Happy Monday, Sips Family! 

There are some days when we wake up feeling fresh, rested, and truly manifested. Days that we feel on top of the world with a little extra pep in our step. Maybe some of you are feeling that way today; but, chances are, some of you are not. And that’s okay. 

Here’s where we try to turn that around with a thread of inspiration brought to you by Brene Brown. Ever heard of her? She’s a badass research professor at The University of Houston and she’s spent over 20 years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s also written FIVE New York Time’s Best Sellers: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and her latest book, Dare to Lead.

Here’s what Brene has to say about bravery, vulnerability and innovation: 

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”

So, if you’re sitting there wondering if your best is enough… it is. Read that again. Your best is enough. Start off your day knowing that you don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to show up and take it one moment at a time.

“Vulnerability is not about winning, it is not about losing. It’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.”

It’s not about winning and it’s not about losing. We cannot control all outcomes and we cannot control the perceptions that others have of us.  Be vulnerable enough to show up to situations that may take you out of your comfort zone and interact with people who think differently than you. 

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation.”

It’s easy to see where your heart lies when you let your mind wander. The more we experience, the more we reflect. And the more we reflect, the more energy we have to create, empower, and lead others. Your possibilities are limitless. 

NOW GET OUT THERE AND OWN THE DAY! SHOW UP. BE VULNERABLE. AND BE INNOVATIVE.

Amazon Link to a Brene Brown Book

We are from Florida, and there are typically only two seasons – Summer and Slightly Less Hot Summer. Spring doesn’t feel like Spring in Florida, but Spring Cocktails are EVERYTHING. They are light, refreshing, floral (but not overly sweet), and they just so happen to be so so instagrammable with their beautiful colors and garnishes. 

So in the spirit of Spring – check out some of my all time favorite Spring Cocktails. You won’t regret it!

-XOXO, Mel

The Last Word –  a clean green dream

Ingredients

• .75 ounces gin
• .75 ounces green Chartreuse
• .75 ounces maraschino liqueur
• .75 ounces lime juice, freshly squeezedGarnish: brandied cherry (optional)

Steps: 1) Add the gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. 2) Strain into a chilled coupe glass. 3) Garnish with a brandied cherry (optional).

A Saturn – for all you tiki drink lovers out there.

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces gin
• .5 ounces fresh lemon juice
• .25 ounces passionfruit puree
• .5 ounces orgeat
• .25 ounces velvet falernum

Steps: 1) Add all ingredients and shake for about 10 seconds. 2) Pour the contents into a rocks glass filled with 4 oz. of fresh crushed ice. 3) Garnish with a lime twist wrapped around a cherry.

Lavender Gimlet –  heaven in a glass. 

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of gin
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• .5 ounces lavender simple syrup

Steps: 1) Add ingredients. 2) Shake well with ice. 3) Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Whether your college house party memories are fun, fond, or fleeting, I bet many of them involve infamous drinking games. Ring of Fire, Beer Pong, Flip Cup? I didn’t play sports growing up (or at least not very well), but I had some legendary streaks in my college prime.

But those days are mostly gone and I’ve discovered a new drinking game that makes anyone (that’s right…even your beer drinking, wine illiterate friends) feel like a sommelier for the evening. 

SOMM Blinders game is a highly strategic, addictive, and insanely fun card game that encourages groups of friends to learn and compete in their own blind tasting at home. How to play? It’s simple:

Step One: Have 3-6 players bring a bottle of wine that is included in the deck’s reference list. Tell them to keep it a secret.

Pro Tip: Tell them in advance to wrap it in a paper bag, aluminum foil, or conceal it in some way in advance. Bonus points for fun disguises.

Step Two: The dealer deals 5 cards per person. The goal is to match the cards you’re holding with what you think you’re drinking. Cards include descriptors, regions, varieties, and game play cards (think the formidable draw 4 in Uno). Players must pick up and discard each turn. 

Step Three:  The first player to guess the wine category correctly wins the round (+ 5 extra points) and the next bottle is poured. 

By the end of the night, you’ll either be picking up tasting notes like a pro or starting to develop a bit of a headache; but either way, you’ll have a blast making memories with your people. 

Amazon Link

Original Link