Racin' Juleps

Off to the races! This weekend is the Kentucky Derby and, coming off the Royal Wedding, it will be another day to remark upon all the hats.

However, putting all hats aside, another traditional Derby must is the Mint Julep. I had my first one as a house guest on the French Riviera - proving that this classic drink, while traditionally southern, travels nicely. It was skillfully made and served in the traditional chilled silver cup. Here is my take on the way to make a derby cocktail and, if you serve it with a necklace of fresh roses  (from Daily Candy), it is also the perfect way to also celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday. So fresh, pretty and fun!

Classic Mint Julep, photo from Southern Living

Jackie's Mint Julep
(adapted from Southern Living recipe and About.com Cocktails)

For an individual serving:

4 fresh organic mint leaves
1 fresh organic mint sprig for garnish
1 tablespoon (about 1/2 ounce) of mint simple syrup (recipe below)* OR 2 sugar cubes
2- 2.5 ounces of bourbon (about 4-5 tablespoons)
Crushed ice (not to fine; I like being chunks)
1 chilled silver julep cup or tall Collins or highball glass (if using these tall glasses, use about 3 ounces of bourbon)
Cocktail straw

Preparation: 
1. Place mint leaves and simple sugar (or cubes) into the cup/glass and muddle to mix and or release   aroma and oil of the mint.
2. Add crushed ice to fill cup/glass.
3. Add bourbon.
4. Mix well, add mint sprig for garnish and straw.

Drink, I mean, serve immediately! Some sprinkle with powdered sugar. Best if made individually and best to sip slowly.

Happy Derby Day and Happy Mother's Day to all you horse fans and nurturers out there!

Invite from the Fabulous Luscious Verde Essentials Collection, let's customize for next year! 

*To make 2 cups of mint simple sugar:

1 cup sugar

1 cup of water

10-12 fresh organic mint sprigs

Bring to a boil 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil, stir often for 5 or so minutes until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add mint, then cool completely.

Pour into a glass jar; cover and chill 24 hours (ideally). Remove and discard mint. This syrup will last in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Enjoy!

Don't You Love a Royal and Crazy Wedding Hat?!

On my way to witness The Royal Wedding

Settling In

Really, I must get on with the day - car pool time!

If only... a "fascinator" by the creme de la creme milliner Philip Treacy

Reading my blog you may already know that I love hats and I love weddings, so what a fitting combination for me, hats at a wedding - The Royal Wedding.  Hats are a tradition in England and everyone wears them - I wish it were so here in the U.S.
Philip Treacy is the milliner. I adore the bright colors, the shapes and the whimsy on the fabulous hats or better called "fascinators". Two of my favorites are those outrageous and crazy hats/headpieces worn by Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice - especially Eugenie's beige number. It's like an Alice in Wonderland reality show.

Photo from Hollywoodlife.com

I wonder how many of the 1900 or so invited guests found that they could not see directly ahead - or to the side for that matter - from their seats. But, given the occasion, while maybe slightly annoyed, they were probably not surprised by any obstructed view.

On the other hand, my view - at home - was digitally perfect and obstructed only momentarily by the orange juice container.

All in all, the pageantry, the fly over, the mindful manners, Kate's romantic and retro looking dress, the men in uniform, suits and or morning coats and then the picture perfect double kiss (making history) was all truly splendid and well worth the early hour!

Oh, and in honor of hats, the first one in with a custom hat motif on a new stationery order will save a pretty pound.

What color is your holiday? Mine was true blue.

We are all together and very attentive

Healthy debate

The theme for our Family Passover this year was blue - but in a good way. We were together for our Family Seder (this year on Long Island) for the traditional reading of the Haggadah, light discussion and lots of eating.

During the Seder, the afikoman (1/2 piece of matzo wrapped in cloth, saved to be eaten at the conclusion of the Seder meal) was hidden by 2 key players who also strategically placed decoys to throw off those later participating in the search for this prized matzo. Impressive play. After little Ben found the prize and won the game (there were a few challenges made regarding improper assistance), we orderly* moved into the beautiful blue room to watch the Knicks and Yankees play. (I am confused, this sounds like Thanksgiving.)

It was a true blue and happy family affair - some were MIA but say they will report back next year. Happy Passover to all celebrating this holiday.

Just by coincidence I had my toe nails painted with "NYPD BLUE" just in time for the Seder.

Finally, blue is the traditional color of loyalty.



*Seder means order.

Hats Off! A Time to Celebrate

It's that time of year - graduation!

Be it graduation from high school, college, grad school, moving up to middle school...

whatever it may be, it's time to celebrate!

Here is a sampling to get you in the mood - invites, gifts, stationery and some things just for fun - enjoy! More to come. Of course, we can customize, personalize and even "brand" your graduate and or party as you like. Smart, eh?

Noteworthy Collections

Photo card Noteworthy Collections - suggest we use your photo

Noteworthy Collections

Different Hair Colors available!

Team Notes from $39.95

Party Time - a cute brunch invite 

From Luscious Verde's New Essentials Album

Collegiate Stamps

$39.95

A Necessity - The Thank You Note

Personalized pads for jotting down something really important!

Luscious Verde Collection

From Boatman Geller

Fun new product below- Capture graduation and then stamp all your thank you envelopes

 $59.95

And, finally - a dog lover's favorite! 

$59.95

We can do any pet - we don't discriminate!

Congrats to all the graduates - and their families!

Call for more information and orders.

orrganics.com

Snails to Mail Service

Seeing the volume of mail decrease in recent years and, along with it, a decrease in revenue, the US Postal Service is doing what it can to recapture the market.  Being a bit tongue and cheek about the "snail mail"* retronym applied to regular mail, at one local post office, postal employees are hand stamping outgoing mail with images of snails and offering plates of escargot to patrons mailing 6 or more pieces at a time. (The escargot plates contain 6 snails). It seems to have caught on as other offices are exploring this marketing tool.


Warning: expect longer lines at lunchtime.




Happy April Fools!

*Per Wikipedia, "the term snail-mail is a retronym that originated in 1983 to distinguish it from the quicker e-mail." Also, photo adapted from Wikipedia.

Need a Ghost Writer?

You all know by now that I love handwritten letters. What is "snail mail" to some is, to me, a wonderful gift. Communication through the letter actually seems more thoughtful, more lasting. And, it is texturally satisfying. Of course, some communications require more urgent delivery and I am not knocking technology by any means.

A fun site celebrating the handwritten letter has it's blog author write a new letter each day.  We get the voyeuristic pleasure of reading something that is not written to us (but maybe with us in mind as the "end reader"). The topics change and the recipients vary - from a co-worker to Alexander Graham Bell. Open it up, Letters from Lauren. If requested, she may even write one for you.*

A community letter with several authors circling restaurant patrons at the
Seattle Space Needle Restaurant, SkyCity. 

*My daughter also loves to write actual letters (at least 1-2 a week) - she too could be your ghost writer!

Why Settle for Just One?

Liner papers from Paper Mojo, stationery created with European Arturo paper from Arzberger

Why settle for one beautiful envelope liner when there are so many - I didn't.

As shown, quantity of 50 with flat printed return address, $250 - liners additional.