DINE X DESIGN

Posted by kait / March 14, 2014

Today I am ridiculously excited because my blog conference buddy Kristin Guy has launched her beautiful new site, Dine X Design. Since I’m obsessed with food and cocktails and housewares and kitchen stuff, I can’t help but swoon twice over this new concept. I originally met Kristin at ALT Summit in SLC back in January of 2012 and immediately was drawn to her creative style, her awesome blog moniker (The Cuisinerd – can you get any cuter?!) and her hilarious sense of humour. That girl had me laughing. I saw her again last year at the conference and was so excited to hear that she too, had made the leap to full-time freelance and blogging work. Since then, this girl has been on F-I-R-E. Besides just generally being awesome she was busy working on this fabulous new site AND travelling the world in the best style possible. She recently went down under on trip with Go Mighty! to explore the Australian food, drink and design scene. Check out her – it is full of inspiring snapshots from her trip. She has definitely inspired me to plan a trip to Australia in the near future.

Bookmark this blog ASAP. And then go have a cocktail. Kristin said it was okay.

All photos via Dine X Design.

THE PIN PROJECT NO. 8

Posted by kait / February 3, 2014

Wow, it is Monday night already?! This day flew by and while it was super productive I didn’t make it over the blog until just now. Can you believe it is already February? I am blown away how quickly 2014 is slipping through my fingers – I feeling like we’ve only just begun.

Today’s Pin Project has been dreaming (once again) for summertime fun. Road trips, bright dresses and ice cream sandwiches (this recipe looks AMAZING) – the perfect combination for adventure. And how glamourous is that image of Bianca Jagger?

one // two //

taking a tennessee swig

Posted by kait / November 26, 2013

The wanderlust is getting stronger, folks. This time I’m having visions of creekside picnics, long hot (but wonderful) days full of distillery tours and some of the best folk music you’ll hear in the North America. Yes, those deep South states are calling out to me and it is only a matter of time before Byron and I will have to pack our rucksacks and head down there.

It is not just the sweet bluegrassy sounds that are sending out siren calls for me – it is also the beautiful brown liquors that make you want to sidle up to the porch in an antique rocking chair and breath in the fresh Appalachian air. Tennessee in particular is topping the destination list for me right now. It may have been a vision in the night or perhaps it was the Jack Daniels‘ party I went to last week launching the Sinatra Select bottle in Canada. Invited to attend the soiree at Teatro’s Opera House, I was sent a simple wooden humidor engraved with ‘Join Jack and Frank’ – enclosed was a Mombacho cigar.

Yes, it was a well known fact that ol’ Blue Eyes had a thing for a good bottle of whiskey and Jack Daniels’ was his first choice. It is no surprise that the two brands (Frank Sinatra Enterprises) eventually came together to create a flagship bottle that fans of both would enjoy and savour. The finish is smooth and the taste is reminiscent of butterscotch and caramel corn. I’ve never been much for sipping straight up booze but after learning how to drink it properly (ie. slowly) I find it quite enjoyable. So yes, you might find me curled up with some No. 7 on the rocks this holiday – not sure about the cigar however…

photos via + Jack Daniel’s

THE PICARD MANEUVER X FIESTA MOVEMENT

Posted by kait / November 12, 2013

Over the past couple of months I have been super inspired by the Fiesta Movement. Myself along with a gaggle of other lifestyle bloggers have been sharing this exciting movement to get out more and experience life to the fullest. Meanwhile, Fiesta Agents from all over the world take on the monthly theme and shoot amazing videos sharing their interpretation of the mission.

This month’s Fiesta Movement theme is #entertainment and as I am gearing up for holiday party season I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to brush up on my entertaining skills – namely cocktail crafting. Last month, I was in Victoria, BC for a press trip and visited a great little cocktail joint called Little Jumbo. With a beautiful list of tasty beverages and fresh oysters at our avail, we couldn’t help but start sampling. The first drink that caught my eye was called The Picard Maneuver. Yep, a cocktail with the perfect nerdy reference. It sold me on it immediately. And boy oh boy, was I ever pleased. The layers of flavours in this drink are heavenly, almost tasting like some kind of perfect cloud. I knew it had to come home with me. The Picard Maneuver would be my Holiday 2013 cocktail, most certainly. I quickly pocketed the Little Jumbo swizzlestick as a memento of my time in the gorgeous Prohibition-style bar and made a silent vow to myself that I would recreate this cocktail as soon as I had the chance.

The really cool thing about this drink is that it was created using Victoria-based Silk Road Tea’s London Fog tea. One of my favourite things I loved hearing about on this press trip was how so many of the local producers, chefs and bartenders in Victoria really work together and collaborate on a lot of menu items.

What you need:

Silk Road London Fog tea (made into ice cubes)
1 oz Giffard Grapefruit
1.5 oz Tanqueray Gin
Sparkling Wine
Splash of Lemon Juice

Place London Fog ice cubes in a tumbler. Mix in Giffard Grapefruit and Tanqueray Gin. Splash in a bit of Lemon Juice. Give it a little swizzle with your Little Jumbo stirstick and top up with sparkling wine. The best part of this cocktail is when the London Fog ice cubes slowly start to melt and unleash a soft velvety flavour into the grapefruit that is, well, truly mindblowing. I can’t wait to share this cocktail with friends and family over the Christmas break – special thanks to the creator of the drink at Little Jumbo, Nate Caudle. You’ve changed my life.

Little Jumbo
506 Fort Street
Victoria, BC

Silk Road Tea
1624 Government Street
Victoria, BC

This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my participation. The opinions expressed are my own.

Happy Friday: Plum Fizz

Posted by kait / March 15, 2013

Happy Friday, friends! After a tricky week of weather here in Calgary (and likely elsewhere in the world) I felt we all deserved a tasty drink to get the weekend started off right. I came up with this sweet little cocktail recipe featuring my new favourite drink obsession: Umeshu, Japanese plum wine. It is absolutely delicious, sweet and maybe slightly addictive. Regardless, I think you will enjoy the Plum Fizz!

What you need:

Umeshu Plum Wine (similar here)
DRY Juniper Berry Soda
Sliced Plums
Ice Cubes

Pull it together:

Drop an ice cube in each glass. Spear a slice of plum with a toothpick it and rest on the edge of the glass.

Fill the glass halfway with the Umeshu. Or fill it more if you want it boozy.

Here comes the fizz part! Top with the Juniper Berry Soda. Yum….

Reposition your speared plum and drop in a pretty straw. Now, slowly raise the glass to your lips and take a healthy sip. It should taste like a fizzy liquified version of the candies, Sweet Tarts. Sweet and tart with a whole lot of fizz!

Your weekend can now begin. Hope you have a great one and please let me know if you have any great cocktail ideas that I could try out!

Plum Fizz made especially for yuppielove. All photos by Kait Kucy.

Lavender Glass from Anthropologie.

The Gift of Cocoa

Posted by kait / January 2, 2013

holiday_hot_cocoa_recipe-588x432

While the official season of gift-giving is now over, there is still many opportunities to brighten someone’s day during the next couple of cold months. Over at the Neighborhood, I have shared my go-to recipe for some delicious hot cocoa. Stack it up nicely in a mason jar and wrap with string – you’ve got yourself the perfect gift for friends, teachers or for a hostess gift.

Or you can just keep it for yourself and get cozy with a mug and a good movie! xo

Candy Cane Vodka Float with Village Ice Cream

Posted by kait / January 1, 2013

candycanefloat1

I know the question you are all wondering as you sit at home with various remnants from your holidays scattered throughout your kitchen – what am I supposed to do with all of this candy cane ice cream now that Christmas is over?! No matter where you picked up your Candy Cane Ice Cream (ours came from the beloved Village Ice Cream!) you can make it even more delightful as you transition from full on holiday-mode back to your regular scheduled cocktail sipping programming.

what ya gotta put down:

Village Ice Cream Candy Cane Ice Cream

Vodka (we used Smirnoff)

Peppermint Schnapps

Crushed Candy Cane Sprinkles

Club Soda

mix it up:

Start off by pouring a shot of vodka into your class. Swirl it up a bit with half a shot of the peppermint schnapps. Fill your glass halfway with soda. Here comes the absolutely delicious part! Scoop up your Candy Cane Ice Cream into perfect round scoops and drop into your glass. Top up with more soda until the ice cream floats to the edge of the glass. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane and drop a candy cane striped straw in. Slurp up and enjoy this seasonally delightful treat well into the New Year. Though it depends on how long you can make your ice cream last!

It was an absolute pleasure to hang out at Village Ice Cream with Billy again and create this yummy ice cream float! It’s a beautiful space to grab a handmade waffle cone and your favourite flavour. Plus, Billy and his team are always coming up with tasty new flavours so check in often.

cup-of-ice-cream

full-view

looking hot at 175

Posted by kait / September 6, 2012

Yesterday, a giant box arrived for me unexpectedly and upon opening a pink heart helium balloon popped out! Officially announcing to me that it is Holt Renfrew’s 175 Birthday! Attached to the pretty balloon was six limited edition Diet Coke bottles made especially for the luxury Canadian retailer’s celebration. It is amazing to think about that company 175 years ago – how much our world has changed and how much fashion has changed. Happy Birthday Holt Renfrew – you are looking hot at 175. Cheers. *clinks Coke bottle*

thirsty // pimm’s strawberry lemonade snow cone

Posted by kait / August 9, 2012

I am super spoiled. My lovely brother Tom and his girlfriend Morgan gifted me a Snow Cone machine for my birthday this past week. How the heck they knew I wanted one so badly – I’ll never know but I am so excited to have one…..again. Yes, I had a snow cone machine before. When I was a kid (not sure the exact age) I saved up all of my money and bought a snow cone machine from Walgreens or another store of such calibre. It is only looking back now that I realize that only a true foodie would spend their hard earned allowance on a snow cone machine or a kitchen appliance of any kind. Most kids would have bought a doll or some Lego or colouring books. Anyways, it was quite possibly the best snow cone machine ever. It had Snoopy on it. You can see a .

Anyways, I am so happy to have one again because we all know that I love icy cold treats but sometimes a girl has GOT to give up that ice cream and fro yo for something a little bit more snow-like for the sake of calories. I love the taste of Pimm’s with strawberries so I thought a lemonade + mint spin on a snow cone would do the trick for these hot hot days we are having.

what you’ll be putting down:

snow cone machine
chopped strawberries
pimm’s
fresh min
lemon juice

throw it together: first of all make the snow. Make more than you might need because it might melt before your cocktail is even ready! Mix your chopped strawberries with your snow in a bowl. In another smaller bowl, mix Pimm’s with lemon juice. Use your own discretion – the boozier it is the better, right? Fill up your snow cone cup with snow and strawberries. Garnish with some fresh mint (this is going to add SO much flavour to the drink. Yum!). Slowly pour Pimm’s and lemon mixture over snow. Top with a little extra snow and serve up with a tiny spoon.

I’ve always been a cherry or blue raspberry girl when it comes to snowcones. I can’t wait until I get my hands on some of those super sugary concoctions but until then this fresh and delicious take on the classic cone’d dessert will do the trick. What’s a hot day without a snow cone?

thirsty // coconut + rhubarb + gin in a jar {camp edition}

Posted by kait / July 19, 2012

This has got be my new favourite cocktail. Forget the Pina Colada – this frothy coconut milk drink is a true dream. It is almost a milkshake, almost a float, almost a bona fide cocktail. The delicious fresh rhubarb does it give it a bitter edge so if you like super sweet drinks this is definitely not for you. It is also perfect for camping. Freeze up in your mason jars until you are ready to hit the road. Once they have defrosted, top up with some ginger ale and a straw and you are ready for slurping!

what you’ll be putting down:

1/2 cup Lite Coconut Milk
3/4 cup frozen cubed rhubarb
1 tbsp of Lingonberry Syrup (IKEA!)
1 jigger of gin
Ginger Ale

tip! add fresh grated ginger into the mix too if you like a little bit of zing!

mix it up, honey:

Throw all your ingredients except the ginger ale into a blender. Blend until totally smooth. The rhubarb can be a little string at times but just keep pulsing until it is in tiny little bits. Yum. Pour into mason jars and store in the freezer until ready to drink. Or serve up immediately and cool off.

Rhubarb is a pretty weird thing to serve up in a cocktail. What is your must-have weird ingredient?