Author Archives: missmojito

Last Sips of Summer

Posted on August 25, 2011 | 2 comments

Come late August, it’s all too common to hear the complaint, “I can’t wait for fall. I’m so ready for summer to end.” Now, this typically comes from folks who are tired of sundresses and swimsuits, and who are a tad too obsessed with their boot collections and ready to get back into a pair of jeans. And honestly, I’m one of those girls, generally speaking. My fall wardrobe has more options, more depth, more oomph.

But that does NOT mean that I will ever utter the words, “I’m just ready for summer to be done with already.” Nun-uh, no way. I want to eke the most out of every last drop of summer goodness, from the too-hot-to-handle days to the late afternoon storms.

What does this mean for Miss Mojito? Well, wearing my wrap-up espadrilles one last time, for one. And, perhaps most importantly, it means indulging in summer-friendly cocktails with as much frequency as possible over these few last precious days.

A friend whipped up this oh-so-tempting jug-full of Pimm’s Cup last weekend for a lovely picnic, and while the quintessential English cocktail is nothing new to readers of this blog, it was far too pretty a picture to pass up posting. And I love the idea of using a stem of fresh mint to stir your cocktail!

I’m a bit late in the game on the Pina Colada train thanks to a life-long predilection to disliking coconut. But as the flavor has grown on me, this Pina Colada Mojito sounds more and more attractive. The ingredient list is a bit involved, so I’ll have to report back and let you know if the shopping list is worth the effort.

The last item on my list sounds perfect for long summer evening of porch-sittin’: Spiked Cherry Tea. This particular version relies on black cherry rum and prepared ice tea – but I can’t help but wonder if a mix of black cherry juice and Firefly tea-flavored vodka might not hit the spot.

Here’s to summer – enjoy it while you can!

Posted by Miss Mojito.

2 Comments

Posted in cocktails, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged pimm's cup, pina colada, spiked cherry tea

Mango Madness

Posted on July 26, 2011 | 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.

1 Comment

Posted in cocktails, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, tequila

Tagged mango margaritas

The Slow Death of a Shoe

Posted on June 17, 2011 | 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!

Posted by Miss Mojito.

4 Comments

Posted in shoes

Variations on a Fruity Theme

Posted on May 13, 2011 | 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.

2 Comments

Posted in cocktails, tequila

Tagged agave nectar, margarita

Hyperbole for Effect

Posted on April 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

Friends of Miss Mojito know that she is somewhat prone to exaggeration in her storytelling. A little hyperbole, in my humble opinion, can vastly improve the quality of a tale. But who knew the same principle applies to shoe-buying, too?

Take my new BCBGeneration platform sandals, for example. Everything about this shoe – from the oversized proportions to the satisfying “clomp” of shoe meeting pavement – is slightly exaggerated with an aesthetically pleasing result, to Miss Mojito’s eye.

The heel is thick and oversized, with a chunky heft and a towering height of five inches, supported by a two-inch platform. And the styling of the faux-wood base and golden studs appeals to Miss Mojito’s clog-friendly shoe sensibilities.

My particular pair is in a lovely shade of “Desert Toffee Crosta,” aka taupe, but they’re also available in black and a (somewhat startling) dark pink – err, “Red Berry Soft Tumbled.”

Is this a shoe that will stand the test of time and become the next classic go-to shoe in my closet? Well, probably not. But will the shoe give an air of 70’s style to my footwear wardrobe, lending an era-appropriate touch to my wide-legged jeans? Most definitely. This is my definition of a fun shoe.

And, to answer the question on your mind, they’re actually surprisingly comfortable, particularly for shoes of such delightfully exaggerated proportions!

Posted by Miss Mojito.

When in Tanzania

Posted on March 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

Miss Mojito is recently returned from Tanzania. Business was the focus of this particular trip, which featured a schedule packed with visits to villages surrounding the capital city of Dodoma. So, what’s a girl to drink while on a Tanzanian adventure? Miss Mojito had two top beverage picks.

Stoney Tangawizi would make the list based on name alone. This super-tangy ginger soda packs way more “oomph” than the average American equivalent – there’s more ginger and fizz in every sip!

East Africa has plenty of local breweries, but my favorite beer was Tusker. It’s pale, fairly mild and eminently drinkable after a long day of trekking around central Tanzania.

I won’t even try to show you the shoes I sported while traveling in Tanzania. Suffice it to say that long skirts paired with sporty sneaks is not a good look for Miss Mojito!

Posted by Miss Mojito.

Wedge-Wood Love

Posted on January 26, 2011 | 1 comment

When the sky is gray, the clouds are heavy and the air is bitter cold, I turn to a few favorite pastimes to cheer me up. Cooking a bowl of soup or burrowing in bed with a good book come to mind. So, too, does a hobby nearer-and-dearer to our hearts here at S&C: spring shoe gazing.

I simply can’t get my mind off of warm weather shoes, and a certain style in particular: wedge sandals with chunky wooden heels are calling my name in the worst way possible. I can already feel my bank account shivering in fear over my future acquisitions.

Here are a few of my faves, in varying price points. I’m loving the bows, the cut-outs, the scroll-work heel and the neutral shades in these five dreamy pairs. Which shoe is your personal pick?