(painting by Michelle Armas, text added)

This is my 100th post!  Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who takes a few minutes to read my little blog.  It has been such an amazing journey and I am tremendously grateful for everything I’ve learned.  Can’t wait to share more beautiful things with you!

In honor of the event, I’ve created a super short (seriously, less than ten questions) reader survey that I hope will help me to make this blog even better for the next 100 posts (and beyond) – Please take a few minutes and fill it out, I would be tremendously appreciative! Thanks, you rock.

Click here to take survey.

This week went by so fast!  Personally, I think we should have every Wednesday off, it makes for a really happy work week.

1. Summertime tradition of taking a few laps outside during my lunch break, and I met this little lady! Snow White status.

2. Went to a Cloud Carrier show last weekend and it made my day.  Those two are super-talent.

3. Bought this because the wrapper is awesome. Turns out, the chocolate is awesome too.

4. Epitome of summertime meals : grilled chicken fajitas on the porch in the afternoon.

5. He is so tan, I am so not.

6. Finally, it is raining in Colorado Springs! Also, rainbows are one of my favorite things.

7. We hiked Mt. Bierdstat on Wednesday – another Colorado merit badge earned! More photos to come, of course.

8. That happy moment when you discover the perfect Sunday outfit.  Seriously happy about this.


(Find me on instagram : @bellatheball)

Red, white & blue – a color combo that, like red and green, is associated forever in my head with a particular season.  Here are two ways I wore the classic American summer colors this week:

I’ll admit, we didn’t see any fireworks this year due to all the (completely reasonable) fire bans in Colorado – but we did grill and sit outside ’til late into the night.  I actually went most of the day without the sweater (it was HOT in Denver) but I’m always one that needs layers when the air gets the slightest (relative) chill.

My love for colored denim made a work look easy for me this week – I know jeans don’t work in all office environments but mine is pretty casual.  Plus I like to think the gold accessories take it up a notch.

I’ll admit it was a little crazy having a holiday in the middle of the week, but it’s always a welcome pleasure.  Hope you all had a great day indulging in some Americana with friends & family! Also – HAPPY FRIDAY!!

My first guest post ever! Wouldn’t have anyone else, either – joining us today is my lovely and culinarily-talented sister Abigail!  She blogs over at Living the Savory Life, rocks grad school, and well, I could say many nice things about her, but I’ll let her get on with the good stuff : Bellinis! MY FAVORITE!

Welcome, Abby!

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I’m so lucky to be guest blogging for my sister today! Inspired by one of Annabelle’s favorite drinks—the Bellini—I’m continuing my Summer Sangria Series with this post.

Ok, so if you’re a wine-o, you know that a Bellini is technically not in the sangria family, but for today we’re going to extend the Summer Sangria Series to cocktails made with wine.

The Bellini is of Italian origin, made with white peach puree and prosecco. [Prosecco is a dry sparkling wine from Italy.]

Although there may be a traditional method for making a cocktail, there is truly no “right” way: this creativity is something I love about making cocktails. So I made a few changes to the traditional recipe for my liking. Here is my personalized Bellini:


• Peach Puree
• Peach Schnapps
• Prosecco (or another dry sparkling wine)
• Lemon juice
• Lemons and peaches for garnish

Now if you’re like me… the thought of pureeing peaches sounds horrendous. Lots of dishes… very little (albeit delicious) gain. So when I was at the store scouring for peach juice (none to be found), I stumbled across this little gem:

Yes, that is baby food. Organic peach baby food. The only ingredient is pureed peaches – ready for your cocktail! It had a perfect consistency and no added ingredients (I checked, twice!). I can’t wait to try some more drinks with the Mango or Strawberry purées they had available!

The peach puree is a bit brown in color, but I guarantee you it is delicious. To that I added the juice of one lemon for a bit of added tartness.

This is a drink you make directly in your glass! Pour about 1-2oz of the peach and lemon mixture into your champagne flutes. (Use a slightly larger alternative to leave room for fruit!) Top with ½ oz of Peach schnapps.

Then tilt the glass on its side and slowly pour the prosecco in the glass: try to avoid making too much foam! Lastly, take a bar spoon (or iced tea spoon) and gently stir the drink. [The prosecco is treated with this delicate touch in order preserve the majority of the bubbles (technical term: carbon dioxide) for the drinker’s enjoyment!]

Serving suggestion: soak some skewers for a few minutes, then thread with blueberries and raspberries (or another fruit served well frozen). Freeze for 1-2 hours. These fruit skewers are an excellent way to keep your beverage cool in the summer heat, while not diluting the flavor with water!

Annabelle, thank you for letting me visit your blog.

Readers, I hope you are inspired to savor some summer flavors in your cocktails!

Til next time,
Abigail

Photocredit: Thank you to my dear friend, Hannah Fehrman for gifting me with beautiful photographs with my point-and-shoot camera! [Photos 1, 4-8] Check out her work here.