Quick Picks
Posted In bags, christmas, cocktails, create, entertaining, holidays, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, living, quick picks, read up, series, style, wear it
Posted In bags, christmas, cocktails, create, entertaining, holidays, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, living, quick picks, read up, series, style, wear it
My right eyelid has been twitching since last Wednesday which can only mean one thing – the holidays are once again upon us. I put the tree up Saturday and decorated the inside of the house, but somehow only have 1.5 gifts bought. So, in an attempt to keep stress levels low and panic attacks at bay, I decided to put together one of my favorite annual posts a bit earlier than usual. This year’s Alcoholidays post is in the form of an advent calendar, guiding you gently through your liquor cabinet/bar cart/what have you all December long. And hey, if you need to get started a few days early who am I to judge? (past Alcoholidays 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Posted In christmas, cocktails, holidays, living, round up, series
If I had a gigantic studio I’d like to think that I could invite you all over for a meal. One that says thank you for hanging around and keeping Design Crush afloat for over ten years, for your kind words and encouragement, and just for being an incredible group of human beings. After all, Thanksgiving is about being grateful and saying it out loud. So go get dressed in your favorite outfit – sparkly dress or sweatpants, there’s no judgement here – and join me for a delicious time. (Thanksgivings past: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour // Basil Fig Vodka Smash // Chilled Spiced Apple Beer Punch // Harvest Berry Sangria // Honey Crisp Spiced Hard Cider // Persimmon Mojito
Easy Goat Cheese + Honey Bites // Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Bacon Aioli // Super Simple Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Bites // Sweet Potato Tahini Crostini // Toasted Red Chili Salsa // White Bean Buffalo Hummus
Eucalyptus Bundle Doormat // Live Olive Eucalyptus Wreath // Modern Brass Candleholders // Various Sticks // Twinkle Leaf Garland // Sheafs of Wheat
Animal Placecard Holder Set // Stoneware Metallic Vase // X Pattern Napkins // Emma Salt & Pepper Shakers // Velvet Table Runner // Farmhouse Trivet // Gold Metal Taper Candleholders // Hipped Glassware // Kaloh Mugs // Neona Flatware // Bistro Dinner Plates // Pink Pampas Grass
Arlo Smoke Glass Ice Bucket // Copper Punch Bowl with Ladle // Curved Handle Pitcher // Dobra Carafe // Hammered Gold 2-Piece Carving Set // Melrose Gold Serving Bowl // Marble & Dark Wood Servers // New England Ash Bread Board // Pie Set // Serving Platter // Tondo 12″ Round Platter // Stoneware Serving Dish
Apple Cider Green Beans // Brussels Sprout Chopped Salad with Pears, Gorgonzola + Vinaigrette // Buttery Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls // Caramelised Onion, Mushroom & Hard Cider Soup // Crispy, Cheesy, Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower // Hasselback Butternut Squash with Bay Leaves // Honey Brined Turkey // Roasted Cauliflower Gratin with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese // Roasted Potatoes with Thyme // Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks // Rustic Bourbon Spice Applesauce // Turnips with Garlicky Breadcrumbs and Parmesan
Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Layer Cake // Italian Apple and Fig Polenta Torta // Maple Pumpkin Cake Roll // Orange Cranberry Torte // Pumpkin Flan Cake // Simple Chocolate Mousse
Posted In cocktails, entertaining, food, holidays, kitchen, living, recipes, thanksgivingApple Cider Crullers // Black Branch Wreath // Brown Butter Bourbon Caramel Apples // DIY Colorful Halloween Wreath
Death Eater Negroni Cocktail // DIY Boo Halloween Treat Bags // DIY Eames Print Pumpkins // DIY Modern Painted Pumpkins
DIY Gold Botanical Pattern Pumpkins // DIY Pastel Pumpkin Faces // DIY Witch Silhouette Decor // Skull Ring
Gilded Insect Cookies // Glass Orb with Brass Base // Sugar Skull Plates // Marie Coupe Smoke Grey Cocktail Glass
DIY Miniature Haunted Houses // Moon Garland // Palmistry Brooch // Red Velvet Skeleton Cake
Gold Skull Figurine // Spooky Black-and-White Russian Cocktails // The Eel Charmer Cocktail // Carved Wood Raven
Apple Spice + Bourbon Flip Cocktail // Dark Purple Edison Bulb String Lights // DIY Black Flower Halloween Wreath // Black Widow Berry Cocktail
DIY Concrete Pumpkins // DIY Monster Pinatas // DIY Jade Pumpkins // DIY Paper Bag Portrait Luminaries
DIY Sassy Trick or Treat Bags // Easy Pumpkin Bread Rolls // Eyeball Orbs // Gilded Skeleton Canister
Brushed Gold Skull Punch Bowl // Lantern Candle Holder // Melting Monster Halloween Punch (Non-Alcoholic) // Monster Eye-Scream Cookies
DIY Painted Party Pumpkins // Pomegranate + Blackberry Lemon Drop Cocktail // Sketched Skull Plates // Slow-Cooker Spiked Mulled Cider
Posted In accessories, accessories, cocktails, food, halloween, holidays, jewelry, kids, living, make it, recipes, round up, series, style, wear it
The Everleigh is a well-known hot spot in Melbourne that specializes in Prohibition-era style cocktails. To take their well-crafted drinks beyond the bar they partnered with The Company You Keep to design some of the best looking packaging I’ve seen of late. Taking their main inspiration from vintage perfume bottles, TCYK added the minimal amount of type necessary. The four cocktails available – Martini, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Negroni – can be purchased in a gift box of four or individually. Now the question is, could you bring yourself to drink them?
via Trendland
Posted In cocktails, create, living, packageLOVE IS LOVE! Valentine’s Day is a favorite of mine, even though I’m almost always single when it rolls around. To me the day is about love in all its many forms and any reason to celebrate it is a good one, especially lately. Check out these printables, recipes, accessories, and more for a super decked out February 14th!
ROW 1: Printable Valentine Stickers // Printable Hot Tea Pyramids ROW 2: Stripe Shirt with Heart Collar // Sugar Cookie Bars // The Love Spell Cocktail ROW 3: Valentine’s Day Almond Cake // Valentine’s Day Treat Bags // Woman of Many Hearts Shades ROW 4: Printable Tags for Valentine’s Day // Marbled Raspberry Dark Chocolate Valentine’s Day Bark // Red and Spotted D’orsay Flat
ROW 1: Acrylic Heart Frame // All Around Giant Heart Towel // Always and Forever Bunting ROW 2: Arrow Cocktail Stirrers // Brass Heart Box // Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Valentine’s Hearts ROW 3: Chocolate Pots de Crème // Coffee Lover Mug // Conversation Heart Ice Cream ROW 4: Heart Necklace // DIY Hugs & Kisses Garland // DIY Pompom Heart Wreath
ROW 1: Rose Painted Valentine Cake // DIY Rose Petal Bath Salts // DIY Valentine Bouquet Wraps + Printable Love Quotes ROW 2: DIY Valentine Heart Magnets // DIY Valentine’s Day Wall Hangings // Gold Heart Earrings ROW 3: Graffiti Painted Clutch // Heart Print Sweatshirt // Heart Shaped Double Wall Glass Mug ROW 4: Heart-Shaped Rose Tart // Jute Heart Rug // Love Potion #9 Martini
Posted In accessories, bags, beauty bag, cocktails, downloads, entertaining, food, holidays, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, living, make it, recipes, round up, series, shoes, style, valentine's day, wear itI miss doing big Christmas dinners, but brunches have their own kind of charm. There’s definite appeal in being able to do so much prep work the day before, and it’s nice being able to put out an equally sweet and savory spread that caters to everyone’s tastes. I chose recipes that are easy to grab and eat while you’re catching up around the tree to pair with a selection of cocktails and traditional non-alcoholic options. As far as decorations go, this year I’ve really been drawn to fresh greenery, golds, and glass – you’ll see all three below in decor as well as on the table. (If you’d like even more inspiration check out prior Christmases 2013, 2014, and 2015!)
Live Eucalyptus Garland // Boxwood + Myrtle Half Wreath // Glittery Stars Garland // Green and Silver Tinsel Tree // Clear Igloo Globe String Lights // Jewel Votive Holder // Brass Laurel Wreath // Skultana Small Candlestick // Walnut Tree Skirt
Boozy Blood Orange Punch // Breakfast Bramble Cocktail // Cardamom Coffee //
Creamy Almond + Cashew Nog // Hot Blender Chocolate // Winter Vanilla Paloma
Battuto Serving Bowl // Belgian Flax Linen Table Runner // Dauville Dinner Plate // Instant Karma XL Platter // 5-pc Ivory Flatware Set // Marble Trivet // Marta Double Old-Fashioned Glasses // Seafoam Enamel Tray // Beaker Glass Tea Light Candle Holders
Apple Walnut Strudel with Cardamom // Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups // Butternut Squash Breakfast Muffins // Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Cups // Easy Vegetarian Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole // Easy Twisted Pumpkin Spice Danish // Gingerbread Scones // Mini Cheese Quiche // Mixed Berry Croissant Bread Pudding // Orange, Vanilla & Cardamom Challah Wreath and White Chocolate Glaze // Roasted Rosemary Beets // Spiralized Potato Thyme Casserole
Posted In christmas, cocktails, entertaining, food, holidays, living, round up, seriesAs I write up this post it’s nearly 8pm and I’m sipping a beer. Between forgetting half of my grocery bags at the checkout today (only to realize it once I got home) and trying to finish up my holiday shopping, it’s just what this day called for. If you’ve been having one – or ten – of those days this December, enjoy perusing this carefully curated selection of 66 cocktails that are sure to aid you through the Alcoholidays.
1/ Tart Cherry Red Wine Spritzer 2/ Merry Mai Tai Christmas Cocktail 3/ Pecan Pie Manhattan
4/ Rosemary Grapefruit Milk Punch 5/ Rosemary Infused Holiday Cocktail 6/ Cranberry Pear Moscow Mules
7/ Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned 8/ The Whiskey Rose 9/ Meyer Lemon Margarita with Rosemary Simple Syrup 10/ Honeycrisp Old Fashioned 11/ The Cider Mill 12/ Gin Cocktail with Honey and Lemon Cordial
13/ Mulled Apple Cider Punch 14/ White Wine, Clementine & Vanilla Cocktail 15/ White Chocolate + Bourbon Cocktail 16/ Spiced Pineapple Cocktail 17/ Pomegranate Manhattan 18/ Spiced Maple Manhattan
19/ Grapefruit Whiskey Sour 20/ The Red Queen 21/ Balsam Gin Sparkler 22/ Blood Orange Bourbon Smash with Spicy Vanilla Sugar 23/ Cranberry Orange Margaritas 24/ Hot Cider with Apple-Cinnamon Bourbon
25/ Sparkling Spiced Pear Cocktail 26/ Maple Bourbon Pear Martini 27/ Autumn Sangria with Apples, Pomegranate, and Figs 28/ Blood Orange & Pomegranate Thyme Spritz 29/ Apple, Pear, and Gin Cocktail 30/ Cranberry Chai Sangria
31/ Sage Ginger Prosecco Cocktail 32/ Bourbon Grapefruit Cocktail 33/ Gingerbread White Russian
34/ Eggnog Colada 35/ Roasted Cranberry Maragaritas 36/ Ginger, Cardamom, and Rosemary Gin Cocktail
37/ The Nutty Apple Martini 38/ Pomegranate Vanilla Bean Margaritas 39/ The North Pole Cocktail
40/ Hot Buttered Rum 41/ Winter Thyme & Key Lime Cocktail 42/ Blue Ridge Cocktail
43/ Black Cherry Bourbon Cola Smash 44/ Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy 45/ Rosemary Ginger Margaritas 46/ Hot Buttered Hazelnut Whisky 47/ Honey-Pomegranate Mulled Wine 48/ Golden Bubbles Champagne Cocktail
49/ Red Moon Over Manhattan 50/ Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour 51/ Red Wine Gin Sour
52/ Rosemary Citrus Gin and Tonic 53/ Kumquat Bourbon Sour 54/ Spiced Plum, Fig & Kombucha Cocktail
55/ Whiskey + Maple Syrup Sours 56/ Meyer Lemon + Sage Sour 57/ Rose, Gin & Pink Peppercorn Cocktail 58/ Apple Brandy Allspice Fizz Cocktail 59/ 5-Spice Bourbon Punch 60/ Basil Fig Vodka Smash
61/ Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail 62/ Indian Winter 63/ The Golden Ladder 64/ Honey Sweetened Blueberry Hot Toddy 65/ Fizzy Spiked Pear Punch 66/ Chai Tea Cocktail
Posted In christmas, cocktails, holidays, living, round up, seriesI’m in serious denial that we’re halfway through November with Thanksgiving only a little over a week away – anyone else? I’ll be hosting for my family for the third year in a row, so it’s nearly down to a science at this point without a lot of guesswork or planning. But, you guys know how I love to plan imaginary holiday get togethers (see Thanksgivings past: 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015) so I couldn’t break with tradition no way, no how.
Earl Grey Bourbon Punch // Grapefruit-Lemongrass Cocktail // Smokey Harvest Apple Cider Margaritas
Few things are more welcoming than showing up to a holiday spent with family and friends and being handed a cocktail. I like to have bar basics on hand for traditional libations, but a few specialties mixed up as well. Pitchers are great for this purpose, just label them with the cocktail inside. A nice punch in a bowl is even easier, just add a ladle and guests can feel free to serve themselves.
Ceramic Marbleized Vases // DIY Acrylic Menu // DIY Blue & White Olive Holiday Wreath // DIY Metal Fall Leaf Garland // Molded Plaster Candlesticks // DIY Origami Cornucopia // Round Beeswax Pillar Candles // Small Brass Candleholders // Translucent Tealight Cups
This time of year I’m especially drawn to all things warm and inviting, so I want to have lots of candles sitting in out of the way places as well as on the dining table. Mix things up a little with different heights and widths to add interest. I also want vases full of greenery, a big full wreath on the front door, and the menu posted somewhere in a fun way so guests know what we’ll be eating.
Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Tartines // Dark Beer Cheese Fondue // Slice and Bake Cheese Crackers
While guests are milling around talking to one another give them something to nibble on. I like how these particular three contain different levels of involvement – if you’re a little munchy go with the crackers, a little more the tartness, skipped lunch go for the fondue!
Circle Chopping Block // Copper Louise Bowl // Copper Salad Serving Spoons // Faceted Marble Cheese Knives // Glass Cheese Dome with Oak Base // Ivalo Punch Bowl Set // Large Porcelain Serving Bowl // Round Nesting Ramekins // Serving Platter // Serving Dishes // Trap Pitcher // Acacia Tiered Server
Serving pieces are my absolute favorite part of planning any meal. For this one I’m opting to stay close to that warm and cozy feeling I already mentioned by using lots of wood, metal, glass, and ceramic pieces. The warm tones all pull together so nicely, and solid pieces like this are great for any season throughout the year.
Blackline Stoneware Plates // Blue Chambray Cotton Dinner Napkins // Brass and Walnut Rail Trivet // Brass Photo Stands // Dearborn Wine Glasses // DIY Leather Napkin Rings // Flat Iron Trivet // Washed Linen Tablecloth // Aquarelle 5-Piece Place Setting // Brass Salt Spoon and Ceramic Cellar // Latte Mug Set // Porcelain Gray Plates Set
More of the same for the table itself. And though my table isn’t large enough to set out the entire spread of food, I like to pull in a few trivets. If I see guests going back for seconds on something in particular it’s easy enough to make room for one or two of the more popular dishes. I also like for my dinner and dessert dishes to feel related but not match, in this case both are a sort of stoneware grey.
Challah Bread Stuffing // Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Parmesan Sauce // Gin Brined Turkey // Hasselback Roasted Beets // Homemade Turkey Gravy // Orange-Cranberry Chutney // Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs, Capers, Almonds & Raisins // Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing // The Ultimate Stuffed Artichoke // Toasted Sesame Mashed Potatoes // Whole Grain Apple Butter Parmesan Biscuits with Honey Sage Syrup // Wine-Braised Rainbow Carrots with Sage
This entire year I’ve been trying to eat close to the Earth, less processed food and more real food. My menu keeps in line with my intention, lots of vegetables and grains to feed and nourish the mass around the table. And all of it delicious!
Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake // Mile High Apple Pie // Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake
Ahhh, now we’re down to it. The best part of the meal in my humble opinion, the sweet finish! At my house we usually take a little break between the main meal and dessert for everything to digest and settle, a (very competitive) game of Yahtzee is usually involved. Dessert is then had, to-go bags packed up full to the top, and goodbye hugs given.
I hope your Thanksgiving planning goes smoothly, friends!
Posted In cocktails, entertaining, food, holidays, living, make it, recipes, thanksgiving
I can never get enough pumpkin when autumn shows its pretty face, no matter the form. So today I’m happy to take part in the #virtualpumpkinparty organized by Sara from Cake Over Steak with a cocktail recipe I’ve reached for a few times this month.
While experimenting I really wanted to accomplish two things:
1. Quick and easy to pull together.
2. Showcasing fall flavors.
Pumpkin was a no brainer, and so was bourbon as far as I was concerned. My favorite lately has been Hudson Whiskey Baby Bourbon, a 90% corn and 10% malted barley combo that’s the first whiskey made in New York since Prohibition and the first bourbon ever. All of the ingredients are sourced within 60 miles of the distillery, with the end result being a little smoky with notes of vanilla and caramel. The perfect choice for this cocktail.
Ingredients
• 4 C water
• 6 oz Hudson Whiskey Baby Bourbon
• 1/4 C pumpkin puree
• 4 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 20 whole cloves
• medium apple, sliced
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally, until gently boiling. Drink while hot, garnish with apple slices or cinnamon stick. Serves 4.
Check out the rest of the nearly 100 other recipes being featured in today’s #virtualpumpkinparty listed over on Cake Over Steak and Twigg Studios!
A special thank you to Hudson Whiskey for providing a bottle of their Baby Bourbon for use in this recipe!
Posted In cocktails, living, recipes