happy hour: ring in the new year

happy (almost) new year!  every new year's eve, my family hosts a party to ring in the new year.  fancy cocktail attire required.  it's always so much fun to get dressed up and celebrate with family & friends.  and another "must" at our party is a signature drink.



credit {here}

signature drinks are a fun & festive way to get guests in the celebratory spirit...with a celebratory spirit : )  they are simple to create and a great option if you don't want to set up a full bar or just offer wine & beer.

champagne is sort of a given for new year's, but i like to add a little twist to make it extra special.  this year, i'm offering up the "countdown cocktail" for you to enjoy with your loved ones this new year's eve.  the tart sweetness of limoncello paired with the smooth cut of vanilla vodka is sure to leave your guests feeling mighty festive.

countdown cocktail

champagne
limoncello
vanilla vodka
lemon twist

1. fill a flute 2/3 full with champagne
2. add a splash of limoncello & a splash of vodka
3. garnish with a lemon twist

credit {here}

i like to set out all the ingredients and create a recipe card so that guests can make their own.  that way, they can control how big of a "splash" they would enjoy.

cheers!

happy hour: i do

so, mavens!  it's finally here - WEDDING WEEKEND!!!  as you read this, i'm on my way into philly to enjoy a lovely day of final prep and pampering before our rehearsal & rehearsal dinner tonight.

tomorrow, you'll find me and my girls at a quaint french cafe for breakfast, readying ourselves (and enjoying lunch...and champagne) in my sister's suite before heading to our 4pm ceremony where i'll become a mrs.

girls' breakfast. credit {here}

 following the ceremony, our guests will enjoy a fabulous cocktail hour - replete with a live jazz and a spectacular philadelphia skyline view - while craig and i snap some photos.

the reception will begin at 6pm and continue to 10pm (and we've got a few surprises up our sleeves for our guests to enjoy).

credit {here}

and after the reception, guests have a quick 1/2 hour to change before our after-party kicks-off at a great local tavern.

needless to say, craig and i (and our families) are super excited.  and, in true celebratory form, i think it's only appropriate to crack open a bottle of bubbly!

so, while you're enjoying this first weekend of november, sit back with a bellevue bubbly and celebrate your inner maven.

bellevue bubbly - our signature wedding cocktail

champagne . splash of st. germain . splash of vodka . garnish with lemon twist
watch me make this drink {here}

credit {here}

cheers!

alright, mavens - i'll see you in two weeks!  i've lined up lots of awesome guest bloggers to delight you while we're enjoying our honeymoon in seville, spain & marrakesh, morocco : )

happy hour: best looking drinks

happy friday!  today, i thought we'd have some cocktail fun and enjoy these gorgeous drinks.  i firmly believe that the prettier the drink is, the better it tastes...

 

1 blue margarita / 2 pink lemonade / 3 passion fruit mojito / 4 raspberry beer cocktail / 5 kiwi colada / 6 blackberry julep
recipes {here}

so, mavens, which drink gets your vote?

and, just because it's friday...here are a few more drinks for you : )

cool poster, right?!  credit {here}

enjoy your weekend!  and, wish me luck, i start yogadharma teacher training tonight!

happy hour: spiked shirley

i grew up on shirley temples.  whenever my family would go out to a nice restaurant, my sister and i would order them.  hannah (my sis) never liked the cherry garnish, so i would get two!

now, shirley temples would probably be a little too sweet for my palate (with the sugary lemon-lime soda and lots of grenadine), but there's something so fun about them!  that's why i was delighted when my friend (and one of my yoga teachers) introduced me to her grown-up version of this childhood favorite of mine. 

picture credit {here}

spiked shirley

1-2 shots cherry vodka over ice
topped with club soda
splash of grenadine
garnish with a cherry (or a lime wedge)

the effervescence of the club gives the effect of sprite without the sweetness or calories, and the splash of grenadine adds just enough sweetness....and pinkness....to the drink.  the cherry vodka (obviously) enhances the cherry flavor.  just perfect : )

this girly drink is completely fun, and (bonus) any bartender can easily make it!  (or, of course, you can concoct it yourself.)

have a fantastic weekend.  cheers!

happy hour: bachelorette cocktails

this weekend is my bachelorette party!  i received a gorgeous invite that my sister created with a (vague) outline of the events.  she and my bridesmaids have been planning for months, and i am certain they've cooked up something spectacular : )

in honor of the girly weekend that lies ahead, i thought i'd highlight some bachelorette party cocktail favorites.

cosmo (you knew this was coming)

1 oz vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz rose's lime juice
1/2 oz cranberry juice
squeeze of fresh lime

pour all ingredients in shaker over ice and shake.  strain into a martini glass and garnish with lime wedge.

sex on the beach (anything with "sex" in the title is always popular at a bachelorette party...)

1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peach schnapps

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz orange juice

pour vodka and schnapps into a highball glass over ice.  top with cranberry juice & o.j. and stir.

champagne!!!

uncork
pour
sip


i'll be certain to fill you all in next week about my fabulous weekend in philly with my girls!  enjoy your weekend : )

happy hour: low-cal cocktail formula

{this post is just a taste of vegetables & vodka, my FREE e-cookbook!  download it below!}

cocktail 101

…the easiest low-cal creation in cocktail land…

we all love our cocktails.  but, we don’t always love (or need) the calories that lurk in their liquidy goodness.  whether you’re at home, at a friend’s party or at your local watering hole,  here is a simply fabulous cocktail formula that will keep you smiling while sipping.

1 shot liquor (vodka, rum, gin) in a glass over ice

splash of juice or liqueur (cranberry juice, triple sec, orange juice, amaretto, cassis, etc.)

top off with club soda

garnish with citrus (lime, lemon or orange wedge)

this simply fabulous combo is utter low-calorie perfection, clocking in at a mere 125 calories per serving.  the hint of juice or sweet liqueur is just enough to infuse a bit of festiveness while the club keeps it super low-cal and fizzy.  the final squeeze of fresh citrus brightens the flavors. 

no shot glass handy?  count to 4 while pouring to approximate a shot’s worth of liquor.

happy friday!  enjoy your weekend - and your(low-cal) cocktails!

cranberry fizz cocktail

you know that i love champagne cocktails.  they are my all time favorite.  any time i see a champagne cocktail on a drink menu i have to try it.  there's just something about its bubbly goodness that makes any drink more festive and more delicious (in my humble opinion).

credit {here}

i love champagne cocktails all year round, but the lightness of champagne with its subtle fizz is beautifully suited for summer.  here's a little drink i came up with - hope you like it!

cranberry fizz cocktail

1 oz vodka
1 oz cranberry
4 oz champagne
garnish with lemon twist

credit {here}

the great thing about this simple recipe is that you can multiply it for a crowd to create a lovely champagne punch!

cheers!

arnold palmer

no, i am not writing a post about a pro golfer.  this post is about the drink.

over memorial day, craig and i spent a lovely day poolside with my sister, my cousin and her husband.  throughout the afternoon we were sipping (spiked) arnold palmers.  they were so delicious...a little too good, if you know what i mean : )

this simple summer sip is super easy to make and will surely delight all drinkers.  the traditional drink is 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 iced tea.  to create our cocktail version, we used sweet tea vodka and crystal light lemonade.

pink lemonade or traditional?  your pick.  credit {here}

recipe for one (though this drink is a crowd pleaser...)

1 shot sweet tea vodka
4-6 oz lemonade (depending on how strong you like it)
serve over ice
garnish with lemon wedge

so, there you have it.  it's simply fabulous, if you ask me. 

the only thing i do not like about this drink is that it's a bit of a tongue-twister.  try saying "arnold palmer" five times, fast!  i think i may turn to calling them "arnys".

summertime sangria {guest post}

Hey guys! I am guest blogging for Cailen while she is on vacation – hope she is having a great time! I bet you wish we were away too, huh?! Until that happens, I wanted to share two sangria recipes with you. My fiancé and I concocted the red version this Spring and it has been our go-to drink these past few months! In fact, I gave it to my Mom to make for my bridal shower in early June! The measurements are for a huge punch bowl, but if making in a wine decanter, cut in half.

LJ & JT Red Sangria

·         One jug of Carlos Rossi “Sangria” (Not the greatest wine, but the sangria version is a great base for this recipe! We get the big jug for around $12 – a steal!)

·         Frozen or fresh fruit (any variety works: limes, lemons, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, apples, oranges, raspberries, etc!)

·         Can of Sprite

·         Splash of Tequila – now my Mom didn’t add this for the shower – didn’t want any sloshed shower guests – but this adds a kick. Try if not driving anywhere for the next few hours!

Mix ahead of drinking time and then enjoy. That’s it! So easy. So simple. So refreshing!

sangria

At the Split Rock Wine Festival on Father’s Day weekend, Chaddsford Winery passed out summertime wine cooler recipes.

This double-sided sheet is a definite keeper for me! My best friend made the recipe the following weekend at her house-warming party and I can attest to its awesomeness -- my Mom and I had 2-3 drinks each!

Niagara Limosa

·         One bottle of Niagra wine

·         1-12 ounce can frozen lemonade or limeade

·         ½ cup sugar

·         3 cups club soda

·         Chopped strawberries and limes

Combine wine, lemonade, and sugar in punchbowl. Slowly stir in club soda. Garnish with fruit and serve chilled. A very light and summery drink! Goes down toooo easily!

So, try either of these recipes, depending on your preference of red or white OR create your own! Have fun mixing different wines with different fruits. Summer is the perfect time to sit on your porch with a home-made glass of sangria! Cheers!

lovin' liz's sangria?  check out her blog {here} and check out her bridal blog {here}.

maven cocktail party

hello mavens!  and happy (almost) 4th of july!  this week i thought it would be fun to celebrate summer with some fabulous cocktails.  so, i've invited some fellow cocktail aficionados to drop by, and all week long, you'll find deliciously simple drink recipes here at lifestyle maven that are sure to leave you smiling.  so, sip away and enjoy some summery goodness.

preview of goodness yet to come:

july 4th - mojito
july 5th - sangria
july 6th - arnold palmer
july 7th - muttini
july 8th - cranberry fizz

enjoy the loooong holiday weekend.
cheers!
cailen

also, shabby apple is offering 20% off site-wide with the promo code SUMMER20!!!

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happy (birthday) hour for craig

today is craig’s birthday!  so, in honor of him, i decided to do a video of how to make his favorite mixed drink (which is going to be one of the signature drinks at our wedding in november).  so, here’s to craig!  happy birthday!  (drink up : )

captain & ginger (a.k.a. tall, dark & handsome…umm, i mean dark & stormy)

highball glass with ice
1 shot spiced rum
top it off with ginger ale
garnish with lime wedge

sip & smile.  it tastes like cream soda!

(oh, and be sure to check out my guest post over at buckhead betty!)

st. germain & vodka cocktail

weekend in a drink: episode 1



this is one of my favorite cocktails, as you probably know by now.  let me know if you love it as much as i do : )

1 shot vodka
1 shot st. germain
topped with champagne
citrus of your choice

prepare for amazingness to ensue...

first signs of fall

happy fall!

fall is almost here!  can you feel it?  (i can.)  as you know, i love this time of year - it's my fave : )  so, i've been getting very excited when i come across signs of autumn in my travels.  i can't help but smile when i see pumpkins on porches, leaves getting a touch of crimson or feel a crisp fall breeze brush by.  ahhh, fall....  you're so wonderful.  welcome back.

pumpkins

fall leaves

the first official day of fall is september 22 (and here in bucks county, pa it's supposed to be 90 degrees.  yuck!)  anyway, i still plan to usher in fall and all it's splendor.  here are a few ideas of how you too can celebrate the autumnal equinox.

-rake some leaves (i'm not big on manual labor, but it is fallish...)

-enjoy some cider

-visit an orchard and go apple-picking (the ultimate fall excursion)

-bake something "harvesty" (i suggest pumpkin bread...yum!)

-enjoy a fall cocktail : )

feeling fallish, yet?  i hope so.

i want a bar cart (i.e. a classy excuse to make cocktails on mondays...)

bar cart from restoration hardware

so, as i've mentioned before, my heart & soul ache for the 1940s.  simpler times.  classier times.  i love the way they dressed back then.  the music.  the lifestyle.  it just all seems so fabulously wonderful yet effortless.  this love (or should i say obsession...) has led me to the conclusion that i need a bar cart.  yes.  you heard me right.  a bar cart.  if i can't go back in time to the 40s, i'll bring a little bit of the 40s to the 21st century.  (and some cocktails too...check out my french martini recipe below.  you're welcome : ) 

another one from restoration hardware

watch any old movie, and you'll notice that upon entering a home, apartment, office or just about any place for that matter, they bee-line for the liquor.  of course, it's much more refined than that because the spirits are not kept in some shady kitchen cabinet or in the freezer behind the veggie burgers and ice cream.  they're displayed (artfully) on a bar cart.  and having the goods out & in view, on the aforementioned bar cart, signals guests that they are welcome, at any moment, whether it be noon or midnight, to help themselves to their drink of choice.

so, yeah.  i need a bar cart.  mine would definitely need to have st. germain (elderflower liqueur - my new favorite!) and grey goose.  and i'd keep some jack in stock for craig : )

what would be on your bar cart?

another charmer from southern accents

...delicious inspiration... 
try the french martini : )

1.5 oz st. germain liqueur
1.5 oz grey goose vodka
champagne
squeeze of fresh lemon
garnish with lemon peel twist

1. rim a cocktail glass with super-fine sugar.
2. shake liquors & fresh lemon in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
4. top with champagne and add garnish.