Self Doubt and Spicy Margaritas - Newsletter #2
(My favourite wine bar)
I wrote last week’s newsletter about 6 months ago - It took me that much time to actually build up the courage to put it out (and figure out the tech side, which is mildly pathetic) and I think it’s the most vulnerable I have ever felt in my life. The act of deciding I enjoy doing something enough to subject other people to it felt incredibly presumptuous if not somewhere close to egotistical. Why do we judge ourselves like that? First of all, it’s not like I have millions of people hanging onto every word, I don’t even have 100, and yet it felt like I was opening myself up to more judgement than I ever had before. The assumption that people WANT to laugh at me is probably something I should dive into with my therapist…Hi Cora! But it’s unfair to anyone. I have never looked at something someone else chose to create and looked down upon them for sharing it, if anything I have been nothing but proud and supportive. So basically what I’m saying is that you should definitely DM me and tell me I’m great and that you’re proud of me. Ok, it doesn’t have to be me…
Be bold, tell someone you think they’re cool! I recently attended an event hosted by one of my wine world idols, and it was extremely intimate. While the multiple glasses of wine might’ve given me a slight boost on the boldness side of things, I told her, to her face, that I look up to her. I asked her questions about how she got to where she is, and I even gave her my BUSINESS CARD. People LIKE being complimented, so give it a go.
Things that are tickling my fancy
I have been a beauty junkie since I was thirteen. I went through a wannabe beauty influencer phase BIG time in high school so let me have my fun. The Saie Beauty Glowy Super Skin foundation is genuinely a gift from the gods. They were not playing around when formulating this product. It helps that my shade match is ridiculously good and I would like to say a very personal thank you to Saie for giving their lightest shade a neutral undertone. Thank you Saie! Anyways, if you’re on the market for a glowy, lightweight, medium coverage foundation that doesn’t cling to dry patches - look no further. This foundation is *chef’s kiss* perfect.
Chicken Thighs - I love cooking with chicken thighs. I think I cook chicken thighs at least once a week. I made Ina Garten’s version of Chicken Marbella for a friend a couple of weeks ago, and my flatmate has insisted I make it again after tasting some out of the fridge. While the name might suggest it comes from Spanish origins, it actually originated on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the late 1970s and the Silver Palate Cookbook made it one of the TRENDIEST dishes of the 80s. I make this dish with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead of Ina’s 2 chickens. It’s briney and salty but balanced out with cooked prunes and brown sugar. It reminds me of home. Ina Garten's Chicken Marbella
Becoming a regular. One of the most challenging aspects of living in a big city - is the lack of community. When you live in a big place it’s unlikely you’ll get to know all of your neighbours, in fact, I don’t think I know what all the people who live in my building even look like (and it’s a small building) so I’m attempting to become a regular at one of my local coffee shops, and one of my favourite wine bars. It can be challenging to commit in a city that also has endless options for coffee, wine, and just about everything else. Having someone know your coffee order before you say it out loud though? Well worth it. That tiny bit of community is major sometimes.
What I’m Sipping…
Spring has SPRUNG and I couldn’t be more excited. In my eyes, it is OFFICIALLY cocktail season. This is my recipe for my perfect cocktail:
THE Spicy Passionfruit Margarita
THE Spicy Passionfruit Marg. For 2 Margaritas
What you need:
2 rocks glasses
Cocktail shaker
Ice
6 oz. (two double shots) Tequila Blanco
6 oz. Passionfruit Puree (This one is my favourite souschef.co.uk)
3 oz. (one double shot) Cointreau or triple sec or passionfruit liqueur (take your pick)
3 oz. Lime simple syrup
1Jalapeno sliced
Sugar
Salt
2 Slices of Lime
Mix together kosher salt and sugar for the rims of your glasses. Swipe your slices of lime around the rims to dampen them, then dip in your salt + sugar mixture. Set your glasses aside and save the lime slices for garnish.
Put 4-8 slices of jalapeno at the bottom of your cocktail shaker, depending on how SPICY you want it, then pour in your lime simple syrup and muddle the jalapeno slices to release the spice.
Add a good handful of ice, and the rest of your ingredients to your cocktail shaker. Shake super well for about a minute. Add some ice to your glasses and pour your cocktail over. Garnish with your lime slices and any extra jalapeno slices.
Enjoy!
In:
Fiona Apple and feminine rage
Having crushes but just because it’s fun
Impulsive Hair Decisions
Flirting with the waiter and cheeky eye contact
Unfounded confidence + strutting Carrie Bradshaw style
Sauce
Self-Promo
Pop Music
Out:
Men who show you their camera rolls
Wearing a bra
Seeing someone for “closure”
On the rocks (c’mon have the silly little cocktail)
Being Realistic
Worrying about seeming “intimidating”
Carpeted floors
Gentleman’s Clubs
