Winesday Wednesday 11/13

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Another week rolls around and it’s Winesday Wednesday again. And you know what? I’m a total slacker and have NOTHING to show for it. I had a couple sips here and there of Tyler’s beers over the long weekend, but really nothing outstanding. I did however manage to ‘spill’ a few drops of Bailey’s into my coffee on Sunday morning.

I honestly felt drunk off that. I was attempting to do a ton of loads of laundry, and I was winded as all hell from the combination of boozy coffee and the several trips up and down the stairs to retrieve various loads. Is it just me, or does anyone else get out of breath super easy when they’ve had a drink?

I remember in college (nicknamed ‘Harvard on the Hill’) I would be profusely sweating if I tried to get anywhere on campus by foot. And that was SOBER. If I had a drink, you can forget it, I would probably sit down somewhere to rest for a bit. I’m not even kidding. Also, I weighed about 50 pounds more at the time, so that might have had something to do with it.

Totally derailed there for a minute and had a brief moment of reflection. Man, I really didn’t like myself in college. I ate too much, drank too much, didn’t exercise much outside of volleyball season… oof.

Now, everything’s more in moderation. Except for watching anything on the American Bravo channel (binge watch when I’m home) and drinking water (I swear to God straws make me consumer SO MUCH MORE).

Back to booze.

Friday night, I sipped a stinky Italian beer. It tasted average, but stank to high heavens.

Saturday, I had a Brewster’s Raspberry Ale.

Sunday- Bailey’s in my coffee. And maybe a vodka soda.

To be honest, I splurged on a nonfat no-whip peppermint mocha from Starbucks last friday and it did some serious damage to my stomach and appetite for a few days. Probably the reason why I wasn’t my usual alcohol-indulgent (well doesn’t THAT make me sound like an alcoholic) self.

So here’s what I’ve got for submissions from this week- some newbies have been added to my list of contributors! Thank you so much 🙂

mmmmmm….that looks delicious. And yes, I could usually go for a glass of wine on a friday evening!

The rest of the caption read “L-what I wish I was drinking R- what I am drinking” Ha, I love it (and so jealous of your access to Angry Orchard even if you can’t drink it, mama of 2-to-be!) Thanks, Nicole!

Alison emailed me this pic! “Ravenswood Zinfandel – my fav.
Drinking while I feed. That way it’s out of my system by the time she
eats again. ;)”

And with that, I’m signing off. (Hoping to get tomorrow’s ‘Latests’ post up for you guys, but I’m currently working on a project that’s a bit time sensitive..we’ll see!)

Latests

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Not too many things to share this week- trying to cut back on spending until I’m back in the States in a couple weeks (where I can get more bang for my buck!) But things to share of late are:

The Starbucks App

source

Yeah, I know I’m super late on this one. I was totally aware of the app, but never really had the desire to pre-pay for my black coffee. But then I was made aware of all the rewards that can result from pre-paying for black coffee and I got myself signed up right away. In fact, tomorrow I’m indulging in my once annual skinny peppermint mocha. Kinda really excited.

Hot Yoga

(source)

I got a 10 class pass to Hot Yoga on Crowfoot. It’s been a couple months since I went last and my hips really needed the stretch, plus I want to get in some sweaty stretch sessions before Vegas.

Lady Gaga

(source)

Dang it, you guys. I am a serious Gaga fan and this latest album is no bueno. I listened to the whole CD during my workout last night, and my booty did not throw in any extra shakes due to non-booty-shaking-beats. Le sigh.

Wine.

Cono Ser Viognier. It’s a sweet white wine. That’s all I have to say about that. Well, that and I only drank about 1/4 of a glass of it when I bought it. So lucky me I have most of a bottle to play around with this weekend.

The Body Shop stuff

1. Moringa Beautifying Oil. To help with the crazy dry weather and for sexy times! You are welcome for the TMI.

2. Seaweed Clarifying Toner for post- Hot Yoga and other super sweaty workouts. Helps get all the gunky makeup off that I usually miss when I wash my face.

3. White Musk Voluptuous Velvet Body Creme. I already have the perfume of this, so I thought I’d add the body creme to my collection. Yet another thing to lather on and keep my skin from being so dry. I swear, I am itchy practically 24/7 during the winter!

Double Chocolate Chunk Quest Bars

Yup, this new flavor is the best. I still have to be super careful not to eat the whole bar in one sitting otherwise I turn into a blowfish. But with this flavor it’s so hard to restrain myself because it’s like a delicious and decadent candy bar.

And I realized maybe I did spend a bit. Woof.

Tell me: what are some of your latest finds?!!

Winesday Wednesday 11/6

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

It is my firm belief that this here blog has the smallest reach on the internet. Heck, on days I don’t post there are only about 10 people IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD that check out my blog. Do I really care? Not entirely, but sometimes it can get to me that I spend a lot of time putting stuff together and publish. Perhaps if I wasn’t in Canada? Nah, the internet has no borders (unless you’re in North Korea I suppose) and it’s about time I stop blaming everything on the country that supplies me with free health care.

This is the part where I COULD go on a tangent about how I’ve not paid for a single physical, dentist appt, prescription, AND my GP sends me to other specialists (aka: dermatologist) just for funsies. Yeah, it comes out in the form of taxes on my pay check, but yeah ok whatever.

Then again, I should probably just stop complaining in general. Although you have to admit, I haven’t posted many woes in quite some time! Unless you follow me on twitter, then you’d see that I have an unruly hate towards Calgary Transit, but so does every other Calgarian.

Let me continue on my mini rant.. As I was saying, my blog is tiny. I have no giveaways, I don’t have traveling adventures to recount, and I certainly don’t eat anything interesting. Sometimes I log on and will word vomit a teeny tiny little post just so that some of you will remember I still exist.

I get really excited creating workouts or sharing recipes, or recounting some of the latest crap I’ve bought, but I think my favorite thing so far on my little piece of internet are my Winesday Wednesday posts! I really just love participation- knowing that some of you actually want to contribute to my weekly post of booze (and it doesn’t have to be BOOZE- I’m talking to all you pregnant, nursing, or recovering alcoholics) gives me just a huge ass feeling of awesome.

This week’s contribution is even tinier than last week’s, but no submission goes ungrateful in my eyes. So thank you to those who tweet, instagram, facebook, or email me stuff!

First up, Keith sent me one of his latests:

“Here’s a new vintage, an Italian Nebbiolo from earlier this year. Barely 4 months in the bottle, and it’s a light, tasty wine that goes down very very easy. I think this is going to be amazing in a year or so.”

Which reminds me, Tyler and I need to get our wine-making pants back on. We are gonna run low!

My friend Crystie, posted this awesome photo on my facebook:

Yup, I need to get rich SOON so this can happen. Until then, I shall drink out of the bottles. [That’s a joke, I pour it into a glass first. Most of the time]

This past weekend, I actually went over to Crystie’s house for a little blind wine party. Six of us each brought a bottle of wine that was concealed in a brown paper bag and numbered. We tested each (twice!) and voted on our favorite. We ended up picking the one Crystie picked out, but since she was hosting the party, we went with the #2 choice to win the prize- a $15 gift card to Starbucks! We then continued sipping the wines and munching on all the goodies Crystie supplied. It was a super fun night and I found some wines I liked that I would not have normally purchased.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so please PLEASE please send me your stuff for upcoming posts! Have a happy Winesday Wednesday everyone!

Latests

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Today, this week rather, has been completely emotionally and physically taxing. I don’t even know how to talk about how I’ve been feeling. Mostly because I don’t have the time. And I’m too tired. Ha. I think the thing that’s been on the front of my mind has been my physical feeling- I have been eating fantastically, drinking tons of water, and exercising on a regular basis. Yet, with the start of this job I have slowly been gaining the weight back. I have so many assumptions of the culprit, but I can’t seem to overcome it!

A couple reasons why this bothers me. Even though I KNOW I’m healthy, I just don’t feel good. And another (vain) reason is because I don’t want this apparent weight gain to cause an outward thought that I’m ‘letting go.’ Meh. Stupid female brain. It is mostly how I FEEL though.

Onward and upward.

I have some latest things that I want to share!

Fleece Lined Leggings. I picked these up on a whim while we were at Bed Bath & Beyond a couple weeks ago. It wasn’t until this week that I opened them up to see how they fit. And, well…….they did. But they didn’t. There was no waistband to hold the suckers up! Not worth trying to amend on my own. They’ll probably wind up just being leggings I wear around the house. Only because I know Tyler doesn’t mind seeing a little crack from time to time.

Winter is coming. And just as I slapped on last year’s pair of boots, I realized the heel on the left boot was shot. I can’t risk waiting till I get to the states to buy them on the cheap, so I headed to the mall the other day to utilize a coupon. Come to find out these puppies were already on sale. SO, for a pair of boots that retails on the brand website for $170, I only paid $100! Good deal, Jen. Good deal.

On my weekly grocery shopping trip, I was in the baking aisle to stock up on all my baking ingredients, and I noticed that Peanut Butter & Co. products were on sale. They’re super expensive here, so I never indulged in a jar for the longest time. I caved and bought the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl. Still can’t decide whether I’m gonna enjoy this sucker by the spoonful, or whether I’m gonna bake something masterful with it.

I went for tea the other day with a coworker at Second Cup. I had never been there before, so I relied on my coworker for a good tea selection. She recommended the Maple tea. Hot dang it was so good. I really just wanted a stack of pancakes after I finished my cup!

A hair product that I should’ve mentioned a while back is something my hair dresser uses on me every time I go. After I found out what it was, I wondered WHY she would ever using a ‘thickening’ product on my Medusa of a scalp. But this Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray works. However I style my hair using that product, is exactly how my hair stays. That’s something every lady wants, right? In case you were wondering, I actually spray it into wet hair, sleep, then style the next day (on most occasions).

Are you looking for the best cookie recipe of all time? Then head on over to Sally’s Baking Addiction and make her Favorite Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies. In her post, she tries all sorts of mix ins. I went with white chocolate chips as my mix in of choice. And that, my friends, is the best decision I’ve ever made. I want to bake these cookies over and over and over and over again until my oven breaks. (Maybe a slight exaggeration, as I just made a chocolate pie)

PS: regarding my rant at the beginning of this post. You may say ‘Duh Jen stop eating all that shit and you’ll feel better’. Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. I enjoy in moderation. It keeps the cravings to a minimum AND I can still have some of my favorite sweets.

SOCKS. Lots of fun socks. These were a steal at Target. The ankle socks were 75 cents and the knee highs were $1.50. Really can’t beat it. (I looked on the Canadian Target website and you can’t buy anything! So the link is to the US website. Silly Canada)

Favorite workout song I came across on Pandora:

Two exercise moves I’ve utilized lately (and love):

Last, but certainly not least, my sweet score of the week. I hit the RW & Co. at the mall during my lunch the other day and found this sweater (Originally $65) on sale for $14!!! Nothing like a good savings. To offset the savings, I also purchased two tanks.

What are some of your latests?

Winesday Wednesday 10/30

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Happy Winesday Wednesday Everyone! While I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t really had any wine lately, I plan to indulge soon! But WW isn’t just about the grapes, it’s about the entire spectrum of boozy goodness. And I always have something to post 😉

Lately I have been craving a good red, but I just haven’t got my heart set on a certain flavor. I want something light that will be a nice glass to sip. What I DON’T really want is the deeper wine that you accompany with food. Any suggestions (looking in the $10-$25 range)? Until then, I am sticking with my fall beers and ciders.

PS: I have been craving a Crispin or an Angry Orchard LIKE CRAZY! I have yet to find a good comparison here. #sadpanda

Alright, now on to YOUR submissions for the week!

@redjam428 posted this photo on instagram:

Heck yes! Nothing like a beer at the Garden! I Miss going to Boston sports games (or bars!)

HOLY CRAP. Mary tweeted a bloody mary that I could absolutely DIE for!!! There is nothing like a spicy bloody mary with lotsa fixins in it— especially when one of said ‘fixins’ is BACON.

And Monique tweeted another of my faves that I haven’t had in a while (let alone a GOOD batch in a while!)

Come to think of it, the last GOOD sangria I had was the Apple Cider Sangria I made for Thanksgiving last year. It’s especially good with some local cider. Mmm, now I’m getting excited for American Thanksgiving! Well speak of the devil, Athena enjoyed something similar……

She wrote: “Here is the white wine apple cider sangria I drank this weekend while away in Portsmouth NH. Perfect for fall!”

Mmm I totally agree. Looky here, Ashley just got to enjoy one on a nice crisp fall evening! I am so jealous.

Last (for this week) is what Keith sent in. And boy does it leave me curious to taste something similar..

Here is the natural state of a wine bottle. Empty of course. This is an Italian Amarone made from a Mondial kit, and was bottled December 2008. Lots of juice and this one had raisins in it as well. This makes for a “heavier” wine, and even after letting things settle in the carboy, there is still usually a bit of a film and some sediment in the bottle. What this tells me is that I’m drinking a natural product, a real one. One that isn’t quality controlled to within a chemically laden inch of it’s life. I suppose commercial wines aren’t that bad, but I sure don’t drink many of them. I like a bit of imperfection in life. You can see a bit of the film around the bottom of the cork and the bottom of the bottle. This one will go into my bleach box to deal with some rainy or snowy day. Amarone is sometimes called “The little sweet one”. It took a while to mature, and it’s just lovely now. In a natural sort of way.

Reminds me that we need to make another batch of wine ASAP.

All I have to share with you from this end is a couple of beers. Friday night, I went out with my friend Nicole. We chose to meet after work at Beer Revolution. The beer menu is pretty interesting in that they serve whatever’s tapped. Once it’s out, they move on to the next. (That sounds like they only have one beer at a time, but trust me, they do not! There are SO many)

We then walked to Craft, where I could indulge in yet another of my favorite Pyramid Apricot Ale. And ended the night at National, another craft beer house.

Onto the random…

If I had a large barrel and an endless supply of grapes. And if said items were portable, I would totally be Lucy from the grape stomping episode of I Love Lucy