Thirsty Thursday: Spicy Spiked Cider + A Fall Look in this Heat

Today’s cocktail sounds seriously amazing!  Cannot wait to try it!  Can be served hot or cold.

Spicy Spiked Cider

Yield: 4

(found this one at Inspired Taste)

1tsp Whole Cloves

2 Whole Cinnamon Sticks

2 Whole Star Anise

Juice of an Orange

4 cups Apple Cider

3/4 cup Spiced Rum (suggestions Captain Morgan Spiced Rum)

1/3 cup Granulated Sugar

2tsp Ground Cinnamon

Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to a large saucepan over medium heat.

Lightly toast the spices in the pan for 1 minute.

Add orange juice and apple cider, simmer, but do not boil for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare cinnamon sugar; add sugar and cinnamon to a small bowl; mix well.

Pour out onto a plate.

Lightly moisten the rim of each glass then invert into prepared cinnamon sugar and twist until the rim has been evenly coated.

Remove cider from heat and cool then add rum.

Strain, then ladle the cider over ice into prepared serving mugs or glasses.

Cheers!

Effie and Logan both survived their first day of school on Wednesday.  I was completely wrong with my expectations for Logan.  As soon as we were near his classroom, he practically ran into class to go and play with his cars and trucks.  Enough that I had to ask him to come back and give me a kiss and hug.  Here’s hoping we have the same experience tomorrow, on his second day.  His teachers said he talked and sang and was just like Effie (these teachers had Effie also).  I was so shocked.  While he does talk, he isn’t as over the top talkative at home.  It probably has something to do with Wheeler and Effie talking over him, but now I’m so glad he has a chance to shine and be in his little element!  I’m just so proud and excited for him.  He truly is growing up!

As for Effie, she knows the school so well.  Since she was little, she’s always been good with names and so sociable.  Definitely not a shy bone in her body.  As I walked her to her classroom yesterday, I think she must have said “Hey, Miss —” to every single teacher down the hallway – whether she had that teacher or not.  Needless to say, I was pretty confident that she’d have a great day, especially getting to see her friends that she’d missed so dearly over the summer.  Her teachers are so awesome, just like Logan’s, so I have faith that they’ll both have a very successful school year.

I don’t care that it’s still in the 90s here, I’ve still got Fall on my mind.  It’s killing me not to wear some pretty pieces that are awaiting a cool, crisp day here.  If you’re familiar with this part of the South, it usually goes from extreme heat to extreme cold rather quickly.  Like maybe we get a month or so of “Fall-like” weather and then it’s heavy jackets and lots of layers.  This morning, we had a little glimpse of it, but it’s supposed to be back in the 90s this afternoon.  Now I love a good hot day much more than a cold one, but the pool is usually my go-to when it’s so hot.  Well, now that the pool is closed, I’m ready for it to cool down a little.  Yesterday, I enjoyed my first pumpkin spice latte of the season, and it tasted like Fall, and made me even more ready for it!

While the heat still lingers around, here’s a classic Fall look with less clothing.

**All items $50 and under.  Click on images to shop or links below.**

J.Crew Chino Shorts (on sale for $26 with code: SHOPTIME) // Rhyme Los Angeles Flutter Sleeve Top ($49) // Yosi Samra Metallic Sandals (on sale for $46.20) // Gorjana Viceroy Necklace ($50) // Kate Spade Skinny Mini Bow Studs ($48) // Poverty Flats Exotic Wristlet ($30) // Essie Style Cartel ($8.50 – just got this color and plan on trying it out tonight!)

Can we talk about how perfect this little crossbody bag is?  The leather is so soft and it’s the perfect size.  I’ll be more than happy to throw this over anything this Fall/Winter season.

Happy Thursday, Y’all!