radio silence

After the unprecedented radio silence last week, I am back! But first, an excuse explanation. My parents moved out to start the big remodel of 2011 (that's what I've decided to call it) but left me behind in my humble abode we so lovingly call the pool house. It's ok, life's sweet (the offbeats, anyone?) but... minor detail: when we broke ground in the main house the internet and cable were disconnected. So I've been roughing it (as in living without DVR and wifi) since last Tuesday. Tough life, right?


Anyways... Today Taylor comes to Emerald Isle and after working my little tush off last week, (well not literally, she's still there in all her dessert-3-times-a-day glory) I am looking forward to a mini-staycation. Wait did someone say vacation? 


Channeling:

I cannot decide which I love more: the idea of vacationing in Mexico, or the entire Shoshanna collection. Hmm... I'll take both. 

[Dresses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.]

call me rita

Nothing says summer like a margarita. I think my taste for them is hereditary- all the women in my family love them. True story: on Seis de Mayo (you know, the day after Cinco de Mayo) my aunt sauntered into a 2 hour meeting... 2 hours late... and candidly explained that she drank one margarita the night before and woke up with a killer headache. She went on to assure her boss that she took a BC powder and was good to go. Now granted, she wasn't late because of the cheap tequila, rather she had mistaken the time of the meeting. And when she made the proclamation about the BC powder she didn't realize she was actually 2 hours late, she was just making small talk with her co-workers. That painful realization came approximately 45 minutes later. Talk about embarrassing...

The fun doesn't stop there. In my cousin's graduation toast, my grandma professed "Thank God for lipstick, men, and margaritas!" What can I say; I come from a long line of classy women.

The only foreseeable threat to the appeal of a mid-summer margarita is the potential damage to your perfect bikini body, right? Wrong. Enter: the SkinnyGirl Margarita. I mean you could try to make your own, but you just can’t beat the comfort/appeal of knowing that the only thing standing between you and citrusy, tequila goodness is a screw-cap. Now if you’re feeling fancy, you can add other things to kick it up a notch (How’s that for an old school Emeril reference? BAM!) 

Our favorite additions? Orange Liqueur (Grand Marnier is always good, and Patron’s version is exceptional!) a splash of Sprite Zero, and fresh berries make for a tasty treat when you get to the bottom of your glass!

[I like to rim my glass with a mix of salt and sugar (actually Truvia.) It is delicious and helps cut back on the sodium.]

[three generations of margaritas on the porch- the perfect way to end a beautiful, summer day!]

sexy mexi.

It is no secret that I love everything Mexican, so I always take full advantage of Cinco de Mayo. It is perfect because it typically falls right in the middle of exams and provides a much needed break (or fiesta) from all the cramming (unless you have no exams, holler). Today, I have every intention of accomplishing absolutely nothing except getting a few shades darker (for the sole purpose of possibly passing for Latina) and achieving the perfect 50/50 balance of guacamole and tequila in my daily caloric intake. Ay dios mio! 


Recipe for grapefruit margs? Ok, Ina, take it away.


Delicious looking taquitos? Ok, here ya go. 


Recap from last years Cinco de Mayo/Easy Guacamole How-to? Sure.


Anything else? Oh, a picture of me in a sombrero? If you insist...

[5/5/2010]

Holy Guacamole

Wednesday was Cinco de Mayo and the lovely Jordan and I had some friends over to celebrate. I decided to take a shot at homemade guacamole, and it did not disappoint. It only involved 4 ingredients and minimal work, making it perfect for even a culinary novice. 


Easy "Homemade" Guacamole:
Fresh guacamole (I used Wholly Guacamole, but any brand will do)
A little bit of lemon juice
A splash of salsa
1 avocado


Combine the first three ingredients. Dice avocado. Mix it up. Enjoy. 

(my sweet boyfriend did the "dirty work" for me while I worked on some queso)


It is so simple and infinitely better than the store bought stuff.