Happy Friday!

Its Friday and I'm longing for one of these Margarita frozen pops. I'll take a Shark Attack on the beach anytime, OK maybe TWO!



Shark Attack Margaritas are made of 100% Blue Agave Reposado Tequila. This is definitely one of those inventions where you want to kick yourself for not having thought of it first.

They are already being distributed in my area however I'm lacking the beach aspect. Go to www.freezability.com to see if they are available to you locally and if you are near a beach well then send me a pic of you enjoying this dream combo!

Happy Friday!

Little Bread Company

If I'm going to indulge in carbs I'm going to feel pretty while doing so. Maybe this is why I love a boulangerie. The smell of bread, coffee and pastries amidst country chic decor, nothing can beat that! And so it is why I'm delighted to have found the Little Bread Company right here in Arkansas(ya'll)! While this one has more of a hippie chic feel, they have everything this girl could ask for and more, sweet southern style iced tea.




Croissants (my weakness)



Bagels




Ha! They even have a sense of humor.



They also serve sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads and soups for lunch. This is the Garlic Grilled Cheese sandwich. It has cream cheese in it. I die!!!!



Here are some of my FAVS around:

Le Pain Quotidien in New York (they also have other locations around the world and are SURPRISINGLY delish for a chain)

Tartine Bakery in San Francisco (James Beard Award winner)

Bread Winners in Dallas

And I'm DYING to try Crumb on Parchment in Miami, owned by James Beard Award-winning Chef, Michelle Bernstein

Bourbon is the New Tasting

While residing in San Francisco, I was able to visit Napa and Sonoma County a plenty. I visited some of the most beautiful vineyards and tasted some of the best wines in the country. And while I love to partake in a refreshing glass of Sancerre I can't help but to notice the recent mixology trend. This art of cocktail mixing has brought back more traditional drinks. Long gone are the days of martinis. Classics like Manhattans, Old Fashioned and Juleps are back with a vengeance!

Bourbon being a key ingredient in most classics has the power to yield vanilla, citrus and fruit flavors, making it an ideal mixer. Its quite fascinating that 95% of the world's bourbon is coming from right here in America's very own Kentucky. I find this exciting! The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, made of 6 distilleries, offers tours, a view into the science of making Bourbon and of course tastings. While I haven't had the pleasure of taking a trip to the Bourbon Trail I hope to one day report back on this adventure. Cheers!

For more information on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, visit: www.kybourbontrail.com

Java!

I'm one of those morning people that need to have a cup of coffee before I can function NICELY. In my opinion, there is nothing better than waking up to the aroma of a nice cup of joe, a la' Folgers TV spot. With my coffee machine gently packed away with all my other belongings (until we move into more permanent living quarters), I've been stickin my kiddo in the car every morining(both of us in our pjs and a set of bad bed head)and driving thru Starbucks for a bitter cup of burnt coffee. YUCK! Until this little charmer came into my life...




The Keurig MINI Plus Brewing System is the PERFECT cup of coffee! Its the right amount of coffee in the Coffee K-Cup with an indicator for adding the right amount of water. My mornings now have a new meaning! Now off to conquer the longest day of the year. Happy Summer Solstice!

Keurig MINI Plus Brewing System, Keurig.com, $99.00

Keep Calm and Carry On

I first saw this slogan on a poster and most recently on a coffee mug. Evidently this slogan comes with a little piece of history. During World War II, the British Government's Department of Propaganda designed a poster with the words, "Keep Calm and Carry On" to be displayed in public transportation and on store windows upon the invasion of England by Germany. Luckily this never happened and the posters were destroyed. In 2000, an old copy hiding in a pile of books was rediscovered by a bookseller and "ta da" now you can find this slogan printed on just about anything.


Throw Pillow, Etsy.com by Jael Studios, $23.00


Doormat, Amazon.com, $55.00


Keep Calm and Carry on Poster, Etsy.com by CutPastePrint, $16.00


Or you can always...



Parody Poster, Etsy.com by Earmark, $11.50

Who Doesn't Love BBQ? Its Comfort Food!

I L O V E pulled pork sammies so when I heard I could learn to cook this delish American staple via a complimentary technique cooking class , I licked my chops(literally)!!!

Williams-Sonoma offers free technique cooking classes. Where else can you get a live demonstration, recipe book, ask questions and taste test, ALL complimentary? In a mere hour I learned to make sweet tea, my own rub, slow cook pork till its fall off the bone tender and SURPRISE SURPRISE Banana Bread Pudding! I found my BBQ class so rewarding I signed up for another class next month. I encourage you to visit Williams-Sonoma for technique classes near you.


Prepping Banana Bread Pudding



Assembling Sammies



A view through the over head mirror



Voila!



Sweet Tea



Banana Bread Pudding

The Father's Day Gift Guide

Don't forget Father's Day this Sunday! Here are a few gift ideas for Dad.


The "Mixologist"


Old Potrero Single Malt Straight Rye Whiskey distilled in San Francisco's Potrero Hill, Shoppers Vineyard, $69.99



Thurston Bar Tool Set, Pottery Barn, $49.00



Hotel Cocktail Shaker, Pottery Barn, $29.00



Dorset Crystal Single Old-Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4, Williams-Sonoma, $64.00




The "Fashion Conscious"


Vilebrequin Junior Swim trunks, $120.00, Men's Swim trunks, $230.00, Vilebrequin.com



Cole Haan Air Colton Saddle, Colehaan.com, $198.00



Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer, Ray-ban.com, $145.00


The "Wine Connoisseur"


Sampler 6 bottle gift includes 2 whites, 4 reds, New York Times Wine Club, $90.00


The "Traveler"


Nikon D3100, Nikonusa.com, $699.95



Kennedy Deluxe Brief, Tumi.com, $695.00



QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, bose.com, $299.95

I 540

The drive on I 540 into Arkansas is truly picturesque. I was able to snap a few pics to share with you. Enjoy!

The Natural State

It's official, Arkansas has become my new residence! I knew very little about Arkansas which led me to do a little searching. Here is what I found. For one, its the Natural State. And it very well is. So far I've found it to be beautiful, green, lush and surprisingly hilly. After all, its the Ozarks! I can't wait to share pictures. In the meantime I leave you with a few tidbits on Arkansas.

Arkansas shares a border with six states: Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma

The Trail of Tears National Historic Park runs through Arkansas

The Capital is Little Rock

Its the birthplace of President Bill Clinton and the location of Clinton House Museum (Bill & Hillary's 1st home)

Home of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks(this is also where President Bill Clinton served as a law professor before becoming Governor of Arkansas)

The corporate headquarters' of Walmart, Tyson Foods and JB Hunt are all located in Arkansas' Benton County