A LOVELY BRUNCH: Camparis on Crete

The first in a mini-series of warm and wonderful brunch places around the world.  This one's pure fantasy for me, as I've never had a Campari, never been to Crete and it is after all a Tuesday.  But I trust the Barefoot Contessa, and her Campari Orange Spritzer recipe, suitable for daytime; and the recommendations of the stylish Eleni from My Paradissi, who calls Crete home.  Imagine coffee on that terrace, followed by a leisurely all-day picnic on the shores of Triopetra Beach.  Or spend the day at Pagopoieion (Ice Factory) in Heraklion, where a brunch can easily extend to an afternoon and evening of food, music and mingling with friends.  Shall we all book a flight right now?

Have a favorite brunch spot you'd like to share?  Please email me (click on Contact in the sidebar).  Your selection and site link may appear in a future post.  Next month:  Best Brunch in Brooklyn.

Top photo from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.  Terrace photo, Marie Claire Maison;  Triopetra Beach photo courtesy Eleni, both via My Paradissi.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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A DREAMY ESCAPE

Snow came again to my Northeast city last night.  As bitter winds slap ice-encrusted branches against my office window I dream of jetting off to a secluded cove, wiggling my toes in soft pink sand edged by turquoise waters and sipping a frothy colada while a balmy breeze rustles my hair. Oh how lovely it would be ...

Thank you to the wonderful Roni Polisar and Rebecca Withers of the Smithsonian's Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, who in mere moments helped me identify this photo.  It's one of photographer Christian Chaize's series on Praia Piquinia, a  slice of heaven on the coast of Portugal. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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RE-USE: Armoire to Bar

My decorating partnership, The Redecorators LLC, began business with the premise that we would use what you have to give you a new look--often in one day. Immediately (as in, with our first client) that segued into full interior decorating services.  We've since ripped out kitchens, walls and floors; designed custom furniture and drapery; and turned completely empty spaces into beautiful and comfortable rooms to live in.  Still, Gina and I always look at how we can use existing furniture, art and accessories in new ways.  For example: turn a bedroom armoire into a living room bar, as we did for a charity event at the Grange Showroom in Philadelphia's Marketplace Design Center. (For more details, plus Before & Afters of that project visit Dust & Chandeliers.)  It's true: we're always looking for a place to corral cocktails! For more unconventional bar ideas, check out Everyday Style Tip: Set Up Bar from the style files.

Photo by Doreen Creede.  Yes that's me reflected in the mirror--and wearing the vintage silver and blue Victor Costa dress mentioned in last month's post, 5 Fabulous Sources for Vintage Fashion.  Funny how I didn't notice that until I enlarged the pic for this post! Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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COCKTAIL SANDWICHES, ANYONE?

We've found the bag, the hat, the shoes and yet another sublime vintage dress ... now how about we go out for a cocktail sandwich?  Not a cocktail with a sandwich, but a cocktail that is a sandwich.  Or at least an alcoholic version of one.

When I first heard of Carnivorous Cocktails they did not appeal.  Images of Bloody Marys festooned with sausage and pickles danced in my head, and the salt overload made my eyes puffy just thinking about it.  But a recent podcast from The Splendid Table has me re-considering.  In the hands of a master mixologist, artisan ingredients carefully and creatively combined form a magical marriage.  Or so I hear.  Think I need to take a drive down to PX in Alexandria, VA to personally try Todd Thrasher's BLT Cocktail and then fly off to Nacional 27 in Chicago to taste Adam Seger's Iberico Ham with Cheese Swizzle.  Or at least find a version at one of  the swanky new speakeasies popping up in my town.  All in the name of research, dear stylish readers, all in the name of research.

Photo of PX by Matthew Worden via Washingtonian MagazineSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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MOONLIGHT COCKTAILS

With a quick change of accessories the brunch set-up featured in yesterday's post transforms into a sexy cocktail lounge--complete with glamorous outdoor chandeliers and a gleaming disco ball. (The chandeliers were an end-of-season find from Urban Outfitters and the disco ball comes from my secret supplier of all things wild and whimsical. So secret I won't even tell my business partner where her birthday gift came from.) Some of you may remember the entire vignette from the Summer in the Citi event Gina and I created for Citibank last summer.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Set Up Bar

I could say that St. Patrick's Day and 21st birthdays have me thinking about setting up bar. But it's something Gina and I ask our client's about during every assessment meeting with The Redecorators. By bar we don't mean an imitation pub. Rather a simple area to corral liquors, liquers and glasses. Somehow having cocktail fixings out and accessible makes it that much easier to throw together a celebration--whether for two or twenty.

A bar set up can be as simple as a bottle of cognac and a cut crystal glass perched on a desk...


... a tray of drinks carried outside (very top) or a rolling bar cart wheeled up to a table (below).



For a special event, put together something quirky (like this Grinch-inspired bar/instant party we created for Citibank holiday event).



For something more permanent, repurpose a piece of furniture. At an event in the Grange Showroom in Philadelphia we set up bar in an armoire where a TV would normally sit.


Whatever spot you choose, cheers! cent d'anni! a votre sante!

Photos by Doreen Creede for The Redecorators LLCSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/cocktails
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