- never give your own(guest of honor) shower... this must be given by the hostess who is obviously your friend.
- as a hostess, you are in-charge to choose where to hold it, sending out the invitations and shower favors are your responsibilities too... as a hostess keep in mind that shower party is something informal so a friendly and pleasant atmosphere must be the goal.
- the hostess should only invite guests that the guest of honor knows... sorry! but this is for friends and close friends only.
- men and women are ok... don't limit it for women's gathering only.
- the venue should be comfortable... usually being held at the place of the hostess or any place that everyone will feel at home.
- must be a fun-fi [...]
Visit my website @ http://www.whimsandlikes.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
shower party etiquette... don't forget!
a day to shower with gifts!... no matter what kind of shower party it is, gift giving is a must. i have attended numerous shower party, mostly bridal and indeed it is such a fun-filled event. one thing i love about the shower party is its intimate gathering which means everyone who are present in the party is a friend of the celebrant. for those who want to throw a shower, the etiquette below will help a great deal to make a successful and non-awkward party. there are three factors to make the event possible... 1st is the hostess, a person who will organize or initiate the party, 2nd is the guests, people who are friends of the guest of honor which is the 3rd factor of the event. guest of honor is simply the person that the party is being given to. here are the simple etiquette!
Friday, May 15, 2009
5 Green under your nose tips!
green living is something that my husband and i have started embracing. this is our way to impart concern for the environment which benefits us as a couple and us as a community and yes! for the planet we live in. living green should not be a fad that lives for a while, we must take this as a way of life... i've been hearing this green movement for quite a while but i honestly never for a minute gave a damn on it... this was before! it takes sincere realization and zealous goal to jump into this kind of path.
never entertain the fact that it's hard and expensive because it's not... there are hundreds of ways but doing these five tips that my husband and i were already practicing can make a whole lot of difference financially and environmentally.
never entertain the fact that it's hard and expensive because it's not... there are hundreds of ways but doing these five tips that my husband and i were already practicing can make a whole lot of difference financially and environmentally.
- Recyclable grocery bags...all groceries are selling these, buy a lot!, it's just a dollar something by doing so we can eliminate the non-biodegradable plastics that can litter for thousands of years.
- Stop buying bottled water... aside from causing a big hole in our pockets, this contributes the same problem as the grocery bags in our environment. what we do at home is, we buy water from refilling stations with our two gallon container which cost us only .75 cents per refills. we bought a ceramic dispenser for convenience which only cost 20 bucks! for lifetime use.
- Sorting... please sort your trash... allocate a paper bag for trashes plastics, glass bottles and papers. a seven year old kid can do this... why can't we?
- Brew your own coffee... buying coffee from starbucks, coffee bean, etc... is a discreet way of chucking your hard earned money for nothing! don't tolerate laziness... the disposable cups that's being used for these coffee are making a hell of a mess in our environment.
- Grow your own plant/trees... no matter if you live in a house or apartment, never stop from growing your own plant. there are lots of easy-to-grow plants that you can have indoor. we have six pots of plants inside the house and you may also consider planting strategically outside, this can lower air temperature during warm weather thus avoiding usage of aircon that boosts the electric bills big time and during cold weather the trees can act as a windbreaker thus allowing less cold air to enter our houses.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Shower Parties not just for brides and babies
the most common shower parties being thrown are for baby and wedding events. shower party as celebrated is derived from the idea of flourishing or the word itself showering the celebrant with gifts so giving gift is only but pertinent and a sure sign of etiquette ... i will expound in my future posting about the etiquette in shower party which is quite extensive. i just want to focus now to the variety of shower parties being celebrated which are not familiar for others. this may give you an idea to throw one for your friend or better yet your close friend since this is an acceptable informal celebration initiated only by chums.
BABY SHOWER is celebrated before the baby is born, gifts may be for the use of the mother or the baby's. BRIDAL SHOWER is typically given for the bride but the gifts may be for the benefit of bride and groom. never equate this with stag party since gift giving is not required on this albeit this is given to the groom but stag party is merely focus on the get together of guys on the last day or days of bachelorhood. ADOPTED BABY SHOWER, yes! adopting a baby can be celebrated but instead of the usual like ' the baby is brewing', 'welcome baby boy/girl' instead use 'for a chosen baby' announcement. celebrating this must be cleared with the adopting mother because others may not want the public to know about the scenario otherwise you may do so. OFFICE SHOWER PARTY is given to a person who's about to be promoted at the work setting by the closest office mate. this is usually held in the office per se and attended only from people at work. HOUSE W [...]
Visit my website @ http://www.whimsandlikes.com
BABY SHOWER is celebrated before the baby is born, gifts may be for the use of the mother or the baby's. BRIDAL SHOWER is typically given for the bride but the gifts may be for the benefit of bride and groom. never equate this with stag party since gift giving is not required on this albeit this is given to the groom but stag party is merely focus on the get together of guys on the last day or days of bachelorhood. ADOPTED BABY SHOWER, yes! adopting a baby can be celebrated but instead of the usual like ' the baby is brewing', 'welcome baby boy/girl' instead use 'for a chosen baby' announcement. celebrating this must be cleared with the adopting mother because others may not want the public to know about the scenario otherwise you may do so. OFFICE SHOWER PARTY is given to a person who's about to be promoted at the work setting by the closest office mate. this is usually held in the office per se and attended only from people at work. HOUSE W [...]
Visit my website @ http://www.whimsandlikes.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
place not typical...at all
i have come to a different level of relationship with the Library. when one speaks of the library it's typically but a boring, grasp a be-silent-rule, a place for books... the way i perceived it by the way. i remember back in high-school, bunch of my friends and i would go to library... at times for research but most of the times to chit-chat with the things i can no longer recall but that must be really funny because all we do were laugh hard, really laugh hard that i remember maricel, jeline and i would just be in tears with laughter... as expected... typically, we were scolded with the hard shhhhh and fierce eyes directing to our table.
i just love going to pv library these days and my husband does too. it's the local public library close from our place. i usually walk, with unfeigned excuse to burn calories as well. my liking to go becomes a desire that i never have to push myself at all. i take indian peak road, the route is peacefully surrounded with trees and grasses at each side of the street... i would pass promenade mall making the distance seems shorter, although not!, turning my brisk walk into a leisurely walk... distracted by the sale signs, featured clothes in the boutique windows and a swift stop for a squirt of evelyn & crabtree hand lotion in which most of the stores have a sample table on a brick walkway across their shop... i tried a rose scent hand lotion by the way... this afternoon.
my husband and i already borrowed tons of books and dvds!... books are free, dvd's only cost a buck! and they have a gift shop that carries products from various countries. at times i feel like having my solitude, i tried going to a park but i can use my time better if i read, alone without distraction. i love how pv library structured and designed the area... privacy was obviously a goal. all the books that i would feel and think of reading are all there! never disappointed me... the other week, i was able to finished a self-help book by accident. i went there for dvd but then i felt kinda lazy walking back home so i decided to stay for a bit, sat in a private lounge for reading where i just shut my eyes and meditated 'til it gave me an urge to read, so i did. until i glanced in the window and noticed it's getting dark, i didn't realize that i already spent 6 hours reading. the library closes at 9pm btw on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.
ignorance is not an excuse for not knowing... our drive to know and understand things has ways. learning should never stop just as mind doesn't. although my formal learning is over, self-learning will stop, never!
i just love going to pv library these days and my husband does too. it's the local public library close from our place. i usually walk, with unfeigned excuse to burn calories as well. my liking to go becomes a desire that i never have to push myself at all. i take indian peak road, the route is peacefully surrounded with trees and grasses at each side of the street... i would pass promenade mall making the distance seems shorter, although not!, turning my brisk walk into a leisurely walk... distracted by the sale signs, featured clothes in the boutique windows and a swift stop for a squirt of evelyn & crabtree hand lotion in which most of the stores have a sample table on a brick walkway across their shop... i tried a rose scent hand lotion by the way... this afternoon.
my husband and i already borrowed tons of books and dvds!... books are free, dvd's only cost a buck! and they have a gift shop that carries products from various countries. at times i feel like having my solitude, i tried going to a park but i can use my time better if i read, alone without distraction. i love how pv library structured and designed the area... privacy was obviously a goal. all the books that i would feel and think of reading are all there! never disappointed me... the other week, i was able to finished a self-help book by accident. i went there for dvd but then i felt kinda lazy walking back home so i decided to stay for a bit, sat in a private lounge for reading where i just shut my eyes and meditated 'til it gave me an urge to read, so i did. until i glanced in the window and noticed it's getting dark, i didn't realize that i already spent 6 hours reading. the library closes at 9pm btw on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.
ignorance is not an excuse for not knowing... our drive to know and understand things has ways. learning should never stop just as mind doesn't. although my formal learning is over, self-learning will stop, never!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Book by David Wolman
"Righting the Mother Tongue" is the recent book that I read. The work of David Wolman simply entranced me to the process of standardization of English language. Basing on the present orthography, I was amazed on how the "olde" English language was botched, tangled and confused so to speak. Thank god! I was born to the post generation of geniuses in the likes of Chaucer, Gutenberg, Caxton, Milton, Bullokar, Dewey, Benowski & Webster when everything are already polished and fine. They are the enthusiasts whose intellects had exhausted the analytics of standardizing, correcting and modifying the English language that seemed so flawless. I salute them!
I equate English language as monetary unit in which one uses to deal and transact with from day to day that it is but right to master. Since English is actually my secondary language being a Filipino descent, I'm utmost cautious in using the language with proper spelling and grammar... although as an immigrant and having a husband who speaks English, I must consider it as my primary language nowadays but will always have Tagalog and Cebuano dialects by heart.
The book flaunts the transition of English language which dates even way back to 14th century when there was no standard of correct spelling at all. The work of Chaucer like the Tales of Canterbury and marvelous scripts of Shakespeare showed a limpid difference in the English spelling nowadays. To discern the then and now, it is simply called as the "old English". Influences of British, French, Latin, Danish and others are embodiment of English language. It's funny when I found out in the book that even the former President Roosevelt had a taste of misspellings himself in one of the public letter he had written. To maintain the reputation of Mr. Roosevelt and of course to save him from humiliation since he belongs to the great echelon, the legislative body requested to revamp some words that the president misspelled and adapt those as the correct spelling... Isn't this great!... the perks of being a President...Then!
You might be wondering why standardize the language?... simply for the purpose of practicality and order. Books and other forms of prints have been the vital influence in the literacy of spelling. Books as being the source of knowledge since time immemorial and who produce these?... The letterpress! The letterpress, thanks to the first metal letterpress of Johannes Gutenburg, were the big push of standardizing the spelling of each word to program the machine that will equate to efficiency and less time consumption thus resulting to mass production. It makes sense isn't it?!...
Most of the spellings before were based on how one pronounce it. Depending on the writers at times when they want to be distinct and sophisticated they want the influence of French word to be inculcated in the language. Historically, French was the language of the elites, aristocrats & socialites, Latin was the language of the Church and English was the language of the farmers otherwise called as commoners... Had I not read this book, I wouldn't be able to know this. The group of reformers changed this lingual casting, thanks to them!... You could just imagine if there is no standard spelling, it must have been a chaotic English world, your spelling will be different with mine... oh my!... Then came Webster, Benowski and the rest... the reform started to flourish.
To all the intellectuals of the past... I admired you all. The selfless act of rigorous reform that benefited the present generation is the epitome of generosity. The realm of your intelligence and passion for betterment were the foundation of your accomplishment.
This book is amazing... do read it- RIGHTING THE MOTHER TONGUE BY David Wolman
I equate English language as monetary unit in which one uses to deal and transact with from day to day that it is but right to master. Since English is actually my secondary language being a Filipino descent, I'm utmost cautious in using the language with proper spelling and grammar... although as an immigrant and having a husband who speaks English, I must consider it as my primary language nowadays but will always have Tagalog and Cebuano dialects by heart.
The book flaunts the transition of English language which dates even way back to 14th century when there was no standard of correct spelling at all. The work of Chaucer like the Tales of Canterbury and marvelous scripts of Shakespeare showed a limpid difference in the English spelling nowadays. To discern the then and now, it is simply called as the "old English". Influences of British, French, Latin, Danish and others are embodiment of English language. It's funny when I found out in the book that even the former President Roosevelt had a taste of misspellings himself in one of the public letter he had written. To maintain the reputation of Mr. Roosevelt and of course to save him from humiliation since he belongs to the great echelon, the legislative body requested to revamp some words that the president misspelled and adapt those as the correct spelling... Isn't this great!... the perks of being a President...Then!
You might be wondering why standardize the language?... simply for the purpose of practicality and order. Books and other forms of prints have been the vital influence in the literacy of spelling. Books as being the source of knowledge since time immemorial and who produce these?... The letterpress! The letterpress, thanks to the first metal letterpress of Johannes Gutenburg, were the big push of standardizing the spelling of each word to program the machine that will equate to efficiency and less time consumption thus resulting to mass production. It makes sense isn't it?!...
Most of the spellings before were based on how one pronounce it. Depending on the writers at times when they want to be distinct and sophisticated they want the influence of French word to be inculcated in the language. Historically, French was the language of the elites, aristocrats & socialites, Latin was the language of the Church and English was the language of the farmers otherwise called as commoners... Had I not read this book, I wouldn't be able to know this. The group of reformers changed this lingual casting, thanks to them!... You could just imagine if there is no standard spelling, it must have been a chaotic English world, your spelling will be different with mine... oh my!... Then came Webster, Benowski and the rest... the reform started to flourish.
To all the intellectuals of the past... I admired you all. The selfless act of rigorous reform that benefited the present generation is the epitome of generosity. The realm of your intelligence and passion for betterment were the foundation of your accomplishment.
This book is amazing... do read it- RIGHTING THE MOTHER TONGUE BY David Wolman
Wine Tasting at Napa
I used to hate Wine, any kind of wine. The sour and bitter taste gave me enough reasons to feel so, well I've never been a fan of alcohol based drink... but that was then! ...to remind you. Now, my appreciation for red wine is a big turnaround. The rich, fruity & bold smell of it is a big enticement for me. The big push to like it is mainly the benefits that I heard and read. The concern for benefits comes with the age, I guess...you know what I mean.
I am now officially a red wine lover and still in the process in choosing which kind my palate really loves. I avoid something that is somewhat pungent but into something with a touch of sweetness yet rich in texture. I noticed that most of the Cabernet Sauvignon works for me but Shiraz or Syrah really caught my taste buds... I so love this!. Since US does not produce this massively, Australian red wine became a common bottle in the kitchen. Yes!, they produce a very good Shiraz red wine in a pretty affordable price.
My husband and I went to Napa. The scenery is amazing and of course wine tasting is a must. Napa is a haven of wineries and vineyards in the US. We opted to have a Wine Train which is a four-hour winery tour that serves four course lunch with wine pairing upon request. Since there are tons of wineries to visit we decided to choose couple of wineries during the trip that we would visit for wine tasting after the Wine Train experience. Oh! I have to mention too that during the ride in the Wine Train, you can't get off. You just get to admire the view of vast wineries as the train rolls in a slow paced mode.
The food in the train was impressive by the way. I got my well-done lamb that was so tender and tasty with baby potatoes & veggies. The gravy was enough for me to say that the food was sinfully good. My husband had grilled chicken in polenta and veggies which I tasted of course... It was good and he loved it. I should know since chicken is the only meat he eats and when he doesn't like it only a piece of meat will be trimmed off but this time the plate was clean.
These are some of the wineries and vineyards that caught my eyes during the train ride...
- Chandon
- Secoquia Grove
- Bella Oaks
- Nickel& Nickel
- Turnbull
- Bello
- Peju
- St. Supery
- Bieulieu BV
- Grgich Estate
- Satui
- Hall
- Whitehall
- Rutherford
- Provenance
- Mondavi
- Chandon
After we got off from an entertaining train tour we decided to go to Satui for wine tasting. Each person costs $5 bucks which was a good deal. You get to taste eight kinds of wines. Various Chardonay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Zinfandel. One of the wines interests me, it's called Gamay Rougue. It's a bit sweet and fruity. It's something you can drink without food pairing.
On our second day, we headed to Castello Di Amoroso. It's a real Castle!... belongs to the family who also owns the Satui Winery. We were welcome with umbrella because it was a bit raining. Had a grand tour of the Castle with our impressive tour guide named Josh. The castle has quite an intricate passage as what the typical medieval castles were. Most of the bricks, walls and irons were imported from Italy where the owner came from. After the castle tour, we were directed to the cellar room for wine tasting and yes my husband and I were impressed with the kinds of wine they produced. We ended up buying a dozen of red wine and most of it was the wine that I loved called Fantasia and that entitled us for free membership with perks like discounts and invitations for the events in the castle all year round. Nice ha!
Napa Valley was indeed a very lovely place. The best hideout for relaxation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)