Month: December 2012

what i wish for the new year 2013

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Every year, most of us, partake in making  some sort of a new year’s resolution and although some actually carry it out in the following year, other’s drop the ball almost immediately. Either way, it’s a good way to look  forward to the new year and new opportunities.   This year, while I debated my own personal new year’s resolution, I decided  one of them to be  a universal wish list for 2013 and here it is: 1. I wish parents would stop fiddling with their cell phones while being around their children. Whether it be across a dinner table, or in a park or at a mall, parents need to set a good example for  their children and it should start with putting their cell phones down while with them. 2. I wish more people would stop, if only once a week, and take the time to smell the flowers. I guarantee this exercise will give each person the opportunity to reflect on what is important in life and how to reprioratize to  sift out …

new year’s eve 2012 comfortable fashion ensemble

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Two things dictated how I wanted to dress for New Year’s Eve this year. Top priority was comfort and the second,  dressy but casual. So I opted for pants, then a simple sequined top, followed by strappy shoes which would give me enough support to last throughout the night and a simple pair of earings to  accessorize. As for the coat, I love fur, faux that is and since this year faux fur is in, I decided to incorporated it into my ensemble from here. 1. DKNYC Sequin Pullover Sweater 69USD 2. Sondra Roberts Clutch – Woven Satin and grosgrain box 125USD 3. Elie Tahari Tara Faux Fur Jacket 221USD 4. Judith Jack Sterling Silver Crystal Earings 75USD 5. Theory Pants Belisa Mandatory Slim 235USD 6. Vince Camuto Strappy evening booties 129USD

champagne cocktails for new year’s eve 2012

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To be honest with you, I don’t need any excuse to drink champagne, but for New Year’s Eve parties, I simply go crazy with the varieties of cocktails incorporating the bubbly. Here’s a hint I read which makes sense and will surely keep in mind, while my friends and I stir up the cocktails: “When making any cocktail with Champagne, be sure to add the Champagne to the flute last. Pour the Champagne slowly over the other ingredients to avoid an overflow. Stirring these cocktails is not usually necessary as the bubbles do most of the work, but when you do, stir slowly and gently. For the best results serve Champagne cocktails right away.” Click here for a variety of recipes for champagne cocktail and just so you know, my top pick for New Year’s Eve 2012 – Elite Midnight Millionaire Cocktail: Ingredients: 1 oz Stoli Elit Perrier Jouët Fleur de Champagne rasberry for garnish Preparation: Pour the vodka into a Champagne flute. Fill with Champagne. Drop a single raspberry in the glass as a garnish.

this too shall pass – holiday depression

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As I read the article here (in a nutshell) about holiday depression, I couldn’t help but wonder if these types of feelings exist throughout the world or simply in the U.S?   My guess is, mostly in the U.S.  and forgive me if I am going out on a limb about this. But, having raised a family of my own and of course experiencing most anything you can think of under the stars, I could very well become say, depressed or even bitter during the holiday season, but I choose not to. I always wonder if that has anything to do with my upbringing of expecting the worst and coping with it rather than planning for the best.  Either way, I am tolerant and accepting therefore I am able to cope.  What I am basically trying to say is, I understand everyone has problems and issues to deal with, and while some can handle them easily and methodologically,  others allow their fears to dictate their emotions. We pride ourselves, here in America, about being a strong …

comfort food: french toast bread pudding

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Technically we are only a few days away from the official start of winter.  Which means much more colder weather and less of a desire to eat healthy. I don’t know about you, but I currently am always looking for comfort food, in moderation of course, to fuel me up during the day . In light of that fact, I found this amazing recipe here for bread pudding, one  of my favorite winter comfort foods and thought of making it over the weekend with a few alteration.   I will use Almond Milk (Original flavor) and add pecans and sliced banana and I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile let me know if you have other suggestions. French Toast Bread Pudding  1 challah loaf, sliced ¾ inch thick 8 extra-large eggs 5 cups half-and-half or milk 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon kosher salt Confectioners’ sugar and pure maple syrup, for serving Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the bread in two …

christmas time in paris – healing process

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Everyone has a different way of coping and healing. While some go into major depression and withdraw, others, yell and shout to release anger and frustration. This entire weekend,  being devastated by the events which occurred in Newtown Connecticut, I somewhat shut down. Naturally of course, otherwise I couldn’t consider myself human. I couldn’t find inspiration anywhere. Not the malls, not at home, not watching old classics. But  then I realized, after watching the memorial service on Sunday night, I needed to find a way to heal myself, not because I was being selfish, but because I needed to be okay for my family. I started weeding through what made me happy and decided that every time I felt anguish to list a few things that made me feel enlightened and even focused to start the healing process.  I reached out to loved ones and shared a few laughs, I discussed the final draft of my book with my dear mother, I held my dog for comfort and finally I searched for photographs of Christmas time in Paris. …