Au Revoir 2009!

With each new year, I feel like I have been given a blank canvas - and throughout the next 12 months, it will turn into a masterpiece - splattered with new experiences, travel, fabulous times with friends and family, and all the other little adventures I get myself into. As you can probably tell, I am looking forward to 2010!

To everyone reading this, I hope your New Year's Eve celebration is LAVISH and wonderfully decadent, however you choose to celebrate. Let it be filled with a strong cocktail, good music, and the people you care about!

Have a fun and memorable night out everyone! And come back tomorrow afternoon for all the details of MY night :)

xo Kinsey

Words Are Beautiful.

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."

"If people are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, they will find a way."

"You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why Not?'"

"There are not many things in life so beautiful as true friendship, and not many things more uncommon."

(These 5 gorgeous girls mean the world to me, I have spent most of the past 3 years of my life with them by my side. I don't say it often enough to them directly, but each of them contribute to making my life more fun and meaningful :)

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others."

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning."

♥

Never thought I'd say it, I feel on top of the world.

Date Nights: the glue that some say is the secret to making a relationship work when you have children. This saying doesn't currently apply to my situation, but I completely agree that carving out special evenings with your significant other are a MUST, especially during the holiday season!

I got dolled up for the night wearing a simple wool v-neck sweater in one of my favorite colors, emerald green. I think this color flatters EVERYONE! And my California necklace from Mushka Designs. (As a sidenote, Sarah makes some gorgeous jewelry, I encourage all of you to check out her creations!)

I wore my suede BCBG boots tucked into skinny jeans that I bought from Old Navy for only $15! (Love those after-Christmas finds!)

Into the city I went, with the boy by my side. We dined at the lovely Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. The setting is so elegant, in the old city hall building in Boston.

The lights were so pretty and really added that extra 'something' to the evening. It also wasn't too cold out either!

For dinner, I had the stuffed chicken breast. It was amazing. I don't think I have EVER had a better chicken dish. It was marinated in a lemon/rosemary butter, and the chicken was stuffed with cheese and garlic. Every bite was heaven. We shared the shoestring fries, which really were like shoestrings - they reminded me of potato stix.

To complement my meal, I tried the Black Cherrytini. This was very well-concocted and it tasted similar to a Cosmo. The drink contains Effen Black Cherry Vodka, Lime Juice, and Cranberry Juice, garnished with a lime wedge.

The atmosphere inside oozed of elegance and had a very classy feel. There are a few separate dining areas, all have tall ceilings and huge windows that were adorned with a wreath on each pane. After dinner we drove home and met up with our friends for drinks! It was a great night!

~Kinsey

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

We had a white Christmas this year! There was already snow blanketed across the ground, but in late evening, it started to snow. All we got was a dusting thankfully!

I spent Christmas Eve with my Mom, and Christmas Day with my Dad. My parents split back in 2000 so each year, it's a tradeoff.

Christmas at my Mom's house was so fun this year. Everything we had was homemade! We kicked off the night with Screaming Cran Apple martinis. Instead of Sour Apple pucker, we used 99 Apples liquor (99 Proof!). These came out really good, and were poured into cute polka dot martini glasses.



To make your own Screaming Cran Apple, use equal parts of the following:

• Plain Vodka
• Sour Mix
• 99 Apples Liquor
• Cranberry Juice (2 parts)

Calzones were the main course. We rolled out fresh whole wheat dough with a rolling pin, and sprinkled toppings of our choice onto one side of the dough. Me being the picky eater I am, put in grilled chicken, provolone cheese, and a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. We folded the dough over to turn it into a calzone. These came out so good. The dough was very thick and filling.



After that, we made a mad dash for the Christmas tree!

On Christmas Eve, we only open presents from relatives and presents we gave to each other, and we open things from 'Santa' on Christmas Day. I got so many cute things this year. Here are a few of my favorites :)

Sephora by OPI Nail Color in What A Broad

This polish color will be great for fall and winter. This is a fabulous medium-purple shade.

Photo Credit: VampyVarnish.com

LUSH gift set

Lush makes amazing products for bath & body. My set included a bath fizzy (these things are so nice!), an exfoliating bar/scrub, and a soothing honey soap.

Coach Op Art Bangle



I am in love with my new bracelet! It's so pretty and fun and I can't wait to layer this piece with other black and silver bangles. I told my boyfriend I wanted a bracelet this year and I am glad he went with this one :)

20,542 Gift Cards

Okay, maybe not quite this many, but WOW! I got a lot of gift cards this year. Some people really dislike gift cards because they feel it is an impersonal gift, but I really don't mind getting them. Now I can hit the stores and shop til I drop while taking advantage of the after Christmas sales! I got a good selection - a steakhouse restaurant I really dig, my hair salon! (will come in handy for the 2 appointments I have booked next month!), the Coach store, Sephora, ahhhh I could go on.

Tonight will be really fun, the boy and I are going on a date night in Boston. We've got two restaurants in the running. Both have great reviews, enticing menu, nice atmospheres, and tempting cocktail menus.... a full entry will come this weekend with all the deets!

Loveeeee you all! ♥

My Take on Christmas and Winter

The countdown is ON! In 3 days, I'll be celebrating my love's 25th birthday with his family and having our gift exchange. Also on that day, my sisters and I exchange gifts from each other. I think they will be very pleased this year.

One thing I miss about not living with my boyfriend is being able to celebrate the holiday season WITH him, and create our own traditions. Last Christmas, we bought our first (fake) tree, and decorated it together while listening to Christmas music. This year, my father has yet to even put a tree in our house. The spirit and the season of Christmas warms my heart and soul. It sounds cheesy, but it does.

Marbleworks were one of my FAVORITE toys growing up. I'd build my own marble contraptions and watch the marbles go down the plastic tubes and funnels. This amused me for hours. You can see our tree in the background.

This is one of the prettiest sunsets I have seen from my house. This was taken a few years ago after a huge snowstorm. The colors are so vibrant, I was awestruck when I saw it with my own eyes!

Snow on trees looks so magical, but snow is the element I like least about the winter season. It's pretty to look at, but not fun to deal with!

Drinking on Christmas? Can't help myself ; )

Southern California has never seen a white Christmas, but they sure know how to decorate! This photo was taken in the beautiful coastal community of La Jolla.

New Year's Eve in San Diego, 2006. It's crazy how much time has gone by since I lived there. I wasn't even old enough to drink legally in this photo!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Hottest New Years Parties - Where Will YOU Be? :)

With only 12 days left until we ring in the new year, donned in sparkly outfits with glasses of champagne in our hands, I thought I'd point out some of the hottest new years celebrations in the U.S. this year.

VEGAS!

Vegas is the party capital and one of the ultimate New Years destinations, and for good reason. Lots of A-listers are hosting fun parties at some of the hottest clubs on the strip.

The Black Eyed Peas will host at club LAX. Tickets start at $100. 50 Cent hosts at PURE. Christina Aguilera will be partying at TAO.

MIAMI!

If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to ring in 2010 in the trendy South Beach area, hit up Mansion. $75 (ladies only!) gets you entry into the club, and complimentary open bar access from 9-12. Sorry guys, you have to pay $200 for the same privilege!

BOSTON!

Not a fan of dropping $200 to ring in the new year? If you're from the Boston area (like me), First Night is an excellent and inexpensive way to celebrate. This day long festival celebrates the arts and the community of Boston. It only costs $18 for a button to gain entry. Colossal ice sculptures, parades, and fireworks are just a few of the many things you can take advantage of.

Now, even as I write this and research fun new year's parties, I STILL have no idea where I'll be celebrating. But I promise you'll see photos ;) Back to wrapping gifts and unloading my millions of shopping bags!

Seductive Pole Dancing Playlist

I have been a fan of pole dancing for about two years now. I don't know exactly what it was that got me interested in it, but I've taken some lessons here and there and find it to be a lot of fun! It's a sexy way to work out (especially if you can do more advanced moves that require a lot of strength). I don't have my own pole, but when I do, here's a playlist I'll be rocking out to! These songs are a mixture of both fun and upbeat, and sultry and seductive. Buy an X-Pole here! Or, get Kendra Wilkinson's sexy pole!

♥ Kinsey's Pole Dancing Playlist ♥

Britney Spears ~ A Perfect Lover

Cassie - Me & You

Britney Spears - Gimme More (featuring Amanda Blank) Remix

Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSound

Out Hud - How Long

David Guetta - Sexy Bitch (featuring Akon)

Dragonette - I Get Around

Britney Spears - Kill the Lights

Benny Benassi & Pitbull - Satisfaction vs Go Girl (Mash Up)

Sohodolls - Stripper

G-Unit - I Like the Way She Do It

Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground

Check out my favorite pole dancing videos on youtube!

Lindsay Lohan Pole Dancing Scene

Self-taught pole dancer Tara Karina - this girl is amazing!

Pole dancing to 'Swan Lake' - an elegant pole routine

The Girls Next Door learn how to pole dance

Buy an X-Pole! Don't trust the cheap ones, this is the real deal! (and a quality investment!)

Martinis and a Night Out in South Beach

I have been to various places in Florida, but never to Miami, up until a week and a half ago. Like the famous LMFAO song goes, I drank and played all night :)

This head-turning dress came from Arden B. It has a sexy exposed zipper in the back. This is honestly one of the most comfortable dresses I have ever worn on a night out. It managed to combine comfort with the right dose of allure.

Purple is such a pretty color and I don't think I wear it often enough! I tousled my hair into beachy waves and donned a couple of fun accessories - a cocktail ring, a black bracelet, and a layered necklace with a flower accent.

Dinner at Prime Italian was delicious. This restaurant has a super chic interior with posh red leather chairs, and dark, modern accents. Main courses were priced around $25-40 on average. I took the easy way out and ordered a side of their truffle macaroni. (It ended up being more than enough food). A buttery loaf of garlic bread comes out for starters with cheese melted on top and a dipping sauce. So yummy! Of course I couldn't resist not getting a martini!

A fire alarm went off in the middle of our meal which was kind of annoying, but luckily, it stopped. Second to last place we went to after we hit Mangos was the LoveHate Lounge. This small and cozy spot is owned by Ami James and Chris Nunez of Miami Ink. We even got hooked up with free drinks! Can't complain about that ;)

Me and my girl Katy showing some leg at LoveHate!

Goodnight loves!

The Essence of Childhood

I was 'that' kid. The one that always asked their parents 'But whyyyyyy?' and threw temper tantrums in the mall if I didn't get my own way. But I was also the oldest daughter, and enjoyed reading to my younger sisters, playing school (of course, I was the teacher), and inventing silly made up games which we'd play until we grew tired of them.

Barbies, dollhouses, stuffed animals, chalk, helping my Mom bake cookies, reading the Berenstein Bear series... all my favorite childhood things and activities. Also, I can't leave out terrorizing my younger siblings!

On a roadtrip to Wyoming, my sister and I made up our own secret language. We spoke by saying words backwords, so the word 'stop' was 'pots' and the word 'yes' was 'sey'.

I had the biggest beanie baby collection and my favorite was a white seal named Seamore. At the height of their popularity, I always believed they would be worth something someday. It's hilarious to look back and realize they are worth pennies now.

I didn't always get along with teachers in school. I found that they either loved me, or didn't quite understand me. I was never the straight A student. But I worked hard and loved doing school projects and anything that involved using my creativity to its potential.

On one embarrassing snowy day in first grade, we came back inside from recess and I was taking off my snow pants. Seconds later, I looked down and realized I had pulled my pants down with them! I stood there for a few moments, mortified, and to this day, I'm still not even sure anyone saw!
Take a glimpse of me as a happy-go-lucky 3-year old...enjoying the cameras, as I always have.

I Found Bliss...On A Cruise Ship.

I just returned home from an 8-day vacation in Miami and the Caribbean. Coming home to the freezing cold weather of New England was a rude awakening! I can't wait til I'm living in a warmer climate again. I truly despise winter. It was so nice to get away - perfect opportunity to de-stress and not have to think about work and my daily routine. Here's a few highlights.

1. I consumed alcoholic beverages everyday.

2. I got drunk three times in the same week.

3. 'Melon Madness' was my favorite frozen concoction.

4. The White Party was a blast.

5. I shut my phone off the whole week, so the internet and social media were of no concern to me.

6. Jost Van Dyke is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. White Bay was gorgeous and so fun to swim in.

7. My favorite accessory that I donned on the trip was a turquoise headband with a funky flower on it.

8. 11:00pm late-night jacuzzis on the top deck were by far the most relaxing thing and a perfect way to cap off a night.

9. Off-roading in Samana was an amazing experience. The culture shock is unbelievable, but the landscape is so lush and beautiful.

10. South Beach's nightlife stretches endlessly. I never knew there would be so much. The drinks were expensive, but worth it. Mangoes was a fun place - their drink list was wild! I wanted to try all of them! I paid $15 for a cosmo at Prime, where we enjoyed a nice dinner.

11. Don't try bowling while drunk. Gutter balls were frequent.

12. Too many men wearing Speedos on the beach. It was quite a sight for the eyes.

13. Watching all the dance productions on the ship made me miss dance a lot.

Now I'm off to continue doing some Christmas shopping online. A lot of online retailers are offering free shipping, so take advantage! Love, K