Cristal Carrington

When hosting friends or family at your home during the holidays, it is muy importante that you have great spirits on hand. Last night, myself and other industry insiders were cordially invited to Casa Don Julio, the happening holiday home of the tequila brand's namesake.

Transformed from Malmaison Restaurant in Georgetown into a cozy hideout complete with animal skin rugs and accents of a high-end Mexican loft, Casa Don Julio has easily become a favorite annual hangout destination for DC’s industry elite.




Cocktails with catchy names such as the Sauve Agave and I-70 South were just two of several signature cocktails crafted by mixologist Andy Seymour in honor of Don Julio. Combine that with a guest appearance by Washington Wizard Earl Barron and a surprise DJ performance by DJ Rev Run, and you’ve got yourself a party perfect for the holiday season.

This week’s cocktail tip of the week is: Know Your Tequila! With Don Julio’s ultra premium bold and smooth flavor, it’s only right.

Live Fabulously, Drink Responsibly.™

Cristal

Fab dolls can never have too many pairs of black boots and luckily ShoePorn.com feels the same. This week's Shoe Pick comes from a new site that showcases all the latest designer shoes in one place. The name of the site is shoeporn.com and the name of the shoe is Awarding by Zigi. I really like this shoe because it is fit around the calf, which is a relief when wearing slacks, or other pants of similar design. Wear this shoe for work or for play at $139.99. Check out the site navigation vid below. Smooches & Stay Fabulous! Cristal

Inspired by the classic, cool sounds of Miles Davis’ The Sorcerer, the exhibit Beyond The Cosmos was born. For 2 ½ years, the Mark Cottman Gallery has stood at 1014 S. Charles Street, Baltimore MD. Well positioned only a few blocks from the inner harbor in Baltimore’s eclectic Federal Hill neighborhood, Cottman has taken his fans to new heights with his interpretation of life outside of the visible realm of existence. Adding to his collection of well known pieces, Beyond The Cosmos stretches the imagination and forces the viewers to open their third eye to a world of new possibilities. My favorite signature piece of this collection would be Déjà vu. I love this expression because it really forces you to ask yourself, “Is this a portal to someplace that I want to go?” “What is on the other side?” “What does the world hold for me?” The great part is that the answer is within… For the musical inspiration behind the art, click here: Find Mark Cottman and his highly acclaimed art Mon-Tues (by appointment), Wed-Sat 12-7pm and Sunday 12-5 at the Mark Cottman Gallery, or visit his studio online at markcottman.com Stay Fabulous! -Cristal Carrington

Paris Hilton shoes (see more suede shoes)

Ever wore art and wine on your feet?  Well now you can with The Cheyanne from Paris Hilton.  Creatively crafted with a retro flare, this shoe pick embodies all that is glam and mannerly.  This high society shoe pick of the week is as magnetic as it is unique, and remains a must-have addition to your fall closet.  A burgundy suede upper covers the D'orsay styled silhouette with a unique swirl accent at the side. With a complimentary 4 1/4 inch heel, you will be standing tall and ready to take on the world.

Cheyanne - Wine Suede
Paris Hilton
$109.99
www.heels.com

For years we have seen political candidates on the campaign trail drinking beer in public to seem more in touch with the American people. But is beer really the drink of America?

Do voters resonate with candidates better if they drink beer, or wine? In 2006, CBS reported that Americans preferred beer to other alcoholic beverages. In 2011, Time Magazine reported that what Americans drink, whether beer, cocktails, or wine, was more about where you live than any other determinant. The article also sites demographics such as age and income as a factor in the decline of beer sales and the move towards cocktails. So what are the candidates that today put their fate into the hands of the American public drinking? Or, what should they be drinking?

Mitt Romney: The former Massachusetts governor comes well packaged with business acumen, a Harvard Law degree and a presidential look. But if demographics, which include financial standings are any indicator of what American’s are drinking, could Mitt Romney be a bottle of Budweiser? Hardly not. However, we can take Romney’s pretty boy image and mix it with a more suitable beer for a flavorful edge.

Barack Obama: The presidential incumbent, born in Hawaii and raised in Chicago has seen the mean streets and the mean beach. But, is this President simply a Yuengling? Hardly not. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was president of the Harvard Law Review, this candidate, while from less advantageous beginnings is no stranger to the finer things in life. So what beer cocktail would be fit for these battling Harvard Alums?

Behold, the Presidential Beers...

White House Honey Ale, the first beer known to have been brewed in the White House was established by Barack Obama in 2011. It all started with his personal home brewing kit and has spawned into three flavors, the Honey Blonde, the Honey Porter and the Honey Brown.

Samuel Adams is a classic American brew crafted by the Boston Beer Company and its associated contract brewers. The company name was chosen in honor of Samuel Adams, an American patriot famous for his role in the American Revolution and the Boston Tea Party, an ironic surname partner to the Republican party of today.

As a recommendation, we take both these American ales and create a cocktail called the Razzy Ale.

The Razzy Ale Cocktail

3 ½ (12-oz.) bottles of beer, chilled
¾ cup frozen raspberries
12 oz. container of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
½ cup vodka

Stir ingredients together. Serve over ice.

Garnish with lemons or limes if desired.

This shoe pick of the week is right on time for the chilly weather that has recently hit the eastern U.S. in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. This ankle boot is trendy and perfect for work or a night out. Hear more commentary from asos.com, the site selling the shoe for the sale price of $158. *These Silo boots by Chinese Laundry have been made with a premium suede upper. The details include: zip fastening to the reverse, leather trim paneling through the main, a round toe, chunky platform sole and a high stiletto heel. Upper: 100% Real leather Heel height: 13cm/5in Platform height: 2.5cm Enjoy the shoe pick of the week and stay tuned to TheUptownDiva.com for more fab! -Cristal Carrington

There are three remaining holidays for 2012 and right now is a great time to get your new year’s resolution on the right track with a healthy diet regime to position yourself for success in 2013. Planning for the holiday season can be nerve-racking. However, beating holiday shopping angst and relaxing responsibly is always a welcome and available option on the menu. Below are three healthy cocktails that are perfect for a lead up to the new year celebration. All of these cocktails are appealing both aesthetically and economically, which comes as a relief to all, by keeping the pounds off and keeping more money in your pocket. Perfect for Thanksgiving: The Hot Toddy: About 113 Calories The hot toddy is a wonderful warm cocktail that even grandmother will enjoy. You may want to incorporate spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and honey to create your own special blend. Since this drink is made with tea, you can stay on track for your weight loss goals and still enjoy family time around the table. Tea: Tea can lower 'bad' cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of cancer and lower the risk of heart disease in addition to regulating your body weight. Honey : Honey contains powerful antioxidants with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Perfect for Christmas: The Chocolate Martini: About 150 Calories Creamy and chocolaty martinis are what Christmas is made of. Couple premium vodka and Baileys with sugar-free chocolate syrup, or garnish the rim with unsweetened cocoa powder to cut calories and you are in for a winter wonderland in a glass. Don’t forget to include the peppermint stick for an extra delicious bonus. Chocolate: Studies have suggested the flavanols in cocoa could play a role in treating stroke and dementia. Perfect for New Years Eve: The Sparkling Crantini: About 239 Calories Cranberries, Champagne and Gin are the quintessential mixture for holiday parties around the fireplace. Cranberries: Helps soothe kidney and bladder problems and has anti-aging properties. Skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema can all be healed with the use of cranberries. Inspiration for this article was provided by The Socially Savvy Radio show, hosted by LB Dutchess and Jason Rendon on Blog Talk Radio. A link to their show can be found at Socially Savvy Radio, where they talk about all things related to the fabulous life and how to make each and every moment a socially savvy one. *Guests of the show: Chef Kirsten, Cristal Carrington and Andre Carthen, Chef for Janet Jackson & Design Ambassador/Chef at Kathy Ireland Worldwide. Cheers and Happy Holidays! Cristal Carrington