Essie Naughty Nautical – Sunday Funday

May 21, 2013 By in Beauty Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

I grabbed a bottle of Essie Sunday Funday last weekend while at Target.  Although officially set to launch in June 2013, Target had a few bottles and this “tangerine coral crush shimmer” caught my eye immediately.

Part of the Naughty Nautical collection, this is the perfect Summer shade!  With a tiny bit of shimmer, this coral is a fabulous pop of color.

Essie Sunday Funday

The color went on smoothly (one coat of Essie “fill the gap” as a base) and I only needed two thin coats for even, opaque coverage.  Topped with a thin coat of Essie “good to go” top coat, my nails have stayed chip-free for 48-hours so far (MAJOR accomplishment for me).

I know I will be reaching for this shade over and over this summer.

Making the old, new – painting our garden bistro set

May 20, 2013 By in Decor, DIY, House and Home, Spaces Tags: , , Leave a comment

One of our favorite features of our condo is our deck. 30 feet long (only 4 feet wide), it has views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge, a peek of the downtown skyline (including the TransAmerica Pyramid building), potted lemon and lime trees and our beloved (pint-sized) grill.

When we bought our condo we actually negotiated to keep the previous owner’s patio bistro set. While it definitely wasn’t lovely, it was tall and fit the narrow space perfectly. To maximize our view we needed tall patio furniture and finding that is tough! So we decided to keep something functional and forgo having something more attractive. The set had a few stains we couldn’t remove (grease maybe) and was a dull, matte gray – sort of reminicent of car primer.

Recently I saw this amazing bistro table on Terrain.com and I wanted it – badly.

terrain.com bistro set

I love a good pop of color and have never seen a glossy finish that I didn’t immediately covet. But with our height requirements plus already owning a perfectly good set, I couldn’t justify the purchase (someday…). That didn’t mean I couldn’t make a few updates to my set to make it a bit more fun! So that is exactly what we did!

Table final

Using Rustoleum MULTI-PURPOSE GLOSS SPRAY in Real Orange, we transformed our gross outdoor table into a cute, bright bistro set. Two thin coats and plenty of dry-time is the way to go. Don’t forget to drape your ground and walls (that orange smudge to the left is a reflection from our glossy deck, not a terrible smudge!).

Here is a quick before and after of the project:

making the old, new - re-done garden bistro set

Mad Men Cocktail Hour – The Cape Codder

May 19, 2013 By in Cocktails, Mad Men Cocktail Hour Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

There may not be a more “Mad Men-esque” cocktail than the Cape Codder.  While I certainly can’t imagine Don or Roger downing one (or even Betty for that matter), they were not created “organically” by bartenders experimenting behind the bar.  They were invented by Ocean Spray.  To help sell more cranberry juice.  Now tell me that isn’t something Pete would pitch to an upset client in a conference room.  They would probably have pitcher of the cocktails ready to go!

I haven’t had a Cape Codder since college.  I remember a bar I used to go to sold 32 oz. Cape Codders – I ordered one once and then didn’t drink them again.  I just remember it as being way too sweet and instantly headache-inducing.

BUT – I am headed to Cape Cod in less than two weeks and I am so very excited that whipping this up seemed appropriate.  It was funny, I grabbed a bottle of cranberry juice in the store today and my husband instantly said “making Cape Codders?”  He is from Boston you see, he knows this drink well.

A Cape Codder couldn’t be simpler.  Don’t be lazy and just combine Vodka and Cranberry juice, the lime (fresh squeezed) is very important.  I used Ocean Spray (c’mon, stick with the brand who invented it) Light Cranberry juice.  It has 50 calories per 8 ounces and while the taste is less “full-bodied” (trying to think of a nice way of saying watered down), that helps in this cocktail!  I usually cut juice with sparkling water anyway, so I am used to a lighter flavor and that was my main memory of that monster Cape Codder from college – too much of a good thing.  So the lighter juice worked well for me in this.  I also topped the glass with a splash of soda water… a little sparkle never hurts in a vodka-based cocktail.

How to make a Cape Codder cocktail

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz Vodka
  • 4.5 oz Cranberry juice
  • 1/2 fresh lime juice
  • splash of soda water (optional)

Combine Vodka, Cranberry and lime juice in a cocktail shaker over ice.  Shake very vigorously.  Strain into a tall glass, top with a splash of soda water and garnish with a lime.

Enjoy!

thanks for reading!

Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred: Driving shoes

May 13, 2013 By in Fashion inspiration, Nina Garcia's The One Hundred Tags: Leave a comment

Driving shoes are a perfect option for the weekend.  Like boat shoes or loafers, they are casual without looking sloppy.

The difference between driving shoes and moccasins or loafers are the rubber “nubbins” on the sole.  These give grip and traction – two things I actually need driving my little standard Volvo up and down the steep hills of San Francisco!

I pulled three options I love: a Must, a Should and a Lust.

Enjoy!

Must, Should, Lust: Driving shoes

 

Lucky Brand | Coach | Tod’s

Mad Men Cocktail Hour: The Sidecar

May 12, 2013 By in Cocktails, Mad Men Cocktail Hour Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

This drink is a classic but I had never had one before.  I have definitely heard of it, just never thought to try it.  Somehow I thought it would taste stuffy or bitter, but it is refreshing and delicious!

The Sidecar was probably invented around World War One, which makes this a great signature cocktail for a Great Gatsby themed party as well.

Super simple to make, only three ingredients: Brandy, Cointreau and lemon juice.  Combine them all in a shaker with ice, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass with a sugared rim.  Garnish with a twist of lemon.

The Sidecar cocktail from Stylishly Lived

Mad Men Cocktail Hour: The Gimlet

May 5, 2013 By in Cocktails, Mad Men Cocktail Hour Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Oh Betty Draper Francis, how I want the season 2 version of you back.  I wish they would get her out of the fat suit and return her to the previous (more interesting) terror that she was.  Plus she just had the BEST clothes.

Betty’s drink of choice is a Gimlet.  I think I remember her drinking vodka Gimlets – but I vote we stick to the original.  Using gin makes it slightly less cloying in my opinion.  Back in the day Gimlets were made with equal parts Gin and Rose’s Lime Juice.  Those are still the only two ingredients in a traditional Gimlet (no fresh fruit in this puppy!) but I prefer the drink with an uneven ratio.  And you can’t add soda water, because if you do the drink becomes a Gin Rickey (which is totally delicious as well).

Without further delay… The Gimlet:

The Gimlet {from StylishlyLived.com}

How to make a Gimlet:

Combine 2 oz. Gin and 3/4 oz. Rose’s Lime Syrup in a tumbler with ice.  Stir well.

Enjoy over ice or strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy!

Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred: Diamond Studs

May 4, 2013 By in Fashion inspiration, Nina Garcia's The One Hundred Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Whew – post #27 of this little series.  A quarter of the way there!

Diamond studs.  I love them.  I have shown you my go-to pair of “diamond” studs before.  I have owned one pair of real diamond studs in my life – but there were really more like diamond “speck” earrings; they were from a high school boyfriend and appropriately sized about 1/4 carat each.  But I lost one.  And that sort of made me not want to invest in another pair of “real” ones.  I wouldn’t turn them down of course if a pair happened to come my way (*ahem, hint hint), but I am too nervous to invest in a pair myself.

Not to fear!  There are a HUGE number of gorgeous “fake diamond” studs out there!  The best ones require a little investment (think the $50-$100 range).  Nina Garcia delves into the ins and outs of purchasing diamonds and what to look for in the book and the details are worth the read.  My three favorite cuts are cushion (unique and sparkly), emerald (classic and elegant) and a bezel-set round (a little more fun).

I rounded up a couple of classic options and a couple of fun ones that I love!

diamond studs from stylishlylived.com

round cluster from BaubleBar | rose gold studs by Vince Camuto 

emerald cut by Givenchy | round bezel-set from Swarovski

Cool and refreshing: the Cucumber Margarita

May 4, 2013 By in Cocktails, Entertaining, Recipes Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

I think I am fairly well documented on the fact that I am not a huge tequila fan.  It just doesn’t pair well with my (already) feisty personality.  You’ll never see me order tequila shots and although I love the idea of a Paloma cocktail, we don’t usually stock tequila around here, so I don’t see whipping a batch up on a whim happening anytime soon.

Once a year I decide to throw caution to the wind, warn my husband to be extra sweet for a day and drink a tequila drink; no other liquor feels appropriate around Cinco de Mayo.  And I have found that if I really balance the amount tequila with other ingredients, I do pretty well and can even enjoy a second round!

Last year I did a Pineapple-Jalapeno Margarita – and it was tasty!  This year I wanted something a little less sweet and a bit more crisp and refreshing.  What what is cooler, crisper or more refreshing than a cucumber?  Not much!  So, as an option for your Cinco de Mayo festivities, consider a Cucumber Margarita:

Cucumber Margarita from StylishlyLived.com

A few “pro-tips”:

  • the cucumbers makes a tasty, lime-y, slightly boozy snack so definitely eat them!
  • Use silver tequila – it makes all the difference in the world and makes me regret drinking tequila a lot less in the morning.
  • You can omit the splash of soda water if needed.
  • Peel the cucumber.

Mad Men Cocktail Hour: White Sangria

April 28, 2013 By in Cocktails, Mad Men Cocktail Hour Tags: , , , 1 Comment

It feels like summer is here, doesn’t it?

After a chilly week, the beautiful weather is back in San Francisco and if the weatherman is to be trusted (which he, most certainly, is not), we can expect sunshine for the next week!

Just in case his predictions hold true, I decided to create a summertime Sangria.  That’s a lie actually.  I created it because we were invited to brunch at the home of a wonderful couple and although I know they like my normal sangria, it just seemed like “a lot” for a brunch.  I mean, you aren’t supposed to stagger out of a brunch, right?  This variety is very tasty, a bit lighter and totally refreshing!

I don’t think I have ever had white sangria before.  Strange because I love white wine and I love sangria, so why not combine?  Probably because my husband doesn’t particularly like white wine, be he really did like this!  He definitely drank the most of it at brunch and even snacked on the fruit.  Normally he and I don’t abide by fruit in our glasses of Sangria – it takes up room in the glass that the delicious wine should be inhabiting.  Let other people have the fruit  Also, we NEVER add sparkling water.  Sangria should (normally) put some hair on your chest.  But with this option, most of us (not my husband of course) topped our glasses with sparkling water, we devoured the fruit and it was so tasty!

Ok – so here is how this particular variety came to be: I just thought of all the “hints” and “essences” people taste in white wine.  Tropical fruits?  Check!  Stone fruits?  Done!  Pear?  Yes! Citrus?  I don’t mind if I do!  And I grabbed some of all of that and then a few things to pretty up the glasses (starfruits and blackberries), threw it all together and voila!  Well – there is a bit more to it.  So, in case you are in need of some warm weather refreshment, here is my White Sangria recipe:
From StylishlyLived.com - White Sangria

White Sangria:

  • Two bottles of Pinot Grigio
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • One cup Triple Sec
  • One starfruit (sliced)
  • One can mandarin oranges (no sugar added), drained
  • Three small plums, pitted and sliced
  • One mango, pitted and diced
  • Two pears (I used Anjou)
  • One small container of blackberries, washed
  • Juice of one large orange

Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher and let marinate for several hours or overnight.  Serve chilled with fruit in glass and top with sparkling water if desired.

Enjoy!

Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred: Denim Jacket

April 24, 2013 By in Fashion inspiration, Nina Garcia's The One Hundred Tags: , , Leave a comment

After yesterday’s brief detour, we are finally ready for the post I had intended as a return from the NGTOH (again, reference yesterday’s post) category.  Actually, I didn’t intend for a hiatus (indeed, I would love to finish this series up in 2013!).  Rather, I got stuck.

Denim jackets.  I love the way they look – on other people.  I personally find them difficult to wear because I am long waisted.  They always hit me as a very awkward spot about 1.5 inches above the waistband of my pants.  Not cute.  The ONLY way I can wear them is over a dress. And I do love that look.  So while Ms. Garcia has lots of other suggestions as to how to style a denim jacket, here is mine:

Denim Jacket- StyledJacket: Robyn Denim Jacket by Adriano Goldschmied via Calypso St. Barth (buy here)

Dress: Cross-front Jersey Maxi from Old Navy (buy here)

Necklace: BaubleBar Ivory Jurassic Collar (buy here)

Bag: Gap leather stripe tote (buy here) {clearly I am obsessed with this thing}

Sandal: K. Jacques Uranus Braided Sandal (buy here)

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