Even though with this pandemic I am not eating out or entertaining, I do have to hope I will be doing those things again, in the not too distant future. So I decided to spruce up my wardrobe a bit, Florida style.
J. Crew is having an amazing sale, and lots of sale items are 70% off the sale price, so they are incredibly well priced. I do hope they come out the other end of bankruptcy and perhaps get Jenna Lyons back for the reboot. Their style has not been overwhelming since her departure, although this summer their selection has been a pleasant surprise.
Tell me these won't all be fabulous in my new digs. The first four are silk. And BTW, dry cleaning is crazy expensive here. I have no idea why.
And, I've decided I need a new cocktail. Except for a great Bloody Mary at brunch, I am a Manhattan drinker. If a bartender can make a great Manhattan, he is a keeper. But I'm beginning to feel that they are 1. Too alcoholic in this heat and 2. Too heavy in this heat. I am primarily a wine drinker, but have gotten into the habit of a cocktail in the lanai before dinner. It has made GG much more tolerable.
So, I need suggestions for the perfect cocktail for Florida. This past week I made strawberry daiquiris and mojitos. They were both yummy, but I'd like to experiment more.
The worst scenario is me sitting in my beautiful lanai in my new home in these great clothes sipping a tropical cocktail.
I am all cleared to close on Wednesday and on Thursday I have painters, plumbers, and roofers all teed up, the latter two are just little repair jobs.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend as much as possible.
My summer cocktail of choice is a Aperol Spritz. I like to use lots of small pieces of ice. Very cooling in the heat.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.liquor.com/recipes/aperol-spritz/
That sounds wonderful. Is it similar at all to Campari or Lillet - I love both of those.
DeleteSimilar yes. I think you would really like the Aperol Spritz with a thin slice of orange floating in the drink. We kept seeing people drinking these in Florence and had to ask what drink it was. They usually had a dish of thin sliced potato chips to go with them. Delicious.
DeleteI can't wait to try it.
DeleteThanks for the great tip about the sale! Love your selections, especially the dress and slides.
ReplyDeleteThanks - very Florida and fun.
DeleteI gave up cocktails decades ago and only drink red wine. The biggest bang for the calorie buck is champagne which you adore. When your house is decorated, I think you should have your picture painted in the dress and shoes above with whatever room background you love the best. Here's to closings and new beginnings!
ReplyDeleteMuch healthier and you are right, I love Champagne. I was thinking of something really light like with Prosecco and club soda and a liquer perhaps.
DeleteWatermelon mojito is a nice refreshing cocktail!
ReplyDeleteI have to look up a recipe - sounds fabulous. Thanks!
DeleteMy favorite cocktail, hands down, is a Ramos Fizz, though it is typically thought of it as a brunch cocktail. (Also high in calories due to the cream.) Personally, I find most drinks with gin to be more refreshing. Ann's watermelon mojito sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have a complete aversion to any drink made with cream. (I detest milk)
DeleteWatermelon or Raspberry White Claws are great and very light with a little bubble. Not sure why but recently I have been enjoying Blue Moon Mango wheat beer in a frosty glass with a mango or orange slice—or both! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried any of these but they sound interesting. Thanks.
DeleteGin and Tonics are our go-to once summer arrives. A Cosmopolitan, made with 100% cranberry juice (not cr. cocktail) is a pretty color and easy to make by the pitcher-full. Be sure to shake each serving at least 14 times and pour into straight-from-the-freezer glassware. Aperol Spritz is a good one too. Any of these garnish-up beautifully.
ReplyDeleteNEXT summer will be so much fun for you!!
And 14 is my lucky number.
DeleteTry Trader Joe’s Pompelini, a grapefruit Prosecco, with a section of pink grapefruit floating in it. Bonus: it’s pink! Or a G&T made with Fevertree Elderflower tonic. Yum!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these sound amazing. I can't wait to try both of them.
DeleteHow about a Kir Royale made with Chambord?
ReplyDelete6 oz Phampagne or Proseco
1 oz Chambord (black raspberry liqueur)
twist of lemon or a couple raspberries for garnish
Pour Chambord into the bottom of a fluted glass. Top with Champagne or Proseco. Stir. Garnish as desired.
Pretty and delicious!
Already one of my absolute favorites.
DeleteAw Manhattans, my MIL introduced me to them in the very first years of my marriage. I guess she wanted grandchildren, Manhattans gave her two ;-). Also enjoy Cosmos but made me fat. We enjoy Gin and Tonics in Florida's summers. I found a delicious gluten free one recently called Bosford w/a bit of strawberry liqueur if you like sweet drinks. BTW that lobster shirt has Maine lobsters on it, not considered tropical, she said with a sniff. Pamela
ReplyDeleteIf you enlarge the lobster print, the lobsters are cavorting with coral, seashells, and tropical foliage, so they must be Maine lobsters vacationing in the tropics. LOL
DeleteWe used to drink a Planters Punch poolside at a clubhouse in Florida,
ReplyDeleteit was very refreshing, but you have to limit yourself to one. They are
a little strong. Happy 4th!
Yes, those can definitely sneak up on you. Happy 4th to you.
DeleteThe Aperol Spritz would coordinate beautifully with your clothes. I picture you wearing the dress, Aperol Spritz in hand, with an armful of jangle-y bracelets and a handful of brightly colored cocktail rings. Such fun!
ReplyDeleteWow - I collect statement cocktail rings and enamel animal bracelets. You nailed it.
DeleteLol! I just described what I would wear if I could pull it off! And definitely, it's worth coordinating your cocktail with your outfit.
DeleteI did see several variations of a recipe for a drink called the Pink Flamingo. It seems like a perfect choice for Florida. With so many variations, there would have to be one you would enjoy.
Thanks for taking me down a rabbit hole of drink recipes today! I will probably end up having an Aperol Spritz with the fireworks tonight, haven't had one for a while. They sneak up on me....
I just Googled Pink Flamingo cocktails and one is rum, fresh lime juice, pink grapefruit soda, and a long lime twist. It's pink and green, I love grapefruit, this could become my house cocktail. Getting the ingredients tomorrow - I already have rum and a bag of key limes. Thanks!!!!!!
DeleteLess alcohol than an aperol spritz is a Pimm’s cup. I love those on the Florida beach! Add lots of fruit and cucumbers.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds perfect. And I love cucumbers. I make cold cucumber soup once a week. I'm addicted to it. Thanks for this.
DeletePimms is a lovely choice though I prefer a bit more "buzz' from my adult beverage at cocktail hour. White wine in summer is my go to. I buy bags of frozen fruit which is used in two ways. One is an ingredient for smoothies, the other is added to my glass of wine which keeps the wine cool in this heat. The additional benefit: eat the fruit after dinner as it has been soaking in the wine....delicious dessert! Heading to pour a glass just now. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth of July!
best,
teaorwine
Love the idea of frozen fruit - brilliant.
DeleteCan't go wrong with a Bellini. Prosecco (or champagne) and fresh peach juice.Close second fave: Fuzzy Navel: https://www.mycreativemanner.com/2020/01/02/fuzzy-navel-cocktail/
ReplyDeleteLove the slides and the magenta shirt! Love the whole Palm Beach look. Here are a few more to die for: https://zsazsabellagio.tumblr.com/post/48793796044/style-studio-pretty-petals
ReplyDeleteAnd this collection: https://honestlywtf.com/style/collections/tata-naka-resort-2020/
Great stuff - thanks.
DeleteLove these sandals at Dillards. Bbought last year's pattern and this years with different colors. Gianni Bini
ReplyDeleteZereena Printed Bow Slides
They run true to size.
Fabrics are fabulous - thanks.
DeleteI love Manhattans,too, but, like you, it's just too hot to drink them in the summer in the central valley of California. Instead, I am drinking Lillet Spritzers. Lillet blanc and club soda - easy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Lillet. Picking some up today. Thanks.
DeleteI love the dress, the slides, and the necklace. So fun!
ReplyDeleteMy summer go-to drinks are G&T's with a splash of Rose's lime and Mojitos.
You will have an exciting week!
Thanks, those are classic drinks. It will be a busy week.
DeleteA Paloma! With or without a salted rim. You can even use a sugar-free grapefruit soda to cut the calories even more.
ReplyDeleteIt's just like the Pink Flamingo made with tequila instead of rum. Sounds wonderful. Thanks.
DeleteOK. You NEED this: Fiat 500 Jolly Ghia. I saw it once in person in Positano and just about fainted over how stunning it was. And one of the best places to drive one is of course, where you are moving to.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/mauboi/4788920253/
I have wanted one for years just like that in the pink. Unfortunately, they are crazy collectible and ones in great shape have sold for $150,000 or more in recent years. I look all the time at ones for sale. Alessandra Branca and Amanda Lindroth have them of course. I am going to have to find an alternative at those prices. A 2002 BMW from the 1970s in light blue or a Karmann Ghia convertible from the 70s in orange are both in the running.
DeleteEvery one of the Jollies for sale ends up in a bidding war with prices over 150k...so it's a fantasy. But Karman Ghia convertible is lovely, would get one in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteMost silk you can wash at home! I hate going to the dry cleaners and I hand wash most of my silk and cashmere, only taking my suits and tailored dresses to the professionals. The laundress has a nice guide here: https://www.thelaundress.com/clean-talk-blog/a-smooth-process-for-washing-silk.html. And if you don't want to shell out for their washing products, Woolite works well too.
ReplyDeleteI love their products - I will definitely check this out. Thanks.
DeleteThis weekend I had champagne (actually Spanish cava) with a splash of guava nectar. Easy. Light and delicious.
ReplyDeleteGosh, that sounds wonderful. I will try that.
Delete