vino

this is a decent little inexpensive Australian wine. strangely enough, i found this at the Wayfield Foods in College Park for less than $5.00! i got the shiraz cabernet. nice little table wine and far better than two buck chuck. excellent flavors, berries and cardamon. you will be surprised and at $5, you will not be disappointed.

Boots

"In 1853, Aigle revolutionised the world of footwear by using rubber as its core material for boot manufacture. Boots continue to be made by hand at Ingrandes, France near Chatellerault.From preparation through to finishing, each stage takes place under the watchful eye of specialists. Firstly, the natural rubber mix endows the boots with all of their characteristics (suppleness, waterproofness, sturdiness, comfort, etc.) Then the parts are assembled by hand on an aluminium last. The 3rd stage in the process involves vulcanisation of the boots in an autoclave at 140° to give them their definitive shape. Finally, each boot is carefully inspected to ensure that a high-performance, high-quality product is obtained".

These are excellent, well-made, all-purpose, comfortable, all-weather boots. Oprah likes them too, but I liked them before she did. I have found most all other rubber boots impossible to walk in and they make me feel stiff like the Tin Man. Aunt Nancy kept army green rubber boots in the back of the rusty blue Jeep where I learned to drive a stick shift, going back and forth to the pond. They were just my size when I was young and I loved being able to put those boots on and puddle jump and get in the mud. These are all perfect for that. Get you some. http://www.aigle.com/

Oh! It's pronounced "Eh-gleu". Bonjour!

Chocolate

It is not at all surprising that chocolate graces a list of favorite things. Although, I have never been a major fan of white chocolate. To me, it often tastes a lot like that cheap baker's chocolate. Twenty years ago Aunt Mot used to make those chocolates molded on a stick in shapes of Santa at Christmas. The chocolate all tasted the same and it tasted artificial. M&M's recent release of the coconut m&m tempted me and I tried them. They were not bad (I like them in plain Greek yogurt). But I quickly discovered that coconut is not even an ingredient! Angelique packed this in my Christmas package and I have been waiting for a quiet moment to experience it. Real coconut is the fourth ingredient! Lindt has "excellence" in their name and this bar is done quite well. With large coconut flakes, white chocolate done well, this is a bar worth the calories. And speaking of calories, it really isn't all THAT bad, only 120 in two squares.

Under African Skies - Articles - Travel + Leisure

Under African Skies - Articles - Travel + Leisure

J.Crew Sale

I am posting these to show Laura what I got. They both retailed for over $200 and I got them for $35 each with free shipping with coupon code MUSTHAVE. I got the strapless one in the "fatigue" green and plan to pair it with gold jewelry and black pearls.. I needed formalwear like a hole in the head. My motto is you have to spend money to save money and I saved a lot. And now 2011, I am prepared for all the weddings, showers and formal events you throw my way. Or maybe I will just wear taffeta to Target because I can...in 3-6 business days.

Music

Good Tunes

Dinnerware

Mom had a few pieces of this on the oak Buffet in the kitchen when I was little. I loved the variety of the bold colors all pieced together and their distinct rings, vibrant colors. When Carla asked what I wanted for Christmas, I tried to think of the most practical thing that I really can use and need. I hate waste and squander and I am incredibly practical. Always at the top of my list is US Postal Stamps. The only other thing I could think of is that I really need are black socks for work, but I already have one pair and I can just wash them more often, so I scratched those off the list. I don't really need anything and everything I want seems to be high ticket items like a flight to Iceland. I thought about it over cereal one morning and took a look at my cereal bowl, chipped, cracked and purchased circa 1995 for my college dorm room. I knew then what I wanted. I looked at the mismatched set of service for 7 (Loren Tankersley, College Roommate- broke a plate and I broke a bowl) all chipped and mismatched. I never made dishes a priority for the same reason I used to refuse to buy anything monogrammed. I am going to get married! And when you get married, people buy you dishes. Don't start feeling sorry for me. A new last name and fine china are nothing for which I am pining away. I just realized, it is time I get some new dishes and I don't think I am going to be visiting the Registry at Nordstrom any time soon. I instantly knew what I wanted. A colorful variety of the classic Fiestaware for everyday dishes. I got them in Peacock Blue with Shamrock Gusto Bowls. They have been around since the 30's and have an expressed Art Deco influence. I think it is classic, love the combination of various colors and find it very reasonably priced. Not as practical as stamps, but a very useful gift. Come visit! Bring 6 friends. P.S. Ralphie's family in The "you'll shoot your eye out" Christmas Story dines on Fiestaware too.