with all the exciting happenings over here at nft'z, i've had to be really regimented in my schedule this week. the week was full of meal deliveries, photo shoot prep, an amazing photo shoot (photos to come) and is about to reach it's pinnacle with tomorrow's snack stand at one of my studios and our nephew spending the night to celebrate his birthday. 

whew, i'm winded just thinking about it. but this is what i wanted. to be BUSY. that means things are HAPPENING. i don't totally know what it all means yet, but i feel this buzzing around me getting louder and louder. i knew the words will all be clear soon and the plan will become more clear. but in the mean time, i'm just going to sip this delicious sangria i made for thursdays shoot. it is the perfect make ahead cocktail and is a beautiful crowd pleaser for your holiday parties. 

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.

in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option. 

serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe.

garnish with a lime wedge.

xo, a

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.
in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option.
serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe. garnish with a lime wedge. 

right now in my life, i'm a yes girl. 

i'm just over a year out from corporate life, and while the financial situation may not be as comfortable as i would like, for the first time in my life i am truly free. free from bad bosses. free from restrictive schedules. free from time that is not my own. and i am free to say yes to anything and everything i want to say yes to.

from a very young age we are asked, "what do you want to be when your grow up?" and naturally, it changes as we age. because when you three and they ask you that question your knowledge of the world is limited and at that point you can count possible career fields on one hand. but as we age, our knowledge grows and we figure out what we like to do and what we are good at doing. 

but the discovery of what we like to do and what we are good at is a lifelong process, yet we are asked to choose a career field before we finish off our second decade of life. and like many others, the choices i made when i went off to study at college, and when i graduated college, and all throughout my twenties, lead me to a place i discovered i didn't really want to be. so i started over. and now i'm saying yes.

now there is a time and a place for everything. and there was a time in my life where the answers needed to be no. no i don't have time for that. no i can not fit that into my schedule. no i can not put you before me. and no was the right answer then and it might be the right answer for you now. 

however, if you are feeling unsettled, complaisant, or just down right up the wrong stream with out a paddle, maybe it is also time for you to say yes. yes to new people, yes to new place, yes to new things. just YES. 

ok. that is enough inspiration for one week. now how about a stiff drink? whether you are currently loving your life, or in need of some change, everyone could use a pick me up. so enjoy this friday moment with a drink that is sure to brighten up your day. 

pomegranate cosmo
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
total time: 6 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1.5 oz pomegranate juice (i muddled my own, but you could easily buy some). 1 tsp pomegranate seeds. 1 tsp lime juice. .5 oz triple sec or other citrus liquor. club soda. cup of ice. lemon twist or slice of zest for garnish. 

in a pint glass or shaker, combine the vodka, triple sec, lime juice and pomegranate juice with the ice. shake well to combine.

strain the mixture into a martini glass. top the drink off with desired amount of club soda. 

garnish with pomegranate seeds and lemon zest and serve. 

xo, a

pomegranate cosmo
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1.5 oz pomegranate juice (i muddled my own, but you could easily buy some). 1 tsp pomegranate seeds. 1 tsp lime juice. .5 oz triple sec or other citrus liquor. club soda. cup of ice. lemon twist or slice of zest for garnish.
in a pint glass or shaker, combine the vodka, triple sec, lime juice and pomegranate juice with the ice. shake well to combine.
strain the mixture into a martini glass. top the drink off with desired amount of club soda.
garnish with pomegranate seeds and lemon zest and serve.