Martini Time

Last week a couple of my girlfriends came over to my house for a little meeting. I decided to surprise them with a fancy cocktail along with some munchies.
I knew exactly what I was going to whip up...The Chinese 88 Martini from PF. Changs...It's to die for!

Here is what you need:

1.5 oz Plymouth Gin (or any Gin really)

1oz Simple Syrup - you can make your own

0.5 oz Lemon Juice

Mumm Napa Brut Champagne (or Sparkling wine)

Ice cubes

Rim the edge of the glasses with a coat of sugar. I use Lemon drop mix. Add a little lemon juice on the rim and dip it gently into the sugar mix. (I do that before hand so I am ready for the first badge) 

In a shaker mix Gin, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice and a little Ice and shake well

 Pour it 3/4 of the way into the Martini glass and top with the Champagne

Deeeelisshhhh!

Cheers Guys

Bryn

Reuse

I have had this wine rack for many years and it served a great purpose. However, I have no use for it anymore since I am storing wine bottles in another gadget, I have always loved the look of it though so why not reuse for something else...Soooo Busy Bee got to work...

I had some leftover paint that I used from Annie Sloan (Paris Grey mixed with French Linen).

  Here is the outcome:

Rolled up towels instead of Wine...so you get a towel storage plus a little side table for little cute things. For me it's great since I don't have a linen closet in the bathroom

I came across this brilliant idea on Pinterest a while ago....another great idea to be used with a wine rack

 Here are a couple of more ideas.... Not sure about that cactus placement though...

 Have yourself a Terrific Thursday

xo

Bryn

Bella

This little beauty is 4 years old today!

When we adopted her almost a year ago she was shy and reserved. With time she has learned to trust us and even allows us to pet her when SHE feels like it. She likes men better than women and remains picky about who gets her attention. She talks and is quite verbal...typical lady.

I fell in love with those short feet and tail as soon as I saw her

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

Wine

I admit it...I am a Wine-O!
Love my wine...white, red but most of all Pino Grigio... Everytime I see a funny wine label I buy it (well if it is under certain amount of course) if I don't want to spend money on it then I snap a picture.
Here are few that I have tried and are not bad...

Who can resist that pink label?

Sometimes Mommy's need a Time Out!

A Personal Favorite

Upside down Evil Wine

Francis Ford Coppola Reserve...

I started buying those when they came with a little Italian wine glass on top for free...gotta love FREE

I came across this creation the other day....A Vacuum packed bottle...not so sure

The Lazarus Wine bottle features a label printed in big bold braille....Who would have thunk?

Funny labels...hard to forget and easy to buy

Personal favorite....just so simple, personal and elegant and of course Italian

Not sure about you, but a book club with a wine theme or wine club with a book selection...call it what you want!

xo

Around The Bathtub

I love taking baths. Relaxing and soothing, homemade bath salts, aromatherapy oils and candles lit, perhaps magazines or books handy, a glass of wine wouldn't hurt either- and of course music of choice!
You don't really need to go to a spa to relax, just go to your bathroom and lock the door :)
I have worked in the spa industry for a while and I am a spa-a-holic. It is so very easy to create the same feeling in your very own home. Little or small, fancy or basic....it doesn't really matter.
Aromatherapy has been a hobby of mine for a while and I make my own concoctions. I have taken several classes on the subject as well as the use of crystals and rocks in holistic body therapy sessions. It's really fascinating. If you are a total beginner I recommend the basic Lavender....you can even get seeds and grow it in pots. I harvest mine usually and add them to Epsom salt (from the drug store) If you have access to Essential Oils like Rose, Lavender, Eucalyptus then great. Any of those will do. (Available at Whole Foods)
Run a hot bath with Epsom salt mixed with lavender and add few drops of oil to the water..
Creating serenity in the bathroom is fun. This is around my bathtub right now:

Have a super Monday

 

Curb Appeal

I love decorating outside. The decorations have changed through the years as the kids get older. I have moved away from the typical creepy stuff to more of a soft fall look.
Here are before and after photos of my front door@22!

Lowe's has these little pumpkins that I snagged along with couple of more Mum's.

The wreath I saw at Michael's and had to have.. It's so cute and rustic and has a lot of potential for future seasonal deco's

I love that little pocket that holds the pumpkin

The shed got a little makeover too. 

I picked up bunch of pine cones and twigs from my yard and stuck in the flower boxes along with pumpkins and mum's

The white pumpkins I had from last year. They are made out of foam so it's easy to carve. I cut the top of the larger one and put flowers in it....

This is my little porch that I usually keep the herbs and when I sit there I can smell the basil and rosemary so strongly that it encourages me to cook something or make pesto. After a afternoon's worth of work outside I decided to relax with a big cup of coffee and a book my daughter gave to me.

Ahhh Me time at last...

Have a Fabulous Friday!