Santa Spreads Holiday Cheer in UAB’s NICU, Continuing Care Nursery

Infants in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Women and Infants Center had a special visitor Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12. Santa Claus visited with babies and their families in the UAB Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Continuing Care Nursery. As Santa peeked in on these newborns and checked his list, families gathered to celebrate the holidays and take special photos with him.

About UAB
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center and the state of Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees and an economic impact exceeding $5 billion annually on the state. The five pillars of UAB’s mission deliver knowledge that will change your world: the education of students, who are exposed to multidisciplinary learning and a new world of diversity; research, the creation of new knowledge; patient care, the outcome of ‘bench-to-bedside’ translational knowledge; service to the community at home and around the globe, from free clinics in local neighborhoods to the transformational experience of the arts; and the economic development of Birmingham and Alabama. Learn more at www.uab.edu.

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Painting and Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Tis’ the season to be jolly!  Last weekend, I decided to take a break from the holiday busyness and visit Painting With a Twist art studio.

The purpose behind the class was to celebrate my mom’s birthday.  We had a great time and made plans to register for more events.

Aside from the celebration, one aspect to remember is that painting has therapeutic properties.  Some of the benefits include memory strength, stress relief, and emotional growth.

Painting a one-of-a-kind picture was the perfect bonding activity and awesome way to meet new friends!

I am not the best painter but with guidance I can create a masterpiece!

I also want to share a few additional tips to reduce stress during the holiday season:

  • Make holiday decor during the off-season to eliminate a hectic schedule.
  • Create a food menu and prep/freeze holiday dishes.
  • Visit your local grocery store or warehouse club for prepared dishes (example, Assorted Pinwheel Wraps, Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas, or Ciabatta Sandwich Party Tray.)
  • Play upbeat holiday music to get everyone in the spirit.
  • Allow enough time to wrap gifts not excluding co-workers and care providers.
  • Include low-impact exercise into your weekly routine.

Great Wine Options For Your Holiday Table

Christmas and New Year’s is just around the corner and it is time to talk about food and wine pairings!

Buying wine for dinner can be a challenge but I have compiled a few delicious options to choose from:

Fernando Pighin & Figli: Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2015v (SRP: $17.99)

  • This wine is a great option to start off the evening and drink through dinner. The Old World Italian wine pairs perfectly with seafood, soft cheeses, vegetarian dishes and of course turkey. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has aromas of white fruit and minerality from the Friuli Grave terroir. It is produced without oak or malolactic to keep the grape’s freshness and bright acidity. This wine is light and refreshing, leaving room to taste the many dishes served during the holiday.

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Sequoia Grove Winery: Chardonnay 2014v (SRP: $27.99)

  • If guests love a delicious Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Sequoia Grove would be the perfect choice. This 100% food-friendly Chardonnay will pair well with most dishes, from appetizers to soups to main courses. It has aromas of pear, lychee, citrus zest, lightly toasted almonds, and fresh bread. The aroma and palate characteristics are derived from 10 months of oak aging in French oak barrels. Sequoia Grove’s well-integrated oak Chardonnay will refresh the palate and won’t overpower the delicious spices in the Thanksgiving dishes.

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Maison Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $19.99)

  • Louis Jadot’s affordable red Burgundy is a classic holiday wine pairing. It is a versatile wine that complements many meats and soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie. The 2013 vintage produced mature wines with intense aromas of red cherries, black blackberries, blackcurrants. Its well-integrated tannins are supported by a vibrant freshness in the finish.

 

Craggy Range Winery Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $44.99)

  • Craggy Range Winery produces beautiful deep brick red colored, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Martinborough wine region of New Zealand. This New World wine has vibrant aromatics of red and black cherries, rose petal, sandalwood and wet earth. It is fruit forward with fine, dry tannins that provides a soft yet complex finish. This is another delicious wine option to serve throughout your holiday meal.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairing –

This year, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and served a bottle of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  To make our pairing more festive, I created a cheese platter to enhance the wine flavorings.

Salty – Assortment of Crackers

Protein – Prosciutto & Nuts

Flavor Enhancement – Sharp Cheddar Cheese

next time, I will add a variety of cheese, fruit, and olives 

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The in-home tasting was a fun opportunity for enthusiast to try new flavors and expand their palate!

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Vanity Planet Tame Titanium Tourmaline Flat Iron

My hair is chemical-free and I prefer to use a flat-iron that won’t damage the texture.

Vanity Planet shipped an amazing product, the Tame | Pro-Style Titanium Tourmaline Flat Iron. This flat-iron meets all of my professional needs with heat control, auto shut-off, and a flexible cord.  I enjoyed using the flat-iron to straighten my 4B hair and tame my natural edges.

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From IG @kwest1908

About Vanity Planet:

Vanity Planet is a boutique marketplace, focused on beauty, grooming, and wellness. We’re more than your typical online store. We source, curate, and design products that benefit your life on the daily. Our approach is simple: amazing taste with minimal investment. Each item we carry is selected with intention and quality is never, ever sacrificed.


How does this product work?

1. Plug in Tame and hold down the start/stop button for 2 seconds to begin heating.

2. Use the “plus” (+) and “minus” (-) symbols to adjust until you reach desired temperature for use. Once reached, double click the start/stop button to lock the temperature setting. This will ensure that the temperature does not change accidentally during use. A red dot will appear on the digital screen to show that the temperature lock feature is in use.

3. Allow Tame to heat up, and then gently glide Tame through either damp or dry hair, spending only a few seconds on each section of hair.

4. Once finished, double click the start/stop button to release the temperature hold setting, then hold the start/stop button for 2 seconds to shut off the device.

5. Unplug it, and wait for it to cool, before storing Tame in a safe place.

DO NOT use Tame on synthetic hair. Do not use abrasive cleansers and chemicals to clean Tame. Make sure to clean the Tame plates after each use. Clean the plates when the device is turned off, unplugged, and cool, and use a slightly damp cloth to wipe it clean. Clean the handle at least once a week using a damp cloth (again, only when the device is turned off, unplugged, and cool). To unplug the device, pull on the plug, not the Tame cord.

FOR BEST RESULTS, we recommend washing hair before use. Towel dry and comb through thoroughly before styling.

 

Birthday Staycation – Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort

I celebrated my birthday at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort. This beautiful hillside hotel is located (here) in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Inside of Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort is intricate artwork along with Mediterranean inspired decor. 

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The Spa at Ross Bridge

I booked an appointment at the spa and received a manicure and pedicure.  When I have free time, I prefer spa nail services because they use all natural products. In addition, it’s an intimate environment and provide delicious refreshments.

Sitting in a bathrobe and inhaling essentials oils was very relaxing.  The Spa at Ross Bridge has several additional services including a quiet and steam room, boutique, and chlorine-free pools.

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Additional Resort Photos:

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My visit to Ross Bridge Golf and Spa Resort was the perfect staycation.  I can’t wait to stop by again for an afternoon of golf or deep tissue massage!

Michael Antonio Brighton Dress Boots – Octer.com

Knee High Boots are now considered a wardrobe staple. This accessory transcends the average winter boot (or bootie) because it provides instant leg warmth.

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Selecting a pair of Knee High Boots can be intimidating but they’re very functional. For example, some boots help repel water and others give ankle support.  This accessory also comes in a variety of colors, textures, and heel heights.

I had the opportunity to order a pair of boots through the online site Octer.com Originally shipped from the department store retailer JcPenney, The Michael Antonio Brighton Women’s Dress Boots arrived quickly and was true to the product photo.

The cranberry hue and faux suede texture will be the perfect complement to my winter wardrobe.

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