Styling for a Texas 4th of July

Here in Texas we are proud of our booming craft beer scene, and our state of course, so when I found a Texas Beer tank I jumped on buying it.  Lucky for me it was red, so not my color, but perfect for the 4th of July. 

 Every year for the 4th of July I make sure I wear my red, white, and blue outfit.  Typically I go for a dress and/or shorts and cute top combination, this year, being in the process of opening a brewery, I knew my awesome new tank was the winner.  

To dress the tank up a bit I wore it with my black maxi skirt...love, love, love...and added accents of gold accessories.  I thought the final masterpiece was perfect.  

I love how the maxi skirt took a simple printed tank and turned it into a unique dressier outfit.  Previously I had paired the tank with a pair of navy blue shorts and my corral cowboy boots.  I loved that look just as much, it was kind of the more relaxed and laid-back 4th of July outfit. 

Now go grab a beer and... 

Happy Independence Day!  

Drink of the Week #4: Bitter White

I love beer and now it's being used in cocktails.  

 

Beer in a cocktail takes on a whole new dimension in the cocktail world.  Think about it, we love adding a splash of champagne or soda water to a drink to  make it a little more refreshing and bubbly, well guess what?  Beer does the same thing and adds a layer of flavor to boot.  

Beer is a complex creature, more complex than any wine or hard liquor on the market.  From the steps involved in the brewing process, to the array of ingredient that could be used, to the styles of beer available...the world is your oyster when it comes to a 'beer cocktail.'  

 For my Bitter White I chose to use a White IPA(India Pale Ale), which is a slightly bitter beer with a punch of citrus. I personally like White IPA's more because they offer a creamier mouth feel with less of the bitter bite.  Adding citrus and agave to the White IPA created an effervescent citrus sipper with a hint of sweetness and bitter hops.  Yum.  

Bitter White (yields 2 cocktails)

• 2oz Grapefruit Juice (1/2 a grapefruit)
• 2oz Orange Juice (1/2 an orange)
• 1oz Lemon Juice (1 lemon)
• 2oz Vodka
• 1/2oz Agave Nectar
• 1 bottle of Deschutes White IPA 

1. Combine the juices with the vodka and agave nectar.  Shake and strain over ice.  
2. Top with IPA.
3. Drink.

 

I see more 'beer cocktails' in my future.

Cheers!

HELLO SUMMER

Today is the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer.  While one must fight extreme heat and bugs galore, summer is by far the most popular season.  There is a certain nostalgia that comes with summer that stems from ones childhood; when summers were free from school and spent at the pool, eating ice-cream, and playing with fireworks.  Even as an adult, I can't help but get excited about all the adventure that summer holds.  

I plan on making the most out of my summer...

 

Happy Summer Ya'll, I hope you make the most of it!

My Market List

I find making shopping lists rather annoying.  On a ripped piece of paper or a napkin from my glove-box, I create shopping lists with no organization in sight.  I almost always forget something on my list or get to the check-out line and realize I didn't cross something off my list that is back at the front of the store. 

I've seen adorable shopping list notepads on-line and in stores, but I just can't bring myself to spend money on them.  

My solution... a DIY list.  

I created my own 'Market List' with categories in the order in which I walk most grocery stores.  It was so easy to make, even easier to print on my home computer, and fabulous when shopping for the week's groceries in a crowded market.  

The best part is, being the nerd that I am, I can print my lists in any color of card stock I want. For now I am using sunshine yellow because of summer.  :)

Click the link to download my 'Market List' to print at home (or copy the picture to your desktop and open in word or adobe).  Be sure to tag me on instagram (#sundaychampagne) to show-off how you use the list.  

Happy Shopping!