Billboard...With Champagne

Is this what heaven's like? Pretty girls in dresses with perfectly straight hair, handing you a glass of champagne when you walk through those pearly gates. Refilling your glass when empty. Picking you up when your down. Telling you that you're good enough. Smart enough. Funny as hell, oops sorry, heck. Angels with champagne... It's like a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show except all the models are drunk and easy. So I guess it's exactly like a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
I wonder when I'll get my wings? I know I almost did when I took this picture. Folks, do not take pictures of billboards while driving.
If one hand's on the wheel and the other has the camera, which one is holding the champagne?

Cafe de Flore, Paris...With Champange

According to my sources Cafe de Flore is the hot spot to see and be seen during Paris Fashion week. I've never been to Paris Fashion week. I've never been to New York Fashion week. However, I have been to Los Angeles Fashion week. The seats were filled with the who's who or rather who's not of the America's Next Top Model cast offs. I would have much rather been in Paris at Cafe de Flore drinking a glass of real French Champagne. And not because ANTM never called me back either. Because I never really wanted to be on the show anyway. It was a dare. I was drunk. Damn you Tyra! I can smile with my eyes!

Drink Recipe...With Champagne

I'll be damned if you don't just start whipping these up right now! Thanks Martha. I always knew I liked you, but now after your law breaking, champagne chugging ways...I really think this could turn into something more serious.

Makes 2

• 3 tablespoons grenadine
• 3 tablespoons Cointreau
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 1 3/4 cups champagne
• Raspberries, apples, or other seasonal fruit

Directions

1. Fill a small ice bucket halfway with ice. Pour grenadine, Cointreau, brandy, and champagne over ice. Stir gently, and ladle punch into 2 wide-mouthed stemmed glasses. Garnish punch with raspberries, apples, or any other fruit in season.

From Martha Stewart Living, February 1998

Not Blogging...With Champagne

Yep. That's basically what I've been doing. It's not that I don't love blogging, it's just that I like actually living my life more.
So what good do you get out of it?
A whole helluva lot of With Champagne pictures to look forward to!
Hold on tight cause this ship is about to set sail...and the captains drunk again.

Sangria...With Champagne

Peanut Butter and Jelly. Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. These are just a few of things that belong together...much like Sangria and Champagne. What a fantastic combination of sweet, fruity, bubbly, and Delicious. The best one I've had so far is at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills. And the fun part about it is you can order it just about anywhere. You can get it at the bar. You can get it while you eat. You can get it in your room. On the rooftop or by the pool. Basically it's like green eggs and ham but without the weird cat dude and in a much more comfortable setting. Although, I'm sure if you want to drink it in a tree, the SLS hotel can arrange it.

Portugal...With Champagne

Now I can't say that I have been to Portugal.
But With Champagne's very own global correspondent is currently traveling overseas bringing us the latest and greatest from around the globe. That's right, I said With Champagne has a global correspondent. What? You thought we were some kinda rinky dink operation running out of a 2 bedroom apt in a dingy part of Korea Town? I don't think so. Now back to what I was saying...
Doesn't that champagne look good? Isn't Portugal beautiful?
Hmm...I knew I should have asked her to send me more than a picture.

Pool...With Champagne

You have your hot new swim suit on. You're all lathered up in an SPF ranging between 4 and 40, depending on your skin type. You just filled your Ipod up with your favorite "That's right, I'm layin' by the pool" songs. You are ready. You are ready for that ice cold glass of champagne.
You watch the bartender pour the drink, a drink fit for Celebrities and Royalty, into a...Plastic Cup! What? How dare you disgrace this fine beverage or shall I say, la boisson, whose grapes have been harvest half way across the globe, in the rich and fertile soils of Champagne, France.
"No glass by the pool" she says "It's either plastic or nothing at all."
Everything stood still as I imagined sunning myself sans champagne.
I felt like I was drowning yet I hadn't even set foot in the pool.
I made my way back to the lounge chair, pulled my shades down and put my feet up . Champagne in a plastic cup never looked so good.

Power Tie...With Champagne

I could go on for days about how many things the power tie and champagne have in common. Here's a look at the top ten uncanny similarities:
1. Timeless. They never go out of style
2. Both mean business
3. Acceptable in both the Morning and Evening
4. ...and the morning after
5. Great for business functions, holidays or any celebratory occasion
6. Both are used to successfully close deals
7. You will always be the center of attention and Damn, you'll look good in that center
8. Both say to the room...I'm running this shit.
9. Although color and brand vary, intent always stays the same.
10. I've certainly worn both of them...
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're going out tonight with a power tie on, bellying up to the bar and ordering yourself a bottle of champagne. But be forewarned little grasshopper...that amount of power can be dangerous. One wrong turn and you'll wake up naked, in the middle of the desert, covered in molasses...at best.
Trust me.

Twitter...With Champagne

I hate Twitter. I really do. But Twitter With Champagne...
I'm sold!
Follow WithChampagne and get daily updates on where I am and what I am doing...With Champagne, of course!

http://twitter.com/withchampagne

Pearl Jam...With Champagne

Dear Pearl Jam,
Thank you. Thank you for 4 amazing nights in Los Angeles. Thank you for rocking out harder than any other band ever. Eddie, Thank you for chugging wine on stage. You make me want to be a better person. Although I'm not going to lie, champagne would have been a little cooler. Thank you for playing the Gibson Auditorium, one of the only theaters in LA that serves champagne. Thank you for saying "Fuck the set list." I am going to apply that motto to everything I do. I'm going to create a movement; a movement inspired by Pearl Jam and backed by a whole lot of champagne. On second thought, maybe that's a bad idea.
Damn. It sounded so good last night!

Fake Tattoo...With Champagne

I know what you are thinking. Is that a purple chicken on her arm? And the answer is Yes. It's purple. It's definitely a chicken. And it's a tattoo. Gasp! Now, who...?
Well I'll tell you who...the new age champagne drinker is who.
Because it's fake!
You see, drinking champagne and getting a fake tattoo is the new getting wasted on vodka and getting a real tattoo.
You can paint on an tough exterior yet keep your untainted innocence. This new wave of fake tattoos also allows you to be as creative as you want. Go get that tattoo of Meatwad on your wrist. Dabble in rainbows for a day. Don't shy away from a purple chicken, if a purple chicken is what you crave. Just make sure to have a glass of bubbly near by.
This way you look classy, even though your tattoo may not.

Shadow...With Champagne

Who is she? How did she get here? Who does she know? Where is she going? These are all valid questions for a shadow with champagne. Such shadows evoke so many thoughts and emotions. It's like you know her...you've known her for so long, but you just can't quite put a finger on where you met her or why you parted. All you know is that you just can't stop thinking about her. Again, nothing to be ashamed of here. But just don't waste too much time with these questions because before you know it, within a blink of an eye, she'll be gone...and so will all the champagne.

Hester...With Champagne

A little something for the fellas...and by fellas I mean Bears fans..and by Bears fans I mean my husband.
I know sometimes it's hard to make the decision between drinking beer and drinking champagne, at 12 Noon on a Sunday afternoon, at a sports bar. (See "Sports Bar...With Champagne") But thanks to you Hester, you make the decision quite easy. You came through and took the Bears to a win when we needed you most.
And for that we cheers to you #23...
And by we I mean me, I had $5 dollars riding hard, all up on that game.
Oh, and cheers to that guy in the Hester jersey for totally looking like him from the back. And cheers to me for coming clean about not actually being right next to Hester. Cause let's be honest, I totally had you fooled.

Sports Bar...With Champagne

It's 9am. You just woke up and your head is pounding. The last think you can think about is having a drink. But it's Sunday and your favorite football team is on in an hour. You stumble to your local sports bar to meet up with your friends. You know you need bacon. Definitely bacon. And a side of eggs. But what do you order to drink? A Bloody Mary? A Beer? An ice cold Heinneken in that bright green bottle with a drop of ice cold water trickling down over it's simple yet sophisticated label. WRONG! A God Damn Champagne is what you order. I can't believe your mind even went there. A Heinneken? It tastes like a skunk peed in a bottle. Didn't college teach you anything? And a Bloody Mary? More like a Muddy Schmlarey. (Just go with it).
It's Sunday. The Lord's Day. Your favorite team is on. You are at a bar. It's a free country (this statement applies only to those actually in a free country). Celebrate what you have. Be thankful for all that has been given to you. Hold that champagne up high! But can you put a little orange juice in it? You're getting kinda drunk, and it's annoying.

Britney Spears...With Champagne

My name is Wendy...and I went to a Britney Spears concert. They say hardest part is admitting it but I've been blabbing about it all day. The show as a whole was outstanding. They really hit the "circus" nail on the head. However, the real animals were in section 112 Seats 1 & 2, drunk on champagne. We probably danced and definitely sang harder than the lead circus act, oh how fitting that is, Britney Spears. I felt bad for her mostly. I wanted to take her home and be her friend. But isn't she sober now? That would never work.

Mustache...With Champagne

The big debate right now (I'm sure in all communities) is whether or not the mustache is In, Out, Ironic and thus Cool, or Alanis Morissette's definition of Ironic, which basically means it kinda sucks and there is no irony whatsoever. I'm sure by now, you all know what I think. I think if you have a glass of champagne in your hand...you are awesome. Your clothes are awesome. Your hair is awesome. You are funnier than I remembered. You are definitely taller. Did you say you play the guitar? And have you lost some weight? Oh and that mustache you are sporting...it works. And it's most definitely In.

Baby Shower...With Champagne

Baby Showers are fun. Usually more fun for those who enjoy babies, baby things, and baby talk. I usually make a B-line for the bartender, "Champagne Please." This usually helps get me through the multiple introductions of newly pregnant friends, and friends of friends. "Another Champagne, Thanks." Much easier now to coast through the games and activities. "Another Champagne? Sure, why not?" Time for my favorite drinking game. I drink every time someone "oohs" or "ahhs" during the opening of the gifts. Wait for it... Wait for it..."Oh My God! Look how small those booties are!!!" "Champagne, please. I'm not driving"
Do I want kids, you ask. Of course! I Love Champa...Children.

Hard Rock Hotel Vegas...With Champagne

A word to the wise. The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas does NOT let you bring alcohol from outside, inside.
I can't tell you how many times I've pulled up to the valet only to have him tell me that the grocery bag of booze is not allowed upstairs. So here is your solution. All you have to do is bring an empty carry-on bag with you for the ride. Take a minute or two before you pull up to the valet to transfer that grocery bag of bottles (and please tell me you didn't forget the champagne!) into the luggage. Check in and sit tight as the bell hop wheels the bag of goodies right to your room. And then pop open that bottle and make your first toast to him cause you know that he knows that you know that he knows what's really in that bag. Then you can toast to the amazing time you are going to have in Vegas.

Limo Ride...With Champagne

I'll admit it. Limos are corny. They are oversized, overpriced and not to mention unfriendly to the environment. The only real added benefits are that you can have most of your friends with you and they usually have a stocked bar. However, if I were you, I wouldn't touch any of that booze. Who knows what the hell is in there and how many 17 year old prom-ites have put their mangey little mouths to that bottle. Heed this advice if you really want to have a good time in a limo. Tell the driver to have a chilled bottle of your favorite bubbly on ice upon arrival. They will do it for, sometimes, no more than the cost of the champagne. Then, you can really look out the window with the "I'm so much better than you" attitude that we all know you have deep inside of you.

The Standard Hotel... With Champagne

The Standard Hotel is one of the premier spots to see and be seen in Los Angeles. I guess it's pretty obvious which is going on here. If you're there just to see who is who in hollywood, go on and get your self a vodka soda. That's what those girls at the counter are drinking. Yep, that is right, they are totally looking our way. However if you are ready to take the next step, go on and ask for a glass of their best champagne. Just be prepared for the blinding angelic-like glow that starts to form around you. Are they flashes from the paps? Someone from up above shining their light of approval down on you? For the sake of keeping my blog 100% factual, we'll just say... it's both.

Phoenix Post Show Party...With Champagne

Although the picture, doesn't really set up the scene very well, this is at the after party to the Phoenix show at the Greek in Los Angeles last night. The show was amazing although the Greek should really look into selling Champagne to its patrons. The after party also fun but due to "club rules" photography was not allowed.
But don't you worry, I managed to sneak in a shot of the real celebrity that night. No offense Phoenix.

On a Boat...With Champagne

Hanging out on a yacht is classy. But hanging out on a yacht, looking this good, aaanndd drinking a glass of champagne.
Ya know, I just don't even know what to say except how can I do this every weekend of my life? The boat part of course...I've already got the champagne covered.

Santa Monica...With Champagne

Santa Monica. What I've learned is you either love it or you hate it. I choose to... drink champagne atop the the Huntley Hotel at the Penthouse Bar looking out over the palm trees, mountains, and beautiful (at times) Pacific ocean.
Just do me a favor and leave before it gets dark. There's no champagne in the world that can erase what goes on there after nightfall.

Burning Man...With Champagne

There are many exciting sights and sounds at burning man. But is there really anything better than sitting with your best friends in the middle of the desert, watching the sunrise, and popping open a fresh bottle of champagne? The answer is No. Don't go to the playa without champagne. And if you do, just look for the champagne art car. I'll be inside with a cold bottle just for you.