Strut Your Stuff

Because really, isn't that what a great pair of heels helps you do? I love this sexy shot by mwfoto; you can just imagine what those two lovebirds are up to in that photo booth!

Decoration Day

Decoration Day is what Americans previously called Memorial Day, a reference to the decorations we leave for our fallen soldiers. These days, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and plenty of grilled hamburgers, but it's wonderful to remember this celebration's beginnings, too!

Hope all of you stateside are enjoying the holiday weekend, and that all my international visitors are kicking off a terrific week!

Photo from the Boozy Baker by Lucy Baker.

The Cocktail Bar, Part I

Every week I post these cocktail recipes, each one of them featuring at least three ingredients, and increasingly difficult to find. Usually I have all these spirits and mixers on hand, but even this cocktail devotée can find stocking a home bar daunting. Lucky for me, John and I sat down one Saturday and made a list (one of our favorite things to do, apart or together) so I though I'd share our combined cocktail wisdom.

Over the next few Fridays, I'll be going over the in's and out's of building a top-notch home bar; in less than a month, you'll be able to whip up anything your thirsty friends might ask for! Today, let's start at the very beginning:


the tools of the trade.

Every bar needs equipment, and yours is no exception. Pull out what you have already-likely, this includes a collection of themed or printed cocktail shakers, an old electric juicer and maybe a jigger, that little silver thing with two ends. Hey, we all start somewhere!

Your printed cocktail shaker probably doesn't need to be replaced. Keep in mind that the larger the shaker, not only can you shake up more drinks in a single go, you can chill that solo cocktail faster. If you simply can't bear to look at that Pink Elephant plastic shaker (I have certainly never possessed such a hideous item!), try a classic Boston shaker. The two parts will either both be stainless steal or feature one bar glass and one stainless steel cup; the choice is purely a matter of aesthetics. That bar glass can also be used for spirituous cocktails, which should be stirred, so if you're looking to simplify, I'd pick a mismatched set.

Once you've got your shakers selected, consider strainers. Good bartenders keep three on hand: a julep strainer, a Hawthorne strainer and a tea strainer.

The julep strainer is the saucer shaped beauty with larger holes; use this one for straining spirituous cocktails without much gunk to worry about (unlike cocktails with muddled mint leaves, freshly squeezed juices, etc)

The Hawthorne strainer is that rounded strainer with the spring along the bottom; use it along with a fine tea strainer (just like you'd use to strain jams or jellies) to keep your drinks free of pulp and excess ice.

In addition to shakers and strainers, bartenders rely on jiggers for precise measurements. We have three different sizes: 2 oz/1 oz, 1oz/.5oz and .75oz/.5oz. Maybe you don't need them all right now, but at $1.25 a piece, you'll be glad you got a complete set.

Now pull out that juicer-if it works, don't worry about replacing it. If it doesn't, or you realize you don't have one, let me suggest a citrus juicer (or better yet, an overhand press if you have the money and counter space)! The reason most people buy margarita mix is because juicing enough limes for more than 2 cocktails can take quite a bit of time, but a good juicer will speed up the process.

Other things that you don't need to finish your bar but never hurt: a citrus reamer, a zester (which you might already have in your kitchen tools), a dedicated bar knife (which can just as easily be a paring knife) and long bar spoons for stirring martinis and other spirit-driven cocktails. You'll also want a muddler if you like mojitos; skip the silicone-bottomed tools and find a wooden muddler that looks like a small baseball bat. The smooth, wooden bottom will help extract oils from citrus or herbs, and will dissolve sugars more easily.

Keep in mind that those adorable sets you can find at Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel will work in a pinch, but you'll be missing some important pieces. Generally, these sets have a jigger with unusual volumes, so be sure to check both sides carefully before you pour!

Next week, expect advice on the liquor staples every home bar needs!

Turtledoves

A pair of doves is simply iconic: to the Chinese, they embody faithfulness and longevity, and the ancient Romans believed they represented Venus, the goddess of love. So it's only fitting newlyweds who value tradition would place a cooing couple atop their wedding cake, especially one that's also covered in symbols of love: lily of the valley stands for a return to happiness and sweetness, while maidenhair fern represents the secret bond of love!

Do you go as crazy for symbolism as I do?

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Katy and Ryan

This dreamy North Carolina wedding is such a classic; it's hard to resist a beautiful bride, shades of sweet cream and sunny yellow, and a few funny flower girls! The bride, Katy, worked with Salt Harbor Designs to plan a contemporary wedding with an old-fashioned feel-my kind of girl!

The bride wore an ivory fit and flair gown while her maid of honor wore a blue silk shantung dress; both carried bouquets filled with garden roses, lilac, sweet peas, tulips and geranium that looked as gorgeous as they smelled! The couple was married in a traditional ceremony and Salt Harbor placed a small galvanized pail of flowers on each pew to bring a bit of whimsy to the historical chapel.

After the ceremony, guests made their way to The Balcony on Dock Street for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Inspired by Ryan's picnic proposal, the cocktail hour was complete with lemonade, mason jars, picnic snacks and plenty of chalkboards. Everyone enjoyed the stunning cake by Alison's Cakery, fashioned after an antique box that has been passed down in Katy's family for generations-talk about style!

Lucky for all of us, Whitebox Weddings was on hand to photograph each element of this classic celebration-thank you, Maureen!

Sole Mates

I hope you'll excuse my terrible pun, but I simply couldn't resist-these two might be the best-shod couple I've ever seen! From his classic lace ups and arygle socks to her nude Valentino peep toes, I'd trade my whole shoe wardrobe to put John and I in their places!

Photo by Erin Hearts Court.

Smiling

John finally returned from his Alabama vacation this weekend and this beautiful bride's smile was not unlike my own when he walked in the door on Saturday night! It was the first time I'd slept in the new apartment alone, and while I'll admit it was fun to watch chick flicks while painting my toenails and giving myself an at-home facial, it wasn't more fun than having my sweetheart around! The truth is that I just sleep better when he's next to me!

How were your weekends? Did anything absolutely divine happen, or did you enjoy a deliciously lazy reprieve?

Photo by Anna Robin Photography.

Sweet Tea

With John still traipsing around the South, I have a hankering for a bit of Southern sweet. The first thing I reach for? Sweet tea, of course!

Amended for my darling Southern readers who hate sweet tea:
While John's family likes their tea well-sugared and I think at least one aunt may live on the stuff (Hi, Aunt Jenny!), I prefer mine with more of a bite, and always use just a bit of honey or agave syrup instead. I've made a dent in the pitcher of iced tea in our fridge, but I'm sure the moment John gets home tomorrow that it'll all be gone!

For those of you looking for your Friday cocktail, fear not! Add 1 1/2 oz of vodka and you're enjoying an Ice Pick, or throw in lemonade too and you'll be sipping on a John Daly cocktail, the alcoholic version of the classic Arnold Palmer!

Tell me, what are your plans for this weekend? Cheers, ya'll!

Photo by Ashley Garmon.

Blooming

This stunning arrangement practically stopped me in my tracks; the lovely seashell vase, the divine Ikat tablecloth and a raucous orange arrangement are breathtaking! Don't you love when the most vibrant shades are the ones found in nature?

Photo by Anne Roberts Photography, Arrangement by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers.

Ashley and Grant

A gorgeous South Caroline wedding full of buttercups, Coca Cola Classics, lush greens and polaroids. Sometimes, simple is just sweeter.

What's your favorite detail of this Southern celebration?

Photos by Tec Petaja.