New Years Eve Party 101: Celebrate Responsibly

Don’t Drink and Drive

Ringing in the New Year

I’ll be babysitting the grandkids this year since my oldest daughter and my charming son-in-law will be going out for a night on the town.

When I was younger I always looked forward to New Year’s Eve.  My husband’s family enjoyed partying, and there was many a New Year’s Eve that we would travel from Connecticut to New York City and spend the night.

All the in-laws would stay at the same hotel in the Big Apple.  We’d have dinner in the theater district at Sardi’s or Gallagher’s (where you can see the beef hanging in the window!) or sometimes at Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant on Broadway.  Afterwards we’d take in the scene at Times Square to get a glimpse of the ball.  Later we’d go back to the hotel and take in a show at Rockefeller Center the next day, and stop in at Tavern on the Green.

What was nice about going to NYC was that once we were there, the car was parked and we didn’t have to drive.  We’d take a cab or walk wherever we wanted to go.

Many cities and towns now have First Night celebrations, which is really nice because most family events and are alcohol-free.

During the holidays, everybody looks forward to celebrating with family and friends.  Our mailbox fills up with invitations to Christmas and Hanukkah parties, dinners, and other get-togethers.  Through each exciting gathering we learn to control our eating to avoid those holiday and New Year’s pounds.  Another thing to be aware of is how much alcohol we consume.

Everyone wants to get into the spirit of the occasion.  But good natured frivolity can get us into trouble when we drink without thinking at office parties and other holiday gatherings.  Having a truly good time means handling our alcohol responsibly. 

We need a plan before we even reach the party.

Choose a designated driver. You hear it all the time but that’s because it’s important.  This doesn’t give permission to drink until you can’t stand up but at least when you are ready to go home, someone who is in control of their faculties will be in charge of driving.  To appear fair, rotate the role of designated driver among your circle of friends so everyone gets a chance to participate fully in the party happenings.

Mix your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages. One or two drinks can have less of an effect on us when drank intermittently with soda.  If you drink only one or two drinks it may be best to hail a taxi rather than risk driving home because you’re unsure whether you’re over the limit or not.

Blood alcohol content is how the police test for the amount of alcohol still circulating in your system.  In the United States, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent.  Anything above that is considered breaking the law and will result in a DWI or DUI arrest and possible prosecution.

When someone is stopped by the police, they assess the need to administer a breathalyzer test.  The person blows on the instrument and it registers a blood alcohol level.  The number that appears is admissible in court should it come to that.

But, how did they know to stop you?  Believe it or not, someone under the influence of alcohol tries to rationalize that they are alright to drive.  It’s the ones who are just over the limit that rationalize the most.

They reason that if they drive slower, they’ll make it home safely.  Unfortunately, the body has other plans.  Alcohol slows the reaction time.  As a result, people under the influence of alcohol drive slower so they have less trouble braking if needed.  They brake more often because they are trying not to hit anything.  Forgetting to turn on the headlights isn’t uncommon.

On the other end of the spectrum, someone who is blatantly drunk will drive fast, swerving across the center line and showing a disregard for traffic signals and signs.  Wide turns result in accidents either with stationary objects or another moving vehicle.  When people drink and drive, someone can die.

The bottom line is don’t drink and drive.  The odds are against us that we’ll get away with it.  Don’t bet someone else’s life (or your own) on it.

Happy New Year!

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Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys – Review and Giveaway

Girlie Girl

Kobold Toys

Most children love to play dress-up and ‘Lil Moomette is no exception.

Labor Day weekend is the start of many county and local fairs here in New England. Our family visited a small local agricultural fair today and I picked up some colorful Mardi-Gras type beads for Moomette that matched her dress. She loved them!

Halloween will be here soon enough and my daughter is trying to come up with some unique costume ideas for the kids.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys.

This stylish purse is just the perfect tote for pretend dress-up days or will compliment a Halloween costume for any little girlie-girl.  It has a fully lined center compartment, along with a tricot handle that closes at the top of the purse with velcro.  So, cute, and you can match other bags to the hair color of your own little gal!

Since it’s under $10 it makes them perfect for gifts!

The name of a rascal goblin in German mythology, Kobold  was started by Carmina Valdizan, and only carries toys that are “… condusive to a child’s emotional, physical and mental development.”

Besides toys, Kobold offers, room décor, arts, crafts, books, science, fashion and accessories, along with gift certificates.

For more information visit: Kobold Toys

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Butterfly Goody Bag!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Kobold Toys and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until September 13, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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• Iconic Geek Halloween Costume: The Princess Leia Gold Bikini (geeksugar.com)

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Karen Cole Paper – A Review

My youngest daughter is graduating college in May this year, and I’ve already picked out the perfect cards to announce her college graduation and celebration party!

karen cole paper is a lifestyle collection of stationery and paper products, which embodies the style and spirit of its founder, Karen Bullard.  Perceiving a void in the marketplace for sophisticated yet fun invitations, Karen wanted to create stylish but whimsical paper products for all occasions.

karen cole paper blends timeless and classic design with modern elements.  Bullard achieves this by drawing on her understanding of design and color and then accenting it with  fun details.  The karen cole paper collection provides an original look for the stylish paper lover who is aware of trends but does not rely on them.

I received four different note cards.  These folded notes can be personalized with your name or purchased blank. All notes are printed on heavy weight bright white card stock, ink jet and laser friendly. All pricing includes white envelopes.

You’ll find many upscale designs for bridal showers, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, birth announcements, holiday parties, change of address, housewarming, business and more.

For further information visit: Karen Cole Paper

Review courtesy of Mom Fuse

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Tiny*Prints ~ A Review

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day here in the USA is just around the corner!

The holiday season will be fast approaching, and the mad rush to plan all your social engagements will be in high gear.

Technology has made it ‘easy’ to print your own birthday cards, party invitations and announcements ~ if you’re not computer-challenged.

I’d like to share with you a terrific source for Holiday Cards and Party Invitations that I recently had the opportunity to review.

I recently became a Grandmother for the second time and will be helping my daughter plan my new grandson’s Baptism. A religious baptism or christening is often the first special occasion in honor of your newborn baby.  Tiny Prints offers a wide selection of unique, custom christening and baby baptism invitations and announcements that can be personalized with all the appropriate details of the special event. Their baby christening and baby baptism invitations range from classic and to more contemporary, and are printed on quality stock paper.

As a Work-at-Home Mom and online Boutique store owner, I realize the importance of branding and staying in contact with my business partners. Exchanging holiday cards has become a long-standing tradition among business associates. Strengthen your corporate relationships with personalized, photo Christmas, Hanukkah or Happy New Year greetings. Tiny Print in-house experts will enhance your photo with complimentary touch-ups or upload your corporate logo.

Let Tiny Prints become your one-stop source for all personal and business needs.

Tiny Prints is offering readers of Moomettesgram’s Musings a Special Discount.

Use Tiny Prints coupon code TPBR136508 to receive 10% off your next order of stationery, invitations and photo cards. Expires 12/31/2008.

Visit Tiny Prints for more information.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How to Prepare for a Wedding ~ Pedicures & Spa Message Therapy!

It’s going to be a busy weekend for me. My niece is getting married and the wedding is going to be held at one of the premier wedding facilities in Connecticut. That means that this Hot Momma Baby Boomer blogging Grandma has to get her act together.

Now that the lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, I decided it was high time I treated myself to a pedicure. Since I’m going to be wearing some spiffy, trendy strappy toe sandals to go with my  boutique halter-back silk evening dress, my tootsies have to be up to snuff.

In addition to the spa pedicures that I get at the salon I go to, the icing on the cake is the back message that they give when your little piggies are under the dryer! The technicians must have gone to some terrific massage therapy schools to learn the trade for their careers!

Just call me “Twinkle Toes”~

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FREE e-BOOK When you Sign Up for my Newsletter!

As a special gift to my Readers to Ring in the 2008 New Year, I’m offering a FREE eBOOK from Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes when you sign up for my Blog Newsletter!

Sign up, and then choose your eBook. You may e-mail me at moomettesmagnificents06@yahoo.com with your selection, and I will forward you the link for your FREE Immediate Download!

I have many eBook categories- Computer & Tech, eBay, Crafting, Recipes, Lifestyle, Parenting, Kids, Holidays, Events & Parties ~ your choice!

Most books are in Adobe PDF format, so you will need the Adobe Reader, which, if you don’t have it, is also a Free Download.

I’m looking forward to having you as a subscriber, and Happy Reading!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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