Archive for the ‘holiday season’ Category
Making Your New Year’s Eve Fizz
December 29, 2009
Far be it for us to complain about the tradition of drinking champagne on New Year’s Eve. We’ll cease just about any opportunity to pop open a bottle of bubbly and celebrate life’s good fortune - even if that good fortune is just the chance to drink champagne. Still, with tradition comes the danger of repetitiveness. As you plan your festivities for the approaching holiday, you may find your creative juices corked when it comes to selecting the right sparkling wine to punctuate your 2009.
Though it’s likely your fellow celebrators won’t be picky as they wait expectantly for the countdown with empty glasses in hand, a little attention to detail can make for a more memorable night.
If we’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that creativity flourishes in the face of challenges. We suggest that you use that lesson to plant a motif into your champagne selection this year. Make a statement about 2009 by taking a particular angle with the fizzy wines you serve. 2010-themed eyeglasses can only go so far at keeping your soiree timely. But don’t take our word for it - let the bubbles speak for themselves. Here’s some suggestions to help you pick the perfect sparkling wine to celebrate the decade, the year, or just the current moment:
Choose a green champagne:
Sustainable, environmentally-conscious living is a full-time commitment. Luckily, your green responsibilities needn’t get in the way of your night of carefree carousal. Pommery’s trendy line of POP champagnes just released a green variety called Earth that’s just as eco-friendly as it is party-ready. The champagne’s grapes were raised using reduced amounts of water and pesticides, the glass bottles are lightweight, there’s no external packaging, and the labels use water-soluble ink. And the flavor? “Warm brioche…tropical flavors and a lovely roundness,” according to Pommery’s cellar master, Thierry Gasco. Retailing at $55 a bottle, Earth is priced at an appropriate level for a special occasion, without completely breaking the bank.
Choose an affordable sparkling wine:
If you plan to party on a budget, fear not. There’s no need to make sacrifices this year. A standard rule for wine is that low price doesn’t necessarily equate to low-quality. By doing a bit of research, you can pick the winners from the weaklings when it comes to cheaper labels. Guests who inquire about your selection will be pleasantly surprised at the low prices, and will have a renewed respect for your resourcefulness. Try the crisp, citrus-y non vintage Freixenet “Carta Nevada” cava from Spain, the bubbly, peachy Nonvintage Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry sparkling wine from Washington state, or the frothy, green-apple-flavored Nonvintage Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine from Sonoma. Each wine retails for under $15 and comes packed with zesty taste.
Make Champagne cocktails:
If you want to get more out of a limited supply of sparkling wine, take the cocktail route. Champagne is remarkably forgiving, so even inexperienced mixologists will find this to be a viable approach. Sweet dessert wines, brandy, and fruity-flavored liqueurs are some standard mixers, but, really, your imagination is the only limit when it comes to these bubbly concoctions. To rid yourself of all-night bar-tending duties, just provide your guests with champagne and a variety of mixing options and make the cocktails a DIY activity. Creative mixes will serve as perfect conversation starters and will get your party fizzing.
Or, splurge on an expensive label
We call this the “What recession?” approach. Be a rebel and make a statement with a famously top shelf champagne. Cristal, once drunk only by the Russian Tsar Alexander II or the equally luxurious Dom Pérignon will undoubtedly impress (or shock) and leave a sufficiently large hole in your bank account. If your going to use this approach, we recommend you downsize your party to two, to maximize your personal enjoyment. Share one of the above top notch champagnes with one special individual and make it a romantic, low-key evening at home.
No matter what kind of champagne or sparkling wine you decide to pop open, remember that you selection should complement - and not define - your celebration. Wine is only as good as the party at which it’s drunk. The joy of celebrating your relationships - romantic or otherwise, your accomplishments, and your goals is what ultimately makes the champagne delicious. As wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher recently posited in the Wall Street Journal, wine is a subjective art and, as they stated: “Your enjoyment of any wine is an extension of yourself, your emotions, your experiences and your circumstances when you drink it.” With that advice, make every bubble count this New Year’s Eve.
Sources:
“For holidays, let bubbly flow” miamiherald.com;
“Champagne Holiday Cocktails” blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites;
“Pop Hit | Pommery Green Champagnes” tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com;
“The Mysterious Heart of Deliciousness”wsj.com.
Photo courtesy of:
freechristmaswallpapers.net.
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Ending the Year on a Fashionable Note
December 26, 2009
New Year’s Eve is a last chance to make an impression on 2009. It was a challenging year to be sure, but it was also one that exhibited flashes of brilliance within the realms of food, fashion, and technology. Rarely has human love and ingenuity for culture been so apparent. As you look back on the past twelve months, remember it for its many pleasant surprises, and not just its bleak economy.
Use the final night of 2009 to make your own contribution to the celebration. Since this was the year that fashion became a spectacle—with its many over-the-top fashion shows and rising pop fashion icons—it’s only appropriate that you attend your New Year’s Eve with a fashion statement of your own.
New Year’s happens to be a perfect time to take some style risks since the carefree environment tends to be more forgiving (or forgetful) towards adventurous outfits. Plus, any faux pas can be left behind in the passing year as you start fresh in 2010.
Below we’ve gathered a few “statement pieces” that should appeal to various Dining DNA strands. Any one of these will sufficiently spruce up an otherwise typical cocktail dress or blazer and jeans ensemble:
A Bow Tie
Since it’s a time of the year meant for retrospection, Suave Sophisticates can cease the opportunity to make their outfits a throwback to New Years of yesteryear. A bow tie, topped off with a fedora or a blazer is always a sophisticated combination. Agile Improvisers, on the other hand, can combine a bow tie with an otherwise more casual outfit to make for a classic and quirky ensemble. Those who strive for hipsterism can also go the extra step and select a flashy tie like a colorful, velvet bow tie, or a jewel-studded one.
A Feathered Cocktail Hat
If your date happens to be a Suave Sophisticate wearing a bow tie, try being a formidable Protagonista and one-up him with an eye-catching cocktail hat that maintains the throwback theme. This pre-war chic feathered hat from Urban Outfitters is perfect for the occasion. It’s a classic beauty that tops off an outfit without sending it over the top. Consider the white feathers a blank canvas for specks of confetti. Lastly: when else will you be able to get away with sequins on a hat?
A Shiny Belt
Shiny is the general theme of New Year’s Eve. It’s one of the few occasions on which we give into our natural attraction to all things that sparkle, glow, and twinkle. If you’re a comfortable American not prone to fashion experimentation, try the simplest statement piece of the bunch—a metallic-hued belt. It’s the cheapest and most subtle options that will literally hold your outfit together. Try it with dark wash jeans.
Metallic Outerwear
Continuing with the theme of shininess, this gold vest by Pyrenex at Opening Ceremony and shimmering jacket from Phillip Lim are strictly for more adventurous protagonistas and agile improvisers. These items are useful for anyone planning to spend a portion of their night out in the cold, plus you’re bound to garner more attention than any dropping ball or fireworks display. As a side note, metallic fabrics have been cited as an upcoming fashion trend, so you may get a surprising amount of mileage out of this ostentatious outerwear.
Frilly Slippers
Women: If there’s any chance walking a straight line will be a challenge by night’s end, why not leave the heels at home? There are plenty of ways to make a statement without the added inches to your height. These Lanvin ballerina slippers are lightweight and comfortable, and still eye-catching thanks to their cool steel blue hue and ruffled trim. If, however, you’re adamant about wearing heels, you could always bring the slippers as back-up—they come with a dust bag for easy traveling. Your feet will thank you.
A Final Note
When selecting a statement piece, remember, this is New Year’s, not Halloween. You’re not aiming for a complete costume. Settling on one standout clothing item or accessory is more practical, stylish, and affordable. Consider each of the above an extra dash of spice that will bring out the flavor of your entire outfit, whether you’re a Suave Sophisticate, a Protagonista, or an Agile Improviser (or, if you just want to dress like one for the night).
Photo courtesy of:
polyvore.com;
urbanoutfitters.com;
topman.com;
openingceremony.com;
aloharag.com;
aloharag.com;
curiouswines.ie.
Posted in Fashion, Impress, New Year, Trends, holiday season | No Comments »
Rituals in the Era of Instantaneous Reinventions
December 23, 2009
Holidays herald the typical rituals of gift-giving and other burdens associated with traditions. For better or worse, the celebration of Hanukkah, Christmas, Orthodox Christmas or Kwanzaa calls us to look on the past and connect it with the present moment. The most common holiday tradition is the family gathering. Whether or not it’s with relatives we see often isn’t the main point; rather it’s the symbolic weight of the event that lends it its importance. Of course, getting together with family can serve the practical purpose of reconnecting to and updating each other on our lives.
These days, however, such reconnection could just as easily (if not more easily) be done by email.
What matters most is the repeated gesture of joining each other in the same place. Whether or not you need to hear updates or enjoy eating your grandmother’s cooking is merely tangential. It’s the repetition of these actions that gives them meaning. They offer us comfort through their constancy. They humble us.
The rituals of this time of year still retain value, especially in this era of instantaneous reinvention. Reflect on the various symbolic gestures that occur this time of year and enjoy them thoroughly. If that proves to be a challenge, then it may be time to spark a new holiday tradition.
Perhaps you find yourself in an unexpected place or situation this year, be it by duty or desire, that distances you from those you wish to have at your side. There may be no choice but to see a loved one through a Web camera; chat with them on Skype, AIM, or Google Talk; or, email them a letter.
You might be sharing a holiday meal with people who, though not directly related to you, still connect with you by common interest. Or, you might be spending the holiday with only yourself. The reality of our increasingly mobile society is that fewer things feel permanent. Our economy strengthens and weakens. Our physical locations are short-term. And our distance from the ones who know us best can change unexpectedly.
You can use a ritual–whether it’s the lighting of a candle, the decorating of a tree, or just a moment of meditation–to keep yourself grounded in the midst of any changes and transitions that you may be undergoing.
If you feel that traditional modes of celebrating the holidays aren’t relevant to your modern lifestyle - find or design a ritual that speaks to you. This is a technique that we aptly call Ritual 2.0. Consider that there are always anchors in your life that are constant–a relationship with another, a love of wine, or a simple life goal. Channel these constants and celebrate them. Start an annual bottle-opening to taste that vintage wine you’ve been saving all year, splurge at a restaurant that tops your must-try list, or start working on one of your resolutions for the following year. Life may be full of changes, upgrades, downgrades, and surprises, but it’s also full of things that can bring us pleasure and inspiration.
This holiday season, all we ask is that you indulge and be merry.
Photo courtesy of:
candleconnection-eg.com.
Posted in Lifestyle, Mobility, Traditions, Wine, holiday season | No Comments »
En Route and in Style: How To Be Travel Chic
December 21, 2009
In the frenzy of packing for your holiday travels, the last thing on your mind may be the stylishness of the outfit you wear to the airport or train station. When you’re running late, hauling an overpacked suitcase, or managing delays and cancellations, you might consider looking coordinated and chic a lost cause.
We, however, propose that there are still good reasons to look travel chic even during this most stressful time of year. For one, the time you spend in an airport exposes you to a multitude of travelers from around the globe. It’s your chance to be a global ambassador of style – Kate Moss was discovered in an airport, after all. Second, your travel outfit may be the first outfit your loved ones see upon your arrival. The outfit you wear is the first statement you make about how your life has progressed since the last time you saw distant friends and family. Lastly, wearing your most stylish items onto the plane ensures you won’t lose them should your luggage never arrive at baggage claim.
The best part is that looking travel chic needn’t mean compromising comfort or practicality – which tend to be the two priorities when traveling long distances. By looking calm, cool, and coordinated, you encourage your mind to feel the same way. Below are some quick tips and recommendations for either men or women on clothing and accessories that can keep you looking your best, even when you’re stressed.
The Right Eyewear
When you’re jet-lagged and travel-weary, your eyes can be a window to your disgruntled soul. Yet, with the right eyewear, you can be left feeling more refreshed than red-eyed when you awake from your high altitude nap. Those who wear contact lenses should consider eyeglasses for long flights and train rides, to avoid dry eyes. We recommend a pair of Oliver Peoples‘ eyeglasses for their retro flair. Sunglasses are also useful, since they can cover up signs of weariness or double as an eye mask while napping. Try a pair of souped up Ray-Ban Wayfarers from Oak. Their iconic design will be internationally recognized, but these unique designs help to redefine the look.
The Right Jacket
You might feel the urge to play it safe and wear your puffiest, most weather resistant jacket at this time of year, especially when headed towards wintry destinations. Yet, once you’re on the plane feeling like a parade balloon, you may wish you had reconsidered. Be realistic and think about how much time you’ll actually be spending outside. If the majority of that time is comprised of walking between a cab and the airport entrance, a trim pea coat will suffice. A Burberry rain jacket is also a reliable style choice. It will provide you with the necessary protection against the elements, and, since it’s made of thin polyester, it’s easily stowed away once you’re indoors.
The Right Sweater
Since you’re opting for a lighter jacket, you’ll want the added warmth of a sweater. Layering is not only the current stylistic preference, but it also allows you to adjust to a variety of temperatures on the fly. Tri-blend and flecked sweaters are a hit at the moment. Cardigans, on the other hand, can be shed without disturbing your hairstyle or your eyeglasses. A simple, neutral-colored cardigan goes well with most outfits. Customize the look by bunching up the sleeves or buttoning and unbuttoning to your preference. Oversized cardigans can also double as mini-blankets as you get cozy in coach.
The Right Pants
While sweatpants have been documented as an increasingly accepted fashion trend, we would wait until the trend proves its staying power before we recommend wearing them outside your living quarters. Unless you’re truly dedicated to your favorite pair of jeans, it’s best to steer clear of denim as well, especially if its raw or form fitting. Travel space will be tight enough as it is. For a pair of pants that maximizes comfort without disregard for style, try American Apparel’s affordable travel pants. The name says it all. The pants come in subdued blue and gray tones, plus a jazzier red option, and at less than $70, they’re relatively wallet-friendly.
The Right Bag
The first rule with a carry-on bag is not to overstuff it. This requires a good deal of discipline in the packing stage, but it pays off in the end. Remember: a tech chic traveler is one that isn’t bogged down by heavy baggage. Your bag should not be bursting at the seems and, if necessary, you should be capable of carrying it with one hand. Upscale labels like Louis Vuitton and Givenchy make excellent weekend-style bags that provide enough space for just that – a weekend’s-worth of clothes and necessities. J. Crew also makes more affordable men’s and women’s travel bags and mini-suitcases that mimic the sophisticated look of higher end brands. When it comes to laptop bags, we prefer tighter fitting sleeves as opposed to laptop shoulder bags, which tend to be clunky.
The Right Shoes
This is arguably the trickiest category. When it comes to footwear, comfort and style are usually required to duke it out. For women this is especially true. Obviously, high heels can be problematic and could potentially slow you down. We recommend avoiding heels or keeping them reasonably low. Loafers (without socks) are the epitome of comfort and maintain a certain level of class, but might not be appropriate for harsh weather. If needed, go for boots. If you don’t have a broken-in pair, you can buy them vintage at stores like Stock in New York. Otherwise, women, try this guide to winter boots - from high to low and everything in between.
The Right Guides
Being travel chic isn’t all about appearance. It’s also about the kind of know-how that comes with being cultured and experienced. Of course, you can always turn to a little helpful cheating with the right travel guides. Louis Vuitton and Wallpaper* produce travel guides that are fashionable in both content and appearance. The Vuitton guides currently cover over a dozen major cities, while Wallpaper* covers 80. Both sets of guides cater to discerning travelers and offer a more subjective approach to travel guides by listing addresses that best capture the spirit of the destination cities, according to the editors. The guides also prioritize beauty – in both the locations they cover and their own design-conscious packaging.
Source:
“Wallpaper* City Guides” wallpaper.com;
“Louis Vuitton City Guides 2010″ luxuo.com.
Photo courtesy of:
luxuo.com.
Posted in Fashion, Travel, Vacations, holiday season | No Comments »
Modernize Your Holiday Traditions
December 15, 2009
There are few times of the year that are as tradition-heavy as the current holiday season. And it makes perfect sense: What better way to welcome a new year than with a return to our roots? Traditions are a way to remind us of our origins. They often take us back home, return us to the cultures in which we grew up, and help to keep us grounded.
They can also get pretty repetitive if you aren’t careful.
Repetition is, of course, at the heart of tradition, but that doesn’t mean you can’t infuse your rituals with a little creativity. Bringing something new to your holiday celebration can help keep your traditions relevant and it means you won’t confuse the traditional with the blasé.
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Posted in Cooking, Dining DNA, Discover, Traditions, holiday season | No Comments »
Tech Chic Holiday Wish List: Europe Edition
December 1, 2009
The U.S. doesn’t get to have all the fun this holiday season – Europe has more than its fair share of flashy smartphones as well. As with the U.S. Edition of our wish list, we’ve selected from the best of the best smartphones, with special consideration for those that possess that extra touch of Ubi flair. We’ve also taken into consideration our three designated mobile personalities – scrollers, clickers, and typers – and were sure to pick smartphones that are just as versatile as you are, meaning they offer both productivity and fun.
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A Tech Chic Holiday Wish List: U.S. Edition
November 30, 2009
For the tech chic, the holiday season provides a perfect excuse to splurge on a smartphone upgrade. With so many tempting options available this year, it’s going to be especially hard to resist springing for a shiny new mobile device. Yet, even if you do give in to your tech cravings, you’re still left with another dilemma: which phone to choose?
With the eternal compromise between phones that offer style vs. practicality and entertainment vs. usefulness, we understand that it’s no easy decision. Luckily, more and more phones are offering a little bit of something for everyone, so it’s hard to make a completely wrong decision. Still, those with discerning tastes will want a device that matches their mobile personalities as precisely as possible. Our goal is to make the matchmaking process a little less daunting. We’ve selected the crème de la crème of the latest batch of smartphones and dissected them (figuratively speaking) with special consideration for scrollers, clickers, and typers.
Whether it’s a dependable keyboard, a dazzling screen, or bug-free multimedia options, have a look below to find your match made in heaven. Just beware: temptation levels are about to get critical.
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