SkinnyPop Happy Hour

Although school is back in session, we're still holding on to Summer with all we've got.  When the folks at SkinnyPop reached out to ask if I'd be interested in pairing their delicious popcorn with summery cocktails, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to enjoy relaxing in the sunshine a little longer.

We love popcorn in this hive and at 43 (depending on the flavor) calories per cup it's the perfect little treat, but without the guilt.  The other reasons to love SkinnyPop? It has NO artificial ingredients, it's non-GMO, gluten free, peanut free (perfect for school treats), tree nut free, preservative free and has zero trans fats.  What I didn't already know, but love, is that most of their products are dairy free, even the White Cheddar, which is our fave.

I took the oppportunity to set up a little "summer isn't over yet" happy hour on our buffet.  Along with our standard favorite (the cheddar) we picked up a bag of salt and pepper to pair with our summer adult beverages.

We took SkinnyPop's lead pairing both flavors with berries, but got a little creative and mixed up our own Berry Gin Fizzes.  It was the perfect combination, both light and refreshing and certainly fun!

Berry Gin Fizz

Ingredients (per glass):

• 4-5 berries (we used blueberries, but blackberries would be terrific, too)
• Sprinkle of sugar
• 2 oz gin
• 2 oz berry sparkling water
• lemon wedge to garnish

Directions

• Muddle berries and sugar in bottom of glass until sugar dissolves.
• Fill glass with ice cubes.
• Add gin and sparkling water to taste.
• Garnish with squeeze of lemon.

As I said, while I'm not yet ready for summer to end, my wheels are naturally turning toward our next season and all the popcorn pairing possibilities (hard cider, mulled wine, the possibilities are endless....).  Until then, you can find us sipping and snacking the summer combos!

Happy Skinny Pop Happy Hour!

Green Tea Lemonade

What's more refreshing on a summer day than a glass of sweet tea??  While that's my true love, I've been gravitating to the green tea lemonade lately.  It's a simple little twist on the old classic and doesn't have the exorbitant amount of sugar (no matter how yummy).

Green Tea Lemonade - The Easy Way

Ingredients:

• 3/4 parts green tea
• 1/4 part lemonade

"Directions" (If you can call them that....)

• I brew up a big 'ole pitcher of sun tea, just using 5-6 green tea bags.  We've found we like the tea on the stronger side.  Certainly you can brew a cup the traditional way, too.
• Make your own lemonade or use ready made.  We love to use the Minute Maid Lite to save calories.  We always add the juice of at least one fresh lemon to give it a little more punch.
• Enjoy!

Happy Sipping!

Sip and Shop Sunday [Keen Shoes]

Happy Superbowl Sunday!  Our team didn't even make it to the play offs this year, but we will be rooting for the Falcons tonight.  We still claim Dwight Freeney as our own and are hoping to see him sack a certain (not well liked in this hive) Patriot quarterback.

Sipping...
Today is the perfect day to sip a Panache - one of my favorite things I sipped while in Paris, so light and refreshing.  It's a simple as mixing half(ish) part French sparkling lemonade, such as Lorina, with one part Lager.  I haven't tried it yet with Sparkling Ice Lemonade, but think it would probably work well.  Trader Joe's also has a French Market version.  Mix to your personal taste - I like it just a bit over 1/4 lemonade.  Just make sure to use a light beer, perfect the Superbowl tonight.

Shopping...

 

Brother #3 gifted me with the Keen Sienna Mary Jane for Christmas and I've worn them nearly every day since.  They are darker in person and are the most comfortable shoes!!  I go all day at school and my feet still feel good when I finally crawl into bed at night.  (Which is saying something for my picky, pain-prone feet.)

This isn't the first pair of Keens Brother #3 has given me...in fact, it's the third.  Knowing how much I have loved the first two pairs of sandals (the first of which are 10 years old and are still kicking) and being sick of seeing me in them in the dead of winter even, he decided it was finally time for me to have a winter version.  (I have a purple pair and a pair that are the color of the pink stripe.  Nordstrom carries other colors as well as different styles.)

I promise you...your feet won't be sorry!  Who will you be rooting for this evening??

Happy Sipping and Shopping!

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Sip and Shop Sunday [Cocktails & Christmas Lights]

Sipping on a Grown Up Shirley Temple....

Happy Hour: [Sweet C's Whimsea Fizz]

Last summer we had a little girls' day on the boat with the most delicious "summer in a cup" cocktail from darling friend Sweet C.  It's quite yummy and the perfect little addition to a day spent floating and sunning....it's dangerously good!

Sweet C's Whimsea Fizz
Ingredients:

• Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka
• Club Soda
• Lime wedges

Directions:

• Simply mix to your own taste -- we go heavy on the lime (and heavy on the Ruby Red, if I'm being honest....).

Happy Happy Hour! 

Happy Hour [Honeycrisp Sangria]

Last year Bestie KB and I tried out a Honeycrisp Sangria recipe from Pinterest...and it. was. awful.  It sounded terrific, cinnamon and spices, apples, wine.  It truly sounded like a grown-up fall in a cup.  The only problem was all the spices settled in the bottom of the glass.  It was just kind of funky.  BUT, I did use it as inspiration while throwing this together.  And this version is pretty darn yummy, if I do say so myself.

Happy Hour [Pink Sunset Delight - Grapefruit Cocktail]

Hubby and I are trying to squeeze in as many relaxing summer evenings as we can before school starts later this week.  Enter in the Pink Sunset Delight, which is really just a pink grapefruit cocktail.  We were enjoying them on the back porch, watching the pink sunset, when I quipped, "Pink sky at night, sailor's delight"  -- and the Pink Sunset Delight was born.

Happy Hour [Easy Vodka Mojito Cocktail]

Today's the last day of school!  Woohoo!  There's nothing better in the summer than a relaxing little happy hour on the back porch...a warm summer breeze blowin' in, geraniums blooming, and sweet little chats with the Hubby.  We took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend, and whipped up an easy, refreshing cocktail...

Happy Hour [Vokda Mint Gimlet]

We're clinging on to the warm weather around these parts this week. I think it's the last stretch as the high for this weekend is 40 degrees. However, before that stays for good Hubby and I enjoyed a beautiful little Happy Hour this evening.

Happy Hour [Grown Up Shirley Temple]

I can't count the number of times I heard "you look like Shirley Temple" growing up.  It's the curls.  I cringed every time I heard it. (Let's just say I wasn't Shirley Temple's greatest fan.)  I was, however, a huge fan of drinking Shirley Temples.  I knew a grown up Shirley Temple would make for a perfect Back to School Happy Hour.  It's light, refreshing, and decidedly yummy.

Happy Hour [Cape Codder]

I will wrap up Hubby's Birthday Weekend celebrations by sharing one last "recipe" (if you can even call it that).  We kicked off the evening with a little Happy Hour on the back porch, serving some of his favorites: brie, goat cheese, and crackers.  (Side note, have y'all had the Everything on a Cracker or the Rosemary Raisin Crips from Trader Joes???  Delish!!) 

We pull out the special Happy Birthday plate a couple
times a year for the birthday boy or girl!