* Hanukkah Happiness *

So we know we were bad smartypanties yesterday and didn’t write you guys anything new until way late in the evening! Boo us! But you have to understand that yesterday was the first day of Hanukkah! So I was busy outlet hopping with my boyfriend and his family? What, non-jews? What’s that you say? You don’t do that on Christmas? Well you don’t know what you’re missing! There is nothing like waking up at 8am on a Sunday in the pouring, freezing rain and actually being excited for your day. I hope you girls all had as fantastic of Hanukkahs as we did! Sometimes being away from your family (being from Ohio) can make you miss the silly traditions of your own family. That’s why we consider ourselves so lucky to have such a wonderful surrogate family in NYC courtesy of our BF. And want to know the sweetest thing ever? (and perhaps even reason enough to start a blog) Our surrogate fam even bought us presents! And not just any presents, but EXACTLY what we wanted! It was a Hanukkah miracle! We got a cashmere sweater from Bendel’s (yum!) and a glorious notebook from Tiffany‘s (it’s teeny weeny, pink and says ‘Pitter Patter’ on the cover, which is exactly what our heart did when we got it!) as well as our highly coveted Sugar-lemon lotion, soap AND shower gel from FRESH. They read my blog and knew I wanted it from my previous lusting-after-it-article!

Then we lit the menorah, (lit the menorah, lit the menorah–there were no joke like 12 menorahs!) ate potato pancakes, corned beef, the best meatballs ever, noodle pudding and birthday cake (in the shape of a purse for the BF’s aunt’s daughter-in-law’s bday). What could possibly be better than that Hanukkah party? Oh, I’ll tell you, if it were calorie free!

Hmm…well, we didn’t have to take the train back because BF’s parentals drove us all the way in with all our new stuff!

My wish list came true!!!

(I can’t find a pic of the Black Sweater or the Pitter Patter Tiffany notebook but the sweater is black, long and beautiful! and the notebook is teeny, pink and perfect!)

Sugar Lemon Fresh Scent

Happy Hanukkah! Go out and buy your loved ones gifts!

Dear Smartypanties,

While we realize it’s the holiday season and we all are ready and raring to go for New Years Eve, the office party is not the place to start. We know, we know, open bar is hard to control yourself, especially in NYC. However, it’s crucial that you don’t become the girl dancing on the table and throwing up…why? Because you’re a professional smartypantie of course!! Here are some tips!

You have to go. This is part of your job.  You cannot under any circumstances NOT show unless you have a good excuse. I mean if you don’t like co-workers wouldn’t you rather be there so they can’t talk smack?

Only invite a guest if it allows on the invite Before you bring someone you actually like make sure that it’s allowed. You don’t want to show up with a date if your office purposely made cutbacks to save money. But you also don’t want to be sans date and stuck chugging drinks at the bar in between awkward convos with couples about how great their significant other is.

Don’t dress like a skank. Even if you’re the office hottie keep your package wrapped up this holiday season if you want to be able to be taken seriously on Monday AM. Yes your co-workers will be drunk, possibly sloshed but if you’re ripping off layers and wearing a cosmo-soaked-camisole there is no way anyone is forgetting that.

Stumped for Convo? People love talking about themselves. That’s pretty much all I learned as a psych major. Questions like “Tell me about…” and comments like “That’s so interesting, tell me more” will leave you sipping your drink and nodding for most of the evening–which is great if you have nothing to say.

DO NOT GET COMPLETELY HAMMERED Yes, this is a social event but please limit your consumption. We have a friend who legit was giving lapdances t a Christmas party one year. How you behave, even when drunk will bear on your professional future. Now I’m not saying you can have one cocktail and then water, I’m just saying know your limits and know when to stop. If you find yourself say an inapproprite comment, put the drink down! End of story. Trust me, when you can look your co-workers in the eye next week, you’ll thank me!

Host the perfect holiday party. Here are some tips from your fave little jew who loves X-mas more than anything! I got my very own tinsel tree to prove it with a Jewish star atop. It’s a tiny piece of holiday perfection. Anyway, back to hosting the best holiday party. Here are some ideas I plan to use at my own (if I could fit more than 4 people in my apartment).

• To garnish water in a clear pitcher fill with lots and lots of ice, mint and fresh berries (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries). Put the ice in first and then stick the berries in the ice so they don’t sink. It looks really pretty and makes the water taste delish!
• For a centerpiece just put a ton of Christmas lights in a bowl in the center of the table.
• For cocktails make ice cubes out of champagne to garnish vodka drinks. It looks cute and adds some extra punch as they melt. Not down with the champagne? Make a peppermint martini or hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. Wow your guests even more by crushing candy canes and dipping the glasses’ rims in ‘em. It’ll knock their stockings off!
• Line your ordinary plates with beautifully festive wrapping paper. Then your serving pieces will match the holiday spirit!
• Make little party favors for your friends- think cookies personalized with your friends’ names in icing or even a bowl of candy canes to go with little bows!

Be the jolly, jubilant little host you’ve always wanted to be without spending a ton!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! I actually hate when people call T-giving Turkey Day but I mean, whatever. If we’re not celebrating eating turkey what are we celebrating? Stealing away everything from the Native Americans?  Hope you’re having a wonderfully unproductive day at work before the long weekend!!!

Love, Your Fave Pilgrim