A toast to Champagne

"There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne."
-Bette Davis

Whats the one thing that can make you smile even when you have had a horrible day? For me its pink champagne. Their is something about it that makes me feel pretty, luxurious, and expensive. I know it sounds strange but just drinking one glass makes me feel like I'm in another time period. Their is something so Great Gatsby about champagne. You have heard me talk of it before, perhaps my love of champagne started when I saw the movie An Affair to Remember and Terry McKay ordered a pink champagne cocktail. In that instance I knew I would love it.

My favorite Sparkling Wine is Sofia Blanc de blancs made by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Not only is it delicious but it comes wrapped in pretty pink gift wrap.

"Delicately fruity and delightfully refreshing, Sofia Blanc de Blancs is a rare blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat. The crisp flavors of apples and pears are made brighter by a hint of citrus and honeysuckle. Elegant in character, this wine is lightly textured and vibrant through the finish."

It even comes in these dazzling little pink cans, complete with matching straws. Perfect for pool side champagne-ing.



Tres Jolie? Oui!

In my family before a meal (at least when I'm present) we all have a toast. Just a simple toast to the evening. I think its good luck so have someone raise their glass with a nice anecdote, while the others clink their glasses in a unison "cheers".

Each of our toasts are lines from movies.

Mine is "to making it count" - from the dinner scene in Titanic. (followed by sporadic "here here"'s. Scott's is " to my big brother George the richest man in town" from Its a Wonderful Life. Mom usually goes with " here's to swimming with bo-legged women" from Jaws ..i laugh. Even my little brother Brandon has one from School of Rock and its just so darn stinking cute. He is always so proud looking when he says "now raise your goblet of rock". So adorable.

What are your dinner toasts or some great ones you have heard?

Paint & Pink Champagne

"A picture is worth a thousand words."
-Napoleon Bonaparte

Tonight Brittany, Lauren and I ventured out to Sips n Strokes . Sips n Strokes is this really cute little art studio where you bring your favorite beverage ( mine is pink champagne) and then you paint a picture along with the instructors. They show you step-by-step how to paint a beautiful masterpiece that you can hang in your home in just 3 hours time.

As an art lover this is something I found incredibly enjoyable. For $35 dollars you get all the supplies (paint, brushes, canvas and instruction). Tonight we painted an Autumn landscape. We popped the pink champagne, signed our names on the wall and then began our paintings. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. Even if you aren't a great artist the teachers make is easy for you to follow along, and at the end of the night everyone's painting looks superb. In my opinion the real art is at the end when everyone holds up their painting. All are different, but seeing everyone proudly hoist their paintings makes for real art.


(all set up and ready to go)


(champagne break)


(The Final Masterpieces)


( I autograph the wall cheery disposition style)

Tell your friends and plan a painting soiree.

Isn't it Romantic?

Isn't it romantic?
Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.
Isn't it romantic?
Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.
I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.

-Eric Carmen

As I sit here tonight I get the urge (which I often do) to watch a romantic movie. I search through all my movies for that one movie that can touch my heart. Is it Casablanca? For most people Casablanca is the ultimate romance. With those classic lines guaranteed to make anyone smile; "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine. " and, "here's looking at you kid." I can't hear "As Time goes by" with out thinking of Sam playing it as Ilsa hums. Classic.

Or is it Sleepless in Seattle. Hearing Tom Hanks talk about how special his wife was to an on-air radio therapist. " Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were suppose to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic. " That line always brings tears to my eyes.

But then there is Cary Grant from An Affair to Remember. The Story Sleepless in Seattle was based off of. Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Although both are engaged to other people, they decide to meet at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. When an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love? Who wouldn't love Nicky Ferrante? This movie always makes me want a glass of pink Champagne.

And then I always come back to the old stand by. The movie which inspired my blog design. Sabrina. The Story of a Chauffeurs daughter who is in love with the very rich, very spoiled David Larrabee. Invisible to David, Sabrina goes to Paris to learn the Art of French Cuisine. She returns a grown up, sophisticated and beautiful woman and an engaged David notices. Linus the older brother sees that David is about to throw away his engagement and a huge deal for their family and decides he must charm Sabrina himself to keep David off her. But then Sabrina finds herself falling in love with Linus.

So I sit here this Sunday evening and wait for Sabrina and Linus to fall in love and be together in Paris. Isn't it romantic? I say it is.

"Once upon a time, on the north shore of Long Island, not far from New York, there was a very, very large mansion, almost a castle. And on this very large estate lived a small girl. And life was pleasant there and very, very simple. But, then one day, the girl grew up and went beyond the walls of the grounds and found the world. "

What is your go-to romantic movie?

Pop the Champagne!

Well my friends the art is hung. History was made today! Eric came over and hung my artwork over my couch for me. My friends and I all toasted with some fine champagne to my artistic accomplishment. The living room is finally finished being decorated and now I move on to my guest bedroom which is in dire need of a little TLC. What will my next art project be?

(me and the art)

(Jeff, Eric and Me)

(Eric seeing how far the cork will go..it flew an impressive 15 yards off the balcony)