Category: FUN

Anything to do with fun & enjoyment

FUN

Feel-good Friday: pills, booze + sex

For many they go hand in hand. Nah…not really my thing – at least not the first one two.  

With Kathy Wright
With Tammy Preast

I was among friends Wednesday evening for an interactive cult classic “Valley of the Dolls” movie night here in Palm Springs at the Historic Camelot Theatre (newly re branded as the cultural center).  Along with cheating and cat fights…the evening offered up all the trappings of a controversially dated movie… or is it.? Cocktails beforehand.  Mine was a Long Island Iced Tea.  Bartender suggested something strong, stiff + straight up to get through the night.  The last time I had one was many years ago in Toronto after the Genie Awards (Canadian equivalent of Academy Awards).  My poor friend Margeaux had to pack my suitcase for me because we had a flight out the very next morning and I was in no shape to do so.  But I digress….

This is the second time since then but only because the bartender kept bragging about how perfect his L.I.I.T. was because he learned from the person who created it.  In Long Island no less.  But again, I digress….

As my friend Tammy mentioned – and this film goes to prove, fame & fortune do not a fulfilling life make.  Dolls (pills) help to ease the ups and owns of the reality of every day life.  Speaking of which I had at least two bottles to myself last night.  Actually they were candy. We were given bottles to rattle every time someone in the film grabbed a pill (which was a lot).  Also for the virgins (who hadn’t seen the movie before) we were given whistles to blow every time there was a scene with a train.  It was a really fun evening even though the movie itself turned out to be sad in the end.  And of course for other reasons because Sharon Tate was one of the stars.  And sadly, speaking of the trappings of success along with beauty, we know what became of her horrific ending.

photo a bit fuzzy – but so were we

The book was very popular in the 60’s.  Written by Jacqueline Susann, (she had a cameo as a reporter) I’ll never forget the cover.

Professional photos to come but I couldn’t wait to post these taken from various cell phones.  That was another thing...only rotary phones in the movie.  Remember them?

Have you been to one of these interactive movie/cocktail nights?  

 

 

 

 

Advertisements
FUN

Feel-good Friday: Yappy Hour Palm Springs Style

A fun event benefiting animal samaritans of the desert…

Tammy Preast from “Love on a Leash” with Lily Bella & Timbit.  Photo: d. king

The swanky Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs hosts a Yappy Hour from 5-7 in the private Chiki Pool area on the first Thursday of the month from November through March. A $20 donation delivers plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres, open wine bar (I had 2014 Mixed Breed), dessert, dog treats, gift bag and professional photos. Plus we were entertained by a burlesque dancer which my 16 year old male seemed to very much appreciate. So much fun!  I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday.  A few random photos:

Photo: d. king

20190207_170747

Firepit by the pool

Celebrating its 40th year of improving the lives of animals and people.

FUN

Feel-good Friday: Friendship

From my Fabulous Birthday Weekend

With Lisa, Natalia & Margeaux at the Nest in Indian Wells.
At the Sands Hotel and Spa

These girls made my weekend extra special.  We had a blast at the Moroccan-themed Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells.  More on this in a few days.

Lucky me; I have more than one.
FUN

Feel-good Friday: just vending

When you desire something cool and refreshing….

Tiffany & Co.

Possibly the world’s most decadent vending machine was unveiled earlier this year by Tiffany & Co.

Inside the space of the jewelery brand’s new London store in Covent Garden is a vending machine – in which the brand is hoping to encourage creativity and playfulness.  Instead of buying a chocolate bar or a packet of sun chips, you can quench your thirst for something different by picking up the brand’s first fragrance.  How original is that?

As well as the world’s chicest vending machine, the jewelery brand has installed a number of other elements to encourage creativity and spending. This includes Tiffany Blue wooden crates displaying whimsical ‘Everyday Object’ accessories and a #MakeItTiffany personalization bar.

How FUN is that?

In the meantime, make it a good weekend!

Tiffany & Co.

 

 

 

FUN

Feel-good Friday: the Great Beauty

Valpolicella.  Land of wine, charm and tradition.

At the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver on Wednesday for a trade & media tasting of beautiful Italian wines.  Focus was on superior tasting Prosecco, Valpolicella and Amarone.  Unfortunately for me I was under the weather.  Feeling anything but beautiful myself, I could not properly taste anything, so I brought along another nose who knows...my friend Tamara (now known as Tamarone).  And as you can see from the photos we were looking a bit fuzzy.  But we were introduced to some nice Italian men wines.

Cheers to the weekend!

 

FUN

Reception on the Runway

Introducing Rock & Riyo (aka runway bride)

On Saturday I attended the most original and fun wedding reception with a twist, along with my sister Lisa and good friend Margeaux.  It took place in Clearwater B.C. which by the way lives up to its name.  Too bad the sky wasn’t clear but it certainly didn’t place a damper on the evening which took place on a private airstrip where our friends made their arrival….by plane of course.  The flight was pretty much on time too.  Out they came  dressed as captain and first officer…and we would expect nothing less from these two exceptional adventure seekers.

Top L: Riyo (first officer), Rock (captain) + me (flight attendant wannabe). Top R: Lisa, Margeaux, Riyo, me. Bottom L: Lisa, Margeaux, me. Bottom R: Rock, Riyo + Spruce Goose Chardonnay.

The reception took place on the airstrip with big white tent set up just outside Rock’s airplane hangar.  The hangar itself was turned into a fully stocked open bar, and it was catered with delicious food, dessert and even a hot dog cart for those who wanted a late night extra snack.  Naturally there was music too.  Everyone got place settings with their names written on a little paper suitcase which when opened had a number (for door prize) and a cute luggage tag with a plane on the inside.  It was an evening that was very plane but never boring.

Infact the actual exchange of vows took place on the infamous Spruce Goose which used to be owned by Howard Hughes, in the town of McMinnville, Oregon at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  The reception was hosted by the bride and groom who sat at a head table by themselves and played trivia games where prizes were given out for either having the right answer or the craziest answer.  We were asked to please not bring gifts, but guests were given gifts.  A reverse order. There was also an inflight movie at dusk about the Spruce Goose and for those not able to attend, their wedding ceremony.

Oh; and the food…catered by Gateway Grill in Clearwater which provided a beautifully plated delicious dinner which when served was still surprisingly warm (remember we were on an airfield) and later, the tastiest dessert served in a signature mason jar.

Gateway Grill – Dinner: stuffed chicken with mango, veggies, wild rice.  Dinner and Salad complete with edible flowers.  Dessert: fresh fruit trifle.

Suntory sake shooters were passed around  later in the evening.  The whole thing was relaxed, impressive and unique.  I don’t think I’ve had more fun attending a wedding reception before (sorry to the ones I’ve previously attended).

Top L: individual place setting Top R: R+R host the evening. Bottom L: Jack, Riyo & Lauren (her gorgeous daughter). Bottom R: plane decor at top of tent.

The entire day was full and eventful starting with an amazing white water rafting adventure (photos to come) and then this celebration of a new beginning (instead of an ending; for a welcome change).  No one really knew what to expect.  Although Riyo really knows how to make an entrance and Rock is the perfect partner…or accomplice.  Congratulations to both!

 Cool Heights.  Amazing Sights.

Rock operates Wells Gray Air (a seasonal business when they’re not travelling elsewhere) and takes people on awesome 44 minute sightseeing tours over world famous Wells Gray Provincial Park (nominated to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in beautiful Clearwater, British Columbia (when it’s clear of course).  What you see: majestic waterfalls (39 in total), snow capped mountains, ancient volcanoes, crystal clear whitewater rivers, hidden lakes, mountain pastures and much more.  Click the link below and check out the “Wings and Waterfalls” 1 minute, 37 second, absolutely breathtaking video.  

Wellsgrayair.com

 

 

 

FUN

Feel-good Friday: the Bees & the Blueberries

Have you ever…

put your hand on top of hundreds of honey bees right after digging your bare fingers into their work of art honeycomb to taste the deliciously sweet honey?  Well I have!

Hand on left belongs to Tamara. Hand on right belongs to Bill.  If you don’t freak out they won’t even bother you.  The bees I’m talking about.

I had the pleasure of visiting a boutique blueberry farm yesterday on a beautiful piece of property with two girlfriends. 

The farm belongs to Bill, a friend of Cassandra’s.  I might add he was super friendly, very knowledgeable in many areas (not only bees & blueberries) and extremely generous.  This is not your regular blueberry picking farm.  It’s a private farm. Bill supplies his organic big super sweet blueberries to top restaurants in Vancouver and several lucky select markets.  He also has an amazing garden with a variety of hot peppers I’ve never even heard the names of before.  That alone is impressive (I mean that I don’t know the names), and lots of majestic sunflowers.  I love sunflowers.

We left with big boxes each of the most delicious handpicked blueberries ever, a few jars of super sweet honey, and I got a huge spaghetti squash and a bottle of spiced honey liqueur.  Oh; and the yummiest homemade blueberry (naturally) muffin made fresh that morning by Bill’s mother.  They really are THE BEST I’ve ever tasted.

lucky women – Tamara, Cassandra & Debbie.

 

So far I’ve made blueberry pancakes, a blueberry crisp and bars.  Just plain blueberries on their own are good enough this time of year.

Next up: Blackberries

Oh it’s that time of year again.  The time where until the end of August I post sporadically and not as often.  But you probably already know that.