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Winter Skin Care Routine
I’ve been asked by several people about my winter skin care routine, so I’m finally writing a blog post detailing what I do routinely. (Click the blue words below for more product information.)
I’m going to start backwards and say the most important thing you can do for your skin is to remove your make-up at night. So, if you aren’t washing your face every night, start there. Next, incorporate a good night time moisturizer, a daily sunscreen and a regular scrub. Now, for the beauty junkies who already have a basic skin care routine in place – let’s get into the fun stuff. Note: I regularly try new products. I think it’s good for your skin to mix it up once in while. So, the products I’m using right now certainly aren’t the holy grail of face products; use what works best for your skin and fits into your budget. For example, you don’t need to use Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream at night – any quality moisturizer can work. Just find the right one for your skin type and if you aren’t sure talk with someone at Sephora, Ulta or any beauty counter and ask for samples or buy travel size sets before committing to full size containers.
Now, for my routine:
Exfoliate: In the morning before I get in the shower, I fill my Vanity Planet face steamer with distilled water. On the days that I wash my hair (every other day), I use Goop Glow Microderm face exfoliator in the shower.
Prep your Face: After my shower while my body lotion is soaking in, I turn on my face steamer and put on Goop Glow Vitamin C eye cream and a few drops of Drunk Elephant face oil. I’ll steam my face for a few minutes and then I use my Gua Sha stone to massage my face and to drain my sinuses and lymph nodes. If you’re new to using a gua sha, I suggest you just google “how to use a facial gua sha stone” for many different YouTube videos. (Side Note: I bought a gua sha for my Mom and at her next facial, her esthetician asked her what she was doing differently. Face massage makes a difference!) If I’m in a hurry, I’ll brush my teeth, put in hair products, etc. while I continue steaming my face and neck. However, if you have the time, lean into the face steamer and take good deep breaths to relax before you start the day. When you’re done steaming, unplug the steamer and empty the water reservoir so it dries out between uses to prevent any mildew from forming. Let your face dry naturally – do not wipe off the steam.
Moisturize and Protect: Once my face is dry, I mix a half dropper of Ilia tinted serum with SPF 40 and a very small amount of Saie Sunglow luminizer in my palm and apply that to my entire face including under my eyes. (Note: If my skin is feeling really dry, I’ll add a small amount of my night time lotion into the Ilia and Saie before I mix it up in my palm.) Once that sinks it, you’re ready for make-up.
Clean your Face: In the evening, I remove my eye make-up with Lancome eye make-up remover and then rub Clinique take the day off cleansing balm all over my face an eyes. I lay a hot, wet washcloth on my face for a few seconds to heat up the cleanser and open my pours. I wipe off my make-up, rinse the wash cloth and put the hot wet wash cloth back on my face for a few seconds and wipe a second time to remove any residual cleanser. (Tip: I buy packs of inexpensive wash cloths and use a clean one each night. I prefer gray or black so I don’t have to worry about leaving make-up stains.)
Treat and Moisturize: After cleansing, I apply a toner or serum followed by eye cream, face cream and my favorite Laneige night time lip balm. I’m currently on an Augustinus Bader skin care kick, but again you don’t need to use this brand. There are many high quality brands that will moisturize your face for less.
I recently started using the Higher Dose red light therapy on my face a couple times each week and I really think it’s making a difference. So, if you’re already doing everything else above, this is a fun item to add to your routine.
If you have a lot of sun damage or dry patches, consider incorporating additional items into your skincare routine like a Vitamin C+E serum (put this on in the morning before your sunscreen / serums) and overnight exfoliators like the Goop Glow Dark Spot Exfoliating Sleep Milk or a chemical peel like GoopGlow Glycolic Acid Overnight Peel. If you’ve never used a chemical peel, beware – it will tingle. I find it’s best to fan your face until it has finished drying. Only use the peel once or twice a week until your skin has built up a tolerance. (Don’t forget to use all of these products on your neck and chest!)
I know some of these products are expensive, but I haven’t had a professional facial in years and I think my skin looks better now then it did when I had facials every other month. So, if you do get professional facials, think about investing that money in equipment for regular at home use. A consistent routine is what will produce long-term results, don’t expect to see dramatic changes in a day or two. Please leave a comment below about your favorite winter skin care products. I’m always interested in trying new things.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, pets and travel.
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How to Choose a Vacation Rental and Make It Feel Like Home
When we decided to head South and work remotely for two months during the winter, we thought about what we wanted in a rental; a fenced backyard where our dog could roam, a nice kitchen where we could cook healthy meals, a bedroom or two for guests, a place for each of us to work on our computers, and a patio with a heated pool and grill where we could hang out and entertain.
My favorite sites for rentals are Vacation Rentals by Owner (vrbo.com) and AirBNB. Also, enter the name of the place you are visiting with the words “vacation rentals” for local rental companies. You can typically enter your criteria, for example: single family home, pet friendly, neighborhood, pool and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. For the best selection, start looking early. (Since requiring a pet-friendly rental narrowed our choices dramatically, we booked our rental 12 months before our trip. Bonus: The cost of our rental increased before our stay, but we were locked in at last year’s price.) Confirm the location, read the amenities and reviews, study the photos, read the bio of the owner and then tag your favorite properties. I quickly ruled out homes that were over decorated with knick-knacks, personal photos, too much furniture, etc. because that’s not my style and I don’t want to feel like I’m living in someone else’s house. I prefer rentals with a minimalistic decor where I can add my own touches with candles, throw blankets, flowers, plants, etc.
The next step is to message with the owner. For example, even though I only saw homes with pools I couldn’t always tell if they were heated or if there was an additional charge for heating the pool. This required email exchanges with several properties and quickly narrowed our choices. Also, some properties will give you a discount for an extended stay. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
Some vacation rentals are investment properties that are professionally managed and completely cleaned out after each renter, while others are vacation homes for the owner. You can typically figure out which one your rental is by reading the owner’s bio. If it’s a vacation home for the owner there may be items left behind in the cupboards, closets, etc. Since the house we rented was an owner’s vacation home, we planned to spend the first afternoon cleaning and rearranging cupboards and closets to fit our needs for the next two months. As my husband and Dad unloaded the vehicle, my Mom and I pulled out the cleaning supplies and started scrubbing down the kitchen. My Mom pulled everything out of the cupboards and drawers. I put pantry items that were left-over from the owner (or other guests) that we didn’t need or want, in an empty box and tucked it away in a back closet until the day we moved out. Then I put the dishes, glasses, cookware, etc. I planned to use regularly in easy to reach cupboards. I wiped down the inside of the fridge and dumped the old ice in the ice-maker. Once the kitchen was clean, we were ready to make a grocery run.
Here are some of my tips for making a rental feel like home:
- Scents – I always travel with candles and room sprays, even to resorts and hotels. Since we were staying for two months, I also purchased some diffusers.
- Throw blankets – if you have room and it’s important to you, bring your own. If not, I usually gather up the blankets I like and throw them in the washer.
- Bed pillow – most people have a pillow preference. If you can’t bring your own pillow, check all the guest rooms until you find a pillow you like and switch them out.
- Knives & a cutting board – I haven’t found a rental that has good, sharp knives. Since I like to cook, having good knives is important to me. A paring knife and a chef’s knife should get you through the basics.
- Kitchen essentials – everyone has kitchen tools they use on a regular basis. A few things necessary for me are a good blender, YETIs, an assortment of spices, a simple citrus juicer, an ice cube tray (to make lemon juice ice cubes for my morning hot water), a cocktail shaker and shot glass. Check the list of amenities in your rental before packing (or touch base with the owner) to see if the items you want are already there.
- Hangers – if you usually need to request extra hangers when you stay at a hotel, odds are there won’t be enough hangers in your rental. If you don’t have room to bring hangers, check the dollar store once you arrive at your destination.
- Laundry basket – not only is a laundry basket great for transporting items, it’s nice to have a basket in your closet for collecting dirty laundry.
- Beach / pool towels – many rentals have old bath towels or cheap beach towels for using at the pool. If a big fluffy towel is important to you, bring your own or plan to purchase some at your destination.
- Personal bathroom products – most rentals do not supply shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. so bring your own. I also like to bring hotel samples that I’ve collected during our travels for the guest bathroom in case our guests don’t bring any.
- Cleaning supplies – most rentals have basic cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. If you have strong brand preferences, plan to purchase your own once you arrive.
Now that your rental is starting to feel comfortable; it’s time to invite guests and have fun.
If you have any tips for selecting a vacation rental or how to make it feel like home, please share in the comments below.
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Shrubs
Are you looking for a non-alcoholic drink that’s more exciting than cranberry juice and club soda? Consider making your own shrubs to create fun cocktail alternatives.
A shrub is a fruit-based syrup mixed with vinegar to create a tangy, complex flavor for cocktails or mocktails. The basic recipe is equal parts fruit, sugar and vinegar. To create your own shrub combine chopped and / or lightly crushed ripe fruit like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pears, citrus (include only juice and zest from citrus, no white pith) with an equal amount of sugar of your choice: cane sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar or monk fruit in a Mason jar. (Note: the more ripe and juicy your fruit is, the more syrup it will create.) Stir and place in the fridge for 48 hours. Stir or shake regularly. After a few days, drain off the syrup and strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pieces of fruit. (Discard fruit or use in a smoothie or over ice cream.)
Strawberry Syrup Combine the fruit syrup with an equal part of vinegar of your choice. Apple cider vinegar is the most common choice; but champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar will change the flavor profile of your shrub. A berry shrub is really good with a splash of white balsamic vinegar added to apple cider vinegar. Cover and leave the shrub in the fridge for 3 – 10 days to allow the flavors to blend. Your shrub will continue to mellow the longer it sits; so if you don’t love the flavors, let it set for a few more days and try it again. (Your shrub will keep in the refrigerator for up to six months.)
After your shrub has mellowed, add 1 ounce to a glass of ice and top with 4 ounces of club soda or flavored bubbly water. Stir gently to combine. Obviously, you can add liquor to your shrub beverage, just select an alcohol that compliments the flavors in your shrub.
Strawberry Shrub Mocktail Consider adding other flavors to your shrub like fresh herbs or peppercorns. Some tasty flavor combinations would be:
Strawberry, cranberry or peach and rosemary with champagne vinegar
Fig and thyme with apple cider vinegar
Blueberry and lavender with red wine vinegar
Pear and ginger with apple cider vinegar
Rhubarb and basil with white wine vinegar
Blackberry and thyme with apple cider vinegar and a splash of white balsamic vinegar
I’m planning to start a few shrubs in January. What flavor combinations should I try?
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.
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Strawberry Vinegar Lemonade
Here’s a delicious cocktail alternative. I basically took the easy way out to create a quick shrub. If you don’t know what a shrub is – come back for tomorrow’s post.
1 ounce Strawberry Vinegar (I used Brightland)
1 – 1 1/2 tsp honey (I used Meyer Lemon honey, but plain honey will work.)
Juice of 1 lemon
Strawberry Vinegar Lemonade ingredients Combine the above ingredients in the bottom of a glass and mix well with a spoon until the honey is completely dissolved.
Add ice and top with Club Soda, Topo Chico or other bubbly water. For a cocktail version, add an ounce of vodka.
Cheers!
Strawberry Vinegar Lemonade -
Duluth, MN
We love spending a long weekend in / near Duluth. Duluth is less than 2 1/2 hours from the Twin Cities and there’s plenty to do outside any time of the year. We’ve been to Duluth multiple times; as a family, as a couple and as part of a group. My favorite time to go to Duluth is in the Fall when the leaves along the lake shore are in full color and the cool nights encourage snuggling up by a bonfire or fireplace. (Click on the blue words for links and more information.)
Where to Stay:
There are many hotel, resort and VRBO options around Duluth. Determine what you’d like to do during your stay and then select your accommodations. For example, if you want to be able to walk or bike to shops and restaurants, book a room in Duluth. If you’re more interested in nature and hiking, consider a resort or a VRBO North of Duluth. You can book a traditional hotel room in Duluth at places like Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel, The Inn on Lake Superior, Sheraton Duluth Hotel or South Pier Inn. You can book a condo type room at Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior, Larsmont Cottages, Superior Shores Resort or Cove Point Lodge. Or you can book a cabin at places like Breezy Point Cabins on Lake Superior, Dodges Log Lodges or Cascade Lodge. Look at TripAdvisor, VRBO and AirBNB to see what fits best with your plans and group size. As always, talk with friends who have a similar style to you for suggestions and reviews.
Two places we love and recommend are:
Larsmont Cottages – This is a quiet relaxing resort on the shoreline of Lake Superior about 20 miles Northeast of Duluth. There are several room options from a single bedroom all the way up to a three bedroom cottage with a full kitchen and multiple fireplaces. The one bedroom Lakeside Cottage with full kitchen is perfect for a couple’s get-a-way. There is a restaurant, convenience store, pool, sauna and fire pits on the grounds. The resort even delivers firewood and s’mores kits for bonfires. Take note: the Lake Shore rooms are much closer to the lake than the Lake View rooms but you will be able to see the lake from both.
Larsmont Cottages The Pumphouse – This is an amazing VRBO on the East side of Duluth near Lester Park. There are 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The living room, den and dining room are all very spacious. There are 4 fireplaces and tons of windows overlooking Lake Superior which is literally right out the door. If you love a good Restoration Hardware vibe with a killer view and gorgeous outdoor spaces, book this property!
The Pumphouse Things to Do:
Duluth Area:
- Lake Walk / Canal Park: There’s a great walking / biking path along the lake front and out onto the peninsula known as Canal Park; there are many hotels, shops and restaurants on Canal Park. Make sure to walk or drive over the lift bridge.
- Glensheen, The Historic Congdon Estate: The Full Mansion tour lasts 2 hours with full access to the grounds / gardens. Watch the information video in the gift shop before your tour. Also, check their website for seasonal activities.
- Enger Park and Tower: The park offers flower gardens, a Japanese peace garden and a tower with view of all of Duluth’s highlights including the harbor, bridges, parks and Lake Superior.
- Lake Superior Railroad Museum: In addition to a fun museum, you can also take a ride on the Zephyr train. Check website for routes, times and cost.
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center: This museum is run by the Army Corp of Engineers and has several exhibits, short movies and a gift shop.
- Vista Fleet: For a view of Duluth from the water, check out the different cruise options with Vista Fleet. They offer everything from a dinner cruise to a family friendly shoreline cruise.
- Time Out Sailing: Spend a half or full day sailing on Lake Superior with up to six guests. Check out the different tour options on their website.
- Lake Superior Helicopter Tour: If you’d like to see the shoreline from the air, try one of the many helicopter tours.
- Lester Park: If you stay at The Pumphouse, I highly recommend exploring and hiking at Lester Park.
Lester Park Two Harbors: (27 miles Northeast of Duluth) a great little town with some fun waterfront areas, restaurants, liquor stores, etc.
- Sonju Lakewalk Trail – This is an easy, paved trail.
- Agate Bay Beach – Look for agates here after a storm or in the off-season.
- The Breakwater and Lighthouse – This lighthouse is a B&B with four different accommodations.
Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B Farther North:
Gooseberry Falls State Park - Gooseberry Falls State Park: A beautiful, easily accessible falls with additional hiking paths.
- Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: Tour this MN landmark; but they’re not open every day, so check their website for days and hours.
- Silver Bay: Black Beach: Check out this public beach with black sand.
- Beaver Bay: Stroll through this small town with restaurants, shops and necessities.
- Tettegouche State Park: Do the 3 mile hike to the High Falls.
- North Shore Scenic Drive: If you go in the fall, check here for a fall color report and several scenic routes to see peak colors.
- Lutsen: Open year-round: golf and an alpine slide in the summer, skiing in the winter.
Split Rock Lighthouse Restaurants / Bars
- Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar (Duluth): A great little Italian place in Canal Park.
- Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar (Duluth): Our faves include the Mediterranean Panzanella, the burger and the Market Fish Tostada. We’ve heard great things about the mussels but they were sold out.
- Vikre Distillery (Duluth): They offer distillery tours, but there’s a cute bar if you just want a nice cocktail. Try the Frenchie. So good!
- Canal Park Brewery (Duluth): They have a full restaurant and bar with a lake side patio.
- Fitger’s Brewhouse (Duluth): A historic building with a nice pub.
- Va Bene (Duluth): Italian with lake view seating; if the weather is nice, wait for a balcony table.
- Apostle Supper Club (Duluth): This is a 1960’s Palm Springs style supper club located on the rotating top floor of the Radisson Hotel. Apostle is owned by Brian and Sarah Ingram of Saint Paul. Make reservations in advance. (The Ingrams also own several restaurants in St. Paul including: Hope Breakfast Bar, The Gnome Craft Pub and Apostle Supper Club.)
- New Scenic Café (14 miles North of Duluth): This is my favorite restaurant near Duluth and this is always the first dinner reservation I make after scheduling a trip.
- Ledge Rock Grille (Larsmont Cottages, Two Harbors): They have live music on the weekends, check the website for details.
- Castle Danger (Two Harbors): A fun brewery that sells snacks like chips and salsa. They have rotating food trucks outside and you can order pizza delivery from Do North Pizza. We love the taco pizza. (Pro Tip: Bring paper plates, napkins and silverware for your pizza.) There are also outdoor games. We love stopping in here on our way back to Duluth after a hike at Tettegouche or Gooseberry Falls.
- Rustic Café (Two Harbors): They offer down-home cooking, with a large pie selection.
- Betty’s Pies (North of Two Harbors): This is a popular stop with the tourists, so many pie options!
New Scenic Cafe What to Pack:
- Hiking boots: If there’s any rain, many of the hiking paths get muddy. If you don’t have hiking boots bring an extra pair of shoes that can get muddy. Also bring a refillable water bottle, backpack for snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, hat and sunglasses.
- Swimsuits: Many resorts have indoor pools, hot tubs and / or saunas.
- Raincoat or light jacket: Bring a jacket even in the summer, it can get cool by the water.
- Small cooler & backpack: It’s nice to pack drinks & snacks when you’re heading out on a day-long adventure along the shore.
- If you’re staying somewhere that has a kitchen you may want to bring your own coffee beans, creamer and an insulated coffee mug like a Yeti.
- Things to read: Kindle, books, magazines
- Things to do: puzzles, games, cards
- I always bring my own blanket to cuddle up with while reading a book and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.
Leave a comment with your favorite things to do in or around Duluth?
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Things I Love #33 – Amazon Prime Sale
Today starts the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale so I want to share items I’ve bought recently. Click on the blue words or photos below for more information or links to purchase.
The Drop Women’s Noa Trench. This trench is available in four colors. I already have a light tan trench coat so I went with black for this one.
The Drop Trench Coat The Drop Claudia Cuddle Hoodie Midi Dress. This dress is available in 7 different colors. I bought the charcoal and I’m excited to wear it with sneakers or booties.
Hoodie Midi Dress The Drop Iona Long Sleeve Hooded Mini Sweatshirt Dress. This dress was recommended to me by my niece. It’s available in twelve different colors and it’s a nice lightweight sweatshirt material for fall.
Long Sleeve Mini Sweatshirt Dress The Anrabess 1/4 Zip Slouchy Sweater. I love a good oversized sweater with a tank top and leggings in the winter. I have not received this sweater yet, but it has great reviews. (This brand has several FreePeople lookalike tops and sweaters.)
Women’s 1/4 Zip Sweater Oversized Sweater with contrast trim. Another great sweater for layering or to do a partial tuck. Available in many colors and pattern variations.
Oversized Crewneck Sweater The Drop Renata Rib Midi Dress. This sweater dress is available in black, mocha and white. The quality of this dress is really good and it is not itchy like some of the other sweater dresses I’ve ordered from Amazon.
The Drop Renata Rib Dress Bala Bangle Weights. These are available in both 1 pound and 2 pound options. I’ve had my eye on these weights for a while and now that they’re on sale, I think it’s time to purchase.
Bala Bangles The ice roller for face & eye puffiness, migraine pain relief and minor injury. I posted this in Things I Love #20. Store this roller in the freezer and if you’ve had a short night or are just feeling a little puffy, roll over your face to depuff and invigorate your skin. I’ve also used it for migraine relief.
Ice Roller Since Covid, I’m a huge fan of disposable hand towels in our guest bathroom.
Disposable Hand Towels This rattan holder fits the disposable towels above perfectly. (I bought an acrylic tray that was too small, so if buying a different holder, make sure to check the dimensions.)
Guest Towel Holder Another option to disposable guest hand towels is to buy a bulk pack of wash cloths. Don’t forget to have another basket for guests to place the wash cloth after they’ve dried their hands.
50 pack wash cloths What great deals are you finding during the Amazon Prime sale?
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Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.
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Things I Love #32 – Advent Calendars
My friends and family know how much I love a good advent calendar. The idea of bringing a smile to the faces of my friends and family for 24 days in a row brings me joy. I know it seems early, but the really good advent calendars will sell out long before Thanksgiving. So, order your calendars now and they’ll be delivered before December 1st. I also created posts for advent calendars in 2021 and 2020 if you’d like even more advent calendar ideas. For more information or purchasing info, click on the blue words or photos below.
For the chocolate connoisseur in your life, send a gourmet chocolate advent calendar from Vosges.
Vosges Advent Calendar For the sock lover in your life, order the Happy Socks Calendar. Giving socks doesn’t have to be boring… this gift set includes 24 pairs of bright, fun socks.
Happy Socks Advent Calendar For the spa lover in your life, order the Rituals Advent Calendar. How cute is this advent calendar filled with 24 luxury bath, body and home products from Rituals? An adorable Christmas decoration for someone in a small apartment or dorm room.
Rituals Advent Calendar For the tea lover in your life, order the Palais des Thés limited edition holiday calendar. This calendar includes herbal, black, oolong, rooibos, detox and green teas.
Tea Advent Calendar For the Friends fanatic, order the Paladone Friends Advent Calendar. This calendar has 24 beauty products and includes: hand creams, bath bombs, lip balms, nail files and a body puff.
Friends Advent Calendar For the person who doesn’t need / want any more “things”, order the Mindfulness Advent Calendar filled with 24 activities to help someone enjoy and appreciate the season.
Mindfulness Advent Calendar For the baker in your life, order the Williams Sonoma Advent Calendar: 24 days of baking cookies. It includes 24 baking essentials from spatulas to piping bags and decorating tips.
Williams Sonoma Baking Advent Calendar Williams Sonoma offers several other food related advent calendars from candy to olive oil.
Williams Sonoma Advent Calendars For the wine drinker in your life, order the In Good Taste wine advent calendar. It includes 24 domestic and international premium wines. It’s a fun way to discover new brands and varietals.
In Good Taste Wine Advent Calendar For the serious whiskey drinker in your life, order this Flaviar advent calendar with 24 whiskey samples (includes bourbon, rye and scotch) a Glencairn glass and a tasting journal.
Flavor Whiskey Advent Calendar For the dog in your life, order this Himalayan treat calendar from Chewy or check your favorite pet store for additional treat and toy calendars.
Dog Treat Calendar For the cat in your life, order this Fancy Feast Advent Calendar with wet cat food and savory treats.
Fancy Feast Advent Calendar for Cats If you didn’t find an advent calendar that you love, or you just want to create your own, there are several reusable advent calendars which you can fill with your own treats / gifts.
Williams Sonoma Wood Advent Calendar 
Lighted Wood Advent Calendar 
Reusable Wood Advent Calendar 
Empty Advent Calendar Boxes Many stores and brands offer advent calendars, so if you have a favorite store (e.g. Sephora, Ulta, Bath & Body Works) or brand (e.g. L’Occitane, Olive & June, Sugarfina, Godiva.) Go to their website and search “advent calendar.”
I didn’t include the advent calendars I’ll be gifting this year, so my family will still be surprised with their calendars. If you’d like to know what calendars I’m gifting, send me a message and I’ll respond with a few more ideas. Please comment below with some of your favorite advent calendars to give or receive. And, remember, it’s ok to buy yourself an advent calendar.
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Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.
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Things I Love #31 – Fall Edition
Below are some of my favorite fall purchases. Click on the photos or blue words below for more details and shopping links.
Sweetwater Decor candles I am a huge fan of Sweetwater Decor and I’m thrilled their line is now available on Amazon. I have their relaxation room scent and candle in my bedroom, I have the spa day scent in my bathroom and front porch. I recently purchased Pumpkin Spice, Hello Pumpkin and Sweater Weather which are scattered throughout my house. The candles are a soy wax blend that is hand poured in Pittsburg, PA. Most candles are available in glass (clear or amber) or stoneware jars (cream or black.) I have a stash of Sweetwater Decor candles in my cupboard for emergency gifts – because everyone loves a great candle!
Campfire Coffee Mug And, how cute is this sweater weather mug?! It’s available in 3 different styles, but I love using this campfire coffee style.
Outdoor Lights Since the days are getting shorter, I love looking outside and seeing these outdoor lights on my arbor and fence. They really brighten up the backyard. Don’t forget to order a box of replacement bulbs.
Animated Pumpkin This animated pumpkin is a riot. If you have kids or like to have something fun to set out for your trick-or-treaters, pick up one of these before they sell out.
Stretchy gloves These stretchy gloves are great for walking the dog or running errands during chilly fall mornings. I have pairs stashed in my car, my purse and several coat pockets.
Don’t forget to stock up on popcorn bowls, seasonings and cozy blankets for fall movie nights.
Comment below with some of your favorite fall things.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.
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Sara’s Purple Passion
A good friend asked me to help create a cocktail for her son and daughter-in-law’s wedding celebration. The groom enjoys whiskey so they served a whiskey ginger ale cocktail which was called “Whiskey Chaser.” Not to be left out, their dog Sarge had a cocktail called “Sarge’s Swamp Water” which was a Bootleg. The bride likes tequila and the color purple so I tried a few different ideas and this is the final recipe I created, which is essentially a bright purple margarita.
If you like the fun purple color, you need to order Butterfly Pea Flower Powder. I ordered mine from Amazon. Mix 1 teaspoon of powder into 4 ounces of blanco tequila. Mix well and then pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove any little pieces of powder that didn’t dissolve. The tequila will be blue, but it will turn purple when you mix it with citrus.
In a glass with ice, combine:
2 parts Sweet & Sour (I don’t typically use a pre-made mix, but asking a venue to make a scratch cocktail in large quantities isn’t practical. You can also use my scratch margarita recipe and by adding the butterfly pea flower powder you will achieve the same bright purple margarita.)
1 part Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 part fresh lime juice
Mix to combine.
Pour 1.5 parts of the butterfly pea flower tequila into the glass and watch the blue tequila turn the drink purple. (If you don’t care about the “show” of watching the drink turn purple you can just add the butterfly pea flower powder to a cocktail shaker with all of the margarita ingredients and ice, then shake well until the powder is dissolved.)
Stir and enjoy.
Cheers to Chase & Sara!
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Italian Strawberry Spritz
We had a delicious, refreshing strawberry spritz at Marina Grande in Sorrento, Italy and I did my best to recreate it. It’s perfect for a summer cocktail party!
Sorrento Italy Two key components of this cocktail are the strawberry infused white vermouth and Italicus.
White Vermouth – this is not the dry vermouth you use in your martini. Look for white vermouth (vermouth blanca or bianco) which has crisp floral and citrus notes. If you have trouble finding white vermouth, Cocchi Americano Bianco is a great substitute in this cocktail.
Italicus – This is an Italian liquor made from herbs. It’s expensive, but there’s really nothing else with a similar profile. (I use Italicus in another delicious cocktail, the Italicus Spritz, if you’re looking for ways to use up the bottle.)
A day or two before you want to make this cocktail, infuse the white vermouth (or Cocchi Americano Bianco) with fresh strawberries. Wash the strawberries, remove the green stems and slice up the strawberries into quarters. Place the strawberries in a large Mason jar and pour the white vermouth over the strawberries. Seal and let sit on the counter for at least 24 hours. Shake every 4 – 6 hours to redistribute the strawberries and help the infusion process. Once the strawberries have lost most of their color and are looking a little mushy, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, capturing the infused vermouth. (The longer you infuse the strawberries in the vermouth or Cocchi, the pinker your spritz will be.) Pour the strawberry infused vermouth back into the Vermouth bottle or a Mason jar and chill. Discard the strawberries.
Recipe:
1 1/2 parts strawberry infused white vermouth or Cocchi Americano Bianco
1 part Italicus
3 parts processo
1 part club soda
Combine in a wine glass over ice, stir gently, garnish with strawberry slices.
Italian Strawberry Spritz Salud!
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In Conclusion
If you like the cocktail The Last Word, but want something a little lighter, try In Conclusion. Basically, a Last Word with Bubbles.
1/2 oz Gin (I like The Botanist for this drink)
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse
1/2 oz Luxardo liqueur
1/2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice, strained to remove pulp
Combine the above ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to chill and strain into a chilled champagne glass.
Top with chilled Prosecco.
Drop a Luxardo cherry in the glass right before serving to limit the loss of bubbles. (Note: do NOT refrigerate Luxardo cherries.)
In Conclusion If making this cocktail for a group, combine the first four ingredients in equal portions in a container with a lid (like a Mason jar) and refrigerate for several hours to chill. Skip the shake with ice, just add two ounces of the chilled gin mixture to each champagne flute and top with Prosecco and a Luxardo cherry.
Cheers!