At the lake

Posted on August 11, 2011 by | 2 Comments

When you’re with Ms. S&C and her perfectly awesome friends during the annual lake trip, you get things like:

Incredible water view + cute kids (plus morning yoga on that dock)

Happy dogs

Good food (two words: shrimp boil)

Drinks on the go (that’s a portable grapefruit crush you’re looking at)

Fireworks! (and, um, please notice the amusingly appropriate tee)

Ms. S&C hopes to post a longer recap, to share an excellent rum punch recipe, an excellent lake playlist, and many other excellent activities that make up her favorite.weekend.ever.

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Mango Madness

Posted on July 26, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Miss Mojito finally had the chance to test out a recipe for Mango Margaritas. They’re so refreshing, sunny and dare I say easy that I had to report back on the results. Make the most of your summer and whip up a batch this weekend!

Now, the mango is a notoriously difficult fruit to cut. But that’s the beauty of this recipe – you don’t have to dice the mango into neat, even cubes (although here’s a helpful tutorial for when that’s your goal). It’s perfectly acceptable to butcher the fruit as you see fit, since you’ll be pureeing the whole lot in a blender or food processor later.

Mango Margaritas
Serves five.

  • 2 very ripe mangos
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • 10 oz. tequilo blanco
  • 4 oz. triple sec
  • 8 oz. grapefruit soda (I used the Izzie brand)

Remove as much flesh as possible from the two mangos.

If you’re using a blender: Puree all the ingredients in the blender until you reach a smooth consistency.

If you’re using a food processor: Puree the mango and lime juice together until smooth. Poor into a pitcher and add the tequila, triple sec and soda. Stir well.

Serve over ice in chilled glasses.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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S&C turns three

Posted on July 25, 2011 by | 1 Comment

This little blog has been around for three years. (If you’re reading this, we’re honored that you are still around!)

In celebration of our blog birthday, here’s a list of our most popular posts over the past three years:

  • Cake and punch
    This was the one where we shared the pomegranate champagne punch and Sister Mojito’s most awesome rainbow birthday cake. (We also love this blog post because it got us a mention in Washington Post’s daily “Express.”)
  • Song of the summer
    This post was early on, but the recipe for watermelon lemonade is timeless, and especially good during these hot summer months.
  • S&C reader mail: cream-colored pumps for Spring
    A reader mail post from 2009, but I’m still rocking a pair of neutral-colored slingbacks from J.Crew.
  • Light as a feather
    One of those “aspirational posts.” We still don’t own feather-embellished pumps, but we would.
  • S&C spotted: Keds comeback
    This was one of the more “trendier” posts, and a lot of people read it. We should probably take note.

Additionally, some of Ms. S&C’s favorite posts include:

  • Miss Mojito and her tips! Her suggestions about healthier cocktails and keeping it simple with staples are e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-t. (But, I also love the simplicity of this one.)
  • Bourbon: wanting it, preferring it as my go-to spirit of choice. It is a phase I can’t shake, and I plan to make this bourbon mojito again soon.
  • Music: I love that I’ve found a way to incorporate my favorite tunes in a blog about shoes and cocktails.

Cheers to another great year! Thanks again for reading!

posted by Ms. S&C

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Three things: campari, anklets, new indie-rock

Posted on July 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C would like to thank the ladies over at DIY Del Ray for the recent blogging inspiration. (I hope to channel their home renovation and decorating inspiration as well. But, I’m a little held back by the do-it-yourself concept, as I’m in a do-it-for-me place at the moment.) However, seeing their regular sharing of cool ideas and things they like reminds me: I like to share things too!

So, here are three things that Ms. S&C really likes right now:

(1) Campari

Back when I started this blog (July 2008!), the bitterness of Campari was like nothing I had ever tasted. Now, my refined — or slightly numbed — palate craves the herbal sensation. My cocktail-writing idol (and now my New York Times Op-Ed writing idol), Frank Bruni, shared his experience with the Negroni Sbagliato awhile back. After trying it out myself, I can attest to it being a pretty damn good, fizzy and refreshing, “summertime negroni.” The Campari Cup (a love child of the Pimm’s Cup) is also good use of this aperitif.

(2) Anklets

I’ve noticed an anklet on one of my yoga instructors (yes, there is more than one yoga instructor in my life — and yes, I have crushes on all of them). Then, I came across this anklet on Garance Dore’s blog. My recent captivation of anklets also reminds me of the scene in “Love in the Afternoon,” when the spunky Audrey Hepburn wears an anklet to make the womanizing Gary Cooper jealous (of course it works). All this leads me to say: I want an anklet for the summer sandal wearing! Help me find a cool one. Please!

(3) New Music

I’ve been in a music rut lately. I haven’t been excited by much of anything (anything *new* that is — but, I do have a new-found love for Fleetwood Mac). Just as I’m lamenting this rut, the new Bon Iver album comes along. I am so in love — and it has been put on such heavy rotation — that I had to purchase the first album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” too. Both albums  are great to listen to, but the new album is particularly dreamy. Fave songs include: “Towers” and “Perth.”

Naturally, when it rains, it pours. I’ve also been recently introduced to Eleanor Friedberger’s (of Fiery Furnaces fame) debut album, and I’m pretty giddy about: “My Mistakes,” “Heaven,” and “I Won’t Fall Apart on You Tonight.” Indie-pop at its best. I swear.

Lastly, The Feelies’ “Here Before” — their first album in twenty years — is certainly worth a listen. Or ten.

The three things blog post gives Ms. S&C an opportunity to share a combination of shoe and cocktail-related finds, along with something else. That something else usually includes music or yoga.

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This calls for a Bloody Mary, or a Mojito

Posted on July 20, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A Hallmark moment? You tell me.

On a recent trip to Durham, Ms. S&C picked up these gems at a great independent bookstore, The Regulator. (You can also find these and more fantastic greeting cards online at Seltzer.) I don’t know who the lucky recipients will be, but it makes me happy to know I have them.

I can think of a hundred reasons when this card could be appropriate:

And, perhaps the new S&C mantra?

These are just a few of many great finds in Durham. Shopping and dining experiences to come. (I hope, but you’ve seen how much I’ve blogged lately.)

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Orange You Glad It’s Summer?

Posted on July 11, 2011 by | 3 Comments

One month into summer, and I’m already worried about the days slipping too quickly away. All I want to do is take long evening walks, enjoy drinks on the patio and repose by as many bodies of water as humanly possible.

Here’s a quick look at how I’m making the most of this particular summer. See if you notice a growing trend …

Two-for-a-Dollar-Mangoes
The first time a pal and I decided to try our hand at a mango margarita, we spent absolutely ages trying to hack apart rock-hard, unripe mangoes. Let’s just say the results were less than stellar. Years later, an older-but-wiser Miss Mojito will put some perfectly ripe mango to much better use thanks to a stupendous mango sale at my local grocery store. I’m thinking of adapting this recipe from Food & Wine.

Strappy Statement Sandals
Summertime calls for fun and frivolous footwear, and these platform sandals fit the bill. I love the peep-toe slingback styling – it’s super flattering and feminine – and the layer of cork and pop of bright color just scream “summer.”

 

Frequent Pedicures
During the fall and winter, pedicures feel a bit over-indulgent. I might have a slight guilt complex over spending good money to pamper feet that nobody’s going to see. But come summer, polished toes are practically a necessity. I just love a hue that melds orange and coral, like A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find by OPI.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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S&C patriotism

Posted on June 30, 2011 by | Leave a comment

If money were no object, the 4th of July holiday weekend footwear may look a little something like this:

For the picnic, or the baseball game (the Nationals have a double-header on Saturday, you know), let’s don these adorable Kate Spade sandals. That bow, the grosgrain fabric, the basketweave heel — nothing could say casual American holiday better.

For the night out, how about this classic Burberry espadrille paired with a flowy black sundress? Love the combination of red patent leather, espadrille midsol, and the check pattern.

For the wide-leg white linen pants (or the white linen anything), how about these striking Diane Von Furstenberg wedges? Yes, the height, the bold color, the multi-pattern wedge heel would contrast beautifully with white.

And what to drink this Independence Day? Well, we’ll have to get back to you on that, but these Black and Blue Mojitos and this Campari Cup are strong contenders (particularly given the amount of fresh mint we have growing over at chez S&C).

Happy fireworks, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, Declaration of Independence reading, patriotic song singing, parade going, blue-and-white sprinkled, sparkler waving holiday!

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The Slow Death of a Shoe

Posted on June 17, 2011 by | 4 Comments

There are some shoes that are such an integral part of a girl’s daily footwear rotation that it’s hard to imagine a wardrobe – or life – without them. They’re what you might call the MVP’s of your shoe collection. The standby shoes that meld perfectly fashion and comfort. They’re the shoes that you have had re-heeled, re-soled and re-polished more times than you can count – and, possibly, beyond the point of repair. But even so, you just can’t let them go. Even with scuff marks or an uneven heel, these shoe stalwarts stand heads and shoulders above the other pairs lurking in your closet.

Today, I thought I’d pay tribute to several examples of such a heroic shoe in my own footwear arsenal. To be perfectly honest with you, I’ll probably never get rid of these pairs. Heck, I’ll probably keep wearing them until holes in the soles are fully visible. But I can’t bear to ditch these several pairs that have seen me through thick and thin.

I've been searching high and low for a replacement for these beat-up Mary Jane pumps that are a workday staple.

It may not look like much now, but this buttery beige Cole Haan loafer was my go-to travel shoe for years.

Some might consider the damage to these once-uber-chic peep toe kitten pumps to be beyond repair.

Miss Mojito wants to know: Am I the only crazy sentimentalist out there who can’t bid adieu to a good pair of pumps?

*Update* Just one day after posting this little homage to the beat-up shoe, I decided to wear a pair of worn-but-respectable gladiator-style sandals to work – only to witness the straps fall apart just steps from the front door of my office. Thus, today’s footwear of choice is my gym shower flops. Classy. Methinks the shoe gods might be trying to teach a lesson in proper shoe maintenance!

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When in Denver

Posted on June 3, 2011 by | 2 Comments

When in Denver, there’s:

Hiking

Biking

And Drinking.

And by drinking, we mean grapefruit mimosas and cucumber bloody marys for brunch (get them both at delicious, delicious Duo). And by drinking, we also mean beer. There’s so much good beer! (We can recommend Mountain Sun beer and nachos after hiking in Boulder, and Falling Rock Taphouse in downtown Denver). And while you’re in the Mile High City, you may as well check out the city’s first bar, The Cruise Room. Opened the day after Prohibition was repealed, and fashioned after one of the lounges on the Queen Mary, this art deco style bar has an extensive martini menu.

In addition to hiking, biking, and drinking, there is yoga. There is wonderful,  invigorating, heart-opening yoga (Vital Yoga is a fantastic studio in the Highlands neighborhood).

But, most importantly, there are super awesome friends in Denver. And great memories.

posted by Ms. S&C

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Variations on a Fruity Theme

Posted on May 13, 2011 by | 2 Comments

One of last year’s fave cocktail concoctions was most certainly this Fruity Bourbon Fizz, which combined tart cherry juice, bourbon, lemonade and sparkling wine with delightful results. For a recent mother’s day celebration, I was eager to put the cherry juice to good use again.

The R.W. Knudsen brand makes a delightfully tart, organic black cherry juice that has become more widely available in grocery stores as of late. The flavor is quite potent and a little certainly goes a long way – making it a great mixer for a crowd.

Since I already had tequila on hand, I decided to meld the liquor with the juice in a vibrant Cherry Margarita. Given the pow packed by the cherry punch, I like to give my guests a fair warning and introduce this as a Tart Cherry Margarita, so they’re fully prepared for the pucker that inevitably follows the first sip. Feel free to mellow out the tartness level with some extra agave syrup for sweetness – but personally, I find the bite refreshing!

A pitcher full of cherry tequila goodness.

Cherry Margarita
Serves 6.

  • 10 ounces tequila blanco
  • 6 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 4 ounces tart bottled cherry juice
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  • Fresh cherries (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well. Serve in chilled glasses over ice, with optional fresh cherries as a festive garnish.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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