State of Wonder Margarita

If you have deduced anything about me, one of things is the propensity to take things too far, deep cut through the layers (usually, hopefully in the best way).

I started messing around with these flavors partially inspired by Ann Patchett’s book, “State of Wonder”, and my friend and amazing business coach Tiffany Napper asking me to be a part of her first JOY Session. Something a little wild, full of flavor, steeped in wonder….

So, while I can get all existential and in my feels and ruminate on literally everything in the Universe, I will keep those thoughts to myself and give you this amazing drink for the hot weekend we’re about to have. And pro tip? Use the Rose Aleppo Salt from Sip’n Bite for your glasses because it is * chef’s kiss * a game changer.

Cheers!

Wild Wednesdays - Shelf Styling the Perfect Piece

What you are looking for will come along when the timing is right, if my life is anything else it continuously shows me that. So while I have been in the market for the perfect shelf/bar show off/storage, it hasn’t broken my heart when something gets sold on FB Marketplace before I get to it, a researched piece is too expensive, or none of them felt right, they didn’t move me.

But that changed when I was scrolling through IG stories and my gals at Patina + Co popped up with some new goodies that just got delivered to the shop. My heart stopped as the story panned across the store and this beauty practically jumped out at me, I had to click back twice to capture it on a screenshot to send and make sure it was still available. While my day was not planned around buying a piece of furniture, I HAD to go. Follow that intuition, babes.

She was perfect, although I did have to peruse the store because there were so many pieces for different spots that I was absolutely drooling over, and all so unique! All of me wanted to open a drawer only to find a secret drawer only to discover a long lost secret of the British Government or becoming entangled in a National Treasure situation….but alas Nicholas Cage never showed up and defending the honor of America would have to wait another day.

I lean more towards maximalism (minimalists stand down), so when I think of styling a piece of furniture I try to add in these elements: something green/organic (like a plant), an art piece, function (stuff that needs storage or to be on the shelf), layers and different textures (i.e. different wood, fabric, levels, etc). Most likely you are buying something to fill a need of storage but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add in your style or personality. I added the layers of a fabric piece I got in Mexico, an olive tree stand from California, custom lunch trays from 3 Dot Wood Design, books, a vintage ostrich skin cocktail case, and just a portion of my found glassware collection. Driftwood, shells and bones from past jobs, home and former lovers (the bones being a gift, not THE bones of my former lovers).

The best kinds of deliveries end with cocktails and catching up, I am so very thankful to Stacy and Monica entertaining my dreaming and loving on me, this piece is so perfect and I can’t wait to see what gets put on these shelves over the years!

Holiday Spirit

Holidays are obviously full of gift giving, food devouring, drink swilling and lots of family time, with some those ensuing more-so around family than usual.

If you’re friends with me then it’s fair to say at some point I’ll either make you a gift or food object at some point. I’ll be honest, sometimes it is me trying to save money but other times it’s because I tried something awesome and I want to share it with everyone. Literally.  

So, infusing gin. I love gin as a base for cocktails because you can do a lot with it and it’s easy to play around with. I got the idea to do an infusion when I wanted to add some flavor to fin but couldn’t find the right type of liqueur or bitters to do it and thought there had to be a way to infuse it into the gin. Turns out there is.

For my gin infusions I tried to think of my friends and what their personalities evoked when I thought of them/what flavors they like and what ones would work well with gin. My synopsis? Lemon, grapefruit, chamomile and ginger.

And it’s SUPER easy. Almost way too easy.

Pick your poison. Then pick your infusion.

Chamomile:

1 mason jar of gin

2 tea bags

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Let steep for 1 day and take out tea bags. Keep in jar or transfer to resalable , airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place.

Lemon/Grapefruit/Ginger

1 mason jar of gin

Peel rind of one lemon

Juice lemon and pour into jar

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Let sit for 1-2 days, then take out rind, strain gin with a fine mesh strainer (I used a fine cotton cloth) and transfer gin back to jar or reseal-able airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place.

 CHEERS.

Enjoy Responsibly.