Duchesse De Bourgogne, A Lovely Taste
May 10, 2009
Each and every time I stroll through the many isles of Total Wine & Spirits, I cannot help but taste a new Belgium beer. There are so many unique single bottle options available, though I love my classics I always love to indulge in new tastes.
During my last visit, a new bottle caught my eye called “Duchesse De Bourgogne” which is also known as “The Burgundies of Belgium”. It fed into my curiosity and so a taste was needed.
Immediately upon opening and pouring, the first smell is strong of dark molasses. It reminded me of childhood when I would wander into the kitchen and smell the delicious spices of freshly baked dark gingerbread. Rarely do I get to indulge in such a wonderful smell, and with this beer the tone was perfect. So beautiful and reminiscent, I longed for my first taste.
Duchesse de Bourgogne is a reddish-brown ale from the West Flanders region of Belgium, top fermented, and carefully matured in oak casts.
It is purely natural and unpasteurized, leaving a full clean and beautiful taste. The aroma and tastes returned me to my loves of childhood, but in a grown up and matured fashion. It is so lovely and pure, and elegantly presented. The texture is light to medium and balances well against the fragrance of the nose.
I purchased a small bottle here for a first taste, but am anxious to try it again in it’s full bottle- cork included, naturally. I love the stylings of a Belgium beer, and this one is a lovely discovery.
If you have a love for dark and rich freshly baked gingerbread- this beer will take you back and reward your taste buds lovingly. I definitely recommend it and look forward to another taste!
1950′s Crimson Glamor
May 2, 2009
So I also found a dress from the 1950′s at this amazing little vintage shop in Seattle, what a visit this one was. They didn’t have many clothing items in the shop as it was mostly furniture and accessories- but the few they did have seemed to all come from one little lady about the same size as me. What luck!
Now, this dress does need to be pressed to be really appreciated, but you can get a feel from it still with these images. The color and texture is what it is all about, anyway.
The shape of the dress is very simple, with a little triangle decoration at the top front- but the color is so rich and beautiful. I love a nice crimson, and this one is delicious.
I think once it is pressed smooth and dressed up with some delicate fashion accessories (a jeweled necklace, earrings and bracelet at most) and this will be ready to go.
This will make for a fun and glamorous evening with cocktails and dinner.
Glamor With Vintage Golden Leaves
April 29, 2009
Don’t you just love vintage accessories? This one inspires glamor into any outfit, however casual or elegant it may be. The design is simple, yet delicate and sophisticated with a very rich finishing look.
When I first spotted this bracelet, I thought it was gorgeous but had concern- those edges look like the snagging kind, and can quickly ruin an outfit. However once I put it on and gave it a quick little test, I was surprised- nothing happened. In fact, I couldn’t even get it to snag however hard I tried- brilliant. The way the leaves clasp together leave a smooth edge that keeps in and doesn’t attach itself onto clothing.
So this is my new glamor toy and statement piece- it is gold, elegant, and perfect!
Just the piece of vintage I was looking for to give my modern wardrobe the new twist and added glamor I’ve been wanting.
Some accessories are timeless; constantly allowing themselves to be reinvented over and over again. Perhaps that is why I love vintage so much- there is always a story and a history beyond the look and feel.
Pommard, A Love Of Luxurious French Wines
April 13, 2009
I love wine, and as the evening arrives and all is calm and quiet- I love nothing more than to relax with a glass of Burgundy. Even when we have some guests over for conversation, a bottle of luxurious wine is always present- it makes us warm and happy.
I love all styles of wines, but burgundy- or pinot noir, is my personal favorite.
So I thought this evening I would share with you what I am drinking, and be forewarned, this is certainly an earthy, full, and rich red wine.
It is a 2005, and comes from the appellation of Pommard, France- where only red wines are allowed to be produced. The wines are known for their full bodied tannic quality, and because of it do well with aging. I admit I am opening this one early (five is generally a minimum with this one, and as many as fifteen or more does very well to soften the tannins and bring out the complexity of the fruit flavors and dimensions).
I used one of my fun little wine tools to speed up the breathing process as well as letting it rest, and I must say it was still quite the treat! Definitely holds well with food- something rich and meaty like a filet, especially something gamey like venison or elk. Nom!
Very rich of red fruit- black cherry, black currant, and plum. Love it. Without the Wine Aerator Tool I have it would come across more bitter, which is why it will do better with time. This is certainly something I would purchase again (and let rest for a future celebration or gathering).
Cheers, loves!
Mmmmm… Strawberries!
April 10, 2009
Yesterday we went to the grocery to pick up a few items, and these straweberries were looking irresistable to me. I haven’t had any in the house for a while, and thought they would make the perfect snack.
I also had my usual delicious breads and goat cheese on hand, so once I got home I thought I’d make a quick yummy bite.
I originally purchased the strawberries for having them in salads or on their own, but then I wanted something different! So I toasted up a few pieces of bread (tearing them to make them bite size friendly), and added some goat cheese.
Sure, it looks kind of messy at first but that’s the beauty of it- it doesn’t have to be perfect. I used some wheat dinner rolls for this one- I like how the edges crisp up but the middle stays very fluffy and warm. It is a lovely combination with the goat cheese. Cream cheese or other styles would also taste delicious for this quick and pretty snack.
Next, I sliced some strawberries and placed two slices on each piece. The look comes together very nicely (and you can see how the previous mess doesnt’ matter). They are rich small bites and perfect for those little cravings between meals. I was enjoying a glass of my Grand Cru Cuvee Rene and thought strawberries and cheese would be a perfect mix. And it absolutely was!
Who ever said a pretty and fabulous gourmet snack had to be a complicated one? This one is quick, easy, and delicious! Make it even more delicious with a light vanilla sause or even a red wine vinager drizzled on top- savory and sweet and very rich!
A Love Of Winter Patterns & Tights
April 6, 2009
Or maybe now it is more like spring’s winter love- with the cool breezes showing up here lately one would hardly know the difference. Maybe spring got a little jealous, yet with the warm sunshine it makes for a lovely and welcoming cool day.
Cool enough to get me to bring out my tights once again- a fun fashion style opportunity I am always eager to indulge in. Tights can do so much to the most simple of outfits, and when patterns are involved the possibiliites are even grander.
Colors? Love them, and I’ll even admit to my turquoise, magenta, blue, and other rich filled opaque collection of tights. With color, the look is definitely a bold one. However today I wanted something more classic with a playful twist. Black is as classic as it gets, so when you involve a pattern into the look it will almost always be fabulous.
And so these are a fun favorite I like to wear when the weather is as lovely (and cool) as it is. Something about black on black prints on tights are great to me- I have another that are sheer black with dark black stripes running vertically as the print- such a small detail but the look is very bold. With color you expect it, but with black and sheer, it has an entirely different attitude.
Here’s to having fun with prints on tights while the weather allows for it- make it grand 
Sultry Silver Smoky Eyes
March 27, 2009
After playing with brilliant bold colors (like coral and gold), I am ready for a more sultry elegant look- and for me silver is just the color. There are endless possibilities, and this morning I decided to lean on the bolder side of silver. Nothing too out there, just a subtle hint through some dramatic eyes in my makeup.
And so I played with my make up to do a classic look with a silver glow. A nice touch of eyeliner to elongate the eyes and really make them pop combined with the classic smoky eye make up- only with more of a silver presence to make the look all the more dramatic and glamorous.
My lashes are pretty long to begin with naturally, but when you add the Le 2 Mascara from Guerlain it maximizes the volume and length like nothing else (I love it).
It is more about the silver faded into the hint of dark gray that collects at the ends of the eyes- one side with a fine eyeliner and the other with the rich smoky finish.
The finished look is simple but quite bold- a little can go a long way. It doesn’t take long to do but the results last the entire day and feel flawless. This is a fun look to do and a great way to get excited about the day.
I did mine with silver and gray colors- however if you’re looking for even more, go for the gold. Use a nice bronze or gold and mix it into a darker shade of brown- definitely rich and glamorous as well. Even a dark purple could prove to be royal and luxurious.
Play around and make it your own, simple is key as a little goes a long way. Its the details that count.
Glittering In Gold With Chic Coral Nails
March 26, 2009
I love a rich coral color, especially when it dazzles with brilliant bursts of gold like this one does. It is one of those bottles that catches my eye each time I see it- I may not always wear it, but you can bet my nails stand out when I do.
And this is a perfect spring and summer shade- and just playful enough to be bold and different. It is gorgeous, and fortunately it applies exactly as the bottle appears!
Also fun, is that on a rainy dreary day like it has been here today- I can cuddle up in my fuzzy robe of the same coral shade. Very fabulous. I love when things match.
It looks especially grand holding a cocktail or paired up with a glamorous ring, the sparkle is very apparant and dances in the light.
This is a shade I will buy over and over again, much like a clasic red or simple nude. It’s too fabulous to pass up, and definitely supplies some instant cheer. This one in particular is from Milani (oh, but I do love the Target) and is called “Gold Digger.” I’ll let you decide if you like the name or not, but for me- it is all about the color.
Has Glamor Gone Mad?
March 20, 2009
Because we are all a little mad…. and love to indulge in our glamorous fantasies. And designer Tom Binns supplies those fantasies with reality from his incredible couture collections. Born in Ireland, Binns completed the education necessary to acquire the skills of a proper jewelry designer and moved on to collaborate with Vivian Westwood and Malcolm MacLaren for his “punk couture” collection.
Creating designs with a “modern classic” feel, he continues to inspire glamor with a whole new twist. Classic with a modern twist is something I have always described my own style as, and seeing his designs makes me feel as though it is a part of my world. I love simplicity as it has its place, but a part of me is head over heels for excessive glamor such as these collections. From Dumont (pictured above and below), Rokoco, to Couture and more- each collection is fabulous and has its own unique character and feel to it.
Perhaps it is my fondness of Alice In Wonderland that continues to inspire me- I love charms and child-like memories represented in a rich and adult form, so when I look for charm bracelets, I want lots and lots of charms with a strong feel to each one. Colors, crystals, and clever twists of strands are things I am always looking for (which, is perhaps also why I adore LOVEMADDS so much, her designs are true and powerful, one of a kind and absolutely glamorous).
And from loaded up bracelets, I have also searched for ridiculously glamorous rings and necklaces. Needless to say, Tom Binns does not disappoint. Maybe glamor needed a little madness to inspire us all.
I know I am in love- and on the hunt! I am determined to capture these beauties for myself. They are too beautiful to be left alone.
(you know my fondness of hearts, elegance, and glamor… the “chain of events” necklace I am incredibly in love with!) To view more about Tom Binns and his incredible collections, visit his site for more.
