Monday, November 22, 2010

Whiskey for Women

I think I like whiskey. Yes, I know it was something I never thought would come out of my mouth.....so, let me explain.

I had the good fortune of being invited by my friend Dana to a "Whiskey for Women" event held at the Ritz Calton Key Biscayne this past Friday. There was a woman there who worked for Johnny Walker and was trying to help promote whiskey as a drink that women could enjoy.

Besides sitting amongst the rest of the "Real Houswives of Key Biscayne" some who were more "doctored up" than others, I got to sip on some amazing mixed cocktails all made with whiskey. Dana and I each had a cocktail which was concocted of muddled raspberries, simple syrup, soda, basil leaves, and Johnny, all served elegantly in a martini glass. Yummy :) I was pleasantly surprised.

Then we all sat down and got to sample each of the Johnny Walker labels. Black, Red, Green, Gold and Blue. Surprisingly, the Gold was delectable and we were told it went well with desserts and was meant to be chilled. Of course the Blue was nice too, but maybe that was because they served this one to us in a miniature snifter (I'm such a sucker for presentation.) When we sipped the Red, they told us dip our strawberry in the black pepper on our plates and then try the Red. Interesting.....while not a fan of that particular label, the strawberry + pepper was an tasty unique snack.

I know in the past I've turned up my nose at this brown scary spirit, rightfully so. I always thought that brown liquor made you sicker, but maybe that was just the fact that all the college boys drank Johnny to extremes....

My place setting for the tasting. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

From Commoner to Royal

And he finally proposed.....

After all the hub bub and chatter about when a royal proposal would ever actually occur, it finally did. On a safari to Kenya no less. Now, really Wills??? Do you really think carrying around your mother's monster sapphire engagement ring in your "rucksack" for several weeks as you scamper across the safari is wise? Good thing he didn't lose it. How would the tabloids take that?

And then she became the royal fiance. Lucky girl, even if the future king of england is somewhat balding.

Will this be my generation's "Royal Wedding?" Will these nuptials be as watched throughout the world as Charles and Diana's were?

I can't wait. Dying to see what she'll wear and how many silly English hats will be donning the guestlist.

She did well......for a commoner. Cheers Kate!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veteran's Day

Thanks to all our service men and women who continually fight for our country everyday. And thanks to our veterans.... because our country wouldn't be what it is today without their past sacrifices.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Holiday catalogue bliss

So yesterday I came home after a loooooong day of work to find my mailbox overflowing with wondrous jolly holiday catalogues. I couldn't wait to dig in.

Glass of wine, check. Blanket on the couch, check. My newest glossy postage treats on my lap. Bliss.

Of the ones that arrived yesterday, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Free People, and Sephora. I could spend an entire evening flipping through the pages of these (and I pretty much did). Something about the the models with their red lips, teased hair and sparkly shoes that makes the cloud of holiday joy sprinkle its confetti down on you.

There were a few things that caught my eye in Nordy's. Some rhinestone Vera Wang flats and a new ostrich Marc Jacobs bag. Ugh I really don't need these items, but they are pretty for now and give me something delightful to think about when my day might otherwise be dull.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ozzie bag
Vera Wang Lavender Label Luna flats


Time for another glass of wine. Time for Free People.

I've never actually bought anything from this brand, although they have some fascinating little dresses and quirky slips if you can find a way to pull it off without looking like you got dressed in the dark or want to dress like Laura Ingalls Wilder (for those of you not from the midwest, this equals "Little House on the Prairie style). There were a few items that were manageable, but I'm still holding out and eagerly awaiting for my J Crew holiday catalogue to magically emerge in my mailbox. Now that would be a great end to a workday.

A few interesting Free People finds....

Goddess Dress
Milicent Slip

Monday, November 8, 2010

Hello November.

WOW. Now that was a blog hiatus. What has it been, like 2 weeks? 3 weeks since I last made a post?
Oh well, time flies I guess...

But since I mentioned it....and time flies, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S FREAKIN NOVEMBER ALREADY?????? Seriouslyface, what has happened to dear old 2010? It has come and will be gone very shortly. Oh yes, and that means New Years Eve will be here before you know it and we can all deck ourselves out in sequins and champagne and toast in 2011.

We had our first cold snap this weekend here in Miami. I woke up on Saturday morning to venture to my neighborhood Starbucks only to figure out that it was 59 degrees outside and that my leggings and flipflops did little to shield me from the outdoor chill. Nonetheless, I still got my usual Iced Coffee. :)

This is the time of year when my clients at work show up to the bank in their furs and I'm reminded that these people DO NOT KNOW cold weather. I'm from Kansas, I know cold weather. Now while I completely understand this whole "your blood thins out syndrome".....mink coats? REALLY? Come on people, this is Miami, not Minsk.