strawberry milkshake.

Rounding out this tasty series of guest posts, I have my sweet blog friend, Grace, from Stripes + Sequins! I only wish I lived in NYC so I could frequent her DIY craft nights ;) I'm thrilled to have her here sharing her most-loved summer sweet. I can't wait to see your own versions tomorrow for Friday's Fancies. Thanks again, Grace! xoxo {av}

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Hello, hello, LDL readers!  My name is Grace, and I write the blog Stripes + Sequins.  S+S is a fashion + DIY blog for the sparkle obsessed.  I hope you’ll come by and visit.

My favorite summer treat isn’t necessarily the healthiest of treats, which is why I don’t necessarily let myself have it all that often.  But so what… the strawberry milkshake is one of my favorite ways to indulge.  And, it’s pink… what’s not to love!?  Inspired by this frosty treat, I put together some of my favorite pastel pink pieces.  Some of them, like the treat, are a little indulgent… but that’s why you only splurge every so often.

Clockwise from Top Left:  Jeans // Cardigan //  Earrings // Mary Jane T-Straps // Oh la la // Tote // Strawberry Earrings // Ring // O.P.I. Pink Friday (the perfect opaque pastel pink) // Dress // Jeans

P.S.  Make a healthy version with 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 cup (organic) skim milk, 4 ice cubes, and ½ cup vanilla frozen yogurt.

Food images from here and here.

french 75.

Hello again, friends! Another treat for you today--this one from Jessica at The Love List. Her eye never ceases to amaze me! Enjoy this very European cocktail while we enjoy our last full day in Europe. Thanks again, Jessica! xoxo {av}
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I had my first French 75 at a Prohibition-style bar in Austin, Texas... and two more after the first. Shortly thereafter, I moved to Palm Beach, Florida into a hotel directly across from the Breaker's Sushi Restaurant, Echo. I was introduced to a bartender there whom, under assumption I was making an obscure request, I cautiously asked to make me one. He didn't even blink. He proceeded to whip me up a French 75 even better than that first one that got me hooked. I spent many nights paying him a visit at Echo's bar after that.

Recently, in New York, I was visiting the incredible home of renowned book and object collector Tom Cary, and he showed me one of his most recent acquisitions, an incredibly rare version of the original Savoy Cocktail Book, the very one where the drink recipe first appeared! 

Though there is an argument about whether it was originally made with cognac or gin. I learned then that the Savoy instructs gin use, and I agree. I think a clear liquor makes it much more refreshing -- perfect for hot summers in my current home of Atlanta, Georgia. Lucky for me, I live in Buckhead near Bistro Niko, which makes an on-par version of the drink with lemonade. I still contend that it's the perfect drink, and I can't wait to over-serve myself many more in the future. 

champagne cocktail.

Hello again! {cv} and I made it to Germany yesterday--and are loving every minute. Having tremendous guest posters like Shannon makes it easier to go away ;) Her tasty summer cocktail has me excited to get home to try it out! Many thanks to Shannon for standing in today! Have a lovely Tuesday! xoxo {av}

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Hi, I'm Shannon Darrough from the blog I Love Your Crazy! Summer is one of my favorite times of year because it means that most of my time is spent outside. I love inviting people over for drinks on our screened-in porch. It's way too hot for anything but a ponytail so I always make sure my outfits and drinks are just as effortless. Today I put together a look and cocktail I would whip up for an afternoon of screen porch sitting.

Get the look:

Dress « Earrings « Sandals « Sunglass case « Bangle « Monogram necklace « Flute

I'm thrilled to be a guest on Long Distance Loving. Thanks for having me! xoxo, Shannon

moscow mule.

A very happy Monday from Switzerland! {cv} and I are traveling today to Germany after a few seriously beautiful days in the land of the Swiss, even in light of the rain. {Instagram should prove that!} Today, I have Hanna, the fabulous graphic designer behind Gadabout. For spot-on style and an amazing eye for design, Hanna is your girl :) Have an amazing Monday--thanks again Hanna! xoxo {av}

1. Moscow mule | 2. bowl | 3. napkins | 4. sandals | 5. scarf | 6. earrings | 7. dress

pinkberry.

One more treat for this week! This one is coming to you from Sue at  The Zhush--and it's sure to get you in the mood for her tasty treat! I'm so happy to have her here! Have a great Thursday--xoxo {av}

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Hi, I'm Sue from The Zhush and zhush.com and I'm tickled pink to be guest posting over here today! (sorry, but I couldn't resist that one...) When Alsion said I should write about a summer treat, I didn't hesitate as lately, my fro-yo addiction has reached epic proportions.  Inspired by my weekly pinkberry ritual, these pinky fresh finds are all calling my name.

pie servers / notebook / nail polish / top / necklace / tea towel

At our next BBQ, I plan to make a summer berry cobbler and dish it out with these fun servers.  My friend's younger sister is pregnant with her first, I think this sweet notebook would make a great gift for a new mom to jot down all the first milestones in.  I tried out a blue/green color on my toes this summer only to realize that shades like this one are really my true comfort zone.  I own this easy warm weather top and have worn it at least a dozen times this summer already! This necklace with its chunky cool ways is haunting me...My all white kitchen could use a little pink, not to mention a flamingo or two, these adorable little tea towels must be mine!

Hope you all enjoyed my pinkalicious post! Thanks for having me over today {av}!

caipirinha.

Greetings! It's been so fun to see these summer treats filter in, don't you agree? Today's post comes from Julie at Julip Made--and I know you're going to love her and this perfectly yummy post! Enjoy! xoxo {av}

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Hi Long Distance Loving readers, Julie from Julip Made here! When I think summer refreshments, I immediately think of one cocktail... the caipirinha. The caipirinha is a Brazilian cocktail made using cachaça, a liquor made from fermented sugar cane juice. The drink itself is simple using only cachaça, muddle limes, and sugar. I add in some club soda to make the drink last and to make it even more refreshing. It really pairs well with what I think is the most important concept of summer entertaining... simplicity. Whip up a pitcher of these, throw something on the grill, and invite some friends over for a casual, fun, night to remember.

Julip Made

See below for my idea of the perfect backyard bbq to pair with the caipirinha.

1.Bubbled beverage dispenser 2. Vintage badminton racket 3. Marais throw 4. Iron & twine hurricane 5. Outdoor umbrella 6. Olive wood paddle board 7. 19.6 weck jars 8. Batik salad toss 9. BBQ grill.

Thanks again {av} for asking me to participate and I hope this has inspired you to make your own caipirinhas!  For many more cocktail, entertaining, and food ideas hope on over and visit me here!

 

limoncello.

Hello again! I have yet another fabulous treat for you today in the form of a guest post from Sarah at Note to Self. I'm a huge admirer of Sarah's blog and I'm sure you are too! It's such an honor to have her here, so without further ado, here she is :) xoxo {av}
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Hello hello! I'm Sarah from Note to Self, here to share with you 

one of my absolute favorite summer treats -- Limoncello!

Though it can be snagged at any liquor store, this Italian delight seems that much more refreshing when you make it yourself. (Giada de Laurentiis has a great recipe.) Give your mixture some time (1 week - 1 month) to come around in airtight bottles, and then plan a tasting party or use them as summer cookout hostess gifts. When life gives you lemons... "Cin cin!" ("Cheers!") 

Outfit: J.Crew Panama hat $58 Essie nail polish in Bazooka $8 Kate Spade New York Cooper watch $195 Bauble Bar retro quad earrings $82 Kate Spade New York Ruby Street bow Monette bag $268 Equipment floral playsuit $280 J.Crew buckle sandals $120 Recipe: caster sugar (the best for cocktails!) $7 Purus organic vodka (750ml) $20 Crate & Barrel airtight storage bottle $4 Crate & Barrel cordial glasses $5

Thanks for having me, {av}! 

blood orange martini.

Happy Monday! {cv} and I just landed in France, so the adventure has officially begun :) I have an absolute dream of a guest post coming to you from Samantha at Could I Have That. This California girl has amazing style and I am thrilled to have her today! Enjoy! xoxo {av}

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Hi there! I'm Samantha from Could I Have That and I'm so excited to be guest posting today on Long Distance Loving. When Alison asked me to share a favorite Summer treat I knew exactly what I wanted to do: A Blood Orange Cocktail. The color and taste is too sweet and pretty to pass up! See below some orange inspired picks I'm currently craving.

Get the recipe and a how to on this blood orange cocktail here.

Clockwise from top left:

Topshop bikini

Topshop blush

Haute Hippie maxi dress

Ariel Gordon Knot bracelet

"Game On" notebook

Garrett Leight Brooks sunglasses

Dezso pouch

Deborah Lippmann nail polish

Diptyque orange candle

watermelon.

My summer refreshment series starts off with a bang today :) I'm so excited to have my close 

friend and fellow Hoya, Carly, here to share her favorite summer treat in style! xoxo {av}

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Hello! It's Carly The (recently graduated) College Prepster! I'm so excited to team up with {av} for this post! Two things I love combined in one post: food + fashion. Both themed around summer? I'm in!

I tried to think of what my favorite food is for the summertime and I stumbled on the obvious answer... Watermelon! I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Muddled in a drink and it's even better!) My mom always buys watermelon during the summertime. She cuts it up into chunky squares that we store in a bowl in the refrigerator. The whole family grabs a few chunks at a time... basically whenever we're in the kitchen. It's so refreshing. Especially since it's so incredibly hot here in Florida! (My favorite thing to do is sit down with the leftover watermelon, still on the rind, and eat it with a spoon.)

inspired by the wonderful watermelon...

Green Popover | My favorite shirt in the world.

Polka Dot Café Capris | The perfect alternative to watermelon seeds.

Ballet Flats | Great shoes year-round.

kate spade earrings | kate spade bangle

Essie Nail Polish 'Watermelon'

Watermelon Lipsmacker

Good enough to eat! xoxo Carly