CATHY'S CONVERSATION PIECE
Every party needs a great conversation piece; it’s the thing that
gets strangers talking and friends laughing together. I
recommend these FLIP FLOP COASTERS- from Lillian Vernon 1.800.545.5426
or on After5.com
TRAVEL LIGHT ACCESSORIES
For summer travel, the best bag (in sizzling red, of course) is the
Tumi expandable. Perfect for hauling home finds after those shopping
excursions at the outlets and to carry partingparty gifts!
When you're sipping your wonderfully red, summer cocktail make sure
you are wearing BRIGHT RED, NAIL POLISH...when you’ve got it flaunt
it! If you are a do-gooder like I am, then buy OPI’s “RED-Y
to Help” color .
OPI will donate $1 to the American Red Cross for every bottle purchased. http://www.beautyrealm.com/opi_redy_to_help_red_cross.htm
GREAT GUESTS
HOST/ HOSTESS GIFTS
This gift should be something the host would not necessarily run out
and buy themselves...
so here is my Cathy Riva Recommends Gift Guide:
Summer sizzle.everything's coming up RED.... Bored with the white wine
options for summer? Add some
pizzazz to your drinking selection with the RED WINE SPRITZER, red wine
and seltzer! Add a fresh flower for a
stylish and chic garnish.
A FRUIT JUICE AND CURE ALL? The color of red wine, but not quite as
divine...and it may be better for you. I'm sure you've heard of its
restorative powers? The Pomegranate supposedly prevents hardening of
the arteries, cancer,
heart disease, cures sore throats, but did you also know it was once
used to make GRENADINE? (Sadly, now
Grenadine is made with food coloring). Look for the original organic
syrup i.e. real deal POMEGRANATE MOLASSES OR POMEGRANATE ESSENCE in
most gourmet food stores. It makes an unusual bar accessory gift, too!
And, move over Kir Royale...there’s a new bloodline in town…
THE FRAISE ROYALE Strawberry liquor and champagne- does it get any better?
Top the cocktail with a fresh berry, of course.
My suggestion: Fragolino di Nemi (Wild Strawberry Liqueur) and your
favorite bottle of bubbly! http://www.sherry-lehmann.com/wines.asp
Not a big fan of the sweet stuff? Try this red-hued champagne:
LAURENT PERRIER ROSE, my personal favorite.
If you are always on the search for Champagne cocktail, then I highly
recommend the BEST CHAMPAGNE BAR IN NYC, UPSTAIRS AT COUNTRY- 88 MADISON
AVENUE HTTP://WWW.CARLTONHOTELNY.COM/RESTAURANT.HTML
My favorite champagne drink there is the Lalique, named for the high-end
brand of French glass from which it is served. It contains Grand Mariner
Centenaire, Stoli Elit, brandied oranges and Country Cuvee Cremant –super
yummy. The Lunch at Marseilles cocktail is pretty amazing too.
TASTY TREATS
TASTY TREATS
It's summertime, and to me it's all about burgers and BBQ. There is
a spot I have to tell you about that just
opened this week in midtown NYC…it touts itself as having the best
burgers in the world… and after having the chili
pepper, jalapeño concoction the other day, I have to concur.
LUCKY’S FAMOUS, 370 WEST 52ND STREET- 212.247.4656.
They don’t do catering yet, but they should.
SIZZLING SOUNDS
LISTEN UP!
MUSIC TO GREET YOUR PARTY GUESTS: Must-have singer in your video iPod:
YOUSSOU N'DOUR from
Senegal. And, watch for his amazing documentary coming debuting this
fall! http://www.youssou.com/
SUMMER READING LIST
ON MY READING LIST!
Our Endangered Values: Jimmy Carter
The Coming Generational Storm: Kotlikoff, Burns
Beach Road: James Patterson
TECH TIPS
TECH-GOODIES
THESE ARE MORE LIKE CONVERSATION SPARKERS THAN ENTERTAINING
TIPS, BUT I LOVE THE INFORMATION SO I’M
SHARING!
Did you miss the season finale of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy
or Party Girl? Not to fret, you can upload
them to your VIDEO IPOD to pass away that quick hour flight to the Hamptons
from the city... or it makes bumpy the Jitney feel smoother.
STATUS MARKER: not your bag or your shoes, but this summer's hottest
accessory, the HELIO CELL PHONE www.helio.com.
It’s paving the way for new media like MMS, vlogging and cell casting.
Don't understand a byte from a bit? Catch up fast with my efficient
TECH DICTIONARY:
VLOGGING- video blogging, your opinions on video posted to the web
CELL CASTING- broadcasting video from your cell phone to the web
SMS- short messaging service (text messaging)
MMS- multimedia messaging service (picture messaging)
SHORT CODE- Its a 4 or 5 digit special telephone numbers, significantly
shorter than full telephone numbers, which can be used to address SMS
and MMS messages from mobile telephones. Short codes are widely used
for value-added services such as television voting, ordering ring tones,
charity donations and mobile services.
