Wine & Cheese Pairings.

It's no secret how much I love wine. I love learning about it just as much as I love the fun times with family or friends that come with sharing a bottle glass. Pairing wine and cheese has always been easy to me, because I feel like ALL wine goes with ALL cheese.... right?? Well, it all depends on your own personal taste, but in tasting some of the pairings below, I've found there is an art to pairing wine and cheese. The cheeses below came from specialty cheese shops, but I would think Trader Joes and/or Whole Foods would have them (or something very close) in stock. Just ask the guy behind the counter, especially at Whole Foods, as they are always so knowledgeable and helpful! Here are two of my favorites...

Valckenberg Dornfelder 2009 wine paired with Cambazola Blue Cheese

Tip: Add toasted walnuts to the mix. The flavors go so well together!

The wine is a lighter red, but it pairs so well with the bolder blue cheese.

This is a perfect pairing for the upcoming warmer nights!

Oveja Negra Carmenere 2008 wine, paired with Pickwick English Cheddar w/caramelized onions.

(the cheese pictured is not the English Cheddar, because we ate it all! HA!)

This is, by far, the best wine/cheese pairing I've ever had! The caramelized onions in the cheese impart

such a rich flavor... trust me, you need to have this pairing!

Both the wine and cheese are bold and full of flavor!

Other pairings I would recommend:

-Lot 3 Port (Marietta Cellars) paired with Point Reyes blue cheese

-Chianti Classico paired with Percorino Toscano cheese

-Sauvee classico paired with Tallegio 

-Alexander Valley Dry Rose of Sangiovese paired with Cocoa Cardona

-Rocca Vermentino 2009 paired with Brinata del Megello

-Bunratty Meade paired with Cahill Irish Porter Cheese

All pairing ideas from here. They do online tasting every Wednesday, so tune in if you're interested! My aunt & uncle, who are big time foodies, turned me onto this, and I love it! Enjoy! xx

Shape Wear.

In the past few years, I've really been drawn to clothes with interesting and unique shapes. Even a black pair of pants can stand out if they have a unique shape to them! As I posted here, the white dress has a shape to it that I've never seen before. It drapes out on both sides, giving the dress some character. Even though it's just a plain white dress, the structure of it takes it to a whole new level! I've loved these LF pants since the second I laid eyes on them in the store! They are perfectly slouchy, yet extremely lady-like...hands down, my favorite pair of pants in my closet right now! Don't be afraid of clothing with unique structure! If worn right, it can transform your look!

Love the details of the waist line & pleating down the front!

Incredible "Monies" necklace & earrings

Same designer of necklaces seen here and here  (the last pic)

Mom and I both have the cross necklace in black and brown...

And LOVE it!!

Bebe shoes; Karen Zambos Vintage Couture blouse; Hermes bracelet

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes.

I'm not usually a breakfast person. Never have been. My sweet mama had to search high and low for creative ways to make me eat breakfast as a kid. I know it's the healthy thing to do and all, but I still don't wake up in the AM thrilled chow down on my morning meal. However, call it "brunch" and move it back a couple of hours, and I am SOLD! I love finding great brunch places, leisurely spending my mornings eating and drinking with loved ones. But I also love to cook my own breakfast/brunch foods every now and then. This morning I was in the mood to do just that and made these Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes. I added craisins, instead of raisins - and it was just as good! I've added this recipe to my list of morning favorites!