I like Uneven Hemlines.

I found this super fun Anthropologie dress this morning while looking for things "bright", "cheerful", "Spring-ish" and with "an Uneven Hemline".

I think I like this new hemline for the Spring, but then again, I like things that are Asymmetrical and/or don't match. (For what it's worth, I did not like to color in the lines as a small child, either.) It drives Boyfriend insane. His favorite color is plaid and he can read a map like Rainman. I prefer to get to my destinations via Soul-searching. It's not that I prefer chaos, I just like things a little off-center.

By the way, we get another hour of sunlight in 11 days!!!

Hells YEAH, Mofrickas!

Something Borrowed vs Jane Eyre 2011

The movies, not the books, although I read the book by Emily Griffin (in about 3 days, nonetheless). I think, that it is possible, at some point, that I may have read the Cliff Notes of Jane Eyre...? Maybe.....?

Anyhoo, I have a head cold and therefore have ZERO energy, which is depressing because the weather is absolutely beautiful and Mr. Spanky Doodle Dandy keeps looking out the window at all of the other dogs walking in the neighborhood, and then back at me with this really sad look. It's killing me.

So, I am fortified on the couch with my cell phone, lots of tea and Goldfish crackers, some Kleenex and the ability only to press the "Guide" button on the remote. I discovered two very different "Star Crossed Lovers" movies. Fun. Let's discuss.

Movie ONE: Something Borrowed.

Pros: Easy plot. The Hamptons, NYC looks lovely in the summer. It has Jim from The Office, too and he is always funny. Colin Eggle-whatever is pretty to look at, in a soap opera star kinda way. Leaves a wide-open ending for the sequel: Something Blue (which I also read in 3 days).Good jewelry (shout out to Shalla Wista designs)
Cons: Why are we pretending the Ginnifer Goodwin is "homely" and that Kate Hudson is such a bomb shell? If I were Ginny Goodwin, I would be hella pissed off. She is very pretty and has great bone structure. Is it because she is a brunette and Kate Hudson is a blond? I have been pissed off at K.H. ever since she started wearing Uggs with shorts.

Why did we ever think this look was acceptable? Whatever.

This movie has zero intellectual value. I think I became dumber watching this movie. The mandatory "Dance Around the Apartment in our PJs to Fun Music Scene" was lame.

Movie TWO: Jane Eyre 2011

Pros: Michael Fassbender. Mia Walilk-whatever does good job of being homely. Much, much better than that cutie-pie Miss Goodwin. Michael Fassbender. Jane is a good glimpse into early feminism. Michael Fassbender with a beard (although Boyfriend's beard is way hotter). Was NOT expecting the lady trapped in the closet, so apparently I did NOT read this book.

Cons: The dreariness of these effing castles and orphanges and rain drizzles is making my feet colder. The general costume and decor of this time period in England SUCKS. What time period was this, anyway?

The Verdict: I really don't have an opinion. They both distracted me enough, but not enough to forget I would rather be outside today than watching these movies. Which I will do as soon as I log off this computer, turn off the TV and snort some crushed up cold pills like a meth addict.

I like Oregon Pinot Noir.

Yes, I do.
Very much.

It's Eyrie Vineyards Birthday today! David Lett is why we have Oregon Pinot Noir (and Pinot Gris).

This is a very young David.

This is his son, Jason, who now makes the wines. He is awesome.

Happy Birthday Eyrie Winery!

Hey there, Pretty Shoes

It's super dreary down here in 'Bama today. Good day to look at very pretty bright shoes, non? They are "Braza" by Dolce Vita. Aren't they pretty?

Brusells Sprouts are Better than Candy

Me and the Boyfriend went on a little mini vacay this past weekend with some dear friends. We mainly used it as a detox weekend, and drank fresh juices everyday, herbal teas, practiced hours of  yoga, did some aura cleansing and ate only fresh vegan dishes like this one, Brussels Sprout with Avocado and Pistachios,

 listed below.

Those are all LIES LIES LIES.

We drank tons of wine and coffee and strawberry margaritas and ate some fantastic fried seafood and the whole condominium smelled like bacon from the moment we got there. I have no idea if anyone did yoga or did anything with their aura.

The only thing that cleansed, as far as I know, were 3 pounds of shrimp* by two very patient souls fueled by Mohua Sauvignon Blanc.

The Brussels Sprouts recipe is the truth, however.

It came from my chef-buddy Jean Georges Vongerichten, who really wanted to come to the beach with us, but couldn't, so he sent along this recipe for us. And he published in Food and Wine for y'all to use as well.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten first created this side dish as an all-green one, using pistachios. "When I tried it with pecans, though, it was even better," he says. The unconventional combination plays with textures (crisp roasted sprouts, creamy avocado) and flavors: "When you roast Brussels sprouts, they get sweeter; but when you warm avocado, it gets a little more bitter."

• Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
• 1/2 cup pecans (like JGV, we used pistachios, because we had them)
• 1 Haas avocado, cut into 1/2-inch dice

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the pecans in a pie plate and bake for 5 minutes, until toasted. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain, cut in half and pat dry with paper towels.

On 2 large rimmed baking sheets, toss the Brussels sprouts with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and turn them cut sides down. Roast in the upper and lower thirds of the oven for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned on the bottom; switch the baking sheets halfway through roasting.

In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts with the pecans, avocado and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with the vinegar and serve.

* Stay tuned for other delicious food and wine pictures form the beach. I documented everything that would not get us arrested.

Hello my name is Gia and I drink Chardonnay...

...and you should drink Chardonnay, too.

In fact you should drink this one:

It is Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, from South Africa. It is considered a benchmark for Old World Wines in New World Winemaking, which is a fancee term for "this stuff is SHOCKINGLY good for my ill-informed, over-educated wine opinions".

Don't believe me? Here is what the Wine Spectator has to say about it:

"Bold, boasting lots of grilled hazelnut, fig and pear tartine aromas and flavors, but fresh minerality drives through on the finish, adding length and definition and bringing you back for more. 4,277 cases made. "

If you are patient, this wine will reward you by aging beautifully for a few more years. But if you MUST drink it now, then good for you, text me your address and I'll be right over. It goes really well with Zaxby's Fried Chicken Tenders, nix the sauce.

New Chandelier vs Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen tickets for the "Wrecking Ball Tour" went on sale this weekend and regular tickets were sold out in 27 minutes on Ticketmaster. WHAT?????

So, then I looked on a few other ticket sales sites and the best seats were $160+ fees + taxes + Fed-exing! WHAT times INFINTY??? ARE YOU SERIOUS? DOES HE COME SING TO ME AT MY SEAT??? DOES PATTI AND THE REST OF THE E STREET BAND MAKE ME DINNER, TOO?

That comes to almost $500 for two tickets to see Bruce in concert before I die.

Guess what I need more than Bruce tickets? A new Chandelier.

Wednesday Only Happens Once a Week...

At the Compound, (aka, my house) we don't really need a reason to cook some yummy food and open a bottle (or 2) of good wine.

Usually, "Wednesday" is a good reason to do all of these things.

And we had 2 nice dinner guests! Chris came all the way from California via Robert Sinskey Vineyards. Laurel came all the way from 5 houses down the street. We let them pick out our wines to have with dinner. 2004 Eyrie Reserve Pinot Noir, and 2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora Vineyard. And a pretty tasty Semillon from Boekenhootskloof in South Africa (and OMG, did someone need to wrestle the bottle out of my hands because Feb. 1 was NOT a good start to this extra long month, 29 WHOLE DAYS,  and I wanted to consume the whole bottle with a couple of qualuudes and call it a day. Yoga is SOOO Relaxing, y'all).

"And what was for dinner" you ask? Let me tell you, I didn't so much care what the hell we were gonna eat because for the first time (and I really hope not the last time) in our 3 year marriage, Boyfriend cooked the ENTIRE MEAL. And it was delicious!!!

The highlight? Carrot Ginger Soup.

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 1/4 pounds medium carrots, peeled, chopped (about 3 cups)
• 2 tomatoes, seeded, chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 3 cups (or more) chicken stock or canned low-salt broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 small carrot, peeled, grated

Preparation

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 4 minutes. Add ginger and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add chopped carrots, tomatoes and lemon peel; sauté 1 minute. Add 3 cups stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly.

Puree soup in batches in blender. Return soup to pot. Mix in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more stock, if desired. Ladle into bowls. Top each with sour cream and grated carrot.

No, we didn't finish all the wine. Yes, we offer you a choice of Templeton Rye and/or Bushmills 16 Irish Whiskey to go with your scoop of Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato. You don't know Talenti? For shame. Go out and get some. This one is my favorite, so far.

Hope your Wednesday Evening was as good as mine!

I Don't Think I Can Live Another Day Without These Shoes

Make sure you check out the soles.

Have a great Wednesday!

Gia