Homemade Bloody Marys for Brunch & Spring Gingham with a Graphic-Tee

You guys, I love brunch. Like really, really love it. It’s the camaraderie I feel with my most favorite daytime drinking and eating buddies that puts a smile on my face. It’s trying out a new restaurant (because good Lord, there are so many amazing spots in L.A) that also brings a little joy to my life. And it’s that very first sip of a perfectly seasoned and heavily spiked Bloody Mary, garnished with all the delectable bells and whistles, that really ignites a spark of bliss through my soul.  

There’s just something about a Bloody Mary that gets me going. Perhaps it’s a symbol of a start to an awesome day…or maybe it’s just the kick of spice and tomato juice that allows me to feel like I’m doing my body a favor, when I’m actually doing quite opposite.

Don’t get me wrong, I also thoroughly enjoy a very lightly OJ splashed mimosa too. It’s just that the sugar...and the bubbles, can sometimes put a hurtin on my stomach and on my head. Bloody Marys have never come back to bite me in the ass. They’ve always been good to me through all of my brunching years.

Chris doesn’t get the brunch appeal quite like I do. But he’s also a penny pincher. He thinks spending $14 for a cocktail is just absurd. I get his reasoning, I really do. But I also (clearly) enjoy treating myself to that way too expensive cocktail and overpriced (but freaking delicious) inspired Eggs Benedict from time to time.

Sometimes though, we’ve gotta compromise. That’s what marriage is all about, right? And that’s where my Bloody Mary recipe comes in. Because with a Costco brand premium vodka (it’s actually quite good) and a modest plethora of other bloody ingredients, I can make like 10 of the spicy, tomato-y, vodka infused concoctions for under $30.

So here is my tried-and-true, friend-tested-and-approved Bloody Mary recipe for all of you.

Also, here is a newly assembled outfit that I’m kinda adoring. I spotted the shorts recently as I was perusing through the mall. Hung near the window of a store I would normally never enter, they caught my eye and I just had to check them out. I’ve been wanting some gingham print shorts for spring and these looked perfect. Only problem is, the brand. I don’t even want to admit who makes these shorts. I’m a little ashamed. Kendall and Kylie. Ugh. I know, I know. But they are pretty cute, right? Maybe I’ll cut the tag out of them so I can just allow myself to forget.

Paired with a graphic-tee, black tassel earrings, and some cute block heels and I was feeling all set for a brunch gathering. But, I’d just sip on my made-from-scratch bloody mary by a random wall instead. Cheers!

The Cocktail:

Spicy (and strong) Bloody Mary Recipe (makes 4)

6 ounces vodka

2 cups tomato juice

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

1 teaspoon worcestershire

2-4 teaspoons Tabasco sauce

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients and pour over rocks. Garnish with celery, blue cheese stuffed olives, lemon wedges, and shrimp.

The “Costume:”
Graphic-tee, Urban Outfitters. Similar here. Gingham shorts, Pacific Sunwear. Black block heels, Urban Outfitters. Similar here. Black tassel earrings, Urban Outfitters. Clubmaster sunglasses, Ray-Ban.