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Category: General

Cheers To The Long Weekend!!!

Just because Labor Day weekend is upon us, does not mean that we cannot celebrate.  I stumbled upon this Pineapple Mango Rum Punch recipe on Pinterest from Papernstitch Blog the other day and thought it would be just the thing needed to celebrate the end of summer.   I plan on making a batch and enjoying the next 4 days with lots of family, friends, and fireworks.  Bottoms Up!!!

image papernstitchblog.com

Ingredients for Pineapple Mango Rum Punch

Makes one cocktail.
  • 3 oz of pineapple coconut juice
  • 3 oz of coconut rum (you can also use light or dark rum here instead)
  • 1 oz of mango juice
  • 1 oz of orange juice
  • splash of grenadine (mainly just for looks)
  • lime slices and/or orange zest for garnish
  • edible flowers for garnish

How to Make Pineapple Mango Rum Punch

1. Combine all juices. Combine all juices (pineapple coconut, mango, and orange) and rum. Then stir.
Tropical rum drinks like this can be used with all kinds of fruit juices.
2. Stir and pour over ice. I like using nugget ice for cocktails because it looks really pretty. Plus, I like chewing ice and this one is the best!
3. Add color. This is an optional step, but I like adding a splash of grenadine for color to rum punch cocktails. The grenadine will fall to the bottom and give the drink a pretty ombre look. It’s not a necessary step, but definitely adds an unexpected pop of color – great for parties.
4. Garnish. To take this cocktail up a notch, add lime, orange zest, and/or edible flowers for garnish. I like using orchids for a drink like this because it makes such a big impact. Did you know that orchids are actually edible? 
To get the orange zest ribbon I just used a peeler to peel a long strip of zest from the orange. Not going to lie, it took a couple of tried to get a long piece that I could then curl, but it’s worth it, IMO.
Note for making larger batches: If making a rum punch in a large batch, rather than a single drink, treat the ounce numbers above as parts instead. So, for example, if you’re making a large batch of pineapple mango rum punch, you’d use 3 parts pineapple coconut juice, 3 parts coconut rum, 1 part mango juice, and 1 part orange juice.

Fall On The Patio

We love using our patio all summer long and want to move from summer to outdoor fall living.  On social media, I have seen people using their patios in the fall in the most clever ways.  From Sunday football parties to horseshoe tournaments…here is some of my inspiration for my own fall patio setting!!!!

image whisperwoodcottage
image HGTV
image thriftydecorchick
image digsdigs.com
image masiondepax.com
image digsdigs
image pinterest.com
image digsdigs.com

Blouses for Fall

With the coolish weather the past couple of days, everyone around me is talking fall.  I am sooo looking forward to the fall this year.  I have a bunch of fun things planned and I’m ready to get this party started!!!!!  Well, actually, not yet….I am really going to sit back and enjoy this long last weekend of summer.  But back to Fall and Fall FASHION>>>>>>>one of my favorite ways to create an instant smash is a great blouse to pair with jeans white (if you plan on wearing yours into fall..mine will be packed away for sunny FLA) or dark denim or black pants.  I have partnered with Nordstrom to bring you some of my fav tops to kick off the fall season, in all different price points (as requested).  Add a great pair of earrings (perhaps one of our amazon finds) a great heel or a pointed flat (if you are like me) and get ready to feel the crisp Indian summer air.  


















The Affair Is Back!!!! Season 5

Do you watch the Affair?  I do and I love it. Season 5 began last night.  From the beginning of this show, what I found the most fascinating was the differences in telling the same story from 2 different peoples point of view.  If you are not familiar with the affair, the first half is the week’s story from one person’s perspective and the second half is the exact story from another character’s perspective.  Sooooooo….Back to Season 5.  Which is actually the last season in the series..so much is happening (SPOILER ALERT) 


We no longer have Allyson.
We no longer have Vik.
We really do not know what happened to Cole. Or Louisa for that matter…
We meet an adult Joanne.
We learn that Whitney is getting married.
Helen will have a new love interest, oh and her parents are back…


I read that there is going to be 11 episodes for us to enjoy..I cannot wait!!!  In the meanwhile, here are some pics from the upcoming season!!!



Bon Appetit’s Ultimate Lobster Rolls

What is summer with out a Lobster Roll…I recently made these Bon Appetit Ultimate Lobster Rolls for a friend’s bbq and everyone said they were the BEST they have ever tasted.  FUN TIP:  I actually ended up making minis as an appetizer and cut the rolls in half.  YUMMMM ENJOY!!!!!

INGREDIENTS

  • Kosher salt
  • 3 1 1/4-pound live lobsters
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 2–3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 New England–style split-top hot dog buns
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

RECIPE PREPARATION

Pour water into a large pot to a depth of 1 inch; bring to a boil and salt generously. Add lobsters, cover, and cook until bright red, 8–10 minutes. Transfer lobsters to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.

  • Crack lobster shells, pick meat from tail and claws, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Mix lobster, celery, lemon juice, chives, and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper and add more mayonnaise, if desired.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spread flat sides of buns with butter. Cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side; fill with lobster mixture.

Scenes From Southampton

UGGGGGGGHHHHHH This summer has really been a challenge.  Life has thrown us some curve balls and its been really hard to focus.  Yesterday we lost our sweet, beloved pug Rosie.  She was such a sweet girl and kept us so happy for 13years.  We will miss her everyday.  She brought us so much joy!!!



On a happier note, I spent a few days in Southampton, our happy place, with my sister, when she was visiting.  My parents arrived last Saturday night and we are hoping to get out again once before labor day (fingers crossed!!!!).  I had to share some of my favorite photos from this year with you.  I hope they brighten up your day as much as they did mine!!!