barware

Lolita Wine Glass Display at Hallmark

Walking the mall the other day, I stopped in at the Hallmark Store (by the way, look for $5 off Hallmark Gold Crown coupons) where I spotted this display of “Love my Wine” wine glasses by Lolita®.

Like the designer’s other glasses, each hand painted wine glass features a design inspired by a delicious wine cooler recipe — a recipe which is hand painted on the bottom of the glass!

The line of fun glassware was inspired by a girls’ night out, when Lolita watched each of her friends select a different martini which reflected their distinct individual personalities and she thought the glasses they drank those individual beverages from should be equally unique and fun. Now the line includes so much more than martini glasses. There are pilsner glasses, champagne flutes, margarita glasses, shot glasses and even glasses for hot beverages. The line has expanded to include sundae bowls, decanters, cocktail shakers, flasks, bottle stoppers, bottle bags, cocktail napkins, boxed recipe cards, games, and ornaments. Many Lolita designs feature holiday, birthday, and other celebration themes, perfect for special occasions.

Collecting Lolita glassware and designs is so much more than just ‘getting the next piece’ — it’s a way to collect memories of special occasions, special friends, and special moments.

According to the designer’s website, a listing or offering of retired designs is coming soon.

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About 15 years ago we went on our first cruise and I do recall bringing some home from that marvelous time. (Although we consider them to be a ‘cheap item’, when thinking back on the cost of the drinks, I am glad I took some for my home bar!) I think that’s about the time I began to gather them. As is common with a lot of inexpensive collections, friends and family assume you want more. So when they go on a trip or out for a special occasion, they bring you a souvenir – in this case, another stir!

These little items sure can be fun! The flamingo one is from a dear friend – we exchange these pink, feathery critters in all sizes and shapes from neon signs to candles to glassware! I always make sure she gets one in her mixed drink when she visits.

I found a green glass ‘faux’ celery stick stir a while back. A good friend drinks bloody Mary’s and I put one in her glass as a surprise. It nearly turned out to be a tragedy since she nearly bit into it before I could warn her.

My mother-in-law was a total tee-to-tal-er and yet we found these in her drawer after she passed away. Charming, smaller than most and probably quite old.

Another choice stir stick is the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Also glass, it is part of a set of 4 given by one of my granddaughters as a Christmas gift. Great for serving those holiday guests!

You’ll find lots of variety in these stirs from flowers to birds to dogs to fish. I love the ocean so I often use one with a dolphin in my drinks. I also found a little box of plastic ‘adornments’ at a recent sale. I remember when these were put on your cocktail glasses. My mom had some and she’d clip them on our colorful aluminum Kool-aid glasses in summer, just to be fun!

The absolute oldest ones that I have are actually wooden! Boy, that would be tasty! They were found at an estate sale in Florida and were from bars and restaurants in New York City. The best is the one from Billy Rose’s Diamond Horse Shoe Bar in the Hotel Paramount.

While my collection is growing, it is probably quite small compared to others who are reading CQ’s blogs. They are relatively inexpensive, pretty easy to find at yard sales, auctions and even thrift stores. And better yet, they are still ‘free’ at some of the finer bars and restaurants. It’s fun to mix ‘em up and if you happen to break one, you won’t go “stir crazy!”