Wino Wednesday

Okay, I know I said last time that I prefer white wines over red but lately, I have been experiencing some amazing reds (plus red is so much more festive for this time of year!). So without further ado, I present to you Stags' Leap Petite Syrah.

I was first introduced to this wine by Elon (my fiancé) while we were dining at The Met in Seattle with my cousin and his girlfriend. I was DEFINITELY not a red wine-drinker back then and hesitant to try this particular wine (I was a huge fan of Cosmopolitans at the time). However, after some prompting from Elon I took a big gulp and haven't looked back since (we enjoyed it this past Sunday with our "Newlywed" friends).

This wine is very fruit forward, meaning you taste the cherries, and blackberries right away. The tannins in this wine are very strong and the flavor definitely lingers well after you have swallowed it. This wine is anything BUT petite, instead it is bold in flavor, deep purple in color and incredible with any red meat dish of your choosing.

It is a bit more on the pricey side, averaging around $35-$45 dollars a bottle. I would recommend giving this bottle as a gift for a celebration or bringing it over to your bosses house for dinner. I bought my bottle at Trader Joe's for $33.99, and it can also be found online at Wine Chateau .

Faux Glow

While at the gym yesterday, I noticed how extremely pasty my legs were and realized I needed to do something about this problem. I am a very fair (a nicer way to say pale) skinned girl from the Northwest and unfortunately, do not become a bronzed goddess like my friends from just stepping outside in the sun. So after some trial and error, here are my favorite products that will make anyone think you just came back from a week in Belize.

My all time favorite/first choice is a Chocolate Sun tan. This specific system is currently only available in California and Massachusetts but the concept is available all over. Chocolate Sun is a dream because the technician does all the work and you just stand there striking funny poses while they spray you down. The color is so realistic, the smell is minimal, and the color lasts for a good 5 days. As an added bonus you can also have them add sunblock or extra moisturizer (for a fee of course) to your spray. It is a bit pricey at $50-$55 dollars a session, but for those special occasions it is SO worth it!

Victoria's Secrets Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint is my next favorite and at $18 a lot more budget friendly. This product is wonderful because it gives you an bit of color right away (which makes it almost error proof during application)while the tan gradually deepens in a few hours. The color is very natural, lasts for about 3 days and can be layered as much as you like until your desired color is reached.


Banana Boat's Summer Color Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist is my next go-to. Although this product requires a well ventilated bathroom (a friend who can spray your backside is an added bonus). The product boasts a "Fresh Citrus Fragrance", and although it isn't AS awful as some, it still smells like self-tanner. The good news: the color lasts for about 3 days, is a beautiful light brown (not a bit of orange to it) and very subtle. The bad news: trying to make the subtle tan a little deeper requires repeating the procedure all over again the next day and a coughing fit is sure to follow from breathing in all the chemicals. You can get it at your neighborhood drugstore or here .

Those are my favorites so far, I have heard rave reviews about Clarins self-tanning products and they are next on my list to review. Have a great ones I should try?

Holiday Cheer

It's back...

Starbucks is now serving all hot drinks in that famous Red Cup, and I couldn't be more excited! You can get your own Red Cup with or without the matching accessories (pending how hot you like your beverage).

The Red Cup also signifies that eggnog (as well as pumpkin spice & gingerbread) lattes are now officially being served. In college my girlfriend Carrie and I established a tradition of having our first eggnog latte together the day after Thanksgiving, which according to my calculations means I only have to hold out for 11 more days.

Cheers!

Guilty Pleasures

I have a confession, and many people are not going to approve. My latest guilty pleasure (blushing as I write this), is that I cannot get enough of Blackout, Britney Spears latest album.

Her album has me not only jamming in the car, but also at work and the gym! My favorite tracks:

• Piece of Me
• Get Naked (I Got A Plan)
• Ooh Ooh Baby
• Why Should I Be Sad

Now, I do believe that this girl has some serious issues that need to be worked out, but do you remember when Britney:

A) was dating Justin Timberlake B) had the hottest bod ever C) was an amazing performer D) was cute & normal E) all of the above

Yeah me too....

Forever Frugal Friday

TGIF! Fall has definitely arrived in LA (sad that I think 63 degrees is chilly now!), and I cannot get enough pretty, girlie, cute sweaters. I came across this sweet sweater and was instantly transported back to 1987 when I was OBSESSED with the Pom-Pom Balls Socks.

This sweater has a girlish charm to it, and yet it is still classy and distinguished enough to wear to work. I am imagining Blair from Gossip Girl (Yes, I will admit it, I love any and all teen drama TV shows) sporting this very sweater along with a red headband, while she toils over her boyfriends affection. What do you think, Rah-Rah or Nah-Nah?

Wino Wednesday

Last Friday, my girlfriend Cassie and I met up for some appetizers and wine to celebrate the end of the work week. We decided to check out Fraiche in Culver City and shared the meatball sliders, caprese salad (the mozzarella was INCREDIBLE) and some Felino salami. Now generally I go right for a Chardonnay, but this Friday night I was feeling a bit saucy and opted for a Zinfandel instead.

I was so glad I ventured out and tried this sexy Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel. Not only was it so smooth, but it also really complimented the salty aspects of our appetizers. This Zin was fruity, full of body and low in acidity (just how I like it!). Now I don't try and pretend that I am a wine sommelier, but I know that this wine would make a great gift to any host or hostess, as well as a fine accompaniment to your dinner table for any holiday dinners. At around $20.00 a bottle you can't go wrong. Ask your local wine Seward to order in a case for the store or if you are one of the states that BevMo can ship to order it here .

Chestnuts Roasting, In Your Kitchen Sink

I have never ACTUALLY experienced chestnuts roasting on an open fire...but if I had to guess what it would smell like, I would say Williams Sonoma's Spiced Chestnut hit the nail on the head.

This hand soap/lotion combo is my favorite addition to any sink in the house around Thanksgiving time. It is a deep and rich scent that sticks around for awhile and makes me smile every time I get a whiff of it. If you prefer more mild scented hand soaps, Spiced Chestnut is also available in candle form and smells just as delicious. Throw on some Nat King Cole and you might just have a greater appreciation for the song! Try it for yourself at your local Williams-Sonoma .

I Love Deals!

I always say Sephora is to Women as Candy is to Kids. Meaning who doesn't LOVE all things Sephora? Everytime I step foot inside, there is some new eyeshadow, lip gloss or mascara that I must try. Sephora the best right now because of all the holiday sets (fragrance, makeup, body care, whatever!) where you really get the best bang for your buck. Lucky for us, now you can buy those holiday sets AND get an additional 20% off your purchase at Sephora using the code FF2007 at checkout.


So go ahead, start your holiday shopping now, and while you're at...get yourself a little something (or two)!

Forever Frugal Friday

My mom told me at a very young age that I had Nordstrom taste on a Kmart budget (some things never change). I find that there is ALWAYS something I want, and unfortunately being on a budget doesn't always allow for new clothing purchases no matter how much I try to justify it. That is why I love Forever 21 and any other store that carries great stylish clothes, at a price I can pretty much afford. So stay tuned every Friday for a fantastic find from Forever 21 that won't break the bank. And now without further ado, my first find...

I just love this sweater .I tried it on last Saturday and was sad when I had to hang it back on the rack (I was there to buy a "going out top", not a sweater). However, I am thinking I might have to go back tomorrow and pick this knit up. I love it because you can wear it at work with some trousers and a nice white button down OR you could pair it with your favorite white t-shirt, jeans and your most comfy boots for Saturday or Sunday errands. It has a JCrew look and feel to it but luckily, not the JCrew price tag.

Pug + (fill in the blank) = Fun

So I know Halloween is over and I am TOTALLY ready to get into the coziness that is November, but I just had to share with you the best pumpkin I have ever seen.

This award winning pumpkin (Voted Most Creative)was designed by my co-worker Lisa. The pictures do not do it justice, but believe me when I say it was a piece of art! So much so that "Pugkin" was stolen from our office building. Here's hoping that "Pugkin" is returned safely home to his owner Lisa. (UPDATE: "Pugkin" is back home safe!)

And now for my absolute favorite Pug + (Beagle) = Puggle

Meet Waldo Emerson Cook. He is a 10 month old male Puggle and I am pretty much obsessed with him (but not in that crazy dog lady way...yet). I will definitely be sharing future stories about Mr. Waldo.

Happy November!