I do this post every year and honestly, it doesn’t vary much. What we winos want is the good stuff, not the bric-a-brac gift shop schlock of keychains, charms and ridiculously complicated wine openers. Nope, we want wine keys that are honest and good with maybe a stylish little case to boot (because why not!?), farmer fizz (aka grower champagne- because who doesn’t?), good stemware and maybe a fun set of blind tasting glasses to better our tasting skills with or just entertain to our pals. So here it goes… we’re a little late in the game (read: super last[…]

  

Spoiler Alert: If you belong in my family, read no further as one or two of your gifts will undoubtedly be revealed. Scroll at your own risk- that means you, mom! Nothing like waiting until the last minute to post this last minute gift guide, but that’s the way I roll, and I have a feeling some of you may roll that procrastinating way too. Well, this is it folks, we’ve got a few days left to finish off our lists. Here are a few of my favorite little things for under $55 (I know, $55 is weird but for[…]

  

(wine tasting at RdV) Ahh- the holidays. A new week of merriment. A new week of Christmas cookies and peppermint mochas. A new week of firsts for my little ones. We watched the classic Rankin & Bass Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the first time last night and I have to say, Santa is kind of an assh*$e in that version. I hadn’t remembered it that way but he’s pretty self-involved. It’s funny when you find yourself looking at all of your favorite holiday to-do’s through your little one’s eyes- much is revealed. Childhood nostalgia gone awry aside, I’ve been meaning[…]

  

    Photo by: Studio Mod(ish) My friend Anna Watson Carl was in Virginia this past weekend to throw a few parties and hop around some vineyards. For one of her events, she and I teamed up to throw a little Bubbly and Bites party at the darling Red Barn Mercantile in Old Town Alexandria (hence the barn). Amy Rutherford invited me to pass around the sparkly wine while Anna lit up the space with her simple and delicious demos- a fail safe recipe for hosting the perfect holiday cocktail party. I am a big fan of the fab Anna[…]

  

Happy Thanksgiving friends. ‘Tis the time to enjoy family, friends, food and give thanks for our blessings. Yep- pretty much the raddest holiday around. We are headed to NYC at the moment to enjoy the week with our family and show the kids around town. Follow us here on insta to see what adventures are in store- I’m hoping I can snap a pic of my beautiful niece in her dress rehearsal at NYCBallet’s The Nutcracker. So many wonderful things to do and look forward to. I’ll be making my grandmother’s Texas cornbread stuffing while we celebrate in a Yankee[…]

  

There’s a mermaid in my kitchen. I love this wacky holiday. Happy Halloween all. What are you all up to this fall weekend? We’re hightailing it out of dodge, straight to a cabin in the woods with some pals. Should be fun and maybe a bit spooky too. Lots of fun things swirling in the air. My favorite shop in town is hosting their annual Holiday unveiling next week and I am one of their Gift Guiders, picking out a few choice things for the Host in your life. If you live in the DMV, pop by Red Barn Mercantile[…]

  

To get some more candy from strangers- duh. Trick or Treat! I can’t believe Halloween is here already, the leaves are showing off something fierce around these parts and I’m already missing them when they fall, probably in the next few days or so. I know- enjoy the moment, I try, but that’s how I roll. Staring at the leaves and already sad that they will soon depart. We are definitely at our peak here in VA. and just in time for Halloween. My big idea was for T and G to be sea creatures together based on G’s love[…]

  

Oh hello Pacific, I’ve missed you. That piece of California coastline just north of San Francisco and south of Mendocino- its mystique has called to filmmakers, foodies, seafarers, writers and travelers alike for ages, and I finally had the perfect opportunity to see (and taste) for myself just what all the hubbub is about. I recently spent the day in Sonoma working on a winemaking story with photographer, Amy Dickerson. On the way up, we decided to make a few pit stops to investigate, explore and well… eat- let’s be honest. In truth, two of my stops had been a long time[…]

  

  In the words of L.L. Cool J, “I’m going back to Cali”- even if it is just for 48 hours. I have been California dreaming for, well… forever really. I’ve always fancied myself a California girl, though I’m really much more of an East Coast gal, the Golden State has my heart. In my early twenties, I lived in LaLa Land for a few winsome years and always find myself harkening back to those glory days of unbelievable scenic and inspiring spontaneous road trips peppered with great food, wine and that only-in-Cali laid-back lifestyle. Of course, my regular day[…]

  

Pan-fried polenta topped like a pizza- call it lunch. We made mini polenta pizzas yesterday and my picky eaters devoured them within seconds. This recipe is not for the from-scratch set, rather it’s for overtired moms who don’t know which way is up and have run flat out of lunchtime ideas for their finicky wee ones. But honestly after serving these up, I think even the gourmands of the world might like my polenta pizzette too- quick, easy and flavorful- these are my new go-to bites. What You Need: Polenta Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Marinara Sauce (make it yourself or use[…]