Drink of the Moment: Honey DO!

It's Memorial Day weekend, and we all know what that means!  Good times, good friends, and  ... good grief it's been a long time since I've done a Drink of the Moment!  For those of you that thought I had fallen ON the wagon (you know who you are), NEVER FEAR for I am back with a fantastic beverage for whatever upcoming weekend fete you might be gearing up for.  I call it the 'Honey Do' since it's sweet, melony, and easy enough for your someone else to whip up for you all afternoon so you don't have to lift a finger.  Sounds perfect, no?  Oh, and let me not forget to mention that it is neon green.  Who doesn't have fun drinking a glowy green drink - a total DO .  Give it a chug (or three) and let me know what you think!

The Honey Do

3/4-1oz Stoli Sticki honey flavored vodka

2oz Midori melon liquer

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Club Soda

Lime &/or blackberry for garnish

Mix first 4 ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.  Pour into your glass, top with club soda, and garnish with fruit.  Easy peasy.

You can also do this one up instead of on the rocks if it tickles your fancy.  Just be sure to reduce the lime and simple syrup slightly so they don't overpower the flavor of the melon, or maybe add some more Midori if you go this route.  Either way, your own fate lies in the balance here, and the last thing anyone wants is to taste something gone horribly awry called a 'Honey Don't'.

Cheers!

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Max It Out This Summer

It's not every week that you get invited to take a first look at an exclusive lookbook shot by fashion photog Phillip Dixon.  Thanks to my friends at the Vogue Influencer Network, we are some of the very first folks to view the stunning fashion photography and dreamy dresses featured in the Leon Max Collection Summer 2012 Lookbook.  If you're not already familiar with the fashion of Leon Max, or MaxStudio.com then get ready to be formally introduced, and if you're already an old friend, then you'll love the flowing asymmetric draping in the Summer 2012 collection that has become synonymous with the brand.  Find your new favorites below, and gear up to max it out in more ways than one this summer once this exquisite collection hits the racks in your favorite department store, or online at MaxStudio.com. 

Gussets that fall from an asymmetric seam create the soft, feminine textures, and magical hemline movement of this dress.

Ethereal, romantic and dramatic, with a one shoulder silhouette and lots of movement, it’s all that an evening dress should be.

Ribbons of fabric traverse the body and cascade whimsically to the hem of this floor grazing dress.

Dark and enchanting, this textural lace and mesh dress with a floor sweeping length radiates romance.

This silky dress has a minimal, boudoir inspired front and a dramatically draped back that features soft textures, floaty movement and a sexy glimpse of skin.

The luxurious silk chiffon fabric of the dress has an eye-catching iridescence with an intricately patterned seamless slip underneath to create a stunning visual effect.

Wear this knockout silk georgette dress any time you want to stand out in a sea of lackluster LBDs.

This floaty dress has the easy glamour of a maxi silhouette with details both romantic and sexy.

Fashioned from floaty silk chiffon with an eye-catching iridescence, the simple silhouette of this dress is dramatized with a gorgeously draped shoulder that lends Goddess-like glamour.

This incredible dress fashioned from an electric hued gossamer silk chiffon has a softly crinkled texture and luxurious fluidity.

This dress is modernized with beautiful textural contrasts and a cheeky play between opaque and sheer.

This soft and romantic crinkled silk chiffon dress has a textured floral appliqué that travels on a slight diagonal from the bust and across the middle.

A watercolour floral design that blossoms across the body lends a vintage feel to this dress while asymmetrical elements at the neck and hem make it modern.

The silhouette of this crinkled silk chiffon halter dress has ethereal movement and a soft hand-painted watercolour floral design that feels mysterious on the black backdrop of the fabric.

Layer this sexy tee under a classic suit, pair with menswear trousers to create a chic feminine/masculine contrast or wear with jeans to add instant glam.

Boudoir styles are a huge trend for the season and this pair of shorts with built in opaque under-short is a clever and wearable way to get the trend.

A refined play between opaque and sheer lends an unexpected edge to the charming ballet silhouette of this dress.

This party-perfect dress has an asymmetric sensibility highlighted by a panel of iridescent paillettes running down the body to add eye-catching shimmer.

This soft and feminine dress, cut from a blushing pink silk georgette, sparkles with a panel of iridescent paillettes. 

If you like what you see, join in!  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.  See it first, hear it first, know it first.

Drink of the Moment: Mango-Mint Rum Slush

Though summer is nearly over, there are still a few days left to fit in a few frozen fruity temptations.  Whether you're at the beach, the pool, or just in your backyard this Labor Day weekend; this is one you are sure to enjoy.  Sip quickly before it's too late!

Mango-Mint Rum Slush  

Ingredients

• 3 cups coarsely chopped peeled mango
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 cup mango nectar
• 3/4 cup white rum
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

Preparation

• Place mango in freezer for 1 hour. Combine mango, ice cubes, and remaining ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Cooking Light 
MARCH 2003

Pow, Right in the Kisser! - A Visit from Irene

What a weekend!  First it's a category three storm headed straight towards the east coast, then it's a one, then it's a tropical storm, then it's just heavy rain?!?  Though there is no doubt that Irene packed a good one-two punch to some areas, thank goodness she was a fickle beast and managed to spare others.  


Somehow in my corner of the world, in the visit of what we will call 'Hurricane Irene', the power along the eastern shores of Virginia miraculously remained intact while 2 hours inland, we were sitting in the dark with a mess of candles lit as century old monster trees fell all around us taking a spider web of power lines with them.  Though we were not as lucky as some who didn't lose power at all, we are of the fortunate ones in the 5 million houses without power, that had only 33 hours in the dark.  I say ONLY 33 hours, but for me it really felt like it might as well have been 33 days at certain points.  I do not usually do any type of camping very gracefully ... even the urban kind, and this was no exception.  Thanks to all of the windows in our house being painted shut by the previous owners, and a sink clogged with food we were trying to get down the garbage disposal right as the power went out, our house quickly began to smell much like a rotten gym locker room.  This sent even the most timid (me) to sit on the porch, while the more adventurous (Jay) took it upon himself to grill brownies for everyone in the middle of a hurricane.  


While I wasn't out grilling brownies, I was inspired to come up with some future 'Drink of the Moment' ideas for all of you fun folks out there while waiting out the storm (yay!), and the next day, there was nothing more inspiring than wanting to get out of the house and find someplace that offered the modern amenities we have come so fond of having on a daily basis.  Here is what we saw around our historic neighborhood in Richmond's 'Fan District' on our quest for creature comforts.

There were a lot of damaged vehicles due to street parking.  This Jeep actually got off pretty lucky compared to some others I saw.

Monument Avenue

Those houses on Monument Avenue are not small by any stretch.  That tree is just huge.

Monument Avenue

Westbound Monument Avenue

Neighborhood  intersection

Neighborhood intersection across the street from the above shot.

You can see most of the tree that did the damage has been moved to the back right with the top pieces in the foreground.

While things are back up and running at my house, there are still so many folks around the Richmond Metro area, and the entire east coast who are looking at up to another 1-2 weeks before their power/life is restored. Yikes.  Of course, my thoughts especially go out to those who have lost far more than just power, and are still dealing with more flooding to come.  I believe that almost requires a moment of silence, as I could in no way imagine enduring that without thinking that it might be the apocalypse.  Of course, given the events over the past few weeks (swamp fires, east coast earthquakes, and hurricanes in the northeastern US), don't think that hasn't crossed my mind.  


Make sure to enjoy your electricity today!!

Drink of the Moment: Kiwi Colada

Ok people, get ready to whet your whistles cause I've got another good one for you!  Unlike the last exceptionally popular drink of the moment that could still very easily have been thrown together twelve drinks in, this one actually does require a little prep work with a sharp utensil, so make sure you have things geared up ahead of time if you're planning on having a multiple batch kind of night ... eh hem, or day.  


I present for your consideration ...

... THE KIWI COLADA!

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)
Calories: 143

Ingredients

Try prepping your kiwi in bulk.

• 5 peeled kiwifruit, divided     
• 3 cups ice
• 1/4 cup light rum
• 1/4 cup Midori (melon-flavored liqueur)
• 3 tablespoons Cream of Coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Preparation

• Cut 4 kiwifruit into quarters, and place in a blender. Set remaining kiwifruit aside. Add ice and remaining ingredients to blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher; discard seeds. Divide evenly among 6 glasses. Cut remaining kiwifruit into 6 slices; garnish each glass with 1 kiwifruit slice.

Cynthia Nicholson, Cooking Light 
JUNE 2005

I promise the prep work does pay off when you sip on this tasty beverage, and I certainly didn't waste my time straining or discarding any kiwi seeds (that I'm pretty sure most people eat in the fruit anyway). Who doesn't need another frozen yum yum drink to beat the (what seems to be dwindling) heatwave most of the North American continent has been dealing with - or to send out the summer with a bang.  So, go now I say, and indulge in this frosty wonder of a beverage before it's too late!

Drink of the Moment: Frozen Lemonade with Coconut Rum

With all of the oppressive heat most of the US has been dealing with the past few days, I don't know many that couldn't use a nice frozen drink - sweating it out without one might actually be considered cruel and unusual by some.  With that in mind, I thought I would share a drink that will not only help you cool down, but also won't sabotage your summer 'slim down'.  Not only is this one fabulous and frozen (I guarantee you'll want more than one); it's super easy, and only requires a few basic ingredients (that don't include sour mix, coconut milk, or ice cream).   Also, it's not nearly as boozy as some of my other 'Drinks of the Moment', which means you might actually be able to enjoy one or two on your porch or patio after sunset without experiencing any debilitating symptoms of dehydration ... or, maybe you should just stick with sitting in the air conditioning, and looking out the window at your sweltering porch or patio.  Either way, enjoy and try to stay cool out there!  :)

• 
  
• 
  
• YIELD: 1 serving (serving size: about 1 cup)
•               172 calories per serving
• 
  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups ice cubes, crushed
• 3 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate
• 2 tablespoons coconut rum (such as Malibu)
• Lime wedge (optional)
• 
  
• Preparation
• Place ice, concentrate, and rum in a blender (I used a Margaritaville Mixer to make the ones above, but a standard blender would do the trick wonderfully); blend until slushy. Garnish with lime wedge, if desired.

Elisa Bosley, Cooking Light
MARCH 2007

Revlon All Access Summer Imaginarium, Why Not?

Ahhh ... summer is finally here, and what to do?  One of the great things about summer is feeling like you have time to sit back, relax a little, and get away.  Well, unless you're me ... but I digress.  Part of the whole appeal of loosening up and taking a break is really not so much in where you go or what you do, but how you yourself are changed and impacted by whatever it is that's different for you; and hopefully this is a good thing.  Think about it, part of the reason you come back from a vacation feeling refreshed is because you've been able to get a different perspective that you can take back and apply in your every day life - you have a slice of time where you can be someone slightly (or not-so-slightly) different from your norm.  Instead of rhetorically asking 'Why?', you instead ask 'Why Not?'.


Well, if you're looking to break from your routine without dropping a wad of cash to go sweat it out with all of the other families vacationing with their kids while on summer break; or if you're on a quest to find that mysterious, sultry, diva 'alter ego' to cut loose while you are vacationing in a place where no one knows your name, then look no further.  The folks at Revlon have come up with an iPhone app that gives you that daily spark of beauty and fashion inspiration to challenge yourself to go above and beyond what might be your daily norm.

Revlon All Access brings you exclusive, daily beauty and fashion insights directly from Revlon All Access experts Gucci Westman, June Ambrose, Polly Blitzer, and Annabel Tollman.  Much like a summer holiday, it almost dares you to try new things and come away feeling like you've explored something new.  Some of the daily tips may be a little extravagant for your typical Tuesday or Wednesday, but isn't that kind of the point?  So just allow yourself to ask 'Why Not?' and give it a try. It may just be the thing that helps you make every day a mini getaway ... or at least gives you a different enough perspective to imagine yourself into feeling like it is. 

This is where today's tip took me!

Poolside Posh: big turquoise earrings (by Amrita Singh), check; slicked back low bun, check; strong lip, check; dramatic silhouette, double check.

If you don't think I have absolutely lost my mind at this point, then you can download the app for free here, and see where it might take you.  Happy summer holiday!

Time Out

After several attempts at starting to write, and then stopping abruptly because of outside influences, I figure I should just cut to the chase and get this going.  As I mentioned in my last post, you know that things have been a little shaken up around these parts, so after a few less than relaxing days this weekend was exactly what the doctor ordered.


Thanks to some wonderful friends who just bought a new boat, Jay and I were lucky enough, and extremely grateful to spend a large part of Saturday cruising the James River.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to be on the water.  Starting from just below the City of Richmond we got to take in a lot of sites, including the estate of Jimmy Dean (as in the country music star and more importantly the king of sausage - not the rebel without a cause), and the recreations of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, on the way to our Jamestown destination to have some lunch then head back to Richmond.  

The late, great Jimmy Dean's estate.  

View down the James.

Jay couldn't wait to break out the brownie bites - his favorite.

The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry.

Look close (or enlarge the shot) and you'll see replicas of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

All smiles.

I can't think of a more fabulous way to kick off the summer and forget about all of the daily noise for a second.  Thank goodness for friends who are there to help us take a 'time-out' in life when we most need it ... especially the ones with boats!  ;)  

Holidays in Cambodia

"It's a holiday in Cambodia

It's tough kid, but it's a life

It's a holiday in Cambodia

Don't forget to pack a wife"
-The Dead Kennedys-

Thanks to a pretty severe mess upheaval catastrophe snafu of monstrous proportions change in my work environment paired with the busiest season of the year, you might have noticed that I've been pretty absent on here for the past few weeks or so.  While I won't bore you with the details now, I don't see this work thing clearing up any time soon so I might actually explode become institutionalized literally break into tiny pieces find myself in some situations which could provide for a pretty good read if things keep up.  


While I might feel a bit like I'm having a figurative holiday in Cambodia in the worst sense, one of my cousins, Aliesje, is once again off on a world adventure to the real Cambodia, and has decided to share her experiences in a new blog.  Some of you may remember hearing about her trek through the wilds of Africa in Malawi, where she scared little children with her pallid complexion yet unending need to help (thus scaring them more).  Now she is off again to strike further fear in the hearts of unsuspecting bystanders (apparently from this first post through her softball sized feet and unfortunate dry shampooed hair).  Though she refers to it as helping with women's law, juvenile justice, and assisting victims of the Khmer Rouge, I know she's really just secretly trying to take over the world.  So, if you're looking for some interesting summer reading about traveling to exotic places while you yourself are sitting in your back yard with your feet in a wading pool and your hand around a beer can with a cocktail umbrella and soggy piece of fruit perched on the edge; or if you're stuck in a crap shoot like me and just need some serious perspective then maybe you can consider giving her a visit here, at: Le Cambodge Summer!  I guarantee your slums won't have quite as much soul.  :)

Summer Sound Sampler

Clockwise from top left: Austra, Theophilus London, Marissa Nadler and Alex Winston
Photo: Courtesy of Austra, Jonathan Mannion, Marissa Nadler and Alex Winston

Who doesn't love a new tune ... and just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend?  If you're looking for a new summer playlist, or at least a few fresh sounds to slip into your favorite rotation of oldies but goodies, Vogue has come through again with some pretty nifty tunes that scream summer.  Tracks from The Givers, Fleet Foxes, and The Black Keys start off the mix and it just keeps on going.  Check it out with the link below, and let me know what your favorite is.  Happy listening!

Sharing from Vogue.com

An Exclusive Vogue Network Sneak Peak - Brahmin's Anytime Tote, Find Your Favorite!

They've done it again!  This June Brahmin's new campaign (seen exclusively in Vogue) is featuring the 'Anytime Tote', and it's cute mini counterpart.  Simple, practical, chic, and perfect anytime; it's a classic wardrobe staple that is sure to be your favorite go-to bag for years to come.  I truly love the luxe croc-embossed finish, and look at all of these amazing color options!

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Birch

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Jade

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Canary

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Light Pink

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Clay

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Oyster

Brahmin Anytime Tote in Pistachio

I can think of about a million ways that this tote would work for just about anything, but maybe you're looking for something a little smaller?  Or maybe a travel companion to tuck into your larger tote and then pull out to effortlessly streamline into a chic evening clutch?  Then look no more and check out the cute 'Anytime Mini'.

Brahmin Anytime Mini in Light Pink

Brahmin Anytime Mini in Clay

Amazing size, amazingly chic, and amazingly coordinating.  Who said you can't have everything?

Have you found your favorite yet?  Which one is screaming your name?    Want to see more, or are you ready to secure one of your own?  Then check out the entire 'Anytime Collection' (including an 'Anytime Bag' as well as some additional color options), pick out the one you want delivered to your front door, or find a retailer near you by simply clicking right here.