LYRA MAG.

There's something magical about the big blue skies of Colorado...and fluffy powder snow.  Good to know-the Rocky Mountain snowfall has been plentiful ...and now through January-multiple resorts offer up winter get away sporty fun...for mountain enthusiasts. via GIPHY Arapahoe Basin Ski Area Arapahoe Basin will host a variety of family-friendly holiday activities, beginning with a visit from Santa and an elf on Monday, Dec. 24. Santa will bring candy and holiday cheer, and the Summit County Choral Society will be caroling in the base area from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A-Basin will also host New Year’s Eve in the Mountains, a special lift-served Moonlight Dinner at Black Mountain Lodge. This event will offer guests the opportunity to ring in 2020 with a gourmet dinner including oysters, filet mignon and other delicious offerings. A-Basin will celebrate New Year's Eve with New York at 10 p.m. with live music, a glass of champagne, party favors and a balloon drop. For more in...

Craft(y) cocktails that don't require special equipment (or engineering skills)-may not be Instagram bait -but refreshed classics, made easily enough with a holiday twist-are ideal drinks to serve with or without party nibbles. Think RUM One of five-Pensacola Florida's ' signature' cocktails =local Sandshaker's "The Bushwacker" aka a grown-up milkshake ... a tasty SWEET swirl of rum, crème de cacao, cream of coconut and vanilla ice cream. This worthy Eggnog sub- egg free- screams party on . THREESOMES: The foundation of any excellent cocktail...stirred or shaken...should be worthy of sipping solo too. Gift-able - Mad River Distillers 'trio -passes that test-with a splash, over a cube-or mixed with the extras. Retro Look-Modern Tastes Ever since we saw BITTERMILK 's retro packaged cocktail mixers-at a Fancy Food show a few years-back-we knew this privately owned company would DO REALLY WELL Try a hand crafted-real ingredient...

In case you're better prepared for Black Friday-Cyber-Monday -than the regular holiday get togethers...beverage -wise...written below are some tips for liquid cheers-that enhance the usual cold weather fare. TRY WHITE WINES: Go for the fuller-bolder-more mineral -acidic -kind of white wine...made easier by selecting from certain regions. Our go to is typically from the Rhone area, or-for wood-buttery leanings- California Chardonnays-but  Italian whites-from-the Lugano DOC Lake Garda-Lombardy region -noted for its clay soil are drink now worthy and slowly being discovered here. Added Plus: MANY  good values exis t-all made from the Turbiana white grape- aged in steel-some with oaky hints (with added wood cask time)= fresh, approachable wines, At a recent tasting-BROLETTINO Cà dei Frati-Reserve 2017 (we found online $26.99) was the FAV of  several restaurant owners  (and us-bottle pictured up top)."Deliciously complex" -with of oak  courtes...

With all the festive foods available seasonal celebrations can be sweet indeed! a challenging winter hike earns rewards BUT after an allergic response to something eaten on a far flung Southeast Asia jaunt-a few years back, we gained respectful first-hand knowledge of food allergies that can triggered by daily encountered substances.

Great gathering food/drink-options to bring along... READY TO DRINK: NY State of Mind: Hard Cider-is catching on as a refreshing party  (or anytime) alcoholic drink-that synchs well with late Fall's typical fare. Try crisp-sweet-to-tart/acidic-to spice-y fruit selections from the Empire State's culinary destinations-the bountiful Hudson Valley and Catskills Mountains-or  the beautiful Finger Lakes-known for its award winning Rieslings. New York's abundant apple crop-with the variety of apples grown= first in the USA...are picked and often distilled- right on the premises. via GIPHY The slight carbonation and low- like beer -ABV-makes it worthy of game watching thirst quencher status AND meal sipping liquid- pair with  T-day turkey, cinnamon accented cookies/pies, rich creamy pastas, New England oysters' anything, to bold cheeses and in fancy  crafted cocktails . TRY:  Raymor Estates Cellar -from the Finger Lakes Region- is a wonderful fruit...

R elax anywhere... Part 3 Insta-calming-pure essential oils-aromatherapy-is one of the easiest and most effective ways to chill out in a fast paced life. Easiest way -especially when not at home is to sprinkle 2-3 drops of a soothing USDA Certified Organic essential oils - on a lightbulb or in a bath (with muscle soothing Epsom salts). Calmers include lavender (our pick for soaks=non-irritating for the skin)-or aromatic fruity orange, sweet mandarin, spice-y frankincense, florals geranium, rose and cleansing spearmint. Find travel sizes of essential oils (10ml, 20ml,30ml)- pretty much anywhere one can shop-online or brick+mortar outlets. Inexpensive too. Our pick- the single essential USDA Organic oils from Wyndmere Naturals. On the road help and just beautiful to look at...  Minnie Park 's limited edition candle infused with calming lavender essential oil and pieces of clarifying amethyst stones. Light one to make any not home -impersonal room, more cozy AT HO...

Better Snacking PDQ Nick the hunger with tasty fun functional ingredients-plant based- ready to (h)eat ... NEW: yummy Garden Lites new Frittatas are flavor loaded-with loads of accolades earned-like being mini muffin shape-portion controlled- individually wrapped-ready to devour- without utensils - after  only a minute (microwave) or maybe like 18-25 minutes-in a toaster or regular oven-straight out of the freezer. 6 per package...easy to stack up a few in the freezer for grabs and practically on the go snacking. Delicious and appealing to kids-even with the adult pleasing flavors of mildly spiced veggie bacon and potato- or in a spinach  egg white + mozzarella version. A few Garden Lite Frittatas  can be the main meal act- because it's so easy HA HA. Just heat up  a few... they're excellent entreés for hungry cooks with NO time. NOTE: maybe not feline fare but kids will love the taste-on these RTE versions of a popular traditional Italian treat! ...

From Black Friday- Lunar New Year -adds up to around a lucky 13 weeks of celebrating something. Time for everything? Of course not. Some tips on speeding up parts of life without compromises. Part One Beauty Time Busters via GIPHY We've covered imPress Nails since the company sponsored fashion runway shows. Though digital scrolling   Instagram has taken over that role ...the variety of press on nails still are the best for fast manis with creative flair, including trendy limited editions  like the ones pictured- the Alice+Olivia by Stacy Bendet collection. PLUS...imPRESS press on manicures are so easy to put on-one could apply while commuting on mass transit. Hint: Nail beds are shaped differently-if yours run a bit flatter-nail glue can help achieve a long lasting adhesive. Hair shines with hold less the sticky stuff. Ecru New York... has a new multi-tasking TEXTURE Setting Spray that works -on wet or dry tresses. Silk proteins thermally protec...