Drink of the Month: Champagne Cocktail

As much as I love brunch we don't make it at home; it's typical scrambled eggs for breakfast daily around here.  I decided to try to elevate our egg breakfast at Valentine's Day by making a brunch beverage...The Champagne Cocktail.  

A Champagne Cocktail is one of those things that isn't a set recipe.  There are dozens of ways to make a Champagne Cocktail, there is just one rule, it must have Champagne.  

Step 1: Find the right Champagne.  I went with a Cava, much more affordable than champagne, and easy to find.  (I personally like a drier Champagne, not a sweet one).  

Step 2: Add a splash of juice.  I like grapefruit juice because it adds a nice tartness and pucker without the sweetness.  But, you can use any juice you like.  

Step 3: Add a raw sugar cube to the bottom of the glass.  If you like your cocktail sweeter, you can stir it until is dissolves.  If you are like me and prefer just a hint of sweetness, you can leave it on the bottom and let it dissolve just slightly.  

Step 4: Top with a little more Champagne and a cute garnish.

Cheers! 

DIY Valentine's Photo Shoot

Since my baby is still in his first year of life, I want to capture every moment of it, especially his 'firsts.'  I take a picture of every new food he eats, new face he makes, new outfit...everything. So of course, I wanted to capture his first Valentine's Day. 

While doing my weekly scan of my Pinterest feed I found an adorable photo of a baby sitting on newspaper, butt-naked, wearing angel wings, with hearts hanging all around him.  LOL.  I immediately took inspiration from it.  

The first thing I did was go on a newspaper hunt.  We don't subscribe to the newspaper so the free local city paper had to be stretched to do the trick.  With the help of my mother-in-law I covered a large piece of cardboard with newspaper and wedged it between the kitchen table and two chairs.  Then I covered the tabletop with newspaper.  

Next step was to string some hearts up.  I enlisted the help of my MIL for this one; all of my hearts looked like butts.  I attached the cut-out hearts to string, using clothespins, and strung it across the top of the newspapered-covered cardboard.  

Finally, I put baby boy into his outfit, a clean diaper, and propped him up on the table.  Don't worry, we watched him like a hawk.  I kept one arm on his feet most of the time so I could catch him if he started to wobble.  He isn't crawling yet, but he is a wobbly little one so I wanted to make sure he was safe and didn't bump his head.  

He immediately grabbed the newspaper he was sitting on and started playing with it; hence the heart cut-out he 'eating' in all the photos.  

It was so much fun taking pictures of my little guy.  Hmmmm, what will I do for Easter?  

Stripes & Chucks

Once upon a time I wore cute skirts and dresses on a daily basis.  Now, I am all about comfortable.

Having an eight month old requires me to be on my hands and knees on the floor most of the day, so skirts and dresses just aren't practical anymore.  I live in stretchy jeans, slip-on shoes, and shirts that can take a little baby tugging and drool.  

This particular day I wore my favorite stretchy-skinny jeans with my new Chucks.  I have never owned a pair of Chucks before but when I saw their new slip-ons with suede laces I knew I had to get a pair.  They were a little snug at first but I am slowly breaking them in.  (I seriously love these shoes).  

Paired with a comfortable striped shirt and fringe scarf, it's the most comfortable outfit that I have felt cute in for quite some time.  

Stripes are a classic, and never go out of style.  Plus, the slouchy fit is perfect for moving around in.  The scarf has to be my favorite component; not only does it keep me warm while being the perfect accessory, but it gives my little one something to hold on to when I am holding him.  

I know I have over-worn this outfit, but you can't have too much of a good thing right?