TAKE A SIP: RASPBERRY BOURBON FIZZ

Summer is officially done, which means this will probably be one of the last fruity-refreshing drinks I get to share on here for a while. Sad day!

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A while back on a good old fashioned date night with Michael, I ordered the most delicious blackberry bourbon drink. It was the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and bitter- with a hint of lemon and seltzer in it.

I didn't have blackberries on hand, but I did my best to recreate it with some raspberries:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Handful of raspberries

- 2 ounces bourbon (I love Bulleit)

- 1/2 ounce of triple sec

- ginger ale

- ice & cute straws

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Pour your bourbon over your raspberries in the bottom of the glass you're choosing to use & mash 'em up.

Step 2: Add your ice and triple sec & stir!

Step 3: Fill glass with ginger ale, garnish with raspberries, and sip through a lovely straw.

I mean, easy, right?

This drink is both cool & refreshing and warming (thanks to the bourbon) - making it the perfect beginning of Fall/End of summer drink!

What drink are you sipping on these days?

If raspberry is your jam - try these too!

xo, lp

Friday's Fancies #69: Fall Must-haves!

GAHHHHHHH Fall is HERE! Picture me doing flips around the house and running around unearthing all of my favorite sweaters. Because that's what I'm doing. Because Fall.Is.Here. 

Here are my top 8 fall must-haves:

1. Waxed Cotton Parka: More than just your average military jacket, this parka is something special for sure. The price tag is steep, so if y'all wanna chip in to help me get it, that'd be great.

2.  Herringbone Loafers: As far as I'm concerned, these are THE shoes of fall. Anything herringbone is good in my book, and these are complete perfection.

3. Basic Infinity Scarf: Nothing is better than a basic scarf that's easy to throw on with any and every outfit, right? This one is soft, silky, and sweetly priced!

4. BareMinerals Eye Shadow Palette:  I'm not usually much of a eyeshadow girl, but I think this fall I'm going to give it a go with these gorgeous dark & dusty shades of shadow from BareMinerals.

5. Brown Leather Bag: I've said it before and I'll say it again - this bag is the bees knees. Cognac. Tassel. Love.

6. Camo Sweater: I have been fighting the camo trend for the last year but dangit if it isn't growing on me! 

7. Leopard Pointy Flats: Leopard just won't die, and I'm totally okay with that. Pointy flats are my favorite because they help my short lil legs seem a little longer, so these are awesome.

8. Crystal Necklace: Target did a pretty solid job copying the classic J.Crew Venus Flytrap necklace. I already have the J.Crew one but I got the Target one too to layer 'em up!

What's on your Fall must-have list?

Tell me those herringbone loafers aren't perfection!

xo, lp

The Blogger Buzz, vol. 3

It's that time again! This volume of Blogger Buzz is all about our must-have beauty buys...

1.      1. // Ashley Fine of One Fine Day

 I love The Beauty Blender: This bright pink makeup sponge lives up to the hype. Believe me, I hate gimmicks! Since I started using it earlier this year, I've received so many compliments regarding my complexion. I've never considered myself to be someone who has nice skin, so this was a huge coup! The application is foolproof and foundation looks airbrushed. What's not to love?

2.     2. // Samantha Peterson of The Brunette One

 I can't live without my Urban Decay Naked Palette! While the price is a bit steep, it is worth the investment. Easily go from day to night with the multitude of neutral shades offered! A huge plus? It makes packing my make-up a breeze. If you want something a bit smaller, try out the Naked Basics Palette.

3.      3. // Lauren Felix of La Petite Fashionista

 I've been trying to convert over to more natural + chemical free beauty products and was SO thrilled when my mom introduced me to The Honest Company- founded by Jessica Alba. The Lavender Mint flavor of this Honest Company Organic Lip Balm is my favorite- it's ultra-moisturizing and will be a total lifesaver this winter!

4.     4. // Laura Podlich of Beauty and the Beard

 My one beauty buy I can't live without is One Love Organics- Skin Savior. This stuff is seriously magic. It makes your skin softer than you could ever imagine as a moisturizer, and doubles as a waterless balm to remove makeup without irritation. PLUS it smells heavenly!

5.     5. // Katherine Nolden of The Duchess of Plumewood

I use this Clarisonic Mia every single night! I love how deeply it cleans my skin; I swear my skin has never looked better since I started using the Mia! Plus, I feel that the other beauty products I use are more effective because they can better penetrate my skin after it’s been cleansed so thoroughly! 

What's your must-have beauty buy?
If you haven't tried Skin Savior you MUST!

xo, lp

EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOME SHOULD BE MADE OF ACRYLIC.

Okay mayyyybe an exaggeration. But I mean, plastic is BACK people. 

Yes, it's just plastic.

I mean, some stores try to pretend it's fancy and call it lucite- and charge a ridiculous amount for it...but it's really just plastic. No matter what you call it, it makes for some fun accessories, right?

The Container Store has an awesome selection of fun acrylic pieces, and at super fair prices. I already have the bracelet stand, and am going to be adding a few more of these pieces to my collection soon:

1. We just got a new desk in the apartment and I love this general organizer. Perfect for pens, stamps, or any random knick-knacks that need a home.

2. I REALLY need to get some business cards for this here blog...mainly so I can justify buying this card holder!

3.  Scotch tape has never looked so chic! This tape dispenser is $10 and worth every penny.

4. This tray is SUCH an awesome hostess gift, right? Or just a "I moved into a new apartment so this is my housewarming gift to myself" gift. 

5. These racks are excellent for organizing your necklaces and bracelets. Plus it makes for a pretty display!

6. This organizer is perfection for the lipstick lover. All the individual sections keep your collection from turning into a total mess!

7. I mean, if you have to have Qtips out, you might as well have a cute case to put them in...

8. Same goes for your make up brushes, or mascara/eyeliner- might as well keep it tidy in this slender case!

9. The catchall tray is necessary. Toss your jewelry off at the end of the day into it, or have it at the ready for keys and stray bobby pins. What's best is they stack, so for $6 a piece you can have some seriously good looking and affordable storage!

Which of these acrylic pieces would you use to organize your space?

I'm loving them all, but that tray is #1 on my list!

xo, lp

DAMN, LIFE IS PRETTY FANTASTIC, RIGHT?

PEOPLE!

You know what? The last week or two I was being a really Negative Nancy. I choose to be childish and pass the blame to the 90+ degree heat for making me act this way, naturally. 

I'm not quite sure why. Well, this weekend fully knocked it out of me. It was too good to be whiny about. So here I sit, Sunday night, I my sweats and Donald Driver jersey- blogging & chugging water like it's my job ... happy as a clam (whatever that means).

So on that positive note, here's what's been good lately:

1. My girl Dani is the beauty queen. Fer real. Girl introduced me to bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie in Never Say Never. It is the richest, creamiest lipstick. And the color is dope. Yes, DOPE. Er, cool? fresh? hip? What do the kids say these days? Either way, get yourself some.

2. Finally getting back to some #ootd shots on Instagram. Here's what happy outfits I've been wearing lately:

3. In case you were under a rock (or don't follow me on Instagram), I went to the Packers' Home Opener this weekend. Despite the early morning rain that moved our tailgate indoors, the clouds parted halfway into the game and left us with a gorgeous day. Our seats were right next to the endzone, 10 rows back. I've never sat so close in a game, it was amazing!! Plus an awesome win didn't hurt!

4. Nothing like a cute couple picture, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight? The couple that watches the Pack together stays together!

5. Driving back into Madison we were met with the most stunning sunset over Lake Mendota. It was the perfect ending to an excellent weekend. 

See, way too many good things going on out there to be wasting time being whiny!

What's something good going on for you lately?

I expect these comments FILLED with positivity, my friends!

xo, lp

*whaaaa? we aren't instagram friends yet? for shame! you can find me here (@lpodlich)!

Friday's Fancies #68: Football Sunday

Weekends in the fall are my favorite. I mean, crisp leaves and cider are awesome and all, but what I really get excited about is Badger games on Saturday, and Packers games on Sunday. 

Now, I'm pretty superstitious and wear the same jersey every week, but if I ever change my ways I think I could get down with an outfit like this:

Comfy jeans are an obvious choice, along with some comfy driving mocs. Oh, and a big old bag to sneak beers into the tailgate or stadium (don't act like you've never done it).

This long sleeve Packers shirt & hat are obviously musts- I mean, you don't want anyone to think you're a Bears fan or anything, right? ::shudder::

What team are you rooting for this fall?

GO PACK GO!

xo, lp

*update: michael called me at work at 8 am to tell me we're going to the home opener Packers game this weekend...so if you'll be at Lambeau- I'll see you there! AHHH!

FALL DOWN SEVEN TIMES, GET UP EIGHT...

Haha, scared you there, sorry. At some point I took a screenshot of some of the THREE THOUSAND do-not-enter signs Google helpfully replaced every single one of the images of this blog with earlier in the year, for no reason, with no apology. 



I have now replaced every . single . one . of the photos, manually, by hand, one by one. 



It was... an experience. Once I got back into the