Napa Valley

One day I will finish my trip recap, dammit! With that being said… here goes!

Saturday was our day for wine tastings. Sam from Honey Tour Company came to pick us up to take us on our wine tasting adventures and be our DD of course! He even had a spread of crackers + cheese that we could munch on between stops. It was like he was trying to steal my heart with the Havarti cheese (my fav).

Winery #1: Beaulieu Vineyard
My main goal for the wineries to become a red wine drinker. By far out of all of the wineries we went to on Saturday, my favorite red was the Reserve Carneros from Beaulieu Vineyard. I really wish I had bought a few bottles- it was so good! We had a private tour + tasting at Beaulieu Vineyard which was intimate + fun for our group. In a perfect world I would get a large wine barrel installed in my house so I could get wine out whenever I wanted to. Maybe I should just move into a winery…

Winery #2: Provenance Vineyards
Provenance Vineyards was intimate + quaint, which was nice. After sampling some delicious wine as well as getting a sample straight from the barrel, Sam made us lunch outside while we enjoyed the sun rays and played Jenga. It was extremely relaxing there. They had ample outdoor seating from picnic tables to open seating as well as covered tables to hide in the shade.

Winery #3: Frog’s Leap Winery
This winery by far was one of my favorites of our trip. Not only was the wine on point, but the view was to die for. I literally could have just moved in there. It would be the perfect the location for a engagement photos or even a wedding. They encourage you to to pick the fruit off the trees + try it, which was fantastic. The grounds were covered in vast array of mustard, which really made the property pop with color. Part of me wanted to just run in the mustard + twirl around in circles like the scene from The Sound of Music, which I totally did even though the mustard was above my waist. When I emerged I was covered in yellow, but it was well worth it. I would definitely go back to Frog’s Leap Winery again… it was heaven on earth there.

Winery #4: Tres Sabores Winery
Our last stop of the day was Tres Sabores Winery! Upon arriving we were greeted by an adorable golden retriever and some sheep. Yes, sheep. We received a tour around the grounds, went into the cave where they keep their wine and watched the process of bottling the wines. Afterwards we all gathered at a long table outside for our wine tasting. (P.S. If you ask for some cheese + crackers, they will bring it out). I might have been a little hungry at the time when I asked. My friends thanked me later for that snack! It was extremely relaxing + breathtaking at Tres Sabores Winery and being the animal lover I am, I loved the various animals on the property. I even was able to get my photo with one of the sheep, and by photo I mean I stood a good length away from it in case it got frisky.

Hiring a tour company is the only way to really experience Napa Valley. Everyone was able to let loose + not have to worry about having a DD, we had a professional tour guide who took us to some notable wineries that were each different and it was a day I’ll never forget. Had I not gone on this trip, I would have had some serious FOMO.

Travels

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part III

April 17, 2016April 17, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

I swear, it’s going to take me a year to do the entire recap from my California trip… but I’m going to finish it!!

On day two we spent the better part of the morning continuing our “tour of San Francisco.”

First Stop: The Full House house. Y’all, I can’t even tell you how excited I was about seeing this. I grew up on Full House and have probably watched all the episodes multiple times (it ranks up there with Saved By The Bell, the original 90210 series, Law + Order: SVU + FRIENDS episodes that I could binge watch repeatedly). We totally nerded out on the way to see the house by listening to the Full House theme song. I have no shame in admitting that. Not to mention, Fuller House was about to be released on Netflix so it was perfect timing.

Second Stop: Mrs. Doubtfire house. While I was excited to see the Mrs. Doubtfire house, it didn’t compare to seeing the Full House house. #sorrynotsorry

Third Stop: Lombard Street. Thank god we did not attempt to drive the suburban on Lombard Street. Just watching the people drive down it gave me anxiety. To the people who live on Lombard Street: bless your hearts for putting up with all the tourists and having the patience to live on that street.

Fourth Stop: The Golden Gate Bridge. Is it always that windy by the bridge? I’m not going to lie, I didn’t get many good photos of myself there due to the wind. Major buzzkill. I was hoping I’d get a good one for my Bumble profile. Oh well! We probably spent 30 minutes getting a really good blowout with major tangles on a dreary day.

While we made our way out of San Francisco we made a pit stop in Sausalito for lunch at Copita. They had a drink on the menu called ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and wish I had ordered it in honor of my man, David Bowie. If I ever come across another Ziggy Stardust, you better believe I’m going to order it. After lunch we loaded up the suburban to head to our house in Napa Valley, but we had one more pitstop to make- go to Lagunitas Brewery!

The rest of the day was chill- we had to get settled in our house and rest up for our big WINERY tour. Let’s hope my recap from the winery tour won’t be next month. I’m going to try to finish up my California recap before I go to Blowing Rock for a girl’s weekend.

Travels

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part II

March 27, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

Now to the fun part! Part of the group arrived to San Fran around noon which allowed us get a jumpstart on being an official tourist. I was beyond stoked to cram as much sightseeing as I could into the day. Once we checked into the hotel, we walked in circles at Union Square + had some lunch at Lefty O’Douls (which was totally delicious). From there we made our way to Last Drop Tavern for a much needed drink (I had one of my favorite adult beverages, a Moscow Mule) and we began to plot out what we were going to do with limited time we had.

We all agreed on the following:

Ride a cable car
Check out the Fisherman’s Wharf
Say hey to the seals
Take a look at Alcatraz

We did it all. And more.

I pretty much want a seal now. Preferably a teacup size seal, I don’t think your average size seal will logistically work in my townhouse. I’m going to add this to my Christmas wish list. After trolling around the Fisherman’s Wharf for a couple hours, we met up with the rest of our party for drinks to celebrate everyone’s arrival. We also had Tommy’s brother join us (he lives in San Francisco) + played tour guide around In-N-Out (major buzzkill I didn’t eat there… that was on my bucket list. I guess I’ll have to go back to San Fran again), Ghiradelli Square (I didn’t get any chocolate either… ANOTHER buzzkill) and finally we landed at his brother’s house for a pit stop.

By this time is was around 8pm. I’d been up for about 17 hours and I was still trucking along. How? I have no idea. I can’t hang like I used to. #imgettingold

All we knew is that we wanted dinner + then go back to the hotel to crash. After we bid farewell to Tommy’s bro we hopped on the cable car towards dinner. If you’re in San Francisco go dine at Hops + Hominy– it was banging. All I know is I inhaled my burger. I’m not going to lie I don’t remember much from dinner (and no it wasn’t the alcohol), it was from being up close to 20 hours.

Day one in San Francisco was a complete success. Up next: my recap of day two in San Francisco + our journey to Napa Valley.

Travels, Uncategorized

California Love

January 17, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

Y’all… big news! I’m going to California in February. Specifically, San Francisco (HELLO, FULL HOUSE) + Napa Valley. It’s been on my bucket list to go to California + I’m beyond stoked. So when my friend Darnell sent out an email wanting to celebrate his 35th birthday in Napa Valley, I jumped all over it. I mean, this is the year of me saying, “YES” to things… within reason. And in case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m going to make it my mission to see the house from Full House while in San Fran. It’s going to get me jazzed for when Fuller House comes on. I loved me some Full House growing up. I mean John Stamos was super delicious (minus the mullet) + who wasn’t obsessed with that song, “Forever” that Jesse + the Rippers sang?! I might just play the theme song while we visit the house.

My biggest hurdle is the flight. This girl is not a fan of flying. I first flew by myself a few years ago when I went to Dallas to see my friend Darnell. I’m pretty sure I was strung our + jazz hands the entire time. Thank goodness my friend Whitney + her husband will be on the same flight as me when we head to California. As for on the way back, I’m on my own.

I already know I’m going to have to apologize to the person who will be sitting next to me if I start to spazz out. I’m also going to need to find myself a horse tranquilizer + a strong cocktail. There’s an 80% chance I might reenact this scene from Bridesmaids.

FullSizeRender The good news is that I have about a month to simmer myself down. The bad news is the person next to me is going to tell me to shut the hell up.

Stay tuned to my traveling antics.

Uncategorized

Oh Hey, 2016!

January 2, 2016January 4, 2019 alittlebitsquirrely

FullSizeRender

I rang 2016 in style… another New Years Eve show with The Avett Brothers! That recap will come later.

I’m not one to make resolutions, because let’s get real… I don’t keep them. That would be like me saying, “I’ve got a mad craving for chitlins”… not going to happen. Ever. Instead I try to make a list of things I want to do or strive to do, that way I’m not committing to something for a whole year. Here’s what I’ll strive to do in 2016…

Concerts. I saw some stellar shows in 2015… The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Mumford + Sons, The Avett Brothers and Alabama Shakes… just to name a few.
Read more. I started reading more towards the end of 2015 + I forgot how much I missed it. The first book I’m going to crack open for 2016 is Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari. And yes, I’m one of those people who likes holding a physical book. Here’s hoping I also actually read my magazines too. I was notorious for slacking on that in 2015.
Decorating. I’m for real this time. I’m going to hang pictures on my wall… even if I have to find someone taller than me to hang them. Actually, someone is going to have to do it for me. If I hang them it will be obvious a fun-sized person hung them on the wall. I have a rep to maintain.
Saying, “YES.” I want to say yes to more adventures in 2016. For example, I’ve already said yes to going to Napa Valley in February with a group of friends. I’ll just need to find someone to hold my hand on the flight or a horse tranquilizer to subdue my jazz hands.

And that’s it!

Here’s to more giggles, less falling in public + lots of fun in 2016!

Tag: Napa Valley

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part IV

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part III

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part II

California Love

Oh Hey, 2016!