It always happens this time of year-signing up for sponsoring families at various nonprofits always seems like a great idea in OCTOBER…but, then December rolls around and there you are….the items are due on Monday!! Decided to sponsor different things for different families at various groups…again…seemed like a good idea AT THE TIME! Toys for one family, Books for another, Clothes for another and Food for another…Who can say no to an email-just click yes! I think I did less of this when I had to call people or ask at a meeting! It could also be that I feel guilty that I don't have the TIME to give to these organizations like I used to-so just signed on to help! There I was at 8:00 a.m. the other morning, in front of TarJay Desperate to get it-(It should be a commercial – woman pacing with lists in hand….can't wait to get into TarJAY!) I had an hour before I had to get to work-so it was Power Shopping to the Max!!!! Toys, who knew so many different Barbies…..started to ponder each one and OMGosh! All the accessories!! Time was wasting…I felt like I was on one of those TV shows where they give you 15 minutes to get everything you want at Toys R Us or someplace-I think Oprah does this?? I wish it was Neimans!!! Then headed over to the boys aisle! Brought back some memories!!! Everyone in the family needed coats-clothing! Lots of sizes to figure our and one group had very specific needs…OOPPPPSSSS the clothes are sized S M L…what does a three year old wear???? This is not so easy..OOPPSSSS somehow lost one of those lists…GOOD GRIEF…where is it??? Stop..do not pass GO…Lose one turn! Spent a few moments looking for the list, but decided…the family would be happy with anything! Another family needed a microwave…OMG..haven't purchased one of those in years!!! Headed over to Appliances and found one for $100!! Microwaves are still big and heavy! Not so many folks to help you at TarJay like Neimans!!
HMMMMMM….maybe I should get one for myself!! But, NO saving myself for the Shoe Dept.!!!
Headed over to the shoes and VOILA! The Sigerson Morrison Silver pointy toed heels with Jewel detail were ON SALE!! OMG! $31 a pair! Into the cart!! Are there more???? And some very cute booties by Mossimo!!!! Then over to see the IN STORE selection of Anya Hindmarch handbags! Bought all of them!! SO GORGEOUS!! Just a note-several say Anya Hindmarch for TarJay-but, the print is small (and at our age, who can read it without glasses??) and the bag is so cute! GO FOR IT!!! Plus, it has a bit of "being responsible in these difficult economic times" feel about it!! By now, it was 8:52 a.m. Headed to check out!! Even the check out clerk liked my bags!! We had a lovely little chat about them!! Swiped that Visa and out the door in One Hour! Of course, then had to sort out what went where-but, it does make one feel that they are making a difference for some! Wish I could play Barbies with that little girl!!!!
Of course, so glad to help others and realizing that I haven't done anything for those I love!! Thank goodness for FedEx!!!!
Dear friend, Mimi has a request if anyone is a 'member" of Rue La La-an online shopping website that you have be invited to join! LMK and we can all join!!!!!!
Today was the last day of our Winter Sale! So glad to have my weekends back again!! I am so behind on all my SPA appointments! MAINTENANCE is always a No. 1 priority!!!!
Hope you all are enjoying this holiday season! It is so special and goes by so quickly!!!!
I have included some treats for all of you!!!
Enjoy!!
Going to take a few weeks off! Heading to Jeff's Mom for the Christmas Holiday! Will be back writing again in the New Year on January 4th!!!
Merry Merry!
Love, P
Costume Jewels at www.neimanmarcus.com
Click on Costume Jewelry-Stephen Dweck shows some FAB rings! But, lots of bling for not so many $$$$!! We could all be happy!
And Jeff sends this NYTimes link for street fashion!! Love, Love, Love the coats and MUST HAVE those Burberry gloves!!!!!!
And a little something for the gardeners! Love those orchids!! CostCo had tons last weekend!!!!
Expert advice from Chicago growers gets your plant reblooming
By Nina A. Koziol | Special to the Tribune
December 14, 2008
Pondering a few red poinsettias to deck your halls this month? Sure, those big, beefy, look-at-me plants are the holiday workhorses of the horticultural world. But if you're looking for something a little different, even exotic, you might find yourself buying an orchid.
"There's something very mysterious about them," says Jim Sandrik of Park Ridge. "Maybe it's their beauty or maybe it's knowing that they're a challenge."
But if you've chosen an orchid to glam up the living room—or were the lucky recipient of an orchid gift—only to find yourself frustrated when your new plant refused to ever bloom again, take heart: The mystery of orchids, and the skills it takes to keep them blooming, are easy to unlock with a little expert advice.
Sandrik coddles a collection of 100 orchids, some that are nearly 30 years old, in a small spare bedroom equipped with special lights and fans. And, he spends an hour or two each Sunday watering and feeding all of them. But you don't need plant lights or a conservatory or a big block of time to keep an orchid or two healthy and happy enough to bloom more than once.
"The phalaenopsis orchid is one of the easiest to grow," says Adam Hausermann of Orchids by Hausermann, a specialty greenhouse in Villa Park. Also known as the "moth" orchid, phalaenopsis is one of the longest bloomers, sometimes flowering for two months or more. It can bloom two to three times a year under the right conditions.
Potted orchids have become so popular that they can be found in the floral section of local food stores and big-box stores, as well as garden centers and florists. Expect to pay anywhere from $12 to $40 or more depending on the size and variety of plant.
"Orchids are a great hobby," Hausermann says. "It's such a large plant family, there's something for everyone." Their names—cattleya, dendrobium, paphiopedilum, cymbidium—are tongue-twisters, to be sure. The flowers range from dangling spidery little blossoms to long stems of large waxy blooms. And some, like oncidium orchids, have delicate flowers that smell like chocolate or spice. Perhaps the best known are the cattleyas, the large flowers used as corsages, and the dendrobiums, used in the Hawaiian lei.
Here are some tips for helping your orchid through the winter and into another year of bloom:
Light: Different orchids have different cultural requirements, but in general, an east-, south- or west-facing window unobstructed by trees, drapes or curtains, with the pot out of direct sunlight, is a good start.
Watering: The fastest way to kill an orchid is to let it sit in a saucer of water. Better to take the plant to the sink once a week, give it a thorough soak until water runs out the bottom and then place it on the saucer.
Feeding: For one or two plants, Sandrik says, "purchase the smallest size water-soluble orchid fertilizer available and mix 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water, making sure it dissolves. Pour half of it into each plant when watering."
Temperature: Orchids tend to like daytime temps that range from about 65 to 75 degrees and evening temperatures from 55 to 65.
Humidity: Orchids prefer humidity in the 40 percent to 60 percent range. A furnace or room humidifier can help as well as placing the pots on saucers that sit over a bed of wet gravel.
Flowering stems: After it has flowered the first time, cut a phalaenopsis stem about half the way down just above a node (looks like a slight bulge). From this node a new flower stem should emerge and flower in about 120 days.
Things that bust their blooms: The air is too hot, especially at night. The soil is too dry or too wet. The plant is getting too much or too little light. Don't repot the plant while it has buds or blooms. Wait until it is done flowering and then repot in about the same size pot using special orchid mix from the garden center.
Yellow leaves: It's natural to have a few yellow older leaves at the base of the plant. If the newer leaves are turning yellow, it may indicate too much or too little water.
And found this FAB Truffle Bars recipe! Made it for the work folks and they were very happy!!!
YUM!!!
Truffle Bar Base
unsalted butter
8 oz (2 sticks)
unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
7 oz (7 squares)
granulated sugar
2 cups
large eggs
4
all purpose flour, not sifted
1 cup
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
walnuts, chopped
1 cup
Preheat the oven to 350_F.
Lightly spray a 9" x 13" cake pan with some pan spray. Set aside.
Place the butter in a heavy saucepan.
Melt the butter over low heat.
Remove the pan from the heat.
Add the unsweetened chocolate to the melted butter, stirring constantly with a wooden or nylon spoon until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the sugar and stir to completely combine.
Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition to thoroughly combine the egg into the batter.
Add the flour and stir to combine.
Add the Vanilla extract and walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes only. The brownie may still look soft and shiny. Care must be taken not to over bake the base or it will end up being dry and crumbly.
Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
Cool completely.
Truffle Topping
Dark Chocolate Bars (2 oz each)
4 each
heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup
light corn syrup
1 Tablespoon
unsalted butter, softened
1 Tablespoon
Chop the chocolate and place in a stainless steel or glass bowl.
Place one inch of water in a small heavy saucepan.
Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the water to a simmer.
Remove the saucepan from the stove.
Place the bowl containing the chopped chocolate on top of the pan of simmering water.
Stir the chocolate until it is completely melted.
Remove the bowl from the top of the pan and dump the water out.
Place the cream and light corn syrup into the sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Pour the hot liquid over the melted chocolate.
Whisk the hot liquid and the chocolate together to completely combine.
Set the chocolate mixture aside and allow the Ganache to cool for five minutes.
Whisk the softened butter into the chocolate mixture.
Allow the Ganache to cool to room temperature. The mixture will be a thick, custard-like consistency.
Whisk the Ganache just until it begins to lighten in color slightly.
Spread the whipped Ganache evenly over the brownie base.
If desired, cover the top of the bars with shaved dark chocolate.
Allow the bars to sit at room temperature until the Ganache firms up.
Dust lightly with cocoa powder.
Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.
Store the finished bars in an airtight container to prevent from drying out.
These have a better eating quality if eaten at room temperature.
Yield: approximately 6 dozen squares
ENJOY!
And last but not least!
This is simply DIVINE!!
French Pear Martini
Mix together:
1.5 oz dry white wine
1.5 oz Grey Goose La Poire (YUM!)
Top with Champagne
Sugar to rim glass!
Cheers!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Fallen Off the BEAUTY Wagon!
How did this happen??? I was doing so well…taking MY OWN ADVICE and trying all these beauty products…I am on a First Name basis with the CVS and Walgreen beauty counter specialists (that's what their name card said!). Also using Arbonne products, which are FAB! And everything I used was working wonders…But, alas….all the creams in the world can only DO SO MUCH! Age does take its toll! Going nonstop for several weeks on end…can even do MOI in! Running from work to try to manage all the impending volunteer commitments leaves one little time for rest! Setting up for the Thrift House holiday opening last Sunday, following the Art Center's Holiday opening last Friday, caused concern from a fellow Thrift House volunteer. She turned to MOI as we were fighting over a Prada dress (we both wear the same size) and said that she had NEVER seen MOI looking so fatigued, including BAGS under my eyes (of course, they are ALWAYS there, I do an AMAZING job of concealing them!!). MON DIEU! What is a woman to do??! HEAD RIGHT OUT AND BUY MORE PRODUCT!!!! I did try to get more sleep on one day last week! But, preparing for the Thanksgiving feast always calls for a LATE NIGHT on Wednesday or is that an early a.m. on Thanksgiving??!! So looking forward to relaxing over the weekend….only to discover that I had to work all weekend!!
Not PLANNING to work all weekend-if I had KNOWN that I had to work all weekend, I would have SAID SOMETHING! But then that's the CODE! We all know the CODE..that is Don't tell your Mother or Don't tell your Father or in this case, Don't tell PAULA! With a successful opening of our Winter Arts and Crafts Expo, I had said that I would work the Friday after Thanksgiving, since the Art Center is normally closed! ANYTHING for a sale!! That retail spirit returns!! The Art Center was only closed for Thanksgiving and the Friday, so I ASSUMED that I would really only have to work on Friday, since the weekend staff would take over on Saturday and Sunday! Just one little problemo….the regular weekend staff receptionist was off for the holiday and the NEW receptionist would be there for the entire weekend…FUNNY, how that LKF (little known fact), somehow didn't get mentioned to MOI-Another CODE!!
Things were going well on Friday, I arrived opened up, the NEW receptionist arrived to work the register, which is a computerized affair. The only thing I hadn't counted on was that the NEW Receptionist thought she was there to help MOI as back-up! MON DIEU! We both had a "moment" when we realized that each of us thought we were doing the other's job!!! She said that she would need me there as back-up for the ENTIRE weekend!! Now granted, we were only open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-4 p.m on Sunday…but still….when is one to prepare for the Holidays??!! Those outdoor containers take time to make!! Not to mention everything else! But hey, that's what the paycheck is for!! I mentally went down the list of everything I could push off to next week, and we were good to go!! We actually were busy, so it worked out well that I was there! Since I was check out back up, I was chief wrapper! It made me a bit nervous wrapping all these lovely glass and ceramic pieces….but, I did my best and focused on the task at hand! A few errors with the Credit Card machine were solved by MOI! Those years of Retail come in handy!!! I decided to add a "festive" air to the event and donned several different Christmas Tree Skirts over the weekend! They were made of fleece and not only festive, but warm!!!! They are actually quite versatile…first as a shawl and later in the day as an actual skirt! Who knows, it may be the next big hit on the runways!! If the "poodle skirt" ever comes back!! I will be prepared!
Having so many hours to spend and not able to actually go to my office to do work, I decided to SHOP the Expo. There are some very chic fiber accessories! This woman is not only an artist, but a fashionista!! I LOVE THIS! She has made this scarf like thing out of very cool yarns and it looks like a necklace…I know I am not describing it very well, but when you put it on-it looks very FAB! She also makes a scarf for your winter coat which is like a "Dickie." Again, very cool! It just fits around your neck and doesn't add any bulk…what's not to like!! Some terrific jewelry too! Love the bracelets and rings!! Not too many cuff's-maybe they are hard to make?? Fabulous antique beaded necklaces and a selection of Ikebana containers…I am good to go! AND to top it all off, very fun notecards!! Truly, I can save the time that I would spend at the shopping malls buying presents and buy everything at the Art Center! But, here's the thing….most of the folks that I buy presents for-LOVE to get those gift cards and I can get those at the grocery store!!! Soooooo, I guess I am shopping for MOI!
Dear Friend, Roxanne Boerke shares these wonderful tips!
She is taking Flower Arranging classes at New Trier extension from Michael (Chicago School of Flower Design). These classes include Hand Tied Bouquets! Who knew-right here in our own back yard!! They look wonderful!!! http://www.newtrier.k12.il.us
Floral design is under arts and crafts in the catalog!
And here is Roxanne's info on Discounts while shopping on line!!
You asked how to get a discount while shopping on line. google search ie, "macys.com coupons". (website address -space- coupons) i am amazed at the discounts i can find. they are not always available and it may take some searching through what google lists or trying the coupon on the check out page (usually a box titled promotion code or coupon). it is so satisfying when they work! i found myself doing a lot of this when i had 2 babies at home. also, be sure to check out your favorite sites on cyber monday, there should be plenty of discounts out there.
there are also coupon websites where you can enter your store and a coupon may pop up. some of those are: Savings.com, Shoppersresource.com, Couponwinner.com, Promotionalcode.com, and Webcouponcodes.com.
Thank you Roxanne!! This is information we can all use!!!!
You can also join online Sample Sale sites:
www.Gilt.com
www.Hautelook.com
www.Ideeli.com
and www.shopstyle.com lets you do a really refined search and has a ton of great stores in it's network!
And for all your HOLIDAY Glamour! Buy a clutch! So many to choose from and at so many price points!!! Anyone will do! Check out Forever 21!!!! www.sondraroberts.com has great clutches too!
Check out Simply Vera at Kohl's-she does a nice job with satin items and a Faux Fur silver cropped coat is FAB!!!!
As we all know-keep the bling to a one focal point-bracelets, necklace or fab earrings…but, don't wear them all together! This website has some great bracelets and earrings!!! And love the price point!!
http://www.richrocksnyc.com/index.html
Will try to find the perfect holiday cookie recipe for next week or send MOI your favorite!!
Let the Holiday's begin!!
XO,
P
Not PLANNING to work all weekend-if I had KNOWN that I had to work all weekend, I would have SAID SOMETHING! But then that's the CODE! We all know the CODE..that is Don't tell your Mother or Don't tell your Father or in this case, Don't tell PAULA! With a successful opening of our Winter Arts and Crafts Expo, I had said that I would work the Friday after Thanksgiving, since the Art Center is normally closed! ANYTHING for a sale!! That retail spirit returns!! The Art Center was only closed for Thanksgiving and the Friday, so I ASSUMED that I would really only have to work on Friday, since the weekend staff would take over on Saturday and Sunday! Just one little problemo….the regular weekend staff receptionist was off for the holiday and the NEW receptionist would be there for the entire weekend…FUNNY, how that LKF (little known fact), somehow didn't get mentioned to MOI-Another CODE!!
Things were going well on Friday, I arrived opened up, the NEW receptionist arrived to work the register, which is a computerized affair. The only thing I hadn't counted on was that the NEW Receptionist thought she was there to help MOI as back-up! MON DIEU! We both had a "moment" when we realized that each of us thought we were doing the other's job!!! She said that she would need me there as back-up for the ENTIRE weekend!! Now granted, we were only open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-4 p.m on Sunday…but still….when is one to prepare for the Holidays??!! Those outdoor containers take time to make!! Not to mention everything else! But hey, that's what the paycheck is for!! I mentally went down the list of everything I could push off to next week, and we were good to go!! We actually were busy, so it worked out well that I was there! Since I was check out back up, I was chief wrapper! It made me a bit nervous wrapping all these lovely glass and ceramic pieces….but, I did my best and focused on the task at hand! A few errors with the Credit Card machine were solved by MOI! Those years of Retail come in handy!!! I decided to add a "festive" air to the event and donned several different Christmas Tree Skirts over the weekend! They were made of fleece and not only festive, but warm!!!! They are actually quite versatile…first as a shawl and later in the day as an actual skirt! Who knows, it may be the next big hit on the runways!! If the "poodle skirt" ever comes back!! I will be prepared!
Having so many hours to spend and not able to actually go to my office to do work, I decided to SHOP the Expo. There are some very chic fiber accessories! This woman is not only an artist, but a fashionista!! I LOVE THIS! She has made this scarf like thing out of very cool yarns and it looks like a necklace…I know I am not describing it very well, but when you put it on-it looks very FAB! She also makes a scarf for your winter coat which is like a "Dickie." Again, very cool! It just fits around your neck and doesn't add any bulk…what's not to like!! Some terrific jewelry too! Love the bracelets and rings!! Not too many cuff's-maybe they are hard to make?? Fabulous antique beaded necklaces and a selection of Ikebana containers…I am good to go! AND to top it all off, very fun notecards!! Truly, I can save the time that I would spend at the shopping malls buying presents and buy everything at the Art Center! But, here's the thing….most of the folks that I buy presents for-LOVE to get those gift cards and I can get those at the grocery store!!! Soooooo, I guess I am shopping for MOI!
Dear Friend, Roxanne Boerke shares these wonderful tips!
She is taking Flower Arranging classes at New Trier extension from Michael (Chicago School of Flower Design). These classes include Hand Tied Bouquets! Who knew-right here in our own back yard!! They look wonderful!!! http://www.newtrier.k12.il.us
Floral design is under arts and crafts in the catalog!
And here is Roxanne's info on Discounts while shopping on line!!
You asked how to get a discount while shopping on line. google search ie, "macys.com coupons". (website address -space- coupons) i am amazed at the discounts i can find. they are not always available and it may take some searching through what google lists or trying the coupon on the check out page (usually a box titled promotion code or coupon). it is so satisfying when they work! i found myself doing a lot of this when i had 2 babies at home. also, be sure to check out your favorite sites on cyber monday, there should be plenty of discounts out there.
there are also coupon websites where you can enter your store and a coupon may pop up. some of those are: Savings.com, Shoppersresource.com, Couponwinner.com, Promotionalcode.com, and Webcouponcodes.com.
Thank you Roxanne!! This is information we can all use!!!!
You can also join online Sample Sale sites:
www.Gilt.com
www.Hautelook.com
www.Ideeli.com
and www.shopstyle.com lets you do a really refined search and has a ton of great stores in it's network!
And for all your HOLIDAY Glamour! Buy a clutch! So many to choose from and at so many price points!!! Anyone will do! Check out Forever 21!!!! www.sondraroberts.com has great clutches too!
Check out Simply Vera at Kohl's-she does a nice job with satin items and a Faux Fur silver cropped coat is FAB!!!!
As we all know-keep the bling to a one focal point-bracelets, necklace or fab earrings…but, don't wear them all together! This website has some great bracelets and earrings!!! And love the price point!!
http://www.richrocksnyc.com/index.html
Will try to find the perfect holiday cookie recipe for next week or send MOI your favorite!!
Let the Holiday's begin!!
XO,
P
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