DIY: for Dad’s Day

The way to your dad’s heart is through his stomach. With Father’s Day just around the corner, give him a tasty treat the whole family can enjoy– whiskey BBQ sauce, made with love. If you’re Dad likes to grill, let him cook up a storm. Or you can go the extra mile and fire up the grill yourself.

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What you need for the sauce:
3/4 cups of honey whiskey
1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of Sriracha
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 a sweet onion
2 cups of ketchup
4 garlic cloves

1. heat the onion, garlic, and whiskey in a pan for 10 minutes
2. separately mix the ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, Sriracha, salt and pepper
3. combine the two mixtures in the pan and simmer for 20 minutes (stir occasionally)
4. can it, refrigerate it, and give it to your pops!

Torya Blanchard of Good Girls go to Paris

Think about how you’d describe your best friend. Is she sweet? Fluffy? Covered in powdered sugar? Okay. That’s probably not how you’d depict her. But for Torya Blanchard, owner of Good Girls go to Paris, that might be exactly what she’d say when thinking of a friend. Good Girls is a Detroit hotspot for over 50 varieties of crepes, all named after Torya’s friends, with specific attributes in mind.

Heather, pictured above, is a crepe-making master. Cooking up nutella, strawberry perfection sounds like a fun job to me! When you’re in the heat of the kitchen, the moisture wicking technology of Carhartt Force is on your side. Shop Heather’s look here: Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Tucker Jacket, and Straight Fit Jean

Hannah from Biercamp in Ann Arbor

Biercamp, a specialty meat shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has the best bacon around. Hannah and her boyfriend left New York to open up their own artisan food shop. I admire Hannah for making the gutsy career switch from the fashion industry to running a specialty meat shop. If you share in my affection for bacon, sausage, or jerky, you need to swing by Biercamp, give Hannah a high-five, and eat some tasty food. Your tummy will thank you.

DIY: A Very Texan Apple Cider

I’m back at home in Texas for Thanksgiving. It’s comforting to walk into your house during the holidays. My mom always flavored our apple cider with red hots when I was growing up, so to smell those scents again, I’m filled with nostalgia. Follow the steps above to see how you can make some Texan apple cider for yourself and flood your home with delightful holiday smells.

I broke in my new Wellington Vest today as well. It’s perfect for relaxing and sippin’ on a warm cup of cider. I love adding in hidden hints of patterns into my wardrobe. The lining on the Wellington Vest is a great fall plaid mixed with the diamond quilted pattern on the exterior. Grab one for yourself and see how how perfect it is for layering and bundling up this season.

Flour Lab

Baking warms one’s heart in so many ways. Recipes and traditions are treasures passed down from generation to generation. Making food for those you care about spreads a sense of community and love. Linda, owner and baker from Flour Lab in Ann Arbor, founded her business on these principles. Items she sells change frequently, revolving around the season and her most recent inspiration. In Linda’s studio, clipboards full of ideas for every month of the year cover the walls and keep the creativity flowing. If you’re ever in Ann Arbor, MI, be sure to stop by the farmers market and treat yourself to a few goodies.

Check out the Flour Lab website for baking inspiration and tasty recipes.

The Top Chef Runner-Up: Tiffani Faison

I think I should preface this post by telling you that I am a Texan girl who knows her bar-b-que. Last night I had one of the best meals of my life at Sweet Cheeks Q, a BBQ joint in Boston near Fenway Park. You might recognize Tiffani, chef and owner of Sweet Cheeks, as one of the two finalists on the first season of Top Chef. I have to admit that’s one of my favorite shows of all time, even though I’m a total mess in the kitchen!

Tif buys local ingredients for her restaurant. It’s great to see local businesses supporting local farming, and the freshness it brings to the food is undeniable. I can’t even pick out a favorite from the feast they presented me with last night. From the fried okra, to the pork belly, even to the rolls— every bite was pure happiness in my mouth.

If you’re in the Boston area, eating at Sweet Cheeks Q is a must. Check it their website to see the menu and location.