Inspirations like this help light the spark that ignite our lives, add bubbles to our champagne, and remind us that life is not just about going to work, coming home to make dinner and falling asleep in front of the TV at night.

Whether you have a fabulous outdoor kitchen or just some folding chairs, a card table and a hibachi grill, you can still impress your guests with these ideas ~

Come One, Come All: Can’t find a babysitter in time for your event? Have your guests bring their children. Set up a kids’ table with coloring books, puzzles, and of course Bounty to take care of any unexpected spills. This way you can tend to your guests, and keep the kids entertained too.

Set the Mood: Table settings are a great way to give your gathering a personality. Your table décor can be as simple as flowers, candles or a table runner. It will add some drama to your meal, while doubling as a conversation piece. And don’t forget the Bounty Quilted Napkins with new print designs that are dressed to impress at any social gathering

Just a Taste: Keep your appetizers and finger foods to a one bite minimum. This allows your guests to mingle freely, without worrying about talking with their mouths full of food or receiving a crumb-filled handshake.

Give Aways: Don’t know what to do with all those leftovers? Everybody loves doggy bags! Send your guests home with one so they can enjoy your meal the next day, and save them some time in the kitchen. And you won’t have to worry about throwing away food or crowding your fridge.

Don’t forget to keep some Bounty Paper Towel with Trap & Lock™ technology on hand for easy clean-ups.  Through a more open and reinforced fiber network that also features a new emboss design, Bounty locks in mess with just one sheet – making you and your paper towels the life of the party!

Each July my brother and I prepare a July 4th party that starts in his home and works it’s way out onto the beach for dessert, fireworks and fun. Because he lives on an upper floor, we decided a long time ago that an elegant dinner looking over the city was the easiest way to go. A simple menu of salmon, lots of veggies picked up FRESH at a local farm stand and champagne drinks work for us. We pack up the pick-up desserts into sand pails (brownies, cookies, etc.) and take them down to the beach armed with plenty of sparklers to watch the neighbors shoot off fireworks over the ocean. An easy loading of the dishwasher and wipe down of the table and kitchen with Bounty before I go downstairs and Voila – cleanup is a breeze.

Want to win some help with your party?

Now through June 2012, P&G products will be featured in a monthly Good Housekeeping sweepstakes.  Through the Good Housekeeping Seal Deal Giveaway you have the opportunity to win one of 50 P&G product baskets filled with the trusted brands you know and love.  Visit www.goodhousekeeping.com each month for the opportunity to win great P&G prizes from Good Housekeeping.  And, keep in mind that just by entering the sweeps each month you may receive a free P&G product sample or a high-value coupon…enter today!

Of course, Champagne Living wants one of our readers to be prepared for party season with a roll of Bounty Trap & Lock™ technology for themselves.

GIVEAWAY

Extra Entries

• Follow me on twitter @zipporahs and tweet about this giveaway
• Comment below with your tweet
• Subscribe to Champagne Living,  follow me on facebook or twitter – all found on the sidebar (each counts for 1 extra entry)
• Tell your peeps on your blog, facebook page or twitter about this or any post (each counts for 1 extra entry) and link to us.
• Share this giveaway on any contest/sweepstakes/giveaway site for 5 extra entries..
• This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on June 4, 2012
• No purchase is necessary.
• Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries received.
• Void where prohibited by law

I received product to facilitate this review, all opinions are strictly my own.

Bathing suits by Aquaclara are available directly from the brand – ONLINE and are reasonably priced between $100 – $200.

In the early Nineteenth Century

This pinnacle point in fashion history meant that all the latest styles were soon readily available for every member of society, as apposed to being restrained only to the social elite.

In the Twentieth Century the post war boom of the fifties saw the same effect. As cultural alienation from anything handmade grew, so did the biggest rise of consumer mass made products, the extent to which the Western World had never seen.

The down side to mass production, of course, is the fact that everything seems to be very similar and high street shopping can be tricky when you’re looking for something a little more unique.

The best place to look for something a little more independent is online. There are many online stores that not only sell one off pieces but actively seek out and support independent designers of handmade jewelry such as Bottica.com.

It seems now, that our culture has gone full circle and we are starting to appreciate the artisan skills of the past, this means that many handmade fashion pieces are a lot more expensive than their machine made counterparts.

Fashion is starting to realise that perhaps mass mechanism took away from what was real within an item. Italian handbag designer Lanfranco works for fashion house Monaco Metropolitano and is a perfect example of the importance we now place on rarity of the skilled worker.

If you are a skilled crafts person in any area of fashion, whether it be millinery, jewelry design, accessories or whatever else, never underestimate the power of the designer who can make their work come to life using only rudimentary tools and their own hands. Obviously quality materials are also essential for the production of a timeless fashion item but if you make it well, there will always be a buyer who is interested in quality over quantity.

This is a featured post, all opinions are my own

Fashion - Isn’t this where it always begins with me? I’m like an open book, whether it’s a neighbor on the street or a character in a film, the first thing I notice is…what they are wearing. So…between the massive 8 layers of fabric that goes into Fergus’ kilt and the 22 fabulous costume changes by the fiery haired Merida I was intrigued. It may take me an hour to get ready to go out, and I have short hair, can you imagine getting  ready with Merida’s curly mane?  My hairdresser would have a FIT having to deal hair that is four feet long if straightened, and Queen Elinor’s 6’6″ of hair would have her ready for a career change, but for simulation supervisor Claudia Chung it was all in a day’s work as she groomed and costumed the animated the lords and ladies of Scotland.

The Setting – Scotland, the home of the most beautiful and romantic cliffs, heather filled fields, and beautiful seascapes. I’m certain that photos don’t do the magnificent countryside justice, but through Steve Pilcher’s eyes Scotland becomes majestically animated.  After visiting Scotland, Pilcher and shading artist Tia Kratter returned to recreate the lush countryside via models and paintings, capturing not only the look but also the tone of what would become the movie. With hundreds of beautiful watercolor paintings and black & white drawings they captured the rocks, peat, and movement of the grasses as this beautiful artwork was transformed into digital animation. Having only seen a ½ hour of this movie I CAN tell you that I truly had the feeling of being there.

The Story – As a writer I fully understand story progression, but when the story is taken from a simple outline through the finished animated feature, there’s so much  more to the process. The struggle between a mother and her tenacious daughter is taken from that simple relationship to story via beat boards, script and eventually story board scenes by story artist Louis Gonzales. Set in a chaotic kingdom filled with “royal” characters we learn about what real bravery is.

The Cliff-hanger - Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much past the first half hour of this film, other than the fact that they left us hanging after the first act. I’ll be seeing the full movie when you do…on opening day June 22nd.

While I was a guest of Disney/Pixar on a junket, all opinions are strictly  my own.

Cold Zucchini and Cucumber Soup
Recipe courtesy Golan Heights Winery Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Persian cucumbers, cut into chunks
• 1 lb fresh zucchini, cut into chunks
• 8 oz plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 large shallot
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• Splash lime juice (to taste)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Pinch fresh cilantro and/or dill
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch sea salt
• Jalapeno or other green hot chili pepper (optional)

1. In a blender, combine the cucumber and zucchini chunks.
2. Add the yogurt, garlic, shallot, vinegar, lime juice and both the cilantro (or dill) and chili pepper (if using).
3. While blending at high speed, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Continue to blend at high speed until creamy and smooth.
4. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
5. If too thick, you can thin with a bit of water or vegetable stock.

The region of Golan Heights is as famous for its wine as it is for farm-fresh produce. Yarden Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld, an avid cook, is as passionate about the produce of the region as he is about the fruit of the vines. One of Victor’s signature summer dishes is Cold Zucchini and Cucumber Soup, which showcases some of the beautiful produce grown in the Golan Heights. Victor recommends Yarden white wines to pair with the soup. “This cold soup is a striking green color, delicious, refreshing and easy to make,” explains Victor. “This is a great start to a summer lunch or dinner and goes perfectly with the Yarden Sauvignon Blanc or Yarden Gewurztraminer.”

One of my favorite Chardonnays is from this winery – Gilgal Chardonnay! It’s probably the most refreshing chardonnay that I’ve tried and as a result I drink it fairly often. You don’t need to wait until the holidays to enjoy wine from Israel anymore!

Statistics show that 70% of people over the age of 65 (which for hubby is only 5 years away & 6½ for me) will need long-term care. If I were retiring with a BOATLOAD of money that I wanted to toss away, I wouldn’t worry, but unfortunately we’re ALREADY retired and as the cost of living gets higher, our resources are getting lower. There’s NO WAY that we could afford to pay $250 a day for care.  We’d be wiped out in a short period of time, and I don’t know what I’d do.

Yesterday (Mother’s Day) we called my mother-in-law who’s in a nursing home , which is probably what got this whole idea of taking control of our lives came about.  Unfortunately, she didn’t have a policy so the entire family chips in for her care. If we buy insurance to cover our long-term care NOW, we won’t have to burden Ben with our medical bills.  So, of course I did what any diligent blogger would do…I turned to the internet (and the Wall Street Journal which just happened to have an article about purchasing this type of insurance in The Journal Report today).

I learned that we can actually buy a SHARED policy which wouldn’t cost us as much money and we’d have a comfortable amount saved to cover any eventual long-term-care bills we might have.  Today’s WSJ had a list of the median annual costs for long term healthcare from Genworth Financial’s 2012 Cost of Care Survey, and they’re a bit staggering…

• Homemaker Services – $41,184
• Home Health Aide Services – $43,472
• Adult Day Health Care – $15,860
• Assisted Living Facility – $39,600 (1 bedroom/single occupancy)
• Nursing Home – $73,000 (semi-private room)
• Nursing home - $81,030 (private room)

Yes…that’s PER YEAR, not per lifetime. Can you imagine getting sick and having to spend 10 years in a nursing home? For the costs in your area, click on your state in the graphic below.

Thankfully, for me there are options, especially since we’re both members of AARP, and they offer insurance for long-term healthcare as well as ADVICE for choosing a caregiver.  I just know that we’ll both feel a lot better knowing that no matter WHAT happens, we’ll be covered.

I wrote this post on behalf of a relationship with Genworth Financial. I really am that old, really do need long-term health insurance and really DO belong to AARP. Just don’t tell anyone! 

I enjoy nothing more than taking a break from walking around Mizner Park in Boca Raton and enjoying an ice cold drink. When it’s mid-day, alcohol is NOT an option for me, especially since I have over an hour and a half drive back to the mansion. I just heard the Uncle Julio’s Mexican Restaurant now has a menu of FABULOUS fresh summer drinks to add to your lunch including the Mango Passion Lemonade above.

If you’re in Boca Raton and want to stop in, you’ll find…

• Mango Passion Lemonade: a hand-shaken blend of lemonade and Julio’s fresh mango passion fruit puree for a tropical twist
• Strawberry Guava Lemonade: a hand-shaken blend of real strawberries, guava nectar and lemonade
• Cherry Limeade: sweet cherry and tart lime sparkle together in this refreshingly fruity drink
• Raspberry Iced Tea: real raspberries bring natural sweetness to Julio’s freshly brewed tea
• Raspberry Palmer: a refreshing blend of lemonade, freshly brewed tea and real raspberries

Each of the above drinks are priced at $3.75 apiece, with refills for only $1! While you’re there, don’t forget to enjoy some of their AMAZING nachos or if you’re REALLY hungry – Junita’s or Herschel’s platter!

Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food is located at 449 Plaza Real in Boca Raton
561-300-3530.

For more information visit www.unclejulios.com.

Bye, bye Junior Mints.

I love you… a little TOO much. It’s time for me to make a clean break. Our relationship is getting a bit NEEDY (with me needing you, more than you needing me), and I don’t want to regret staying in a bad relationship. So it’s hasta la vista baby! Evenings are going to be a bit difficult for a while, but in time I’ll get over you. Don’t worry though, I’ve got a new relationship starting and although we’re only in the honeymoon phase, I have a feeling that it will last.

Evenings – meet Smart Pop! At only 100 calories a serving and low-fat whole grain fiber, I will still be able to give in to my evening snack cravings and do it in a much healthier way. Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! is 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber, low in fat and has zero grams of trans fat. It’s satisfying, fills me up and I can eat it mindlessly without worry. Plus, with the new pop-up bowls, I don’t even have to wash dishes afterwards (because with late day snacking – I get VERY lazy and leave the dishes for morning).

The ease of just popping (sic) it in the microwave makes it a fast, convenient way to enjoy freshly popped goodness. Plus…

1.  Six cups of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! popcorn has just 100 calories
2.  Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn provides three times more fiber per 1-ounce serving than other snack foods, such as pretzels or potato chips
3.  A ConAgra Foods study reveals that a daily snack of Orville Redenbacher’s 94 percent fat-free SmartPop! popcorn can help dieters maintain reduced calorie eating plans while still feeling full and satisfied
4.  Popcorn is a whole grain. Research shows that consumers who eat popcorn come much closer to meeting the dietary guidelines recommendation for whole grain consumption of three servings a day. Just three cups of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn provides an entire serving of whole grain
5.  One serving of SmartPop! has two servings of whole grains

Extra Entries

• Follow me on twitter @zipporahs and tweet about this giveaway
• Comment below with your tweet
• Subscribe to Champagne Living,  follow me on facebook or twitter – all found on the sidebar (each counts for 1 extra entry)
• Tell your peeps on your blog, facebook page or twitter about this or any post (each counts for 1 extra entry) and link to us.
• Share this giveaway on any contest/sweepstakes/giveaway site for 5 extra entries..
• This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on May 29, 2012
• No purchase is necessary.
• Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries received.
• Void where prohibited by law

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher’s. I received an Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! product as well as a promotional item as a thanks for my participation