Thursday Night Cocktail: Moscow Mule

Recipe and Image via Food Network

I was out at a fundraiser last weekend and my friend ordered a Moscow Mule and insisted I try it. I usually go for gin over vodka, but I gave it a try and it was fantastic! I may have to trade in my regular gin and ginger's for this one.

Makes one drink

Ingredients

1 .5 oz. vodka
3 oz. ginger beer
1 teaspoon(s) sugar syrup
0 .25 oz. lime juice
1 sprig(s) mint
1 slice(s) lime(s)

Directions

In a glass with ice, add the vodka, sugar syrup, and lime juice.

Top with ginger beer and stir.

Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

The traditional copper cup that holds the drink is nearly as popular as the drink itself. Interested in having one of your own? This one from Williams-Sonoma is a classic choice.

Another cup option is a the mint julep cup, which is a personal favorite of mine. The Boston restaurant Forum, where the fundraiser was held, served their Moscow Mule's in julep cups. This one from Crate & Barrel is an affordable option. 

Cheers!

Super Bowl Snacks & Sweets

I'm not going to lie, after my Patriots lost to the Broncos I wasn't in the mood to think about Super Bowl parties and game snacks. But it's been more than a week since my favorite team's season ended and the sting has begun to subside, so I figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Now I just want to clarify that, no, that doesn't mean I'll be rooting for the Broncos. But it does mean that I'm going to break out some fun, game-worthy recipes so that my friends and I can enjoy snacks and sweets while we (hopefully!) watch the Seahawks beat the Broncos. 

Snacks 

Coconut Crunch Chicken Strips with Creamy Honey-Mango Dipping Sauce from The Cozy Apron

You can't beat a high quality chicken finger with some yummy dipping sauce. Love the crunch that the coconut adds.

Jalapeno Popper Dip from Simply Gourmet

Street Chic: Charlize Theron

I have always been a fan of Charlize when it comes to her style on the red carpet, but street style-wise, she never caught my eye and I think it's partly because I can't quite pin her "look" down. Kate Moss screams boho London and Jessica Alba is most definitely an L.A. girl, but Charlize has two fashion identities going on.

When she's in L.A. her look is much more relaxed and bright with a lot of cute sundresses, sandals, loose fit jeans, etc. When you see her in New York her look completely changes and you see a ton of black, high heels and sharp blazers. Regardless of the city or "the look" Charlize looks great and any fashion chick, regardless of what coast they live on, can appreciate her great personal style.

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Optimism

Top Picks from Spring 2014 Couture: Part Two

The Spring 2014 Couture shows wrapped up yesterday in Paris. Having seen all the collections, Alexis Mabille is still my favorite overall but I really loved what I saw at Elie Saab. Actually, when I think about, I always like what I see at Elie Saab. He always shows the most beautiful dresses and you can always count on some amazing red carpet-worthy dresses from him.

These are my tops picks from the second half of the week:

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

Hey, Did You Hear...

Aerie is taking a stand against Photoshop with its new campaign - InStyle

Anna Wintour's reality TV project, The Fashion Fund, premiered this week - Fashion Times

Kim Kardashian is having her Victoria Beckham moment - Fashionista

Cathy Horyn's take on the Spring 2014 Couture shows - New York Times

Hamish Bowles helped Lena Dunham prepare for her Vogue shoot (and it was amazing!) - Vogue



Preppy Food: Good or Bad

I have always been an admirer of the "preppy look" because it's a style that always looks good no matter who you are or where you are. It's not about being super trendy, it's about looking attractive and appropriate, which in my mind doesn't happen enough these days.

Unfortunately, I have not always been a fan of "preppy" or "waspy" food. When I think of typical preppy food and entertaining all that comes to mind is Ritz crackers with a block of cheddar cheese, soggy tea sandwiches and liquor that comes in a plastic bottle. Not exactly my form of entertaining.

Preppy food has been on my mind lately because I recently came across a new cookbook that peaked my interest. The Preppy Cookbook by Christine E. Nunn came out late last summer and it kept popping up on my Amazon page when I looked at books relating to preppy clothing.

Since this book just wouldn't go away, I decided to bite the bullet and check it out. I had my local library track down a copy of it and I'm going to pick it up after work and find out once and for all what preppy food is all about. The author is an award-winning chef and the former owner of a popular restaurant so I am actually looking forward to checking out her recipes.


I actually got a look a the table of contents and some of the stuff sounded appealing (Frozen Grasshopper Pie, Lobster Rolls) and others not so much (Student's Ragout, Creamed Chipped Beef). I will definitely report back on my findings and share any of the recipes that I like here on the blog.


Wish me luck!


P.S. If you're interested in another take on preppy food, check out The Wasp Cookbook by Alexandra Wentworth. I've never read it but it has a five star rating, so it must be an entertaining read at the very least.



Top Picks from Spring 2014 Couture: Part One

The spring couture shows snuck up me this week, but I am loving what I have seen so far. If I had to pick my collection show so far, I would say it's Alexis Mabille hands down. I had trouble choosing what looks to feature for this post because there were so many amazing pieces. There are still more collections coming later this week but I'm not sure anyone is topping Alexis Mabille. 

Obviously the craftsmanship for couture pieces is second to none but I was wowed by the details at Giambattista Valli. I also found myself loving the jumpsuits and dress/pant pieces at Ulyana Sergeenko. They are so fun and chic, and such a great alternative to a formal dress. 

These are my favorite looks of the week so far:

Alexis Mabille

Alexis Mabille

Martin Luther King Day 2014

Top Red Carpet Looks from the SAG Awards

I nearly forgot about the Screen Actor's Guild Awards because they happen on Saturday instead of Sunday. I'm glad I was able to catch the red carpet arrivals as I was very impressed with the looks from last night. I thought it a big improvement over the fashion at the Golden Globes. 

These are my top picks:

Lupita Nyong'o

Sandra Bullock

Hey, Did You Hear...

People are already harping on Lena Dunham's Vogue spread - Jezebel 

The red carpet fashion was better at the Critic's Choice Awards then at the Globes - The Cut

The Scandal glam squad are talking about Olivia Pope's beauty secrets - Refinery 29

First Lady Michelle Obama is fab at 50 and Vogue has all her best looks - Vogue

Kate Moss' little sister Lottie has appeared in her first editorial - Fashionista


Have a great holiday weekend!

Cult Beauty: NARS Blush in Orgasm

I haven't written too many beauty posts on the blog despite being pretty obsessed with the latest and greatest shades and potions. Have you seen my Beauty Wish List board on Pinterest? It's a little over the top, but I just can't stop looking for the next cult beauty product.

When I say "Cult Beauty Product" I am talking about the tried and true, never fail products that we keep going back to no matter how much (or little!) they cost. First up on my cult beauty product list: NARS blush in Orgasm.

Thursday Night Cocktail: Watermelon Bellinis

Image and recipe via Cooking Light

This blah winter weather is making me long for warmer weather. Maybe a warm weather drink will help. Head to the store and grab some pre-cut watermelon. Tonight is bellini night!

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

3 cups cubed seeded watermelon, frozen or chilled

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 cups chilled prosecco or other sparkling wine, divided

Julienne-cut lemon rind (optional)

Directions

 Place watermelon, 2 tablespoons sugar, juice, and 1 cup wine in a blender; process until smooth.

 Pour about 1/3 cup watermelon mixture into each of 8 glasses. 

Pour 1/4 cup remaining wine into each glass. 

Garnish with lemon rind, if desired. Serve immediately.

How many days until the first day of spring? Enjoy!

Easy Heath Bar Ice Cream Cake

This recipe is from my good friend's mother, Lynn Petti. Lynn is quite the cook and this ice cream cake isn't the only recipe that she has passed on to my family. I have to remember to make her amazing buttermilk waffles sometime. Those are to die for and freeze beautifully.

OK, back to the Heath Bar cake.

My nephew's birthday was last week and for his family birthday dinner we decided to make the Heath Bar cake because he always prefers ice cream to regular cake. My brother was pretty excited about it too. He is allergic to nuts, so as a kid Heath Bars were a favorite of his.

Best of the 2014 Golden Globes Red Carpet

Award season is officially here! I have to say that there weren't too many "thumbs down" outfits on the Golden Globes red carpet. For me the looks from the ladies were either out and out winners or just so-so. These are my favorite looks from last night.

Drew Barrymore

Louise Roe

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Make Waves

Hey, Did You Hear...

Nicole Kidman's new Jimmy Choo ads are hot - Huffington Post

Target is upgrading its beauty department - Fashionista

Martha Stewart has revealed her beauty regime - New York Times

More looks from Sarah Jessica Parker's shoe line - WWD

Check out Elle's Golden Globes fashion wish list - Elle 

Enjoy the weekend!

Top Looks from the 2014 Pre Fall Collections - Part Two

I really like the "in between" fashion collections because I often find them to be much more wearable and they often contain pieces that can be worn during several seasons.

Yesterday I did part one of my favorite looks from the 2014 Pre Fall collections and here is part two!

Versace

Versace

Top Looks from the Pre Fall 2014 Collections - Part 1

The Pre Fall 2014 collections have been appearing since November,  and with the Fall 2014 RTW shows starting next month, now is as good a time as any for a favorites recap. 

Louis Vuitton

Ralph Lauren

Thursday Night Cocktail: Mulled Wine

Recipe & Photo via Flourishing Foodie

Cold weather calls for warmed up wine!

Ingredients

1 bottle red wine (750ml) merlot

1/4 cup brandy

3 cups unsweetened apple cider

1/4 cup honey

4 cinnamon sticks

1 vanilla bean, cut lengthwise

1 tsp cloves

3 star anise

1 cup chopped citrus (variety)

Directions

In a large pot on low-medium heat, bring the wine, brandy, apple cider, and honey to a low boil.

Add the cinnamon, vanilla bean, cloves, and star anise. Turn down the temperature to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Just before serving add the chopped citrus. Mulled wine can be left on the stove to heat for many hours. It can also be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.

I like to add a cup of mulled wine, a cinnamon stick, and some of the chopped fruit to each glass.

Cheers! Here's hoping the cold breaks for the weekend!

Meals that Stick to the Ribs

Early January is usually about healthy eating and gym sessions (gotta get fit in 2014!), but the "Polar Vortex" gripping the majority of the country most definitely trumps any/all resolutions. I know when I got home tonight, and took off my three layers of clothing, the last thing I wanted was a crisp salad. 

When it's this cold, most people crave hot meals that stick to the ribs. It's suppose to warm up later this weekend here in Boston, but until then, these are the hot meals on my dinner wish list.

Smoky Minestrone with Tortellini from Food 52

Street Chic: Hanneli Mustaparta

So you've heard of the triple threat, right? Well, Hanneli Mustaparta is like that times two. She's a fashion blogger, photographer, stylist, Vogue contributor and a former model. Oh, and she's a street style icon.

Yup, this one looks good wherever she goes, which makes her quite popular come fashion week. I can't say I blame the photogs. You can always count on Hanneli for an amazing outfit and a model worthy pose. To be honest, when searching around for photos to include in this post, I wasn't sure if I was looking at was a street style shot or an editorial. Now why can't I look that good on my way to work? 

This post has me all excited for fashion week. Mark your calendars, girls! The Fall 2014 New York shows are February 6-13. Keep scrolling for more Hanneli. 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: No Excuses

For those of us struggling with the New Years resolutions...

Brooks Brothers Clearance Sale

OK, I know that a lot of people think that Brooks Brothers is more dowdy preppy than cool preppy but there are some high quality, classic investment pieces to be had here, and many of them are currently on clearance at BrooksBrothers.com. These are the items in my shopping basket.

Crewneck Cable Knit Cashmere Sweater

So soft and so classic. It comes in a bunch of great colors.

Hey, Did You Hear...

The first photo of Sarah Jessica Parker's shoe line is here - Fashionista

Downton Abbey is back in the U.S. for season four! - Los Angeles Times

Gisele Bundchen is the new face of Pantene - Elle

Queen Elizabeth honored Phoebe Philo and Pat McGrath - Huffington Post

Happy Saturday!!

A Healthier Diet in 2014?

In 2013 I conquered my lifelong fear of the gym so I have decided that 2014 is the year I tackle the whole "healthy eating"thing. I spend my high school and college years eating whatever I liked and never needing to worry about gaining any weight (lucky me), but in the years since graduation my addiction to sugar and carbs has begun to catch up with me (boo for me). I haven't gained a ton of weight, but it's been just enough to make my clothes not fit quite right, and I cannot afford to buy everything I own in the next size up. 

Pantone Color for 2014: Radiant Orchid

When the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year was announced I was over the moon. I never met an emerald anything that I didn't like (it's so flattering on my pale skin tone). Sadly, I am not as nearly enamored with the 2014 color, radiant orchid. Instead of being disappointed I decided to make the best of the 2014 color choice and search around for the best of the best in radiant orchid. This is what I found.

Clothing & Accessories

Clockwise from the right 1/2/3/4

Happy New Year!

Let's make 2014 a good one peeps!