Mother’s Day: Gifts for Traveling Moms

Mother’s Day is approaching quickly!  Have you thought about what to get the mothers in your life who travel often yet still manage to remain fabulous?  I’ve come up with a list of perfect gifts for those style-savvy, jet setting moms:

1) Minimergency Kit – This kit is not only stylish, but it packs a big punch in a small package.  Including items such as safety pins, earring backs, a mending kit, double-sided tape and much more, it has everything a mom needs to be prepared while traveling.

2) Scarves/Wraps – Scarves and wraps are multifunctional and a travel necessity.  Women can use them to cover up on the plane, use it to lay out on the beach, or wear around her neck in chilly weather.  Believe me, a woman always has a need for scarves and wraps.

3) iPad – If she doesn’t already have one, you must buy this for her.  It’s a camera, mobile library, radio, phone, translator and so much more.  It’s my must-have electronic when traveling.  And if you want to buy her this personalized iPad case, that’d be icing on the cake.  Note: I’m an Apple girl, but I’m sure any tablet will do just fine.

4) All Clear Water Bottle – I love this because it’s the perfect on-the-go water bottle.  Drinking a ton of water is important and it’s no different when traveling, but it may be harder to come by.  In just 60 seconds, this bottle turns nearly any tap or clear natural water source into drinkable water. Very cool and healthy

5) Clairisonic Aria – Travel is no excuse to neglect your skin.  The Clairisonic Aria is a great gift for use during travel and even at home. It has a USB-enabled charger and a drying stand that converts to a charging station.  It’s also small so it can fit in with all of her toiletries.  After all, she has to be fresh-faced in her travel pictures, right?

6) Tote – Every woman needs a cute yet functional tote for travel.  I like this, this, and this.  But you know the woman in your life best, so pick out something you think she’d love.

Happy Shopping!

Ashlee

Photo Credit: clairisonic.com, nordstrom.com

Sip on This: Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

How many of us celebrate Cinco de Mayo without even knowing the significance? *raises guilty hand*  Well, you’re at the right place!

On May 5, 1862, a group of 4,500 Mexican soldiers won a hard fought battle over 8,000 well-equipped French soldiers in Puebla, Mexico. This victory helped Mexico establish a sense of national patriotism and spirit.  Celebrations on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) commemorate this day in Mexican history.

In Mexico, most of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations occur in Puebla. There are large parades where people dress up as Mexican and French soldiers. Sometimes there’s a reenactment of the Mexico’s victory over the French troops.  How festive!

In the U.S., while it’s a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, we tend to use Cinco de Mayo as a reason to dress up and drink heavily (as if we need a reason…ha!).

Here are 5 cocktails to order during your Cinco de Mayo bar crawls:

1) Michelada – A “beertail”, this drink isn’t for the faint of heart.  It’s spicy so drink with caution.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 4 limes, cut into wedges
• 4 (12-ounce) bottles beer
• Hot sauce
• Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Combine the salt and chili powder in a small bowl and then transfer to a flat plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the beer mug and dip it into the chili-salt to coat the rim. Squeeze the juice of 4 lime wedges into the mug. Add a lime wedge to the mug and fill with ice. Add 1 bottle of beer, a dash of hot sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

Michelada

2) Paloma – This cocktail isn’t too sweet but the grapefruit juice makes it a nice refreshing drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
• 1 oz lime juice
• 4 oz grapefruit juice or soda
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions:

Mix the tequila, lime juice and salt and then fill with grapefruit juice. Garnish with a lime wedge and pour over a tall glass.

Paloma

3) Tequila Sunset – A sweet but potent drink…and it actually resembles a sunset!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• ½ oz framboise (raspberry) liqueur
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz agave nectar
• 3 oz soda water
• Lemon twist (garnish)

Directions:

Place tequila, lemon juice, and agave nectar in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Stir in soda water, and top with framboise and pomegranate. Mix into drink and serve with a lemon twist.

Tequila Sunset

4) Margarita – Margaritas are classic and no Cinco de Mayo is complete without one.

Ingredients:

• Salt, for rimming the glass (optional)
• Ice
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila (blanco)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau

Directions:

Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a dampened paper towel, then dip in salt.  Fill the glass with ice; add tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau; and stir a few times until chilled. Serve immediately.

Margarita

5) Cucaracha – While this means cockroach in Spanish (gross), the drink is actually quite delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila
• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

Directions:

Pour tequila and coffee liqueur into an old-fashioned glass. Flame the drink and use a straw to drink it.  If you don’t want to add the flame, you can mix and serve over ice.

Cucaracha

Cheers!

Ashlee

Photo Credit: vibevixen.com, bonappetit.com