Shelly Bowen's Profile

We squeak in just before the kitchen closes. I know this rarely goes over well with the back of the house so we do our best to order quickly and go with the simpler dishes on the menu. And a cocktail, of course. Continue reading

Posted May 11, 2011 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Skip and Go Naked

Whenever we pack up and hit the road, we consider where we’ll be on Thursday, for happy hour, and how we might toast the region and our latest projects. This time, the contrast of coastal sun and mountain snow leaves us just a little giddy ... this beer cocktail is the perfect reflection. Continue reading

Posted Mar 2, 2011 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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The Standard-King Cocktail

I believe that limitation breeds innovation. Being a creative problem-solver is of great value to anyone, anywhere, in any situation. A recent road trip landed us in a [very cool] Bakersfield hotel with a half bottle of hooch and not much else and I was still able to scrape together a pretty tasty drink. Continue reading

Posted Feb 10, 2011 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Ballast Point Bourbon-Barrel Black Marlin Porter

Lately we've seen just about everything drinkable making its way into a wooden wine barrel or used spirit cask. Wood, charcoal and the apparition of bygone booze does something inexplicably wonderful. And a perfect Thursday Happy Hour tasting. Continue reading

Posted Jan 27, 2011 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Winter Wine Lineup

What's your favorite winter wine? We asked our friends to share their secrets for the holidays ... Continue reading

Posted Dec 22, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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The Opportunist

I'm not a year-round baker. Just a special event baker. But I love it. I peel and poach the pears. I start to pour the pear water -- a mixture of cinnamon, vanilla bean, sugar, and pear essence that the pear boiled and simmered in -- down the drain... Continue reading

Posted Dec 16, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Azalea Flower on Orange

Posted Dec 5, 2010 at Shellybee's Art Studio

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Calico Jack

Warm, mysterious and complex like an old library, mixed with bright, tart sweetness: whiskey is a nice change of pace from the traditional vodka and gin drinks -- even if you're not a whiskey drinker. Here are three tasty bourbon drink recipes we love. Continue reading

Posted Nov 4, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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One-of-a-Kind Artist's Proofs Now Available

Cleaning the Art Closet I've started taking snapshots of the one-of-a-kind artist's proofs I've had hidden away: Mermaids, Seashells, Seahorses, Sea turtles, and More sea life. Art proofs will start appearing at Shellybee.etsy.com today at attractive discounts, to make room in my closet. Continue reading

Posted Oct 20, 2010 at Shellybee's Art Studio

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Stone Ruination IPA

What is it about cyclists and good beer? Seems that everyone into bikes also has a strong opinion about craft beer. We are no exception. Continue reading

Posted Aug 20, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Hibiscus Potion

Lately, I wish I could be in two places at once. A wild Luau with new friends or a 35th birthday for a long-time friend? Hibiscus, that bright often-red tropical flower, seems like a magical solution. Continue reading

Posted Jul 30, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Callaway 2008 Winemaker's Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel

We enjoyed flights of self-selected whites and roses and reds while gazing over Temecula's vineyard. Then in a splurge of indulgence (and maybe giddiness), we bought one of the most expensive ones, Callaway 2008 Winemaker's Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel. I don't want to say what happened next. Continue reading

Posted Jul 8, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Russian River's Supplication

A couple months ago, I discovered another great bottle shop in San Diego. Some people geek out in high-end electronics stores, some people get big-eyed at jewelry stores, and some people go crazy in candy shops. But for me, a well-stocked bottle shop makes my heart go pitter pat. Continue reading

Posted Jun 17, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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No Sloe Gin Fizz

I'm half-sitting, half-kneeling at the vanity, applying mascara in a slant of evening sunshine, trying to hurry, and G brings in a pretty pink bubbly drink with a straw. "What's this?" Apparently, it's a No-Sloe Gin Fizz. Continue reading

Posted Jun 3, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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What's Your Favorite Food and Wine Pairing?

The descriptions of wines were original and distinct. But the selection of small plates and wine pairings really did us in. Every sip, every taste, every pairing was such a rich experience at this new wine bar in San Diego, CA. We want to recreate it at home. Continue reading

Posted May 25, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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El Presidente

One bonus of being the boss is to travel any time and take work with you. At 7pm -- still daylight outside up north -- the office door creaked open. "El Presidente cocktail for La Presidente!" I was seriously surprised by this sophisticated, balanced rum drink. Continue reading

Posted May 22, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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De Landtsheer’s Malheur 10 and 12

Malheur means misfortune. I felt anything but unfortunate as I sat sipping this golden Belgian strong ale from De Landtsheer with its honey mouth-feel, yeast and apple flavor, and mild but crisp hop finish. Continue reading

Posted May 22, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Dogfish Head’s Aprihop

Spring fever is busting out all over in San Diego. And I was looking to celebrate the weather with a patio brunch and a few good friends. But our meal of fresh salads, vegetable tarts, and incredibly moist Hawaiian cake needed just the right beverage: a 4-pack of Dogfish Head’s Aprihop beer. Continue reading

Posted May 7, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio

I try not to be a sucker for labels. So when I was offered a glass of this Pinot Grigio with a cute name and little hanger on the front of the bottle—blatantly marketed toward the female wine shopper—I was prepared to hate it. But I didn't. Continue reading

Posted Apr 29, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Scratch Margarita

We may still need a sweater to sit on the patio this evening, but we don't mind. We're mixing Margaritas -- and trying new recipes using fresh ingredients. Continue reading

Posted Apr 15, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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2007 Bell'agio Chianti

I bought this bottle of Chianti as a joke. The classic Tuscan wine in a wicker basket seemed like the perfect kitschy touch. The big surprise? We actually enjoyed it. Continue reading

Posted Apr 7, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek

Spring has sprung. That means if you live in Washington, DC, you are probably enjoying some beautiful cherry blossoms. And if you live in San Diego, it means you’re probably enjoying some extraordinary cherry-inspired Belgian beer at a festival. Continue reading

Posted Apr 2, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Tequila Mockingbird 3

Now that the house is quiet again, and we have a bottle of Limoncello and thick stack of magazines left behind by our guests, we thought we'd experiment. Continue reading

Posted Apr 1, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Bonterra Chardonnay 2007

Inspired after trying to pronounce the ingredients on my store-bought loaf of 100% whole-wheat "bread," I transformed into my alter-ego, Betty Homemaker, and set out to make the perfect loaf of homemade bread. And eat it with a perfect glass of chardonnay. Continue reading

Posted Mar 31, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Barleywine

I head to a pub for a little b-ball action and some beer. On tap, the perfect basketball brew: Bigfoot barleywine. Continue reading

Posted Mar 26, 2010 at Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

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