What I'm Loving :: Fall

Here's a snippet of what I'm loving

Bailey at Peppermint Bliss and Biscuit is slaying it. As much as I love a good neutral I die for color. Her work is always unexpected and vibrant. This wallpapered bookshelf detail I'm obsessed with, so good.

If I wear earrings I almost always wear studs, these Alphabet earrings need to arrive in my stocking this year.

One of my favorite things about Italy was how if it was late afternoon they always served you a tiny nibble with a coffee or cocktail. This snack caddy is perfect for afternoon entertaining. (via)

I made the apple cider cocktail, yum. Easy and very fall. I used the Trader Joe's Spiced Cider and it made my Sunday.

Want It :: Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

I know I can't be the only wife who's already over football season. It makes me feel a teeny bit unloyal to my Sun Devils but everything about it makes me feel a little meh. I saw these in the latest issue of Southern Living in the Tailgating feature and they sound yummy. Mommy likey. Maybe a couple of these before the game will make it seem a bit more exciting. 

Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

3 large Granny Smiths peeled and chopped

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons fresh shredded ginger

1/2 cup simple syrup

2 cups gin

1 (12 oz) bottle of chilled Pilsner beer or club soda

Garnish: Apple and Lemon slices

Puree apples, lemon juice, and ginger in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing to release juices; discard solids. Stir in Simple Syrup and gin. Chill 2 hours. Stir in chilled Pilsner beer or club soda. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired

::via Southern Living, photography by Hector Sanchez::

Let's toast!

I love days that end up with a good laugh. Sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl  because I have friends that don't think it's weird when I text to chat about raw apple cider vinegar, completely get my lame sense of humor, make up silly acronyms (#pwlu) and understand the black hole that is You Tube. 

Thanks friends for always being so awesome! So I think a cheers to friends are in order what do you think? Let's make a drink.

The Frenchy

• 1 1/2 oz Pear Vodka
• 3 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice

In a chilled rocks glass filled with ice, add your vodka and pineapple juice. Top with a splash of cranberry juice.

Hey there!

Really it's me, I'm here! Sorry about the unintentional blog break. Have I told how I've been busy working? All of the sudden (yay me!) I've gotten lots of pilates clients and still have to do the kid thing drive/cook/laundry/etc which of course puts a huge cramp in my blog's style. Not to mention the weather here has been too fabulous to stay away from. Here in AZ we have to get it while the getting is good. When it gets too hot no one is happy. It's like a hot, desert ghost town. Little is playing soccer, Big is playing baseball, the Mr. is still recovering from his knee surgery and I'm busy working people out. Thankfully it's been busy in a good way. Since it's been awhile here are a few things that totally have me excited lately.

Raw Revolution Chocolate Coconut bars, they're so good! I'm not really a big bar eater, but when I'm teaching with no break this is an easy thing to snack on in between clients. Latest obsession, seriously.

Thinking about summer cocktails. I love hanging out outside with friends so check out the Drink Me board that I share with The Invitation Lady on Pinterest. Lots of good stuff for spring and summer. Elderflower Champagne Cocktail? Yes please.

Italy. We're headed there this summer. I haven't been there yet so I'm feeling a little anxious that I don't know what to expect with the kids in tow. This adds a whole new element of freak out to international travel. So any sage advice on travelling with school age kids would be so appreciated.

{1,2,3}

To Do :: Long Weekend

Aaahhhh!! I've been working a lot (which I love) but it's kept me away from you lovelies. So this is what I'm thinking for the long weekend.

{Yes that's Kara Janx from Project Runway}

All On The Line, the best fashion show on TV that you can catch on the Sundance Channel. It's hosted by the coolest cat out there Joe Zee. Seriously peeps this is good stuff. Not like my Bravo cotton candy, it's an actual meal and it's delicious.

My interpretation of the Citrus Cucumber Margarita from True Food Kitchen.

Citrus Cucumber Margarita

(for one cocktail)

1 shot silver tequila

Juice of 3 limes

Juice of 1/4 clementine

2 tsp. simple syrup (you could use agave syrup instead)

Ice

Splash of club soda

Garnish with 2 cucumber slices, 1 clementine slice and some torn fresh mint.

Thrifting with friends. Do you thrift? I'm so hit or miss. Usually it's a miss but I have a friend who always hits and with clothes (I know) and I'm always amazed, so I must go with her to pick up some tips.

The Pomegranate Cafe, if you're an East Valley Phoenix local you must try this place. I'm obsessed. It's delicious and so healthy I want to pat myself on the back after I eat there. Like them on FB and here's the link for the latest menu. I had the Green Garden Protein Bowl this morning for breakfast, soooo YUM.  

Turquoise Sparkle Polish, One of my pilates clients this week has been rocking a glittery turquoise pedi and I'm so jealy. I must get this fabulous polish immediately. You know I don't wear blue except for turquoise especially on my toes so I'm excited to make a blue exception.

Try it :: Jelly Shot Test Kitchen

Remember last October when I was dying to make these spooky jello shots? Now I've got something similar but a tad more sophisticated. Jelly Shot Test Kitchen. You heard that right peeps, classic and not-so-classic cocktails made into jelly shots complete with glam garnishes so they'll look right at home at your swanky cocktail party.

{Grasshopper & Pink Squirrel}

{Luckytini}

{Cosmopolitan}

I'm hosting a group of gals for my sister's bachelorette party in town in a few weeks and the Friday night we're staying in and these might be perfect for our evening. Although the theme of the evening is Trashy Bachelorette so maybe the old school jello shots in the little paper cups topped with whip cream from the can would be more appropriate.

{via Live Love Photography}

A Caipirinha kind of day

This picture plus the weather have me thinking sultry.

I think that a sultry summer should most definitely be accompanied by a tray of these drinks.

What do you say Caipirinhas all around?

{images from Jayson Home and Garden and Our Labor of Love Photography via Once Wed}

Drink it :: Curry-Spiced Bloody Mary

I do love a bloody mary with brunch and tomorrow is Easter after all. This one might have to make it on the menu.

{photography by Mitchell Feinberg via Epicurious}

Halloween Jello Shots

I know that jello shots remind you of those moments when you were too young to be at a bar but really wanted to be so you made these instead. This year I think I need to bring them back.

I saw these creepy jello shooters on Hostess with the Mostess and am going to try them. Maybe I can make these for the adults so they get a treat when they stop by with their kiddos.

On second thought I'm not too close with any of the neighbors, they would probably think I'm nuts if I offered one. So if any of you neighbors are reading this and recognize me from hanging out front while my little crazies play, ask me for one and you shall receive. Bottoms up!

Cheery

Anyone need a good dose of cheer? This should do it.

I'll also include the link to the recipe for an Orange Aperol Sun which sounds insanely delish and has prosecco. Which I'm pretty sure has a cheer factor of 10.

Blueprint Fruit Cocktail

I know that I have already rhapsodized about my love of rhubarb so imagine my excitement when I found this oldie but goodie from an old Blueprint magazine.

A strawberry-rhubarb cocktail, yum what's not to love?

Red, White and Woohoo!

Here's a couple of patriotic cocktails courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess and GlamDish. Enjoy!

Chambeer, Blue Mojito, Blakberi Blues, Blue Hawaiian

{Image via GlamDish}