Toast the End of Summer with Premium Dark Rum

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Diageo. All opinions are 100% mine.

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's not every day that I write about cocktails, but this summer, we've been really getting into an occasional cocktail groove. If you're entertaining - and I know you are! - then be sure to look into serving something special to your late-summer guests. I recommend a cocktail made from Zacapa premium rum. The Zacapa story is amazing:

• Master distiller Ana Lorena Vasquez Ampie is only one of three female master distillers in the world.
• Zacapa rum uses first press sugar cane - called virgin sugar cane honey - while other rums use lowly molasses, a sugar-making byproduct.
• This rum is aged 2,300 meters above sea level in the Guatemalan highlands nicknamed The House Above the Clouds, and Zacapa uses a 500-year-old Spanish sherry-making process to distill and age their rum at the right pace and set of flavors.

So, back to cocktail time, everyone! The cocktail-loving folks of the Under the Influence blog are sharing some great premium dark rum recipes with readers: Improved Hawaiian Punch, The Old Virgin, A Real Daiquiri, and Amoxicillin (click the cocktail name to go to the blog's recipe page). I can attest to the merits of creating a signature or flagship drink for a summer brunch or dinner party, and building it around a solid, well-crafted starter ingredient like Zacapa. If you use quality ingredients to build your signature drink around, your guests will be able to taste the difference. I've often had parties where my signature cocktail is the first glass that is poured for guests as they arrive. Let them loosen up on one or two cocktails, then by all means shift into pre-dinner nibblies, cheese plates, and other beverages like sparkling water, beer, and wine. But start with a memorable opening - a welcome-to-my-party drink.

You'll become a true Zacapa believer, and I predict that you'll even want to join the Zacapa Society (click on the link to register your interest in this essential summer cocktail staple). Bottoms up!

Celebrating My 26 Years in the United States

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's difficult to believe that I've been in the United States, from my native South Africa, for 26 years now. I think the coming year will be when I finally become a U.S. citizen (well, to be precise, I'll be claiming dual citizenship). To celebrate, I'd like to do some typical, All-American type experiences - and I just heard about the Hiltons of Branson and their special package deals. Lots of music, good food, family activities, and beautiful scenery. Just the ticket.

Here's a scoop for all Design2Share readers: you and your family can make it a long summer weekend at Branson with the Branson Best Value Vacation Package, which gives you the third night free. This package includes deluxe accommodations at Hiltons of Branson Convention Center. 

Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing Deal includes

• Deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center
• Two adult and two children’s tickets to the Legends of Kung Fu show at the White House Theater
• Two adult and two children’s two-day passes to Silver Dollar City
• $25 gift card for shopping
• $25 food credit for Level 2 Steakhouse 
• On top of all that your third night is FREE

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Update on August 2, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

All You Need to Know to Set Up a Great Cheese Party

Matt Armendariz / Matt Bites

Irwin Weiner ASID - Summertime entertaining should be simple dimple. It's time to move at a slower pace, enjoy life, and simmer down. Cheese plates are the perfect accompaniments or solo stars at any summer gathering, and in this wonderful video, you'll find everything you need to know from photography-blogger-foodie Matt Armendariz - he helms one of our favorite blogs, Matt Bites. Watch him style his food shots, pair condiments with different cheese themes, and make some great recommendations for your next party or family-and-friends impromptu gathering. Remember: keep it simple, take cheeses out of the fridge an hour before you serve (leave the brie out longer and let it get super mushy and ready to dip crackers directly into the tasty goo), and add some delish chilled white wine for the perfect summer party.

Click to read more ...

Add More Room to Your House

Scripps Networks

Irwin Weiner ASID - Many homeowners are stuck with the square footage they presently have, but this DIY Network Garage Mahal program caught our eye and will give you hope. You just may be able to turn your detached garage into a more usable space. The featured couple in this video wanted room to park their car and entertain 20 people; the entertainment load was more than their small, but cute house could handle. You'll need an engineer to make sure your structural changes are okay, particularly removing load-bearing beams, and professional designers and contractors really have great vision and knowledge of materials that will help pull your projects together. I like the final results for this young couple!

 Click here to subscribe to our daily design videos.

Update on March 14, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern.

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Paintedheadboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

 

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.