Author Archives: msshoescocktails

Heartstrings

Posted on February 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

The OED Word of the Day — on the day before Valentine’s Day — was “heart-strings.” If heartstrings are meant to be pulled, here are a few things tugging at Ms. S&C’s.

Ms. S&C’s heart is aflutter over this adorable kissing birds ring from Juicy Couture. Apparently she has a thing for wearing small whimsical birds on her fingers, because she picked up a super cute owl ring before the Christmas holiday, and now wants this as part of her collection.

Ms. S&C is also coveting this lace print shirt from Sundance, which has a kind-of bohemian elegance. There are actually quite a few lovely, silk printed blouses over there, but this one is particularly très romantique and fitting for February 14th, don’t you think?

And it wouldn’t be a wish list — and it would be a Valentine’s Day wish list (those red soles!) — without a pair of Louboutin’s. Ms. S&C has already declared her recent affections for neutrals, and she would like to add this nude patent pump to the mix, pretty please.

Wherever your deepest affections lay on this day of love, we wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in shoes

Tagged , , , , ,

For the love of neutrals

Posted on February 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Spring Wish List has begun. And you can save the color for the tulips. A fantastic tote in taupe, an asymmetrical camo clutch.  (How about these swooping asymmetry wedges from Anthropologie to go with that clutch, eh?) How awesome  are the cutout wedges in spiced olive? (We’ll never get tired of wedges over here at S&C.) And for the dressier gal, Talbots (yes, Talbots) has bow platforms in dark sweet almond and criss-cross peep-toes in dark lugguge. There’s something about calm, peaceful, restful colors that sounds about right.

For the love of neutrals

Kooba Sophie Tote

$295 – piperlime.gap.com


Michael Stars Asymetry Clutch

$80 – piperlime.gap.com


Avenelle cutout wedges – J.Crew

$198 – jcrew.com



posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in shoes

Tagged , , ,

Three things: tall boots, beer cocktails, yoga

Posted on January 24, 2011 | 1 comment

Here’s what’s on the mind of Ms. S&C at the moment.

(1) Tall Boots

Ms. S&C is in love with these Franco Sarto boots. The soft leather, the detail around the outer zipper, the buckles, the rubber outsole — and, they are comfortable! Tall boots are nothing new, but Ms. S&C happily spent the whole weekend wearing these shoes (and she would wear them again tomorrow if she could). PS: she bought the cuoio calf color (reminds her of caramel) and looks great with burnt orange tights, jeans and black leggings (yes, that was the weekend wardrobe).

(2) Beer Cocktails

Ms. S&C can’t stop thinking about the honey beer cocktail she had at JoeDoe’s in New York a few weeks ago. Made with Dale’s Pale Ale, gin, lemon juice and delicious, delicious salted honey that dribbled down the side of the glass. It was so tasty and so refreshing, she can’t wait to recreate this beer cocktail at home. Ms. S&C also loves the idea of beer cocktails so much that it will likely be the signature cocktail for her ninth annual (yes, ninth) Super Bowl party. (By the way, discovery of this cocktail came courtesy of Frank Bruni’s excellent Tipsy Diaries column in The New York  Times.)

(3) Yoga

Now, for the unrelated segment: Ms. S&C likes yoga. She likes it so much, she almost wants to rename the blog: Shoes, Cocktails and Yoga. (Not really, but it is important to her.) She doesn’t think of herself as a purist when it comes to her practice, but she respects tradition and history. She also appreciates that yoga has evolved, and that yoga *can* evolve. That’s why she doesn’t hate this Tara Stiles person. (I’ll admit: at first, I wanted to hate everything she stood for.) For more on Tara Stiles and yoga, this blog post by YogaDork is worth a read.

The three things blog posts give 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.

posted by Ms. S&C

1 Comment

Posted in beer, cocktails, shoes, three things

Tagged , , ,

History repeats itself

Posted on January 7, 2011 | 1 comment

This time last year (January 8, 2010, to be exact), Ms. S&C wrote this blog post. It started with:

Ms. S&C has been busy, busy, busy getting ready for her biggest work event of the year. It is one of those all-consuming — yet somewhat exhilarating — work periods. I’m reminding myself about work things in the shower. I’m thinking about new ideas walking home from work. I’m working late. And working more means blogging less.

It closed with:

P.S. It is New York City I’m going to. Even for work, even when it’s cold, New York City is New York City, and it’s something to look forward to.

Um, so, this is *exactly* what Ms. S&C would write today, one year later. It is that time of year when things (meaning work-work things) take over.

But, because Ms. S&C is headed to New York City, and because she has the  greatest friends on earth, she is reminded that she should take some time to enjoy herself. By doing what exactly? Trying a few new cocktails.

Proof that she has the greatest friends on earth? Proof that she is going to enjoy herself? She was sent this email today:

Hi! I know you must be prepping like crazy for your conference so I thought you’d appreciate this: Frank Bruni’s top 3 cocktails from last year, and where to get them. Seems like you will have earned one (or three) of these by the time you’re there this month. Let me know how they are if you get to try them. xo

Ms. S&C responded and cc’ed another friend, who lives in NYC, asking her friend if she will go to *one* of these places with her.

Her friend’s response:

Um, how do I even take that question seriously? Let’s meet at ma peche on Monday after work (it is right near my office), then we’ll go down to The John Dory for dinner after that. Tomorrow night we’ll have a night cap in the east village at Joe Doe (or maybe even eat there)?

If you’re interested in keeping up with Ms. S&C’s adventures, follow her on Twitter or join the S&C Facebook page. Things happen over there a little more regularly these days.

PS) History does repeat itself. Ms. S&C bought another pair of black flats for the occasion. And, fashionable flats are still hard to come by.

posted by Ms. S&C

1 Comment

Posted in cocktail-related

Tagged ,

Holiday party fashion

Posted on December 16, 2010 | 2 comments

Everyone is starting to get in the holiday spirit. Miss Mojito is filled with festiveness. Ms. S&C is on her way. But she’s making a quick stop in holiday party wonderland for a little bit, okay? She is going to pretend that against a backdrop of twinkling white lights and bright red poinsettias, she will be drinking a glass of sparkling wine and wearing this outfit.

The little black dress is Nanette Lepore‘s sleek and sophisticated little number, made a little bit sexy with those strappy back cutouts.

The clutch, found at Nordstrom, is an artful display of woven ribbons that compliment those strappy back cutouts on the dress quite nicely.

And the shoes — no one does holiday party shoes better — are Kate Spade‘s new york ‘guest’ slingbacks. That beautiful red bow adds a bright and cheery splash to the satin slingback.

An imaginary land full of wonders, don’t you think?

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in shoes

Tagged , , ,

Dear Mr. Louboutin

Posted on December 3, 2010 | Leave a comment

Dear Mr. Louboutin,

I know you were just named Footwear News Person of the Year. I know you are a force to be reckoned with. I know you don’t need more people telling you how awesome you are. But you’re awesome. Your shoes are innovative, and glamorous, and edgy, and classic and original.

And this comment  makes me like you even more “…my goal has always been to design pretty shoes and to see them on people who like them.”

And my goal is to see myself in these pretty glittery round toe pumps. They are something out of a fairy tale, wouldn’t you say?

Happy Holidays,

Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in shoes

Tagged , ,

Warms my heart

Posted on November 27, 2010 | 3 comments

There’s nothing that could warm Ms. S&C’s heart more than to receive these texts and emails over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Text from DD: “…I have cinnamon infused simple syrup chilling in the fridge for the cinn. apple punch you suggested. Can’t wait to try it :)”

Text from Brother S&C: “We made your spiced autumn punch!”

Ms. S&C is particularly pleased that these two took her up on her Thanksgiving drink recommendations. Now, she wants to know how they turned out, and who you served them to?  

Email from KS: “Frozen ice cubes with mint and cranberries. Aren’t they pretty? Wish we could share a cocktail… Two weeks… xoxo.”

KS, PLEASE tell me what you used these flavored ice cubes for? They are so pretty and make me so happy.

Text from KG: “That’s an empty martini glass that previously contained THE best cosmo I’ve ever had…at Farmers and Fishers.”

KG, Ms. S&C tried one (or several) of those very same cosmos at that Style in the City party she hosted at the beginning of the summer. And yes, it was the best one she’s ever had.

Family, friends, readers: keep the messages coming, okay? Ms. S&C wants to know what you are eating, drinking and wearing!

posted by Ms. S&C

3 Comments

Posted in cocktail-related

Tagged ,

What to drink on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2010 | 3 comments

Happy Thanksgiving from S&C!

Over here at S&C, we are grateful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving. We’re grateful for loving family and friends. We’re grateful for our good health. We’re grateful that we continue to be inspired. We’re grateful for you!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It is a great holiday filled with some really great food. (Ms. S&C *loves* Thanksgiving Day food.) In addition to that turkey you’re brining, that homemade cranberry sauce you’re making and that pumpkin pie you’re baking, there are beverages to think about! Don’t get overwhelmed though, Ms. S&C is here to help.

PUNCH

Why not start off the afternoon with a seasonal punch? Your guests (especially if you have a lot of them) will think it is festive and fun and delicious. You can go with the Autumn Spiced Punch (a S&C fave that has been referred to as “autumn in a cup”). Or, you can try this new S&C punch recipe (which is good with or without the booze). It is another crowd-pleaser, not to mention it looks so pretty with the floating apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Sparkling Cinnamon Apple Punch

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 gallon apple cider , chilled
  • 4 cups cranberry-apple juice, chilled
  • 12 bottles sparkling wine , chilled (or sub one liter ginger ale for mocktail version)
  • Fresh apple slices
  • Cinnamon sticks

Directions:

In a saucepan, bring the water, sugar and cinnamon to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill (preferably overnight). Just before serving, combine the syrup mixture, juices and sparkling wine in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Garnish with fresh apple slices and whole cinnamon sticks. Serve over ice, or use an ice block to chill.

BEER

For those non-punch-drinkers, offer them beer before dinner. And if you are going to drink beer on Thanksgiving, you might as well drink a pumpkin beer, right? There are some good ones out there. There are a lot of good ones, actually. There are some mild ones and there are some full-bodied ones. Ms. S&C gave a rundown of her faves awhile back. (And yes, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is still high on the list.)

WINE

Opinions run far and wide about what wine to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. Some say Zinfandel goes best with turkey. Others say Riesling, for its acidity and touch of sweetness, is a good match. You could have the best of both with a rose. Or, Beaujolais Nouveau is often a popular choice because it is light and fruity, and it goes well with turkey and the melange of side dishes. Ms. S&C says drink what you want! (But you should probably have a mix of red and white. And don’t forget the champagne! Because: it truly goes with everything.)

NIGHTCAP

Have a bourbon. Or a glass of prosecco. Or a cognac like B&B.

Ms. S&C wants to know: What’s on your Thanksgiving dinner menu? What will you and family and friends be drinking around the dinner table?

posted by Ms. S&C

3 Comments

Posted in beer, bourbon, champagne, cocktails, fall/winter cocktails

Tagged , , ,

Cocktails by numbers

Posted on November 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C hasn’t blogged a lot recently, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had some notable experiences to share — especially on the cocktail front. Here’s a little glimpse of what she’s been up to.

13 — Points scored in a blind beer-tasting game

Friends, who host an excellent Halloween bash each year, led guests in a blind tasting of eight beers at their most recent party. Points were awarded for correctly guessing the beer style, brand and country of origin. Ms. S&C had a respectable third place finish.

2 — Punches made in a one-week period

Ms. S&C made a punch for her friends’ Halloween party. Ingredients included: cinnamon-infused simple syrup, lemon juice, apple cider, apple brandy, sparkling wine.

Ms. S&C made a second mocktail punch for a co-worker’s baby shower, using many of the same ingredients: cinnamon-infused simple syrup, apple cider, cran-apple juice, ginger ale. Please note the lovely garnishes of fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

2 — Parties hosted in a three-day stretch

The two cocktails Ms. S&C created for her bookclub and a post-dinner party deserve their own dedicated posts. The Clover Club Cocktail was tres apropos for discussing “The Group.” And the pear margarita (secret ingredient: pear-infused simple syrup) was an inspired choice for post Mexican dinner imbibing.

7 — Football games left in the regular season

One recent game day beverage was a Red Eye (or Michelda). A simple combo of lager and tomato juice (but feel free to add lime and spices), is a great treat for those days when you want something more than just beer.

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in apple brandy, beer, cocktails, fall/winter cocktails

Tagged , , , ,

Not your husband’s shoes

Posted on November 9, 2010 | 2 comments

When Ms. S&C was on her way to work recently, a man walked by and said: “Your husband is going to be mad.” Ms. S&C, a little puzzled, responded: “I’m sorry. Excuse me?” The man said: “Your husband is going to be mad because you’re wearing his shoes.”

Ms. S&C was wearing these Frye oxfords during said encounter. There’s not much to say really: she loves them. Loves, loves, love them. Not only for the cognac color and the soft leather, but because they are the second most comfortable shoes she owns (the first being her Justin cowboy boots, which have a very similar structure). She has worn these oxfords with shorts, with mini skirts and with jeans. Now, she needs to find the perfect wide-leg, wool, camel-colored trousers. (If you spot some, alert her, will ya?).

And, in case you haven’t noticed, Mr.-you-should-try-another-line-that-is-more-charming, oxfords are everywhere. These J.Crew high-heel oxfords are another awesome example. The combo of the wool herringbone fabric and leather give them a funky, vintage appeal. Or, how about these cool, two-toned (and at a much better price) Nine West lace-ups in dark grey?

To complete Ms. S&C’s menswear look? Get the lady a whiskey, please.

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in shoes

Tagged , , , ,