It’s My Birthday and I’ll Travel If I Want To

By Nancy DePalma, Buttoned Up’s Travel Expert

It is said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and while I’ve never been one to shy away from jewelry, something else catches my eye even more – travel. Give me tickets over trinkets any day. For me, nothing rings in a special occasion quite like a memorable trip, whether it’s halfway across the world or halfway up the turnpike.

For me, it started when I turned 16. My friends and I visited New York City for the day, and though it was just a little over an hour north of my family’s home in New Jersey, it felt a world away from my everyday existence. We window-shopped at Saks and had tea at The Plaza. We felt like princesses living the glamorous life, even if it was just for the day. I was hooked. As the years passed and more birthdays rolled around, I tried to do something unique for each milestone birthday. Some were more memorable than others – my 30th birthday was in a hospital delivering my first child. As my husband stares down his 40th birthday, I started thinking about ways to celebrate. It is a big one, after all, and I wanted him to have something to remember. With that in mind, I came up with some fun and new ways to blow out the birthday candles this year. Who ever said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

For the Big Kid

Sometimes, being an adult is great. You get to make your own rules, eat whatever you want for dinner, and even put your feet up on your coffee table if you want. Still, adulthood is not always that much fun. There’s a mortgage and bills to pay, yardwork to be completed, and cars that need to pass the inspection line at the DMV. Perhaps the worst part is the loss of summer vacation. It could be said that summer vacations are wasted on the young. I mean, how stressful is 4th grade really? The kids just don’t know how good they have it, so if you or yours is searching to recapture that youthful, fun-loving spirit, send them to camp. Yup, that’s right, camp. No, not that kind, where you make glitter macaroni picture frames and drink bug juice. I’m talking about surf camp.

Yes, it might be a little bit like rolling one mid-life crisis into a week-long vacation, but can you think of a better way to break free of the grind, master something new, and maybe get a little tan at the same time?

Whether you want to surf the waves in eco-chic Costa Rica, laid-back California, exotic Bali, or head to Hawaii, there’s a surf camp program for you. Can’t slip away for a week or two to catch the endless summer? Opt for day programs in convenient places like Florida, the Jersey Shore, and Montauk (The Hamptons), New York. Surf camps run the gamut. Las Olas caters exclusively to women and is located in Mexico. It combines surfing “safaris” with activities like yoga, salsa dancing, guacamole making, and other fun activities. One of the biggest brands in surfing, Billabong,offers surf camps in a variety of spots, including Southern California, Mexico, Mid-Atlantic region, and even Canada. Their website, www.billabong-camps.com, offers great one-stop shopping for programs ranging from day programs to weeklong getaways.

For the Inner (or Outer) Artist

Unless you’re celebrating your 21st birthday, it’s likely that it has been several years (or even decades), since you last sat behind a desk, listened to an enlightening lecture, and learned something new. If you never had the opportunity or time to take a year abroad and while away your hours painting watercolors by the Seine, now’s your chance to indulge your creative side.

Triple Creek Ranch is a posh resort in Montana. It’s the kind of place where you can live out the whole “Go West, young (wo)man” fantasy without having to forsake life’s luxuries. It didn’t win a “World’s Best” award from Travel + Leisure Magazine for nothing. They offer the requisite sporting adventures like fly fishing and horseback riding, but if you’d rather enjoy the outdoors while holding a paintbrush, they hold fantastic workshops and special event weekends run by acclaimed photographers and painters.

It’s owned by Robert Redford and home of the famous Sundance Film Festival, so it’s no wonder that the Sundance Resort is a haven for creatives. If you don’t want to take out your paintbrush, there’s plenty to do here (outdoor activities are plentiful and there’s a great spa), but it would be a shame to miss one of the Art Shack’s workshops. There’s jewelry making, pottery, drawing, oil and watercolor painting, and photography sessions and they’re even open to those who aren’t staying on the property.

For the Foodie

Whether you’re addicted to the Food Network or whip up more of a disaster than dessert, there is a cooking school for you. Just like the surf camps, there are many different options, including everything from afternoon programs to very serious programs lasting several weeks. You can learn to cook traditional French or healthy spa cuisine. There’s truly something for everyone, but unless you want to change careers or earn a certificate, go for one of the programs where cooking is integrated with other activities.
One of the premier hotel cooking programs is offered at The Ritz in Paris. This hotel is the grande dame of international hotels. Ernest Hemingway once famously quipped that he thought Heaven would be very much like the Ritz. It’s all very posh (and pricey) but certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Ritz Escoffier Culinary School, named for the famous chef Auguste Escoffier, has programs teaching everything from baking bread to classic French cooking.

For something a little more casual, tip your hat to the Lake Austin Spa Resort. Set in the Texas Hill Country, this resort centers around well being. The highly rated spa is a focal point of the resort, but wannabe chefs or those who want to revamp their cooking style will love the “Culinary Experience.” It’s a one-week program offered throughout the year and features different chefs from around the country. Programs focus on everything from gadgets and ingredients to healthy cooking techniques.

For the Adrenaline Junkie

Feel the need for speed? There are plenty of places to put the pedal to the medal. Skip Barber Racing School is the granddaddy of them all. Skip Barber trains professional drivers, so you’ll learn from the best. Programs are held nationwide at a variety of tracks (depending on the racing style: Formula One, Mazda race cars, etc.) and are offered in one-, two-, or three-day programs. Charlotte, North Carolina is the home of NASCAR (the Hall of Fame was just opened there) and one of the sport’s top race tracks. The Charlotte Motor Speedway has several driving schools by some of the biggest names in the business. Ever heard of Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, or Richard Petty? Visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for more information on their programs and schools.

NANCY DEPALMA has been telling people where to go, what to do, and where to eat or stay for almost a decade while writing extensively about travel and fine dining. She has authored or contributed to eight books and has been featured in a variety of magazines and websites. She writes about travel at her new website and blog, www.thedestinationmaven.com. Email her at nancy@nancydepalma.com.

Anyone with kids knows that June marks the beginning of “Birthday Party Season.”

For your child’s next birthday, rather than bogging down in planning details, stay focused on the big picture and on having fun. Use this checklist to sanely plan a party.

Download this form now! (PDF)

Baking is my Organization Meditation

By Caroline Lubbers of www.whippedtheblog.com

Oh, Organization! We play a little game of cat and mouse, the two of us. Organization is my spirited toddler who is always one step ahead of me, out of reach and causing a little trouble. However, I will never stop chasing him. Somehow, I seem to stay the most organized when I am in constant pursuit of organization.

Let me explain…

I like to keep my life packed and if I ever get too close to being under control, I scheme up a new project to tip the load. I manage my own marketing consulting business, write a food blog, have a 2-year old, a dog and a new house. In the past months, I started my first-ever vegetable garden, took a family trip to Mexico, made plans for a trip abroad this summer, took on two new clients and ensured that my daughter had a homemade, sprinkle-topped four layer cake for her birthday.

The old me used to beat myself up if one of the 20 balls I am juggling dropped. The new mommy-me has come to feel proud that only 2-3 balls drop now and then in my pursuit to “have it all.” Running a business, being a mommy, growing my own vegetables, entertaining friends… I want it all. And, though I now firmly believe that you can’t have it all, all of the time, I am happier if I keep trying. And so, my juggling continues…

Naturally, I am cluttered. If you saw my desk or peeked in my cupboards, you would likely think I am a disaster. But, hiding under the piles is a binder system and in the kitchen is a lined pad to make lists and notes. A month later, the binder turns to sticky notes and the pad gives way to a chalkboard wall. By continually thinking about and trying to hone my organizational systems, I revisit my to-dos and somehow keep my head above water.

Baking is one of my favorite hobbies. I love food and sweets and strive for the best, most deliciously perfect baked goods. Achieving that requires exactness and organization. I tend to choose complex recipes so I get a chance to measure, sift, whisk, melt, beat, level, layer and frost. After all the ingredients and the recipe at hand are ready on the counter, I find my way into a baking trance.

Though I love teaching my toddler how to cook, I find true pleasure in working alone in the kitchen. There is no option when baking but to be organized. The best cakes and cookies require careful measuring cups, proper temperatures, even scoops and perfectly level cake layers. As I place the cookies on the cooling rack or apply the sprinkles atop a layer cake, I always find myself more relaxed than when I started. The scattered, multi-tasking me has taken a break while the meticulous, organized baker has meditated her way to another beautiful, delicious cake.

Below is the recipe for my standby Chocolate Birthday Cake. Other favorites are this wonderful yellow cake, carrot cake, banana cake with cream cheese frosting and red velvet cake. Happy Baking!

The Best Chocolate Birthday Cake

For the cake:
3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee

3 cups sugar

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)

2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

3 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

For the frosting:
½ lb. butter
8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 300°F and grease two round 9-inch pans. Line bottoms with rounds of parchment paper. Finely chop chocolate and combine in a bowl with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly (about 3 minutes with a standing mixer or 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer). Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well.

Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

For the frosting, mix together room temperature butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together sugar and cocoa. Add the sugar to the butter mixture little by little until spreadable consistency. Refrigerating will firm up the frosting if needed.

Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove parchment paper and cool layers completely.

To assemble the cake, level both cake layers with a serrated knife. Place the first layer on your serving plate. Spread about ½-2/3 cup of frosting on the cake. Top with the second layer of cake. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top and around the sides of the cake. If you have the time, put the cake in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will make a firmer surface to spread your final layer of frosting. Remove from the fridge and spread the rest of the frosting around the sides and on top. Add sprinkles, chopped nuts or decoration of your choice.

Chicagoan Caroline Lubbers runs her own marketing communications firm and, on the side, writes the food blog, Whipped (www.whippedtheblog.com).

For a slice of cake or a slice of life, visit Caroline Lubbers’ blog, www.whippedtheblog.com.

Julie Ames, the artisan behind The Broken Plate Pendant Company, deliberately breaks plates selected from thrift stores, antique shops and department stores in order to turn the shards into jewelry.

She first got the idea after making a mosaic mailbox for herself and was left with more broken shards that needed to be repurposed. Once she made pendants, the orders started rolling in and her business was launched.

Now, she also does custom orders where she turns broken but sentimental pottery like a wedding plate or family dish into wearable heirlooms. So despite the name, she makes plates into rings, bracelets, and earrings too. You can see more of Julie’s designs at her Etsy Store. They are just adorable and make great gifts!

For her second birthday, Milla’s awesome grandparents repurposed an old TV entertainment center to make her this amazing play kitchen!

It all started with this TV unit that they got for $30!

Click here or the image below to see the full transformation!

My family and I recently celebrated three of my five nieces and nephews birthdays over the past two months.

Julia turned three, Carolyn five, and Nathan six. While the weekends were filled with various parties to celebrate the little one’s, it seems like a big birthday blur in my mind–time truly does fly by.
Thankfully my sisters are always on the prowl for wonderful mementos to help us cherish the memories. My sister Katie absolutely adores a book titled “Your Birthday Book“.

“Your Birthday Book” is a baby book of sorts–but more so a year-by-year documentation of your little ones up till they are your not-so-little ones.

Each of the eighteen years has a section crafted to capture certain aspects of your child’s life at that time, with questions, photo spots, and built in envelopes to store their artwork, and other various keepsakes. You can buy it on Amazon for a very reasonable price. What a wonderful way to capture those priceless memories! I can’t wait to look through it at each of their eighteenth birthdays! ; )

I love giving gifts – it’s one of those things that just makes me really happy and part of giving a thoughtful gift is planning.  I have a Gift Giving Notebook in Evernote in the notebook I have a few notes here’s how it works out:

*Gift ideas for specific ages – this note started a few months ago when I started hearing people online talk about Play Kitchens and I decided I would just whip up a little chart with a column for age ranges and another column for gift ideas.  It’s been a pretty awesome note to look to when I was buying Christmas presents this year and for some Birthday presents.  I have a niece who is four – I asked her Mom what she most loved playing with over the last year and I wrote those things down.  I have a birthday party for a very special three year old this weekend and I’m WAY more confident about our present.  I think those age ranges on the toy box can be really off base.

*I’d really love a – This is my favorite note…its like a letter to Santa.  When a person casually mentions something either on their blog, or facebook, or in person I’ll make a little note.  Like a friend of mine mentioned that she’d like a specific necklace and she said it in a “I’ll never get it but boy I’d really love it” way so I wrote it down….I sent the idea on to her husband for an upcoming birthday – it wouldn’t be an appropriate gift for me but this guy is going to look like a rock star and she’s going to LOVE it.  I love this note.  It also helps me with the “What do I get a problem like Maria…” problem – without this list Maria would be getting a variety of Bath & Body Works products she probably wouldn’t love.

*A gift for me – I keep a list of a few things that I’d like or that Lexi would like/need.  I find that when I ask someone if they’d like anything that I actually do want an answer – sure, it’s nice to be surprised but sometimes it’s nice to just get something that you actually would like.

I do have a request of you today….I need to add some gift ideas on this list for a two year old and a three year old.  So, what do I put on the list?

Hanukkah started last Friday night and while it officially ends this Friday the 18th, for us it isn’t over until the last Hanukkah party we are hosting is done and that is Sunday the 20th. But that is only part of the story. This week is also my husband, Adam’s, birthday (the 17th) so that means it is Birthday Week as well. What exactly is birthday week? Well for us (meaning Adam and I) we celebrate each other’s birthdays for an entire week. Yep. An entire week. Now this is great fun when it is my birthday (June) but a lot of work when it is Adam’s birthday (this week!).

This week I am glad I have our Buttoned Up tips handy on getting organized.

There are 3 of them I need to apply:
(1) Ditch Perfection – Well I live that one everyday and that means things like frozen Trader Joe latkes instead of homemade and gifts that may or may not be wrapped.
(2) Embrace the 80/20 Rule – There are things that are just not going to get done this week and that is okay. I am probably not going to get post on ebay done to see my Olympic tickets. I am not going to start my book club book that I need to get read soon. And many more things on my list….
(3) Delegate to Others – This is my theme for the week and everyone is helping me out. My sister, Susan, is making the brisket for the last Hanukkah party we are having. Our friends are bringing wine for one of the Adam events of the week. Even Lucy (my 7 year old) is going to clean her room and set up all the dradle stuff and gelt for the parties.

My hope is that the organization I am putting into practice this week might give you some ideas you can use to save you time, money or both over the next few crazy weeks.

Here is my schedule:
December 14 – 4 people over for Game Night and Adam’s Bday. Hanukah
December 15 – Hanukkah Give Back Night where we don’t do gifts but give to charity
December 16 – Hanukkah – Family Gift Night – buy one gift (e.g. family game) that all of us will enjoy.
December 17 – Adam’s Bday – Cake, dinner out, presents
December 18 – Last night of Hanukkah. Make latkes.
December 19 – Hanukah Party #2 (#1 was last week) at our house
December 20 – Hanukah Party #3 at our house too

Given all of this going on along with getting ready for a two week trip and holiday shopping for relatives, friends, etc… you can see why this upcoming week is completely nuts.

That being said, once I put together a game plan and mapped it all out, my stress completely disappeared. Here are my tips that I am doing this week and you might consider too:
1. Exchange It – A great way to save money and time is to consider doing gift exchanges for family members, parties, etc.. I am doing them for the parties I am having as well as for my extra large family. Who really needs more stuff? No one. By doing this, everyone has a better shot of getting one thing they will really like and you have so much less to shop for and money to lay out. This one is a must!
2. Cry Out For Help – When people ask if they can “bring something”, resist the temptation to say no or to bring “anything” and actually tell them to bring something that can help you out. For our party on the 19th, my friend, Susie, is picking up take out dinner for that night. On the 20th, my sister, Susan, is making brisket. When people offer, take them up on it. And if they don’t offer, ask for help!
3. Short Stuff – Shortcuts are a girl’s best friend. On a week like this, I am looking at short cuts galore. From using paper plates to help clean up for at least one of the parties to reusing decorations a few times, I am all about taking the easy way on things that don’t really matter. And it saves valuable time and money!
4. Plan Ahead If You Can – It may be too late now but always plan ahead and get as much stuff out of the way as possible. This is helping me out this week in a big way. Shopping is done (mostly on line). I bought at a great price all of my Hanukah decorations, candles, and candy. And so on and so on.
5. Have Fun With It – Perhaps the most important tip. This week is going to be all about Adam’s birthday and making him feel special and Lucy’s Hanukkah joy. That is what is important and what I focus on the rest can be perfectly imperfect!

Birthdays are special and should always be celebrated with at least a little fanfare. But every once in awhile it’s fun to go the whole hog and throw a surprise birthday bash for someone you love. It can be especially enjoyable to surprise someone who claims she doesn’t really want to do anything special for her big day.

The trick to pulling off a truly memorable surprise is simply a little bit of organization and planning. So if you’ve got someone special you’d like to surprise, read on for some great ideas.

Sarah on “The Benefits of Meticulous Planning”

“A very good family friend of ours turned 75 in early June. She and her husband have been married for 52 years, and in all that time, he’d never thrown her a big surprise party. In fact, in the hustle-and-bustle of raising six rambunctious boys, the grown-up’s birthdays were sort of an afterthought. Her husband wanted to change all that on her 75th. So, in late March, he started planning for not just one, but two big surprises. First he wanted to surprise her with a big family barbeque at the house with all of the children and grandchildren present. Then, later that same evening, he wanted to surprise her again with an elegant sit down dinner with their grown children and their spouses so all could toast and roast her properly. With enough advance warning, all of the boys were able to coordinate schedules and travel arrangements. The arrivals to the barbeque were carefully coordinated for maximum impact. The look on her face when her sons who had moved away showed up on her doorstep looking for a barbeque was priceless. Then promptly at 4:30pm, everybody took off citing previous engagements. At 7:30pm the grown-ups reassembled at a local restaurant and greeted her with a rousing ‘surprise!’ the moment she walked through the door (she thought she was going out for a quiet dinner with her husband). Instead, she walked into a room decorated with pictures of her throughout the years, balloons, and beautiful peonies, her favorite flower. Her husband had planned every detail meticulously and the results were truly unforgettable.”

Alicia on “Non-Big Birthdays Are Great for Surprises Too”

“You don’t have to wait until someone hits a major milestone, like their 30th or 50th, to arrange a surprise party. In fact, some of the most incredible parties I’ve been to were surprises on ‘odd’ years – like someone’s 37th. The person being feted is often without any expectation for a special celebration and is completely taken aback, which makes it all the more fun for everyone.”

Here are a few ideas for planning a surprise party that will knock the socks off of someone you love.

1. Pick a Date Carefully (and Well in Advance)

Plan in advance! If you try to pull off a surprise at the last minute, things are bound to go wrong. Important friends may have scheduling conflicts that they can’t get out of, or worse, the person you’re celebrating may too. The ideal time to throw a surprise party is a few days before or after the birthday. Otherwise you might be spoiling a quiet dinner, or the birthday person might guess. Once you have the date locked and loaded, send out eVites to guests – they’re quick to assemble and easy for others to lock into their electronic calendars so they don’t forget.

2. Enlist the Help of Others

The more creative brains you can put towards the big event, the more special it will be. For example, without help, Sarah’s family friend wouldn’t have thought to rent a bouncy castle for the family barbeque to entertain the little kids; it turned out to be the hit of the party. From selecting the food to decorating the joint, you’ll be glad to have people on hand to help pull it all together – and they’ll be glad they get to help do something special to celebrate a friend.

3. Get Creative about Ways to Surprise the Guest of Honor

There are many ways to do this well. All it takes is a little brainstorming, which always goes better if you have others brainstorming with you. Here are some ideas to consider. Have a friend invite the guest of honor over for tea or to watch a game and surprise them when she shows up. Another trick is to have one person take the birthday boy or girl out for an errand, and have others set up the house so that upon returning, the party is ready to go. No matter what ruse you choose, the birthday boy or girl will love being celebrated.

It is a Tuesday and you are talking to your sister on the phone when suddenly it hits you like a brick: yesterday was her birthday and you forgot it again!

Yikes, how did that happen? Well, your daughter did have the flu, your boss dumped that big project on you at the last minute, and parent-teacher conferences certainly threw a wrench in your schedule! But those are just excuses. Rather than try to apologize after the fact, set in place a simple to implement and simple to maintain system that will help you keep track of the birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates for the special people in your life.

Sarah on ‘Getting Started’

‘Even though you know you will be smiling ear-to-ear once you have your list compiled, gathering the important dates for your friends and family can seem like a daunting challenge. To overcome the organizational inertia, I like to jump in and do something, even if it’s just a fraction of what I need to get done. A great first step is to start a list — ideally in your to-do notebook so you won’t lose it and you can easily come back to it. Start by writing down all of those dates you know by heart. In less than five minutes, you should have a good list going, which means you’re on your way!’

Alicia on ‘Collecting the Information’

‘Once you’ve got the ball rolling, the next trick is to get others to help you expand the list. Email or call those important people in your life that you would like to remember on their birthdays and anniversaries. When I made my master list, I usually remembered to ask my friends about their important dates — why — because I love birthdays! If you’re more apt to forget, try being systematic and send five people each night a short simple email. Before you know it you will have a complete list of all of your important dates.’

Collecting the information is one thing, but remembering to observe them is another!

Here are two easy ways to remember to celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of the people you love.

#1: Create a Master Birthday Calendar
Whether your main calendar is in a Palm Pilot, an email program like Outlook, or on paper, it should be easy to keep track of birthdays. Grab your list, and spend 15 minutes a day (if that) and put all the birthdays in your calendar for one month. In two weeks, you’ll have a master calendar completed.

If you’re likely to send a card or buy a gift for the person, jot down a note like what gift you got them last year or what size they take in clothing — right in the calendar entry. If you don’t happen to keep a master calendar (is that even possible?), buy a birthday book or make a binder of your own. Make sure there’s a page for each day of the year — and simply transcribe your list, along with any notes, into the binder.

#2: Remind Me…Remind Me and Then Remind Me Again!
It’s easy to set up reminders in this digital age. If you’re using an electronic calendar, set alarms a few days ahead, so you can get a card out in time. Or make an ‘appointment’ to call the person at 9am on their big day. If you don’t have time to set your own alarms, sign up for a web based greeting service like American Greetings (www.americangreetings.com). Enter in your important dates and a reminder email is sent to you a week ahead of a date to remind you it is coming up. Also, once the dates are entered in, a reminder is sent to you each year.