Monthly Archives: June 2014

Basil Berry Daiquiri Recipe

If you’re in need of a new and refreshing summer cocktail – I have just the recipe for you –  The Basil Berry Daiquiri cocktail recipe by BACARDI® Mixers!

Ingredients

1/2 can of frozen BACARDI® Mixers Strawberry Daiquiri mix

1/2 cup of BACARDI® Superior

1/8 cup fresh basil (finely chopped)

1/2 cup fresh strawberries

1/2 cup of club sodar

4 cups of ice

Strawberries and basil for garnish!

Directions

1. Blend together BACARDI® Mixers Strawberry Daiquiri mix, BACARDI® Superior, basil, strawberries, club soda and ice until blended well.

2. Pour into collins glasses and garnish with fresh strawberry and basil leaves.

*This recipe will serve 5-6 people.

What I love about this recipe is that you get the “craft cocktail” taste and look but it’s super easy to mix up and enjoy with the help of BACARDI® Mixers.

You can buy the mixers ahead of time, store in the freezer and pop in the blender the day of for a quick and convenient cocktail for your guests. No fancy bartender skills necessary!

They also They also come in Margarita and Piña Colada flavors and all pair perfectly with BACARDI® rums. 

Be sure sure to visit http://instantparty.com/ to learn more about the “Partytime, Anytime with BACARDI® Mixers”. Plus you also can find other delicious summer cocktail recipes all on their website

{Disclosure: This post was sponsored by BACARDI® Mixers through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about BACARDI® Mixers, all opinions are my own.}

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. ©2014 BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE AND ITS TRADE DRESS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED. RUM 40% ALC. BY VOL. ©2014 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. NON-ALCOHOLIC MIXERS.

Sponsor: Barre Tech Giveaway

Last weekend, I hosted a small event with Barre Tech and some of my close friends. We put together a little “Pop Up in the Park” private barre class in the morning taught by owner, (pregnant!) Amy Barnes, and instructor, Tessa Middour.

It was so much fun and it’s safe to say that veteran barre ladies and rookies alike, went home a little sweaty and sore for the next few days.

Everyone also went home with a little gift basket full of barre socks, breakfast snacks and just the right stretch tonics from Gouter for post workout remedies.

While I know everyone could not be there to “feel the burn” “and tuck” – we teamed up to put together a special giveaway for H&T readers.

Enter below for a chance to win a 5-class package (worth $100) to be redeemed at Barre Tech’s Alexandria and/or Arlington studio.

You can read more about Barre Tech’s classes and studio here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh yes, BT has quickly become my newest obsession in workouts so the winner will no doubt run into me soon!

Good luck! #barrelove

4th of july ready

Nothing to wear for4th festivities yet? Well, now you do!

AND there’s still plenty of time to order your outfit of choice before the holiday next week. I have put together a bunch of my picks for you whether you’ll be toasting (or hosting) on a beach, a yacht or at back yard BBQ!

Red, White & Blue – Happy Shopping!

Bud Bar & Beyond: Hosting in a Crunch

I’m often asked how time consuming it is to plan events and host dinner parties and also how to plan for them last minute or when you don’t have the extra time to dedicate. Well, I will be honest, it is quite time consuming but it is also something I enjoy and make time for (obviously).

However, I realize this is not the case for everyone so in today’s post, I wanted to give some tips on pulling together a last minute party at your home and easy DIY ways to pull it off!

This past weekend I hosted a Sweet & Spark trunk party.  It was a lot of fun and everyone went home with some spark, for sure.  However, I had been traveling for most of the week prior and wanted to keep the theme simple with just “sweets” and “sparklings”. (PS- this is also a theme that’s perfect for bridal showers, bachelorette weekends or even, girly birthdays.)

Alas, here are some tips that I used to making this a fun and no-fuss affair!

Tip #1: Try something semi-homemade.

In the words of Sandra Lee, you can truly put this to the test when time is of the essence. I made batches of mini funfetti cupcakes (yes, I used a mix) but I added white frosting, pink sugar crystals from Dean & Deluca and gold baking cups. They were easy to make the day before and frost that morning!

Tip #2:  Pick up fresh florals.

If you follow me on instagram, you already know that I am firm believer in that a home can never be “too full” of fresh blooms. I make it a habit to pick up fresh flowers whenever and wherever I see them (often times, TOO much of a habit, but that’s another story..). An easy way to decorate and brighten up any space is by adding flower arrangements and you certainly don’t always need a florist to do so. Pick up whatever is in season (hello peonies from WholeFoods!), cut and arrange in colorful vases or jars. (Brush up on your design skills here.)

Tip #3: Make a Bud Bar.

Hence, the title of this post! This tip is also floral-related but I felt it needed a bullet point of its own. For those of you that are not floral arrangement savvy – this has quickly become my new obsession that I have dubbed, the “bud bar”. ANYONE can make one. Seriously, you cut the flowers super short, place in a smaller jars, line up and voila! (You could easily do this “on the road” too for parties you might be hosting at a restaurant, hotel or with tabelscapes) This is also a great way to make use of those flowers you accidentally cut too short or that break while in route home. I placed one of these on my fireplace mantel for the party (below the darling Sweet & Spark blogger lookbook). Currently, I have a “leftover” bud bar full of pink peonies in both my bedroom and bathroom.

Tip #4: Purchase bottled “sparklings”.

To take care of the “sparkling” side of this theme – I purchased sparkling bottled waters, prosecco and sparkling pink lemonade. All of these could be bought ahead of time or the day of and kept cool in the fridge (or on ice). No special craft cocktails needed – which also cuts down on time!

Tip #5: Light candles.

Last but certainly not least, another way to decorate and liven up a room is through scented candles. You probably already have a few at home and you can light these before your guests arrive. I would recommenced about 20-30 minutes prior so that the house smells delightful!

 Below are some more photos of the spark from the party!

Happy Hosting!

The Shower Dress + Hanes Giveaway

This little custom dress by Numari is quickly becoming a summer staple for me. It’s perfect for a shower (no, not a bridal or wedding shower, unless you’re the bride-to-be, of course) but a baby shower, summer party, church, and even work!

I have mainly dubbed it the “shower dress” because it seems that baby shower invitations have been pouring in since a few of my close friends are expecting. And what’s more, they’re all expecting little boys (hence my blue giftbox in tow).

Also, for those of you who are not brave enough to bare your legs yet or wear white without a healthy glow – Hanes Sunkissed Ultra Sheers are perfect for you! These little gems provide you the #sunkissed, bronze glow and they are super light weight. They come in a variety of “cosmetic inspired” shades to match your skin tone and they’re ultra sheer. My friend who was photographing me had no idea I had them on (get your own pair by entering below!)

{Dress: Numari Maison Lace Sheath (c/o – use promo code: BrittneyVIPGuest for 25% OFF your own custom dress) / Tights: Sunkissed Ultra Sheers (c/o – color: light bronze) / Wedges: J.CREW (similar here) / Sunnies: Anthropologie / Bracelet: J.CREW (similar here) / Necklace: DKM}

Don’t forget to enter to win a pair of Sunkissed Ultra Sheers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway