Cucumber Kumquat Moscow Mule

Who doesn't love a Moscow Mule...it's even Oprah's favorite cocktail.  I myself am a fan but I'm not sure if it is the drink itself or the super cute copper cups  that appeal to me.  In any case the drink is already refreshing and the only thing that could possibly make it more so are the additions of cucumbers and kumquats so brilliantly thought up by Perpetually Hungry.  I think this is definitely a must on a hot summer day!

Feeling Crafty?

The weather in NYC this weekend is looking kinda rainy at this point.  So, I thought it might be a good idea to have a couple of fun ideas up your sleeve.  Check out these cute projects.

Merry Thought
This hanging table is super cute.

Kristi Murphy
Painting your bathroom is not the only update you can do.

Nalle's House
In need of some new artwork?

Henry Happened
Pina Colada scrub mask...smells like coconuts and prepares your skin for tanning!

Link Love

Sulia
Individual portions of the ice box cake I love so much.

HGTV
Hobnail = awesome

What 2 Cook
Look what you can whip up with some Sprite and Gummy Bears

Bally
This bag is weird and impractical...but I can't quite thinking about it.

Bally shoulder bag   (see more summer handbags)

Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Last year I tried my hand at making some homemade chocolate ice cream (without an ice cream maker) using this recipe.  Let's just say they claim that it is the best chocolate ice cream you'll ever have and I would have to agree.  The chocolate recipe had quite a few steps and ingredients but the results where rich and creamy which made just eating a little bit still satisfying.  But when I saw this banana peanut butter ice cream recipe with 2 ingredients and 150 calories for a larger scoop I thought why not? 

Fried Shallots

I've been noticing a trend lately with fried shallots...it seems they are being thrown into everything.  Last weekend my husband got Rosemary fries which came beautifully displayed on a wooden plank with crispy shallots intertwined.  My burger patty came the same way with a small pile of crispy goodness on top.  This got me thinking maybe I should stop thinking of crispy onions as only a topper to green bean casserole?  A bite of salty crunchiness can add deliciousness to many dishes and maybe make an ordinary dish extraordinary.  I did some research and found that if you don't want to make them yourselves then the Asian grocery stores carry the best variety with Trader Joe's coming in second place. 

The Gouda Life
Sauteed purple kale with fried egg and crispy shallots (these need to be homemade)

Simply Scratch
The fancier version of green bean casserole

Serious Eats
Brussel Sprouts with crispy shallots and chilies

Food Network
Cauliflower Linguine with crispy shallots

Mod Podge

To Mod Podge or not to Mod Podge...that is the question I ask thee.  I have never embraced this trend it may because the name kinda bothers me and I never fancied myself saying I'm a  Mod-Podger. Can  you imagine your cell phone rings and someone is like, "Hey, you wanna grab brunch?" and then your like, "No, I'm just going to stay at home and Mod Podge."   Uh-huh...what did you think just then?

BUT then I ran across this and I gotta say I was a little intrigued.  Probably has more to do with the great trays and the bohemian paper but it got me thinking.  Could I secretly want to Mod Podge?

These trays that could easily be picked up for dollars.

Plus this cool wrapping paper they picked up at World Market

Equals these fabulous serving trays?

COOL ideas

So now I have my summer cocktail set and am starting to think about what other fun touches I can add to entertaining when the weather is 90 degrees plus.  You know I was considering cake when a memory from a few years back occurred to me.  We were at the US Open and the weather was hot and humid that day and the sun was beating down on us in the stands so we went in search of a cool treat...not like ice cream...like cocktails.  That's when I had a life changing lemon granita.  I can still remember the delicious lemony flavor and the tiny ice crystals and even though they were like $18 a piece, they were worth every penny.  That my fellow hip hostess' is going to be my go to dessert this year.  Here are a few ideas I'm kicking around.

Pineapple Granita
Looks lovely and shares an ingredient with my cocktails which is always pleasing to the palate.

Iced Coffee Popsicles
This would be a fun replacement to the normal coffee and dessert

Moonshine and Sweet Tea Granita
This is fun and when in Savannah you should always include sweet tea at some point.

Root Beer Float Granita
I like the kitsch and nostalgia this granita brings.  Awww A&W and drive in movies.

Link Love

Sewlicious Home Decor
Lemon Cheesecake Cookies

Home Bunch
Love the sink, the paper towel dispenser and oh yeah...those light fixtures.

DIY Network
Giant confetti balloons reason enough to throw a party.

Hungry Happenings
Kick movie night up a notch with an edible popcorn bowl.

The Citrus Bonita

You know how I roll as a hip hostess...every new season I like to pick a signature drink to serve for those coming months.  I like to switch it up every year so guests never know what to expect.  This year since it will be our first year with the Savannah heat, I'm thinking light and citrusy.  So, decision made this year if  you stop by (crossing my fingers it will be poolside) I'll serve you a Citrus Bonita.  I like the idea of a quality tequila enhanced with guava nectar and pineapple juice.  It sounds summery, fruity, refreshing and delicious.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
4 oz. guava nectar
1 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
2 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. triple sec
Dash of grenadine
Coarse salt

HOW TO MAKE IT…Combine the nectar, juices, tequila, triple sec, and grenadine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold and pour into a salt-rimmed glass with additional ice, as needed. Garnish with tropical fruit, pop open a cocktail umbrella and enjoy your stay.

Things I'm Lovin"

A cool set of antique dominoes in a leather case that I picked up for $5 bucks. 

This perfect Berkshire pork that we had at Bunker on a random Tuesday night.  I love spontaneous date nights.

My milk glass + succulent project can be checked off the list.  This actually looks better than it photographs because I somehow got the heights just right and the patterns play nicely off each other.  Even though I bought them separately...it looks like I knew what I was doing!

My latest lamp project.

Mother's Day

Sunday is a very special day...mother's day!  As everyone knows my mother doesn't live close enough to to actually spend the day with.  But you know a true hip hostess, that doesn't stop me from thinking about what if?  I am a big fan of mother's day brunch, due to the fact that restaurants are crowded and noisy and hosting allows you to put together special touches to make the day even greater.  If I was hosting it would look something like this.

Creole coffee punch
I like the idea of making one drink that includes your coffee fix and your libation all in one.

Skakshuka (Moroccan baked eggs)
These are delicious and can be prepped ahead of time and all you have to do is add the egg and bake. Plus it presents beautifully.

Strawberry Lemonade Coffee Cake
Cause you always gotta have a little something sweet to balance the savory.

Flowers
I would use flowers as my centerpiece that doubled as a gift for mom to take home.  I think you can't go wrong with ranunculus they are chic and easy to style.

Coffee...9 different ways

I love my morning cup of coffee.  I actually think it is more about the ritual than the actual coffee but that doesn't mean that I don't want the perfect cup.  We've had an automatic coffee  maker ( a couple), a percolator and we are currently using the french press.  We are still working to achieve that perfect cup of joe that seems like you have your very own barista in your kitchen.  When I saw this article over at Huffington Post, I was overjoyed.  Someone did the research for me and is going to tell me what the best method for getting your morning's best actually is?  So without further ado.

9.  Percolator
8.  Soft Brew
7.  Automatic
6.  Vacuum Pot (I had my eye on this one...now why bother)
5.  Coffee Cone
4.  Aeropress
3.  French Press
2.  Technivorm ($300 and change for a coffee maker...you might actually get a barista for that)

And the #1 way to make coffee is the Chemex which I have always loved the aesthetic of but discounted that it would make a great cup.  I'll be on the lookout for a sale!

Link Love

Chocolate, Chocolate and More
Summer means strawberry cobbler...yum.

Lovely Indeed
Who wouldn't want to make their own chic cement dominoes?

Dust Jacket
Brass fixtures are all the hype right now and this photo shows exactly why.

The Cake Blog
Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwiches

Piccsy
Bonus photo...so cute...If I were a dog, this would totally be me!

Miso Truffle Butter

As you know, I've been eating a lot of protein the last couple of months.  Now steak doesn't really get old because there are so many different cuts and methods of preparation.  But I have to say that we end up grilling more than anything and I'm looking to give myself a little special wow factor.  Why not slather that already delicious steak in miso truffle butter.  I know...there is no words or reason to not do this.

The Big Move

If you don't recognize the photo above it is Forsyth Park in Savannah Georgia.  Why might you ask are you showing us a random photo of Savannah?  Well...the hubby and I are packing our bags and moving South.  It was a tough decision but one we feel we are ready for at this point in our lives.  As much as NYC has been good to us through the years and I still love it, I am ready for a slower pace of life and I want to live in a house that costs less than $1M (mainly because I don't have $1M).  If its possible to be scared and excited at the same time then that's what I am.  If any readers have any advice I would welcome it with open arms.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away.  With the weather being so unpredictable it's caused us to lose track of time...one day you're wearing shorts the next a parka...who knows.  But the fact is this Monday is May 5th and Cinco de Mayo is on.  Now I realize that Monday is not the best day to celebrate but if we were to make lemons into lemonade we could say that Sunday is the perfect prep day.  That's right, as long as you choose dishes that can be made ahead of time there are really no excuses to put off getting together with a few friends, surprising your significant other or just at the very least a reason to eat Mexican.  Here's a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Strawberry Margaritas

Slow Cooked Ancho Pork Taco appetizers

The Perfect Mexican Playlist

Chorizo and Potato Enchiladas

Sombrero Cookies