Your Guide to a fabulous Fourth…

If there is one thing that may add a little cheer into any Fourth of July celebration – well perhaps second to a fantastic fireworks show – its an independence-worthy cocktail!

Party like its 1776 with these swoon worthy beverages – perfect to spice things up at your barbecue.

Grown Up Arnold Palmer

Makes 6 drinks
2 ½ cups unsweetened iced tea
2 ½ cups lemonade
6 oz limoncello (recommended brand: LiDestri’s Tutto Bello)

Raspberry Lime Twist

1 oz Mathilde Raspberry Liqueur
1 oz Sobieski vodka
4 oz club soda
Fat wedge of lime, yielding a tsp of juice.

Mix the liqueur and vodka together. Top with soda, squeeze lime juice into the drink, and mix well. Ring the flesh side of the lime around the glass, so you’ll taste the flavor of lime with each sip.

And last but not least, our personal patriotic favorite, the

Uncle Sam-Tini

2 ounces Dekuyper’s Island Punch Pucker
2 ounces lemon vodka
1 ounce cointreau
1 teaspoon agave nectar
3 tablespoons sugar – OR enough to rim glasses
maraschino cherries – to garnish

What to do:
1. Place ice cubes into martini glasses. Transfer glasses to freezer to chill while you’re preparing drinks.

2. Into a cocktail shaker filled half way with ice cubes add: island punch pucker, vodka, cointreau, agave nectar. Place top onto shaker. Shake until chilled.

3. Place sugar onto a shallow dish. Remove glasses from freezer. Discard ice. Invert glasses, place into sugar dish and gently twist until you have created a sugar rim.

4. Strain mixture equally between two glasses. Garnish with cherries.

Hope you have a classy and cool Fourth of July!

xo FP

DIY Fitness…

Leading the busy lives we lead – it often becomes such a chore to workout at the gym or make it to that apres work spinning class.  However, such a hectic schedule does not allow us to let ourselves go – a healthy and strong body will enable you to lead the fabulous life you desire. Here are some at home exercises that will get you gym results without the hassle.

1. Yoga Crunches
   a.    What You Need: yoga ball
   b.    Target Area: abs
   c.    Click her for image
2. The Plank
   a.    What You Need: yoga mat or towel
   b.    Target Area: core muscles (abs, hips back)
   c.    Click here for image 
3. Lunges
   a.    Challenge: Do you lunges while holding 5 pound weights in each hand.
   b.    Target Area: buns, hips, thighs
   c.    Click here for image 
4. Leg Lifts
   a.    Challenge: Strap on 3-5 pound ankle weights.
   b.    Target Area: hips, lower abs
   c.    Click here for image 
5. Arm Curls
   a.    What You Need: 3-5 pound weights
   b.    Target Area: arms
   c.    Click here for image

Include these exercises with daily cardio – whether that includes a walk with your dog, a hike in the mountains, or jumping rope – and you’ll have a banging bod in no time!

~~Chic workout clothes also help – we recommend lululemon, Hardtail, and Stella McCartney~~

xo

FP

A Wimbledon Weekend…

Since we all cannot be as so fortunate to attend the Wimbledon games,  it doesn’t mean we can’t party like royalty – so pop some Veuve, indulge in some Kentish strawberries & cream - and yield to your fantasies!!

 

Happy Weekend.

xo FP

 

 

 

Fabulous Fiesta…

Cinco de Mayo may have already passed us, but a warm, sunny afternoon lends itself as the perfect excuse to host a backyard fiesta with your friends and family.

For a fresh and fun fiesta, we recommend stocking up on tortilla chips – and then either picking up your favorite salsa and guacamole or, if you prefer, making your own. There are countless guacamole recipies out there – we here prefer a simple version which entails utilizing 1-2 avacadoes, cilantro, lime juice, your favorite salsa, & the secret ingredient, cumin!

In addition to those staples, here is a fun cocktail sure to make your fiesta a memorable fete for all in attendance!

Strawberry Mojito

Ingredients
* 1.5 ounces of simple syrup
* about 3 fresh strawberries
* about 4-5 fresh spearmint sprigs (chopped if you prefer smaller mint pieces in your cocktail)
* soda water
* 1/2 lime
* 2 ounces of light rum

1. In a chilled glass (about 10-12 ounces), muddle the simple syrup, strawberries and mint leaves together with the back of a spoon or muddler. Crush the strawberries and mint leaves well.

2. Squeeze the juice from the lime into the glass, add the rum and stir well. Fill glass with ice and top off with soda water.

3. Garnish with mint sprigs or strawberry slices. Makes 1 drink.

Hosting a Tea Party…

We live in a day and age where when one mentions tea party, visions of  Sarah Palin, Ron Paul and other “Tea party Patriots” come to mind. Although the word politics is in our name, we won’t go into our opinion concerning the Tea Party Movement – we’ll take a bipartisan cocktail party any day!

For the purposes of this post, we’ll tell you how to host the Perfect Tea Party – a whimsical and fabulous affair!

Attire and Decoration

Yes, you may take inspiration from the Smirnoff Tea Partay music video – the look is preppy, east coast. An alternative route is dress how you would while attending high tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace in London – a more formal, uptight look. The choice is yours.  Concerning table decorations –  the more flowers the better, and yes, doilies are allowed [what would your English grandmother use to decorate]! 

The Tea

What is a tea party without the shining star-the tea! We suggest classic teas – English Breakfast, Earl Grey and perhaps Chamomile to start – if you want to be more adventurous - also include white pomegranate or mint green tea.  Preferably, each tea should have its own tea pot for brewing and adding hot water to. Furthermore, tea cozies are also quintessential to a tea party!

Food

Second only to the tea, the food served at your tea party is of utmost importance. In addition to the ubiquitous finger sandwiches (you can find suggested recipes here), we suggest macaroons in a rainbow of colors, scones, petite fours, and a personal favorite – clotted cream (here is a mock clotted cream recipe for those of us with less free time on our hands). Once you have established the basics – feel free to  introduce finger foods you wouldn’t normally associate with a tea party – think sushi (perfect with green tea) and anything else your heart desires.

For a final touch – we suggest having a rose champagne toast – Moet, veuve cliquot or whatever tickles your fancy! Who can ever resist a chilled glass of bubbly to end a perfect day?!

Spring Soirees…

With the recent influx of warm weather – languid thoughts of long, lazy, late night dinner parties come to mind.

Here are some ideas for an easy and relaxed evening full of entertaining, friends, food, and fun.

An Asian-Fusion Themed Soiree 

- Already prepared sushi (Costco and Trader Joes both have fresh and delicious prepared sushi at reasonable prices)

- Edamame serves as a perfect appetizer (again, may be purchased at Costco or TJ)

- Pandora playlist (perhaps with some bossa nova tunes to set the mood)

Refreshing and Delicious - Cucumber Cocktail

Cucumber Cocktail

6 limes, rinsed
1 cup packed mint leaves, no stems, plus 6 sprigs for garnish
3 unwaxed cucumbers
½ cup sugar
2 cups vodka or gin
Sparkling wine

1. Thinly slice 3 limes and place in a pitcher. Juice the rest and add juice to pitcher. Add mint leaves. Slice 2 cucumbers and add, then add sugar. Muddle ingredients. Add vodka or gin. Place in refrigerator to steep 30 minutes or longer.
2. Cut remaining cucumber into super think rounds.
3. Fill cocktail shaker with ice and top with mixture. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Top with a splash of sparkling wine, garnish each glass with a cucumber round, and serve.

Serves 6.

Add some friends, and those are all the ingredients you need for a fabulous evening spring soiree!

Let them drink champagne…

Here at Fashionable Politics, we are big fans of a chilled glass of champagne – or if you prefer – sparkling wine. Bubbly is perfect for toasting, celebrating, or just enjoying a sunny late afternoon. Unfortunately, sparkling wines tend to be on the expensive side, which will not do in economic times such as these!

Fortunately, LearnVest Daily has created a list with the 9 Best Sparkling Wines for under $15 – so even the most parsimonious of us can indulge in the bubbly beverage.  Drink like Marie Antoinette without the debt or guilt!

Cristalino Brut Cava: $8.

No surprise that we’re fans of this well-reviewed, reasonably priced Spanish Cava. After all,we couldn’t get enough of Cristalino’s rose, either. We like it because it has a nice hint of apple to it.

Charles Lafitte Brut Prestige: $10.

Our friend Harry Orlove of CheapWineClub.com is a fan of this French sparking wine because it’s very clean, with a nice citrus finish.

R Wines Bitch Bubbly Sparkling Wine: $11.

We are not going to lie; we love this pink Australian wine for its sweet, berry taste as much as for its awesome name and bubble-bath-esque label.

The Chook Sparkling Shiraz: $15.

Most sparkling wines are white or rosé, but this one is actually a red from Australia. We like its berry taste, which is sweet, but not too sweet.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut: $9.

This extremely popular Cava is a tasty bargain, which is why it’s been raved about in the pages of mags like Food & Wine and Bon Appetit.

Cono Sur Brut. $15.

Famed K&L Wine Merchants rave that this Chilean wine’s “crisp, well-delineated flavors of green-skinned fruits show lots of class, persistence and a lovely texture on the palate. Without a doubt this has got to be amongst our most exciting New World sparklers at the moment.”

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine: $13.

One of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009, this California bottle was deemed “lively and fun to drink, with creamy Asian pear and citrus aromas that lead to crisp, easygoing apple, yeasty cinnamon and mineral flavors.”

Vinho Espumante “Maria Gomes” Luis Pato: $12.

Maria Gomes is a grape variety from Portugal, not one of our friends. Luis Pato, however, is a wine-maker. Go figure. This dry Espumante with fruity flavors and a floral scent is a treat anytime.

Zardetto Prosecco Brut: $11.

This Italian Prosecco has a pleasant, fresh feel to it. Try starting off your meal with it as a warm-up beverage.

We’ll toast to that.

Springtime Smoothies

With temperatures  on the rise, and spring in the air, I’ve found myself craving a refreshing smoothie. Perhaps the easiest option for this craving would be running to Jamba Juice or Starbucks.  However, at $4 for something I can make at home –  I did some searching and testing of recipes and have discovered a delectable, easy, and healthy treat which satisfies my smoothie craving each and every time.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup soy milk

1 banana

9 frozen or fresh strawberries

1/2 cup of ice

Blend all of the above ingredients together for approximately 40 sec or until the desired texture is reached

Feel free to experiment with different fruit combinations – let us know if you discover a winning combination!

Enjoy!

April Showers Bring May Cocktails…

There is no better way to savor the month of May then with an ice cold cocktail to sip while lounging by the pool or enjoying a barbecue.  Here are some of our favorite ideas for Spring Cocktails! Cheers!

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In the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, here is an easy Mint Julep recipe from Rickhouse in San Francisco

Classic Mint Julep

2 oz Bourbon

.25 oz Raw sugar simple syrup (one part water, one part raw sugar)

8 Mint leaves

Lightly muddle the mint and simple syrup in a julep cup. Add bourbon and pack tightly with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside. Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome and garnish with a mint sprig.

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The Naughty Sun Dress - from San Francisco Speakeasy  - Bourbon and Branch

* Feel free to substitute whatever brand of alcohol you prefer or have on hand!

1.75 oz. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin

.75 oz. La Gitana Manzanilla Sherry

.5 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

.25 oz. Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau De Vie

2 dashes Fee Brothers Peach Bitters

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass. Stir and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Squeeze a lemon twist over the drink and discard the peel.

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Here’s a fun cocktail suggestion, the Communist Cocktail, from my favorite political pundit and mixologist – Rachel Maddow – inspired by all the communist talk following the signing of the new health care reform bill.

Communist Cocktail

1 ounce London dry gin
1 ounce orange juice
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce Cherry Heering

Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

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Post some of your great spring cocktail ideas!

Shaping up your assets…

In this time of economic volatility and financial insecurity – there is one asset that you have complete and utter control over – that being your derrière!

Men and women are often concerned with how their backside looks – in jeans, workout attire, swim wear and in the nude! While what one’s bum looks is about 20% genetic – the other determining factors are up to Y-O-U! One of the most important things is eating healthy and physical activity  – but we already know that – so here are some exercises to help achieve an asset that others will be jealous of!

Spot Training

• The Lunge: This is perhaps my favorite butt toning and lifting move. It can be done in place or you can do walking lunges down a hallway. Preferably do this move at home as people in the office may think you’ve lost it if you are dong lunges up and down the hallway!
• How To: With your feet parallel and hip-distance apart, take a giant step forward. Slowly lower your body, bending both knees, no further than 90 degrees, keeping your front knee aligned with your front ankle. Start with about 10 on each leg – and then build up your endurance.
• Results: After about a week of lunges – you’ll definitely feel and notice positive changes in your backside!

• The Squat: Another great exercise which works your butt, inner thighs, and everything you need for a perfect derrière.
• How To: Stand with feet parallel and shoulder-width apart. Slowly lower your hips, making sure not to let your knees go past your toes. These will probably make you sore at first. Start with 20 of these a day until you are more comfortable and then slowly work up, adding 5 to 10 squats a day.
• Results: While you might not be as sore after completing a round of squats – you’ll still notice a difference. And try adding ankle weights or arm weights for an additional challenge.

Great activities for amazing assets!

• Biking
• Running
• Walking – especially uphill!
• Kick-boxing