Summer Fruit Sangria

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I was just on Martha Stewart's website looking for receipes for a late afternoon BBQ and found this gem. Doesn't it sound yummy?!

Here is the receipe...

Ingredients:
6 cups assorted fruits (such as mango, pineapple, cantaloupe, and apricot), sliced or cut into chunks
1/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh basil or mint leaves
1/2 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
1 bottle crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Ice

Directions: In a large bowl or pitcher, combine fruit, ginger, basil or mint, and orange liqueur. Mash gently with the back of a wooden spoon until basil is bruised and fruit releases juices. Add wine and lemon juice and stir to combine. Refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 1 day). To serve, fill eight glasses with ice and top with sangria.

Enjoy!

Mexican Pumpkin Punch

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I was introduced to "Pumpkin Punch" at a Halloween party last weekend. YUM! I know it's typically considered a spooky drink. However, I think it could be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast.

Here is a great receipe from The Food Network:

Ingredients
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks, preferably Mexican
1 29-ounce can pure pumpkin (about 3 1/2 cups)
2 limes
Splash of rum (optional)
Pineapple chunks and/or pecans, for serving (optional)


Directions
Combine 12 cups water, the brown sugar and cinnamon sticks in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the pumpkin and return to a simmer. Meanwhile, remove the zest from the limes in wide strips using a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the pot and simmer 15 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate until the liquid is cold and the pumpkin pulp settles to the bottom, 2 to 3 hours.

Working in batches, ladle the liquid into a fine-mesh strainer set over a pitcher (repeat if necessary to strain out all the pumpkin pulp). Discard the pulp and lime zest. Return the cinnamon sticks to the punch and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Add rum, pineapple and/or pecans, if desired. Serve with the cinnamon sticks.


Cheers,


Resha

Happy Fourth of July!!!

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I hope everyone has a fantastically fun but super safe July 4th! In honor of the holiday, here is a festive drink suggestion from Three-O.


The Fire Cracker:
2 oz Three-O Grape Vodka
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
Splash Tonic

Shake Vodka and Blue Curacao with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Add tonic and garnish with a cherry.

Enjoy,
Resha

Bachlorette party a la Carrie Bradshaw

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Want to plan a unique, fun bachlorette party your girls can all enjoy! Check out The Spa Beyond for more details. This mobile spa offers anything from mani/pedi's to massage's to belly dancing lessons and bartending classes! Check out a few of the packages that they offer to get inspired, or plan your own!

Moon Over Morocco
Girls Night In- Moroccan Mint Foot Heaven- Half Hour Massage-Belly dance class-Middle Eastern hor d'oeuvres such as hummus, tabouleh, and other Middle Eastern delicacies.

Geisha Girls Go Wild
Mini ManiSPA-Mini Facial-Half hour Massage-Catered Sushi bar-Onsite bartender for fresh drinks and martinis

Divine Diva’s Girls Night In
Deluxe ManiSPA and Delxue PediSPA-Lingerie and pleasure toys trunk show-Chocolate decadence dessert bar

A Night on The Town
Signature Aromatherapy FacialMini ManiSPAProfessional Makeup Application
ManiSPA and Martinis-ManiSPA for all attendees-Martinis made fresh by our bartender (YUM)

Like how the girls did your makeup? You can even hire them for hair and makeup on your big day! It's a one-stop shop! Check them out, your bridesmaids will thank you for planning something fresh and original!

XOXO

Lorena

Holiday Cocktail, Anyone?

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'Tis the season for celebrations!

I love this drink because it fits the festive holiday theme but would also be yummy as a non-alcoholic treat for your friends who may be expecting. Ha!

Christmas Jones

Ingredients:
* 4 fresh strawberries
* 1 part vodka
* 2 tsp superfine sugar
* 5 oz pineapple juice
* 7-Up
* mint sprigs for garnish


Preparation:
 1. In a blender, whiz the vodka, strawberries, sugar and pineapple juice together.
2. Pour the mix equally into two highball glasses.
3. Top with 7-Up.
4. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Yum. Cheers!
jessica

source

How Crafty Are You? | DIY Austin Wedding Planning

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I don't know if I should be proud of this, but I consider myself pretty crafty. Yep, I love scrapbooking, knitting, sewing... I wish I had more time for craftiness!

I instantly fell in LOVE with these DIY lanterns.



And the blogger even gives step-by-step instructions so gather some crafty friends, whip up some mojitos and make a night of it! (And invite me....) ;)

Cheers!
jessica