ReDub the Bub

As celebration season approaches, you're bound to have some leftover sparkling something-or-other. Heed this tip from Real Simple Magazine (via CupOfJo) :

Drop a raisin into a bottle of flattening champagne (or prosecco, or whatever). Any smidge of carbon dioxide left in the liquid will glom on to the wrinkly raisin and then release in the form of tiny bubbles.

Presto! Reinvigorated bubbly.

Summer Drink for an Autumn Day

Happy first day of fall!

I don't know about you, but I was ready for a little bit more summer (although I am loving busting out the knee-high boots again). I found myself some indoor sunshine courtesy of the (massive) September issue of InStyle magazine.

So without further adieu, the Salted Plum & Vodka Tonic:

Ingredients for one drink (Large. Could easily be split into 2 shorter glasses.):

*1 red plum, pitted and sliced. Reserve one slice (the prettiest.)

*1&1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

*1oz. simple syrup

*2oz. vodka

*tonic water

*sea salt

1) Place plum slices in cocktail shaker, and muddle (wooden spoon handle perfect for this job)

2) Add lime juice, syrup, and vodka.

3) Shake with 1/4 cup ice. Strain (really, really strain) into a glass. Use fresh ice if you'd like.

4) Garnish with a plum slice (set it on flat, otherwise it sinks); sprinkle sea salt on top.

That's it! Delish. And don't feel like you need to go out and buy simple syrup. All it is is 2 parts sugar to one part water. Boil your water, add the sugar until it's dissolved, let it cool, and use it or pack it away in the fridge. Easy peasy.

3-Minute Mug Cake

Okay, so this isn't exactly a tip or trick, and it's definitely NOT fashion-friendly, but it is delicious.

It's also about a 10 minute round trip from pulling ingredients out of the cupboard to a hot mug full of chocolatey goodness.

My fave mug, courtesy of soon-to-be-Mrs. MBM

So. In your fave (microwave safe) mug, mix:

*4 Tbs. flour
*4 Tbs. sugar
*2 Tbs. cocoa powder

Mix 'em up. Now add:

*1 egg
*3 Tbs. milk
*3 Tbs. oil (I used vegetable)
*3 Tbs. chocolate chips
*1 small splash vanilla extract

Zap in the microwave for 3 minutes (in a 1,000 watt oven). If you watch it, you'll see the cake come up over the top of the mug. Don't fret: It will hold it's shape and you won't have a microwave to scrub down. Let it cool - seriously - then you can slide it out onto a plate, or, my fave, grab a spoon and the handle of that mug.

All set for some dvr'd Project Runway

Is it the best chocolate cake you'll ever eat? No. But it is hot, homemade, chocolate comfort in a personal size container. Toss a garnish on if you're so inclined: Ice cream, cinnamon, fruit or chocolate syrup. You could even share with a pal.

...Nah.

Bring Home the 'Bucks

'Via' is Starbucks' line of instant coffee in individual packets. Now, personally when I think of instant coffee, I think of those rattly, dry crystals, and... well, Grandma. Via has changed that in a major way, using real-deal ground coffee in a packaging that keeps all those good smelling oils in tact. No rattle here.

Image courtesy of LittleLizzyLou.com

While I love a hot cuppa joe on a cold day, I am generally an iced coffee kind of gal. Iced mocha, to be specific. 

Image courtesy of rebelliousarabgirl.net

So you can imagine my joy when the 'Bucks put their newest addition to the Via family on the shelves this month: Via Iced.

Image courtesy of Starbucks.com

It saves me not only a few minutes when getting out of the house in the morning, but the different-every-day time spent in the coffee drive-thru, not to mention MY bucks Starbucks swallows up. Right now on Starbucks.com you can get a 5 pack of Via Iced for $4.95 and free shipping to boot (good through 8/30, so get on the stick!). That's less than $1 a cup! No tipping necessary.

World's Best hot chocolate, Costco style.

And as for my mocha, here's how I do it: Heat a mug of water in the microwave. Dump a pack of hot chocolate into a travel mug. Pour the hot water in the travel mug, seal, shake. Put in the fridge overnight. In the a.m., open 'er up, dump in the Via packet, shake and go! Delicious iced mocha. 

How I roll... Outta bed.