Sip

Cucumber Press

October 24, 2014

  IMG_5876

Anyone who has dined with my husband and I, will never know what I am going to order and will ALWAYS know what J will order.  In honor of the soon to be birthday boy, I am sharing his favorite (and only) cocktail – the vodka press.  This was my first ever “Fun Drink Friday” post, but in honor of “Fall Back Friday” I thought I’d update the pictures (sans flash… ouff) and give everyone a reminder of this amazingly refreshing drink.

IMG_5881

Vodka Press with Muddled Cucumber

  • 1 inch of cucumber, sliced
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz club soda
  • Sprite
  1. Muddle cucumber slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker until juices are released.
  2. Add vodka, ice and shake.
  3. Strain into an ice filled glass and add club soda.
  4. Top with a splash of Sprite.
  5. Stir and cheers to J’s birthday!

  IMG_5845

IMG_5851

IMG_5867

This cocktail is also great on its own (without cucumber) or try subbing different fruit in place of the cucumber.  Our favorites? Blueberries, strawberries or peaches… but it’s really hard to go wrong!

IMG_5849

IMG_5863

PS We’ve yet to find someone who doesn’t like this drink… vodka lover or not…. so definitely try it if you haven’t (and your 21+ of course!)

IMG_5884

Domestic

Christmas Card Shopping with Minted

October 23, 2014

Christmas Card

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7.

I can’t believe that we will be celebrating Christmas in 2 months!

The funny thing is, even as I type out that sentence I can’t help but think “Two months… What’s the big deal? I have time! It isn’t even Halloween yet!” But as I have big plans each and every year to carve pumpkins, cut down my own Christmas tree and host a holiday cookie decorating party, every year life seems to zoom by and I have yet to accomplish any of that.

BUT, when Minted reached out to me with their gorgeous holiday card designs, I thought now is as good as any time to get everyone in the holiday spirit and let’s get rolling on our holiday to-do lists! First up? Christmas cards!

Whether your style is more classic or funky, festive or fancy, I love that with over 1,000 designs, you are sure to find something you love.  My favorite part? Most of the designs allow you to swap out colors, shapes, etc. to completely customize your holiday cards.

So do your stress level a factor and start perusing your options now… or better yet, put them in your cart! With free recipient address printing and 10% off your holiday card order (use code: JOY2014 by 10/27) – this is way easier than figuring out what to get your sister in law for Christmas!

Also how cute are their foil pressed and  ornament cards?!

Tasty

Pear Chips

October 22, 2014

IMG_5420

My CSA box has sent me an influx of pears lately and I was a little overwhelmed with what to do with them. Thankfully Martha Stewart steered me in the right direction (per usual) and I am excited to have a new fall friendly (and gluten free) appetizer option!

IMG_5386

Pear Chips

  • 2 pears (firm, under ripe)
  1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
  2. Use a mandolin to thinly slice pears (you don’t have to de-seed or de-stem them).
  3. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  4. Bake pear slices for 1 1/2 hours.
  5. Flip slices them bake 1+ hour more or until edges have started to curl.
  6. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

IMG_5417

These taste best when served with a triple cream cheese and pecans!

IMG_5391

IMG_5413

Looks

Sporty Spice

October 21, 2014

IMG_5782

With Bay Area sports in full force I needed some appropriate footwear for this busy season ahead. Last year, I gave the wedge sneaker trend and it didn’t go over as well as I hoped, so this year I’m introducing these high tops into rotation.

IMG_5804

IMG_5816

My fall style approach is “classic with an edge”… and I feel like this look fits the bill.  I find that I really enjoy going out of my comfort zone with some trends, but still keeping it true to my personal style (i.e. a baby pink cashmere sweater with retro sneakers and ripped denim).

IMG_5784

IMG_5808

IMG_5788

IMG_5800

Cashmere Sweater (similar)/Black Skinny Jeans/Adidas Sneakers/Celine Sunglasses/Michael Kors Bag

IMG_5785

What trends are you excited to try out this fall?

Tasty

Tangled Thai Salad

October 20, 2014

IMG_5611

I kept coming across this pin but was so sad to see you needed a “spiralizer” to make it (at least make it look like it does in the picture).  Anyway… fast forward a few months and I am proud to say I’ve bought into this spiralizer movement and couldn’t be happier!  This thing can take numerous veggies (zucchini, carrots, beets, etc.) and turn them into noodles in a matter of minutes… and the best part? Even J loves it!  To quick off my spiralizer option with you all, I wanted to first share the salad that started it all – the Tangled Thai Salad.

IMG_5633

IMG_5577

Tangled Thai Salad

  • 1 head thinly chopped napa cabbage
  • 1 cup sliced jicama (cut into small sticks)
  • 8-10 carrots, spiralized
  • 2 yellow beets, spiralized
  • Peanut Lime Dressing (recipe below)
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped raw peanuts
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
  1. Put napa cabbage in a large, shallow serving bowl.
  2. Top with jicama sticks.
  3. Pile the carrot and beet on top and drizzle with dressing.
  4. Garnish with the cucumber, peanuts,  lime wedges, and cilantro.

Peanut Lime Dressing

Makes 1 cup (I would double it… it’s so good I had to make another batch!)

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp)
  • 2 tbsp tightly packed cilantro
  • 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp + 2 tsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp tamari
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp peeled and chopped ginger
  • 2 tsp coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp organic sugar
  • 3/4 tsp sesame oil
  • 3/4 tsp sambal oelek
  • 1/2 cup sunflower oil

1. Use an immersion hand blender (or normal blender) to blend ingredients above.

*This dressing will store for a week – but good luck getting it to last that long!

IMG_5619

IMG_5548

IMG_5555

IMG_5561

IMG_5568

IMG_5572

IMG_5587

IMG_5590

IMG_5592

IMG_5596

IMG_5602

IMG_5607

IMG_5614