Dinner Party: Serving Wine...Only Wine.

I've never did the ~holiday tablescape~ thing before.  To be completely honest...I do sort of think it's a tad crazy to set up a fancy table setting just for pictures on the internet. Maybe some people really have people over after they set this all up and enjoy an elegantly styled dinner and drink fancy sounding drinks. They maybe even use those cute paper straws--and maybe they don't get soggy.

Today, I officially join the other bloggers in the crazy club--errr imaginary guest table.  My mother-in-law was cleaning out her basement and gifted me some old white tableware. Plus, I had an entire day off to myself this week. Adam worked and Ben went to the sitter. I caught up on laundry, gave Scout a bath, watched reality tv (90 Day Fiance anyone?), and then had a little extra time to spare.
Sooo there I was, setting the table for non-existent dinner guests with no fancy dinner cooking in the oven--and no plans for cocktails out of chic straws that evening.

I don't have anything to serve. Except sweet potato puffs, and wine. I always have wine.

But check out this lovely fall view of Bishop Creek.

Maybe take it all in while you enjoy a glass of Bishop Creek Wine? See what I did there?

Let's talk a minute about the blanket scarf. Every blogger in blog land seems to have one of these blanket scarves in their fall tablescape. They also seem to be wearing them all over fashion blogland. My blanket scarf is so soft, snuggly, and I love the print. But to be honest, I have not worn it more than 5 minutes. It's HOTTER THAN HECK. I mean this thing is H-O-T. I immediately have a sweat mustache about 90 seconds after it's draped over my shoulders. It does better as a little blankie on the couch, or draped over this table to be honest.

Have you ever set up your dining table with no dinner plans? 
Does your blanket scarf do more good on the couch or the table than on you?

P.S. In some of the photos above, you can see a sneaky peek of my new chevron jute rug. See more of it here. I'm loving it!

Summertime Kabobs ((perfectly paired with CK Mondavi Wines!))

Summer food is my favorite part of summer. If I were a teacher, lounging in the pool would probably be the best part, also if I had a pool. But I did not pick the right line of work---I am not a teacher. I don't have a pool either. So, food it is. Food; the best part of summer.

Summer always makes me think of grilling out, fresh veggies from the garden, wine, ice cream, strawberries, wine...did I say wine already?

Today I'm sharing a delicious marinade we put on our summertime kabobs. But it's so yummy and scrumptious, you will probably want to brush it on all of your favorite grillin' foods.

Ingredients:

Chicken Breast &/or Pork Sausage

Bacon
Green Apples

Red, Yellow, & Orange sweet Peppers
Kabob sticks

Marinade:
Apple Cider Vinegar 1/4 cup

Brown Sugar 1/4 cup
Olive Oil 2 tablespoons

Soy Sauce 1 tablespoon
Honey 2 tablespoons

I pretty much threw together what we had in the fridge for the kabobs. Pork sausage, chicken breast--with bacon wrapped around the chicken. We are serious about our pork in this house. I stuck a few green apples on there too. They were great with the sweet peppers!

We brushed on the marinade right before we put them in the oven. It was rainy the day we cooked this meal, so we decided to cook them in the oven. It was not a mistake.

Ready for cookin'!

Perfect summertime meal. Wine & kabobs.

I think they'll be great on the grill too this summer! I made a quick (pinnable!) recipe card so you can add it to your summer party food pinboards!

Ck Mondavi wines was nice enough to send us 4 of their wines to pair with our favorite summer recipe!

Sometimes, it pays (in wine) to be a blogger!

This treat made the kabobs 1,000x better. Honestly, wine makes everything better!

Their brand new Blonde Five was my favorite and reminded me of summer the most! I could have finished the entire bottle on my own.  It’s light and airy with a hint of pear and honeysuckle.

CK Mondavi Blonde Five recommends accompanying spicy chicken dishes, shrimp, and mild cheeses. I was smart to pair my bottle of the Blonde five with a chicken dish…and I have to agree with them!

I can’t wait to try the other white wine CK Mondavi offered me. They say to try it with roasted chicken and pastas. I’m a pasta girl, so this one will be next on the menu!

Adam is more of a red wine dude. He tried the Cabernet Sauvignon first. This one is a classic red, perfect for a chicken kabob dinner. It boasts a strong cherry & blackberry flavor with a hint of oak.

My new go-to wine is CK Mondavi. Yours should be too, here's why:

• CK Mondavi is the only American made/grown wine in the “supermarket wine under $10” category.
• CK Mondavi Winery is a family owned and operated business. Made in America!
• CK Mondavi is the only wine in this price point to be 100% American made & grown
• The perfect wine to serve on Independence Day: They participate in the Intrepid Fallen Heros fund a percentage of their sales goes to supporting Veterans! #CKMondaviHeroes
• BONUS fun fact: Owner Marc Mondavi was born on the 4th of July and 2014 marks his 60th birthday!

CK Mondavi wine can be purchased in every state! Pick it up for this year's fourth of July party! Don't forget to make it with your favorite summer recipe! What will you make?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Dumpster Diving: Trash to Treasure

I knew this friend of mine was a good pal already. But when she told me she had a present for me....and it was in her trunk...and it came from a dumpster....because it just "Looked like something you would like!" I just knew she was a keeper!

Someone was remodeling a building in my sweet friend Lora's neighborhood. She snooped in the dumpster and she her fiancee rummaged through and salvaged a few items. Lucky for me, one of them reminded her of me.

And so in her trunk it went, then into mine!

This may look like trash to some...

 But a little soap and water, plenty of lysol, with a wipe of of Old English to add some moisture back into the wood, it had a new home.

Sure, it's not pristine, and it's weird shaped. It probably was just used to store tools or something. But I really dig the shape and color for some reason. Plus, it kind of reminded me of a rougher version of the Garrity Modular Cubby from good old Pottery Barn:

Maybe the PB Cubby's ugly step cousin?

My bunny of gold fit in nicely in one of the cubby holes...but Easter was over, so it was time for this little rabbit to get boxed up until next year.

Don't get upset with his replacement. I think you will approve. I replaced the bun with booze.

Although I really love my $25 estate sale china cabinet. It's not as tall as I would like. Someday I plan to replace her with the perfect estate sale find. Or if I can talk Adam into it,  a DIY build. 

This new salvaged wine cubby brings a little height to the cabinet, and doubles as storage.

I added old books from sales and thrift stores, a little chalkboard frame, and the wine. Needs more wine I think. Never enough wine.

In the top corner I added my collection of driftwood I picked up on the beach at Gulf Shores this year. I decided on driftwood instead of seashells this beach vacation! Something different.

This mint pitcher was my Great Aunt Katie's. The little blue jar was in a mystery box of stuff from an estate auction.

I think the weathered look on the side is my favorite part! The piece also looked good turned the other side for a different look. I may try that for a change sometime.

I'm still deciding if I should add something on the very top. Or will that make it look cluttered? Maybe 3 potted succulents?

Would you add something on top or will it look to cluttered?
Are you a dumpster diver?
Anyone else find something you just LOVE in someone else's trash?

Craft night: Stenciled Tote Bags

My friend Lora and I decided it was time we stop sending each other emails of pins we want to try and to just craft already! We had a craft night last week and decided it should really be called "Wine & Design"

The wine was chilled and the snacks* were ready. It was time to craft.
*more on the food later!

Today I will share one of the two crafts we did, since the other one she is using for her wedding and it is top secret!

We were inspired by this pin:

Source

I picked up these large totes with pockets for $4.99 at hobby lobby. That's before the coupon!

Lora already had a pack of doilies on hand. So she brought them over. She also brought her big book of stencils.

First we pinned the doily down--leaving part of the rounded edge off of the tote to mimic the pinned one we liked. We used a cut up pizza box in case there was any paint spillage.

The trick is to paint over it lightly, because otherwise you get a few blotches. This is what it looked like when I removed the doily.

I was considering the sparrow as my other half.

I added an "N" for my last name.

A peek at Lora's tote in the making.

She added an initial to hers as well. But she wanted her "B" to really pop so she changed up the color.

I liked Lora's so much I copied her stencil job for the other tote I was making as a gift. It would be for a dear friend who is getting married next month.
I was able to squeeze both her initials (her new ones!) on this tote.

Mine.

I put her bachelorette party gift in there, and fluffed some tissue paper out and it doubled as a gift bag. She can use it for her wedding day to carry her extra shoes, makeup etc, and maybe beyond too.

An easy 4.99 gift bag/tote bag. I think it was a successful craft night! Looking forward to the next one.


Side Note:
Wine and Design would also be a really great TV show. And we should be the stars. Since we design stuff. And drink wine. And gossip. HGTV are you listening? We are ready for negotiations with our contract anytime. 




Done any simple but cute crafts lately? 
Do you ever daydream about getting your own crafting show? Or are we the only nerds?

Finally Friday: Easy breezy stick wreath & Pinterest in Peoria recap!

Hello Finally Friday! Last Friday I hit the road right after work and headed 2.5 hours northwest to Peoria Illinois--where two of my very best friends live, and another one was meeting us for “Pinteresting in Peoria” a.k.a.  weekend of dreams. Basically we spent the entire weekend thrifting, shopping, crafting, eating, laughing, drinking wine & beers, and laughing some more. There was hardly any sleeping. And no…not because we were partying all weekend...

We stayed up until the wee hours chatting and catching up, and we woke up extra early both mornings because we were excited to spend time together and eat delicious breakfast casserole.  Pretty much we acted like old ladies all weekend. I think we got 10 hours of sleep all weekend. But it was worth it!

Pinteresting in Peoria weekend consisted us picking some pinterest projects and DIY them ourselves. One of the items we made was the easy-peasy-breezy stick wreath for our doors.

The wreaths were super simple to make and was especially nice because we could craft them while gossiping while not having to concentrate too much on the project itself. It could seriously take someone 20 minutes to construct them if they weren't eating M&Ms, downing wine, and gossipping at the same time. But where is the fun in that?!

First, we spray painted our letters/house numbers earlier in the afternoon so they would dry.

A cookie and a high five for whoever can name what numbers & letters are in this photo!

We simply cut the flowers off the florals we got from hobby lobby with wire cutters. 
Before you cut them-- it is optional to take a quick nap with your florals. It may or may not be booze induced.

Napping crafting angel.

The stick wreaths before...

We wrapped them onto the wreath in an arrangement we liked.
Last, we decided on the placement of the letter/house numbers and added a quick glob of hot glue to secure them.

my flowers..

And bippity boppity boo! Done!

B chose house numbers

Hollie

Mine!

Easy, peasy, breezy, pretty stick wreath.

And the nice thing about it is we can switch out the flowers if we choose since they are just simply wired to it.

Next week I will share with you our take on DIY mercury glass and my amazing thrifting finds!!

1 minute sassy, classy, wine gift.

I admit I am no Martha. So the crafts & recipes you will find on this blog will probably be simple 123 steps. 

For example, I planned to have a "very crafty Christmas" with my friend/wine-brother this December, but we ended up at a Christmas OpenHaus drinking boxed wine instead.

Priorities. We have them.

 Have husband cut some wood (yes, I'm recycling photos)

Fresh cut cherry.

These were 99 cents per package

These are felt but they have rubber ones too.

stack them back up.

Have dog tie a cute bow for you.

Attach a cute tag. (Tag is not homemade. Sorry charlie)

Enjoy wine. The classy & sassy way.