Oscar Party Drinks… Skinnygirl Style

The Skinnygirl Starlet

Ladies and gents… The playoffs of pop culture are upon us!  And the winner is… Skinnygirl Cocktails for transforming your “Girls Night In” viewing party into an A-list show stopping event.

Listen, I don’t care what the trash mags or gossip queens have to say about Bethenny or her brainchild, I think the idea of a low-calorie libation is brilliant. What she does in her marriage is her business, not mine (though when thinking about her divorce I  want to squeal “why, why??” Nancy Kerrigan-style).

So, as a tribute to all things entertaining, unveil a signature Skinnygirl Cocktail at your Oscar party. I reckon the ladies will love it.  Choose from The Showstopper, The Starlet, or The Bombshell to keep the theme going all night.

A party tooklit and recipes are below (thank you to Beam for providing us with this star-studded idea!):

The Skinnygirl® Cocktails Awards Season Party Toolkit has all the glitz and glam you need to entertain like a leading lady. From award badges and recipe cards to printable ballots and bottle labels,  Skinnygirl Cocktails has your party covered – down to a red carpet backdrop so guests can strut their stuff and strike their own pose.

The Showstopper

2 parts Skinnygirl™ Tangerine Vodka

Squirt of fresh lime

Squirt of fresh lemon

Squirt of fresh orange

Splash of Lemon-lime soda

Orange slice to garnish

To prepare: Shake Skinnygirl™ Tangerine Vodka, lime, lemon and orange juices with ice and strain into martini glass. Top off with a splash of lemon-lime soda and garnish with an orange slice.

The Showstopper

The Starlet

1 ½ parts Skinnygirl™ Cucumber Vodka

2 parts club soda

Splash of no sugar added cranberry juice

Lime wedge or cucumber slice to garnish

To prepare: Pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge or cucumber slice!

The Bombshell

2 parts Skinnygirl™ Bare Naked Vodka

Splash of dry vermouth

Fresh olives to garnish

To prepare: Shake with ice, pour into a martini glass and garnish with fresh olives

Skinnygirl™ Vodka retails for $21.99

http://skinnygirlcocktails.com/

Palm Springs Best Brunch & Lunch Spots

Jiao’s Tea Smoked Pork Belly with shaved fennel, cilantro, pink grapefruit, and black vinegar

We’re huge fans of Palm Springs. We can’t get enough of the warm desert wind, the dates, the architecture (for those who missed it this February, try Modernism Week next year) and, of course, the margaritas. With that in mind, we want to tell our cronies to be sure to try out the restaurants owned by design-savvy couple, Tara Lazar and Marco Rossetti of the Cheeky’s group. Their restaurants include Cheeky’s (perfect for brunch/lunch), Jiao (asian), and Birba (delicious cocktails… try the Heated Snake or the Hello Nancy or both). All restaurants are either next door to one another or a stone’s throw away on Palm Canyon Drive.

Blondie`s Eggs Benedict w/ real bacon, sauteed arugula on Deb`s Cheddar Scone 

Organic, delicious, crowded (so grab a drink next door at Birba), and reasonably priced, I’d drive two hours just to have Cheeky’s bacon flight which includes spicy jalapeno, sweet maple vanilla, smoky applewood, and roasted garlic ($4). They change their menu weekly according to what’s fresh, but there’s always a kickass Huevos Rancheros, a Bloody Mary that comes in a campy little boot glass, and, dios mio, I just saw Cochinita Pibil on this week’s menu… nom nom nom.

Cheeky’s/Birba

622 North Palm Canyon Drive

www.cheekysps.com

A Little Luxury at Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes

Ah, le superb resort of Les Deux Alpes, nestled in the French Isère département, is a village at the mouth of the largest skiable glacier in Europe, giving visitors access to all-year-round skiing. Since we’re all about winter right now (I even skied Central Park this weekend, fellas), we say… check out some online reputable agents to book ski deals, and you can see for yourself how fabulous this resort is while benefiting from great value for the money.

Les Deux Alpes offers around 137mi of pisted runs, perfect for the family (or you and your amour). Often termed ‘upside-down’ due to the steeper runs being nearer to the resort than the beginner slopes higher up the mountain, there are plenty of opportunity for everyone – no matter how proficient they are on a pair of skis. Don’t worry about the beginner and intermediate runs being further up the mountain though – there are gondola rides that can help you get there.

There is also believed to be the same amount of miles in off-piste track, particularly the area known as La Grave, giving plenty of opportunity for cross country adventure. If you’re a little more practiced skier, this could be a great way to hone your skills and escape the crowds on the groomed slopes.

Are you a boarder? Don’t worry – there’s an extensive snowpark boasting a half pipe, a multiple kicker and a handful of grinding rails, meaning you can grab and grind as much as you like. Since we do love a good grind.

While the groomed slopes and marked runs are fabulous for novices, if you want to really test yourself, the glacier is a perfect place to go. Offering skiing throughout the year, the glacier can be accessed by Jandri Express ski lift or a funicular railway that transports you through a tunnel beneath the ice.

The resort also provides an ideal spot for mountain biking during the summer months, both downhill and freeride options readily attainable.

So, take the plunge and head for the family friendly resort of Les Deux Alpes. Whatever you hope to achieve from your ski holiday, this resort will surely provide it!

New Opening April 2013: Hyatt Union Square

Guest Room at the new Hyatt Union Square (Opening April 2013)

A new hotel in Union Square for all you Big City Apples. Taking reservations for April 2013, the new Hyatt Union Square New York will be located at 134 Fourth Avenue. Channeling the energetic spirit of the area – known to many as the new Digital District – the new Hyatt plans to bring high-style design through artistic lounges and rooms, ranging from loft-style studios with and without outdoor terraces to two distinct presidential suites. The hotel will also offer new restaurants by One Five Hospitality Group, led by well-respected restaurateurs Jo-Ann Makovitzky and Marco A. Moreira, owners of the highly acclaimed Tocqueville and 15 East restaurants.The hotel’s signature restaurant, The Fourth, is slated to be an all-day American Brasserie that will serve traditional brasserie fare with a modern American interpretation. Singl Lounge (for all you Singls) hopes to be a new spot for locals and guests to catch up during the day or night.

Be on the look out for an extensive single malt scotch selection and single vineyard wines by the glass.

www.unionsquare.hyatt.com