Peach Green Tea Lemonade Cocktail (with Basil!)

My guilty pleasure this summer has been the Peach Green Tea Lemonade from Starbucks. It is simply delectable. I drink at least one a week. (One TRENTA a week.) I often think so myself, "the only thing that could make this even better would be alcohol. Or basil." Obviously, this was something that I had to act on. As soon as I had a free moment, I headed to the Wine & Spirits store to search for the perfect peach-flavored liquor to add. The obvious choice would be Schnapps but I wanted this to have a more rustic taste so I opted for some Peach Moonshine. (Yes I know it's not real moonshine. I know all of you Southern folks are rolling your eyes at me right now.)


What You'll Need
  - Peach Liquor: I loved the moonshine but if you want something a little closer to the original Starbucks beverage, Schnapps would be your best bet.
  - Unsweetened Green Tea
  - Lemonade (as fancy or as basic as you'd like it.)
  - Basil
  - Ice
  - Cocktail shaker

Muddle a basil leaf in the bottom of a shaker. Add ice (fill it about halfway) and one part each of the lemonade, Peach liquor, and green tea. Strain into a glass filled halfway with ice. Top with extra basil for garnish.

Basil and peach are a match made in heaven and so perfect for these next few weeks of "kinda-summer-but-not-really-but-also-not-quite-autumn." As always, enjoy responsibly!

xo,
e.m.



When in Doubt, Black & White

Life is too short to worry about what to wear. When in doubt, throw on a black and white dress and you'll be good.

xo,

e.m.

dress/ Nordstrom (similar), boots/ Piperlime (similar), hat/ Urban Outfitters, watch/ Michael Kors

*photos by Danielle Conyers

Booty Positivity Day

This happens at least twice a year. It's an all-too-familiar sensation. You've struggled enough to get your jeggings over your curvaceously thick thighs but there's a greater obstacle to overcome before you can suck it in, button, zip, and relax. The booty. You wiggle your way in and it's almost there when-- RIP. Both as an onomatopoeia as well as in a "R.I.P. pants" kinda way. Yes, my larger-than-life derriere did irreparable damage to yet another pair of trousers. It was only a matter of time. The pants were busting at the seams. At least it happened in the comfort of my own home and not in the middle of the office, or on the street. Regardless of where it happens, it's always somewhat humiliating. I stared at the remaining shards of pant. "My ass did that?" I think to myself. It looks like they were mauled by a cougar. I sit down, defeated. Why, though? Is a buxom bottom not some sort of medal of honor? It's some sort of desirable trait, no? It most surely is. A fat booty is celebrated in many ways, particularly by song. So, if you bust through a pair of pants any time soon, don't get bummed about your bum: listen to these (NSFW!) songs, shake what your momma gave you, and realize that there are women who endure the pain of implants just to have what you've got.

xo,
e.m.

Title is Irrelevant

I've been kind of sad lately. It's my weekend (holla) so I wasted no time in coming back home for a few days. Shopping with the girls of the house, drinks on the deck with my parents, cuddles with my pup... it's a dream. Just getting away for short periods of time is enough to realign my perspective and priorities. I've been struggling with body positivity. I'm lost somewhere between "I don't need to change for NOBODY" and "wow, I'm really hating this back fat right about now." My remedy for these kinds of moods is to not allow myself to wear makeup for a few days. It may seem a little strange but it forces me to focus on accentuating what I have instead of trying to cover it all up. Give it a try. It really works.

xo,

e.m.

top/ Urban Outfitters, jeans/ American Eagle, shoes/ Urban Outfitters (similar), hat/ Free People, bag/ Louis Vuitton 

Old City Wedding

Rob and Chelsea are good friends of mine so of course I was beyond honored when they asked me to capture their big day. Aren't they just a dream?

xo,

e.m.