BEAUTY & THE BEARD

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

MIXED BERRY MOJITOS

I know I've been on a big cocktail kick on the blog lately- but it's just because it's too dang hot to make anything else!

Today's drink is of course- in honor of the 4th! The berries not only make it delicious- but festive too!

What you'll need:

- Handful of mint leaves

- 2 teaspoons sugar

- Handful of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries

- 1.5 ounces white rum (or sub for vodka)

- Sprite

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Throw you strawberries, raspberries, mint, splash of sprite, and sugar in the bottom of your glass. Muddle until the berries are well mashed.

Step 2: Add your other berries, rum, and mix.

Step 3: Add a bunch of ice cubes (I make mine with mint frozen in) and top with sprite!

Step 4: Garnish with some frozen berries on a skewer and enjoy!

Oh and of course- the best part is eating the fruit when you're all done. Sugary, boozy, delicious fruit!

What will you be sipping on this 4th?

I'll be having one of these for sure!

xo, lp

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

SIX FANTASTIC FOURTH CUPCAKES (easy designs that take minutes!)

Let's talk straight for a sec:

I love baking from scratch and all, but sometimes it's a pain in the ass. When you just want something last second it can be a bummer when you don't have all the ingredients at hand. So, at times like this, I bake from a box. AH! GASP! BLASPHEMY! The girl that bakes uses box mixes sometimes?!?

I know, your vision of my is shattered. Sorry. To help you cope, go eat a box of cupcakes.

These are 6 super fast, fun 4th of July cupcake decorating ideas. All you need is a box of cupcake mix, some frosting, and the topping of your choice. Have fun!

Don't they look great together? Some fun, some whimsical, some classy. Make a bunch of each to please any crowd!

Cupcake #1: Swirly Cupcake

This one is super easy, take some white frosting and dye some blue and some red. Swirl plain white along with the two colored frostings and BAM. Pretty swirls.

Cupcake #2: Washi Flag Cupcakes

All you need for this one is a few toothpicks and some washi tape. Just fold over, cut into triangles and you're good to go!

Cupcake #3 The Easiest Candy Cupcake

There are plenty of red & blue candies out there to fulfill this cupcake task. My current favorite is the 4th of July Twizzlers that you can buy at Walgreens. Lemonade/BlueRaspberry flavored. Nom.

Cupcake #4: Layered Swirl Cupcake

This one is the only cupcake that requires a little effort. Open a ziplock and hold it up by one corner. Drip red food coloring down one edge of the bag, and blue down the other- so they come together to a point. Cut the tip off the bag to let excess run out, and then load with white frosting. Squeeze to create ad swirled look!

Cupcake #5: Fruity 4th Cupcake

Just slice up some strawberries (or raspberries or cherries) and add some blueberries. Done!

Cupcake #6: Sprinkle Cupcake

If you don't have blue and red sprinkles, either use M&Ms or color white sugar with food coloring!

Perfect!

Which one of these decorations would you try?

Let me know!

xo, lp

Looking for more 4th of July fun? Try my Patriotic Frozen Punch or 4 Washi Tape decorations for the 4th.

Monday, July 1, 2013

YOU HAVE TO COMMIT TO WEARING GREEN PANTS

Happy Monday everyone!

The weekend flew by way too quickly this time around- and I am absolutely NOT ready for Monday. Woof.

It's been HOT and muggy lately, which means the second I get home I change into a strappy dress. I mean. Not in like a saucy way or anything. We keep things PG13 around this blog. But you know- it's like UGHICANNOTGETTHESESWEATYJEANSOFFASTENOUGH.

This dress was a cheapo from Forever 21, and I love the fun floral print!

Almost as exciting as changing out of work clothes is corn on the cob. Yup. Every Thursday at work we have company wide Grill Day- and last week was a BBQ theme, which meant grilled corn and lemonade for me!

I got these green jeans from Gap a while back and finally wore them. I feel like you've gotta COMMIT to wearing green pants, because inevitably people are going to comment on them- and if you're not in the mood to chat neon pants, don't wear 'em.

In other news- Saturday we went to a lovely wedding of some friends, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The reception was at a gorgeous country club over looking a lake- with a perfectly manicured golf course to check out. We had an awesome time seeing friends and dancing the night away. (oh and for those of you that asked- dress can be found HERE)

Need ideas for fun and easy 4th of July crafts like these cups? Click HERE!

This week I'll be featuring TWO recipes, both red-white-blue themed. One day will feature some patriotic cupcakes- and another will be a how-to on a very berry mojito!