Valentine's Day gift for your groom, but you'll like it too

The Forgetful Genteman - remembers.

So I’m going to tell you a secret that I’m sure many of you share. I love a well dressed, well put together man. I love a man that reads the newspaper and I see a man reading a book on the train, a part of me melts. If he takes the time to write a note INSIDE the Hallmark card he truly has me at the first word. There is just something about a man…

When I was at the New York Gift Fair a few weeks ago, I came across a booth that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t the flashiest but the product made me swoon. There were two gentlemen (Nate and Brett) and they have the answer to every man’s “I don’t have time”, “I forgot” or my personal favorite “I’ll just send an email”. At the Forgetful Gentleman they believe that in the increasingly digital and impersonal world that there is something classy and very personal: the hand written note. They are trying to bring the “sexy back” in note writing.

Their beautiful cigar-like box removes all obstacles that keep men from writing and sending notes. They have masculine cards; a writers guide (guys, you can just steal the text and fill in the blanks) and they even include postage. To make things a bit easy for the ‘forgetful man’, there is a personalized email and sms event reminder service to help.

This is a great Valentines gift to give to your honey either as a gift or as the actual letter writer. Guys I tell you, if you ever want to get out of the dog-house…send a note. It works for my husband.

For more information visit the Forgetful Gentleman site by clicking here.

Mardi Gras Cocktails and Fat Tuesday wishes

Let the good times roll

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday") or Shrove Tuesday is the last day of feasting before the Christian celebration of Ash Wednesday begins.

Embraced as a day to indulge without abandon, Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” has long been known for inspiring great celebrations around the world. Providing no better reason to hit the bars or plan your own carnival-themed bash at home on a Tuesday night, Mardi Gras is a party not to be missed!

Purple and green beads, flashy sequined masks, and bright costumes are only part of the experience; no Mardi Gras is complete without delicious and colorful cocktails. Embracing old cocktail favorites like the “Red Rooster” and introducing new ones using southern classics like sweet tea, SKYY is ready to celebrate this decadent holiday in style with cocktails featuring its new all natural Infusions. Infused with succulent real fruit, sweet and vibrant, the line of SKYY Infusions vodkas is an easy way to ensure your home bar is stocked and Mardi Gras-ready.

Whether your ideal celebration of debauchery is Bourbon Street, Rio, Sydney, uptown or the village, these cocktails will have you screaming, “Laissez les bon temps roulez,” or if you don't speak French, "Let the good times roll!" Just remember no texting or drinking and driving.

Mardi Grape
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Grape
2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
2 oz. Grape Juice
0.5 oz. Club Soda

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Garnish with green and red grapes on a toothpick.

Southern Belle
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
0.5 oz. Light Rum
0.5 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Coconut Rum
1 oz. Gin
1 oz. Raspberry Liqueur
1 oz. Triple Sec
3 oz. Orange Juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a hurricane glass with ice. Garnish with cocktail umbrella and straw.

Beaded Lady
1 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
0.5 oz Gin
0.5 oz Triple Sec
0.5 oz Lime Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Dash of Bitters
Soda water

Combine all the ingredients (except the bitters and soda) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into iced tall pilsner glass. Top with soda & bitters. Garnish with pineapple star.

Red Rooster
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Raspberry
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz. Orange Juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with cherry and orange slice.

Fat Tuesday Iced Tea
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
1 oz. Lemonade
3 oz. Sweet Iced Tea

Combine all ingredients over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Valentine's Day gift guide part 2

TashiLingerie make eco-friendly look amazing

I am excited to tell you about the new intimate apparel e-boutique TashiLingerie.com, offering bridal, wedding night and honeymoon perfect lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear and accessories from lingerie staples Eberjey, Huit, OnGossamer and NuBra to labels-on-the-rise including Clo Fortuna and Luva Huva. Tashi is especially proud of their eco-friendly lounge pieces from Eberjey’s Eco Dream line (made from 100% Organic Bamboo Jersey) as well as select items from Luva Huva (made from Anglaise Cotton). The site offers pieces that are “accessible luxe,” with retail prices ranging from $5.00 - $100.00.

In celebration of the launch, TashiLingerie.com is offering you 10% off total purchases placed now through 2/14/10 using code SRM33259 – just in time for Valentine’s Day! Please also visit: http://tashilingerie.com/

Have you ladies heard of “RTR”? It’s Rent The Runway and it’s perfect if you want to wear something ‘right off the runway’, don’t want to be seen in the same dress twice, but don’t have ‘runway money’. This is what you do.

You choose from an array of A-list dresses. Then schedule a delivery date and just like the celebrity you are…it will appear at your door (in two sizes just to be on the safe side). Wear your lovely frock and then return it in the pre-paid package by dropping it off in the dearest mailbox. You don’t even have to clean it first. With designers like DVF, Lela Rose, Halston, Christian Siriano and other designers, you will find something. You know, this is a great “meet the parents for the first time”, “engagement party dress”, “rehearsal dinner” or even change out during your wedding reception kind of dress. Their rentals start around $75 and go up. I’m getting the Halston Heritage (off the shoulder) myself. I just want to look pretty when I go grocery shopping – just kidding.

Every girl love chocolate right? Give something different, show you cared beyond the ‘other brands’. Give the Gift of creamy dreamy chocolate in either milk or dark chocolate from Divine Chocolate and help the Kuapa Kokoo farmers’ receive a Fairtrade price for their cocoa. The Kuapa Kokko farmers own 45% of the company; therefore have a direct influence over how the company is run and share in the profits from the chocolate. This is then a sweet treat for her and you’ll be a ‘sweetheart’ to countless others. Ladies, you can give the gift to your guys as well…show them some luv.

What are you doing special for Valentine's Day? Let me know.

Bridalease' Valentine's Day gift guide part 1

Yes they are from Sugar Flower Cake Shop

One of my favorite designers Claire Pettibone has released her new collection of “Butterflies” fashion lingerie just in time for Valentines Day. With most of the east coast still in a deep freeze why not look toward all the promise spring holds. Give the gift of Butterflies by Claire Pettibone, collectible fashion lingerie in gossamer-light silhouettes of thongs and hipsters, tanks, camisoles, babydolls, and chemises. Coveted by celebs such as Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Katherine Heigl, and Camilla Belle, Butterflies are the lingerie of choice. So go a head and www.GetYourButterflyOn.com

Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Send a sweet declaration of your undying love to your Valentine this year with one dozen roses handmade from sugar that will last as long as your love. Sugar Flower Cake Shop creates floral masterpieces that contain such detail you might not believe they are made of sugar. They use all local and sustainable ingredients and if your sweetheart has a favorite flower, I’m sure they can help you create something memorable. I’ve seen and tasted their cakes (to die for!!), and hope you consider them, not only for Valentines Day but also for any and every special occasion.

The Brandy Library

One of my favorite ‘libraries’ is having a Valentine's Day culinary program: So you thought brown liquor wouldn't require more than tasty cheeses and decadent pastries...Valentine's Day will be celebrated on Saturday, February 13th and Sunday, February 14th, 2010, all night long. Ladies this is a wonderful surprise for the men in your lives. They will LOVE it. Book your table as soon as possible.

Martin Katz Jewelry

Valentines day is usually about chocolates but, if you truly want to go the extra mile express your love try in rubies and diamonds. Martin Katz Jewelry offers you a shiny and luxe type of gift, sure to please your girlfriend, sister or wife!

Get married by Rev. Run DMC

Don’t forget you still have a few days to enter Borgata’s Ultimate Rock N’ Roll Romance give-a-way. Couples must enter their submissions online at www.borgatanightlife.com. Complete details on the Ultimate Rock n' Roll Wedding contest, including the prize package components, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/yax3mga.

You know what, not matter how you spend your day, remember it's all about your love for each other. Enjoy.

Getting your Valentine cocktail ready with these

Be Pretty in Pink with Moet Champagne

Can you believe that it’s almost Valentines Day? With love in the air, it’s the perfect day for anyone, single or taken, to get a little fun and flirty. Whether you’re taking the town by storm with your single gal pals, finally going to ask out that girl (or guy) who twists your stomach into knots and gets you all tongue tied, or staying in for a evening filled with romance, make sure your cocktails are as memorable as the chocolates, roses and love letters.

I’ve written about several cocktails and I hope you have enjoyed them. Feel free to use them as your signature cocktail for your engagement party, rehearsal dinner or wedding. After all, nothing says this is a reflection of who we are as a couple than a special little something-something. Until that day, cuddled with your honey on Valentines Day, or make everyday Valentines Day and toast your love and your future.

Check this linkand this link for other “love in the air” type cocktails. Enjoy!

The SKYY Violet - Created by Jon Gasparini of Rye on the Road

1.5 oz. SKYY Vodka
.75 oz. Creme de Violette
3 oz. Dry Sparkling Wine (such as Drusian Prosecco)
3 dashes Fee Brothers or Angostura Orange Bitters

Stir SKYY Vodka, Orange Bitters and Creme de Violette with ice. Strain into Champagne coup or flute and top with Prosecco. Top with zest of an orange and garnish with orange twist.

Love Letter - Created by Adam Wilson of Beretta

1 oz Campari
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.75 oz Cointreau
0.25 oz Maple Syrup (should be 1:1 with water)
0.25 oz Small Hand Grenadine
3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters

Shake. Add Soda. Pour over ice in highball. Garnish with a lime zest.

Transform an ordinary moment into a romantic occasion on Valentine's Day with the pop of cork. A distinctive and lively champagne, Moët & Chandon reintroduced Rosé to the U.S. several years ago, reigniting a trend that has inspired others to embrace the nontraditional pink champagne ever since. Proudly recognized as the world's most loved Rosé champagne, Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial is the perfect way to seduce your one and only.

For Valentine's Day, Moët Rosé Impérial comes specially packed in a pink aluminum chiller box - a beautiful way to present the champagne and keep your Moët Rosé at the perfect temperature for up to 2 hours.

Have a great day and here’s wishing you lots of love.