Little Things that Make Me Swoon!

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!

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!

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

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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

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The Must-Haves: Les Blancs

must-have \ˈməst-ˌhav\n

1. an essential possession: the perfect summer white dress

adj

2. essential: a must-have summer white wardrobe

Wearing white before Memorial Day is a ma-JAH faux pas on the East Coast. We eagerly await Memorial Day, the first opportunity to don our crisp whites. But, Memorial Day has come and gone, and its time for Les Blancs! Peep the deets below for some summer white inspiration.

White Cotton Maxi-Length Wrap Dress.

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 The Diamond Brunch Sunglasses from Azalea in Matte White.

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Palm Beach Sandals by Jack Rogers.

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Mischo Luxury Nail Lacquer in Coco.

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All White Canvas Tote from the Gardenista.

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Tod’s “Gommini” Crytsal Embellished Fringed Driving Moccasin.

Enjoy your summer! It’s going to be white hot!

Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty,

The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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

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The Pretty Domestic



The Beauty Experiment

My guilty pleasure is beauty products – skin + body care, make-up, fragrances, nail polish – I’m in! My recent obsession has been on creating the perfect skin care routine. Ok not recent, this has been an ongoing quest. My skin is not bad, but could be better – hyper-pigmentation be damned! I’ve tried all types of creams, potions and lotions, everything from Prescriptives to La Prarie. On a recent jaunt to Sephora, for an angled eyeliner brush, I spied an end-cap of face and eye masks, something for every skin malady. My choice, the Perfecting & Brightening Pearl Mask in the pretty pink packaging. You should know that I am also drawn to packaging, the more minimal the better. A lot of products come home with me because of the packaging, but I digress.

Sephora Pearl Mask_052815

It was a week or so before I made time to try the mask. Honestly, I was somewhat leery, but let me say, I had a change of heart. Wednesday was a free night, perfect for a “pretty party.” I carefully read and followed the directions. Unfold the mask – check; apply the mask to a clean and dry face – check; and after 15 minutes remove the mask and gently massage, allowing the product to penetrate the skin, no need to rinse – check.

My first concern was that the mask would be flimsy, meaning that it would tear while trying to remove from the packaging; but nope, it’s made of fiber, no tears. It was also easy to apply, and covered the entire surface of my face with a little extra mask for under my chin. I have to say that I looked like The Mummy, but that’s the price of beauty. You can find a pic on Sephora’s Beauty Board, I don’t want to scare you away.

But what I loved that most is that you could “feel” the ingredients working – natural origin white pearl, which is said to even out skin tone, and broccoli extract for clarifying. Personally, I like to feel a little tingle in my products. There was also a cooling/soothing sensation. Once I removed the mask there was product left on my face which, following the directions, I massaged into my skin. I immediately looked in the mirror and my skin looked healthier and brighter (glowing) – pores significantly smaller. Now I’m no fool and know that bathroom lighting is not true lighting. But since it was not yet dark on the East Coast, I took my hand mirror outside on the deck to take a look, still pleased.

The very next morning I awoke and went to the mirror to see if I was still pleased with the results, and yep. Is my skin cured of its ails? Of course not. But, 48 hours in am I still pleased? Yes. I will certainly add this to my weekly skin care routine. And by the way, the price point is $6.00. Yesterday, did a supermarket sweep through Sephora and picked up the companion Perfecting & Brightening Eye Mask. I will post a follow up review on the eye mask in the next week or so.

This is only one of several face masks available at Sephora. Peep the selection here – Sephora Face Masks.

Do you mask? If so, leave a comment and share your experience.

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The Pretty Domestic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday!

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

Straight Shade.

Hey Dolls! Memorial Day is upon us and with it the beginning of summer. The list of must-haves for the season is endless, but at the top of mine is the perfect sunglasses. What defines perfect? Style and substance. They must look fabulous – for me, the bigger, the better. But equally as important – that they must keep those pesky UV-rays at bay. Yep, vanity be thy name.

My choice? Chanel Signature Oversized Square frames in homage to one Mrs.Kennedy-Onassis.

Chanel Oversized Signature Sunglasses_v1_052115

But for my Dolls, I want to share my other faves for the season. I’m giving you a little of everything from a Classic Rayban Aviator, a trendy take on the Wayfarer in tortoise, to an avante-garde shield frame from Chanel. Whatever your taste, peep the haute-ness below!

The Celine Marta.

Celine Marta Small Sunglasses_052115

Prada Oversized Glam.

Pradae Oversized Glam_052115

The Classis Rayban Aviator.

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Dior Lady Lady 1.

Dior Lady Lady Sunglasses_052115

And for you more daring Dolls …

The Chanel Butterfly Acetate Frames Embellished with Pearls.

Chanel Iconic Pearl Sunglasses_052115

Have a fun-filled holiday!

Until Then | Keep Sharing the Pretty,

The Pretty Domestic

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

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

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Source | Society Social

Simple Bar Cart.

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Source | Best Friends For Frosting

The Triple Trolley Bar Cart.

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Source | Chinoiserie Chic

Minimalist Turquoise Bar Cart.

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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.

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Until Then, Cheers!

Keep Sharing the Pretty! | The Pretty Domestic