Blog Archives

THE TASTEDOWN - HOT SAUCE / MUSTARD / CARMEL FROM BUTTER FLY BAKERY

11/28/2025

When Vonoi Magazine launches a new tasting series, we don’t call just anyone.
We call the palate, the traveler. The man who can detect a hint of garlic at twenty paces. We call Mr. Nick.

Known quietly in culinary circles as a global flavor explorer, Mr. Nick has tasted his way across continents sampling everything from street market fire sauces to elegant, small batch artisanal blends. Today, he sits down with Vonoi Magazine for an exclusive, no-nonsense, unfiltered session we proudly call The TasteDown, A head to head flavor showdown featuring hot sauces, mustards, caramels, and everything in between. Let’s dive in.

Hot Sauce Round

Maplewood Smoked Onion Hot Sauce - Rating: 5/10
The Taste Down begins with a smoky contender.
Mr. Nick takes his first sample, pauses, then nods.

Mr. Nick:
“The smoke fills out the back end. Up front you get the red jalapeños immediately. It’s solid. Neutral. An everyday sauce.”

What would you use it on?
Mr. Nick:
“Honestly? Anything. Burgers, fries, basic meals. A universal sauce for the average person.”. A respectable start to the lineup.

Maple Sparkle Sriracha - Rating: 6.5/10

This one arrives thicker and visually striking, thanks to edible glitter.

Mr. Nick:
“You smell the sriracha instantly. But the maple? Oh, it comes through loud and clear. Much sweeter. Much more defined than the first one.”

Mr. Nick:
“Clarity. You taste the garlic. You taste the maple. Everything rounds out the heat beautifully.”

What would you put it on?
Mr. Nick:
“Eggs. An omelet. And honestly? It would be killer in a Bloody Mary. The glitter makes it a special-occasion sauce.” A sparkly surprise.

Hothouse Hot Sauce Rating: 7/10
(Mr. Nick’s #1 Pick Among the Hot Sauces)

Ingredients include vinegar, tomatoes, lemon juice, dill, and black pepper.

Before tasting it, Mr. Nick, you studied the inconsistent heat scales printed across the brand's bottles and then you said they need one system, hot sauce lovers are educated now. What did you mean by that?

Mr. Nick:
So throughout their range, we see three different scalings for their heat indexes. The three bottles, the smoked onion, smoked jalapeno, maple sriracha, all follow a six star rating, where as the hot house hot sauce has a temperature scale in the taco vibes only has an entirely different semi circle gauge.

VM: Oh, okay, so that's what you meant. You need one system, so hot sauce lovers can truly understand the death of each sauce. Yes.

Mr. Nick:
The Hot House is Serious. The lemon juice pulls the heat back at first, but then the peppers kick in. The mix of dill and black pepper plays well together. Well balanced. This hot house sauce temporarily knocked a member of the taste crew into a coughing fit, but the global flavor explorer Nick did not flinch.

Taco Vibes Only – Extreme Heat - Rating: 6.5/10
This sauce is a master of deception.

Mr. Nick:
“This sauce is a master of deception. The vinegar calms you for one second, then BAM. It punches the back of your throat. Total bait and switch.”

Was it flavorful?

Mr. Nick:
“Good heat, the cumin is too low. Still great on tacos, quesadillas, any Mexican dish.”

Smoked Jalapeño Hot Sauce – Rum Barrel Fermented -
Rating: 9/10

Mr. Nick:
“The best hot sauce of the entire lineup. Vinegar is balanced perfectly. Smoked jalapeño flavor is clean and direct.”

Perfect pairings?
Fish, pizza, dumplings, pork buns, or any Asian-inspired dish.

Caramel Round
(Fat Toad Farm – Gourmet Caramel Line)

Vonoi Magazine was not prepared for the level of passion Mr. Nick had for caramel.

Salted Caramel Bourbon – 9.5/10
Original Caramel – 8.9/10
Maple Reserve – 8.8/10

Salted Caramel Bourbon Rating: 9.5/10
#1 Caramel Overall

Mr. Nick:
“This goes on borderline everything. The caramel is phenomenal. The bourbon is cooked out. The salt balances it perfectly.”

Suggested uses?
Desserts. Coffee. Pastries. or as one taster put it “anything you want to taste better.”

Original Caramel - Rating 8.9/10
Classic. Smooth. Versatile.

Mr. Nick:
“If this were a hard candy, it would be like those old-school butterscotch discs. Just beautifully done.”

Maple Reserve Caramel - Rating: 8.8/10
A sweet, seasonal flavor profile.

Mr. Nick:
“Neck and neck with the original. But still… the salted bourbon wins.”

Mustard Round

1) Gustard Mustard – 8/10)
2) Heavy Topper Mustard – 7/10

Heavy Topper Mustard (Alchemist Collaboration)
Rating: 7/10

Mr. Nick:
“Bold. Thick. Borderline overwhelming. The mustard seeds are powerful. Think sauerkraut-level strength.”

Best use?
Bratwurst or classic hot dogs.

Gustard Mustard - Rating: 8/10
Mr. Nick:
“Very usable. Some spice, some jalapeño, some garlic. Perfect as a dipping mustard.”
Pretzels and hot dogs immediately came to mind.

THE FINAL WORD FROM MR. NICK

We asked Mr. Nick who he recommends these products to?

Mr. Nick:
“Anyone can enjoy them but choose according to your heat level. Beginners shouldn’t start with ‘Extreme Heat.’ But flavor lovers will appreciate the complexity.”

Where can fans can find you?
Mr. Nick
“Nowhere.” Mr. Nick is very private and hard to find.

THE WINNERS ARE... DRUM ROLL

THE OFFICIAL VONOI MAGAZINE
“PRODUCTS TO BUY WINNERS"

1) Salted Caramel Bourbon (Fat Toad Farm)
2) Smoked Jalapeño Rum Barrel Hot Sauce
3) Maple Sparkle Sriracha

Vonoi Magazine or Mr. Nick was not paid for this taste test, so we could bring you the most honest results possible.

Vonoi Magazine

0 Comments

Vonoi Magazine Exclusive: Beauty with Integrity — A Conversation with Jazmin Alvarez, Founder of Pretty Well Beauty

11/15/2025

0 Comments

By: Bennie Randall - Editor In Chief - Vonoi Magazine

Vonoi Magazine: What inspired you to start Pretty Well Beauty?

Jazmin Alvarez: I started Pretty Well Beauty back in 2019 because I noticed a huge gap in the market. The largest group of beauty consumers was being ignored, especially within the rapidly growing niche of clean beauty. I wanted to create a space that not only celebrated these brands but also placed them front and center — not tucked away somewhere to be discovered by accident. My vision was to build a beautiful space where their stories could be told and their products could truly shine.

Vonoi: Your store features a variety of brands. What’s the story behind that?

Jazmin Alvarez: Pretty Well Beauty doesn’t have its own brand line — it’s a retail concept that houses multiple clean beauty brands. We currently feature around 60 different brands, each carefully selected based on our very high standards. Every product must meet our strict clean criteria. A great formula, story, or sustainable packaging isn’t enough. If a product contains even one questionable ingredient, it doesn’t make it into the store. We’re completely uncompromising about that.

Vonoi: So every product in your store is tested by you personally?

Jazmin Alvarez: Absolutely. Every single product goes through a testing process with me. I try everything myself because it’s important that it actually works. There are so many products out there that promise the world but don’t deliver results. For me, it’s not enough for something to smell nice or feel luxurious — it has to do what it says it will do.

Vonoi: You’re clearly setting a high standard for the brands you showcase. Where do you see Pretty Well Beauty in the next five years?

Jazmin Alvarez: In five years, I’d love to see us expand to one or two more locations and have a full team, because right now it’s just me. I’ve been bootstrapping everything, so the next step will be raising capital to reach that next milestone. I also want to create our own in-house brand, specifically in the body care category — one of our fastest-growing areas and one that still has a lot of white space.

Vonoi: That makes perfect sense. You’ve already set the bar for other brands — it’s only right to create your own.

Jazmin Alvarez: Exactly. As the CEO, I talk to customers every day, so I hear what they love, what they struggle with, and what’s missing from the market. That insight gives me the ability to create something meaningful — something that truly fills a gap.

Vonoi: For readers who want to learn more, where can they find you?

Jazmin Alvarez: Our website is PrettyWellBeauty.com, and we’re also active on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest under @PrettyWellBeauty.

Vonoi: Before we wrap up, what’s one piece of wisdom you’d share about beauty?

Jazmin Alvarez: Beauty is an inside job. You can have all the products in the world, but if you’re not taking care of what’s happening inside, you’ll just be covering things up. What we see on our skin is often a reflection of what’s happening in our gut — they share the same microbiome. That’s why we also have a wellness section in the store to support that connection. But it also goes deeper — beauty is about who you are as a person. If you have a good heart and pure intentions, that radiates outward.

Photo: Honorable Mention, Poppy the PWB greeter

Vonoi: That’s powerful. When did this dream begin inside you?

Jazmin Alvarez: The seed was planted around 2016. I walked into a clean beauty store with a similar concept, but I didn’t feel welcomed. I wasn’t their target audience, and it showed. After a few visits, I realized I could create something similar — but in a more authentic and inclusive way. Pretty Well Beauty actually started as an Instagram page where I shared my passion for clean beauty. That page grew into an e-commerce store and eventually into this physical retail space. I didn’t plan for it to become a business — it evolved naturally from something I loved.

Vonoi: Any final words?

Jazmin Alvarez: Come visit us! If you want to discover amazing brands created by incredible people who look like you, come through. There’s something special here for everyone.

Vonoi Magazine
www.Vonoimag.com

0 Comments

Saks Off 5th ave is Closing Manhattan Location

11/12/2025

0 Comments

Saks OFF 5TH is closing its 57th Street Manhattan location on December 31st (could be sooner depending on how fast inventory is cleared)!

The building that now houses the 57th Street location is being converted to a residential space, and the company told Crain’s New York Business:

“After nine years at the address, the retailer will turn off its lights for good on New Year’s Eve and has no plans to relocate elsewhere, according to the company.”

Deep discounts have already started at this location, with lots of Designer Finds currently up to 85% off. Expect this to continue through the end of 2025.

Saks OFF 5TH will also close 9 additional stores in early 2026 (see slide 2 for the full list). You can also expect to see discounts at these stores once the liquidation process begins next year (these stores will continue to operate normally through the holiday season).

The company told USA Today that “the closures are part of an effort to ‘optimize’ its store presence, enabling us to place greater attention to our high-performing and high-potential store locations, and refinements across our store footprint.”

Some of these discounts are also starting to show up online with up to 80% off select Designers right now

0 Comments

Meet Accessory Designer and Model Constance Victory Small

11/11/2025

0 Comments

Interview By Vonoi Magazine

In 2018, she launched the diffusion line, VF x VICTOIRE FOCX, an elegant and affordable selection of classic bag silhouettes with a contemporary edge. Each bag is named after someone who inspired her in her personal and professional trajectory.

VM - Your background merges both design and modeling. How has these dual perspectives being in front of and behind the camera influenced your approach to creating handbags?

Being in front of the camera, I understand how the design and feel of a product enhances the demeanor, or swag of the model advertising the product. Having worked behind the scenes with editors and photographers, I understand what photographs well, and stands out under the lights, against the backdrops and even on the glossy editorial layouts. I design with an emphasis on details that will catch the flashing lights of the camera.

VM - Your time studying at RISD and Brown University must have shaped your creative vision. What’s one lesson from your design education that still guides you today?

My education taught me to respect the ongoing and ever evolving nature of the design process. I can’t be too attached to final product because the “end result” is never “the end”. As long as something exists, it can always be further designed, and redesigned, including our lives.

VM - Working with icons like Alek Wek and Patti Wilson exposed you to fashion at the highest level. What did you learn from these experiences that helped you define your own design voice?

Patti Wilson showed me the strength, beauty and magnificence of pushing the envelope, and doing it audaciously. She believed in the unusual ways that I articulated my aesthetic vision, more than my RISD professors did. Her confidence in my know how, empowered me to take more risks in design, and trust the beauty, flavor and integrity of my vision, exploring beyond boundaries. Working with Alek was great for showing me the ins and outs of communicating with factories and managing relationships with manufacturers.

VM - Travel seems to be a major source of inspiration for you. How did the architecture and stained glass artistry of Tuscany and Venice translate into the visual language of Victoire Focx handbags?

The classical structure of Renaissance cathedrals lots of circles, lines and geometry within the stained glass windows inspired the structured geometric shapes and silhouettes within my collections. The kaleidoscopic effect of stained glass inspired my explorations with mixing textures, patterns and colors to create a similar, tactile effect.

VM - Each Victoire Focx piece carries an air of timeless elegance. How do you strike the balance between classic sophistication and modern relevance in your designs?

Classic is identified as classic because it’s always modern. I think of myself as always relevant because I respect the past, honor the present and embrace the future. You don’t loose relevancy if you stay plugged into multigenerational perspectives. I share as much time with 19 year olds as I do with forty something year olds, sixty something year olds, and thirty year olds that act like they’re in their twenties. That’s how I keep my perspective fresh design wise, and in my personal life.

VM - The use of exotic leather patchwork is a signature element of your brand. Can you walk us through the craftsmanship process and what makes these details so special?

Leather and exotic skins are among the most expensive and sustainable materials one could work with, and to honor this quality is to exalt it by marrying it with top-notch workmanship.

VM - In 2018, you launched VF x VICTOIRE FOCX as a more accessible line. How does this collection differ creatively and philosophically from your main luxury collection?

VF x Victoire Focx is more streamlined in details. Instead of a focus on intricate and exotic leather patchwork, the key design component is the hardware and ubiquitous motif a semicircular leather adornment bedazzled with snaps, and circle ring enclosed by those snaps.

VM - You name each bag after someone who inspired you. Can you share the story behind one of these names and why that person holds a special place in your creative journey?

The MONICA bag my fastest and best selling bag was named after Monica Vargas, an effervescent and vivacious woman who encouraged me and uplifted my self-belief at a time that I most needed it. The VALERIE bag is named after my mom, who has long championed my creative expression, intellectual excellence and spiritual development. The two bag styles have very similar shapes, and very different textures, materials and hardware specifications.

VM - With a Master’s in Historical and Sustainable Architecture, how do you incorporate sustainability and architectural structure into your design philosophy?

Because I honor sustainability, it makes perfect sense to me to work with leather, the most sustainable and durable material. Timelessness includes design, material, and durability of the handbags. Structure like the lines and shapes that you see in historical and contemporary architecture is exemplified in all of my silhouettes.

VM - As a woman designing for women, what message do you hope Victoire Focx handbags send about empowerment, luxury, and individuality in today’s fashion world?

Be the best, most authentic version of yourself; no one else can surpass you at that. Do this, and you’ll live a fulfilled life, regardless of what you’re wearing, how much you’re spending, and who’s noticing.

Check out her website at https://www.victoirefocx.com/collection.html

Vonoi Magazine

0 Comments

THE JAY MAYMI SHOW: A POWERFUL NEW VOICE NOW AIRING ON VONOI RADIO

11/10/2025

0 Comments

When a voice rises from struggle, discipline, and purpose, it resonates. That voice belongs to Jay Maymi—entrepreneur, speaker, author, bodybuilder, educator, and now one of the newest additions to VonoiRadio.com. His show brings intention, impact, and a message shaped by his life’s journey: overcoming challenges, persevering through adversity, and turning obstacles into success.

Jay Maymi’s story is one of grit. Raised in Spanish Harlem, New York, with limited financial resources, the odds were against him. Instead of letting circumstances define him, he used them as fuel. What could have held him back sparked a passion for growth, self-mastery, and determination. Those early struggles built a mindset grounded in hustle and discipline a foundation for a career that spans more than thirty-five years. From modest beginnings to diverse achievements, Jay’s path reflects constant evolution. Today, his accomplishments include:

Building multiple successful businesses
Authoring 10 books
Creating a syndicated radio show
Hosting a top-rated podcast
Appearing on television and stage
Publishing articles on influential platforms
Designing a complete sales and personal development series
Competing as a champion-level bodybuilder

Jay’s success fuels his mission to help others break through barriers. Through writing, coaching, speaking, radio, and digital content, he shares the insights and tools that shaped his own transformation. His message is simple: Where you start doesn’t define you. Growth and persistence do.
Now, Jay brings his energy and experience to Vonoi Radio, expanding his reach and amplifying his impact. The Jay Maymi Show offers authentic stories, practical strategies, and candid conversations about business, mindset, and personal development.

Listeners can expect:

Interviews with high achievers
Actionable advice on sales and growth
Honest discussions about adversity and success

By welcoming Jay Maymi, Vonoi Radio strengthens its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers. His story is proof that resilience and vision can turn challenges into opportunities.

Every episode of The Jay Maymi Show is designed to help listeners unlock potential, challenge limiting beliefs, and take the next step toward success.
Vonoi Radio is proud to feature Jay Maymi a voice with a story worth hearing and a mission worth following.

Tune in to The Jay Maymi Show and start your own journey toward growth and achievement.

Click Link below to Listen to Jay Maymi

Listen To The Jay Maymi Podcast Now

0 Comments

THE TASTEDOWN - HOT SAUCE / MUSTARD / CARMEL FROM BUTTER FLY BAKERY

Hot Sauce Round

Caramel Round(Fat Toad Farm – Gourmet Caramel Line)

Mustard Round

THE FINAL WORD FROM MR. NICK

THE WINNERS ARE... DRUM ROLL

Vonoi Magazine Exclusive: Beauty with Integrity — A Conversation with Jazmin Alvarez, Founder of Pretty Well Beauty

Saks Off 5th ave is Closing Manhattan Location

Meet Accessory Designer and Model Constance Victory Small

THE JAY MAYMI SHOW: A POWERFUL NEW VOICE NOW AIRING ON VONOI RADIO

Click Link below to Listen to Jay Maymi

Author

Archives

Categories

Caramel Round
(Fat Toad Farm – Gourmet Caramel Line)