A Weekend in Connecticut

Sometimes you just need a weekend away with a good friend. 

But when your friends are spread out all over the country (and the world) during the summer like mine, it can be hard for our ambitious plans to materialize. 

Luckily, Hayley and I were really proactive in planning a weekend trip together for the summer. Hayley is working in Stamford, Connecticut for the next year, and since she's (relatively) close in proximity to me, we thought we'd make the most of it! 

This past Saturday, I took the bus into New Haven, Connecticut to meet Hayley for a day of wandering, photo-taking, and eating. Because that's what bloggers do of course! My bus from Newton to New Haven only took about 3 hours, and there was no traffic, so me and Hayley's journeys from our respective locations timed out perfectly. Talk about fate.  

3 Classic Summer Cocktails

Nothing quite beats sipping on a good cocktail outside on a hot summers day. And while I've tried out many a colorful concoction, there are a few classic combos I keep going back to. And that's because, surprise surprise, they're easy. 

Nobody wants to be juggling cocktail shakers, crazy garnishes, and a million different ingredients while trying to entertain their friends. So minimalistic cocktails made up of ingredients I usually have on hand are my go-tos. 

With this arsenal of classic summer cocktails in your back pocket, there's something for everyone. Gin, rum, and vodka based drinks are all crowd pleasers. In fact, the Moscow mule and mojito on this list are two drinks I've made many times back in Edinburgh for parties big and small. So you can trust me when I say these are good. Plus, Sunday evening cocktails have become somewhat of a tradition in my house, meaning I have lots of experience

Just a few tips before I dish out these recipes: 

Keep it chill // It's best to stick all your ingredients in the fridge or freezer (depending on how much time you have) before you start putting your cocktails together. Otherwise, you'll end up having to use much more ice than you need, watering down your drink (and nobody wants that). 

Make a batch of simple syrup in advance // If you want to add a touch of sweetness to your drinks, simple syrup is the way to go. Since you dissolve the sugar into the water beforehand, you don't have to worry about adding granulated sugar straight into a drink, and having it sink to the bottom. To make simple syrup, just add one part sugar to one part water, and let dissolve over a medium heat in a heavy bottomed sauce pan (stirring occasionally). Let it chill in the fridge or freezer beforehand, or else you'll end up with warm drinks!

Measure, measure, measure // I'm all for improvising on cocktails, but you have to be fair to everyone. While I'm not saying that you can't add an extra shot in for good measure, it's best to be exact in what you give everyone, so that each of your guests gets their fair share. Whether you invest in a jigger or do the classic student move of using a good ol' shot glass, there are plenty of ways to ensure that each cocktail is roughly the same (in strength, sweetness, and flavor). That being said, I'm not one to measure in ounces or "parts," so I've kept it simple by using shots as your base measure. 

Minty Mojito 

Mojitos are bound to get the party started. With plenty of lime and mint, mojitos are bound to please even the pickiest of drinkers.  

A Literary Afternoon Tea at the Boston Public Library

Afternoon tea is a longstanding tradition for my mom and I. We've been keeping up with this tradition since I was young enough to still be ordering the "kids" tea- that is, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a pot of kid-friendly hot chocolate.

Over the years, we've tried all manner of afternoon teas. From traditional (dare I say "stuffy) ones to ones that offered more trendy bites. And while I can easily say that I've been to at least a dozen different afternoon teas between the US and the UK, there's one particular spot in Boston that we seem to always gravitate towards.

The Boston Public Library is an oasis of calm in the middle of downtown Boston. And while the famously photogenic reading room and sundrenched central courtyard might be teeming with snap-happy tourists, if there's one way to escape the hustle and bustle, it's to spend a gentle afternoon at the Courtyard Restaurant.

Running for Education Equality with Teach First

Running is so often a selfish act. We run for ourselves- our fitness, our mental health, and to improve our speed or endurance. In some ways, I like that aspect of running. Having only myself to rely on for accountability- and being able to do something simply because I want to- is refreshing.

But maybe I've spent too long running for only myself. After all, there are countless stories of people running to improve the lives of others. It's about time I've said "count me in."

On Sunday October, 8th I'll be able to say that I've run for someone (and something) other than myself. As I run around and through the Royal Parks of London, I'll be sporting a Teach First running top, and doing my part to combat educational inequality.

6 Goals For Summer 2017

When I say "summer goals," I'm not talking about the ones you see on Instagram. You know the ones- the impossibly gorgeous sunsets, the poolside snaps, and impeccably plated meals al fresco. Instead, I'm talking about the kind of goals you set for yourself in order to have a productive summer.

As students, the majority of our years are spent doing coursework, socializing, and participating in extracurriculars. Basically, we just keep on trudging along. So the summer is the ideal time to set goals and intentions for these few months of sun in order to prepare ourselves better for the coming year. Today, I've pulled out my handwritten list of summer goals and elaborated on them to share them with you, in case your in need of any inspiration, or even if you're just a bit nosy.