Second Line Cocktail

I generally avoid cocktails made in great big batches; most drinks taste better fresh out of the shaker. But this rum libation is worth making in bulk–you'll definitely be asking for another round! 

Second Line Cocktail 

1 cup light rum

1 cup dark rum

1 cup orange juice

2 cup pineapple juice 

2 oz grenadine
1 oz allspice dram

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher with ice; stir well. Serve in tall glasses with fresh ice, garnished with a maraschino cherry.


 Inspired by this Martha Stewart recipe, John and I updated the proportions and substituted spiced light rum, a pretty scary category, for light rum and allspice dram. If you'd rather not hunt down a more obscure cocktail ingredient, you can always use this recipe for spiced rum from the tiki team at Smuggler's Cove. Cheers!


Image c/o Martha Stewart Living, March 2004.

Keep It Simple

I adore Love Vs Design–their work hits the mark with graphics that are modern, but don't sacrifice romance, which I would hazard to say should be a pretty big part of any wedding! The Keep It Simple suite, with its punchy color, hand-drawn elements and the subtlest nod to papel picado is perfect for a summertime soirée, don't you think?

Vicki and Gary

Who says orange is only for October? This cheerful shade, paired with gray and white, looks crisp and fresh–perfect for summer! 

Vicki and Gary were living on opposite coasts when they planned their wedding, but since they met working at Stanford Medical Center and spent their first weekend away in Napa, the pair thought it was the perfect place to host their families and friends. Gorgeous Meadowood Resort was host to their outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, and provided the most beautiful backdrop–I'm thinking about saving up my pennies for a night there! Gary would spend most months deployed in Afghanistan with the Air Force in the year before the wedding, so the couple hired Frances of Charmed Events Group to help bring the details, from invitations (which hinted at the celebration's airplane theme) to table settings, to life.

The bride wore a lace Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston gown and sparkling Jimmy Choo peep toe Mary Jones, paired with a lace-tipped cathedral veil and chandelier earrings from Ben Amun, while her bridesmaids looked sweet in gray chiffon Priscilla of Boston dresses and J.Crew necklaces. Succulents, parrot tulips and orchids were prominently featured in bouquets by Poppy's Petalworks, and in the boutonnieres that graced the classic black tuxedos worn by the groom and his groomsmen. After a traditional ceremony officiated by Rev. Timothy Mills, guests enjoyed the relaxed, fun-filled celebration the couple and Charmed Events had worked so hard to plan. Gray and orange, the bride and groom's favorite colors, respectively, were at the heart of the reception, as were airplanes, a nod to Gary's Air Force service and the pair's bi-coastal love affair. The newlyweds treated guests to a Nut bar, since roasted and salted are their favorite snacks, and a spectacular cake by Perfect Endings. And snapping each gorgeous moment was the phenomenally talented Tanja Lippert, who was generous enough to share this lovely celebration. I first discovered her work when she shot Heather, one of my directors, and her husband Scott's wild engagement session, magical wedding and charming maternity photos, which will, without question, inspire you.

Tell me–do you think orange is only fit for fall, or is this shade enchanting year round?

Slingback

Something about that slice of orange beneath a heavenly cloud of tulle and satin is truly irresistible–and so impossibly fresh. 

What draws you to an image? Is it color, detail, or perhaps the mood? I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and I'm a sucker for composition–not so much what, but how a shot's made up.

Image by Susan Baker Photography.

Vibrant

If that gorgeous bouquet doesn't put a smile on your face this Monday morning, I can't imagine what else would! It's just so joyful and bright, I couldn't resist!

I dragged John with me to the office on Friday morning, where he spent a few hours dismantling desks and playing my handsome handyman–in a navy blue suit and tie, no less! I figured we'd head to dinner early since we'd had quite a long week, but when 6pm rolled around, I finally found him having cocktails with friends at their turn of the century apartment in Noe Valley! I hightailed it over for Mississippi Mules and Marcona almonds, and after a few rounds and some gorgeous recordings on Bryndon's Victrola, we made our way to a late dinner. Hand in hand, we grabbed gelato from Holy Gelato! (raspberry for me, coconut for John) and headed home.

We slept in on Saturday, relishing a morning free of commitments; when we finally woke up, we threw on some clothes and headed out to run a few errands and grab breakfast at Beachside, a darling little café just a few blocks from (wouldn't you have guessed) the beach! After a cheddar and herb scramble for me and Eggs Florentine for John, we headed home and curled up with the season 5 finale of Mad Men, relishing time together since we've both been so busy recently. Finally John pulled out his guitar and I dug into my inbox, and before I knew it, his Saturday night shift had rolled around! We had a little late afternoon picnic before John left me to my own devices, and while I'd planned to savor the sunshine in Golden Gate Park with a good book, I was still at my computer two hours later struggling with code I just couldn't make right! I hate to admit defeat, but finally I poured myself a glass of lemonade and swore to reapply myself–another time. I whipped up a Gruyère grilled cheese and ate all the raspberries in the fridge before drawing a hot bath and taking my book in with me–talk about a perfect Saturday night!

We were up at a more reasonable hour on Sunday morning, and found the streets packed with fellow brunchers. John and I managed to snag an outdoor table in the shade, ordered our favorite breakfasts (tofu veggie scramble for John, poached eggs for me) and enjoyed this unseasonably beautiful San Francisco summer. We strolled home and indulged in an episode or two of Frasier before getting down to work–me at the computer, John at the guitar. Soon it was back to work for my sweetheart, while I hustled to squeeze in yoga practice, a shower and a blow dry. I met a dear friend for cocktails (John's, of course), and we ended up spending the whole evening sipping, eating and gossiping–it's such a shame she lives in New York! We finally made it home late Sunday night, exhausted and almost ready for Monday morning.


Tell me, what were you up to this weekend?

Image by Picotte Weddings, bouquet by Holly Flora.