Urban Upscale

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Happy New Year from the folks at Urban Upscale! May 2021 be a return to "The Good Life" for all of us!

21st Century drinking.

2020 Holiday Gifts #13 HydraPeak 32 oz Stainless Steel Bottle Yetis, Hydro Flasks and HydraPeaks have changed how we drink. Imagine filling up a bottle with orange juice and ice one night before bed. You wake the next da…

Family Game Night In our house, we've probably played more board games and video games as a family than we have since our kids were pre-teens. After the first couple of months of quarantine, we were so over Monopoly, Yahtzee and Scrabble. It was time to get creative. Here are a couple of good options to keep the fun flowing--with minimal directions to read....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/12/03/2020-holiday-gifts-12/

2020 Holiday Gifts #12 Family Game Night In our house, we’ve probably played more board games and video games as a family than we have since our kids were pre-teens. After the first couple of months of quarantine, …

Portable Battery Charger Here's a gift that really shows you care. If you have a college student living away from home, a senior parent who's still driving or a friend with a long work commute, this portable battery charger can really come in handy. At less than 2 pounds and not quite 8 inches in length, this battery charger can be easily stored and always on hand to charge a dead battery in cars, trucks, boats and all other vehicles....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/12/02/2020-holiday-gifts-11/

2020 Holiday Gifts #11 Portable Battery Charger Here’s a gift that really shows you care. If you have a college student living away from home, a senior parent who’s still driving or a friend with a long work …

Aromatherapy Diffuser & Humidifier As winter approaches we're returning to the season of dry household heat. Here's a gift idea that's both functional and beautiful. This aromatherapy diffuser is also a humidifier, allowing you to add a bit of humidity to your environment in a variety of scents. It's controlled electronically, compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice-controlled access. Using an app on your phone you can control the color of the LED lighting, on/off timer settings and more....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/12/01/2020-holiday-gifts-10/

2020 Holiday Gifts #10 Aromatherapy Diffuser & Humidifier As winter approaches we’re returning to the season of dry household heat. Here’s a gift idea that’s both functional and beautiful. This arom…

Keurig Coffee Maker I've been in love with Keurig coffee makers for years. Quick and convenient, my Keurig allows me to have a cup of hazelnut vanilla coffee while offering my guests a range of other flavored (or non-flavored) brews. The manufacturers of the K-cup pods is virtually endless, so there's a wide range of coffees to suit any coffee-lover's palate....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/30/2020-holiday-gifts-9/

2020 Holiday Gifts #9 Keurig coffee makers can be a great holiday gift.

Air Fryer (and more!) We'd been hearing about air fryers for months before we decided to take a chance. After all, frying with air surely couldn't result in tasty, crispy, delicious food. So we were totally wrong about that. Air fryers are easy to use and because there's virtually no oil the food is much healthier. My favorite is the "grilled" shrimp my husband makes, but that's just one example....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/29/2020-holiday-gifts-8/

2020 Holiday Gifts #8 Air fryers make a perfect gift, and this one does more than most.

Cozy Weighted Blanket If you’ve never been under a weighted blanket, you’re definitely missing a treat. Imagine being embraced in a warm hug by the softest possible fabric. The gentle pressure of the blanket’s weight (from glass beads inside the blanket) is the perfect start to any nap or good night’s sleep. This blanket makes a great gift. In fact, each of our teen daughters have one and they love them....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/28/2020-holiday-gifts-7/

2020 Holiday Gifts #7 Cozy Weighted Blanket If you’ve never been under a weighted blanket, you’re definitely missing a treat. Imagine being embraced in a warm hug by the softest possible fabric. The gentle pressure of t…

Yesterday was Thanksgiving 2020. As I empty the dishwasher that’s still filled with serving ware from our family’s Thanksgiving dinner, I reflect on this very different holiday and how we’re adjusting to these socially distanced holidays. Our Thanksgiving meal wasn’t very different than in previous years. Turkey, ham, dressing, macaroni and cheese, roasted potatoes, greens, rolls. And of course, cranberry sauce....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/27/still-thankful-after-all-these-months/

Still thankful after all these months 2020 has been a year of challenges, but we can all still find much to be grateful for.

According to Amazon, this is the #1 gift this year! Of course we had to suggest it!

This is how Urban Upscale does "Black" Friday.

Click below to make someone really happy this year!

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas: #6 Click here to get the gift of the year!

During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. And although the latest news regarding coronavirus vaccines seems to offer a light at the end of the tunnel, those of us who are appropriately cautious are still planning to take precautions during the upcoming holiday season....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/26/2020-holiday-gift-ideas-5/

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas: #5 This turntable is a great holiday gift idea.

From your friends at Urban Upscale, LLC -

Have a safe and happy holiday!

During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. And although the latest news regarding coronavirus vaccines seems to offer a light at the end of the tunnel, those of us who are appropriately cautious are still planning to take precautions during the upcoming holiday season....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/25/2020-holiday-gift-ideas-4/

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas: #4 During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. …

During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. And although the latest news regarding coronavirus vaccines seems to offer a light at the end of the tunnel, those of us who are appropriately cautious are still planning to take precautions during the upcoming holiday season....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/24/2020-holiday-gift-ideas-3/

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas: #3 White noise machines are a great holiday gift idea for women, men or teens.

When you are ready to step your audio game up from Beats and Bose and want to look great while doing it but still don't want to spend over $200...

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas: #2 During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. …

During 2020 each of us learned how to do more from home. From ordering dinner online to video calls with family across the country, we’re maximizing technology to maintain a semblance of normalcy. And although the latest news regarding coronavirus vaccines seems to offer a light at the end of the tunnel, those of us who are appropriately cautious are still planning to take precautions during the upcoming holiday season....

https://urban-upscale.com/2020/11/22/2020-holiday-gift-ideas/

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas Don't let 2020 limit your gift giving. Check out these memorable holiday gift ideas to show how much you care.

When...
A. You don't feel like experimenting.
B. You trust the taste.
C. 80 proof just will not do.

Ahhh… Leaves are changing colors. Kids of all ages are preparing to wear masks that have nothing to do with any virus. Sweaters and fire logs are being purchased and frozen margaritas have given way to hot toddies and other belly warming drinks...

Urban Upscale’s Top 5 Fall Drinks with NO Pumpkin Spice Top Five Fall Cocktails

Keep it light. Stay away from politics. Entertain and/or inform. These are basic tenets here at Urban Upscale so I will do my level best to adhere to them. We seek to entertain and inform. There are a ton of websites and a plethora of pundits out there taking political jabs at the other side. That is not our space. [ 1,006 more word ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/09/18/beaches-kittens-and-an-election/

Beaches, Kittens and an Election Keep it light. Stay away from politics. Entertain and/or inform. These are basic tenets here at Urban Upscale so I will do my level best to adhere to them. We seek to entertain and inform. There ar…

Some cities have a rep. Good or bad, misguided or well deserved, there are some towns you feel you already know--even before your first visit. For most people, this is the case with Detroit. If you’re not from this American city, you can easily make assumptions based on the media and opinions of friends. Your Detroit knowledge most likely includes Motown and the historic music that originated from a small studio on West Grand Boulevard called… [ 314 more words ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/09/13/beautiful-detroit-a-photo-essay/

Beautiful Detroit: A photo essay Photos and information about Detroit, MI, especially useful for tourists and travellers.

Okay, we don't typically shout out products, but we have these cameras and LOVE them. Whether you're watching for package deliveries, guests approaching your door, or teens giving you the slip (hello??), this camera is wireless, affordable and essential. We see all, from anywhere. Pretty sweet.

https://amzn.to/2DWPOGx

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Enjoy these "Mood Makers"!

Urban Upscale Top 25 (Jazz) Music is an irreplaceable part of the human experience. Not to be overly simplistic but everyone loves music. Right? It is a simple as the objective is in baseball….Hit the ball! Well not to …

Believe it or not, summer is halfway over. And you’ve probably accomplished little or none of your typical summer entertaining, which is pretty difficult to do when you’re social distancing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the creativity and variety of a wonderful and well-crafted cocktail. Whether you're having a quiet drink alone our hosting a small group of friends, a good drink list can quite literally be the life of the party. [ 153 more words ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/23/20-essential-cocktails-vodka-and-beyond/

20 essential cocktails–vodka and beyond A list of 20 cocktail recipes for vodka, scotch, gin and tequila liquor.

If you’re an experienced leader you probably have a much different perspective than you did as a new manager. The leadership mistakes you made earlier in your career offered you the opportunity to learn and grow in your management style and knowledge, although some of those lessons may have been difficult to learn. “New manager” doesn’t only refer to a junior-level worker earning that first leadership seat. [ 1,821 more word ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/20/6-common-leadership-mistakes-new-managers-make/

6 common leadership mistakes new managers make A “new leader” may be someone new to management or an entrepreneur with a new staff. If you’re a new leader (or used to be) avoid these common mistakes that many new managers make…

There are some that think that whisky is just whisky. If you are one of these people then this article is not for you. Not because you don’t know any better but only because you obviously don’t care. If you don’t know that there is a difference between rye, bourbon, Irish, Scotch and blends between all of the above, then whisky apparently isn’t your thing. [ 752 more words ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/18/scotch-for-dummies/

Scotch for Dummies There are some that think that whisky is just whisky. If you are one of these people then this article is not for you. Not because you don’t know any better but only because you obviously don’t car…

Sitting on the deck with my daughters and listening to their teenage conversation, I can’t help but recall my mindset when I was their age. Old enough to make most of their own decisions, young enough to bear little responsibility for the consequences. I laugh along with them, appreciating where they are in their young, potential-filled lives. They’re so much smarter and freer than I was as a teenager. [ 968 more words ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/13/letter-to-my-younger-self/

Letter to my younger self Do you ever wonder what you would say to your teenage self if you had the chance? Here’s my message to my younger self. Hope she listens.

If you could have lunch with three people that you currently have absolutely no chance of breaking bread with and you could only ask them three questions...Who would those three people be and what would you ask? This is not a new question. I tried, with varying degrees of success, to pose valid and coherent quandaries to my hero, Barack Obama, in my first interview. [ 1,295 more word ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/09/2-plates-3-questions-part-2/

2 Plates. 3 Questions. Part 2 If you could have lunch with three people that you currently have absolutely no chance of breaking bread with and you could only ask them three questions…Who would those three people be and w…

This year’s 4th of July celebration may go down in history as the most sedentary and “non-celebratory” Independence Day in decades—all due to COVID-19. Those of us who would typically welcome a houseful (or backyard full) of barbecue-eating cocktail-sipping guests are quickly rethinking our plans, because social distancing is just plain smart. Clearly, staying home and enjoying food and beverages with your immediate family is the best and safest option… [ 581 more words ]
https://urban-upscale.com/2020/07/02/host-your-best-4th-of-july-party-but-keep-it-safe-and-stylish/

Host your best 4th of July party, but keep it safe (and stylish!) Planning a 4th of July gathering? Keep your guests and your family safe with these tips for a stylish event that checks the boxes without breaking the rules.