Yummies: Pop that Top!

"I only drink Champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty." (Lily Bollinger)

Bubbly, sparkly, fuzzy, tart, sweet, lovely, sexy, fun....ahhhh the name alone makes us giggle like little girls getting a doubles scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream for breakfast. We suuuuuper heart CHAMPAGNE!!! (sorry for yelling but there is no holding back our love and giddiness for the golden glittery taste of it)

It's like drinking the stars!

Tis the season for toasts, family (which = drunk), celebrations and well just plain ol' drinking. And how might you ask is the shmanciest, most fun way to get into the holiday spirit? CHAMPAGNE!!! (again...sorry)

Champagne, sparkling wine, Prosecco...it has a few names but all mean basically the same thing...perfection in a gorgeous bottle.

Here is a quick lesson in Bubbly (it is quick...we know you get bored...but of course not when you read Things We Heart)

The name Champagne is synonymous with the drink we heart soooo much but it really just means the region where the sparkling juice of the gods comes from. It's kind of like calling all tampons Tampax or all lip balms Chap Stick....

Champagne is a region in France where the grapes are from. If you buy Italian "Champ" it's called Prosecco and from the good ol USA it's called Sparkling Wine.

So if someone offers you something other than Champagne...don't fret...it's all the same.

OK, now we are not going to get into Bruts...Cuvees...Vintages...colors...etc.. because all you really need to know is what is yummy and what is recessionista chic...right? Right ;)

(mostly because we had our selves a bottle or 3 of the golden goddess last night and we can barely type...oh PS sorry this is late!)

But if you must know...go here and here to get your BA in the glamorousness of the fizzy nectar.

Here are our favs...and NO Cristal is not one of them.

Sure we lurve to drink it but it's a bit overrated and we don't have a blinged out Bentley or dancing girls by our sides (we do the dancing..thank you very much)

This summer we could not be found with out a glass (bottle) of Veuve Cliquot in our polished paws - Veuve is pronounced like this...

It's dry and luscious and the best part??? Totally affordable and everyone loves it! They make a yellow bottle (golden) and rose bottle (rose)..both are out of this world.

Beware...drinking a lot of this and dancing with your girls is suuuper fun!

This past Tofurkey Day was absolutely saved and made waaaaay more fun when my brother popped open a tall blue bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte.

Sweet, dry and bubbletastic.

After a few sips (gulps) our kooky family became much more fun to deal with...and cooking under the influence of the glittery stuff? Funtastical!

My love for Perrier Jouet is endless...totally endless. Yes it is shmancy...yes it is not very recessionista chic but it is worth it. They offer sooo many varieties and each one is better than the next.

Plus if you give this as a gift (hint hint) the Fluer (which is TDF amazing) bottle is hand painted with flowers! As it should be. Save this one for special occasions...like finding time to take a bath or not having to do anything...or just because.

One New Years we were the lucky girls at a ginormous party where Moet Chandon was served. Now we are not sure if we were lucky to just be there or if it was because we had free flowing, bottomless Champers...

What ever the reason...Moet is as beautiful to drink as the name sounds. They too offer a few different varietals ranging from fancy to shmancy and all of them are amazing.

Last but for SURE not least (I mean, we are talking about Champagne here) is the king of them all...the brand that made the sparkly stuff what it is today...Dom Perignon... (made by Moet).

There are no words to describe what it is like to drink Dom. It is perfection at every level. It is so gorgeous and light you will wake up the next morning with a Blackberry full of pictures you may want to forget.

If you have an extra $2,400 lying around...this is the one to get...hee hee. Or pay your rent for a couple of months...up to you.

Need to know how to open the perfect bottle of Champagne?

Here are a few easy breezy tips...

P.S. This is what it feels like to drink the beautiful bubbles....

Drop a few berries into your glasses and celebrate!

xoxo t.w.h.

“Champagne makes you feel like it’s Sunday and better days are just around the corner." (Marlene Dietrich)

Random hearts: We are in melty heartland with dinner parties!

I know...sooooo grown up and vintage...right?!

But is super true....dinner parties are incredibly fun and way underrated.

While we are in the generation of eat and run or take out or let's just meet at the restaurant...nothing is more refreshing than a good ol' fashioned dinner party.

Not only are they crazy easy to do...but if done right they are uber glamorous!

So let's bring back the dinner party! Here's a few easy steps and helpers to get you on your way.

Here's the perfect recipe for a fantasical dinner party-

A large handful of rad eclectic guests

Scattered white candles- small and pillar

A sprinkling of orchids or another muy elegante flower.

Endless bottles of champagne upon arrival to loosen up guests

Clean, light, and homemade (or take out...shhhh who's gonna tell? or care for that matter..they will all be drunk!) cuisine...served casually on white platters accompanied by chopsticks

Huge cake platters overflowing with casual but spectacular Crumbs Cupcakes

Scatter clusters of (unscented) pillar candles around your space and tables. Surround those clusters with your "flower of the evening" to help bring the vibe.

Place smaller white candles in votives around the tables where people are dining for a candlelit experience.

We lurve these Moroccan votive holders / tea cups/ wine glasses...tres chic!

Place your fav fab flower (say that 5 times fast!) in vases..tall and short and loose scattered around the room and tables.

When your guests arrive..have a place for the woman and men to put their belongings to free their hands...once free throw a champ glass in their paws and fill!

When planning the DP, there is no need to over do it.

2 apps, 1 main course (maybe make it in a veg friendly version too...classy) and 1 or 2 light sides is perfect!

That way it is casual and light. People will be more likely to chat if they are feeling good and not weighed down by a heavy meal.

Another fun fact or tip...keep it casual!

No need to serve your guests...set up a nice serving station where they can grab their own utensils and food and seats!

Let your guests drink and mingle while snacking on the appetizers and they will get the signal to find a seat and eat when the main course hits the serving table.

Wanna be super shmancy?

Hand write the invite on a beautiful piece of letter press or stationary (oooooh...post idea! ding ding ding!) if you have enough time for snail mail.

How great are these zig zag note cards?

Or these amazing vintage inspired letter press note cards.

If not a cute Evite will be super cute too.

Need a good recipe or 3?

Our new fav site has great ones! The Bite Site is fantastic!

Try All Recipes too for recipes with ratings...so you will never go wrong

The best part about having a dinner party? Spending time with old friends and making new ones.

xoxo t.w.h.