Red, White, and Blue Sangria

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

red white and blue sangria

I can’t wait for Memorial Day.

Summer is my favorite time of year and Memorial Day weekend is the unoffical kickoff to summer. It’s going to be gloomy in Boston this weekend but I don’t care!  We are grilling no matter what!!! I just love this weekend and what it represents so I was excited when Amanda picked Memorial Day for our Thirsty Thursday theme this week.

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I know everyone thinks of flags for the Fourth of July but I think of the Red, White, and Blue just as much now. So that is why I made a Red, White, and Blue Sangria. Sure, sure the pineapple is actually yellow but let’s play along and say it represents the white. It’s a great summery drink to enjoy now or for the Fourth of July :-)

red white and blue sangria_03

Amanda made Sarasota Lemonade. It’s perfectly refreshing and a great drink to cool off with while taking in some sun this summer! Sounds so good that I might have to sneak some to the beach… shh don’t tell!! :-)

Red, White, and Blue Sangria

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle dry white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc
  • 1/2 cup triple sec
  • 3/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 1/2 cups hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 pineapple chunks
  • 2 cups Sprite

Process

  1. Combine all of the ingredients, except the Sprite, in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
  2. Serve well-chilled with a good scoop of fruit floating in each drink.

Inspired by Recipe Girl

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Posted in Drinking, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

M.I.A

Posted on May 22, 2013 by

via Glitter and Gloss

I’ve sorta been M.I.A. lately.

Maybe you noticed on Twitter, IG, commenting on your blogs, here. Maybe you didn’t.

But I’m just trying to stick with some sort of blogging routine now. Weekend recaps, my Thirsty Thursday, and Sprint Cup Snacks posts. Maybe I’ll sneak some Kemper pic posts in there every now and then.

I’m fine. Not depressed or anything. Just weird.

Like when I have a ton of stuff to do but I get so overwhelmed that I order us Chinese take out and just lay on the sofa and marathon SATC or Property Brothers episodes just because it’s easier than tackling a to-do list. I’m feeling that right now with everything good and bad going on so I’m overwhelmed and blah.  I’m hoping to shake this feeling a bit soon.

In the mean time, I am looking forward to…

-attending my best friend’s graduation awards reception. She’s getting an award!!

-the long weekend!! yay!

-our May Date- it’s my turn to plan something

-heading home in early June

-and then attending ALT SUMMIT in about a month. I booked my hotel yesterday. so excited. ZOMG.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day. xox

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Stitch Fix- May

Posted on May 19, 2013 by

YAY!! Another Stitch Fix shipment!

I ripped open the box at work and went through all the goodies with my coworker. She had a kick out of me trying to figure out how one of the shirts goes on. It was a duh moment. But we went through it all there so I couldn’t want to try everything on when I was at home.

This time I had Price’s assistance in taking photos and live feedback. So here goes…

Majorie Baer- Singular Spear Earrings- $38

Sitich Fix- Majorie Baer- Singular Spear Earrings

Love these. I love hammered jewelry. It reminds me of a punch of pieces I saw back in Greece when I was there a few years back and makes regret not just splurging for them. So it was pretty obvious that once I saw them I decide to keep them.

Ella Moss- Ken Sleeveless Striped Top- $68

Stitch Fix-Ella Moss- Ken Sleeveless Striped Top

nope. nope. nope.

Which is why it is not photographed on me. I didn’t like the fit, the material, or the basic structure of the top. I liked the colors and the angle of the stripes though.

Plus, it was way too expensive for what it was. It reminded me of a shirt I would find in Forever 21 for $16 or so. So when I found it’s twin online I almost peed my pants laughing since that was listed for $118. So good job Stitch Fix for selling it for $68 but even then- no.

Honey Punch- Catie Printed Dress- $48

 Stitch Fix- Honey Punch- Catie Printed Dress

I liked this dress. Price did not. Well, he wasn’t sold on the pattern since I don’t typically wear things like this but I liked the length (with leggings), the fit, and the neckline. I like cross front/wrap dresses so for a while I was thinking I’d keep it. I’d prob add a belt to it and love it more.

Matty M- Baxter Keyhole Peasant Blouse- $88

Stitch Fix- Matty M- Baxter Keyhole Peasant Blouse

I liked this. Price liked this too. I was saying I would keep it until I pulled up the invoice again and saw it was $88. I think that if fall, winter were approaching I would have kept it since I liked the color, fit, material, texture but I think I wouldn’t put it to good use this spring, summer.

(Ignore the hanger straps showing- whoops)

Black Sheep- Miley Floral Pleated Tie-Waist Dress – $58

Stitch Fix-Black Sheep- Mily Floral Pleasted Tie-Waist Dress

I wan’t sold on the pattern of this dress when I took it out of the box. But I’m learning not to judge a book by it’s cover. At least in this case.

I liked the length and how flowy it was so it grew on me. I liked that it came with a layering cami since it is a bit low cut (dang these boobs!) so that was a plus. I’m still not sold on the pattern but I figure once I’m tan (oh summer, I miss you) I’ll like it more.

____________________

So what does all that mean?

I decided to keep the earrings and floral dress.

The grand total: $38 + $58 – $20 (prepaid styling fee)= $76. :-)

I scheduled my next fix for June 13th. Can’t wait for it!

____________________

Check out my previous Stitch Fix reviews:

April(2)

April (1)

March

So if this process sounds like a fun way to try on some clothes then sign up for the wait list, fill out some surveys, and then you are on your way to scheduling your first Stitch Fix box right to your door. My referral code is 3059041. Pretty, pretty please use it if you sign up. Thanks :-)

Have fun!

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Tar Heel Pie

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Tar Heel Pie

A few years back Price and I visited Charlotte, NC for a little vacation. We were, and I guess still are, entertaining the idea of moving down there. Far far away from now, like when I just can’t take 1 more snowy winter. We’ll see where things go but I liked the area. Although housing developments and complexes that are outside the city are so foreign to me. Just don’t see much of that up here in New England. Plus everyone drove so slow. Us Massholes are used to going 75+ in a 65 mph zone, but down there with the same speed limit people were going 63. Strange.

Tar Heel Pie_02 Tar Heel Pie_03

Anyway, we enjoyed our trip down there getting to try all the great food, wander around, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and get a tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway. I loved being in the heart of NASCAR. So that is why I’m so excited for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint All Star Race, that is held in Charlotte.

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For this week’s edition of Sprint Cup Snacks I picked this pie because it has the same name as the nickname for North Carolina. The Tar Heel State needs a Tar Heel Pie! The state has has that nickname from their vast pine forests that make tar, pitch, and turpentine.

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I shared some pie with a coworker and he asked me about it since he’d never heard of Tar Heel Pie before. I simply told him “Chocolate, sugar, pecans!” That’s basically it but it’s so much more as well. So good.

Tar Heel Pie_01

This pie will have you begging for mercy! So dang good!

Tar Heel Pie

Makes 8-12 slices, all depends on how hungry you are!

Ingredients

  • 1 handmade or store-bought 9″ pie crust
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chip
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
  • Whipped cream for serving

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the prepared pie crust and 9″ pie plate onto a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Place the chocolate chips in a large bowl and pour the warm melted butter on top, stir until completely melted and smooth.
  3. Add the sugars, flour, eggs, vanilla, coffee, and salt, mix to combine. Stir in the nuts.
  4. Pour the filling into the prepared pie shell. Bake until set and the crust is golden brown, 30-35 minutes.
  5. Let stand for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with whipped cream.

Source: Happier Than a Pig in Mud

Posted in Baking, Food and Drink | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Thirsty Thursday: Brazilian Lemonade

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Brazilian Lemonade

Guess what?!

Brazilian Lemonade doesn’t actually have lemons in it. It’s all limes baby!

Of course, I picked this week’s Thirsty Thursday theme – limes- and I was struggling to find something that wasn’t already like something I’ve made, like the Raspberry Lime Rickey’s. But once I found this I knew it was perfect!

It does seem a bit weird to blend the limes but you really do get a lot of flavor from the natural oils in the peels. So trust me. Besides this is much easier than having to squeeze the limes! All you do is give it all a few pulses and strain it. So simple. Once I was prepped it took about 5 minutes to make.

So simple to make and the end result is a refreshing lime drink that is sweetened in the most interesting way from the condensed milk. I’ve had sweetened condensed milk in Vietnamese coffee and in Coquito before. Which of course reminded me that rum would be fantastic in this. duh!!

Amanda made Grapefruit Margaritas! Don’t they just look so pretty! I hate to admit but I didn’t enjoy margs for a while because of all that lime-y tang but I’m glad I got over it and now enjoy them left and right. Glad Amanda made these since I know they will be so perfect for sipping on while grilling in the summer!

Brazilian Lemonade_01

Brazilian Lemonade

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups of cold water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 limes
  • 6+ tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk

Process

  1. Mix the cold water and sugar together, and chill until ready to use. 
  2. Wash limes thoroughly with a vegetable wash or soap. (This is important because to get the wax and pesticides off of the limes because you’re using the WHOLE lime.) Then cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into 8 pieces. 
  3. Place half of the limes in your blender with half of the sugar water.  Pulse 5 times, or blend for 5 seconds or so if you don’t have a pulse function. Strain the the mixture, discarding the lime peels and pulp. Repeat this process with the other half of the limes and sugar water. 
  4. In the pitcher you are serving the drink in, add the sweetened condensed milk. Taste after you have added in 6 tablespoons, add more if needed. 
  5. Serve immediately over lots of ice.

To note:

  1. This does not keep well so don’t make too much in advance. However, you can prepare the drink in advance by mixing together the sugar and water, and cutting the limes.
  2. Use this thin skinned limes for best result.  

Source: Our Best Bites

Posted in Drinking, Food and Drink | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments