Maya Angelou's Buttermilk Biscuits

The world lost a lovely lady today: Maya Angelou. I love so much about her. Her life work. Her purposefulness. Her gentleness. I could keep going. Above are her buttermilk biscuits from her cookbook Hallelujah. My favorite Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Xoxo-BLC

Oreo Ice Cream

Over two years ago, my sweet friend Linds made this ah-mazing dessert at her dinner party. And it was sooo ah-mazing I haven't forgotten and just snagged the recipe from her. I've made it twice in one month and see no stopping in sight. I assure you this is just better than store bought oreo ice cream!!! It's easy peasy to make and sooo refreshing in this summertime heat. I've had a lot of questions about preggo cravings and I hate to disappoint, but I'm not really having any. I do eat a lot of ice cream ... but I think it has more to do with the "preggers hall pass" (i.e. a few more treats  allowed since booze, good stinky cheese, etc. are off limits). I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!!! Xoxo-BLC

Forget the Ice Cream Truck

An ice cream truck circulates our neighborhood just as school lets out and the music always makes me want a cold treat. Treats are limited when pregoo, but for some reason cold, sweet treats are simply the best thing going right now. Since I don't care to wear my cold obsession on my hips, I needed a healthier option. I was reading my daily newspaper, i.e. People.com, and saw this delish recipe by Jamie Oliver. It's a must try!!! For now I can shoo off that ice cream truck, creamier down the street, and popsicle stand a mile away ... clearly I've scoured the options!!! Dish: what is your refreshing sweet treat!?!  Popsicle cheers to you!!! Xoxo-BLC

When Life Hands You Lemons ...

In a recent issue of Town & Country magazine, there was a sweet article by Mary McCartney. She shared many things, especially a lot of memories with her mom, and one of them: Linda's lemon drizzle cake. I love to bake and knew I had to try this recipe. I am not the biggest lemon fan, but I haven't met a cake I didn't like so I gave it a whirl. It is mmm mmm delicious. It's very refreshing for springtime and just the perfect balance of lemon with cake. I didn't feel well at all during my first trimester and I learned verrrry quickly that carbs were best suited on the tummy until the afternoon. As such, my regular go-tos were shooed out and I have gotten tired of muffins, bagels, cereal, and the like. I'm creeping up on my third trimester and you couldn't pay me to dare anything but carbs for breakie. Only my grandmother would approve of this, but I think this lemon drizzle cake is perrrfect for breakfast. Next time, I will add blueberries: surely that will make it a tad more healthy and breakfast appropriate, right!?!? I highly recommend you give this recipe a try too!!! Xoxo-BLC

Milk & Honeydew

Yesterday was the last bit of Summer. Boo hiss!!! I'm going to keep on summering in spirit and the best way I see fit: starting my morning off right with a taste of summertime. This honeydew smoothy is my easy-peasy, go-to, refreshing breakie to kick start my day. Smoothy cheers and let's keep on summering!!! Xoxo-BLC

How to make LemonAID ...

While vacationing in Colorado, my uncle took quite a spill breaking his neck, back, and severing and artery. Talk about ouch!!! The good news: he is expected to make a FULL recovery. Praise the Lord!!!

To aid his recovery, I couldn't help but suggest making lemonAID. This isn't lemonade, it's lemonAID because with equal part lemons, sugar, and vodka, surely his recovery will be speeeeedy. Join me: keep him in your prayers, wishing him well soon, and cheers to lemonAID!!! Xoxo-BLC

Tart Fuel

I've posted this once before, but I believe it bears repeating ...
... it's my summertime-go-to:
Tart Fuel: (v.) Girlie drinks ... cosmos, kirs, or anything that tastes like Kool-Aid. What is your staple tart fuel!? Mine is the Pigrade (60% Pinot Grigio and 40% Lemonade). Cheers! Xoxo-BLC

Cccchanges ...

Springtime is HERE and it beckons change. Don't you agree!?!
A new weather, new hours, new blooms, new holidays, new header ...

And out with the old and in with the new: ditch that lemon colored tea for raspberry tea!!! 

I promise you: PINK tea just tastes better. Happy Springtime to you and yours!?! Xoxo-BLC

Fatten Up Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday to you and yours!!! Eating pancakes today is a MUST.

I think homemade pancakes just taste better ... especially with blueberries baked in.

 Do share: how do you like your pancakes!?! The possibilities are endless.

Happy Pan-tastic-cake Tuesday!!! Xoxo-BLC

Fish Out of Water

This Lilly-fied Scorpion Bowl reminds me of our favorite college dive and their fishbowls.

Such a fun, germ-filled cocktail that I couldn't resist re-sharing!!! But remember, sharing is a must or that next-day-headache is sure to pinch like a Scorpion. Xoxo-BLC

Cookie Monster

For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite past times is making cookies with my sweet madre.

From rolling out the dough to watching the oven bake to frosting with care to

shake-shake-shaking the color sugars, it is just sooo much fun!!!

This year we gave out "best cookie awards." The winners are: the colorful snowman,

the cowboy stocking, the well-decorated Christmas tree ...

... and my personal favorite: the sunburnt snowman!!! Isn't he hip with his sunnies!?!

Mmm!!! Cookies just taste better at Christmastime. Have you made your favorite sweet treat this holiday? The real question: to share or not to share! Hehee. Xoxo-BLC

Keep on Summering

To properly mourn the departure of summertime, I am dressed head to toe in black and raising a glass filled with my favorite Summer cocktail: the Limoncello avec fizz!!! Since it's always summertime somewhere, I just cannot pack up my shifts and flips just yet. Lilly Pulitzer said it best: "Oh Shift. Summer is officially over. You can take a Lilly girl out of Summer but you can't take Summer out of a Lilly girl!" Fingers crossed for one more heat wave to cast a summertime spell to beat the Fall chill. Let's just keep on summering!!! Xoxo-BLC

"It was a dark and stormy night ..."

Edward Bulwer-Lytton began his novel Paul Clifford with, "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness." Isn't that spooky!?! Clearly, Ed hasn't seen Lilly's new Dark 'n Stormy print ... but it sure sounds like he could use a Dark 'n Stormy!!! This is my most favorite print from Summer 2011. Isn't it divine!?! And doesn't the drink sound delish too!!! I simply must order a Dark 'n Stormy while wearing the Dark 'n Stormy Lilly frock. Cheers!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: Let's play a game!!! Finish this sentence: "It was a dark and stormy night, until ..." Xoxo-BLC

Toast of the Town

Every Thursday I have standing plans with my law school besties. Sometimes cocktails are involved.

As such, here is one of my favorite cocktails: The Champagne Classic!!! 

It's most enjoyable when sipped in good company. Xoxo-BLC

Some More Please

One of my favorite things about Fall is campfires!!! And no campfire is complete without s'mores. My favorite recipes:

1. Back to Basics: 1 regular marshmallow, 4 Hershey chocolate squares, and 1 graham cracker sheet. Toast the marshmallow and place on chocolate loaded graham cracker. Squeeze and enjoy!!!

2. Peanut-Butter-Cup: 1 regular marshmallow, 1 Reese cup, and 1 graham cracker sheet. Toast the marshmallow and place on top of Reese cup. Squish with the graham cracker and dive in!!!

3. Pretty in Pink: 1 strawberry marshmallow, 1 whole strawberry, and 1 graham cracker sheet. Lightly toast marshmallow and strawberry. Place on graham cracker and enjoy!!!

Do you have a favorite s'more recipe!??? Do share!!! Cheers to enjoying Fall to the fullest. Xoxo-BLC

PS: Did you know they make "campfire marshmallows"??? They are jumbo-huge ... as big as my fist!!! 

Worth every fat-free calorie. :)

MarTEAni

I recently picked up the magazine Traditional Home ...

...  only to find this untraditional, but divine marTEAni recipe.

Cheers to merging tea time with cocktail hour!!! Xoxo-BLC

What a happy (lunch) hour!

A trip to San Diego would not be complete without meeting the fabulous Muffy Martini!!! We met at Fashion Valley, where else!? We lunched ... and I could have stayed there for hours and hours and hours. We chatted about everything under the sun. She was just divine!!! She was so tickled by my southern accent ... and I by hers. After lunch, she took me to her Lilly Pulitzer shop. When we walked in, the shopgirls greeted her by name --- too cute!!! We browsed and talked about our favorites from the Fall line. Aren't you just in love with Fall? We are!!! I had the best time meeting Mrs. Muffy and to honor her ... a little martini recipe! Cheers!!! Xoxo-BLC

Cookie D'ohhhh

When Hopsy first shared this sweet appetizer, I wasn't so sure ...

But our guests devoured it all and demanded the recipe!!!

Many thanks Hopsy for sharing the recipe and for letting me re-post.
Sweet friends, now you can get your cookie d'oh on too!!!
Xoxo-BLC

Orange Julius

Mmmmm!!! I'll have an Orange Julius please!!!

These are my favorite springtime treat. 

Is there anything more refreshing!? 

Xoxo-BLC

Mmmint Julep

You don't have to be at Churchill Downs ...

to sip Mmmint Juleps!
After one or two, don't forget to hold you hat!!! 

Mmmint Julep cheers to you and yours. 

Xoxo-BLC