Cutesy Tuesday: Betsey Johnson Booties &

In Honor of Those Who Serve and Have Served

There's nothing cute or pretty about war. I wish it didn't exist. I wish we didn't need soldiers. However, I appreciate them and the sacrifices they and their families make. There are a number of veterans in my family, and I remember the days of avoiding television news because I'd have a small anxiety attack each time there was a report of casualties in the countries where my cousin served. Thankfully, she's home now, and in one piece. There are battles she's still fighting as a result of her time at war, but she's healing. She's beautiful on the inside and definitely cute on the outside. So, I dedicate today's post to her, to my grandmother, who was an Air Force veteran (and also a cutie), to all the beautiful soldiers who serve and sacrifice and the civilian wives who wait and pray that their loved ones will make it home safely (for they fight a war of their own). 

Camo print— once one of the most recognizable symbols of tenacity— has become a fashion mainstay. Betsey Johnson coupled the pattern with a dainty grosgrain ruffle on this Frilll P bootie (available at amazon.com, where this blog is an affiliate) for a look that's simultaneously tough and sweet. The pointed toe and stiletto heel make it classy, yet versatile, the calf-hair upper adds texture and a luxe look, the camouflage pattern gives it an edge, and the ruffle at the ankle lends a feminine touch. There may not be look that better represents my cousin (and I'm sure many of the women who have to be tough when in uniform but are prone to look quite feminine in their civvies). 

The Sazerac, rumored to be the oldest known American cocktail, is strong, sweet and complex, thanks to rye whiskey, bitters and absinthe (again, like my cousin and many of her fellow soldiers). If you're not a soldier, but you'd like to attract a glance of admiration or two at the bar this evening, order this at happy hour. Women who drink whiskey are often seen as confident and sexy (similarly to the way women who wear camo print ankle boots with stiletto heels and ruffles are seen). If you'd like to try this drink at home to see if you can handle it before ordering it at the bar here's the recipe:

¼ oz. Lucid Absinthe
2 oz. Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye Whisky 
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
½ oz. simple syrup
Lemon peel for garnish

Add all liquid ingredients into a shaker with ice.  Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice.  Rim the glass with the lemon peel, twist over the surface and garnish. 

No Mess Monday- National Absinthe Day: N.Y.L.A. Alistair Booties

 

Dressed to Kil-tie

 

This weather is quite erratic these days. Mother Nature is throwing lots of mess our way (though we kinda earned it). With all that going on, though, who has time to deal with the shade thrown by office mates? Wear a pair of shoes that show you’re ready for whatever might come your way, like the Alistair bootie by N.Y.L.A. (available at endless.com for $59.75) The dark green color is fairly neutral, and the oxford styling says you can roll with the big boys. The kiltie detail and tassels on the laces are also totally on trend. The lug sole is all utility, but the 4.25 tapered heel adds some femininity.

 

Since Viridian Sprits has declared March 5th National Absinthe Day in celebration of the U.S. repealing the ban on absinthe 5 years ago today, hand your troubles over to the green fairy at happy hour tonight. A Lucid Martini, made from Lucid Absinthe and vodka will definitely be a quick fix. Be forewarned, there’s nothing sweet about it, but it’s definitely strong enough to make all feel right with the world for a bit. I doubt I have to warn you not to guzzle this one. Few would be able to if they tried. Still keep in mind that the green fairy can be a two faced friend.

Recipe

1.5 oz Lucid Absinthe
2 oz vodka

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Lucid Absinthe, and vodka. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.

 

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Fun Friday: Jimmy Choo Mira Sandal

 

Flora & Fauna

 

Winter’s chill has finally set in for most of us (to my chagrin), and though some are actually able to escape for resort season, others of us can only fantasize about warmer temps. Why not get a jump on spring with a blooming pair of shoes, like the Mira sandal from Jimmy Choo’s Spring 2012 collection ($2695 available for preorder at JimmyChoo.com). It’s corsaged ankle strap, leopard print vamp and 5.7 inch orange pin heel make it a walking party. Though you may not be able to wear it outside yet, There’s nothing wrong with a red carpet-themed house party, where everyone dresses like they’re in Southern California (and tries to guess who will win what on Sunday at the Golden Globes). You’ve never shyed away from all-eyes-on-you shin digs before… why not create your own?

 

In keeping with the Golden Globes theme, consider serving a cocktail inspired by one of the nominees, like the Lucid Supernatural Sip (the muse for which was FX’s American Horror Story, a nom for Best Television Series in the Drama category). Made with LUCID Absinthe, white crème de cocao, cocnut milk and black sambuca, it’s a creamy, sweet-but-tongue-tingling treat that’ll have you and your guests feeling festive. Keep in mind, though, that LUCID is 124 proof (62% alcohol by volume), so this drink is stronger than it may taste.

Recipe:

1 part LUCID®

1 part White Creme de Cocao

1 part Coconut Milk

Drizzle of Black Sambucca

Combine LUCID, White Creme de Cocao and Coconut Milk in a shaker filled with ice. Shake till Frothy and strain into a short rocks glass over ice. Drizzle Black Sambucca down the side of the glass until it floats on the bottom and diffuses through the cocktail.

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Booze Clues: What to drink on Saint Patrick’s Day

 

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Green beer will flow freely today and so will the whisky, but if neither is your drink of choice, Here are a few other options to wet your whistle whether you’re a lightweight or a boozehound.

Exclusiv St. Pat’s-tini

2 oz Exclusiv Vodka                       1/2 oz Creme de Cocoa
1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream                  1/2 oz green Creme de Menthe

Shake first three ingredients pour into a chilled martini glass and then sink Green Creme de Menthe.

Garnish with a mint leaf and chocolate shavings.

Created by Exclusiv’s in-house mixologist, Daniel Seelbinder.

 

Herradura Paddy’s Cocktail

2 oz Herradura Silver                        1/2 oz Lemon juice                           1/2 oz Simple syrup                           2 inches of cucumber diced finely                                                A large pinch of cilantro

 

Make sure you have chilled Coupe or Martini glasses ready. Dice the cucumber and add to a boston shaker, then crush with a muddler. Add a large pinch of cilantro. Add the Herradura Silver, lemon juice and simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake hard. Strain into the chilled coupe/ martini glass. Garnish with a disc of cucumber and a cilantro leaf.

Xante Different Shade of Green

1 ½ oz of Xante                                   1 oz gin                                              ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice                                                     ½ oz simple syrup                      Approx. 2 chunks of cucumber            Fill with ginger ale

Muddle cucumber, add all ingredients and shake with ice.  Strain into a highball glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish: long strips of cucumber.

 

Spicy Irishman

1 oz Russian Standard Vodka                                1.5 oz Lucid Absinthe                                             ¼ oz Siracha Hot Sauce                                  Topped with Killian’s Irish Red Beer

 

 

 

 

 

AGWA Bolivian Kiss

1 Shot of Agwa de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liqueur                                                1 lime wedge

Bite the lime, then drink the shot. You’ll feel a quick buzz.

 

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!

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Booze Clues: National Absinthe Day

 

Toasting the Green Fairy

They say she was Vincent Van Gogh’s mistress, and her intoxicating kiss may have tricked him into cutting off his ear. Whether that’s true or not, Absinthe, A.K.A. the green fairy, has long been a favorite among artists and their cohorts. However, her hallucinogenic qualities (due to wormwood being one of her main ingredients) lead to her being banned in various countries. In 2007, Viridian Spirits convinced the U.S. government to lift its 95 year ban on the spirit, and Lucid Absinthe hit shelves, followed by various other brands. (Don’t worry, they’ve made sure it won’t induce hallucinations.) To celebrate the light green liquor’s return to our shores, March 5th has been declared National Absinthe Day. Let’s all toast with a classic Absinthe Drip.

Recipe:

1 ½ oz. Lucid Absinthe

Sugar Cube

Ice Water

Pour 1 ½ oz. Lucid into an absinthe glass.  Place sugar cube atop a flat, perforated spoon that rests on the rim of the glass.  Slowly drip 4-5 oz. of ice cold water on top of the sugar cube (or directly into the glass), which dissolves into the absinthe.  The cold water causes the Lucid to louche into an opalescent cloud as the herbal essences emerge from the absinthe and perfume the room.

*Recipe & image courtesy of Lucid Absinthe.

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Booze Clues: What to Drink While Watching the Golden Globes

Glamour in a Glass

Having friends over to watch the Golden Globes? Wondering what to serve you guests? Here are a few suggestions, inspired by some of the night’s big screen nominees:

Inception: Those who are into the mind-bending thriller genre will be rooting for Leo Dicaprio & co. Serve them a Lucid Dream Stealer.

It’s a traditional absinthe drip. Pour cold water over 1.5 oz. Lucid absinthe.  Stir and enjoy the trip. *Note, it’s a flavor similar to licorice, but MUCH stronger. Not for those with timid taste buds.

 

Black Swan: Ahhh the graceful, yet disturbing psyco-thriller… and who can forget the kiss between Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis? Serve those who fancy the ballet flick a Dobel Tequila Twisted Swan.

1 1/2 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur                                1 oz DOBEL Tequila
1/2 oz amaretto liqueur
Shake DOBEL Tequila & amaretto with ice. Strain into chocolate rimmed martini glass.
Shake vodka with ice & layer into martini glass

The Social Network: Where would we be without good old F-B… without an easy way to share thoughts, info and recipes? Your communally-minded guests will enjoy a Flor de Cana Zuckerberg Zinger. Feeling really social? Make it a punch.

1 oz  Flor de Caña 7 year-aged rum
1 seedless Watermelon
One good pinch of Cayenne pepper
4 Sugar cubes
1 oz  Lime juice
1 oz Club soda                                                 Dissolve the sugar cubes in 1 oz. of club soda. Add and muddle several 1-inch pieces of watermelon. Finally, add the rest of the ingredients one at a time and stir as added. Chill.

Good luck to all the nominees! Check back soon for our red carpet shoe review!

 

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Don't Mess with Me Monday: Giorgio Armani Booties and Absinthe Awakenings

Fit to be Tied

It's so hard to get up and out when it seems like the rest of the world has the day off, isn't it. Your office doesn't do Columbus day, though, and you're such an over achiever that you'd work from home anyway. To top it all off, you're in a bit of a strange mood (channeling Ms. Hannighan, perhaps?). Maybe it's the changing weather. A patchy pair of lace up booties, like this one from Giorgio Armani (or something similar), are just what you need today. Yes, there's a dark, autumnal feel to them, but the light seafoam green patches add a bit of optimism. A heel that's almost 5 inches high never hurt your disposition either. Now, if you could only shake that pesky feeling of fatigue.

Your morning coffee never did actually kick in, and the one after lunch only kept you from falling asleep during your weekly conference call. However, you can't bring yourself to miss Monday Night Football with the girls. Tonight your drink of choice should be the Awakening. A definite "big girl" drink, it combines Lucid Absinthe, Starbucks Coffee Liqueur and Starbucks Creme Liqueur. While the new incarnation of Absinthe doesn't contain enough wormwood to be hallucinogenic, it still makes a strong drink. The characteristic licorice flavor will be muted some by the coffee, but the general taste of the drink will be an eye opener if nothing else. As always, mind your intake. You might not hallucinate, but too many tonight could lead to your seeing stars in the morning.