Summer: A Season to Celebrate

I love Sparkling Wine.  It is definitely my drink of choice, and I'm not one to think that popping the cork requires a special occasion.  {Tuesdays are special too aren't they!?!?}

While there are many brands of sparkling wine out there, my favorite is Domaine Chandon located in in Yountville, California.  I was first introduced to Chandon on my 21st birthday when my parents took me to the vineyard for my first wine tasting and a wonderful dinner at the restaurant, etoile.  {I won't go in to detail here as this meal deserves its own post.  More than ten years later and it still ranks in the top 5!}  There is probably some sentimentality wrapped up in my affinity for this wine, but since then, more often than not you can often find a bottle in my fridge.

And this summer, they have limited edition packaging that I can't get enough of!  The bright striped bottle brings life to any table and is the perfect compliment to a summer BBQ.

Limited Edition Brut Classic

I just love this bottle!!  And the youthful spirit they highlight throughout their website stood out to me as very different from other brands.

I can't wait to get my hands on one {or twelve} of these bottles so I can celebrate summer!

What do you think?

Until tomorrow . . .

A New Obsession

I have a weakness for all things design, especially home design.  Each time I look at a website or pictures in an article I dream about the day that I have a place of my own, and the resources to decorate it.  Monica had her wedding binder, I have a binder of things to do when I own a home.


Recently I came across the Curbed Network of sites and since finding them, I have spent way too much time looking at their various sites.  They have multiple sites based all across the country, in addition to a "National" site.  More than enough content to keep a person occupied for quite some time.  


Not only do they have multiple cities for Curbed, they have Eater {focused on restaurants} & Racked {devoted to shopping.}  

Curbed {my first find, and where I spend most of my time} is a unique, hip set of sites that post about real estate and life in various locals.  From beautiful houses for sale to property with some very unique attributes they seek to provide information you won't see in the brochures.  This weekend on their Hamptons {NY} outpost they also posted on available reservations at local restaurants.  Very helpful for those in the area!  


Here's how they describe themselves:

"Curbed Network delivers intelligence on dining & nightlife, shopping & fashion, and design & real estate to an affluent and influential urban audience."  

and

"Curbed's city sites breathe life into real estate and neighborhood news with witty and insightful coverage of the country's most vibrant urban centers. Our editors relentlessly report on sales and rental prices, new developments, neighborhood trends, and celebrity deals. 

Find Curbed in New York, Boston, The Hamptons, Philadelphia, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

Curbed National takes our obsession indoors, with a focus all-things design, decor, and shelter, from Malibu dream houses to Wyoming ranches to Maine cabins, and all residences in between."

As I start the summer with the goal of trying new things across the North East I will definitely be turning to these sites for ideas and tips.  What do you think?


Until tomorrow . . .

And. . . . I'm back

It's been a while and I fell of the map but I am back.  New posts coming this weekend and on a more regular schedule.  If for no other reason than that writing gives me the creative outlet that I just don't get in my day job.

Happy Friday everyone.  Happy Summer.  And for those in NYC, stay dry and out of the heat.

Until tomorrow. . .

I'm Marking My Calendar!

One of my favorite childhood memories is me {at 7 years old} and my best friend at the time, parked on the couch watching "The Beatles: Yellow Submarine" on Laser Disc.  {Slight digression - this was my only friend with a Laser Disc machine and I thought it was SO cool.  I tried to convince my parents to get one but they, smartly, ignored me and shooed me away.}

Today I read that a newly restored version of the movie is coming back to DVD on May 28th.  I don't know if I even remember the plot, but I do remember the music.  This influential movie will definitely find a place in my collection.

Will you be re-watching?

Hollywood Reporter

Until Tomorrow . . .

What Color Are You?

I've loved horses for as long as I can remember, so it is no surprise that one of my favorite brands is Ralph Lauren.  It started with the logo, but as I grew up, so did my love of fashion and I came to appreciate the classic lines in every collection.

Just recently, 4 new women's fragrances were added to The Big Pony line and I immediately wanted to try them.  The bright, bold bottles have an energy that compliments the women who they are meant for.  But instead of simply describing the notes and nuances of the fragrance in words, Ralph Lauren has created a great Facebook application to help you choose which one is right for you.

The Life in Color Quiz

Click on the link above and you are taken to a Facebook-hosted application with a series of questions.  But they aren't simple multiple choice!  It is as if you are being told a story, and you can really feel characteristics in the choices.  A clear answer for each question stuck out to me based on my personal style.  At the end of the "quiz" the application puts together a personalized video leading up to the reveal of your recommended fragrance.

Based on my choices, my story said:

This is Laura

Energetic and Cute

She's the pulse of the city

Upbeat and bright-eyed

with a genuine style

in tune with everyone.

Laura is Sporty

and this is her life in color.

Not bad!  Sounds like a fun girl to be!  Even if you are not in the market for fragrance, this is a great a fun application and a great way to interact with the brand.  The only thing the application left me wanting was a way to imbed the actual video on my blog or share it on my Facebook wall.  

I haven't had a chance to smell the fragrances yet, so the jury is officially still out, but good or bad, it was fun finding out which one was meant for me!

What is your fragrance?

Until tomorrow . . .

Happy St. Patricks Day

I'm Irish all year long, but it is still fun to celebrate St. Patty's Day and bring out the the green.  Hope everyone had a good day!

Chicago via Pinterest

Vineyard Vines

Vineyard Vines

Pinterest

Belleek

Until Tomorrow . . .

Bracket Madness - Southern Food Style

I love late March and the NCAA basketball tournament.  There is so much excitement, especially when my favorite teams make the bracket - Go Bears and WaHooWa!

But what makes watching the games even better is down home, good Southern food.  You can't beat a day in front of the television eating some of the classics.  But what is the best?  There is just no way to choose!

Well this year, I saw that Garden and Gun magazine has put together the "Ultimate Southern Food Bracket" to help pick a winner.  Like the traditional brackets, you log your picks and then follow along as the people's voting narrows it down the best.  What will come out on top?  What is your favorite Souther food?

Link

Until tomorrow . . .