Gifted - Hostess Edition

Remember when I shared this gift basket I put together for a date night in theme? Well I thought I would tackle another easy gift idea to bring to someone's home {more of my DIY gifts can be seen here & here}. I always enjoy putting together a gift that is part homemade and part purchased. So I decided to gift a friend who was having a girls night in party a few of my favorite things. Inspired by a limoncello recipe that I made awhile back and absolutely adored I decided do a lemon theme but this time I made a lemon simple syrup. I used this recipe that is delicious and oh so easy breezy. I added in a bottle of some Italian process, a fresh lemon for garnish and my absolute favorite lemon cookies from a local bakery here in Boston. I just love a sweet treat and a cocktail to help wash it down, don't you? I hope my hostess friend loves it as much as I do!

bag // ribbon // tissue // glass bottle // cutting board 

more of my favorite hostess gifts can be found below

<

>

What A Handful!

Earlier this month this little blog celebrated its second birthday. Over seven hundred posts later I took a little trip down memory lane at a few of my first posts that are admittedly horrific in their presentation but the ideas behind them I still stand behind. One of my favorites and frequently visited was a fun little post on cocktails & cocktail rings. I thought I would create another little round up but this time around add in some fun nail polish colors to finish off the look of a well coordinated cocktail, manicure and of course a piece of sparkle to adorn your ring finger.



Rose Cocktail Ring // Tom Ford "Toasted Sugar" // Raspberry Rose Fizz // Sam Edelman Red Stone Ring // Nars "Tomorrow Red" // Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail // Butter London "Union Jack Black" // Elizabeth & James Metropolis Cocktail Ring // The Black Beard Cocktail

Sip & Snack - Thai One On

Inspired by last weeks Japanese snack and cocktail, I thought I would share another favorite meal that I make at least once a week for my husband and I. I always know when a recipe is a hit when I make it for my family and everyone goes back for seconds and thirds. Isn't it just the best feeling when you make something that everyone loves??? I was originally inspired by this recipe after a meal we had on my birthday at Spice Market in NYC earlier this year. Our delicious soup appetizer was so refreshing and satisfying yet some flavors were a little more pungent then others and I knew I could tweak it to our tastes. Check out all the delicious details below!

Ingredients

{makes four servings}

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

2 tablespoons fresh chopped ginger

2 tablespoons fresh chopped garlic

3 chicken breasts

1 family sized quart of chicken broth

1 box rice thin rice noodles

1 stalk dried lemongrass

1 jalepenó 

1 container of fresh shitake mushrooms {sliced thin}

1 can coconut milk

Instructions

Roast chicken breast in olive oil, salt & pepper at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, cool & shred. Set aside.  Slice jalepenó in half & remove seeds {if you like super spicy, feel free to leave in}. Peel ginger & garlic and throw all three ingredients in food processor till evenly chopped. Sauté all three ingredients in olive oil over medium low heat till tender {be careful to not overcook your garlic}. Add in soy sauce & satué till liquid is absorbed into vegetables. Add in sliced mushrooms & sauté till tender. Pour in chicken broth and lemongrass stalk & bring to a simmer. Once all the ingredients are all evenly blended and broth is almost at a boil, add in the can of coconut milk & stir. Add in shredded chicken & sriracha, stir & simmer for 5 minutes. Remove lemongrass & serve over noodles.

In a separate pot boil rice noodles in salted water for 4 minutes or package instructions, drain & set aside. {tip, these stick together very easily, I use tongs to serve them in the bottom of every bowl & when broth is served over them they will separate the noodles}.

noodle bowl // spoon // napkin // placemat

When we go out for Thai, my husband always opts for a Thai iced tea but I always crave a tropical cocktail. I think a fruity drink is so refreshing and works well with spicy foods so whenever we are having something with a little firey punch I am drawn to cooling cocktails with one of my favorite fruits like mango. This recipe is super easy and delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

{makes two servings}

2 oz premium vodka

2 oz triple sec 

2 oz fresh orange juice {I use mango/orange}

1 cup mango nectar {I use Goya}

Directions 

fill cocktail shaker with ice & all ingredients

shake & pour into chilled martini glass

garnish with orange or mango slice 

Cheers!

Thirsty Thursday - Grape Crush Cocktail

Who says grapes are only good for vino??? As of late my cocktails have been inspired by things I already have in the house. It challenges me to think outside the box a bit more than simply redoing the famous favorites that I have always adored. Todays drink is also special to me because it reminds me of sunday-fundays I used to have with some of my favorite gals. We would get all dolled up and head out to some Boston's finest "watering holes" one of which was the old Excelsior {now Bistro du Midi} where we put back quite a few white grape martinis. My blurred memory has me remember that This clear grape cocktail had a heavy punch but the frozen grape garnish was really what I loved. It was heavenly on a warm day. So taking a cue from good my glory days I thought I would create a white grape cocktail as the green grapes I was snacking on earlier this week were perfectly sweet and perfect for mixing with some tasty spirits. 

Check out all the details below to make this cocktail for yourself, you won't regret it!

Ingredients

{makes two cocktails}

1 bundle of washed white grapes

2 tablespoons simple syrup

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 cups soda water

4 ounces good vodka {I used Grey Goose}

ice

Directions

night before skewer grapes onto straw or wood skewer and freeze
{if you dont have time to prepare frozen grapes, you can serve the grapes fresh or simply slice a few grapes in half and add to cocktail for garnish}

muddle up as many grapes as you wish in the bottom of a cocktail mixer {I used about 15 grapes}

add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice & one tablespoon of simple syrup to muddled grapes
strain the grape juice from the mixer and evenly distribute into glasses that are filled with ice

pour 2 ounces of vodka into each glass

pour one cup of soda water into each glass 

stir & enjoy

DIY Washi Tape Pennants 

select your favorite washi tape patterns & wrap around edge of straw or skewer leaving the excess tape about 1 inch on both ends

align the tape ends together so the edges are flush to one another

trim the excess into the pennant shape you wish

Flowers

I decided to buy myself some flowers along with my cocktail. Since my peonies from last week unfortunately met their demise, I decided to change not only the bloom but also the color palette and go with some bright greens and white. I arrange the flowers in my hand first moving around each piece till it has a good balance all around. Once I have what I envisioned I wrap a rubberband around the stems to hold the bouquet together and place in a vase.