Makin' Some Mamajuana!

This is a sneaky prelude to my post tomorrow. *Southern Accent* I've got so much to shayeh I caaan't hold eet een 

We are entertaining this Friday night and are making Mamajuana drink for the first time! Here is the back story.

So me and my lover, something you should get used to me calling my husband, went on a love trip, in case you can't tell we are very much in love, to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic over Thanksgiving weekend! We were very tempted to sip this sumptuous drink of Mamajuana but alas it has wine in the ingredients, and we drink only kosher wine. The locals were so gung ho about this drink we felt bad rejecting it! We right away purchased the dried herbs so we can do it ourselves at home! All the more fun aye!


History
  Mamajuana is a drink from the Dominican Republic that is concocted by allowing rum, red wine, and honey to soak in a bottle with tree bark and herbs. The specific herbs that make up Mamajuana were originally prepared as an herbal tea by the native Taino Indians and much later in time, post-Columbus, alcohol was added to the recipe cause everything is better with alcohol. Many natives of the Dominican Republic claim that the drink is an aphrodisiac. Mamajuana is also consumed for its medicinal value.

Mamajuana
Herbs Native Only to the Dominican Republic:
caro, anamu, brasil, marabeli, hoja de maguey, clavo dulce, bohuco and canelilla

3 c. Dark rum
1 c. Red wine
1 c. Honey
3 sticks of cinnamon

We simply mixed all the ingrediants and funneled them into about a half gallon jug we bought from Punta Cana. The longer you let the mix steep the smoooother the flava! Enjoy! I know we will!

*Note:* Before we made the drink we allowed the herbs to steep in a bottle of Cab Sav for a couple of days to get rid of the bitterness of the  herbs. We disposed of the wine that was soaking. 

When I read the label my eyebrows went *wiggle wiggle* uncontrollably 

Ingredients

Our Mamajuana steeping in herbs for Friday night

Cold Front California

YAY!!! You can now Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

I am apologizing ahead of time for the repetition of the leather jacket and cozy sweater. I was expecting a nice warm change from freezing Pittsburgh, and had a bunch of amazing outfits planned but instead stepped off the plane to 50 degree weather! Never fear, I just did my best to improvise. If you are wondering how Gary is wearing a T he is the most warm blooded man ever. Gary and I went to Orange County, California so he could present - I am so proud of him! - at the annual SNO (Scientific Neuro-Oncology) meeting - which this year seemed appropriately named. I checked out the local LaVida Massage center to see how other centers work and to gain new ideas for our coming center. With all this work we still made time to do touristy things like visit Disneyland, Rodeo Drive, and of course the Hollywood sign.

There is nothing as heart warming as the sight of the sign for Downtown Disney.
 Sigh I would LOVE to rent a place in grand land of Disneyland

Having a grand time in Disneyland regardless of the freezing weather and the weather inappropriate apparel.
At least the yummy hot chocolate kept me warm for five minutes.
Gary: Eyewear: Diesel, T: Aeropastle, Shorts: F21, Socks: Target, Shoes: Merrel
Myself: Earrings: Aldo, Jacket: Wetseal, T: H&M, Shorts: Gap, Shoes: Steve Madden

Original outfit that it was way too cold for
Hat: Rue21, Shirt: H&M, Belt: Wetseal, Skirt: F21,
Tights: Banana Republic, Shoes: Steve Madden

Thanks to Jackie, our friend, and Gary's collegue these next few photos compliments to him are amazing!

Yay! We are THOSE tourists! The ones who venture out in the nasty weather for our token picture.
Gary: Shirt: Michael Kors, Jeans: Pronto Blue, Belt: Men's Wearhouse
Myself: Same everything as before xcept cozy H&M sweater

There is nothing like a big ol' gorgeous Christmas tree at Rodeo Drive

Ad the entrance or somewhere in Rodeo Dr

Pretty Mikimoto store! Damn them for closing early on Sundays!
You can find Mikimoto at local Orr's Jewelers. Sooo many tempting pearly items!

Show Review and Outfit of the Moment

Folks I'm warning you this is going to be a long one! But I promise it'll be entertaining :).

Gossip Girl Review: Rhodes to Perdition
Not for Beginners - SPOILER Alert

So this week was pretty twisted - just the way I like my Gossip Girl! Blair realizes that Chuck is not such a Basshole, a phrase  I treasure deeply, and is conflicted whether or not she made the right choice. Nate acts as his same lame honest boring self but looks really handsome while doing so. Ivy schemes her way Rhodes style into the Rhodes family by claiming Max has been blackmailing her with a sex tape but really he is only blackmailing her for a mere $500,000 and at the end of the show swears to take her down. Lonely boy teams up with his old agent who turns out to be his #1 hater to get him more press and they work together to build up his career. Before this episode I was getting so sick of his self deprecating self because he should've been trying harder and totally skipped out on his book tour! But now his effort lends him - I say lends cause if he goes back down that road again I cannot sympathize for him - my support. I hate Serena because she is selfish and gets away with it and is too pretty for her own good but her look at the disco party redeems all her faults because it made her look perfectly perfect. I think Gossip Girl would agree I mentioned everything worth mentioning . . . . .

Serena looking Perfect

Glee Review: I Kissed A Girl
SPOILER Alert

O glee o glee o glee!!!

The music! The cheesy, preachy, but sweet lessons! amazing! the way Rachel solves all situations with a duet! the acoustic version of perfect?! Pretty f***king perfect. I love when Sue realized how similar Sue/Jane is similar to Ellen. Coach Beast's storyline is always sad because she is a manish looking woman who acts like a girl. But she kicked ass when she had ate a chicken stuffed into a duck jammed into a turkey for lunch. "It's like eating a barnyard in a bite." Coach Beast was somehow able to swallow it all in one . . . While watching I'm wondering why they are letting Pucks mohawk grow in that awkward manner! Shave it even or trim it!  When Puck sings to Shelby I love the look she is giving him. Its all "no way in hell." Another reason why I love Glee is the script! "A Jesus Booze Cruise!" While the episode wrapped up my last thoughts were I hope Kurt gets into NYADA and wow Rachel has come a long by not being selfish and overambitious and sacrificing herself so Kurt's slate is clean. As usual when the episode ended I had teared up at least twice. I eagerly await next weeks episode. 

Rat tail Mohawk

Outfit of the Moment: 

Not ready for my money shot Husband!

Ready, Set, Pose!
Hat: Saks Fifth Ave (Black Friday Steal), Earrings: Aldo, Sweater: H&M, Tank: Target,
Scarf: Lots of Tichels, Skirt:F21, Socks: Snatched from sister-in-law, Shoes: Steve Madden

Close up of my sparkly earrings

Recuperating and Getting Ready to Roll Out Again

Sooooo me and Gavs got back from California this week and I'm getting over my cold from Cali's cold front that showed up when our plane landed. Our trip was all work and no play although there was one exception that HAS to be made in Anaheim. I'll give you a hint  . . . . it starts D and ends with isneyland :). I will be posting pictures soon. Time to start packing for our next trip :).

Sadly there will be no Thanksgiving meal for me just sushi - which in my opinion is way better :). We are saving our appetites for our trip to the Dominican Republic early Friday morning.

Some quick pix of todays outfit.

When I slipped on this suede skirt - i instantly thought i HAVE to wear my diva hat and huge earrings with this.

Posing :)
 Shirt: F21, Skirt: Thrifted, Belt: F21, Earrings: Aldo, Necklace: Mikimoto, Shoes: Aldo

First Post: NYC Niece Trip

My first post in the blogosphere! So excited to share with you my fashion favorites,  family loves,  favorite recipes, reviews of things I love, and traveling adventures!

This past week I popped in to New York City, and when I say popped in I mean took an 8 hr bus  roundtrip within three days:-), to visit my new teeny tiny niece! I also got to shop and eat as much ice cream as possible with my favorite pixie haired sister! 

Perfect day in the park to eat sushi, salad, and catch up.
Hat: Target, Earrings: sister, Scarf: Aldo, Top: Avalon, Skirt: Sister 

Yummy fries at Basil in Brooklyn, NY

Holding my little preciousness Tehila
Top: JcPenny, Necklace: F21, Earrings: Sister

Baby Perfection