Anticipating What is Still to Arrive (recipe: La Zingara Manhattan)

As this year approaches its end, I can’t help but think of all the things that are coming into being.

This past year gave me a lot of new challenges! Sometimes they were met with a few tears and weariness. Mostly and more importantly, these challenges gave me the boost of inner strength I needed to lay the foundation to be able to grow and continue to create La Zingara Designs.

From an all new website design and logo, to the amazing growth and support of my customer base, it has been a wonderful learning experience every step of the way. All of my weekly updates for La Zingara Designs can be found @la_zingara_designs on Instagram.

This past March my imagination took hold of the idea that I would design tapestry handbags that would effortlessly mix and match with La Zingara Crossbody Straps. So many beautiful friends, customers and family members kept asking me what kinds of handbags the straps would work with. In my mind, I already saw how I would use each and every one of the straps. That is how my idea came to life!

My goal is to create beautiful handcrafted handbags, using vintage, repurposed and remnant textiles. In addition, I want my customers to be able to have multiple choices of crossbody straps, depending on their fashion style of dress.

I don’t know how I got so lucky, but over the course of a couple of weeks after I made the first two handbags, I had so much remnant fabric donated to me by some pretty special girlfriends. I cannot even begin to tell them what that meant and still means to me. It was a definite sign that I am heading in the right direction.

These combinations of Tapestry Handbags and Crossbody Straps have taken on a solid life of their own. My son makes the comment every once in awhile that we don’t even get the chance to properly photograph some of the pieces before they are packaged up and sent off on their adventures. I must say that this is truly something that I am very grateful for.

One of my immediate goals once the New Year dawns, is to start doing a Live Instagram Show to demonstrate just how versatile so many of these designs are. I am always happy to hear any input and feedback that you might be able to share with me.

I have made so many unique and wonderful connections since I began La Zingara Designs. I am going to have to pinch myself that its 2 year anniversary will be here in the Spring of 2023!

In true Life Around My Table style, no Holiday Season of Celebration is complete without a stellar cocktail.

In celebration of the week before New Year’s 2023, I want to share with you my recipe for the amazing La Zingara Manhattan Cocktail. The inspiration for this drink came from my dad, who loved a good Manhattan! My fondest memory of drinking this with him was after a day of cleaning out my garage. We organized and cleaned out the entire space from morning until late afternoon. As we were finishing up, he opened a cabinet and saw the bourbon sitting there. He turned to my mom and me, and said, “Let’s get cleaned up and have a pop!” And so we did!

As we bring closure to the year gone by, I am reminded of many, many beautiful things that have brought me joy, family strength, friendship and happiness. My hope is to continue on this journey with an open heart and to let all of this beautiful energy around me flow through me. When I put the work in from my heart first, nothing is impossible.

✨💫Happy New Year 2023💫✨