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Easy Entertaining: Rooftop Brunch with a Punch!

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This time of year, Eric and I love to escape to our secluded rooftop to enjoy our meals every chance we get. We spent the first year of our marriage cramped into a teeny tiny apartment on the Upper East Side that looked out onto a dark and dingy shaft, so now we count our lucky stars that we can enjoy such amazing waterfront views whenever we want. I’ve had my girlfriends over countless times for champagne rooftop brunches, and it’s become one of my favorite ways to entertain.

On this particular occasion, I decided to treat my husband to one of his favorite meals: spaghetti carbonara! It takes less than 30 minutes to make using this recipe (I prefer to use thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta), and is always sure to please. And to wash it all down, I broke out the champagne stems and made Ruby Mimosas using Smirnoff Ruby Red Grapefruit. I can’t even begin to tell you how good it all was. This will definitely be my go-to-spread the next time I have guests over for brunch.

Follow Smirnoff on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more recipes and inspiration for your summer celebrations! #Punch4Everybody

Full Disclosure:
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smirnoff for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Thanks so much for supporting the brands that help make Closet Confections possible. And remember to always drink responsibly!

Visit Sponsors Site

Lifestyle Product Reviews Recipes

Easy 4th of July Entertaining Idea: Spiked Watermelon!



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Hola, Chicas!

With 4th of July right around the corner, I thought I’d share with you guys another one of my super simple (but oh so delicious!) entertaining ideas. I can’t think of a better way to cool off on a hot summer’s day than with a refreshing slice of icecold watermelon. And you know what makes watermelon even better? Smirnoff Watermelon! Yep, you read that correctly. These spiked watermelon wedges only take a few minutes to prepare, and your guests will happily thank you for the treat.

Here’s the rundown on how to prepare these frozen treats for your 4th of July get-together:

  1. Cut one 1 watermelon into wedges. If this task intimidates you, no need to fret. This video walks you through step-by-step.
  2. Once you’ve cut your wedges like a pro, gently place them into a large gallon size freezer bag.
  3. Carefully pour in enough Smirnoff Watermelon to soak the entire contents of your bag.
  4. Seal the bag (very important!) and place in freezer for at least 5 hours or overnight.
  5. Serve frozen slices to your guests, and enjoy responsibly. Remember, each slice equals 1 serving!

Follow Smirnoff on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more recipes and inspiration for your summer celebrations! #Punch4Everybody

Full Disclosure:
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smirnoff for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that help make Closet Confections possible. And remember to always drink responsibly!

Visit Sponsors Site

Lifestyle Recipes

Easy Outdoor Entertaining {Shrimp Boil + Raspberry ‘Tee-Time’ Punch}

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I absolutely LOVE having friends and family over for dinner, but as the temps crank up, the last thing I wanna do is slave over a hot stove and force my husband to wash be faced with a sink full of dirty dishes afterwards. One of my favorite summertime entertainment hacks is a simple, delicious, backyard shrimp boil served with a pitcher of ice cold raspberry ‘tee-time’ punch (basically and half & half spiked with Raspberry Smirnoff).

For the shrimp boil, all you need to do is find a BIG OLE pot and follow this recipe. Trust me, it’s fool-proof! I also like to toss in a few whole garlic cloves for a little extra zing. You can either make it on top of the stove and transport it, or fire up your outdoor grill. Once everything is all cooked up, you just dump it all out on top of a few sheets of newspaper or butcher’s paper, and let the crew dig in and fill up their own plates. I recommend keeping a few moist towels on deck for sticky fingers! Clean up is easy since you make everything in one pot. When everyone’s done eating, just roll up the scraps in the old newspaper to discard.

As for the real star of the show… just follow the recipe below, and let the good times roll!

Raspberry 'Tee-Time' Punch