July 2011

29.7.11

Old Raj Gin Gimlet Recipe

Today is a special treat, we're starting a new series with cocktail recipes and fun pictures! This is one of my absolute favorite drinks for any time of year, but I seem to be drinking a lot more of them this summer...something about the cool refreshing lime...

Without further ado, I bring you, the Old Raj Gin Gimlet.

This drink was introduced to me by the amazing Hank of the Violet Hour (our favorite lounge/bar/speak easy).

What you will need:
Old Raj Gin
1 fresh lime to squeeze - Very important! DO NOT substitute bottled juice
Simple syrup - fresh or bottled (I just think the bottle's pretty)

Cocktail shaker
Jigger
Strainer
Ice
Knife
Champagne coup and sidecar, or other glassware of choice

1. Pour two ounces of Old Raj into the jigger, transfer to shaker
2. Cut lime in half, squeeze one ounce of juice into the jigger, transfer to shaker
3. Pour 1/2 ounce of simple syrup into jigger, transfer to shaker
4. Add ice to shaker, I use small cube because they break up easier
5. Shake until you hear the ice breaking up and can see and feel that the shaker is really cold
6. Strain into coup and sidecar
7. Garnish with a slice of lime
8. ENJOY!!!!

Are you getting married? Hire me for your wedding!

No? I'd love to shoot portraits for you!

Please come "like" me on facebook to see many more pictures! Do you tweet? Check out my website too! Don't hesitate to contact me, I'd love to hear from you!

We're in Texas for the weekend for a wedding, but we'll be back with more fun stuff on Monday :-) xoxo

28.7.11

Branding Update 1

You may remember the last time we talked about branding? I'm really excited to share this inspiration board my awesome designer has put together! She is seriously amazing. I can't wait to share with you all as this process continues!

Cocktail fun coming tomorrow!

27.7.11

Next Restaurant Opening Day Paris 1906

Good Morning!

As you may have read yesterday, we were so lucky to be invited to an Aviary dry run. I was then beyond blessed to be invited to the Next opening night with a dear friend. Brian, we seriously should have taken a picture together! But alas, I can only share the food with you...

This is definitely one of my favorite meals to date, and the post is timely since we're actually going to Next tonight for the Thai menu!

Since really I think you're just clicking for the food...

Are you getting married? I'd love to shoot your wedding!

No? I'd love to shoot portraits for you!

Please come "like" me on facebook to see many more pictures! Do you tweet? Check out my website too! Don't hesitate to contact me, I'd love to hear from you!

Branding updates to come tomorrow :-)

26.7.11

Aviary Dry Run

We were cordially invited to a dry run at Aviary back in April, and since not everything was public yet about the "secret" speak easy in the basement and Aviary wasn't even open, I thought I'd hold off on posting these until now.

Wil and I attended with Martin, a dear friend, and had the distinct honor of tasting several cocktails and trying a lot of the bites. There were definitely a lot of really interesting flavors and things I hadn't seen before... I would definitely recommend taking friends from out of town here if you can't get into Alinea. Be prepared, though, to spend a pretty penny.

Just a heads up, I may or may not stand up in the middle to take a picture of the room/myself

:-)

If you make it all the way to the end we were treated to a really cool tour behind the scenes, and I have included a few pictures from around the whole space....