NYC Date Night: Fire Escape Drinks

Alex and I are always lamenting the fact that we don't have a garden or balcony or any outdoor space. Once Toby goes to bed, we're pretty much stuck inside for the night. But then! We had a lightbulb moment...
We could hang out on our fire escape. So we've started a little ritual of climbing out there on random warm evenings, and last night, we decided to snap some photos. First, we dress up to make it feel more like a real date. (I usually wear jeans and a T-shirt at home...or, let's be honest...pajamas:)
Then we climb out our bedroom window. (Whoot, whoot! Nice legs!)
We sip and chat, three stories up. We can hear the street noise (cars honking), the trees (leaves rustling), and a restaurant garden nearby (people murmuring, glasses clinking)...
Do you ever drink rose? Sometimes it gets a bad rap, but it's the perfect refreshing drink for a warm evening. And I love the bright pink hue; it just feels like summer. (Side note: You can spot the restaurant garden below us, to the left of Alex.)
Our fire escape looks across a courtyard onto another apartment building, just like Rear Window.
We love our little outdoor drinks, and I'm glad, after six years of living here, that we finally thought of it!

Do you have a fire escape? Or a balcony? Or (gasp) an actual garden? Be still my heart.

(Update: I'm wearing this silk polka-dot skirt and these Swedish Hasbeen sandals.)

The Best Party Cocktail You'll Ever Have

My mom turned sixty last February (!), and we're throwing her a long-awaited family party this coming weekend. My brother, sister and I have been brainstorming surprises for her party, which I'll keep secret until next week--and I'm also in charge of drinks. Happily, my friend Anna suggested this incredible cocktail, which we're definitely whipping up this weekend...
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Cocktail style

A few years ago, for a dear friend's bachelorette party, I set up a "make your own mojito" table. Maybe the cocktails weren't so perfect, but playing bartender was half the fun. Ever since then, I've been fascinated with all the different tools and accessories out there for mixing drinks at home. These are on the top of my wishlist. -- By Rachel from Elephantine

1. Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, $13.
2. Dizzy Cocktail Glass, $2.50.
3. Bar Whisk, $5.
4. Wood Lemon Reamer, $9.
5. 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks, $11.38.
6. Formosa Tray Table, $49.95.
7. Elderflower Presse, $8.
8. Shake Rattle & Roll Cocktail Shaker, $38.
9. Canine Coasters Set, $18.

What's your "drink"? Do you make cocktails at home? Plus, more round-ups...

(Post by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor, who will be posting every couple weeks. Thank you, Rachel!)

Fruit flavored waters

I recently went to a friend's house for lunch, and she served a pitcher of water with watermelon slices. Refreshing with a touch of sweetness. This summer, wouldn't it be nice to have flavored waters in the fridge to make drinking water more delicious? You could use slices of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, mint, cucumber, whatever! What are your favorites? xo Update: Thanks to the readers who suggested pineapple and clementine--yum.

Summer Essential #1: Water bottle

I'm excited to announce a new series on Cup of Jo: Summer Essentials, where I'll be sharing some awesome things (beach towels, swimsuits, peach lipstick) that you might like this summer. Hope you enjoy it!

First up: Water bottles. BKR bottles, made in San Francisco, are bright and modern. The bottles are glass but have a silicone sleeve, so they won't break; and water tastes so good from a glass bottle, versus plastic or stainless-steel (which can cause that metallic flavor). At $28, it's not cheap, but will end up being less expensive--and better for the planet--than buying one-use bottles of water all summer. Plus, they're so beautiful to carrry around; I have the red one!

Thoughts? Do you have a water bottle?

P.S. Alex actually wrote this article back in 2007.

(Via Momfilter)

6 wine bottle stoppers

Our babysitter noticed how much I like wine (busted) and gave me three lady bottle stoppers for my last birthday. They make me smile every time I walk through our kitchen. Bottle stoppers make great gifts when going to a dinner party or wedding, and are also just sweet to have on your kitchen counter, chilling in a half-bottle of red.

Nine favorites, clockwise, above: Fish, anchor, piggie, lady, flower, bird. (And this thirsty bird is so cute, too!)
(Layout by Jennifer Hagler for Cup of Jo. Thanks to Emily Hsieh for scouting help. Comic by Christopher Weyant)