Archives for July 2015

July 29, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

When life hands you lemons, you make a cocktail! Learn the details to my homemade watermelon-lemon mojito that was featured as a guest post on the blog, Dress in Sparkles. 

My blogger gal pal, Kylie of Dress in Sparkles, asked me to do a guest post while she is in the middle of nursing school exams. I can’t begin to tell you how much of an honor it is to have someone trust you enough to write a guest post on their blog. Let’s get real, a blog is like your little baby that you put sweat and tears into making it your best! I wanted to share a fun recipe for summer that everyone could enjoy, thus a watermelon-lemon mojito will do the job!

Have you been to Target lately? The shelves are already lined with school supplies and I even saw a few Halloween items… that is just crazy if you ask me! I am over here like can we just slow things down, it is still summer! I plan to enjoy the rest of my warm summer days with the help of my homemade watermelon-lemon mojito recipe.

{Kitchen tools}

• Muddle utensil
• Large cocktail shaker
• Measuring cup

{Ingredients}

• 2 squeezed lemons
• ½ cup mint leaves
• 2 cups watermelon cubes
• 1 cup simple syrup (see how to make you own below)
• ¾ cup white rum
• hint: have a little extra mint, lemon and watermelon for garnish!

Homemade Simple Syrup: This is a little trick that is good to know incase you want to throw a sip together but do not have simple syrup on hand, which numerous drinks require. It is 1 part sugar to 1 part water ratio. I put half of cup sugar and a half of cup water and slowing bring it to a boil. I added an extra tablespoon of sugar because I threw in a few ice cubes at the end to make the syrup room temperature. Begin by squeezing the juice from the two lemons into the shaker. Then, place the mint and watermelon cubes in the shaker. Muddle these three ingredients.

1. Place simple syrup and rum into the shaker. Shake well!
2. Pour over ice and garnish with extra mint, lemon, and watermelon

Tip: If you hate anything with a few chunks, you can make this recipe in a blender.

This sweet sip will come in handy when entertaining at any summer social! The watermelon-lemon mojito would be amazing with a Taco Tuesday or a weekend BBQ. So, kick back, relax, and enjoy the rest of those long summer days! Thank you to Kylie for featuring my cocktail on Dress in Sparkles!

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 22, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

I have had my eye on this dress since the beginning of summer. When it finally went on sale during the last Asos sale, it found its way to my closet!

 

{Dress: Asos} {Sandals: Target, similar}
{Bag: Michael Kors, similar}
{Bracelet: Loren Hope a la Rocksbox}

Boy do I find this dress swoon-worthy! Since this dress was WAY out of my price rage, I have been stalking the dress (I know it sounds A BIT ridiculous) to see if it would go on sale. Two weeks ago Asos had a dress sale and sure enough this skater dress was HALF OFF, making Dani one happy girl. This dress just screams feminine and chic to me, and if the beautiful embroidery was not enough to sell me… it also has pockets! You could say that I am a sucker for dresses and skirts with pockets.The dress seems to be made well, and is very light for summer in Florida.

These photos were snapped when the hubs and I went to visit the new Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop and The Candy Apple Cafe for a candy cocktail. Since we moved, the candy shop has been moved and remodeled. This was our first time at the new location since it had opened. Jason and I sure were impressed with the restored three-story home turned candy shop and cafe. It is the most adorable thing that I have ever seen. The place is filled with black and white stripe walls, pops of color like teal and pink, and fun decor. This would be at the top of my must-try cocktail list in Jax (There are several more places I plan on trying so stay tuned). In my last photo, I am enjoying a rock-candy old fashion and it was everything I hoped it would be! Have you ever had a candy cocktail??

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 21, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

This homemade savory soup still has my mouth watering. Get the details to this no-brainer slower cooker soup recipe below. 

{Serves} 8 servings
{Time} 25 mins prep; 6-8 cook on low in crock pot
{Ingredients}

• 1 small head of cabbage (or 1/2 of one large head cabbage)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 green pepper- chopped
• 1 red pepper- chopped
• 1 turkey sausage
• 2 cups need broth
• 2 cans cream of cheese soup
• 1/2 cup water

1. Wash and chop cabbage, onions, peppers, and sausage.

2. Layer the ingredients in the crock pot from top of the ingredient list to the bottom.

3. Try to mix the broth and soup around, but it will be much easier to stir after an hour of cooking.
4. Salt and pepper to taste! You could also add a little sprinkles cheese if desired.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or cook on high for 4 hours. Stir occasionally.

While some people may feel that it is too hot for soup during summertime, I could eat soup all year around!! If you have been following my blog, than you may know that I LOVE a good crock pot recipe! There is nothing like coming home to a cooked, hot meal after a long day at work. Yes, I leave my slow cooker on all day while I am at work… you can do the same at your own risk!

This recipe is fool-proof and was a nice change of meal for Jason and I. It was full of flavor and paired lovely with a glass of white wine. I am not a huge pepper fan, so I will say that the pepper flavor is not overbearing in this recipe, it is just right! This soup will be on repeat during the colder months as well (just like my Loaded Potato Soup). The crock pot is the best because it means lots of delicious left overs. I imagine that I will use the crock pot often when Jason and I have children one day. Please share any easy and yummy crock pot recipes that you have!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 15, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I love the abstract arrow print in this top, add some tassels, and you have my ideal summer tank! This top is currently on clearance, so run fast. 

{Top: J. Crew Factory} {Jeans: J. Crew Factory}
{Wedges: Nine West, similar}
{Bag: Kate Spade}
{Hat: J. Crew}

I had to have this top when I saw it at J. Crew Factory because it is a 2.0 of my favorite citron J. Crew dress from last summer. Last summer I bought a yellow shift dress with the same arrow print, you can see it here. This top is an upgrade since it has tassels, my favorite!! This top is great for a casual summer date night and you can not beat it since it is now on clearance for less than $20.

I wore this outfit to see my sister-in-law play her guitar gig at Sliders in Neptune Beach, FL. The food and atmosphere were on point for summer, and the music was even better! These nude wedges are old from Nine West, yet I have linked a similar nude wedge that I love. This Kate Spade Cedar Street Monday was one of my birthday gifts and I plan on enjoying it for years to come. It is the perfect size for my wallet, cell, and keys. Jason and I are headed to Gennie Springs this weekend to go camping… wish me luck!! Do you have any fun summer plans coming up?

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 12, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

This DIY serving tray will be an awesome piece to entertain with this summer! Learn how to impress your guests by labeling each item that you serve. 

{Time} 20 mins
{Materials}

• Tray (dollar store)
• Chalkboard paint (target)
• Paint Brush
• Chalk

Below is a photograph of the chalkboard paint that I bought at Target. It costs $6.99 and I only had to use a tiny-tiny amount on each tray that I made. I highly recommend this paint since I know it works well; i.e goes on smooth and erases chalk easily.

1. Begin by cleaning the service that you are going to paint. Make sure it is completely dry before you start painting.

2. Paint a round tray in circular motion, you can see my brush strokes in the bright photo below.

3. Let the tray dry for one hour and give it a second coat. Two coats of chalkboard paint yields the best results.

4. Let the paint settle for 12-24 hours before “seasoning” the chalk board. What is seasoning a chalkboard, you ask??

To season a chalkboard: Seasoning a chalkboard is a very important step you should complete before writing anything on the chalkboard. If you do not season a chalkboard than you run the risk of not being able to erase the first thing that you write or it will erase but you will always be able to see it in the background.

Turn the chalk on it side and brush over the entire chalkboard surface. After you cover the surface with chalk, take a damp rag and lightly clean off the surface. Here is a helpful page to look at to get further clarification.

I bought 3 trays from the Dollar Tree, 2 of them are tin and 1 (the one that I am holding) is plastic. All three of the trays took the chalkboard paint well. I was so excited to turn my chalkboard tray into a cheese plate for a night of entertaining our friends, Derrick and Lacy!! I love summer get togethers and this tray makes the perfect addition to any social soiree! For best use, I recommend choosing two cheeses and fill two small bowls with nuts and fruit. If you have any questions or suggestions, please share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 9, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I crave comfortable dresses for summer, you know the one that you always want to put on because it’s just so easy AND it can be dressed up if needed. See what I wore to the best Thai restaurant in northern VA, Sisters Thai. 

{Pinwheel swing dress: Loft (for some reason I can not find it but the stores still have it} {Wedges: Target, similar} {Bag: Anthropologie}
{Earrings: Kendra Scott ala Rocksbox}
{Sunnies: J. Crew Factory}

Hope everyone enjoyed a lovely holiday weekend! This is my last look from Northern Virginia before I made the big move back to Florida! I am always searching more an “above average” Thai restaurant and of course I found one the day before I moved!! My two girlfriends and I, Josie (of Josie in Color) and Lori, had the best hand-crafted sips and food. Sisters Thai in the Mosaic District is a must try for anyone is the DC Metro area. It also doesn’t hurt the ambience was PERFECT… every little detail of the restaurant was gorgeous!

I purchased this fun, summer pinwheel swing dress a few weeks ago at a sip, style, and shop event that you can check out here. This dress is going to be one of those, “Dani, you can’t keep wearing this dress, dresses!!” It is soft and so easy to throw on. I am a sucker more a “mindless” throw-on dress. One of those dresses that you can effortlessly grab out of the closet and just feel confident wearing it.

I know that I have said this numerous times, but I am drawn to an outfit that I can wear both to work and that I enjoy wearing in my leasure time. I plan to wear this dress to work on the days that I am just at the office (not at court with my new job) with a pair of bright-colored flats for that POP of color! How do you like to style your summer dresses? I would love to hear!!

Keep in touch,
Dani