Friday Wine Library Club

Last evening we tasted six lovely wines from the northern regions of Spain.

We tasted one white and five reds. My favorite was the very elegant white, Bodegas Avanthia Valdeorras Godello 2011.

Larry England says, let the tasting begin!

Bodegas Avanthia Valdeorras Godello 2011

Cune Rioja Crianza Tempranillo  2009

Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Tempranillo 2009

Bodegas Muga Rioja 'Prado Enea' Rioja Gran Reserva Tempranillo 2005

Bodegas Tinto Pesquera Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2009

Alavaro Palacios Priorat Grenache Blend 2011

Since Rick, our usual wine guru is in the islands for a couple of months, this discussion was led by Lee Corpening, Certified Specialist of Wine. If you would like to learn more about wine, this is an excellent web site to visit, The Educated Grape.

These events are always rather casual, so I wore gray slacks with a white long sleeve tee and a navy blazer. I folded a large square scarf into a triangle and draped it over my shoulders before putting on the blazer. The shoes with low block heels are a couple of years old, but that style will be trendy this summer. 

The huge antique gold pin is one that I created more than twenty years ago. When I wear a large statement piece such as this, I minimize any other jewelry. My inspiration for wearing the pin this way came from a Ralph Lauren blazer I saw with a large gold crest on the breast pocket.

The items I wore this evening are all several years old. That's the beauty of good quality classics. They will serve you well for many years and can be worn in many combinations.

Meatless Chili

Susan's healthy meatless chili or an awesome sauce for spaghetti.

Cook one and one-fourth cup of Lundberg Black Japonica rice in a one-quart container of Pacific Mushroom Broth. This takes about 50 minutes, so at the 30-minute mark, add a one-quart container of Kitchen Basics Vegetable Stock, one cup of rinsed Red Quinoa, and one-half cup rinsed and sorted French lentils. Bring the pot back up to a boil and then cover and turn down to simmer for another 20 minutes. (If you are making chili or soup, you can also add a cup of diced carrots, celery, and potatoes, or other root veggies at this point. For the soup, you will need to add another container of the stock or broth.)

Next, add a can of rinsed and drained low salt black beans. Saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, peppers to add for a chili dish. I added a can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and corn for the chili dish I served today. You can also add a bit of butter, olive oil, and aged balsamic vinegar according to your taste.

I just made up this dish today, but with spices such as cumin, curry, cloves, and or oregano, you could use it in place of meat for pasta dishes or in the chili I served with cheese and crackers today. Mr. Mickey asked me twice if there was meat in it.

Wishing you good health!

Friday Date Night

We bundled up and braved the cold to go out to dinner last evening. So did a lot of other people. The restaurant was crowded! Good for them!

Boiled wool jackets are the warmest items of clothing I own. This is an old one that you have seen many times before. I paired it with a fabulous necklace, a gift from Kathleen Mannix, one of my very talented clients. She incorporates old pieces of broken jewelry into new sculptural jewelry. You can see more of her work here.

I also wore a bright purple long sleeve tee and black travelers pants from Chico's with black heels.

For all of you who asked about the portrait behind me above. This is a close-up of the David Clapp portrait taken about three years ago.

The bag is old from Kenneth Cole Reaction via T.J.Maxx.

The Basics!

A wardrobe that includes items that can be mixed and matched will serve you well.

1. A good trench coat can go to the grocery store over jeans or to the opera over an evening gown. Just remember to tie that belt in front or back and push up the sleeves and scrunch the collar to keep it from appearing too stiff. Other colors might flatter your skin tone more than the common tan color. Consider gray, navy, or red for your go to coat. Avoid Polyester. 
2. Great fitting dark wash jeans are almost always appropriate. 
3. A low heeled comfortable boot in black or brown can take you through most of the fall and winter.

1. A black straight or A-line skirt that ends at or below the knee. 
2. A blazer in a color that you like to wear near your face. It can go over jeans, dresses, skirts, and slacks. Wear it belted with sleeves pushed up with a pair of jeans for a great casual look.
3. Tank tops can be worn as a first layer all year long. Slim fitting, not clingy, is a good investment. Chico's has really great ones. They don't cling, and they launder beautifully
4. A black pair of pumps. It doesn't matter what heel height or toe shape, but you will want to own at least one pair.
5. A clutch bag for the evening or any special event. A bulky shoulder bag ruins the lines of any outfit. 
6. A pair of earrings that make you feel special when you put them on.

There has been at least one little black dress (LBD) in my closet since I turned 18. 

Note the amount of coverage of the shoe relates to the amount of coverage of the dress. The coat, jacket, and sweaters shown can be worn with the dresses to totally change their look.

1. A straight leg (not skinny) pair of black jeans or tailored pants will serve you well on many occasions.

2. A simple white long sleeve tee that fits close to the body, not clingy, will work well under vests, jackets, and fine gauge cardigan sweaters.

3. Scarves in bright colors that flatter your complexion can make an otherwise dull look come to life and tie an outfit together.

4. Flat comfy brogues for those days when you know you will be walking and standing a lot.

5. A casual bag that isn't all one color and is made of durable fabrics such as canvas and leather.

6. Accessories add the finishing touch. Don't skip them even on a casual day!

I also find it is great to own light neutrals which can be worn with everything else. Nude pumps, a luggage color bag, tortoise sunglasses, khaki pants, and last but not least, a white blouse.

One last important note: There is never a time that a white bra will work. It will show through no matter what you wear it with. A nude bra (the color of your skin) is always a much better choice. Foundation garments are just that, the building blocks upon which everything else rests. If they aren't doing their job, you will never look as good as you could in your great new wardrobe. Get a professional bra fitting. You will be so glad you did!

Sapphire Blue

One of my favorite colors is sapphire blue.

Today we attended a memorial service, so I wore a black skirt from Chico's So Slimming Ponte collection from last fall with a thin black long sleeve V neck tee I found at TJMaxx last year. The blue boiled wool jacket is from the Chico's outlet in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The heels are by Nine West.

The beaded clutch is old. I found it at Stein Mart, and the mink scarf was a gift from Mr. Mickey a few years ago.