LuSHHus is back in business, so to speak, after some time off with family.  I look forward to an exciting 2008 here at LuSHHus and want to offer another installment of Weekly Wisdom to get back on track. 

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.                                - Saint-Exupery

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The party we hosted this past Saturday evening was quite fun.  We had a great turnout consisting of individuals, couples, and families.  The dinner, which was served buffet style in the dining room, appeared to be a hit since everything was almost completely gone.  Making most of the dishes ahead of time really allowed me to enjoy myself while our guests were in our home, so be sure to try and keep things simple as you entertain this season!  The decorations around our home really added to the festivities as did the LuSHHus Christmas mix we played in the background.  I hope you enjoy your holiday parties as much as we enjoyed this one!

Cheers, Ashley

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I have issued LuSHHus gift guides for the much-loved men, women, and children in your life.  Now it is time to give you a few perfect ideas for some very LuSHHus stocking stuffers. 

Oh how I want this first product.  This is the lip scrub by Sara Happ, and I think it sounds quite LuSHHus.  Every once in a while, my lips get dry and might even start to flake or peel a bit, so I actually do need this lip scrub.  You can choose from six varieties, but I think the Almond Creme sounds best.

I think magazine subscriptions are a fantastic gift.  My twin sister gave me several as a housewarming present recently, and I get so excited each time I walk to the mailbox with the hopes there is one waiting for me there.  Plus, you save so much when you purchase the subscription rather than buy each issue individually on the newstand.  There are subscriptions for everyone on your list:

Highlights High Five for the 2-6 year old crowd; National Geographic Kids for children ages 6-14 ($15 for 10 issues); Food and Wine Magazine for the connoisseur (12 issues for $19.99); ESPN: The Magazine for the sports nut (26 issues for $15); Best Life Magazine for the man in his prime (10 issues for $19.97) here; or InStyle Magazine for the stylish woman (12 issues for $23.88.)

These melamine lip appetizer plates are just $1.95 from CB2.  A set of these would make a fun stocking stuffer for the hostess you know and love.  Check them out here. 

Everyone in the world, literally, would benefit from your putting a few of these in your loved ones’ stockings this year.  This is the Envirosax reusable grocery bag which sells for $7.95.

I just got this next item, and I am not sure what I did without it!  This is the Chop and Toss which costs $19.95 at Sur La Table, and this tool cuts your lettuce, vegetables, and more right in a bowl without needing a knife and cutting board.  Salad making just got a whole lot easier.

Also at Sur la Table is this silicone and stainless steel pot clip which is a tool that lets you rest your spoon on the side of the pot.  A set of two pot clips sell for $13.95, and I cannot think of any cook who would not appreciate this space-saving, mess-preventing kitchen tool.

Moisturizing your hands often is a must, and finding the perfect hand lotion can be difficult.  Hand relief from Aveda is one of my favorite hand lotions and would make a LuSHHus stocking stuffer for anyone you know. 

For the wanna be royalty in your life, how about these precious dainty crown votives.   I found these at Wisteria where a set of six votives is $16. 

Did you know that more than 60 million plastic water bottles are used and thrown away in the United States every single day?  Check out SIGG water bottles as an alternative to the disposable bottles to which we have become way too accustomed.  You will find countless designs, sizes, and types of reusable water bottles that are sure to suit every man, woman, and child you know.  Santa will definitely approve of the environmentally sound stocking stuffer!

Happy Stocking Stuffing, Ashley

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I have been hearing about Greek yogurt for a while, and I finally found some in my local grocery store.  I just tried the FAGE Total 0% All Natural Greek Strained Yogurt, and it was great.  A serving of the 0% has only 80 calories (the 2% has 210 calories), so this makes an excellent snack.  I added a spoonful of raspberry preserves to my yogurt container which I loved; you could also add a spoonful of honey for a tasty, healthy treat. 

Stonyfield Farm, a company whose products I have liked in the past, also has a Greek yogurt on the market.  It is called Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt, and a 6-ounce serving of vanilla yogurt has 0% fat and 120 calories. 

Try Greek yogurt.  It is creamy and has more protein that the yogurt you are used to eating.  This would make a great snack.  Grab a serving before you hit your next holiday party to save you from consuming too much in the midst of the festivities.

Here’s to healthy eating, Ashley

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I bought the most beautiful Christmas cards last year on December 26.  My mom went with me to an after-Christmas sale so that I could find the perfect Christmas cards and find them I did.  I chose fancy Crane cards in blue and gold and there was a spot on the front of the card for a photograph; they were really quite LuSHHus.  I bought 100 cards at half off and have been so excited for months and months to send them.  Well, guess what: I cannot find them.  It’s true; I somehow managed to misplace my beautiful blue and gold Crane cards.  I have searched high and low and my husband has too, but alas, we have come up empty-handed.  We did move this past year, but I still don’t know how I lost these precious cards.  I finally decided I must move on and send another card.  I plan to come across the Crane cards eventually, and there is no reason I can’t send them another year!

Here’s where you come in.  I need your help in determining which card to use.  I want to go with something easy since I want to send them quickly, and, also, I have already spent enough time on Christmas cards when you consider how long I looked for the Crane ones.  So, please vote on one of the cards below and let me know which you think we should send this year.  I appreciate your input!  Here are the options:

Thank you for your help, Ashley

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It is time for the second installment of Weekly Wisdom here at LuSHHus, and I thought we’d focus on family and loved ones.  In looking for the perfect words about these people, I came across some thoughts that, while not exactly what I wanted to convey, are good for a little laugh:

Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts.

One of life’s greatest mysteries is how the boy who wasn’t good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world.

In the end, I decided to use the following quote from Will Rogers for this Weekly Wisdom.  With a little bit of humor, Rogers reminds us to be good to our families and to treat them with love and respect.  Times are often harried during the holidays; be sure to relax and enjoy the season with loved ones!

“Live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

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I thought it would be fun to use my new nutcracker place card holders during my party this evening even though we are not having a seated dinner.  So, the place card holders are identifying the dishes on the buffet table.  As you may have read in a previous post here on LuSHHus, I really like nutcrackers, so these small figures were a welcome addition to our holiday decorations.  You can find these nutcracker place cards at Lillian Vernon or Wal-Mart. 

Happy December, Ashley

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