MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S EVE SPARKLE

Faster then the speed of light here we are once again at the cusp of a New Year. It seems that the entire 365 days of 2016 have been leading up to this one event; New Year’s Eve. There is always so much pressure around this night to make it memorable so we have some traditional ideas combined with a fresh perspective to make your New Year’s Eve sparkalicious!  (sure it’s a word LOL)

FASHION FIRST

This is the one night of the year that glitter is appropriate; anytime, anywhere, no holds barred. So live it up! Grab that sequined dress, jacket or skirt out of the closet that has been hanging back there for years waiting for its debut and knock-em dead.

Sequined Jacket
Sequined Dresses
Sequined Skirts
Sequined Tops
*Order any item before December 29th. for NYE delivery and receive FREE shipping in the continental US.

If an entire garment full of sequins feels to bold for your wall-flower personality, make it a little more subtle with some glitter tights, jewelry or make-up. If you can’t find glitter tights in your area and do not have time to order them from online we have instructions on our Facebook page for a DIY version that looks terrific.

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FOUR SPARKTACULAR CITIES FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

New Year’s only comes around once a year, so why not make the occasion memorable and join the celebration in one of these sparktacular cities.

New York City – Although New York may be too much for some people, there is no denying that it is one of the best parties in the world when it comes to New Year’s Eve. Whether you are down in Time Square watching the ball drop or out on the water enjoying the fireworks, New York will give anybody an experience to remember.

London – The iconic Big Ben is the gathering place of hundreds of thousands of people on New Year’s Eve. The banks of the Thames and all of London’s most famous bridges are crowded with people watching the incredible light show and listening to the clock chime at midnight.

Paris – The “City of Lights” lives up to its name during its New Year’s Eve celebration. From the spectacular fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower, to the massive block party in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe and finally to the show at the well known Moulin Rouge, Paris provides an experience not soon forgotten.

Sydney – Because of its unique location Sydney is the first major city to ring in the New Year and they do it in style. The city is known for having one of the largest firework shows  in the world, the show starts at 9 PM and ends when the clock strikes midnight. The large waterfront provides a place for millions of people to gather and enjoy the show which features aerial acrobatics, an Aboriginal smoking ceremony that is said to cleanse bad spirits, and the Harbour of Light Parade.

LET THE NEW YEAR SPARK A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

So, if you are like me and are so over the hype and hubris surrounding this holiday there are others ways to make it memorable without all of the hubbub.

Indoor Camping – Set up a small tent and to add some sparkle put up some lights and light some candles. You can even venture outside and ring in the New Year under the twinkle of the stars. If you are really feeling adventurous you can light a fire (in the fireplace of course) and roast some marshmallows.

 

Create An At Home Spa – This is a great way to pamper your spouse and it sets the mood for a romantic New Year. You can plan out the spa treatments you will offer. Don’t forget the candles and champagne.

 

Spark The Inspiration Of Those Around You, Create A Giving Calendar for the New Year – Create a calendar of ways you want to give in 2017. Plan something for each month, find a charity or ministry that you would like to support and create unique ways to give back to them, it could be as simple as the gift of your time.

 

Put Some Sparkle in Your New Year and Plan a Trip to Vegas in 2017 – Spend your New Year’s Eve planning your next vacation. There are a lot of great ways to enjoy Vegas, from Cirque Du Soleil shows to Wynn Night Clubs, there is something for everyone. Vegas is a great place to make your New Year sparkle.

 

STRESS LESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” or so Andy Williams would have us believe in that much loved Christmas carol, at least it is supposed to be, so what simple things can we do to make sure the sentiments from this legendary Christmas song actually become our reality? I want to experience Christmas this year without all of the frantic stress and tension that so often come along with this holiday and rob me of the “spirit of the season” leave me feeling jaded instead of jolly. We assembled some tips for reducing stress that don’t require any unrealistic commitments of your time, which there already is not enough of, but rather can be incorporated into the to do list you already have attached to your schedule.

1. Take Time For A Simple Act Of Kindness

While you are rushing around finishing up last minute details, stop and open a door for someone,  bring back coffee for a co-worker or spouse, let someone who looks “really stressed” go ahead of you in line. These are simple things that studies show actually reduce your stress level.

2. Take In The Sights, Sounds and Smells Of The Season

Instead of stressing out over getting that last parking spot close to the door, intentionally park far away; use this as an opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise, relish the invigoration of the crisp winter air as it touches your cheeks, listen to the enchanting sound of the salvation army santa’s bells or christmas music surrounding you, observe the beauty of the decorated lampposts and sparkling lights. Breathe in the smell of fresh pine trees as you pass by the Christmas tree lots. Being mindful of and enjoying your surroundings immediately lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress.

3. Wrap It Up

Make gift wrapping an event. Plan a movie excursion for hubby and kids, make yourself your favorite beverage; hot chocolate, tea, coffee with a little baileys maybe, put on your favorite holiday music, sit by the fire, have all of your wrapping tools out and organized and enjoy wrapping each gift with attention to detail. This time to focus on one task will put your mind at rest and the tension of the day will just melt away.

4. Take Note

Pick a handful of people who have had a special impact on your life this year and take a few minutes at the beginning or end of your day to actually write them a personal thank you note/Christmas Greeting expressing how they blessed your life in 2016. Expressing gratitude makes you feel mentally stronger and reduces frustration and irritability.

5. Establish New Traditions That Suit Your Lifestyle

Most of the stress we experience in our lives is tied into expectations we are striving to live up to. A belief that events SHOULD be executed in a certain way. Forget the should surrounding where you should go, what you should do, how you should celebrate, who you should get a gift for; lose the expectations you normally place on yourself and instead be open to establishing new traditions that fit into the lifestyle of you and your family.  This time of year is all about enjoying and sharing with the ones we love; instead of the full Christmas dinner perhaps a tapas style presentation of a few simple hot hor d’oueves & cocktails or soup and salad bar would be just as fun and give everyone a chance to mill around visit and enjoy one another instead of being relegated to an assigned seat at the table. Agree to just one gift per person, draw names. Decorate a tree outside in the yard with lights and ornaments instead of making a mess inside. Celebrate with different parts of the family different days or host an open house where people can drop by whenever they have time. Participate in a santa run for charity which will eliminate any arguments over whose house you have to visit at what time.

Remember to live in the moment. Don’t miss the magic of the season, embrace the additional to do’s and events it added to your schedule as a welcome change, step out of the mundane for awhile, find that spark of childhood wonder where the world is full of hope, excitement, and all things good.

 

THE ART OF DRESSING

DRESSING YOUR TURKEY AND YOURSELF FOR THANKSGIVING
There are two crucial components no Thanksgiving dinner can do without; a perfectly appointed turkey and you; the hostess with the mostess. But juggling all of the shopping, decorating, cooking and entertaining can leave you feeling frazzled rather then thankful, especially after having to referee uncle Bob and aunt Jenny who feel they need to boldly share their political views with everyone in attendance. Never fear, with a few simple tips we can help you pull this event off with grace and panache. You will be the master of all the madness.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: THE TURKEY

Before we can get our turkey dressed we have to get it cooked properly which can be stressful even if you are not a first time turkey preparer. Let’s take the stress out of this:
Tip 1 – Get your turkey the Monday before Thanksgiving, don’t wait, this will assure it has plenty of time to thaw properly if frozen.
Tip 2 – Once thawed or if using a fresh turkey let it set in the refrigerator uncovered for a couple of days before cooking. It sounds scary I know, but this will cause the juices to get pulled into the meat of the bird and dry the skin so it will become a beautiful picturesque brown just like all of those photos you see. Yes, it will look shriveled by the second day, DO NOT WORRY, after cooking it will look and taste fabulous.
Tip 3 – There must be at least 25 different ways to prepare a turkey, here are a couple of our favorites:
DRY-BRINED TURKEY
PERFECT ROAST TURKEY

Tip 4- We want the turkey as our centerpiece to look beautiful but just use what you already have; sprinkle around some hazelnuts, cranberries, clementine’s, a little greenery, even kale works, and you will have a work of art with very little expense and effort.

ADDRESSING THE DRESSING

I don’t know about you but for years I have wondered why some people call stuffing dressing. Thanks to this blog I actually took the time to do a little research and discovered that when your bread mixture actually is stuffed inside the turkey if is officially defined as stuffing, when it is prepared as a side dish separate from the turkey it is called dressing because you are using it to dress your plate. There you go, I feel smarter already. We can let our guests worry about “dressing their plates”, as a hostess our only responsibility is making sure the turkey is well dressed; both on the table if we plan to feature it as a centerpiece and then with our prepared side dish. No stuffing, thank you very much, it keeps the bird from cooking correctly, brings the risk of food borne illness and comes out goopy, yuck!
Try two of our favorite dressing recipes:

SAGE APPLE CRANBERRY DRESSING

HERBED CORNBREAD DRESSING

FOOD FRIENDLY FASHION

As a hostess or even a guest we all want to look stylish and pulled together in front of our family and friends but when you are going to be spending 80% of your time in the kitchen and juggling people, plates and pandemonium you need clothing that you feel comfortable in, otherwise you will find yourself feeling awkward and irritable which isn’t good for anyone involved. Here are our favorite tips fro stylizing some comfortable basics from your own closet. Find many of these items and more in our #blackfridaydeals at poshatplay.com, save 70% sitewide on your entire purchase with code BFF at check-out.

MAKE A STATEMENT

A statement piece from your wardrobe is all that you need to take jeans, leggings or a simple monotone dress to a whole new level. What qualifies as a statement piece you ask? It is that item that hangs in your closet you just had to have but probably do not wear very often, example: fur vest, sequined anything, brightly colored jacket or shirt. This is one of those items that immediately draws attention to itself every time it is worn. Today is the day to give it a chance to “come out of the closet” and shine.

Instant Elegance

Simple, Sleek and Refined

 

WHERE TO FIND:
Black Fur Vest
Button Down Denim Shirt
Black Leather Leggings
Black Jeans
Sequin Skirt

ELEVATE WITH ACCESSORIES

No statement piece, no matter, you can also add some flair to one of your closet basics with thoughtfully chosen accessories. We are talking scarves, jewelry, belts, and shoes. We are including shoes here because believe it or not the right shoe can set off an otherwise boring outfit and give it new life. These are statement accessories that scream “look at me” so it is important to pair them with a toned down look.

No heels for this girl, when I need to move and get things done the last thing I want is to feel unsteady on my feet. All of these flats are comfortable without giving up one ounce of style.

WHERE TO FIND:
Lace-up Ballet Flats
Silver Sequined Flats
Leopard Print Flats
Gold Lame Flats

The great thing about a belt or scarf is that they can be thrown on over last minute so you are free to cook comfort and then can easily adorn yourself moments before company walks through the door.

WHERE TO FIND:
Silk Scarves
Leather Belt
Jewelry
Sweater Dress

Regardless of what your plans are for Thanksgiving Day just remember the bottom line is not perfection but gratitude for all of the imperfect people we are surrounded by who make our lives rich by making us laugh, causing us to cry and teaching us how to love the often unlovable part in all of us. HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Posh At Play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS OLD AND NEW

  

With the Holidays right around the corner, we here at Posh at Play are getting into the Holiday Traditions, both old and new. The Holidays are great time to reflex and reflect on not only the past year, but also the new year to come. It’s a time of giving and sharing, and a time to reflect on how and why we do the things we do. What are the Holiday Traditions that bring us “home” every year, and what are the new Traditions to investigate to make each holiday season special and unique? We want to hear from you our readers. What are some of your favorite “must-have” Holiday Traditions and what are some new Traditions you would like to try this Season? To give you a head start, we’ve gathered a list of Old and New Holiday Traditions we love. Take a look and let us know what you think.

     

ADVENT OR ELF ON THE SHELF?

A much loved Holiday Tradition for young and old alike is counting down the days until Christmas Day. A favorite is the Advent calendar, tracing back to19th Century Britian, with the first known published Advent calendar produced in 1851. One door, featuring a Christmas image or small present, is opened per day starting December 1st, and continuing  through the 24 days of December, building anticipation and excitement for Christmas Day. We love the beautiful selection of Advent calendars found at Byers’ Choice Lmt. A newer Holiday Tradition many are embracing is the “Elf on the Shelf,” a tiny Elf doll who is sent from Santa starting December 1st to monitor good behavior each day of the month. Each night, the Elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa all he has seen and heard and “reappears” in a new hiding place each day. The fun is to find where the Elf may be hiding each new day. Which countdown to Christmas do you prefer?

REAL OR ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE?

A winter tradition going all the way back to the Egyptian times, decorating with a tree during winter symbolizes the hope for Spring ahead. Right after the Pumpkin Patches start disappearing after Halloween night, the stands start stocking up their lots with a variety of real Christmas pine trees. A much loved Holiday Tradition is to pack into the car and shop for a Christmas Tree at the local stand a few days before Christmas. With the fresh smell of pine, a real Christmas Tree warms the home instantly. Some, however, prefer the easy-does-it set up of a pre-lit artificial Tree, for easy set up and take down. Artificial Trees are also suitable for those allergic to pine trees or those who love to decorate early for the holiday. We love the beautifully realistic artificial Christmas trees at Balsam Hill in a variety of sizes and styles. Which do you prefer? Real or artificial?

       

TRADITIONAL OR THEMED HOLIDAY COLORS?

Red and green, the traditional colors of the Holidays, harken back to the Roman times when wreaths made of holly and ivy were given as gifts, looking forward to the promise of Spring ahead. Today, many still decorate homes, offices, and buildings with the traditional colors of Christmas from wreaths, to Christmas trees, to table settings. However, a current trend is to decorate around a Winter Theme, from “Frozen,” to Candy Cane Lane, to Winter Wonderland, complete with ornaments and decorations surrounding each specific theme. What is your favorite decorating Holiday theme?

  TRADITIONAL OR MODERN CHRISTMAS TREE?

A favorite Holiday Tradition is the the iconic Christmas tree. Decorated with ornaments and lights, the real or artificial pine Christmas tree is seen all over the cities from homes to offices to schools to stores. Many love to host a “Christmas Decorating” party in which guests help decorate the pine tree  over socializing and snacks. A newer modern Holiday Tradition is using tree branches, lights, or other creative ideas to form a “Christmas tree” shape made out of other materials. Some even use the “Charlie Brown Christmas tree” with one lone red ornament and a tree branch as the centerpiece of the Holiday Tree. Do you decorate with a Christmas tree or go the modern route?

 

CHRISTMAS DINNER OR CHRISTMAS MOVIE ON CHRISTMAS DAY?

On Christmas Day, a favorite Holiday Tradition is to wake up early, open Christmas presents, and then prepare for a big Holiday Christmas dinner with family and friends, enjoying spending time with loved ones over a feast of wonderfully prepared food and drinks. Check out the delicious and easy Christmas meal ideas at Food & Wine. In recent years, “family” has come to not only include relatives but friends, extended family, or those with no family to go to over the holidays lending to new Christmas Day traditions including going to see a movie on Christmas Day, as well as other festive activities like shopping, going out to a restaurant, or site seeing. Film companies often release their year’s top hits into theaters on Christmas Day. Check out IMDB’s film releases for Christmas Day and choose which flick you will want to enjoy.  How will you celebrate this year, with a big home cooked meal or try something new and unique, but just as festive?

  

BING CROSBY OR IDINA MENZEL?

A great Holiday Tradition is holiday music blasting through the home and car all Season long, making things merry and bright. There are so many wonderful Christmas and Holiday albums worth enjoying throughout the Holidays. Enjoy old classics like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” for a good old fashioned Christmas season, or go modern and pick up Broadway star Idina Menzel’s “Holiday Wishes” filled with updated versions of all the holiday classics. Which one will most likely be filling your home this Season?

  

HOMEMADE GIFTS OR STORE BOUGHT GIFTS?

Traditionally, all presents used to be handmade toys, cookies, soaps, and woodcrafts that friends and family would spend time working on and keeping a secret from their loved ones until Christmas Day dawned. The holidays have since turned into a haze of shopping madness with stores pushing to buy more, more, more. This season, consider crafting your own homemade lotion, soap, cookie recipe, or other creative ideas found at Buy Nothing Christmas. If you do decide to buy your gifts at the store, thinking creatively, not expensively. Think from the heart and choose a gift that will mean something from you to them. Whichever way you choose to give gifts this year, remember the reason for the season.

      

OLD FASHIONED SLEIGH RIDE OR ICE SKATING?

For a festive winter out, couples used to wrap in a cozy wool blanket, cuddle together, and take a ride in the sleigh, enjoying each other and the crisp winter weather. Some climates still allow for an “old fashioned” sleigh ride through the wintery white snow just like days of old. Instead of complaining about the frosty winter weather, consider enjoying a ride through the snow. A more modern twist is enjoying a skate for two, or gather the entire gang for a glide around the rink. Many cities today set up outdoor skating rinks during the winter season in the downtown areas. Check your local city for details and enjoy some fresh Winter Wonderland. Which festive Winter activity do you find most appealing?

Holiday Traditions old and new are always a fun, festive part of the Holidays. Traditions warm our hearts and bring joy and cheer to end the year on a happy and thoughtful note as excitement builds for a fresh, new year to come. Whether you prefer old traditions like Christmas trees and handmade gifts, or new traditions like seeing a movie on Christmas or listening to Idina Menzel, make traditions a part of your festive holidays. We’d love to hear YOUR ideas on what the holidays mean to YOU. What are YOUR favorite Holiday Traditions from the ones we’ve listed? What Holiday Traditions do YOU love best?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM POSH AT PLAY.