Martini Thursdays...Coconut Mojito Martini!

Coconut Mojito Martini

Greetings Divas and Gents! The weekend is almost here, and I am excited that it's a long one! For those of you hosting Memorial Day festivities, I wanted to share a cool and delicious martini recipe that is sure to entertain your guests. The Coconut Mojito Martini is the perfect combination of cool mint and exotic coconut. It's easy to make, and is the perfect way to usher in the summer season. Try it out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Ingredients

3 Mint Leaves

3 oz of Coconut Flavored Rum

1 oz of Lime Juice

1 Teaspoon of Sugar

Ice

Lime Wedge (For Garnish)

Mint Leaves (For Garnish, optional)

Recipe

1. In a martini shaker, muddle mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar for about 2 minutes.

2. Add coconut rum and ice. Shake!

3. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.

4. Garnish with lime and mint leaves.

Your guests will thank you! Enjoy the Coconut Mojito Martini. Be safe this weekend and Drink Responsibly!

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Look Better In Your Clothes...Invest in a Tailor!

I've always been a curvy girl. It's true! I've always had a tiny waist, and a lot more of everything else everywhere else...you get me? So when I was growing up, I often had difficulty finding clothing that would fit properly. I'm sure you curvy girls out there know of the difficulty in which I speak: pants that gape in the back because you have to buy a size that fits your hips and not your waist; blouses that are too tight around your bust because you bought the smaller size that fits your waist; dresses that are too big because your hips and bust are a size 10, but your waist is a size 6; suits where the blazer is huge because you had to get the bigger size so the pants would fit. I tell you, I've had some serious wardrobe issues because of all the curvyness!

My grandmother, who recognized much sooner than I did that this was an issue, always said that the best way to deal with these wardrobe conundrums is to have a tailor. Someone who would pull things in and let things out for a perfect fit. She was a smart lady! While my grandmother specifically spoke to issues involving women with my body type, I soon realized that the curvy girls weren't the only ones suffering. I had friends who were shaped differently and who had a whole other set of problems when purchasing clothes. The truth is that certain brands fit some better than others. Some cuts may look great on me, but may be unflattering on my BFF...it is what it is, and I guess we have to accept it. Or do we?

As fashion has evolved, so has the fit of clothing. Some stores purposely cut their clothing to cater to a more diversely-shaped society. Major department stores have begun selling their suits as separates; you can now buy a size 10 blazer and a size 12 pant or skirt. Dresses are being cut so that a smaller waist is emphasized and more room allowed in the bust and hips. Jeans are being made with specific body types in mind (i.e. the Gap's Long and Lean Jeans, Old Navy's Sweetheart Jeans, etc). While I am pleasantly pleased with this evolution, I still recognize that in some instances a tailor may still be your best tool to make you look better in your clothing.

As I've gotten older and as I've progressed in my field, I have been taking my grandmother's advice and I have invested in a tailor. Now, not every item of clothing I purchase needs tailoring, but I have taken some items to my tailor to enhance their fabulousness. I often take my suit pants to my tailor to shorten or lengthen the legs. I have brought in some of my skirts to bring in the waist and give me more hip room. My tailor has even found a way to get rid of that annoying bust/button gaping that happens when I wear blouses. And, she has a little trick that makes my sheath dresses look amazing. The best thing is that my alterations are not expensive and quite reasonable. Mark my words...tailors are a fashionable, Professional Diva's dream! 

Are you sold yet? If so, here are some things to consider when searching for a tailor:

1. How much experience does your prospective tailor have in adjusting clothing for women with your body type? Some tailors do a better job than others based on their experiences with a particular shape. Look for one that is proficient in working with the issues that you face...the tailor may have certain suggestions that he or she may have used in the past.

2. How much? You should request an alteration price list from your prospective tailor. Some tailors are more expensive than others. Some tailors charge more for one type of item and less for others. My tailor also doubles as my dry cleaner, so my alterations are less expensive because I give her other business. Maybe your prospective tailor will have a similar arrangement. Or, an arrangement based on the amount of alterations you anticipate having. You may be able to negotiate rates as well.

3. Bring a test item to your "interview." Once you have narrowed your search down to one or two individuals, bring an item of clothing for the prospective tailor to alter. Maybe it's a dress that you not longer wear, or a pair of pants from three seasons ago...bring it in to see how the tailor works. Does he or she take your measurements properly? Is he or she asking the appropriate questions regarding your desires and fit preferences for the item? Does he or she make suggestions as to how you can achieve the most favorable results, even if the suggestions are different from what you have in mind? How satisfied are you with the results?

4. Are you comfortable with your prospective tailor? The relationship between you and your tailor is and intimate one. You should trust him or her with your precious clothing. If you start to get a vibe from your tailor that he or she is not invested in the well being of you and your clothing, then it's time for a new tailor.

Do any of you use a tailor? If so, what are your experiences? What are some of the characteristics that are important to you for a tailor? Let us know!

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The Working Mommy Debate!

As some of you may know, the Stud and I are expecting our first baby early this Summer. In addition to the many hands anxious to rub my belly, I have also been an a magnet for many strangers more than happy to offer their advice on everything from how to deal with heartburn to how to prepare for labor. Many of these random conversations occur at restaurants, the local pharmacy, supermarkets, etc. A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a veteran mom while waiting in line at the supermarket after a long day at work. The exchange went a little something like this:

Veteran Mom: Look at you! You're adorable! When are you due? What are you having?

Me: Thank you! Having a girl. And I'm due early this summer.

Veteran Mom: Nice! How exciting!

Me: It really is! I'm really looking forward to taking time off from work to hang out with my Mini-Me.

Veteran Mom: Time off?

Me: Yes! I plan to take at least 3 months off from work.

Veteran Mom: So...you're not going to be a stay-at-home mom? How unfortunate!

Me: Unfortunate...what do you mean?

Veteran Mom: When I decided to start a family years ago, I couldn't think of going back to work and allowing someone else to raise my children. It just didn't seem right. I think that the universe wants mothers to be home and not in the office. That's the way it should be. You really should reconsider returning to work. You'll be a better mother...I promise you!

Me: Okay. Thanks! Have a great day!

Interesting conversation, huh? What's more interesting is that I have had similar discussions with other strangers that have the same opinion as Veteran Mom. After having these conversations, I find myself with conflicting feelings...and I don't like conflict! On one hand, I feel guilty. Am I really disadvantaging my child by choosing to return to work instead of being a stay-at-home mom? Am I being selfish? Am I not affording her the best possible life? On the other hand, I feel angry. How dare these women judge me for wanting to return to work?! I worked hard to get where I am professionally, and I shouldn't be penalized for choosing both a career and family. After all, plenty of women work and raise their children and do a damn good job at it. And at the end of the day, it's none of their business anyway! Like I said...I hate conflict!

Now as you know I am an attorney by trade, and I have a full time career that I've spent the last 10+ year nurturing. In fact, I owe Sallie Mae what seems to equate to my first born to finance the education that has allowed me to further my career. And in spite of any complaining I may do, I enjoy my career. Before I became pregnant, I never imagined that when we did decide to start having children that I would take a hiatus from the working world...it was never something that we considered. But there may be a reason for that. I grew up in a family and in an environment where the women all worked. My mom has been working since I was born, and I'd like to think that I turned out okay...right? And it wasn't just my mom. My aunts worked after having children. My grandmother stayed at home, but she worked as the neighborhood babysitter. And all of my friends' mothers worked. I, myself, have had some type of job since I was a teenager, so the concept of working is a natural one for me. Please don't get me wrong...I do not intend nor do I desire to work in the traditional sense for the rest of my life. But at the tender age of 27 32, I have no immediate plans of retiring. Should I feel guilty about that? And if so, why?

Here's the thing...not every woman with children wants to be a stay-at-home mom, even if she has the means to do so. Some women are just not about that stay-at-home life. But is it society's job to make these women feel awful about their decision to have both a career and a family? Why the judgment? While I respect Veteran Mom's decision to not return to work and stay home to raise her children, it's just not for me...at least it isn't for me at this point in time. I just wish those who share her views would respect my decision and not make me feel guilty about it...what is good for you is not necessarily good for everyone. And don't assume that I will not be just as good of a mother as you, or better, simply because I have a career. I would rather you keep your opinion, and your judgments, to yourself. But that's just my opinion...I'm not saying one way is better than the other, but I think that both options should be respected.

Now, I want to hear from you moms out there...both stay-at-home moms, and those moms that leave the home to work. What's your opinion? What has been your experiences? Do you have a preference, and if so, why? Let me know ladies! And if there are any gents out there with an opinion, I'd love to read it! Have a great week!

 

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