Celebrating Christmas

Although Christmas doesn't have quite the same excitement it did when I was a kid, I found that this year, the events leading up to Christmas were the best part about this holiday season. Here are bits of my festive month of celebrating if you'd like to see...

Picking out the tree

Tea Party

Christmas Party 

Hostess for the day

Best party of the year...

... Stearns Holiday Party...

...Photobooth Love

Ernst & Young Holiday Party at The Biltmore

Lakers win in the final seconds -- Private Suite at the Anschutz Film Group Holiday Party

Christmas Tea with Mom and Grandma

December sunsets

Handel's Messiah at the Crystal Cathedral

Christmas Eve Service

Christmas Eve Dinner

Nothing like being a kid on Christmas!

Love these babes

Christmas Dinner

Patrick & Jetson in their Santa suits

As you can see, this holiday season was filled with joy, peace and love. From my family to yours, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy 2013! 

Christmas Card 2012

If you'd like see more daily photos follow me on instagram @christinasinclair 

Tea Time

Ever since I can remember, my grandma, my mom and I have always gone to Christmas tea. What started at the Ritz Carlton, has now migrated to the St. Regis and Christmas tea has become one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Three Generations -- Me, Grandma & Mom

The beautiful St. Regis, Monarch Bay

This year, along with our annual tradition, I decided to host a tea myself. I invited three friends whom I met while studying abroad in Oxford. We get together a few times a year, and while we have enjoyed many a High Tea together - both in the UK and in the states - we've never tried a tea from home. I was more than happy to break out my crystal and fine china for the occasion, and it turned out beautifully.

It was surprisingly easier than providing a normal lunch. Scones with clotted cream and jam, tea sandwiches, and a few sweets were set out on the three tier tray (from Target). All that needed preparing were the sandwiches and a salad. These were easily made the morning of, and once my guests were there, all I had to do was pop open the champagne and turn the stove on to boil some water.  Try to host a tea of your own, I think you'll be surprised how easy it is to prepare. It was so much fun and can turn any time of the year into a special occasion!

Hostess tip: Whenever I have guests over, I love to put frozen strawberries in the pitcher of water. It's a nice touch that not only looks good, but keeps the water cool and makes it taste delicious. Give it a try xo 

The Biltmore

Last weekend Chad and I had the pleasure of attending a holiday party at The Biltmore. Located in Pershing Square, this gorgeous hotel is a Los Angeles landmark. A place where the Academy Awards Ceremony used to take place, The Biltmore Los Angeles boasts stunning architecture with historical significance. It's definitely a must see if you are venturing to Downtown. Take a peek...

Tea Anyone?

The Ultimate Holiday Cocktail

If you haven't tried Rumple Minze, it's time to get to your local grocery store and buy yourself a bottle. When it comes to Christmas cocktails, a dash of Rumple Minze is really all you need. Try making a peppermint martini, or my favorite nighttime drink to snuggle up and watch a movie with is a Rumple Minze Hot Chocolate. To make just grab your favorite instant hot chocolate, add your desired amount of Rumple Minze, and top with whipped cream. 

Imagine a peppermint mocha -- with a little kick! Yum!

Lentil Salad

With all of the holiday parties, I've been indulging in more than just a few sweet treats! I can feel the difference in my energy level and hence I've decided to try and eat healthy at home for the next few weeks so I can feel free to indulge when I go out! Here is a delicious salad that I made earlier this week and I thought I'd share it with you. Although very similar to the Quinoa Salad I shared, the flavors are surprisingly different. It's another great dish to serve at a party. Chad and and I enjoy it as a meal and then I will usually eat the left-overs for lunch the next day. 

To make, combine and mix all of the below ingredients:

Cooked Lentils (I use pre-cooked from Trader Joes)

Organic Garbanzo Beans

Chopped Parsley

Chopped Green Onions

Halved Organic Plum Tomatoes

Lemon Pepper

Lemon Juice

Olive Oil

Enjoy! Xo

Decorating the Tree

There's something about a Christmas tree that really makes the holiday come alive. I love to decorate our house for Chrismas every year and in particular I take great pride in decorating the tree. A few years ago. my dear friend Gary ( who does windows for Ralph Lauren) decorated my family home and taught me the proper way to make a designer tree.  Here I share with you two easy tips to take your tree from ordinary to extraordinary!

Disclaimer : Patrick (the pup) loves to chew the bulbs so the bottom has to be kept bare!

1. Ribbon. White lights are an obvious must, but one thing that a lot of people forget is ribbon. Notice all the different ways I've used ribbon in my tree. First of all, you'll see that I've used a huge statement ribbon that wraps from the top to bottom.  Along the way, using pipe cleaners, I have taken portions of the ribbon and attached it further inside the tree. I then have hidden the pipe cleaner with a bow in a complementary ribbon. This gives the affect that the ribbon is moving.  

A flowing ribbon

 In addition, I've used the same ribbon to make a bow for the top. The bow ends cascade down the tree and as a finishing touch, I've curled and added another complementary ribbon to cascade from the top to bottom of the tree. 

Top of the Tree

2. Ornament Clusters. I like hanging single ornaments, but more importantly, I love ornament clusters.  By combining more than one ornament together, it's easier to fill holes in the tree and it really makes a statement. To create the clusters, take three or more ornaments of different colors and size and loop them together on a pipe cleaner. Then attach the cluster to the tree, fastening it with the ends of the pipe cleaner. 

 Helpful tip: I use pipe cleaners to attach the ribbon, the ornaments, and the top. But be sure to get either green or brown so that they camouflage. Also, pay extra attention to the top of the tree, because that's what will be shown in photos. Happy decorating!

Christmas Movies!

There are so many reasons why I love Christmas. The smells, the spirit, the songs and of course, the movies! Christmas movies are some of my favorites and the following will be on a weekly rotation until December 25...

If you haven't seen any of these classics, you've got to get your hands on them ASAP. I gotta say, Home Alone really takes the cake for me. Young McCauly Caulkin is just so dang cute!  And Part II is equally as good -- if not better. What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Don't Give Up

2012 is coming to an end... we've reached December! What were your goals for this year? Have you accomplished them? If not, there's good news. The year isn't over yet. So...

What can you do in this final month of 2012 to launch you into 2013?

Still Thankful

I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and fun-filled Thanksgiving. I was grateful to not only have a few days off of work, but to spend time with my loved ones. Chad and I started the weekend by taking our Christmas photos. Here's a quick preview of some shots taken by a dear friend, Becky Shannon. Take a peek...

  I am still feeling very thankful for all the wonderful blessings in my life.

Tequila, Tequila

We finally got a chance to go to the tequila bar, Las Perlas. My drink of choice, I absolutely loved the ambiance and the cocktails. It was perfect for our date night. Be sure to visit this spot if you're looking for someplace to grab a drink downtown, especially if you like tequila! 

Images

If you want to go for an after-dinner or even pre-dinner drink, Las Perlas is directly across from Artisan House and within walking distance to most all downtown restaurants. It's a laid back kinda place, the venue boasts a pool table and there was even a group playing cards -- I wished we had brought some of our own. By the same owners of Caña (the rum bar), Las Perlas another great spot!