The "New" Old Fashioned Way!

I mentioned that a few weeks ago, that we attended a holiday cocktail exchange party with some of Dan's coworkers. The best part is that not only did we leave with a complete set of ingredients to make a new signature cocktail, we also were inspired by the other creative concoctions people shared. One of which was a twist on an old-fashioned known as a Ward 8 cocktail, which uses citrus and pomegranate juice. I knew right away that this would be the perfect drink to serve up on Christmas Eve, but I wanted to use ingredients that we had on hand, thus resulting in what I call the "New" Old Fashioned! The perfect drink to get you rockin' around the Christmas tree!

Ingredients: 

2 oz. Slow & Low Rye Whiskey Liquor

Juice from 1/2 each lemon, lime, and orange

1/2 oz. pomegranate syrup*

To Make:

In a shaker, combine 1/2 oz. simple syrup and 1tbsp pomegranate seeds. Muddle seeds well. Add fresh squeezed citrus. Add 2 oz. Slow & Low with ice. Sake well. Strain over ice. Pomegranate seeds to garnish.

Eat, Drink, and have a very Merry Christmas!

Hailey

The Process of Living: A Colorful West Palm Beach Bungalow

Two weeks ago, Dan and I flew to Florida to spend a few days with my friend Drea, her man Alex, and their amazing five-year-old daughter, Marlowe, at their colorful bungalow in West Palm Beach. My friendship with Drea is unlike any other in that I followed her blog for a few years and finally met her in India this past March! A mutual love of Indian food, sarcasm, and ridiculous youtube videos bonded us pretty quickly and now I'm happy to call her my friend in real life.

Drea and her husband Alex are both insanely talented chefs- like, professionally- he works at a major destination resort and she recently published her own cook book, and clean eating and simple living are huge passions of theirs- they even grow their own produce in their backyard garden. Unfortunately  Drea's health took a major, sudden, mysterious dive shortly after our trip to India, but she has been sharing her recovery journey and new relationship with food over on her blog. I have always admired Drea's eclectic, effortless, and unique style and decor, but after visiting her house, it's obvious that she has poured a lot of love and thought into creating a colorful and cozy place for her family to call home. Since cooking at home is obviously a big part of their life, a lot of my favorite memories from our visit revolved around their beautiful dining table that was layered with patterned textiles, bowls, serving dishes, and colorful jars of goodies at every meal. Check out our breakfast spread below.

As is common in Florida, most of these photos were taken on a rainy morning, and I just loved the dark, moody lighting and rich colors in every room. The two floral couches are definitely Drea's signature design pieces, and a collection of handmade rugs are layered across the living room floor gives the room a bohemian vibe. And plants. Everywhere. The house feels as tropical and peaceful indoors as it does out- we spent a good deal of time drinking espresso (thanks Alex!) and listening to records in this room. It was pure magic.

Thank you Alex, Drea, and Marlowe for welcoming us into your home and letting us crash your lives for a few days! You guys are beyond amazing and we can't wait for a West Coast reunion soon. xo

You can find Drea on Instagram, Pinterest, and on her blog. 

Enjoy the process!

Hailey

The Process of Living: A Textile Designer's Family Friendly Digs

When we hear "family friendly", visions of rooms filled with foam floor mats, piles of plastic toys, and inexpensive furniture may come to mind. At some point in the past few decades, and with the sprawl of suburban homes boasting "bonus" rooms and basements, a line was drawn between what was considered "family friendly" and which rooms or styles were off-limits. Now, with many people opting for smaller homes in urban areas, most rooms have to pull double-duty, being both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

This home of textile designer Caitlin Wilson is the perfect blend of pretty and practical. Unique, high-style pieces are scattered throughout the house, but clutter is kept to a minimum- which also makes cleaning up easier. Even the designated "play area" is simply styled and cohesive, instead of being a black eye in the otherwise carefully curated space. By paying close attention to the details in each room, the overall look is cohesive and comfortable. Whether you have little humans or a small zoo of four-legged critters, like us, this house is a super inspiring example of what a "family" home could be. 

Tour originally appeared on MyDomaine.com