You all know how much I love Jessica Foster’s truffles (remember this editorial?) and now she’s offering hot chocolate bars for weddings and events. With Valentine’s day around the corner I thought it would be fun to show two different ways you could style a hot chocolate bar. This version, is my “manly” version, lots of brass, decanters and, of course, vintage 60′s glasses. (And yes, there will be cocktail ideas with hot chocolate, check back on Friday for those ideas).

Vintage heart shape plates from Tricia Fountaine, layered with mid-century glassware and of course a few of Jessica’s truffles make for one delicious looking plate.

For this setup, Jessica made a spicy dark hot chocolate and we kept it warm in a copper round chaffing dish from Town & Country Event Rentals.

And of course what hot chocolate bar would be complete without marshmallows? These are made by Jessica and are so light and airy they’re like eating a cloud. Stay tuned for the “lady-like” version of a hot chocolate bar next Monday and of course cocktail ideas this Friday.

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As much as I like to get dressed up, I’m a casual girl at heart and I love the idea of a quiet dinner and movie date wearing a casual, but cute, Valentine’s Day ensemble. I’d wear these adorable kelly green heels with hearts on the toe and pair it with slouchy boyfriend jeans and an oversized heart sweater. I’d accessorize with a simple arrow necklace and a few bangles from Kate Spade. What are your Valentine’s Day fashion ensemble plans?

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From the archives, this lady-like Mint Julep will no doubt keep you warm and snuggly especially given the unusual cold weather we’ve been having in Santa Barbara (and yes 40 degrees is cold, to me anyway). You can mix up this pretty lady with:

Ingredients:

2 dashes of bitters

1 tsp of maple syrup

1 1/2 shots of bourbon

Fresh mint

*In a martini shaker, muddle a few mint leaves, add bitters, maple syrup, and bourbon, shake well and serve up with a few mint leaves for garnish

And around the web, I’ve spied a number of tasty libations, here are a few of my favorites:

Cider Rum Punch via the Sweetest Occasion

El Calle Real via Mrs. Lilien

Orange Rosemary Spritz via Snippet & Ink

Champagne three ways via Could I Have that

Blood Orange Margarita via Annie’s Eats

And you can browse all the On the Rocks posts right here.

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Since finding the perfect bar cart for my new house, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect accessories and these are items are definitely on my list. Gold glassware adds a bit of elegance, a golden tray keeps all the liquor wrangled and tidy, and a gold martini shaker makes sure the libations are shaken, not stirred.

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TGIF! The beau and I have been decking out our home with Christmas decor and it’s making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. To keep with the same theme, this cranberry mojito is not only beautiful…it is darn delicious and is sure to fill you with the holiday spirit. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 shot of Bacardi Rum

- Pinch of raw sugar

- Lime wedge

- Spoonfull of boiled and strained fresh cranberries

- 7-10 fresh mint leaves

- Soda

- Splash of cranberry juice

- Splash of sprite

*Muddle mint, lime wedge (extract oils from rind), boiled cranberries, and sugar in a flat-surfaced glass. Add ice, rum, splashes of sprite and cranberry juice, and fill with soda. Shake well and serve on the rocks with a raw sugar rim.

-XOXO Melissa

And you can browse all the On the Rocks posts right here.

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I always love a good reason to go cocktail dress shopping and with the impending holiday parties I’m on the look out for a cute dress that will work for events year round. So when I stumbled on this deep royal blue dress by Ted Barker I was smitten to say the least.  I’d pair the dress with a sparkly copper purse, a geometric bangle with a hint of sparkle and a modern cocktail ring all finished off with a beribboned Manolo.

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I’m madly in love with these beribboned stilettos with shiny gold heel, they’re quite simple perfect!

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