Lingerista Lifestyle: Corsets & Mint Juleps ~ Gone with the Wind

It's August. Days are sweltering and nights are humid, balmy at best. I'm reminded of the South and Scarlet O'Hara when I think of this kind of weather.

What is more southern than mint juleps and Gone with the Wind?

I imagine Scarlet drinking mint juleps on her "veranda" in better times. Then there were more desperate times when Scarlet had Mammy hoisting her tightly up in her corset soon after giving birth (see image below). Fortunately, corsets are more fun fashion than fashion staple these days. I'd need a mint julep too if I was stuffed into Scarlet's corset every day, especially after I just gave birth!

Lingerie and clothing options in August are all about being comfortable in the heat. Select thin clothes and lingerie in breathable fabric. It's recommended to choose dresses, tops, pants, and skirts that are more flowing and don't require wearing a corset or body shaper beneath. This time of year, less is more. If you need to wear a bra, there are options such as stick on bras that are backless. Choose light weight panties with cotton lining. It's all about being comfortable!

Once you have the comfort factor down, then you can look restful, relaxed, and polished on the back of your veranda, deck, porch, or balcony. To take in the full effect, make yourself some mint juleps, like our dear Scarlet, during this sizzling summer heat.


MINT JULEP RECIPE

• Mint
• Bourbon
• Sugar
• Water
• Ice

Put a few springs of mint in a silver or pewter cup with a tablespoon of sugar. Pour Bourbon into 1/3 of the glass. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice (preferably shaved ice but cubed ice will do too). Add mint to the top (for added mint flavor crush a couple sprigs at bottom of the glass with sugar in the earlier step). Add a splash of rum to the top.

The glass will frost over on the outside. Try to avoid touching the frost since it keeps the drink cool. Enjoy!

If you want to take it a step further, the following is a recipe for mint julep sorbet from epicurious.com:

MINT JULEP SORBET

"A treat for mint julep fans. Traditional silver mint julep cups or frozen parfait glasses add a nice accent at serving time.
Servings: Serves 4.

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh mint leaves (from about 2 small bunches)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 tablespoon crème de menthe
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint leaves
• 4 fresh mint sprigs

Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy large sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Pour into medium bowl. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.

Strain mint syrup through sieve set over bowl, pressing on mint leaves. Discard mint leaves. Mix bourbon, crème de menthe and minced mint leaves into mint syrup. Process sorbet mixture in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer sorbet to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead; keep frozen.)

Freeze 4 parfait glasses for 1 hour. Scoop sorbet into frozen glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs; serve immediately.

Note: If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can turn this mixture into a granita—an Italian frozen dessert. Mix an additional 1/2 cup water into sorbet mixture. Freeze until semifirm, whisking occasionally, about 3 hours. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 6 hours or overnight. Using fork, scrape surface of granita to form crystals. Scoop crystals into frozen glasses; serve immediately."

Enjoy your hot August days by Celebrating Your Inner Eve with some mint juleps and relish in the fact that corsets aren't required for everyday summer fashion.