Style Lush

Champagne cocktails!

By Sarah

The Style Lush crew has already brought you our favorite champagnes and our favorite cocktails, and today I'm bringing you my favorite champagne cocktails! I am a sucker for champagne, sparkling wine, cava or prosecco and I'll take it straight up, mixed with juice or basically anyway you serve it. Here are a few of my favorite ways to drink champagne:

Poinsettia: Champagne and cranberry juice
This is basically the same as a mimosa, except it uses cranberry juice instead of orange juice. Sometimes I like to use pomegranate juice or even guava. I'm not sure if either of those have a name, so we'll just call them Delicious.

Kir Royale: Champagne and Chambord Liqueur
This is probably my favorite champagne cocktail ever. The black raspberry flavor of the Chambord isn't too sweet, plus, as a friend of mine once said, "You can't go wrong with a liqueur that has its own belt!"

Champagne Cocktail: One sugar cube soaked in Bitters and topped with Champagne
I've always known what a traditional Champagne Cocktail was, but I had never tried it until a couple days ago. (Anything in the name of research, right?) The sweetness of the sugar cube was cut by the bitterness of the, uhh, Bitters, but it still maintained its unique flavor.

Sarah Bellini: Champagne and peach schnapps
A Bellini is traditionally made with prosecco and white peach puree. Instead, I substitute the puree for peach schnapps. This cocktail is very sweet, not to mention deadly, so one is definitely enough. (Although I've been known to have two.)

{Photo credit: bevmo.com}

Any champagne cocktails I'm forgetting?

Angel Food Cake with Sugared Balsamic Strawberries

by Katie

I recently caught the tail end of a Barefoot Contessa episode where Ina whipped up a gorgeous panna cotta, drizzled it with a balsamic vinegar and sugar sauce and finished it off with a sprinkle of pepper and lemon zest. I've been drooling ever since.

Lucky for me, juicy red strawberries are just starting to pop up in my local grocery store so I didn't have to wait long to recreate this delicious recipe in my own kitchen. I made a few tweaks because let's be honest, I don't have time to make panna cotta, and since I was going off of memory, I forgot the part about the pepper and lemon. Still, my version was absolutely divine without those extra ingredients and best of all, it was quick and simple to make. Bon appetit!

 (Photo Credit: Me! Right before I devoured it, of course!)

Angel Food Cake with Sugared Balsamic Strawberries
(inspired by Ina Garten's Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries)

Ingredients

• 1 store bought angel food cake
• 1 tub of Cool Whip
• 1 pint of strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. Place the strawberries in a bowl, then stir in the sugar and balsamic vinegar. Let soak in the refrigerator for about an hour before you plan on serving.
2. When ready to serve, cut the angel food cake into slices, then cut each slice in half. Spoon a generous amount of Cool Whip on top, then add an equally generous amount of the strawberries.
3. Enjoy!

Note: Feel free to play with the balance of sugar versus vinegar. I happen to LOVE balsamic vinegar so I go a little heavy on it!

Easter dress round-up!

By Maggie

I had grand plans to pick out the Perfect Easter Dress (with a matching bonnet, natch), but then we decided to move this week. And now I'm all, "Can't she just wear her Christmas dress?"

One last shopping opportunity presented itself over the weekend and I ran to the mall and proceeded to wail and gnash my teeth over the stiff, shiny, scratchy balls of fabric that passed for toddler Easter dresses. Why so... plasticky, baby clothes manufacturers? Desperate, I picked a plain cotton Carter's sun dress from Penney's and then dashed over to Macy's where I found this:

 

I'm a sucker for Peter Pan collars, what can I say. 

But perhaps I should have done some shopping online. Here are some other contenders. 

 

I love this sweet style from Crazy 8. Possibly because it looks almost exactly like her Christmas dress, in blue. I'm so predictable. 

 
These two are from Gymboree. I LOVE the flower applique, although some might think it's not fancy enough for Easter. The ribbon dress is on the stiffer side, but I love the flouncy!

Carter's pink sateen from JCPenney.

This Target dress would look adorable with a tiny white shrug.

And for those of you with the cash, this is silk Janie and Jack dress is a bit more elegant.

I'm surprised at all the sleeveless dresses - Easters are reliably freezing in Washington State, at least. However, my biggest Easter attire issue? None of the stores I looked at carried Easter bonnets! TRAVESTY! One or two of the online stores offered matching "sun hats" but I need a BONNET. With a brim and a chin strap, just like the ones my mother made ME wear. Thank goodness my mom tracked them down at Sears (Sears!) otherwise Easter would be RUINED!

What are your girls wearing for Easter?

Easter Basket Ideas (The Non Candy Kind)

by Elizabeth

I love filling Easter baskets!  Now please note I'm not advocating that you skip jelly beans and those crazy delicious Cadbury chocolate eggs, but here are few other fun (non candy) ideas that I like if you're looking to mix things up this year.  

1.  Art stuff - paints, markers, crayons, chalk, or nice colored pencils.

2. Bubbles!  Those bubble sticks from the Dollar Store are really popular at our house. 

3.  A small plant or some packets of easy to grow seeds like peas or beans.  If you include gardening tools it's a whole theme and you can plant some things together after the sugar coma wears off. 

4.  Play Doh is another hot commodity around these parts.  

5.  This egg soap from Cost Plus is super cute. (Available in store only).

6.  My son LOVES these books, I loved them when I was a kid, and $3.25 for a timeless classic really can't be beat.

 

7.  These fairy rings went in last years Easter baskets and I'm a big fan. 

8.  Flashcards! Educational and super cute.

9.  Socks - always strangely popular with my child. 

10.  Vermont Name Trains - an especially good choice if your kid has a short name.  Otherwise you can always start with his or her initials.  Or take out a bank loan. 

11.  Paint Your Own Tea Set from Cost Plus.  (Available in store only). I've already fielded several requests for one of these from my child - I'm actually really looking forward to the tea parties. 

12.  Because I'm cheap practical, I always like to include any stuff that my son needs anyway - this could be things like pajamas, shampoo, sippy cups in fun styles, a toothbrush, even a cute pair of new shoes.

{Photo credits:  amazon.com, worldmarket.com, gap.com, dreamchildstudio.etsy.com, janieandjack.com, piecesofvermont.com}

Display worthy measuring cups

by Christina

Before I learned the sex of my baby I grabbed a few things here and there just in case I was cooking up a girl.  I am not, so now I have this adorable set of measuring cups I had intended to use in her nursery that are looking for a display spot in my home. 

When I was a kid I was a Sesame Street watcher and they had this little film of Russian Nesting Dolls and I really wanted a set.  I was never lucky enough to get any so when I came across this set of cups I grabbed them without much thought.  Okay, I may have held them to my belly and asked it "Baby (girl name) are you in there, kick mama!"  She didn't, I bought them anyway.  But really, how could I not? 

I still love them and don't regret buying them for my maybe girl one bit.  I just have to figure out where to put them since they are way to cute to be measuring flour and sugar. 

{personal photo}

Making the best of the rain: Fun umbrellas

Just around the time the weather starts getting warmer and those of us who have been cooped up all winter are so excited to get out ... it rains. Well, let me tell you, I'm not about to let a little rain stop me from getting out. I strap the raincover on the stroller and off we go. Unfortunately, our umbrellas aren't as cute as these, but a girl can dream, right?

We'll start with the basic type of fun. Kids beach-ball themed umbrella, $15, Target.com

{Photo credit: Target}

Little people! All up in your umbrella! ARE YOU DEAD YET, FROM THE CUTE? 

$32, at Fred Flare

{Photo credit: Fred Flare}

Clouds! And blue sky! For a rainy day, you see. $25

{Photo credit: Umbrellas.com}

How cute is this? It's an umbrella for two! How romantic! $44

{Photo credit: Umbrellastand.com}

This is my favorite. All pleasant and soothing up in this umbrella, yo.  Starry Night umbrella! $40

{Photo credit: Raindrops}

And finally, for when no perky umbrella will cheer your ass up. This way you can be classy and say what you really feel, but in French, so many people won't even know! 

(Okay, fine, it means "Shit! It's raining") $45

{Photo credit: Raindrops}

See? Rainy days don't seem so bad now, do they?

Is this cute?: Outfit from Tea

By Jennie

I'm the mom to a little boy, I'm sure you know by now, and I think I have a pretty great eye for little boy clothes. So, it's a bit strange to find myself feeling so out of place and confused when trying to pick out little girl clothes for my friends. I hold up dresses and skirts and rompers and stare confusedly at them. Does....this....look....cute? I don't know!

Here's where you come in!

I nearly clicked "purchase' on this floral romper from Tea, a fun children's clothing site. But I hesitated because, well, it's super cute....or is it?

{Photo from Tea Collection}

You tell me. Cute or not?

A Burning Ring of Fire

By Jessica

Being not originally from Texas, I was surprised at how big of a part fire plays in most any get together around here. Of course grilling is to be expected and the BBQ is a thing of beauty but what I'm actually referring to are the fire pits. They are as prevalent a backyard accessory as a grill or patio furniture and even when it's hot as hades around here, you'll often see one burning away in some distant corner. 

In my opinion, the optimum time for a fire pit is now, when you have a chance of the nights being a bit cool. You can throw on a light jacket or a hoodie and snuggle down in a patio chair in front of a crackling fire with a nice glass filled with the beverage of your choice, outside under the trees and allowed amount of stars (unfortunately where I live, that's not many, hopefully you get more). It's just a nice way to spend an evening with friends, family or even just you and your significant other. If you have kids, they are great to have as well, because I haven't met a kid (adult kids included) yet that didn't love a toasted marshmallow or a s'more and this allows you to keep all that mess outside. Perfect!

 

1. Catalina Creations Ornate Fire Pit via Home Depot $119.00

2. Well Traveled CICA Aztec Cast Iron Chiminea via Amazon $118.49

3. Saratoga Fireplace via Target $125.99

4. Garden Treasures Living Slate Firepit via Lowe's $159

5. Hammered Copper Fire Bowl via Target $287.99

6. Rectangle Pagoda Fireplace via Amazon $149.99

Four must-have Spring nail colors

By Jennie

We rounded-up our favorite fall nail colors a few months ago, but now that spring is here (whoo!), it's time to pack up the deep reds and bust out the bright colors.

Like these:

{Photos: Amazon.com; Sepohra.com; CharmBeautySupply.com; InStyle.com}

1. Essie Boathouse, $3.75
2. Sephora by OPI's Matte Domestic Goddess, $5
3. MAC's Love & Friendship, $24.99
4. NARS Schiap, $16

Which is your favorite? Or, what's your go-to spring nail color?

March Madness In Style

By Laurie

So, I'm a college basketball fan - of the very unhappy variety right now, honestly, since my Maryland Terrapins went out of the NCAA tournament in the second round of what has been a wild variety of March Madness this year. 

Think one second doesn't count? Ask the guy who shot that last three pointer for Michigan State. Who won again yesterday. Seriously. 

But I digress. Even when my team is on the losing end, I can ease my pain by wearing something that shows my school spirit and shows a little bit of style. And, for ladies, that does not mean it has to be either a t-shirt made for a man in school colors or one made for you...but in pink. We can find some middle ground here. (And no, I am not opposed to pink in general, or even green, as you will see, but I'm sort of a stickler for staying reasonably within the team color family unless it's a special occasion.)

West Virginia Mountaineers rooting for their Final Four-bound team (and I will be one of them for the day, for reasons I will smack talk about elsewhere) can do so in one of the Red-brand t-shirts from their Barnes & Noble campus bookstore, for $21.98. I have one in Terps-red - it fits nicely and has a v-neck, which I prefer and can be hard to find in this kind of clothing.

  There should be a lot of Butler University fans in the stands since the team's first Final Four appearance will happen six miles from their Indiana campus. Their bookstore has rolled out a women's cut shirt for the occasion. $20.00  

 
No slacker pretend-college-student-for-life's team wardrobe is truly complete (or at least mine isn't, ahem) without flip-flops. And even a Duke fan must be shod. (KIDDING! Kind of.) They can accomplish this for $19.95 at Football Fanatics.com. 

And finally, as a sign of some March Madness growth around here, I will give some props to the coach who led Michigan State to its sixth Final Four in 12 years. He might have done it this time by relatively teeny-tiny point margins, but eh, Tom Izzo did it. That means that this lovely Izzone t-shirt will be on its way (along with some crab cakes) to a certain MSU grad living in California, from me.   

Finally, this is my stand-by cold weather game day gear - an exception to the color rule but the luck factor is key here, besides the fact that green is one of my favorite clothing colors. It didn't do much for Maryland this year, but I did get to wear it to watch them beat Duke - once, in non-tournament play, but still. It was a great night.

I have a good feeling about next year.