Wow your spring dinner guests with a unigue blooming beverage.

Me bartending (6 months pregnant) at Justin and Katie's party

I tended bar for almost 10 years. If there is one thing I love, it's a themed cocktail. I love using drinks with a certain color or flavor that corresponds in some way with the event. If it's a Christmas party I make spiced cider, if it's Girl's Game Night we make Bunko-tinis, for my cousin's engagement party we made "Marry Me Ka-tinis" (bride is named Katie) and Miller Mojito's (named after the groom).
Offering one signature drink is a good way to keep alcohol costs down for a party. As opposed to buying a bottle of gin, rum, scotch, vodka, coke sprite, beer... It keeps things simple while making your guests feel a little special. Especially if you take the time to find something that fits the event and change the name so that it's even more special.
In honor of Spring I'm sharing a great recipe I found on The Hungry Mouse . The recipe calls for an amazing little garnish, a hibiscus flower that has been soaked in syrup! Place the flower in the bottom of a flute and cover with champagne. The bubbles and the syrup fizz and the hibiscus actually blooms in the flute. This drink brings a smile to my face, and it will surely do the same for you and your guests this spring.... okay, really anytime of the year would be a great time for this drink.















You can order the Hibiscus flowers at http://www.thebostonshaker.com/
The recipe (along with some more great photos of this drink) are at http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/07/22/blooming-champagne-cocktail-with-wild-hibiscus/

The Hesitant Blogger

I have not ever considered blogging. Never. Although I love to write and I love having opinions on things, I never felt the need or want to have a blog. Then Sew Southern happened...
I'm starting a new home based sewing boutique. I've been busy with logos, branding, packaging, shipping, accounts, marketing, you name it! I never knew that what your business does, or what it makes is actually a very small part of what it takes to run a successful business. Sewing is the very least of my worries. In fact, I can't wait till I finally have a chance to sit down and sew something again.
Crafting has always been a huge joy for me. I remember getting in loads of trouble when I was 7 years old. I was holding crayons over a candle flame and drew with the dropping, melting wax. I burned 6 inch circle of carpet in my dad's office. Despite my punishment, I looked at my wax drawing with so much accomplishment and love. I guess I was done for after that. I've dabbled in everything since then; wood working, painting, stained glass, candle making, refinishing furniture, soap making, glass etching, the list goes on... When I had my first son, Connor, my mother taught me how to sew. I fell in-love. I quickly began making really hideous clothing for unlucky family members. Eventually I got better. Last December I entered a lovely gown into a Fashion Art show, I was accepted and the whole experience made me rethink my life. Since the birth of my latest addition, Grayson, I have been a stay-at- home mama. While I enjoy the time I can put towards my home and family, something was missing. I've had a job since I was 16 and I missed working. I realized I have a talent that I love to use and I should do something about it and quit wishing it would just magically happen. Boom! Sew Southern was born. I started making feather headbands and clips, made some custom garments, and I've been doing minor alterations for friends. Things started moving along, either by my will or by dumb luck.
So here I am, writing a blog. Mainly because every book I've read about handmade craft business says you gotta have a blog. I didn't want to at first. But I started thinking this could actually be really great. I could post recipes, cool diy crafts, help other friends promote their business, and who knows what else. Sky's the limit, right?
I'm about to open my Etsy shop, which will be my first avenue of sales that isn't face to face sales. I'm nervous but extremely motivated and I'm ready to "make it work." I hope you enjoy my blog. I can't promise it'll be the best blog you ever read, but I can promise that it won't be the worst.

Thanks for reading...