What's on Your Netflix?

Have you ever planned out your Netflix Queue for when company is over for an extended period of time? I've been lately. I have family coming in the next couple weeks and Netflix is sort of a novelty to them, so we'll be using it for sure. Recent faves in my Instant Queue are:

Notting Hill

I never get tired of this romantic comedy. And it always makes me want to go back to London again & shop in old bookstores on Notting Hill.

Risky Business

Definitely a classic. I couldn't help comparing it to Ferris Bueller though...

Ball of Fire (1941)

I am in love with Gary Cooper after this movie - especially his nerdy character - and Stanwyck is dynamite!

Creature Comforts

From the makers of Wallace & Gromit, a very witty social series

BBC's Fawlty Towers

C'mon, John Cleese? Always a laugh

9 to 5

This movie is such a riot - see it if you haven't already!

What's in your Netflix queue??

Wino Wednesday

Oh. My. Gosh. I HAVE to go here sometime.

Les Sources de Caudalie, a wine therapy spa, located on the grounds of the Grand Cru Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard in Bordeaux. You not only drink wine (with high Parker ratings), but you soak in wine by-products and get massaged and pampered by other wine by-products. Merlot body wrap? Yes, Please! Sauvignon massage? Double yes! Oh, and the crushed Cabernet scrub sounds divine as well.

The spa is also outfitted as a premier hotel with hot tubs, pools and two great restaurants with two star chefs. Where do I sign up?

The Expat in Me

Sometimes I wonder why I can't fully express my strong desire to live abroad and become a part of British culture (not permanently, but at least for several years at least.) I know a good part of it is because the History nerd in me romanticizes much of it, but after one year living in England, I'm still not dissuaded. The desire courses in my veins and re-inspires me every now and then.

I came upon this portion of C'est la Vie in which Suzy really seemed to capture some of those similar feelings I have on the matter. In lieu of France, read "England".

In America's large population, it's harder to find your way and to make your own place. I had often felt lost in America...if you are not young and rich and hot to trot, you are invisible.

As an American who stepped into this new world, I think I was able to adjust more easily than some because I have always had an interest in history and a passion for a way of life that is all but gone from the United States. My university degree is in history; my favorite books are historical fiction and historical biography. I am truly interested in how life was lived int he past, which, believe it or not provides information for daily life in modern France.

I have a personal theory that many of the Americans who like living in France share an inner craving to return to a way of life from times past; they don't mind that many things in France don't work... that France is behind the times in just about everything. They prefer the slow pace and the social structure of another era. The trade-offs are worth it. Sure, these expats have mobile phones and computers and enjoy modern modem life, but they are also offended by the hustle and bustle of a world of yield management, crime in the home as well as on the streets, drive-by shootings and corporate unaccountability without employer loyalty for the working guy...

It's my bet that expats also like the challenge of things being a little bit harder within the structure of their lives; they are as tough as pioneers and can take the stress of doing business - and living life - in a different code. They like the rules and the manners; they like the quaint thinking that passes as marketing in France. They like a country that is about bad television and good magazines and even better conversation.

3 for 5

Yay! 3 books down, 2 to go for my summer reading goal. So far I've read:

1. The Alienist

2. In the Heart of the Sea

3. The Zookeeper's Wife

Perhaps, I should have set a higher goal. It doesn't take me very long to become absorbed in a book and choose reading over anything else at the time.

If you haven't had your hair cut & styled at a professional beauty school, you should try it. When I say professional, I mean top brands like Redken, Paul Mitchell, etc. There's an Aveda school here in Denver and it's ammaaaazzzing! $15 for a scalp massage, hair cut (supervised by instructors, so no big worries about nasty mistakes) and aromatherapy. They have other services at a small cost too like full body massage (90 min for $50!), waxing, etc.

I met this adorable couple registering at work; he had an Australian accent. What a lucky girl! I could listen to that forever. Hmmm, perhaps I should reconsider wine grad school at Curtin... Wouldn't it be hard to get mad at a hubby with an adorable accent? Or would you get so used to it, he no longer has his accent as a trump card? Here is Adam Hill's clever take on Aussie accents.

Cheers for tonight, still have lots to do before its too late! Love, L

SATC Fashion Inspiration

For a little fashion inspiration today, I never get tired of SJP's outfits from SATC (especially II).... I tend to turn to this series when I'm looking for classic and contemporary fashion inspiration. Some of the outfits, I admit, are a little too cutting edge for me, but there's always something good to be taken away from one.

I love, love, love her opening Halston dress!

Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Dress: Halston, Necklace: Solange Azagury-Partridge, Sunglasses: Mykita

Dress: Halston, Bag: Christian Louboutin, Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Bracelet: Jimmy Choo

This is my favorite SJP Dress tops. Probably because it reminds me of the romantic glamour of the early 20th century...

Dress: Ralph Lauren, Bag: Hermes, Boater: Albertus Swanepoel

Dress: Lanvin, Necklace: Stephen Dweck, the Perfect Man: Chris Noth

Did you know that the costume budget for SATC2 was reportedly more than $10 million???

Other fun things for today:

German Shepherds that love playing with soda water.

SATC2 re-inspired my desire to travel to Marrakech, Morocco.

Just a little less than 1 month before the folks come back to Denver for a visit! I've been playing hostess in my head quite a bit, so there should be some fun posts coming after they're here. Oh, and I finally got my new camera battery in the mail! Yaaaay for not as many google image pics on my blog!

Organize Your Library

I normally am so serious when I organize my library by either author or genre - though I don't go so far as Dewey Decimal system. Well today I felt a little creative and decided to organize my books by color. The thought must have remained in my subconscious after watching this really fun video several months ago.

I have just enough books to fill my fireplace mantle, plus organizing them by color looks neat, organized and stylish. It's a great statement piece in lieu of any artwork. Looks like I need more brighter green and blue books...

Most designers I see tend to organize in the following pattern: white, creams, tan, brown, red, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray and blacks. The color system is best for visual people, or those with a photographic memory - otherwise you might spend a good while looking if you have more than 50 books.

BTW, I was leafing through an old magazine and stumbled on this adorable DVF retro bikini. (minus the ghastly shoes) Who wouldn't feel like Marilyn Monroe in this piece and a pair of classic Wayfarers.

Goodness, does this picture make me long for the Cali beaches and our family's annual summer retreat to Carpinteria. It's no fun being a grown up at times. Something new called responsibility & work, sheesh...

Introducing: Wino Wednesday

Hello lovelies! It's such a beautiful morning here in Denver today - a warm 75 degrees, sunny and cheerful. I'm enjoying homemade scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserves on my porch with a steaming pot of English Breakfast Tea and my beloved Blackwell's mug of course. It inspires me to take on the day and achieve everything on my to-do list. What inspires you?

One of my recent inspirations is to initiate a regular weekly post. Lately, I've just written when the muses divine, but I'd like to become a more regular blogger. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce "Wino Wednesdays" in which I will post something wine related every Wednesday. It could be a review of a recent tasting, a wine related vocabulary word or concept discussion. I don't know how exactly it will evolve, but its intention is to make the wide world of wine approachable and understandable to the everyday imbiber, one step at a time. I write enough about wine anyway, perhaps this will also encourage me to blog about other things more often?

So today's post is about something I learned recently: fermentation "sur lies."

Sur lies is the French term for "on the lees," typically a coarse sediment of dead yeast cells and other natural particles. One most often finds this in white wines aged in French Oak barrels. By allowing the wine to have extended contact with the yeast for a longer period of time, it creates a more complex structure to the wine. This is where some whites can gain a stronger malolactic fermentation, which is the creamy or buttery taste you find in some. You will find this method in many Burgundy Chardonnays, and most popularly in traditional Champagnes. Sur lie wines are typically bottled without racking, or filtering, the wine (though with today's technology, it is hardly necessary anymore). With some of these wines, more often Muscadets from France's Loire region, you will find on the label "mis en bouteille sur lie", which means the wine was bottled from the barrel where the lees were not drained. Go forth and enjoy!

Creature Comforts

Had a great day off today. Made some productive steps in networking for my wine career pursuits which has been incredibly inspiring. (Something I've needed a bit more of lately) The rest of the evening has been a pleasant night off so far. Here are some fun things I stumbled upon tonight:

Check out this claymation series, "Creature Comforts" It's a hilarious adaptation of real life interviews into claymation characters.

Finished book one of my summer goals. Into the Heart of the Sea was a great narrative of the sinking of the whale ship Essex. The additional research on psychological stages during starvation, dehydration and other survival sciences gave an interesting perspective to history and the interpretation of Philbrick's research.

I'm looking out for a couple of quirky old cafe type chairs to outfit my porch with - something like these, but more original than a PB product. I was pointed in the direction of Antique Row off Broadway. Defs a trip on my next day off.

Went to a really fun "Denver Wine Geeks" meetup the other night at this really neat Wine Bar. I must go back some other time and try their menu items as well.

Finally, I am so so so so excited for this to come out!!!!! Only 1 month away! I get goosebumps every time. Disclaimer: if you don't understand the extreme anticipation we all feel, you probably never read the books. And you should. They offer so much more than the movies can.

Eat & Drink Local

Yesterday was full of new experiences!

Visited the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market on a spur of the moment side trip. Next time I go back, I'm definitely arriving at an earlier hour as it was partially packed up by noon. There was a French restaurant stand, an Austrian Baker, fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, flowers, herbs, a Goat Cheese maker, homemade Empanadas, a cupcake stand and so much more! Oh the joys of living in a city! Perhaps next time, I'll be bold enough to take more up close character photos. The market was full of such personalities (and dogs galore!)

I only stopped on my way to the Colorado Winefest. It was a feast for the palate and incredibly educational on the flavor of Colorado wines. I didn't really know what to expect, but I found that most Palisades wineries made excellent Rieslings, Meads, and particularly soft and drinkable Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. I apologize for my sad excuse for pictures I had promised. Looks like I only was able to divert my attention for one snapshot. A few of the wineries that stood out from the 56 represented include:

Two Rivers Winery - excellent Merlot and Syrah

Graystone Winery - fine Ports

Maison La Belle Vie Winery - particularly good Riesling. On my "to buy" list!

Hermosa Vineyards - fine whites; makes a unique wine with the rare Rkatsiteli grape from Georgia

Meadery of the Rockies - fine Meads with a unique twist; try this for great dessert wines

As for other things, I stumbled upon this charming necklace on Etsy. I'm all for shout outs to the things and places you love. I'd have a hard time choosing between my loyalty to Michigan or California. Decisions, decisions...

Almost finished outfitting my porch for summer. The string patio lights definitely give it so much character. All that's left is seat cushions, a table for the mini BBQ and fresh cut flowers. I think tomorrow I will take my coffee out on the porch with my book! Hooray for mornings off! (for this short while that is...) I'll post a picture when it's more complete.

Anniversary

Today is the 67th anniversary of D-Day; a day that is sadly often forgotten by the general public. I never cease to be amazed by the humility, patience and bravery these men showed the world. Seven years ago, I traveled to Normandy, visiting many of the beaches, battle sites and museums. Here are a couple of pictures from my trip those many years ago...

But if you can't fly away to France anytime soon, you can always take an imaginary trip with a great WWII movie. Some of my top picks are listed below for your viewing pleasure:

1. The Gathering Storm (2002) - A BBC drama about Winston Churchill and the political upheaval in Britain leading to WWII

2. Enemy at the Gates (2001) - A fairly accurate portrayal of the Battle of Stalingrad between the Russians and Nazis. A stellar cast including Jude Law, Rachel Weiz, Joseph Fiennes, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins and Ron Perlman make this even more engaging.

3. Patton (1970) - George C. Scott gives a tantalizing performance as the great but controversial American General Patton

4. Band of Brothers (2001) - My favorite out of this entire list. This HBO miniseries gives you a gripping and realistic portrayal of men in the 101st Easy Company on the front lines in Europe, from the D-Day paratrooper landings to the conquest of Germany.

5. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - The first 20 minutes of this movie is one of the most detailed and realistic portrayals of Omaha Beach, the most disastrous of the allied landing points.

6. The Longest Day (1962) - My number two pick. With a great cast including John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton and a young Sean Connery, this is a long and detailed movie but it gives you a good idea of all the pieces of the puzzle needed for this allied victory. It has great moments of humor as well to alleviate the gravity of the whole story.

7. The Pacific (2010) - The counterpart to Band of Brothers, this miniseries presents the stories of our heroic Marines fighting in the worst conditions possible in the Pacific Theater, against the most relentless enemy imaginable. I would highly suggest reading either A Helmet for My Pillow or With the Old Breed if you can before watching. It will help you understand the inhumanity of it so much more.

8. Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) - The inspiring story of a determined British colonel and his men in a Japanese POW camp who must cooperate in building a bridge to stay alive.

9. U-571 (2000) - This movie brings to life the little known history of U-boat warfare in the Atlantic. One can only imagine the different fears and expectations these sailors faced compared to the rest of the navy and our men fighting on land. Plus, who doesn't like seeing Matthew McConaughey in navy whites?

- - -

On the lighter side, I decided to ditch the Swordfish recipe. I'd love to try it out but a) there was none in regular grocery stores, only specialty ones and b) way too expensive for my small budget right now. So I picked up a cedar plank and will grill some Ahi Tuna and veggies to go with the Muscadet wine. Guess I'm going to do it on the fly with soy sauce, pantry spices and a little creativity - wish me luck!

This and That

If you like Colin Firth, Julie Andrews, Stephen Fry, William Baldwin and others, you'll like this little known 2000 film, Relative Values. It's 1950's British society meets West Coast Hollywood!

This adorable little old lady did a special arrangement of flowers for our parish's Arts & Music festival this last week. She called it traditional Dutch style and is especially reminiscent of many early 17th century Dutch still lifes. I'm bookmarking this for my wedding someday! So gorgeous!

I'm thinking of trying something bold and new like this Grilled Swordfish Nicoise Salad to go with a bottle of Manzoni Bianco I brought home after a tasting at work. The wine is very acidic and reminds me of Muscadet, so I think the swordfishs' saltiness will contrast nicely. The extreme saltiness of saltwater fish makes the bitter wine actually taste sweeter than it is!

Also looking forward to this movie coming out soon. The Michael Caine imitation scene is hilarious. Can you tell I like British flicks??

Daydreaming of a lovely vintage bar cart like this, only I would add an extra finesse with a whiskey decanter or two.

I've been contemplating buying a set of basic dinnerware set from Crate & Barrel (yay for employee discounts!) I'm thinking a little contemporary with these white square plates would be my choice. Do you think it's too modern looking?? Oooohhhh I'm so tempted to buy so many other things when I go to work!!