Photo Credit: Monica Ferrel
Ballpark Beer
Photo Credit: Monica Ferrel
Category: drinks
Product Review ~ govino Drinkware
Its been a while since I have written a product review. Partly due to the sheer volume of products available to check out. I stand by all prior product reviews and still suggest you cruise by and check them out. Frankly, I felt as if I was doing so many in a short period of time, I was diluting the well. I felt the need to step back. Gather my thoughts. Filter out the items I didn’t really consider using often. Until now.
Today, I ask you to stop what you are doing and check out govino. Particularly if you are a fan of wine, outdoor activities like picnics or bbq’s, or even special events and holidays. I recently published the Guest Post – Yogurt Parfait that would look amazing in the same drinkware. govino has a product line of dishwasher safe, shatterproof, reusable, recyclable, BPA/BPS free drinkware. Dont get me wrong, I still invite people over for parties where red cups are everywhere…but I also like the option of the sophisticated cocktail or craft beer in a nice glass. govino offers me that opportunity with drinkware that I can feel confident using without fear of breaking.
My husband and I personally tested them out recently and we were both pleasantly surprised with the quality, clarity and unique design. The pieces are molded into a shape that allows for a comfortable grip. Check out the product line…they are beautiful!
As if it weren’t already at the top of the industry with ‘the first and only unbreakable wine glass of its kind to be validated and accepted by the wine industry’, they take their expertise to a whole new level. CUSTOMIZATION! The possibilities are limitless. Consider the options such as corporate gifts, fundraisers, bachelor & bachelorette gifts, wedding party gifts and even party favors.
I was so pleased with the entire product line that govino sent to me for review, I agreed to host a giveaway. Its interactive so start thinking of creative ways to use your govino drinkware and you could end up winning! Details have been posted on my Sponsored Giveaways tab. I encourage you to check out their site to review and shop to your heart’s content, my giveaway page for details, and even your local BevMo to pick up a set to try yourself!
Drinks After Work
Work. After nearly 9 months I am back to the grind and to be honest, I missed it quite a bit. The structure. The routine. The responsibility. I have to admit, the social butterfly in me needed to get back into the swing of things & meet new people.
This got me to thinking of what people do after work. For so long we either went straight home to take care of an ailing parent, or our commute left us so tired we sometimes skipped dinner and went straight to bed. Now that we both work so close to home and are only responsible for each other and our rambunctious cat, dinners out and an adult beverage here and there are sounding quite nice!
I see people sharing their pics of after work drinks, whether out at a restaurant or at home. They share their beers, wines & cocktails. Im not a beer drinker. Ive had some in the past but its not a favorite. I dont drink regulary, typically only on occasions & that usually consists of celebratory shots or the occasional cocktail. My daily go-to beverages are water, iced tea or coffee but everyone says the benefits of wine at dinner is something I should consider. So I am considering wine…but where do I start?
Over the years, my hubby and I have tried a few different types. You can probably tell that they weren’t a big hit otherwise they would be a staple in our home and I wouldn’t be asking for your help. See, I need guidance. I want feedback on wines. All types. Whites, reds, rosés…blends, sweets & sparkling.
- What do you like?
- Do you have a brand you love?
- How often do you enjoy a glass or two?
- What made you decide to try wine?
- Do you have a suggestion for a newbie?
I want to know…I want to learn. I want to be the person a year from now who says, ‘Last night I curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine & my hubby.’
7 Ways Women Over 40 Celebrate Their Birthdays
I just turned 41 over the weekend and celebrated with family & a handful of friends from high school. Nothing big. Just drinks, pizza, drinks, cupcakes…oh and drinks. Did I mention we had some drinks?
After a day of recovery (not built to party like I used to), I compiled a list sharing how others celebrated their 40th and beyond. In the weeks prior to my birthday, I did some research, polled a few people and came up with the most common answers. Most are obvious choices, although my weekend didn’t fall into these categories. Unless you consider how much laughing we did…then I suppose it fell into the Humor category!
Humor
If you are anything like me, you use humor to deal with life.
Travel
Destinations become checklist items. Tropical? Cold? Historic? Yes please!
Elaborate Dinner Party
I am talking full on knowing what spoon and fork to use type of dinner soiree.
Cocktail Crawl
Its a grown pub crawl but with cocktails instead of pints.
Wine & Dine
Steaks, bottomless wine and a dessert that takes longer to assemble than eat.
Girl’s Night Out
Sexy outfit, glam makeup and your squad!
Pajamas & A Movie
Rom-Com, Lifetime or Tearjerker style movies in your pj’s with a side of ice cream.
When you hit 40 or beyond, how did you celebrate?
It’s My Birthday!
Join me over java, a bloody mary, a cold beer or a round of shots!
Tequila Interchange Project ~ TIP
Every once in a while, I come across something that grabs my attention and I just cannot get it out of my head. The Tequila Interchange Project is one of those that just stays with you long after you learn their mission.
Tequila Interchange Project (TIP) has set out to educate everyone about practices in the tequila industry. Let me share a little about their vision and mission straight from their team.
The Tequila Interchange Project (TIP) is a non-profit organization and consumer advocacy group for agave distilled spirits comprised of bartenders, consultants, educators, researchers, consumers and tequila enthusiasts. Our organization advocates the preservation of sustainable, traditional and quality practices in the industries of agave distilled spirits. In light of concerning trends that are currently becoming mainstays in the production of agave distillates, TIP seeks to place a renewed emphasis on the importance of preserving the great heritage of agave distillation in Mexico. Whether acting as liaisons between consumers, producers and the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (Tequila Regulatory Council), sharing ideas about how to mix tequila cocktails with the bartenders of Guadalajara, or presenting seminars on topics ranging from sustainable spirits to the history of distillation in Meso-America, TIP utilizes the diverse strengths of its members to engage a broad audience in the history and culture of Mexico’s noble spirit.
Not many are aware of what goes into the production of tequila. As with any other harvested product, there are people who labor to ensure we get to enjoy the drink we all know. Currently, TIP is facilitating a multidisciplinary, Public Health style study regarding these farm workers or Jimadores. Its vital to evaluate the working conditions and well being of the Jimadores much like the efforts put forth by Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta for the United Farm Workers in the US. Everybody deserves a living wage and safe work environment.
The time and effort the TIP puts in to the environment is also noteworthy.
TIP is working with Dr. Medellin to plan and implement a “Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal” program, which will verify that plantations allow at least 2% of their crop to flower which will dramatically enhance the genetic variation of the agave and give the bat a sustainable food source. Agaves flower at night so they depend on the bats for pollination and the bats rely on the agaves in the tequila corridor as they migrate north and south throughout the year.
The typical tequila fan (like me) probably has no idea that bats play a vital role in the genetic variations of agave. Who knew!? There is so much more to share and I encourage you to check TIP’s site and learn about the regulatory oversight and what they are doing regarding the regulations defining agave spirits. Please also follow them on social media and help share their vision and mission.
Drink Menu for the Holidays
As a person who enjoys the occasional cocktail, I am always looking for new and fun drinks to share with family and friends. Not to say I dont enjoy straight tequila shots…I absolutely do but they are not always the go to drink.
For example, at Christmas I want to serve a signature drink and supplement with other options on hand. Last year I mixed a new combo that was a hit. 
I mixed some apple cider and cinnamon roll vodka that tasted like an adult cream soda. It sneaks up on you because it goes down soooo smooth.
I want to expand the menu this year and I have some top contenders. The first in no particular order is Fuego. Its from Eats American Grill and looks like a perfect addition to a cold weather holiday.
Next is a refreshing take on the muddled favorite…a cucumber mojito. Its light and crisp, a great match for the heavier meals around the holidays. Diet Hood knows what makes a great cocktail!
This one is probably the most beautiful of all my contenders. A raspberry serrano sangria. I mean look at the beautiful holiday colors. I found this one at Tree Hugger.
For a sweet drink option like the one I served last year, I would go for the apple pie punch. The Cookie Rookie shared what I consider a great after dinner cocktail. I mean look at how yummy this looks!
The last one on my contender list isn’t as scary for the lightweight as it sounds. Its actually a smooth rum drink with more juice than alcohol. The Painkiller is a delicious drink from Islands and I can see myself making this year round.
Do you have a signature cocktail served at holiday dinners? Share your faves!
Pumpkin Everything!
Tis’ the season for Pumpkin everything! Can you sense my excitement? From cookies and breads to yummy comfort drinks, I am sooo happy! After Halloween, I did the pumpkin puree thing. I added my spices and had a bowl of yumminess just waiting for all my Pinterest recipes to take shape. I am hoping to pop out some pumpkin bread this week. Stay tuned!
As you can probably tell, I am a coffee addict, a java junkie, a frap fiend if you will. You can imagine the combo of coffee and pumpkin makes this time of year even merrier for me. Ive done the pumpkin spice thing and enjoyed my fair share of morning lattes but this holiday season, I am expanding my drink menu to include some new concoctions.
I came across a blog that had a page of all things pumpkin. I know, shocking! Well Grabbing Lapels has some recipes I will definitely be using over the last weeks of 2015. One of which includes a fall favorite…rum. Malibu has a spiced rum that is delicious and I am excited to try it out. Oh and for you calorie counters…70 calories per serving. Not the latte, just the rum. Mix at your own risk!
The other I want to try is RumChata and Pumpkin Pinnacle. I love horchata and was introduced to RumChata about 2 years ago. It changed my cocktail menu instantly. Definitely a fan favorite. The Pumpkin Pinnacle is just downright delicious so the combo is life changing! (Stop laughing) As a cold drink, its probably better to serve in a warm house while the oven is on so if you live in a cold climate, bundle up or get baking!
I was not only able to get some inspiration for holiday drinks, but I expanded my drink menu as I clicked through the links. If you would like to see more than just these two, check out the printables provided as well.
#FollowFriday
Its the end of the work week, you know what that means…its #FollowFriday. I have enjoyed a great, interactive week with you fellow bloggers and what better way to give back than to highlight a blog of the week.
My selection this week is Art and Kitchen. With so many recipes to choose from, it was difficult to select one to share but when I came across the white fall sangria, I knew this was the one! Once you delve deeper into the blog and discover just how the recipes come alive, you will notice just how much love is put into each one. With all of the fresh ingredients and the stories behind them, the recipes are written indications of love via the delicious vehicle of hand crafted meals.
I appreciate each entry and look forward to trying some of these over the holidays. Cruise on over to the page and take a look for yourself. Hope you all enjoy Art and Kitchen as much as I do. Happy #FollowFriday!
Cappuccino Connected 