New Year's Eve...

 Here's to a happy, healthy 2011...for us all. Cheers!

Thirsty Thursday...New Years Style.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow night! You know I had to dedicate a Thirsty Thursday to such an event. I will keep it classically "New Year's" with a champagne cocktail. After all, you have to have champagne (or sparkling cider/grape juice) at midnight, right? Of course, right!

This is laughably simple:

                           The Midnight Millionaire

* 1 oz. Vodka (use something good)

* Champagne (again, use something good, it's New Year's after all!)

* Raspberry garnish

Pour the vodka into a champagne flute. Fill with champagne, and garnish with raspberry. 

Simple. Splendid. Salutations!

Merry Christmas...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Thank you. Thank you to our 32 followers and 61 Facebook fans for reading 72 little Chandelierious posts. Enjoy this very special time with your loved ones...please be sure that I will.
Peace.
Elizabeth

Thirsty Thursday

On this Thursday evening, two days before Christmas, I will share just two more holiday themed cocktails. Flavorful, fun and festive, these should help keep that party going.
For the Christmas Eve festivities:


 The Grinch


* 2 oz. Midori Melon liqueur 
* 1/2 oz. lemon juice
* 1 tsp. simple syrup
* one raspberry or maraschino cherry for garnish


Pour ingredients into a martini shaker, with ice. Pour into glass and serve with a red berry (the Grinch's heart).

or....
For Christmas morning brunch:


Grand Marnier Mimosas

*1/4 cup Grand Marnier, plus 2 tablespoons
*2 tablespoons super-fine sugar
*1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
*1 bottles Champagne
*4 cups fresh orange juice
*strips of orange peel, for garnish (optional)

In one small dish, pour 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier. In another small dish, pour the sugar. Dip the rims of 6 glasses in the Grand Marnier and then the sugar, twisting the glasses to coat the rims. Divide the pomegranate seeds between the glasses.
In a large pitcher, mix the remaining Grand Marnier, Champagne and orange juice. Divide between the six glasses. Garnish with orange peel, if desired.

Delicioso! Merry Christmas!

Tips-y Tuesday

4 days until Christmas....today's tip?
 Slow down. 
Take a moment. 
Enjoy the twinkling lights. 
Take a deep breath. 
Exhale.
The end.

Musical Monday...

Personally, I adore Christmas music. ADORE. In fact, I'll admit, it could be the dog days of summer and I might pop on a little Ella's Jingle Bells, just for giggles. Makes me happy, pure and simple. 
Probably much like you, music is an enormous part of my life. As a "former" singer, music is just naturally in my DNA. I can't *not* sing or be moved by a melody. Music is...well, music is chandelierious!
This being Christmas week, I would love to share some holiday music I find particularly inspires jolliness. 
My all time favorite is Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. Her jazz infused renditions of the classics leave you tapping your foot and wishing you could scat.

Another favorite is by the dreamy (sigh) and charming Harry Connick Jr.

Darlene Love and The Ronette's retro "wall of sound" tunes will get you in the holiday spirit, too.

Who doesn't love the Muppets? We all know I do! John Denver and the Muppets is a holiday must."Five Gold Rings, Bah dum bum bum" ala Miss Piggy, is a classic.

Last, but not least, there is nothing, I repeat nothing more likely to make you get up and dance at Christmas than this album you've probably never even heard of. Just please trust me on this one. It will turn your quiet Christmas dinner into a disco! Salsoul Orchestra, aka "Disco Christmas."

Go get your holiday tunes on!

Simply, Sunday

It's been one of those crazed holiday weekends where there just aren't enough hours in the day! So, something truly simple on this Sunday. A book. An utterly chandelierious book. In fact, Santa? If you're following my blog, I would really, really enjoy this for myself.
It incorporates everything I find classic and fabulous.

Taschen's New York.
Audrey Hepburn on the cover? Oh yes.
Last minute Christmas gift for someone special? Maybe! There are also books by this author on Paris and London...
Alright, off to another fete'! Happy reading....

Thirsty Thursday

Something fun, something cute, something sweet, something easy, something different for you today... 
My sister in law, the uber awesome Lorraine Hems is an RIT professor and sommelier. She *knows* wine and liquor. They're bff's. She can tell you things you never knew... and then tell you even more. My point, she knows her stuff. She's writing a text book. Enough said. But while she can explain the virtues and notes of the most expensive wine, she can also suggest something downright simple and silly, which she did with today's Thirsty Thursday. Here, from the one and only Lorraine Hems (thank you, oh wise one):


Yummy Gummy Bears! (these are *not* your kids gummy bears!)

Ingredients:
*Gummy Bears
*Vodka


Put gummies in a glass or ceramic container and drown them in vodka. Just cover them to the top of the bears. You can always add more later if they aren't strong enough for you.
Cover the container and put in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The bears will absorb the alcohol and double in size. 
You can alter this by using other gummy treats like worms or giant bears. Also, tweak it with different flavored vodkas, or try using rum!
Guaranteed party hit!

Ravishing Red

Another day, another color to celebrate, right? And... I am getting a new car today  and it's RED! Let's talk red. Radiant, ravishing red. Tis the season!
Vibrant, sometimes racy, always classic. You needn't be told how to add this this rich color to your world this time of year. You already know how to deck your halls in red & green, but let's explore other ways to add a pop of this color.
Up first is... yup, paint.

The cherry hue by Sherwin Williams is fittingly called Poinsettia. Red dining rooms are somewhat common, but rightfully so. The shade fits the bill for a formal dinner party or a down home, laid back country inspired room.
Not so sure about so much color on the walls in your dining room? Add a little jolt with something like these dining chair covers from Pier 1. These are gorgeous year round, but what a statement they would make during your holiday party!

Personally, I adore red in the kitchen. It matches many decors and compliments so many other colors. I have splashes of it in my turquoise kitchen and the two colors play off each other well. Think bold red in your vintage, cherry inspired kitchen with a crisp white. Or, perhaps something more rich like pairing it with darker cabinets...but either way, this mixer would be as beautiful as it is useful there.

Throw some sassy red into your Thirsty Thursday bevies with this stemware, also from Pier 1.

I love this shower curtain from Amazon. The dots are charming and this would be a cheerful addition to your bathroom. (it also comes in my favorite black and white!)

See? Seeing red isn't always a bad thing.....

Tips-y Tuesday

A quick lil tip for you today... Instead of filling out tag after tag to label your holiday gifts, why not assign each recipient their own special gift wrap? I don't mind doing the tags for friends and family at all, but for gifts under the Thompson family Christmas tree, we identify whose is whose and which is which by paper. Last year, Ellie's presents from Mommy and Daddy were wrapped in Littlest Pet Shop paper, but the all important treasures from Santa himself were decked out in Barbie. That went for Daddy, too. His treasures were plain to see in Superman gift wrap.
Just a thought...saves a little time, a little money, a little wrist action....and this time of year, who couldn't use that?

Juniper Hills Extravaganza

I told you there'd be pictures! What a time we had....the house was decked from head to toe with every ornament, twinkle light and Santa you could imagine and even those you couldn't. 

The guest rooms each had garland strung from the beds, making for the ultimate in a luxurious, romantic, holiday getaway. 

The tree in the main foyer was 10 x 10! The widest tree they've had in there yet and it was glorious.

The upside down tree and beautiful mantle in the living room were uniquely gorgeous, as ever.

Also per usual, the feast was fit for a King and Queen. I went home appropriately overstuffed .

Last and certainly not least, the lighting was indeed both charming and ambient. 

I love this mirrored chandelier and our hosts show their sense of humor by the throwing the classic leg lamp into the formal setting.

All in all, a glorious afternoon of holiday fun, food, friends and family. 

Simply, Sunday

It's been a busy, holiday event filled weekend, culminating with our friends annual Holiday party at the Juniper Hills B&B this afternoon. I have mentioned this B&B before. A gloriously restored mansion in the heart of the Finger Lakes, Trumansburg, N.Y.
It is an AMAZING place. Amazing. Please take a few moments to look at the website and know I speak nothing but the truth. Better yet, plan a weekend getaway there. You'll be overjoyed you did.
Anyway, today is the party. I get to don some serious apparel: velvet, jewels, heels...if you know me personally, (or even if you don't you can see from this blog alone) I love to be FANCY! Any chance to play Audrey Hepburn, I'm in.
And, there will be pictures...oh, will there be pictures. This place is spectacular and this event is just a blog entry waiting to be written. So, stay tuned! In the meantime, a happy, simply Sunday to you and yours...

(one of Dave and Bruce's many trees, the "upside down tree." )

A Friend Filled Friday....

Today? Today is about friends and fun....no real time to sit and write about colors, chandeliers, Christmas tree's or paint. No...today, there's much to do and many to see. 
I just had a surprise visit with one of my oldest friends. She is one of those people that make the world smile. We laughed and shared a sinfully, ridiculously delicious and enormous sugar cookie. Aren't those impromptu visits sublime?
This afternoon, Eloise and I are going to another friends for our annual cookie/gingerbread house making date. Kids, candy, cookies, frosting...what could be better? Or messier?

This is last year's house:

And later, GNO with "my girls". It's time to celebrate. Not only that the holidays are here, but that I'm blessed with such amazing friends and family. Thanksgiving may be over. But, I'm thankful for that each and everyday.
Gingerbread houses, shared cookies and giggles with my girls...THAT, my friends, is chandelierious, too.

Thirsty Thursday

Happy Thursday!!! It's 5:00 somewhere....Another seasonal cocktail for you all to try.


                                   Mistletoe Margarita
* 1 oz. Tequila
* 1/2 oz. Cointreau
* 1/2 oz. Wild Hibiscus Syrup
* 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice


Shake your ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and strain into chilled glass.
Garnish wth cranberries and a mint sprig to look like mistletoe.
Kisses are optional. Cheers!

Fantastical Fuschia

I'm in the mood to talk colors these days. Maybe it's the twinkling lights and festively colored ornaments adorning this season inspiring me...I don't know. But, no matter. Let's talk color! 
Today? Feisty, femme fatale, fashionable and fierce fuchsia. This color isn't for the wall flower. Or, then again, perhaps it could be. This shade is daring and certainly says something about the person selecting it. Whether a pillow, a curtain panel, a single flower or an entire wall, this raspberry hue is quite an expression of it's choser's personality. In a word: Sassy. I love it.

Let's celebrate sassy!
Let's start with something tame and seasonal like these shiny, fantastic ornaments. They look like a bunch of juicy berries!

Or, if you feel like this shade is a little too "young" for you personally, but love the idea of it in a child's room, check out these darlingly chic chairs from Overstock.com.

Feeling especially daring? Try doing an entire room in this berry color! Maybe not a living room or dining room, but a smaller space like a walk in closet or bathroom would be divine. Sherwin Williams Cerise #6580 fits the bill, perfectly.

And you didn't possibly think I'd forget the piece de resistance, did you?
The cherry on the frosting on top of the most delicious cake:

Ahhh... The end.

Tips-y Tuesday

Would it be completely and utterly wrong to promote Chandelierious as this week's hot tip? Yes? 
Darn.
Well, then I apologize in advance because that's just what I'm doing.
18 days to go!
Still time for Chandelierious to take some that of that holiday pressure off your shoulders and replace it with joy. It's time to be jolly, after all.
Services include:
* Tree trimming and holiday decor
* Holiday shopping
* Gift wrapping & more

For more information contact me @ info@bechandelierious.com

Silver and Black and Red, Oh my....

I should start off by saying that I think a real, live, genuine, heavenly pine-y smelling Christmas tree is the ultimate. I do. But, after a live tree mishap that ended with many broken treasured ornaments and water damage on the hard woods, we went artificial and never looked back. And I couldn't be happier.
Sure, I miss the scent that greets you like a seasonal hug when you walk in the door. But, I do not miss the watering, the trying to get a perfect balance to no avail in the tree stand or the allergic reaction to the mold living on the tree. Nope. I don't.
An artificial tree is not only safer regarding fire hazards, but much less maintenance and so much stronger in terms of what you can do trimming wise. 
A full and beautiful, traditional green tree makes it's holiday home in the living room. We've had this one for 9 years and honestly, people take it for real time and time again.

But, half the fun of an artificial tree is the options that are out there....and those are endless! Would you like a pink, ultra girlie tree for your daughters bedroom? Ok, easy. What size? A mini 3 foot accent tree or a 7 foot fabulously fru fru one? They're out there. Look what's available from Treetopia, for example:

Oooo, pink.
Our home has many tree's, big and small. The kitchen gets it's own small silver one  decorated with black ornaments and chandelier crystals. My daughter Eloise's room feels the holiday love with a 6 foot white tree. It's shabby chic dream to look at.

Two years I found a 7.5 foot champagne tree that I drooled over. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I knew exactly where I'd put it and what I'd dress it with. I was a good little shopper and managed to hold off till after the holiday s and got it 90% off. (I guess not everyone wanted a huge gold tree...can you imagine that? But I sure did. And I love it.)

Unfortunately, I can't say the faux, fashion tree obsession has ceased. No. Now, I covet a jet black tree AND a big red tinsel tree. Please, don't ask where I would even put them. I have no idea at this point. But, rest assured, someday I'll find a spot for one, or both, of these....

How downright Chandelierious...

Simply, Sunday...Shopping For A Cause this Holiday.

Good Sunday morning, friends. Simply sharing some more linky love today. Maybe you're still shopping and strapped for ideas...does the thought of shopping whilst HELPING others sound nice to you? Here are two sites I have ordered from in the past, knowing and feeling good about my purchase benefitting something important.  I think the people on the receiving end felt rather good about that, too.


St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has a beautiful online catalog and 100% of the proceeds benefit the hospital. Toys, apparel, jewelry, gift items, you name it, it's there.

Also, Ford Warriors In Pink, has an online shop selling mainly apparel items for men, woman and kids. 100% of their net proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the cure.

Do you have a link you'd care to share? Please do! Happy Sunday, all....

A Fudge-y Friday

Something fast and fantastic to share on a Friday! Mouthwatering, too...

                     Dark Chocolate Mint Coconut Fudge


*1 10 oz. package mint dark chocolate chips
* 1 can sweetened condensed milk
*1 cup sweetened or unsweetened coconut


Melt chocolate and milk over medium heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in coconut. Pour into 8x8 or 9x9 pan, lined in wax paper. Chill and cut into squares.
(This literally MELTS in your mouth...Mmmm.....you can stop drooling now...)

Thirsty Thursday

It's Chillsville here today in Rochester, N.Y. Here's something to warm you right up.Yum! Perfectly perfect potion for today:
                         SPICED HOT APPLE TODDY
*1 oz. spiced rum*1 oz. vanilla liqueur*3 oz. hot apple cider*1 tsp. maple syrup
Add all ingredients to a mug and stir.Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Mmm....yum! (Is it 5:00 yet?)

Chandelierious Holidays...24 days left!

Wow. December 1st already! Time is flying. My shopping is done. Two tree's trimmed, lighted candy canes lining the front path, wreaths up, Eloise's holiday village on display...

One more tree and stockings hung by the chimney with care to go...

And you?

Do you need an extra hand?

Chandelierious can help you with that!

Shopping, wrapping, trimming, mailing, you name it, I can help.

Contact me at info@bechandelierious.com for more information.