wine

Here’s My Philosophy

November 5, 2017 alittlebitsquirrely

Ok guys, I’ve been on a major Philosophy kick. I’m OBSESSED with their purity facial cleanser. Apparently I do not need to buy any more of it- I have two bottles of their super size cleansers AND a few bottles of their 8oz bottles. *Note to self: do not request any more of their facial cleanser for Christmas or until I’ve put a dent in my current stash.* It’s basically my go-to cleanser and my skin feels so clean and soft after I use it.

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Pro-tip: use a Clarisonic Mia 2 brush with the cleanser to feel extra fresh.

So I have two of Philosophy’s bath + shower gels that I use- Fresh Cream and Melon Daiquiri. I have to admit out of the two, my favorite is the Fresh Cream. Maybe I’m drawn towards to the fresh scent of it… regardless, it’s my favorite of the two.

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P.S. Has anyone ever tried their recipes featured on their bottles? I’ve always been curious about that.

So that leads me to my next predicament… what do I request this Christmas? Side bar: my mom is having a hip replacement at the beginning of December so she’s asking us for our Christmas list… now. That means I’ll be moving home to help take care of her since my dad has the early stages of dementia and basically won’t be the best caregiver. Maybe I should also ask for the best bottles of wine to get during my stay at my parent’s house… I’m probably going to need it!

I’m 87.9% sure I’m going to ask for their exfoliating clay mask. I’ve been on the hunt for a clay mask that reduces pores and gets rid of blackheads. I would LOVE to get any recommendations on the best clay mask to try out.

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I’m also thinking of requesting one of Philosophy’s bath + shower gels. I’ve narrowed it down to the following: Cinnamon Buns, Vanilla Birthday Cake or Apple Cider. I guess you could say I have a thing for baked goods + sweets. If you had to choose between the three, which one would you choose?! #firstworldproblems

Finally… do I ask for Philosophy’s Renewed Hope in a Jar moisturizer or one of their No Reason to Hide serum? I have dry skin in certain areas on my face with a few imperfections, but I don’t need anything that tightens and firms- hence I narrowed it down to these two products. Does any one have a favorite to choose from?

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If only I had the time to go to an Ulta or Sephora store, I’d go scope it out in person but with launching my own business it’s been on the back burner. And let’s be honest, any free time I do have, it’s spent either meeting friends for happy hour or catching up on my favorite shows.

Around Town

(f)unemployment

April 28, 2017 alittlebitsquirrely

And so my (f)unemployment continues!

I’ve been dying to try my hand at embroidery (and no, I’m not 87), but I’ve been intrigued by it since it’s all the rage in fashion this year. My friend and I had a little Sunday Funday action with Craft Habit Raleigh at The Edge of Urge to benefit The Beehive Collective. Embroidery and bottomless mimosas?! Sign me up!

Upon walking into The Edge of Urge I was enamored with the entire store. Not only do they carry Capri Blue candles, but they sell unique jewelry, amazingly creative cards and so much more. Looking back, I wish I had taken photos of the store… but I was too transfixed on the mimosas and wanting to learn how to embroider. In the two-hour time frame I learned the basics of embroidery and I was hooked.

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As the class wrapped up we weren’t quite ready to head home so we trotted next door to Wine Authorities. HELLO, new favorite place! I love the idea of having a Wine Authorities card where you can put money on it and serve yourself at the wine tap. Can someone please install a wine tap at my house? And because I’m obsessed with cheese plates/ cheese boards we totally ordered one. #cheeseaddict

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In case you were wondering, I finished my work of art! I stayed up late Wednesday night so I could finish it and I’m pretty sure I found my new hobby. Perhaps I’ll open an Etsy shop if I don’t find a new job.

Uncategorized

A Little Time On My Hands

April 22, 2017January 4, 2019 alittlebitsquirrely

It’s a full-time job looking for a job. When you’re unemployed, there’s only so many times you can go on LinkedIn, Indeed, etc and see the same jobs you’ve applied for. With that being said- YES, I am job hunting, networking, etc., but I’m also enjoying my “spring break” or “staycation” as one might call it. What have I been doing since the beginning of April other than job hunting? I’ll tell you…

13 Reasons Why. I have no shame in admitting I binge-watched 13 Reasons Why on Netflix in 2 days. Originally I had intentions of watching the newest season of Grace and Frankie, but I was intrigued when 13 Reasons Why popped up on the main screen. I was hooked. P.S. I still need to watch Grace and Frankie.
Visiting friends. By no means am I traveling to Georgia, Florida or Dallas to visit friends. I’m keeping it local since I’ve got a mortgage I gotta pay. Since I have all this time on my hands I’m spending it with my friends as well as ones from high school I haven’t seen in ages, family friends and old co-workers. I feel like I’m on tour, but only visiting 1-2 cities.
Wine tasting. And by wine tasting I mean drinking wine with friends. I’ve also become OBSESSED with creating a homemade cheese board. You can’t go wrong with a double bottle of Barefoot Pinot Grigio and some nice cheese, especially when it’s all on sale. Some of my favorite cheeses include goat cheese, havarti and port salut. Pro tip: drizzle a little honey on the cheese… it’s PHENOMENAL.
Reading. I finally finished Andy Cohen’s second book, The Andy Cohen Diaries and I’m currently reading The Sister by Louise Jensen. I also have three more books lined up after that: You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein, Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly and The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. Looks like I just might make my Goodreads goal of reading 25 books this year.
Trial + Error. I got hooked on a new show, Trial + Error with the hilarious John Lithgow + Sherri Shepherd. I’m not going to lie I thought I wouldn’t be able to see past John Lithgow’s super creepy appearance from Dexter, but I did. The writing is impeccable and the casting for the show is superb. I’m going to need NBC to renew this hilarious show for another season.
Crafts. I decided to pick up an old pastime of mine, cross stitching. It’s a hobby I used to dabble in, but then life got in the way. I’m also going to take a class with Craft Habit Raleigh and try my hand at embroidery. Stay tuned for the outcome on that.
Spring cleaning. The great spring purge of 2017 is underway! While I’ve donated some of my things I’ve also sold some items on Poshmark and those Buy/Sell groups on Facebook. The good news is I didn’t end up on Dateline after that transaction. So I guess you could say I’m making an income… it’s only enough to feed my need to go to Dos Taquitos or purchase Pinto Grigio.

So that’s basically what I’ve been doing since the beginning of April. Oh, and I’ve been going to the gym, but I’m not going to brag about that. I just want to be a stay at home mom without having kids. Or maybe substitute the kids for some pets. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Travels

Jessica Jet Sets to Cali: Part IV

May 15, 2016May 15, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

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.

Dating Diaries

Earbuds

March 11, 2016January 4, 2019 alittlebitsquirrely

Ok y’all. Here’s my first blog post on my adventures in dating. I’ve changed the guy’s name + location so no one’s feelings get hurt.

Last night’s date was a total hot mess! We met up at local downtown Raleigh establishment at around 8pm. I got there on time + Earbuds* texted to say he was out back finishing up a phone call. Out of total politeness I waited for him to show his face prior to ordering my drink… my parents would be proud that those cotillon classes from middle school were paying off. Maybe I should have referred him to the cotillon classes I went to because he appeared with beverage in hand. In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “HOW RUDE!” I opted to not hold that against him. However there were a few things I couldn’t get past.

He was starting ear gauges. On BOTH ears. Who starts doing that when they’re in their 30s?! Really? I don’t get the appeal of ear gauges. I’m ok with tattoos, but ear gauges? You want to have a GIANT floppy hole in your ear that you could potentially shoot darts through for giggles? No thanks.
He whipped out his e-cigarette like Leonardo DiCaprio did at the SAG Awards. It was like a magic trick, you don’t know how it appeared, it just came out of no where.
He lives with an eight foot boa constrictor. Technically, it’s his roommate’s “pet”, but still. A snake? That’s a 100% hell no. Not to mention, I think he plans to live with said roommate forever.
Conspiracy theories. He had conspiracy theories that he babbled about, but honestly I tuned out. I think I just nodded as if I knew what he was talking about.
Yes, there’s a number five. At the end of the night when it was obvious that there wasn’t a connection he said he was going to close his tab. First of all, we had a waitress. Second of all, you’re not going to at least offer to buy my one $5 glass of prosecco for Wind Down Wednesday? Oh, that’s fine. I’m miss independent, miss self-sufficient… I’ve got this, don’t worry about me.

I should have just said, “Bye Felicia” to him. Unfortunately time machines don’t exist so it’s a moo-point. Oh well… on to the next one.

P.S. I called this post earbuds because I stopped my friend’s house after the date to give her the “scoop” and her boyfriend referred to him as earbuds so it stuck.

P.S.S. Earbuds, if you’re reading this- I didn’t mention your name so let’s not get bent out of shape… it’s just giggles.

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 Christmas Tree Hell

December 11, 2015January 4, 2019 alittlebitsquirrely

RIP to my Christmas Tree: 11/29/15- 12/9/15.

Tis the season for all hell to break loose. My Christmas tree + I had a good run… for about 10 days. I’m not going to lie… she was majestic.

I had a nice Wednesday evening tee’d up: I was watching the Scream Queens finale, addressing my Christmas cards + relaxing. Boo Radley was passed out under the tree on my luxurious Nicole Miller faux-fur tree skirt. It happened all so sudden. The tree was standing and then it wasn’t. I totally admit I blamed it all on Boo Radley + even offered him up on Facebook for the taking. I confess: it was a rash accusation + I have already apologized to him. For the record, the tree was already leaning… Boo was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I desperately tried to get the tree back up. Jessica (5’tall) vs Christmas Tree (6’tall). The tree won. It fell twice. During the first fall, 2 ornaments broke… it’s ok they were your typical basic ornaments.During the second fall there were more casualties.

RIP to the following ornaments:

My beloved Patience Brewster Peace on Earth ornament. There’s peace no more.
A Bloomingdale’s fairy carrying her little brown bag. I got her on one of my annual NYC trips with my mom.
One of my squirrels. I have several squirrel ornaments so this one wasn’t as sentimental as the others, but still it was a casualty.
A silver acorn. This one wasn’t sentimental either. I guess the squirrel + the acorn are together again.

After a good cry session I pulled myself together and stripped the tree of the ornaments + lights and took that sucker outside.

Fast-forward to today. I thought to myself, “Hey, when life hands you lemons, paint that shit gold!” I Googled how to make your own wreath… I was totes going to up cycle my tree. I spent a solid hour clipping the branches off the tree, gathering them in bunches and adhering them to the wire frame.

The result? A Martha Stewart fail. When all else fails, pop open the wine.

If anyone needs 3/4 of a Christmas Tree, let me know… I can hook you up.

Travels

Let’s Go to the Beach, Beach

July 24, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

I recently got back from a family vacation at Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina. When I say “family vacation” I mean there were about 20+ folks coming and going from the beach house. This has been an ongoing tradition well before I was born. It’s an opportunity for cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and so on to spend a week together under the same roof to really bond + catch up. When you think about it, It’s priceless. Here’s a recap of my vacation at Ocean Isle!

This was the best $9.99 I spent on a cheesy shirt from Waves to give to my cousin

I kept it classy on the first day with a Diet Coke in my House of Swank koozie.

Wine, saltwater and sand is all I need. This is what heaven looks like

The beach hat I bought was cutting it, so I bought this amazing mustache hat to keep me cool and looking hip

My cousin Blake found this starfish on the beach. Poor l'il guy lost a limb later that day. — My cousin Blake found this starfish on the beach. Poor l’il guy lost a limb later that day.

This is what happens when a pack of cute kids asks you to buy one of their bracelets they made. I couldn't say no! — This is what happens when a pack of cute kids asks you to buy one of their bracelets they made. I couldn’t say no!

Every evening led to an exciting game of beach volleyball

I adore Ocean Isle for their calm beaches

The family flag that was on display everyday!

These 2 goobers kept me laughing all week long and I got to feel young again hanging out with them

That pretty much sums up the week I spent at Ocean Isle… drinking wine/ Diet Coke, hanging out with my cousins, being goofy and LOVING the beach.

xoxo

Around Town

Poppin’ Bottles

April 22, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

So yesterday I attended the Great Grapes Wine Festival in Cary. It was interesting… not what I expected. I learned a few things yesterday…

I don’t celebrate North Carolina wine. Nothing against it, but a majority of the wines I sampled were incredibly sweet. After about 30 minutes into the event I had enough samples because the wine was so sweet. In fact it gave me a headache. I’m not a fan of super sweet wines, I prefer a nice glass with dinner. I don’t think I’d be able to pair any of the wines I sampled with a meal.
Putting kids on leashes just isn’t for the fair, but it’s also for wine festivals. I saw a kid being monitored by their parents at the beginning, but as the wine festival progressed I noticed the kid was then put on a leash. Maybe next time the parents should find a babysitter. I should also mention that the people watching is incredible.
No big deal, just a kid on a leash.

The best part of the wine festival was the peach bellini wine slushy

I’m not sure if I’ll go back for next year’s wine festival.. I might try to hit up the Cuegrass Festival in downtown Raleigh.

Around Town

Did Somebody Say Wine?

April 17, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

This Saturday I’m going to the Great Grapes Wine Festival in Cary. There are 3 reasons why I’m amped about this event…

Wine. Duh! I love wine! Well…. not all wine, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. My goal is to find a red wine that I can tolerate and not cringe when I take a sip. In case you didn’t catch on, I don’t celebrate red wine. I’m really hoping I can find that one red wine that will sweep me off my feet! I guess you could say my beef with red wine is the fact that it tastes like vinegar to me. If I ever go on The Bachelor, I’d have to accept the red wine when it’s given to me otherwise you’ll see the cringed look on my face. If anyone has a favorite red wine that doesn’t have a vinegar taste to it I’m all ears!
Food. While I’m sure there will be a variety of food vendors I’m also interested in learning about food pairings with wine. Usually when I’ve entertained in the past with wine I’m all like, “here’s some hummus and pita chips, knock yourselves out” or “I hope you like Combos because that’s all I have.” I’m at that age now where I need to be a tad more elegant when it comes to serving light appetizers with wine. I figured I could say something along the lines of, “oh this luxurious cheese was imported from Finland… nothing but the best for my guests!” We’ll see what kind of handy information/ wine words I pick up on Saturday.
Crafts. I’m no Martha Stewart when it comes to crafts, but I love to see what other folks are doing. I also like to support the locals whether they are selling art, jewelry, etc. I’m sure once the wine starts flowing the cash out of my wallet will start to disappear.

If y’all live near the Raleigh-Durham area, you should check this event out & get your tickets to go!