Champagne Grapefruit Mojito + Style Me Pretty Living

Hi lovelies! Hope y’all are having a nice little Tuesday. You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been sharing more entertaining inspiration for parties and events, recipes and cocktails, in addition to the paper pretties I love. I guess I never felt it was appropriate to share my love for entertaining, parties and stylish living on my blog, well, because I’d only ever talked about pretty paper and I felt those were the boundaries of my blog. I love the way my blog has grown and how I’ve learned from it. And I’ve realized that I fell in love with stationery, not solely because of my design background but because it’s purpose surrounds a stylish soirée, wedding, event or just everyday stylish living. This is why I love my job at Style Me Pretty, all my loves are combined. It’s funny how things happen backwards sometimes, isn’t it? Well, it can be pretty wonderful if you ask me.

I’ve been sharing some of my recipes and cocktails over on SMP Living and I couldn’t be more excited. Most recently was one of my favorite spring/summertime drinks, the mojito. With a bit of a twist—grapefruit! I love to keep a big pot of mint on my porch in the spring and summertime. I learned last year that mint will take over a garden, so keeping it contained is the best thing you can do. If you’ve ever grown mint, you know that even in a container it goes craaazzzy but that’s OK, because there are so many fun things you can do with mint… top off your ice cream with fresh fruit + mint, toss it in a Tabbouleh salad, or mix up a refreshing mojito! I favor the latter, of course. Head on over to SMP Living for the full recipe.

xo Melissa

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa + Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Aside from the Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo is most definitely next in line for my favorite holiday/celebration. I love Mexican food, mostly because of the cheese. You can find me at Howling Wolf in Salem at least once a week—if you’re local, try the chimichanga… to. die. for. And thanks to my Dad, Margaritas are my #1 go-to cocktail, so you see why my excitement for this holiday is what it is. I have a killer tomato salsa and guacamole recipes but this was my first time trying a salsa verde. Tomatillos have this awesome tangy flavor and when roasted… ¡Ay, caramba! are they delicious. So, if you’re having a few friends over this weekend for margaritas and need a quick appetizer, head on over to the fabulous SMP Living for the recipe. Happy weekend and happy Cinco de Mayo amigos! xo

Recipe and photo by Yours Truly.

Inspiration Column: New England Clambake

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sun. I started flipping through the summer food issue from Martha this weekend and it is brimming with mouth-watering summer recipes that I can’t wait to try. It got me to thinking about our traditional summer lobster feasts and clambakes that I get giddy for each year when the warm temps start to roll in. There’s nothing better than soaking up the sun on the water during the day, diving for lobsters (I did catch a few of my own last summer!), and cooking them up back at the house while sipping on an ice cold beer or maybe one of these. Throw some old newspaper on the table, print up these quick DIY claw place cards (if you want to get a little fancy) and check out these ideas for an easy table scape. If you like to plan ahead of time like me, you’ll want to send out a quick invite for the party and it can be as easy as throwing the date and time on one of these cheers cards from Fig. 2. What are your favorite ideas for a summer party? 

{Photo credits} Row 1: Lobster place cards, Bancroft Studios lobster platter Row 2: Pottery Barn table scape, Row 3: Fig. 2 cheers stationery, Boiled Maine lobster, Raspberry cobbler Row 4: Striped navy straws, Strawberry Tequila Daisy from OSBP, Chambray and striped shorts (unknown source, anyone know?)