Four Faves of the Week

1. Homemade Halloween Costumes. Like the good old school kind that you actually make for yourself or your children. I don’t mean like actually sewing them, just pulling things together from your house to make most of your costume. Sure more effort, but also so much more fun and funny. Julia and I were always the neighborhood kids in the homemade costumes. I chose to be things like David the Gnome, so cute and girly. Julia would be Dorothy or one year she was Lambchop.

2.  Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.

I am obsessed with this band–they are feet tapping good. Perfect driving or weekend music. My favorite song, S.O.B., is one that I would have had to tell my parents that “I just liked the music and beat and was not even paying attention to the words”.. I tried this trick starting at age 12 with the Spice Girls ‘Wanna Be’ through high school rap songs. I feel sure it never actually worked, but it made me feel better. Look them up on Spotify or better yet download the record from iTunes. You will actually be able to listen to the entire album, not skipping a single song, unless you have children that can talk and are in the car..  Then just skip my favorite one and come back to it after you’ve dropped them off. Not to mention I love the squash blossom necklace on the cover of this album, I am ALWAYS on the search for a good, vintage version of this necklace.

  

3. Burnt

Previews and press for this Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller film have been everywhere, but it comes out tomorrow and we are SO excited. It hasn’t actually my gotten rave reviews, but a coming of age story filled with great actors and lots of cooking – count me in.

4.  The Hot Toddy 

It’s chilly enough for a nice warm drink, and one of my favorites is a classic Hot Toddy.  1 oz. bourbon, 1 Tbsp honey, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1/4 hot water.  It just doesn’t get easier.  And hey, it apparently also cures the common cold, so you’re basically helping your immune system.  You’re welcome.

Advertisement

Four Faves of the Week

1. Lianne la Havas

This British soul singer’s tunes are to die for, and if that’s not enough, her style is seriously on point.  More please!

2. La Marca Prosecco

This light, crisp prosecco is just right when you want high quality without high cost.  Definitely our go-to.

3. The Rosie Project

A fresh and very smart take on a the classic romantic comedy storyline.

4. The Return of the Flare

With the resurgence of 70s style this fall, bell bottoms are back!  This cut is not only figure flattering, but also looks great with boots, heels, and flats alike. Try out this pair from Madewell.

Four Faves of the Week

1. St. Vincent

Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, is the queen of the electropop scene these days.  If you haven’t jumped on this bandwagon yet, try out Digital Witness or her more mellow album, Marry Me.

2.  Moscow Mule Mugs

One very thoughtful husband bought a set of these for my birthday last month, and I’ve been loving them!  I sense a new recipe coming up…

3. Music City Food + Wine Festival

This weekend I am thrilled to get to attend Music City Food + Wine Festival in Nashville. Amazing Chefs + Tastings + Music  + Dear Friends… I could not dream up a better weekend.

4. Beautycounter – Sienna Lipgloss

Hands down, the perfect fall lipgloss. Looks slightly scary in the tube, but for anyone who has ever loved or missed Clinique Black Honey this is the sheer, “grown up” version and I am obsessed.

Fresh Margaritas

All of this hot weather certainly calls for an ice cold cocktail, and nothing screams summertime to me like homemade margaritas!  This recipe is drawn from another margarita recipe by Julio Bermejo, a legend in the San Francisco bar scene and definitely the man you want to be making you a stiff drink.  While he suggests using agave instead of sugar, I was plum out of agave!  So I made a simple syrup instead.  Just heat 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.  Make sure you let this cool completely before adding it to your cocktail.  You can certainly save any leftover simple syrup in the fridge for any future cocktail making adventures.  If you would like to make it Julio’s way, just add 1 Tbsp agave to 1 Tbsp water ( no need to heat) before moving forward with the rest of the recipe as usual.

Fresh Margaritas

-2 Tbsp simple syrup

-2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

-1/4 c. tequila

Add everything to a shaker with lots of ice, shake well for about 30 seconds, and strain into a glass with even more ice in it.  Yum!

If you want to make it even better, try rolling the rim of your glass in a little salt or sugar first.  Here’s what I suggest:

Margarita Glass Rim

-1 wedge of lime

-zest of 1 lime

-1 1/2 Tbsp sugar

-1 Tbsp kosher salt

In a shallow dish, combine the lime zest, sugar, and salt.  Then rub the rim of each glass with the wedge of lime and roll them in the salt mixture.  Finally fill each glass with the margaritas, and you’re set!  Enjoy!

Summery Date Night In with a Sweet Tea Smash

My fiance and I will be married in less than a week, and we are more than a little excited! But with all of the friends, family, and festivities coming up, what we really need right now is some time to ourselves to get ready for this next big step together.  So last night we threw together a simple date night in to give us a little time to get to hang out before all of the hubbub commences!

The last thing either of us needed was to add anything else to our crazy to-do lists, so a simple meal on my teeny balcony with lots of sunshine, happy summer music, and a Southern cocktail really hit the spot!

The Menu:

-fish tacos with creamy jalapeno slaw

-chips and salsa

-ice cold watermelon

The Cocktails:

-Sweet Tea Smash:  sweet tea and bourbon with lots of lemon and ice–this is so refreshing and cool on a hot summer afternoon

The Soundtrack:

-Railroad Earth–check out some of their hits while you sip a summery cocktail!

-Julia