Tour de Northern California: Napa

Since I was based in Napa for three weeks, that's where my boyfriend and I started our journey. I was beyond excited to show him everything that I loved about the town of Yountville and the surrounding areas that I had already explored and since we had only a small amount of time there, I planned an itin that was pretty much down to the hour. We had a lot packed into one evening and a full day/night, but we did it right and by the time Yountville was in the rearview mirror, he said he had a total feel for the area and felt as thought he had received the complete Napa experience. Success!!

 He didn't arrive to Yountville until 10:30 pm so he quickly changed clothes and we went to Michael Chiarello's, Bottega, which boasts a chic, but cozy outdoor lounge area complete with cushioned couches, a fire place, gas heaters and even fuzzy blankets (temps can drop 40 degrees in just one day!). We took a seat on the couch outside next to the fire place, split a bottle of wine and enjoyed their polenta appetizer (caramelized mushrooms, butter butter butter, and topped with a delicious balsamic game sauce-to die) and equally delicious basil pesto arancini. We sipped, noshed, talked (and kissed!) until the last waiter was closing up in the dining room. It was the perfect start to what would be an unforgettable trip.

The following morning we enjoyed a lazy start complete with a fire and vanilla lattes and chocolate croissants from Thomas Keller's, Bouchon Bakery, where the line starts early in the morning and doesn't fade until the afternoon. If you are in the Napa area, it's a must and the proper way to indulge is if you are in your jams, parked in front of a fire with the windows or balcony door open to let that oh so cool morning air drift in. MORNING DELIGHT!

Early that afternoon we took 29 north to St. Helena where we stopped at Tra Vigne  for a glass of wine and a another incredible appetizer, the mozzarella cheese "al minuto" paired with the heirloom tomatoes....if there is one thing you should eat in St. Helena, it's this. An entire presentation in itself,  they bring out the mozzarella and then stretch it out in front of you and put it on this delicious toasted bread. The tomatoes come separately and MAKE the dish, so do not order the mozzarella sans. It will cost you around $65 for the app and 2 glasses of wine, but hey...when in Napa!

After, we headed south down 29 to Rutherford and stopped in at Inglenook  which is owned by Francis Ford Coppola (director turned wine maker) and is simply stunning. We toured the small museum and then sat outside the bistro and sampled a wine flight. The grounds and estate are reason enough to stop in...the delicious wine is just an added bonus.

At 4:00 that afternoon, we had a reservation at Hill Family Estate to have a VIP tour of their family garden followed by a tasting. What made this tour so special is that Ryan Hill and his sister Carley drove us in their car over to the garden where (it gets more special) their family sells all of their herbs, fruits and vegetables exclusively to the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group (The French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, and Ad Hoc)! Ryan took us throughout the garden having us taste various herbs, vegetables and fruit that are used in the dishes prepared at The French Laundry (does that mean I have kind of eaten there? I think so!). We ended the tour back at their store with an amazing wine tasting and a plate of brie, Bouchon bread and tasty prosciutto. The experience was incredible and they even got me to like and purchase a bottle of merlot (I swear).

That evening we went to the famous Auberge du Soliel for sunset drinks followed by a incredible dinner at Thomas Keller's, Bouchon Bistro. The restaurant is small, warm and cozy. A perfect place to split a bottle of wine and indulge in my favorite, french onion soup, followed by dinner. We went to dive bar Panchas for a nightcap that we didn't come close to finishing (wine tasting is exhausting!) and strolled home ready for some serious rest. It was a long, but satisfying and successful day in Napa.

The next morning we were packing the car and heading south, ready for a change of scenery from valleys of vineyards to the cliffside coast, I had no idea what was coming, but excited to explore a new part of Northern California...with a very handsome boy.

TdNC: Carmel-by-the-Sea coming soon...

California Dreams

Being in a long distance relationship is hard. Traveling an average of 280 days a year for your job is hard. Put the two together and there is nothing but a whole lot of time and distance between you and the person you want to be with the most. My boyfriend lives in Aspen and I, in hotels all over the world, which makes it even harder for us to find time to see each other but when we do, we are always reminded of how blessed we are and why we continue to make the constant effort through all the miles and time apart.

The one upside to all the time apart is that Aspen is an incredible place to visit (summer, fall, winter, spring) and I usually have the opportunity to extend my work trips so we have had the opportunity to share some great experiences in some incredible destinations.

 Last week after I wrapped up a three week program in Napa my beau flew out from Colorado to join me on the road...we called it our Tour de Northern California, it was the perfect trip. Besides our Napa agenda, we had no real plans so we could stop whenever, sleep wherever, and eat whatever...it was fun, easy, relaxing, and adventurous.

Often, when coming home from vacation (non beach) people say they, "need a vacation from their vacation", which is true, vacations are exhausting! You wake up early, get ready for the day, head out sometimes for 10-12 hours exploring and touring, eat, pass out and do it all over again day after day of your trip and by the time you pack your bags and travel all the way home all you want to do is hibernate for a week. Although we did a LOT of moving, we felt relaxed knowing we could do whatever we wanted. All of our belongings were in the car and we cruised at our leisure. I highly recommend taking a trip like this once in a while. No time frame, no reservations, no plans...just you, your person, and a map (I used my iphone GPS until I had zero service for two entire days while cruising the PCH). So pick a region and explore...trust me on this.

More to come on the TdNC which included Napa, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, San Simeon and San Francisco...

Wine Country Woman

If you know me, you know I love anything and everything cozy. Most of my decisions in life are based on what I find to be charming, cute and comfortable. The restaurants where I dine, the clothes I wear, the furniture I choose to decorate my space, the weekend activities I partake in and the destinations I most prefer are usually are dependent on the feeling they bring to me and usually that feeling is coziness.  So naturally, my favorite time of year is fall. The gray skies and crisp air, big pots of hearty soup, wrapping myself in a blanket to keep warm on a cool evening with a glass of wine, to my daily uniform of leggings, boots, and chunky scarves and sweaters...it is, in simplest form, my essence. 

There is no better way to get into the spirit of the cozy season than spending the month of September in Napa. I spent three heavenly weeks in Sonoma two years ago and fell in love with Northern California. It truly is a cozy girl's (and boy's) dream. I stayed at the Fairmont Mission Inn that fall and savored the cool mornings which turned into sunny and warm afternoons only to be chilled again each evening with the setting of the Sun. Sitting by the outdoor fire with a glass of wine and a blanket was by far, the best way to end each passing day. The only thing missing was my kitchen. 

This fall I ventured to Napa only to be spellbound once again by this amazing time of year they call, Indian Summer. Although I'm no foodie, I still had great appreciation that I would be sharing a sidewalk with Thomas Keller and would be staying just doorsteps down from two of his restaurants, The French Laundry and Bouchon, and Michael Chiarello's, Bottega. At one time, Yountville boasted the most number of Michelin Stars per capita than anywhere else in the nation which is impressive all by itself,  but even more when you know the town is made up just of one glorious street, Washington Street. The best food in the country, the best wine in the country AND the best weather?! The girl who loves fall has fallen yet again and this time for a little town called Yountville. 

My humble (amazing) suggestions: 

1. Napa Valley Bike Tour: Why hire a driver when you can pedal through vineyards and burn calories from last night's dinner while touring three or four small, family owned wineries? My favorite vacations are those which involve more than laying on a beach consuming thousands of calories worth of dairy and rum based cocktails all day. Why not ride a bike, burn some calories, and then consume delicious wine. A bike tour is also great because you won't allow yourself to drink as much (bike crashes are embarrassing and painful) and which would you prefer...get drunk, go to your room, pass out, wake up and eat room service at 11pm OR enjoy a little bicycle buzz, take a long soak in the tub, get super cute in your fall attire, eat an amazing meal at a charming restaurant across the street from the hotel, drink amazing wine, eat dessert, drink another bottle of great wine and then walk to Pancha's for a nightcap? Any argument here? Didn't think so. Next. 

2. Pancha's: What's the best way add a little balance to a town that could be named Pleasantville with it's perfect lawns, perfect restaurants, perfect cars, perfect people, and perfect visitors? Panchas. Just a couple doors past the restaurant which was twice named the "Best Restaurant in the World" is a nasty, windowless gem which could easily pass as a shed. Inside you'll find nothing more than an old pool table, a couple of ripped up couches that have been around since the glory days of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district and an odd mixture of wealthy vacationers and the town's scum. Don't forget your cash and for those smokers, a pack of cigs if you want to remember what it's like to smoke inside a public place and for the non, do forget your cashmere sweater. The biker man bouncer (Harley not Huffy) claims he has thrown out more people stumbling in after their $600 (per person) meal at the French Laundry than anywhere else. It's a must see and a landmark of filth and fun in this town of pretty perfection. 

3. Day trip up north: Chances are if you are in Napa you've got a rental car so take full advantage of this beautiful part of the country by taking a road trip north to the redwoods and over to the coast. 

a. 29 North through St. Helena and Calistoga 

*Stop at Beringer Estate for beautiful pictures of the grounds and gardens (free if you say you are going to the gift shops) 

b. Continue on to the funky river town Guerneville and stop at Armstrong National Park to see all the beauty of the Redwoods. 

c. Head to the Coast Highway (1/PCH) and drive along the Pacific then head to Bodega Bay

*Stop at the church which is in the unforgettable scene from Hitchcock's, The Birds 

d. Continue to Bodega Marina and head to Bodega Head where you will stand on cliffs overlooking the beautiful ocean and it's large waves 

*Stop at Spud Point Chowder Company and have lunch on picnic tables outside the tiny restaurant overlooking the marina 

**Three words-Salt Water Taffy-essential for the ride back

e. Head towards Sonoma and end the day with a sparkling wine tasting at the beautiful Domaine Carneros winery in Napa-Cheers to an unforgettable day in Northern California! 

f. If you are up to it, backtrack 15 minutes (worth it) and head to Sonoma Plaza to enjoy a glass of wine at the Ledson Hotel (only six rooms and gorgeous lobby) and then eat at one of the many restaurants in the square, The Girl and the Fig is a favorite. 

4.  Wine Time: Helloooo, this is why you would be vacationing in wine country! There are over 700 wineries in Napa ALONE. To tell you where you should go would be impossible as we all have different ideas of what makes a good tasting experience so the only thing I can say is do you research. If you like the big names that most of us recognize like Sterling and Robert Mondavi then stick to highway 29 and if you are looking for smaller, family owned wineries where you get a tour from the owner himself and he introduces you to his children then head up the Silverado Trail. The roads run parallel and one is the main road and other is more...off the beaten path. If you like candle lit caves and tasting wine right out of the barrel, head to Del Dotto (Napa) and sip in the dark. If you like beautiful views looking over rolling hills of vineyards go to Artesa Winery. Figure out what you like whether it's the actual tasting, the beauty of the estate, the view, or sitting outside and listening to music and then research, ask the concierge, and ask locals (they want you to have a great experience in their town)! 

5. Relaxation: Give yourself at least one day of relaxation whether at the hotel spa (hot stone massage, yes please) or lounging at the pool. Indulging is exhausting and you need one sunny afternoon to relax sans a map, your boots and camera. 

6. Bed, Bath and Beyond: Most hotel rooms serve two purposes; a place to sleep and a place to get ready. My time in wine country has shown me that my favorite hotel rooms are those which feel like I am staying in someone's guest bedroom. All the rooms have the rustic charm that most hotels lack. These rooms boast candles, pictures (not of people...creepy) in frames on dressers, canopy beds and best of all....fire places. Over the course of this trip, I have made the realization that fires are not only appropriate on a cold, winter's evening, but are also just PERFECT on a sunny morning in bed while eating my chocolate croissant (OOC-out of control) and drinking my vanilla (bean not syrup...to die) latte from Bouchon Bakery, in the afternoon while I do some work or write in my bed, and of course. in the evenings while I sip on a glass of wine and read in bed. Who knew?! Now this girl does... and just like cake, there is NEVER a wrong time to enjoy a fire. 

As September comes to an end so does my time in wine country, but the icing on the cake after three weeks of work?! When work wraps my boyfriend is making his way here and we are going to eat, drink and enjoy the first of many fires that fall and winter will bring. Cheers! 

October 1st, 2011

I beg your forgiveness…once again (pp-pretty please). I have set a new record for the longest amount of time not writing…shame on moi. I really don’t understand why I let myself do this, because every single time I finish writing I think, God that felt good. I wonder what my life would be like if I were to ignore some of the other things that bring me such pleasure instead of ignoring my blog…probably not as fun. Listed are few of my most pleasured and treasured, which at times I enjoy more than I should (in no particular order)…shopping, manicures, eating out, talking, happy hour, wine, all accessories, kissing, vodka, make-up, staring.

That’s enough.

Pre Wedding:

As you know, my sister got married and I was the maid of honor (huge deal). I was completely freaked out that I was going to be an emo wreck while delivering my big speech….buuuuut….it turned out okay (itwasamazing).

Quick Reminder: I had two speeches that I wrote and had to choose from (gotta have back up people, huge moment). The first, I wrote in my head while laying down in the back of a cab in Curacao because I was a hungover disaster. The second, I wrote on my flight to Paris. I thought FOR SURE the Paris speech was the one, but I recited it to my mother 5 days before the wedding and her reaction was, “Welllll…..we can work with it”. Really? Like I don’t have enough anxiety at this point…. I mean don’t worry about the fact that the wedding is 5 days away and I have been a wreck about this since the age of 12, no worries…I’ll just come up with a third speech, let me get my pen. Anxiety level 8

Two days later after trying (unsuccessfully) to write a third speech, (completely made up funny stories to tell, but embarrassed because my sister and her husband would know I was lying) I told my mom there was a second speech that I wrote months before the Paris speech and would read it to her just to see if we could work with it. After I read it she said, “That’s it.” and so that was it. Anxiety level 5.4

The speech was finished, now I just had to memorize it (ef). And so for the next 5 days I recited it over and over and over. I said it while driving, brushing my teeth, in the bath, it took place of my nightly prayer. I said it ALL the time. The frustrating thing about rehearsing a speech is when you mess up, you totally let it mess you up because you can. When I would miss a word or draw a blank I would pause, curse, hit my dashboard, kick the tub, stop entirely…and then curse some more. Three days before the wedding I went to my best friend’s house to recite it to her and I completely blacked out. Could not remember any of it, not even a little. Although she was super sweet and supportive, I could tell she was worried, very worried for me. Anxiety level 9.8

Once the wedding festivities started I did not have much alone time, actually any at all. Wednesday we had a family dinner where we stuffed welcome gift bags for the out of town guests and put frames in pictures for the rehearsal dinner. Thursday I was running around with my mom, we had the rehearsal dinner, and then went out with the wedding party. Friday we had bride/bridesmaids mani/pedis, bridal luncheon, dinner and drinks to welcome all the out of town guests, and Saturday obvi I was preoccupied.

The Wedding:

Getting Dressed: Makeup, champagne, hair, girl talk, scones and fruit...FUN!! Anxiety 3
Wedding: Nervous wreck about my big moment and being ugly and emo while walking down the aisle...WWPD-What Would Pippa Do? ( Speech temporarily off the mind) Anxiety 8
Pictures: Realized wedding was over and next up was reception aka SPEECH (omfg) Anxiety 13
Trolley: No longer talking to anyone...just staring at my bouquet Anxiety 19
Cocktail Hour: Conversing with people while blacked out (nerves) Anxiety 30

After we were seated at our tables I looked up at the best man and when I saw him, had to laugh...he looked just miserable as I felt. Across the table he sat there staring at his full plate of food and looked as though someone told him his dog had been run over. In the middle of my laughter the planner approached the table and asked if we were ready. When she gave me the microphone I shed all nerves and in a matter of minutes that speech was signed, sealed, delivered! No memory lapses, no hesitations, no blocks, and no cursing…it came out just as I had intended all along (THANK YOU GOD). Anxiety Level.... None, Nada, Gone, Zero, Free, I love life, I love everyone, Peace on Earth, Happiness and good health to all!!

Post Wedding:

Two days after the wedding I went to Naples, FL (MOH’s need a honeymoon too!) for work. My dad and I whined on the phone every single night for a week about how we were suffering from PWS (post wedding syndrome). It was by far the best day of my life. There is something incredibly special about being in one place with every single person you love and care about. After the high always comes the low, but in this case it was just getting back to reality after spending a couple months on cloud “I do”.

Now that I am so confident with my public speaking skills I am thinking of switching to a new line of work….

Lady Politician-I’ll be the first elected official sponsored by Tory Burch

Professional Speaker-I’ll find a topic later

Talk Show-Move over Ellen, it’s time for “Brittany in the Morning”

Professor-I mean, I WAS the TA for a human sexuality class at IU (Kinsey Institute, pretty major)

Pastor Brittany- What if your pastor was a nice, young girl with great outfits and fresh messages to keep Sunday service interesting? I think PB could bring in the masses! **Sidenote**When I was in middle school I wanted to be an undercover nun for a year. I really thought it would be interesting to go behind the scenes and see what really goes on in the life of a nun (I'm pretty sure my vision at the time was was much more Lifetime-esque; drama, affairs, and murder).

Until I figure out my new career path, I will continue with life on the road. Since my last post, some of the highlighted trips have been Seoul, Berlin, New Orleans, and three weeks cruising the Caribbean. I finagled my way to a second row seat at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week-Berlin, and it was a DREAM. Brittany in Berlin-Coming soon.