Laundry in Louboutins

So in order to take things to the next level, LiL has a new home!

For those of you who use LaundryinLouboutins.com you will be redirected to the new site, but those of you using the Tumblr address will need to start typing in our new (more grown up) URL.

Thank you for going on this journey with me… I’m so excited to share this with you all!

• 03/18/13

I love a good cocktail, but am always looking for ways to make it “healthier.”

I’m not a sweet and sour fan, and as I’ve gotten older, I find a prefer a “cleanier” drink (less sugar, mixes, etc.). 

My go to summer drink is a margarita, and I’m currently obsessing over jalapeno margs… so I wanted to share my simple, “skinny” margarita recipe.

2 ounces silver tequila 

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon of agave nectar

Club soda

Mix first 4 ingredients in a shaker with ice.  Pour over a glass filled with ice and top off with club soda and a slice of lime. 

I also will add sliced jalapenos for a little kick!

Next up - infused tequilas!

• 03/15/13

My mom knows how to get every and any stain out… so when I drop tomato sauce on my white sneakers, or get a coffee stain on my wool sweater she knows how to save the day.  Here is a little cheat sheet to help you out: 

Spaghetti Sauce on a Cotton T-Shirt

1. Put Oxi Clean on Stain, rub it and flush with tepid water (to get stain out)
2. Put Simple Green on stain and flush out with warmer water (to get grease out)
3. Repeat if necessary 

Mud or Grass Stains on Sneakers

1. Spray with a pre-treatment spray (Shout)
2. Brush them down
3. Throw them in the laundry and wash with 1 towel
4. Let them air dry

Carpet Stains (Wine, etc.)

1. Clean with rubbing alcohol (use vodka as a back up)
2. It is a great soap-free cleaner

Spots/Discolored Arm Pits/Stains on White, Cotton Apparel

1. Dissolve Oxi Clean in a large bucket of warm water 
2. Soak all whites for 24 hours
3. Wash in a normal wash cycle with like clothes
4. Behold sparkly new whites! 

• 03/14/13

I’m on a baking binge as of late and these cookies HIT THE SPOT. The key is to not over-stir them, and if you follow the directions you are sure to have perfection on your hands… or in the words of my husband - “babe, these are some bad ass cookies”. 

• 03/13/13

I’ll eventually figure out a proper way to take photos, but for the mean time this will do…

Outfit #1: J.Crew Military Jacket, Calvin Klein Dress, BCBG Heels, Cara Necklace, Henri Bendel Bangles, David Yurman Ring

Outfit #2: Zara Blazer, J. Crew Top, Halogen Skirt (similar), Zara Heels, Ily Couture Necklace

Outfit #3: J.Crew Military Jacket, Banana Republic dress, Maroon tights (old), Brown leather boots, J.Crew Necklace, David Yurman ring

Outfit #4: J. Crew chambray, Grey cashmere sweater (old), Nordstrom plaid skirt (old), bow flats, J. Crew necklace

• 03/12/13

Since we’ve moved into our new home together I’ve wanted to host a real party… nothing fancy, just something that required thought and planning. Brunch is one of my favorite meals, and with Spring approaching what better time to get some of my favorites together for a tasty meal?

Because our house is pretty tiny inside we decided to use our backyard as an entertaining space… considering our outdoor table is the size of our whole living room, we felt this may be a better move.

I found these vases at TJ Maxx for $10… I wanted to fill them with some gorgeous white roses, but settled for some lilac and cream carpet roses instead.

I downloaded some fonts on DaFont.com and printed simple menus on craft paper.

I put together a little makeshift mimosa/screwdriver bar area, with an old TV stand (not glamorous but it did the trick).

Read more

• 03/11/13

We spent the past weekend relaxing at our family friend’s beach house.  I cooked, read, drew, took walks and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. It was a beautiful weekend surrounded by my favorite people. 

I’m thankful for such a great recharge/reboot weekend!

• 03/10/13

As I get older I am realizing the importance of water consumption.  I’ve always been really bad about it (ask my parents), but I’ve found a new way to help me reach my 8 oz a day - flavored water!  It looks pretty and tastes pretty darn good. 

Super easy, and relatively quick… just add whatever fruits/vegetables/herbs to your water and let sit for 30 minutes or so, and enjoy!  I continue to pour more water over whatever my concoction is and remains tasty throughout the day!

My favorites are:

• Strawberry/Basil
• Blueberry/Lemon/Mint
• Peach/Basil
• Pineapple/Mint
• Cucumber/Lemon

*Note: Add herbs closer to the end, they can look to wilted, or get a little bitter if they stay in too long

(images courtesy of John + Louis Photography from our wedding)

• 03/08/13

Our bartender at one of our favorite hotels introduced me to this amazing drink, and its the closest thing to “my drink” that I’ll ever get to (I will always love to read a cocktail menu and try their specialty)… but when all else fails this is my go to :) I love it so much it was one the specialty cocktails at my wedding.  The best part? It’s super easy to make!

2 oz vodka

4-6 oz ginger beer

juice of 1/2 a lime

Pour everything over ice and stir. Easy as that! Feel free to garnish with mint and/or a slice of lime.

(image courtesy of John + Louis Photography from our wedding)

• 03/08/13

With Spring approaching (yay March 20th!), I felt it a good time to share some of my favorite random cleaning tips. 

Tips:

• Use a Bounce Dryer Sheet to wipe down your baseboards.  It pulls up the dust or anything stuck to them… and who doesn’t want their baseboards smelling like fresh laundry!?
• Don’t forget to clean major household appliance like your washer and dryer (don’t forget to wash the lint catcher every couple months with warm soapy water - dryer sheets can cause invisible build up that often catches dryers on fire!).  I also recommend cleaning your dishwasher every 6 months or so… I run a cup of white vinegar through a cycle then sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your washer and run a quick cycle again.
• Clean your window tracks! I do a quick clean with my vacuum’s attachment, then take a q-tip dipped in white vinegar to clean the grime.
• I clean my blinds with a vacuum attachment typically, but when I “deep clean,” I put on an old sock and dip it in a solution of half white vinegar (that stuff is magic i tell you!) and half warm water. Run it along each blind and see the stuff that comes off!
  
  

Favorite Products:

• Swiffer Sweeper - I DIE for this thing… you can use it wet or dry and it cleans everything right up and leaves a nice smell
• Clorox Wipes - I’m convinced I’m going to cross-contaminate 24/7 (even when I’m not cooking meat), so these things are life savers.  Get them at Costco - they come in packs for 4 for super cheap (but isn’t everything super cheap at Costco?!)

Anyone have any random tips to share!?

• 03/07/13