Instalife Lately

blogging has been a bit of a difficulty for me lately and i hate it!  i feel like i am constantly writing things down to blog about and then never actually getting to them because of life.  and i realize it is good to live life and not be a slave to the internet, but i miss blogging.  i miss sharing things about me, things that i love and most of all i miss reading things about all of you. 

 

so in an attempt to catch up a little, here's a glimpse into my life these past few months via instagram (@lyndsylee)

 

 

a sleepy w / place setting / wedding debauchery / a lovely gift

 

a day in topanga / products to review (stay tuned!) / sweet little treat / buns all around at the whaler

 

weekends with christy!

pulled out the red lipstick finally / broken glass at brick + mortar / go cougs!

 

harvest celebration in napa / apple cider margarita / scenes from downtown l.a. / best game ever

still loving the accent nail / some tasty tequila with b

 

small wineworld in napa / a fitting sky for a tribute to an incredible guy

holy guacamole late night burrito / uggs are back / cakebread cellars is my favorite

 

i know i have said it before, and i am sure i will say it again, but i am hoping to find some more time to get back to posting and making blogging a bigger priority in my life.  here's hoping y'all are still checking in and reading it! 

 

xoxo

Instalife Lately

forever young/cw with mrs. r/aperol spritzes/gongolo at hostario del picollo/forever young friends/insane sunset

estes park wedding/night clubbing it/hanging out on the porch

all in colorado

girlies at brick + mortar/rosenthal wine tasting/colorado rockies/sunday funday in hermosa/row 14 in denver

i am really working to try and share more pictures and life events. what's been happening lately in my life!  follow me on instagram (@lyndsylee)

xoxo

Happy {Wine Tasting} Weekend

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woot woot for the weekend! 

the sunshine is putting me in the best of moods and i am excited to meet baby bella tomorrow, celebrate dawn's last few weeks as a single lady, and enjoy some giggles and laughs with the girls!

and an 80's cover band on the beach sunday is the perfect way to end the weekend and start all over again on monday. 

hope your weekend is full of "who cares" and celebrations as well!

xoxo

B*Day Wishlist Part III

well, i am officially 5 hours and 40 minutes away from turning 32! 

which means my wishlist is getting down to the wire. i present you with my last, greatest desires...

hot dot scarf by marc jacobs.  do i even need to explain why?  just look at it.  a beauty.

i have been hesitant to buy an iPhone 4 cover because i could never find the "perfect one".  stop the presses, found it!  thank you rebecca minkoff!

ever since i smelled it for the first time at bergdorf's in nyc, i still crave creed's virgin island water.  vacation in a bottle.

trust me when i say the dl & co thorn apple signature collection scallop candle  is worth every penny.  not only can you light it around the house for a little piece of heaven.  but you can also dab a little on your wrists for a sexy scent-sation that stays with you all day long.

i have a fetish for mustaches.  no joke.  and i am really excited by this jonathan adler muse bottle opener.  tmi?  sorry, must be my old age...

to help with my resolutions to travel more (and the overnighters at b's) this deux lux felix weekender duffle is perfect amounts of chic and flashy.  yum.

weird.  a piece of jcrew jewelry that i am dying to own.  that's a first!  NOT. 

feel free to come to mama pave chain link bracelet.

last, these aqua boho drops are the perfect accessory for spring.  the colors are so bright and cheery and would look fabulous with just about anything.

and that my friends sums up my b*day wishlists.  it has been fun imagining receiving any of these items, but i must admit, just spending time with friends, family and loved ones is the best gift of all (i know it sounds cheesy but i mean it).  i am off now to enjoy dinner with b at a surprise location (let's just hope it isn't magic castle). 

see you all tomorrow when i am a whole year older and wiser...err something like that.

xoxo

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Thanksgiving Grub

We have officially entered my favorite food season of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas - oh me oh my! 

I love pumpkin, Turkey, cinnamon, stuffing (even though "technically" I really like dressing), wine, cranberry jelly (yes straight out of the can), bread and more wine.  It is all just scrump-diddly-uptious! 

My favorite kind of potatoes (besides french fries) is Classic Potato Gratin .  I am really excited that I get enjoy some on Thursday.  It has been a long time!

I despise lumpy mashed potatoes and am really picky when it comes to mashers.  I am pretty sure that this Potato Masher  from Williams Sonoma would aid in the creation of perfect mashers for Turkey Day.

I have been responsible for the turkey portion of our meal for the past 7 Thanksgivings, but this year I passed the torch.  I will say for those of you in charge of your own turkey should most definitely try brining the bird.  Crate & Barrel makes it really easy with this handy dandy Turkey Brine and Brining Bag  all in one.  Just boil up the mix, place in the enclosed bag, toss in the turkey and voila!  Instant goodness. 

I love stuffed mushrooms and often times cannot partake in enjoying them since they are filled with crab most times.  However I am pretty sure I can enjoy this Tuscan Stuffed Mushroom Mix.  The mix is full of tasty spices and makes stuffing mushrooms so easy (it also makes those allergic to shellfish really happy). 

I warned you that I am a lover of pumpkin, and this Perfect Endings Pumpkin Cheesecake is sure to please any and all who love pumpkin.  Not only is is lovely to look at, but the flavor I imagine is equally amazing.  Pumpkin Cheesecake is also a nice way to mix it up from the traditional pumpkin pie. 

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This Thanksgiving I will be dividing my time between two separate parties.  For the first party I will be enjoying wine (most likely a few bottles of this or this) and apps.  My contribution will be Mac and Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash. I am taking a chance, as I have never made it before...but it looks just so pretty and festive and I am sure will be equally delectable. 

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For my second Thanksgiving celebration of the day I will be sitting down for dinner and responsible for dessert.  Apple pie and pumpkin mousse will already be present, so I opted to try and recreate one of my favorite desserts from Westside Tavern the Sticky Toffee Cake.  This recipe does not look easy to make, but if it turns out even 80% as good as the original I am alright with that. 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?  What are you responsible for?  Any recipes you would like to share? 

Happy Eating!

I'm Lovin' It

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Rachel McAdams look for the Morning Glory premiere.  Love her hair, love the dress, love the makeup, love her...need I go on?

This incredible My Heart Necklace By Boe.  It's a little bit rustic, a little bit girly and a whole lot of lovely.

(photo courtesy of Richie)

Be prepared to learn of my major obsession with anything and everything Trader Joe's!  This Pumpkin Ice Cream "accidentally" made it into my TJ's basket this past weekend and I accidentally had not one but two bowls of it.  It is divine in absolutely every single way.  I want to top it with some crushed graham crackers and whip cream the next time around.  This stuff is dangerous...consider yourself warned.

A few weeks back in Solvang, we did a tasting at the phenomenal Vineyard Riverbench and though it was my third tasting of the day and I may have had a serious buzz, I do NOT regret my purchase of the Govino Shatterproof Recyclable Stemless Wine Glasses-Set of 4.  My roomie and I were just saying we wished we had "to go" wine glasses for walks at night with the dog and wouldn't you just know that these babies are all that and more.  These glasses would make a great gift for anyone come this holiday season, and to spruce it up, why not add a bottle of buttery goodness alongside of it with the Riverbench 2008 Chapel View Chardonnay.  Easily one of the best Chardonnays I have ever tasted (and I have tasted a lot  few). 

Gift Giving ~ Mother's Day

This Sunday, May 9th is a special day to celebrate Mother's all around you.  Whether it's your own mother, grandmother, best friend or next door neighbor, here are some gifts that any mother is sure to enjoy and are definitely well deserved.

This savory Alain Milliat Jam Gift Set is perfect for the Mother who likes a little jam with her morning toast or scone.  These jams are a little fancier and more a treat from her everyday Smuckers.  The Fig Violette sounds delish!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo margaritas a few days late, these Calypso Citron Summer Drink Glasses, will help any Mother transition into summer entertaining.  I actually own these in blue and cannot wait to put them to use...perhaps this weekend!

I sure didn't inherit the love or passion for gardening like my Mom does.  But this Landlubber Gardening Set is soo cute, and totally perfect for that trendy mom who wants to look cute while she tends to her garden. 

If your Mom is anything like my Mom, then she LOVES candles.  I always think of my Mom and our home whenever I smell this scent, but the other scent I attribute to my mom is her love for flowers.  Specifically Fresh Cut Gardenia.  The LAFCO Home Candle Collection are available in a variety of scents, which I am sure you can find the perfect match for the mother of your choosing.

If your Mom is a wine drinker, why not help her get the best glass of in the fastest time possible.  The Vinturi White Wine Aerator will help make that happen.  I have heard great things about the Vinturi Wine Aerator before and love the idea of not having to wait around to let the wine "breathe", and Mom's usually are racing against the clock as is, so why not give her a little extra time?

If you and a sibling are looking to split a nice gift, this Cooler-Outfitted Picnic Tote is the perfect gift.  Perfect for concerts in the park or any other outdoor activities mom will inevitably be participating in this summer.

Entertaining and Mom's go together like, ram-lama-lama-ka-ding-a-ding-a-ding-a-dong (or something like that), and this Entertaining With The Seasons Cookbook will help any mother do just that with a little ease and some pizazz. 

Maybe your mom enjoys beauty products or is always on the go.  These Stephanie Johnson Lime Coral Makeup Pouches are absolutely darling and perfect to store any Mom's many goodies and items they carry with them "just in case".  Seeing as I am technically a "Dog Mom" to sweet little Waldo, I am hoping he may read this post and purchase me one to store my makeup in.  Love!

I still haven't seen "It's Complicated" but my Mom LOVED it and I am sure some Mother in your life loved, it or will love it too.  I mean it stars Meryl Streep, a woman who I have always said I would love to have as my M.I.L.  Throw in Alec B and Steve M, a gorgeous kitchen and Nancy Meyer and I am pretty sure no out there will be disappointed with this gift.

Whomever you celebrate with this Sunday, be sure to give them a big hug and thank them for being such a great Mom :) 

Thank you Mama Debs for being the best Mom, I am thankful for all you have done and continue to do for me!  I love you!

Solvang Wine Mixer

Two weekends ago, 20 fabulous girls gathered together in the sleepy cute town of Solvang to celebrate Miss Avery's 30th birthday. The girls came from Boston, DC, Ohio, Seattle and various parts of LA to drink some wine and make some memories...below is a little preview of the best weekend ever!

Catching up with Santa at James' Beach in Venice before we departed.

Our first night out in Solvang included a kick line to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" followed by dancing in the streets.

Up bright and early the next morning for our tour. First stop Curtis Winery where we enjoyed six tastings that were all magnificent. My personal favorite wine was the Mourvèdre.

The beautiful birthday girl and her frame she had to carry to all the vineyards.

Me, Mrs. F and Mrs. R catching up on good times.

Next stop Zaca Mesa Winery which smelled incredible thanks to this beautiful tree. Top pick here was the Z Three 2005 - a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre & Grenache.

Third stop was Firestone Vineyards. I personally enjoyed their Chardonnay.

Last scheduled stop on the tour was Sunstone Vineyards & Winery where we enjoyed a private outdoor tasting with 10 bottles. My favorite here had to be the mulled wine they were serving hot. It was pouring rain and the mulled wine was delightful.

Our umbrellas got a work out this weekend, but Birthday Girl and Spry weren't about to let the rain ruin their day!

After four wineries and tastings, you can imagine we were feeling a little "happy", which is apparently why I thought it acceptable to climb on top of these barrels as if I was a pirate.

After our tasting tour we gathered at the hotel and walked to the Carivintâs Winery Tasting Room where Fleet and Paul kindly allowed us to order pizza in and plug in our own I-Pods for a dance party.

Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was definitely the theme song of the weekend.

More dancing, seriously the owners were so patient and kind with us!

Sadly the weekend had to come to an end, so we finished the best weekend ever with a few beers at our local dive bar Hinano.

It was a weekend full of laughter, fun and memories galore. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of ladies that I can call my best friends!

Wino Wednesday

Last night my girlfriend Ronit and I finally got together for a drink at her place. I hadn’t been in the door longer then five minutes before I had a nice glass of this Shiloh Road chardonnay in hand. Ronit informed me it was her favorite chardonnay and I have to say that I may just add it to my list of chardonnay must haves.

This wine is easy on the palate, but still full of flavor, especially at the end. Smooth, a little buttery, full of fruit and just the slightest bit of zest at the end. As an added bonus to all of you California residents, the Shiloh Road is currently part of BevMo’s buy one get the second for 5 cents promotion! Quite a steal of a deal and well worth it!

Cheers!

Wino Wednesday

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I first sampled the Firestone Chardonnay at the actual Firestone Winery in Solvang, CA. I was immediately a fan, and was happy when my mom decided to join their wine club. There are a few different price ranges of the Firestone Chardonnays and the Chardonnay Reserve is my favorite so far. Aged for 10 months in French Oak Barrels gives this chardonnay a creamy finish that is smooth and easy on the palette. It will run you between $13-$20 a bottle depending on where you buy it. Regardless of how much you spend it is a winner!