Once again, I needed a few new pictures for some various projects of mine. So, I hired Stinnett Studios to do my pictures. This time it was better then the last because at the time of this shoot, they had a studio. It was a glass open studio and everyone who walks through the mall can see you having your pictures taken. This was fun and also now everyone feels bad for Stinnett Studios because they saw what they had to work with. Me.

For whatever reason, I just wasn’t “in the flow” of having my pictures taken. I’ll bet professional models have those kinds of days too. So, in a flash of good intentions the photographer started asking me to just do various reactions as a way to make me get into the swing of things.

This is where formal model training would have been helpful. I have a new respect for models. This was really hard.

First, the photographer said – let’s do something “artistic” and I was all like … OK!

Then he said, “Huh. Maybe we should start with some reaction type poses. Let’s pretend you are surprised!” I did my best surprised look:

He stopped and put his camera down… “Um, I said surprised, not scared.”

Here is the thing … I thought that WAS a surprised look – so I did something a little different like this:

To which the photographer said …”Well…. that’s an idea. How about this … let’s try an angry look and start from there.” So this happened.

I was trying to give it my all you guys, I really was! That’s when the photographer asked me “So… what exactly was your motivation on that last pose?” and I said “I was fighting with myself.” The photographer just put his camera down and shook his head. “ok, let’s try angry again … but think “urban” angry in a cool confident way.” That’s when I got excited because I thought this would be the PERFECT time for me to try out my own “sign” which I KNOW is going to catch on …

We can totally use this sign now with each other … it will be our “wine code” for people passing in restaurants and wine stores. Flash this sign and we’ll all be in the same winehood. … it’ll catch on … you’ll see!

In the end … we ended up with this photo which I currently use on Budget Winer. I think it was a pretty good one … considering the other options.

Cheers to our new “sign”!
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Yep, it’s another TED conference video. This one is from 2006 but I think it’s kindof fun.

What does science exactly do? Prove alien existence? Prove evolution? This is an interesting video by Michael Shermer a known skeptic but I love his presentation. Enjoy the next 14 minutes:

All I can say is: “Thanks Michael … now maybe my parents will let me listen to Led Zeppelin ….”

Cheers to science!
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This may not be funny wine video … but I encourage you to imagine a bit. One of my favorite movies is “French Kiss” … mostly because it’s that fine line between not liking someone and then completely falling for them. Ok … (spoiler alert) and the fact that they build a winery together in the end helps too …

But take this scene and imagine that instead of Kevin Kline and his “box” … you have Gary V and HIS box of “tastings”…. (remember his stint on conan o’brien?)

Now with that in mind …. watch the same scene … (I wish I knew how to super impose images…)

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

Cheers to French Kissing!
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I was having a hard time coming up with a post for my blog on MilwaukeeMoms.com for “Budget Winer”. So I started wondering if anyone out there was going against the norm and being a sassy, “I hate this wine” type wine blogger. You know … like a Perez Hilton of the wine industry.

I went and Googled the term “Bad Wine Reviews” … This is what I came up with:

… (big sigh ….)

Cheers to the e-list!
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It’s the end of summer and we’re slowly coming up on the crisp fall season. There is no better way to celebrate this then to hit a downtown restaurant patio, secure a great viewing spot to people watch and sip some wonderful sparkling wines or Champagnes.

Here is a list of my favorites to share with great company, to people watch with and take in some great food.

1. Moet & Chandon Nector Imperial: When someone told me I HAD to try this Champagne, I was not prepared for how much I was going to love it. Tingles the lips and makes you want to savor each sip. Not only did I like this wine – but when it’s on a restaurant menu … I go for it! This wine is high on the fruit taste initially, then ends with a light honey taste. That’s a happy ending I can fall in love with!

2. Piper – Heidsieck Cuvee Sublime: This wine carries a nutty taste to it, yet being a demi-sec champagne, tends to be a bit sweeter. More of a dessert wine, but not sticky sweet – just right for a bubbly sweet tooth!

3. Simonnet – Febvre Cremant Brut Blanc: This sparkling wine has that fine tiny little bubbles that will make you giggle inside. What am I saying … giggle out loud – we’re celebrating the end of summer and a happy time! Great taste and on the lower end of the budget, so this is a great wine for every day celebrations. Think Chablis with bubbles and you’ll have the taste idea for this one.

4. Taltarni Sparkling Brut Tache: Coming to us from down under Australia … well Tasmania to be exact, this wine is an interesting surprise! Dry, fruity sparkling rose. Just keeping under the radar … this sparkling wine is great to try on it’s own and it’s for those who may not like their sparkling wines too sweet.

5. Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee: One of the modestly priced (under $100) champagne’s, this is a champagne that is great for a special occasion … while on the high end of celebrating the passing of summer, it is truly special. This buttery toasty champagne is sure to delight and will leave you wanting another celebration as a reason to bring out another bottle

These are my 5 picks to try at your favorite restaurant or purchase from one of our local stores and celebrate at home on your patio.

Cheers to summer!
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Photo credit: GrandWineCellar.com

# 157 on the list of odd things I like: unexpected opposites that make me laugh.

Enter ——> “Pee-Wee goes to Sturgis” … I can’t even set this one up properly … you just need to watch ….

I never thought I would say this …

Cheers to Pee-Wee!!

Photo credit: peeweesplayhouse.ning.com

At first I wasn’t sure about this listening / watching this speech, I thought it might be just another talk on the oppression of women worldwide. I decided to watch and I’m certainly glad I did.

Sheryl WuDunn is fantastic at getting her thoughts across and presenting a great story on the women in this century. Very inspiring. Although this is an 18 min. long speech, it’s well worth the time.

If you do nothing more with this video then skip to the last 5 min … I recommend listening to her final comments. We are truly wealthy ….

Cheers to women!

If interested in Sheryl WuDunn’s book, you can find it here: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage)

It’s true … mosquito’s are the new vampires here in Wisconsin. I’ve met a few, had to kill a few…

Mosquito or a sly Vampire .... you choose!

It didn’t stop there – at night, when all the lights were turned off, I was laying in bed and then I heard the noise … the faint buzzing … I swatted …. and hit myself. The fight continued … ultimately, I won but not without a few bruises.

I’ve actually not read the Twilight books or seen the movies. I can’t really tell you why, I just haven’t. Personally, I feel like I’m living it out right now … team Mosq or team Off … I’m going to choose my side… Team Off!

Cheers to Wisconsin Vampires!

I thought I was clever with that title, until I realized from a google search that there acutally WAS a Klignon wine …

Enter
Guenoc
Langtry Estate and Vineyards
Petite Sirah
2007

With a name like Guenoc, I couldn’t help but think this was a name out of the Klingon dictionary … yes, call me a geek, I like Star Trek stuff, it’s true. I did NOT know however that there was a Klingon blood wine. I don’t even know where to go with that.

Back to the wine. Wine Enthusiast have given these wines some high ratings! The 2005 Petite Sirah received 93 points from W.E. The taste on THIS wine is very pleasing … the site indicates a “baked blueberry” taste. I think that describes it well… it’s unusual to me, which I really appreciate. There is also a warm spice taste that lingers … very nice and very memorable.

This winery is actually located in Guenoc Valley and has a rather interesting history. Purchased by Lillie Langtry, a flamboyant theater star in 1888 … she with her winemaker produced some fabulous wines. Yet another women winery owner … gotta love that! She sold the winery in 1906 and sadly, it sounds like the winery was in a state of neglect until about 1963. It was bought by an investment company and nurtured back to “health”. This wine is a great example of the wineries uniqueness and showcases it’s early beginnings with an artist who created artistic wine back in the day … I recommend you give it a try, just to taste a little bit of unusual artistry!

If you want to try the Klingon Blood Wine … (sigh) .. yes, I found the recipe … Here is the Klingon Blood Wine Recipe.

Cheers to artistic wines!
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Sadly, not much is going on with me except a lot of paperwork. Also, even thou I live in my house, apparently when a newspaper is being delivered erroneously to your home, you don’t have the right to tell same said newspaper to stop delivering. It has to come from the account holder. Yeah. True story.

So, I’m starting to read the Wall Street Journal in print again ….

yep, that's Broke Ass Wine ...

Remember the magazine I was going to write an article for? Folded. So I got THAT going for me!

This week’s Fab Fan of the week …. Thomas …. he’s been a virtual friend of mine since MySpace. Yes, THAT long. Also, Thomas is blue … that makes him even more fun! Cheers Thomas!

All in all, it’s the dog days of summer … it’s hot here and pretty much all over the place from what I hear. So stay cool and enjoy the longer days while we have them!

Cheers to aha moments!

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