Become a Better Home Bartender | How to Set Up a Pop-Up Bar

Take Friday Happy Hour to your own home! Who says you need to keep hitting up all those the trendy cocktail bars after work (while we do all love those) when you could have the same fun from the convenience of your home?

For as long as I can remember, I've always really loved hosting get-togethers with friends. Part of the fun is prepping for entertaining - and barware and decor are always a major part in just how well the night goes.

For at-home entertaining, it's essential to have not only the liquor and spirits, but the tools, the perfect cocktail book and of course... it needs to look pretty!

Here are my tips to creating a chic pop-up bar fit for a fabulous at-home cocktail hour!

Essentials

The bar cart: Choose an attractive bar cart. This is one of the bare necessities, especially if you don't already have a built-in bar in your home. I love carts (specifically gold ones, but that's just me) that have 3 levels because it is spacious enough to creatively decorate instead of just piling everything onto one flat surface. Make it look neat and organized! 

For my bar cart, I don't put anything in a super specific order, but as long as it has some consistency with some accents, it all pulls together. I like putting my liquor and spirits (two of my favorites being Chambord Liqueur and Absolut Elyx Vodka) on the top level along with some coasters, an ice bucket, a glass, a shaker and a non-alcohol related accessory - like a bouquet of flowers. I always keep in mind that the top level of the bar cart is where guests' eyes will be drawn to the most, so it's important to make it look clean, crisp and inviting. 

The second level holds shot glasses, a chic decanter, tonic water, olives (these can be switched out with just about anything - but keep in mind that you should definitely have a mixer or 2 available) and 2 other cute accents: a candle and a drink bell! If you didn't know, these actually exist. Just ring the bell when you want a drink. If you're lucky, you may actually have someone attending to all your drink needs! 

If you couldn't already tell, I have a thing with gold so I love all of my barware to be just that. Make sure when you're choosing a bar cart to match it with your shaker, ice bucket, glasses, etc. for consistency.

Close by, I always keep a few key garnishes: cinnamon, dried ginger, star anise and jasmine. You never know what kind of drink you or your company will be in the mood for, so it's a good idea to keep them handy. 

The third level is solely for any other decorative accessories you may have - for me, I love stacking beautiful books and magazines. They don't necessarily have to be alcohol related, but it is the perfect home for your favorite cocktail books!

Speaking of cocktail books... my new favorite is a one that just launched called The Complete Cocktail Manual by Lou Bustamante! It has 235 tips, tricks and recipes for you to create the perfect cocktail. The book is packed with expert tips from bartenders around the globe and show you how to correctly stock your at-home bar! 

One of my go-to pages of the book is the one on bar tools. They really can get confusing sometimes, and it is helpful to have one place to resort back to to find all that you need.

My favorite recipe in the book? The Bellini! Okay, maybe I'm biased, but I can't help but come across a bellini and not see it through "Gilded" eyes!

You can really embellish your bar cart with just about anything that you love to create your go-to cocktails. Whether you're having your own happy hour or just casual drinks with friends, keep all your essentials in one place. Become a better home bartender by having the perfect pop-up bar in your home!

Photography by: Elijah Saldana

Breaking Away From the Basic Brunch | At Home with Chambord & Louvelle Luxury Showerwear

Let's face it. Some weekends just aren't for getting dressed up and driving in your car to a restaurant for brunch. After a super long week, sometimes you just want to hang at home! But that doesn't mean you can't still make an amazing brunch and invite some friends over to join in on the fun.

Brunching from home also should never be basic; step aside toast with butter and glass of OJ. We're talking breaking free from the basic brunch with a delicious Champagne and Chambord punch recipe, and looking casually fabulous with Louvelle Luxury Showerwear!

When brunching from home, you're going to want to have food and drink that not only tastes delicious, but is different from the expected and is a conversation starter. For my guests, I wanted to make this extremely yummy (and super boozy) Punch Royale featuring Chambord Liqueur! It comes out in a super bright, festive color. Not to mention, punches are always so perfect for entertaining! I served them in cute punch glasses. Here's how to make it for an incredible #PUNCHANDBRUNCH!

Punch Royale

Ingredients:

8 oz. Chambord Liqueur 

8 oz . Cranberry Juice 

2 Bottles of Champagne of Your Choice (I chose Dom Perignon, but feel Korbel, Chandon, Moët, etc. work just as great!)

California Champagne, chilled

Combine all the ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Stir and garnish with fresh raspberries or blackberries, then serve immediately. Makes 8-10 servings! (If you're a small group, you'll have plenty left over to last you for a few hours of at home brunching!)

Next: The food set up!

Depending on your group size: If it's a larger group of friends coming over, maybe you want to do make a fancy four course meal. If it's a smaller group like mine, you may just want to keep it simple to whip something up fairly quickly.

I made delicious french toast and waffles drizzled with organic granola, coconut oil and raspberries. I placed them in a dish and then on a fabulous gilded platter that I decorated with faux gold-painted eggs, to make the set up a bit have a little bit more of a regal vibe. I added some pretty Madeline cookies on the side for some more yummy (and carb-y) sweetness!

Fun fact: These eggs had confetti in them, so with my gilded hammer I cracked them and blew confetti all over my table for an added festive touch!

What to Wear

When you brunch from home and are inviting people over, you have the power to make it has causal or dressy as you'd like. I wanted to create a vibe that was low-key, yet still had that fun "Gilded Bellini" spin on it. Meaning... no pajamas allowed! I just told my guests that we should all dress in a very casual glam way to lounge at home. I could not wait to wear my Louvelle Luxury Showercap! 

Okay, you may be thinking, "Why wear a shower cap to brunch?" It's not the kind of shower cap I know you're probably envisioning. It's a chic turban style shower cap!

Before my guests came over, I curled my hair before showering quickly. I wore my Dahlia style turban in Pink Painterly Floral (which is inspired by bohemian glamour) to gather up my luscious locks they wouldn't get ruined in the shower. I am obsessed because it has an amazing stretch fabric that's just as easy to put on as a regular shower cap, and is incredibly comfy and mildew resistant. After showering, I hung it to air dry in a ventilated area for a little while. 

Soon after, I put my Dahlia turban back on over my head while I was getting ready to protect my hairline while applying my makeup.

Once my makeup was done, I was about to take the turban off but then thought... this actually looks so fabulous and completely matches the vibe of a casual luxe look with my outfit for the brunch!

I wore a long maxi skirt, a comfy cropped tank and my shower cap with long gold dangling earrings. It was a totally gorgeous boho vibe that was the perfect fit for the occasion. Seriously, what shower cap do you know that you can wear with an outfit OUT of the shower IN public?! This shower cap is so genius and it was a major conversation starter amongst my guests.

Taking a break from "brunching out" should never mean slacking on brunching fabulously and fashionably. With having so many fun resources from the comfort of your home, the way you can create your brunch for guests is entirely up to you, from the food to the drinks to the theme or the vibe! 

If you decide to create this boozy brunch punch, be sure to tag @ChambordChannel and #PUNCHANDBRUNCH on Instagram! Love Louvelle? Head to their website for tons more shower cap turban designs and tag @LouvelleShower to show off how chic you look in your new shower cap! 

Photography by: Elijah Saldana

New Amsterdam Vodka Presents "It's Your Town": Event Recap

On June 23rd, New Amsterdam Vodka held its "It's Your Town" party at LAB Art Los Angeles on La Brea and teamed up with local LA street artist, Moncho1929 to showcase his art and celebrate with none other than New Amsterdam Vodka! 

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

I was so excited to attend this event, and brought my brother Steven who is very into the art scene along with me. I have a huge respect for street artists and was so excited to learn more about Moncho1929. His work has actually appeared in the French Consulate, Soho House, Times Square and even on NBC'S "The Voice." New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 came together to celebrate the vibrant culture and people of Los Angeles.

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

First thing's first: the New Amsterdam Vodka featured cocktail: the Dam Good Mule. New Amsterdam Vodka's twist on the Moscow Mule! Warning: this drink is insanely good.. and hard to put down! It is so refreshing and really enjoyable to sip on. It is just the right amount of sweet (and a little bubbly, too), but still had that punch from the vodka to balance out the flavors. I am usually a tequila person, but I became so obsessed with the Dam Good Mule - which says a lot! What I love the most about it is that it's so simple to make and it can be made at home to enjoy whenever. Yay!

Here's how to make it: 

Dam Good Mule Recipe:

5 liters New Amsterdam

3 liters Top Hat Mule Concentrate

10 liters of COLD/Purified Water

(ingredients above make one 5 gallon korney keg)

Garnish with a Lime Wheel & Fresh Mint

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Moncho1929's work was placed throughout the entire space amongst other artists. I personally loved all of his pieces that actually featured New Amsterdam Vodka! He incorporated the bottle in his artwork in such creative ways. My favorite was a piece he did that was a very colorful portrait of a lifeguard stand with a surfboard leaning up against it. The surfboard design had an illustration of New Amsterdam Vodka on it which I thought was so cool and unexpected. Another one that really stood out to me was an image of a big gun that had microphones attached to the top of it, mimicking a camera. I would assume that it's referencing the power that the media has over people, and it's very clever how he depicted that.

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka

I also loved the awesome graffiti screen that allowed guests to actually create their own art for the entire party to see. Seriously, when each person had their own chance to get up there in front of the screen, everyone surrounded you and anxiously awaited the message or drawing you'd be putting up there! I wrote "The Gilded Bellini <3 New Amsterdam Vodka" (Of course). Then, my design was transferred on to a t-shirt so I could save it forever. 

I really was blown away at how well New Amsterdam Vodka and Moncho1929 teamed up and created such a truly unique event. Since New Amsterdam Vodka was actually incorporated into his work, it really set the event apart from traditional gallery and cocktail parties. I walked away with even more of an appreciation for street art, a newfound love for New Amsterdam Vodka, and an obsession with the Dam Good Mule. It was just too dam good to be true. ;)

Photo by: New Amsterdam Vodka