Inspiration

Somedays it is so easy to sit down and write. It's like I am having a conversation with myself and it flows out through my finger tips effortlessly. The only thing I have to do after that is to go back and edit, because if you have ever had a conversation with me you know that editing is a requirement. Other days I struggle with what to write. When this happens I try to think of a picture I have taken recently and see if there is a story that ties in with it. Sometimes I do get a story that ties in with the photo and sometimes I get a completely different story, either way I get a story. This was yesterday's photo:

And there is an excellent story that goes with it. Roof access, wine, chips, good friends and a sunset over downtown Seattle = Perfect way to end the day.

Excellent Evening

Red Wine and High Heels

Umm so...anything new with you?

As you can see this weekend had some changes in store for the site and the best part is there is still more to come. This is just the interim graphics until the new layout is rolled out, but I am having a fight with Photoshop right now. She is a little feisty, particularly since I tend to just keep clicking things until it looks right. Since it doesn't look right yet we will just have to go with this until it's ready or I give up (wagers on what will be first?). Currently the biggest change is the new name and URL. No one tells you how hard these things are to come up with until you have to type it over and over and over again. The great news is that there are no changes you need to make. All the archives are here and the old URL redirects and will continue to do so.

If you know me, you know this is a pretty obvious name choice for my blog. If you don't know me yet I'll let you know that red wine and high heels are pretty much my favorite things outside of people and puppies and cheese (and sometimes it's just cheese). Since I talk about wine and heels here pretty often I figured it was a natural progression of things, plus the URL was open and Go Daddy had a sale. Outside of the look and feel everything else is the same. I will keep captivating you with my wit, recipes, shopping benders and of course wine and heels. Feel free to tell me what you think, unless of course you dislike it then feel free to keep it to yourself. Happy Monday!

Because I'm fancy like that

Yesterday involved a trip to Hanos which is pretty much what you would get if Costco and Whole Foods had a baby. This place is amazing. I could and did spend hours there. They have a super large wine selection, a regulated refrigerated cheese section (As in you walk in to a not to cold and not to warm room filled with cheese) which is next to the meat section (and also has it's own seafood area with live lobster and crab) and then you can walk to the colder section with fruit and vegetables. After you have had your fill of those areas you can then explore the rest of the store that includes a dessert area, wine glass section, kitchen gadgets and dried/canned items. Hands down one of my favorite stores ever.

During this particular adventure I took it upon myself to replenish our champagne and wine collection that has been recently depleted (I am not saying by who). I had the most wonderful time with Franz (wine guy) who assisted me with most of the wine choices since I am not terribly familiar with most of the labels here in Europe (this is due to the super large 'New World'* selections that we have in the US, compared to the selection from the rest of the world). I could barely wait to get home and open up a bottle, he made them all sound so yummy! I also may have traveled over to the sweets department to buy a snowman bigger than my head, made entirely of chocolate. I shall name him Clark. He is awesome.

There were tons of other purchases, but none quick as exciting as chocolate and wine. The perfect holiday treat.

Mumm wrapped in a lovely sarcophagus with charms.
Doesn't your champagne have this too? No? Sad.

My Vueve comes with it's own insulated shopping bag.
Because I'm fancy like that.

Magical snowman of chocolate.
Because I'm gluttonous like that.

Spoonful of chocolate for friends and family.
Because I want everyone to enjoy THE best cup of chocolate.

*Franz used this descriptions for American wine and I had to repeat it, because it made me laugh in the store. He didn't find it as amusing as I did.

Great minds drink wine

I know immediately that I will like someone when we like the same wine. The other day I was having a discussion with a new acquaintance (here in the Netherlands) and she mentioned that one of her favorite wines is a Rioja that was inexpensive and delicious. My reply was wordless. I whipped out my iPhone and showed her my lock screen. "Yes!" she replied and I knew I was in good company.

If you even kinda like wine, go and get this. It's under $10 and is fantastic. If your wine shop doesn't have it, ask them to get it. Better yet, be like me and stalk the local wine shop on twitter. If you are in Seattle that shop would be Esquin (I got the twitter covered since I am headed there next week!).