Did I do 25 in 52?

As I go over the list - I have mixed feelings.

The 'old' me is saying "you said you would do all these and you didn't - you failed".
The new me is saying "you really did 3/4 of them and that totally rocks!!"

So what didn't I complete....you know, the only one I'll disclose is the bikini. I didn't go any where warm and the scar still has me freaked out a bit, so no bikini in 09', but look out 2010.

It's funny that thing they call self-talk. What I find is that I spend more time than I need, finding my faults instead of saluting all the good things about myself. I have gotten a lot better, but I still have moments of doubt, despair and just plain fear. I wasn't one who got scared before, I don't know where it came from but it's here. You know, those moments of panic that I forgot someones birthday, or did I lock the car door, or is my zipper up?

Well there will be a new list next year, as soon as I can figure out what I want. Will I add the things I didn't finish this year...hmmm, maybe not. Maybe there aren't supposed to be finished, but just there for me to dream about. Maybe they were there as a stepping stone for my true self to dare to come into being again. Maybe, they were there, just because it sounded good. I don't know - I'm not that smart, nor that sneaky and frankly, it's way too early in the AM to ponder it.

I do know that I'm going to begin a list of things I want to do in the next 10 years and they will be BIG. I'm thinking...about 3-5 per year and if I do them out of order, or finish them up before that particular year is over,...I'll just move to the next year and add new dreams on the back end.

Yea, that's the ticket. So I hope you are dreaming big and if you have any suggestions, let me know. After all, you never know...

Did someone say Christmas Cheer?

I can I hardly believe it’s the night before Christmas. Where did this year go and what am I going to do for New Years eve?

Well a few of you asked for different cocktail recipes that you could serve now, through New Years beyond the traditional ones. Here are a few that I absolutely love and will have for friends and family as they pop over. They are easy to make and really pretty to look at. So deck the halls and lift a cup of holiday cheer. Don’t forget, while you’re having fun drink responsibly.

Here’s wishing you lots of goodies and may all your dreams come true this holiday season.

Candy Cane Swirl

Candy Cane Swirl
1 oz. SKYY Infusions Raspberry
3 oz. Red Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz. Grenadine
0.5 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Lemon Lime Soda
Candy Canes

Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Top with Lemon Lime Soda and garnish with small peppermint candy cane.

Mele Kalikimaka Martini

A creative twist on a Bing Crosby classic, the Mele Kalikimaka Martini is ”Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you.” Turning a classic cocktail, contemporary using SKYY Infusions Pineapple and Coconut Cream, the martini adds a personal touch to your typical eggnog and is a surefire way to impress any partygoer. Trust me, this is smooth!!

Mele Kalikimaka Martini
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
3 oz. Eggnog
Splash of Coconut Cream or Coconut Milk
Nutmeg
Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Top with sprinkling of nutmeg and cinnamon and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

The Ninth Night

You may think that you’re done celebrating once the candles burn out in the menorah, but The Ninth Night is the great way to conclude your Hanukkah festivities. A refreshing cocktail designed to commemorate a special (and unofficial) ninth night of Hanukkah.

The Ninth Night
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
1 oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. White Cranberry Juice
Lemon Lime Soda
Lime Juice

Combine SKYY Infusions Citrus, Triple Sec and Cranberry Juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into tall rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with soda and lots of fresh lime juice. Garnish with blue ribbon or pipe cleaner around the glass.

Cuppa Good Cheer

Whether you anticipate a “White Christmas” or a California “Endless Summer,” we all snuggle up with loved ones and a cup of warm hot cocoa at least once during the holiday season.

Cuppa Good Cheer
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Cherry
0.5 White Creme de Cacao
4 oz. Extra Hot Chocolate
1 oz. Half and Half
Whipped Cream
Red Sprinkles
Maraschino Cherry

Combine all ingredients into a holiday mug and top with whipped cream, red sprinkles and a Maraschino Cherry.

Infuse passion into the New Year with a flashy cocktail featuring SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit, fresh juice and raspberries. The New Year’s Sparkler is an easy way to spice up your champagne flute this New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Sparkler
1 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
1.5 oz. Pomegranate Juice
3.5 oz. Champagne
5-6 Raspberries

Combine SKYY Infusions Raspberry and cranberry juice in a chilled champagne flute and top with champagne. Garnish with raspberry tree.*

*Slide 5-6 raspberries onto long skewer and place vertically in champagne glass.

This is one of my favorite drinks. I greet my guests in from the cold, winter weather with a traditional cup of Holiday Glögg, a Scandinavian take on mulled wine. Made in large batches and easily reheated time and time again, this recipe is a great one to have in your back pocket for any surprise guests.

Holiday Glögg
12 oz. SKYY Vodka
1 Bottle 750 ml of Dry Red Wine
1.5 tbsp. Mulling Spice
1 tsp. Fresh Orange Zest
2 tbsp. Sugar
2 tbsp. Blanched Almonds
4 tbsp. Raisins

Wrap Mulling Spice in cheesecloth. In a large saucepan, combine the Wine, SKYY Vodka, cheesecloth with Mulling Spice, Orange Zest and Sugar. Allow to very lightly simmer over medium heat for at least 30 minutes (do not boil). Discard the mulling spices. Drop a few raisins and almonds at the bottom of each mug and top with the hot liquid.

I'm hope you enjoy this holidays drink selection. I can't wait to share more with you in 2010.

Happy Holidays One And All

Farewell Montreal...

The phone blares at 6:00am. In all of my brilliance decided I wanted to spend an early morning photo shooting. Well, that didn't happen. Instead, I lounged in bed until 7am when the sun started to rise. Sunrises and sunsets are my favorite times of the day. Yes, it may have something to do with orange being my favorite color, but more than that, each holds it's own 'promise of things to come'.


My last day to run around, and take photos of beautiful Montreal. They don't have Christmas windows like NY, but some of their decorations in their malls are lovely. Oh....I will say that the 5 block underground city is amazing. All you do is enter, and you really never have to come out for hours. There are tons of stores, every block section has it's own food court, and they range from the reasonably priced to the uber expensive mall. Last breakfast, bookstore visit - I had to check out their bridal magazine collection. Today, it's 14 degrees. While I will miss lots here, the weather is not among them.

With good-by said to the staff, the ride back to the airport has me filled with mixed feelings. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. This trip was a success and I was only sick once. I learned a lot, had fun, met some really cool people, wrote a letters to my friends and will walk away with the knowledge that I can do trips alone...no with myself, once again. I guess when you get so used to traveling with a road-dog, the first time solo...is like the first time once again. Not that I wouldn't mind a girls-trip again...I know that it will come again, in time.

Ah....There are lots of beautiful skylines. I'm always excited to see the cities from 25,000 feet in the air, but there are none more beautiful than NYC. It's great to come home no matter how much fun I had. I'm looking forward to 2010 and all the new adventures that will come and maybe - no I'll absolutely visit Montreal again (just when it's much warmer).

So much to do, le si petit temps (so little time)

What a great night's sleep. I feel totally like a new person!!

Breakfast is European style and expansive. Cheeses, fresh fruit (where do you get such sweet melon in the dead of winter?) coffee, tea, fresh breads, cereals and lots of juice and coffee. Greeted by one of the managers, frankly I'm surprised that she is back so early, looking so FRESH!

Camera - check, boots - check, warm hat (thanks mom!!) - check, gloves, sunshine I'm ready for day two.

Today is going to be fun. I'm going to actually meet up with some of the girls I've been tweeting with. I absolutely love twitter for that. I sent a note last week asking for women in the bridal industry who live in Montreal to reach out and boy did they ever. We're meeting for lunch at 2pm at Le Cartet in Old Montreal. This is a great coffee house with long tables, great groovy french music, amazing food and lots of good energy!! Since I only know Nadine, I wait for her to arrive which she does with Karina, Carrie, Kim, Nadine and Lynn. These are some of the wedding professionals in Montreal, but more than that, really cool girls.

While the food was tasty, I really loved the ease of conversation and flow between french and english. We laughed a lot and then went to Nadine's house to meet her new baby Tess. Very cute little girl...I may have a little boy or two here for her to meet (since they are all between 8month and 1yr old - hey, you never know!!). We ended the night with going to an event that was equivalent to etsy - where they had some new artists showcase their work. Some if it was really beautiful. I loved meeting them and know we'll be great friends.

I hated saying good night to the ladies but it was a long, cold day and I had dinner plans. When I walk the 4 blocks (and I mean super long up a hill in the snow kind of blocks) from the event to the hotel, I am greeted by thumping music, great smelling food and a red-rope that wasn't there last night. I guess the party has begun.

By now, I've made friends with the bar and restaurant staff. I will say honestly, there are NO ugly people in Montreal. I've walked around, been in/out of shops and truly have not seen anyone who was not attractive. HOWEVER...these folks, here...took it to an completely different level. I ask Bridget (aka Peanut) where is a good place to eat and she recommends 'Grande Manager' in Old Montreal. Seems her friend is a manager there. She warns that I may need reservations, but there is a bar with seats. Since I don't mind that, actually prefer that, I grab a cab and head over to find this place.

What I walk into is a very small, very dark, very french and charming restaurant. It's packed yet there are 4 seats at the bar. The manager makes her way past the waiters and TV crew (more later), and asks me if I have a reservation. I ask "Are you Jessica?" "Yes I am" "Well Bridget, uh Peanut recommended that I come for dinner." "Well, we are expecting another group, but you can sit at the bar, perhaps have a drink for a few moments to see if they show up?" That's fine. Well, actually I'm hoping they don't show up. The food smells amazing!

Lobster, rabbit, veil, beef and tons of puff-pastry-filled goodies. To make this night really special, the chef was creating new tastings that they were passing around for guests to sample. I hear the chef Chuck Hughes, is a TV star and actually they were filming him tonight. I had the lobster risotto which was so rich and filling, I could barely finish it all...but I did :-) Jessica said that I was more than welcome to stay as the restaurant usually had a good crowd of people that arrived around 10pm and danced until the early hours of the morning. I did stay for a while as the music changed I realized that I am getting old. Too loud music a bit much for me. But it was fun for a while.

After a wonderful meal, I was lucky to get a cab almost immediately and then head back to the hotel. Too tired to get pretty tonight I just dump the boots, put on my shoes (oh, the really cool ones from Morocco), fresh make-up and back down stairs. Hey it's my last night in Montreal and I can party if I want to (or can stay up is really more like it) The music is thumping....and more beautiful young and old(er) people. Some really handsome men - I mean to tell you!! The women, I mean beyond beautiful and all wearing barely any clothes. I hope they came in warm coats!

I did what I do best...grabbed a glass of Champagne (of course), and grabbed a seat to watch the fun. Lots of students from McGill college (which isn't that far from the hotel), business men, and locals all are here for a night of fun. The music is great, I met some new friends and at 1am, I head up stairs. The party is going on strong.

As I entered my hotel room for the last time, it was warm, turned down service and the only thing that made the night more perfect, was the hot bath (in the jumbo tub) and then the light of the moon falling gently through my window. I fell asleep in a happy, content, and mentally refreshed.

Montreal a combination of old and new

The streets begin to look familiar. I walk about 3 miles before I head back to the hotel to meet with the general manager. Jacques (and Katherine) who are both very sweet, very corporate, very professional and I can tell are used to a ‘hard-nose’ kind of industry professional. That's sooo not my way to interview.

I’m shown all over the hotel, restaurant and club. I’m also told that things really start to kick off around 10pm. Once I have a few moments with Jacques he begins to relax and his true personality begins to show. He is fun and knows his stuff. We make plans to meet up for dinner around 7pm and I’m left with more brochures to review.

Meeting done, back out in the cold and lights of Montreal.

“Lisa, we have a few friends her from Toronto, would you like to join or do you just want to have dinner with me?” Jacques asks
“No, I’d love to meet your friends.” With that, I’m told to drop my stuff in the room and meet them at the bar in about 10 min. Just enough time for me to splash my face with warm water (I’m totally frozen), and get out of the clunky boots.

This is the first time in 3 yrs that I actually put on a really pretty-girly top and black jeans. Frankly, I look totally hot!

What I didn’t realize is what I was getting into. Ian, Michelle, Jacques, Donald and I had a BLAST. We ordered about five appetizers and courses which was all served family style. The portions were huge and oh so good. Lots of great conversation, 4 bottles of wine and cognacs later, kisses on both cheeks and I bid bonne nuit (good night) to my new friends. As I leave, I can feel the energy of the restaurant change – the beautiful people are coming and the party is just about to begin. Well, maybe this 'beautiful person' will catch up with them tomorrow night.

Comfortably back in my room, I take a shower and settle into the king sized goose-down bed and sigh. Truly exhausted because I’ve been up for now almost 41 hrs, it was easy to finally fall into a blissful French sleep.

Canadian Security, the White House is on the phone…

I have my luggage (a small roller-bag and my camera equipment) and not knowing how long the ride from the airport to the hotel is, well...I make a pit stop. The bathrooms are extremely clean, no wait and the most stalls for woman that I've seen at any airport in my travels. After I 'refresh', there is the LONG corridor that you have to walk down - of course the rolling sidewalk isn't turned on yet...because we are the first flight in...so all I hear is the 'clomp-clomp' of my boots and the swish of the luggage wheels. Normally I don't get scared, but honestly being alone with no one in sight is a bit creepy.

"Welcome to Customs."

Why are customs people so grumpy – I mean honestly it’s 9AM…what pissed you off already? Because I’m just so ‘happy’ I try to coax a smile out of the agent. Not happening. Finally he asked me where I lived (one of the 7 questions he asked. I was waiting for him to ask my blood type!), and when I said “Brooklyn”, you could see a light go off. Seems he has family there and he was coming for a visit in a few months. I said, maybe I’ll see you. While we both know the probability is really slim, he did smile and wish me a good stay. WHEW!! Considering the recent crash of the white house, maybe our security could learn something - just a suggestion.

Only four more security checks before I can actually exit the airport, grab a taxi and take the ride to the Opus Montreal Hotel.

As I am driven down St. Catherine, I remember the last time I was in Montreal. It was with my BFF in Nov of 2003 (I think), and we were having a blast. We discovered that our favorite brand at the time “Lush” arrived from London and opened a new shop there. All the yummy soaps and bath bombs…we were delirious. When we heard they were going to open one in NY-well we were doing the happy dance. That meant we didn’t have to ‘import’ tons of this stuff anymore, we could just get it at home. I remember another friend of ours Kristin, that day was her birthday so we called her walking down Rue Sherborne singing “Happy Birthday” loudly to her on my phone and got the “crazy American” looks from the people around us. We didn’t care; we were having fun.

This time it’s just me…off on another adventure…new discoveries.

The Opus Montreal Hotel is a relatively new boutique hotel located at 70 Sherbrook Ouest. This is NOT your typical US boutique hotel. I arrived at 10:30am and immediately shown my room. Now did they do that just for me, or because I’m 'media'? The truth is I saw them welcome another party, so maybe they are prepared for early arrivals. Imagine that…prepared for your guests so they feel welcome and don’t have to wait.

Originally, I was in the Orange room and completely blown away. Large, colorful and beautifully arranged I felt as if I walked into an apt and not a hotel room. Obviously this isn’t a normal ‘boutique’. The shower (ok for you guys who read this. Girls check out closet space and bathrooms – that’s how we judge a good hotel) was all glass encased, very chic fixtures and amenities and a 42inch flat screen tv. Yes this room had it all.

Happy to settle in my phone rings.

“Madame, I just received word from my manager that we would like to upgrade your room to a suite”.

"What type of room is this?"

"Oh, that is a regular room. I didn’t realize and we want you to be comfortable. A suite just became available so I’ll have a valet come and move you."

Ok…is about all I could muster…THIS IS A REGULAR ROOM??

Five minutes later, I’m in my new suite, which is taupe colored, a room that is larger than some NY apts and again my mouth drops open. This time I have a shower AND a SUPER-SIZED TUB.

They will never get me to leave.

Since my first meeting with the manager isn’t for a few hours, I grab my camera and go looking for my first adventure.

Montreal, here I come!!

The song “Leaving on a jet plane” is playing in my ear. Maybe it’s because I’m leaving in a few hrs on my first solo trip in years, and I’m excited. It’s more likely because I’ve been up since yesterday 3:00am and am delirious.

So what’s so important about this trip and where am I going?

Destination: Montreal Canada

Airline: Continental Airlines

Location: Opus Montreal Hotel

Time: 3 Days

Temperature predictions: 14-31 – Brrrrr!!

Waiting at Newark airport before the crack of dawn has only one benefit – I’m here before the rush, so there is no wait at the security line.

“Any liquids, perishables, explosives?” – Nah, only perishable is my string cheese, which I’m going to eat as soon as I put my shoes back on. I hate wearing my snow boots because, well you know for security purposes, you have to nearly strip before they let you go through.

Ok, I know your next question is “why have I been up for over 28 hrs?” – I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and I woke up at 3AM. Well, once I’m up, I’m up. It’s a curse!! The bottom line, I really didn’t want to take the chance of sleeping through the alarm, so I stayed up and figured that I would sleep on the plane.

Once on the plane, I settled down for what was about a 20 second nap. Between the flight attendant bumping me in the shoulder with the cart (really small plane) as soon as our beverage and pretzels were served, the captain said “we have begun our decent into Montreal.”

As I look out the window, all I see is S-N-O-W. I was prepared for it, but reality (especially when I left NY, the high for the day was going to be 50) is something different. But I’m game for a challenge and as we land I’m as excited as a child at Christmas. I’m in Montreal, a place that holds so many great memories for me and I can officially say ‘it’s a business trip’. YEA!!!

So much to dooooo

Yesterday it snowed - ok, so a few flakes which melted as they landed, but it was amazing. "It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas" was running through my head the entire time. Of course, frost that was nipping at more than a few places than my nose, didn't make me a happy camper.

I realized I'd not posted anything here since Thanksgiving, so here is the long/short update.

My parents went to Spain and Morocco - in two words - LOVED IT! It's really funny to hear my dad go on, on and on about places in Spain/Morocco as if I've never been there. He usually catches himself and then just chuckles. Frankly I'm thrilled that they spent 3 weeks traveling, exploring and truly enjoying themselves. Of course the best was being at the airport in Newark to surprise them as they made their way to their connecting flight. I missed the almost daily talks with mom mom...and of course miss talking and joking with dad. Can't wait to see their pictures, especially of dad on a camel. He said that one of the camels kept trying to bite him...hmmm

Recently, I've been hanging with the band again. They are so like an extended family and it's always wonderful to see them during rehearsals. The added highlight for me this time was Sting (yep - Mr. Police himself) was also doing studio time. I am one of the biggest Sting fans and to see him in person, ok, so I became a silly-groupie. He is very, very nice and once he saw me with 'my artist', realized that I was harmless. The artist I've been hanging with is on her way to a gig in Russia. Now, there have been 2 bombings in the last week - so I'm a bit nervous for the entire team, but I believe that God/Universe will protect them. Can't wait to hear how Moscow goes.

Tonight, I'm doing something that I really love, a Christmas window pub-crawl. What's a Christmas Window Pub-Crawl - well just what it says. We'll go visit some of the best stores in NYC, look at their windows (along with every other tourist-ARGH!) and then grab a cocktail or several along the way. The merry group are hysterical to be with, it will be really cold, but no rain tonight and I can't wait to see them. Christmas (and my birthday) is my favorite holiday and I fondly remember Christmas in London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore and Fla. I think Singapore and Fla., freaked me out the most. There is something abnormal about Santa in surfer shorts....

Ok, so I've got to get ready to deck the halls (or some way-ward tourist), and bow the holly and get my fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la groove on.

OH Canada....(hint-hint, next blog entry)