Swig & Swill

Swig & Swill: Pink Slip

Results from last weekends cocktail trials are in and surprisingly, one of the most popular cocktails was one I created myself: the Pink Slip:

2oz Tanqueray (works well with white Rum, too)
3 basil leaves
2 tsp raspberry syrup
3/4 oz lime juice
ginger beer
a dash or two of  grenadine

Add raspberry syrup, lime juice, and basil to a fizz glass. Muddle. Fill glass 3/4 full with cracked ice. Top with ginger beer. Then top the whole thing off with a little bit of grenadine for a bit of a color boost!

A note on ingredients: You’ll benefit by making some of these ingredients yourself:

Raspberry syrup is really easy. Start with a rich simple syrup. Simmer a 2:1 mixture of sugar to water in a small pan until it is clear and not cloudy. Let it cool and poor over a bunch of raspberries (frozen will work fine). Let the syrup and raspberries sit out overnight before straining out the berries. You should be left with a sweet red berry syrup.

For the grenadine, I used Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s super easy recipe.

For the ginger beer, I used Audrey Saunders recipe, which is equally easy. If you use housemade ginger, you’ll want to add a little seltzer to give it a sparkle.

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Swell Dwelling

Swell Dwelling: Party Perfect

How do you know if you’re an overachiever?  If, for your fiancé’s birthday party, you’ve made a canopy of streamers that covers your entire ceiling, using strips of magazine organized by dominant color and arranged in rainbow order, then it’s probably a safe bet.

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WESTERVIN Wear

Westervin Wear: A bloganista throws a party

I think it’s safe to say that Brian’s birthday party was a blast.  We had more fun than we could shake a stick at!  Even Elvis made a surprise appearance.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?) our camera didn’t capture much of the action, unless you consider the attempts of our beloved bestie Sarah H. and myself at blowing as many noisemakers as possible at one time “action”.  And I do.  So glad we got roughly 80 shots of that.

{ Left: Partyin’ it up with my good buddy Elvis }  { Right: The cleanup }

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Shopping Sherpa

The Shopping Sherpa: A B-day Par-tay for B-bops

If you haven’t heard, I’m throwing a birthday party for Brian.  It’ll be Bubbles & Baubles: A Fizzy Lifting Drinks Bash!  I can already tell you’re pretty impressed with my theme-forming abilities.  But it get’s more impressive!  For our lucky guests, I’ve put together a little inspiration for some festive attire.  It’s a dizzying mash-up of rainbow colors and sparkle, drawn from the flair of 20′s extravagance, the campy cuteness of 40′s barbershop quartets and the technicolor dreamworlds of 50′s cinema.  I don’t have a problem with going overboard.  Our guests better not be afraid to dazzle!

ROW 1:  Embellished 50′s Sweater from Kokoro Kara; Reconstructed Vintage Pillbox Hat from Swift Vintage and Handmade; Vintage Seafoam Sweater Dress from Marie’s Vintage

ROW 2:  “Stepping Out” Cocktail Hat from Pondhopper Originals; Vintage Sequin Earrings from Sign of the Dimes; Charles Jourdan Peeptoes from Verseau Vintage

ROW 3:  Vintage Gold Cocktail Dress from Timeless Vixen Vintage; Vintage Madras Shorts Set from Empress Jade Vintage; “Ana” Sequin Headband from Dana Castle

ROW 1:  Baby Blues Bow Tie from Nineteen Vintage; Aqua Blue Cufflinks from Enthrall; Madras Necktie from Mouse Trap Vintage

ROW 2:  Purple Bow Headband (let’s pretend it’s a bowtie here) from Just Liv; Bright Suede Oxfords from Tiny Vintage Wardrobe (run by the superbly awesome Shan Shan of Tiny Toadstool.  We’ll have to talk about how much I love her work soon); Vintage Argyle Sweater Vest from It’s Bella

ROW 3:  Vintage Plaid Blazer from Mother Midnight; Vintage Suspenders from Marie’s Vintage; Vintage Orange Fedora from Peppermint Thrift

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Daily Pretties

Daily Pretties: Party Animals

I am all SORTS of excited!  Wanna know why?  Brian’s birthday is just around the corner (January 31st to be exact — be sure to wish him a happy one), and you know what THAT means!?  P to the A to the R to the TY!  The preparations have begun, and I’m swimming in a sea of paper streamers (hand-made from recycled magazines! ), cocktail experiments and sequined party wear.  If I had a list of all the things that made me happy, party planning would probably be towards the top.  Along with chocolate milk, bendy straws, and of course… a certain handsome gentleman with impeccable taste.

{ I’m Cold by Nicole Licht }  { Fresh Produce .o1 by Virgílio Neto }

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Shopping Sherpa

The Shopping Sherpa: Auld Lang Syne

It’s the last day of the year, the last year in this decade.  In just a few short hours, we’ll be journeying into the twenty-tens with a year of accomplishments at our backs and a world of possibility before us… But let’s leave the poignant reflecting to the saps!  We’ve got some partying to do!  And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a dash of irreverent humor and a dollop of good ole fashioned consumerism!  Whether you’re crashing a hot house party or bellying up to the bar, Brian and Sarah (with help from the Shopping Sherpa, of course) have got the goods to keep you classy, sassy and sauced for the new year.

1.  I know all you professionals out there have your fancy smart phones and your electronic calendars, but here in the Westervin household we still like to do a few things the old fashioned way — with pen and paper!  Make a real mark, people!  One that requires more muscle movement than a faster-than-the-speed-of-light thumb dance atop your keypad or touchscreen.  What better way to start 2010 than with a handmade, beautifully illustrated wall calendar, like this one from PAWLING Print Studio for only $10?  Answer me that.

2.  If you’re boozing it up tonight, don’t let the hangover monster devour you in the morning.  Stay hydrated with this reusable glass water bottle ($32.99) from Perpetual kid.  Mother earth AND your stomach will thank you.

3.  Leave the brown paper bag at the liquor store and carry your wine in style with this industrial felt wine tote ($29) from the Curiosity Shoppe.

4.  Ooooooh sparkles!  Get glitzy with this stunner of a headband ($38) from Old Soul, New Heart.

5.  Did I ever tell you the story about my great-great-grandfather and the alligator?  If not, you should ask me about it sometime.  Until then, you can sneak your drinks with this silver crocodile flask for only $19.95 from Target.

6.  For the Wheel-of-Fortune-loving jet set, these glass-glitter-covered sheet metal letters ($6/ea. from Twine) would be a perfect addition to some New Year’s party decor.  If you’re decorating budget doesn’t allow for more than the “H”, “A” and “P”, however, just steal some craft supplies from the nearest gradeschooler and glitter-glue your way to a DIY new year.

1.  Forget those cheap plastic party hats — get a sparkly hair-do-dad that you’ll wanna wear again! ($35 from It’s Ok My Dear)

2. There’s more than one way to raise spirits with a votive holder.  Set the holy candles aside and proceed with a flaming sambuca!  ($15 for 2 from Twine)

3. You could ring in the new year by drinking your Dom Pérignon from crystal stemware.  If you’re planning on doing that… you probably shouldn’t be reading this blog.  But you are reading this blog, which is why I think you’ll appreciate a vintage set of champagne saucers ($35 from Vindima) for drinking your celebratory André.

4.  If you’re in Chicago, you’ll need a festive coin purse ($25 from Sew Lola) because all public transit rides are a PENNY!

5.  Soggy cardboard party blower?  I’ll pass.  Vintage plastic “tooter” for really blasting some eardrums?  Absolutely.  ($8 from 5 and Dime Memories)

6.  And finally, here’s a sweet little journal for only $8 (from Cutiepie Company) for writing down all those resolutions you won’t keep.

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Daily Pretties

Daily Pretties: Space Party

Happy New Year’s Eve, space cadets!

{ Galactic Transit (another gem) by Cory Remjeske }  { Limbo from Moritz Christian Woldt }

Uncategorized

Mama’s Birthday…

was full of spice!

oh_carlyn

To all my pretty babies who came to see me, called or beamed happy thoughts of me through the aether:  Thankies!  Mommy misses you!

{ 1954 from Oh Carlyn }

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