Derby Party Mint Julep Bar



The Kentucky Derby is coming up this weekend and I'm really wishing I could be there!  If you're not attending to the Derby, it's a fun excuse to have people over to watch the race.  A great Mint Julep bar, ham sandwiches, a few side dishes and traditional derby pie and you have a party.  For this Mint Julep bar, I tried to find interesting variations of the classic cocktail.  You of course still have to have ingredients on hand for the classic Julep as well!

Mint Julep Bar Ingredients:

Sugar & Water to make a delicious Simple Syrup in advance

Bourbon

Lots of fresh Mint

Crushed/Pellet Ice (can sometimes be tricky to find, but makes a difference!)

Lemon and Fresh Strawberries

Ginger Liqueur

Peach Liqueur or Peach Preserves

Moonshine and Cognac

Basil

Silver/Pewter tumblers, Mason Jars or Old Fashioned Glasses

Cocktails and Variations

With the ingredients above, you're party will be set to let your guests help themselves to any of the following cocktails:

The Classic Mint Julep via Garden and Gun

A fresh Basil Julep instead of the traditional Mint

A Georgia Julep twist by adding Peach Preserves or Liqueur

A Ginger Julep for a variation with a bite via Saveur

For the non-bourbon lovers, a fun Strawberry Moonshine punch  



- Mary Keller

Top image by Margaret Houston via Garden and Gun; Bottom Image one via Southern Living; Botton Image two via BridePop; Bottom image three by Bren Herrera via Flanboyant Eats



Steak Club: French Bistro



If your friends are expecting the classic American steak and baked potato dinner for this months Steak Club, I think they'll be pleasantly surprised with this French Bistro twist.  Ina Garten's Steak Au Poivre is absolutely delicious, and it's less difficult than many versions.  If you're cooking for a smaller group, I would recommend cooking steaks on the stove top as described in her recipe.  If you're cooking for a large group, you can throw the steaks on the grill, and make the delicious steak au poivre demi glaze sauce on the stove to serve along side the steaks.  Along with the steaks I'd serve crisp, thin cut fries and a simple green salad, just as you would see in France.  We love Ellie Krieger's Garlic Fries.  The fries and salad dressing can be prepped and ready and advance, and then just pop the fries in the oven as guests arrive.  With dinner I would serve a good wine, but for pre dinner cocktails, classic Kir Royales would be delicious with a few store bought cheese straws.

~ Mary Keller

Steak image via Chantelle Grady; Oven Baked Fries image via Becoming Betty; French Green salad image via The Daily Meal; Kir Royale image via The Framed Table

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday guys! Hope everyone had a good week. I was spoiled with a short work week! Andy and I are in Ocracoke, NC this weekend celebrating one year of marital bliss. There's not much to do in Ocracoke other than ride bicycles and eat lots of delicious seafood so we're enjoying a relaxing long weekend. Since the weather isn't looking conducive to lots of beach time, I brought a stack of magazines and plan to fully immerse myself in the relaxation that the island offers. I'm also pretty excited about opening some wine we brought back from our honeymoon in Italy and enjoying some hummingbird cake saved from our wedding. Hope it's as delicious as it was one year ago.

Hope you guys have a nice weekend.

- Heath

Image via Flickr

Spring Lipsticks!

 



Anyone who knows me knows that I love red lipstick!  I'm not shy when it comes to red lipstick, but when the weather is warmer, I think it's nice to switch things up for a warmer weather look.  Corals, pinks, and lighter nudes are all really popular this time of year.  It looks like bright matte lips are the trend this spring, and many magazine have great round ups of their favorites.

Favorite CORALS per Marie Claire magazine:

Costa Chic by MAC for a subtle coral look

Nars Niagara is a coral with a pinker hue

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Rose Paris

or my Grandmother's favorite La Prairee in Corail

 

Favorite PINKS for spring per Harpers Bazaar:

Susan Posnick Color Essentials Lipstick in LA

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Colour Lipshine in Saga

NARS Tolede for a darker pink shade

Dior Addict in Espiegle

 

Refinery 29 recommends NYX Matte Lipstick in Audrey.  For only $6 this may be a fun trend to try!

 

Heath and I are both big fans of Tarte's Lip Tint.  They give just enough color without looking silly! :)  This weekend we plan to pick out a new spring color.  If anyone has any suggestions, let us know!

 

~Mary Keller

 

First image via ExPress-O; Second image via Riches For Rags; Third image via The Glitter Guide



Translucent Sunglasses

Last week I talked about white sunglasses and updating your style for spring. When I came across these photos above I was instantly sold on translucent sunglasses. Something about them seems vintage and classic but somehow modern at the same time. I found some the options below and was surprised they were are actually pretty easy find everywhere I looked.

I think I may be placing an order for the Warby Parker glasses above, the peachy translucent color is so interesting! What do you think?

- Heath

Image 1 via Style Snooper Dan; Image 2 unknown; Image 3 via The Sartorialist

Dream Vacation - Cumberland Island

We're starting a new series about dream vacations. Some will be quick weekend getaways and others extravagant vacations somewhere far away. But all of these unique vacations have us dreaming about our next interesting vacation spot wherever it may be!

A while ago a coworker mentioned a trip his family takes annually to Cumberland Island, Georgia. I was completely smitten once he explained this uninhabited island.  Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest barrier island off the southern cost and was originally Thomas and Lucy Carnegie's 19th century retreat. Now the island is car free and only accessible by a passenger ferry. There are very few year round residents and even fewer accommodations for guests, but there is availability to camp on parts of the island. I know camping isn't for everyone but there's something about how untouched this land is that has me dreaming of a weekend camping trip along this gorgeous coast. The beaches still have wild horses roaming freely and are home to loggerhead sea turtles. How cool!

For all you non campers (cough cough MK) there is the Greyfield Inn which looks absolutely dreamy as well!

- Heath

PS Cumberland Island is also where JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married!

Image 1 via Globe Attractions; Image 2 via Luxury Vacation Source and Flickr ; Image 3 via Greyfield Inn

Leontine "Like" Linens



I have two small bathrooms that I'm finally going to give some attention.  Nothing major, just fresh paint, linens and accessories.  I LOVE Leontine Linens like everyone else, but they're too pricey for my budget right now!  I've been looking for a handful of different linens that achieve a similar look.  I think the trick is to avoid the standard plain solid terry cloth towel and instead try to select something with some type of detail -- a scalloped edge, colored trim detail, etc.  Also, adding an interesting monogram (versus the standards that Pottery Barn and other major retailers offers) makes a BIG difference.  Leontine Linens and Gramery have great examples of interesting monograms on their website that you can take to a local embroiderer.  I think Gramery's Matouk Esperanza towel with an interesting monogram may be my pick!

~ Mary Keller

Top image photo credit Lonny Magazine via Wayfair Blog; Second image photo credit Lonny Magazine via Design Darling Blog

Towel Round Up:  Image one Pottery Barn; Image two Gramercy Esperanza; Image three Gramercy Como; Image four Serena and Lilly; Image five West Elm Waffle Stripe

Happy Friday!

 



Happy Friday everyone!  I'm so excited that the weekend is here.  This is the first weekend in a long time that we are in town with no plans and these types of weekends usually turn out to be the best.  I'm looking forward to relaxing, finishing up book club reading and doing a few projects around the house.  If it's beautiful where you live, I hope you enjoy a wonderful spring weekend outdoors!

~Mary Keller

Image via Frederic LaGrange

Spring Nails

My go to year round nail polish is usually Essie's Fifth Avenue red but recently I switched to a peachy coral for spring. While I've been gravitating towards bright colors lately this post from Joanna got me thinking about a pretty spring neutral. In the past I've stuck with classics like Bubble Bath and Sand Tropez for spring neutrals but I think I just may embrace this white nail polish trend. Here are a few options I found.

What do you think, would you wear white nail polish? Do you go bright or neutral for spring?

- Heath

Images clockwise from top left Temporary Secretary; Brooke Courtney via Weddings Online; The Style Letters; Glitter Guide; Cupcakes and Cashmere

Warm Weather Meals - Part Two

Last week Mary Keller talked about her favorite warm weather meals so this week I'm back with some of my favorites.  I put a few ideas she mentioned on my "to try" list for spring but here are a few she didn't mention that we're excited about at our house. 

Pioneer Woman's Shrimp Scampi is one of our go to weeknight meals and it's especially perfect this time of year. 

Smitten Kitchen's Linguine with Pea Pesto looks light yet flavorful. 

Riding bicycles to Cantina for guacamole and margaritas. 

Homemade Trofie al Pesto with a glass of white wine, to remember a perfect evening from our honeymoon in Italy. 

A perfect picnic in the park with cheese and charcuterie. 

Grilling old fashion hamburgers and hot dogs. 

Love the freshness of the herbs in Ina's Roasted Shrimp and Orzo salad and recently tried Giada's Antipasto Salad which was great too. 

Michael Symon's Pork Souvlaki is super easy and delicious!

 Gwyneth Paltrow's Slow Roasted Tomatoes on bruschetta with cheese of your choice, one of my favorites. 

I'm equally excited to make some old springtime favorites and try a few new ideas too. What are your favorite spring meals?

- Heath

Images clockwise from top left Italian Dish Blog; Delish; Skinny Taste; FoodieCrush; Rasa Malaysia

Takeout Dinner Party



I really love having friends over and entertaining.  For those either intimidated by cooking for a crowd or busy and short on time, I think this takeout party would be perfect for a weeknight dinner party.  Everyone has seen this Kate Spade ad featuring their china collection, but I think it's the perfect inspiration for a chic, super easy no-cook party.

Set your table a day or two in advance with your fanciest china, linens, and glasses.  Using your "fancy" wedding china with takeout food makes things seem fun and festive instead of overly fussy.  Pick up mango sorbet and beers from the store, and order the rest from your favorite Chinese place on the way home from work. 

As guests arrive I'd serve Ginger Beers and steamed dumplings as an appetizer.  (Steamed Dumplings are the best!)  For the main course, I'd serve big platters of favorite Chinese dishes family style on the table, but also a few things in cute takeout containers just for fun.  For dessert, simple mango sorbet and fortune cookies because everyone will be stuffed from the main course.  (This site lets you customize fortune cookies!)  Everyone loves takeout so I think all of your guests will go home very pleased! 

Mango Agave sorbet via MyRecipes.com; Takeout Containers via Jasmine Kyle Pinterest; Imari Dinner plate via Replacements.com; Linens via Leontine Linens; Lettuce Wraps via Wolfgang Puck Pinterest; Dumpling via RasaMalaysia.com

 



Audrey Hepburn in Vanity Fair

 

I just saw the May issue of Vanity Fair that features Audrey Hepburn's time spent living in Rome.  The issue is full of beautiful images and lovely sentiments from Audrey Hepburn's son, Luca Dotti, about her time spent in Rome.  Rome in general seems magical, but it seems especially magical during the time many years ago when the city was not full of tourists.  I love her son's comment that "He also remembers that aging never scared Hepburn.  'She was always a little bit surprised by the efforts women made to look young.'"  Her son's new book, Audrey In Rome, will be released this Tuesday!  I'd love to have a look!

- Mary Keller

First image cover of May's Vanity Fair Magazine; second and third images via Habitually Chic Blog.

Happy Friday!

I hope you like The Masters as much we do or else this week has been pretty boring for you. I promise this is my last mention of it. Its my favorite moment though, the winning moment. It's great when someone wins by a hand full of strokes but there's nothing quite like the emotion involved in a moment like that above when Bubba Watson made an incredible shot to win it in 2012. Absolutely love the emotions that comes out at Augusta National.

Hope you guys have a great weekend. We're obviously not doing much other than watching golf around here. I'll be pulling for the oldie, Fred Couples and the youngin' Rory McIlroy. Do you have any favorites?

-Heath

Image via NBC News

White Sunglasses

I typically don't switch sunglasses much but after seeing a few of these images it has me thinking about updating my look for something a little more spring-ish. Until seeing these stylish women I wasn't sold on white sunglasses but now i'm rethinking my feelings. Here are a few options I found.

What do you think, do you like white sunglasses?

- Heath

Top Images clockwise from top left - The Sartorialist; SJ Shep Blog via Pinterest; Nina's Vintage; Who What Wear

Masters Menu



I'm not entertaining a crowd this year to watch the Masters, but it's fun to think about planning the perfect Masters Party Menu with all the southern classics.  I'd set up a big buffet with southern munchies.  The Masters is known for it's delicious, inexpensive pimento cheese sandwiches so classic pimento cheese sandwiches are a must.  Instead of egg salad sandwiches that you may find out on the course, I'd serve a variety of deviled eggs.  Add homemade (or fancy store bought!) potato chips and a big bowl of fruit for a lighter fare addition.  For dessert, a classic pound cake or lemon cake would be perfect.  Paula Dean's Pound Cake is delicious.  (Heath even won a College of Charleston's baking contest with Paula's recipe!)  Last but not least, this party needs a gorgeous, extensive Bloody Mary bar for guests to help themselves to all day.  It's also fun to have Sweet Tea Vodka and lemonade on hand for guests to make a John Daily - a spike Arnold Palmer!

- Mary Keller

Deviled eggs via Southern Living; Potato chips via Diana Briscoe Pinterest; Pimento Cheese via Rebecca Lee Pinterest; Bloody Marys via Jeff Angie Gautier Sybrant Pinterest; Fruit Bowl via Southern Living; Pound Cake via Heather Smith Pinterest

A Perfect Day at... August National

This weekend is The Masters and in my opinion it's one of the best spring weekends and a pretty big deal in our household.  While we aren't attending the tournament this year, I am day dreaming about a perfect day spent at August National surrounded by perfectly blooming azaleas.  I would wear a casual cute outfit suitable for lots of walking. I always wear sandals so I can slip them off and put my toes in the perfect grass!  I'd throw on a small cross body bag just to hold my essentials, i.e. sunglasses and chapstick, but not get me in trouble with all the tournament rules. And last but certainly not least, lather on some sunscreen before hitting the greens.

- Heath

Image of shoes, sunglasses and bag via ShopBop; Image of Chapstick via Chapstick; Image of Sunscreen via Sephora; Image of shorts and shirt via J.Crew; Image of flag via Sara Dickson; Image of Augusta National via The Way I See it

Warm Weather Meals



Now that the weather is finally warming up, I'm thinking of my favorite warm weather dinners.  I'm really bad about letting entire seasons pass and forgetting to cook some of my favorite seasonal meals.  So, Heath and I each decided to put together a list of our favorites for warm weather.  Take a look at my list of favorites below and let me know what I'm missing!

Ina's homemade White Pizza with Arugula - so so good!

Giada's Linguine with Shimp, Arugula and Lemon Oil - light and delicious!

Ina's California BLTs - SO good and so quick and easy

Homemade Pesto - delicious on a panini, pasta or as a dip

Ina's Grilled Steak and Arugula Salad - delicious summer steak, we use boneless Ribeye

Greek Panzanella Salad and homemade Spinach Spanakopita for a Greek spring feast!

Fish Tacos - at home we bake white fish and add salsa, guacamole and cabbage

Gweneth Paltrow's Ivy Chopped Salad - very healthy!

Classic Cobb Salad with bacon, avocado, blue cheese, egg and tomato - maybe add lobster or shrimp

Delicious Caprese Salad or Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Panini

Ina's Parmesan Chicken sounds pretty basic, but it is so good and so delicious this time of year!

These are my "must have" dinners for the season.  Can't wait to set the table and enjoy dinner outside these next few weeks!  What warm weather favorites am I missing?



- Mary Keller 

Avacao Salad image via Glitter Guide Pinterest; BLT Sandwich image via Glitter Guide Pinterest; Tomato Tart image via Lindsey Cheek Pinterest; Peaches image via Matchbook Magazine Pinterest; Shrimp Pasta image via  Kate @ Wit + Delight Pinterest



Happy Friday!

Hope everyone had a good week. Mine was a little short. We drove down to Charleston last night to surprise a friend and today we’re off to Litchfield, South Carolina. I’m excited for a weekend of relaxing and I’m hoping it’s warm enough for a little time on the beach. Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

MK is off to a wedding in Tennessee. I’m looking forward to hearing more about Blackberry Farm when she returns. I've never been but doesn’t it seem wonderful?

- Heath

Image of Charleston, SC via Elle Decor

A Perfect Day at...Blackberry Farm



This weekend we're heading to what I'm sure will be a beautiful wedding at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee.  We'll only be at Blackberry farm for the wedding and reception, but I'm dreaming of a spending a true long weekend at Blackberry farm relaxing and participating in all the resort has to offer.  In my bag I would pack a cute, but casual outfit perfect for walking around, trying my hand at fishing, and enjoying a glass of wine in the evening outside by the fire.  Cute flats, sunglasses, and a fun camera are a must.  Your classic LLBean tote would carry all of the weekend's outdoor essentials - flies, needlepoint visor, sunscreen, champagne, etc. 

Images above: Chambray shirt and cropped matchstick jean via JCrew; Blackberry Farm image via Elements of Style Blog; Sunglass via Kate Spade, Camera via Pinnies In the City Blog; Sandals via Lyst; Fly box via Orvis; Visor via Smathers and Branson; LLBean tote via Real Simple; Champagne bottle image via In Style

Photo Diary | Weekend in Austin

View from Zilker Clubhouse

A few weeks ago I took a quick trip to Austin to visit my close friend, Dinah. She married Colin in February in Charleston, South Carolina. Since their wedding was pretty far from where they live they hosted a party for all their Texas friends in Austin afterwards.  As promised here’s a full recap of my weekend. 

Steak Club!





My parents really good friends belong to a "Steak Club."  They have a group of about 10 couples that meet one Friday night a month, and each couple takes turns hosting.  (At Christmas, all 10 couples throw in for a really nice catered steak party.  This club sounds very fancy and fun, huh?!)  On the menu is always steak.  Each month all couples bring their own beverages and steaks, and the hosts provide all the sides of their choosing.  I love this idea and for this first Steak Club we're sticking to updated versions of the classic steakhouse combination - steak, loaded baked potato and the classic iceberg wedge to go along with it!

This party is easy easy to host.  For the steaks, if you only have a small group, I highly recommend this Steakhouse Steaks method from Ina Garten.  This is hands down the best way I've tried cooking a steak for just a few people.  If you have a large group, fire up the grill and toss everyone's steak on the grill.  The sides can be preparred in advance.  Instead of traditional baked potatoes, serve fully loaded twice baked potatos.  You can serve the potatoes in their skin or in small gratin dishes.  Prepare the potatoes in advance, even freeze them the weekend before, and just sprinkle fresh cheese on as you pop them in the oven to reheat.  For your classic Iceberg Salad Wedge, add bacon, fresh crumbled blue cheese and tomatoes like this version from Katie Lee.  This entire salad can be chopped and assembled in advance, and just add the blue cheese crumbles and dressing before serving.

Even though this party is easily BYOB and Steaks, it would be fun to serve a twist on the classic Steakhouse Cosmopolitan as guests arrive.  Ina Garten's Pomegranate Cosmopolitan's are the perfect starter cocktail!  They're not syrupy or too sweet and they can be made ahead by the pitcher.  They're fresh and strong and just the way to get the party started!

Top image Steakhouse Steaks photograph by Quentin Bacon via Barefoot Contessa; Twice Baked Potatoes image via Food Network; Iceburg Lettuce Wedge image via Katie Lee at Home; Pomegranate Cosmo image by Bon Appetit

Time to Pot

Last fall, to my surprise, my husband Andy brought home a Meyer lemon tree. We're still new to the gardening game but he has been doing a lot of research so I'm excited. At the time, we looked into transplanting the tree from its original small plastic pot but learned it's best to wait until spring. Now all of a sudden spring is here and we just realized our little tree is still in its sad plastic home. So I've been on the hunt for the perfect planter for our tree lately and these photos have been my inspiration. 

We need a pot suitable for indoor and outdoor use since lemon trees can't withstand our winter temperatures. Our little guy is currently about 3 feet tall but we're hopeful to have a full grown 5 foot tall lemon tree within a few years, so we want to find a pot that it can grow into. We have one lemon thus far but I'm really hoping in years to come we'll have more lemons than we can handle. 

- Heath

Image 1 by Mikael Duboi; Image 2 via Domino Magazine; Image 3 via Michael Penney Style; Image 4 Top Left via Well Appointed House, Center via Jayson Home, Top Right and Bottom Left and Right via Home Depot.