Happy Hour: A Well-Mannered Minx
Feb 4, 2011
Last weekend, I decided to go out for a drink by myself. I so rarely have the opportunity to get dressed up for anything, that I decided to throw on a dress that I hadn’t worn in awhile, and walk to a fancy restaurant near my house for a cocktail. The idea of drinking alone felt very Ava Gardner to me.
Sadly my film noir fantasy was shattered by the fact that it was freaking freezing. By the time I got to the restaurant, I was so thoroughly chilled that all I wanted was to turn around and go back. But as I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the glass door, I noticed that my hair looked surprisingly lovely in spite of the wind, so I decided to press on. (Sometimes, a good hair day just needs to be shared with the world.)
When I sat down, the bartender asked what I would like, and instead of saying, “Dirrrrty vodka martini,” I said, “Something to combat the chill.” A few minutes later, I was drinking something called a French Apple Lady. It’s made with St. Germain, and in the immortal words of Roll Call columnist Ali McSherry, “If it has St. Germain, I’m there.”
1/2 part St. Germain
1 1/2 parts Apple Brandy
1 tsp honey
Top with Hot Water
Add all ingredients to a hot toddy glass. Squeeze 1 lemon wedge with cloves into the glass. Top with hot water and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.
Mine came without the cinnamon stick, but it was probably for the best since I loathe cinnamon in everything except in rolls covered in cream cheese frosting. No one can hate that.
So what does one wear to live out her secret screen siren fantasies?
Well-Mannered Minx Dress (ModCloth, $133)
Black lace. Full Skirt. I had my tailor replace the bow with a simple satin band. Too distracting.
Adorable! I'm glad you enjoyed your outing.
Belle, you are my inspiration. I am so nervous to go out by myself and yet I don't have many friends in the area yet so I'm stuck! What was your experience sitting in a bar alone like? Did anyone talk to you or was it a very solitary outing?
Oooh save almost $40 for the same dress at Dillards:
https://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502506909&view=20&No=20&Ntt=black+lace&Ntk=all&search.x=13&N=1000410&Nty=1&search.y=9&searchUrl=/endeca/EndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D20%26No%3D20%26Ntt%3Dblack%2Blace%26Ntk%3Dall%26search.x%3D13%26N%3D1000410%26Nty%3D1%26search.y%3D9&R=03448960
Bravo – I love drinking alone in a crowded bar. Something oddly reflective about it.
Who is your tailor, Belle? I recently moved back to DC and need a good one.
I just use my dry cleaner, it's so convenient it keeps me from finding someone better.
What a well mannered neighborhood you live in! You can walk around dressed to the nines and not get attacked. I am seething in jealousy.
I live in a pretty little town but I would
A. probably not make it downtown in one piece and
B. even if I did, said town severely lacks in diversity and I am so ethically mixed that I count as a culture unto myself. Fire and gasoline.
However, I may try this somewhere else. My birthday is next Friday. Perfect excuse to doll myself up and take myself out. Thaks for the inspiration Ms. Belle!
My office is fighting a well shared cold and we were talking about honey, lemon and booze to combat it. Which then became skip the honey and lemon…
I will be sharing this recipe with the guilty suspects.
Belle, you explained the beginning of the evening, but what about the end?? Hope it was good!