{Friday Cocktail} Tinto de Verano

Hi folks.

Did you miss me? I've certainly missed y'all! I can't believe how much blogging has become a part of my life... two days away and I'm itching to come back. I've had a crazy week at work, as we've been hosting a conference, but it's over now! woohoo! So I decided to take a half day yesterday to "take a practice LSAT." Best decision ever. I had gotten 4 hours of sleep the night before, so when I got home at noon I decided to take a quick nap before I started the test. Three hours later I was still asleep and decided to postpone the test until Saturday. OMG. I can't even tell y'all how nice it was to catch up on life. I did a few loads of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, watched a ton of Olympic coverage ( I'm full on team Phelps), and drank a few alcoholic beverages while cleaning out my Google reader.

Now, on to one of my favorite cocktails. I don't know that I've talked about the fact I studied abroad in Spain in 2008, but I did. and it was AWESOME. I met some of my best friends there, and had the experience of a lifetime. I'm sure y'all are all familiar with Sangria, a Spanish wine punch with fruit and hard liquor. I love Sangria, but it can be really heavy and sweet, and y'all know I don't have time for a hangover. However, I can still get my fruity wine fix,  have you heard of Tinto de Verano? This is a much lighter wine cocktail that they enjoy all over Spain. It's super easy to whip together, and always a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients 

• Your favorite red wine (try a Tempranillo, Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais Nouveau)
• Citrus Soda (traditionally Fanta Limon or Gaseosa, but try Fresca or Sprite if you can't anything else)
• Ice
• Lemon slice

Directions

Pour 4 oz. Red Wine over ice. Top with soda, add a lemon wedge. Enjoy

Doesn't get much easier than that. You'll thank me later. Have a great weekend ladies!!! I have some fabulous guest posts coming up next week, so be sure to check back!

xoxo, EP

Guest Post: Forever81

Today I have another great guest post for y'all. I met Jaime of Forever81 on my first blog brunch. We both started our blogs around the same time and for similar reasons, so I instantly fell in love. I hope y'all love her too.

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Hi, I'm Jamie! I write a fashion and lifestyle blog called Forever81, where I focus on classic, ladylike styles with my own modern twist.  Today I am here on Blue Dog Belle because Emily is busy studying for the LSAT, so I thought in honor of her studies I would put together a little "geek chic" look. 

Top: Rugby Ralph Lauren (similar here)/Blazer: Ralph Lauren (similar here on sale)/Shorts: H&M (similar here)/Bag: Kate Spade (in tan here)/Shoes: Wanted (very similar)/Glasses:Urban Outfitters

Even though these glasses aren't necessary for my eyesight, sometimes we all just want to try to achieve that hot librarian (aka "geek chic") look, am I right?  This blouse was purchased during my Blair Waldorf phase (as were many a bow-adorned headband), and this classic navy blazer I've had for years and will probably have for many more. I hope you all enjoyed today's outfit - if you did, come visit me over on Forever81 sometime!  Thanks for having me Emily, and good luck on the LSAT!

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Great post Jaime! Thank you so much! Please be sure to go visit Jaime! 

Honey and Nutmeg

Happy Wednesday folks! I have an exciting guest post for y'all today, wohoo! Before that though, we have some business to get to.

We have a giveaway winner!

Congratulations to the lovely Emily of the pink elephant  I will be sending you an email shortly!

Now, on to my exciting visitor. Tracy of Honey and Nutmeg was one of the first followers of BDB, and I consider her one of my very best blog friends! Please show her some love!

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Hello Blue Dog Belle Readers! My name is Tracy and I blog over at Honey and Nutmeg. Emily is studying her behind off for the LSAT and asked me to throw a post together. I am a mid twenty something, domestic sweetheart who loves the beach, anything that sparkles, breaking a sweat at the gym, v-necks, animal print, and the color pink. I have an adorable dog named Leia who is the love of my life. I grew up in Connecticut, went to college in Massachusetts and moved to Worcester almost one year ago. I recently moved across town into a fantastic townhouse. I blog about anything and everything with a few recipes thrown in for good measure. I just celebrated 1 year being on the Weight Watchers diet and I have lost 45 pounds!

To give you a glimpse into who I am, I thought I would share what's in my bag.  My Michael Kors leather studded bag to be exact. I actually have this bag in silver too, it is my go to bag for the work week. 

1. My huge coach wallet that I keep the cards I do not use everyday. It also contains a matching check book. This was a gift from my ex-boyfriend.

2. Ray-ban aviators in brown. This is my 3rd pair of Ray-bans and I cannot imagine every owning another brand of sunglasses. 

3. Deodorant. Self explanatory.

4. Keys along with a Sigma Kappa bottle opener I have had since I pledged in Fall 2005!

5. Weight watchers calculator I bought with intention of using instead of paying for the monthly online access which I use with my iPhone. I still use the online version, I am scared to do anything different since I have had so much success. 

6. Hair ties, poppy pins, and little clips. I have to be able to throw my hair up at any moment.

7. Swiss army knife. This is actually an ex-boyfriend's I stumbled upon during the move. I threw it in my purse in case of emergencies.

8. My little make up bag filled with everything a girl could need including band aids, ibuprofen, eye drops, medication, triple antibiotic ointment, and some more hair ties.

9. My iPhone which sits pretty inside a leopard print with pink accent Kate Spade case.

10. My Vera Bradley wallet that hold my everyday cards, cash, and what I use when running errands since it's a wristlet.

11. Burt's Bees lip balm. I always have one within an arms reach.

I hope you enjoyed this post and will stop by Honey and Nutmeg sometime soon. Good luck studying Emily and thank you for asking me to guest post! What's in your bag?

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Thanks so much Tracy!!! I have the exact same Vera Bradley pattern!  Just another reason we are blog-mates. 

{Beauty Tuesday} Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain

Okay, at this point I have a well  documented love of lip gloss. Here, here and here are some of my favorites. Well after a major haul at Ulta a few weeks ago I have a new favorite lip product (okay I actually have a few, but I'm only sharing one with y'all today)

Thanks to Birchbox, a few months ago I fell in love with the Tarte Lip Stains (again here), but I found a dupe, and I'm OBSESSED. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

It's a jumbo pencil, that glides on. Tons of shine, moisturizing and super pigmented. What else could you want. 

I picked it up in this bright pink color... and let me tell you it's bright (in a great way)

Revlon Just Bitten in Sweet Heart

I'm a huge fan of a statement lip. I really think it balances your face, and allows you to go a little lighter on the eyes (which is nice for the office). 

Honestly, this lasts through multiple cups of coffee, and even lunch. 

It really is a stain, and in this color especially, it darkens as you leave it on.

My one complaint about the product (well all jumbo lip pencils really) is there is no way to sharpen it. Once you use up the initial half an inch or so  it's much wider, and doesn't allow for quite as much precision. 

But over all, I adore this product, and plan on picking up quite a few more shades. 

Have y'all tried it? Or any other lip products? I'd love to know!!!