An Ode to Happy Hour

Oh Happy Hour how Happy you make us!

Well, maybe not a proper ode but at the very least, hopefully, a fun blog post.

  Happy Hour "fun, easy, effortless, rewarding and oh so very happy."

It isn't the act of Happy Hour-the enjoying discounted drinks, at a local watering hole between the hours of 5-7 or in some places 3-6, with 1-20 of your favorite people-it is what happens at Happy Hour that makes us so Happy. What happens, you ask in great anticipation of the answer? Everything happens! And it happens organically and in a compact period of time.  

The obvious love of Happy Hour is the instant ability to decompress from the day and the fun of mixing up the weekday routine mid-week or heck Monday-Friday if you desire. The other stuff that makes it such a wonderful few hours are the connections you make, the conversations you have, the news you share and learn and the impromptu plans that come together for a trip or dinner on the spot.  

At Happy Hour everyone seems to come from a place of "YES."  Yes, I will try that fancy cocktail I have never heard of. Yes, I will join you for dinner. Yes, I will make a donation to your charity. Yes, I will run that race with you. Yes, I will discuss the book club before book club (which is a good thing since we don't always discuss it at book club, strange but true). Yes, I will be your new best friend. Yes, I will take your advice. Yes, I will father your child. Yes, Yes, Yes I will...(fill in the blank)!  Ok, that last one maybe a stretch, but the other stuff is pretty spot on.  

At Happy Hour you can get some much needed insight on any situation, you can vent, you can share, you can learn, you can forget the day or rehash every minute of it, you can appreciate the moment and the company, you can be in the moment and unplugged-it is only an hour...or two, you can be entertained by other Happy Hour groups, be completely amazed by your servers ability to keep it all straight when everyone is moving around, you can meet new folks, you can and will say "yes", you can laugh till you cry, and you can be happy.  

This past week we were able to kick off 2014 with an awesome Happy Hour at Lemaire, located in the Jefferson Hotel. There is always a core group of Happy Hour attendees, sometimes it is just the two of us and other times everyone comes out to play. That was the case last week. It was so much fun to see so many great people and watch everyone interact, blend and mingle. Travel was a topic of conversation, new friendships were cemented and old ones renewed. Book club was discussed, the next race came up, the Dark and Stormy was the hit cocktail of the evening, an impromptu dinner was arranged and some great one on one chats rounded out the evening. On top of that, two birthdays were celebrated! It was a fabulous Happy Hour and before that 6:59pm last call came, we were already looking forward to the next Happy Hour.

So not a proper ode at all but most definitely a loving nod to the happiest hours of the day.  Thank you Happy Hour for making us so happy!

Cheers!

K&H

P.S.  Lemaire hits all the right notes earning 5 martinis! Good deals, wonderful service, clean bathrooms, a charming comfortable atmosphere and the WOW factor of the Jefferson-how lucky we are to have this gem in our backyard and it be so accessible.

P.P.S. In December we Happy Houred at 525 at the Berry Burk.  They received 4 out of 5 martinis. It is so lovely to see places popping up on Grace Street and bringing her back to some her chic former glory. Keep up the good work RVA!

Happy Birthday Cocktails and Glitter!

Celebrating One Year as Bloggers!

Wow!  Cocktails and Glitter has turned ONE!  Who would have thought that a crazy idea like starting a blog about crafting and Happy Hour would take off, be a success and be so much fun? Well, we did of course! 

This first year has been full of wonderful memories, adventures and experiences (some of those experiences the teaching kind).  We have learned a great deal about this process and are looking forward to learning more.  Over the next few months we will be working to make some fabulous changes to our blog while still bring you the awesome "hard hitting" information you have grown to expect and enjoy from us. 

Thank you to everyone that has supported us in this first year we so very grateful for you, and we hope you will continue to follow us in 2014!

Cheers!

K&H

Bring it on 2014!

 Happy New Year!

May you welcome the new year with hope and anticipation for all to come. Take a moment to reflect on 2013, raise a glass to toast the future, and kiss someone awesome at midnight!

Cheers!

K&H

Happy Christmas!

 Happy Christmas!

 

May you have 

a holly jolly holiday!

 

Cheers!

K&H

We Came, We Saw, We Shopped!

Oh boy, did we shop!

Last Friday was the 4th annual shopping day for Kate & Heather (and 3rd year with their friend Ashley), and possibly the most successful to date! A while ago we decided to support our awesome local shops as much as possible. This really played into the success of the day as we weren't wasting time driving to all the suburban malls and centers and getting in and out of the car all day. In fact, we only parked the car twice: Once at Patterson and Libbie and then again in Carytown. Less than 3 miles between these local shopping locations.

Kate & Heather started the day at The Shops at 5807 on Patterson at 10:30am. Neither had been in this gem of a shopping destination and were excited about the variety they had to offer- it's like 21 shops in one! We were able to get ornaments, hostess gifts, and other great gifts. The Toy Center was next door, which we were able to find treats for some of the kiddos we know.

Around noon we headed to Carytown and met up with Ashley. After lunch at Xtras, we managed to get down to some serious shopping!  We hit tons of stores in the afternoon, but didn't make it to all! The ones we had the most luck at include: Penzeys Spices (okay, it's a chain, but we still love them!), Fabrik (also a chain, but carries some local artists), DeCOR, Mongrel, and World of Mirth. Shortly after 4pm, we were awfully thirsty, so we wandered into NY Deli for a Happy Hour beverage and an app. After a few more shops, it was around 7pm and most places were closing for the day.

After this intense shopping day, we're pretty close to crossing everyone off our list! It's great knowing that we could support many local shops, as well as give our family and friends gifts that are more unique than ones that could be found at big box stores. It somehow seems so much more personal. We hope to continue this local gift shopping not only for the holidays, but for celebrations throughout the year!


Please share with C&G your favorite local shops!  (not just for our Richmond friends- anywhere!)

Cheers,

K&H

RIC is a Winter Wonderland of Activities

Enjoy the season with local events!

In case you have free time between Thanksgiving and New Year's and need something to do here is a great list of events and activities in Richmond and a lot of them are free!!!!!!! 

• Go Ice Skating...outdoors!!!!!  If you don't want to skate outdoors you can also do public skates at Skate Nation or Richmond Ice Zone.
• Visit Santa-No matter what your age you have to admit it is fun to see Santa and you don't have to buy the picture unless you look absolutely fabulous! Santa can be found at any of the malls, Bass Pro Shop and the Legendary (and real) Santa is checking his list twice at the Children's Museum.
• Don't forget about your furry friends! Several places have photo opportunities for your pet and Santa, including area Petsmarts.
• The Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter
• Walk through the light display at the James Center
• Tacky Lights Tour-plan your own route and drive around or book a private limo or a ticket on the Richmond Trolley!  One of our favorite houses in located on Rosewood near Maymont!  If this doesn't make you smile...what are we saying of course this will make you smile...it is AWESOME! 
• Pop into the Jefferson-Grab a cocktail from TJ's and then sit and enjoy the giant tree and big ginger bread house. 
• Christmas Parade-Did you miss the Richmond Christmas Parade this passed weekend?  Don't worry it will be re-aired on WTVR-CBS channel 6, Christmas morning so you may enjoy the whole thing from the comfort of your own home.
• Maymont-Wander the grounds of Maymont to take in all the natural and handmade Christmas decorations. While you are there take a holiday tour of the mansion.
• Downtown-If wandering Maymont didn't wear you out head downtown and take in the decorations of the Court End historic homes, museums, St. John's, St. Paul's, Monumental Church, the Executive Mansion, the State Capital and everything else downtown!
• James River Parade of Lights-This happens Saturday, December 14, 2013. Boats are decorated with lights and parade down the James. This is sponsored by James River Advisory Council who help advocate and promote our awesome river.
• Richmond Nativity Pageant-at the Carillion-Monday, December 23, 2013.
• Music and a Show-See brat packer Molly Ringwald or Sweet Honey in the Rock at Center Stage. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Richmond Symphony or catch a holiday show with Virginia Repertory Theatre (the combination of the former Barksdale and Theater iv). Don't miss the Richmond Ballet's annual performance of the holiday classic The Nutcracker.  Head back to The Jefferson for Music at Midday or take in one of the Richmond Concert Band's performances.
• Carytown New Year's Eve-The Richmond tradition of celebrating the new year by watching the ball rise over the Bryd is 9 years strong!

Want to celebrate the season with friends and family on your own turf? Consider hosting one of these fun themed events.

• Ugly Sweater Party-If everyone gets into it, it is a blast!
• Holiday Baking Day-we have a great friend whose family (3 generations deep of women, started by earlier generations) have the tradition of getting together to make a family recipe of Saffron Bread every year.
• Host a Cookie Party- we have another wonderful friend who does these every year and you always end up with a wonderful selection of sweet treats and you only had to make one, brilliant!
• Crafting Day-because crafting is fun and when you add wine and girlfriends it becomes an annual tradition.
• Holiday Happy Hour-heck you could even combine this with an Ugly Sweater Party your group will be the envy of everyone a the bar!
• Re-gifting Party-everyone brings that thing you have received that just doesn't work and it turns into someone else's treasure! This too can be combined with an Ugly Sweater Party!
• New Year's Eve Eve Party-One of Heather's best friends does this every year and it is awesome! You avoid the crazy of the 31st and are less likely to be hungover on the 1st so you are bright eyed and bushy tailed to return to work on the 2nd.
• New Year's Day Open House-avoid the crazy of late night celebrating and welcome the New Year with a pot of chili and good friends on the 1st!
• Favorite Holiday Movie Night- We have a group of friends who gather annually for a viewing of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, accompanied by snacks (often roasting marshmallows in the fireplace) and recently a tacky sweater contest. The prize for the tackiest sweater? The golden otter!

How do you celebrate the holiday season?  Let us know on our facebook page.

Cheers!

K&H

Tis the season for stretchy pants!

What? It's time to eat again??

The season of joy, family and togetherness is officially upon us. Our schedules get busier with parties, holiday lunches and happy hours, shopping and traveling. With the temptation of holiday cookies and cocktails that are around every corner, it's easy to pack on a few pounds. It's hard to find time to cook a proper and healthy meal. We here are Cocktails and Glitter are determined to not let the holidays give us the figure of jolly ole St. Nick! Here are some of our favorite healthy recipes to help you avoid that belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly!

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna
We both love this recipe so much! We've included it on our Struggle With Fried tab in the past, but here it us again! It's a little time consuming, so may be a better weekend option. One of our favorite recipes from Skinny Taste. This one is also great to feed a crowd or to have ample leftovers!

Enchilada Casserole

Enchilada Casserole
This Cooking Light recipe is in heavy rotation in both our homes. Since it's a casserole, it's easy to adjust some ingredients. Add some beans, use chicken instead of beef, add peppers or extra cheese... It's quick to assemble and bake, about 30 minutes total, perfect for a work night or after a busy day of shopping.

Autumn Harvest Soup

Autumn Harvest Soup
The cold weather begs for soup. Using seasonal ingredients is also smart- the quality of butternut squash and kale is much better this time of year! This soup is hardy enough for a meal! Kayln's Kitchen has some great healthy recipes for eating right!

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Crock pot recipes are a HUGE help during this season. This one from Skinny Taste is easy to prep in the morning, and requires little effort when you get home for the day. We like to sprinkle a few crushed tortilla chips on top! I would recommend cooking the onions and garlic before your shower or the night before to avoid smelling like enchiladas all day!

Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps

Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps
Let's be real, some nights you crave fast food. Here's a great recipe to take care of that craving without the guilt (or pink slime!) that goes along with it. Skinny Mom's Kitchen hits a home run with kids and adults with this one!




These recipes can also be found through our Pinterest Board "Struggle With Fried, Healthy Recipes That Taste Unhealthy". We'll keep adding to the board as the season continues! In the meantime, share with us your favorite healthy go-to meals!

Cheers,

K&H

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving!

Whether you set the Thanksgiving table for 2 or 200 or celebrate the holiday with Friendsgiving1, Fakesgiving2 or have one big fabulous feast on Thanksgiving3 proper--ENJOY! 

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving--appreciate the moment & surround yourself with good people and good food. Really, what more do you need in life? Laugh out loud, put on the comfy pants and belly up for seconds and thirds. Turn the leftovers into epic casseroles and colossal sandwiches and have a most wonderful, beautiful, awesome Thanksgiving.

Need some inspiration for a fun & easy Turkey-day decor? Check out a few ideas from our annual Friendsgiving Feast!

Painted burlap banner.. made in minutes an hour before dinner.

Linen napkins bought at an online craft store, stamped for personalization.

Family candlesticks bring together the old and the new.

Time to break out the nice china!

Dessert station is early in the day to avoid last minute scrambling.

Have a wonderful and awesome Thanksgiving!



Cheers!
K&H



1. Friendsgiving \ˈfrends\' -ˈgi-viŋ  
noun 1. the act of feasting with ones friends who are like family in the month of Thanksgving but not on actual Thanksgiving.
adjective  2. awesome
2. \ˈfāk\ giv' ing 
noun 1. the act of feasting with family and/or friends at any moment in the calendar year when said group is all together, not actually on Thanksgiving or necessarily in the month of November.
adjective 2. awesome
3. \thaŋ(k)s-ˈgi-viŋ    
noun 1.  A holiday that commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. 
exclamation 2. duh 
adjective 3. awesome

Shop RVA

Shop LOCAL and keep it close to home this holiday season!

Every year we (Kate & Heather) have a holiday shopping day. Kate takes the day off of work so we can avoid the weekend craziness. We start early and keep going until our lists are complete and/or it is time for Happy Hour!  These are marathon shopping events, they are a blast and have been hugely successful in the past. Most years we have hit the big chains and have gone from the city to the suburbs and back again. However, this year we are keeping it LOCAL. It is a fun challenge that we are ready and willing to embrace. 75% of the shopping we do daily is already on a LOCAL level but this holiday season the goal is 100% LOCAL. With the number of incredibly clever, innovative, practical, artistic and just down right fun shops in RVA we have this challenge in the bag...the locally purchased reuseable holiday shopping bag that is...BOOM!

This year the calendar is marked for us to shop on Friday, December 13, 2013!  We will also be shopping on Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2013 and Saturday, December 14, 2013 in support of Think. Shop. Buy. Local. 

Below is a sampling of some of the awesome LOCAL shops we will be visiting on our shopping days:

Carytown Bikes 

For the Love of Chocolate

Franklin Goose 

La Difference 

Lex's of Carytown 

Modern Artifacts 

Mongrel

Bygones!

Murphries

O Virginia

Orange

Original Gravity

Plan 9

Richmond Camera  

Ruth and Ollie 

RVA news

Schwarzchild

World of Mirth 

Many of these are in Carytown or nearby but we won't forget all the great small LOCAL businesses and shops all over the city. On the Northside-anything along Hermitage and of course those shops on MacArthur Avenue-the Bellevue Shopping District.  Southside and the Near West End we'll visit such as the shops at Libbie and Grove and The Shops at 5807. We know there are a couple of gems in the Short Pump area like Tweed but we will be staying away from that area this year avoiding the chains, traffic and malls. 

Other wonderful shops to explore this holiday season are those located in all the amazing museums in town. Can't find a gift in the museum shop? Give a membership to any of these cultural and very cool museums. 

Whether you favor the idea of a downtown baseball stadium or not (not) we are all in favor or supporting our local team so get some Squirrels gear this holiday season from the Squirrels Nest.  Heck it could be your last trip to the Diamond...pause for a tear.

The gift of an experience and an adventure is always a route worth exploring.  One of the best ways to do this is in the form of a gift card, it really does take time to shop for gift cards and any gift is something thoughtful and to be appreciated.  An evening at the theater is always lovely be it the Byrd, The Carpenter Center or The Landmark.  Give the gift of a meal by giving a gift card to any of the culinary hot spots in RVA or let someone get their own culinary genius on with a gift card to these local food shops Bombolini Pasta, Ellwood Thompsons, Little House Green Grocery. Cocktails and Glitter is always fond of the gift of a liquid beverage of local beers, ciders and wines!  Check out these links to find the perfect beverage for your friends and family.  Better yet give the gift of taking someone on a tour of breweries and wineries. A subscription to Richmond Magazine is always a winner and of course supports local publications and all things local for that matter...if you actually know someone that doesn't have a subscription to Richmond Mag!

Can you keep it LOCAL this holiday season? Join us in this challenge and see how well you do. We will post our progress on Facebook and Pinterest!

Happy Shopping!

Cheers!
K&H

P.S. Last week we had Happy Hour at Mellow Mushroom in Carytown. We had time to kill before going to a holiday shopping event at Orange.  If you are not familiar with Orange, you need to be- it is awesome!  Mellow Mushroom rated 4 out of 5 martinis. We know it is a chain but it is in Carytown. They took the former Plan 9 location and turned it into a hip fun joint paying homage to Plan 9 and RVA in the fantastic artwork murals. The staff was wonderful, the snack of house made beer cheese and soft pretzels hit the spot and the bathrooms are some of the nicest in Richmond! Plenty of room at the bar for large groups. Minor drawbacks are the early Happy Hour of 3-6pm and though they have drink discounts there are not any food deals. We say go for the bathrooms but stay for some beer cheese, a slice and a local brew.

Veterans...

We thank you. 

Thank you for your service to our country, for your selfless commitment and for the sacrifice you and your family make everyday protecting those you know and love and those you don't.


We honor you and thank you.

Cheers!

K&H