Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Wine Tasting Weekend


We spent this past weekend wine tasting in Traverse City with friends. Traverse City has quickly started to be known as “wine country” and the future Napa Valley. The region’s microclimate allows TC to produce clean and fresh tasting wine that holds its aroma and fruit flavors much better than the wines produced in hotter climates. Traverse City vineyards are most highly regarded for their white wines (my favorite!)- Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay - but are now gaining recognition for light red styles as well! I was surprised at how many lovely blends of Pinot Noir we tasted this weekend. 2Lads 2011 Pinot Noir was one of my favorite pours of the day. We even bought a bottle to pair with our dinner the following evening! Spending a day touring the Traverse City wineries makes for a lovely weekend. I hope you all plan a visit to this special region in Northern Michigan. (It was recently called the Hamptons of Michigan in this article!). 

Chateau Chantal is one of my favorite wineries. Besides their wonderful selection of wine, they also have a spectacular porch to take in the view of the vines and East Bay. On warm summer days, there is no better place to sit outside with a glass of wine and cheese tray to take in the view. 




2Lads is one of the newer wineries in Traverse City. The sleek, modern space is remarkably different from the other tasting rooms of the region. According to the staff, the building is made entirely from sustainable materials. The facility also uses a gravity flow and gentle handling technique to transport and age the wine. By using a gentle process, the aromatics, flavors and colors are preserved and help build a complex wine. 




Brys Estate has a stunning tasting room decorated with beautiful brick and dark cherry wood. The charming property offers a more quaint and personal experience. Don't be fooled though - Brys wine have won more than 225 national and international awards! Be sure to try their unique ice wine!



Last, but certainly not least, we visited Ciccone Vineyard located on the slopes of Leelanau Peninsula. Ciccone holds a special place in our hearts, as it is the location of our upcoming wedding in June 2013! Don't just visit the tasting room...be sure to explore the beautiful property and take in the barn and maple tree that overlook the vines. Stunning!





Check out all of the wineries in Traverse City here. There are many more to visit, this is just a preview :) Also here are a few of my favorite wine accessories (perfect for holiday gifts I might add!).





Monday, October 29, 2012

This & That: Monday Shopping

Anthropologie is one of those stores that I can get lost in. I can spend hours browsing the beautiful clothes and accessories and putting them together to create the perfect outfit. This weekend, I stumbled upon the Judith Collar Coat. I adore the cozy collar and the "ivory" color is just right for fall. Pair this statement coat with a floral dress that's fitting for fall and the result is flawless. 




Happy Shopping! 

Words for the Week


{Image via}



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Paper Fashion: Tulle and Sequins

I have been a long time fan of Katie Rogers and her beautiful illustrations at Paperfashion. When I saw this post inspired by a dress at Dior, I was amazed by the contrast and playfulness of the tulle overlay with the sketch. Like Katie says in her post, sometimes you just need that new spark in your work! The result is usually quite inspiring.


(How cute is the sequin edging on the skirt?)




(Images via PaperFashion)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Beauty Buzz: NARS does Warhol


I'm super excited about the limited edition Nars Andy Warhol collection. The colorful palettes celebrate the iconic Pop Artist, known for his bold colors, and portrayal of celebrities and products from popular culture. Warhol believed that everyone was a superstar for at least 15 minutes...Nars' collection will certainly help you achieve the look :)

Shop the collection here! I'm dying to pick up one of the floral eyeshadow palettes.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012

Words for the Week

{Original Image via}

p.s. Happy October :)