Stripe for Men:

     I know that most guys hate to openly admit this, but they actually enjoy shopping. But it is rare that  men have a place to shop that actually inspires unique personal style. Enter Stripe for Men, located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. This boutique offers an array of clothing options that will be well loved in your closet for years to come. Stripe also packs a punch in the merchandising department, if you are looking to be inspired then this store is for you! Every shelf and nook is outfitted with unique items like antique globes, vintage fans, and masculine hardware and tools (They even showcase a taxidermy bear). Next time you find yourself wondering what to wear on your next big date, or what to buy your best guy friend for his birthday think of Stripe for Men!

Freedom Meat Locker:

      In yesterday's style post I mentioned that I was having "Man's Week" here on SatinAndSalt.com. I thought the best way to kick things off would be to feature my all time favorite butcher shop, Freedom Meat Locker. Vegetarians beware, this may not be the place for you but carnivores will feel more than welcome in this environment! Here you will find the most delectable marinated meats, hand made sausages, and even hickory smoked beef jerky. The butcher shop also has a deli attached and the sandwich craftsmen will put together a meal that you won't soon forget (Just witness my face in this post). Let's take a closer look inside...

(Wishing my front door had this handle!)

      Freedom Meat Locker offers a wide variety of tasty goods. From fresh to frozen, filet mignon to ground chuck, there is something for everyone here and every item is utterly mouth watering. If you happen to have a furry friend, this venue also offers an assortment of left over bones and dog treats as well! You can see a complete list of their products by clicking here. 

      See that man peeking into the camera lens in the above photo? Well that man was my hero on that particular day. He saw how many photos I was taking, and asked if I was interested in seeing the actual meat locker (featured in the first photo of this post) and it was so amazing to see the process of how they break down the animals into products that are so delicious! If you are interested in their food practices or want to learn more about how to cook and prepare meats, please click here. 

(I'm not the only person who thinks Freedom Meat Locker is
the ultimate, look at all their awards!)

(Wine & spice marinated tri tip sandwich with avocado, it will change your life.)

(I bought some of this amazing bacon and made this candied bacon sandwich recipe)

      Not only does Freedom Meat Locker offer an amazing selection of products, but I also left with decorating inspiration! I featured a cow skull back in this post and I would love to add lights to the eyes now! If you have the chance to visit Watsonville, California I highly suggest you take the time to visit this local treasure! 

Yours,
Nico

Style Locker:

Sun Specs- Chloe, Blazer- Gap, Striped T- BCBG, Denim- Rock & Republic,
 Pretzel Brooch- Vintage, Watch- Michael Kors, Bracelet- Tiffany's, Rings-
Coach, Bag- Michael Kors, Shoes-Coach 

      I wore this outfit to Watsonville, CA a few weeks ago to visit my all time favorite butcher shop, Freedom Meat Locker. They also have a deli attached to the butcher shop and they offer thee best sandwiches hands down, no questions asked (I recommend the wine and spice marinated flank steak). Although I was a bit over dressed for an outing to a deli, I couldn't resist throwing on a fancy blazer and heels for my favorite lunch time meal!

(Can you see the anticipation on my face?)

      I would also like to mention that this post will kick off what I like to call "Man's Week," on SatinAndSalt.com! For the next 7 days, I will feature topics that my male readers may find interest and amusement in (So tell your guy friends!). This will include an in depth look at the inner workings of Freedom Meat Locker (tune in tomorrow!), guy's street fashion, as well as a few recipes, and tips for where to take a girl on the perfect date! 

Yours,
Nico

End of Summer Recipes:

(Baked Mini-Donuts, perfect for avoiding my local Ferrell's donut shop.)

      Yesterday it rained in Santa Cruz (and it may have rained in the back of my eyes a little bit too). I don't want Summer to end because it is my favorite season full of sun, home grown produce, and delicious outdoor meals. Despite the drizzle last night, I couldn't help but fire up the grill with my boyfriend and fully enjoy what may have been one of the last backyard meals of the season. I plucked a few ripe tomatoes from the vines in the garden and made a quick spicy bruschetta (tomatoes, red onion, garlic, jalapeno peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil, juice of a lemon, and a lime), sliced up some rosemary bread to toast on the grill, and cooked up some chicken seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary. The Summer sun may be fading, but my desire to enjoy every last moment of it never will! I'm also really hoping that each one of you can find the time to enjoy an outdoor meal before it's too late! Here are some of my favorite Summer recipes for some extra inspiration:

(Citrus Salad, perhaps my most favorite summer salad ever.)

(Strawberry Sangria)

(Spicy Bacon & Egg Pizza, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!)

(Strawberry, Lime, & Mint Sorbet, This recipe is featured thru Minted Magazine)

(Homemade Mac & Cheese, also featured in Minted Magazine)

(Blueberry Lemonade, a new spin on a classic favorite!)

 Yours,
Nico

Fresh Fruit With Sweet Balsamic Syrup:

      A while ago, my boyfriend and I had the rare opportunity to have his family from Germany over for dinner. I knew I might not get another chance to serve them one of my home cooked meals, so I knew I had to step up my game! I served my signature (very) hot and spicy chicken tikka masala with jasmine rice as the main course and I knew that any side I served would have to be just as delicious. In a time crunch, I also knew that I would also have to make something simple to prepare. That's when I decided to dish up a heaping platter of fresh summer fruit along with a decadent balsamic syrup. If you haven't had the opportunity to try a sweet balsamic reduction, it's taste is one that you won't soon forget. The balance of dark vinegar is boiled down with sweet sugar to create a consistency like syrup and a taste that I can only describe as a bit tangy and utterly amazing on fresh fruit. If you are looking to impress dinner guests, here's a recipe that won't disappoint!

Magic Ingredients:

-1 cup balsamic vinegar

-1 cup granulated sugar

-Sliced fresh fruit 

Getting Started:

1: In a small sauce pan, boil balsamic vinegar and granulated sugar together on medium high heat for 10-15 minutes or until sugar dissolves and the ingredients have come to a syrup-like consistency. 

2: Slice fresh seasonal fruit. The varieties that I think pair especially well with the balsamic syrup are:

-Pineapple

-Apple

-Watermelon

-Oranges (and other citrus)

-Strawberries (and other berries)

-Pears

-Nectarines

-Peaches

-Grapes

-Jicama

3: Using a serving platter, arrange the fruit leaving some space for the sauce. Pour the balsamic syrup into a sauce dish or gravy boat and place on the serving platter as well. Dish this out to your friends and watch how their faces light up as they experience a completely new flavor! 

(I really wish I would have rotated this dish so you guys didn't
see the obvious chip in my serving platter!)

      I love that this recipe uses only a few key ingredients. But above all, the best aspect of this recipe is how delicious it is with such minimal effort. I hope you all get a chance to try this easy dish while Summer produce is still in season!

Yours,

Nico

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