Girlfriend's Christmas Gift Guide

“I love going shopping.” - Serena Williams

Do you ever find it challenging to find the right gift for your best friend? Well look no further! I absolutely enjoy finding the perfect gifts for my girlfriends during the holiday season. It is so much fun watching their faces light up when they open their gift..

Today, I am sharing the perfect gifts to give your bestie at Christmas.

For the friend who loves to read

For the friend who loves wine

For the friend who loves to cook

For the friend who loves to accessorize

For the friend who needs a little bit of self-care

For the friend who loves gadgets

What are some gifts you are giving your friends this year? Share below!

XO, Analise

Vegas Vibes

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ..." - Unknown

G & I have been planning a Vegas trip for a little while now, and we met up with my best friend and her husband, for a quick weekend getaway!

We all wanted to do new activities that everyone hadn't experience in their previous Vegas trips. So, it was a blast creating new memories with one another.

Today, I am sharing a few highlights on our recent trip!

Checking into the gorgeous Palms Casino Resort.

Checking into the gorgeous Palms Casino Resort.

G & I stayed at the Palms Casino Resort it is currently under construction, but the parts that aren't are simply stunning. Renovations should be fully complete sometime next year, but the staff did an amazing job in ensuring our safety, as well as the venue being fully functional. They have really upgraded the hotel and it looks great, also there is in on-site movie theater! The staff was great and very accommodating. They have included some wonderful art installations - including the large piece outside that I'm standing in front of, that really elevate the facility!

Enjoying the music and vibes at the Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Enjoying the music and vibes at the Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Our favorite day club and pool party was the Marquee at Cosmopolitan. The set list was amazing, and DJ Mustard was the guest DJ for the event. Pool parties typically start at 11 AM and end at 6 PM. We actually bought our tickets in advance, and were able to skip the super long line! I do recommend getting on a guest list, or having tickets prior to arrival, so you can get right to the party. Also, the dress code is pretty strict, and make sure to take as little items into the event as possible.

This pool party had about five bars, a poker table, and food made to order. Also, they have a cool down station, which included plenty of water, and space for you to relax as you are dancing and drinking all day. The best part, is that the day club has an indoor and covered dance floor - this section connects to the pool and outside space. Which is perfect, because it does get pretty hot, and having access to air conditioning is a must!

Grabbing a quick bite to eat at In N Out Burger.

Grabbing a quick bite to eat at In N Out Burger.

The best kept secret is off the strip - The Linq Promenade has the best shops and restaurants. Also, the area is shaded, and it was nice to walk down this cool alleyway and see all that it had to offer.

One of the greatest finds was In N Out Burger. I opted for the secret menu item - Grilled Cheese! The line for this place was very long, but they turn out orders very quickly. Also, there is inside and outside seating!

Strolling down the Linq Promenade, and hopping onto The High Roller!

Strolling down the Linq Promenade, and hopping onto The High Roller!

After we indulged in some fast food, it was time to continue the adventure - The High Roller was our next stop!

This wheel soars about 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. The wheel is massive and the 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip are breathtaking. We spent about 30 minutes on the observation wheel. Also, we selected the Happy Hour option - $40 for unlimited drinks, and a complimentary shooter when you reach the peak on the wheel! The cabin is spacious, and our bartender was fantastic, and had plenty of drink options to choose from on the ride. Also, they make you a to-go drink upon exiting the cabin!

Enjoying a live concert by Future at Drai's Nightclub at the Cromwell Las Vegas & Casino.

Enjoying a live concert by Future at Drai's Nightclub at the Cromwell Las Vegas & Casino.

Our favorite nightclub was Drai's, where we were able to see Future perform live. Again, we did purchase our tickets ahead of time, which was very helpful. Also, they are very particular about what you can bring inside the venue - so check out their site upon arrival. 

Also, similar to the Marquee, Drai's has an inside and outside section. So if you prefer to stay inside on the dance floor or go outside by the pool, there are plenty of options to choose from! The weather was much cooler at night, so we hung out by the pool. Also, there are huge monitors that showcase what is happening on the main stage!

Enjoying the most delicious meal at Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.

Enjoying the most delicious meal at Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.

This was the first big activity we did upon our arrival! Hell's Kitchen was absolutely heavenly. Our group loved everything there - from the food, wine selection, and incredible staff, this place is a total winner! If you want to read more about our restaurant experience, feel free to check out my previous post highlighting this gem.

Ordering the most delicious cocktail in our hotel bar at The Palms Casino & Resort.

Ordering the most delicious cocktail in our hotel bar at The Palms Casino & Resort.

Our hotel bar had the absolute cutest setup! They had an amazing selection and the staff was so kind. 

Overall we had an amazing time in Vegas, and there is so much to do there as well! We are definitely looking forward to our next getaway.  

Enjoy!

XO, Analise

The A-List

"Life is too short not to celebrate nice moments!" - Jurgen Klopp

Enjoying the most delicious cheeses, and pairing them with the perfect wines at Tinto Wine & Cheese!

Enjoying the most delicious cheeses, and pairing them with the perfect wines at Tinto Wine & Cheese!

My lovely hibiscus plants are finally blooming on our front porch! 

My lovely hibiscus plants are finally blooming on our front porch! 

Two glasses of Merlot from Rosemont Vineyards.

Two glasses of Merlot from Rosemont Vineyards.

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers from a dear friend in celebration of my promotion.

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers from a dear friend in celebration of my promotion.

A surprise gift from my sweet husband.

A surprise gift from my sweet husband.

The most lovely wine wall at Mermaid Winery, in Downtown Norfolk.

The most lovely wine wall at Mermaid Winery, in Downtown Norfolk.

One of the most delicious glasses of red wine at a new favorite restaurant, The Buthcer's Son.

One of the most delicious glasses of red wine at a new favorite restaurant, The Buthcer's Son.

Happy Friday everyone! It has been super busy lately, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We are gearing up for Father's Day, and finalizing summer plans with friends and family.

It is an exciting time for us. G and I are settling into our new jobs, while making sure we balance time together.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

What's new with you guys?!

XO, Analise

Uncorked: How to Host a Wine Party

"What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others." - Diogenes

G and I love throwing parties at our home. We typically throw a party every year at the beginning or end of Summer. When we have our event, I love serving wines that our guests will enjoy! As you guys know, we really like wine, and it is a treat when we are able to blow away our guests with an amazing selection.

Today I'm sharing some a few tips in choosing wonderful wines for your next party!

  1. Headcount. Each bottle of wine typically serves about 4 glasses, depending on how you pour. For a point of reference, our guests will have about 2-3 glasses of wine. With that being considered, you'll need to ensure your selection can accommodate your headcount. For example, if you have 10 guests, it's best to have about 8-10 bottles of wine. I always like to get a few extra bottles just in case! Tip: If you will be serving alcohol in addition to wine, feel free to modify the number of bottles!
  2. White, Rose, Bubbly, or Red? Depending on the event I adjust the type of wine I'll be serving. For brunch, I will serve champagne, rose, and white wine. This is typically a lighter meal and also earlier in the day. For evening events and dinner parties, I will serve red and white wine, and champagne is a must! Tip: If your audience prefers red over white, purchase more red wine since it's a crowd favorite!
  3. Food pairing. It is really important to make sure you have the appropriate selection of food that pair perfectly with your wine! Whether you are serving spicy, BBQ, savory or sweet dishes, make sure your wine selection accompanies your food. Tip: Whenever I make my lemon pepper wings, I make sure I have Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc available for my guests! They pair perfectly together.
  4. Budget. I try to stick to a price point for each bottle of wine that I buy. If I'm having a smaller gathering or hosting a dinner, I'll splurge and get some unique bottles from one of our favorite local wine shops, Tinto. Yet, if we are having a larger group, Trader Joe's is my preferred store to get my wine! They have an excellent price point and I set a cap for about $15 a bottle. Tip: Set a budget early. If your budget is $150 get a great variety and ensure the quality is spot on for your guests.

What are some of your favorite wines to share with friends?

XO, Analise

 

Photo Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography

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Matron of Honor Manual

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." - Albert Camus

Last Spring, my bestie got the surprise of her life, when her boyfriend proposed to her. A few days before the proposal, Alisha's now husband reached out and told me his big plan! Hearing the news literally made my heart melt. He knew the importance of including me, her sister, and of course Alisha's mom in the process. I was super excited that this major moment was about to happen in my bestie's life! Most importantly, I was thrilled that I was a part of this milestone. Soon after the engagement Alisha asked me to be her Matron of Honor along with her older sister. It was an easy "Yes" for me. Alisha was my Maid of Honor a few months prior in my wedding. Being able to stand by Alisha's side, and watch her shine on her big day was something I would not miss. On October 7, 2017 I stood by my best friend, and watched her marry her new best friend. It was truly a special moment. 

While being someone's Maid or Matron of Honor is serious hard work, it can be very rewarding and a lot of fun! Today I'll be sharing some tips and characteristics one should possess while fulfilling this very important role.

  1. Support the Bride & Groom. As a MOH not only are you standing next to the bride on the big day, but you are supporting her decision to marry her beau. It is super key that you support and protect both of them. They will be very busy planning one of the best days of their lives. Be sure to help them both, whether it is giving them a pep talk or offering to search for vendors on their behalf. Whenever Alisha started her search for vendors I gave her my feedback. Also, I provided her my personal wedding spreadsheet that was created during my engagement. She got super lucky because we both got married in neighboring cities! 
  2. Be patient and flexible. While this may be easier said than done, know that things may not happen as quickly or how you may like it. Always, be patient with the bride. She will be making critical decisions. Let her take the time to make plans, and if you see that she's overwhelmed help make decisions together. 
  3. Stay organized. As the Bride starts making vendor selections create a list of contacts. Once she decides on her shower date, start researching venues and getting a guest list together. Do everything in your power to try and make things easier for her. It will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it to have a central repository of those important items and info she will need.
  4. Budget & save your money. This is a big one, and is a topic that sometimes isn't always addressed. The moment I knew that I'd be in the bridal party, I started setting aside money for the upcoming purchases. Lucky for me, Alisha was very understanding about how the bridal party spent our money. We were able to select our own dresses and shoes within our price range - which was awesome. Also, she was super flexible and upfront with costs in regards to her wedding. 
  5. Plan ahead. As we began to plan the big day, I started early with planning my time off for work. Also, the bridal party met bi-weekly, to conduct conference calls about upcoming events. This really helped all of the ladies stay on target! We lived all across the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area.
  6. Be honest. If something is bothering you or you have concerns, be honest with the bride-to be. She is your bestie at the end of the day, and it's very important to always communicate. 

What are some ways your MOH helped you on your big day? Also, if you were a MOH what are some things you would recommend to a newly appointed MOH?

XO, Analise

 

Photo Credit: Ward Photography