Well not quite yet Dolls. I mean it was just Halloween. But a true sign of the upcoming holiday season is the arrival of the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book! Yep, it’s here! Full on swoon! Grab a flute of your favorite bubbly, click the image below, flip through the pages, and leave me a comment letting me know you whats’s your 2016 holiday luxe list!
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
TPD
Happy Sunday Dolls! It’s no surprise that today’s post is Halloween inspired. While your little, or not so little, ones are Trick-O’-Treating – assuming you don’t have to chaperone – enjoy the evening while sipping on a glass of “Rich’s Brew.” Peep the mixology below.
Rich’s Brew
The Mixology. Place five to six large ice cubes in a large wine glass. Add two to three slices of blood orange. Finish with chilled Veuve Clicquot Rich and serve in your most ghoulish wine glass. Chin chin!
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
TPD
Happy Sunday Dolls! I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but fall has definitely descended upon the East Coast. It was 80 degrees on Tuesday, but this weekend it’s been crispy, cool and windy. I actually love this weather – perfect for a fab turtleneck, leggings, riding boots and leather gloves. Also perfect for harvest drinks. Peep the details below for some decadent drinks for the fall.
The Ingredients
The Mixology. In a small dish, pour caramel sauce. In another small dish, pour cinnamon sugar. Dip champagne flutes into caramel to rim glass, then dip in cinnamon sugar. Pour apple cider, caramel vodka, and top with champagne into flutes. Garnish with an apple slice and serve.
The Ingredients
The Mixology. Rim a champagne flute with sugar. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, Vanilla Vodka, and orange or blood orange juice. Shake, then strain mixture into flute. You with Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco and garnish with orange slice.
Hot Apple Pie Run Punch
The Ingredients
The Mixology. In a large pot, combine the apple cider, apple slices, orange slices, ginger slices and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the rum.
Note: The apple cider mixture can be kept warm over low heat for up to 2 hours before adding the rum and serving.
In my mind the barware in just as important as the cocktail. Here are some of my favorite stemless flutes.
There you have it Dolls! Enjoy your champagne Sunday harvest drinks! Chin, chin!
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
TPD
Good morning Dolls! You are cordially invited to champagne Sunday, the New Orleans edition! Why New Orleans? Only because business has me traveling there on a monthly basis throuhout the remainder of year. An added plus – my sister lives there, which allows my to see and taste all things indigenous to The Big Easy.
I’m on the road again this week, and after client meetings I want to try New Orleans’ signature cocktail, the Sazerac Cocktail.
A little background. In 1838, Antoine Peychaud, a Creole Apothecary, created the drink in a French Quarter bar and named it for his favorite French brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et fils. In 1873, the drink was changed when American Rye whiskey was substituted for cognac, and a dash of absinthe was added by bartender Leon Lamothe.
Peychaud’s Bitters, which is a must for the Sazerac, was also created in New Orleans. A gentian-based bitters, Peychaud’s is comparable to Angostura bitters, but with a lighter body, sweeter taste, and more floral aroma.
Not hitting The Big Easy anytime soon? Peep the deets below for the mixology.
The Sazerac Cocktail
The Ingredients
The Mixology
Rinse a chilled old-fashioned glass with the absinthe, add crushed ice and set it aside. Stir the remaining ingredients over ice and set it aside. Discard the ice and any excess absinthe from the prepared glass, and strain the drink into the glass. Add the Lemon peel for garnish.
Can’t find Peychaud’s in your local wine and liquor store? You can purchase it here on Amazon.
Until then, laissez les bons temps rouler!
TPD
Images: TheFramedTable, Amazon
Hi Dolls! Has it been that long? I know, I know it really has. I’ve had quite a few life changes that have required my immediate attention, most pressingly, nurturing a new entrepreneurial effort. I’ve also spent a great deal of time thinking about changes and updates I’d like to bring to The Pretty Domestic. Stay tuned!
In the mean time, I confess to truly missing my Dolls. So, until I share the deets re: The Pretty Domestic 2.0, let’s get back to business. It’s Sunday, and you know what that means, “You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday,” the Fourth of July Edition! Peep the mixology below for some patriotic cocktails fit for the perfect holiday soiree. Whether you are going to an epic pool party, spending the day at the club, or grilling at home for family and friends, a Doll has you covered. Peep the mixology!
Fourth of July Wine Sparklers
Ingredients
The Mixology. Place the watermelon stars and blueberries in the bottom of a 1-gallon pitcher. Pour in the white wine and soda, and gently mix to combine. Serve with a few fruit pieces in each cup.
Star Spangled Martini
Ingredients
The Mixology. Dip the rim of a martini glass in a shallow dish of water, then into granulated sugar to create the sparkly rim. Carefully muddle the raspberries in the glass, crushing until broken down. {Alternatively, you can do this in a sturdier glass and transfer the raspberries over to the martini glass with a spoon.} In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine citrus vodka and lemonade. Shake until frosty and pour over raspberries. Hold a spoon upside down over the glass close to the liquid. Carefully and slowly pour chilled blue curacao over the back of the spoon. It should create a separate layer on top of the vodka. Serve immediately.
Patriotic Gin + Tonic
Ingredients
The Mixology. Place blueberries and raspberries ice cube tray, keeping them separate. Use 3-5 blueberries and 1-2 raspberries per ice cube depending on the size of your ice cube tray. Fill ice cube tray with water and freeze. Once frozen, place ice cubes in glass layering the blueberry cubes at the bottom and the raspberry cubes on top. Use about 3 of each type of ice cube per glass, this may vary based on the size of your glass. Pour gin over ice. Fill glass the rest of the water with tonic.
Uncle Samgria
Ingredients
The Mixology. At least two hours in advance of the soiree, combine the two bottles of white wine in a pitcher. Add your desired amount of fruit. I prepared our sangria six hours before the party, and I used a fruit infusion pitcher to create a striped effect with the blueberries and raspberries. Let the sangria chill in the fridge. Right before serving, add the two cold cans of Sprite Zero. Pour yourself a tall glass and enjoy!
For an extra dash of patriotism, rim your cocktails with red, white or blue sugar.
Cheers to the Red, White & Blue!
Until Then, Keep Sharing the Pretty!
The Pretty Domestic
Sources + Images: Kitchn; HonestCooking; Tasty Bev; Life’s Ambrosia
The holidays’ social season is in full swing and there is much more entertaining to do. To help us Dolls solve one of the more challenging entertaining questions – “What types of wine shall I serve?” – is guest blogger, wine writer and educator, Shari Sheffield. Shari takes the mystery out of wine selection “one glass at a time.”
Taking the Drama Out of Picking A Holiday Wine One Glass at a Time
The holidays can be D. R. A. M. A.; and trying to choose “the perfect wine” to go with your holiday feast can add to that drama. Trying to find a single wine to please everyone from your grandmother to the newly minted drinking-age college boyfriend your daughter has brought home is a challenge. With all the preparations required, quite frankly, don’t you already have enough worry planning your menu? Stuff the turkey before cooking or after? Cranberry sauce with whole berries or none? Sweet potato soufflé or candied yams casserole? Christmas goose or rack of lamb? And let’s not even get into the seating arrangements that must be considered ensuring that a family kerfuffle doesn’t erupt – again.
One tip I give to quickly calm down those responsible for securing the wine for the festivities – pick one white, one red and one sparkling wine. It’s so simple it often gets overlooked. You will invariably have guests at your table who will make a face and whine dramatically: “I only like white” or “I only like red.” Serving at least one type of each will put a cure, at least, to that issue.
But, of course, you can go all out and turn the holidays into an opportunity to try multiple wines in one setting. This can be fun and wine will rarely be wasted. It is also a chance to explore bottles you might not normally try and discuss.
Another way to totally obviate the pressure of choosing the right wine is to ask each guest to bring a different type of grape varietal (one brings a Chardonnay, one a Merlot and so forth). You can also assign each guest to bring a bottle from a different region. This will result in your own informal private wine dinner right at the holiday dinner table.
However, if you choose to select the wines yourself, here are a few recommendations for food friendly wines that will pair well with multiple dishes and please the cast of characters that my cross your doorstep into the new year.
The Bubbles.
For domestic sparkling wines with great quality and style serve Schramsberg Brut California Sparkling Wine around $15.00 and Gloria Ferrer Brut or Blanc de Blanc California Sparkling Wine approximately $15. For real French bubbly forgo the obvious orange label Veuve Cliquot and try Pierrer-Jouet for a lighter more refreshing champagne.
The Whites.
Riesling is a versatile white grape varietal. Wines from it can be sweet, off dry and dry. Look for off dry rieslings from Washington state and Germany for pairing with entrees and hors d’oeuvres. A less dry Riesling will go well with salty, sweet, and spicy foods. Rieslings classic apple/citrus flavors and balanced acidity won’t overpower many dishes. Choose a sweet riesling for dessert alone, as an after dinner drink or pair with apple pie and fruit based desserts. Try Bonny Doon’s California Riesling or Rosemount Estate Diamond Traminer (Australia), approximately $10.
For a White Blend try Perrin Cote Du Rhone Blanc, 2011 under $17. The Vioginer and Grenache Blanc take the leading role as the predominate grapes in this blend. Marsanne and Roussanne play supporting roles which makes this wine’s lemon flavors and floral notes heavenly at this price point. This can be sipped alone or paired with seafood, foul and cream based dishes.
The Reds.
Pinot Noir. DeLoach Russian River Pinot Noir $21, has cherry and plum flavors that pair well with herbed stuffing, smoked salmon, dark meat poultry without overpowering the rest of your dishes.
Syrah. Kunde Syrah costs approximately $16. Syrah can be light or tannic with a lot of structure. This lighter style Syrah, aka Shiraz, has peppery notes and a spicy edge along with lightness.
Merlot. Markham Merlot from California is very smooth and food friendly. Perfect, if a crown roast or lamb will be served at your holiday meal. It has structure and complexity. It is also velvety with chocolate notes.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
-Shari Sheffield, Wine Writer and Educator | Twitter: @ShariSheffield
There you have it Dolls. Your holiday wine selections have been made for you. Leave us a message if you try any of these suggestions. Now, to those seating arrangements. Oh and by the way, look for most guest blog posts from Shari in the New Year.
Until Then,
Keep Sharing the Pretty
L.
Photographs | Shutterstock, Craft & Cork, & Mainstreet
Hey Dolls! It’s late for a “Champagne Sunday” post, but truth be told I spent the day sipping bubbly with my favorite Dolls. Anywho, as we prepare for Thanksgiving holiday, I thought it appropriate to share several cocktail recipes that you can serve to your guests, whether you are hosting on Thursday or having an open house during the weekend. Peep the deets.
Cranberry Orange Sparkler
Ingredients.
1 cup cranberry juice (or red currant juice)
1/3 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1 bottle (750 ml) of your favorite Champagne
24 ounces chilled ginger ale
The Mixology. In a measuring cup, combine juice and liqueur. Divide among eight Champagne flutes or wine glasses. To serve, top with equal parts Champagne and ginger ale.
Cranberry Margaritas
Ingredients.
1/2 cup cranberry juice
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec
ice
The Mixology. Stir all ingredients together until blended. Serve over ice in sugar- or salt-rimmed glasses, garnished with fresh cranberries and lime wedges if desired.
Apple Cider Moscow Mule
Ingredients
2 ounces ginger flavored vodka
2 ounces apple cider (store bought or homemade)
Juice of 1 small lime wedge
Good quality ginger beer to top off (about 1/2 cup or so)
Cinnamon to sprinkle
The Mixology. In a copper mug, add the vodka, apple cider and lime juice. Fill the glass with ice, sprinkle cinnamon over the ice, then top off with ginger beer. Stir well and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Boozy Maple Orchard
Ingredients
1/2 ounce Bourbon
2 ounces apple puree (Gala apples recommended)
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce maple syrup
For garnish optional | fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks
The Mixology. Core, peel, and quarter an apple. Add to blender and puree. In the blender with the apple puree, add lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon and pulse to combine. Pour over ice into a glass and garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon, as desired.
Enjoy Dolls! Chin, chin!
Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty
The Pretty Domestic
Source: Huffington Post, Today Show, Martha Stewart
Hey Dolls! I know, I know, we haven’t even enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner, and yet, the Christmas and Hanukkah are knocking at the door. There’s tons of holiday prep that occurs this time of the year; but at the top of my list is finding and ordering the perfect holiday cards. Lord knows I need to start early, because they take forever to address, stamp and mail. (Yep, I am still a snail mail girl!) That said, I wanted to share several sites where I’ve had success in ordering the most festive of cards. Peep the deets.
Effie’s Paper. Effie’s paper is the creative brainchild of the über stylish Kalyn Johnson. My favorite paperie, Effie’s Paper has the swankiest of all “modern stationery and gift products for moms, busy professionals and social butterflies.” Effie’s also has the hippest holiday cards.
Papyrus. Papyrus does individual cards, boxed sets and custom printing. They are my “go-to” paperie for an any ocassion card.
tinyprints. This online retailer has cornered the holiday photo card market. Whether you’re into showing off your fab fam with one photo or six, or if want to wish your clients a happy holidays by gifting them with a 2016 card/calendar, you name it, they have it. But what do I like best about Tiny Prints? They have a huge selection of glitter holiday cards. A Doll loves her sparkle.
Voilà! There are my picks for the perfect holiday cards!
Until Then,
L.
The Pretty Domestic
Good Morning Dolls! I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July. We spent a delightful afternoon with family and friends celebrating the holiday and my Mr’s birthday at the beach. Late afternoon, a family house guest treated us to a decadent twist on the normal holiday libation, the Chocolate Cream Pie Shooters, or Chocolate Vodka Shots. They were absolutely to die for! So good, I knew I had to locate the recipe and share today. Peep the mixology below.
Ingredients |
The Mixology | Pour chocolate milk, chocolate liqueur, and vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into four shot glasses and garnish with shavings. Place a dollop of whipped cream on four spoons. Take the shot and chase it with a spoon of whipped cream! Chin, chin! Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!
Until Then, Keep Sharing the Pretty
L.
The Pretty Domestic
Image | Living Better Together
The Pretty Domestic | Life with Elle 
