July 2020 - Town of Broadalbin

Be Gaudy and Glamorous: Wearing Costume Jewelry

July 29, 2020 by Gianni Moretti

There are many ways to express yourself, and one of them is through wearing jewelry. But if it is your goal to capture everyone’s attention, consider putting on some costume jewelry pieces. While these pieces were once considered tacky and gaudy, they can actually add drama and quirkiness to your overall ensemble. Even fashion icons, such as Coco Chanel, use costume jewelry, so you should have no problem with wearing them. After all, you can always find inspirations online, which will help you make the most of what you have in your jewelry box.

However, you may be wondering how you are supposed to wear them. You may be also asking if it is practical to wear these pieces every day (though the answer is a resounding “Yes!”). Regardless, below are some of the useful pointers that you can use when it comes to dressing up with costume jewelry.

Focus on one eye-catching piece

If you are aiming for safe choices, make sure that the accessories you will pick are gold. Golden costume jewelry pieces always create glamor and statement. For this one, you can wear a dripping necklace with a large centerpiece. If you want a more extravagant to do it, collar necklace and even choker may do the trick. Eye-catching pieces do not always have to be necklaces. You may choose to use large golden hoop earrings to convey your artistry.

Make your ensemble your canvas

Wearing costume jewelry over your kitschy dresses or shirts is always permissible, especially if your intention is to be artsy and over-the-top. But if you want to be sleek, modern, and streamlined, wearing clothes that have plain sensibilities gives the best aesthetic effects. For casual wear, a plain white shirt that is tucked under boyfriend jeans will look great with a dripping necklace. Sculptural and thick bangles bracelets may suit flowy evening gowns and maxi dresses.

Do not afraid to go for layers

Usually, costume jewelry works best when worn in layers. Yes, you can even pair it with your custom luxury ring gifted by your partner! Pair up a thin chain necklace with your collars. Your bangles may look much prettier when they are paired with bracelets of a different metal. Be unexpected!

Use them in unconventional ways

One of the beauties of costume jewelry is that some of the pieces you will get can actually be repurposed and used in a different way. A wrap-around bracelet can be used as a choker or a necklace. Your earrings can be used as an accessory for your bracelets or a pendant for your necklace.

Expressing one’s self is important, especially if you believe in the image and personality that you have built for yourself. And one way of unleashing your extravagant and quirky side is by wearing costume jewelry. These pieces are undeniably elaborate and over-the-top, which makes them a perfect companion for a wide range of styles and ensembles. Do not be afraid to try them, mix and match, and go all out. After all, these pieces are one of the ways of expressing yourself.

Stitching Stories: Putting Together Your Own Quilting Bee

July 28, 2020 by Gianni Moretti

Needlework such as stitching and embroidery are delightful pastimes usually associated with lonely spinsters and introverted individuals. But this paints a rather antiquated picture of the subject. Today, a lot of lively and outgoing women can take up these activities as hobbies or because they enjoy doing needlework as a creative outlet.

If you are an outgoing individual with lots of friends who are interested in needlework and enjoy a good sew, why not invite them over for a storied activity? Why not host your very own quilting bee?

What are Quilting Bees?

In the days before fast fashion, sewing machines, and electricity, women often held quilting bees as a form of social bonding. Although they didn’t have access to such zany things like star storm quilt patterns or electric sewing machines, the point of a quilting bee wasn’t just to make a quilt. It was so they can socialize, with all the jokes, gossiping, and laughter that entails.

During a quilting bee, perhaps seven to twelve women would meet at someone’s home or a public space and work together on a single quilt. Often times these quilts are for a special purpose, such as a Christening gift to someone’s baby or as a wedding present for a married couple. However, it was perfectly acceptable to simply host a quilting bee for the sake of socializing.

Holding a Quilting Bee

Quilting bees are distinctly social activities and as such it requires all the implements of a small party plus the equipment of a sewing shop. There are three types of quilting bees you can consider for your own stitching shindig.

Regular quilting bee: A regular quilting bee calls for seven to as many as a dozen women to gather together and sew a quilt together. You can have them bring their own stitching equipment, since they may have gotten familiar with their needles and such, but provide the raw materials such as threads and scrap cloth. Then it’s simply a question of finding a space large enough for all of you to sit in and to delegate snack duties.
Virtual quilting bee: Given the current health crisis, you may want to practice social distancing but that doesn’t mean you can have a stitching fun time. Instead of appearing physically, simply use teleconferencing software to meet digitally as a group. Over the internet, you and your friends can share delightful patterns, showcase your work, and exchange ideas and stories without leaving the safety of your home.
Quilting bee swap: Finally, instead of working on a single quilt, why not work on multiple quilts, each with a distinct personal touch? A quilting bee swap begins when each member of the group creates a single patch of a quilt, then by a prearranged system, you swap quilt patches and add to the one you received. You repeat this process until either every woman has added a patch to every other quilt or until you all have complete quilts.

Quilting bees may have gone out of style with the advent of electricity and cheap fabric, but friendship and camaraderie are eternal elements of human life. So long as you and like-minded friends enjoy the art of needlework, you are adding your stitching to a story that goes back thousands of years.

Surprise Your Friends: Some Refreshing Champagne Cocktails to Try

July 23, 2020 by Gianni Moretti

Champagne is already good on its own. But that does not mean that it cannot get any better. You can think of this sparkling drink as a blank canvas, which you can use for your cocktails. It is the foundation of infinite possibilities. You just have to be brave and creative.

A slew of champagne cocktail recipes will certainly surprise your friends and family. Serve them when you hold a dinner party at your home. Or you may want to make them for your consumption on a quiet Friday night. The same refreshing beverages are something that you can come up with when your office volunteered you to be their party bartender. Here are some drinks that will make you gift yourself or your friends a champagne delivery on any occasion.

Basic Yet Great: Mimosas

Perhaps mimosas are the easiest cocktails to make, as some ingredients can be found in your fridge right away. For basic mimosas, just mix 2 oz. of orange juice with 4 oz. of brut champagne. But if you prefer to put in some hard work, apple cider mimosas may do the trick. The same champagne can be mixed with apple cider and a bit of cinnamon whiskey for that aromatic effect. In case you want an explosion of fruity flavors, blushing mimosas maybe that drink you are looking for; just mix your champagne with parts of orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.

For Big Parties: Fruit Punch

If you are looking to have a big birthday bash or a victory party at your home, you will need to accommodate your visitors’ alcoholic cravings. For practicality, why not make a fruit punch: with champagne! Just mix in a bottle of club soda or regular soda, pineapple slices, orange slices, orange rinds, strawberries, and mint with your champagne. For an extra kick, add some ounces of brandy and orange liqueur.

Dessert Cravings: Floats

For solo Friday nights, you will want to treat yourself by cooking yourself a slab of steak and a fancy dessert. This time, hit two birds with one stone with a champagne float — you get to enjoy some bubbly while satisfying your sweet tooth. For a fruity taste, just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on your Moscato, add raspberries or strawberry syrup, and top it with a cherry. Try other variations, such as chocolate and mocha ice cream.

For Summer Get-Togethers: Slushies

Summers are for garden and backyard parties. So other than barbecues, clubhouse sandwiches, and finger foods, quench your guests’ thirst with champagne slushies. Just mix fruits of your choice, ice, and some parts of champagne. Garnish with fruit and mint leaf, and you’re good to go!

Champagne is not just an iconic and flexible drink. It can be your blank canvas when you are making tasty and exciting cocktails. It can be incorporated into a wide range of drinks (or cooking) that will suit any occasion. There are many recipes, like the ones above, that you can use to wow your family and friends. If you want to find out what actually works, never stop experimenting.