Posted on February 7, 2017
Valentine’s Day is the holiday to pull out all the stops: a new dress, a fun dinner: and beautiful cocktails! I think that a lot of people hear the word “cocktail” and get intimidated by all of the ingredients it takes to make them. While a lot of cocktail books call for hard to find dashes of this or that, it is easy to make a beautiful drink for your special someone with items you have lying around your house!
I made this cocktail this past weekend while recipe testing for a small Galentine’s Day party I am having for some girlfriends this coming weekend. This Pink Drink only has four ingredients and comes together in a pinch. Scroll down for the full recipe!
1.5 oz gin (I prefer Hendrick’s!)
1.5 oz pureed watermelon
.5 oz simple syrup
Top with seltzer water
Combine your gin, watermelon puree and simple syrup (boil half water, half sugar in a pot and simmer until syrupy.) in a shaker (if you don’t have a shaker, use a mason jar!) and top with ice. Shake for about 10 seconds and then strain into glasses. Top with seltzer water.
If you do not like watermelon or do not want to take the time to puree watermelon, strawberry juice is a great substitute that you can buy in a can at the grocery store. To add some “wow” factor to my cocktail, I plopped a fluffy piece of cotton candy on top!
The poodle salt + pepper shakers are from Jonathan Adler and I love my Vera Wang coffee table book!
Posted on February 2, 2017
While you might be busy stressing out about what to get your significant other for Valentine’s Day (what do you get the person who has everything?!) your outfit should be a source of joy. Whether it’s Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day, everyone loves an excuse to throw on a pretty pink dress and throw back a few glasses of champagne. While my personal style does not usually involve a ton of bright colors, I love dressing girly frocks down with a leather jacket for some juxtaposition.
For the past few years, DJ and I have gone to Pastoral in Lakeview and had a phenomenal time- it is the cutest little spot with a phenomenal staff. They host a Valentine’s Day dinner that is coursed out with a wine pairing. Sadly I cannot eat dairy, gluten, soy or corn due to some health issues so we are switching it up this year and going to Cold Storage in the West Loop for the phenomenal shellfish tower.
I picked this pink, satin dress up in the Fall while traveling but it has been too cold to pull it out of my closet. I threw it on a few weeks back when the weather was above freezing and immediately fell in love with it- it is easy to wear with heels or sandals and pairs well with a leather or denim jacket. I can already tell that this will be on repeat through the Spring.
Sunglasses: ASOS. Dress: H&M- not available in the US but love these options: H&M, H&M, Kate Spade, Nasty Gal. Leather Jacket: All Saints. Silk Scarf: Alexander McQueen. Fuzzy Heels: Steve Madden. Watch: Rolex.
Hope your V-Day is just a lovely as you are!
<3 Alex
Posted on February 11, 2015
Ask my boyfriend what he wants for Valentine’s Day, and he will tell you that he wants me off my decorating binge. While I don’t see that happening any time soon, there are small ways to easily update a space. Organized wall decor is one of my favorite concepts right now. Steal the look with a few upgrades. They also make great, thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts.
[A pretty pop of color for any corner of your house.]
[Create a custom map of your home, or where you wish you were.]
[Kate Spade created this fun twist on black and white accents.]
[Photo frames of different shapes but in the same color family help to keep a room uniform.]
[These prism vases add depth to any side table.]
Category: Art, Home, Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged: decor, decoration, home, interior, interior design, Kate Spade, Kate Spade home, Valentine's Day, wall decor, West Elm
Posted on February 5, 2014
While I have never been a huge Valentine’s Day girl, I do think it is a fun day to spend with your significant other, best friend, and ones that you love. Here are my picks for you (who says you can’t spoil yourself?), your bestie, and the guy in your life.
1. Kissing Necklace, Jennifer Zeuner. 2. X<3 Bracelet, Shop Ryan Porter. 3. Heart Ring, Aurelie Bidermann. 4. Peonies, Whole Foods. 5. Heart Coin Purse, Kate Spade. 6. Crushing Bracelet, Venessa Arizaga. 7. Band-Aid Ring, Jennifer Fisher. 8. Red Lace Bralette, Hanky Panky. 9. Hot Pink Nail Polish, Deborah Lippman. 10. Christian Louboutin Coffee Table Book, Christian Louboutin.
1. Red Lip Pencil, Nars. 2. Friendship Necklace, Dogeared. 3. Heart Phone Case, DVF. 4. Limited Edition Candle, diptyque. 5. Macaroon Dish Towels, Paper Source.
1. Travel Bag, Coach. 2. Sweater, Comme Des Garcons. 3. Bow Tie, Brooks Brothers. 4. Bacon Sign, Paper Source. 5. Card Holder, Jack Spade.
Category: Art, Beauty, Chicago Fashion, Fashion, Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged: Aurelie Bidermann, Brooks Brothers, Christian Louboutin, Coach, Deborah Lippman, Dogeared, DVF, Gift Guide, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Jennifer Zeuner, Kate Spade, love, Nars, pink, red, Shop Ryan Porter, ShopBop, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Guide, Venessa Arizaga