40 days?

I am a completely lapsed Catholic – I attend mass only on high holidays with my mother if I am home. For some reason though, I feel the urge every Lenten season to figure out something or somethings to try to absolve from. I think I view this as another chance to take on a resolution from the new year, or something to that affect. Anyway I’ve contemplated a few ideas:

Alcohol:  I actually really want to do this, it’s one of my 15 before 2015, but this is not the year. I have a weekend girls trip to Florida – and I already want a drink while I am in the pool. I also have a coworker from another office coming to town and we want to get drinks and catch up. I clearly have my Irish Catholic priorities in place.

Soda: I love me some coke zero at lunch time, and seltzer should pretty much be a food group as far as I am concerned.  So far today, I skipped my lunch time beverage and stuck to water and tea at my desk. This could be reasonable, but then what do I mix the alcohol I am not giving up with? I mean a nice straight up drink is good for one, wine is not a pool drink…  can we make it week day soda?

Shopping: I love to online shop (who doesn’t?). Nothing makes me feel better than a nice new piece of clothing to wear and enjoy. My fear with this one is that it’s going to go from 20 degrees to 80 degrees and I am going to feel like I need something to refresh . However, I do think I could keep myself on track.

Sweets: Chocolate… oh so good, this would actually be a bit of a challenge as I’d include a trail mix that has chocolate chips in it, which is one of my current vices. I also will just crave something sweet and indulge myself. This is definitely a strong contender.

Right now I am thinking of going with the sweets and shopping and holding myself to it. I’d also like to spend the next 40 days cleaning out the clutter around my apartment and start minimizing again. 

(photo via pinterest via someecards)

london nights

When traveling for work, a lot of times there isn't much time to explore the sites the city you are working in. This past trip I made sure to see a lot of local English watering holes at the end of each evening. I am a big fan of the pubs and of course delicious pub grub – French fries have to be a personal favorite. I do love getting to walk around and explore a little bit off the beaten path as well, and having locals take you to favorite spots is always well received by me.

I actually found myself at last call more times than I should admit, but it certainly was fun. I almost felt like I was back in my early twenties when staying out late and getting into work is no problem for the body. I also can confirm that at least for me, I don’t get a hangover from French wine – must be the lack of sulfates.

Hopefully, I’ll be back soon to visit and enjoy some more fun after the work is done.

longest week ever

Together again
Gee, it's good to be together again
I just can't imagine that you've ever been gone!
It's not starting over, it's just going on!

It's a very long work week, but at least some of my favorite coworkers are here in town keeping me company. Hope you are having a lovely week!

(photo via pinterest)

pour the wine dear

When life hands you grapes, you head to Wine Country. My lovely little four day weekend in San Francisco has now entered in to day six, but the time I get home it will be a solid week in California. So, what does a girl do when handed an opportunity to see something else? She convinces her friend to drive to Wine Country and explore and well do many many wine tastings. I will have to say, two days was not nearly long enough and I already want to plan a longer trip out here next year. Talk about a gorgeous area of the country, and vineyards are just amazing. I highly suggest making a trip up through Napa and going to Yountville and Frog Leap Vineyards.

falling slowly

I really want to go apple picking this fall - I want to do this every fall, and well I never do it. I feel like a perfect Saturday would be going to an orchard, picking apples, walking through a corn maze, and bringing home a pumpkin or five to carve for Halloween. If I can add in maybe heading to a vineyard for a little wine tasting to cap off a lovely afternoon enjoying the best of fall. Maybe this will be the year I finally get organized enough to do this.

(image from google)

recall our last summer

I can officially start my countdown to summer vacation - only 30 more days. I am sure time will fly in the next month until I am back to Cape Cod and the hazy lazy days of August. I am looking forward to pancakes for breakfast, walks along the beach, reading in my chair by the water all day, and glasses of wine out on the porch at night.

pour the wine dear

This little sign made me laugh, though sometimes it's such a true statement. Wine is definitely on my list of things to survive on a desert island with, along with apples, cheese and chocolate. If that doesn't sound like a party waiting to happen I don't know what does.

(photo credit)

we'll drink a glass of champagne

An impromptu trip to Anthropologie brought me face to face with these gorgeous champagne coupes. I kept trying to walk away and not think about what a great addition these would be to my ever growing stemware collection. The glasses ended up winning this battle -  I couldn't resist. The  flowers accented with gold dots make these delicate glasses a standout in my mind. They have a lady like feel to them as well - I can picture classy old ladies sipping cocktails on the porch out of these. It also doesn't hurt that champagne is one of my favorite things to enjoy and celebrate with. In my eyes, champagne is not just for weddings - it's for celebrating just about any thing. Hopefully I can find many celebrations (or random Friday nights) to enjoy using these in the future.

all you do is sit around drinking wine

I am a terrible liar- which probably isn't a bad thing - but the reason I had to try The Pinot Project bottle of of wine is because the bottle reminded me of propaganda posters. I know that's a bit strange but the simplicity of just the words in faded black lettering with stars, and the name just caught my eye a few times. I will admit that many times over the labels tend to draw me in at the package store when mulling over what to pick up for stocking my wine rack.  This was a quite enjoyable pino noir at a moderate price point, with a hint of cherry but not sweet. Definitely one of those wines that is great to have a bit of at the end of a long day curled up on the couch for relaxing, or to be enjoyed over dinner with just about any menu.

With a rebel yell

Red wines- definitely one of my go to drinks. I enjoy the aromas, as well as the rich tastes most red wines provide. I am not much of a wine connoisseur, I pretty much pick out wines based on price point and where it is from (Argentina, Australia, Napa Valley), and sadly can admit I am drawn to fun brands and pretty labels.  All those reasons are why I choose to try Middle Sister's Rebel Red, plus the fact I kept telling someone recently I am a rebel- this wine practically had my name on it. A delightful blend, with some fruity flavors but not to strong, I definitely will be crying for "more, more, more".