEW YEAR’S?

White for Peace

Silver for Modernism

Red for Love

Pink for Prosperity

Chocolate for Stability

Purple for Respect

Salmon for Happiness

Gold for Wealth

Green for Harmony and Hope

Pale Blue for Tranquility and Wealth

Yellow for Prosperity

Nude for Class

Dark Blue for Intimacy

Orange for Happiness

12 NEW MONTHS, 12 WISHES, 12 GRAPES

As you get ready to ring in the new year make sure you have a plate of 12 grapes ready at hand. Each grape represents the 12 months that are in the year. As you eat them make a wish for each one. But be warned if you get a sour grape that means a bad month is in sore for you. You also need to eat them with in the first twelve minutes of the new year!

THE DRINK OF WEALTH

For a little more financial luck in the new year simply take anything gold (like a ring) and drop it in the drink you plan to toast with.

BOTTOMS UP!

THROW OUT THE NEGATIVITY!

Throw a bucket of water out the front door of your house. The water symbolizes all of the suffering and tears you’d like to get rid of before the start of the new year. There will be no tears in the new year!!

RUN AROUND THE BLOCK WITH LUGGAGE

If travel is what you’re looking for in the new year you must run around your block (or up and down your stairs) with your luggage in hand. This will bring you safe travels and make sure you have more than just one.

Now that you have successfully survived New Year’s Eve, now you have to get through New Years day

PREP YOUR HOME FOR A FRESH START!

Scrub down your house and throw out any trash to cleanse your home from any negativity and to attract positive energy into your life.

OPEN UP THE WINDOW!

Whilst you are cleaning your home open up the doors and window and let the breeze blow always all the bad juju from your home and bring you some good vibes.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

You need to eat lenteja soup. The idea behind this is that its full of proteins also their small, seed like appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind. Plus it’s really yummy!

If you follow these steps you will in-turn have a blessed and lit 2K16 and bring honor to us all!

Enigmatic scientist and mysterious occultist alike, Edward Leedskalnin has been able to keep his architectural secrets a mystery long past his own death. It’s been over fifty years since Ed passed away and to this day his walls and sculptures stand high and mighty at the Coral Castle Museum in Homestead. Laura, the Director of Marketing, and Patricia, our tour guide for the day, gave us a tour of the museum, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge about the Castle. Laura mentioned Ed’s passion for making people question the world around them, making them question the functionality of things outside a textbook.

With so many rumors and theories about Ed’s life and work, Patricia was able to knock down by second hand stories of people who actually met Ed when they were younger. She explained that Ed loved having people over, but also loved to have privacy when he worked.

Ed, a man only five feet tall, single-handedly accomplished things that modern machinery has a hard time replicating. Photos alone aren’t enough for the full experience of Coral Castle. The park alone creates a sense of mystery and wonder that can’t be expressed through mere words. Visiting and exploring this park is a memorable Miamian experience that you can’t miss out on.

With glamour in her step Renata Ruiz has made her way into a male dominated fashion world turning heads on her journey. With her faith inspired fashion line “Immaculate Streetwear” steps out of the conventional and into a new light her new collection “Hope Dealer Capsule” Renata hopes to change the image that is portrayed of not only women, but also the overall message it delivers.

After years of altering men’s clothing she realized her eye for fashion and dedicated herself to creating equally as “dope” Streetwear line for women that can double as men’s wear. She detests such negative messages delivered by most Streetwear lines out their, and this inspired her to push for a change in the world she surrounds herself by creating a more positive message that will hopefully influence a change. “I definitely need to be thick skinned, and I need it to stay thick.” Dealing with an industry that is male dominated Renata has had to hold her head high in the face of adversary

“In a male saturated industry where woman are typically only objectified. And when they realize that it is a woman who designs everything, that she is the one that signs the checks, and that she is the one that makes the decisions, then typically they might undermine me just because I’m a woman.”

Even with these struggles Renata has left her heels on and struts her way into the spotlight.

By: Francisco Bervis

With Christmas around the corner and the weather still beach-perfect, we here at Our Lost City have the perfect DIY Ornament for this special time of year. It’s so simple that the whole family can get involved. It is honestly worth melting for.

For this DIY, you will need clear glass ornaments (plastic ones will also work just as fine if you are working with kids), a thin Christmas ribbon (if your ornaments don’t come with hooks for hanging), fake snow (but we figured out that salt works better as the snowman parts won’t sink to the bottom), polymer clay in black for the hat, eyes and buttons, orange for the nose, and red for the scarf (you can also use Christmas fabric for a more authentic looking snowman).

Pro tip: make sure your clay can be hardened, we made the mistake in purchasing non-hardening clay, which will not last as long.

Let’s get started!

Making the snowman parts

Step 1: Cut off a piece of the black clay and mold it into a top hat. Keep in mind that it has to be small enough to fit through the opening of your clear ornament.

Step 2: Still working with the black clay cut off another piece and roll five small balls out of it for the eyes and buttons.

Step 3: Cut off a piece of the orange clay and mold it into a cone shape.

Step 4: Cut off a piece of red clay and roll it out to your desired length. Flatten it out a bit and then fray the edges using a knife or a tooth pick to give it a more scarf like appearance. If you are using fabric cut a piece small enough to fit through the opening of the ornament and fray the edges a bit as well.

Step 5: If you are using polymer clay bake, follow the instructions on the package if not then you are ready to assemble your ornament

Assembling the Ornament

Step 1: Uncork your ornament and fill it with about ¼ of the way with salt or fake snow. Pro tip: if you find you are having trouble filling them use a funnel.

Step 2: Place your snowman pieces in the ornament starting from the largest piece, the scarf, to the smallest piece, eyes and buttons.

Step 3: Place the top back on your ornament and tie a ribbon through the loop to hang.

We hope you enjoyed this DIY. Don’t forget to hit the SHARE button!

With a mission to offer new and emerging artist a springboard for a successful career, it’s no wonder Art Fusion Galleries has stood its ground for over 15 years. Located in the heart of Miami’s art district, Wynwood, this gallery features artist from across the globe with an array of different media such a photography, sculptures, and painting to name a few. Conceived in 1998 by William Braemer, who after successful career in the culinary art and hotel industry, decided to pursue his ultimate passion and open his own gallery.

As an artist himself he first started out in a small gallery in the design district, showcasing his own work. After a thriving first year he then decided to open up a second space specializing in emerging artist. Thirteen years and many artist later it was time to move into a larger location which brings us to where the gallery sits today. A two story Chelsea style gallery able to feature countless artists and even a space for Braemer’s own work. This is not your typical gallery with dark, toned down and conservative piece. It’s the complete opposite in that the art is alive, colorful and uplifting, Braemer calls it “art you can live with”. He wants people to visit Art Fusion and leave with the feeling you get after seeing something fabulous and wonderful.

Which he accomplished when you walk through the gallery you get mesmerized by it and lose words to describe them because there is so much to look at with inspiration around every corner. They also constantly chang their exhibitions, currently every three months with each quarter being different from the last and starting in January 2016 they will change monthly. Braemer believes that art is for your different senses

“It should be visual, art, it should be in your pallet, the culinary arts, and it should be music to the ear”

every opening night they have a live band or DJ and bring in some crowd favorite food trucks. Miami is known for being a cultural melting pot and Braemer and his team at Art Fusion have managed to reflect that through its diversity in artist and mediums.

For more information about Art Fusion Galleries and their upcoming events visit them at http://www.artfusiongalleries.com/