Author Archives: msshoescocktails

Hail to the Chef

Posted on June 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Hooray for three reasons! (1) New season of Top Chef. (2) It takes place in DC! (3) Eric dreamboat Ripert is a regular guest judge — that means we get to see him every week on the “Culinary Supreme Court,” as Padma Laskshmi referred to judges’ table. Padma also said Washington, DC, is a city full of “idealists, visionaries and ruthless powerseekers.” What do you all make of that description?

Top Chef returns for a seventh season and they are on location
in Washington, DC!

The first episode started off on the roof of the Newseum and showcased great views of our fine city. Filmed during the Cherry Blossom Festival, the episode finished off at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium with a reception for young, successful Washingtonians. (Um, Ms. S&C assumes her invitation was lost in the mail?)

In case you’re in need of a recap, here are a few highlights from the first episode:

  • The Quickfire Challenge was a mise en place relay. The cheftestants had to peel potatoes, brunoise onions (my new culinary term for the day), break-down chickens, and then — for those that made it that far — cook a dish with said ingredients. Kenny showed off his mad knife skills, but it was arrogant Angelo who came away with the win.
  • For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs created a dish that reflected where they are from: dishes included everything from Chesapeake rockfish to Pennsylvania lamb to deconstructed borscht.
  • Angelo came away with another win with his arctic char and bacon froth. Hippie John was sent home for his store-bought puff pastry and his maple-focused dessert that lacked actual maple flavor.

Angelo’s winning dish: Arctic Char with Pickled Shallots,
Chillied Tapioca & Smoked Bacon Froth

For the Top Chef Drink Pairing: I’m going with this Pacific Rim Dry Riesling. This is actually the first Riesling I’ve ever tried (over 10 years ago mind you). And I remember it because it used to be part of the Bonny Doon Vineyard (that funky, eclectic winery out in California, with cool, artsy labels), which I like quite a lot, mostly because of their funky, eclectic way. The Pacific Rim Dry Riesling is crisp, dry and mineraly, and has flavors of citrus. A very versatile wine, it complements both seafood and smokey bacon flavors nicely. And you can usually find it for less than $10 bucks.

The Top Chef Drink Pairing is a reccurring feature on the S&C blog where we recap each episode and pair the winning dish with a cocktail, or other suitable beverage.

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Bourbon in the summertime

Posted on June 15, 2010 | 2 comments

Ms. S&C’s recent love affair with bourbon has been well-documented: bourbon mojitos, bourbon with clementines and apricots, bourbon with grapefruit. (And with Miss Mojito’s help, the list goes on and on.)

When two of Ms. S&C’s favorite friends announce they are moving to Colorado — and throw one last goodbye bash — how does Ms. S&C celebrate? With bourbon cocktails!

Inspired by an abundance of mint growing in her friends’ backyard — and an earlier conversation about bourbon (specifically in regards to organizing a team for Bourbon Chase 2010) — Ms. S&C was on the hunt for a refreshing new cocktail containing these choice ingredients. She ran across the Bourbon & Peach Smash over at Imbibe Magazine. Reminiscent of a fancy bourbon and ginger, it incorporated fresh, seasonal ingredients (there’s really no excuse for anything else this time of the year). And it was perfect. She’s convinced bourbon can be enjoyed year-round: bourbon in the morning, bourbon in the evening, bourbon in the summertime.

Ms. S&C’s love affair with bourbon continues. A clementine old-fashioned during the winter, mojitos during the spring — and now, a peach ginger smash for the summer.

Bourbon & Peach Smash
adapted from Imbibe Magazine, serves one

Ingredients:

  • Ice
  • 2 slices fresh peach
  • 4 or 5 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 slice fresh ginger (pickled ginger is also okay)
  • 1 oz. infused simple syrup (see recipe below)
  • 1 1/2 oz. fine bourbon (such as Buffalo Trace)
  • Ginger ale (preferably a higher-quality brand that doesn’t contain sodium and added preservatives; think Whole Foods and the like)

Directions:

For the simple syrup: bring to a boil, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, handful of mint leaves and peels from two peaches. Stir until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool completely and strain mint leaves and peach peels. You’ll be left with a syrup with a lovely pinkish hue.

Add slice peaches, mint, ginger and simple syrup in a cocktail glass and muddle vigorously. Add bourbon and fill glass with ice. Top with ginger ale.

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Apologies and promises

Posted on June 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C apologizes for her intermittent blogging. She’s sorry for the lack of new content. There are the usual work-that-pays-the-mortgage excuses, and then there are a few other unrelated-but-delightful-distraction excuses (a danger of having too many hobbies) that have turned her attention elsewhere.

Despite her recent S&C blog absence, she posts updates and comments on Twitter. You can also keep up with her activities on the S&C Facebook page (which includes pictures from the “Style in the City” party and pictures from a very cool sherry-inspired fashion show she attended in the same week).

Ms. S&C promises to return to regular blogging very soon. One reason: she can’t be more excited for Top Chef DC! Eric freakin’ Ripert joins as a regular guest judge (you remember our crush on him, right?), and there will be episodes involving Speaker Pelosi, concession stands at Nationals stadium, and the C.I.A. Hooray for DC! Another reason Ms. S&C promises to blog soon: she is preparing a specialty peach bourbon cocktail for a friend’s going away party this weekend. Rest assured the S&C test kitchen is in full swing trying out new cocktail recipes.

More soon!

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Outfit planning

Posted on May 27, 2010 | 2 comments

Ms. S&C is co-hosting an event (everyone’s invited!) this Friday, and she’s pretty excited about it. The weather forecast looks good! It’s a holiday weekend! All her best girlfriends will be in town! Yes, her excitement can hardly be contained.

Since the event is all about celebrating style (and drinking champagne cocktails), she found this to be a pretty damn good reason to do some major outfit planning (and shopping). Here’s a preview of what Ms. S&C will be wearing to the “Style in the City” party: Shoshanna one-shoulder ruffle dress (actually purchased at local Alexandria boutique Periwinkle), Anthropologie printed clutch and fleurs-de-lys earrings, and Pierre Dumas trendy cage sandals. She likes the feminine (yet, kinda sexy) ruffle on the dress combined with the edginess of  the strappy metallic sandal. She’s also in love with this “ultramarine” shade of blue.

Today, she took care of the mani and pedi. But now, she needs help with hair and make-up? Suggestions?

SITC outfitFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore

Sneak peak of Ms. S&C’s “Style in the City” party outfit.

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The Cosmopolitan Story

Posted on May 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Manolo Blahniks and Cosmopolitans are synonymous with “Sex and the City.” And given those strong S&C connections, we are obliged to celebrate the SATC pop cultural phenomenon up until our own “Style in the City” event on Friday.

You may have remembered from the first movie that our favorite NYC ladies closed with a round of Cosmopolitans. It went something like this:

Charlotte: This is delicious!

Miranda: Why’d we ever stop drinking these?

Carrie: Because everyone else started.

Four fabulous NYC gals brought the Cosmopolitan cocktail to widespread popularity. (photo courtesy of The Gnostic Gospels and Her Name was Lola)

It is true that the fab four of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda are credited for bringing the Cosmopolitan cocktail to incredible popularity. But, the original Cosmopolitan actually pre-dates the TV series. Like most cocktail origins, the history of the cocktail is disputed, but it appears that the real story of the Cosmopolitan starts in the early 1990’s at an exclusive after-party for the Grammy’s, held at the famous Rainbow Room where Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff was tending bar. Madonna and her entourage settled in the VIP Lounge. When the songstress requested something chic and delicious, DeGroff whipped up a batch of Cosmopolitans – a delectable mix of top-shelf vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice served in a chilled martini glass, and garnished with a twist of orange.

Dale DeGroff has also created a modern version of his famous concoction – something for the more sophisticated lady of 2010. But, there’s no shame in ordering the original – at least this week. The  recipes below are courtesy of Cointreau.

The Cosmopolitan 2010

  • 3/4 oz Citrus Vodka
  • 3/4 oz Cointreau
  • 3/4 oz Cranberry juice
  • 1/4 oz Fresh lime juice
  • 2 1/2 oz Champagne

Assemble the vodka, Cointreau, and juices in a shaker with ice and shake well to chill. Strain into a coupe glass and fill with champagne. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

The Original Cosmopolitan

  • 1 1/2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz Cranberry juice
  • 3/4 oz Fresh lime juice

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.

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Style in the City

Posted on May 24, 2010 | 4 comments

Shoes & Cocktails and Farmers & Fishers are hosting a special “Style in the City” party on Friday, May 28, and we want you to come celebrate with us. We’ll be celebrating all things stylish — shopping, shoes, cocktails and the city of DC — all to mark the season’s most anticipated movie sequel!*

Don yourself in stylish attire, put on your favorite shoes, grab your friends and come to Farmers & Fishers on Friday, from 5-7:30pm. The “Style in the City” event will feature a signature cocktail, light hors d’oeuvres and past episodes of the TV series that brought every woman’s shoe fantasies to life.  Cost is $22 per person.

We’re hosting a stylish event you don’t want to miss!

Here are ten reasons why you should join us:

10. Meet Ms. S&C and the friends that inspire her.

9. It’s a holiday weekend! Why not start it off with a fun, fashionable event?

8. Drink cocktails from the excellent Chief Mixologist Chef Jon Arroyo.

7. Taste foods from a restaurant with a farmer-inspired attitude and dedication to the use and promotion of sustainable agriculture.

6. Hang out in an awesome Georgetown Waterfront location.

5. Fashion. Do you have a pair of shoes (or a dress, or a blouse) that’s been waiting for the right event? In this setting, you can wear whatever you want.

4. Win door prizes, including a Farmers & Fishers dining certificate, a Lowe’s Movie Theatre Gift Card, Brunch for two at Farmers & Fishers, and a pair of Lillybee Shoes from SimplySoles.

3. Meet people similar interests (like, um, shoes and cocktails, and a particular TV show that celebrates both).

2. Drink the “Style in the City” signature cocktail — a champagne cocktail with a lovely pinkish, slightly violet hue. Champagne is gently stirred with Crème de Casis, a touch of cranberry and a fresh raspberry. Perfect light and and summery fruit essences for glamourous gals!

1. Did I mention we’re celebrating fashion and cocktails — together — at one event?

You can RSVP on Facebook, make a comment below, or just show up at F&F on Friday. Hope to see you there!

* Due to exclusive movie-related partnerships, we are prohibited from mentioning the movie title, but think: four very stylish gals, amazing clothes, life, love and shopping. I think you know what we’re referring to.

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Cocktails for a cause

Posted on May 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C likes to shop for a good cause — and drink for a good cause. And, you don’t have to twist her arm to get her to New York City to do so. When a good friend of hers announced she was co-chairing the first annual Food & Fotos event, to benefit Foundation Rwanda, Ms. S&C was thrilled to attend the event and support the cause.

A few facts:

  • Between April and June of 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days.
  • An estimated 20,000 children were born from rape during this genocide.
  • Due to the stigma associated with rape, these children and their mothers have been severely marginalized by their communities, live in extreme poverty and do not have the means to pay their children’s school fees.

Food & Fotos was an event to help sponsor secondary school education for these Rwandan children. And, it was outstanding. It featured tasting tables and signature dishes from 30 of New York City’s top restaurants, and there was an exhibition of portraits from Rwanda. A silent auction of culinary items and contemporary photographs was also held to raise funds. (In a last minute dash, Mr. and Ms. S&C snagged the “Taste of DC” item, so we get to look forward to a return trip to Restaurant Eve and visits to 1789 and Old Ebbitt Grill!)

Mr. S&C enjoyed the fine beers from Brooklyn Brewery, but Ms. S&C made tequila her drink of the night. 901 Silver Tequila was a sponsor of the event and offered several tasty cocktails. Yes, 901 is Justin Timberlake’s brand. (901 is the Memphis area code where he grew up, and is also representative of “the time of night when your evening is ending, but your night is just beginning,” says his spokesperson.)

The drink of the occasion? Tequila. The shoes? Polka dot peep-toes.
(sorry for the blurry pic, but it’s the only one I have of the shoes *and* dress)

The Valley Vista was my favorite cocktail of the night, even though a pesky bartender tried to steer me towards a less spicy, more fruity beverage. He thought I couldn’t handle the jalapeno, but Mr. S&C assured him that, despite my very colorful dress, I have a dark side. The La Senorita was an interesting cocktail. Wondering if the pineapple syrup was prepared with liquid smoke? It was a little like sucking on a wood chip (not necessarily a bad thing, particularly because the strong flavor makes it more of a sipping cocktail).

Valley Vista
ingredients:

  • 901 Silver Tequila
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Homemade grenadine
  • Cucumber
  • Jalapeno slice for garnish

La Senorita
ingredients:

  • 901 Silver Tequila
  • Smoked pineapple syrup
  • Fresh lime juice
  • 3-4 dashes of Tabasco
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Looking forward to making Food & Fotos an annual event!

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On foot

Posted on May 11, 2010 | 5 comments

Miss Mojito and I seem to be on the same wavelength (but that’s nothing new, right Miss M?). Last week she highlighted a few footwear selections conducive to walking. Ms. S&C gets around on foot A LOT and has some new acquisitions she’d like to share.

I came across these bright, sunny BC Footwear flats in a little boutique in State College, PA. So far, they’ve taken me on and off the metro, morning walks to yoga, and more recently, a stroll around Central Park. They are a great casual shoe with a happy color.

SimplySoles, based right here in DC, has an exclusive line of shoes — lillybee — and these stylish, pointy toe wedges are named “Angela.” Owning them was like my destiny, I suppose. The classic design and color mean they will be worn A LOT. Totally chic with the patent leather straps and a little bit of height, they are a perfect match when you want style and comfort. They are what Miss Mojito has coined wedge-a-rific.

Ms. S&C wants to know: What shoes do you wear when getting around on foot? Do you find it hard to balance fashion and comfort? Do you even care? Tell us your thoughts below.

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Fashion vs.

Posted on April 26, 2010 | 1 comment

We’ve all heard the whole fashion-as-a-work-of-art concept before. Is fashion more about something you want to look at, or something you want to wear? This season’s Project Runway finale was about fashion versus wearable clothing. Emilio and Mila created looks with commercial appeal (i.e. I could see them selling their designs at Macy’s). Yet, Seth Aaron designed a collection suited for the runway. And, in the end, it is fashion who wins.

Throughout the whole season Seth Aaron was consistent and created clothing that represented his design aesthetic. But, I never really loved his designs. Until the finale. Inspired by 1940s German Russian military, Seth Aaron’s collection had dresses! Belts! Printed tights! Textures! It was chic and polished, and like the judges’ said: grown-up.

Seth Aaron’s collection was all about fashion, but a lot of the items are wearable. I would *love* to wear any of his dresses. He found a way to mix his edginess with femininity, and I think it was a winning combination. For the shoe pairing, these yellow Louboutins complement his infusion of yellow plaid in the line — a great burst of color. And, I like these Kate Spade polka dot pumps, because they add to his theme of mixing prints. Way to go, Seth Aaron.

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Raindrops on roses

Posted on April 23, 2010 | 1 comment

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…brown paper packages tied up with strings…

These are a few of my favorite things*:

  1. Damask reusable bag — this pretty decorative bag from Pier 1 makes it soooo easy to be a little more earth-friendly (ditch the plastic bags, people).
  2. Frontera salsa — my obsession started with the tomatillo salsa, which I use for my soon-to-be-famous heuvos rancheros. But, I love all the styles (and Rick Bayless).
  3. Dark Choco Dream — a Belgian dark spreadable chocolate found at Whole Foods. It is delicious with bananas, croissants, pancakes (or, licked off a spoon).
  4. Cinnamon — a few sprinkles go in my coffee every day, and I love the flavor in Mexican dishes, curries, and pancakes. Not too mention the numerous health benefits associated with the spice.
  5. Maker’s Mark Bourbon — bourbon, my friend, you helped get me through a long, cold, lonely winter. And, I’m planning to keep you around for the spring (so many ways to use it!).
  6. Wilco album — Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was my first album, so it will always have a special place in my heart. But, if I was stranded on a desert island, I’d probably take Kicking Television.
  7. New York Times — I’m one of the twelve people left who actually have a daily newspaper delivered. I’m loyal to the Washington Post, but I would trade just about any magazine subscription for the NYT weekender (Friday-Sunday). The Sunday edition alone gives you enough reading material for days. Fave sections include: Arts, Sunday Styles, NYT Magazine, and the Corner Office column.
  8. Cashews — rediscovered this yummy snack when looking to add more protein to my diet.
  9. The Unbearable Lightness of Being — I read this masterful novel by Czech author Milan Kundera upon my return from Prague (actually bought my copy there in a tiny bookstore).
  10. Yoga — in my opinion, there’s nothing like it when you want to take your mind to another place. I go to my local yoga studio, Mind the Mat, at least twice a week. And, I’ve recently downloaded the Pocket Yoga app for at home practice.

*Background on my favorite things: My lovely group of friends have started a tradition. Every Spring, with a budget of $50, we put 10 of our favorite things in a basket (or a decorative damask reusable bag). We meet for dinner, draw names, and exchange baskets. It is So.Much.Fun. It is fun to get a basket of goodies, fun to hear friends talk about why these items are their favorite, fun just to hang out.

I touched on this concept last year. And, I still consider every item on the 2009 list one of my faves (with the exception of the battery-powered toothbrush–I’ve gone back to a regular toothbrush).

Ms. S&C wants to know: what favorite things would you put in your basket?

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