Soul&Chai

A place for everything good for the beautiful soul

Etsy, For You

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Hello, sunshines. I feel like I must have been the last girl on this planet to hear about the fabulous website, Etsy. BUT, just in case there are some that were even less fortunate than me, I have come to enlighten. Etsy is a marketplace for the homemade and vintage, sounds amazing, right? You can create an account and buy and sell anything from handmade wedding invites to vintage dresses to unique wall art! I seriously cannot get enough of this website! I recently just purchased the bobby pin beauties above for unique bridal shower gifts (HINT: bridal shower season? GO ETSY!) I love supporting small business, almost as much as I love a handmade lace headband.

Shop Etsy here

Photo Credit: SeaAndCake via etsy.com

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Photo Credit: UneekGlassFusions via Etsy

“What I really need is what makes me bleed”

Oh, Damien, these lyrics.

Guest Post: A History Lesson & A Margarita

Here is my first guest post from one of my dearest friends. Jessica Womack was my roommate Freshman year of college in good old Salt Lake City, and even though I am not in Utah, we have remained close! She is a beautiful person with a heart of gold (so cheesey) but I love her to death and you will too! OH, and tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo.. and go figure, she’s part Mexican! Yay! Enjoy my beauties.

A History Lesson & A Margarita

Everyone loves Cinco de Mayo, why wouldn’t they? It’s an excuse to binge on yummy Mexican food and drink tequila! But does anyone really know why Cinco De Mayo is celebrated? (Hint: it’s not Mexican Independence Day. That’s in September and REALLY celebrated in Mexico.) I’ll give you a quick History lesson so you can impress your friends with your vast knowledge of Mexican history at parties this weekend, and if that doesn’t get them, the classic margarita recipe I’m about to share with you definitely will.

Back in 1862, the president of Mexico was named Benito Juarez. He was pretty big deal because he was a Zapotec indian, making him the first indigenous man to rule in the Americas for about 600 years. Before he became president, Mexico was involved in a war with the U.S. (Mexican-American War ringing any bells?) and this left the country with a ton of debt (hey, just like us today!) owed to Spain, France, and England.

Juarez told the countries they owed that Mexico needed a break from repayments for two years, and then they could repay their debts fully after that. Everyone was completely fine with this, EXCEPT France. France was pretty pissed and Emperor Napolean III sent troops to invade Mexico. Juarez sent a small, poorly armed, band of soldiers to meet the French in Puebla, Mexico. On this day, the 5th of May, Mexican troops beat the French in the Battle of Puebla! The French retreated back to the coast.

Unfortunately, things didn’t end there. The French ended up winning that war and ruled Mexico for four years. 

Eventually, the French were overthrown and Mexico gained its independence again. However, the Mexican people in Puebla still recognize the bravery of those soldiers and their short-lived victory on that day, Cinco de Mayo.

And now in honor of celebrating that obscure Mexican battle, let’s have a margarita! This recipe was given to me from a friend who got it from another friend, who nicknamed these margaritas “Black Out Margaritas.” You be the judge.

Classic Lime Margaritas
(serves 6)

1 lime, halved
Kosher Salt
½ Cup freshly squeezed lime juice (About 5 limes)
2 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice (About 1 lemon)
1 Cup Triple Sec
3 Cups Ice
1 Cup Silver Agave Tequila

1.       Rub outside rims of six glasses with a cut lime an ddip each glass onto a plate of kosher salt.

2.       Combine lime juice, lemon juice, triple sec, and ice in blender and mix until completely blnded. Add tequila and blend for about two more seconds. Serve over ice.

3.       If you prefer frozen, halve each of the ingrediants, double the ice, and blend in two batches.

Check out Jess’s blog for more fabulous recipes @ http://prettyhealthyhappy.blogspot.com/ Arriba!

Sir Hopsalot- Little late for Easter, but gah, I love Etsy! This photo just makes me smile. Buy your SIr Hopsalot here!

Sir Hopsalot- Little late for Easter, but gah, I love Etsy! This photo just makes me smile. Buy your SIr Hopsalot here!

Thirsty Thursday 2.0

Photo Credit: thekitchn.com

Wedding season has arrived (do not get me started) and as the lovely sister I am, I am co-hosting a bridal shower for BOTH (that’s right, two) of my brothers’ fiances. Do not get that confused with one of my brothers marrying two girls, it is two brothers and two girls ;) So as any successful bridal shower needs, I have been researching some fun light cocktails preferably containing champagne. A bellini is at the top the rankings and I just had to share this fun, classic drink with you classy people! It’s a nice change-up from the mimosa. Warning: this does contain more alcohol than the normal bridal shower beverage.

Fresh Peach Bellinis

Ingredients:

-2 ripe peaches, seeded and diced

-1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

-1 teaspoon sugar

-1 bottle chilled prosecco sparkling wine

-4 ounces peach Schnapps

Directions:

Place the peaches, lemon juice, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. Press the mixture through a sieve and discard the peach solids in the sieve. Place 2 tablespoons of the peach puree into each Champagne glass and fill with cold prosecco. Serve immediately.

Recipe: by Ina Garten via foodnetwork.com