Talk about a packed house.

This past Saturday, the Metropolitan Opera’s live, high-definition telecast of Bizet’s “Carmen” set a record with 240,000 viewers across 700 screens in North America and 300 in 37 countries in Europe and Latin America. The Met predicts that when all’s tallied (this includes delayed screenings), 320,000 people will have seen the production.

I was there to take in all the splendor.

Now in its fourth season, the award-winning simulcasts – which are open to the general public and play in Boston at the Fenway cinemas and in select theaters throughout Massachusetts – transmit live, as-it-happens opera to audiences around the world. All the glory of catching the real thing is there at a fraction of the cost ($18-22) and with added bonuses of cast interviews, behind-the-scenes peeks and close ups. There is no detail you won’t catch.

This Saturday’s production of Bizet’s 1845 opera (about the sexy gypsy seductress Carmen) starred Elina Garanca and Roberto Alagna. At Fenway it was sold-out, even with audiences split between two theaters. And keep in mind the great weather that day. Armed with deli sandwiches, drinks and programs, audiences of all ages poured into their seats. Good viewing posts were hard to come by, even a half-hour before the show, and people were waiting in the lobby, hoping to be let in off wait lists. Note: buy tickets in advance as many upcoming shows are already sold-out and arrive with ample time to spare.

The scene was typical of an opera crowd – cheering, applauding and the requisite hushing during the solos and emotional bits was the norm. The production, with opera star Renee Fleming as host, was stunning and included subtitles for those not familiar with the plot.

Though the show was roughly three and a half hours long (including one intermission), the time flew by. It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Though nothing compares with live theater or opera, the Met’s beautifully-produced simulcasts allows the viewer to truly take in the small details of the experience that make each production a masterpiece.

Upcoming Met simulcasts include Giuseppe Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” on February 6 conducted by the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s James Levine and starring Placido Domingo; Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet” on March 27; and Gioachino Rossini’s “Armida” on May 1 starring Renee Fleming. All productions start at 1 p.m.

See http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_current.aspx for details.

The jury’s not out on this one – 2010 been’s pretty sweet so far.

Sticking with last year’s resolution, I’ve said yes to a lot of things in this new decade. Here’s a wrap-up of my favorites from the first eight days of the year.

Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo

The new year ushered in something new at my gym – a partnership with hair and skincare line Kiehl’s. Needless to say, I’m absolutely hooked on everything from the body lotion to the conditioner, but my absolute favorite is this light shampoo.

It adds shine without weighing hair down and smells like a coconut that’s just been cracked. Delicious for me and my tresses and, starting at $7, pretty easy on the wallet, too, as far as high-end shampoo goes.

The Beer List at Lord Hobo

I went to this new Cambridge hot spot the first weekend it was open and it was a real seen-and-be-seen affair. I’m talking a line around the corner and friends that couldn’t make it inside. We did manage to have a few terrific cocktails (me, a Toronto) that could have kicked the chill out of any winter evening. But I didn’t really get a feel for the place because of the crowds. On Jan. 1, I went back for a late dinner and, while waiting for my plus-one, I sidled up to the bar for a beer. The beer list made me smile just looking at it. When I ordered a Pretty Things Jack D’Or, the bartender (I wish I had gotten your name, I would have given you a shout out) instead poured me a sample of that and of his favorite saison. I believe he used the term “badass” to describe it.

Now that is service with a smile. And a good beer.

Mad Men Season 1

I finally jumped on the Mad Men bandwagon over the holiday and I am just plain hooked. From the swanky cocktails to the swishy dresses, this is one TV show I will savor until the last episode airs.

Vampire Weekend

This band is just one of the catchiest out there and I’ve been dancing around my apartment listening to their 2008 self-titled, debut album all week in anticipation of two things: 1. the release of their latest album, “Contra” (look for a review in Monday’s Herald), on Tuesday and 2. tickets for their April show in Boston going on sale TODAY. And now I’ll continue to jam out from now until Spring because this afternoon, my fantastic friend scored four second-row center seats to the concert!

“Is your bed made? Is your sweater on? Do you want to? Like you know I dooooo!”

What have your favorite things been in ‘10?

Well 2009, it’s been a party.

Let’s recap: Michael Jackson died, we got a baby Brady. Benedictine and bacon are in, cupcakes should definitely be out by now. Passion Pit went big and Steven Tyler went home (you win some, you lose some, Boston music fans). Shepard Fairey was arrested and we coined a term for a lady who pops out eight kids at once.

So, how to ring in 2010? Well, literally, I will be eating up a storm (home-cooked butternut squash risotto and ribs are on the menu) before party hopping. But I mean more than that – I mean resolutions.

I started making resolutions three years ago. I’d always considered them gimmicky, so I began small. 2007 was the year I stopped wearing a watch. I was always checking it and thought I’d be more relaxed if I didn’t. It was hard at first, and I missed them - especially the leather one I bought to toast myself after my first-ever promotion - but somewhere around March I got more spontaneous and less stressed. Flash forward to 2008 and I set another small-but-in-its-own-way-big goal: say yes. When invitations came, I said yes. When foods I’d never tried appeared on menus, I said yes. When opportunity knocked, I said yes. I ate wild boar and went to Foxwoods. I went to concerts for bands I’d never listened to (Girls) and bands I’d never seen in their heyday (Counting Crows and Bare Naked Ladies - ?!). I went on my first blind date and had an op-ed published in the Washington Post.

It was a good year.

So here comes 2010 in just a few short hours. What to set as my New Year intention? Sure, I could stand to eat a little healthier (but seriously, when is this steady stream of office cookies gonna end?). I could reign in my spending habits, but in this economy, pampering myself with a mid-week cocktail, a good face cream or a double-header at the movies just feels right sometimes. So this year, my resolution is to be more compassionate – starting with myself. I’ll ease up with the nitpicking, maybe lower my standards a little bit (just a little bit) and remember that all of us – me included – screw up sometimes. Even if it takes leaving myself post-it reminders (like on the steering wheel: “Be compassionate to that royal asshat who just cut me off”), I resolve to be a more understanding me in the New Year.

And also to use more hand cream because these New England winters can really rough up a girl’s skin.

What’s your resolution?

This is a lady’s blog for the ladies, so when one of my lady colleagues volunteered to write a guest post on all the beer she’d been sampling around town lately, I was only too happy to introduce you to her. Ladies, welcome Jennifer Roes.

OK, ma’am, here’s your beer. That will be $150.

No, this isn’t the year 2999, and you haven’t driven your hovercraft to the store to pick up some $75 milk and $50 bread. You just bought a bottle of Sam Adams Utopias.

To be fair, calling it “beer” is something of a misnomer. What beer boasts an alcohol-by-volume content of 27 percent? None that I know of. And the $150 bottle is also not your typical single-serving bottle. Speaking of the bottle, that’s actually one of the coolest things about Utopias. It comes in a miniature replica brew kettle, all shiny ceramic and copper. It even has a little window you slide open to reveal an old-style drawing of - who else? - Sam Adams.

Of course you’re thinking, but how does it taste?

Well, as I said before, calling this a beer is a misnomer. It’s more in line with a liqueur such as cognac or port. In fact, the glass specially designed by the company for drinking this high-octane beverage is none other than a
snifter. I think it’s safe to say Utopia’s is an acquired taste. It reminds me of a sweeter version of grappa, the classic Italian after-dinner drink. You pour a bit in a glass (a very little bit if you’re a lightweight like me) and sip it
slowly. I know it’s in a tiny glass, but don’t shoot it. Likewise, don’t take big gulps like you would with a normal beer. It’s made by a beer company, it’s even called a beer, but drink it like a liqueur because that’s what it really is.

The label accompanying the bottle mentions its “spicy note” and “earthy taste.” True. It also touts its  ”cinnamon, vanilla and maple notes.” Also true. Especially the maple. There is a distinctly sweet, not unpleasant aftertaste. I wouldn’t drink it all the time, but it’s perfect for something different once in awhile.

Even if it turns out you don’t like the taste, this drink is a conversation piece. Only 53 barrels’ worth (about 10,000 bottles) were released. We’ve already established that it’s pricey. Oh, and it’s a wee bit verboten — it’s
banned in 13 states, including New Hampshire and Vermont — for its too-high-for-beer alcohol content. Expensive, exclusive and forbidden: Who doesn’t love that?

On to more accessible beer-related exploits.

Let’s say you don’t happen to have an extra $150 in your beer budget. Do you have $5? Or even $2? Heck, if you’re free on weekdays, you don’t need a cent. Just head on down to the local breweries.

At Sam Adams, your $2 suggested donation (which goes to charity) gets you a tour, a tasting glass and three samples. To keep the party going after your tour, hop the free shuttle over to Doyle’s, a JP institution where you can order a pint of Sam, show your tour ticket and keep your Sam Adams lager glass. Let’s see, $8 for an empty glass in the gift shop or $5 for a full one at Doyle’s? Hmmm. That’s the kind of math I like. The coolest thing about the Sam Adams brewery tour is that one could get to try a beer that you can’t find anywhere else, since the Boston brewery is all about experimenting with different styles and ingredients.

At the Harpoon Brewery, your five bucks gets you a tour, a tasting glass and as much beer as you can drink in your allotted half-hour at the brewery bar after your tour. I know a half-hour doesn’t sound like much, but believe me, with a good 10 beers to choose from, it’s not hard to put away a considerable amount of brew. Part of that $5 goes to charity; go during the week for a tasting and it’s free. During the tour, you’ll pick up some cool facts to
impress your friends with the next time you’re kicking back with a pint of Harpoon. For instance, the brewery churns out 14 batches a week; one batch is 240 kegs, or 42,648 bottles, so you’re talking more than 500,000 bottles a week. Nice. Also, the warehouse holds 25,000-40,000 cases. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but to put it in perspective, that’s only 0.25% of the beer consumed daily in the U.S. Thirsty Americans would take only 3.6 seconds to empty the warehouse.

More info:

Sam Adams Utopias, suggested retail price $150, is available at all Kappy’s locations, Blanchard’s & Busa locations, Curtis Liquors, Redstone Liquors, McDonoughs Liquors and Supreme Liquors

Sam Adams Brewery, 30 Germania St., Jamaica Plain. Tours are offered every day except Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays until 5:30 p.m. Call 617-368-5080.

Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave. Boston; free parking. Tours are offered every half-hour on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and every hour on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Check holiday hours and get more information at www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm/page/TastingsTours/pid/28488

Earlier this week I gave you some ideas of gifts to give that won’t set you back more than $25. You can thank me by printing out copies of my wish list and sending it to any and all interested parties – my parents, my friends, my boss (one can hope). My friends and I haven’t exchanged gifts for years (honestly, we’d rather go out for a cocktail together). My mom gives me socks (I do have the warmest toes this side of the Charles and could not be happier about it). My boss just made me a pretty rockin’ Christmas mix. So I’m banking on a Christmas Miracle (and I’m Jewish, so the chances are slim).

Cooking Classes

I’ve always wanted to drop everything and head to cooking school in Italy or France. A distant second choice would be enrolling in one of the many cooking classes here in Boston. But with a tight budget and a busy schedule, this hasn’t happened yet either. So when I caught word that chef Dante de Magistris of dante and Il Casale fame (his fresh pasta could make a grown man cry) was offering seasonal, affordable cooking classes, I couldn’t resist putting this on my list. On Saturday, January 16, he’s offering a homemade pasta class ($45) and on Feb. 6, mixologist Dennis Cargill will give tips on hosting a retro cocktail party ($25). I might be swooning.

Shashi Bracelet

My motto is, if I can’t justify giving it to myself, give it to someone else. These fantastic bracelets from First Date Boutique (thanks to Marlo and the gals for the heads up on this one) won’t be gracing my wrists this season (sigh), but my youngest cousin’s getting one (I hope she doesn’t read this, sorry Hil) A double-row crystal embedded in nude? A girl can only dream…

“Sleep No More”

Boston’s got a lot of great theatre, and I’ve seen my fair share of it this year. But I somehow keep missing the A.R.T.’s “Sleep No More.” It comes up at every holiday party I go to, is being raved about by our theatre critics, and yet I just haven’t gotten my act together to go. If only Santa supported the arts.

World Peace

‘Nuff said.

What are you wishing for this holiday season?

Over here at the Herald, we are absolutely bogged down in holiday-themed stories and reviews of seasonal shows. We’ve tested out countless recipes for holiday cookies and are up to our ears in holiday gift guides. But I’m not complaining! The upside to all this is that I know exactly what to give everyone on my list from Dad to boss and foodie to frugal fashionista.

Here’s some of what I’m loving this season. And note – not one item will run you more than $25:

Martini & Rossi Merry Minis

The key to being the perfect holiday party guest is bringing the best holiday drinks. This season, be an angel and give your hostess a four-pack (or two) of mini bubbly from Martini & Rossi.

Available in either crisp prosecco or sweet rose, they’re sexier than the traditional bottle of wine. And at $14.99, they’ll please your wallet, too.

H&H Bagels

For the carb-loving foodie in your life - or the displaced New Yorker - world-famous H&H Bagels ships ’em overnight. From plain to poppy to sourdough, these babies cost $14.40 a dozen (minimum order). Want the whole shebang? H&H will deliver the Taste of New York Package - two dozen bagels, two coffee mugs, two packs of smoked salmon and a tub of cream cheese for $56. Sure it’s impractical, but it’s also delicious. Call 800-NYBAGELS.

Ice Cream Cone Dishes

Here’s something sweet for your sweet: eco-friendly and dishwasher-safe porcelain ice cream cone holders. Hand-designed by artist Virginia Sin, each dessert dish is one of a kind. Available for $18 each, nab a few at passionatelycurious.net.

Demeter Fragrances

We’ve long loved from afar the fun, fresh scents (think Tiramisu, Poison Ivy, Martini) by Demeter.

Now, these perfect-sized perfumes are in budget reach! Amazon.com’s got them for $10 a bottle (they retail for $20 at shops such as Sephora), so stuff one in the stocking of every gal on your list.

bagladies Bags

These fun and functional bags from Aussie company bagladies are fashionable, eco-friendly and so very reasonably priced. We love the chic “Louis Who?” bag ($29.95), made from pure organic cotton.

It’s big enough to stash everything your mom, sister or gf may need for the gym and has a little zippered pocket perfect for keys, iPod, phone and lipstick. Basic totes start at $4.95 (though we’d recommend shelling out three bucks more for the pink, reusable “this is prolly my most fabulous handbag” handbag) at bagladies.com.au.

Plastic Beer Pong Cups

Pamper your loved ones’ inner college kid with this set of four red, dishwasher-safe plastic cups. Because who doesn’t want to relive their beer pong days - in style? $13.95 at vat19.com/dvds/reusable-plastic-cups.cfm.

There is just so much right with the holiday season.

From gift giving and mistletoe to beautifully flickering menorahs and twinkling Christmas trees in the windows, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. And last night I went to the event that is truly the frosting on the holiday season cake: the cookie swap.

Growing up, my best friend’s mother once a year would kick all the kids out of the house, deck her halls in tinsel and holly and whip up batches and batches of cookies. She’d invite her girlfriends over and they’d trade recipes, stories and plenty of cocktails. My friend and I would sneak downstairs in our pajamas for overheard gossip and crumbs.

This year, a friend and coworker decided to host a cookie swap of her own and it was just as delicious and decadent as the ones of my memories.

Because I want pumpkin season to last as long as possible (and because I’d been dying to try out this recipe from two of my favorite blog gals) I set out to bake pumpkin snickerdoodles. It seemed extra fitting since, as soon as that childhood friend and I were old enough to bake cookies on our own, we always made snickerdoodles.

After an afternoon of baking on a cold, wet Sunday, my apartment smelled just like all apartments should this time of year -sweet, spicy and warm.

I packed up my sweets, bundled up and drove over to my friend’s South End apartment, which she’d made festive with chilled bottles of Champagne and Prosecco, brie cheese drizzled with balsamic truffle oil and other goodies.

One by one, the ladies (and one well-behaved gentleman) came by with their cookies – vanilla cake-y ones with grapefruit frosting, peanut butter and jam thumbprints, brownie peppermint cookies, an irresistible white chocolate candy bark, bourbon balls and more.

While the best part of the evening was chatting while sampling the goods, coming home with a Tupperware container full of seasonal sweets was a close second. And this time of year, simply having an excuse for a relatively-easy-to-host party filled with food, friends and good cheer is worth it.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, courtesy of WeAreNotMartha.com (makes about two dozen):

Cream together 1/2 cup (one stick) of butter, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.

Beat one egg into the mixture.

Sift together two cups of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt,  1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ones in two separate batches, until completely combined.

Cover and refrigerate for one hour. In the meantime, heat oven to 400.

Mix one tablespoon of granulated sugar and one tablespoon of cinnamon together on a plate. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls, roll around in sugar/cinnamon mixture and place on non-greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes.

I think a good drink is the best way to mark many seasons.

In summer, I go for a cold gin and tonic. In spring, serve me a mint julep (but only if it’s as good as the ones they serve at Drink ’round Derby Day). In fall, I cozy up to a mug of hot apple cider.

Come to think of it, I mark more than just the seasons with drink. Morning is not morning without my cup of coffee. Nothing says evening quite like chamomile tea with a dollop of honey. Family dinner back at my parents’ house doesn’t taste the same without a cold bottle of white Two Buck Chuck (though we do mark the finer occasions with the good stuff, it’s the familiar taste of Trader Joe’s vino that I get homesick for).

Now that it’s nearing wintertime, I’m ready to transition to hot chocolate. In preparation, I’ve been making the rounds and surveying the scene so that when the season’s in full swing, I’ll know where to find the perfect cup of cocoa. Next week, the paper will feature my run down, but for now, here’s a primer.

For the working gal: The Herald offices are on the edge of the South End. When the chocolate craving hits, I walk down to Aroa Fine Chocolates on Washington Street. Chocolate is an art here and the hot chocolate (shaved chocolate bits in flavors from white to midnight) is no exception. Opt to snuggle in with a pot of it.

The weekend shift: Obviously L.A. Burdick’s is the surest bet when I’m home, in Cambridge. The Harvard Square chocolatery is known for its steaming rich hot chocolate so thick it borders on chocolate soup. Made from a signature blend of shaved hot chocolate bits, this is a cup not to miss.

Naughty, not nice: The Langham Hotel in Boston hosts a weekly chocolate bar on Saturdays. This is not for the faint of heart. The brunch ($38 for adults, $25 for children) boasts over 75 sinfully chocolatey dishes. Breaking with hot chocolate tradition, opt for a chocolate martini.

Available in dark chocolate, vanilla mocha, or white chocolate, they’re $8 each, or for a flight of all three.

For the home cook: There are many places around (and online) to get a haute set to mix your own hot chocolate at home. Case in point, the new Hotel Chocolat. At the moment the store is stocked with Winter Chocolate, a dark chocolate mix with orange and chili and a caramel kiss mix. Both are limited edition.

What are your go-to spots in the Hub for a pick me up?

Thanksgiving and I have a love/hate relationship.

I have the warmest memories of long holiday dinners spent around the table at my great aunt and uncle’s house in Rhode Island. There were two kinds of stuffing then, golden turkeys and more pies than anyone could ever dream of eating. At the end of the night, after belts were loosened and dishes cleared, my parents would bundle me into the backseat of the car and we’d drive to my dad’s brother’s in Westchester, New York, arriving late, after everyone else was asleep. We would head into the city that weekend for frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity, long walks in Central Park and Broadway matinees. We’d crowd around the fireplace at night, feasting on leftovers.

But then the great aunt and uncle moved to Florida. The kids - me included - got busy with homework, headed off to college, or made other plans with boyfriends and girlfriends and our lovely Thanksgiving tradition slowly stopped. That’s where the hate part of the relationship began. Without the holiday cheer, there was no reason for me to continue hiding my Thanksgiving secret: I hate turkey. Dry and bland, it’s the tofu of meat – except that I like tofu. I think stuffing is weird. And I don’t like mashed potatoes all that much (sweet potatoes are another story entirely). Call me crazy, fine, just don’t expect me to clear my plate.

Last year, Thanksgiving got a much-needed boost with the help of two things: a new tradition and a sparkling, homemade cranberry sauce recipe.

The plan was this: head to New York City for my first-ever Friendsthanksgiving hosted by a college pal with a knack for hostessing, keeping the wine flowing and Lebanese mezzes that filled me up so there was no need for turkey (though she had that, too). Since I was coming in from out of town and traveling on a packed-to-the-brim train, there was no way I could pre-cook and bring a traditional holiday dish to share. I did some searching and found a recipe for a homemade pear and fresh ginger cranberry sauce that would be easy to make in someone else’s kitchen, the day of the festivities. Simply step out on Thanksgiving morning for last-minute shopping and take over one burner during a slow moment in the frenzied kitchen (while the hostess showers, perhaps?). The recipe, from a 1999 issue of Cook’s Illustrated, makes a little over two cups of sauce and leftovers keep nicely for the rest of the week.

It was so good – and easy to make – that I’m not reinventing the wheel in any way this year. Thursday morning is reserved for making cranberry sauce. Pair that with a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates, and it’s a hostess gift worthy of a truly splendid holiday.

Note: the cooking time in this recipe is intended for fresh berries. If you use frozen cranberries, do not defrost before use. Simply pick through them and add about two minutes before simmering.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 (12-ounce) bag cranberries , picked through
2 medium firm, ripe pears , peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

Bring water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and salt to boil in medium nonreactive saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Stir in cranberries and pears; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until saucy, slightly thickened, and about two-thirds of berries have popped open, about 5 minutes. Transfer to nonreactive bowl, cool to room temperature, and serve. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

After one week of coughing, sniffling, aching and napping, I’m back at work.

It’s true – last week, I had the flu. The season is in full swing and flu fear is gripping the whole country (not to mention here at the office where hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed around every corner). Here are some tips to surviving the flu in grace, style and with only a slightly-red nose the week after.

Airborne

I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect or what, but I swear by this stuff. Start taking at first sign of cold, flu-like symptoms, or hangover (true story). Take three times a day, every three hours, for three days. Best flavor: pink grapefruit. Where to buy: any drugstore. Insider tip: I find that the generics from Trader Joe’s and CVS (they come in buy-one-get-one-free varieties there) work just as well and save a few bucks.

Glee

About the only thing I had the energy to do while sick was power up my computer and navigate to Hulu.com. I caught up on a bunch of shows last week, but the standout was Glee, the Wednesday night Fox musical drama about a high school Glee club. New crush of the moment? Totally Matthew Morrison, the show’s adorable Spanish teacher-turned-Glee club director.

Michelle Obama on the cover of Glamour

On one of my few trips out of the apartment, I bundled up and made my way to CVS to pick up prescriptions and cough drops. At the counter, I caught a glimpse of the much-buzzed-about new Glamour, which features a stunning Mrs. O in her own red dress on the cover.

The Woman of the Year issue gave page space to many celebs, but it was Michelle – looking stunning and full of practical and inspiring words of wisdom – in a lengthy interview with new mag columnist Katie Couric who took the cake.

Pho from Pho n’ Rice, Somerville

When you have the flu, you don’t feel like cooking and you certainly don’t feel like grocery shopping. But there were two things I did feel like – soup and takeout. This Somerville Thai and Vietnamese restaurant got me a spicy, sweet and fresh delivery of Tom Yum pho in about ten minutes (and I live in Cambridge!). For $2 extra, they added some veggies to the rice noodle, chicken and shrimp soup. I considered it an added vitamin boost. Perfectly seasoned with enough kick to clear up my congestion, this pho was delightful, plus I barely had to leave the couch.

Celestial Seasoning’s Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea

I’m pretty sure I drank more tea last week than I ever have in my life. The one piece of advice I got time and again (from my mom, my former college roommate, my hunky ex-coworker) was hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. This tea is calming with a hint of vanilla. Add a dollop of honey to ward off sore throats.

Clinique Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace

When all else fails – or when it’s time to go back to work - put on some lipstick and go face the world. You may still feel like crap, but at least you’ll look slightly stylish while coughing.