Things I Love Thursday // 12.10.20

Here we are again, taking a few moments to escape the harsh reality of our times and think about some small pleasures. I hope you enjoy this week's list of the Things I Love...

zoom happy hour with "professor baker"

Greg's team from across the country "met" last night in zoom for a virtual gathering to celebrate the season. We all wore ridiculous holiday sweaters and accessories and learned to make two themed cocktails with Professor Baker who was warm, funny, and knowledgable. The drinks were festive and as we consumed them, the gathering became more and more festive as well ;). Featured here is the "Christmas Morning Old Fashioned" and if I ever actually drink one of these in the morning, you can rest assured that I will accomplish absolutely zero for the rest of the day. This recipe makes one cocktail: 1/2 oz real maple syrup, 3-4 dashes of bitters, 1 tsp vanilla extract (I know, but it's so good!), 2.5 oz Cognac. Build in a glass and stir. Add ice and stir for another 15 seconds. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a candy cane.

lap warmers

Listen, it's chilly outside.  It's also chilly inside. Our house still boasts original windows in many of the rooms --so it's fairly drafty. This is a great reason to celebrate lap warmers. The two best lap warmers in our house are Richard Parker and Avery Piper, but I won't rank them because I don't want to hurt Piper's feelings.

camellia cream

There's a reason why this item was featured in my Holiday Gift Guide post! With the chillier weather, comes dry skin for me. While I do use this amazing body cream year-round, I am especially grateful for it in the winter months. It's texture cannot be beat. It glides on in a velvety finish that is not "wet" or sticky feeling. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the ONLY lotion I can apply and NOT feel like I have to wash my hands immediately. Plus, it smells insanely good. Get you some: Japanese Camellia Cream from The Body Shop (not to be confused with bathandbodyworks). 

"the amazon coat"

People have strong feelings about this zippered coat. I feel strongly that it's very cute, has held up incredibly well, and keeps me toasty all winter long. This year, it comes with a faux fur collar option and I recently found out that it now comes in kid sizes too! Just look how adorable my friends are on the soccer sidelines!

holiday treats

My favorite treats, of course, are the ones that friends and family make for ME. The very best of all-time has always been my mom's homemade peanut brittle. Many of you know that we lost my mom this fall in a swift and brutal battle with cancer. She has passed the recipe and the skills to my sister, Felicity, so there's still hope. If you have some littles around, these reindeer cookies are fun to assemble. (Even if you're not planning to make them, you should visit that link and check out the Jonesies when they were wee.) Santa Hat Brownie Bites are a fun treat for all the holiday parties we won't be hosting or going to this year too! No recipe needed: Add a dollop of stiff whipped cream or white frosting to a pre-made brownie bite, top with a trimmed strawberry. Add a small "topper" of cream for the pom. Know that if you try to use "loose" whipped cream, that wet strawberry is going to slide right off!

advent calendars

I mentioned my love for advent calendars last week. The 99¢ ones from Trader Joe's that feature small pieces of milk chocolate are a yearly tradition. (I'm also very happy to be indulging in the Godiva one that my friend, Tracie, gifted me this year.) Tracie also found one from Aldi that features CHEESE. Can't wait to get my hands on one of those next year. When the girls were tiny, I found a great wooden advent calendar in the shape of a house. As with all advent calendars, this one has doors and cubbies. For most of the days, I put two pieces of candy inside; however, I will also scatter about 5-8 clues (in the form of very poorly written poem/riddles) behind some doors that point the girls in the direction of a small gift hidden in the house (chapstick, ornaments, their annual nutcracker, etc.). I think I might love this tradition more than they do. Advent "calendars" like our house can be found it lots of places. Try Marshalls, TJ Max, or Home Goods for a deal. Amazon has some great options too. I LOVE this white house one with tiny drawers! It comes in two sizes. The same (highly rated) company makes one that looks like a gingerbread house too. This ornate, light-up option has amazing reviews! The drawers appear to be on the small side --but the sweet details might make up for that! AND in case you're still considering getting the "12 Days of Beauty" installment from Trader Joe's, you have until this weekend to gift it in the hopes of starting on time for an accurate countdown.

this makes me laugh

Thank you to my friend, Brad, for sending me this funny. I laughed out loud. It's completely accurate. I do love my air fryer!

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Things I Love Thursday // 1.16.20

• Harvest & Moon - Mariah Oller is a cellular biologist turned Tarot card reader who happens to be incredibly talented, absolutely darling, and an amazing conduit to connect you with your spirit. Yep. All of that and more. Tarot is something I've always been curious about and celebrating my birthday this year, I decided to treat myself (and my girlfriends) to Tarot readings. If you've ever considered Tarot as an approach to tapping into some clarity, do check out Harvest & Moon. Even if you're not in Charlotte, Mariah offers virtual readings too!
  
  
  
  
  
• Pillow Talk - Ok. Yes. I do enjoy pillow talk but the type I'm referring to in this case is Charlotte Tilbury's lipstick that I found in my stocking on Christmas. (Combo with the liner is no longer available but you can buy it separately here.) I can't tell you how many glosses, lipsticks, balms, and stains I've tried. You already know how much I LOVE Stainiac (so good!) --and now you can add this combo from Tilbury to your short list. I first heard about this color from another blogger, I'm sure (who may have read one of the multiple praises from beauty reviewers like this one). What I find great about it is that the neutral-pink tone looks good on lots of skin tones. The lipstick is creamy and smooth without any stickiness and it lasts too (admittedly though, not as well as a stain). This shade is a great step up from a basic nude without looking like "too much." I'm a fan.
  
  
  
  
  
• gorjana - Our family spent the holiday on the west coast, sharing time between Portland, Oregon and Southern California. When we were with our friends in Laguna Beach, I was introduced to the Laguna-based jewelry company, "gorjana." Love, love, loved the pieces --especially the layerable, delicate necklaces. (I'm a sucker for a necklace!) However, it was literally just past Christmas and while I was taking advantage of some of the sales, I really wasn't doing to much shopping for myself. Flash forward to the day after we returned from our trip: My girlfriend, Tracie, took me out for an early birthday lunch and gave me THIS. Unbelievable. "You've heard of gojana??" she asked. And so I launched into the story as I unwrapped a most perfect necklace with the biggest smile on my face. (It's adjustable even!) Sadly, gojana does not yet have a storefront in North Carolina; however, they do have a great online store and lucky for you, Nordstrom now carries the line in case you want to have a look in-person.
  
• City Stems - (Making a second appearance here on TILT because I'm obsessed.) The secret is OUT. Not only is she one of the *best* people I know and love, but Laura Hughes of City Stems is so outrageously talented that if you want to get on her schedule for a holiday or big event, then you best get in line. Laura creates the most beautiful plant and floral creations you've ever seen. I think the magic about City Stems is that Laura is not only exceedingly gifted with an eye for style and detail --she an incredible listener. She works to understand your style/vibe/vision and then executes something that captures the idea and makes you feel completely understood. Listen, I know I'm a bit crazy about plants and this little ballad to Laura might seem a bit over-the-top but I'm telling you: This is special. Remember her name. Follow her Instagram. Get on her list. Treat yo' self and those you love. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Hemleva - Speaking of loving plants, this little number arrived in the sweetest birthday package from my friend, Simone, and she couldn't know be better. Ha! I also have this beauty on my keyring and wouldn't mind adding this to my Hemleva collection. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Warm cake in bed - Thanks to my friend, Gretchen, our family has adopted the tradition of waking up the birthday person on their special day with warm cake. Depending on the day of the week when the birthday falls, it can be an early morning --especially for me who is the cake-baker and sharer of birthdays with our youngest. ;) It's and easy and sweet tradition (pun intended) and if you use the box mix, like me, than not too difficult to execute. Just remember to serve your frosting on the side because it will melt or crumble the cake if you try to smear it on top. And remember to put the candle in the frosting and not the warm cake, as the wax will melt inside the cake and the candles will fall over before you can quietly crack the bedroom door open and start the quiet singing of the birthday song!
  
  
  
  
  
• Dermot Kennedy - Not only to have Gretchen to thank for warm birthday cake in bed, I also have to thank her for introducing me to Dermot Kennedy. She mentioned him like 2 days ago and I've been listening nonstop. Before that, I was living under a rock. Here he is performing Outnumbered on Jimmy Kimmel and here's a link to listen to him sing Power Over Me on Ellen (from May of 2019!). If you like those and are interested, here he is acoustically performing with a small gospel choir on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert. Yeah... so "HI! It's me... just crawling out from under this rock." AND... Dermot is coming to Charlotte in February and I'm going! *Fangirl swoons*
  
  
  
  
  
• Bloody Mary Bar - I love when a vision comes together in the way that you imagined. That's what happened when I put together this bloody mary bar last week. I looked at all kinds of ideas on Pinterest and found a bit of this and that around the house (tray, stand, jars, letterboard...). The fun part was deciding what to offer as garnishes (photo taken before the plate of bacon was set out). While I usually start with a V8 base, adding spices, heat, fresh lime juice, horseradish, worcestershire, etcetera... I took the easy way this day and was SO pleased with (locally made) Bruce Julian's pre-made mix. Anyone for brunch??
  
  
  

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London Fog

We had a beautiful trip to Charleston last weekend: Amazing food (Husk, FIG, The Obstinate Daughter, and The Ordinary), relaxing mornings, a day at the beach, our kayak trip on Shem Creek, rooftop cocktails (before the thunderstorm), and a mini shopping spree during the Summer Sale at Club Monaco.

One delicious highlight was the London Latte that I ordered with breakfast at the Maison Café in our hotel. Their version of the drink included Earl Grey, Vanilla, and Lavender. I had never tried anything like it (though, I understand now that Starbucks makes a version without the lavender) and being a little nostalgic for our recent trip to London, I thought I would give it a go. It was delicious!

Before we left, I went back to the counter and asked the barista to see the tea bag (thinking I would order the blend for home). I was surprised to find out that it had only Earl Grey tea and that the vanilla and lavender flavors came from 4 pumps of syrup. Yikes! No wonder it was so good. The following morning, I went back to my usual: Americano + Splenda --but I couldn't stop thinking about The London.

Having just made Lavender Lemonade for G's birthday party, I had loose lavender buds at home. I picked up some Earl Grey and some sugar-free vanilla creamer and thought I would give a modified "guilt-free" recipe a try.

It's not quite AS delicious as the version at Maison; however, it is pretty lovely --so much so, that I'm going to pick up some decaffeinated Earl Grey so that evening sipping is also an option. Cheers!

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Recipe Review | Margaritas + Sangria

Oh yes, the best way to spend a hot afternoon in the yard with friends: sipping sweet sangria or ice-cold, frothy margaritas. Yum. Sangria is best served by the pitcher and margaritas are best when they are freshly shaken (vigorously) with ice. So next time you're hosting a gathering, you can accomplish both quite painlessly. To avoid watering-down your adult beverages, always serve your ice on the side.

Sassy Sangria

(makes about 6-8 servings)

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1 bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel)

Juice from 2 oranges

Juice from 2 lemons

Juice from 2 limes

1/2 cup Peach Schnapps

1/4 cup grenadine syrup

3 cups raspberry flavored seltzer water 

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Mix it all together and chill it in the refrigerator overnight.

Before serving you can add halved and wedged citrus, frozen raspberries, and sliced peaches to the pitcher. However, if you're using a beverage dispenser with a spigot (like mine) you might want to avoid this, as the fruit may clog your spout.

To serve, provide plenty of ice and garnishes (sliced citrus, raspberries and/or peaches) on the side. 

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Classic Margarita (Known is some circles as a, "Tamarita.") 

(makes one cocktail)

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2 ounces quality, Reposado Tequila

1/2 ounces triple sec 

3 ounces margarita mix (Honestly, my favorite is the Kirkland brand. It's not too sweet or syrupy.)

Juice from 1/2 lime (about 1 tablespoon)

Juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

Juice from 1/2 orange (about 2 tablespoons)

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Shake ingredients vigorously with a FULL glass of ice. (One of the most common ways people "ruin" cocktails is by not serving them with enough ice.) 

Serve with or without a salted rim.

Garnish with a lime wedge (Don't forget to squeeze it before dropping it in the glass!)

***Make it even better by adding a "floater" of any of these***

Grand Marnier - Cadillac Margarita

Amaretto - Italian Margarita (So yummy!)

Chambord - Raspberry Margarita

Midori - Melon Margarita

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To serve in mason jars, place all the ingredients in the jar with NO ice (with the lid on). Keep the jars chilled until you serve them (we brought ours out 12 at a time for the party). 

Place an ice bucket with scoop on the side.

Instruct guests to remove the lid, fill the jar with ice, replace the lid, and then shake-shake-shake. 

Provide a container to collect discarded lids.

CHEERS!

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