Tag Archives: seen elsewhere

Reading material

Remember me? I’m Ms. Shoes & Cocktails. I used to blog more frequently about topics near and dear to my heart. While blogging inspiration inevitably ebbs and flows, I promise you this is just a small drought. It is summer after all.

If you are looking for some S&C-related reading material, can I recommend the following?

No longer preppy, the J.Crew look is now “a European in the United States.”

Here’s a great article from The New York Times Magazine about J.Crew’s new and improved transformation. It is now a brand that “twinkles with references to France and haute couture.” I also particularly enjoyed the description of their copywriting style as “distinctive J.Crew haikus.” A good example: these Raffia Rose Printed Peep Toes are described as, “Both sweet and sultry, these blushworthy peep toes ensure that summer romance isn’t just in the air but also on your feet.”

The Bloody Mary: nutritious and naughty, packed with vitamins and vice. A farm-to-table drink; a liquid salad.

The New York Times is the source of another fantastic article. This article by Frank Bruni, former restaurant critic for The Times, takes a look at how the Bloody Mary is changing for the better. How is it changing for the better? One restaurant in the East Village has a version called the “Chicago Matchbox,” and includes pickled Brussels sprouts, caper berries, white turnips, green beans and radishes. Also: some bartenders aren’t afraid to replace vodka as go-to spirit. Bruni goes on to say, “Tequila is perhaps vodka’s best bloody surrogate: its smokiness plays nicely with the flavor of tomato.”

I just want to go back to Paris.

Lastly, you want something that isn’t S&C related? Check out my new favorite blog, littlebrownpen. The author is a copywriter and photographer, and has the most beautiful photos of Paris I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I melt every time I look at them. I am so awestruck that I forget about all the places I’ve never visited, and I just want to go back to Paris. Check out this glorious sequence of Red and Green, and isn’t Violette a pretty word?

Mmm. Just what I needed. Now I’m inspired.

posted by Ms. S&C

Bright, sunny, beautiful

Miss Mojito is in the Outer Banks, and Ms. S&C is headed to Key West. This can only mean one thing — cocktails beachside and poolside! Hooray for vacays!

As we sign off for a few days, S&C leaves you with one of the most beautiful photographs ever seen. It was taken by The Sartorialist in Sydney, Australia. Not sure what is more beautiful — the sky or the woman? The woman. The over-sized sunglasses, the colorful Missoni dress, those incredible boots. Set against the bright blue sky, the crisp blue water, and the gothic iron fence. You want to know what beauty is — you are looking at it.

sartorialistPhoto from The Sartorialist, April 30, 2009

posted by Ms. S&C

S&C alerts–red hot fashion and cocktails

Here are some of Ms. S&C’s favorite finds in the worlds of shoes and cocktails.

New York Fashion Week was last week. I’m always a bit overwhelmed and underwhelmed by fashion weeks. There’s always so much coverage, and I never know what to read. Plus, there’s the whole never-in-my-lifetime-will-I-ever-afford-this-so-why-bother aspect. Well, I’m happy to report two things:

  • Fashion Washington covered fashion week via their FW Runway Report blog. It is a great digestible collection of photos, runway reports, backstage stories and fashion commentary. Note to self: need to tone arms and shoulders — lots of one-shoulder looks and fur coming in the fall.oscar-de-la-renta
  • Footwear News also spotlighted designers shoes. Subscription access prevents us from seeing a lot of the styles, but it appears platforms, booties and exotic prints will be popular in the fall. I particularly like the pointy platform booties from Oscar de la Renta.

And speaking of digestible, in last week’s Washington Post Food Section, Gastronomer columnist Andreas Viestad, shared a very interesting dessert cocktail using chili peppers. The Hot and Cold Whisky cold-whisky-chili-granitaChili Granita is definitely a contender for the S&C test kitchen. You can change the flavor depending on the chili pepper and spirit used. For example–for a smokier flavor, use chipotle peppers and single malt scotch; for something sweeter, use bourbon. The Whisky Chili Granita is described as something that could “wake up” guests after a long dinner. Cheers to that.

posted by Ms. S&C

Around the horn

This has been a busy week for Ms. S&C.  She recuperated from her birthday celebration, attended the Holiday Cocktails seminar, organized by the Museum of the American Cocktail (details and recipes coming soon!), and now she’s getting ready for a quick trip to Philadelphia (let her know if you have any bar/cocktail lounge recommendations!).

While she works on her S&C gift ideas and holiday drinks, here are some blogtastic posts from her blogroll friends.katespadeshoes

  • Check out what Ms. Spinach calls the Cutest.Shoes.Ever, from Kate Spade.  Yes, please, indeed!  That cobalt blue is stunning.  Kate also has a fantastic matching clutch.
  • Ms. Dekan DC has a countdown clock to Free Shipping Day.  Still need to buy a few holiday gifts?  On Thursday, December 18, many of our favorite retailers will have free shipping offers, with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.
  • Metrocurean highlighted the “lunch crush” deal happening over at Penn Quarter’s Proof.  It is only offered in the bar and lounge; nevertheless, a $12 lunch (entrée and a glass of wine) in this neighborhood is for the recession-friendly budget.
  • Up.All.Night.  A Jigger of Blog announced that the D.C. Council approved legislation allowing bars, nightclubs and restaurants in the District, to serve alcohol until 5 a.m., from January 17-20, for Inauguration festivities.  Good thing I have Inauguration Day off.

Welcome FW

I’ve finally had time to sit down and take a look at the Washington Post’s new luxury fashion magazine, Fashion Washington, which launched in mid-September.  While it covers fashion totally and utterly out.of.my.price.range, it is pretty to look at, and I love the DC focus (see “Style Setters” and “Scene Stealers” sections, and website has PDF available for download).

The inaugural issue ran a story on Monica Favela George, a DC-based shoe designer, who is behind the Gigi Favela brand (named after her daughter).  In the article, she talks about designing walkable heels, or what she calls “action shoes.”  She insists that anything over 3 inches needs a platform in the front.  And, nothing over 3 ½ inches will allow you to fully strut your stuff.

Her design influences and inspiration come from architecture and American pop culture, which may explain these “fur bombs.” (Btw, the website won’t even list a price – you have to call!)

These studded white gold peep-toes seem much more reasonable.  I do like.

Her goal is to design highly wearable shoes and boots that women love.  Unfortunately, few can afford.  But — those peep-toes were marked down severely, so we’ll keep checking back.

Party animals

In Washington, DC, elections are a good excuse to party.  Inaugural balls, primary-watching happy hours, election-results parties.  We’ve already shared some of the DNC-themed cocktails from the convention.  So naturally, they’ll be plenty of people with cocktail in hand watching tonight’s Vice Presidential train wreck debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.

What you’ll be drinking tonight could say a lot about your political preference.  Here are a few amusing articles and surveys linking political preference to cocktails and bar behavior.  In short:

Democrats

  • Prefer clear spirits such as gin and vodka, and white wine
  • Tip better
  • Have better pick-up lines
  • Give better toasts

Republicans

  • Prefer darker spirits such as bourbon and scotch, and red wine
  • Are more likely to order a drink straight up
  • Are less likely to order a “fruity,” or pink drink
  • Will arrive first at happy hour

For more humorous comparisons, check out the New York Times’ You Might Be an Obama Supporter if…, and You Might Be a McCain Supporter if…

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If you are in need of ideas for election-themed cocktails, here are a few for you to enjoy, courtesy of Beam Global Spirits & Wine.

The Running Mate

• 2 parts bourbon, preferably Maker’s Mark
• 1 part simple syrup
• 2 wedges lemon
• 1 slice of watermelon

Muddle lemon and watermelon with simple syrup.  Add bourbon and ice.  Shake and strain into a large old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice.  Garnish with a slice watermelon and lemon wheel.

Recipe Source: James Lee, bartender at West End Tavern in Boulder, CO

The Donkey
Sounds similar to the Blackberry Bourbon Cobbler over at Central.

• 2 parts bourbon, preferably Knob Creek
• 1 part triple sec
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 6 mint sprigs
• Splash of raspberry schnapps
• Fresh raspberries and blueberries to garnish

Add sugar, bourbon and mint into an old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice and muddle the fruit.  Garnish with berries and mint.

Recipe Source: Jim Hewes, bartender at Round Robin Bar, Willard InterContinental in Washington, DC

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In closing, join me and other chardonnay-swigging liberals in toasting:


S&C alerts–celeb spirits and shoes

Here’s our celebrity edition of shoes and cocktails news.

Spirits & Cocktails – I’ve got a bone to pick with Jason Wilson, Spirits columnist over at the Washington Post. When given the opportunity to reference “Gin & Juice,” Danny Devito drunk on limoncello, a teetotaling Donald Trump, and a drink called “Crunk Juice,” have some fun with it for crying out loud.

Yes, I agree that celebrities can endorse, design, and inspire some ridiculous sh#@. And, there is probably no chance in hell I’ll try Donald Trump’s vodka, or Snoop’s cognac (I just don’t like cognac all that much). But, I would consider Sammy Hagar’s tequila and Marilyn Manson’s absinthe. And, I won’t apologize for thinking those “Sex and the City” cocktails would actually taste good. Except maybe “The Charlotte” (who coincidentally is my least favorite SATC character). I’ve made similar variations of these drinks, and Campari and pomegranate juice is good.

Anyway Jason, don’t be such a buzz kill. And, when you’ve mastered your “palatable, sophisticated version of Crunk Juice,” let us know. In the meantime, friends, you can try out this version, courtesy of Drinkmixer.com.

Crunk Juice

8 oz can Red Bull energy drink
1 1/2 oz Hennessy cognac

Pour both ingredients into a cup or glass, stir slightly, and serve.

Shoes – It will come as no surprise that celebrities are shoe designers too. Kayne West revealed to Women’s Wear Daily in July that he plans to work with Louis Vuitton on a line of men’s shoes. They probably would have gone well with Cristal, until the company decided it was too good for hip-hop’s business. In other shoes, Miss Jessica Simpson has gotten some respect from Footwear News, for her line of shoes. Though awfully, awfully trendy, there are a few good finds, like these polka dots pumps sold at Zappos.

S&C diversion–cartoons

There’s no shortage of cartoons about shoes over in the New Yorker magazine’s Cartoon Bank. I would love to have a framed print for my office (hint, hint MGC). Here are a few of my favorites:

  1. I know how expensive women’s shoes are, but take the goddam jewelry!
  2. Jimmy Choo, Mahnolo Blahnik—honestly can’t taste the difference.”
  3. I can’t walk in these shoes, which is a problem, because I can’t sit down in this skirt.
  4. I couldn’t resist—the second pair was free.
  5. Remember back when the worst thing you could catch around here was athlete’s foot? (When this cartoon appeared in the magazine, I actually entered the New Yorker caption contest with a similar concept. Caption was, “There goes the neighborhood.”)

Shoes & Cocktails wants to know: Which is your favorite? Because of strict copyrights, I can’t post the cartoons, so take a look and make a comment below. And trust me, you’ll know if one ends up in my office.

Making history

Tonight, history is being made. On the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the first African American candidate, Barack Obama, accepts the nomination for president. What cocktail will you have in hand to celebrate? If you’re in Denver, CO, the city of the Democratic National Convention (or, damn nice cocktails), you’re taking advantage of a receptive audience with the “Obamapolitan” and the “Rodham Sockem.” Wherever you are, “Cheers!”

S&C alerts–men’s sneakers, meat cocktails

We might as well call this edition the gentleman’s quarters. Below are some of my more masculine finds in shoes, cocktails, and things related.

  • Stylish sneakers are shoes you’ll be seeing a lot more of. The sneakers I like to call hipster sneakers are no longer just for hipsters. They have a place in every man’s closet. It is no coincidence that while promoting Kung Fu Panda at the Cannes Film Festival, Jack Black had a foot prominent in every photo. Yeah, it’s a kung fu move, but he’s also endorsing Ben Sherman’s Compton shoe.
  • Our carnivorous friends, Julie & Jerry, recently subscribed to a meat newsletter and passed on an article about meat cocktails. I’m not surprised to find that Chicago’s mixologists are also taking a shine to meat jus as a cocktail ingredient. There’s a Ham and Cheese with Hennessey, a Baconcello with granny smith apple, and naturally, a Bacon Bloody Mary. Looks like a contender for the S&C test kitchen. Maybe during football season.