Chelada Time

I attribute the fact that I’m feeling so fresh and scurvy free today to the refreshing Cheladas we enjoyed with friends last night. Cheladas are basically fresh lime juice and light Mexican beer served in an ice-filled glass with a salted rim. (Micheladas, on the other hand, are more savory and include Worcestershire sauce, Maggi seasoning and hot sauce.) Chiladas are very low in alcohol since you’re diluting already light beer with lime juice and ice, and they are super refreshing. There’s nothing quite like having a fridge full of beer and a boatload of limes to get the evening off on the right foot.

Tiny G’s BARNSLIG DJUR Ikea bib ($3.99/set of 2), below, made a great shield from the lime juice splatter on the marble countertop. I really hate juicing citrus, so I love the KitchenAid Citrus Juicer attachment, which makes this a snap.

Hold onto one of the juiced limes, and use it to wet rim of glasses. Then dip glass onto a plate of salt to coat rim. I had a special glass for my friend Adam, who has amassed a truly impressive tiki collection in his garage, complete with a grass skirted tiki bar and a Margarator. ¡Salud!

Guilt-free Gilt

A couple weeks ago I was at a party and my friend Shana was wearing this killer Missoni skirt. I totally freaked out over it, and turns out she snapped it up for a song (like under $100!!!!) from Gilt Groupe. Gilt Groupe offers sales of up to 70 percent on luxury brands. I hadn’t been on the site for awhile, because even 40% off an Oscar de La Renta dress can still rival the better part of a mortgage payment, but then saw that a Helmut Lang sale was on the horizon. Helmut Lang used to be one of my faves, back when the man himself was at the helm. I haven’t purchased a single item from the label since he left in 2005. Then again, I haven’t purchased a single item from any label in a quite some time, because let’s face it, who can spend the money right now?

But then I saw this crinkled taffeta blazer in oyster gray with single flap pockets (functional) and a vent at the back hem on sale at Gilt Groupe. The best part? The price tag: $158, down from $550! Of course it all adds up, which is why I’m talking myself out of a bone-colored Costume National square toe flat with suede trim for $198. Sometimes parting is such sweet sorrow.