Smirnoff Red Devil

Halloween 2017 I was inspired to make a costume I had wanted to do for sometime. The Smirnoff Red Devil from the 1967 advertisement. I sewed this up out of red velour and glued the plastic cubes onto a costume shop pitchfork. Then went over to my favorite neighborhood bar in San Francisco, The Rite Spot. My friend Annie at the bar made me a drink to match the one in the original image and my friend photographer Eileen took the photo. This is a costume I plan to use for years to come and has inspired my new Halloween line of swizzles and hairsticks, see images below.

Smirnoff ad from 1968

From my personal collection, Smirnoff 1968 swizzles

Photo by Eileen Roche Photography

Halloween Pitchfork Hairsticks, Swizzles and Cocktail Picks available in the shop

Pink Atlas Sewing Machine

Meet Adele. Named for my grandma, who I like to think would fully approve of my passion for all things vintage.

I acquired this beauty recently from Spidora Vintage Seamstress. It’s a dream to sew with. I can hardly even compare the difference between sewing on a modern machine and a vintage machine. It’s smooth and quiet and feels very solid, it also guides the fabric in such a natural easy way. She’s perfect. This is an Atlas, made in Japan for Brother sometime between ‘55 and ‘62. Thanks to Kiley of Spidora for taking such good care of her so that I could be her next owner. 

I plan to make many beautiful Fox & Doll items with this machine

My other two machines

My sewing room is looking good. And the inspiration of Alexander Calder watches over my workspace, with this banner being one of my most treasured possessions. Both of these machines were recently gifted to me. Not shown is also a Bernina sewing machine from about 2000 that was purchased new at the time, which is what I have been sewing on the past 20 years. Now that I have these other machines the Bernina will be my backup machine or used for specific stitches.

Lucifer’s Elixir made with Beauty Elixir Concentrate

Introducing Lucifer’s Elixir

2 oz. vodka

3 oz. ginger beer

2 oz. Beauty Elixir Concentrate

Ice

Garnish with Fox & Doll Pitchfork Swizzle and Surfside Sips glass bamboo straw, both available here

I created this cocktail after making a fresh batch of my Beauty Elixir Concentrate, a delicious and hydrating rose and hibiscus tea. I make this brew weekly to keep in the fridge. Add to water or sparkling water and makes a wonderful mimosa. See below details for how to brew this red juice.

For the cocktail it is simply Vodka, ginger beer and Beauty Elixir (but you can substitute with any slightly sweetened red juice if you aren't up for making the Beauty Elixir).

And garnished with my new Fox & Doll pitchfork swizzle and black glass bamboo straw from Surfside Sips, both available in my online shop. Used Sobieski Vodka and Fever Tree Ginger Beer with Fox & Doll Beauty Elixir Concentrate. 

Beauty Elixir Concentrate contains rose, hibiscus, rosehip, goji berries and schisandra berries (top left)⁣

$22 for 3oz.⁣

Pour 2-3 cups of boiled water over 1/2 cup of leaves and berries, cover, steep for 1 hour. Strain. Add honey to taste. Add water, sparkling water, campagne or add to cocktails. Keeps in the fridge for one week. This makes two batches.