[Travel Saturdays] West Coast Wine Tasting in Winter

Last week, I took a short day trip up the Northern California coastline to visit the Russian River wine region. Most people save their wine tasting trips for the summer, when the days are long and tastings stretch on for hours and lead to picnic lunches and hangovers that start somewhere around 9PM. In the winter, you have to be much more strategic about where you go because you have fewer hours of daylight. 

My friends and I chose three wineries to visit because of price, hours, and the breadth of their selections. That way, everyone got a little of everything they wanted. 

1. Korbel: Free tasting, free tour of the champagne cellars, and a wonderful cafe to eat lunch. 

Photo of the brandy tower from Sunset

I got a bottle of the sec, which is perfect for super-sweet mojitos because it is dry and not syrupy sweet like the Brut. I also picked up some of their cream sherry, which the tour guide said is good for curing coughs. I'll probably just drink it because it tastes so damn good. You can't get this stuff anywhere but at the winery or online. Their wine sucks though, so don't bother with that. 

2. Martinelli: This is a much cozier establishment with super-friendly staff. You do have to pay $5 for the tasting, but they also gave us about 10 coupons for free tastings at other wineries in the Napa and Sonoma areas. My only complaint was that they definitely focus too much on Syrah (that's a personal preference thing though) and there were fruit flies buzzing around who were trying to get into my wine glass. 

Foggy day at the vineyards

3. Kendall-Jackson: I know it's not exactly the most original, but it is quite fancy. And the staff tailored our tasting to each one of our preferences. They had a really tasty, sweet Riesling that I loved (and bought with my 10% discount that Martinelli threw my way) and a nice Moscato. The ambience was also worth the visit. Got me thinking about my wedding to ______ (who will it be!?).

Inside the wine tasting room

I definitely recommend the wine country in winter. It's much quieter and more intimate and, really, there's no excuse not to enjoy wine in every season on every day of the year. 

[Friday Link Round-Up]

1. MAKE a collage on canvas with these instructions from KaleidoSoul. This is a wonderful gift for someone special this holiday season. Include keepsakes and old photos to really seal the deal.

2. LISTEN to the Beck remix of Lykke Li's "Get Some". If you like that, also listen to Mike D of the Beastie Boys' version. Both are awesomely awesome.

3. LEARN about how to secure your passwords against fraud on Slate.

4. READ this interesting take on the WikiLeaks debacle here. The idea that people are standing up for Assange and forgetting about women's rights is appalling to me. I feel like we're moving back 50 years to say "Yeah, he molested and/or raped these women, but these women are just being ridiculous. He's a great man, and these women must have been asking asking for it." It's gross, and it should be dealt with separately from the freedom of speech allegations brought against him. He sounds like a total creeper to me, but what do I know. Also, in old news, Michael Moore is a dick. It make sense, who would want to be with that fatty? And this is coming from a totally "liberal" girl.

Suuuurious Creeper

[Green Thursdays] Eco-Friendly Nail Salons

The smell of nail salons usually makes me feel like I'm going in to either a really dirty doctor's office or like I'm going to leave with a manicure and a high off of nail polish fumes. 

But now there's a push for more and better "Green Nail Salons." So I can get a pedicure and not have to worry about killing pandas. 

Check out this article on ecosalon and try looking at the database at greenyour.

[Green Thursdays] Technology in the Workplace

We all try to be more green at home. We recycle our goods, we buy sustainable products, the list goes on. However, at work, we rarely engage in the same practices. We don't use reusable mugs when we go to Starbucks, we waste so much paper on memos, faxes and reports. And all of these practices can also drain our wallet.

However, I was recently reading about SIP trunking, which is a pretty interesting change in communication. Using a third-person party, like Nextiva, individuals and businesses can streamline communication and reduce their carbon footprint.

SIP trunking layers multiple applications and connects different devices seamlessly. Using one “number,” all messages can be routed to the preferred device – your personal computer, home phone, mobile, etc. Calls can be routed, recorded, and prioritized. In addition, voice calls and messages can be translated into text automatically, and so can the reverse. SIP trunking integrates communication so that you and your business can receive simultaneous messages without blinking an eye.

SIP trunking is changing the way businesses communicate internally and between each other. It enhances productivity, enhances communication, and integrates all types of communication, including voice, video chatting, instant messaging, voice calls, texting and email. And it reduces the business' carbon footprint and help the environment – sounds pretty legit to me.

In other news, this is the corporate workspace of Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia - how much would you love to work here?

[Food + Drink Wednesdays] Holiday Recipes

that I want to try this week. (I call these holiday recipes because I don't want it to seem like I would indulge in these everyday... but I would if I could and I'm glad I don't cook as often as I should.) I also just bought a fondue pot, so I'll be letting you know how that goes later this week!

Apple Brie Walnut Tart via Darjeeling Dreams

S'More Pie from The Noshery via The Pioneer Woman

French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms via The Pioneer Woman

[Music] Greyson Chance

I'm open with my love for Justin Bieber. However, I think he has been overtaken by Greyson Chance, who gained fame with his cover of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi.

So adorbz. I'm dying.

We're Sorry...

We took a break today. The world is kicking our butts. But we'll be back to kicking the world's butt tomorrow!

Much love,
Carrie

[Music Monday] Zooey Deschanel + M. Ward + Conan O Brien!

She & Him got together with Conan O'Brien to spread the Christmas cheer. It's worth some uncontrollable clapping and excitement.

Check it out here.

[Things We Adore Sunday] Boot Socks, Handmade Jewelry, Sonoma, Christmas Cheer

1. Boot Socks from Knitting Pretty in DC
2. Lovers Ring from Suga Jewelry (local SF artist)
3. Sonoma Valley in the Winter. Free wine tastings galore.
4. Sustainable, space-saving Christmas "tree" by Jane Schouten.

[Girl Crush] Jacqueline Novogratz

1. She founded an amazing non-profit to help solve world poverty - the Acumen Fund. The fund manages over $30 million worth of investments all over the world; they focus on delivering affordable healthcare, water, housing and energy to the poor.


2. She wrote a book about her legit experiences in the Peace Corps and after, which inspired me to go into non-profit work - The Blue Sweater.


3. She is inspiring:
When I founded the Acumen Fund I heard discouragement from everyone. I would go to the financial institutions, and the guys there would say, "It sounds fuzzy; it sounds messy." In the aid and foundation industries, people would say, "You're going to make money off the poor." The real lesson is that if a lot of people aren't telling you you're crazy, you're not on the right path.

source

4. She is the woman I want to be in a few years - see the reasons above.