rustic gin

Being that it is New Year's Eve, I couldn't resist posting about making homemade gin! It is incredibly easy and only takes a minimum of 2 days to do. The history of gin is goes back to the 11th century where monks in Italy were producing distilled beverages with Juniper berries to improve taste and texture, this flavoring lead to its popularity. Later the beverage in the 17th century would be renamed dutch courage because the beverage had helped to calm nerves before battles. Gin, in the 18th  century, became popular in England, where it was widely distilled and available everywhere, shops, bars, groceries, even coffee shops. The spirit spurred an uprising and became one of the most widely popular beverages to make and create. That being said, gin itself is no more a vodka infusion than anything else. There is no secret in creating gin, aside from the distillation that happens after infusion, gin is only a grain alcohol, much like that of vodka, that has been soaking juniper berries! So here is how to make your own:

Ingredients

1 750ml bottle vodka

2 TBsp juniper berries

3/4 tsp coriander seed

1/4 allspice

3 cardamom pods

2 black peppercorns 

1 bay leaf

1 (3 inch) sprig of rosemary

1 (2 inch) lemon peel

Directions

1. Infuse vodka and juniper berries for 24 hours or up to a few days. 

2. Add remaning spices and botanicals to infusion and let sit for  8-12 hours. 

3. Strain and bottle, it will be a faint yellow to tan color, as the beverage has not been distilled again after making).

I recommend adding more peppercorns if you want to make a nice peppery gin for bloody marys or remove the pepper and lemon, and instead add 3/4 tsp lavender and 2 grapefruit peels to create something a bit more citrusy for the summer (great for a Negroni). 

linen

The heavy christmas decor is slowly coming down and the holidays are over. The home becomes a palette for newness. While the season is fresh and still chilly, there are a few options, over adorn again, or make the home feel fresh and soft. Linen is a material that has been around since 8000 BC with the oldest usage in Swiss Lake dwellings. The fabric is from the flax plant and is labour intensive to make, though is prized for its weather-ability and strength. ancient mummies were wrapped in linen due to the fabrics meaning at the time: light, purity, and wealth. Today, the fiber is highly versatile and comes in many colors and due its durability it can support patterns. When mixing linens for the home shoot for different textures and patterns, the fabric will bring dimension and depth to anything that is put on. A few suppliers are: Fog Linen Work, Coyuchi and Pine Cone Hill. 

snow boots

Rugged, handsome and warm. These three boots come from good stock. Perfect for keeping your feet warm and dry when there is blizzard like weather blowing around you. Snow boots harken from ancient times. Ever since humans or more like homo sapiens found out that keeping your feet wet and cold for long periods of time is not only uncomfortable its dangerous, there have been some version of snow boot. Originally crafted from the hides of otter, beaver, and seal they were dried and tanned then reinforced with dried materials like reeds and soft woods. Later as shoes progressed they were made from leather and most recently became weather proof with the aide of rubber soles. Try the the Maverick by Sorel, the Hannen by Ugg, and the Bosey Boot by Converse. 

rustic lemoncello

There is nothing better than making something of your own! Lately, I have been experimenting with liquor. A holiday favorite in Italian households is to make your own lemoncello. I love the idea of creating a cocktail for the holiday especially something that is a flavor of the season and very inviting. Each families recipe for lemoncello is a little different, though the main ingredients do stay the same, lemons, sugar, water, and over proof alcohol. For your pleasure, below is a recipe to make your own lemoncello and a cocktail (Rustic Holiday) I love! 

Lemoncello:

Ingredients

11 lemons

1 (750-ml) bottle Everclear (you can use +140 proof vodka)

3 cups water

3 cups sugar

Directions:

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). 

Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. 

Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. 

Steep the lemon peels in the Everclear for a minimum of 3 days up to a week. 

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. 

Cool completely. Combine your newly created simple syrup with the lemon/Everclear mix.

Cover and refrigerate. 

Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. 

Transfer the limoncello to bottles. 

Seal the bottles and place in freezer until cold, at least a few hours and up to 4 months.

Rustic Lemoncello:

Ingredients

1 ounce  lemoncello

3 ounces bourbon

3 ounces cranberry juice

Directions:

Combine ingredients into a shaker and stir. Pour over ice into your favorite lowball glass or ball mason jar. 

holiday decor

Looking for last minute holiday decor options? Being that rustic style is cozy already there isn't that much that you will need to add to. Attempt to wrap a trimmed down tree in white lights use a 1 inch wide  burlap strand as garland and wrap loosely around your tree, simple and done. Use plain craft paper and twine (dunnage from glass purchases that you may have acquired from shopping will do) to wrap your presents, add tree trimmings instead of bows. Place Swiss Army blankets or plaid along your dining table to create a deep and warm look. Cluster together ball jars filled with tree trimmings and candles on the table in a vintage crate and you have a centerpiece. Or use the Ball jars, and hot glue miniature trees within the top, add faux snow, and close jar; instant faux snow globe!

jackson hole

A tucked away valley in Wyoming called Jackson Hole is the getaway for many people each year. The valley itself is tucked between the Grand Teton mountain range. It was originally documented by John Colter from when he traveled with Lewis and Clark across the the country and when returning from the Rocky Mountains. During the summer months the area is full of beautiful vistas and trails that can be easily traversed. During the winter months the region is coated in permafrost and snow which adds up to beautiful skiing and snowboarding that can used from as early as November and ends in March. Aside from the physical adventures, you have the ability to see wildlife all year round, from birds, moose, caribou, and buffalo it constantly provides a respite from the city life. 

wonderful christmastime

Jars of Clay produced and recorded this version of Paul McCarthy's classic in 2007. The version is a bit more mild and relies on acoustics versus the highly electronic original. This is a song that could softly waft though your holiday season. Even though this particular take is a bit slower and melodic it most definitely keeps a pace and cantor that is true to the original. It poses to be a beautiful remake and will be a staple for your future holiday replays. 

sled

There is nothing quite like driving down a hill at full velocity while snow is kicking up behind you. Take that a step further and add a row of huskies to the front and be propelled across the fresh powder at high velocity. The sled, which is defined as a land vehicle with a set of separate smooth longitudinal runners that travel by sliding across a surface, most are used in travel across snow or ice. The sled has obviously been in use for as long as prehistory dates (Egyptians used them to move obelisks, Vikings used them to transport ships from land to sea), though, our most contemporary usage for the the vehicle is to transport ourselves in some winter fun across a valley that has been paved in glorious snow. Being that they come in all shapes and sizes today, the vintage 1950's style sled are the most iconic they harken back to the time where it snowed feet not inches each winter and the sleds were primarily made from steel and wood. Recently they have been able to have been found said models at Sled Warehouse and Cool Hunting.

tartan

Plaid! Plaid! Plaid! or otherwise known as tartan in Scotland is one of the most iconic fabric patterns in the world. Originally created only in wool, they are now available in many different types of fabrics. The distinctive pattern is made up of cross woven stripes of color at right angles. As they are woven they appear to have angles of multi color banding due to the weave. The distinctive squares that appear are referred to as setts. The colors and patterns were originally used to distinguish Scottish clans and were temporarily banned from 1746-1782 under the Dress Act. Eventually the patterns were used to distinguish regions of country that you would travel through in Scotland. Some mythos explains the meaning via, blue coloring distinguished that your region had water or lakes, green was rolling hillside, and yellow meant the type of crop that you may have been known for, and red usually represented power or your hierarchy. It is also estimated that their maybe over 2,700 versions of the pattern today, that is a lot of plaid! Now, it is a pattern that represents the love of outdoors and with the more of it you see, it usually means the weather might be getting colder as it is a popular pattern in scarves, hats, and blankets. 

bourbon

Bourbon, specifically Maker's Mark has been on my brain for the last month! It honestly is the perfect alchol for the colder winter months. Its delicious oakiness and versatility is perfect to bring a different dimension to holiday cocktails and can be sipped alone. You maybe asking what is really the difference between bourbon and whiskey. The subtly in batch is huge, though the difference in name can be shocking small. Bourbon must be made in the United States, preferring but not always in Kentucky. It must be made from 51% corn, aged in oak barrels (thats where it gets its carmel color), distilled up to 160 proof, entered into the barrel aging at 125 proof, and must be sold over 80 proof. There is no aging requirement, but must sit at a minimum of 3 months the liquor to have its distinctive taste. Another distinction is "Straight" if the batch is straight bourbon then it has sat for two years, and has no additional additives. The history of the liquor is not entirely documented, though the practice can be attributed to a model of the first settlers in the US trying to mimic the fermentation process of the french, by aging their grain liquor in oak barrels for a period of time. Try it in a brown derby.

denim and supply co.

A division of Ralph Lauren Corp., Denim and Supply Co. Which is almost exclusively sold at Macy's or their online division is a harkening back to a roughed up vintage look, that remains extremely hip and affordable. The brand was launched in 2011 after Polo Ralph Lauren was unified under a larger subgroup of the RL brands. It is the considered the younger sister brand to Ralph Lauren itself and will maintain the outdoorsy fun aesthetic of its parent brands. The entire collection for the winter season is smeared in urban rustic; with smatterings of detailed plaid, native american prints, and army blankets. Most items like the Blanket Stripe Duffel coat have a slimmer fit and is not as boxy as their photos detail.