Category Archives: Lifestyle

Little Things that Make Me Swoon!

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Hey Dolls! It’s the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and I’m sharing some of my holiday inspiration – all thing red, white and blue – that are making me swoon!

Red, White + Bubbly

Red White and Bubbly

With its chic nautical red, white and blue design, this Domaine Chandon Brut Classic limited-edition bottle, inspired by the great “All-American Summer,” is the perfect way to sip in style.

The White Haute Manicure

White Haute Manicure

Neat, clean, an fresh – these white manicures speak summer. Love!

Fendi Blue + White or Red + White Satin Open Toe Mule

Red White and Blue Mules

Summer and the Fourth aren’t just for flip flops and thong sandals. These numbers are perfect to sport with white shorts, a crisp linen shirt; or beautiful caftan as you are entertaining.

Red, White + Relaxing

iRed White and Blue Furniture

I love the idea of styling lawn furniture with red and white pillows to capture the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday.

Images: Chandon USA | Ashley Ella Designs  | Bergdorf Goodman | Pinterest

However you mark the holiday, do it Pretty Domestic style. Happy a safe and happy Fourth!

Until Then, Keep Sharing the Pretty,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Hey Dolls! I try to get Champagne Sunday posts to you early; but the time got away from me today. However, I quickly realized that it’s never too late in the day for a Champagne Sunday recipe! C’est ici!

Today’s cocktail is compliments of my Mother, the original Doll, who interestingly enough doesn’t imbibe. She did however observe a cocktail at a soiree she attended, and was so fascinated that shared it with me – The Blooming Champagne Cocktail. Peep the mixology below.

The Blooming Champagne Cocktail

WildHibiscusInChampagne

Ingredients 

The Mixology. Position the hibiscus flower at the bottom of a champagne flute and slowly fill it with your favorite bubbly. As the champagne fizzles, the hibiscus flower will open up and bloom in your glass. Once you drink your bubbly, refill it. Or, just nibble on the edible flower. Chin, chin!

Image | As Good As It Gets

Until Then, Keep Sharing the Pretty,

L

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Yes Dolls, I’ve heard you, not everyone imbibes. And yes, there are times when I am out socially and not in the mood, particularly during the summer months. My go-to, the Virgin Cape Codder. Named the “cousin of the Cosmo,” the Cape Codder is best served pool side or at the beach. Peep the mixology below.

The Cape Codder

Cape Codder_1

Ingredients.

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice or Rose’s Lime Juice
  • club soda
  • 1 cup ice
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries, for garnish (optional)

The Mixology. Combine cranberry juice and fresh lime juice in a tall glass; top with club soda stir. Add ice. Garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries if desired and serve.

For those that want the traditional Cape Codder with a twist, peep the mixology for the Cucumber Cap Codder.

Ingredients.

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups grated English cucumber (about 1 cucumber), plus cucumber wedges, for garnish
  • 9 ounces vodka, chilled
  • 12 ounces cranberry juice (no sugar added)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
  • Ice, for serving

The Mixology. Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, stir in grated cucumber, and let cool. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl or large glass measuring cup, and discard solids (you should have 2 cups syrup). Cucumber syrup can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Combine cucumber syrup, vodka, and cranberry and lime juices in a 2-quart pitcher. Cocktail can be refrigerated up to 8 hours. Serve over ice, and garnish with cucumber wedges. Serve. Chin, chin!

Source | Martha Stewart

Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty,

The Pretty Domestic

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Summer cocktailing calls for lighter libations. It’s nothing worse than drinking a harvest-worthy drink in the heat and humidity. I tend to stick with a crisp white wine or glass of champagne during the warmer months; but for a mixed cocktail, I love a Mojito.

The Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball consisting of white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime juice, sparkling water, and mint. Havana is the birthplace of the Mojito, although the exact origin is a matter of debate. The original Cuban recipe uses spearmint or yerba buena, a mint variety very popular on the island.

I tried to find an English translation of the word Mojito, but could only find one. “The name mojito stems from the African word of “mojo ” which means to place a little spell.” I like it!

Peep the mixology.

The Mojito

Ingredients |

  • 2 sprigs mint
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 0.75 oz lime juice
  • 1.5 oz rum
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Soda Water

The Mixology | Muddle one sprig of mint with lime and syrup. (I love the traditional wooden muddler). Add rum, bitters and ice and shake. Strain into an ice-filled high ball glass and top with soda water. You must not forget to garnish with sugar cane. Salud!

Image | Tafari’s Mindspull

Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty,

The Pretty Domestic



You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Hey Dolls! Nothing says summer like lemonade. So, for the Memorial Day edition of Champagne Sunday, I give you lemonade with a twist – the “Mrs. Lemonade,” compliments of the one and only Mrs. Lilien. Peep the mixology below.

Mrs. Lemonade – A Blended Lemonade Cooler

MrsLillienMrsLemonade_052415

MIXOLOGY | Combine 4 lemons (peeled and seeded), 1 cup of Vodka, 1/4 cup of simple syrup, and 6 fresh mint leaves in a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds. Stop the blender, add 3 cups of ice, and puree until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses and garnish with straws. Chin, Chin!

Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty!

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday … Style My Bar Cart!

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Hey Dolls! | Yep, it’s been a minute. No excuses  – sometimes life gets in the way. But, I’m back with a Champagne Sunday twist. I’ve been noticing a trend that not only do I want to reproduce in my home, but I want to share with you – the styled bar cart! I’ve been seeing them everywhere, with suggestions on what constitutes a fully stocked bar cart. And not any old piece of furniture, on which you decide to sit your cocktails and glasses; but swanky showpieces that compliment your home decor.

Whether your taste is vintage inspired, or modern and glam. Whether you’re a French 75 kinda Doll, or a most modern mixologist maven, serve your cocktails on a bar cart with guaranteed high-proof panache! Peep the pics for some bar cart inspiration.

The Holloway Bar Cart. 

The Holloway Bar Cart_051715

Source | Society Social

Simple Bar Cart.

simple-bar-cart

Source | Best Friends For Frosting

The Triple Trolley Bar Cart.

the_tipple_trolley_staged2_grande

Source | Chinoiserie Chic

Minimalist Turquoise Bar Cart.

1goodcompany bar cart_051715

Source | Style Me Pretty

Wicker Outdoor Bar Cart.

Poolside Rolling Bar Cart_051517

Source | Neiman Marcus

But, your bar cart is not complete until it’s perfectly stocked. Here are some bar cart essentials to have on hand when planning  your next soiree, compliments of The Matchbook.

how-to-stock-a-bar-cart_051715

Until Then, Cheers!

Keep Sharing the Pretty! | The Pretty Domestic

You are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Happy Sunday Dolls! You know what day it is; and in keeping with the “love month” theme, Piper Champagne MinisI’m sharing one of my favorite Champagne Sunday libations. Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.

These deep red, little lovelies are packaged in fours; and yes they are sold with the adorable sipping straws.

Piper has also merged with world of fashion, when in 1999, Jean-Paul Gaultier made a stir by dressing the bottle in a red vinyl corset, with delicate lace detailing on its curves. Its curvy silhouette, more sensual than ever, became an iconic object of daring luxury, boldly on-trend. The face-to-face with creativity continues at the regular rhythm of inspired collaborations. The most audacious designers are invited to challenge the established order with, always, the same standards of excellence.

piper-heidsieck-louboutin-gaultier-7  Je t’aime! Chin, chin!

  Until then; keep sharing the pretty!

  L.

  The Pretty Domestic

 

Source: Piper-Heidsieck Champagne


Je T’aime!

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Hello Dolls! It’s Valentine’s Day! So, whether you being pampered, or pampering yourself, do so in grand style!

And, if you’re doing a little last minute Valentine’s Day shopping, peep The Pretty Domestic Love List:

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour Rouge Rubis

Chanel_Rouge Rubis

Tom Ford Scarlett Rouge Lip Color

T0T3_SCARLETROUGE_OS_A

Hunter Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots | “Wellies”

hunter-original-tall-gloss-wellington-boots---red-1_1

Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Zippy Wallet

louis-vuitton-zippy-wallet-epi-small-leather-goods--M60304_PM2_Front%20view

 Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil

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‘Japonica – Goji Tarocco Orange’ Three-Wick Candle

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Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday … I’ll Have What She’s Having!

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Today’s Champagne Sunday comes to you with a twist. I thought it would be fun to try some cocktail recipes courtesy of our fav stars. In other words, over the next couple of weeks, we’ll have what she (or he) is having. First up, “The Big O,” Oprah Winfrey!

Oprah has about five “go-to” libations, the Moscow Mule, Pomegranate Martini, Frozen TangOrita, Oh Mai Mai Juice, and the Legends Lemon Drop Martini, which we are featuring today.

imageAptly named the Legends Lemon Drop Martini because “O” served this cocktail during her 2005 Legends Ball. Peep the mixology below.

Oprah’s Legends Lemon Drop Martini

Serving Size: 2

Ingredients:

  • Juice of six lemons
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • 6 fresh mint leaves
  • 4 shots of vodka
  • Ice in shaker
  • 1 sugar rimmed martini glass

The Mixology. Mix lemon juice, sugar and vodka in a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with mint and enjoy! Chin, chin!

While you are sipping on your Legends Lemon Drop Martini, enjoy scenes from Oprah’s Legends Ball.

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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Sadly, tomorrow is the last day of Summer. It’s a little overcast in my neck of the woods, but I am determined to send the season out in style. We are grilling this evening and I have the ingredients on hand for the perfect end-of-Summer cocktail.

I recently sipped on a Cucumber Martini when my Doll Rebecca whipped up a batch during our vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. It’s the perfect drink for a warm day, crisp and refreshing. Peep the mixology.

Cucumber Martini

Cucumber Martini

  • 2 oz. vodka
  • 3 slices of cucumber
  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • Lemon or lime

The Mixology. Muddle the cucumber really well in shaker. Add vodka, simple syrup, and lemon. You can substitute for lime. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and enjoy.

Chin, chin!

Until Then,

L.

The Pretty Domestic