A Very Merry Musical Monday

This year, we're leaving it up to the gals at lulu to provide an "uber-festive holiday playlist." And we happen to think they did quite well. [Click here to download these merry melodies from iTunes].

Via the lululemon blog...

Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
This woman knew Christmas – heck, she backcombed her hair in the shape of a wreath for the entirety of her career. That’s what I call commitment!
U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Call me biased but I have this strange notion that spending the holidays in Ireland would be incredibly festive. Perhaps it has something to do with the large number of pubs…
Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord
I like to put this track on, throw on my best sequined sweater and eat sausage rolls with friends. This may sound weird…but I dare you to try it and disagree.
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick
One of the best holidays I ever had was spent in a Santa-themed bikini in the tropics, hanging ornaments on a palm tree. Enjoy this surf-flavoured holiday song that comes with subliminal Vitamin D.
Burl Ives – A Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives IS Christmas. End of story.
Wham! – Last Christmas
If the sight of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley prancing around a ski lodge doesn’t make you feel happy, I’m afraid I don’t know how to help you get festive.
Nat ‘King’ Cole – The Christmas Song
The classic feel-good song of the holidays. This version is my favourite because Nat ‘King’ Cole’s voice is smoother than double-crème brie. (Are you noticing a pattern here?)
Kanye West – Christmas In Harlem
In the past, I have struggled to enjoy newer Christmas carols because they just don’t seem, well, Christmas-y. This has changed now that I’ve heard Kanye, Alicia Keys and Jim Jones talking about hot chocolate being “dericious.”
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock
If the thought of the AM radio dial is what helps you get in the mood, then look no further; Bobby Helms is just what the doctor ordered.
Paul McCartney – A Wonderful Christmas Time
You work on the appies and sugar cookies, leave it to Sir Paul to ensure everyone’s simply having a wonderful Christmas time.
The Eagles – Please Come Home For Christmas
The Eagles may be famous as the “Boys Of Summer,” but they prove their multi-season resilience with this modern holiday gem.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
This epic masterpiece never gets old, kind of like crochet tops and daisy dukes.
Dean Martin – I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
If Frank Sinatra is “The Chairman of the Board,” then Dean Martin is “The Chairman of Always Having A Drink In His Hand & Having His Celebrity Roasts Re-Run A Billion Times.” That being said, his brand of swagger really sets the holiday mood.
Elvis Presley – Blue Christmas
The holidays can bring out the highest and lowest of emotions. If you are down in the dumps (as opposed to Down Dog), let Elvis commiserate with you.
Vince Guaraldi – Skating
This is my favourite song from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ the album that accompanies the classic TV special about the beloved animated beagle, Snoopy. Coincidentally, this is also a very tranquil song to pass out to after one-too-many eggnogs.

And click here to check out our holiday playlist from 2010.

Merry! Merry!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I forced myself out of bed at dark thirty on Tuesday morning for a run.  Forced because it was 63 degrees at 5 am and I was pretty sure it was the last one of those we were going to get.  My suspicions were confirmed by Tuesday night. After a day of rain showers, it felt like December and the chill has continued throughout the week.

So there I am, running along so thankful for a warm morning, yet simultaneously dreading the impending cold weather.  And I can feel it - the bad attitude coming about winter running.  I haven't had to break out my Lulu Alpine tights yet and I can't say I'm looking forward to that.  The layering, the gloves the ear warmers.

I turn the corner from 31st to O Street and there she is, the best Christmas decoration  in the history of ever, perfectly illuminating the bay window of a gorgeous Georgetown row home, ever so "frag-ee-lay."

That's all it took to snap me out of my bad attitude and remind myself that it's "the most wonderful time of the year!"  So bring it winter - I'm ready for you, as long as you're served with a side of the holidays.

Holy Guacamole

Happy Cinco de Mayo folks (as well as a Happy Birthday to my MIL)! Sal + Liv get to cut their work day a little short with a little happy hour complete with salsa y cervezas. Is it 4:30 yet?

In honor of national margarita day, have you tried Bethenny Frankel's Skinny Girl Margarita? She successfully turned your typical 700 calorie margarita into a hundred calorie version. To me it's the greatest thing since sliced bread and I was thrilled when I found out they carried it at my neighborhood wine store. No more beer bloatedness on the beach for me this summer. With the exception of this Mexican restaurant located in Arlington and Alexandria (which has the best margarita in the history of ever), I often find that restaurant margarita's are a touch too sweet or sour and leave a funky taste in my mouth. Not so with Skinny Girl. Reportedly she is coming out with a Skinny Girl Sangria but I can't find it, has anyone come across it or tried it yet?

If they are not carrying Skinny Girl at your local libation store, may I present the recipe for "knock you naked margaritas." With a name like that, how could they be anything but awesome?

1 corona

1 12 ounce can frozen limeade concentrate

1 can 7-up

tequila

lime slices for a squeeze and garnish

Pour the limeade into a pitcher. Use the limeade container and fill that baby up with the tequila, yep - all the way to the top. Pour in the tequila, can of 7-up and the Corona and mix together. Serve over ice with a squeeze of lime.

So easy, no? It's my favorite margarita recipe because the beer cuts the sweet and sourness, but if you didn't tell your guests the beer was in there - my guess is they would never know.

Now while that margarita isn't as "diet-friendly," you could lighten it up by using a Corona Light and Diet 7-Up.

!Permitanos el partido! [Editor's note from Sal: as a Spanish  major in college, let the record show that I had nothing to do with that translation]

Seasons Greetings

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to all of our four readers. The Footsy gals hope these days are merry and bright as we all enjoy time spent with friends and family!

So from our spandex to yours….

And a few that didn't quite make the cut...

Cheers! Feliz Navidad! Happy Kwanzaa!

Next reindeer is due any minute

Merry Christmas Eve!