I just love it when my CGA orchestrate things in my favor. You know, CGA–champagne guardian angel. While most people have 1 guardian angel to guide, watch over, and nudge them in the right direction, some of us who are champagne-fixated are blessed with an extra one. This 2nd angel knows and understands that I was born with […]
Feasts + Concoctions {Food + Drink}
40 Wines 40 Days Recap 3: Racy & Refined Reds
The last #40Wines40Days post covered the wild & wondrous white wines I tasted from South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, so now it’s time to recap the racy & refined reds that I got to sip at the tasting. Before we get to the tasting though, how about we start off with a little “Effervescent Education” first? […]
“EMERALD ISLE FIZZ:” A bubbly green cocktail
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, but while the rest of the world likes to celebrate by being up to their ears in green beer, I prefer to do things just a bit differently. Any day is a good day for champagne and sparkling wine in my book, and St. Patrick’s Day is no different. So what does […]
40 Wines 40 Days Recap 2: Wild & Wondrous Whites
After a little hiatus, I’m back with another #40Wines40Days recap! Now, I’m fully aware of the fact that today is not the normal #WineWednesday recap day, but for the last couple of weeks I was working furiously on creating an EPIC post on “How to Host the Ultimate Empire Viewing Party.” If you don’t know what […]
“Fab Four For Friday” #LinkLove Round-up
March is here and all I can think is “hurry up spring!” Like I mentioned in my March sneak peek for the blog, springtime brings about such a wonderful sense of renaissance, renewal, revitalization, and restoration–the sentiment of a fresh start. This spring spirit of renewal always inspires me to switch stuff up {spring cleaning}; to make […]
Secrets of the Lyons Den: How to Host the Ultimate Empire Season Finale Watch Party
Admit it: you’ve found yourself completely caught up in the phenom that is Fox’s breakout television show “Empire.” Don’t worry though, you’re not alone: the show was so incredibly popular right out of the gate that the series was renewed for a second season after just 2 episodes. If you need further proof of the show’s […]
It’s a Food Holiday: National Absinthe Day
Never had absinthe before? With the spirit being dubiously dubbed as “la fée verte,” or the “green fairy,” I’m not exactly surprised. Although absinthe originally rose to fame in New Orleans (Sazerac, anyone?) and was in vogue among the poets and artists of Paris’ café society, it was eventually vilified in the 18th century with unfounded beliefs that it caused hallucinations, […]
40 Wines 40 Days Recap 1: How About a Little Espumante Vino? Txakoli, The Fizzy Spanish Wine
**CONTEST ALERT!** you could win BIG…see details at the end of the post Hey there, wine loving people! It’s Wednesday (also know by the hashtag #WineWednesday every week on Twitter–if you haven’t already you should check it out sometime!) so that means it’s time for my first “40 Wines 40 Days” project recap! If you […]
Start your tequila drinking engines: Sunday February 22nd is National Margarita Day
Start your tequila-drinking engines! This weekend is National Margarita Day, so get your salt, limes, and lips ready! I love a good “food holiday” (proof here; here; and here, in case you don’t believe me), especially when it involves wine and/or cocktails. So, with the desire of fully “getting into the spirit” of this, well, spirit-fueled […]
It’s a Food Holiday: National Drink Wine Day (Bonus: It’s Time for Lent)
Say au revoir to the indulgent revelry of Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, and hello to the tradition of Lent, which begins today, Ash Wednesday. For the next 40 days, people everywhere will enter into a season of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer that ends with Easter in April. But joy of joys, guess what? It just […]
A Dozen Rosés for Your Valentine
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and all over the world florists are in full-on hustling mode trying to fulfill the quadrillion orders for floral arrangements that are being made around the clock, especially requests for the quintessential bouquets of pink and red roses. You know what though? I say who needs a dozen roses […]
February Sneak Peek
February is already upon us–the first month of 2015 has absolutely flown by! Having just launched in January, I can hardly believe that I’ve already been writing on this site for a whole month. January was exciting and taxing and challenging and fun and nerve-wracking and inspirational, all rolled up into 31 days. This month promises to […]
It’s a Food Holiday: Pull out your berets, it’s National Croissant Day
There’s not much the Francophile in me loves more than a good, flaky, buttery croissant. I don’t mean those freaky hybrid things (yes, I’m looking at you, cronut). I’m talking about an authentic, traditional, real, swoon-worthy, worth-eating kind of croissant, and it’s harder to find one than you may think. An authentic croissant takes preparation, […]
It’s a Food Holiday: I want that cake, cake, cake, cake–It’s National Chocolate Cake Day
If you didn’t already know it about me, I believe just about any reason is a good one for a celebration, and food holidays are indeed reason enough in my book. Anyone who appreciates good food can take pleasure in a day that observes culinary delights, and today’s holiday has chocolate lovers everywhere squealing with […]
WWOD: What Would Olivia Drink? How to Host The Ultimate Red Wine-Fueled #TGIT Scandal Watch Party
In one week, on January 29th, Scandal returns to television. And if you’re a Gladiator, you’re going absolutely c-r-a-z-y with anticipation. That final scene in the last episode showing Oliva’s glass of expensive red wine spilled all over her beige couch where she has suddenly, and mysteriously, disappeared from…noooooo! What has happened to our Liv?! I have […]
Yeah You Rite: Eating, Drinking and Jazzing Your Way Through New Orleans
I just spent 5 full, glorious days in New Orleans…and it was not enough! I’ll be honest though, no matter how many hours, days, or weeks I spend in NOLA, it never seems to be enough time. There’s always one more meal to eat; one more bar to linger in; one more shop to duck into; one more […]
Cocktail Tales: One of The Best Spots in New Orleans to Make Your Drink Dreams Come True
I have no hesitation in admitting that I am a bit of a cocktail snob. Marachino cherries? I’d prefer Luxardos. Concentrated juice from a plastic lemon? Thanks, but I’ll pass. Weird “cookies and cream” artificially flavored liquor? Uhm, no. Hyped up beverages made by rappers and celebrities? Not in my glass. Although I typically know what I […]