Tired

We're missing a lot of sleep here on Circular these days, and I'm presently dealing by permanently wearing a messy bun (too lazy to straighten and dry my tresses) and always lusting for a Second Cup strawberry lemonade chiller (source of a quick energy rush). Images via Fashion Toast and Girls and Bicycles.

Leggings

Thomas lives in striped pants and wool leggings. Seriously. I love to see his little legs wrapped in something warm and cozy. Our little man has plenty of onesies, but seems to be presently outgrowing so many of his (my) favourite pants. To supplement his wardrobe, I love these Polaren O. Pryet leggings. So fun!

Cabin

Now that it's January and winter seems ready to set in at any time (though it is 7 degrees today which technically means it could be June 2011), I'm daydreaming again about a modern cabin getaway. I bet Greg is too. Now that we're a family of three, having a retreat sounds like so much fun. Oh I can dream. Image via The Guardian.

What I Order: Aqua

Aqua, 310 Water Street, St. John's, NL

Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 5:30 - 10:00 pm

Raw Bar

Salmon Sashimi - wasabi miso dressing, pea sprouts, soy beans, pickled carrots and tempura crisps

Appetizer

Pear and Rocket Salad - red onion pickle, candied walnuts, blue cheese and honey curry dressing

Meat

Southern Fried 1/4 Chicken - old fashioned potato salad, collard greens, buttermilk biscuits and spiced cajun honey

Dessert

Roasted Parsnip Cake - caramel cream cheese icing and crispy parsnips

Cocktail

Sweet Apple Martini - vodka, Disaronno and granny smith juice

This post is the first in a new series of entries detailing my favourite meals at my favourite restaurants around St. John's that will appear periodically on the blog. I'd love to hear your recommendations as well. xo Images via Aqua Restaurant.

Tomboy

Right now, I'm loving this Annie Hall-esque blog. Kathrine Hepburn would have been a subscriber, no doubt. It makes me want to borrow my husband's man satchel and gold watch. Image via Tomboy Style.

How to: Stock a Bar

With the holidays sadly behind us, chances are your bar cart has taken a hit and might require replenishing. Though pre-Christmas liquor store runs might include heavy helpings of coffee liqueurs and Texas Mickeys of your family's favourite spirits, maintaining an entertainer's bar for the rest of the year requires a little more consideration as the type of occasion and guest you'll be enjoying and hosting will likely vary.

At our home, we keep a range of popular drinks and our own favourites. While it's always gracious to serve someones favourite drink to them (hence why we always stock up on gin and tonic when a certain friend of ours visits), it's also fun to introduce a guest to a new cocktail while in your home (hence why I always keep Chambord on our bar stand and a bottle of Limoncello in our fridge). To do this, it's important to know what's popular and to decide on a few signature cocktails to serve in your home. If you tend to host the same people over and over, make sure to switch up your signature cocktails every season and learn a few different drinks from the same spirits. As I'm no expert mixologist, I undertook a little research expedition to determine how to keep a showstopping bar.

For a well stocked bar cart keep:

• Wine - I recommend keeping a few of your favourite bottles and then supplementing to match the food you'll be serving on a case by case basis
  
• Classics for highballs - vodka, gin, and dark and light rum
• Other common liquors in cocktails - bourbon, brandy, scotch, tequila and Canadian and rye whiskey
  
• A few liqueurs - Amaretto, Irish Cream, Creme de Cacao or Coffee Liqueur (I don't feel you need all three), Vermouth and orange liqueur
  
• Mixes - We're one of those families that keeps multiple types of juice on all hand at all times so if you're like us you might not need to supplement for highballs, but you might want to buy a bottle each of sour mix, bitters, lime juice and grenadine. Orange, cranberry, tomato and pineapple are all great juices to pick up before a big function to have a very impressive bar.
  
• Sodas - I recommend buying a few tins each of tonic water, club soda, lemon soda, cola and ginger ale. They'll ensure you can make just about any highball your guest might desire. We prefer tins to larger bottles for space reasons and also because we rarely drink these beverages solo in our house.
• Garnishes - Ideally you keep plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on hand for snacks and cooking anyway, so you can simply steal an orange, lemon, celery stalk or olive from your kitchen to garnish your selections.
  

In addition to these bottles and perishables, you'll want a cocktail shaker (or two), a hawthorne strainer, ice bucket, blender, a wine decanter, cutting board, paring knife, bottle opener, corkscrew, red and white wine glasses, champagne flutes, highball glasses (tall and stout), and martini glasses. In my opinion, all other glasses and tools are nice additions, but not essential.

Do you agree? What are your essentials? What's your favourite cocktail?

Image via Apartment Therapy.

January

Looking forward, I hope this month brings walks in the snow, lots of Fiat sightings (such cute cars!), red finger nails and a trip to Post Espresso.

This post is the first in a 12 part series that will run on the first day of each month in 2012 -- images of my hopes and plans for the month ahead.