Friday, December 31, 2010

Raise Your Glass


Since today is the official "Champagne Holiday" I thought I would share a few ways to say "Cheers" in different languages. 

Some cool champagne glasses I would like :)

Cheers in Different Languages
Country
Toast
Meaning
China
Ganbei
Dry glass
England
Cheers
Cheers
France
A votre santé (son-tay)
To your health
Germany
Prosit (pro-zit)
Here's to you
Ireland
Slainte
Cheers
Israel
L'chaim (la-hi-um)
To life
Italy
Salute (sah-loo-tay)
To your health
Korea
Konbai (kun-buy)
Bottoms up
Mexico
Salud (sah-lood)
Good health
Poland
Na zdrowie (zdrov-yeh)
To your health
Romania
Noroc!
Good Luck
Russia
Будем здоровы! (Budem zdorovy)
Let's stay healthy
Serbia
Zivio! Ziveli!
Let's live long
Hawaii
Okole Maluna!
Bottoms Up

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years!

Cheers to 2011!


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas Card Display

Another reason I love the holidays....Christmas cards!

One more use for the mini shelves I built for our kitchen...

A great place to display Christmas cards

Cheers!


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Everything to Everyone!


Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy Everything to Everyone!



Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!


Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Is All Around, C'Mon and Let It Snow

Nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit like a good Christmas movie.  Actually, I lied there are a lot of things that get me into the Christmas spirit, but anywho here are a few of my favorite holiday movies:

"Love Actually is all around"
Love Actually (Widescreen Edition)



 "It's Christmas Eve and we are going to go celebrate being young and being alive"
The Holiday


"Is your house on fire, Clark?"
No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights. 
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)



"First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat an entire roll of Toll House cookie dough as fast as we can, and then to finish, we'll snuggle!"
Elf (Infinifilm Edition)


Santa, don't forget the Grinch. I know he's mean and hairy and smelly, and his hands are cold and clammy, but I think he's kinda... sweet.
SWEET... You think he's sweet?
Cute kid, bad judge of character. 
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Widescreen Edition)


"Don't dilly-dally there, pretty lady. We're all gonna be down here talking about you."
The Family Stone (Widescreen Edition)



What are some of your favorite holiday movies?  I know there are a lot more out there.

Cheers!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Little Parkasso

I think I may have a little artist on my hands.  Parker loves to paint, color, sculpt...  I let him paint in our bathroom, where I can strip him down to his diaper and contain him in a small room where he can't get into too much trouble.  He usually draws in the kitchen in his high chair or on his easel, which is perfect for when I'm trying to prepare a meal or clean up after one.  His favorite things to draw right now are m&m's and footballs. 


Working on his painting

His Masterpiece!  

Parker's sweet easel that I scored at a garage sale for $12!

Hard at work



Cheers!

Friday, December 3, 2010

O Christmas Tree

I love Christmas!  Have I mentioned that before?  My mom gets me an ornament every year for Christmas, usually its one that is symbolic to something that has happened to me that year and its always something I look forward to getting.  It's always fun to get them out every year, they bring back many wonderful memories.  It has been fun watching Parker this year with the tree.  I have a couple horse ornaments that he loves and one with a cat; two of his favorite things right now.  It's definitely a tradition I will continue for Parker.  


Our Christmas Tree

All my ornaments


This has always been one of my favorites, one of my "First Christmas" ornaments
1981

Another "First Christmas" Ornament
1981


A car for the year I got my drivers license
1996

The year I joined Kappa
1999

Ice Skates I got for Chris to remember the Christmas we spent in the ER after he cut his chin playing hockey
2007

Looking for something to do with all your old corks?  Make a Cork Reindeer
Gift from my friend Travis

One of Parker's "First Christmas" Ornaments
2008

Space Needle to remember our time in Seattle

Mele Kalikimaka - We got this one in Maui this year
Whenever I hear "Mele Kalikimaka" it always reminds me of Christmas Vacation when he's dreaming about his pool :)


Cheers!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

One of my favorite magazines is House Beautiful.  They had 101 Party Do's and Don'ts in their Entertaining Issue last month.  And since December is usually filled with lots of parties, I thought I would share a few of my favorites.


1.  "The host's mood sets the tone."  Emily Eerdmans, Emilyevanseerdmans.com
2.  "Have a stiff drink before anyone arrives.  If you are having fun, everyone will have fun."  Miles Redd, Designer
3.  "Always start with an empty dishwasher."  Chesie Breen, Founder, clovermag.com
4.  "You should always have a cold bottle of bubbly stashed in your refrigerator in case friends drop by, and a bottle of something sparkly for nondrinkers."  Christopher Hirsheimer, Co-founder, Canal House Cooking
5.  "Don't be afraid to throw a party because you think it will cost too much.  You can have a good time for $10 with a bottle of wine and a bag of nuts."  Thomas Jayne, Designer
6.  "Get everything ready the day before."  Suzanne Kasler, Designer
7.  "Glamorous informality is the name of the game.  Dress up, even if you are serving hot dogs!"  Simon Doonan, Creative Director Barney's New York
8.  "If you don't have time to create your own playlist, log on to Pandora.com."  Erin Olson, houseofturquoise.com
9.  "Don't use assigned seating -- allow guests to mingle and let the evening evolve organically."  Deborah Lloyd, Co-President and Creative Director, Kate Spade New York
10.  "Don't wait for late guests.  People resent being hungry."  Isaac Mizrahi, Fashion Designer
11.  "Don't leave without saying good-bye to the host."  Kathryn M. Ireland, Designer












Happy Champagne Thursday!
Cheers!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Holiday Centerpiece

I love Christmas!  It's my favorite time of the year!  I love all the lights and the decorations!  I'm one of those people who get their Christmas decorations out early.  We're not usually home for Christmas, so I like to enjoy the decorations for as long as possible.

Reindeer before spray paint 

What you've never seen a blue reindeer? 

Ornaments + a Few Vases + Charger Plate = Fun Centerpiece

Its easy to incorporate colors you already decorate with


Cheers!



Friday, November 19, 2010

A Little OCD

I'm a little, ok, a lot OCD about the way I put away my dishes.  I have Fiestaware dishes, with six different colors and I like them put away in rainbowish order (my closet is the same way).  What can I say, I think it looks nicer that way.  It drives me crazy when they are put away differently and I have to change them immediately or at least when no one is looking.  Chris and I have been married for close to four years and he still has to look at the order before he puts them away or he asks me "what color goes next?".  But, I appreciate the fact that he does put them away the way that I like.  What a good husband!



Maybe its genetic because my brother does the same thing with his dishes.

Cheers!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

SPA-ctacular

If you are ever in Maui, I highly recommend the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea.  It was AMAZING!  Katie and I were lucky enough to visit the spa twice while we were in Maui last week.  Not that I really have much to compare it to, but what set it apart from other spas was the Terme Wailea Hydrotherapy.  One hour of the  Hydrotherapy is complimentary with any spa treatment you purchase.

The Terme Wailea Hydrotherapy includes:
  • Five different colored, aromatic salt baths (named after the different Hawaiian Islands).  
  1. Maui Bath is a mélange of Wailea blue sea salts and Niu coconut oil which helps oxygenate and hydrate the skin, along with alleviates exhaustion and helps calm arthritis.
  2. Lanai Bath is a blend of green papaya sea salt with red ala’ea volcanic clay which helps exfoliate and renew the skin
  3. Oahu Bath contains a blend of bamboo green sea salt, Hawaii spirulina, organic seaweed powder and helps tighten the skin, reduces the appearance of cellulite and relieves fluid retention. 
  4. Hawaii Bath is a blend of Kilauea black sea salt and vanilla orchids that promotes circulation, balance and stabilizes and soothes the central nervous system.
  5. Kauai bath based on lava red sea salt bonded with this extraordinary clay, then infused with organic passion flower powder is vitamin-rich and helps soothe and regenerate cells which alleviate anxiety and tension.
  • Japanese Euro bath, cold water plunge and foot bath (where we shaved our legs, just because we could)
  • Roman Hot tub and cold water plunge (freezing!)
  • Cascading Waterfall Massages
  • Swiss Jet Shower
  • Loofah Body Scrub from your personal spa attendant, with a honey mango body polish 
  • Eucalyptus Steam Room
  • Red Wood Sauna
The first day we went we enjoyed an hour of the hydrotherapy and then a massage.  Time didn't allow us to try everything the first day, so we went back on Saturday, after we checked out of our condo and while the guys went golfing, for a relaxing two hour hydrotherapy session.  We were able to relax and enjoy everything the Terme Hydrotherapy had to offer.

Another plus was we got to use their yummy smelling awaphui shampoo, coconut mango conditioner, shower gel, lotions, hair gel, hair spray, deodorant while we were getting ready.  We had to try everything!  Oh and the water pressure was perfect.  I'm trying not to forget anything :)

Pretty sure our husbands were getting annoyed with us, because we were talking about it so much.  But, then again, maybe they were just jealous they didn't get to come along.  





Here's to hoping I can go back someday soon, because I'm not sure if any other spa will ever measure up.

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Information about the different salt baths were found here.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Maui Sunsets

Last week Chris and I spent the week in Maui with our good friends Matt and Katie.  It was an amazing week!  Here are some pictures of the stunning sunsets while we were there.

Sunday, November 7th
Kihei
We got there a little late, but still beautiful!


Monday, November 8th
Sunset from Wailea Beach

Tuesday, November 9th
Driving back from Hana

Wednesday night was cloudy, so there wasn't much of a sunset.

Thursday, November 11th
Sunset from the Luau at Wailea Beach



Friday, November 12th
Makena Beach

Friday, November 12th
Makena Beach

Friday, November 12th
Makena Beach
Same spot we were married almost 4 years ago

Friday, November 12th
Makena Beach
Look at those colors!


Saturday, November 13th
Kihei
Last night in Maui :(


Cheers!