Cucumber Gimlet + Friday Randoms

I am writing this post from our balcony over looking the ocean, savoring our last day of beach vacation.   This has been a much needed week of relaxation for me and my family.

I wanted to pop in today and share a new cocktail we made this week that was hit with everyone.  I introduce to you the Cucumber Gimlet.  It is light, refreshing,  and ridiculously good.

It all started with our girls lunch at a restaurant here in Pawleys Island called Chive Blossom.  We all ordered the Cucumber Gimlet and became obsessed with it.  We knew we had to recreate it!

The original recipe at Chive Blossom called for Gin but all of us ladies subbed Vodka for Gin.  Is it just me or does Gin taste like Christmas trees?  I just can't drink it.  Could also be the fact that in college my drink of choice was gin and tonic.  I drank so many of those I will never touch it again.   This cocktail is pretty simple, all you need is Vodka, Cucumber, limes,  and a touch of simple syrup.

CUCUMBER GIMLET

- 1 English Cucumber peeled and half finely diced, half sliced

-6-7 limes

-1/2 cup simple Syrup (simmer 1/2 cup sugar in 1 cup of water on stove til sugar has melted)

-Vodka

Take the diced cucumber and the juice of 6 limes and slightly puree in a blender with ice. You don't want it to be pure liquid just slightly pulsed.  In glasses add ice and few pieces of the sliced cucumber.  Pour about a shot glass worth of the pureed cucumber/lime mix over the ice in a glass and add in 2 shots of vodka and let it sit for a few minutes.  It helps to let it sit to infuse the cucumber flavor in the vodka.  After a few minutes add in simple syrup to your liking.  We each added in about 2 teaspoons per drink.  You can make as sweet as you want but we don't like our drinks too sweet.  We also squeezed an additional half a lime over the top of each drink.

Enjoy!

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I found a new nail polish color I am obsessed with thanks to my sister- Essie E-nuf is E-nuf.  It is a gorgeous color.  Perfect for the end of Summer.

 I had to share our attempts to try and get a family photo this week.  We really don't have many photos of the three of us so I really wanted a good one.  This is so not easy with a two year old.  This was the beginning of the week.  Pretty standard he cries everytime the camera comes out.

{Attempt One}

{Attempt Two}

This time he wouldn't take his hands out of his mouth.  Plus my hair is a hot mess.

{Attempt Three}

Finally by the end of the week we got this quasi successful picture.  We are totally shaded out by the sun but oh well at least we are all looking at the camera!

Also, just because I can't resist, I have to share one picture of my little man looking adorable.  This is our last summer in jon-jons so I have to relish it!

In keeping with my fabulous guest posts from this week, I purchased the first item for Sterling's Big Boy Room at a shop here in Pawleys Island.  How adorable is this Burlap Pillow?  I am going to use it on his Eames Rocker.

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Lastly,  I am guest posting over at Lindsay's blog Sadie + Stella.

 I am sharing my recipe for this amazing Butterbean and Shaved Zucchini Salad. Trust me you are going to want to make it,  and frankly I need to eat it everyday next week to make up for all the junk I consumed this week.  You can check out my recipe HERE.

Have a great weekend!  I will be savoring every last minute til back to reality Monday!