Homemade Blueberry Lemonade
Posted: May 25, 2012 Filed under: Festive/ Holiday, Food | Tags: Memorial Day Party Recipe, Virgin Cocktail Recipe 7 Comments »While reading The Glossy Life this morning, I came across this lovely recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade and now I can’t wait to concoct this treat for my Memorial Day festivities this weekend.
Ingredients
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 cups lemon juice (at least 12 fresh lemons)
zest of one lemon
one cup fresh blueberries
Combine the water and sugar in a pan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a strong boil, stirring on occasion. Once the sugar has dissolved, continue to boil for an additional two minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. This is the syrup that will serve as the base of your lemonade. Let sit for at least a half hour.
While the syrup is cooling, you’re going to want to reduce your blueberries down on the stove. Place a cup of blueberries in a pan with one cup of water, one cup of sugar and the juice of half a lemon. Bring the mixture to a boil, reducing the heat once the sugar has melted and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes.
Once the mixture has reduced down and is a deep shade of purple, pour it through a fine mesh strainer and into a bowl. The end result is a sweet fruity syrup that you’ll use to flavor your lemonade base.
The proportions for mixing up the lemonade remain the same whether you’re making a single glass or a bottle (like I did). Fill your bottle (or again, your glass) a third of the way with the lemon syrup. Add water and ice until full. Stir in several spoonfuls of the blueberry syrup–the more you add, the deeper the color and stronger the flavor. Serve cold with a lemon slice at a BBQ this weekend–the perfect welcome to the long-awaited summer days!
Recipe and images are courtesy of The Glossy Life.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Posted: May 5, 2012 Filed under: Festive/ Holiday, Food | Tags: Cinco de mayo, How to make the perfect margarita, Virgin margarita recipe 2 Comments »If you’re not celebrating the Kentucky Derby today, then you are most definitely celebrating Cinco de Mayo!
The Perfect Margarita
1.5 oz Tequila
2 tsp 100% Pure Agave Nectar
1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice (approx 1/2 lime)
Lime to garnish
Ice
Salt (optional)
Kentucky Derby!
Posted: May 3, 2012 Filed under: Fashion, Festive/ Holiday, Food | Tags: Derby Party Ideas, Derby Party Outfits, Kentucky Derby, Mint Julep Recip 5 Comments »Is everyone else just as excited as I am about the Kentucky Derby this weekend? When I was young, I used to go to the Derby with my family and I was always completely enamored by the beautiful red roses overflowing everywhere and all of the sophisticated ladies in their elaborate hats. Though I haven’t been to the actual Derby in years, I still enjoy a toast to the most exciting two minutes of sports complete with mint juleps and my finest headwear.
For those of you hosting a Derby party at home. Please try my absolute favorite Mint Julep recipe!
Classic Mint Julep
1 scant ounce of minted simple syrup (see below for details)
2 cups of crushed ice
2 ounces of Kentucky bourbon
Fresh mint for garnish
Minted Simple Syrup
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 bunch of mint
In heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Increase heat slightly, then simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take pan off heat, add mint leaves, and steep 15 minutes. Strain, then refrigerate syrup until cold, about 3 hours. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
Add the minted simple syrup to a silver mint julep cup, then add 1 cup of crushed ice, bourbon and a splash of water. Add enough of the remaining ice to almost fill the cup. Stir well and garnish with mint sprigs. Recipe courtesy of Epicurious.
Make sure to serve your mint juleps in lovely silver cups!
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Coral Kentucky Derby Hat // Valextra Isis Gioiello Clutch // Carven Lace and Silk Organza Dress // Mui Mui Pink Bow shoes
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Posted: March 17, 2012 Filed under: Festive/ Holiday, Food | Tags: Ingredients, McDonald's Shamrock Shake, Shamrock Shake Recipe 2 Comments »Typically, I wouldn’t dream of hitting up McDonald’s. I personally do not like the taste of fast food, nor do I like the idea of eating food from a fast food restaurant. However, once a year, I feel an overwhelming urge to swing by McD’s for one of their Shamrock Shakes. I am a milk shake fanatic and when you add mint to the mix, it’s sometimes just too hard to resist. This year, I fought the urge, but also found a great compromise. This do it yourself Shamrock Shake recipe is 10 x better than anything purchased at the drive-thru and its so much more fun to make at home. Plus, you can enjoy this shake all year round!
Emerald mint milkshake recipe ♣ Makes 3 servings
Ingredients:
♣ 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream or yogurt (I prefer Batch ice-cream because of its simple ingredients!)
♣ 1 cup milk
♣ 1/2 teaspoon Pure Peppermint Extract
♣ 1/4 teaspoon Green Food Color
♣ Whipped cream, mint leaves and green sprinkles (optional)
Directions:
1.) Place ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and green food color in blender; cover. Blend on high speed until smooth.
2.)Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream, mint leaves and sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.
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Source: She Knows
Christmas Morning
Posted: December 21, 2011 Filed under: Festive/ Holiday, Food | Tags: Christmas Breakfast Inspiration, Christmas Tablescape Leave a comment »This year, I am lucky enough to host my entire family on Christmas morning right here in Boston. Due to my lack of culinary skills, I will require a little help from an undisclosed outside source….However, if I was kitchen-saavy, I would prepare a breakfast that looked a little something like this:
The perfect Christmas breakfast starts with Overnight French Toast. I was literally salivating over this recipe when I spotted it on Quick Dish.
This colorful fruit cup is almost too pretty to eat!
Breakfast isn’t complete without eggs. I love this twist on Eggs Benedict from the Curvy Carrot.
I am a carb-aholic and this croissant recipe just looks too easy.
And for beverages….I would love to try this gorgeous mimosa bar.
Fortunately, I feel more confident in my decorating skills than my cooking skills. I will definitely fill my home with lots of flowers and Christmas decor.
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All images courtesy of Pinterest.
Seeing Spots
Posted: September 15, 2011 Filed under: Fashion, Food | Tags: David Koma, Fall fashion 2011, Kate Spade, Polka-dots, Polka-dots furniture, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney 3 Comments »I have a passion for polka-dots (and stripes, but I’ll save that for another day,) which I realized this morning when I opened up my closet and saw an abundance of spotted apparel. Needless to say, I am quite pleased with the latest polka-dot craze championed by Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs.
(R-L: Alexa Chung in a vintage shirtdress, Olivia Palermo in Bensoni, Natalia Vodianova in David Koma)
Some of my favorite polka-dot pieces (R-L: Kate Spade, Gucci, Kate Spade, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Fred Flare, Stella McCartney. Click on the image for the link):
A simple way to pull it off:
And a few polka-dot pieces of furniture for your home. How amazing are these sideboards by Toyo Ito for Horm?
And a polka-dot interior from Vogue Italia
The Harvard Connection
Posted: September 13, 2011 Filed under: Architecture, Fashion, Food, Interiors, Places to visit | Tags: Cambridge, Harvard Business School, Harvard Square 7 Comments »This Fall, my husband enrolled at Harvard Business School. As the summer winded down and the beginning of the school-year approached, we made the ultimate “sacrifice” and moved out of our Back Bay apartment and into a Cambridge townhouse closer to HBS. I was nervous (to say the least!) about moving out of our familiar neighborhood and into what felt like a foreign country. After living in Boston for almost eight years, I had only ventured into Cambridge four or five times, which were primarily for Harvard Football games…afterall, we did live four whole miles away! It has been about six weeks since our move and I must say, I have fallen head over heels in love with my new zip code.
First and foremost, Harvard Business School is an architectural masterpiece. The interiors, exteriors, and landscape are perfection.
The breath-taking interiors
The infamous Harvard Yard and some shots of Harvard Square
Harvard Square – just a two-minute walk away – is lively, energetic, young and vibrant. It is filled with a vast selection of fabulous restaurants and trendy clothing boutiques. Here are some of my favorite local restaurants.
Harvest – 44 Brattle Street, Harvard Square. An elegant restaurant serving traditional New England cuisine. A quintessential Harvard Square classic!
Tory Row – 3 Brattle Street, Harvard Square. The latest venture by restauranteurs Matthew Curtis and Christopher A. Lutes features an eclectic menu with items ranging from curry apricot cheese spread to grilled hanger steak. The interior is minimalistic with a hip vibe.
Russell House Tavern – 14 JFK Street, Harvard Square. A two-level gastropub serving mid-priced American classics. It’s a great spot to dine as well as to mingle with friends over cocktails, beer or wine. My personal favorite!
Henrietta’s Table – One Bennett Street, Harvard Square. American, organic cuisine with locally grown ingredients. Henrietta’s Kitchen is quaint, comfortable and has delicious food.
My view of the Charles River and HBS from my apartment – It would be hard not to fall in love with a view like this.
….Last, but not least, a few links to my favorite retailers in Harvard Square
The Andover Shop - Cashmere, Bowties and Tweed. A VERY charming men’s boutique.
Mint Julep - Trendy women’s clothing.
Lush – Handmade soaps, lotions, scrubs, cosmetics…basically, it’s a product-junkies dream.
Monella – Trendy and chic women’s apparel.
The Tannery – Hotspot for men’s and women’s designer clothing, shoes and outerwear.
Tess - European Fashion.
