Go have a drink...by yourself

//If you're looking for my most recent wedding or engagement work, click here!!\\

My original plan was to post a drink recipe today, if you're in need of one go ahead and email me ;-) but this week was insanely busy and last night I had a session, followed by a late night webinar learning to use some new software....so no time to make a drink and take lots of pretty pictures.

Instead, I have relationship/marriage/general life advice for you today.

Actually first lets start with a question. When was the last time you did something fun by yourself? And for yourself?

If it's been a long time, or you can't actually remember when the last time was... please make this a priority.

Tonight I had an hour. One free hour between shooting some awesome clients on the lake and learning about integrating Pixifi into my new Showit site. I got of the train and though OH YEA... and then I went to Violet Hour. I'm sure you're all shocked (not). But the importance of this kind of struck me. It is important to take a minute for yourself, to do something that you enjoy, by yourself. I give you permission :-)


Have an amazing weekend. I can't wait to hear from you!

Do you need holiday pictures? Check out the mini session information!

Or hire me for your wedding :-)

The Bitter Giuseppe

//If you're looking for my most recent wedding or engagement work, click here!!\\

So today is the first day of Fall, officially.

Although this drink is awesome for any time of year (seriously it's in my top 3) I think the flavor is particularly perfect for fall, so I'm sharing it with you today :-)

This is an old Violet Hour drink that Wil has experimented with quite a bit and really we just love love love. It's called, the Bitter Giuseppe. It's a Cynar based cocktail. If you haven't had or don't know what Cynar is, get your booty to the closes cocktail bar and try it, straight up. It's an artichoke based liquor that is pretty much one of the most delicious things ever (in my opinion - of course). Okay so here goes...

The Bitter Giuseppe

You will need the following:

Cynar

Carpano Antica

Lemon (this MUST be fresh, not bottle juice)

Orange (this also must be fresh)

Regans orange bitters

Cocktail shaker

Stirrer/ice tea spoon

Jigger

Strainer

Ice

Knife

Glass

1. Pour 1 1/2 ounces of Cynar into the shaker

2. Pour 1 ounce of Carpano Antica into the shaker

3. Squeeze a teaspoon of lemon juice into the shaker

(probably best to do this over the sink and then transfer to shaker)

4. Throw one or two dashes of Regan's orange bitters into the shaker

5. Add a bunch of ice to the shaker and stir until the shaker gets really cold

(as you can see in the picture ;-)

6. Pour into glass

7. Cut a slice of orange, squeeze the essence over the drink, then use as garnish

8. Enjoy!!

I am really excited about this weekend! We have a lot going on, all of which I will update you on next week. But for now, happy Fall, and happy drinking!

Curious about having me at your wedding? Or just want to hang out? Let's talk!

Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe

//If you're looking for my most recent wedding or engagement work, click here!\\

Today I'm at the WPPI Road Trip downtown...but last night we drank...so I thought you might like to hear about it ;-)

Sometimes we find cocktails to make from our friends at the Violet Hour, sometimes through an old fashioned book. This is one of our favorite cocktail books, I highly recommend it if you want to start mixing some delicious drinks!

Without further ado, because I know you're super curious.. the Boulevardier

What you will need:
Old Weller Bourbon (or other bourbon of your choosing)
Carpano Antica
Campari
Cherry (or we subbed cherry bitters)

Cocktail shaker
Jigger
Strainer
Ice
Glass


1. Pour one and a half ounces of the Old Weller (or your choice of bourbon) into the jigger, transfer to shaker
2. Pour one ounce of the Campari into the jigger, transfer to shaker
3. Pour one ounce of the Carpano Antica into the jigger, transfer to shaker
4. Add ice to shaker, we used small cubes here
5. Stir until you see the shaker is visibly colder
6. Strain into glass
7. Garnish with a cherry or two dashes of cherry bitters
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!

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

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....




























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

Not getting married anytime soon? 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!