Sip

(How to recoup from) Fun Drink Friday

March 8, 2013

As I get older I am realizing the importance of water consumption.  I’ve always been really bad about it (ask my parents), but I’ve found a new way to help me reach my 8 oz a day – flavored water!  It looks pretty and tastes pretty darn good. 

Super easy, and relatively quick… just add whatever fruits/vegetables/herbs to your water and let sit for 30 minutes or so, and enjoy!  I continue to pour more water over whatever my concoction is and remains tasty throughout the day!

My favorites are:

  • Strawberry/Basil
  • Blueberry/Lemon/Mint
  • Peach/Basil
  • Pineapple/Mint
  • Cucumber/Lemon

*Note: Add herbs closer to the end, they can look to wilted, or get a little bitter if they stay in too long

(images courtesy of John + Louis Photography from our wedding)

Sip

Moscow Mule

March 8, 2013

Our bartender at one of our favorite hotels introduced me to this amazing drink, and its the closest thing to “my drink” that I’ll ever get to (I will always love to read a cocktail menu and try their specialty)… but when all else fails this is my go to 🙂 I love it so much it was one the specialty cocktails at my wedding.  The best part? It’s super easy to make!

2 oz vodka

4-6 oz ginger beer

juice of 1/2 a lime

Pour everything over ice and stir. Easy as that! Feel free to garnish with mint and/or a slice of lime.

(image courtesy of John + Louis Photography from our wedding)

Domestic

Spring Cleaning

March 7, 2013

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With Spring approaching (yay March 20th!), I felt it a good time to share some of my favorite random cleaning tips. 

Tips:

  • Use a Bounce Dryer Sheet to wipe down your baseboards.  It pulls up the dust or anything stuck to them… and who doesn’t want their baseboards smelling like fresh laundry!?
  • Don’t forget to clean major household appliance like your washer and dryer (don’t forget to wash the lint catcher every couple months with warm soapy water – dryer sheets can cause invisible build up that often catches dryers on fire!).  I also recommend cleaning your dishwasher every 6 months or so… I run a cup of white vinegar through a cycle then sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your washer and run a quick cycle again.
  • Clean your window tracks! I do a quick clean with my vacuum’s attachment, then take a q-tip dipped in white vinegar to clean the grime.
  • I clean my blinds with a vacuum attachment typically, but when I “deep clean,” I put on an old sock and dip it in a solution of half white vinegar (that stuff is magic i tell you!) and half warm water. Run it along each blind and see the stuff that comes off!

Favorite Products:

  • Swiffer Sweeper – I DIE for this thing… you can use it wet or dry and it cleans everything right up and leaves a nice smell
  • Clorox Wipes – I’m convinced I’m going to cross-contaminate 24/7 (even when I’m not cooking meat), so these things are life savers.  Get them at Costco – they come in packs for 4 for super cheap (but isn’t everything super cheap at Costco?!)

Anyone have any random tips to share!?

Tasty

Mesa Grill

March 6, 2013

My favorite brunch spot in Vegas is Mesa Grill… Their Cactus Pear Margarita and Scrambled Eggs Chilaquiles are the perfect start to a day in Sin City, so when I found Bobby Flay’s cookbook, I couldn’t wait to test it out! 

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For the recipe… read on!

For the Scrambled Eggs: 

  • 6 Eggs – lightly beaten 
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • Salt and Pepper

Melt butter in a pan and add eggs and salt/pepper, stirring slowly with a wooden spoon on low heat for 3-4 minutes. 

For the Tortillas: 

  • Vegetable Oil
  • Corn Tortillas

Heat oil on the stove until hot (I dip a corner of the tortilla in and if it sizzles you are good to go!). Add tortilla and cook for a minute or so on each side (until golden brown) then remove from oil and dry on paper towels.  

For the Chilaquiles:

Put tortilla on a plate, top with sour cream, add eggs, grate some white cheddar cheese and top with any or all of the following: tomatillo sauce, tomatoes, cilantro, etc. 

Enjoy!

Looks

Weekly Attire

March 5, 2013

My 9-5 is working as an executive assistant in a corporate office, so I’m required to be more reserved in my attire.  That being said, I sometimes can’t help “funning it up” a bit and throwing in the unexpected (J. Crew inspired Chucks, or a red pant suit). Here are a few outfits from last week…

Outfit #1: J. Crew Chambray Shirt, Forever 21 Skirt (old), Necklace (birthday gift), David Yurman Ring, Tory Burch Sandals

Outfit #2: Vince Sweater, J.Crew Military Jacket, Lace Skirt (sewn by a family friend), Cara Necklace, J. Crew Bracelets, BCBG Heels

Outfit #3: Old Navy Sweatshirt (sold out – similar), Old Navy Striped T-Shirt, Halogen Pencil Skirt, Anthropologie Necklace, Converse Sneakers

Outfit #4: Zara Blazer (similar one), Nordstrom Rack T-Shirt, Floral Silk Pants (similar here), Steve Madden Heels

Please excuse my “state of the art” photography…