Have a Healthy Summer: Jasmine Strawberry Iced Tea

Looking for a healthy and refreshing way to cool down this summer? Skip the ice cream and go for some tea instead. We’re pretty sure it’s the real-life version of the fountain of youth. Looking for clearer skin? Drink white tea! Need a little afternoon pick me up that isn’t as harsh on your body as coffee? Try black tea. And if you want a refreshing summer beverage with all the healthy goodness of tea, try making this Jasmine Strawberry Iced Tea.

Ingredients and supplies:

• 6 full-leaf pyramid bags of Jasmine Silver Needle tea
• 2 cups whole frozen strawberries
• 48 oz. water
• Ice
• [optional] 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
• large pitcher
• long-stemmed spoon

Instructions:

1. Fill pitcher with 48oz of boiling water. Let cool for 5 minutes. Add 6 full-leaf pyramid bags of Jasmine Silver Needle tea and let steep for 5 minutes. Periodically stir tea throughout this time to ensure proper steep. 
2. Blend your frozen strawberries in food processer or blender until strawberries are smooth / pureed.
3. Mix tea, strawberry puree, desired amount of sugar into large serving bowl. Add ice to chill.
4. Drink up! 

So what are the health benefits of this tea?

Jasmine has a light and delicate floral taste that’s very soothing. A little stressed? This natural remedy will do the trick. White tea is packed with antioxidants and is great for your skin. It’s hydrating and is the perfect remedy for dryness during the summer. Strawberries are naturally sweet and the perfect complement to any summer beverage. They are also high in vitamin C, which is great for your immune system. 

Enjoy!

Elements of Style | Lighting

The style of lighting you use in a room (or outdoors!) is just as important as the color of the walls, the furniture, or the artwork you display. It can make or break a room, which is why we took so much care choosing amazing lamps for the CakeStyle office - we needed to see our pieces in the best light, literally! 

We’ve selected a few photos to use for inspiration for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Brighten up your home or light your yard for a summer party with these cool ideas!

Indoor Lighting

These lamp chandeliers are the perfect combination of classy and rustic. We love the soft glow and the warm brassy color of the chandelier itself.

[image via tumblr]

This canvas decal board is technically DIY, but we aren’t sure we’re talented enough to do it well. However, if you’re patient and want to give it a try, it adds a subtly gorgeous quality to the lighting in your home.

[image via apartmenttherapy]

A cluster of bowl-shaped glass lamps adds great bright light to a kitchen. This can also be done with frosted glass for a softer look.

[image via houzz]

Outdoor Lighting

Lanterns made with glass bottles and holiday lights are a great way to light up your yard for summertime festivities, and super easy to set up. Go for clear glass and white lights for a simple, classy look, or choose colored lights for something a little more fun.

[image via jennifercooks]

Hang tea lights from trees with brightly colored ribbons and your yard or patio will be immediately enhanced by a lovely flickering glow. 

[image via tumblr]

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Elements of Style | Great style isn’t just the things you choose to wear, but the items you carry, the food and drinks you serve, how you decorate your home, and much much more. At CakeStyle, we understand that clothing is only one part of your personal style, so in these posts we aim to discuss the other elements that help make up who you are.

Gorgeous, Unexpected Color Combos

It’s easy to match traditional color combos or always pair your bright colors with neutrals. But it can be a bit more of a challenge to step outside the box and create an outfit that mixes shades in a unique way. 

Since we spend hours every day in a room full of gorgeous pieces of all shades, we took some time to put together gorgeous colors that you don’t normally see. We’ve done all the work - now it’s your turn to try wearing them! Here are our top three unexpected color combos:

1. Kelly Green & Camel

Green and brown together don’t have to make you look like a tree. This gorgeous shade of kelly green combines beautifully with the rich camel.

[image via tumblr]

2. Coral & Mint

Coral and mint combine for a soft yet eye-catching look. Just be careful not to select too dark a green or too bright an orange - no one wants to dress like a plate of peas and carrots!

[image via weheartit]

3. Orange, Bright Pink & Navy

This trendy tri-color set might be our favorite yet. Navy is always a gorgeous color to wear, but you can make it pop with some orange and bright pink. We especially love the pink trim on this blazer!

[image via shopbop]

Trendspotting at the Met Gala

The Met Gala, the unveiling of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s fashion exhibit, is hosted by Vogue and considered to be the Oscars of Fashion - it’s the red carpet event of the year. It’s always exciting when the red carpet photos are released, so as soon as they came out, our lovely CakeStylists combed through for inspiration and to see the up-and-coming trends in the fashion world. Here are their top five:

1. Capes

Capes aren’t just for vampires - in 2012, they’re for fashionistas.

2. Mini Dresses with Sheer Overlay

It’s part mini, part maxi… but all sexy.

3. Human Statue

It’s not easy wearing gold from head to toe, but these ladies get it right.

4. Asymmetry

Traditionally, symmetry equates beauty. But who wants to be traditional?

5. Yellow Peplum

Canary has never been so in.

Which trend from the Met Gala is your favorite? Tweet us @cakestyleme and let us know!

[photos via style.com]

Design Your Dog

You love CakeStyle, so obviously you’re a fashionable lady. But is your pup up to snuff? Let your dog express his style (okay, your style) with his accessories, toys, furniture, and more, and show your love for your dog in your home’s decorations, too! Below are a few inspirational dog-related items we love - find more at Dog Milk, the dog-centric design blog from Design Milk.

gorgeous collars & leads

We adore this graphic collar and leash set from See Scout Sleep. This environmentally conscious company uses safe, local materials and donates 10% of its proceeds to the Gulf Coast Fund (they’re based in Louisiana). What’s not to love?

Another excellent collar and lead choice is the Tail Feathers set from Lupine Pet. The bright colors and peacock feather design are beautiful and eye-catching, plus they have several other beautiful patterns to choose from.

designer dog beds

The Bloq dog bed from Binq Design is a unique way to keep that unsightly cushion from sullying your perfect living room. Designed to look like an end table, the Bloq conceals a special compartment for your furry friend to rest his tired paws.

the world’s cutest dog toy

Adorable, right? This precious bunny plush toy from Mungo & Maud is almost too cute to let your dog destroy, but we trust you’ll be able to surrender it. But just look at his floral patterned ears!

for the human

Why let Fido have all the good stuff? Treat yourself to adorable dog-related accessories like these Knob Creek Metal Arts bookends we came across on etsy. We love the simple design combined with the tongue-in-cheek silhouettes - these are chic enough for any bookshelf.

CakeStyle Founder and CEO Cecelia Myers has a dachshund named Oscar (Oscar Meyers… get it?), which is what inspired our interest in these adorable plates from Claudia Pearson. We can’t resist ordering a few of these to decorate the CakeStyle offices!