STRAWBERRY PINATA BASKET DIY

I mean, really, when you think about it, who doesn't need a strawberry piñata basket in their lives? It's perfect for a trip to the farmers' market, picking strawberries from the field or just accessorizing your Valentine outfit. So here's the DIY!

You'll need: heart template (we used a heart instead of a strawberry template for a less literal look), three sheets of cover weight paper, scissors, fringe scissors (or you can cut the fringe with regular scissors), glue, green satin ribbon, shiny gold paper (or gold glitter paper), red and hot pink crepe paper. 

To start, print heart template and cut it out.

Trace heart on each of your three pieces of card stock and cut them out. 

Place heart bottoms together, laying flat and tape.

Bring the first heart over to the third heart so you form a 3D heart/cone shape and then tape those edges.

Continue to tape each of the three seams up to the top of what is now the base of your heart basket.

Cut three lengths of green ribbon, appx. 12 inches each.

Tape one end of the first ribbon to one inner heart center.

Tape the other end of the first ribbon to the second heart center.

Repeat with second and third ribbons.

Cut a length of crepe paper.

Stretch it out by laying it on the table, placing your hands on each end and pulling.

Fold it in half lengthwise.

Cut fringe for the length of the crepe paper, leaving about 1/3 uncut at the top.

Draw a line of glue at the bottom of the heart.

Cut fringe to appropriate width.

Glue fringe.

Repeat all the way up to the top of the heart, alternating between red and hot pink.

Repeat on side two and three.

Let dry.

Cut appx. 30 free-hand "seeds" from your gold paper. Glue about 10 onto each of the three sides.

VALENTINE COCKTAIL: "MAKING OUT IN A FIELD OF STRAWBERRIES"

I think it's pretty clear that we over here at Twink and Sis are big fans of Valentine's Day. So, to keep the party going, I have created this flirty and refreshing cocktail that I like to call "Making Out in a Field of Strawberries." It's two of my favorite flavors - strawberries and mint - with a nice, clean vodka. I think it would taste great with gin too, if you are so inclined.

*A Quick Note Before We Start:
I believe this drink should not be strained and should contain pieces of the smashed fruit and mint. So using a shaker with a strainer is not necessary at all. This drink also works great for parties and large groups and can easily be made in a pitcher or punch bowl, by just multiplying the recipe below by however many servings you would like to make. 

For One Serving You Will Need:
4 Medium-Large Strawberries (with tops removed)
Two Sprigs Fresh Mint (leaves removed from stem)
1/2 oz. of Simple Syrup
1 oz. Vodka
About 3 oz. Sparkling Water or Prosecco
Ice

In a cocktail shaker (or bowl or pitcher) muddle the strawberries and mint well. 

Add simple syrup and vodka. 

If using a shaker, add a few ice cubes and shake vigorously. If using a bowl, skip the ice for now. Stir and smash all of the ingredients until they are well combined. 

Glasses: Crate & Barrel, Heart Stir Sticks: Shop Sweet Lulu

Pour over a glass of ice. Top it off with sparkling water or prosecco, if you are a lush like me.

If you'd like to go the non-alcoholic route, skip the booze all together and make a yummy strawberry-mint soda with the rest of the ingredients.

Cheers to you and your Valentine!

xoxo!

THE STRAWBERRY GUIDE

Inspired by yesterday's post on our strawberry picking adventure, we've put together The Strawberry Guide. Here's our round up of some of our favorite strawberry items. Let's start with everybody's favorite, dessert!

Lemon strawberry layer cake from The Kitchy Kitchen.

Mini baked donuts from The House That Lars Built.

Strawberry orange popsicles from DesignLoveFest.

Brighten up your day or liven up your party with some strawberry decor.

Tutti frutti pinatas from Kitiya Palaskas.

DIY fruit tissue honeycomb ball from The House That Lars Built.

Fruit inspired party hats from Studio DIY.

Fun for the little loves:

Crepe shop from Kiko Toys via Poppy's Closet.

Fruit rattles from BlaBla Kids via One Kings Lane.

Red strawberry bib from Zigozago via Barneys.

Piñata basket DIY from Sis of Twink + Sis.

And after a long, strawberry-filled day, there may be nothing better than to unwind with a fruity cocktail.

"Making Out in a Field of Strawberries" from Twink of Twink + Sis.

Happy strawberry season! 

ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PICKING AT MCGRATH FAMILY FARM

It's strawberry season! For Mila's first pick-your-own strawberries adventure, we decided on McGrath Family Farm in Camarillo, CA (less than an hour north of LA). The organic farm was a perfect setting for our endeavor, it turned out to be a very simple yet fruitful afternoon.

I didn't know if we had enough farmer skills in us to fill an entire basket, but we did it!

Saying hello to the chickens as we make our way back to the market.

We took home as many bunches of their carrots as we could carry. They made for incredible crudités.

We sat on an outside bench and ate our entire basket of strawberries (the sweetest I've ever tasted), surrounded by the smell of cinnamon oil (a natural way to keep the pests away).