Posted by rachelrifat on 2005-02-11 12:22:56
Post Subject: long distance salvation
What I have done in the past with my many long distance loves is do a yellow page search near their home. There should be an online yellow pages for london.
You can find local florists, shops, and restaurants... They will hardly charge for delivery when close by. Once, I had a fabulous wine house walk over an incredible bottle of wine to one of my love's.
Order him (by phone, fax, or email) a fab curry dinner and have them deliver it with a note!
Order him his favorite CDs at the Virgin Mega Store UK... Don't know if you will have time to make it for delivery.
Posted by RandomCrafter on 2005-12-27 20:51:31
Post Subject:
my husband and i have been together now for 3 years and this is the first year he's actually off work so we're staying in. We're gonna cook a nice meal together, have a bottle of wine and watch romantic movies while we cuddle on the couch
Posted by Sommer on 2004-09-17 08:52:34
Post Subject:
This happened many years ago, but still gives me chills. When my twins were about 3 months old, my parents came over to babysit so I could go out to dinner with my husband. I hadn't been out of the house in WEEKS! We went to a casual restaurant, ordered a bottle of wine, which was poured into glasses. While reading the menu, I reached over to pick up my wine glass, to bring it to my lips for a big ole' drag, only to realize, waaaay too late, that I was chugging from the bottle....
I looked around as I put in down and EVERYONE was looking at me...including my husband.
Posted by elixirbeth on 2006-12-07 06:37:28
Post Subject:
when in doubt, i get people something consumable. i plan to get my SIL a new tea kettle and an assortment of loose teas (she gushed over mine the last time they visited).
Posted by craftfetish on 2006-11-30 13:26:03
Post Subject:
You could do a movie night - with a gift card, some of those giant boxes of candy (they have 'em at the dollar store), some microwave popcorn and a cute popcorn bowl (the melted LP kind are fun to make) or blanket to snuggle under.
You could do a pasta night - gourmet pasta sauce, dry pasta, cool bowls, one of those fork-spoon things, a bottle of wine, cloth napkins or whatever fun stuff you find in the home section until you are out of money.
You could do a game night - with poker chips or a board game. Add a bit of craftiness with a set of handmade invitations and/or snacks.
A windowsill herb garden or one of those garden in a bag things with some other fun cooking things (recipes, hot pads, gadgets and the other things already suggested).
If you want to go with a gift card, you could throw in a little project to make it a little crafty and personal.
Home Depot/Lowe's card + you could paint, embroider, bedazzle (okay, that's not gender neutral) or otherwise embellish one of those little aprons for holding nails. (or you could embellish a tape measure or any other small tool)
Starbucks card + espresso truffles or a knit coffee cozy (basically a 3 inch tapered tube - I have pictures of one of these on my blog- super easy)
Williams Sonoma/Whole Foods or any other foodie gift card + homemade hot pad, recipe cards, embellished apron, spice rub, etc.
Sporting Goods card + gender neutral hat or mittens, "Team (Your Last Name)" stencilled gym bag/shirt
Bookstore + fancy coffee/hot cocoa mix (my ideal rainy afternoon) or you could make a glasses case (unless reading glasses are a sensitive subject with some of your fam)
Okay, I'm getting carried away. But you get the idea.
Posted by msfish on 2006-10-02 10:33:34
Post Subject:
lemme think...
2 dozen bodega roses: $10
bottle of wine : $14
not great, but after you factor in the manhattan "$20 for walking out your door" tax, i only spent $4.
the roses usually last about a week and made full bouquets for our living room and bedroom, and the bottle of wine sufficed for four when we had friends over for dinner, so i'm okay with my cash-droppin'. it's leftovers and sewing tonight, though.
Posted by itzie on 2007-10-07 18:57:22
Post Subject:
I love the idea of dog biscuits.
You mention being afraid that someone won't appreciate something homemade? I think this can be the hardest with kids but just remember that years from now when their piles and piles of commercial goods are being given away, yours will have special meaning.
Now is a good time to start making hostess gifts since you know you'll have lots of parties to hit. I'm making little jars of pesto now as I take down my giant basil plant for the summer and freezing them. I figure something like that will be way more appreciated than another bottle of wine - unless of course it is in a poodle cozy- how cute!
I need to come up with some other ones for gifts for my family and friends.
Posted by fenestrelle on 2004-11-03 00:32:13
Post Subject:
One of my friend's came over for dinner & election results. I made marsala chicken & spinach, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. And we split a bottle of wine while watching the election results on the telly.
I'm really happy about Barack Obama's win; he's my Senator now, yay!
As for the rest of it, I'm feeling anxious and compelled to chain smoke.
Posted by Mathias on 2004-05-20 13:33:02
Post Subject:
YOWSA!!! How exciting, Jean! Really!
I spent 5 days in Italy when I was 16, and two of those were in Florence. Stupidly, the thing that always stands out to me when I think of Florence is that I bought and shared a bottle of wine with one of my classmates. Heh. :) It was part of a 16 day trip that members of the high school foreign language club went on--I busted my ass at my little public library job to save up the cash for it. I honestly think I was far too young (with misdirected priorities to boot) to really appreciate the awesome opportunity I had there.
The hubster actually said to me the other day that he wishes that we had traveled after our college graduations for a while (even though we were totally broke at that time) instead of settling into jobs/bills/etc. I guess what I mean to say is that I think it's awesome that you're brave enough to go for the month--because truly, even though you're taking out a loan for it, your experiences there will be priceless.
Posted by Katrin on 2005-07-16 15:27:06
Post Subject: Three Good Things
The blog of this guy I sort of know mentions an exercise called "Three Good Things". Even when your life is rotten, it goes, you're supposed to find three good things that happened to you that day. This guy is usually a really negative person - his snarky comments are funny, but he never has a single nice thing to say - and it was wonderful for me to read about things that actually make him happy. My life's been pretty rotten lately too, so I think it's time I try it myself.
1. A regular customer of mine lost his coffee cup. He seemed pretty upset about it, so I bought a customizable tumbler with a paper insert and decorated it with some pictures, his name and the name of his usual drink. I left it for him at our shop the next morning for my coworkers to give to him, even though I wasn't working there. They said he was overjoyed to get it - and the next day he brought me a dozen roses (he said they were for all of us, but even my manager said they were really for me).
2. I'd miscalculated the amount that my student loan payment would be taking out, and it turns out I have $100 more in the bank than I thought I did. We still can't afford to pay our bills right now, but this means I can get myself some lunch and maybe even splurge on a bottle of wine tonight.
3. I've just joined a new craft group that meets both online and in person. Our first get-together is in a couple of days - I'm so looking forward to having real-life friends to motivate me to make stuff! The girl in charge of it has met me once, and apparently she thinks I am The Coolest Person Ever. Now I must live up to that.
Posted by kitchensqueen on 2006-05-28 12:48:18
Post Subject:
It's usually just my husband and I at Thanksgiving, so our menu is usually:
Roasted turkey breast
Garlic mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Home-canned green beans
A baked yam (for the husband)
Home made cranberries
Home made egg noodles (my grandmother's recipe)
Croissant rolls
Chocolate pie
Pumpkin pie
Good bottle of wine
Usually gives us enough leftovers for a day or two of lunches.
Posted by quornflour on 2007-02-18 19:14:01
Post Subject:
Beyond real chocolate (read that as NOT minimart chocolates) there are a number of mood enhancing foods that can help.
They are beneficial because they are no-brainer good for you foods (non-processed etc.) like fruits and vegetables and food with essential fats (like fish and nuts). I recently cut wheat, gluten and simple sugars from my diet and try to stick only to complex carbs. This has had a noticeably positive effect on my happiness and energy (as well as my digestive tract). I also try to eat only organic foods whenever possible; I try to avoid preservatives and fast foods. Cooking is also a stress reliever for me so that helps too.
Other foods like Avocados are MAO's which can have a proven effect on mood.
Paul Pitchford’s Healing with Whole Fods is an excellent book for learning about foods that effect different parts of the body and general health. There is also a section on detox fasts that can help clean toxins out that may be bringing you down.
I also agree with ArtGeek, tell your friends what is going on and talk to your doctor. They could help you figure out temporary enhancers (be it friends with pampering devices or doctors with pills), be honest and open about the side effects that you have problems with.
For sleep try melatonin rather than other processed drugs that can have other negative effects, especially if you feel groggy in the morning after taking them.
I also find that a pedicure with a bottle of wine and a good friend is a personal favorite pick me up!
Posted by msfish on 2005-08-17 15:51:22
Post Subject:
anniversary, well, booze can work pretty well: you can buy a nice bottle of champagne for them to share on their first anniversary, a bottle of wine that will mature in five years, a bottle of swanky scotch that will be best in ten, and so on. a good wine merchant should be able to point you toward something that will age to suit the time period you have in mind.
Posted by kitchensqueen on 2006-05-29 11:38:57
Post Subject:
Hit the farmer's market if you have one. It's really easy to get excited about throwing together a meal or two that really focuses on good healthy stuff when you're surrounded with so many excellent, in-season, organic options. Our trip to the farmer's market ended up providing a fantastic Saturday night meal-- balsamic roasted portobellos with wilted kale, shallots, and bacon, and of course a good bottle of wine and some crusty french bread.
Posted by acebeader on 2004-05-20 10:17:54
Post Subject:
I would agree with beads...and then you have an amazing piece of jewelry at the end.
I also like to go and buy a nice magazine, and a relatively cheap bottle of wine, and for under $10, you can have a relaxing evening.
Another thing I like to do is buy a new Rubbermaid/organization device, and then re-arrange craft supplies. I usually find some stuff I forgot about, and it lends iteself to great ideas.
I also like to check the clearance section in the Wal Mart craft area...there can be some real bargains in there!
Posted by pudding on 2006-01-26 05:59:06
Post Subject:
i'm in a wedding, got something for the bridal shower, but have no clue what to do for the wedding gift, since i have almost no money (the only money i have is from christmas due to lack of job)
For someone in your situation with limited finances, maybe a good idea would be to create a little coupon type book with "services" the bride and groom could "cash in". Or if they are going on a long honeymoon, could you vounteer to care for their house/pets etc while they are away? Or, maybe you could make them a picnic hamper of goodies and buy a nice bottle of wine & treat them to a romantic picnic when they return?
I don't know. Do other people have an idea of where I'm going with this, or am I being a bit lame?
Do you make any sort of crafty things which you could give as a gift?
The only rule I can think of is that a gift should be for both of them equally, so dangly, girly earrings are probably not a good idea (unless the groom is into that, of course :-) ...)
OK, I've thought of one more thing: you could take some candid photos of them on the big day then create a little scrapbook or album to give to them. One of the things I most loved about my wedding was getting copies of all my friends candid shots of the day. They show lots of little details not seen in the official photographs.
OR,
Do you already have lots of photos of the couple? Maybe you could make some sort of collage and frame it?
Hopefully if none of these ideas work they might at least inspire you in some other direction!
Posted by uproar on 2005-04-18 17:16:45
Post Subject:
A Mad Hatter/Alice in Wonderland tea party!
Parties I'm personally jonesing to have soon:
Slumber Party Massacre/Sorority House Massacre slumber party. I want to get a bunch of friends together for a coed slumber party, watch these awesome cheesy 80s slasher movies, have everyone dress up in nighties and the boys in football jerseys and boxers. And then at some point I want to have a separate friend arrive at the party as the "killer" and designated people will end up being "killed". It would be so awesome.
a dance-off dance party! no costumes really, although I would love to incorporate some type of dress up. But I'm obsessed with the tv show Dance 360, which is this so awful it's awesome hip hop Soul Train-esque dance show, and I want to have a party in the style of the show. (only not hiphop music. more of an electroclash/rock and roll dance-off dance party)
a wine tasting party where everyone brings a bottle of wine under $10. everyone gets to taste new wines and get smashed!
Posted by Em Bee on 2004-11-12 19:25:21
Post Subject:
Oh, please tell us about your experience, manukenkun. I always enjoy hearing how my countryfolk celebrate outside the US.
A friend in London was invited to T'giving a couple of years ago & asked advice on what to bring. She settled on a nice bottle of wine, but not before I'd sent recipes for cranberries & sweet potatoes. She had a great time, and lots of stories about the odd American customs! :)
Posted by delqc on 2005-09-14 10:23:49
Post Subject:
Whenever my old man and I throw a party, we NEVER supply the booze. Our friends drink like sailors, and it would cost us several arms and legs. Instead, we tell people that we'll have tonic, gingerale, cola, collins, and OJ and ask each person/couple to bring their booze accordingly. That way, we dont have to worry about the guy that ONLY DRINKS BOURBON... or the girl that HATES BEER (me). We turn our kitchen into a bar, lining up all the mixers and garnishes and let people have at it.
We do essentially the same thing - we always make house-parties BYOB, but we usually do buy mix and a dozen beer and a bottle of wine, for those among us who forget, or for our friends who simply can't afford alcohol. We usually end-up with a net increase in booze with the bottles left by our friends, which is kind of a thank-you for hosting the party! If you do this, the $ won't be so painful, and you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself more.
I can't resist posting some creepy halloween snacks, in case you are interested:
Spider Cookies are cheap, easy, and delicious. I omit the peanuts.
Witches' Fingers. Ew ...
Monster Eyes can actually be a tasty appetizer. I've done something similar with figs, stuffed with ricotti that has been blended with a bit of maple syrup. Sooo easy, and like, to die for.
For those who are really, really crafty: The bleeding Heart Cake. Ok, this is gross, but wouldn't you totally want to do this at a party?!?!?!
i was given passionfruit syrup and i am really allergic to it ... was also given stuff from a mountain climbing store that was so not my style and this is from someone who knows me really, really well! i have also known people who have given a box of chocolates to a diabetic (her brother and she is a nurse!!!) as well as a bottle of wine (and hard liquor) to someone who just went through rehab. cute, eh?
Posted by deborahthecraft on 2004-12-15 16:40:27
Post Subject:
What about braking up a packaged gifts such as bath and body works basket and regifting that?
I didn'd have a tub and got bubble baths and bombs and oils.The only thing I could use was the lotions and body wash.
I felt a little tacky at the time but I packaged up the remainders and a new candle and tub wine glass holder and gifted it to my godmother who loved it...
Same with food baskets...uh I am allergic to Salmon and walnuts,so that that did not get set out when we had company got regifted with a fresh bottle of wine...
Wow,maybe you guys are going to think I am super tacky now.
Posted by marvy on 2004-12-14 15:47:28
Post Subject:
I think I've only ever technically re-gifted things like a bottle of wine, or beer that was given as a hostess gift. If it's unopened, I may take it to the next party I go to.
My family is really laidback about gifts though- my siblings all asked for burned cd's this year instead of purchased ones. My gift for my sister was a 99-cent bargain at the thrift store, but I know she'll love it. Dad's getting a Raphael Palmero bobble head that I got at an O's game this summer!
I think that tackiness is all in the intent- if you are giving a gift with the recipient's taste and likes in mind, it's fine. If you are simply trying to get rid of something you don't want to someone who you feel obligated to give a gift to, that is the wrong sentiment.
Posted by skaad on 2004-10-18 14:32:55
Post Subject:
I love the "Mininalist" series by Mark Bittman, who writes for the Food section of the NY Times. He's also written the "How to Cook Everything" book, which I haven't read but looks pretty useful.
The Greens cookbook is also great, although many of their recipes are kind of time-consuming. There's a great tomato-fennel soup recipe in there, although I seem to recall spending at least 2 hours making it (unaided by the fact that my friend and I drank an entire bottle of wine in the process).
My main problem with a lot of veggie/fancy cookbooks is that they call for lots of fresh herbs, which is pretty impractical for me (a single gal living in a city, sans herb garden) - I wind up buying $15 in fresh herbs and then have no idea how to use the remainder before they spoil.
Posted by stella on 2006-04-19 01:43:40
Post Subject:
i'm on cleaning strike too. i wash my own dishes and clean up my own messes, but i'm not touching their junk. although i realize that i will be the one who finally gets fed up with the filth and cleans it all.
i inherited the "stress-cleaning" trait from my mom. when i'm beyond overwhelmed and don't know what to do, i start doing things like scrubbing the tile grout and vacuuming the window screens. at least it's productive!
the Shoe Barfer just turned 21, and i think she's way too into the whole "drinking" thing. i was over it by the time i turned 21, but i guess she never got wasted as a teenager. so now every morning there's an open bottle of wine and some gross drunk-person food leavings getting crusty on the counter. i push them to the side and make my coffee.
