2017 my year in review

Although I am currently cooking something to bring to a New Years Eve party this evening, I find it impossible that we will be closing out 2017 at midnight. I say it every year, but this year has flown by. Although I didn't blog nearly as often in 2017 as previous years, my life was insanely busy. With that said, it is time for my annual year in review!

January

I said hello to 2017 with The Cancelled Walt Disney World Half Marathon that lived on. For the first time ever, I faced a cancelled race due to weather. Along with a few hundred other runners and volunteers, we made up 13.1 miles around various Disney resorts on race day (we were at Pop Century and had plenty of photo opps). It was amazing to see encouragement from visitors, made up water stations and an describable energy. It was one of my best running moments.

Following the cancelled half marathon, my best friend Keri and I headed down to Miami to board the latest Carnival fleet, the Vista on our annual girls cruise. The Vista was without a doubt the nicest cruise ship I have stepped foot on and I am itching for another cruise soon!

February 

February was when my work madness kicked in. In 2016, I took a new position in a new department within my company for events. Honestly, if someone was to ask me years ago to form my dream job, this is it. It also comes with travel, which I am perfectly fine with - but my blog had to take backseat. In the month of February, I went to NYC, Houston, Seattle and Atlanta. In between my work travel, I found time to run my first Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa.

March

March kicked off with back to back work weeks in Atlanta. I spent the entire month of March in Atlanta and got promoted during one of the visits! I also ran the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay with my husband during one of my weekends home. This is one of my favorite races in Florida and we have participated in it 3 times now.

April

We went to New Orleans for Easter Weekend with my husbands family. It was a busy weekend full of parades and activities and we had an amazing time.

I ended April with a press trip to Disney for a photo workshop called Capture the Bite. I spent 3 days with talented photographers where we were taught new skills. This was a great workshop where we put away our smart phones and brought out our cameras for some incredible photo opportunities - and of course great food, all while meeting new friends.

May 

May started my crazy work schedule again with trips to Atlanta, Nashville and Ponte Vedra. Somehow I was able to keep everything in line and have some free time to do fun stuff. The day I got home from Capture the Bite, I received a text from my friend and neighbor Heather who invited me to be her plus one for a Disney press trip. I couldn't believe it - two Disney press trips in a week?! As Heathers plus one, I got to experience The World of Pandora, the new Avatar land inside Disney's Animal Kingdom prior to it opening. We rode all the rides, took plenty of photos and had a relaxing time in this beautiful world before all madness set in when it opened.

June

June was chaos upon an already chaotic year with work trips to New York, Atlanta and Hollywood (FL) - and my birthday of course. In fact, I didn't blog once during the whole month of June - and recapped everything here. We had an unexpected loss in our little family. We had to suddenly and unexpectedly put down our beloved 13 year old cat Boo. He started breathing funny and after taking him into the vet, we learned he had an advanced stage of cancer. We made the hard life decision to make him comfortable and say goodbye. June, a very eventful month, was very tragic for us.

July

Not to broadcast my age - my 20th High School Reunion was in July. How in the hell did that happen?! I swear we were just at our 10th Reunion. It was great to see so many people we spent a big chunk of our lives with. It was fascinating - one thinks they know everything going on in everyone's lives because of social media - but interacting on Social Media is far different than catching up in person. We almost didn't go, and booked our tickets a few weeks prior to the reunion. It was a great memory and I encourage anyone who is on the fence about attending their reunion to book your ticket and go!

After shedding far too many tears, we decided  it was time to rescue another cat and give him/her the life that we gave Boo. Enter Baloo! We found Baloo through a local foster group and after a week of back and forth, we finally got the approval to bring him home! He is a perfect fit to our little family. This crazy kitten loves to play fetch and is the biggest snuggler I have ever encountered. We are madly in love with this little guy!

August

August is the month that I named "the calm before the storm". We took Baloo on his first road trip to St. Augustine Beach and found out he is a wonderful traveler. My Cousin got married in St. Pete Beach and we got to spend the weekend with my parents. August also kicked off the craziest 4 months of work I could ever imagine. The craziness started with a Florida based roadshow, then I headed back to Atlanta. We were also finalizing a 9 city, 2 country roadshow that began in September. Hold on tight, here we go....

September

Although I knew September was going to be VERY busy, we were not expecting Hurricane Irma to be part of it. Luckily, our house was damage free in Tampa but we did evacuate last minute to my parents in Daytona (only to lose power there). The hurricane had potential impacts on all of my September events and honestly, this was not something I had done a crisis plan for. Once Irma came and went, I found myself in Nashville for a client event, then flew directly from Nashville to Orlando to kick off our 9 city road show. This was a first for our company and between me and my counterpart, we each went to 8 of the 9 locations (I skipped London, she skipped Orlando). Following the Orlando event, my husband and I headed to Fort Lauderdale to go on a Carnival Conquest celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary. I did something on this cruise I had never done before - I left my work computer at home and only checked my work email once. Baby steps!

October

Oh October........ Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Portland - or as I nicknamed it, the tour of city skylines. Although I was gone the entire month, we did have an opportunity to check out some pretty great restaurants and I crossed one off my bucket list - Girl and the Goat! I have a ton of blog posts to write about my city adventures, I just need to find the time to do so!

November

My Portland trip ended the road show and I took a red eye so I could make it to packet pickup in time for runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I'm not going to sugar coat it, this was one of the hardest races ever. Between being totally exhausted from being on the road for 6 weeks straight and not having much time to train, my 13.1 miles were a total disaster. I did push through and finish but it wasn't pretty.

December

December was a very nice, much needed slow month. Gabe and I went back to New Orleans. This was a trip rewarding myself for all the work craziness over the past few months. We spent 5 days in the city, eating a ton of delicious food and enjoyed all the Christmas decorations. We even saw snow in the French Quarter!!! We closed out 2017 with a trip back home for Christmas and enjoyed quality time with our families.

Overall, 2017 was a good year. It surely had it's ups and downs but looking back, I would say far more ups. I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years eve and that 2018 is the best year ever.

xoxo

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Revamp Your Routine - Babble Box Review

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media

What are your healthy goals for 2016? I have a few but my main goal is have a healthier lifestyle while on the road. I recently took a new position at work which has me on the road more. This usually means eating out more, not getting to the gym as much and working late nights since you're in a city where you may not know anyone.

I received a Babble Boxx for review and the theme was revamping 2016. The box was full of ingredients that will help you start off 2016 on the right foot.

Stash Tea
I drink at least one cup of hot tea on a daily basis. It's got so many health benefits and can be a good pick me up, even caffeine free selections. I loved Stash Tea's Organic Gold Cup Chai w/ Turmeric. Turmeric is all the rage right now with runners - it can relieve pain and inflammation. Chai Tea is one of my go-to's (I love the sweet and spicy flavor profile) so Stash Chai with Turmeric is obviously a match made for me!

Another great option for an afternoon cup of tea is Stash Lavender Tulsi. This tea brings serenity and I need a lot of that in my life right now. Lavender Tulsi is a soothing organic tea that blends leaves from the tulsi plant, which has been revered in India for more than 5,000 years. According to folklore, tulsi is a healing balm for body, mind and spirit. .

There is a special discount code for Stash Tea through February 12th. Use promo code BABBLE15 to save 15% off entire online order at StashTea.com.

Stop & Drop Diet Book 
Who remembers the hit book "Flat Belly Diet"? I know many people who swore by Liz Vaccariello's New York Times bestseller. She's at it again with the Stop & Drop Diet book. I have not had a chance to read the whole thing but did a little homework on the book and this sounds perfect for my crazed lifestyle. This flexible diet plan teaches readers easy ways to STOP eating unhealthy versions of food they love and the simple, healthier substitutes you should START eating instead. Stop & Drop Diet helps readers drop the weight with a mix-and-match 21-day meal plan designed for fast weight loss and balanced nutrition.

What I love about this plan is the flexibility - because I need a lot of that in my life. Between this blog and my job, I am consistently out at events faced with foods and cocktails which would typically forbidden in most diets. Not with this plan - there is nothing forbidden.

How The Plan Works...For each phase, the Stop & Drop Diet offers a suggested breakdown of calories per meal. In general, you want to spread your calorie intake out roughly evenly throughout the day – so lunches and dinners should have about the same number of calories, breakfasts just a little less, and snacks about half the amount as your main meals. But the diet also allows you to customize the calorie breakdown to whatever works for you. (Some people, for instance, might prefer to eat 6 mini-meals throughout the day, instead of 3 main meals and 2 snacks.). The best part of the book is that they analyzed more than 40,000 products in the average supermarket, plus countless menu items at popular chain restaurants and ingredients in every day recipes to shave calories.

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel On-the-Go Refreshingly Clean Towelettes

The number one thing I forget when I travel is face wash. The face bars in hotels dry my skin out and during the winter months, that can be a really bad thing. This is why I am in love with Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel On the Go Refreshing Clean Towelettes. They are the only individually wrapped towelette to utilize 100% natural witch hazel. Since they're individually wrapped, they are TSA approved and you don't have to take up too much room, they fit perfectly in my makeup or gym bag.

Cold-EEZE® Plus Natural Multi-Symptom Relief Cold & Flu lozenges
Oh Cold-EEZE how I love you so. The moment I start feeling the signs of a cold coming on (typically ear aches or an itchy throat for me), I take Cold EEZE. They recently came out with a new product, Cold-EEZE Plus Natural Multi-Symptom Relief Cold & Flu lozenges which shorten your cold PLUS help relieve cough, congestion and sore throat. They contain zinc gluconate which is the same effective active ingredient found in the original Cold-EEZE® lozenges.  These lozenges have a permanent home in my handbag.

Birch Benders Pancakes
This particular time in my life, I am only home one night over a two week span. This means my husband is also affected since he doesn't cook and ends up eating out way too much. One thing he can make is pancakes. Birch Benders Pancakes are a gluten free, natural, organic pancake that's made by just adding water. You would never know they are gluten free and you won't miss the wheat. Plus they are very easy to make. It's a blend of wheat-free flours mixed with Oregon hazelnut meal. YUM!

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Saying goodbye to 2015 - welcoming 2016 with open arms

Today is the last day of 2015. While this year held many amazing opportunities, it was a rough one personally. We said goodbye far too many people. It was a year of discovery, a year of sorrow and a year of personal growth. 2015 was an emotional roller coaster and I am looking forward to cheering in 2016 at midnight.

Here's a look back on 2015!

January

runDisney Marathon
My best friend Keri and I ran the 2015 runDisney Marathon. It was her first full. While this was my 4th full, it was my first time running this distance with someone. All prior fulls I ran were solo. It was an awesome 26.2 miles and I was so happy to cross the finish line with her, glass of champagne in hand.

Post Marathon Cruise on Carnival Sensation 
We celebrated by going on a 4 night cruise on the Carnival Sensation. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 26,2 miles. Nothing is better than some fun in the sun and total relaxation. In fact, we are doing this exact scenario next weekend, except we are running the runDisney Half marathon followed by a 7 night cruise on Carnival Valor!

Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
My husband Gabe and I went back to New Orleans, 4 months after we had our destination wedding there. We ran the Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon.  We love any excuse to go back to our favorite city and will be running this race again in 2016. Let's hope this time I don't have ugly blue tape on my knee as seen in the photo above.

February 

2015 runDisney Princess Half Marathon
To celebrate our third anniversary in running, my friend Nicole and I went back to where we started - Princess Half Marathon weekend. I'll be honest - I have never had as much fun running as I did during this half. Nicole and I had a complete carefree attitude about the race. We stopped for every photo opp and had one goal in mind and it wasn't time....it was to have fun. I am sad we aren't doing Princess in 2016 but we both decided to shoot for runDisney Paris instead.

March

2015 Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon
The 2015 Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon was on my bucket list for the past few years. I took my first step in DC at 10 months old (in front of the capitol building and I have photo proof). I have always wanted to visit as an adult. This was such an amazing trip and we would have loved to run it in 2016 except it is the week after Rock n Roll New Orleans and we cannot do two back to back destination races. I urge you to run this one!

Uncle Russell
While in DC, I received the phone call that my favorite uncle wasn't doing well. We lost Russell shortly after to liver cancer. He was diagnosed with liver cancer while Gabe and I were honeymooning in October 2014. It happened so fast. Christmas was not the same without him this year - stealing all of the Prime Rib and going home with all the leftovers. We miss him dearly.

April
I was accepted to run the Chicago Marathon, along with my husband, my best friend and her husband. That didn't happen......because............

May

Running the Dublin Marathon with ASICS America
I received an email the day after I got the acceptance for Chicago - would I be interest in going to Ireland and run the Dublin Marathon with ASICS, which was the week after Chicago? For those who don't know me - I am by no means a fast runner. In fact, I am a turtle. So this was a true fall off my seat moment. Of course I said yes - and more to come on this epic moment of my life.

June

Aside from it being my birthday month, nothing big happened in the month of June. Some people wear birthday hats - this girl wears sparkly Mickey ears. #proudDisneyDork

July
Happy Birthday America

My friend Darlynn and I went to NYC to attend BlogHer 2015. It was a much different experience than we had in 2012 but we were happy to spend some time together. This was a last minute trip to cheer her up as she had a really rough summer due to a failed adoption. I hope 2016 brings Darlynn and her husband  their baby.

August

Back to Nola we go
Something I never discussed on this blog.....In May, my husband quit his job and accepted a potential great opportunity with a risk. He has his graduate degree in Mental Heath and was miserable in his full time salaried position. He received an opportunity to work at a hospital, which happened to be his end goal company to work for. However, this was not a full time position. He could work 2 days or 5 days a week and even went a few weeks without working during the training process. The first two months were scary. Those 2 days I mentioned above? They were Saturday and Sunday, which meant we wouldn't have any time together. He went a week here and there without working one single day. We luckily had money in savings, I was working crazy overtime and making income from the blog, so we knew we would be ok for a few months. However this was a very stressful time in our lives. We were both used to a certain lifestyle and that came to a halt really fast. In August, he went full-time. With hospital hours comes working on some holidays. He was scheduled to work on Labor Day so we decided to take an early Labor Day 3 day weekend by going to New Orleans - because as you know, it is our favorite place :) It was the perfect way to say goodbye of the uncertainty and stress we had over the past few months. Then September happened.....

September

Lana
September was the most emotional month I have ever lived through.....This coming from someone who lost her father unexpectedly at the age of 52. We started the month with hopes of an exciting event. We were to celebrate my 2 year old Cousin Lana's "I beat Cancer" party on National Pediatric Cancer Day. Lana was diagnosed with Cancer at only 5 months old. She beat it twice and was in remission since July. I am tearing up writing this. We lost Lana the day before her party was scheduled, only a few days after her parents learned the cancer had returned. My heart broke, not only for the loss of her short life, but for my Cousin Mark and his lovely wife Allison. I pray each and every day for them. I can only hope that Lana's memory, their strength and love for one another will get them through this tragic loss. Death is horrible. Death of a child is something you are unable to comprehend. I have cried over Lana more than anyone I have lost, including my own father and all four of my grandparents combined. One thing I know for certain - Lana is in heaven with my Grandma, and they are shoe shopping and dancing on a daily basis.

One Year Anniversary Cruise

Gabe and I celebrated our one year anniversary by cruising the Carnival Sunshine, 9.27.15.

We sailed out on September 27th, the day of our anniversary. It was an amazing trip. However, I was also in the midst of a crazy work project so I spent each morning of the trip working while he slept in. Romantic, huh! When you're fortunate enough to have a company who lets you travel like I do, you give and take right!? Aside from a hurricane named Joaquin, we had an amazing time. It was the first time I had truly relaxed since before getting married a year prior. I took my first nap in years and finally felt at ease. We had an amazing time together. However, I received some additional sad news while at sea....

Zac
While on the cruise, I learned my friend Melissa's husband Zac lost his 3 year battle to cancer, a few days before his 37th birthday. I have known Melissa since we were in elementary school and she is my best friends co-worker. It was heart wrenching to see my friend lose her husband. It really gave me a new outlook on life - and you have to live each day like its your last and never take a single moment of life for granted.

October

ASICS AMBASSADOR
With September finally behind me, I was very happy to officially announce being part of the 2015-2016 ASICS ambassador team. I have worked with ASICS for the past year and a half. Now I am part of an amazing team with 15 other bloggers. Many of my teammates are people I know personally and there are some who I became instant friends with in a short period of time. After the 2014 ASICS NYC Marathon Bloggers Challenge, I often joked that they had a psychologist study us because we all got along amazingly...I made friends for life thanks to ASICS. The 2015 NYC Marathon 5 to the Finish Line Group was just the same. Now merge us together with other incredible bloggers and we have a bit of magic going on in our little corner of 16. There is something to ASICS science beyond their shoes (better hurry, today's your last day to buy the #metarun). One question I am asked more than any other is "when can I apply" or "how can I become an ASICS ambassador". I will be 110% honest - we never applied for anything, ASICS came to each of us. We were all selected for reasons ASICS saw that matched their motto, A Sound Mind in a Sound Body. I am proud to represent this company for the next year on an official level. <3

Ireland
Oh Ireland - how I love you so. Oh ASICS how I love you more. I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the Dublin Marathon with ASICS America. I won't take too much of your time talking about our trip to Ireland, which you can see and read about here. I just want to thank ASICS once more for a lifetime opportunities that they gave me. I am thankful everyday and will never take anything for granted.

November

Facing a fear - The Shatterproof Challenge 
In November, I was asked to rappel down the Hyatt Regency Orlando, the second tallest building in city. I'm afraid of heights. My knees buckled and I got dizzy - why did I do it? To bring awareness to drug and alcohol abuse. The week before we left for Ireland, I got a phone call no friend ever wants to receive. My guy best friend Joel's brother took his life. While Jason and I were not close, his brother Joel and his wife Melissa are two of my favorite people. Their kids are my "fake children". Jason's family has been a part of my life for years. This was a very hard thing - seeing someone so young, a father of 4, take his life, for reasons we will never know. I did the Shatterproof Challenge for Jason and two other people in my life who decided to go down the wrong path.

December

December brought my 1,000th post on this blog. It doesn't seem possible. When I started this blog, I had yet to run a 5K. I began I Run For Wine because I was bored. My husband (then boyfriend) was in grad school while working full time. I was in a new town, new job, sitting home alone every night and one day I began blogging about my first 5K. That turned to running and random dining experiences. That my friends was the birth of I Run For Wine and I cannot believe I made it to 1,000.

2015 has been a rough year. While I am thankful for every single experience I had it was very emotional. 

I am looking forward to 2016. Here is what is on my schedule! Everything in italic is not confirmed or something I am hoping for.

January
Florida Gators vs. Michigan at Citrus Bowl (I am excited to be going to my 4th the bowl game)
runDisney Half Marathon
Girls Cruise on Carnival Valor

February
potentially Daytona Beach Half Marathon
Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

March
Nothing yet....ideas?

April 
runDisney Star Wars Dark Side Challenge

May
ASICS Vine Body Sole Half Marathon Weekend

June
My birthday
Rock n Roll Seattle, also my Birthday weekend

July
America's Birthday
If I don't do Chicago Marathon, Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon

August
My Mom's Birthday (come on, I'm trying - Florida runner problems)

September
Really really hoping the runDisney Paris Half Marathon during our 2 year anniversary

October
Going to try for Chicago Marathon again

November
(all tentative based upon each other)
NYC Marathon - 3rd times a charm & I want to be there for ASICS last hurrah
runDisney Wine Dine Half
Rock n Roll Savannah
Rock n Roll Vegas

December
The end of a happy, prosperous and healthy year.

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What to do for New Years Eve in Tampa

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! It's amazing that New Years is only a few days away. Does anyone have big plans? We are going to start New Years Eve off at an amazing wine dinner on New Years Eve at Mermaid Tavern, followed by a party to ring in the New Year at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. Then on New Years Day, I will head to Orlando to see the Gators play in the Citrus Bowl. Can't wait!

New Years Eve Wine Dinner with Chef Gary Moran at Mermaid Tavern
$75 for a 5 Course Menu with hand selected wines
7 PM
tickets here and you can follow along with these 5 courses on my Instagram & twitter

Course 1: Pompano tartare with charred scallion, avocado puree and passionfruit-ponzo
Mar de FradesAlbarino

Course 2: Cauliflower-oyster risotto with celery-truffle cream and curry emulsion
H & M Hofer Gruner Veltliner

Course 3: Grilled wild goat kefta sausage with quinoa-tabbouleh, eggplant-pomegranate chutney and hummus
Juan Gil Monastrell

Course 4: Red Wine-Cocoa braised beef cheeks with frilled king oyster mushrooms, balsamic cherries and watercress-potato puree
Mount Veeder Cabernet

Course 5: White chocolate and wasabi semifreddo with ponzo-caramel and brown butter almonds
Sake

After we leave Mermaid Tavern, we will head to Seminole Hard Rock Tampa for their Fire & Ice Party to ring in the New Year! While we cannot stay out late being my husband has to work on Friday and I have to go to Orlando for the game, we are both looking forward to starting 2016 off at one of our favorite places in Tampa.

There are a ton of New Years Eve parties and dinners happening around the Tampa Bay area. Here are a few events, both elegant and casual that caught my eye.

Loews Don CeSar New Years Eve Takes Flight - $199, full bar, food and live entertainment
Rooster & The Till New Years Eve Dinner - 5 courses dinner $65
Channelside Lights up the Bay - Free admission, fireworks at Channelside
Seminole Hard Rock Fantasia 2016 - East and West Coast Party - $65 for East Coast & West Coast combo ticket
Del Frisco's Grille New Years Eve Dinner - $42 for 16oz Ribeye & Mashed Potatoes
Laid Back New Years Eve at The Refinery - drink specials & complimentary small plates at 11pm
Council Oak at Seminole Hard Rock New Years Eve Three Course Dinner - 3 Course dinner $95
The Rooftop Eve Midnight in the Garden - $200 all inclusive premium rooftop bar party
Fresh Harvest at Seminole Hard Rock New Years Day Brunch - $27 for an amazing brunch buffet

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Seminole Hard Rock Tampa New Years Eve Party

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is bringing back the hottest party of the year by hosting back-to-back events on New Year’s Eve. My husband and I attended this party last year and we will be ringing in the new year once again with Tampa's hottest DJ's, aerial shows, Vegas style showgirls, hula dancers and more!

From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., a “Fantasia” themed party will take place for those 21 & up. Tickets (starting at $65 per person) are currently on sale via RockTampa.

Immediately following the “Fantasia” themed party (from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.) will be the “West Coast Toast NYE After Party” in Hard Rock Cafe (for those 21 & up), which will be one of the few venues where people can celebrate NYE twice in one night. Tickets (starting at $25 per person) are available via RockTampa. Guests will be able to go three time zones back with the “West Coast Toast 3 a.m. Countdown” and watch the ball drop live from Los Angeles.

Guests who buy tickets to the “Fantasia” themed party gain free entry into the “West Coast Toast NYE After Party.” VIP tables are also available by calling (813) 421-2582.

The events will feature Cirque Style Entertainment such as aerialists, stilt walkers, Las Vegas style show girls, dance performers, an LED hula dance show and a laser light show.

Additionally, from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., 93.3 FLZ will be broadcasting live with Brian Fink.

Tampa’s hottest DJ’s will be providing the evening’s music.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Platinum Ticket $100
Special Party for Platinum ticket holders with complimentary cocktails from 9pm-11pm
Midnight Champagne Toast
Complimentary Party Favors
Admission for West Coast Toast

General Admission Ticket $65
Admission for 9pm Entry
Admission for West Coast Toast

Private Table for 4 to 6 located up top in front of band shell
Exclusive VIP Entrance
Access to the Platinum Party from 9pm to 11pm on Patio
Includes: 1 bottle ($250) minimum
Mixers Party Favors (hats & horns)
Private table for you & your party

Private Table with couch for up to 8 people located up top in front of band shell 
(Only 6 Available)
Exclusive Entrance
Access to the Platinum Party from 9pm to 11pm on Patio
Includes: 2 bottle ($500) minimum
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Private table for you & your party

Private Booth for up to 6 people on dance floor 
(Only 5 Available)
Exclusive VIP Entrance
Access to the Platinum Party from 9pm to 11pm on Patio
Includes: 3 bottle ($750) minimum
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Private table for you & your party

Private Booth for up to 10 people to the right side of the stage up top 
(Only 4 Available)
Exclusive VIP Entrance
Access to the Platinum Party from 9pm to 11pm on Patio
Includes: 2 bottles + 1.75L Belvedere “Saber” Bottle ($500 value) $1000 minimum
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Private table for you & your party

*Prices subject to change unless reservation is booked

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New Years Champagne bar ideas #LiveGloriously

Gloria Ferrer provided champagne and entertaining essentials for my review. As always, all opinions are my own.

In October of 2013, I had the opportunity to go on a press trip to Omni Amelia Island and was introduced to the concept of Champagne bars. This is where you give your guests various mixers to bring out the flavor of champagne. It was brilliant and my bridesmaids even used this as an idea for my bridal shower in May!

This had me thinking of fun champagne cocktails to offer guests on New Years Eve this year. Champagne/Sparkling wine is my favorite holiday cocktail and I drink my fair share of it in the month of December. I was very fortunate that Gloria Ferrer sent me a few bottles of bubbly for holiday entertaining.

Champagne/Sparkling Wine Bar Ideas

Puree's 

Raspberry puree

Peach puree

Strawberry puree

Fresh Fruit

Frozen melon balls

Pomegranate seeds

Strawberry slices

Sliced Peaches

Raspberries

Juices 

Orange Juice

Cranberry Juice

Pomegranate Juice

Raspberry Lemonade (trust me)

Miscellaneous Garnishes 

Hibiscus flowers in syryup

Ginger syrup

We drank Gloria Ferrer Blanc De Noirs on Thanksgiving and it paired excellent with our Turkey and ham dinner. Blanc De Norris is made with 92% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay so it's of  no surprise that this is my favorite go-to sparkling wine. 

Gloria Ferrer has an amazing lineup of sparkling wines perfect for any holiday dinner, brunch or party. 

Blanc De Noirs $22 - Pairs well with crab, Thai cuisine, pork, desserts, cheese

Royal Cuvee $37 - Pairs well with everything!

Sonoma Brut $22 - Pairs well with shellfish, chicken, sushi, cheese

Blanc de Blanc $40 - Pairs well with seafood; oysters, scallops, halibut, lobster

Speaking of holiday's and sparkling wine, I want to share my absolute favorite holiday drink with you......

Champagne Hibiscus Royale

This is my favorite cocktail to serve. It's beautiful, is a conversation starter and is elegant. I first learned about this drink in 2012 at David Burke's Townhouse, NYC (don't judge me on those photos...it's amazing to look back at how awful cell phone photos were back then - which you know we will be saying again in 2 years)! The hibiscus flowers are edible and come in syrup, usually found in specialty food sections. I used Gloria Ferrer 2006 Royal Cuvee to make this cocktail with and it was hands down the hit of the holidays. The great thing about the Royal Cuvee is that it is a versatile and pairs well with everything. Regardless if you are having the feast of seven fishes, a standing rib roast or even turkey for the holiday's, this is the sparkling wine to use.

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CIRQUE NEW YEARS EVE 2015 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

2014 went by like a blur. We have had some amazing memories in 2014, including getting married, followed by an incredible European honeymoon. We have to say goodbye to our best year yet with a bang. Believe it or not, this will be our first New Years Eve in Tampa! We have lived here for 4 years but are always out of town on 12/31. I was super excited to hear about the dual New Years Eve Party at Hard Rock Cafe inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. 

CIRQUE 2015 New Years Eve will take place from 10PM-2AM (there is an option for a 9PM VIP ticket) with Aerial Shows, Vegas Style Showgirls, LED Hula Dancers & a live broadcast from 93.3FLZ!

Then at 2AM, the WEST COAST TOAST After Party will take over and live as they drop the ball in Los Angeles at 3AM! This will be one of the few venues where people can celebrate New Years Eve twice in one night.

There are multiple ticket options in multiple price ranges. All tickets are a 2 for 1 - so you get admission to the East and West Coast parties at one price. If you only want to attend the Westcoast Toast After Party tickets can be bought at the online price of $25.

If you are able to get a group of people together, the VIP table packages are the way to go. You get a private table, early admission at 9PM for the Belvedere open bar, and a variety of drink options based on the level you purchase (all the way up to Dom Perignon!).

CIRQUE NEW YEARS EVE 2015 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK AND CASINO

General Admission Ticket $65
1 Admission at 10pm Entry
1 Admission to the West Coast Toast After Party from 2am to 6am

Rockin Ticket $75
1 Admission at 10pm Entry
2 Belvedere Drink Tickets
1 Admission to the West Coast Toast After Party from 2am to 6am

Gold Ticket $85
1 Admission at 10pm Entry
2 Belvedere Drink Tickets
1 Moet Champagne Flute for Midnight Toast
1 Admission to the West Coast Toast After Party from 2am to 6am

*Premium Ticket $100
Early Entry for the Belvedere Open Bar Party from 9pm to 10pm and all night
2 Belvedere Drink Tickets - good anytime
1 Moet Champagne Flute for Midnight Toast
Meet & Greet (photo opp) with DJ Sarah Robertson former Playboy Bunny at 9:30pm
Complimentary Party Favors (hats & horns) for the first 100 people in line
1 Admission to the West Coast Toast After Party from 2am to 6am

VIP TABLE PACKAGES
Private Table for 4 people $500 Includes:
4 VIP ADMISSIONS & Exclusive Entrance
Admission to Belvedere Open Bar Party from 9pm to 10pm
1 Liter Bottle of Belvedere
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Entertainment
Private table for you & your party
gratuity not included

Private Table for 6 people $750
Includes:
6 VIP ADMISSIONS & Exclusive Entrance
Admission to Belvedere Open Bar Party from 9pm to 10pm
1 bottle of Moet Nectar Rose
1 - 1.75 bottle of Belvedere
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Entertainment
Private table for you & your party
gratuity not included

Private Table for 6 people $1000
Includes:
6 VIP ADMISSIONS & Exclusive Entrance
Admission to Belvedere Open Bar Party from 9pm to 10pm
1 bottle of Dom Perignon
1 – 1.75 bottle of Belvedere
Mixers
Party Favors (hats & horns)
Entertainment
Private table for you & your party
gratuity not included

Rockin' NYE Package $2015
Additionally, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will be offering 10 special hotel packages
Wednesday night accommodations (December 31st) to include pool view accommodations
$300 Council Oak Steaks & Seafood dinner
Unlimited access to PLUM VIP Lounge
Access to NYE party of choice
Two Rhythm and Motion massages
A private cabana on January 1st by the pool to refresh; and a VIP room amenity.
 

Cirque 2015 New Years Eve 9pm to 2am and the Westcoast Toast After Party from 2am to 6am. Table packages are sold as separate for each of those two events. If you would like to keep your table past 2am, you MUST reserve it, call 813-421-2582 for details and all reservations for either event.


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