Mai Tai

 Before summer comes to its unofficial end this weekend, I thought I would share a tiki classic, and a fabulous cocktail while the weather's still warm. The Mai Tai gets a bad rap, but made well, it's downright sophisticated–not to mention delicious!

Mai Tai

2 oz aged rum

3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 oz orange curacao

1/4 oz orgeat syrup

1/4 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz dark rum

Combine aged rum, lime, curacao, orgeat and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a lowball or decorative glass filled with crushed ice. Top with 1/4 to 1/2 oz of dark rum. Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.

Notes: Trader Vic had some pretty specific liquors and syrups in mind when he first crafted his Mai Tai, but nearly every one is a challenge to find. I love Barbancourt aged rum, so that's what we have on hand at the house, but feel free to use whatever you've got stocked in your cabinet or find at the store. As for the dark rum, hunt for Myers's Jamaican rum, or something similar. Orange curacao can easily be the Grand Marnier from last year's Christmas flambé, or a simple bottle of triple sec, and finally, you can substitute orgeat syrup, which is hard to find outside of cocktail meccas like San Francisco, for almond syrups from Monin or Torani. The only thing you shouldn't experiment with is the proportions–that's how Mai Tai became a dirty word! Cheers, and Happy Labor Day!

Image by Comfort Studio.

Weakness

My weaknesses include anything coconut, This Side of Paradise, and well-tailored menswear–for him or me! This perfectly preppy pairing of gingham and tipped linen has me dreaming of a picnic reception on a great big lawn–and of wearing that same shirt over a white bikini the next day!

Tell me–do you steal anything from his side of the closet?

Image by brklyn view photography; a peek at the rest of this charming celebration featured on Style Me Pretty is well worth it, I promise!

Lauren and Caleb

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you'd asked me a week ago, I probably would have told you that I could do with fewer mason jars and burlap at weddings. But after seeing this wedding, I'd tell you I was wrong. Every choice feels so natural, laid-back but celebratory, and absolutely charming. 

After choosing the Red Horse Barn in Huntington Beach, CA for the ceremony and reception venue, the couple worked with Carter & Cook Event Co. to craft an outdoor celebration space filled with burlap and lace. Lauren and Caleb worked with a friend to make rustic table runners that graced large farm tables from Classic Party Rental, and The Floral Lab filled wooden crates with gardenias, dusty miller, succulents and balsa wood flowers that beautifully matched the bouquets and boutonnieres.

The bride wore a Melissa Sweet gown she borrowed from a friend of a friend, paired with Kate Spade bow-decked slingbacks and diamond drop earrings, while her maids wore J.Crew dresses in navy cotton cady. Caleb and his groomsmen wore classic seersucker suits, navy ties and boat shoes–white for the groom and brown for his guys.

The pair was married by Lauren's grandfather and after the heartfelt ceremony, their nearest and dearest were treated to the most fabulous party! Tamales and tacos from Jalisco’s Taco Catering were a fresh, delicious alternative to more formal catering, and I've never been one to turn down a margarita, especially when it's graced with a wooden heart stir stick. It’s It Ice Cream sandwiches were the perfect California sweet treat, and anyone who ate too many could dance 'em off under strings of antique lights. 

On hand to capture each fabulous moment was Jill Thomas, who was gracious enough to share her lovely photos–tell me, what's your favorite detail?

Fabulous Fuss

 

Despite my weekly homage to fabulous heels, I'm almost always wearing flats. In fact, I've been wearing the same pair of J.Crew ballet flats for years, but when I went birthday shopping last weekend, I discovered the shoe departments of some excellent department stores–Neiman Marcus, Saks, Barneys, I'm looking at you. The nubuck loafers I ultimately brought home aren't exactly out of the box thinking, but I felt I'd undergone a transformation–I understand now precisely what all the fabulous fuss is about! 

Have you recently discovered a new passion–for fashion, art, volunteering, cocktails?

Image by Janelle Brooke Photography.

Blue

I must confess, darling readers, that things in my personal life have not been quite as lovely and well-curated as of late. Of course I'd argue that the blues can also let you know how good you've got it, but when you've got 'em, they can, for lack of a more blog-worthy word, suck. At least when they do, there are things to take comfort in–like beautiful photos, big dreams, bubble baths, bottles of bubbly and best friends. Oh, and a good weekend.

I was still fighting a head cold on Friday night, so while John was slinging cocktails, I was sipping soup and using the last of the tissues. We slept in the next morning and kicked back with herbal tea and an episode or two of Breaking Bad (we started watching late last week and are nearly finished with Season 2!), before grabbing breakfast at a little café in our neighborhood. We discussed the philosophical differences between people who order the same breakfast every weekend versus perusing the menu anew each time (which one are you? And what does it mean?) over a shared plate of buckwheat pancakes and strolled home wrapped up in our coziest sweaters. After a peaceful, productive afternoon, I shuttled John to Zero Zero and headed home to indulge in an evening that felt positively like fall–think spiced cider, a faux fur throw and the smell of firewood through the fog.

I had stocked the fridge on Saturday night, so when John woke up early, he decided to whip up an outrageous breakfast spread. After French omelettes, roasted fingerling potatoes with garlic, pain au levain toast, fresh fruit, juice and tea, we resisted going right back to bed and instead put on our shoes for a stroll. We picked up an Americano and a spicy chai from Trouble, gawked at the influx of cool kids to our previously unhip 'hood and then headed home to giddily reorganize our stuff after our departing neighbors forfeited our shared storage space. John and I put our feet up for a bit before I took him back to work (only a few more shifts before his school schedule starts!) and I dove into blogs, email and to-do lists. After that, it was time for a little yoga, a bubble bath and an enormous salad mostly made up of avocado (plus a truffle or two)–just the sort of things that make the blues a little lighter.


Tell me, what do you take comfort in when things aren't going your way?

Image by Tanja Lippert Photography.

French 75 Popsicles

A girlfriend asked me recently if I had a "usual" when I belly up to a bar; while John just makes me what pleases him, I do have a few favorites to call on, including the French 75. When I saw Petite Kitchenesse's recipe for popsicles, I knew these were a celebration I simply had to indulge in!

French 75 Popsicles 

12 oz Champagne 

4 oz gin 

4 oz syrup

3 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a large measuring cup and distribute equally in popsicle molds, leaving 1/4 inch of room. Makes ten popsicles, with 3 ounces left over.

Notes: I won't call myself a popsicle expert, so check out Petite Kitchenesse's post for more instructions if you're unsure about sticks and freezing times. That said, I do consider myself quite the cocktail connoisseur, and always order my French 75's with gin instead of Cognac. You can also use a sparking wine instead of Champagne in these pops–Sofia Blanc de Blancs, which makes an appearance in these gorgeous photos, is a perfect bubbly for these purposes. Cheers!

Lemonade

Peach and ivory garden roses, yellow parrot tulips, blush astilbe and white sweet peas–this bouquet is nothing short of scrumptious, don't you agree? The colors remind me of a cold lemonade on a warm summer afternoon! 

Image by Abby Rose Photo, bouquet by Passionflower; see more of this charming wedding on Style Me Pretty!

Francesca and Paul

When I was a little girl, I had a pretty clear vision for my grown up life: I would have a law degree, share a fabulous Manhattan apartment outfitted with gigantic closets for all my power suits with my best friend, and dominate the intellectual property world–normal dreams for a seven year old, right? And when I saw this NYC wedding, I felt like young Lena's wedding dreams were coming true!

Francesca and Paul experienced love at first sight, but built a beautiful little family with their baby boy before tying the knot. Sweetly enough, they even chose the church where their son attends preschool, Trinity Wall Street, for their traditional ceremony! In keeping with the bride's personal theme–"Big Yet Simple Fun"–the pair used Paperless Post to spread the word about their celebration, and left day-of details to Kimberly Scott Events.

On hand at the Andaz Wall Street was Caroline Owens Photography, who captured the excitement in the bridal suite as Francesca and her bridesmaids dressed for the big day. Amy Smilovic of Tibi offered to design the lucky bride's gown and veil, which she paired with Cartier pearl earrings, nude Tibi sandals and a bouquet of lily of the valley and peonies from Kevin Curry. All nine bridesmaids also choose their favorite dresses from Tibi's Spring 2011 collection, while the groom chose a gray Jil Sander suit–and suddenly, a palette of gray, yellow and white seemed only natural! Kristin Klonoski of Astrophel & Stella created the flower girl's tulle gown and page boy's gray suit, and TutusChic Boutique crafted the darling flower crown, while Vince Smith and Jessa Blades of Blades Natural Beauty beautified the already striking bridal party.

After exchanging Tiffany & Co. wedding rings, revelers filled both Bar Seven Five and Wall & Water at the Andaz Wall Street to fête the newlyweds. Lemony cupcakes and a layer cake from Sugar Sweet Sunshine paired perfectly with Champagne and Elit by Stolichnaya signature cocktails provided by William Grant & Sons, and society photographer Billy Farrell for Izola Weddings snapped photos of the dreamy afternoon celebration. The pair piled into a New York City taxi cab the next morning, headed to St. Lucia–the perfect finale to a lovely wedding!