an EFFEN good summer

back in April, EFFEN Vodka hosted a fun event at the ROOF at theWit in chicago, focusing on meaningful and sustainable design.
the party was featured by chicago foodies and bloggers, like Better With Butter and the Local Tourist; thus i came along EFFEN's oh-so-chic personality.

what’s the connection between EFFEN and design? you ask...
i'm more inclined to know about design than about alcohol, that is why EFFEN caught my eye.  

EFFEN chooses to be different from other vodkas by design, featuring all natural ingredients.  its bottle was also designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional –the patented rubber sleeve that it is encased in provides insulation to keep the vodka chilled longer, as well as easier handling.

party goers got to enjoy some delicious cocktails by mixologist Jonny Abens (featuring EFFEN, of course), and now that summer’s in full swing, i wanted to share these drink recipes with you so that you can bust them out at your next warm weather get-together!

xx
-d


from mixologist jonny abens via EFFEN's website:

Sustainable Sour

• 1.5 oz EFFEN Vodka
• 1 oz St. Germain
• .5 oz simple syrup
• .75 oz fresh lemon

Pour ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon and cherry.
Green City Gimlet

• 1.5 oz EFFEN Vodka
• .5 oz Cointreau
• .75 oz fresh lime
• 2 basil leaves

Muddle one basil leaf and add remaining ingredients over ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.
Chicago Caipiroska

• 1.5 oz EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
• 1 oz brown sugar simple syrup
• 2 lime wedges
• 2 dashes of cherry bitters

Muddle lime wedges and add remaining ingredients to shaker. Shake all ingredients and pour over ice into a rocks glass.
Second City Sparkler

• 1 oz EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
• .5 oz Domaine de Canton
• .5 oz fresh lemon
• Prosecco

Pour first three ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco and garnish with a lemon twist.
And here are a few more recipes straight from EFFEN:
EFFEN-tini

• 1 part EFFEN Vodka
• 1 part champagne
• 1 part pineapple juice

Mix ingredients and serve.
Black Cherry Cosmo

• 2 parts EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
• 1 part orange liqueur

Add a splash of cranberry juice and serve.
EFFEN Raspberry Lemonade

• 1 part EFFEN Raspberry Vodka
• 1 part lemonade

Mix ingredients and add a splash of cranberry juice.
EFFEN Bliss

• 1.5 parts EFFEN Vodka
• 2.5 parts fresh lemon sour
• 1 part simple syrup
• 1 strawberry
• 2 basil leaves

Tear basil leaves and muddle with the strawberry and simple syrup. Add all remaining ingredients and shake with ice, then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of strawberry and fresh ground pepper medley.
EFFEN Ginger Snap

• 1.5 parts EFFEN Vodka
• .5 part Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
• 1.5 parts fresh pressed apple juice
• 1 part fresh lemon sour
• .5 part egg whites

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim and a dusting of fresh ground cinnamon.
EFFEN Picnic

• 1 part EFFEN Vodka
• 1 part fresh watermelon juice
• 1 part ginger ale

Mix ingredients and add a splash of fresh sweet & sour.
EFFEN Savory

• 2-3 parts EFFEN Vodka
• Choice of fresh savory herbs: thyme, rosemary, tarragon, basil, or sage
• Vermouth

In a mixing glass muddle the selected herbs with vermouth, add EFFEN, and shake with ice. Then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive that has been speared with a sprig of herb (thyme or rosemary) or wrap a leaf of herb around olive and spear with cocktail pick.

eating clean in nyc

in new york, each neighborhood is blessed with a variety of cuisines and price points on every block. but when it comes down to it, new yorkers are not exactly known for their ‘home cooking.’  instead they have been given the unique gift of enjoying the tasty fruits of some of the world’s most amazing culinary artists.  sadly, tastiness usually comes with a guilt-ridden calorie count, and now with obesity (and vanity) levels rising, even New Yorkers, the very ambulatory society, are still looking for healthier options that don’t require a cooking class.

[enter: Clean Plates NYC]

Clean Plates NYC is a new guidebook to healthy eating without sacrificing flavor or neglecting your taste buds for those who are not into just nibbling on bean sprouts and raw veggies.  the love child of Jared Koch (nutritionist and wellness counselor) and Alex Van Buren (food critic),  Clean Plates NYC showcases the healthiest, tastiest and most sustainable restaurants in manhattan.  healthy but not tasty enough?  then it didn’t make their list.  yummy in your mouth but not in your stomach? definitely didn’t make the list.

new yorkers – you’ll thank yourself when you hit the beach this season!
xx
-d

ps. isn't the cover delicious as well?

the tracy anderson wonder

maybe you too have been hearing for month the buzz about Tracy Anderson, the trainer responsible for Madonna’s sinewy arms and Gwyneth’s incredible legs.   i’ve read her coverage on GOOP, and seen (not yet done) the videos from when she was featured on Daily Candy, but i haven’t bought a home work out video (yet).  despite the positive media coverage, i’ve been honestly a little skeptical about whether it was ever possible for a non-celebrity to get the red-carpet worthy results that she promises using her methods, since they seem a little renegade and different from others.   for example, she’s mentioned before that she doesn’t believe in a few things (“running–it will give you a bad butt!”) and spinning (purported to give a girl a man’s thighs) that have made me raise an eyebrow of disbelief and almost swear off the treadmill and exercise bikes for life.

this W magazine article, which i found through the Lancome Blog, seems like the best real, non-celebrity endorsement of her services so far.  W magazine editor, Jamie Rosen, worked out with the celebrity trainer for 6 weeks, and showcases her experience, the diet, the exercises, and most importantly, the results!  as to be expected, when you are working out 6 days a week for 6 weeks at a time and following the ideal healthy diet, you will see results and Jamie did.   but the interesting thing is that although Jamie didn’t lose much weight (about 4 lbs), she lost a lot of mass over her whole body (a total of 40 inches, with 4 inches alone just from her hips!)

Jamie Rosen has a petite and curvy body type, curvy i am too, so the before and after photos/measurements were incredible and particularly inspirational.  since a membership to the Tracy Anderson Studio is about $900 a month and a flight to NYC 3x/week is rather impossible,  i probably won’t be venturing there on my own anytime soon but the article is an interesting read nonetheless for summer work out motivation.

also check out Tracy’s recommended workout playlist!

good summer workouts for you all.
xx
-d

the i.t. crowd

i don't apply make-up often, only when the occasion calls for it.  but for all you makeup junkies out there looking for new brushes, look no further.  the new I.T. Brushes at Sephora are my favorite tools i’ve found in a long time.  (and those who know me, know i’m not one to get excited about brushes, so you know it’s serious when i want to write about them).
the I.T. Brushes are a collection of 15 different brushes that were designed by world-renowned architect Philippe Di Meo and tested by the Sephora PRO Beauty Team both backstage and in the studio (www.sephora.com).   you can’t get a better pedigree than that, right?  when using your brushes, the way you position your hand makes all the difference, so on these brushes, the handles were made from ultra-light aluminum and are longer than on most other makeup brushes i’ve seen.  this way, you can hold them close to the bristles for very precise application or by the other end for a less intense look (www.sephora.com).

the brushes all have a metallic finish in interesting, fun colors – pinks, purples and blues – that not only make them pretty to look at but easy to find in my makeup drawer.   but my absolute favorite thing about them is that each brush comes with its own individual cap that slides closed over the bristles.   none of the other brushes i’ve ever owned had this and it makes a world of difference.  with the cap, the bristles don’t get caught anywhere, but even more importantly, when i travel with them, they’re totally protected and the bristles don’t get bent or twisted at all.  so, so important when you’re spending your bucks on brushes.


i love all the brushes – you can tell that they’re high quality just from looking at them and they make application a breeze, but if i had to pick a few key brushes to invest in, i’d go for these couple.

• The Large Powder Brush ($40) is great for applying the finishing touches of powder or bronzer.  Some large brushes pile up the color in one section of your face, but this one distributes really evenly and makes my skin look nearly flawless.
• The Concealer Brush ($28) is easy to use to get concealer only where you need it, without building it up or making it look unnatural.
• The Slanted Eyeliner Brush ($18) is perfect for using shadow as eyeliner or for helping to define pencil liner.
• The Smudge Shadow Brush ($22) helps to create the perfect smokey eye – you can smudge the color into the crease or underneath your eye to make it look dramatic without being too much.  Love this one!

You can pick up a set of your own at Sephora stores or on www.sephora.com.

xx
-d

chic in the heat

"Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got." 

- Sophia Loren

i love this photo of and quote by Sophia Loren.   it's been so insufferably hot and humid here lately that i'm having trouble feeling chic.   i wish i could wear a scarf on my head with as much confidence as sophia but I'd probably end up looking like a milk maid.  i'll guess i'll have to find another way to look chic in the heat!  keep cool and carry on!

xx

-d

ps: i must say you did us good last night weatherman. thank you for the raindrops.

loving...

... these Rachel Comey dresses on sale at Petulia’s Folly
and...

... Conroy & Wilcox rings,  particulary this amazing faceted Ruby Ring.
psst… and while you’re at Stuart & Wright, check out all the good stuff they have on sale.

[ patterns & layers ]

. . . suddenly rethinking the entire summer wardrobe after happily happening upon this insanely fun and flirty mix of layers, accessories, prints & patterns, perfect for dancing on the beach on a bright, blue-sky day . . .


xx
d.

summer time

school is out and the summer is here...

back from cali and pictures to come soon.  i need to catch me self a breather.

xx,
d

soulhappy

why? you ask...

very shortly,  i leave for california.  me, a whole lot of family, my camera, a couple bridesmaid dresses, a bulging suitcase and a whole lot of excitement as well.  

  my cousin carla is getting married.   
soulhappy that makes me.  

carla and john have been dating for long enough to feel like john is already a part of our big family.  they are both brilliant, good-looking, fun, laid-back, loving, genuine, talented and absolutely great people. 

thank you john and carla for giving everyone in the family the chance to get together and celebrate your big day.

i am so looking forward to this.   you might have gathered i’ve been otherwise distracted the last few weeks, things big and small have taken my attention but i’m looking forward to fun times and some exciting changes coming up after i return.

our family is already on its way to napa valley, CA.  here is a quick sneak peek at the wedding.  

more pictures to come when i get back.

xx,

d

welcome dinner

wedding ceremony

wedding reception

remain on your lane please

well, that is hilarious.   please read the complete story along with a video on improv everywhere's latest mission here. 

m a l ú

 may your birthday be bright from morning till night...

today is my cousin malú's birthday. you might remember this post i wrote about her.

she is talented, fun(ny), smart,  genuine, cool, caring, amongst many many others... 

i hope your 30's are off to a dazzling start.

[ H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ]

abreathoffresh

about:

a breath of fresh is a lifestyle blog dedicated to the best of fresh fashion, footwear, music, entertainment, design, people, art, technology, rides, throwbacks, and life in general.  the blog attempts to be an opinion-free platform for people to view, consider, and make their own judgments on things widely considered fresh by many.  the posts are a collection of subjects from around the web and our everyday life.

college friend of mine brendan winters, along with his brother and a friend started a breath of fresh not too long ago. some seriously good stuff for not so serious people.

xx
-d

carry on only

these crocodile suitcases that were posted on Luxist  have me seriously swooning! they were made in the 1930's for Karen Blixen who wrote Out of Africa under the name Isak Dinesen.  Hermès unearthed them in their archives and they think that since they were never used they must never have been sent to her in Kenya.  the sterling silver and tortoiseshell pieces are engraved with a crown and the initials DBF which stands for Dineson Blixen-Finecke, a combination of her maiden and married names.  if you also happen to have the same initials, word has it that they can be yours for the right price.  i'd actually be willing to change my initials to own such beautiful specimens of craftsmanship!  they certainly put most people's beat up roller bags to shame.  but, as we all know, travel is definitely not what it used to be.

"The entire being of a woman is a secret which should be kept” - Isak Dinesen

would you like some fryes with that?

yes please. i'd like one pair of the Kira Low Tops

oh Frye… there you go tugging on my heart strings again.  but this time you make me choose between 16 different colors.

i think i like plum the best.  which color would you pick?

xx

-d

public bikes

 
public bikes, brought to the world by the genius who founded Design Within Reach. 
my heart goes pitter patter, pretty, pretty bikes in gorgeous colors.  i can't afford to buy but I can afford to gawk.

xx
d

fabulous freebies

bring on the S T R I P E S.

for a freebie, hop over to graphic artist kidlark to check out her free download June calendar. suh-weeeet!. i picked the blue and yellow combo.  she also created a pink and peach version. take your pick right here.

one more set of freebies.  how about these turquoise and gold striped labels over at little sightings [found via iDiy].  makes me want to re-label everything in my office.  snappy!  click here to download.

 

 happy day!
xx
-d

beach house blues

loving this beach house in the june 2010 issue of House Beautiful. filled with shades of blue this designed by Jim Howard. 

Photos by Francesco Lagnese

xx
-d

crisp + clean

what a clean and crisp breakfast room.  love the big windows. i think i can, i think i can...

it's a busy time with the last couple of weeks of school over here.  i'm trying to think of things that relax my mind while i mentally prepare for a very active summer.  i think i can, i think i can...

 pretty things, clean and crisp houses inspire me and help me relax.

be back very soon! with more pretty houses...

xx

-d

[ smash his camera ]

Ron Galella was the original stalkerazzi and his most famous prey was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He tormented her and even followed her to Capri. She obtained a restraining order against him. The New York Post at the time called it "the most co-dependent celeb-pap(arazzi) relationship ever." Without Ron Galella, we wouldn't have any of these most iconic images of Jackie O. What I love most about them is how chic and stylish she looks in the late 1960's and early 1970's. She was definitely a fan of a fitted tee or sweater! Ron's book from 1974 Jacqueline by Ron Galella -you can still find online- is filled with even more candid shots.

What's even more amazing is that Ron Galella is still making headlines. HBO will air a documentary about the photographer this Monday, June 7th at 9:00pm entitled Smash His Camera which will also have an accompanying exhibition at Clic Gallery on Broome Street. "Smash His Camera" is apparently what Jackie said to her secret service agent after Ron got a little too close for comfort after a bike ride to through the Park with John Junior. So glad they smashed it after he got some good photos!

xx

-d