08 April 2014

Summer Cocktail: Pimm's Cup

Anyone who knows me knows that I love all things London.
I vacationed there with my mum, studied abroad there during University, and honeymooned there with my strapping young fella.
(That's me pretending to be Bri-ish.)
To say I hold it dear to my heart wouldn't do the city justice. 

This weekend, I decided to make a Pimm's Cup, a cocktail we had and loved on our honeymoon. 
It's really easy, refreshing, and fun. Sort of like a British sangria.
The perfect recipe to add into your summer hosting rolodex. 

For anyone unfamiliar with Pimm's. It's a gin-based liqueur with notes of spice and citrus. 
Kind of bitter on it's own, but made perfect with a bit of citrus and sweet.




Pour 1.5oz of Pimm's liqueur over ice. 

Top off with ginger ale, tonic, lemonade or any sparkling/citrus beverage that you fancy.


Add any assortment of fruit you wish. 
I used frozen berries because that's what we had on hand, but anything works - cucumbers, mint, oranges, or apples. 


Squeeze just a bit of lemon in to highlight the citrus.

Stir and adorn the glass with whatever fruit pieces of your choosing. 

Enjoy!

images: hilaryclair

07 April 2014

Weekend Photo Recap

This weekend was one of my favorites in a long time. 
Nothing in particular made it exceptionally special.
No grand plans or far away travels.
Nothing anticipated or above and beyond. 

Spontaneous, close-to-home adventures, sunshine, new places. 
Simple, but somehow extraordinary. 
In the midst of the weekend, it felt as though it would never end. 
Like an endless summer vacation.

Disclaimer:
This is very play-by-play. (Read: a little boring) I write it less because I think my readers care about the mundane moments of my weekend and more because I get stumped by the question, "What'd you do this weekend?" on Mondays, much less months after the fact. And, I wanted to remember this.

Friday: 
We had a snowstorm, so I worked from home. 
Pajamas and coffee should be mandatory work accessories. 
F got home and we headed out to Happy Hour at a new Southern-style restaurant by us and then to go see The Grand Budapest Hotel. (My review? Wildly imaginative, hilarious in parts, quirky, and enjoyable.)

Saturday: 
Woke up early.
F met with a friend for coffee and bible study.
I went to Zumba at the gym - First time braving the class alone.
To say I'm uncoordinated would be an embarrassing understatement.
#forthesakeofcardio
Showered. Tidied. Put this in the crock pot for dinner. 
Took the bus downtown to visit Macy*s flower show. 
Stopped and picked up a couple bottles of wine. 
Rented Frozen from Red Box and it was so good. #believethehype 
Played dominoes (because we are 90).
At approximately 11:30pm, I was super craving a dirt cupcake I'd seen earlier on our shopping escapades. 
So we walked to the grocery store 1 block from our house and bought it. 
I am not ashamed. That thing was amaze fest USA.
And, yes, I am a child.

Sunday:
Went to church. 
Brunch cravings set in and F decided to whisk me away to a new brunch spot. 
I absolutely love trying new things, especially food related, so this melted my heart. 
This place did not disappoint.


We sat and did a crossword puzzle while we ate. Further proof that we are 90.
(My dad and I have a tradition of brunch and crossword puzzles, so it was a sweet nod to him.)


We decided to walk around the lake by our house, since the sunshine was just begging to be soaked up and played in. It was so nice to see the lake paths once again filled with activity. We walked and wandered and avoided the puddles of the stubborn snow piles and "awwwww"-ed at all the puppies and wandered into an open house of a property just a little over our budget. (only by about 2 million dollars. #pettycash) F bet me $5 to go downstairs and excitedly yell, "We'll take it!" I chickened out, but it was a fun detour.

I'm curious, have you guys ever wandered into an open house simply because you were curious about what it looks like inside? I always think that sounds fun but never had the audacity to before Sunday. 


 For dinner, we had popcorn, smoked Gouda, and Pimm's cocktails (recipe coming tomorrow) because that's what adults do. 
Such a fun, refreshing weekend. 

Here's to Monday and hoping the week follows suit. 

images: hilaryclair