Bar Essentials

What are your must haves for your at-home bar? Those things that no matter how untimely guests show up at your door, you are ready to break out the shaker and woo them with your latest cocktail recipe. 

Some essentials around here . . . 

Nick and Nora

Nick and Nora, characters from the novel, The Thin Man, who were later adapted into a movie series, are hilarious in this compilation-' alcohol moments'.

Recipe: Basil Gin Fizz

Remember my little herb garden? Well, last evening, boy had the brilliant idea to snip off a few leaves for a cocktail. I usually reserve basil for pastas and stews, but using a simple recipe, the Basil Gin Fizz was the perfect concoction- sweet with a bite. Resembling a mojito, this drink will surely become a summer favorite. 

                                     

Cocktail of Choice

(the Fitzgeralds) 

Our household is a liquor household, but I’m sure you figured that out here, here, and here. The beers are usually reserved for outdoor concerts, and the wine is saved for fancy dinners when a piece of red meat begs to be complimented. Boy and I have our individual beverages of choice, and we have our ‘steady and sure’ choice that neither one of us would decline if offered. I was delighted to read this article on authors’ favorite drinks as it has some haunting similarities to boy and me.

His choice: Straight Whisky: Dylan Thomas.

During quiet evenings at home, I'll find him sipping two fingers width of Bulleit whisky with a few ice cubes in low glass, and it’s so darn fetching of him.

Her choice: Martinis: Anne Sexton

I adore a high, olive (not dirty) martini with a cheesy pizza or a big ‘ole pasta bowl. The drink I always swore that I’d drink when I was 60 or so. I guess I’m starting early.

Cocktails: Belvoir Fruit Farms

(Elderflower Mojito) 

Oh dear, it’s been quiet around here. As you can tell, I took advantage of the three day weekend and closed things down for a few days. Boy ended up being sick with a nasty cold all weekend, so I followed his lead and rested up as well.  

Mad Men

Do you watch Mad Men? Are you ready for season 6?! Last spring, boy and I got hooked as we plowed through multiple seasons. I cannot wait to see what they will come up with this time around.

A Round Up of New Years Ideas

(New Years party 1956, by Alfred Eisenstaedt)

If I had the time, the money, and let's be honest, the DIY know-how, I would love to create all these ideas for our New Years party. But, my predictable cheese platter and boy's tasty cocktails will just have to do. Simple is better, right?

This banner from Confetti Design Shop on Etsy.

Signature Cocktails

(photo source unknown) 

One of my favorite things about our wedding was our signature cocktails- the PSM and CNM- titled by our initials. Our lovely friend, Sally, created a sweet little bar menu with descriptions of the cocktails and our list of spirits. The PSM was a Manhattan, Philip’s favorite drink, and the CNM was a French 75. Ironically, all the male wedding guests I bumped into were drinking Manhattans, and  the women seemed to take a liking to the French 75s. Manhattans are fairly straightforward; I’m sure Philip would say otherwise. I found the recipe for my drink on Saveur, and I’d love to share it with you.

Safe and Sound

I do hope Hurricane Sandy didn't prove too adventurous for you, East Coasters. We hunkered down all day with kettle popcorn, episodes of Mad Men, Little Women and Cloud Atlas by candlelight, Manhattans, wedding planning and interwoven naps. Luckily, we only lost power in the wee hours of the night. Hope all were safe and enjoyed the quiet hours at home.

To the Lake Photos (1)

Oh dear, I have been so quiet these last several days. I had hoped to blog some while at the lake, but the reading, the basking in the sun, the numerous familial meals and the lovely times of conversations kept me away from finding a computer screen. And I have to tell you, I really loved it. I sure did miss blogging, but the disconnect from this world of updates, statuses, feeds and tweets was nice and necessary for a moment.  

Movie Night

The outdoor movie night was a hit, or at least, I think it was! I didn’t let the dreary day of clouds and raindrops get me down. After surrendering to the fact it would not be a back lawn filming, I grabbed my toolbox and nailed the sheet screen right to the porch posts. A few strands of lights, candles, gin martinis and homemade kettle corn in these oh so cute popcorn buckets (mine were from Target) really made the evening. Some of our guests stayed until the wee hours of the morning so we featured Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark and Back to the Future, and guests mimicked the nostalgic lines of ‘Indy’ and ‘Marty McFly’ all evening.  

Summer Must Haves (4)

I stumbled into an Anthropologie this past weekend and beelined towards the back of the store; you ladies know what I’m talking about- the sale section! Oh Anthropologie, I do swoon over you, but not your prices. As I raced to the back with blinders on, I spotted this hat out of the corner of my eye- I die.

Weekend Snapshots

A Long Island Weekend

Philip and I are heading to Long Island tonight for a long weekend at a family beach house. I am so looking forward to getting away and to a new place, no less. Here are some things I'm packing and looking forward to over the weekend . . .

(1) My guilty pleasure reading on flights and beach getaways is always Vogue; how about you? (2) I just picked up a 70's inspired crochet beach cover-up similar to the above from TopShop (3) I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I love Bobbi Brown's beach body oil; it's perfect for a weekend on the shore. (4) I was unable to find a photo that exemplified gumption, because that's what I need to pull off my new suit via Haute Look (5) Are Long Island Iced Teas hip to drink in Long Island? I hope so. 

P.S. Summer Must (1), (2) and (3).