Sip

Banker’s Lunch

February 12, 2016

When I saw this cocktail name, I felt I needed to make it. No particular reason…. I just love anything that references day drinking I guess.

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It isn’t stuffy and is an easy drink to whip up and still feel like you did something (juicing a grapefruit is hard work!).

Banker’s Lunch 

  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 0.5 oz dry vermouth (I used blanc vermouth)
  • 0.5 oz orange liqueur
  • 1.5 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  1. Add ingredients into an ice filled glass.
  2. Stir and strain into a rocks glass (or if you are lazy like me, omit this step).
  3. Garnish with a grapefruit peel.

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Uncategorized

Burt’s Bees Baby

February 11, 2016

No, this is not a pregnancy announcement.

Which I guess is kind of cruel to lead with an image of baby clothes on anything social media related when I’ve been married (and childless) for 3.5 years… but whatever it takes to get readers…Right? (I’m kidding).

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When Burt’s Bees Baby asked me to review some of their adorable and cozy products, I figured that with some of my favorite people being under 5 years old (shout out to the DG kids and Baby Cate!) and the fact that half my friends are getting married this year (which will inevitably lead to little ones popping up in my life sooner than later), I better start figuring out the right “gear” to buy.

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As I enter the end of my 20’s, my health and wellness have become a main focus.  I eat kale. I buy dish soap with an A rating. I haven’t worked my way to the natural deodorant yet, but baby steps people!

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One of my favorite things about Burt’s Bees Baby is their simple purpose to “make people’s lives better every day – naturally.”  And what better way to make your day better by wrapping the tiny people in your life in 100% organic cotton? So do yourself a favor and grab some of these cozy PJ’s (or any other great stuff they have on their site) for the babies in your life (ie. baby shower/birthday/holiday gifts).

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*Be sure to check out their President’s Day Sale which starts tomorrow, 2/12 and runs through Monday 2/15 (15% off sitewide)!

Uncategorized

Gratitude

February 10, 2016

Last month we were lucky enough to travel to one of my favorite places with some of our favorite people.  Everything was perfect – the weather, the food, the ab workouts via laughing so hard… so when we deplaned to a rainy, cold night I was expecting to go into the post-vacation blues, but I felt something totally different.

Gratitude.

UHH BUHH!? A shocker to myself too, let me tell ya.

But it all started with a thoughtful Christmas gift from my girl LJ – the Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan.  The author starts the book on January 1st and talks about her year long adventure practicing gratitude, so I thought what an appropriate time to start my own journey.

I started the first night of the new year by grabbing the book, a pen and dove in, loving the mindset it put me in before falling asleep (reading before bed is a 2016 goal for me as well).

One of her first “homework assignments” is to keep a gratitude journal. A few years ago I did a post on keeping a Happiness Journal, which is basically the same thing… but I could never stick it out for any length of time.  I realized that after getting ready and getting into bed, I would then remember to journal, but would usually be to comfy (aka lazy) to get up and write… so I figured let’s bring this into the 21st century and do it in my notes section of my phone.  Considering most of use our phones as part of our nightly routine (setting alarms, stalking Instagram), it’s been much easier for me to remember to jot a sentence or two about what I’m most grateful for.  I plan on keeping a note for each month (which I will email to myself) and compile at the end of the year.

She focuses on all areas of our lives – relationships, career, health – and helps to really shine line on how important being grateful is for our mind, body and soul.  She’s super funny and entertaining, and having been the Editor in Chief for Parade magazine for numerous years, she has a ton of inside scoop celebrity stories thrown in there (that I obviously ate up).

If 300 pages of entertaining nonfiction can have me thinking “wow, I’m so thankful to have gone on an amazing trip and come back re-energized” as I get off a plane in 40 degree weather, I don’t know how you can’t spend the $15 and dive on in… unless you have a great friend to gift it to you… then for that I’d be pretty grateful 🙂

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Party

Harry and David The #GiftCharming Giveaway!

February 9, 2016

While Christmas will forever be my favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day is always a contender for that #2 spot.   I love chocolate, flowers, the colors red and pink, and anything that has to do with love/gift giving/and heart shaped confetti… so basically this holiday has my name written all over it – thanks Hallmark!

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Harry and David started my (second? third? favorite)  holiday off right when they sent this gorgeous box of chocolate covered strawberries over.   If you are looking for the perfect thing to send to your girlfriends, sisters, mom or oh ya, your significant other – this will do the trick!

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I love that they have every combo available – white/milk/dark chocolate, festive colored drizzle, heart shaped sprinkles – try not to get in the spirit when you open up this cutie!

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Luckily you don’t just have to give this holiday season because you too can win a little something for yourself today! Harry and David is hosting The #GiftCharming Giveaway (starting today 2/9 through 2/21) where Mr. Gift Charming can help you pick out the perfect romantic gift.  This instant win game will have 1 daily winner who will receive a $50 gift card and 3 grand prize winners (over the course of the giveaway) that will have a chance to score a $500 gift card!

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Domestic

Makeover Monday – Our Bedroom

February 8, 2016

This is my happy place and favorite part of our home.

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When we moved in it had moss green walls and I wanted to give it a fresh and airy feel, so in a ground breaking design approach I painted it white. Whatever, I love it.

I wanted strictly neutral coloring and to create a calming but interesting space (think texture, flowers, candles, organic elements, etc.), and I think were on our way there!

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Jeremy and I had been sleeping in a queen bed for over three years  and our combined height of over 12 ft and my subconscious desire to sleep like a starfish did not make this the most enjoyable experience.  When we moved we knew our first splurge was going to be on our sleeping situation.

While most people “can’t wait to get back to their bed” after a long trip, but we realized that we were not thinking that anytime we stayed at a Montage resort.  We call their beds “cloud beds” and honestly I could spend the rest of my life in one.  So our first decision was pretty easy – Montage mattress and bedding it is!*

Next up, our actual bed.  I’ve wanted something from Restoration Hardware in my home for quiet awhile and loved the look of their Warner Fabric Bed.  We placed the order and after weeks of waiting and multiple attempts to try to get it up our narrow staircase, we were in business!

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Everything else we have slowly accumulated (endless stalking at HomeGoods, cashing in on saved up gift cards, hand-me-downs from family friends), but I’m happy with our space so far.  We are in the works of getting a bound carpet rug created for under the bed and renovating the sitting room off the master (thinking more closet space), but it’s so nice to wake up everyday stoked on where you live – GRATITUDE 2016!!!

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Bed / Bedding / Nesting Bedside Table / Louve Art and Frame / Sheet Music Art / Coffee Table Books / Coasters / Light

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Bedroom 8

*If there is one splurge I would recommend it would be to buy this bed. I literally feel like the luckiest person every time I crawl into it, and have sadly missed a workout class (or 10) because I just can’t get out of it in the morning. Even J commented how hard traveling for work is now that he “misses his bed” (thanks babe. thanks.).