Hello, friends! Just a quick note to let you know I’m cutting out a bit early this week. If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a bit drained lately and decided to take a couple of days for an impromptu road trip to see if I can’t sort through the thoughts swirling around in my brain. When I get back, hopefully freshly inspired and feeling a bit renewed, I’m going to tackle a few projects for the apartment now that the weather is finally breaking. My paint brush is at the ready and I can’t wait to give our old end tables a fresh new look! While on the road, I’m packing my favorite notebook and a big ol’ sketchbook so I can start to daydream and block out some new ideas for this here blog that you’re reading. I feel a bit like I’ve been spinning my wheels lately and I think it’s time for the next evolution of bringing my passion for parties, entertaining and design to you in a really beautiful way. So here’s wishing you all a great end to your week, a fabulous weekend and inspiration wherever you go. See you here on Monday! xoxo
[Photo by Wild Folk Studio for Style Me Pretty Living.]
An alternative title to this post should be, “The best damn margarita you’ve ever had in your life. Period.” Because what I’m about to share with you is the simplest, easiest, fool proofiest margarita recipe you’ve ever encountered. (And, yes, “fool proofiest” is totally a thing.) To preface this tequila spiked conversation, I need to disclose that until five or six years ago I pretty much thought margaritas were vile. Reason being, I had been mislead into drinking those unnaturally neon green frozen concoctions that some people love but that I really can’t stomach. I find them to be overly sweet, overly sour and just not ok in any way. (But if you like them, by all means, keep slurping away!) Then, my mother made me a “real” margarita and, well, the rest is history. So with Cinco de Mayo knocking on the door, gather up an armful of limes and let’s hop to it, shall we?
Much like last week when we toasted over St. Germain gin and tonics, I’m going to preach about ingredients here. Get the best tequila you can and skip the cheap triple sec in favor of Cointreau, which is my favorite orange liqueur. For tequila I prefer Patron, but I’m not a tequila expert here (in fact I won’t touch the stuff if it’s not in a margarita), I’m just a pretty fanatical about my margaritas. And I can you tell (cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye), that good quality tequila makes all the difference. And the Cointreau. (Or Grand Marnier if you prefer, just promise me you’ll say no to triple sec.)
- 2 oz of fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 oz of Patron (or equivalent)
- 3/4 oz of Cointreau
- 1/4 oz of agave or simple syrup (more or less to taste)
Combine lime juice, Patron, Cointreau and agave syrup (or simple syrup) in a chilled cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and vigorously, then pour over ice. If you like salt with your margarita (I prefer to skip it), wet the rim of your glass with lime juice and then coat it by flipping the glass upside down on a plate holding the salt of your choice. (You know, before you fill it with ice and margarita goodness, that is.) Adjust the agave/simple syrup to your taste. My suggestion is to start with less and build up the sweetness until you find your own personal sweet spot. Personally I prefer my margaritas crisp and tart so I don’t use much syrup at all. Bottoms up!
[Styling by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion. | Photos by Alice G. Patterson.]
It dawned on me that it’s been a bit since I’ve shared recent snippets with you so today seemed as a good a time as any! Life has been busy the last few months. From traveling (with more to come), moving, celebrating my 30th birthday, and soaking up as much time with family and friends as possible, I literally can’t seem to keep track of the days and weeks as they whiz right on by. I’ve also been working on lots of little projects here around the casa and I can’t wait to bring you all the details on that soon. But in the meantime, here are a few recent snippets of life lately! (Oh and you can always follow along on Instagram, too!)
1 | My love for scarves seems to be known far and wide! Here are just three of the four scarves I received as birthday gifts. I’ve been wearing them all constantly!
2 | Also known far and wide, my love for all things nautical. I received both of these J.Crew keychains for my birthday, too! (Thanks, Carolynn and Erika!)
3 | I couldn’t resist! I had to have these amazing gold pig bookends.
4 | I’ve been working on restocking our little bar here at the house. I love being able to offer friends their flavor of choice at a moment’s notice!
5 | A little something pretty I picked up for my desk. Every room needs a bit of green!
6 | Our new framed art print from Minted arrived last week. It’s 44″, huge and beautiful. I can’t wait to hang it up!
7 | A bit of Sunday morning project planning over coffee.
8 | And a little Sunday morning project crafting!
9 | My favorite beverage – seltzer water with a twist of lime. Yum!
10 | Our new media cart from CB2 is here, it’s parked in the living room and I can’t wait for everything else to come together. One step at a time!
[Photos by Cyd Converse on Instagram.]
I know every single time we get to catch a glimpse of another beautiful home I squeal about how amazing the lady behind the space is and I will warn you right now, today is no exception. Reason being, today’s Nook is the home office of none other than my wonderful friend Becka Robinson of Life as an Artistpreneur. Becka and I met a few years ago over dinner with a big group of friends in New York and since then we’ve forged a friendship over email and the phone for which I am just so grateful. (I mean, our marathon phone calls have even inspired Becka’s husband and business partner, Nate, to declare me a wife thief publicly on Twitter more than once. It’s at that level, people.)
So today, Becka is taking us inside her newly revamped home office where she headquarters Studio 222 (her photography business with Nate) and her blogging adventures. I love the space because it’s both bright and moody. It has an organic vibe with a cozy kick that I just love. Click through for all the details!
Fun news, friends! Beginning this week I’m going to be guest pinning for Martha Stewart Weddings for the next month. The editors there asked a small handful of bloggers to chime in with our favorite party, shower, rehearsal dinner and wedding ideas on their Wedding Celebrations board and I’m thrilled be a part of the crew. You can read all about it over at the Martha Stewart Weddings blog where they’re highlighting each of us and inviting you to join in on the fun by following along Pinterest!
I’ll be pinning alongside some pretty amazing ladies! Namely, Kelly of Mrs. Lilien, Cassandra of Coco + Kelley, Amanda of 100 Layer Cake, Jennifer of Hostess with the Mostess, and Taylor and Caitlin of The Glitter Guide. Which basically means there’s going to be a whole lot of awesome going on. Pop on over to Pinterest to join the party!
Many thanks to the awesome folks at Martha Stewart Weddings for inviting me along for the fun!
