Aperol Cocktails

There is nothing I love more on hot summer day than an Aperol Spritz.  I fell hard for them on a trip to Italy last summer where it became our staple pool-side cocktail at our villa nestled in the Tuscan countryside.  Many months later, I had the most gorgeous Aperol Spritz I've ever seen at Sam's in Boston.  The color reminded me of a phoenix rising and I've been trying ever since to have bartenders replicate it, to no avail. 

Just as I often choose my outfits based on the shoes I'd like to wear, I also sometimes decide my drinks based on the vessel I'd like to sip from.  Tuesday was a warm day, by English standards, and I was itching to use my vintage champagne glasses that my parents gave us for our wedding in March.  I didn't want champagne, so I decided to play off an Aperol Spritz and make an Aperol Cocktail.  It's cool and refreshing and perfect for a warm afternoon that isn't so stifling that you crave ice.  Here's how to make one:

1. You will need: Aperol, Prosecco or a dry sparkling wine (I used cava because I like it better), and soda water. 
2. In a pitcher or cocktail shaker (we left ours in Boston, accidentally... tragedy!) combine equal parts Aperol and soda water and stir with ice until it is very cold.
3. Strain into a glass- the prettier the better!- and top with prosecco/sparkling wine/cava.  As you add the cava, the drink will change from the color of dying embers to that of a blushing sunset.  Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy! 

It's super easy and, as is the way with me and summer cocktail-crafting, there are no definitive measurements.   Just add as much of this and that as you like until you decide it tastes right.  I'd say my concoction was 3 parts cava to one part Aperol/soda water.  The end result was light, bubbly, and super beautiful to both look at and consume.  YUM! 

Tuesday w/Moi II

I bought this book at a used bookstore last week because I just can't turn down Hemingway.  I love him! Why? Because Hotchner describes him of having a fear of the telephone, because he always wore an old Nazi belt which was too wide for his belt loops, so he wore it over them, and because he said incredibly wise things very simply, such as, 'Never confuse movement with action.'  Also, Hemingway is basically synonymous with 'badass' and I like that, too.  And he was a great writer.

 

During my years working in a salon, I became very particular about the products I use to keep my hair healthy and gorgeous (no really, I love my hair, though it's in desperate need of a color soon).  Every ten days or so, I use Rene Furterer Complex 5 on my scalp and Karite Oil on my follicle to keep my head moisturized and healthy.  These plant extract oils have the added bonus of smelling heavenly, making them a morning indulgence that I look forward to between treatments.  Yesterday was one of those special mornings and I lit a candle to celebrate (sidenote: I prefer candlelight when I'm showering, it makes everything so soft and lovely!).

It was a long time coming, but I finally got around to hanging my earring rack and kimono yesterday.  Slowly but surely this apartment is coming together to become a home.

Made a shopping list.  We needed a lot of soap!

In town, I found a little street paved with rocks that reminded me of the surface of an oyster shell.  It made my heart ache for the ocean.

I didn't end up buying any flowers on my shopping trip, but I did buy a mint plant which is almost as good!  I'm definitely going to make a pitcher of minty lemon fizzy water this afternoon.

Skyping with my Dad.  He's in Australia right now.  Our family is a time-zone nightmare!

The English don't call French Presses French Presses, they call them Cafetieres.  Weird.  Also, I miss my Moccamaster so so so much!  We fried the motor when we plugged it into our UK outlet (with an adapter, mind you) and it's sadly beyond repair.  As is my heart.

Checking-in on Le Chat.  She has the best life ever, no?

David came home!  I still get excited when I see him after a day spent apart.

I made Aperol cocktails with prosecco and soda water.  Like an Aperol Spritz, minus the ice.  More on this later in the week...

Cowboy dinner.

Got lost in my work and forgot to take a picture at 21:00, OOPS!

I like to think that Lula and Samantha House Jewelry are going to be good friends.  Girl of my dreams, indeed! 

Thank you for sharing my Tuesday with me, friends!  I think I need to get over my penchant for left-leaning paper-goods, no?  It's so painfully obvious that I'm right-handed! 

xoxo

@ Sam's

The last few days have been downright beautiful here in Boston.  The air has been hot, the sun's been shining, and David and I have been enjoying lots of walks and open-air lunches. One of the challenges of a beautiful weekend in Boston is to find a delicious meal at a restaurant with a patio that isn't totally crowded, but lucky for us we know one of the best kept venues in the city, Sam's.  Located on the top floor of Louis, a small and beautifully curated local department store, Sam's has a roomy deck and one of the best views of the Boston skyline.  Contrary to what you may think about the fusion of high fashion and food, the portions at Sam's are always generous and the vibe is comfortable and casual.  It's always been one of my favorite lunch spots in town and it's the perfect place to watch the sun set whilst enjoying a crisp glass of champagne.

To avoid the chaos surrounding yesterday's marathon, David and I decided to keep to the outskirts of the city and spent a couple hours basking in the sunshine on Sam's deck.  My drink of choice was a perfectly proportioned Aperol Spritz which looked just as refreshing as it tasted and made my heart ache for Italy.  It was a perfect afternoon spent daydreaming in the sunshine with the man I love.