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!

Drink of the Week #3: Rye's Up

Being Father's Day it makes perfect sense to make a man's cocktail.  And what's more manly than whiskey? 

In the late 1800's, the beginning of the American cocktail, whiskey was consumed from morning until night for hard-working men, it has since evolved into an easy sipper for anybody, adding a bit of sophistication and class. 

Rye Whiskey, not quite as intense as straight whiskey, softens a cocktail instead of adding the mouth twitch at the end of each sip.  For my Father's Day cocktail I used Bulleit Rye Frontier Whiskey, which has notes of vanilla, honey, and spice.   The rye paired with St. Germain added an unparalleled sweetness with a citrus backbone.  Being sweeter than most whiskey drinks, it's good for the Father's Day brunch or even the after dinner drink. 

 Rye's Up

• 2oz Bulleit Rye Whiskey
• 1oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1/2 oz St. Germain (Elderflower Liqueur)
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• 1 dash Peychauds Bitters 

1. Carefully measure all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and STIR.
2. Pour over an ice ball into a cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.  
4. Cheers!

For all of those hard working daddies out there, Happy Father's Day. 

Drink of the Week #2: Tropical Jam Smash

When I think of summer cocktails I think of sitting on a beach, bare feet in the sand, with a tropical cocktail (umbrella included) in my hand.  Unfortunately, we have no beaches where I live; but at the very least I can 'pretend' I am at the beach by bringing the flavors of paradise into my home.  

I really do love tropical rum drinks but I steer clear of them because of the calorie and sugar content.  Wanting desperately to bring a little bit of vacation into my life I decided to challenge myself to create a lower calorie rum drink---and I did just that.

The base flavor of the drink was the easy part, I chose a seasonal berry that was on sale, blackberries, and muddled them with fresh mint from my backyard, plus a lime.  Of course adding silver rum came next, but what other liquid could I use to add flavor- a bit of tropical- and not a lot of calories?  I would not think of Pineapple Juice right off the bat, but it sounded so dang delicious.  So, I went on a scavenger hunt for 100% juice, no artificial additives, no added sugar, Pineapple Juice.  I finally succeeded at Sprouts in the organic juice aisle.  Perfect!  

Tropical Jam Smash

• 10(ish) fresh blackberries
• 5(ish) fresh mint leaves
• 1 whole lime, juiced
• Quality, Silver Rum
• Organic 100% Juice Pineapple Juice 
• Beverage Umbrella, Not Included 

1. In a large Boston Shaker muddle the blackberries with the mint and lime juice until all the berries are successfully smashed.  
2. Add 2oz of Rum and 4oz of Pineapple Juice.  Shake.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove all the seeds and pulp from the blackberries (they get stuck in your teeth if you leave them in the drink).
4. Return the mixture to the Boston Shaker with ice and shake, shake, shake.
5. Strain into an ice-filled mason jar (because you made jam....get it?).
6. Top with a spritz of soda water (for a bit of bubbly) and garnish.

Careful, this Tropical Jam Smash is sneaky.  It is so tasty and refreshing that you drink it rather fast, then you realize you want another one, but then the rum starts to kick-in...

Cheers!

Throwing a Garden-Inspired Baby Shower

My best friend recently, two weeks ago, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  She is perfect with 10 adorable toes and fingers, jet black hair, and the cutest little face.  

Before the baby however, was the baby shower, and I was the lucky one to get to throw the shower.  :)

Throwing a shower can be tricky; trying to have the right amount of charm and sophistication without going overboard or taking a turn for the cheesy.  

Step 1: Picking a Venue
Personally I am not the biggest fan of showers in peoples homes, unless the crowd is exceptionally large.  I feel like when you bring people together who might now know each other they feel a level of comfort in public places, where as they would feel rather uncomfortable in someones home.  With a guest list on the smaller side I knew having the shower at a restaurant would be perfect.

Step 2:  Invitations
I had so much fun with this. I knew the look of the invitation would set the theme for the shower, so I wanted it to be a simple one that wasn't too busy or cluttered.  Being a gender neutral shower, mommy and daddy wanted the sex to be a surprise, I chose the colors grey and yellow.

Step 3: Decorations
When the venue was booked and invites were in the mail, I was able to dedicate my time to the most important part, the decorations (the decorations set the tone for the entire shower).  Being familiar with the venue helped me create the perfect theme to blend with the grey and yellow color palette.  The bright sunshine yellow reminded me of blooming flowers so I immediately chose to go with a garden theme. 

I had so much fun creating decorations.  From the "Mom-To-Be" banner for the chair, to Goody Bags (filled with Pop-Corn, Blow Pops, and Tootsie Roll Pops), to plotted plants in mason jars and tins. 

Step 4: Games
Choosing games is by far the hardest part about throwing a baby shower.  There is a thin line between having a good laugh and embarrassing the mommy and/or making it disgusting (candy bars in diapers and baby food tasting).  Therefore, custom-made "Mommy Libs"  was the perfect idea.  Fun enough for certain friends to make it goofy and gross, while family members try to make it sweet and kind.  Either way, a good laugh for all.  I printed "Nursery Rhymes" for guests to fill-out during the down times, and I hosted a "Present Exchange" as a get-to-know you, with the garden tin centerpiece being the prize for the winner. 

Step 5: Final Touches 
A few small things added the final touches to the beautiful garden shower.  From the orange Italian soda that looks like mimosas (for mommy and others who don't drink), to polka dot yellow napkins, to a homemade cheesecake banner, and using a baby book to write gifts and whom they were from in lieu of a piece of paper.

The baby shower was everything is should be: relaxing, fun, casual, and sophisticated.  And the mommy even got to go home with the garden centerpieces.  

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12392019/?claim=a7chjc8ftaw">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>