Mojito Popsicle Recipe

Y’all may have seen on instagram that I recently had a lime popsicle that brought back memories of mojito popsicles by the infinity pool on our honeymoon.  Thanks to a friend’s comment, I was encouraged to make some of my own and I can’t wait to share with y’all how EASY it was!  I searched a bunch of different recipes and ended up using the basic ingredients to make my own recipe for six small popsicles.

I didn’t want to buy a popsicle mold since our new small cozy apartment doesn’t need another item to store, so I made do with our tovolo king cube ice tray (we love this thing!) and they came out really well.  If you have an ice tray lying around, I suggest giving these ice tray pops a whirl before buying a mold.

makes six jumbo ice cube popsicles:
  • 4 limes, halved
  • 3/4 cup mint leaves
  • 2 TB white sugar
  • 3 oz. white rum (I used coconut rum – delish!)
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 wooden popsicle sticks

Place mint leaves in a blender.  Juice the four limes into the blender, add your rum, water and sugar.  Blend until mixed well and pour into ice tray.  I noticed one recipe said to strain the mint out, but I like to have it in there – your call).  Wait until the cubes are firm enough to hold a popsicle stick (I set a timer and for me it was about 1.5 – 2 hours) and gently place a stick in each cube.  Leave them in overnight and enjoy!

The next day…

After smelling this delicious concoction, you just have to make a cocktail, right?  While you have all these ingredients out, grab a club soda and make yourself a mojito.

serves two:
  • 20 mint leaves
  • two limes, cut into wedges
  • 4 TB white sugar
  • two handfuls of ice cubes
  • 4 oz. white rum (I used coconut rum)
  • 1 cup club soda

Place mint leaves and one lime wedge into each glass.  Use a muddler to crush the lime and mint leaves to release the juice and oils and let the magic begin (if you don’t have a muddler you can use the end of a wooden spoon).  Add two more lime wedges and two tablespoons of sugar to each glass and muddle again.  Fill the glass almost to the top with ice and pour in the rum.  Add your club soda, garnish with a lime wedge, stir and sip away!

Cheers!  Thanks for reading y’all – I hope you’ll make these!  Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Truffle Grilled Cheese & Coconut Fruit Salad

Hold the phone.  I knew that combining my love for good bread, cheese and truffle oil would be dangerous but I had no idea what I was really getting myself into.  This grilled cheese is slap ‘yo mama good.  It’s eyes-closed-hit-the-table good.  It’s sneak-the-other-half-of-your-husband’s-sandwich-and-eat-it-when-he’s-getting-another-napkin good.

Combined with a fresh summer salad topped with sweet, shredded coconut – I am in summer lunch heaven.  A fruit salad is a fruit salad, I hear you.  In this simple fruit salad, I like to just combine what I have available (plus something fun like mango or pineapple), chop and sprinkle with coconut.

On to the sandwich.  They key here is good bread.  If you use regular loaf bread I don’t think it will hold well when adding the truffle oil at the end…but try it yourself if you dare.

  • a few slices of sourdough (I used a cracked wheat sourdough)
  • some cheese of your preference (I used what I had in my fridge – sharp cheddar, swiss and mozzarella)
  • sliced mushrooms, wiped with a damp towel
  • truffle oil (I used white truffle oil)

Spray a fry pan with vegetable oil spray.  As the pan is warming up, drizzle a small amount of truffle oil on one side of the bread.  Add the cheese and sliced mushrooms, close the sandwich and place in the pan.  Once the bread is looking nice and toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwich and separate the two pieces of bread (this is where hearty bread is convenient), drizzling the truffle oil again over the cheese and mushrooms. Truffle oil can lose its zing if it is heated, so if possible, it’s best to use it right before the dish is served.

I can’t get enough.  Hope you enjoy!  Thanks for reading – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– local berries at the Farmer’s Market –

– seeing my Bailey-girl love the beach even more than I thought she would –

– sunset on the Huntington Beach Pier –

– finally buying Christian’s fun car, a four-door Jeep Wrangler –

– working on organizing our new bookshelves –

I hope y’all have a fabulous weekend!  Thanks for reading – XO –

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Quick Frappé Recipe

 

Y’all know I love my espresso machine and daily lattes.  I’ve quickly become a coffee snob and while I still love cheap wine, I don’t love plain ‘ol coffee as much as I used to.  I thought a cold frappé would be a nice treat on these summer mornings and this recipe is easy and delicious.  In my book, whipped cream just takes everything to the next level.

  • 1 1/2 cups cold brewed coffee
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 1/2 cups ice (more or less to your preference)
  • 2 TB sugar
  • Whipped Cream (I use nonfat)
  • Caramel sauce

Combine the coffee, milk, ice and sugar in the blender.  Blend until smooth.

Pour, top with whip cream and caramel sauce (or chocolate sauce…or whatever you prefer).  Yum!

Thanks so much for reading! If you end up making this, I’d love to hear what you think! XO –

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Day Trip to San Diego

Christian and I had so much fun spending the day in San Diego visiting with his cousin who lives there with her husband (and puppy!).  My sister and brother-in-law lived in La Jolla several years ago, and it was so fun to walk around the area and recognize landmarks.

My two favorite memories of visiting San Francisco in high school are the sea lions and touring Alcatraz. Similarly, some of my favorite San Diego memories are the seals and the views from the mountains.  When we drove to the top of Mount Soledad and got out of the car, I couldn’t help but look at the cross at the top of the mountain and feel so thankful that the Lord has brought us to this incredible place.  We feel so blessed to have this opportunity and I am just so happy to finally be here!

Sunset at the top of Mount Soledad:

Beautiful treats at Extraordinary Desserts:

Thank you for checking in!  XO –

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Friday’s Five

– a stop in Palm Springs for lunch, you know I needed to document this giant Palm Spring sign –

Y’all forgive me for taking the week off — I had no idea how long it would take us to get internet service!  After two and a half long days of driving, we made it.  Our apartment is small but it will be perfect for us and has hardwood floors and plenty of natural light – the two highest things on my wish list after Miss Lula and Bailey’s needs, of course.

We have been swamped with boxes and busy breaking things (I can’t even talk about it – I might cry), but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and plan to head to San Diego this weekend to visit Christian’s cousin.

Thank you for your sweet instagram comments and for reading!!

– breakfast in bed, some of the best peaches I’ve ever tasted –

– a gallery wall of some of our favorite artists (and the only somewhat completed area of our new place – more to come I promise!) –

– my start at a patio garden…here’s to hoping I don’t kill these beauties because I love sticking my face in them – the smell – oh the smell of fresh herbs! –

 

– a beautiful fountain and ivy arch that I frequently walk Bailey to –

Y’all have a great weekend!! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Moving to California

We have packed up and hit the road heading to move to California – thanks so much for all of your warm wishes!  Christian sold his truck and is driving the moving van with Bailey while I’m in my car with Lula LaShonda…I’m not sure who has it worse.  I’ve been sharing some deets on instagram (follow along @carriebradshawlied) and on Saturday Miss lu meow-ed from 8:30am – 11:00pm without missing a beat.  

And this was WITH the prescribed xanax from the vet.  We skipped the meds on Sunday and I’m happy to share she did much better.  Traveling with a cat = no bueno.

The highlight of the drive so far has been the mountains and desert in Arizona.   Indiana Jones – are you here!?

WE ARE SO FLIPPIN’ EXCITED!!!!!  Thanks for checking in y’all – XO – 

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Summer Smoothie

I want to be better with my smoothie-drinkin’ as the weather is heating up (slowing down my carb-inhaling will make me feel less like a balloon in the humid Mississippi weather), and the more simple the recipe, the better.

With only four ingredients, this smoothie is refreshing and just sweet enough, while packed with healthy greens. Another variation of this recipe without the kale is shared here – I’m going to have to be trying that one too.

Toss the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.

Thank you so much for reading! XO –

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A Week in the Bahamas

It’s always a beautiful week at the beach.  We had a wonderful time in the Caribbean and now it’s time to get back to packing and loading our moving truck for California.  Goodbye lounging by the pool and reading Jen Lancaster. Goodbye soft sand and clear teal-blue water.  Hello cardboard boxes,  packing tape, Pizza Hut and a loaded DVR of all my Bravo shows (!!!).

As always, here are some photos from the week –

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week! Thank you for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five from the Bahamas

– bein’ real glad I held on to the California sarong I got in the 10th grade in San Francisco –

– rock on, surfer girl –

– our Bahamian homeowner’s sharing their affinity for pineapples –

– a kayak that is just begging to be taken out (and most likely flipped with a mouthful of salt water) in the Caribbean –

– hammock lounging –

Sharing a few of this week’s highlights from our family trip to the Bahamas!  Just a few more days on this island and then we return home to packing and eating less seafood and more pb&j. I’ve tried to block the to-do lists out of my head and enjoy this week with Christian and his family, but I cannot help but be filled with excitement and anxiousness that our big move is only a week away.

Thank you again for all of your advice, generosity and encouragement regarding this big step – we honestly cannot wait!!  I hope y’all had some pooltime fun over the holiday weekend and have some summer beach plans of your own – XO –

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CBL + ShoeDazzle

1. maxi dress / 2. white coral necklace / 3. orange & mint earrings / 4. jeweled earrings / 5. gold cuff / 6. mint & white cuff / 7. python cuff / 8. Clare Vivier clutch / 9. peplum top / 10. floral pants / 11. jeweled statement necklace

shoes + Rachel Zoe styling tips + great sales = yes, please

ShoeDazzle…two words I really like.  Did you know they provide a short quiz to establish what products are the best fit for each individual shopper?  It’s like having an online shoe genie.  After taking the quiz you have access to your personal show room, tips from stylists, VIP member sales and a shoe of the day discount.

This could be a problem…because I think I need a lot of these beauties.  Try the quiz yourself and receive 25% off of your first item ordered within two days of signing up.

A big thanks to ShoeDazzle for sponsoring this post – happy shoe shopping and don’t forget to enter the clutch giveaway!! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Alys Beach, Florida Family Vacation

Christian and I had so much fun spending a week with my family in the Florida sunshine.  I’ve had the privilege of traveling to a lot of beaches, but for many reasons, Florida will always be the most beautiful beach to me…with Greece only a few points behind.  The white sand and clear, teal-blue water = my happy place.  Do you have a favorite beach?  I’d love to know!

Here are some photos of our week –

A lot of fun with a lot of fun people, adding one more to the mix when my sister and brother-in-law welcome their son in June.  Hope y’all have some family time planned of your own! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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