I really want a chocolate bar right now. I know! It sounds weird, right? But I am seriously craving a Twix…or a Kit Kat...or a Recess Peanut Butter Cup…or a chocolate chip cookie…either one will do. But I want one! The truth is I have been trying to stay away from sweets this week. I’ve been doing well too, in spite of countless temptations. So once again, I have turned to the Martini Chronicles to lament over my lack of chocolate, and rejoice over my abundance of willpower!
Even if I’m off of chocolate this week, there’s no need for you Divas to be! Unless you are abstaining from chocolate like I am. If by chance you are not abstaining, treat yourself to the deliciously sweet Mudslide Martini. The best part? The chocolate syrup and chocolate chip garnish! Enjoy!
Ingredients
2oz of Your Favorite Vodka
2oz of Coffee Liqueur (Like Kahlua®)
2oz of Irish Cream (Like Bailey’s®)
Chocolate Syrup (For Garnish)
Mini Chocolate Chips for Garnish (White, Milk, or Dark..Your Choice!)
Ice
Recipe
1. Drizzle chocolate syrup along the insides of a martini glass and chill for at least 1 hour.
2. In a shaker, combine Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Irish Cream, and Ice. Shake!
3. Strain mixture into chilled, prepared martini glass.
4. Garnish with chocolate chips.
So there you have it! I hope that you indulge in the awesomeness that is the Mudslide Martini. I will…..one day! Drink Responsibly!
I did it. After months of thinking about it, and weeks of talking about it, I finally did it. I broke up with my BlackBerry. What started out as a great relationship turned sour towards the end. I know in my heart that we were no longer good for each other. It started doing things that it never did before. It constantly froze on me; randomly turned off while I was in the middle of a call; it wouldn’t allow me to send text messages; its apps were getting boring…it all just went… bad. I promise you I tried to make it work, but it was time. Time for us to go our separate ways and find happiness elsewhere. It was time.
Needless to say, I was genuinely sad when I said to say goodbye to my BlackBerry. In spite of its faults, I had grown use to its features. Each time I upgraded to a new model, it was easy to jump back in the proverbial saddle, and continue BlackBerrying as usual. It was a great phone for work. In fact, it is the preferred smart phone for many businesses, especially law firms. I even have a “work” BlackBerry where I get my business emails. For personal use, however, I felt like I needed something new. Something fresh. Something different. Something other than a BlackBerry. And so I did. After kicking it with the Blackberry for 6 years, we mutually decided to part ways, and I moved on to…………..
Courtesy of CafePress.com
……….The HTC EVO! Yes! The EVO is my new Boo! My relationship with the EVO is still new and exciting, but I have yet to decide if the grass is in fact greener on the other side. I like the EVO so far…the apps are nice; the screen is amazing; and the Internet speed is fabulous…so far, so good! I will keep you all posted on how the EVO and I work out. But for now, I raise my virtual martini glass to my BlackBerry. You and I did great things in this world together. I am forever grateful for your love and dedication. I wish you well!
Has anyone ever had to say goodbye to a personal item that you had grown to love and rely on? It's almost like a romantic relationship. Or a career. Saying goodbye to the usual is not always easy, but sometimes it is necessary. While I am not completely convinced that I made the right decision getting rid of my BlackBerry, I felt as if I needed to at least give EVO a shot. Maybe it will help me be more efficient and productive. Maybe it will be more entertaining. Maybe. I guess I just had to step out on faith to see what happens....such is life!
It’s Thursday. The heat has subsided. The weekend is upon us. So is August.
Now what?
It’s time for a new martini recipe courtesy of the Martini Chronicles! This week, I thought I’d go for a tropical theme. After all, I would love to be on a tropical island somewhere…sitting on a beach chair…with my sunglasses…near an ocean with blue water…with a frozen drink in one hand…and my iPad in the other. Wishful thinking.
Since my island fantasy is not remotely realistic, I will settle for a really tasty martini. As such, I present the Coconut Lime Martini, inspired by my longing for a relaxing vacation. My hope is that you enjoy the intermingling of the coconut and lime flavors, and that it rejuvenates you over the weekend as you prepare for another work week. Fair enough? Perfect! Now go!
Ingredients
2 oz Coconut Flavored Vodka
1 oz Coconut Flavored Rum
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz Rose’s® Lime Juice
Ice
Lime Wedges for Garnish
Recipe
1. In a shaker, combine Vodka, Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Rose’s® Lime Juice, and Ice. Shake!
2. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a lime.
There you have it! The Coconut Lime Martini is your key to the perfect island fantasy…kind of! Enjoy! And Drink Responsibly!
There’s something about the last week of July that resonates with me. It was almost 6 years ago this week when I stepped into Madison Square Garden to take my first Bar Examination. Fresh off of the daunting feat of completing and graduating from law school two months prior, the Bar Examination is the culmination of 3 years or blood, sweat, and tears….literally!
And then there’s the two months of intense studying. Bar classes, endless practice exams, and multiple MBE questions. There are good moments, and bad moments. There are nagging doubts as to whether you can actually do this. And then there are instances when you know you can. The act of studying for a bar exam invokes several distinct emotions, all at the same time. You are happy to have completed law school, but afraid of what lies ahead. You are apprehensive, yet optimistic. You are one of thousands in the same predicament, yet you feel lonely and isolated. The myriad of emotions is common. And it all leads up to big exam during the last week of July.
This week, law school graduates all over the country will be taking the Bar Exam. Right now, thousands of eager, soon-to-be lawyers are settling into a routine that will repeat itself over the next few days: study, panic, study some more, panic some more, sleep, panic again, sleep some more, awake, and test. The one consistent emotion is fear, and a sense of “did I do everything I could do.” I am way too familiar with this feeling…been there, done that, wrote and starred in the made-for-TV movie. For all of you future esquires preparing to take one of the most important examinations of your life, please let me offer you these words of encouragement:
1. You know more than you think you do!
2. Don’t walk into the examination room with a defeated attitude. Own the fact that you are about to smash this test!
3. You are built for this! You made it through law school, now cross the finish line!
4. HE will never put more on you that you can bear.
Now go ahead and kick the Bar Exam’s ass! Do it like you’re doing it for TV! I’ll be waiting for you on the other side with a glass of your favorite martini to welcome you into an illustrious and exclusive group! Good Luck!
P.S. A special good luck goes out to Carly, Tamika, Darenda, and Luc!
Ummm…..what is up with this heat? Seriously! It is ridiculously hot...and humid…my hair is frizzy…I can’t wear makeup because I am continuously sweating it off…did I mention that it is ridiculously hot?
As I sat in my car this morning dreading the fact that I had to leave the AC and step into the heat, I started to think of today’s martini recipe. I had originally planned to post another sweet, yet potent, recipe for my fellow Professional Divas. And then, I stepped out of my car, and into the heat, and I instantly changed my mind. A fruity martini no longer seemed appropriate. I decided at that very moment that a frozen martini was the way to go. Hence, the Frozen Chocolate Martini! This recipe is cool, tasty, and quick! Not much movement is necessary (as movement creates more heat). Just pull up to the blender with your ingredients, blend, and head back to cooler pastures. Now…..go!
Ingredients
2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 oz Vanilla-flavored Vodka
1 Package of Hot Chocolate Mix
1 Cup of Milk
1 Cup of Ice
Milk or Dark Chocolate Shavings for Garnish
Recipe
1. Chill martini glass for at least 1 hour.
2. In a blender, combine Bailey’s, Vodka, Hot Chocolate Mix, Milk, and Ice. Blend until mixture is smooth.
3. Pour mixture into chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Enjoy the Frozen Chocolate Martini, and enjoy your weekend! Drink Responsibly!
Very rarely do I find myself in a position where I am speechless. It just doesn’t happen! I am generally capable of expressing myself easily, so you can imagine how I felt when I found myself speechless. Let me back up and explain.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at the NJLEEP Summer Law Institute. The New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project (NJLEEP) is a not-for-profit organization that provides minority students with the skills necessary to obtain academic success in college and in law school. NJLEEP has implemented various programs to foster this goal, including the Summer Law Institute (SLI). The SLI is a five-week criminal law program for students entering the ninth grade. These students are all residents of Newark and the surrounding areas. As part of the curriculum, SLI invites members of the legal community to come and speak with students about their career paths and current professions, and answer various questions posed by the students.
As I traveled to Seton Hall University School of Law, where the SLI Program is held, I was excited to interact with the students, but I was not prepared for the feeling that overcame me afterwards. I spent the first 10 minutes of my allotted hour introducing myself to the students, and giving a brief synopsis of my resume. I spent the next 30 minutes cautioning the students about their use of social media tools, and the pitfalls of not securing their accounts from the general public (it sounds heavy, but it really wasn’t!). The students were engaged, and they asked a myriad of questions regarding this subject matter. But this was not the impressive part.
After I concluded my presentation, I opened the floor for the students to ask me whatever questions they wanted….and they did! They asked me about the colleges I applied to when I was in high school; what classes I took in high school to prepare for college; what made me choose political science as a major; should they be taking AP courses; did I get loans to finance my education; did I work while I was in college; what would I be doing if I did not become a lawyer. I was not only impressed by the quantity of the questions, but I was blown away by the quality of the questions. Remember, these kids are entering the ninth grade, and they were so focused on what they consider the obvious next step….college! It made my heart smile to see that these students made a choice to take their education seriously at such a young age. I don’t think I was that focused at that age….in fact, I know I wasn’t! I also know that these students did more for me yesterday than I did for them. They made me hopeful for our future. They also reminded me of the old saying “to whom much is given, much is required.” Can we talk about that for a second?
As professionals, we are fortunate to have obtained positions in our respective fields after years of schooling, interning, test taking and “paying dues.” The truth is that all of this means nothing if we don’t give back to those who are trying to do the same thing. Remember, giving back does not always mean donating money…donating your time is just as good, and sometimes better. It felt good to look out at a sea of faces that looked like mine, and give them a little bit of information to consider as they begin preparing for their eventual career. I feel like I made a difference, and all it took was 1 hour. I even received a letter from one of the students asking if I would mentor her…what an awesome feeling!
I say all of this to encourage you all to take a second to appreciate your success, and then take some more time to give back to those who are making their way up the ladder. You have no idea how valuable it is to share your experiences with those hoping to follow in your footsteps. The reception you get from sharing your experiences may leave you feeling like I did when I left these students….speechless!
I congratulate NJLEEP for its commitment to the Newark community. I applaud the staff of college and law students and legal professionals for their dedication to these students and their education. I was honored and humbled to be a part of such a dynamic program dedicated to nurturing dynamic students.
If you are interested in learning more about and/or donating to NJLEEP, please visit their website at: http://www.njleep.org/.
Summer is in full swing! And with the summer comes plenty of family reunions, barbeques, weddings, and after-work happy hours. As I prepare to head to a family reunion next weekend, I started thinking of those songs that seem to get the Summertime festivities started. You know the ones I’m talking about don’t you? Those songs that force everyone to hit the proverbial dance floor, and party until the sun comes up (or until they pass out, whichever comes first!).
As a self-proclaimed music junkie, I am always aware of those songs that evoke some sought of emotion within me. In the spirit of sharing, I want to share 6 tracks that spark Summertime nostalgia. Whenever I hear these songs, I automatically think of sunshine, and barbeque charcoal, and the beach, and rooftop parties, and summer cruises, and family reunions… I can go on and on, but I won’t! Instead, check out 6 of my favorite Summertime tracks!
6. Electric Boogie by Marcia Griffith – Guaranteed to jumpstart any party, barbeque, baby shower, wedding, funeral...well, maybe not a funeral. But The Electric Boogie (affectionately known as the Electric Slide) and its accompanying dance is a favorite for all seasons. If you don't know the steps, check them out in the video below!
5. Cupid Shuffle by Cupid – Dubbed the modern day Electric Slide, the Cupid Shuffle is another song, and dance, that will get everyone off the lawn chairs. No need to worry about learning the steps to this dance….the song will show you the way!
4. P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson – The late, great Michael Jackson released this track in 1983, and it has been getting booties on the dance floor ever since. And there's something about the Summertime that gives this track an extra something. MJ may be gone, but this classic lives on!
3. Before I Let Go by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly – Have you ever been at a function when the first beat of this song drops? Instant pandemonium! I guarantee that everyone at your event will know the words…all of them…and will be singing them out loud…off beat…but out loud nonetheless!
2. Music by Erick Sermon – A brilliant collaboration between the veteran rapper and the late Marvin Gaye. This song is as smooth and laid back as a Classic Martini. And adding Marvin’s melodic vocals to the Erick Sermon’s easy flow…Brilliant!
1. Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – No song has ever made me happier about Summer than this classic track by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. The whole song is pure perfection! From Kool & the Gang’s Summer Madness sample, to the Fresh Prince’s simple and relateable lyrics, this song oozes pure happiness and fun. This song has marked the beginning of the Summer for me since 1991, and the world around me seems to miraculously brighten when it comes on. Every lyric brings back a fond memory and sparks nostalgia. In my humble opinion, this is Summer's them song…second to none!
