FIZZY (spiked) PINEAPPLE LEMON PUNCH

Two things made this post come together:

1. Michael is obsessed with pineapple, and we have had one in our fridge at all times this summer. It was begging to be used in a cocktail!

2. Back when we lived in Virginia for some reason we'd randomly get Mike's Harder Lemonade tallboys. Yeah. White trashy, I know. Legit just really strong alcoholic flavored lemonade sugar bombs. Feeling nostalgic, I got classy the other day and bought a couple of the regular lemon Mike's Hard Lemonade, and decided those were ALSO begging to be used in a cocktail.

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Thus, this fizzy pineapple lemon punch was born. This drink is great because it's fruity and refreshing without being cloyingly sweet. The fizz from the Mike's Hard Lemonade makes it light & lovely. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What you'll need to make it happen:

1/2 cup fresh pineapple (+extra for garnish)

1.5 ounces vodka

1/3 cup Mike's Hard Lemonade

Ice + Mint for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mash your 1/2 cup pineapple up. Either use a food processor- or do it in a bootleg way like I did- with a potato masher. There should be a lot of juice extracted!

Step 2: Pour your vodka, pineapple smash, and Mike's into a shaker with ice. Shake well!

Step 3: Pour into a lovely glass- garnish with pineapple chunks, mint, and a fun straw!

 (if you're looking for fun paper straws, I buy mine from an Etsy shop called Loollipop. Find them here!)

Simple, right? 

I think a GREAT way to serve this to a big group would be in a huge punch bowl- with plenty of pineapple chunks and ice!

Or, if you're going small scale there's something about serving a cocktail in a pretty glass .... and these fleur-de-lys juice glasses from Anthro are my favorite. Sorry in advance if you see a bunch of them in cocktail posts this summer:)

Any great fresh fruit cocktails up your sleeve?

Share them with me- or leave your Pinterest handle in the comments so I can see what summer drinks are inspiring you these days!

xo, lp

Looking for another yummy cocktail recipes? Try my Orange Ginger Mojitos!

(this post in NO way was sponsored by Mike's. I just figured it would be a good cocktail base. Yup.)

GIRL YOU FANCY!

Mmmk. So here's what's been happening lately:

1. Sometimes, friends know just how to make you feel good. My girl Dani made dinner and this kick butt cookie cake as a congrats on the promotion I mentioned last week. Like, who does that? And rather than just having the cake say "congrats" it said:

2. I wish I could link to these neon yellow flats so everyone I know could own them, but I got them at an Old Navy outlet. Bummer. They are the best shoes I own, I think. Also: please note M's basil plant. Giant.

3. As if enough exciting things weren't already going on- I bought my first real NEW car this weekend. EEP! It's dark grey and pretty and I love it. Is it wrong to want to hug your car? Probably.

4. My STUNNING sister Louisa was in town this weekend. Oh geez. So much amazing sister time! Isn't she lovely? 

5. This post would be pages long if I told you about all the fun things we did, but probably the most mature thing was getting Tattly fake tattoos. I'm totally scared about getting a real tattoo - but having a fake one for a few days kind of rocked.  

6. On a completely unrelated note, I've decided this is the perfect summer necklace to wear with a plain white tee. Tulle has a ton of great necklaces under $25, but this baby is my favorite!

7. Since you all know I enjoy teasing you about what Tuesday recipe is on its way...here's what is coming your way tomorrow:::

Random other sidenotes:

1. Happy Father's Day AGAIN to my dad, the best daddy out there

2. CONGRATS to my friend Sam, who found out she'll be having a baby boy in October!

What good things did you do this weekend, friends?

Fake tattoos, anyone?

xo, lp

Pssssst: I <3 Instagram. Find me here!

Friday's Fancies #64: Wedding Wear

Let's talk weddings.

This summer we were invited to....6 I think? This of course means I take that as an excuse to buy a bunch of new dresses. You know, like any responsible adult would do.

I am in love with the look of these jacquard dresses. Totally flattering shape, hitting you right at your natural waist- and an array of colors to choose from. That with a slight texture? Perfection. Oh, and for under $45? I'll take all 3, thanks.

Look 1: Simple Golden Girl: Pale Yellow Jacquard dress /// Gorjana Lena Shimmer Studs // Gorjana Honeycomb necklace

Look 2: Blinged Out Babe (yes I said blinged out) :  Light Blue Jacquard dress /// J.Crew Factory necklace // Kenneth Jay Waterfall Earrings

Look 3: Watermelon Woman (ok these names are going downhill fast): Light Coral Jacquard Dress // Gorjana Triangle necklace // Loren Hope Petra earrings

Looking at these now together I realize they have a Disney Princess Belle-Cinderella-Ariel thing going on. Oops. So for all you 80s/90s kids who were Disney obsessed, make your bridesmaids wear these. It would be awesome (read: sad). 

Do you have a go-to wedding outfit?

Mix it up with one of these dressed this summer! 

xo, lp

MADE TO PERFECTION

Remind me again WHY I live in a town without a Madewell?

When I got the email about Madewell's new arrivals the other day I couldn't pick just one favorite item. So, like a true hoarder I've collected a grouping of my top 15. Yes, 15. I couldn't narrow down. Oops.

Here they are!

1. Perfect Patterned Pouches: In order of awesomeness: chambray dots, nautical stripes, and fruity fresh.

2. Light & Lovely Tanks: I can't put these in order of awesomeness. I just need one of each. Minty dots, black & floral, and bold cobalt.

3. Simple & Sleeveless: Basic, sleeveless tops are necessary for summer so you can just grab one & go, knowing it'll match whatever you have on. Get bright coral, light chambray, or basic white to go with a great summer tan!

4. Textured Tops: Okay, so I lied and only 2 have texture, but the first floral-y pattern one has enough going on that it doesn't need anything else to it! Love the ladylike eyelet and the fluorescent lace number too.

5. I have a tan/camel bag that I bring everywhere in the summer. It's a little beat up and these three bags are on my watch list. Basic brown, stripes, and colorful blue are all lookin' good.

Which of the Madewell new arrivals are you going to make your own?

That sleeveless chambray top WILL be mine!

xo, lp

ORANGE GINGER MOJITOS

It's summer, which means it's mojito season!

Normally I stick to beer, wine, and whiskey- but come summertime I can absolutely break those rules for a delicious, refreshing, slightly fruity drink. Not that a classic mojito isn't great or anything, but like most good recipes: I used what I had around- which in this case was oranges instead of limes, and ginger ale instead of sprite or soda water. 

And thus, the orange ginger mojito was born:

What you'll need:

1/2  can ginger ale

2 ounces white rum

1 ounces triple sec

1/2 an orange, sliced

8-10 mint leaves

2 teaspoons sugar (or simple syrup)

lots of ice + fun straws

 How to make it happen:

1. Muddle a slice of orange with your sugar and mint.

2. Add your ice, triple sec, and rum.

3. Transfer into another glass or cover and shake to mix up your mint leaves.

4. Add another slice of orange and top with ginger ale.

5. Garnish with some mint & a slice of orange, and enjoy!

 Everything is better in a mason jar, right?

 ...so do fun straws!

What's your favorite new summer cocktail?

Find more of mine here on Pinterest!

xo, lp

AMUUUURICAN WEEKEND

Last week was a big week. A promotion at work and a new apartment lease getting signed was a little overwhelming (in a good way!), and called for a family & friend filled weekend to celebrate.

Looking back on the weekend, it was full-on Americana. Big family dinners, stock car racing in the Wisconsin countryside, a baseball game, and some beer & tailgating. 

Starting on Friday night:

My parents came in town to see my uncle race this weekend at the Columbus 151 Speedway. We had dinner with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece at one of the best pizza places in WI- Salvatore's Tomato Pies (you must go if you're in Sun Prairie). We then headed to the racetrack to cheer my amazing uncle on!

Here's my tiny niece with her noise-canceling headphones and gigantic icee:

We watched the races until laaaate at night. So worth it- such a gorgeous night in the country!

Saturday was baseball day.

Michael and I spent the day tailgating at Miller Park with a big group of his coworkers. Nothing like a good PBR to feel American on a sunny Saturday!

Brewers even won, which is a rare occasion these days!

In other news- I am soooo excited to share the most DELICIOUS summer drinks I made a couple weekends ago. I have to say this was by far the best mojito I've ever had. Yummm. Come back tomorrow for the recipe!

Enough about me- how was your weekend?

Anyone else do anything uber- Amuuurican?

xo, lp

psssst: find me on instagram HERE!