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gin and juice fizz
i really wanted to make a festive drink for the fourth of the july, but i was just finding in my brainstorming that red white and blue frozen cocktails are not really my thing. so instead i came up with a simple gin and juice. because well, gin and juice is cool.
heads up : i did the bare minimum. you could fancy up your gin and juice by squeezing fresh juice, but i just used from the bottle, because i’m laaaaid back.
ingredients
- 2 OZ GIN
- 5 OZ JUICE (I USED BLOOD ORANGE)
- 1 EGG WHITE
- 1/2 OZ SELTZER
DIRECTIONS
fill your glass with ice, and a little seltzer if you prefer.
fill a cocktail shaker with all the ingredients and shake until super foamy (about 15 seconds)
pour into glass and garnish with blueberries.
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dream house : the breakfast nook
ok, so for this weeks dream house — i’m daydreaming about breakfast nooks. there’s something so cozy and casual about sitting around at a banquet to me, that makes a house feel extra lived in and family-y. we probably won’t have room for a dining nook in our house if it’s similar in size to what we’ve been looking at (a whopping 1000 square feet), unless we move to like… the valley. but we’ll seeee!
neutral and perfect. [image]
these two are way more colorful than i’m used to, but i love the relaxed vibe of both [top image, bottom image]
these ones prove you just use the space you’ve got and it works. [top image / bottom image]
ok so these two are restaurants, but obviously you can see how they can be inspiration. [top image / bottom image]
white + wood. [image]
[image]
got a breakfast nook? if not, want one now? me too. me tooooo.
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maker spotlight : loop design studio
if you read this blog, you know that i’m mostly into making useful DIYs. i always tend to make things i need or want, rather than things i’ll end up tossing because it’s just junk (i do toss my share of junk DIYs though). that’s why loop design studio’s work really resinated with me. so i want to intro you to elisheva, who lives in israel and makes super useful and simple and beautiful homewares.
TELL US ABOUT YOU + YOUR SHOP!
im elisheva, an industrial designer and maker. i live in a small rural village in the south of israel with my husband and two kids. i design and make home accessories that are clean and minimal but still warm and inviting – i like to call my style naturally modern.WHEN DID YOU FIRST START CREATING?
i was always into “useful” crafts like knitting and embroidery, and i got into art as a teenager. my family is very academically oriented and as the third of four children, i think it made me feel special to have something that was just mine.HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR SHOP AND START SELLING YOUR GOODS?
israel is a very small country, and we don’t have large home decor chains like west elm or anthropologie, everything here is outsourced and not locally designed. i knew i wanted to work in home decor, so starting my own shop was really the only way. lucky for me i didn’t know about all of the challenges i was yet to face as a one women show, b/c that would have probably scared me off. i don’t know where i would be without the internet – it has made my business what it is, and allowed me to do what i love for a living. living where i live (endless vineyards and not much else) and seeing where my designs are going, it’s surreal.
WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN SHOP?
i think just having so much responsibility without being able to share it with anyone. when people buy something from me it is exciting but also kind of terrifying. i feel like they put their trust in me and i don’t want to let them down – i’ve gotten better at dealing with the anxiety that comes with the responsibility of being a solo business owner. i often wonder if other business owners are like that or if it’s just me.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST OR TV SHOW TO WORK TO?
i love tv that’s probably aimed for much younger audiences. something about watching teen mom or anything abc family while i work is very calming. plus you can tune in and out and not really miss anything. i’ll sometimes have a tab open with a horribly silly show and work on other tabs, so i guess my guilty pleasure tv shows are more like podcasts in a sense.
WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY HUSBAND?
i’ve thought about this one long and hard. with the risk of sounding cheesy, i’m sticking to my husband of 10 years who never gets the proper credit – amitai hirshman you’re the only one for me.HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED WHEN YOU’RE IN A TOTAL RUT?
doing some really mundane production work helps jolt my mind. i read somewhere that people aren’t ever bored anymore since we’re always on the phone. time we used to spend on busses or in line daydreaming is now spent on screens. for me that was an eye opener, since for me, being bored is a huge part of being creative. so once a week in the workshop i saw and drill and let my mind wander.WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS TRYING TO GO PRO?
just start even if you don’t feel ready. a lot of artists are perfectionists, and it’s really difficult to feel like it’s time to publish your website or start selling your work – there is always another tweak to add. truth is you’ll never feel ready, but the good news is neither does anyone else.
i for sure need one of those hanging planters. you probably do too.
luckily she’s offering 15% OFF all items in her shop until june 2nd!USE CODE ALMOSTMAKESPERFECT
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heading to paris (!!!)
eeee. i am so excited to be leaving for paris today! i’m getting ready to eat as much unpasterized butter as i can hold in my stomach and walk and drink and take lots of photos and clearly i’m thrilled. if you guys have any can’t miss spots in paris, let me know!
…here’s what i’m [fantasy] packing.
01. hell yeah a selfie stick. no shame. ok probably a lot of shame, but it was super hard to get a good eiffel tower shot last time i was in paris (we were literally trying for an hour) so this time i’m coming prepared.
02. i always end up throwing on the same things on vacations, this simple blousey white tank is a perfect easy staple.
03. i don’t know… to me, these sunglasses look hot french girl. am i totally wrong on this?
04. because when in paris, eat lots and lots of croissants.
05. i always prefer a backpack when i’m walking around on trips, love how this doubles as a purse.
06. and when you’re walking, you need some walking shoes. -
how to make dope crudités
i personally think my husband could be a food stylist. he only started cooking about two years ago, but he got so good so quickly, and his plating is always on point. it actually made me super insecure about cooking. you may have noticed i share a lot fewer recipes on the blog now than i used to, this is all because of him.
so i asked him to create a crudité platter for our game night last week, and he really really nailed it. (WELL HEY, i did the shopping all on my own!) because he nailed it so much, i asked him to share his tips for how to recreate your own. this is the first time you’ve heard from gideon on the blog, so this is exciting stuff you guys!
hi! a good crudités or charcuterie is kind of like arranging a bouquet of flowers. you want different colors, in different amounts, composed and scrunched together with a few things that pop, and a few that melt into the background. here are some general tips:
messy is good
you want your plate/board/vessel to look like it’s overflowing with wonderful delicious morsels. mixing up different textures and colors is a good thing. you can have your carrots in several spots, and keep your broccoli all to itself, and sprinkle cherry tomatoes all over — everything looks better and more abundant in a (controlled) jumble.
symmetry is (usually) bad
having equal amounts of carrots on the right and left, with 5 tomatoes on each side, with broccoli next to that… pretty soon your crudités is going to look like the wheel of fortune wheel. this is great if you’re hosting a wheel of fortune party, but it takes away the organic beauty found in a more farm-to-coffee-table look, and makes it appear more like you bought that plastic platter at the grocery store. maybe start with a teensy bit of symmetry as a base, and then mess it up as you add the rest.
edible garnish is still edible
leafy or herbal garnishes look great on a platter like this, and you’d be surprised how many guests end up dipping your dill springs into the ranch and making a snack of it. basically, as long as it’s edible, there’s no rules or reason to hold back on an arrangement like this. use everything you have that makes it pretty (as long as you can eat it).
find ways to make it unique
you can really make a crudités stand out with unique ingredients or uncommon garnishes. edible flowers and heirloom carrots add unexpected colors. orange bell pepper adds a sweet note and a neon pop to your otherwise planty palate. garnish with unusual herbs like rosemary or baby dill or sprigs of thyme. if it came from the ground, goes in your mouth, and looks good on the plate, then it belongs in your crudités.
FOOD STYLING BY GIDEON BOOMER
ART DIRECTION BY ALMOST MAKES PERFECT + MOLLY RHYMER
PHOTOS BY MARY COSTA -
happy weekend
YAY! WEEKEND! we’re spending this one getting last minute stuff done before we leave on tuesday — sooo much to do and it hasn’t really hit me yet that we’re going because i’ve been going non-stop. gotta fill up all the travel bottles and pick out all the different t-shirts, you know. we’re also celebrating father’s day with a picnic for my stepdad in their backyard. also, this week i hit 10K on instagram. this is very exciting news in our household, so i’m feeling on top of the world right now, lame as it may be. you gotta celebrate all the things! have a good one guys.
⋅ ugh, i love him even if he’s a philanderer
⋅ this is so so important to me.
⋅ this future will require shades for sure
⋅ love this simple little clock
⋅ the possibilities are ENDLESS!
⋅ if you like jeff bridges…
⋅ don’t forget to print your dad some gift tags!
⋅ and don’t forget to make him a gift in the first place.
⋅ OR make him some cookies instead -
how to host a game night for adults
you may have heard me mention that my friends and i do a pretty serious game night. we’ve been pretty much keeping it up bi-weekly for the past few years, so i’ve definitely learned a thing or two about what makes for a good game and what doesn’t. and because i’m generous with advice, i decided to share with you my best tips!
1. invite a good number of people
try to invite an even or big group of people. and base the game accordingly : if you have an even number, team games are always the most intense for us. make sure everyone is equally passionate about playing games, because you don’t want any naysayers or buzz kills. there are certain games that are fine for a small group, and some that are only fun with a large one.
2. choose the game prior
our game night email chain is when we decide on the game(s), so there’s no heated discussion once everyone arrives. if your friends need help, provide them with a list of options. (this might also apply to friends who apparently like to argue about these things.
3. while you’re at it, choose the right games
now that our game night has commenced so many times, we know what we all enjoy and what we don’t. games that end up being the most fun for us are : taboo, mafia and celebrity. we also love balderdash when the group is feeling a little more mellow. and to spice up your old board games, i came up with an easy DIY to gift all your friends with : personalized game pieces! you can keep them in one place and use them every time you guys play a board game – so no more fighting over who has to be orange. head over to the kendall-jackson blog today to see the how-to.
4. don’t start the game right away, and have another as backup
we usually end up talking for about 30 mins at least before we start playing. but as the host, it’s your job to shut everyone up and make them start the game at a certain point (what a thoughtful host i am!) when the game has finished and everyone is winding down, but not leaving — have an extra little game for them to play. we love telephone pictionary for the end of the night, because everyone can sit around and crack up and leave on a really high note.
5. clear off your coffee table
we always tend to play around a coffee table versus a dining table, because it’s a much more relaxed vibe. while the girls will admire your cute coffee table styling, it ends up getting in the way so save the trinket display for your next party. all you need on the table is the games and some coasters.
6. make easy finger foods that don’t require flatware
you don’t need to serve dinner at game night, and it’s much easier to nosh while playing. chips and dips, crudite and frozen appetizers are all easy. (even easier, just order a couple of pizzas to be delivered when everyone arrives.) also, if you want to avoid doing a bunch of dishes, no one will judge you for using paper plates and paper napkins. especially if they get to drink from real glasses.
7. provide dessert
because you don’t want your teammates running out of steam before you lead them to victory. give them a little sugar fix. we always find a box of donuts is cheap, easy, and gets eaten. and when they don’t, you can turn them into favors! i have a printable i’ll be sharing with you next week for that.
8. don’t worry about not having enough chairs
as long as you have enough floor space. arrange some cushions and pillows on the floor, and make your guests feel comfortable by sitting on the floor yourself.
9. make sure there is plenty to drink
we usually do game night on tuesdays, but everyone still wants to have a glass of wine or two. it’s also totally acceptable to provide food as the host and ask your guests to BYOB if they’re particular. we still always have a bottle or two of wine in case, like kendall-jackson avant sauvignon blanc (especially perf for a summer game night al fresco)
10. you don’t need to set a mood
don’t bother setting the mood with music and candles. background music is fine, but in our group — we’ve always ended up turning down the music so we can focus and yell more. and candles, although they might create some pretty mood lighting, use a lamp instead. you don’t want your rug setting on fire because your friend just blew his round of celebrity and was flailing everywhere.
PHOTOGRAPHY : MARY COSTA
LOCATION : THE MOON & COTHIS POST IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KENDALL-JACKSON. ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.
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printable father’s day gift tags
if you’re not using the father’s day gift wrap this year, because like – the store gift wrapped for you, i made some simple gift tags for your presents, or your six pack, or your whatever you’re giving him!
you know the drill : just print on heavy cardstock, cut out, punch a hole, and attach to your gift! forget to get him a gift? it’s not too late, and you’re welcome for the reminder!
ALL PRINTABLES ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR REDISTRIBUTION OR RESALE.
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f21 faves
ok so while i usually wear black, it’s warm outside, so i’m ok wearing lighter colors. well, neutrals. the word color is a stretch, but this will do! here are some neutral faves to complete your summer wardrobe.
WANT THESE
gauze dress / backpack / dress / linen tank / cuff / shorts / kimono / sandals
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happy weekend
phew – another week, and even less time until i go to paris. i’m seeing jurassic world this weekend and hopefully doing some posts for while i’m gone. but will you be so mad if i don’t? what if i share some dope links?
⋅ 20 years ago my life was changed by one movie.
⋅ love this pitcher DIY, i mean you’d get so many compliments.
⋅ maybe worth it though?
⋅ um. i love this.
⋅ just bought these for walking around in paris, so far they are way comfy!
⋅ we all need these tips.
⋅ i want to stay here.
⋅ speaking of jurassic world, this is so damn cute.
⋅ a whole bunch of pretty fonts for cheap!PHOTO TAKEN AT GRACIAS MADRE @ALMOSTMAKESPERFECT
