Au Revoir

As you may have noticed, we are taking a little break from the blog. Farrell has been so busy with work, and I am in the middle of trying to figure out the move. Hopefully home internet service will be one result of that effort. Anyway, we are going to reconvene the week of September 10. Have a great holiday weekend! - LG

Wedding Wednesday: Wine-Themed Events

A few months ago, we co-hosted an engagement party for some close friends who are getting married in a few weeks at Veritas Vineyard and Winery, outside of Charlottesville, VA.

In keeping with the wine theme, we threw a “wine tasting” engagement party. Surprisingly easy, we made a trip to Trader Joe’s for 3 interesting whites (including one from the honeymoon destination, South Africa) and 3 interesting reds. The food included: an antipasta display, a bruschetta bar, fun cheeses, potato sausage puffs, miniature fruit tarts, and mini chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. It was easy, and we jazzed it up with food/wine varietal labels propped up in corks and some interesting wine charms found on eBay. All in all, it was a great success!
flj

A Mess of Jewels

Okay, maybe I don't exactly have a mess of jewels. However, as I pack I realize that I do not have my jewelry organized in any respectable fashion. Luckily, I came across a great article in the September issue of Real Simple Magazine regarding how to bring order to your dresser top. Unfortunately, they don't have the information on their website, but it is definitely worth checking out at the library. My favorite suggestion is to buy pin-board tiles from Pottery Barn and then use decorative straight pins to showcase necklaces, bracelets, etc. on your walls. If you do this for your less expensive jewelry, you will have plenty of room in your good jewerly box for the nice stuff. - LG

News

I think I have mentioned before that I have been busy packing up my apartment. What I have not mentioned- because I am still not 100% sure of the details- is that I am moving! I have already given notice on my job, and I hope to be in New York by October. That is sort my excuse for being a blog slacker. Anyway, if anyone has any tips on apartment or rommate hunting (does craigslist only frighten me?) let me know! In the meantime, I have a post about jewelry organization coming later this evening. - LG

Men's Stationery

I was recently asked to give advice regarding men's stationery choices. I had never really thought about this, but I guess as men get older they really do need to write nice notes sometimes. (Really they should do this when they are younger, but those types of manners seem to fall apart in the fraternity years.) And, when they reach that point of realization, they seem to be pretty clueless about where to start. While looking at the Crane & Co. website, I found these favorites (click on picture for a direct link). For all of our male readers, I promise that the following are respectable, manly choices that won't make you look like you know TOO much about these sorts of things : ) - LG

The basic border stripe (in any color) is always a good choice:

From the desk of...

(My favorite) A very snazzy pinstripe:

Wedding Wednesday: Always a Bridesmaid....

I am about a month away from my fifth appearance as a bridesmaid in a close friend’s wedding.

I love other people’s weddings. I love the planning, the decisions, the drama, the year full of wine-drinking occasions, the showers, the registry-stalking, the program-assembling, etc.

Through all of these weddings, I admittedly have never been subject to a heinous bridesmaid dress (knock on wood).

However, I have also never been privy to, despite the brides’ best intentions, a dress that I will ever wear again. Ever.

Consequently, I have a section of my already crowded closet devoted to these dresses. Lately, I have been seriously considering seeking out somewhere to donate the dresses. Perhaps someplace like the Cinderella Project that donates them to girls who need prom dresses. I am sure there is someone who would be thrilled to wear them, right?

Anyway, this brings me to my current quandary – also a reader request – how long is appropriate to hang on to the dresses after the actual wedding date? Is there a time limit that you are obligated to hold on to them, or are they up for grabs immediately after the big day?

flj

Back to the Basics

Our friend Lindsey really knows how to make the most of her money. She emailed me recently and let me know that she had found a great banana bread recipe. If you live by yourself (or even with one other person) a banana bread recipe is great to have on file. After all, who ever eats a whole bunch of bananas before they start to go bad? This recipe is so easy, and the results are great. To the left is a picture of my handy avocado masher mid-mash. Keep in mind that the bread bakes for a full hour, so plan accordingly. - LG

Perfectly Polished

Like most everyone I know, I am a mildly obsessed with the Food Network.

Aside from the fabulous recipes and entertaining ideas, I am continually mesmerized with the nail polish worn by Everyday Italian’s Giada deLaurentiis. It always looks clean, sexy, and polished (no pun intended), like she just came from the manicurist, no matter how many times per episode she is dipping her hands in soapy water, olive oil, etc. The rumor on the internet is that Giada only wears OPI Bubble Bath. Although my signature nail color is, and has been since high school, usually a dark, rich blue-red (think OPI Quarter-of-a-Cent-Cherry or My Kind of Brown or Essie’s (sadly) long-discontinued Real Red), the next time I am looking for a clean, light, fresh manicure, I am signing myself up for a Bubble Bath.

I have a feeling that it is one of those sheer pinks that looks best when applied by a professional, rather than at home, so, I may just have to splurge….
flj

Double Your Fun

In September I will be attending a wedding over Labor Day Weekend. Unofficial festivities start Friday night. The wedding party will be playing golf and that sort of thing on Saturday. Then, the Rehearsal Dinner is Saturday evening and the wedding is Sunday evening. This will be the second year in a row that I will go to a wedding on Labor Day Weekend, and I love it. I don't have to take time off work, and Monday is open for relaxing.

However, Farrell and I have heard some negative comments about weddings on official holidays, so I was wondering what people think about this practice. Is it convenient for everyone, or a violation of what should be family time? Is there a distinction between holiday type? For example, is it more acceptable to do this on a government holiday than a religious holiday? What about weddings on New Year's Eve? Let us know what you think. - LG

Vanishing Vino?

As a recent newlywed, my household is in receipt of a plethora of fabulous new table linens, which I love to use when entertaining.
As much fun as it is to use those new linens, dealing with stains on them has become a challenging experience. The most difficult stain to get out has been from red wine on white cotton-based napkins.
After some research, it seems that the table-salt method is the most publicized method of quick red wine stain removal:

• Wet the stained napkin or linen to dampen thoroughly


• Sprinkle the stained area liberally with regular table salt


• Let it sit until you can wash (as per the instructions) it in the washing machine

I have also heard the commercial solvents Zoot! (sold at Bed, Bath, and Beyond) and Wine-Away recommended.
Does anyone else have experience with this? Or am I the only one with guests that slosh occasionally?
flj

We, The Jury...

Sorry for our MIA status this week!

I just got in from Chicago late last night, Lauren is headed out of town for a long weekend, and I am currently waiting my turn to be interviewed at jury duty. Yes, I am today’s juror # 6. Please do not be jealous. Although, who knew that the jury lounges in my county all come complete with wireless internet?!? This is not quite as glamorous as what I see Benson and Stabler doing on Law and Order: SVU, but I am surviving.

Stay tuned for some fun posts coming soon!

flj