I recently went to a tasting of Tuscan whites and was blown away by this zippy and finessed contender- the ’11 Sono Montenidoli Tradizionale Vernaccia di San Gimingano. I am not exaggerating in the least when I tell you that this is one of the best darn Vernaccias I have ever had the pleasure of sipping. What’s more, the Montenidoli Tradizionale is just a great go-to all around white. This little beauty will drink spectacularly with all types of lean meats and fish and even that hard to pair asparagus. It’s got a nice dose of bitterness on the finish[…]

  

Happy Weekend dear readers. Two things: it’s Oscar weekend and February is OUTTA HERE! Hoo-to-the-Ray! Will you all watch the Oscars? I am religious about watching- it’s one of my favorite nights of the year. I used to throw an Oscar party every year, but I could never really hear anything and didn’t ended up really watching, so now we just watch it sans party. I make a little toast to realized dreams each year as I danced on the Oscars in 2000 realizing a dream I’d had since I was a wee lass. Good times. I love these vintage[…]

  

Metallic Loafers for $33? “Go on dance. On the floor. In the Round.” MJ would-approve-oxfords, $33 P.S.: I always thought it was “Hang Around” not “In the Round”, didn’t you? Mama-say-mama-saw-mama-coo-saw… Related posts:What the Weekend Looked LikeMonday is for MatineHappy Monday!

  

Here’s where we’re currently at, with a move-in date 17 days out. What’s your wager? Do you think we’ll finish before move in? I don’t have a clue. At this point, we are held up by the cabinets. They are due to arrive tomorrow and once they’re in, the real work begins. What is now a blank slate (how I love those!) will soon shapeshift its way into a working kitchen- I hope. Stay tuned. Related posts:Shelf StylingHappy Weekend!Happy Weekend!

  

Here it is folks: a good value, single varietal Spanish red. Tempranillo is famous for being the home grape of the Rioja and Ribero del Duero regions but you won’t find much in the way of a really good deal from its pricey real estate. Sure, you can find some value wines but nothing worth its weight in the under $10 category. You have to reach out to the developing wine regions of Spain for a single varietal 100% Tempranillo that will really please your palate. This one comes from the Castilla y Leon region. It’s good. Not great. A[…]

  

Happy Weekend dear readers! I like to think this lounge chair is waiting for me, it’s a nice thought anyway. What are you all up to this fine February weekend? The temperatures are finally warming up over here so we’re going to try to spend some quality time with outdoors. I’ll be soaking up every last bit of city livin’ that I can while we still live smack dab in the middle of Old Town Alexandria. I love walking to the Saturday Farmers Market, strolling King Street and its fabulous local shops and restaurants (Oh Hank’s, how I’ll miss you[…]

  

Truly a Happy Chic moment, get the look of this designer Osborne and Little Minaret wallpaper on your floor for less than $250. You read that right. This Happy Chic Jonathan Adler for JCPenney rug is on sale through February 23rd. I just nabbed it for our bedroom. Forego the accent wall and go for the rug to save some serious dough and still get a great graphic look. It’s kind of crazy deal, if you’re familiar with the rug world, you know how expensive they can be. I’ve been eyeing this fabulous Minaret paper that sells for a pretty[…]

  

Twizzle. Twizzle. Twizzle. I can’t stop saying it. Add me to the list of recent Ice Dance-loving converts. Meryl Davis and Charlie White, officially America’s new sweethearts, have shown us the whimsy, fun and unbelievable athleticism that is ice dancing- that wacky sport that is essentially ballroom dancing meets synchronized swimming on ice, with a few Twizzles thrown in for good measure. The Twizzle itself is a relatively new phenomenon. No doubt, people have been dancing on the ice for decades but the Twizzle was first officially performed by skater David Grant in 1991. The Twizzle seems to be the[…]

  

Just a quick roundup of things that are making me happy nowadays. I’m wearing this spotted shift to an arts gala next month. I can’t resist a good dalmatian print. These plates make me smile. I just bought a set for Miss V. (aka: our new house). Washington’s Beltway through the lens of Rashmi Pappu’s camera. Rashmi is a talented local photographer here in Old Town Alexandria. I love following her Instaworld. If I can’t eat there (anytime soon anyway), I might as well read about it. Faviken is the first cook book penned by critically lauded 28 year-old Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson. His[…]

  

I don’t know about you, but I am rather dubious of inexpensive New World Chardonnays- oaked, un-oaked, whatever the method may be, if it’s not French and it’s under $10, I’m dubious. Call me narrow minded, call me unoriginal, I can’t help it. I am snobby about my Chard as a result of spending months in the Balthazar cellar with some really stellar French bottles. I was quickly schooled on the nuanced notes of white burgundy, the subtle and delicate balance of oak to fruit and the beautiful wet-stone and minerally terroir flavors that accompany a great white burgundy. It’s[…]