Alcoholidays 2013

Happy Alcoholidays! Whether it’s for hostess duties, a little stress relief, or a Wednesday night in front o the fire we’ve got you covered this holiday season. Fruity, creamy, warm, fizzy? Yup, yup, yup, and yup. Forty-eight concoctions for you to test, tweak, and savor. (Two a day December 21st through the 24th if you’re the goal-oriented type.)

 

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Creamy Peppermint Punch – Celebrate // Apple Cider Sangria – Glitter Guide // Fig Thyme – Honestly Yum // Valencia Orange Bourbon Apple Cider – Daily Squeeze // Honey Beer Winter Warmer – Smart Cookie // Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail – two tarts // Mulled Wine – Life Tastes Like Food // Cardamom Rose Cocktail – Design*Sponge

 

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Pumpkin Pie Sparkling Sgroppino – Glitter Guide // St Germain and Gin Euphoria – yumsugar // Toasted Almond – freutcake // Cranberry Old Fashioned – The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen // Apple Pie Cocktail with Cinnamon Meringue – Design*Sponge // Scotchsicle – yumsugar // Cranberry Tangerine Negroni – Healthy Seasonal Recipes // Mulled Pineapple Cocktail – Kitchenette

 

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Fresh Cranberry Ginger Vanilla Margaritas – How Sweet It Is // Spiced Pumpkin Shrub – Swooned // Creme Brulee Cocktail – Lara Ferroni // Cranberry Mint Cocktail – Pink Patisserie // Rosemary Ginger Orange Holiday Punch – One Kings Lane  // Bourbon Cashmere – Good Eats // Warm Egg Nog – Food52 // Apple and Pear White Sangria – love grows wild

 

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The Cozy Friar – Daydream Desserts // Salted Caramel Pear Cocktail – Swooned // The Normandy – yumsugar // Black Currant Cosmopolitan – The SoHo // Cranberry Margarita – Channeling Contessa // Pomegranate Ginger Fizz – Will Cook For Friends // Autumn Punch – SCOUT blog // Pear and Ginger-Sage Cocktail – A Cozy Kitchen

 

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Pumpkin Mojito – Hostess With the Mostess // Cherry Bounce – Anthro Blog // Pisco Punch – Oh So Beautiful Paper // Sage Ginger Prosecco Cocktails – Front & Main // Cranberry Sangria – What’s Gaby Cooking // Spiced Persimmon Old Fashioned – Aida Mollenkamp // Salty Maple Buttered Cider – Serious Eats // Champagne Holiday Punch – Food & Wine

 

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Cider Rum Punch – Emmadime // Clementine Bourbon Spritzer – The Boys Club // Honeycrisp Apple Daiquiri – Daydreamer Desserts // Rosemary Infused Holiday Cocktail – The Flair Exchange // The Earl Grey Whiskey Cider – With Food + Love // Persimmon Ginger Fizz – Unruly Things // The Classic Whiskey Smash – The Vivant // Maple Cranberry Bourbon Martini – Family Fresh Cooking

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My (Imaginary) Thanksgiving 2013

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I’m a planner by nature. As a 10 year old I drew floor plans for fun and throughout school rewrote notes to relax. NERD ALERT! Now I love that planning is a part of running Design Crush, and there’s not much I love more than planning a good dinner party – real or imagined! (You can see Thanksgiving 2012 right here.)

 

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THE COCKTAILS
Pomegranate + Blackberry Lemondrop
Spiced Amaretto Apple Cider Kiss
Satsuma and Pomegranate Campari

THE APPS
Oven Baked Camembert with Honey Roasted Figs
Zucchini Chips
Sweet Onion Crack Dip

THE DECOR
Colossal Golden Wishbone
DIY Laurel Wreath
Mini Brass Square Candle Houses
Gold Glitter Garland
Solid Brass Coasters
Thanksgiving Banner

THE TABLE
Castle Peak Dinnerware
Arrow & Adobe Linen Napkins
Aueux Carving Set
Enchanted Ikat Table Runner
French Paddle
Graphic Pitcher
Industrial Inspired Metal Candle Holders
Mercury Glass Taper Holders
Metallic Print Glassware Set
Rose Gold Flatware
Rose Gold Salad Set
DIY Rosemary Wreath Place Cards

DINNER
Acorn Squash and Pancetta Soup
Autumn Arugula Salad
Caramelized Coconut Butter Apples
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
Citrus and Herb Roasted Turkey
Herbed Bread and Cherry Cranberry Stuffing
Honey Maple Beer Bread
Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Pumpkin Sage Polenta

DESSERT
Greek Style Pumpkin Pie
Honey & Whiskey Apple Tarts
Maple Pudding Cakes

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Fruity Balsamic Vodka Cocktails

When I was visiting Olive & Co. last week and sampling way too many balsamics (hello, heartburn!), one of the brilliant employees mentioned that she likes to put a little of their strawberry balsamic vinegar into her son’s water to make him drink more. Which obviously led to us talking about cocktails and how wouldn’t it be equally amazing to add a little to our vodka. Which got me thinking and concocting. (If these are slightly too tart for you, consider adding half an ounce of simple syrup.)

 

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Strawberry Balsamic Vodka Cocktail

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. quality strawberry balsamic vinegar
• 2 oz. soda water or ginger ale
• ice
• strawberries

Combine vodka, strawberry balsamic, soda water or ginger ale, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake it up good. Pour into tumbler and garnish with strawberries, whole or sliced. (Or make it a virgin by eliminating the vodka!)

 

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Grapefruit Balsamic Vodka Cocktail

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. quality grapefruit white balsamic vinegar
• 2 oz. soda water or tonic
• ice
• grapefruit

Combine vodka, grapefruit white balsamic, soda water or tonic, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake it up good. Pour into tumbler and garnish with a slice or wedge of ruby red grapefruit. (Or make it a virgin by eliminating the vodka!)

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Popsicles + Poptails ’13

Our summer popsicle and poptail roundup is sort of legendary. Each year without fail it ends up being one of the highest viewed posts, and we love that because who doesn’t love popsicles?!? This year we’ve rounded up 54 of the tastiest frozen treats on a stick you’ve ever seen. Some are simple, some are definitely culinary experiences, and others are adults only. Hope you enjoy! (Psst… you can check out past years pops here, here, and here.)

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Apple Cider and Rosemary Ice Pops – The Bitten Word // Banana and Cashew Cream Ice Pops – Souvlaki For the Soul // Bittersweet Chocolate Popsicles – The Conscious Kitchen // Blackberry Lime Cheesecake Popsicles – Simple Bites // Blackberry Peach Colada Popsicles – My Invisible Crown // Blackberry Tie-Dye Pops – Martha Stewart Food // Blood Orange Margarita Ice Blocks with Lime Salt – the food dept. // Blueberry + Granola Breakfast Popsicles – The Frosted Vegan

 

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Boozy Lime, Honey & Lemongrass Popsicles – Adventures in Cooking // Champagne & Raspberry Popsicles – Princess Misia // Cherry-Limeade Popsicles – Parade // Chocolate + Vanilla Swirled Pudding Pops – Spiced // Chocolate Cheesecake Popsicles – Twigg studios // Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Popsicles – All Day I Dream About Food // Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles – Food Doodles // Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Fudgesicle – The Beeroness

 

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Citrus Juice Popsicles – The View From Great Island // Cocktail Freezer Pops – Brit + Co. // Coconut Cream Ice Pops – Marriage and Laughter // Coconut Lime Thai Chili Popsicles – Pickles & Honey // Cookies and Cream Popsicles – Just Baked // Creamy Lemonade Pops – Dine & Dish // Cucumber, Apple, Mint & Lime Pop with Pimm’s – The Design Files // Dulce de Leche Lemon Popsicles – Fit, Fun & Delish

 

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Fig, Vanilla, and Sour Cream Popsicles – Bay Area Bites // Ginger Beer Popsicles – University Foodie // Homemade Creamsicles – A Beautiful Mess // Hot Chocolate On a Stick – More Design Please // Hot Cocoa Popsicles – Pastry Affair // Lemon Blueberry Popsicles – chocolate & carrots // Mango & Salted Coconut Popsicles with Crushed Peanuts – The Design Files // Mango Lassi Popsicle – Cooking Stoned

 

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Mango Lime Pops – Love and Lemons // Maple Brown Derby Cocktail Pops – Hungry Girl or Vida // Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Popsicles – Good Life Eats // Orange Ginger Popsicles – Jowlicious // Peanut Butter Banana Pops – Pass the Sushi // Pimm’s Cup Popsicles (Pimmsicles) – The Tiffin Box // Raspberry and Kumquat Caipirinha Popsicle – Endless Simmer // Raspberry and Mascarpone Cheesecake Popsicles – Blueberry Kitchen

 

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Raspberry Prosecco Popsicles – freutcake // Rice Pudding Ice Pops – Saveur // Riesling-Pear Pops – Food & Wine // Roasted Balsamic Strawberries with Mascarpone Cream Pop – The Design Files // Roasted Strawberry, Coconut & Lime Ice Pops – Two Loves Studio // Strawberry Lime Yogurt Popsicles – Elephantine // Strawberry Shortcake Greek Yogurt Popsicles – The Kitchen Paper // Strawberry-Lime Popsicles with Herbs (Mint + Basil) – chattavore

 

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Strawberry, Mascarpone and Vodka Popsicles – Blueberry Kitchen // Sweet and Salty Celery Popsicles – Cooking Stoned // Thai Iced Tea Popsicles – The View From Great Island // Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles – A Spicy Perspective // Watermelon Creamsicle – Hippo Flambé // Watermelon Mojito Pops – Roost // White and Black Russian Poptails – Endless Simmer // White Peach, Nectarine and Rose Water Creamsicles – Pink Patisserie

All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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24 Summer Sippers

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Blackberry Rum Shrub – Saveur // Blood Orange and Thyme Paloma – Aida Mollenkamp // Grapefruit Moon – Fake Food Free // Lavender Collins – YumSugar // Whiskey Lemonade with Honey – A Beautiful Mess // Muddled Blackberry Mint Julep – Turntable Kitchen

 

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Pimm’s Cup with Ginger Ale – Martha Stewart // Rainier Cherry Muddler – Sprouted Kitchen // Rhubarb Sour – The Boys Club // Strawberry Fizzy – Mighty Girl // The Spring Fling – The View From Great Island // Spring Thyme – The Boys Club

 

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Watermelon Margaritas – Martha Stewart // Blackberry Moscow Mule – Pixelated Crumb // Fresh Strawberry & Lime Tom Collins – Cookin’ Canuck // Lemon, Thyme & Gin Spritzer – Sweetsonian // Orange basil Mojitos – Dine and Dish // Honeydew and Pear Sangria – Bakers Royale

 

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Pineapple Mint Prosecco Cocktail – Food Fashion and Fun // Rhubarb Vanilla Fizz – Limn & Lovely // Spiked Cherry Lemonade – Sweet Paul // Tequila Mint Limeade – New South Food Co. // Vanilla Pomegranate Mojito – Noshing with the Nolands // Strawberry Grapefruit Smash – Sprouted Kitchen

All photos copyright of their respective sites.

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An Easter Lunch

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THE APPS
Grilled Corn Crema Mexicana Cilantro Crostini – Epicurious
Raspberry Canapes with Basil and Balsamic Vinegar – Cook the Story
Salt + Vinegar Sweet Potato Chips – Undressed Skeleton

 

THE COCKTAILS
Sgroppino – Saveur
Pear Rum Blush – Eat Boutique
Meyer Lemon Sour – Honestly YUM

 

THE TABLE
Tinted Base Tumbler Set – Anthropologie
DIY Ombre Napkins – Once Wed
Vermelho Dinnerware – Anthropologie
DIY Washi Tablecloth – Style Unveiled
DIY Tissue Decal Candles – A Subtle Revelry
DIY Bird Nests – Home Made Simple
Tulips – Blossom Boutique Flowers
Bitty Black Bunny Treat Bags – Mer Mag
DIY Origami Bunnies – How About Orange

 

THE MEAL
Kale and Fig Salad – Pure and Simple
Risoni Tomato and Bean Salad – At Down Under
Roasted Polenta-Crusted Potatoes – Simple Bites
Zucchini Ribbon Salad – Proud Italian Cook
Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf – Real Simple
Broiled Spicy Brown Sugar Salmon – How Sweet It Is

 

THE KID DESSERTS
Speckled Egg Cake Bites – The Cake Girls
Easter Bunny Sugar Cookies – Indulgy
Speckled Egg Cake – The Cake Blog

 

THE ADULT DESSERTS
Vanilla Rum Custard – Saveur
Brown Sugar Banana Parfaits – Bon Appetit
Raspberry, Pistachio + Rose Cake – The Wild Flour Bakery

 

All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Gone Green

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ROW 1: Leprechaun Mojito // Baileys Irish Cream Cookies // Cucumber Margarita    ROW 2: Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur // Boozy Shamrock Shakes // Chocolate Guinness Cake with Whiskey Caramel    ROW 3: 3D Shamrocks // DIY Shamrock Honeycombs    ROW 4: Drunken Grasshopper Fudge // Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage // Green Sangria    ROW 5: Irish Soda Bread // Garden Path Wrap // Printable DIY Rainbow Boxes    ROW 6: DIY Shamrock Streamers // St. Patrick’s Day Cups // Shamrock Wreath

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You Should Totally: Get a Bar Cart + Make a Grapefruit Gin Sour

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A bar cart is something that I’ve wanted for a really long time. I’ve always had dreams of playing the hostess, guests walking in my front door and me smoothly offering them a signature drink. The Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home is a nice match for the mid-century decor I already have in my home. It’s also nice and narrow, really good for small spaces. And do you spy those antiqued mirror shelves? So good mixed with the industrial iron frame.

 

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So, what goes into putting together a great bar cart? Start with the basic liquors – vodka, whisky, rum, gin – as well as any you use regularly. For me those are tequila, Pimm’s, amaretto, and Cointreau. The middle shelf of this particular bar cart is extra tall and nice for bottles of unusual sizes. But since I don’t have any of those at the moment I had a piece of lumber cut to size, then stained and sealed it to make extra space for the hammered metal bowl I use for an ice bowl by laying it across the end bars. Now it’s easy to leverage the extra vertical space and easy to remove when needed!

 

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Next comes the essential pieces of barware. Most importantly a cocktail shaker, jigger, and some varied glassware. The types I use most are tumblers, collins glasses, and shot glasses. Again, it’s all about making the pieces you find yourself using most easy to access. I also like to keep some disposable coasters around for when there are more than four people and my every day ones are maxed out.

Now yes, I’m aware that not everyone drinks alcohol which is why I also like to add some sparkling waters to the mix. Add a few slices of citrus and it still feels special. Fun accessories like these short stubby paper straws and the (hidden) colored glass stirrers are also great to keep on hand.

 

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You all know there’s absolutely no way I could talk all about bar carts and not give you a new cocktail to try! We’re heading into the last month of super cold weather, which means beating the winter blues and taking full advantage of the bounty of citrus are both of the utmost importance. This Grapefruit Gin Sour takes both things into account, which means you should make room in your weekend to try it out firsthand.

 

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Grapefruit Gin Sour
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• 1 oz gin
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (or go the easy route with bottled ruby red)
• .5 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz simple syrup

Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice, then add the rest of the ingredients. Shake away for about 30 seconds, then strain into glass. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime and enjoy! Sour, sweet, and full of vitamins which means it’s basically a health drink.

 

Disclaimer: My Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home was provided by Euro Style Lighting. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!

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It’s Time to Party: Awards Season

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It’s here! Awards Season is once again upon us – did you catch the Grammys last Sunday? So many wardrobe hits/misses and unexpected wins and losses that it’s a shame to watch alone, don’t you think? Well, I do. So I’ve put together a little inspiration for my ideal Awards Season party including decor, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails. My goal was to create a bit of an old Hollywood-meets-cozy winter wonderland feel with a twist.

 

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THE LOOK
DIY Mercury Glass Votive Holders – A Beautiful Mess
Brushstroke Dinnerware – Diane Von Furstenberg
Silvery Chevron Tray – BHLDN
Lockport Portable Fireplace – Holly & Martin
Eclectic Candles – Tom Dixon
Lighted Birch Forest – Terrain

THE APPS
Easy Salt & Vinegar Veggie Chips – eBakerie
Ricotta with Lemon, Basil + Honey Bruschetta – Martha Stewart
Fries with Lemon + Rosemary Salt – Alexandra Cooks
Crab Spring Rolls – Cajunlicious
Kale + Artichoke Dip – Spoon Fork Bacon
Garlic + Herb Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

THE SWEETS
Clementine Cake – A Tasty Love Story
Coffee Meringues – My Kitchen Affair
Chocolate Orange Bark – Cake Merchant

THE LIBATIONS
Baileys Over Ice
Baileys and Coffee
Baileys Hazelnut Martini

 

BaileysLOGO-Design Crush

Sponsored by Baileys Original. Join @BaileysOriginal on Twitter to celebrate #girlsnight and the women of the Red Carpet.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Would you wear these Subway Map Printed Tights??
02/ Have you seen Disney’s animated short Paperman yet? So sweet.
03/ I have the perfect cocktail for all of you on Blizzard Watch – hot chocolate with red wine!
04/ Genius proportional counting blocks for children.
05/ Hot tub boats exist, NBD.
06/ As do dollhouse coffee tables.
07/ Incredible giant pinecones made of shovel blades.
08/ Vaportini, a vaporizer for inhaling alcohol.
09/ Plastic plaids!
10/ Only the best commitment ring ever.

Sidenote: After some confusion in the Reader Survey I just wanted to point out that the images above are linked, as well as the numbered descriptions. No need to scroll up and down. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

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