Cutesy Tuesday: Floral Steve Madden Pumps & Hibiscus Cocktails

Pretty is as Tipsy Does

On Your Feet

Temps are rising outside, and it's starting to feel like spring. Embrace the changing seasons (and give yourself the bouquet you deserve anyway) in a floral pump, like the Varcityy from Steve Madden ($99.95 at amazon.com). Painterly blooms brighten your day, while a trend-right d'orsay silhouette elongates legs. The black trim nods to the facth that while it's almost spring, we're not quite there yet. It adds a pretty pop to all black and dresses up denim.

In Your Glass

Since you're giving yourself flowers today, you might as well sip something floral at happy hour. Meet Sorel, a hibiscus liqueur that's slightly sweet, a bit spicy and quite tasty. If you're going to a bar, ask for it with gin and a splash of elderflower liqueur (like St. Germain). If you're going home to unwind, make yourself a Sorel Submerge. (It requires freezing 2 cubes of sorel in an ice tray, so do that part, then change clothes, start cooking, check previous posts from this blog, etc.)

Ingredients
2 cubes Sorel
2oz NY Distilling Navy Strength Gin
1oz St. Germain

Method
Place frozen cubes of Sorel into a highball glass. Add gin and St. Germain. Since Sorel cubes don't float, they'll sit at the bottom of the glass and dissolve slowly.


If you're interested in more shoe options:



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Cheers to a Cause: Negroni Week

Did you know that Negroni Week starts tomorrow? For the third consecutive year, Imbibe Magazine and Campari are joining forces to raise money for charities around the world while also celebrating a popular cocktail. June 1 - June 7 participating restaurants and bars will donate $1 from the sale of every negroni or negroni-themed item to a charity of their choice. Campari will also donate $10,000 to the charity chosen by the bar or restaurant that raises the most money.

If you've never had a negroni, it has a strong flavor that's a little sweet, a little bitter (like grapefruit) and a bit spicy. It's often consumed as an aperitif, but it can be enjoyed anytime. This year, there are There are more than 3000 participating locations across the country with some pretty creative options available, like Negroni Popcorn (Perbacco, SF), Negroni Creamsicle Ice Cream (Tipsy Scoop, NY) and Negroni Mignonette with oysters (Cockscomb, SF).

For a complete listing of participating locations check HERE.

While you decide which item you'll try first, here's how you make a basic Negroni (via Imbibe Magazine):

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. gin
1 oz. Campari
1 oz. sweet vermouth

METHOD

Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass (or ice-filled double rocks glass) and garnish with orange peel. 

Booze Clues: How to Make the Cocktail Sipped by the Stars at the Golden Globes

You might not be walking the red carpet or prepping an acceptance speech, but that doesn't mean you can't sip like a star on Golden Globes Sunday. Moet & Chandon, the official champagne of the ceremony enlisted model, culinary expert and founder of the Impatient Foodie blog, Elettra Wiedemann, to concoct the official cocktail. I got my hands (eyes) on the recipe for the Moet Bijou Rouge so that you can toast your favorite actors and actresses as they accept awards for jobs well-done.

MOËT BIJOU ROUGE

·         1 ounce  Gin

·         1/4 ounce Dry Curacao

·         3/8 Sweet Vermouth

·         2 dashes of orange bitters

·         Brandied cherry garnish (with a touch of the brandied cherry syrup)

·         Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial

Directions:

Combine Gin, Curacao, Sweet Vermouth and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker. Stir very well with ice, and strain into a coupe glass. Top with Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial and garnish with brandied cherry.

Fun Friday- Taylor Says Pumps and Pomegranate Margaritas

Yours. Mine. Ours!!!

Say it with me... Let's claim it together. Armed with resolutions, mantras, new planners and refreshed goals, we're ready to take on this puzzling thing called life. Your NYE hangover has been cured just in time for the freakin' weekend. What better shoe to express your current mood than one like this James Pump by Taylor Says, with its crossword puzzle print and filled-in words like "moxie," "art" and "babe" (because you're a total babe, and you know it). Oh... that puzzle print covers the outsole, too. Yay.

Taylor Says James Pumps: available at heels.com
V-neck sweatshirt: available at hm.com 
Blank Denim Skinny Boyfriend Jeans: available at piperlime.com
"This is my year" quote: found on Pinterest. Linked to La Dolce Vita blog

There may not be a better drink than a margarita to welcome the weekend. Since it's a new year, we're all thinking healthier thoughts, so why not try one that includes a superfruit? This Pomegranate Margarita we found on the blog at Threadsence.com looks pretty tasty. It's a concoction by Jessica of How Sweet it Is. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 ounces Grand Marnier

1 1/2 ounces Tequila
2 ounces pomegranate juice
2 ounce lime juice
1 1/2 ounces simple syrup
coarse salt for the rim
lime + pomegranate arils for garnish

Directions:

For simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water, bring to a boil and let sugar dissolve, then turn off heat and let cool completely.

Rim the ridge of your glass with a lime wedge and dip in margarita salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grand marnier, pom juice, simple syrup and lime juice with ice, and shake for about 30 seconds. Pour over ice and squeeze in extra lime slices. Add some pomegranate arils for decoration.

Fine Print: courtesy photos. Cocktail image via Threadsence.