A Green Christmas

We don't recycle here in Chicago, a fact that drives me insane.  Having witnessed recent events this week regarding the possible selling of a senate seat, our president elect's seat, to the highest bidder, I believe I have a clearer understanding as to why we don't recycle....no company has coughed up enough bribe money to get the job.  Some things never change. Chicago politics is one of them.  

So, in my tiny effort to be a good citizen and help the cause, I am recycling all the bags that purchases I've made for Christmas have come home with me in.  Yesterday, I searched the Internet and found some fun holiday ephemera that I re-sized and printed out to be glued onto the bags and embellished with gold felt tip pen.  The idea of buying all that wrapping paper only to have it end up in un-biodegradable garbage bags is really irresponsible and unnecessary.  And yes, I am guilty of said offense in past years.   At some point, we all have to stop the madness.

Here are just some of the great images I found.  There are endless choices out there.  You too could create your very own wrappings with a retro twist or turn of the century images. Actually, I had a great time matching images to the people I would use them for.  

 

Once all the wrapping is complete and all my beautiful recycled ideas are under the tree, I can take a moment for myself to get ready for all the festivities involving family and friends-slipping into my dazzling recycled Christmas outfit.....

....a one of a kind knockout made from old phone books.  Fabulous!

Photo credits:  Suzee_Que@flickr, Jolis Paons@flickr

Food and Wine: A Classic

With the holidays sneaking up on us, I for one am trying to be as organized as possible so I don't end up missing the entire celebration as I have in the past.  Shopping, wrapping, decorating...it can sap all the pleasure from what should be a pleasurable time of year.  I have numerous family members flying in from all over the place to celebrate and am working to get as much done ahead of time--food wise at least so I can eat and drink alongside everyone I'm entertaining.  Last week, I found a great resource for all of us to use in planning menus and picking wine; two of my favorite things to do. 

Food & Wine online has jazzed up their website and offers a section called Pairing of the Day aimed at providing a recipe and suggesting what wine would work well with it.  Taking all the guesswork out, you can put together a meal, know what ingredients you're going to need and what wine to pick up on the way home.  That to me is perfect.  Anything to streamline my errands I am all for.  

I am sending you to the Chicken Liver Crostini page as I have tried the recipe and loved it--it will certainly be part of our holidays.  I'm not sure that I will be able to locate the exact wine they suggest with it (I drank what I had on hand, a Bordeaux from France--I'm easy) but I can use it as a guide and most likely find something comparable.

I have to say that Food & Wine is, in my opinion, the best publication out there for great recipes and wine information.  With the economy what it is, extra purchases like magazines that will end up in the garbage have been put on hold but I won't give up my F&W.  I won't even get a subscription--I buy it at the checkout counter at my grocery store--a little gift I give myself each month.  Sounds silly, I know, but I always look forward to it.  Like I already said, I'm easy. 

Photo credit:  zubinscroff@foodandwine.com 

Eye Prefer Paris Does Christmas

When it comes to the war of Christmas window one-upping, no one does it better than the two behemoth Parisian department stores, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.  Situated right next door to one another on Boulevard Haussemann, it is quite simple to take in each store's yearly creations and form your opinions of who outdid who.  I am leaning towards the big GL as they made an attempt to stay somewhat holiday-ish.  Printemps went for all out glam--more a nod to New Years perhaps than Christmas.  When you're as old as I am and the holidays still feel magical, those cute little windows win out every time.

  Le Printemps

Galeries Lafayette

I found these photos on my friend Richard Nahem's blog.  Richard has done what so many of us wish we could do--pack his belongings and close up shop in his native New York to become a lifelong Parisian transplant.  He and his partner live in the Marais and Richard has taken his daily life offering it up to tourists through his company Eye Prefer Paris.  With an incredibly thorough knowledge of his neighborhood, he will play host to an afternoon of adventure and discovery that only someone living in Paris can provide.  He is charming company and while you visit museums, shops and most importantly, chocolate shops along the way in a search of the best chocolate, he will unfold the colorful history of the Marais like no one else.  By the end of your tour you will feel like you have been friends forever and probably will be.  Check out both his blog and website.  

 

Additional information:  

Printemps

64, boulevard Haussmann

Metro:  Havre Caumartin

Galeries Lafayette

40, boulevard Haussmann

Metro:  Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette

Photo credit:  R.Nahem@eyepreferparis

Champs Élysées Gets Ready For Christmas