Friday Wine Tasting... A by Acacia Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008
$14.99


Last night we got together for dinner with two of my favorite people in the industry, Yumiko (Hana Floral Design and Jennie, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and their husbands for our first traveling dinner and I was introduced to a new gem of a wine!! This one is a must try this holiday season if you are looking for a nice bottle to bring as a hostess gift this is one they are sure to LOVE! Definitely a new favorite of mine!


Tasting Notes, from the Winery:
Our 2008 Pinot Noir opens with fragrant rose petal and toasted oak aromas lifted by bright cherry and ripe plum. Across the palate, the tantalizing cherry-berry flavors continue, balanced by good acidity and round, well-integrated tannins. The supple texture and smooth, approachable style pair well with a variety of foods, such as roasted pork tenderloin or stuffed guinea hen.

Dueling Designers...Part Cinq...

When the air becomes clean and crisp and the skies a deeper shade of blue, I begin to get that tingle in my toes...It's time to travel. For some, they get the back-to-school feeling but for me, I get the back-to-Italy feeling. When I put on my wool blazer, faded jeans, ballet flats and scarf around the neck it brings me back to when I was walking the streets of Florence from my apartment (which was steps from the Duomo) to school.

So it was only natural that I HAD to choose a color that could relate to a Pasta Party...Tomato Red Pantone #485. Thankfully, the Fab Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design was game for yet another edition of Dueling Designers....

Elements Design

row one :: tuscany table for two | al dente rotini | italian cerub | pates baroni poster row two :: pasta party invites | red manolo blahnik’s | vintage tomato seeds | garden tomato table setting row three :: chalkboard menu | tiramisu cake

Chocolate Creative Design

Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe & Image:Country Living, Spaghetti Recipe & Image: Chowmama, Cookbook, Anthropologie

Porcelain Pasta Pot: Anthropologie, Dress, Anthropologie, Tomato, Basil & Ricotta Gelati Image & Recipe: Bon Appetit

Farmer's Market Letterpress Print: Yeehaw, Tomato Letterpress Cards: Yeehaw

Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe & Image: bbcgoodfood Scooter Image: Weheartit, Plates Image: Sunday Suppers

Boards designed and created by Elements Design and Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards... Modern Summer Wedding

Images

Row 1: Taylor Creative, West Elm Zig Zag Carpet, Jonathan Adler via La Dolce Vita

Row 2: Taylor Creative, Jonathan Adler via Porch Light Interiors, Taylor CreativeRow 3: Dandelion Ranch, Ikea white Lak coffee table, Sperry Tents
Row 4: Taylor Creative, Ruffled Blog

I designed this board for a bride and groom I recently started working with that are getting married at a private residence in Connecticut. Sondra (bride) described the mood as sophisticated and elegant but vibrant and fun. Modern Elegance, with black and white as a base and bold colors as accents throughout. Inspired by the incredibly talented Jonathan Adler we are going to bring in modern patterns and textures to create different layers of design, from the cocktail hour to the main reception tent. I am just in LOVE with this design and the colors, perfect for a summer wedding!

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....State Fair..

Dress: Anthropologie ,Vintage Cookbook: OldCookbooks.com

Sorry for the delay on Tuesday Mood Boards, but better late than never I say. I just got back from a fabulous trip with the monster and the grandparents from the Bahamas today, but before I went, I thought I would order up this amazing dress from Anthropologie. Unfortunately, items have been flying off the shelves over there and I have learned that the early bird gets the worm. So I will just mourn over the dress and hopefully it will pop up somewhere...Anyway, the reason I fell in love with it in the first place, was it so reminded me of Stonington. Everyone thinks that we are purely about sailing, scallops and portugeuse sweet bread but we are also about farming and agriculture. The North Stonington Fair, which happens in the first week of July, kicks off the fair season in Connecticut. It may be small but is chock full of cotton candy, tractor pulls, pony rides, Ferris Wheels, animals shows and my favorite, baking contests. So this board is an homage to where we have been getting those fun, whimsical, colorful and homemade ideas that we have been seeing from Martha Stewart to Style Me Pretty.

Vintage poster: Flickr , Snow Cones: Design Sponge, Fair Image: Weheartit.com, Silverware:Mochatini

Duck & Train Tie: Hermes, Wedding Dress: Stephanie James, Lollipops: BridalFairbytheSea, Poster: Etsy

Apple Pies: William Sonoma, Quilt: Spoolsewing.com, Plate: Anthropologie, Tomatoes: Cannelle et Vanille

Vintage Pail: Etsy, Menu:Mochatini, Vintage FeedSack Bag:

Flavored Syrups: Design Sponge, Glass: Anthropologie, Tractor:, Vintage Recipes: Amazon.com

Board designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design.

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards...Firecracker Summer Wedding...

I was reminded the other day by the fabulous Abby Larson of Style me Pretty of their incredible design tool they recently launched on the blog, The Style Circle, which allows brides, vendors, friends, etc. to browse through the hundreds of pictures they have accumulated in their library as well as your own personal collection to create a mood/inspiration board just by dropping your images on one of 4 different templates they have created. I have been lucky to have Miss Wesson as the mastermind behind uploading all of my pictures into a board, but this tool is just fabulous for those of you interested in designing your own inspiration boards. It is so easy and doesn't require a fancy design program or software.

So this week my mood board was designed using the Style Circle. With turquoise being the color of the year, I just love this combination of tones of red, and pink against the bright bold turquoise glass, and the simplicity of the baby's breath, on a fabulous patterned runner. I love to layer patterns of stripes, flowers, and polka dots. You can see in this board that even in using just two colors you can still create incredible interest with pattern, texture, and shades.

Friday Wine Tasting... Ruevi Barbera d'Alba 2006

Wine of the Week...


Ruvei Barbera d'Alba 2006
$17.99


This week I have been trying to be so good at keeping to a strict diet to cleanse myself of all the toxins that have built up in the winter months. Following a recommended plan, Gittleman's Fat Flush Diet, this program is pure discipline and much harder than I ever would have thought. I didn't realize I had become so dependent on #1- coffee, and #2- carbs/sweets. One week into the two week plan I am off to a great start to getting back on track with my diet, and training for the upcoming 1/2 marathon we are running with Team True Event. So even though this is going against my restricted plan and cleanse I couldn't miss a week of Friday Wine Tasting, which I know you all look forward to at the end of the week, as much as I do. So as the snow is falling down outside the windows here in CT, as it has been all day, my latest red wine discovery is a real treat, that you will just love.

I decided to go with an Italian red, a Barbera d'Alba from Ruvei.

What the experts are saying:

89 pts -Robert Parker

I was really surprised by this wine and I love surprises! This wine has a lot more guts and weight to it then your average Barbera. It has a kind of perfumed/earthy nose that continues onto the palate with understated red fruits and dried spices. I always suggest this wine when someone is having Italian, switch out of your Chianti and try this impressive Barbera you won't be sorry! - Maggie's Staff Pick

Vietti's 2006 Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne is made in the soft, round style that is typical of the wines of Alba. The wine offers up layers of super-ripe dark fruit, leather spices, smoke and earthiness with awesome textural depth and richness. This pure, generous Barbera should continue to drink beautifully for several years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012.Vietti is one of the most historic properties in Piedmont. The estate is best known for its top-flight Barolos, yet in recent years I have been equally impressed with the entry-level wines. These are among the finest wines being made anywhere in Italy. The Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco, which is made from Barolo-classified vineyards, in particular, is one of the great values in wine today.- Wall Street Journal Pickread more...

Friday Wine Tasting... Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the Week
Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon
$9.95



This wine is a new favorite. What a great cabernet for under $10. Would be a great wine to serve at your wedding. This is a must try.

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby in color, the nose has notes of black cherry, root beer syrup, and cedar. The 2007 vintage of Leese-Fitch Cabernet has flavors of rich berry cobbler, cappuccino, chocolate covered mints, currants & fig cake. It finishes with toasted marshmallows and dried blueberries.

This Cabernet is very complex, with integrated French oak and layered sweet fruit and savory nuances. Pair this wine with hearty fare via- winebuys.com

Valentines Day Board...

1. Cake, Cake Power
2. Kissing Booth Poster, by Roll and Tumble Press, Via Snippet and Ink
3. Dessert Table, Amy Atlas
4. Heart Name Cards, Via Brooklyn Bride
5. Kissing Booth, Image by Jose Villa Photography, Via Snippet and Ink
6. Bride & Groom, Via Style Me Pretty
7. Badgley Mischka, Ombre Dress, Neiman Marcus
8. Rose Clutch, Boden Usa
9. Temporary Tattoo, Via Snippet and Ink
10. Macaroons, Via Cannelle et Vanille
11. Champagne, Via Snippet and Ink
12. Red Flats, Stuart Weitzman, Via Snippet and Ink
13. Bouquet by Saipua, Via Snippet and Ink
14. Painted Heart, Via, Something Old Something New
15. Fancy Flours, Cupcake Wrappers

Valentines Day Dresses....

I love getting dressed up for New Years Eve and Valentines Day, it doesn't matter what my plans are, you can be sure I will be decked out. I always search high and low for the perfect dress, and as I was searching I came across these dresses that I just had to share.

Whether you are married, single, engaged, or dating, Valentines Day is for everyone. It is an excuse to celebrate love, friendship, chocolate, candy, flowers, and everything red and pink!

1.Silk dupioni Gwendolyn dress, $195, J.Crew
2. Ports 1961, Totem Tuck Sheath Dress, $475, Shopbop
3. Nicole Miller, Strapless Chiffon Cocktail Dress, $420, Nordstrom
4. Shani Collections, Ruffle-Neck Silk Dress, $295, Neiman Marcus
5. David Meister, One Shoulder Sheath Dress, $306, Nordstrom
6. Moschino Cheap and Chic, Strapless Dress with Bow Detail, $755, Shopbop
7. Diane Von Furstenberg, Poplin Wrap Dress, $365, Neiman Marcus