A Guide to Summer Eating and Entertaining

From tiki cocktails to portable fireplaces, boozy pickles and beyond

The season of summer entertaining is upon those of us in the northern hemisphere, and with that our consumption (and decorating) habits change. With our guide to summer entertaining and eating, we’ve selected food and food-related items that can help to punch up any party—even if it’s a party of one. There are homewares with personality, as well as a camping tool and cocktail book …

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Abra mesmerizes in 64 seconds, remembering synth soothsayer Isao Tomita, plus new Chance the Rapper and Fischerspooner

Isao Tomita: Arabesque No. 1 84-year-old composer and synth soothsayer Isao Tomita passed away this weekend in Tokyo. He introduced the near-infinite possibilities of a relatively new invention, the Moog modular synthesizer to Japan—approaching the instrument like an orchestra that could express sounds and “colors” never heard before, and evoke sensual qualities. Especially loved was his 1974 album Snowflakes Are Dancing (with the impressive subtitle: …

Link About It: This Week’s Picks

A new Siri, a new Instagram, the Transit of Mercury and more in this week's look around the web

1. Watch the Shadow of Mercury Cross the Sun in Real Time The Transit of Mercury—an astrological event that takes place just 13 times per century—happened earlier this week. The event occurs when our solar system’s smallest planet, Mercury, appears to cross the sun from Earth; producing a tiny, dot-sized shadow moving across the massive face of the glowing sun. The phenomenon is only viewable …