TrendStarting (April)

A wonderful Katastrophe

He's kind of a big deal according to our favorite track off of Katastrophe's third album, The Worst Amazing - and we believe him.

This emcee's rat-a-tat machine gun flow lends itself to each track as if it were another percussion instrument with tiny nuances throughout that remind you the rapper isn't straight. 

At times, Katastrophe's (aka Rocco Kayiatos) crooning is reminiscent of a chain-smoking, whiskey drinking, soul singer and other times his voice is as smooth and rich as a bedroom r&b singer.

The latest CD offers snapshot of the end of adolescence and the precipice of adulthood. Tracks like "Til It's Gone" and "Halfway Happy" offer a laid back, jazzy, classic 90s era kind of beat with a message that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, while "Tonight" and "Big Deal" are tongue-in-cheek dance tracks that will set any crowd in motion.

Rocco is also the co-founder of the transman mag Original Plumbing and has received shout-outs from The Advocate, Out Magazine and was crowned Producer of the Year by Out Music Awards for his debute album "Let's Fuck, Then Talk About My Problems."  katastropherap.com

Responsible drinking

The eleventh unique flavor in the Absolut portfolio, Absolut Berri Acai is an on-trend blend of açai, blueberry and pomegranate with an elegant focused berry aroma; a pure, vital and slightly juicy taste; and a smooth expressive, fresh and berry finish.

Featuring a tangy and ripe berry-flavor that’s smooth and fresh with a natural sweetness, Absolut Berri Acai draws upon the characters of three of today’s most popular berry flavors – acai, blueberry and pomegranate. 

Like other Absolut flavors, it creates exceptional cocktails when combined with anything from juices and sodas to muddled fruit and champagne. Mixed with club soda, it conjures up a lazy summer afternoon, even in the winter. Shake with cranberry juice and orange liqueur, it becomes an exceptionally flirty and delicious version of the Cosmopolitan. 

Similar to its predecessors, Absolut Berri Acai is  made from all-natural ingredients, and contains no sugar and no added preservatives, so you can responsibly drink a responsible drink. Available nationwide in stores, restaurants and bars. Cheers!

National Margarita Day

A lot of us have really picked up an interest in tequila and it's no wonder. Its popularity is soaring in the U.S. and doesn't look like it'll be slowing down any time soon. The only contender would probably be whiskey. Meh, but they have their own day. Now, it's National Margarita Day and we put together some of the best margarita recipes around so you can pick one or maybe even all of them to try.

We have a few surprises in there too. Maybe it's not all about tequila but it certainly has a theme going on. Take a look at some of these great tequila brands and start making some amazing margaritas today!

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Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Gender-Inclusive Universities and Student Privacy

For many students, attending university is a profound, often life-changing, transition. It is often the student’s first time living on their own without parental supervision. This lifestyle is also accompanied by a period of self-discovery, of defining and redefining a sense of personal identity largely independent of the influence of family and friends from home.

For students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, this rite of passage can also be a deeply empowering one. Indeed, attending university may be the student’s first real opportunity to explore their gender identity in a safe, comfortable, and accepting college.

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José Cuervo's Reserva de la Familia agave fields

Disclaimer: My trip was provided courtesy of a press trip but all opinions about the trip and events are my own. Please note there are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.

I had the opportunity to visit Mexico for an event José Cuervo was putting on, the unveiling of their premium tequila brand, Reserva de la Familia. The trip was all about tequila, how to drink it properly, how to pair it with food, and of course, visiting various points of interest in Guadalajara while tasting tequila along the way.

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