Friday, July 5, 2013

Libation : blueberry lavender lemonade



We love lemonade around here, the fresher the better! Ever since I made it with vanilla a few years ago it's the only way we like it, the perfect summertime drink. Our favorite additions are blueberry vodka and lavender leaves, so amazing together. Bright, earthy, and refreshing!

lemonade makings:

6 lemons
6 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla



Juice the lemons into a bowl and heat up a cup of water, add the sugar and vanilla to the hot water and mix with the juice.  Add the remaining cold water and chill.


Anytime I get to use my little retro hand juicer I'm excited, it works great!



I used a bit of cheesecloth over a funnel to strain out any seeds when I added it to my glass bottle.
(perfect for water)


Blueberry Lavender Lemonade Cocktail

1 part blueberry vodka
2 parts vanilla lemonade
6 lavender leaves

Rub the leaves gently with your fingertips to bring out the oils before tossing them in.





Enjoy!


Monday, July 1, 2013

air plants & antiques



My thumb's a nice seafoam shade. Luke's the expert gardener around here, he's out there every day weeding and watering. That's dedication man. I'm the lazier one in this duo and I love anything that's easy to care for, succulents and air plants are at the top of my list!


These little alien creatures only require a light misting and a bit of sunlight to thrive. No soil needed. That's my kind of plant. I'm a low maintenance girl. I can completely forget about them for a week and find that they're still alive, bonus.
The "ashy/frosty" look is actually the tiny scales they use to gather energy and humidity from the air. 
A quick dip in rainwater once a week revives them.




Air plants are so much cooler than candles, don't you think?


(a tiny old women with a studio in her sunroom gave me a few ballet lessons as a kid..as soon as I had to put my lil leg up on the barre I was like nah haha)

I'm a sucker for all things antique and gold, especially if it's paired with cream..or grey. Growing up I'd admire the decor on my grandparent's walls and I even inherited a few favorite pieces.
Antiques paired with modern elements have my heart.
I like to think of my style as victorian meets mod, it's probably all of the period films I watch.

I like what I like.


It's taken me forever to really start the decorating phase. These walls needed a lot of initial tlc to restore them and I have zero experience hanging anything on triple brick/masonry..ah the days of just a nail and hammer are long gone. It requires drilling and using an anchor/strong screw to hang anything. And you have to be exactly sure where you want something, I'm fickle..that's a tough one. The living room still has a way to go, but it's getting there. It's the little accomplishments.



I've finally started to put up my gallery wall! We had a small version of this at our previous place and I've missed seeing them all together. They look so much happier than in the corner gathering dust. But not really, because they're still dusty and everyone has a mean mug.


Succulents/cactus just need a nice amount of light, and no over watering. Leave them alone until the soil dries out. Be a little lazy.


Another favorite thing to find thrifting,vintage vessels. Anything that could make a happy plant home. I actually filled every one of them up this spring!
The latest addition was found at the flea market a while back and I added a donkey tail, appropriately.

My other antique..Zizi's getting old.




  Growing things really is therapeutic, whether it's the satisfaction of starting something from a seed or nurturing a little plant into a glowing specimen. Or having a house full of happy pets.
Most of these are already in different planters, they grow up so fast.

It's exciting to have access to plants from all different origins and environments, and the ability to curate a vintage collection of my dreams from affordable thrifting. Midwest is best.
And very hot and humid. I'm enjoying this overcast 70 degree day with the windows open, while it last.


Happy Summer!