Drink of the Week #12: Holiday Fig n' Whiskey

It feels good to write a Drink of the Week post again; since it has been since September.  Sadly I can't drink at the moment, being that I am 16 weeks preggo, but I loved making this cocktail for my husband one chilly evening. 

I have been wanting to use fig in a cocktail for some time now, and the holiday season seemed to be the perfect time.  Don't children dream of figgy pudding or something this time of year? 

Regardless, figs with whiskey pair together like milk and cookies. 

A little bit of Fig Preserves (Central Market & Sprouts) stirred with the juice of half an orange is the base flavor component, plus it adds the sweetness.  Followed by the addition of Rye Whiskey and a few drops of Habanero Bitters; the cocktail is complete with ice and a splash of soda water.  Now it just needs a side of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.  

The Kitchn Cookbook

If you are looking for a gift for a food lover The Kitchn Cookbook is a great choice.  

The cookbook was released in October, so the hubby and myself made a trip to the Dallas West Elm to pick-up a copy, and get it signed by one of the authors, Faith Durand.  I wasn't feeling well that day, pregnancy nausea, but I wasn't going to pass-up the opportunity.  

Not only was the trip worth it, because I got a personally signed book and got to meet one of the authors, but also because of the free slice of pie from our FAVORITE pie shop, Emporium Pies, and some sweet lemonade.  Oh, and an adorable 'Sweet as Pie' reusable shopping bag that I use quite often. 

The Kitchn Cookbook first grabs your attention with the beautifully photographed recipes.  From my food blogging experience the past five years I can tell you that food photography is not easy, and when done right, can make the difference between wanting to make a recipe, and not.

The book is divided into two sections.  Part 1: The Kitchn walks you through the perfect kitchen set-up including essential tools to own and maintenance.  Part 2: How to Cook Well dives into meal planning and of course the recipes.

The recipes are wonderfully simple, yet not too simple.  Nothing too esoteric to meet the needs of every type of cook out there.  From breakfast (Fig and Almond Quinoa Breakfast Porridge) to Small Bites (Roasted Garlic and Lemon Hummus) to Drinks (Sparkling Peach Sangria) to Main Dishes & One-Bowl Meals (Black Bean Edamame Burgers) to Sides & Salads (Fennel and Radicchio Salad with Farro and Pecans) to Desserts (Jam Hand Pies). 

Happy Cooking Food Lovers!

The Summer to Fall Transition

About a month ago the hubs and myself went out on a date night for the first time in a while.  It was a museum night, Modern til' Midnight 80's Edition. If you recall we went to a museum night over the Summer in Dallas, this was at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

A relaxing evening dining on the lawn, while listening to 80's music, called for a comfortable outfit.  So what do you wear in the transition time of the year?   When it's hot while the sun is shining, but chilly once it sets? 

How about some cutoff jeans shorts with a simple white t-shirt, an over-sized cardigan, and ankle boots?  It was such a comfortable outfit.  A bit of edginess for 80's night with some classic style mixed-in.  My legs were incredibly pale, being that it is fall, but I didn't care, I felt cute in my outfit.

The very in-style oversized cardigan was my favorite component.  Casual for a laid-back evening, during the summer to fall transition. 

A Little Pumpkin Surprise

7 long weeks since my last blog post, I hope I still have some Gin & Pearls readers out there.  

It isn't like me to go so long without a post because I love this blog of mine.  However, I have a really fabulous reason for why I have been MIA for nearly three months...

A few weeks after my birthday, back in September, we found out that we were expecting a little baby.  :)

We had about two weeks of enjoyment before I got very, very sick.  For nearly six weeks I was a walking nausea-bomb about to explode.  Getting up in the morning to go to work was one of the hardest things I have ever done; I was pretty useless and looked like a flu patient.  I lived off of Mexican fast food for dinner nearly every night because cooking was out of the question, and I immediately fell asleep on the couch everyday upon returning home from work.  

Luckily a few weeks ago I started feeling better, and the nausea started to subside.  I still have tiny waves here and there, but now I officially feel like a human-being again.  I am pretty tired, falling asleep most nights around 8pm, but now that I am in my second trimester, I know that things are going to continue to get better.

We have had so much fun telling family and friends our news, and I am excited to finally announce it to my Gin & Pearls readers.  

At 13 weeks our little jellybean is the size of an orange now; I am showing a nice bump.  We haven't been able to see the little one in an ultrasound since week 9, but we did get to hear the heartbeat this week which was pretty amazing.  

Thank you readers for letting me share in our excitement with you, and don't worry....Drink of the Week will still continue (I just won't be able to enjoy them for myself). 

Drink of the Week #11: The Ginger

Once again I tried to replicate a favorite drink of mine from one of my favorite local restaurants, and I have to say, I completely nailed this one to perfection.  

I love ginger!  Anytime I fly a Ginger Ale is my drink of choice, and whenever I am sick I sip on Ginger Ale throughout the day.  Ginger candy is delicious, and fresh ginger in a spicy Asian dish is one of my favorite flavors.  With my taste-buds love for ginger I knew that a ginger cocktail would be a hit.

The Ginger has a double dose of immune healthy ginger; with fresh ginger and Ginger Beer.  I use Ginger Beer instead of Ginger Ale because it is made with real ginger and less sugar, yielding a more flavorful punch of flavor.  It costs more and can be hard to find, but it is well worth it.  And while it is called Ginger Beer, it isn't actually beer at all, it is 100% free of any alcohol.  

The Ginger is a simple blend of muddled fresh ginger, lime juice, and a touch of agave nectar topped with Gin and Ginger Beer.  The hubs and myself like a bit of a spicy kick to our cocktails so I decided to add a few drops of our own Homemade Habanero Bitters to the mix (yes, I said homemade).  

September Fashion: Black & White

September 11th was my 29th birthday, and with it came a dinner celebration with a few close friends at my favorite sushi restaurant. I always have a hard time getting dressed in September.  I want desperately to bring my jeans out of hiding, but it just isn't quite cool enough for it yet.  However, after months of summer dresses, I never want to wear them anymore. That pretty much leaves shorts.

I really enjoy taking a casual pair of shorts and dressing them-up; because they are so much more comfortable than a dress.  

 

I had a cute new black shirt that I wanted to wear, so pairing it with white shorts seemed like the right choice.  I wanted more color, being how it is still Summer,so  the outfit came together nicely with a bright teal purse as my pop of color.  

 I knew with a simple outfit I needed to amp things up a bit with my accessories, so I immediately grabbed  my silver torsade statement necklace form Chloe & Isabel.  It is such a dramatic piece, I love it.  Most days I wear it I get compliments anywhere I go.  With a a studded black leather wrap bracelet and black wedges, the outfit was complete.  

 

You can never go wrong with black & white.  

Happy Birthday to all my fellow Septemberists out there.  

Chloe & Isabel: Jewelry Love

Hooray- I just hit my one year anniversary of being a merchandiser for Chloe & Isabel.  I stumbled upon the company when I was in the process of closing my online fashion boutique and fell in love with it instantly. From it's people, to it's vision, to the products, I love being a part of such a wonderful company and team.  While I haven't reached my goal for sales in this past year, I only sold $2,500, I am not giving up.  I will continue with the company and hopefully reach the point one day where I can move-up in ranks.

Let me share with you why this company is so magnificent, and the perfect place to buy your high-quality jewelry.

 The People

A mere four years ago CEO & Founder, Chantel Waterbury, decided she wanted to start her own jewelry company with a fabulous vision in mind.  With experience in major jewelry industries such as Tiffany and Co, Cartier, and Kenneth Cole, she had the experience and skills to go off on her own.  She has a clear vision, a big heart, and a knack for jewelry design.  Since the beginning Chloe & Isabel designs have been featured in dozens of magazines and publications including Real Simple, O, Lucky, In Style, Shape, Vouge, Glamour, The Huffington Post, The Today Show, and more.   

 

The Vision

Chloe and Isabel was inspired by a concept called, "The Friendship Philosophy."  This is the idea of two best friends, with different personalities and styles, united by their passion for style and self-expression, coming together.  "Chloe" is the fearless fashionista, who is always in search of the season's hottest trends, while "Isabel" appreciates timeless, beautifully-crafted pieces. Whether a Chloe, an Isabel, or a Chloe-bel (that's me), Chloe and Isabel has everything you are looking for in jewelry. 

The Products

Starting at just $18, every piece of jewelry is designed in New York City and backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee.  All products are hypo-allergenic, nickel-free, and lead safe, which means even the most sensitive of jewelry wearers can splurge; they really have a little bit of everything for every style.  I find myself discovering new pieces to lust after even though they have been on the market for months. Plus, with full new collections launching every season, and capsule collections in-between, you are guaranteed to be awed year-round with gorgeous bling.  

 Check out my Chloe and Isabel boutique (Merchandiser: Sunday Champagne) and fall in love with Chloe & Isabel, just like I did.  

To be informed of the latest Chloe & Isabel products, updates, and sales, follow me on Instagram (@sundaychampagne).  

Drink of the Week #10: Sweet Heat Rita

Summer is margarita season.  More than any other season, I find myself wanting to sip on an ice cold tequila rita in the summer.  I don't typically make ritas at home, because every time I have tried to create a simple rita on the rocks it turns out terrible, but I had inspiration for this one.  

With the plethora of fresh market peaches everywhere right now, I figured now is as good of a time as any to create a rita, a peach rita that is.  Of course, peaches can be very sweet and overpowering so it needed to be paired with another bold flavor to balance it out...jalapenos!

The Sweet Heat Rita is the perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness with a kick of tequila flavor.  The great thing about the spice is you get to decide how spicy you want yours to be.  Slices of fresh jalapenos simmer at low with a bit of honey and water, to create a healthier simple syrup with an infusion of spicy jalapeno flavor.  The more jalapeno in the liquid, and the longer it simmers, the hotter the syrup.  

Being a combination of spicy and sweet I found the addition of salt to add a nice layer to the concoction.  So often the salted rim is too much salt, or too little.  Adding the salt to the drink itself instead of using it as a garnish was a great idea, guaranteed to be in every sip.  

The Art of Summer Nights

With the husband and myself both having backgrounds in art, we jump at the opportunity to visit the local museums; especially when a special exhibit is in town or an event it taking place. 

The Nasher Sculpture Center (Dallas) runs a monthly 'til Midnight at the Nasher, which we recently discovered.  I have no idea how long this event has been going on for, but I loved it so much (I am sad that it took me so long to find out about it). 

Take a picnic, combine it with live music, a movie on the lawn, and a basket of food from an award-winning chef.....Welcome to 'til Midnight at the Nasher! 

We arrived just as the band was going on stage, Whiskey Fold Ramblers, and snatched the perfect spot in-between the stage and the movie projector.  We laid out our blanket and b-lined it for the yummy stuff. 

We picked-up our pre-ordered picnic basket by famous chef Wolfgang Puck and a bottle of wine.  We wanted to walk around the Nasher and take in all of the newest exhibits, but we were hungry so we sat down, poured the wine, and dove into our basket of goodies.  

The basket was comprised of the perfect picnic food.  Crispy Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Spring Salad, a Fluffy Roll, and even a Mini Sticky Roll covered my plate; and eventually filled my belly. 

It didn't take me long to remove my shoes and enjoy the company of friends. The four of us had a great time catching up with a drink in hand, and great music playing in the background.  Not to mention the people watching was fun and entertaining. 

As the sun fell the band completed their set, and the movie came on.  We had intentions to stay for the entire movie, but since it was a kids film, Where the Wild Things Are, we decided to head out to a bar to continue our evening.  

til' Midnight at the Nasher was a wonderful, relaxing, perfect date night.  I can't wait for the September one, so I can do it all over again. 

Drink of the Week #9: The Spiked Pineapple

 I have only visited the pool a handful of times this year, but the last time I was there I knew that I wanted to make a frozen concoction to sip-on while floating around.   My mind automatically went to tropical, so I bought a pineapple.  

The great thing about using pineapple for a cocktail, beside the sweetness and it's ability to play well with most liquors, is that it is very juicy.  So juicy that when tossed in a blender alone releases a ton of liquid juice and not a lot of pulp/fruit mush.  

I wanted to create something simple, with few ingredients, and with no added sugar.  After chopping and blending the pineapple I added the gin and just a touch of 100% pineapple juice.  To make the cocktail more well rounded I added a banana and it was done.  

Blended with ice to turn the cocktail into a smoothie of sorts, it was ready to consume.  Split between three only yielded a drink per person; I loved it so much I was wishing I had a second pineapple to make another batch.  

Road Tripping: Rocky Mountain Vacation

This summer was the first vacation the hubs and I have taken in years, and it was wonderful and relaxing.  It was actually a family vacation with my side of the family, and that was the first we had been on.  We were to be renting a cabin in Durango, Colorado for three glorious days, the downfall, the 14 hour drive there, and the 14 hour drive home, with just a three day break.

The Journey

We were packed and ready to leave the night before, the car was loaded, breakfast and lunch for the drive was prepared, and my GPS was programmed.  We were beyond ready to get the drive started so it would be over quickly.  I knew the drive was going to be long and ugly, but I didn't realize that 13 of the 14 hours were ugly.  My butt was so numb, I swear it was bruised.

Sadly, with all the excitement and planning, the drive didn't exactly go as planned.  It started with me getting a speeding ticket about 20 minutes outside of town, wah-wahn.  Then we had to throw away all the food I prepared for breakfast and lunch, because the ice in the cooler melted into it and it became a soggy mess.  My asthma was also acting up for about six hours of the drive because of the constant change in altitude.  Haha.  Of course I forgot about it all once we finally reached the cabin that night.

The Cabin

It was beautiful, more than I expected.  The cabin was nestled about 25 minutes outside of downtown Durango in the valley.  It was in this adorable dirt road "neigborhood" of about 10 homes.  Completely surrounded by trees and a peaceful stream, we slept with our windows open every night; falling asleep to the sound of the mountains.  We even had a cat adopt us while we were there.  Sipping coffee in the mornings, and wine in the evenings on the back patio with Mr. Pinecone Kitty, was the greatest thing about the entire trip.  I didn't think it was possible for my body to be so relaxed.

Morning Hike

The first morning we were there, we slept in of course because of the drive, but after coffee and breakfast we took a nice family hike up the side of the hill the cabin was on.  An uphill two mile hike to overlook the tips of the trees in the morning was the perfect way to start vacation.  

Downtown Durango

The drive to downtown is a quick one, and it is so charming.  Not overcrowded with the perfect mix of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.  We walked around town a few times.  The best part was our one dinner out at Elous.  Elous is THE rooftop restaurant in Durango; the view, the food, the service was impeccable.  

Whitewater Rafting

I have always wanted to go White Water Rafting, but in all my years of growing up in Colorado I never got to.  The rafting trips fill-up fast so we had to take the only place in town with four spots open for us 'kids'.  We had a lot of fun, but I do wish the rapids would have been more challenging.  The most exciting part was when our fearless leader lost his oar twice and we had to go on a rescue mission for it, right before the biggest rapid of our trip.  I didn't fall in the freezing cold water, so it was a success.  

Mesa Verde National Park

Do you remember going to Mesa Verde as a kid?  I do.  However, it was different from what I remembered.  It was neat being able to visit a place that held a childhood memory of mine.  The drive was a long one; an hour from Durango to the park entrance, and another hour up the mountain.  With two strollers, those things are hard to push on sharp inclines, we went to Spruce Tree House.  The Indian Cliff Dwellings are beautiful, but I wish we could have crawled around in them.  Oh well, I guess they will just have to stay preserved for future generations.  

The Beer 

Well of course the hubs and myself had to visit all of the breweries/brewpubs in Durango.  I had a plethora of tiny beers from Ska, to Steamworks, to Carver, and beyond.  My favorite brews were those from Carver, the hubs was Ska.  

The Evenings

The evenings were perfect.  Sunset hikes (yes, that is bear paw print) followed by dinner on the cabin patio with a glass of wine in hand, was an entirely new level of relaxing.  The last night we were there the hubs fed sticks into our fire pit while we talked and told stories.  It was complete with S'mores, the best S'mores I have ever had. 

Trail Hike

The last day we were in Durango us 'kids' took a trail hike a few miles down the road.  We accidentally veered off the trail but we saw a family of gobbling turkeys and a few deer along our path.  

 The Family

I have to admit I did not take as many pictures as I wanted to, this is the only one I have of the gang (the babies were in bed).  I love family vacations.  

I'll be seeing you Durango...