ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Vitamin C

So I have outdone myself.  I know, I know - I am just a guest on this blog.  I know that you think the Absolut Holiday Series would come to a close after Christmas.  But NO!  Delicious Absolut Vodka cocktails will continue through New Year's and we don't have any time to waste.  No we don't.  Not a minute.

I woke up this morning and said to myself, I am thirsty.  But I also felt that some of my nutrients and vitamin levels were a bit low.  Thirst + Low Vitamins + After Holiday Need For A Pick-Me-Up equals only one thing to resolve that:  Absolut Vitamin C.  This is a really refreshing, with the kick of a natural energy drink that will have you sailing through the Boxing Day sales with ease and patience.  (Wait, do you guys even know what Boxing Day is?  Hmmm how should I explain this.  OK, got it!   It is Black Friday without the violence with everyone speaking French in Québec!  FUN!  Plus, you get to use your gift cards that you received for Christmas.  Smart, right?  I know, I know!)  While I would love to continue to enhance your culture, you need to get your Fannie Mae in gear and make this spectacular cocktail that will really surprise you!

Absolut Vitamin C
Find yourself a sassy, spunky glass that is 8 oz and fill it with ice.  (For some reason, this holiday I am stuck on these cocktails in white wine glasses filled with ice.   Don't know why, but it works!)
Add 2 oz of Absolut Ruby Red
Fill almost to the top with fresh squeezed orange juice.  (You can substitute with fake, concentrate, but you will really be missing out...)
1-2 splashes of Perrier or Club Soda
Garnish with a lime if you would like.

I am telling you .. I am on FIRE!  You will LOVE LOVE IT!   Happy Boxing!  Joyeuses Fêtes à vous tous!!!

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - (cheat) Absolut Holiday S'mores Delight

So have you liked what the Absolut Secret Santa has been throwing your way?  The holidays have been filled with lots of new recipes and chocolate seems to be where it is at this Christmas.  What is great about making vodka cocktails with chocolate liqueurs is that they are chocolatey and refreshing without hitting you over the head with sweet!  I know we have indulged in caramels and truffles and cakes and pies and .... (let the belt out) ... puddings and mousses and ... (let the belt out more) ... Hershey's kisses!

So I cheated with this one.  I had to do it!  I went to the ABC store in Virginia and discovered quite a few new vodkas out on the market.  Smirnoff just released a Fluffy Marshmallow and a Whipped Cream (à la Pinacle Whipped Cream) so I had to try it.  It tasted like a S'mores Delight so I knew that I had to share it with you.  Such a great surprise .. and when you taste it ... it will make you say POW-WOW!  You might even bark ... but then that would be, BOW-WOW.  So scratch that.  It's simple and easy .. so try it!

S'mores Delight
Fill a wine glass with ice
Fill half the glass with Smirnoff Fluffy Marshmallow vodka
2 splashes of Crème de Cacao liqueur
Finish it off with Perrier or Club Soda
Mix and ... WOW!

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Drink of the Moment: The Pah-Rum-Pah-Pum-POW

Don't you just love my Secret Santa and all of his to-die-for holiday beverages?!?  I know it really made my Christmas that much more spirited and magical to have all of those little gifties sprinkled throughout the past few days.  If you missed any of them, you can check them out (or re-visit them) by clicking here, here, and here.


Because I couldn't let the holidays pass without sharing one last Drink of the Moment with you for the year, I came up with an extra special one to send us into 2012.  Except to say that this isn't technically a drink, but instead a layered spirited trifle kind of dessert shooter, the name really does all the rest of the talking.  Now you can't say that I had no gift to give.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

The Pah-Rum-Pah-Pum-POW   
Poundcake
Gingerbread (Cookie) Ice Cream
Kahlua, regular or cinnamon and spice
Bailey's Irish Cream
German Chocolate Whip-a-hol, or Chocolate Cool-Whip
Ground Cinnamon
Ginger Crisp Cookie

Cube pound cake to fit into the bottom of your serving dish.  

Scoop Gingerbread ice cream on top of pound cake.  (I used Homestead Creamery Gingerbread Cookie ice cream ... yum). 

Pour Kahlua (I used Cinnamon Spice Kahlua) & Bailey's Irish Cream over your ice cream topped pound cake.

Top with German Chocolate Whip-a-hol (obviously my choice), or chocolate Cool-Whip, and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Garnish with Ginger Crisp cookie as seen in picture above.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to make sure you have a drink for every moment.

ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truffle

YUM YUM YUM!  Those Absolut Caesars were delicious this morning, but now it is time for some lighter Absolut cocktails as we move into the afternoon hours.  Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truflle is a spectacular cocktail that my niece fell in love with after I created it.  We've have 2-3 already, and I am LOVING IT!  Nothing like unwrapping gifts with an Absolut buzz.  So simple.  So refreshing.  So Absolut!  Bottoms up (hahahaha)!

Absolut Christmas Chocolate Truffle
2 ounces Absolut Vanilia
2 splashes of Crème de Cacao (colorless)
1 white wine glass filled with ice
Fill the rest of the glass with ginger ale

Mix lightly .. and it is going to knock your Christmas slippers off!!  Keep unwrapping!!!!

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ABSOLUT Folly - Holiday Series - Absolut Caesar

Good Morning and Merry Christmas to all of you from the Secret Santa guest cocktail-er!  Traveling internationally has limited the time I have had to check in with delicious Absolut holiday cocktails, but it is not for naught:  I promise to spoil you silly!  It is important not to mistake my busy travels with neglect of Absolut.  No, no, no!  So with whom should you be spending your day today?  With Absolut, of course!  I have my favorite holiday cocktails coming up throughout the day - so lets's get started!

Ever heard of an Absolut Bloody Caesar?  Well, I have adapted it for the United States, which is where most of you probably reside.  Usually, this cocktail is made with Clamato, but we are going to change this up a bit.  If you like Bloody Marys, you'll love the Absolut Bloody Caesar.  Enjoy!

Absolut Bloody Caesar

Fill a 16oz red cup (or equivalent) to the rim with ice.  Very important!
2 oz of Absolut Vodka
4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes of Pete's Hot Sauce
1/4 teaspoon of ground horseradish
1 -2 teaspoons of pickle juice
salt and pepper
Finish filling the cup with Sting Ray Bloody Mary mix!

Stir or roll from glass to glass lightly and garnish with a lemon wedge and celery stalk!  Oh que c'est délicieux!  Bonne journée!

Wait until you see this afternoon's Absolut Cocktails!  OH WOW!   Amazing!

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to make sure you have a drink for every moment.

ABSOLUT Folly - My Secret Santa Holiday Series

Ho! HO! HO!  Do I ever have a surprise for you (and kind of for me too)!  With the holidays shifting into full gear this week (in chronological order: Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, etc), it appears I have a drunk elf Secret Santa stopping in as a guest blogger to deliver fabulous little gifts straight from the package store. Picking up from where my 'Drink of the Moment' series left off, I hope you enjoy this 'ABSOLUT Folly'.  Don't you just love holiday surprises?

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Well Hello!  I have the distinct pleasure of being a guest blogger for this fabulous blog, with my specialty: Absolut cocktails made with the most wonderful vodka in the world, Absolut Vodka.  The posts will be grouped by theme so let's get started right away!

For the first (well, ok, second - see Absolut Snowy Cranberry Martini) cocktail I would like to present the delicious Absolut Mistletoe!  To have the greatest impact, you may wish to fire up the bombastic version of Justin Bieber's Mistletoe.  Not required.  But fun!  After all, we are having fun, right?  Moreover, having your holiday honey at your side will give even more excitement to this lovely libation.  I may have had one too many already, but to you my favorite readers, you must know that Absolut Vodka flows constantly through my veins.  And arteries.    What were we talking about?  Ah yes, the Absolut Mistletoe!

Absolut Mistletoe
1 part Absolut Vodka
2 parts cranberry juice
1 part swanky glass, filled with ice
splash of fresh lime juice
splash of lemon-lime soda
garnish with a mint sprig

Sip it down, and steal a smooch!   Gâtez-vous, chers amis!

(Did I mention my name?  No?  Well how about this ... tell me about your experience with Absolut Mistletoe in the comments section, and I will consider it.  Maybe!)

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Drink of the Moment: Snowy Cranberry Martini

I don't know about you, but I can't keep up this holiday season!  Decking the halls, buying, wrapping, visiting, and this marathon cold I can't shake ... it can all get so overwhelming (and cause serious lapses between blog posts).  Thank goodness for good friends and good booze to help take that edge off all of that, as well as helping manage the added face-time with family too!  This week, my stunningly handsome and fabulously gifted friend Jeff has provided the inspiration for the 'Drink of the Moment'; one gift that will keep on giving.  I hope you enjoy!

Snowy Cranberry Martini   
2oz of your favorite vodka (I used Stoli) 
1 1/2 oz white cranberry juice
Splash of club soda or Perrier 
Lime wedge, fresh cranberries, & powdered sugar for garnish


Vigorously shake vodka and cranberry juice with ice in a shaker.  Pour into a glass rimmed with lime juice & powdered sugar (unless you have a better way to achieve the look of snow); top with a splash of club soda or Perrier.  Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime wedge.  Festive!


And for those of you who like a little variation on a theme ...

The Yellow Snowy Cranberry Martini
2oz of your favorite vodka (I used Stoli)
1oz white cranberry juice 
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
Splash of club soda or Perrier
Lime wedge, fresh cranberries, & powdered sugar for garnish


Vigorously shake vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice in a shaker.  Pour into a glass rimmed with lime juice & powdered sugar; top with a splash of club soda or Perrier.  Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime wedge.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to make sure you have a drink for every moment.

Happy Headcold ... er, I Mean Holidays!

The holidays are here, and how do I know this?  Might it be all of the hustling and bustling?  The light-up renegade reindeer that take over the town?  The social calendar bursting at the seams?  No, I know it's the holidays because I have come down yet again with my annual holiday head cold which makes me feel like my head is inside one of those bells that are ringing incessantly joyfully on high.  In the interest of spreading some holiday cheer though (instead of snot and bad karma), I thought I would share a little soup recipe that has me curled up and purring on the couch with a smile.  In full disclosure I should throw it out there that even though I am a self-proclaimed soup junkie, I did not make this soup myself, nor have I ever made this soup myself.  Apparently I am so pathetic that on every occasion I've had it, it has been fully due to Jay's efforts to ensure that I don't become a miserable bitch grinch.  He is a good man, and seems to know that the gift of a good soup will go far in benefiting my well-being, and subsequently, his as well.  So, here's to holiday colds, good soup, and the way they manage to point out the true gifts in our lives.  I hope you enjoy!

Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup 

Ingredients

• 
  4 whole heads of garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 medium onions, chopped 
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup heavy cream (per your preference)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F; line a small baking sheet with foil. Use a sharp knife to cut about 1/4 inch off top of each garlic  head. Place garlic cut side up on baking sheet and drizzle olive oil over heads. Roast garlic until softened, about 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, squeeze soft cooked pulp from each clove into a small bowl. (You should have about 1/2 cup soft garlic pulp.)  Note:  We prefer to roast the garlic in peeled, separated cloves for convenience & exceptional garlic dipping oil for later. 

2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and 1 tsp. each salt and pepper and cook, stirring often,until onions have softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in thyme (though fresh works best for flavor, dried can also be substituted successfully) and reserved garlic. Sprinkle in flour. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring, to incorporate flour. Pour in chicken broth and cream, increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Boil rapidly, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and puree soup with an immersion blender in the pot, or in batches with a food processor, or blender. Return to pot, if applicable, and bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Season with salt and pepper and garnish with thyme. 

P.S. - That garlic infused olive oil that is left in your roasting pan?  It's kind of like the stocking stuffer to the whole soup thing.  (Jay really is a genius sometimes).  I highly recommend topping it with a dash of crushed red pepper flakes and enjoying it with some rosemary foccacia bread alongside your soup. :) 

  

   

Get Gorgeous this Holiday with a Gift List from QVC

Well folks, it's Cyber Monday, and after making it through all of the plates of turkey and hoards of aggro black Friday shoppers you can now just sit back, relax, and hardly have to lift a finger to get everything you need to fulfill your holiday gift list this year.  Whether you need some help in the giving department for one of those 'hard to buy for' ladies on your list, or if you're feeling a little lost when it comes to the receiving department and have no idea what to include on your own wish list as requested from a special someone; Vogue Influencers has brought in some help from QVC's Lisa Robertson.  Lisa has put together a list of her top holiday gift picks that allow you to participate in all of the joy without all of the craziness - most coming in at less than $100.  So what are you waiting for?  Scroll on down and start your clicking, or head on over to QVC.com.  Happy shopping!

1. Mally 10-piece Deluxe Automatic Waterproof Liner Collection

Mally Beauty Evercolor Automatic Waterproof Eyeliners have a long-wearing formula that contains nourishing and conditioning ingredients. For a really cool trick, line the top lash line with the Onyx, then line that line with a colored pencil. It's a subtle peep of color.

2. bareMinerals Box of Gems 20-piece Color Collection

A 20-piece collection of stunning eye and lip shades. Experience the ultimate in luxury with 10 new eye colors and 10 high-shine lip glosses that will drizzle lips in pure color. Tip: For a jewel-toned look, pair Gem and Glow eye colors--and deepen and smoke out even more with the Twinkle shade.

3. Judith Ripka Sterling Hematite Doublet Ring

A rich, deep, cushion-cut synthetic blue quartz doublet rests above a section of hematite in this mesmerizing ring. A sterling silver twisted-rope border accents the gemstone, while four heart-shaped prongs sparkle with a Diamonique® simulated diamond in the center of each.

4. Melania Madison Avenue Bold Case Bracelet Watch

As glamorous and show-stopping as New York City itself. Clear, round crystals on the connecting links of this bracelet watch are sure to attract attention, while the bold face with its mother-of-pearl dial is a classic finishing touch.

5. Nadri Micro Pave' Criss Cross Hinged Bangle Bracelet

Eternally elegant. With four bands crafted into a crisscross design and encrusted with micro-pave-style round, clear crystals on the front, this highly polished silvertone bracelet is sure to create a lasting look.

6. Dennis Basso Button Front Ruffle Collar Coat with Rosette Detail

Everything's coming up rosettes. This gorgeous fully lined, button-front coat will warm up your outlook. Ruffle details, in-seam pockets, and a cloth rosette on the collar help this stunning outerwear piece rise to the top.

7. ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! 2 Ply Cashmere V-Neck Boyfriend Cardi

Wear this boyfriend cardigan over a simple tee paired with your favorite jeans, and accessorize it with anything from a scarf to an extra-long necklace.

8. Michael Dawkins Sterling Signature Pod Small Earrings 

Small in size, but big on stylish impact, these free-form pod earrings are ideal for every day wear and special occasions. The earrings have a seamless silhouette.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.  Know it first, see it first, hear it first.

Drink of the Moment: Thanksgiving 2011 Spiced Pear Perfection

Thanksgiving is only four days away, and thank goodness because I can't wait to have a legit reason to enjoy a few of what I have decided will be my signature Thanksgiving cocktail this year.  You may remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I was trying to sort out a spiced pear cocktail for the fall (you can revisit that previous 'Drink of the Moment' post here if you'd like), but was not having much luck finding perfection.  As things would often have it, it turns out that I was looking too hard to find something that was right in front of my face the whole time, and in this particular case the simplicity of it's perfection is almost shocking.  The flavors should prove to be quite complimentary with the traditional Thanksgiving meal, and the 80 proof should assist in successfully surviving a houseful of family members.

Spiced Pear Perfection

1 part Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
3 parts Pear Juice
Dash of ground cinnamon (I used Saigon Cinnamon)
Dash of ground nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves

Pour rum into your selected glass (I used a martini glass for a better photo, but would recommend a highball glass or the like).  Shake in spices to your taste - if you don't have each of these spices separately, you might give pumpkin pie spice a whirl.  Top with pear juice.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick or if you're feeling exceptionally motivated, rim with a cinnamon sugar mix.


Happy Thanksgiving!

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A Salute

Though I'm a little behind the curve on getting this post up, I didn't want to let this Veteran's Day weekend pass without a nod to all of our veteran's.  My own veteran here at home found this yesterday, and I think it speaks for itself.

On The Runway with Anna Dello Russo INC Exclusive

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and along with it comes all things shiny and sparkly.  I really love anything I can get a gleam or a glint from, and would probably be dressed like a disco ball year round if I could get away with it.  Sadly, I have to rein things in most of the year, but the holidays usually give me a great excuse to deck myself out in all things shiny, sparkly, and over-the-top festive on at least a few occasions.  

I'm already trying to get some new holiday outfit inspiration from different places, and was tickled when my Vogue hookup came through with a sneak peak of the November INC collection for Macy's that has been edited by the one-and-only fashion editor extraordinaire and fashion icon Anna Dello Russo (editor-at-large & creative director of Vogue Japan).  As things have it, Vogue has offered us an exclusive sneak peek at the unreleased INC line November collection short film, 'Dark Shine'.  Styled by Dello Russo, the film represents a runway show that encapsulates Anna's iconic aesthetic and features shimmering sequins in deep black matte and glamorous evening styles perfect for the upcoming holiday season.  I hope you enjoy this first look at the film below.  Bring on the shine!





Ready to see more?  Here are some key pieces from the upcoming collection, available at macys.com in November.

Selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, these sequined hem shorts are all-out glamorous for fall.

This jacket selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, hits all the right notes: festive sequins in matte black with draped construction and a touch of attitude.

Selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, this LBD takes a playful turn when strewn with paillettes that catch the light fantastic.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.