Wet Bar Essentials for Twenty-Somethings

{Our fully stocked wet bar circa 1960s}

You're twenty-something and you like to entertain, but you don't want to tip your budget by filling a wet bar full of expensive alcohol that your friends will end up drinking during one of your many pre-parties. Here's how to keep enough alcohol on hand for entertaining, while also not breaking the bank investing in extravagant single malt scotches and over the top vodkas.

Happy Hour: Hot and Sticky Vodka

{Stoli Jalapeno flavored vodka}

Freaking out here... I have a love for all things spicy, and now that Stolichnaya vodka has come out with their hot and sticky vodka flavors, I think I know exactly what I will be drinking all summer. Originally released in the 1960s, the two re-released flavors are a hot pepper flavored vodka, and a sticky honey and herb vodka.

"The brand is thrilled to reintroduce pepper and honey flavored vodkas, Hot and Sticki™. These spirited and timeless remixes are the perfect complement to our existing premium flavored vodka portfolio," said Val Mendeleev, CEO of SPI Group. "We hope our fans will enjoy these delicious and versatile offerings in a variety of mixed drinks."

Here are a few recipes for the new vodkas (that I borrowed from Lushworthy):

Weekend Wrap-Up via Instagram

{Whiskey sodas to commemorate the Mad Men Finale}

This weekend was an utter blur, but a fantastically entertaining blur. Friday was one of my friend's birthdays and we celebrated with a "Glory Days" themed party which means I whipped out the good old cheer uniform. Little did we know that we were going to be venturing out in public in costume, but c'est la vie.

Saturday consisted of errands and girlfriend duty. Between yoga, car washes, and fish tacos, we managed to scoop up two very handsome suits and a few ties for my international businessman of a boyfriend who is spending the week in France (I'm extremely jealous too). I also started some new books, but I'll get to that in another post... Oh boy, will I!?

I also had the pleasure of seeing Prometheus this weekend. You must see it in 3D - the scenes are amazing. What I expected to be a meat-head sci-fi thriller turned out to be quite an enjoyable movie with deep thematic elements. Some people are hating on the acting or the script, but I was overall impressed. Ever since Ender's Game I heavily enjoy sci-fi movies that explore space, human beginnings and meeting your maker. What did you think of it? This article gave me a lot of insight past what conclusions and theories I came to on my own. (My favorite character by far was David.)

This Sunday was the Mad Men finale and one of my friends threw a little Mad Men party at her apartment where we sipped whiskey drinks, ate bacon wrapped asparagus (like the ones I made here), indulged in cheese and cookies, and watched the finale. Now all I can think about is how Don Draper will win Peggy back to SDCP, if Betty will ever be thin again, and how long I have to wait until the next season starts...

While we wait for next season, have you followed the @FatBettyFrancis twitter? It's one of the more hilarious parody accounts.

{New navy pinstripe suit shopping for the boy}

{Addicted to this Kiss my Face chapstick - it smells like fresh peaches and is all natural}

{Summer reading list: Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James, The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz, and French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano}

{Morning reading with my Kate Spade bookmark}

{New ankle boots via Steve Madden}

Whiskey Business

{Whiskey business}

Let's face it: the college years are behind me and it's time to focus on grown up drinks (not Tang concentrate mixed with well liquor or shots of tequila from a sketchy plastic bottle chased with lemons stolen from the dining hall). I've recently shared my love for the classic martini (gin only, amateurs), but overall I really have grown an appreciation and a taste for whiskey - Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Kentucky bourbon, Tennessee bourbon, Scotch... you name it.

So here's the rub - whiskey isn't necessarily the most "lady-like" drink. Yeah it will raise a few eyebrows, turn a few heads, and give you a few "guy points" when you order it at the bar instead of the standard Grey Goose and tonic, but how can you make this scrumptious liquor more suited for the our gender?

Robin from How I Met Your Mother drinks scotch (which makes her incredibly bad-ass) and Don Draper drinks whiskey (Old-Fashioneds to be exact). Since two of the coolest television characters ever drink whiskey, we, as the social feminine breed we are, need to find drinks that are acceptable - whiskeptable.

From my experience the standard Jameson and soda with a wedge of lemon is pretty awesome (more awesome if you order some obscure whiskey on the rocks or straight). I also have experienced the eye-roll from the bartender when ordering a whiskey tonic (so what if it kills the flavor of the whiskey? I feel like it tastes like cranberry juice!). Bourbon and diet coke is also a good one... mix it up. Whiskey goes well in sweet, sour, etc. And if you cough up a little extra cash to avoid the well whiskeys, it won't even have a bite - trust me... Unless you want it to?

{Real men (and women) drink whiskey}

{I even heard it cures cancer - conspiracy.}

The Perfect Martini (Shaken not Stirred)

{The perfect martini is very dirty}

Firstly, here are my three requisites for the perfect martini: (1) it has to be extremely olivey and briney, (2) it has to be shaken, not stirred, (3) it has to be gin. Any other type of martini is just a slap in the face to any martini ever.

Secondly, if you follow me on instagram (@amyturman), you will think I'm a 100% alcoholic because I post a lot of photos of what I may or may not be drinking. Can you really have a social night without having a cocktail?

Thirdly, Grandma would be proud, yes she would. If I could describe her in one sentence: Grandma is a woman who has a gin on the rocks (with extra olives for me to eat) every night and a fantastic sense of humor. She's not just a gin fan; she's a Beefeater gin fan. Now Beefeater may be the Smirnoff of all gins, but I don't care. I still believe that Beefeater dirty martinis with 6 olives makes the perfect pick me up (or dinner).

Here's my recipe for the perfect dirty gin martini:

3 oz gin (Beefeater gin is just splendid, but Hendrick's makes for a fancier martini)

1/2 oz extra dry vermouth

1/2 oz olive juice

6 Spanish olives

Step one, eat one of the olives (you'll be eyeing them and fishing for them with your fingers out of your martini if you don't give in and eat one now). Step two, add the vermouth, gin, and olive juice into a shaker with a bunch of ice. Step three, shake your ingredients together like there's no tomorrow. The ice will melt due to friction and will semi-dilute your martini and make it less strong. Strain it into your martini glass and plop in the olives.

If your martini isn't cloudy, it isn't dirty enough. The dirtier the better. It should be salty, briney and fully satisfying.

{The culprits: gin, vermouth and olives - clearly running out of gin}

Weekend Wrap-Up: Sweet Sundays with Suzanne

{Sundays with Suzanne (my mom) on the Venice Boardwalk}

This Friday commemorated my dog's birthday who passed away in February after 15 loving long years with our family. This Sunday my mom decided to come up to visit my sister and I to visit, catch up, and have a lunch full of laughs, interesting encounters, and sharing of memories from our relationships with our sweet puppy.

Mom also mentioned that she had gifts for my sister and I: a very sweet, caring woman, my mom tends to give very interesting (and sometimes weird) gifts even though she doesn't always fully get how creepy she can get. My sister and I jokingly speculated that she got us mini urns with the dog's ashes (or more morbidly pieces of her fur, or her paw on a key chain like a rabbit's foot). The gift was a very thoughtful dainty silver ring with our dog's name engraved on the inside of it. It is something that I will wear every day, and a great reminder of the great relationships that we have formed with both the present and the past.

{Sangria at the Venice Ale House - a necessity in our family}

{A dainty silver bangle as a gift from my mom}

{The Venice Boardwalk - quite the culture shock for my mom}

Los Angeles Beer Fest

{Cheers to Beer Fest}

This weekend a handful of my oldest friends came up for the day on Saturday to frequent the amazing Los Angeles Beer Fest. Aside from a horrible sun burn and a terrible rendition of 'Rock Me Like a Hurricane' while waiting in line for a tap that ran out, it was overall an amazing time and a great way to celebrate my friend's birthday and recent engagement. The best beer, the best city, the best time.

What is this amazing Beer Fest? Well, for one low flat rate you get a 3 oz. adorable mug and let loose to stumble around in the Paramount Pictures Studio to drink as much beer as you can for three hours. 

They also invite some amazing food trucks for you to soak up the ever so dangerous three hours of all-you-can-drink-beer including the Border Grill truck, Greasy Wieners, Komodo, and the Bun Truck. My favorite beers this time around (yes, we went last year too): Red Trolley Amber Ale, Hollywood Blonde, and Big Daddy I.P.A.

Plus, did you know if you say "beer can" in an English accent, it sounds like you're saying "bacon" in Jamaican?

{Paramount Pictures Studios}

{Drink, Eat, Play - the motto of the event}

{The lot was lined with beer vendors handing out free samples}

{Hollywood Blonde on a Hollywood set}

{Cheers, Governor}

{Frothy and fresh Red Trolley Amber Ale and Pale Ale}

{The boyfriend, me, and the (recently engaged!) birthday boy}

{I chose lunch at the Border Grill food truck - best carne asada quesadilla I've ever eaten}

Apartment Trinkets

{The good karma corner of my room: complete with wine-bottle turned candle, sweet scented candles, and a mini Buddha}

It's important to surround yourself with things that make you consistently happy. For me, it's the little trinkets that remind you of family members, of good times, and to stay positive. I like to fill my room and my apartment with candles, pictures, and plenty of reminders that we do live a very fulfilling and beautiful life. Taking a step back and realizing what's important in your life really can make a difference when you're having a hard day (or week... or month).

On another note, one of my best friends from Arizona was in town last night and we had a mini-dinner party. I was in charge of the vegetable side dish and decided to make this ratatouille recipe. I really wish I had taken pictures because it turned out beautiful and tasted fantastic, especially for a "peasant food" dish. It's always refreshing to catch up with old friends with a nice home-cooked meal, and a bottle few bottles of wine even if it is on a Thursday.

{A vintage photo of my father as a kid, vintage green glasses, sweet scented candle}

{Our Mad Men inspired, fully-stocked mini-bar that was the selling point in our apartment}

Friday Favorites

{Life summarized in four bottles - source}

It's Friday and while I may or may not win upwards of $600 million tonight I still wanted to share my favorite internet finds from this week to help you transition into your weekend. This weekend I'm cooking some sort of quinoa concoction with the boyfriend tonight, and then going out to celebrate one of my best friends getting into vet school at UC Davis on Saturday. Sunday brings the dreaded April Fools' Day (look up gullible in the dictionary: you'll see a picture of me - I prefer to call myself a concerned, empathetic person... not gullible), but for I'm spending the day in Los Angeles with my dad and my sister who is finishing up her spring break. I hope your weekend is relaxing and fulfilling! I'll be enjoying the overcast, slightly cool weather here in Los Angeles (I embrace any change in weather I can get!).

{I may have to attempt to make these decadent Raspberry Coconut Macaroons}

{Is this Burger King ad female-friendly?}

{Definitely making these spicy micheladas this weekend}

{Create your own "space" artwork - source}

{Baby Otters}

{Donnez-moi these dainty rings}

{A wild book for civilized people - source}

{Indulge in this Chicken Liver Mousse}

Weekend Wrap-Up: California Burritos, Cinnamon Whiskey, and Cats

{A true California Burrito: carne asada, cheese, guacamole, french fries}

You thought this post was going to be about Mad Men, huh? Although my weekend's events did revolve around the Mad Men premiere (which was fantastic aside from that "Zoobie Zoobie Zoo" detour), I also was able to get in some good food, good drinks, and some quality time with  my cat (yes, cat).

Every time I go down to San Diego, I have to get a California burrito from Jalapenos. This time I had it for Sunday dinner (I was down an extra day to get some dental work done) pre-Mad Men. Saturday evening we went out to "The Office" in North Park (which was wonderfully Mad Men themed!). My favorite right now is Fireball Whiskey (and a Fireball Sour is the most delectable drink I've ever had). It's one part Fireball cinnamon whiskey, one part fresh sour mix, and egg whites if you're feeling brave.

{Fireball sour, Fireball cinnamon whiskey}

Now I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of being at home is hanging out with my sister's cat - who has a new found interest in emery boards. I gave myself a nude manicure this weekend, which required slightly longer nails, which required quite a bit of filing. This little cat would not leave me alone - she wanted that emery board. I actually have a punctured hole in it from her teeth. Does your cat love emery boards too, or is mine just insane? I mean she really is the cutest little monster I've ever seen.

{Check out this little fatty}

Throw Your Own Mad Men Party (Like Betty or Joan)

{The fabulous cast of Mad Men}

Obsessed... obsessed... obsessed. I have been waiting for Mad Men to come back on AMC, and it has finally arrived after a long long wait. It is time to celebrate by throwing a 1960s party... something like Betty Draper would have hosted circa season 1 or season 2, but with Peggy's sense of independence, and Joan's sultry confidence.

Making Don Draper's "Old Fashioned"

I say, if you can't have a man like Don Draper, at least you can drink like he does.