I was not even going to write anything about Valentine’s Day in this month’s column. I had a self-righteous “dare to dream” diatribe all worked out in my head. You know, something like, “This is where the rubber meets the road, friends.” Whoever “they” are, “they” cautioned us the entire last week of December that most of us would fail at whatever New Year’s Eve declarations of intent we made. Here we are over a month into the New Year, and Fat Tuesday is sitting there like a huge dead-end to whatever “new me” or “new you” we were determined to become in 2016.
Chantilly Castle brings to my mind images of lace and thick whipped cream. A gorgeous castle complex on the outskirts of Paris, it’s a Beauty and the Beast kind of castle, with stables filled with thoroughbred horses, tiny little ponies and a myriad of sad looking donkeys. But don’t worry; even amongst the luxury, splendor and rich history of a European castle – I still kept my eyes peeled for whipped cream.
Pink hearts, bouquets of red roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and words of love. What’s not to like about Valentine’s Day – a day for love and romance, and candle-lit dinners for two? It makes me think about some of my favorite (and not-so favorite) love stories that I’ve read or watched at the movies or on TV.
If you’re not frustrated with the markets by now, you must be taking better medication than I am (ha ha). Bloomberg TV, one of the largest investment reporting firms in the world, described 2015 as “the year that nothing worked.” The point? All types of money-making strategies – active strategies, passive strategies, alternative strategies – struggled to work in 2015. All seemed to post negative returns in a year that the markets ended fairly flat. Asset allocation funds, which focus on having a very well diversified portfolio, had the worst year for returns vs. their index since 1937 (Bloomberg.com).
Need something to do on Valentine’s Day weekend with your wife, husband, partner, date, parent, close buddy or miscellaneous Significant Other? Hollywood hopes you’ll celebrate by going to the movies, although some V-Day weekends are more consumer-friendly than others.
Whether you loathe or embrace Valentine’s Day, it’s hard to deny the love in the air during this season. Just as important as choosing the right gift for your love is picking the perfect look for the “Date Night of All Date Nights.” While there are plenty of opportunities during the year to express your style casually, I suggest pulling out all the stops for your special night on the town.
I’m not sure how your year went, but I know that mine seemed to go by faster than usual. I hope that you and the ones you love enjoyed a successful year – not only personally and professionally, but financially, as well.
I’m glad that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over and life has returned to a normal pace. I have always loved the New Year – an opportunity for a fresh slate, to regroup and start over.
“I really think you should sign up for these courses, continue on with this. You are such a great student,” said the college advisor to the soon-to-graduate student seated across the desk from her.
Some of the best pasta I have ever eaten was not prepared in Italy, (though I’ve had my share of life-altering meals there); but instead, in Budapest. I had thought that Budapest fare was all goulash and paprika and sweet Tokay wine. But, I was to find that my pre-conceived notions of Hungary were dead wrong.
The Chinese Lunar Year is centuries old and gained significance because of several myths and traditions. Monday, February 8 is the date of Chinese New Year 2016: The Year of the Monkey.
