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party hat invitation from Tiny Prints
Twosville Party featured on Tiny Prints Blog— Photo by Motormouth Studios

One of my all-time favorite invitation companies, Tiny Prints, sent me some lovely invitations and gift tags for my son’s second birthday party. They are now featuring the event photos on their blog!

I’ll be back tomorrow sharing even more from his “Twosville” party. If you are dropping in to see more from the party and to see some free printables, then follow along via Bloglovin, Facebook, or Twitter to know when the post is live!

A few words about Tiny Prints: I’ve now ordered three orders from the company and I can’t begin to tell you how awesome they are. The website works with ease, you can have a designer look over the work before printing, the print quality is AWESOME, and each order arrived in a timely manner. I’ve ordered business cards, invitations, gift tags, and personalized napkins. All beautiful. Definitely check out their website and pin a few items for future events. Since registering on their site I’ve also received discounts in my inbox. Sign up on their site for a free account to see discounts in your email inbox as well.

Follow Tiny Prints via social media: Twitter / Pinterest / Facebook

Disclaimer: I was sent complimentary party invitations and tags from Tiny Prints in exchange for using the products in a party and sharing it with the Tiny Prints blog. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Life has gotten so busy lately that I ended up taking an unexpected break from blogging. I’m not complaining… the busy has been wonderful, creative, and full of inspiration. It has also given me a TON of new content that I just have to get around to finding the time to craft and share posts about. Below are a few snapshots of life lately and some looks into what you’ll be seeing on the blog in the very near future.

Disclaimer: I received some free product and/or free entry into an event. Everything is disclosed below. All opinions are my own.

new dress and shoes
I was invited to a Portland Fashion Week event to meet designers and see some samples of their work. I wore this lovely new dress and shoes!
designer
I was so nervous to meet the designers… but, they were so sweet and their work was awesome. Look forward to seeing more about local designers at the end of the month and into September. Sushmita of Amrapali was a beautiful soul and her work is fabulous.
weddingdress
I cannot wait to go visit Sun Jin Lee’s bridal shop in downtown Portland. Her work is out-of-this-world gorgeous. Lots of pretty wedding dresses will be featured soon!
puffs
I received an awesome VIP box from Puffs that included some fun workout items and their new Fresh Faces products. Look for a review soon!
watch
Received a Lolly watch in the mail yesterday… it is cute AND it smells good too! Can’t wait to share my style post and an exclusive discount! Go check out their site and keep in mind which one you want so you can use your discount soon.
birthday boy
My little guy turned two. The party was fun and I have lots more wonderful photos from Macey of Motormouth Studios to share soon. And, I’ll have some cool free printables as well!
workout
I’m still trying to get to my Athletic Club as much as possible and am still writing about my fitness journey on their blog. It is a slow process— but, I am seeing results!
Pukka Tea
I’ve been working hard on a fun Portland Food Bloggers’ event that is slotted for Saturday. Pukka Herbs sent some of their teas to share with the bloggers… it smells amazing. I can’t wait to open mine and try it!
working
Even though I was taking a break from blogging… I have been busy working. Lots of designs, emails, and plans have been made. Hopefully you’ll see the results here on the blog!

 

If you really just can’t get enough of me (why, thank you!) then check out my guest posts from the past week or two:

Or, follow me on Instagram or Twitter for lots of fun party updates this weekend!

Disclaimer: I received a complementary happy hour and cocktail instruction from Aviary Restaurant in SE Portland for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated. Check out my review of the Aviary Happy Hour.

at-home-version of the Brix Layer Cocktail
Photo created from a photo taken by Bee of  The Spicy Bee

While enjoying several tasty dishes and cocktails at Aviary’s Happy Hour last week the barman Russ Hunsinger shared how he came up with one of Aviary’s most popular cocktails, the Brix Layer. Not only did he share his inspiration and thoughts behind the tasty concoction, but he pulled together a make shift bar in the dining room and showed us how to make it!

Russ came up with the drink while hanging out with friends, drinking Cabernet. He really wanted to figure out a way to create a cocktail that utilized the wine. He started off using a basic old fashioned recipe and working from there. The layering of the drink happened naturally and changes with the type of whiskey or cab used.

This recipe is only an approximation of the awesomeness we tasted at Aviary. But, I wanted to share with those of you that didn’t live in the Portland area and just have to schedule a trip to Aviary in to a future visit to our lovely city.

BrixLayer Ingredients

orange, cherry, bitters in glass

Muddle Well

sitr it up

fished product

Ingredients for the At-Home-Version of The Brix Layer:

  • 1 slice of orange
  • A few Parisian Brandied Cherries (Affiliate Link)
  • 1 Sugar Cube
  • 8 dashes of angostura aromatic bitters (Affiliate Link)
  • 2 oz House Sour*
  • 2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • 3/4 oz Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Tools: ice, mixing tin, muddler, strainer, stirring spoon, large cocktail glass

*You can use any sour really, but the Aviary House Sour is made with lemon, lime, orange juice, and sugar. So, to get a similar taste you should use a homemade fresh sour that has orange juice in it. Try out this sweet-and-sour recipe from Baked Bree.

Directions for the At-Home-Version of The Brix Layer:

  1. In a mixing tin put one slice of orange, a few Parisian brandied cherries, 1 sugar cube and 8 dashes of bitters
  2. Muddle all ingredients in tin VERY WELL, releasing all of the oils and juices in the orange
  3. Add 2 oz of sour to the mixing tin
  4. Add 2 oz of Buffalo Trace Bourbon (or your favorite bourbon) to the tin
  5. Add ice to the tin and STIR with spoon
  6. Double strain the mixture into the cocktail glass
  7. Using the spoon (as in video below) to slow your pour, pour the 3/4 oz of Cabernet into the cocktail glass
  8. DRINK!
[youtube id=”RP_ibSlCRPo” width=”600″ height=”340″ position=”left”]
CHEERS! (My friend Bee with her Brix Layer cocktail!)
CHEERS! (My friend Bee with her Brix Layer cocktail!)