Cutesy Tuesday: Floral Ted Baker Pumps & Cherry Blossom Cocktails

Summoning Spring, STAT!

On Your Feet: 

The calendar says it's spring. However, if you're in the Northeast, it feels like Old Man Winter is hanging on for dear life. Nonetheless, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full bloom throughout Washington, DC (March 20- April 5). No matter where you're based, Celebrate "the Nation's greatest springtime celebration" in floral pumps like the "Saeber" by Ted Baker (less than $130 at Amazon).  A metallic gold heel and toe accent add a bit of edge to a silky flower-print upper. Maybe if we give spring a sartorial salute, it will actually fight for its rightful place on the thermometer.

In Your Glass: 

Toast the new season and all the flowers (sneeze!) it will bring with a sweet, but strong cocktail, like this Very Cherry Smash. The tequila makes it festive, the orange liqueur adds depth and lime juice provides an element of tartness. Here's how you make it:

Very Cherry Smash

Ingredients:

1 part Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
2 parts JDK & Sons 03 Premium Orange Liqueur
5 cherries (pitted and stemmed)
1 tbsp. agave nectar
1 part fresh lime juice
1 part club soda

Method:

Muddle together cherries, lime juice and agave nectar. Strain into shaker. Add in orange liqueur, tequila, and ice and shake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with club soda and garnish with cherries.

If You're Not Into Heels

Adidas Floral Wing Sneaker

BOOze Clues: 5 Festive Halloween Cocktails

Trick, Treat, Toast!

It's Halloween, and you've got your costume figured out. However, you were so busy shopping that you forgot all about the cocktails. (Insert horror movie scream.) Fret not... Whether you're hosting your own party or attending one at a friend's house, we have cocktail suggestions that will surely put the boo in your boogie. (Yeah, that was candy corny, but oh well.) Anyway, the drinks:

Doing shots?

American Honey Hellfire Shot

American Honey Hellfire
1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
1/2 oz. Art in the Age SNAP
1/2 oz. Combier Peche de Vigne

Combine ingredients over ice. Shake well  and strain into a shot glass (glass only!). Top with a splash of American Honey. If you dare... (AND are completely sober) light a candle or match and hold over shot glass until it ignites. Blow out the flame and drink, but be careful because the glass will be hot. (From the mind of Eric Binder, beverage director at NYC's Harlem Tavern.)


In the mood for something sweet?

Pinnacle Vodka Bobbing for Apples Cocktail

Pinnacle Vodka Bobbing for Apples

2 parts Pinnacle Caramel Apple Vodka
1/2 part DeKuyper Buttershots Schnapps
2 parts apple cidercider

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with caramel on the rim.


Feeling fancy?

Hendrick's Gin Mortal Sin Cocktail

Peche Mortel (The Mortal Sin)
2 parts Hendrick's Gin
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part Saint Germain
1/2 part elderberry juice
2 dashes Bitter Truth Creole Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an edible flower.

Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos?

Sauza Tequila Cafe Loco Cocktail

Sauza Tequila Café Loco
1 1/2 parts Sauza Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
1/2 part Kamira Coffee Liqueur
4 parts coffee
2 tsp cinnamon sugar
Whipped cream

Blend all ingredients in a mug. Top with whipped cream.


Counting calories?

Skinnygirl Vodka Spooky Sipper cocktail

Spooky Sipper
1 part Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
3 parts lemon-lime sparkling water
Splash of cherry juice
Lime wheel and cherry for garnish

Blend ingredients over ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass full of ice.