great idea: STACKED wine

I love great design, clever packaging and wine. Therefore, I LOVE Stacked wine! I just read about this on jamie of all trades and had to re-post it as well. Stacked wines are wine that are pre-packaged into reusable cups. One stacked wine is the same you'd find in a typical bottle of wine, only you don't need to worry about glasses or a bottle opener.

Can you imagine what a game changer this is for future picnics, outings and the like? There are so many places glass isn't allowed, so this would be clutch! Also, the weight of carrying a wine bottle, additional glasses and an opener don't make for great impromptu boozing in the park like Stacked makes it. I am totally sold.  Chose from 4 glasses of Merlot, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.

Buy online or in Southern California for $15 a pop.

lately, via instagram

Pete checking out the rug we got from Urban Outfitters for the nursery. // Catie Coyle shooting away during our maternity photo session. // An adorable shirt I won from a Darling Clementine blog giveaway. // Our tomatoes are doing really well this year! // First shoes. Need I say more? I die. // Beer and a Bloody Shame (Bloody Mary without Vodka-get it?) //

Lately, via Instagram

Our pizza from Pizza Antica on the 4th of July // Mexican Coke for the pregnant lady // A onesie for baby boy // Pretty booze spotted at Hopdoddy // Smoothie and Juice fuel for a mini roadtrip to San Antonio // The famous Barton Springs // Lone Star beer at The Saltlick // The lone star state // Homeslice Pizza neon sign //

Happy weekend!!

Scenes from a bachelorette weekend

This past weekend I went to a bachelorette party to celebrate one of my good friend's upcoming weddings! She had the great idea to bring all her friends together and rent a house on the Russian River.

The deck surrounding the house.

Literally right on the water. 

I am a total sucker for marketing sometimes and I thought these were so cute! 

For the record, the white cran cosmo smelled really good. (Party animal)

Yummy brunch at The French Garden.

Decorations!!

Can your beautiful bride-to-be make a raging fire? This one can. :)

I should have glowsticks on hand for all summer backyard parties from now on. So entertaining. 

The whole group! With the soon-to-be Mrs. in green.

See you in 6 months...

Don't forget about me, we are only on a break.

{Oysters and beer in the summer}

{A bloody mary at brunch...or any time}

{Beer at a baseball game}

{Whatever's in the famous red cup}

{Wine tasting with friends}

 {Art and wine festivals in the warmer months}

Jon's 30th Birthday party

I think I stayed pretty true to my inspiration board for Jon's party this weekend. Some things I didn't have a chance to take pictures of, was too busy having fun. And Jon had a blast too, which is all that matters. Another one for the books.

Setting the stage on the patio...

 Papel picado lining the house.

Jarritos on ice. 

Fresh flowers on the table. Trader Joe's always has the best variety. 

 Loving my new pink sandals! Picture does not do the neon justice.

And back inside...

Colorful paper flowers lined the table.

The fake Chiclets were a huge hit with the kids.

Strawberry and key lime cupcakes made by Jon's mom. Not pictured: the chocolate ones!

And to top it all off, the Giants won! After the final score, the birthday boy poured up shots of Don Julio. Success!

Weekend Scenes

Enjoying our new wedding photo on stretched canvas over our mantle.

I cleaned out an old candle to now store my Stila lip glosses. 

Jon brewing homemade beer in the garage. 

One of two wood piles in our backyard. I think we're set. 

Now if it weren't for those frequent "no burn" days...

V-day is just around the corner, time to break out the conversation hearts!

Gather

One of my fave presents this year was a gift certificate to Gather, a restaurant in Berkeley focused on sustainability and seasonal food. Even though I was pretty sick this weekend, I dragged myself out of bed (and away from The Hunger Games) determined to get one of their seasonal bloody marys.

Real belts!

Verdict? What it lacked in the garnish, it made up for in the content. One of the best yet, and I don't even think all my taste buds were working. 

Jon got the pulled pork sammy. 

And I got the avocado salad. There were chunks of grapefruit and the avocado was dusted with chili powder, so so good! I can't wait to go back and try their brunch and dinner.

Merry Holidays

 

Alyssa Nassner 

I have been struggling to blog lately. This week is no exception. Posting will be sparse! 

Holiday Pro Tip: Hard Apple Cider

Your friends will love you if you bring Crispin hard apple cider to their holiday party. This stuff does not mess around! Not too sweet at all and actually packs quite a punch. Plus, it gets you in the spirit and all that stuff. Even though it seems blogland needs no help in that department. Get a 22 oz at Whole Foods.

Have Mercy

I hope your weekends were spent enjoying delicious beer with friends.

Napa Girls Trip

Best girl friends + wine is usually a no brainer for a good time. Add in the location of the most epic wine country of Napa, California and you are all set.

Bright and early at the first stop of our tour! Heather and Nicole cheesin' it up. We had a couple on our tour from the Midwest that just had gotten engaged and they were so......distant. Very weird.

Stained barrel.  Some of those oak barrels from France fetch around $1600. Yikes. 

Every view was picture perfect. 

I bet I wasn't the first to take a picture of this sign and put it on a blog. 

Oh well, its cute!

 Rare to find! The harvesting is over, so these little guys might have been missed. 

Yours truly. 4 wineries deep. 

After awhile, it's hard to taste a difference. 

Napa is not really known for its nightlife, but they have plenty of these. 

I fell for this Volcanic mineral water (snake oil) when the next day's hangover was raging its ugly head. The fun was well worth it!