Saturday, August 13, 2011

jersey love: jersey tomatoes & a twist on a classic cocktail

I Heart New Jersey!

It's Jersey tomato time! We have lot of them, fresh from the garden over here at our house!

Yum!

BLT made with Jersey tomatoes for lunch. And tonight we will enjoy the tomatoes with fresh mozzarella!

And now to make my "New Jersey Iced Tea"...
It's the Long Island's sweeter, cooler cousin!

Make your basic Long Island Iced Tea, without ice and then top it off with Lemon Italian Ice!

I painted NJ and the Italian flag with water colors and stuck them into the Italian Ice. The ice floats so they make a nice finishing touch.


I'm sipping and fist pumping... Cheers to New Jersey! xo Lizzie


Friday, August 12, 2011

superheavy releases their first music video

Since hearing that two of my music favorites (Joss Stone & Mick Jagger) were forming a new music group, Superheavy, I have been anxiously waiting to hear what kind of music this talented hybrid would produce. Well my wait has ended! I am happy to share with you the new music video, from Superheavy, "Miracle Worker".


photo by Frank W. Ockenfels 3





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

take a moment tuesday; gelato & a small bouquet


Ciao Bella!
I am a fan of Ciao Bella gelato. They have great flavors, perfect chewy, creamy texture and colorful fun pints. My favorite flavor of their's is malted milk ball. They just came out with a line of gelato sandwiches so of course I had to try them and they didn't disappoint! 

It was good! 



Tiny vintage Bromo-Seltzer bottle that I purchased at a flea market this weekend- cost me almost nothing.

Lilies I cut this morning.

Colorful ribbon.

"I hate flowers. I only paint them because they're cheaper than models and they don't move.” - georgia o'keefe

"The earth laughs in flowers." - e.e. cummings



Saturday, August 6, 2011

liquid sunshine; pineapple mango coconut smoothies


I love making smoothies, it's kinda "my thing". In the words of  Will Smith's character in Enemy of the State, "Some people meditate, some people get massages, I blend."

I don't measure ingredients when I make smoothies I just add flavors that I think would complement each other and taste it throughout the process.

There are a few tips I can give. I do not like using too much ice, so I freeze my fruit ahead of time and it makes for a thicker icy smoothie. Add a little of the liquid at a time because its easier to add liquid than it is to remove it. And instead of water try using something that will add another layer of flavor (juice, almond milk, coconut water).



Ingredients
Mango
Pineapple
Coconut Water (can use coconut milk if you want more coconut flavor & sweetness)
Coconut (to toast for garnish)
Allspice (just a dash)
Ice




I am soaking up the sun and this beautiful Saturday! Enjoy yours! xo Lizzie






Thursday, August 4, 2011

maybelline celebrates 40th anniversary of great lash mascara

This past Monday, Maybelline announced that great lash has partnered with fashion designers to create limited edition tubes of their Great Lash Mascara in honor of the product's 40th anniversary. The tube was originally designed by then up and coming designer Lilly Pulitzer back in 1971.


Enlisted designers Tracy Reese, Max Azria and Viviene Tam (she collaborated with HP back in 2008 on a mini laptop) revamped the tubes with their own designs;  a graphic floral print, a black lace design and the Chinese symbol for "lash", respectively.


The tubes will be sold exclusively at Target for $6.99 starting in September.

photo courtesy of Maybelline New York

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

take a moment tuesday; diy creamsicle bath salts

Business is really picking up for me, which is awesome! I am bending wire for hangers as fast as my little fingers can. It's making my muscles sore from  having to muscle & manipulate the wire into place! Nothing a little break and a hot bath with homemade bath salt can't cure! 

Ingredients:
4 cups Epsom salt 
(you could substitute a cup and a half of another salt but Epsom salt is great for sore muscles and is my favorite. If you want to put another salt in yours I recommend Himalaya Pink Sea Salt its really pretty or use another sea salt)

1/2 tsp liquid glycerine (this is at most pharmacys, if they do not have it then try a supermarket or baking supply store.)

Essential oils or extract of your choice (I used Vanilla and Orange extract)


After I mixed the glycerine and the salt together I divided the mixture into 2 bowls.I put the orange extract in one bowl and added a tiny bit of orange food coloring (don't add too much!). And in the second bowl I added the vanilla extract. So I have a bowl of cream and a bowl of orange!



I use canning jars to hold the finished bath salt. Makes a for nice presentation if you use them as favors or gifts and they come in different sizes.

Alternate the two colors when filling the jars, so it has a swirl effect.

I used water colors, heavy card stock paper and a Popsicle stick to make a creamsicle tag. I made a basic plaid pattern to cut out for the lids of the jars.


Creamsicle Bath Soak

These make great gifts and inexpensive party favors for bridal & baby showers. They smell awesome and it's great to actually know what exactly is in the bath salt in your bath water!

Take a few minutes for yourself today! Soak it up! xo Lizzie



Monday, August 1, 2011

lucy the elephant turns 130



Lucy is 130 years old this year. It seemed very fitting for me to visit her for my 30th birthday, since we are both July birthday girls. 

I had mentioned to my boyfriend a few times that this was what I wanted to do for my 30th, he is a true Jersey boy and yet he had never heard of her. In fact when I told people that I was going to see Lucy for my birthday, most natives of New Jersey didn't know what I was talking about.

My pilgrimage to see Lucy the Elephant reminded me of the movie "Michael", starring John Trovolta. Michael is not your typical angel and with his limited time to visit earth he obsessed about seeing the world's largest objects. Michael would have loved Lucy!


Inside of Lucy.

Top right, peanuts in Lucy's belly ;)

Left, the view from Lucy's eyes.

Margate's water tower.


Lucy's visitors have included several presidents... but this visitor is my favorite!





Atlantic city is a few mins away so we went there for dinner and to take in the sights.


Jersey love.


Old building in Atlantic City. Love the seahorse detail!


Inside of Caesar's they had lots of  Adirondack chairs lining the length of the building with huge picturesque windows. And sand!

Breathtaking view from the Adirondack chairs in Caesar's, Atlantic City!

Wish I had gotten a better picture of my retro dot dress. It was the perfect boardwalk dress!


Seeing Lucy was a very me thing to do for my birthday. I am sure most people don't get it but I loved it and I will always remember my silly, fun 30th birthday at the Jersey Shore! xo Lizzie