Another Giveaway! A little tropicality to liven up the Wintertime

Normally I give away books, but this time I'm changing it up a bit. I'm giving away 3 prints of pictures that I took in Hawaii.  I took these three photos while visiting the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm on the island of Maui.  That place is seriously amazing if you ever visit Maui. I had a delectable piece of chocolate lavender dark chocolate and the most amazing Lavender Lemonade while I was there.  Yum, Yum.  The prints are individually framed and they each measure 5" x 7".  Also, I'm adding one of the perfume oils I sell over in my r i p e bath and beauty shop.  The scent is actually one that is not available for sale, it is a Kiwi Currant scent that is reminiscent of sweat pea, cherry blossom and fruity kiwi.  Below you will find the entry form and you get more entries for sharing on Facebook, Twitter and the like (all optional).  You can also enter daily. The giveaway will end on March 3rd and the winner will be announced right here on this post on March 9th.  Good luck everyone!

Part 1 of the prize are these three framed prints I took in Hawaii

Part 2 is this Kiwi Currant Perfume Oil handmade by me

See more of my alcohol-free perfume oils in my RIPE shop

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Read a Book, Sip a Cocktail No. 18

Photo from Goodreads.com

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is an absolute delightful story full of magic, charm, dreams, love and enchantment.  The Cirque des Rêves is a place that serves as a battlefield between Celia and Marco, two individuals who have grown up getting trained by the best of the best when it comes to a magic that goes beyond comprehension, beyond illusion, and even beyond this world.  For us "normal" folks, it is an actual "circus" if you can call it that.  The basis is that the Le Cirque des Rêves is only open at night, the tents are all black and white, and instead of one big tent, there are numerous tents each dedicated to a particular theme, performer, or even ride or interactive attraction.  So each is an experience in and of itself.  While I read the book there were many references to smells and food.  Some of them included chocolate mice, caramel apples, and of course popcorn.  So I decided to incorporate chocolate, popcorn, and some french flair with the Chambord and the champagne in this cocktail that I'm calling la rêverie, or The Daydream.  It turned out very, very sweet, so I would say this would be best enjoyed as an apéritif or digestif. You could also use regular champagne and even regular vodka as the crème de cacao also gives it the chocolate taste, and mix it up with different varieties of popcorn too.  Enjoy!

“This is not magic. This is the way the world is, only very few people take the time to stop and note it" (from The Night Circus, page 380)

la rêverie
1 oz. Chocolate vodka
1/2 oz. Chambord
1/2 oz. White crème de cacao
3 oz. Almond Champagne, chilled
Popcorn for garnish

How to: In a cocktail shaker mix ice, vodka, chambord, and crème de cacao. Shake for at least 20 seconds. Serve into a cocktail glass or champagne flute then top off with the chilled champagne. Scatter the popcorn on top for garnish.

Almond Champagne from the Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula.

A little salty popcorn to balance out the sweetness.