Lemonade + Leap Day

Today's recipe is basically lemonade for adults. It's a super easy recipe that will put you right in the summer spirit if you're still suffering from winter. If your here in SoCal, we've said bye to winter, skipped over spring, and have basically been living in summer all February with temps in the 80s almost everyday.

Another reason for the easy recipe? I haven't exactly been experimenting with new recipes lately. New restaurants, yes. Like Nobu a couple weekends ago. Amazing. And I finally got around to trying pho, which was delicious. Don't get me wrong, I'm still cooking, but just my easy, go-to recipes that are quick to fix and quick to clean up. 

Maybe after the wedding (which is LITERALLY only 1 month away!) I'll have a little more time to spend in the kitchen, but today you're getting a drink. Well, I'm getting the drink. You're just getting the recipe. And apologizing again because I have a feeling March will be lacking on the blog front. But hey, today's Leap Day, so I'm gonna seize this extra day for all it's worth. Cheers to that!

XO – Courtney

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Grown Up Lemonande

INGREDIENTS

· 1/2 oz. Limoncello

· 1.5 oz Gin

· 1/2 oz Lime Juice

· Rosemary Sprig

· Ice

· Tonic Water (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine Limoncello, Gin, Lime Juice, & Ice in a shaker. Shake well.

2. Pour into a glass with fresh ice and add a slice of lime and some fresh rosemary. You may also add tonic water if you would like.

3. Cheers! 

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Monochromatic

We've already had a few unseasonably warm days (last weekend we hit 90 degrees!), but I'm not packing up my winter gear yet. "Winter gear" is a strong word to describe my "winter wardrobe" these days. Anyway, I think we've still got a few cooler days to come, plus I'm still holding out for El Nino.

Warm days are followed by cool nights, so this grey linen top from Zara keeps me cool during they day, but keeps me from freezing as the temps drop. Pair it with black skinny jeans, grey ankle boots, and a grey hat. Keepin' it monochromatic here.

Fashion talk aside, who saw Deadpool last weekend? Uh. Maze. Ing. And hilarious. And absolutely CRUSHED it at the box office. Crisp high five (if you haven't seen the movie then you don't understand). If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Instagram, #sorrynotsorry for blowing up your newsfeed all last week with posts, BUT (for those of you who don't know), Zack worked in post production on this movie so we were/are both super pumped about it.  If you haven't seen it yet, well, the weekend is here so go. Right now. And tell me what you think.

XO – Courtney

top [zara] // pants [j.crew] // shoes [urban outfitters] // hat [madewell]

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[photo credit: zack hardy]

Up

A couple weeks ago I hinted at a birthday surprise from Zack (here)...and even a little bit in my last post. Well, the wait is over (because I know you guys were just consumed with wonder of what it could be). Last Sunday we went for a hot air balloon ride. 

This is big on so many levels. First of all...this is a bucket list item for me. But the biggest part is that it was ZACK'S idea. I figured I'd ride in a hot air balloon one day with a friend or something because it was understood between Zack and I that he would NOT be participating. He is terrified of heights and not a huge fan of flying in an airplane, so the idea of being in an open basket thousands of feet above the ground isn't really his cup of tea. 

Well folks, never say never.

Needless to say, I was pumped. Zack...not so much. He was literally only doing this for me (seriously, give this guy an award for being so awesome). We had to leave at 3:30am Sunday morning and drive out to Temecula,CA for our sunrise flight. Early morning, but I was way too excited to feel sleepy. 

The people who run the balloon company (California Dreamin') also have a vineyard (Vindemia Vineyards), and that's where we met them, along with about 12 others, at 5:30am to head to our launch site. The balloons take off from different locations everyday depending on the wind, so we drive around for about 20 minutes before we found the "perfect spot." And then the crew began inflating the balloons. 

They were sending 2 balloons up that morning. Our basket was Zack and I, along with 2 other couples and the pilot, and once inflated, our balloon was about 7 stories tall. We climbed into the basket, and before I knew it, we were floating up. It is an insane thing to experience and almost impossible to describe, but the balloon ride was so smooth. I actually didn't realize we were off the ground until Zack mentioned it. 

Then up, up, up we went. We reached just over 4000 feet, and it was a perfect and clear morning. The views in every direction were amazing. We could see the snowy mountains, the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Carlsbad, and even the Los Angeles skyline in the distance. Not to mention all the other hot air balloons around us. And to top it all off, Zack was having FUN. I've got to say, I was surprised at how calm he was before the flight and through take off. Maybe the fact that it was so early so his brain wasn't awake enough to be afraid. 

We floated around for about an hour then just plopped the balloon down in a random field, popped open some champagne (a tradition for all hot air balloon rides), then drove back to the winery for MORE champagne, a little wine tasting, and breakfast.

If you've every considered or wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, I say DO IT! And if you're telling yourself you're too scared...don't be. If Zack can do it then anyone can. Fact. 

XO – Courtney

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Celebrations

First things first, happy belated birthday to "Forks on the Right!" Feb 1 marked 2 years, and I'm feeling pretty good about that accomplishment. 

On to our next order of business. February 1 also marked 2 months until Zack and I tie the knot!! So excited but also can't believe it's so soon. I think it's really starting to sink in after the week I spent in NC meeting all the vendors face to face and working on some DIY crafts and decor. It was all phone calls and emails up until last week. Not to mention, I was able to celebrate one of my best friends and bridesmaid's weddings while in town.  Attending (well...especially being a bridesmaid) a wedding so close to our wedding date definitely turned up the excitement level.

But let's rewind to the beginning of my trip back east shall we? Winter Storm Jonas tried to keep me from making it to NC, but I was not having it. 

8:00pm the night before I'm supposed to leave for Raleigh: flight from LAX to RDU cancelled. Next flight out? Not until Sunday night unless I wanted to fly into Washington DC and drive to Raleigh from there. (I'm still not sure how that flight wasn't cancelled yet since the storm was already hitting there). And so my breakdown began. My bridal shower AND birthday were Saturday, so I was DETERMINED to get home. After calling my parents in tears because I was just so sad, I found a last minute flight with Southwest to Charleston, SC and my dad was going to pick me up there. 

So Friday morning my adventure began. I was the first to board the plane and get my wedding dress stowed safely thanks to the amazing woman from Southwest who upgraded me to priority boarding for free (probably didn't hurt that I used the "bride" thing to my advantage). It also got me free margarita on the flight. I was bringing my wedding dress to NC for bridal portraits (which were rescheduled until I go back in March thanks to the weather), and was a little worried about getting it on the plane and storing in safely but Southwest went above and beyond to help me. And then we were off. LAX to Portland to Chicago to Charleston, and I never even got off the plane. Landed in Charleston, SC at 11:40pm, hopped in the car with my Dad, and 6 hours later we were pulling up to my house in Wake Forest. 

What I way to start my 26th year. It was a long, exhausting, stressful day, but I made it...and even though it involved me lying about my wedding date and making sure I kept my stories straight all day...it gave me a good story (which is, believe it or not, way more involved than what I shared here).

My week in NC flew by, but it was productive, busy, and most importantly fun. My matron & maid of honor, Katie & Brittany, threw me the most perfect bridal shower Saturday afternoon with family and friends (who braved the snow and ice to celebrate with me, and I am so appreciative!). And if that wasn't enough of a celebration, a few of the girls and I went out to grab some mexican food and margaritas for dinner.

The rest of the week was a balancing act between friends, family, and wedding related meetings. Met my day-of coordinator, toured my venue and developed a floor plan, met with the caterer, photographer, and bartender, attended a cupcake tasting, and had my wedding hair trial. And in between all that it was dinner with friends and family and running to Michael's about 10 times to buy craft supplies for some wedding DIYs. My week ended by celebrating the marriage of one my best friends, Megan May (now Mrs. Knox). It was a beautiful wedding, and she was one of THE most beautiful brides I've ever seen. Actual, both her and the groom literally looked like they belonged in a magazine. Or on Pinterest (which is the highest of complements). 

Unfortunatley, I got a cold the day I was headed back to LA, and it has NOT been fun to combat a cold AND jet lag. But I'm pushing through this week because there's a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and months, and I will be sharing it all with you along the way!

XO – Courtney

PS -- Please forgive me if there are fewer post than normal over the next few months. I want to soak in these last few weeks of engagement and wedding  planning...well...soak it in AND be consumed with all the last minute details :)

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