Blast from the past, anyone? Stretch Bracelets are making a hit comeback! (Truthfully, all I remember about these digits is winning bright neon round versions with my arcade tickets. Plus, how they would painfully catch on my arm hair!). But now I'm kind of eyeing the orange one... perfect for Sundays at the beach, paired a bathing suit, t-shirt dress, and flip flops. Honestly, since becoming a mom, I have a weakness for cheap plastic jewelry - it's something for little hands to fiddle with. :)
After all the talk about cold cocktails, I ended up making none of the ones I posted for Shavuos - but something far yummier! Blackberry Sage Coolers - blackberry juice + sage simple syrup + vodka + club soda.
I found it pretty last minute on Pinterest, and just couldn't leave it be! I had already picked up heaps of fresh plump blackberries, so I just had my husband (thanks love!) grab some fresh sage on a last-minute market run. I completely forgot to print up the recipe, and since it was only online it left me with a wee bit of holiday/technology-age frustration... I had to make do with what I retained from memory. I had already squeezed the black berry juice (this recipe says to puree it, but (since I have an odd fondness for sensory activities) I hand squeezed the berries through a cheesecloth (wear plastic gloves - it stains skin!!). I forgot the part about crushing the leaves, and simply cooked sage leaves in a pot with water and sugar, making a fragrant sage syrup. I mixed the juice with the syrup, added vodka, and let it sit overnight. Before the meal I filled the pitcher up with seltzer and added fresh whole berries and extra sage leaves as garnish. Plus, heaps of ice. The result was a light spiked soda with an earthy fragrance and a bright aftertaste. Try it!!
In the case that you are still putting the final touches on your Shavuot menu, here are two summer-y cocktails I'm currently considering for my outdoor dairy luncheon:
Blackberry Gin Fizz
- 12 ounces blackberries, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 6 ounces gin
- 15 mint leaves, torn, plus sprigs for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups seltzer
Puree berries and sugar in a food processor. Strain, and discard seeds. Put 1/3 cup puree, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 ounces gin, and 1/3 of the torn mint leaves into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until cold. Pour into two 8-ounce glasses, and add 1/4 cup seltzer to each. Repeat twice. Garnish with berries and mint sprigs.
Strawberry-Peach Sangria
- 1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
- 1 1/2 cups Essensia (orange Muscat, a sweet dessert wine)
- 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup peach liqueur
- 3 peaches, each cut into 12 slices
- 1 large orange, cut crosswise into 6 slices
- 1 large lemon, cut crosswise into 6 slices
- 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (optional)
- 3 to 4 cups ice cubes
Mix white wine, Essensia, strawberries, peach liqueur, peaches, orange slices, lemon slices, and strawberry syrup in large pitcher, smashing citrus slices slightly. Let stand at room temperature at least 2 hours or chill up to 4 hours. Serve sangria over ice.
L'Chaim!
A while ago I had caught glimpse of a rug that I just couldn't get out of my mind! The concept of the over and under shades of color and the kaleidoscope vibe had me pining for something as vibrant and full of color action...
That's why I was so over-the-moon when I found these Trina Turk kaleidoscope pillows at a Nordstrom Rack in Arizona! They looked great in my living room (especially with my hot pink walls!), and they're currently inspiring me to be brighter... :)
I got some interesting feedback on my birthday post. It seems these moments of reflection and gratitude seem to ignite some form of inspiration for everyone... Many women told me how reading it changed the way they looked at their morning; their day; their children. I know it works for me - in essence it's the whole reason I started this blog: to journal, document, and reflect on what I'm grateful for. And it has worked wonders! As mothers, wives, and homemakers, our lives become so busy, rushed, and non-stop that we seldom get the opportunity to stop, reflect, and celebrate! We just keep going and going...! I wanted to share with you a project - one of the most wonderful projects I have ever happened upon, in the hopes that you can take something for yourself out from the general concept, and increase the quality of your happiness.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22100389]
I want to start this myself, care to join me? Plus, Instagram makes this cake! :)
