Looking Good

Feb. 2, 2005

Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell definitely exudes a sense of style. He’s got the metal thing going on, a touch of biker ‘tude, and an urban vibe that stands out from the crowd. Plus, he’s engaged, a scenario that
promises more fashion adventures at his upcoming wedding. Here’s the rundown on what Chris is wearing and where from:

• Doo-rag (Mary’s Dollar Store).............$1
• Shirt (Hot Topic)..................................$15
• Jacket (gift from fianceé).......................$?
• Tatoos (John Bissonette, Savage Tattoo...$16
• Jeans (KMart).........................................$15
• Boots (Hot Topic)................................$50

Total....................................$81+

gear box

Ella’s Pin Ups 2005 Calendar
Ella’s, a boutique of vintage and retro apparel in downtown Traverse City, has a novel (and timely) idea with its new calendar of local pinup girls in slinky yesteryear styles.
Photographed by Elizabeth Conley, with hair and makeup by Brandie Antio, the calendar features 12 local models, with all profits going to Young Women for Change. See next week’s Valentine’s Day issue for a photo essay on the calendar.

bottoms up

Herbsaint
It is Mardi Gras time and that means great music, good food and of course lots of beads. While cold beer and daiquiris come to mind to wash down the spicy Cajun/Creole cuisines, there is another beverage deeply rooted in Louisiana heritage: Herbsaint. It originated in the 1850s in New Orleans as a cheaper alternative to the French liqueur, absinthe. It was popular among artists and intellectuals; Ernest Hemingway and Vincent Van Gogh were two whose works were inspired by regular absinthe intake. Picasso, Degas and Manet all had works with absinthe in the title.
Originally called Legendre Absinthe, the beverage and all absinthe products were banned in the United States in 1912 and eventually in its homeland of France in 1915. After Prohibition, absinthe became legal in some states and Legendre began production again, but in order to get distribution in every state, the company eliminated the banned “wormwood” and renamed the product Herbsaint. The Legendre family has closely guarded the secret French formula that has been passed down from father to son for several generations and Herbsaint is the first genuine, non-synthetic, non-poisonous drink of its kind, made in the United States. A popular Mardi Gras drink is the Sazarec: coat an old fashioned glass with Herbsaint (not too much – it has a strong licorice flavor), add ice, tsp. of sugar, 2 dashes of bitters, 2 ounces of rye whiskey and a lemon twist. Herbsaint is also a standard ingredient in several New Orleans recipes including authentic Oysters Rockefeller. --- Rick Coates