"reprise" refashioned frocks & easy gazpacho bloody mary's!
happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meeeeee, happy birthday to me!
good gemini june to you, dearies! yes, my own unabashed psa that this is my birthday month. of course it's also the end of the school year, father's day, family summer vacation time, and the start of "get-those-kids-off-to-summer-day-camp-stat!"
its hard to believe that it was just two years ago, this past may, that i was leaving my vocation of seven years and unsure of my next career adventure. my boss offered to assist finding my next gig and asked what my ideal position looked like. my answer? to work close to home, have work/life balance and flexibility, be able to wear my creative wardrobe and listen to the music i like while i worked. who knew that i'd end up getting all that and more?! perhaps it just proves the universe is truly listening when you put it out there...
i was tidying up my sewing studio again when i came across a quintet of the same style dress i'd made 4 years ago, long before the darling dearie brand was even a gleam in my eye. these dresses had lots of life left in them, so i determined that the smartest, most sustainable (and obvious) idea was to deconstruct and then reconstruct them. which is exactly what i'm doing right now! i've dubbed this short run of environmentally-friendly refashioned frocks "reprise."
at first glance they look similar to what i currently offer yet there are subtle differences: s/m sizing only, with new front panels, smaller side pockets, and minimalist mandarin collars cut from leftover gateway dress fabric. there is also less hand sewing and extra details involved than my premium garments (no pocket tethers, ribbon finishing, garment care cards, nor the premium signature presentation). additionally, these limited one-of-a-kind reprise dresses will be offered at special pricing exclusively through my etsy boutique. yet make no mistake, these dresses still offer high-quality garment construction (including rustic french seams) and will serve you for years -- and at a "more swank for less bank" price-point!
dearies who subscribe to my monthly missives will receive the first alert for availability in july before i announce their availability via my instagram feed. know someone who should be in the loop regarding these specially-priced sustainable dresses? please invite them to sign up for my newsletter as well.
summertime is the perfect season to enjoy a gazpacho bloody mary! mr. dearie and i began making this now highly-evolved recipe years ago. while it is easily made and enjoyable year-round, thanks to its easily sourced pantry ingredients, i find it tastes particularly refreshing in the glow of summertime. an extra bonus, it instantly transforms into a delicious cold lunch when enjoyed sans alcoholic spirits!
gazpacho bloody mary
1 can/28 oz. san marzano tomatoes
1/2-3/4 of an english hot house cucumber
fistful of fresh cilantro leaves
1 tsp. celery salt
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp. creamed horseradish (regular horseradish works, too)
2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
6 dashes hot sauce (more or less)
peel your cucumber, chop into chunks, then place in the blender with the remaining ingredients, including all the sauce included with the tin of tomatoes. pop the lid on the blender and mix until smooth.
seriously...that's it.
you'll find your batch of delicious gazpacho perfectly fills a large mason jar!
place it in the fridge so it gets nice and cold for later, then just add your favorite alcohol (vodka, tequila, pepper vodka) to each glass when you're ready to serve. don't forget to garnish with a pickled green bean or asparagus spear!
i've also left the gazpacho in the mason jar and given it as a fun hostess gift. (tie a homemade gift tag and travel bottle of vodka at the neck of the jar.) tell the lucky recipient to put it in the fridge to enjoy the next day but make sure they know to consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness & quality.
i hope you enjoy these upcoming lazy sunshiny days of summer, hopefully, with a delicious gazpacho bloody mary in your hand!
until my next missive...
xoxo,
darling