Wine and company

This weekend my fiance and I met some friends at the Newport International Wine Festival at the Newport Yachting Center. It was hot and humid and so crowded in the tents that it was tough to walk around, but after a few tastings, it really didn't matter. We had a blast.

There was plenty of wine to sample, but there were just as many spirit vendors at the show and we found some new favorites.

One was Clement Creole Shrubb, an orange liquer that isn't as sweet as some of the others but so smooth. It would be perfect in a margarita. There was also a vodka we really liked called Double Cross, and Pallini Limoncello was delicious (though not as special as my homemade limoncello). I also tried whiskey for the first time, and I won't mention the brand because it made me realize I am not a whiskey girl. At all.

My friends and I decided that the "best of show" came from the Kobrand Spirits booth with Appleton Estate Jamaican rum and Coruba Jamaican rums. They offered a rum punch that was a combination of their coconut, pineapple, and mango flavored rums. Perfection for a hot summer day.

My something blue wedding shoe

I've been looking at shoes to wear on my wedding day for months now and though I've seen many shoes I liked, none were "it." This week I saw the Badgley Mischka Lacie heels in Navy blue and the search was over. It was love at first site...

They arrived on my doorstep today and fit perfectly.

(Thank goodness, because I had no intention of parting with them).

What's more is I got a great deal on them on Heels.com using an online coupon. It was also free shipping, and they arrived on my doorstep in perfect condition within three days of ordering them. (Love Heels.com!)

Now I'm even more excited about walking -- I mean strutting -- down the aisle to my groom in November.

It's never too late to...learn to surf

The is part of a new series on this blog where I learn to do something new. There are so many things I want to learn to do to make this life as exciting as it can be -- like learning to cook and camp out and ski.

My fiance has been skiing since he was little, so when we started dating four years ago, I gave it a try. I took a lesson and felt like a goofball falling down on the bunny slopes while five year olds flew by me. My skiis popped off, I face planted, I cried and I improved. Now, I love it. There is nothing more exhlirating than cruising down a mountain going so fast you fear you may die but knowing that at least your last moments would be great.

And of course, then there is Apres Ski time.

Last weekend, Rob and I took a surfing lesson through Peter Pan Surfing Academy at Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island. The surf was, well, not very good. The waves were pathetic. But the surfing lesson itself was great. We learned the techniques and when a few respectable waves rolled in, we jumped on our boards and rode those bitches in.

{My fiance surveying the waves -- or lack of}

Granted, I fell off the board more than I stood on it, but that's how I learn what Not to do.

And we can't wait to go surfing again when there are actual waves.

Cafe Americano

Sunday mornings for us are all about sleeping in, reading the newspaper and relaxing with a big breakfast of banana chocolate chip pancakes or french toast. Instead of having the same old cup of coffee I drink every morning, I like to have a little something on the weekends.

This past weekend I used cinnamon simple syrup to create a Cafe Americano.

Simply combine your favorite coffee with the amount of milk or fat free half and half you like and about a teaspoon of the simple syrup. Top it off with whipped cream, ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.

If it's an after dinner coffee, add a shot of Frangelico.

The Gilded Sea

While I was shopping in Newport this weekend I fell in love with some (overpriced) gold and silver seashells on display at a few shops there.

I happened to have a basket full of real shells and some ceramic starfish sitting around at home waiting for their moment to serve as decor.

I also happened to have enamel gold leaf paint and silver paint, so I brushed those onto the shells. The ridges, divets and swirls in the shells and starfish took in the metallic colors and reflect light so beautifully. The results are better than I expected.

Perfect, easy project for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Now these seashells fit in with our living room decor, and I can bring the sea into those areas of our home.

City by the Sea

I spent Saturday in Newport visiting one of my closest friends and wow -- what a great day.
We started with a chocolate chai latte (Chai Noir) and a chocolate chip scone from the hip Empire Tea & Coffee on Broadway, then hit the Acquidneck Growers farmers market at Newport Vineyards to buy some local goodies.

Stacey picked up veggies for dinner and a gorgeous flower bouquet. I snagged two 4X6 card prints from Saltwater Studio. A local artist does these beautiful, delicate pressings of New England marine botanical life. I put the cards in frames that bring the sea to mind and now these pink and black coral pressing prints make my living room a better place.

After the farmers market it was off to second beach (Sachuest) for some relaxation.

We left the beach early because it was windy and headed to downtown Newport for some shopping (I didn't buy anything other than dog treats for Bella). Then stopped at the Red Parrot for one of their fabulous cocktails. We both ordered the Pink Panther, made with Stoli vodka that is infused with fresh pineapple, St. Germain Liqueur, and pomegranate juice. Amazing.

Our last stop was one of the best Mexican restuarants around - Perro Salado. This place is so fun with its ecclectic, bright decor, fantastic food and great service. We ordered their popular Blood Orange Margarita and an appetizer of nachos and four cheese chourizo dip. Clearly, I did not eat healthy yesterday. But damn, I enjoyed myself.

Here's how to make a Blood Orange Margarita at home:

2 ounces blood orange juice
1 1/2 ounces clear tequila
1 ounce Gran Marnier (or other orange liquer, such as triple sec)
Juice from two lime wedges
Blood orange wedge, for garnish

Combine it all in a cocktail shaker full of ice, shake and pour into a chilled margarita glass. Add a splash of club, if you like some fizz.

Rocky Point Walking Trail

Just over a month ago, the city of Warwick opened a walking trail on land along Narragansett Bay that was once occupied by the Rocky Point Amusement Park. Walking outside in the quiet hours of the morning and water views are two of my favorite things, so I take advantage of this trail which is only about 10 minutes from my house as often as possible.

The scenery reminds me of one of my favorite Rhode Island spots -- Cliff Walk in Newport -- with the sea salt scented breezes, the boats bobbing on the water, the greenery and flowers and the sound of waves slapping sand and rocks. It's amore.

Like Cliff walk, one side of the Rocky Point walking trail is water as far as the eye can see, and the other side of the trail is fenced off. The big difference between the two is that on the other side of the Cliff Walk fence there are mansions and legendary hotels that I'd love to stay in. On the other side of the fence at Rocky Point's trail, there are abandoned houses and buildings with penises and swear words spray painted all over them. Sigh.

Oh, and the Rocky Point's trail is much shorter. It's also not on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic.

But hey, Bella and I will take what we can get.

I took our sweet Bullmastiff, Bella, for a walk there this morning. Before today, she refused to walk on sand. She just couldn't figure the stuff out. But she came around all on her own today and we had a lovely stroll on the beach. I think she actually enjoyed the smooth sand between her giant paws.