Lush Life: June 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wine Wednesday

Smoking Loon

Price: $8-12

Origin: California

Type: Chardonnay

Best Served With: Scallops, ceviche, white meats with fruit salsa, mixed greens and brie

Description: "Behind the light straw color are aromas of sweet spring flowers, green tea, and a touch of fresh pineapple. The palate is framed by flavors of lemon meringue, fresh papaya, limestone, and subtle nuances of clove finishing with nectarine and light vanilla oak tones." -Winery

Friday, June 24, 2011

Happy Weekend

First, I want to apologize for my lack of posting. I assure you I have been very busy unlike sleeping beauty above (my mom's horse, Aphrodite). I am very excited for the next couple of days because as usual our weekend is jam packed! Tonight James and I will be going to dinner with James' college friend, Ryan (see his wife's adorable blog here). Tomorrow my mom and I will be going to a bridal shower for my life long friend's sister. Sunday we be supporting a friend of James' in a walk for Crohn's disease. And, when we finish that his sister, Emily, and her boyfriend, Jamie, will be waiting at our house for us. I can't wait for to catch up with all our visitors. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wine Wednesday

Yes, please.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Birchbox

I just found the greatest idea for those (like me) who have a beauty product obsession... Birchbox! When you sign up for Birchbox for just $10 a month you will receive a box full of insider secrets and top quality beauty product samples selected by beauty editors and consumers. The brands include Bare Minerals, Benefit, Kiehl's, Laura Mercier, Marc Jacobs, Nars and Stila just to name a few. My girly side is screaming fun, fun, fun!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wine Wednesday

(similar shirts found here)

First things first, I am not a runner. Running is something I have tried very hard to avoid for years now. That being said, a good cause and a rather persuasive boyfriend convinced me to go against my gut and do something crazy. I signed up for a 10k! The last weekend in October James and I, along with a few other friends will be running to support Run to Honor. James has conjured up a training schedule for us that he claims will turn a couch potato (assuming he meant me... thanks sweetie!) into a runner. We started small this week working towards the goal of a 5k. Below is our 1st round training schedule:

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.5 m run	30- 60 min walk
2	Rest or run/walk	1.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.75 m run	35-60 min walk
3	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2 m run	40-60 min walk
4	Rest or run/walk	2.25 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2.25 m run	45-60 min walk
5	Rest or run/walk	2.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.5 m run	50-60 min walk
6	Rest or run/walk	2.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.75 m run	55-60 min walk
7	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	3 m run	60 min walk
8	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	Rest	5-K Training Complete

Any runners have some motivational tricks or words of wisdom? I am needing it, along with the shirt above!

Friday, June 10, 2011

It's the Weekend

Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses

Tonight we will be going to see James' favorite musician, Ryan Bingham. Have you heard of him? If you haven't, you must check him out! He sings Texas country and was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Crazy Heart. This will be our second time seeing him this year (the previous time being at Red Rocks in CO, i.e. heaven) and I can't wait. Wishing everyone a great weekend!

A few of my favorite posts this week:

Something yummy - Homemade Drumsticks

For some giggles - Funny Comics

Great travel idea - Tory's City Guide

Oooo pretty - Sparkled Lilac Nail Polish

Everything summer - Sweet Paul Magazine

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wine Wednesday

Last weekend one of my oldest friends, Steph, was visiting. I drove out to Waterford, VA to spend some time with her at her parents place. Upon my arrival my she informed me that there is a vineyard in walkable distance. Although, I knew that vineyards are all over Loudoun County I was in shock because prior to this I had always thought nothing (and I mean absolutely nothing) was in walkable distance from her place. We strolled down the narrow gravel road to this quaint vineyard.

While there we sampled both the red and white flights. The most noteworthy wines were a Viogner - a light white wine that smelled exactly like honeysuckles (yum!), and a Riesling - I enjoyed because it was not overly sweet. They had a great dessert wine selection as well, including a Lemon Cello, a Raz - tasted like a Chambord but better, and a USB (what you call a Port wine that is not made in Portugal) - aged for eight years in whiskey barrels (genius!).

After the lugging a few too many bottles of wine home from the vineyard, we invited a few friends over to Steph's for some pool time. All and all it was a great day for all of us. Who had more fun, us or Captain? That's up in the air!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A Big Day

Today is a big day for me! I start school (online - reasoning for the odd timing). I will officially be on track to getting my Masters in Accounting and gaining all the credits I need to take the dreaded CPA (stands for Certified Public Accountant or Can't Pass Again - your pick) exam. Today is also the day that I hit my one year mark working at National Parks Conservation Association. To my surprise the company gave me this fitting and beautiful photography book as an anniversary gift. It's the perfect coffee table book and definitely worth a look!