Foodie Friday #summerwines

This Foodie Friday is all about WINE!!!

It is summer time and that means relaxing at the beach or chilling by the pool.

We also love cookouts during these longer days.

We are still technically in a pandemic, but I think it has gotten a little easier to navigate. Social events are happening but for the most part, we like to be outside.

Hotter temps mean choosing wines that are lower in alcohol, lighter in body, refreshing flavor, and pair well with BBQ and other grilled foods.

Vines to Wine (www.vinestowineacademy.com ) hosted a class and introduced several different wines that I am now going to my list of summer wines.

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Cotes de Provence Blanc

TOW comment: Light with fruity notes. Would go well with grilled chicken or dessert

Riesling

TOW comment: Light sweet with medium acidity. Medium finish

Pinto Noir Rose

TOW comment: fresh and a little fruity with a short finish.

Beaujolais-Villages

TOW comment: dry with cherry notes. Would go well with salmon

All of the wines we tried were good but I think my favorite was the Cote de Provance. I liked the smooth, long finish.

It’s great to go to wine tastings because you can discover wines that best match your palate!

Try It Tuesday: Citraguard Natural deodorant #allnatural

Jul12

TRY IT TUESDAY – Citraguard

BENEFITS & FEATURES

Clinically tested and shown to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and help maintain the balance of the skin’s microbiome pH balanced and aluminum free

Formulated without parabens, phthalates, talc, alcohol, mineral oil, synthetic perfumes or dyes, artificial colors, fragrances, or preservatives

Non-irritating; contains skin-soothing and skin-conditioning ingredients

Formulated without gluten-containing ingredients

Disclaimer: While I am a Young Living brand partner , my review here is my honest, unbiased opinion.

TOW: I’m loving this natural deodorant!

I’m a little sweaty but not much and no foul odor. It blows my mind that I’m not stinking by the end of the day.

I have heard horror stories from people that have tried natural deodorant and have said that they do not work because it was not strong enough to keep their odor under control.

I tried this deodorant because it said that it was clinically proven to help reduce bad odors. I’m the try that will try a product if the science behind it sounds logical. In this case, I’m glad I did because it works better than I expected.

TOW Final Word: This deodorant is the BEST! I thought about making my own … but this does the trick and is way easier! You gotta try this out!

Here’s a link you can use to order this deodorant and try for yourself. Full disclosure– this is an affiliate link .

TRY IT TUESDAY – Moldova Wines Tasting #wines #moldova

Jul5

TRY IT TUESDAY – Moldova Wines Tasting

If you love wine like I do, you probably look for events that allow you to try wines from different regions.

I attended a wine tasting of wines from Moldova because that area is not one that commonly associated with having vineyards and I wondered how wines tasted from that country.

The tasting was held at Flynn’s on Maxwell. The presenter Sergio is from Moldova and has been committed to introducing their fine wines to the US.

Wine: Crisecco (sparkling wine)
Grape Variety: Feteasca Alba 90% (Moldova variety), Muscat 10%
Aroma: hint of citrus
Taste: Light sweet, very bubbly
TOW: This was fine. If you like prosecco, you will like this. Pairs well with fruit.

Wine: Feteasca Regala (white dry wine)
Grape Variety: Feteasca Regala 100% (Moldova variety)
Aroma: Light fruity notes
Taste: Crisp, medium finish, smooth, not too dry, notes of peach and lemon
TOW: If you are looking for a pinot grigio, you will like this.

Wine: Rose de Purcari (Rose dry wine)
Grape Variety: Rara Neagra 15% (Moldovan variety) Merlot 35% Cabernet Sauvignon 50%
Aroma: Berries, especially strawberry
Taste: Earthy, medium body, long finish, dry but not overly so
TOW: Because of the long finish, I think this is better with cheese.

Wine: Rara Neagra de Purcari (Aged red dry wine)
Grape Variety: Rara Neagra 100% (Moldovan variety)
Aroma: Fruity and vanilla notes
Taste: Strong oaky flavor, full body, long finish, velvety taste
TOW: If you like dry red wines, you will love this.

Wine: Cuvee Rouge (Aged red dry wine)
Grape Variety: Rara Neagra 5% (Moldovan variety) Saperavi 15% (Eastern Europe variety) Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 50%
Aroma: Fruity and smoky notes
Taste: Strong flavor, full body, long finish, velvety taste
TOW: This is more of a classic blend and pairs well with red meat or pasta dishes.

TOW Final Word: I thoroughly enjoyed the wine tasting, learning about Moldova, and was glad to find Crissesco. I do love a nice bubbly wine!

TOW comment: I was cleaning out my drafts and couldn’t find my photos from this event. The wines were delicious though!

TOW Top 5 Travel Tips – To do in Dublin #Ireland ☘️ #travel #tryitTuesday

Jul6

Since it’s been a while since I have traveled internationally, I have been looking at my pictures of vacations from past years.

In 2017, I told hubs that we were taking an international trip to a new location. I wanted a new stamp in my passport.

He got to pick the country. He chose Ireland.

Not knowing much about the country, I began reading tourist blogs and watching YouTube channels dedicated what to do when visiting the country.

As I reminisce about that trip, here are my top 5 travel tips

-Do go to The Church and sit in the bar area (their food was phenomenal and they used to have live music and Irish dancers Monday-Wednesday). They take pub food to another level. If you get the roast chicken, it is big enough to share. Add on a dessert for a discounted price.

-Do book a bus tour to Cliffs of Moher (it’s a long day but totally worth it). It’s a win-win because you get to see the countryside, relax while someone else drives, and see breathtaking natural beauty.

-Do check buying your tour tickets online for best value (we saved 40% with Darby tours by booking online)

-Do go to Pennys for cute fashion at a value price. They have something for everyone. I bought some comfy pajamas.

Do a hop on-hop off city bus tour to get the layout and history of the whole city (we chose Do Dublin and added the Guinness brewery tour). You can hop off and visit the sites and then hop back in the bus to travel around the rest of the city.

Here are my top three DONT’S in the city

-Don’t be intimidated by riding the Luas aka “the tram” (its easy to navigate and people are generally helpful)

-Don’t believe it when the locals say “tram travel time is about 15 minutes” (whatever travel time estimate they give, you probably better triple that)

-Don’t forget that they drive on the left (be careful when crossing the street or only use crosswalks)

Final thoughts: Ireland is a BEAUTIFUL country and I think everyone should visit at least once.

I can’t wait to return!

Best Cell phone case #tryitTuesday

Jun23

HianDier Wallet Case for iPhone Xs, Slim Protective Case with Credit Card Slot Holder Flip Folio Soft PU Leather Magnetic Closure Cover Case Compatible with iPhone Xs MAX 6.5 inches (2018), Black

• Perfectly fit for Apple for iPhone Xs .
• With 2 card slots designed, conveniently to store cards, license or some cashes.
• Steady magnetic buckles keep cards / cashes safe and secure, no worries about things slip out.
• Precise cutouts and design, easy access to all buttons, cameras and ports.

This is a nice slim case that I use to hold my license, debit card, and some business cards.

The magnets catch well so I do not worry about anything falling out.

With the raised edge on the front, I am able to help protect the screen. I still use a tempered glass on the screen to ensure it is well protected when I drop it.

While the case is form fitting, it is easy to take off if I need to.

I am happy with my purchase! To buy this case, you can click my affiliate link here