The Saturday Sip: Skinny Pina Coladas

My sister in law was in town about a month ago for our annual pilgrimage to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.  In order to prep for the main event, we drank these skinny pina coladas.

For a pitcher of these bad boys, I combined equal parts pineapple juice and strawberry vodka, without about a cup of coconut vodka, and then topped the whole thing off with club soda. 

We had them over ice and garnished with fruit.  Festive, low-cal, and nice to look at - I don't ask for much more.

Also nice to look at:

Louis Vuitton Speedy 25

This bag was purchased for me by the H in Paris.  I love it.  It's a lot bigger than it appears at first glance, and since I live in Florida I can get away with the light color year round.  Festive and nice to look at, am I right?

The Saturday Sip: Fresh Margaritas

Wow I've been away for awhile.  I would love to say that I've been sipping on these the entire time, but that's not really the case.

I broke my juicer halfway through this process, but if you have a juicer I recommend using it for the limes.  Hand squeezing takes awhile.

1 1/2 cups lime juice
1 1/2 cups tequila (I used Jose Cuervo Silver)
3/4 cup triple sec
2 heaping tablespoons sugar (or a sweetener of your choice)
Tons of crushed ice
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 more tablespoons sugar

Throw your lime juice in a pitcher with the tequila and triple sec, then throw in the first two (heaping!) tablespoons of sugar.  Stir well and fill the pitcher with crushed ice.  Combine the last two tablespoons of sugar with the salt on a plate.  Use a lime wedge to rim your margarita glasses, then dip them in the salt/sugar mixture.

Those are the prettiest darn margaritas I ever did see, if I do say so myself!  They were darn tasty, and made enough for 6 LARGE beverages.  Enjoy responsibly, peeps!

While you're enjoying those responsibly, I'll be enjoying this purchase:

Rebecca Minkoff via Nordstrom

I purchased it in pink, which is a major departure for me, but it is going to be the perfect pop of color with my primarily black and gray honeymoon wardrobe - 15 days until we depart!

The Saturday Sip: Vanilla Berry Protein Smoothie

I know I talk about the wedding a lot around here, peeps, and for that I apologize.  I have been eating and sleeping (and sweating and stressing) wedding non-stop since 2013 came rolling in.  Part of my plan to alleviate stress AND get ready for doomsday the big day involves barre amped classes at Above the Barre.

The classes are freakishly intense and, while I'm thrilled with the results I'm seeing it is VERY difficult being sore 24/7.  Enter protein smoothies.

We always have these big containers of whey protein in the kitchen . . . time for me to take advantage!

I knew I wanted my protein smoothie to be berry-based, with a bit of greens and NO dairy, so I concocted the following recipe (which makes enough for two people):

1 cup frozen, mixed berries (or any frozen fruit of your choosing)
1 cup light vanilla soymilk
1 heaping scoop of vanilla whey protein
2 huge handfuls of spinach

Throw it all in a blender, blend, and enjoy.  I usually end up adding a little ice to the blender, to make them nice and thick.  If you prefer a less frozen texture, this recipe should work just fine!

Spinach?  What spinach?  You can't even taste it, peeps!

This bag is a pretty good visual interpretation of the smoothie:

Reed Krakoff via Bergdorf Goodman

Deep berry hues on the outside and a nice vanilla finish on the inside.  Now if only the bag could help ease sore muscles, too . . .

The Saturday Sip: Champagne Sorbet Cocktail

Peeps who don't know me well, and even those who do, may not know just how much I LOOOOOOOOOOVE champagne. (In fact, the F's sister may be the only one who has actually witnessed my unquenchable love for the bubbly).  So when I stumbled across a recipe that combines champers with blood orange sorbet and frozen berries, I had to have it.

Excuse the filthy counters, I was so excited about my cocktail I didn't bother cleaning up after myself.  I can't remember where I saw this cocktail recipe, but I know it showed up the day of the Oscars and I purchased the requisite ingredients immediately.  And I'm not sorry.  Not even a little.  (Additionally, if the bubbly gives you headaches [in which case I feel VERY sorry for you] you can sub in some chardonnay.  Not nearly as tasty, but equally effective ifyaknowwhatimsayin.)

How much better would this cocktail look in my hand if I had this in my other hand:

Derek Lam via Saks

Granted, it wouldn't have gone well with the outfit I was wearing while sipping this cocktail (namely leggings, an oversized t-shirt, and my frog slippies) but a certain amount of pizzazz never hurt any outfit (or cocktail), no matter how mundane (or plain-old-hideous).

The Saturday Sip: Jazzed up Coffee

On the heels of my Keurig post, I thought it would be appropriate to share my favorite morning coffee concoction with the world (or, at least, my 10 followers.  Good morning!).

This is after I've taken a sip, so there's a little gunk on the inside of the glass, but it is explained thusly:  this is a combination of 2 Tablespoons of hot chocolate mix, one cup of dark roast coffee, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.  I am not a milk drinker, and the hot chocolate mix has calcium that's great for me in the morning.  Cinnamon has been said to aid with digestion, and the coffee gives me the morning pick-me-up that I need!

This little number could provide a great pick-me-up for any of my (typically all-black) ensembles:

Jimmy Choo via Net-a-Porter
That shade of (neon) yellow is calling my name, loudly.  Anybody know where to find a more economical version?

The Saturday Sip: A New Year's Cleanse

It seems like everybody is doing a cleanse these days.  I've read about juice cleanse after juice cleanse, and then I read (in several places) about adding a little apple cider vinegar to the daily diet, and all of the differences it can make (appetite suppression, speedy digestion, clearer skin, decreased inflammation, and the list goes on . . .).  So I thought I'd give it a shot.

Here's what you need, peeps:  A (approximately 15 oz.) bottle or glass (I use the same bottle everyday), raw, organic apple cider vinegar (it is EXTREMELY important that it not be pasteurized.  Raw all the way), lemon juice (the bottled variety works particularly well for this), and honey.  Combine 2 tablespoons of vinegar with a splash of lemon juice and a little bit of honey, then add 12 ounces of water.  You can either drink the concoction prior to a meal, or sip it slowly throughout the day.  I drink mine mid-morning, which has worked particularly well with my schedule.  The taste is different, but I was quick to get used to it.  I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something cleansing, but don't want to commit to 5 days of nothing but juice!

There are other things, however, that I am currently committing too (besides the aforementioned cleansing beverage) that will be shared with you in very short order.  Suffice it to say, my wardrobe is going to need some updating, and I feel that an updated in the hand/professional bag department may also be in order.

Proenza Schouler Python PS1 Tote via Barneys

Not that this particular update will be possible, given the price tag, but my GOD that's a gorgeous bag.

The Saturday Sip: Champagne Cocktail

In the spirit of my impending graduation, I present to you my go-to tasty champagne cocktail:

Frozen, mixed berries in a champagne glass and topped with a little bubbly.  Not a bad way to start a weekend, or celebrate a master's degree!  As of December 9th, you'll officially be able to refer to me as Ashley, J.D., M.L.S.  And yes, I do intend on using ALL of the initials.

I also plan on acquiring a small, black shoulder bag in the near future, not dissimilar to this little number:

Christian Louboutin via Saks

This little number is out of my price range in an obscene way, but I'm sure I can find something similar in a budget I'm far more comfortable with.  Any tips on where to shop?

The Saturday Sip: Spinach Juice

One might argue that adding spinach to an otherwise delicious fruit juice would render it disgusting, undrinkable, and *gasp* green.  And that one would be wrong.

For my last birthday, the F got me a fancy schmancy juicer, and I have tried to juice just about everything (including a not-so-successful foray into pepper juice . . . don't ask).  This juice contained a couple of apples, a couple of oranges, some cubed pineapple, a handful of hulled strawberries, and yes, spinach (at least 3 handfuls).  You can't even taste the spinach, peeps!  If you need a little extra iron, or just to sneak some more veggies into your day, this is a great way to do it.

On my first Saturday Sip, I mentioned that I am in dire need of a new bag, and suggested a black replacement for my black bag.  I'm thinking, however, that an injection of some color may be in order.

Tano via Must Have Bag

It is reminiscent of my favorite shades of blue and big enough to carry EVERYTHING I need (which lately has included wedding magazines and small meals so I'll be ready to start trying on dresses in less than a month).  And the price is SO RIGHT.  Whaddya think?  Go Blue?

The Saturday Sip: Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Hey peeps, I won't bore you with the reasons why the next month of my life is going to be insane (or maybe I will:  visitors, more visitors, food & wine festival, comps, wedding venue searching, more comps, a birthday . . . whew!) but I WILL let you know that the Saturday Sip is going to appear from time-to-time around these parts.

I got this recipe for a Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie from Sterling Style.  Given my general distaste for peanut butter, chocolate, and bananas (all of which are central to this smoothie) I won't drink it, but the F LOVES it.  It has quickly become a favorite around these parts.

Because the Saturday Sip doesn't involve "cooking," per se, I thought that I would mix things up by not involving shoes, either.  This week, while bored at work, I noticed that my beloved leather, buckled purse by The Sak is starting to show exactly how much it is loved . . . and that I'm probably due for a replacement.

Alexander Wang via Saks.

Meet the Trudy Tote.  Big enough to haul around all of the essentials (sunglasses, regular glasses, wallet, keys, wedding binder [which is quickly becoming an essential]) yet still chic.  And black.  Black is of the utmost importance.