5 Great Dresses Under $50

one / two / three / four / five

Happy Earth Day

plant a tree.  or a garden.  recycle.  turn off a light.  ride a bike.

just a few of the ways that make a difference.

{pic via here}

Recipe: Mango & Habanero Margarita

pic via here

Ingredients

• 2 parts silver tequila
• 2 parts fresh mango juice
• 1 part orange liqueur 
• 1 part lime juice
• 1 tbsp. habanero-infused simple syrup
• 1/4 lime wedge, for garnish

Directions

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and then pour into a chilled glass.  Garnish with lime wedge.  Serve & enjoy.

14 Essential Bar Accessories

There are a gazillion bar gadgets out there for absolutely everything you can think of including mixers, blenders, ice machines, various ice trays, special wine racks, mini-fridges, sparkling water makers and even cocktail rimmers for sugar & salt.  Although it's fun, funds are important so stick to this basic list of bar accessories.

1.  Linens.  Cocktail napkins or tea towels make clean-up easy and help guests keep their fingers clean as they enjoy their drink garnishes like cherries, olives and lemon wedges.

2. A good cocktail shaker.  Shakers can be metal or glass, but should include a large opening for ice and a small one for pouring.  For ease of use, try a non-leak, non-drip variety with a removable strainer.

3. Glassware.  This completely depends on what you prefer to drink.  If you're a brandy drinker, than you are likely to own specific brandy glasses but otherwise here are a few of the standards:
Cocktail glasses: solid stemmed to prevent your hand from warming the drink (that's right, you're supposed to hold your drink by the stem!).
Highball glasses: these are great for doubles including Tom Collinses, Mint Juleps and Margaritas.
Old-Fashioned glasses: These are usually shorter than highball glasses and have heavier bottoms to withstand your muddling machinations.  They're also great for straight-drinkers.
Goblets: These can be used for wine, sours, flips and water.

Also worth noting, those versed in the art of drink-making usually stick to clear glasses since colored and ornate ones disguise the sexy good looks of the drink itself.

4. A glass or plastic stirring rod.  A glass rod is standard whenever seltzer is involved since carbonated mixtures may collapse at the touch of metal.

5. A muddler.  These are round-based wooden sticks (which sometimes come in metal & glass, but wooden is more typical) used for mashing sugar, bitters and other added flavors like mint leaves and raspberries.

6. A bottle opener.  There a multitude of options for opening spirits including a good corkscrew, beer-can openers, or combinations of the two.

7. An ice bucket that closes tightly to eliminate frequent trips to the kitchen.

8. A pitcher or tall mixing glass.  Mixing glasses are used to stir Martinis and Manhattans, but you will have to get a circular strainer to hold back the ice while you pour the drink.  Pitchers can be great for large batches of drinks and ones with lids are preferable.

9. A jigger measure.  Jiggers range in a variety of capacities from 3/4 oz. (1/2 jigger) to 1 oz. (called a pony) to 1 1/2 oz. (1 jigger; standard cocktail slug) to 2 oz. (enough for a Collins, fizz or generous highball).

10. An ice-pick for shaving ice.

11. A long bar spoon.  Bar spoons are great for measuring teaspoons of sugar, stirring cocktails and some even serve as muddlers.

12. A paring knife for cutting lemon wedges, etc.

13. A sturdy bag and wooden mallet or an ice crusher for making fine ice.

14. Trays.  If you don't have an official bar, don't fret.  A great silver tray can serve as one on top of your buffet or an end table.  Feel free to load it up with your liquor, bitters, fruit and any necessary gadgets or glasses.  If you really want to go all out, have 2 or three handy - one for passing drinks, one for collecting empties, and the other to designate where things should remain.

Recipe: Espresso Cocktail

pic via here

Ingredients

• double shot espresso
• 1/8 oz. absinthe
• 1.5 oz. gin
• coffee beans, for garnish

Directions

Add all ingredient to a cocktail shaker & shake galore.  Pour in a chilled glass over ice, garnishing with coffee beans.  Enjoy.  

Recipe: Mint & Raspberry Cocktail

pic via here

Ingredients

• 8 raspberries
• 1 tsp. honey
• juice from 1/2 lime
• 2 mint leaves
• 1 oz. Tito's silver tequila
• cold sparkling water

Directions

In a chilled glass, place raspberries, honey, mint and lime juice.  Using a muddler, mash the ingredients to release their flavors and then strain into a cocktail shaker.  Add sparkling water, ice and tequila.  Shake, shake, shake.  Pour over a cold glass with fresh ice.  Garnish with a mint leaf and raspberries.  Enjoy.  

Recipe: Manhattan

pic via here

Ingredients

• 3 dashes Orange Bitters
• 1/3 Italian Vermouth
• 2/3 Rye or Bourbon (try Hudson's)
• lemon rind
• cherry, for garnish

Directions

Pour over bitters, vermouth & rye over ice cubes in a tall glass. Stir clockwise, chuck in a lemon rind, stir some more, and then pour into a chilled glass with or without a maraschino cherry for garnish.  Enjoy.  

Variation
For a Dry Manhattan, use 2 parts Rye or Bourbon with 1 part French Vermouth.  No cherry.

6 Drink-Making Tips

pic via here

When it comes to the art of drink-making, I definitely score a D- and am as amateur as they come.  However, it's been my goal lately to infuse a little of the 50's women's hosting skills into my household - from fully supplied guest bedrooms, to all-out brunches, and now a cocktail hour worthy of gathering your gal pals.  The only problem was, I knew almost nothing.  So, I set forth and scavaged through local vintage shops to find hosting & drink-making tips in old books.  Here are 6 secrets to successful drink-making sure to impress your friends at your next dinner party or cocktail hour.

1. Use only the best ingredients, and show them off proudly on your bar.  Forget decanters.  There is so much competition in the alcohol business that they now aim to please us not just through taste, but visually.  The are over 1,000 brands of tequila alone so don't just pick a well-made brand, but a visually stunning one as well.  Also, selecting "the best" whiskey or Scotch can be hard, so find a reliable dealer or research brand names and price-tags.  If you're on a budget, skip using the best whiskey and opt for a moderately-priced one if you're going to make a mixed drink since the flavor will become muddled with the other ingredients.  

2. Use exact, not hit-or-miss measurements.  If it's the 108th time you've poured rum into the same highball glass, then sure you've already visually memorized how much to pour.  Otherwise, use a jigger to carefully measure out your ingredients so you arrive at the result intended by the recipe.  Also, repeated use of the jigger will ensure consistency in taste as your judgement starts to lapse with each new drink.

3. When mixing, shake or stir.  Martinis and Manhattans are stirred in a pitcher of ice in order to make them icy cold, blend their ingredients, and prevent their clouding up which would be the case if they were shaken.  However, everyone remember's James Bond's quote that he prefers his martinis "shaken and not stirred."  It appears to be somewhat of a debate since hardcore bartenders prefer to maintain the clarity of the liquor, but some researchers have found that shaking it releases more antioxidants.  Given that information, feel free to do as you please but the basic rule of thumb is that pure liquors are never shaken unless specifically stated.  And when it comes to seltzer water, never shake or it will go completely flat.

Drink recipes that include sugar, eggs, cream, fruit juice, etc can be shaken since they will be cloudy anyway from their additional ingredients.  Also, when you do choose to shake, shake! Apparently there's a drink called the Ramos Gin Fizz that requires 12 minutes of shaking!  It's absolutely bonkers.

4. Use plenty of ice, and try to always pour your liquor over ice rather than adding the ice to the already-poured liquor.  Nothing is more dissatisfying than a warm drink, and if you're worried about watering your drink down too much, use less soda rather than ice.  For stirred drinks, use ice cubes and for shaker drinks, use cracked/crushed ice.  And make sure you're not pouring icy water into the drink, but rather just ice.

5. Use pre-chilled glasses.  I know, no one has pre-chilled glasses at the ready, but it will show your guests how much thought and consideration goes in to hosting them.  This step may feel like a huge hassle, but the goal is to keep your drinks cold.  And it kind of goes hand-in-hand with the restaurant practice of serving salads on chilled plates.

6. Be just as conscientious when serving a drink as you are when mixing it.  So, pour slowly and smoothly twisting at the end with a sharp uplift in order to prevent dripping.  Also, don't fill glasses so much that they spill over the second you hand one over.  Provide coasters or cocktail napkins, and keep the bar clean - it's easy for things to get dusty when you aren't using your bar regularly.

Lastly, have fun.  Great company supersedes everything.

Recipe: Grapefruit Juice Cocktail

This past weekend I had this amazing drink called a Paloma at our favorite burger joint - fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and Tito's tequila with a dash of agave nectar for added sweetness.  It was absolutely divine and I enjoyed every second of that drink.  Here's the recipe in case you're suffering from a case of the Monday blues.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin or 2 oz of silver tequila
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 2 candied grapefruit peels
• grapefruit wedge and sugar for rimming (optional*)

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, grapefruit juice, agave and gin. Shake several times. Pour over a 4oz glass filled with ice. Garnish with candied grapefruit peels and kick back & enjoy.

{pic via Pinterest}

Pic of the Day

pic via here

 

Since I'm feeling very blah today, here's a cozy picture of where I'd love to be.

 

pic via here

 

And one to make you smile.

Outdoor Play Spaces for Kids

Outdoor spaces are important for kiddos - especially because their attention is so divided by TV and video games so it's always good for them to have a fun reason to be outside playing.  These amazing spaces look so awesome, I am ready to put on some shorts and hang out in the sunshine.  They can camp out one night under a striped tent, build & paint tunnels with the cardboard boxes, bury their favorite toys in the sand, or hold babysitter club meetings in the playhouses.  Either way, each of these spaces is sure to please any kid and keep them outside expelling energy and soaking up their daily Vitamin D.  What do you think - can you see your little ones enjoying one of these?

{images and products found via here: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight}

An Etsy Wedding: Cake Toppers

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight

 

 

Everyone loves a great cake topper, but Etsy artisans have a way of taking them to the nex level by creating some of the most darling wedding cake toppers ever.  From whimsical to classic, you can find almost any kind on Etsy - fancy a set of frogs or Mario and Princess Peach?  They will have it and so much more from monograms to vintage toppers to hipster couples and precious little replicas of yourself.  It's such a great way of personalizing your wedding cake and adding a touch of sparkle or fun to an otherwise serious & seriously fun event.  Here are eight of my favorites - enjoy!

 

 



Maxi Skirts

 

Have you been indulging in the maxi trend?  If so, here are 9 looks to steal from boho, to rocker, to casual and dressed-up.  Pleated maxi skirts are a great look that make your outfit look effortless while keeping you comfy and it's a huge trend this Spring because of our changing weather.  My favorite look is definitely the fuchsia skirt (second to last) because of the mix between a feminine color and heels with a rocking black leather jacket - the soft/hard look is a great juxtaposition.  Happy Monday!

{Pictures via here: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine.  For similar looks, you can find look #5 here, look #3 here, a great Alice & Olivia maxi here, for under $100 check out this one, a pink boho maxi here, a great aqua maxi by BCBG here and for the budget-conscious gal this one is a great choice.}

Before Midnight {movie trailer}

Truth be told, I haven't seen this trilogy yet, but I have heard crazy-amazing things about these movies and can not wait to see both, including the upcoming release of Before Midgnight.  The movies take a real look at relationships - it's many difficulties, the ups & downs, the giddy beginning and painful endings. 

The story of Jesse and Celine begins in Before Sunrise, where they meet on a train and spend an incredible & incredibly romantic night together.  It's the beginning of a love story that survies 9 years of being apart when they happen upon eachother once more in Before Sunset, reminding you of how raw & incomplete love can be through time and distance.  And now the story concludes with this third installment.

Just reading about it reminds me of how unfiltered our emotions can be, and how deep feelings can linger burdening you with happy thoughts and enduring pain.  Have you seen the first two?  Planning on seeing the third?  It's my mission of the week.

Happy Weekend

pic via here

It has been a cold and rainy start to April for Austin with work-filled days, so I am really looking forward to a weekend filled with sunshine and family time.  Tomorrow is my sister-in-law's baby shower so my Mom and I are traveling to East Texas for the weekend.  To our surprise, we received a phone call yesterday saying she had gone into labor but the doctors have suppressed her contractions and sent her home in the hopes that she can hold the baby a little longer so her lungs can fully develop.  Needless to say, it may be an exciting weekend if the baby decides to come!  My sincerest hopes you have a lovely weekend and if you're in need of a distraction, here are a few links for your viewing pleasure.
 

an article on age & marriage

characteristics of the millennial generation

Austin's top pastry chefs

the perfect Spring maxi dress

a real "27 Dresses" kinda gal (but really only 21)

graphic novels for foodies

pretty jewelry boxes by West Elm

a pink Smeg = eek!

lace shorts and sweet blouse

50 things every woman should know by 50

Sylvia Plath wrote children's books?!

she's back in the limelight

where I'd love to be right now

Alice & Olivia's Spring collection is amazing

Home Design Idea Do or Don't: Art & Photo Walls

 

Art and photo walls are super popular these days - I myself have two, one in our dining room and another in our hallway.  Because of the huge walls in our apartment, it felt necessary to add a large collection of photos and artwork on one wall but I started to feel as if it was becoming redundant.  As a result, I decided to find larger pieces of artwork to fill up our other walls in order to keep it from feeling too busy.

The element of surprise is rare in home design - how often do you walk into someone's house and think, Wow, I would never have thought of that?  Sure, we may be in awe of others' homes because of size or that amazing sofa they have, but not surprised.  So, I loved the idea of a photo wall in the bathroom because it's unexpected and makes the room feel more like a continuation of the rest of the home.  What do you think - would you do a photo wall in the shape of a heart or fill the living room walls completely with Polaroids?


{Picture Sources, top to bottom: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight}

Darling Thursday: Outfits for Spring

one / two / three

one / two / three

Spring is here and with that comes shorts, slip-on shoes, dresses and many days in the park having picnics and playing on the swings.  The little ones are sure to look cute in anything they wear, but if you're looking for ideas, here are two Spring outfits to keep them stylish and comfy.  I love the print on the dress - the whimsical fabric is by Sarah Jane, but the sweet dress is an Etsy creation.  The shark shorts are also adorable and come in a great color, but those Keen boys' shoes are so cute I am about to start searching the web for the adult version!  Happy shopping & hope you're having a fantastic week.

Quote of the Day

DIY Project: Re-upholstering a Chair

I am overwhelmingly happy to report I have completed my first ever re-upholstery project.  A few weeks ago, my boyfriend found three of these chairs at a dumpster when visiting his Grandma.  He sent me a text message with a picture of them and I encouraged him to bring them home so I could teach myself how to re-upholster chairs.  So I scoured the web and fabric stores for some cute fabric and read every internet site that even mentioned re-upholstery.  It was incredibly nerve-wracking, but I set out on re-upholstering my first of the three chairs during Spring Break.

First, I took the chair completely apart, including removal of the seat and all of the fabric on the seat back.  The seat cushion was in great shape, so I decided to go ahead and reuse those.  The batting on the seat back was also in good condition still, so I figured I'd reuse it too.  Next, I stripped the chairs using an easy-to-use spray and wash called TSP.  Once the chairs were dry, I did a small amount of sanding in areas that were particularly rough or had splinters.  Then, I applied several coats of wood stain letting the chair dry completely before each new coat.

Then, it was time to put the chair back together.  First, I re-attached the seat cushion using a fresh set of screws (since the old ones were worn), and used the fabric I removed from the seat-back as my pattern for cutting out my new piece of fabric.  Using spray adhesive, I placed the new fabric over the batting and began   securing it with a staple gun.  Once complete, I used glue to adhere the cording cutting the ends at an angle and slightly overlapping them to try and make the seam....seamless.  And ta-da!

I am very happy with the finished product and am planning on using this chair as an occasional chair in my living room.  The next two are going to be totally different and go at the heads of my dining table (fingers crossed).  The one thing I know I need to work on, however, is the cording.  It was a little tricky and didn't come out as clean as I'd like it to, but overall I'd say it was a successful first upholstery project!

Etsy Tuesday: Vintage vs. Modern Clocks

one / two / three / four / five / six

seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve

My boyfriend absolutely loves clocks, specifically because he likes to know what time it is at all times.  As a result, we have over a dozen clocks all over our apartment so that he can tell what time it is from any angle and he's been exceptionally particular to keep them all synced up.  I, on the other hand, never know what time it is and don't even think about what time it is until I see the sun coming up or going down.  I have a handful of watches I never use, and my iPhone wakes me up on most days.  Nevertheless, I do find clocks to be stylish accessories for the home and wardrobe.  They are a great way to add whimsy or sophistication to your home and really round out one's home decor style.

This week's Etsy post is thereby dedicated to clocks - vintage and modern.  Both sets are fun and stylish, but what would you choose, a retro yellow orb clock or a simple & modern wood one?

For more of my favorite clocks, click here to follow me on Etsy.

Heart Umbrella

So, I was just going through my "likes" on Pinterest and found the heart umbrella I posted about earlier today! Now I know I was meant to order this thing. And how romantic & sweet is this picture with it?! Hope you're having a lovely Monday.

Umbrellas for Spring!

one / two / three / four / five

It's the start of April showers, and already Austin is brewing with thunderstorms and golf-ball sized hail is falling on our rooftops.  I love a great thunderstorm, especially on weekends when I can cuddle up on my couch and watch romantic comedies like Annie Hall on TV.  This morning however, I couldn't find a single umbrella I loved in our hall closet - they were all useful of course, but none that I absolutely loved.  So, off to the intrawebs I went searching for that perfect umbrella for Spring showers.

one / two / three / four

There were a bazillion options - red ones & blue ones, dainty ones & goofy ones - and it was very hard to choose one until I saw the adorable red heart-shaped umbrella.  How cute is it?!  It's not too fussy or plain, but just the right mix of classic and whimsy.  I can not wait to receive it in the mail.  The cab-printed umbrella would be adorable for New Yorkers and the classic blue one makes me want to travel to London and put on some Hunter rain boots. Happy shopping & stay dry!