The other day, DH and I both had an afternoon off. For the first time in – wow, I’m embarrassed to admit how long – we unplugged. We turned off both of our phones, shut down our computers. We didn’t even turn on the t.v.

Instead, we weren for a walk and took pictures. We listened to music. We talked about the important and the mundane. We laughed. We cooked dinner together and ate by candlelight.

To be fair, none of those things are rare in my household. But this particular afternoon and evening, we did all these things without being interrupted or distracted. No bleeps, no bloops, no rings. Just us. We disconnected in order to reconnect. And it worked. I highly recommend it.

Remember the post about the book? The one we leave each other on the coffeemaker the rare days we’re not up together? I realized I have left something out of that post: the coffee part. It’s such a small thing, but it can mean so much. In the evenings, after DH has gone to bed, I will set up the coffeemaker for him. All he has to do is stumble out, still half asleep, and turn the thing on. Later in the morning, before he leaves, he will prep the coffeemaker for me. All I have to do is stumble out, still half asleep, and turn the thing on. And there is coffee. Sweet, sweet coffee.

You can do the same thing with tea, if you prefer. Set out a cup, prepare the tea if you’re using loose leaf or just get down the box if you’re using bags, and grab a spoon out of the drawer. Put it all next to the kettle. No, it’s not a huge gesture, but that’s the whole point.

It’s a little way of saying “I love you” and “I’m thinking of you” and “I want you to have a nice day” all without actually saying a word.

We’re home right now. Arrived Friday night. And yesterday morning ~ our first morning home ~ DH got up, braved the tourists of the French Quarter, and bought croissants from my favorite bakery. All while I was still lounging in bed.

Not everyone has a bakery just around the corner, I get this. But most of us have a grocery store ~ or a muffin shop or a donut shop or something to that effect ~ relatively close by. And most of us have a favorite pastry (it’s okay to admit it). Which are really the same components that made up my breakfast in bed yesterday.

Breakfast in bed is a classic romantic touch. Breakfast in bed that’s a little more than just a bowl of cereal…that’s really, really nice. But if you, or your sweetie, take the bowl of cereal route or the fresh pastry from the place around the corner route, so long as it’s accompanied by the kisses, it’s a lovely, romantic way to start a day.

Which is where The Book comes in.

The Book is a handmade, leather journal DH picked up while he was in Spain – which is pretty damn romantic in and of itself, I admit. But before The Book was fancy and inherently romantic, it was just a spiral notebook like we used to carry in school. It can be anything – but I digress.

The Book. The Book lives on the coffee maker. DH goes to bed first, because he has to get up first. Before I go to bed, I leave a note in The Book. It doesn’t have to be erudite or impressive. I tell him about the work I got done after he went to bed; I wish him well during the day; I remind him how much I love him. Some days, it’s mushy; some days, it’s a reminder to pick up milk. Then I put it back on the coffee maker.

Several hours later, when I get back up, I stumble to the kitchen, pour my own coffee, and settle in with my note in The Book. Because before he leaves, DH writes me back. I learn how he expects his day to go, how his morning was. Sometimes, it’s mushy; sometimes it’s a reminder to pick up milk. Sometimes, if I’m really lucky, there will be a doodle from my very artistic partner.

The point is, regardless of the specifics that go in The Book, we both get the sleep we need for the schedules we have and we get to spend our mornings together. connected all day. Thanks to The Book.

And isn’t that really the point of romance? To stay connected to your sweetie? Buy a notebook or a journal or a flip pad. Have The Book – and stay connected, even when you’re not together.

There are two ways of making a dinner a random act of romance. Whichever way you choose, make sure it’s a random night. This isn’t about birthdays or celebrating promotions. Those dinners, while special, are not what we’re talking about.

First, when I’ve been particularly busy, when I’m stressed over a book, or have characters that won’t do what I want them to do, I’m always surprised and pleased when I realize the smell coming from the kitchen is a rack of lamb. DH can’t write my book, can’t make editors like my stories, can’t make characters do what they’re supposed to do, or take over copyedit duty for me. He can, and he does, keep me nourished. Not just with any food that would do the job. Not with his favorite meals. But with mine.

The second option is actually the flip side of the first one. Eventually, my characters settle down and my books get written. Or I throw up my hands and take a break. Somehow or other, I come up for air. That first night, as much as I might like to order pizza, or indulge in rack of lamb, I know it makes DH feel loved and appreciated if a pair of Cornish game hen make it into the oven.

Suddenly, it doesn’t matter that lamb isn’t his favorite and game hen isn’t mine. We’re together. The other feels loved and appreciated. And dinner is delicious. Amazing how the cook can feel as happy as the diner.

So how does this work now? On the 1st and 15th of every month, check here for real life ideas and suggestions of ways to connect or reconnect with your sweetie. Little ways to make your life more romantic and remind your partner, spouse, significant other that you treasure them and your relationship. Because we all believe in romance, or we wouldn’t be here. Let’s celebrate it, in the little moments, as well as in the big ones.

Since we’re off to a late start this month, I’ll give you an extra:

I am trying out a new way of working with these new books I’ve started. This time, I’m taking my notes and outlines and tacking them up on a wall, where I can study them and organize them easier than if they are static in my notebook. The other day, I went to start this process ~ and found a love note from my husband, stuck in the midst of all this chaos. He had no idea when I would find it. It didn’t matter. It was very simple, just reminding me how much he loves me and how proud he is to be my partner. But this simple thing ~ this random act of romance ~ absolutely made my day. Probably my week. And I definitely feel loved, which is the whole point, isn’t it? Yeah, I think so, too.

If you’ve been over to my news site at all in the last month, you’re aware of the fact that I love music. Music is a must in my champagne life. Downloads, youtube, pandora and rhapsody all make music possible for pennies. My cable package on the television even offers music channels. Whatever you want from classical to current, you can find somewhere for cheap if not for free. And we like free!

E-readers, MP3 players, even our cell phones give us the means to have whatever our pleasure is right in the palm of our hands. An entire library for the cost of a dozen books – and all tucked into a purse. All our favorite songs without any from the B-side wherever we have our computer or touchpad. Old movies and last week’s episode of the show we missed as close as our pockets and viewed on our schedule.

Now, because this blog is about making the moments special, not just mass consumption, I will also remind you that just because we can experience all this and more at a moment’s notice, doesn’t mean you can’t make it special. A few days ago, DH and I wanted to catch a miniseries that we’d missed. Instead of just flopping down on the couch at the end of a day, we made popcorn and lit candles. I changed into my favorite lounging pajamas (because surely by now you have favorite lounging pajamas, don’t you?). He poured himself a glass of brandy. We turned off our phones, snuggled up, and made an event of … watching a miniseries on Netflix. It was a delightful experience, as well as a pretty good miniseries. And it’s as easy as that to find champagne moments.

Enjoy ~

Pauline

So, I’m going to direct you to the news page. Suggest you listen and enjoy.

There will be more on technology, movies and music after Christmas. For now…make merry. That’s the epitome of a champagne life, afterall.

Happy Holidays!

Pauline

I love this corner. It’s my Champagne Life, right here. And what’s better than that?

Enjoy ~

Pauline

That’s the joy of the little touches: they can make ordinary, extraordinary. Hopefully, you have furniture you love and enjoy seeing, sitting on, being surrounded by. That’s the goal. But if you don’t (and even if you do), a pillow or throw can be your best friend. Not many of us can afford new furniture. Accent pieces, though, that’s a different thing. I have seen a scattering of pillows and a wonderful blanket transform a room from sterile and unwelcoming to lush and inviting.

And while “there’s always a sale” seems to be the unofficial motto of Champagne Life on a Beer Budget, it’s even more true this time of year. Over the next month or two, you are going to be bombarded with stores offering great deals on home decor for you and for gift giving. Take advantage of it! Or better yet, wait until after Christmas and shop then.

Have a plan. Regardless of what your furniture looks like, make your statement with your accents. Satin, cotton, velvet, denim ~ it’s all available and it’s all fair game, so long as it makes you happy. Know where you want to add a splash of color or flair and look for the piece that works there. As with clothing, just because it’s available, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. You might make a very different purchase for your bedroom than you would for your living room. Look for out of season styles, as well, for even better sales.

The other great thing is you can change accent pieces out seasonally. Maybe your pillows will be floral cotton in summer and burgandy velvet in winter. Okay. Whatever works for you and your Champagne Life. Because changing out your throws and pillows is a lot less expensive than changing out your furniture!

Enjoy ~

Pauline