Tag Archives: mrs.-napa
mrs. trousseau’s honeymoon in napa
Here we have the darling Mrs. Trousseau – she’s packed for holiday and thrilled to do so. Fresh from her wedding which was quite the ‘to do’ – a celebration of love and a gathering of the Michigan’s who’s-who. She’s here to indulge with her newly minted mister – to which she knew he was the one the moment he kissed her. She chose Napa for their honeymoon, a trip she’s been planning all her life – she dreamt it to be the perfect and most romantic holiday as husband and wife. With Swanson’s JUST MARRIED wine just served at her wedding – a trip to the Swanson Sip Shoppe was certainly befitting. She heard it was filled with special offerings and goodies galore – she was just dying to get inside this grown-up candy store! Her duffle is filled to the brim and on the verge of exploding – with a weeks worth of garments and goodness that she plans on unloading. It’s summer in wine country the weather just perfect – warm and sunny, just what you’d expect. For this time of year it’s all about transition wear – so that she can do what she pleases, fashionably and without a care! She’s got the perfect daytime dress that segways savvily into night – with the right accessories she’ll be a glittering sight. She brought her bikini as to show off her wedding ready physique – she spent months shopping for it and it’s painfully chic! What’s a trousseau without some sexy lingerie? And how about some naughty games to play? She’s got that covered and then some I’d say!
1. Violet May London, Balman Travel Bag 2. Thread Social, Printed Silk Jumpsuit 3. Straw Fedora 4. Vintage 1980′s Chanel Gold Clip-Ons 5. Linda Farrow Luxe Sunglasses 6. Revlon, Kiss Me Coral Lipstick 7. Seal It with a Kiss : Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Delivering a Knockout Kiss 8. Gold Men’s Rolex 9. Hermes, Sofia Pumps 10. Fifi Chachnil Chemise 11. Marabou Slippers 12. Swanson, Just Married Wine 13. Mary Green Sleep Mask 14. Tiffany Playing Cards 15. Undrest, Ruffle Bikini 16. Moshino Cheap and Chic Heart Dress 17. Kate Spade Tutti Fruitti Cosmetic Case 18. JimmyJane Spin Me Bottle 19. Love Moshino Gold Wedges 20. Coach Straw Basket Tote
Posted in entertaining, ridiculousness, what-to-pack
Tagged just-married-wine, mrs.-napa, napa-visit, wedding wine
Leave a comment
the lay of the land
{map via nyt t magazine}
Posted in musings
Tagged calistoga, mrs.-napa, napa-map, oakville, rutherford, st-helena, the-lay-of-the-land, yountville
Leave a comment
mrs. curious + eccentric goes to napa… by
Mrs. Lilien I totally cyber-stalked, after squealing with delight over such lady-like posts as: Mrs. Lemonade, celebrating the many accoutrements of the of the 6:00 lemonade cocktail; then there was hilarious + brilliant Mrs. Lilien Paper Doll where Kelley Lilien, herself poses as a live paper doll surrounded by her favorite bits. I printed out the shameless Mrs. Jewel Box post, and pinned it up in the kitchen, in case my husband wanted to know EXACTLY what my jewelry box needed; and to seal the deal, I just swooned over her Mrs. Why-Not…. it was that post that made me wonder, were we raised in the same hen house?
It just so turned out I was looking for a Mrs. Curious + Eccentric.
Meet Mrs. Curious + Eccentric – she’s a real work of art, anything but generic – to consider her as such would be wildly hysteric! She travels often and usually [somewhat] light – and when she’s Napa bound she can hardly contain her delight! She keeps keys to her uncle’s pool house, her secret napa hide-a-way – the perfect place to luxuriate while penning her personal dossier. It’s summer time in the vineyard valley – so she brings along her must-haves for a routine yet leisure dilly-dally. The chilly mornings and evenings are met with balmy sun drenched days – so she brings the things that makes her sings in a million different ways. She’d be mad to leave home without a frock and a tote for shopping the farmer’s market, and a fabulous suit for all day poolside, where she plans to park it. There will be antiquing, lunches out, oh and the constant wine tasting – where she’ll post up at the Swanson Sip Shoppe and gossip with the who’s-who of wine making. She’ll shimmy into white jeans and a razor sharp jacket before skipping off to din-din – both casual chic and climate savvy, this pairing is a total win-win! Galavanting around Napa exploring the glorious sites – sipping the good stuff and savoring the gourmet bites – is where you’ll find this Mrs morning noon and nights! If you ask her there’s just nothing funner, than vacationing in Napa over the summer!
1. T. Anthony Boarding Tote 2. Missoni, Ecuador Kimono Mini Dress 3. Eugenia Kim, Max Mini Fedora 4. Alaia, Metallic Leather Gladiator Flats 5. Carmen Marc Valvo, Animal Print Suit 6. Wide Brim Floppy Hat 7. Emmanuelle Khanh, Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses 8. Swanson Vineyards, Alexis Wine 9. House of Lavande, Gold Tassel Earrings 10. Chanel, UV Essential SPF 50 11. Fracas perfume 12. Keels Simple Diary 13. Chapstick 14. Lecia M8.2 Safari Camera 15. Excedrin Extra Strength 16. Jack Spade Travel Scrabble 17. House of Lavande, Mimi Di N Gold Necklace 18. Christian Louboutin, Crisscross Espadrille 19. Military Air Force Aviator Sunglasses 20. Laurence Heller, Ryan Jacket 21. Jcrew, Ankle Toothpick Jean 22. Lipstick Queen, Rust Saint 23. Lanvin, Birthday Canvas Tote
Posted in entertaining, my beat, what-to-pack
Tagged lilien, mrs. curious + eccentric, mrs.-napa, napa-visit, wine-country-itinerary
1 Comment
so, you’re visiting napa for the weekend… hotels
(This post is part 1 of 3, featuring hotels for the perfect weekend itinerary…)
The hotels below are amongst my favorites, and also most convenient to the itinerary that I have laid out ….
There is nothing I like more than landing somewhere, and immediately become a part of a neighborhood and beat… Within Napa Valley, you could stay in the tiny town of Yountville for 2 nights and never step foot in a car—there is just so much to eat and taste! Yountville has the French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery + Bistro, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Bottega, Ad Hoc… all within a 4 minute walk.
In the thick of it all, is Bardessono Hotel, Spa and Restaurant — the only LEED Platinum certified hotel in California. I like the sound of all of that— and all the modern 21st century gadgets sprinkled throughout the property. What I like most is the truly eclectic crowd this hotel attracts—and it is the only luxury hotel in Yountville offering a lovely full service stay, delicious food service, a real bar with a great cocktail menu, roof top pool, in-room spa services, and bikes available at the-ready! I particularly like that it is 2 minutes walking distance from Bouchon or Bottega.
At the end of Money Road, in Oakville is the Oakville Vineyard Bed + Breakfast née The End of Money Road Inn– a haven for the curious, eccentric and bohemians visiting the area. If I were in the witness protection program, I would beg to be dropped off here: It is the very best kept secret, situated on an old compound/ commune (think Marie Antoinette’s peasant village at the Petit Trianon) surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards, plus the resident chickens, roosters and goats on the loose. This otherworldly b+b is where we send all of our friends, aunts and cousins when the houses get too full in the summertime. FYI: there are 3 bedrooms in this raised cottage, perfect for friends traveling together!
The Auberge du Soleil, nestled in the terraced hills of Rutherford, is a major splurge and super treat; with the most intoxicating and heavenly views, bedrooms, fireplaces, pool, spa, wine list, service, room service and dining patio. This hotel is the #1 game in town and nothing compares in the winter or summer.
P.S. All have hotels have great pools
(keep your eyes peeled for the perfect summer itinerary..)
{photo credits: auberge du soleil, bardessano hotel}
Posted in entertaining
Tagged gotts, mrs.-napa, napa-valley-olive-oil, napa-visit, rutherford, st-helena, swanson-sip-shoppe, taylors, the-perfect-2-day-itinerary, yountville
3 Comments
so, you’re visiting napa for the weekend… day 1
(This post is part 2 of 3 for the perfect weekend itinerary…)
Day 1: St. Helena/ Rutherford/ Yountville
Breakfast in St. Helena:
Grab a coffee from the Model Bakery. The Model Bakery is straight out of a stage set; baking the most beautiful iced cookies, cakes, and brownies. Their pannini sandwiches are as beautiful as they are delicious. Be sure to cross the street and check out Martin Design. Erin Martin has style and taste for days, with her signature aesthetic, amazing books and curiosities.
If you are looking to discover the next cult classic, like Scarecrow or Hourglass, then…. R-U-N, don’t walk, to ACME Fine Wines, just a short walk away. ACME is a local treasure where boutique and virtual wineries sell their teeny production wines, and offer the most incredible selection of impeccably edited wines for their wine clubs. This is not to be missed.
Note to self: Every Friday night from 5- 7pm, some of the finest small vintners in the valley pour their wines.
While in St. Helena, you want to check out:
The Napa Valley Olive Oil Company– established in 1962, this enchanting discovery delights anyone looking for the REAL DEAL. The Particelli family runs this old fashioned Italian market out of a little, white washed barn, seconds from town; and sell an amazing selection of olive oils, sausage and olives. I love giving the olive oil ($15) to my house guests.
Late Lunch: Gott’s Roadside née Taylor’s Refresher…
The Gott brothers’ burger joint is INSTANT NAPA to me—and a modern day slice of AMERICANA, that makes everyday of summer feel like the 4th of July! For us an early lunch at Gott’s, at least once a weekend, is a high priority and serious business, requiring precision timing– as our children wait breathlessly for the 12:30 passing of the wine train. I covet the regular burger with extra special sauce, the sweet potato fries, and the espresso bean shake, made with Double Rainbow ice cream.
The trick to Gott’s is all about timing: either go for an early OR late lunch. But do yourself a favor, don’t show up between 12- 1:30.
Swanson Salon & Swanson Sip Shoppe in Rutherford
The Swanson Salon is a destination for people who share a love for food, wine and travel!
The Swanson Salon is a destination for people who share a love for food, wine and travel!
The Salon has spent the last ten years perfecting the Napa tasting experience by celebrating the many ways people enjoy + live with wine, while seeking out the most delicious purveyors of gastronomic delights to pair with our finest and favorite vintages. Inspired by the old salons of Paris + the liveliest of dinner parties, the Salon offers three seated tastings daily, and is lead by a salonière (keeper of the salon). The tasting experience is interwoven with storytelling, wine insights and lots of conviviality! This July we proudly open the Swanson Sip Shoppe, the little sister to the Salon. If you are in town, please come!
Swanson Sip Shoppe in Rutherford
The Swanson Sip Shoppe is a candy store for adults: reinventing the rituals of fine wine, reviving the night cap, offering special wines, clever gifts and decadence with a wink. An informal and cheeky adventure, where our finest vintages are presented in special sip-sized pours: glass “Dixie” cups, mini-Reidel Os, and tiny cordial glasses. Sip Shoppe’s tastings include perfect morsels of Vosges Haut Chocolat chocolate, domestic Tennessee caviar, house-made sorbets, and stinky cheeses – inventively offered.
Our Signature Tasting: The Salonière
Our most notorious, coveted and bewitching elixirs.
A case study of the IT wine…
Angelica. 1865′s IT wine… haunting heirloom of the gold rush.
Alexis. An expression of today’s IT wine… from our estate-grown Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.
Enjoy this diabetic coma in our little courtyard, or poolside at your hotel particular!
Cocktails + Dinner: The Auberge du Soleil, in Rutherford
The Auberge is a serious favorite in both winter (at the bar) and summer (on the patio). In the winter, my husband + I LOVE to park ourselves at the bar, next to the fire, with our Scrabble board, a hamburger, and a delicious bottle of wine. Now, summer is a whole new world… I specifically like the expanded bar patio, with its’ bird’s eye view of the valley, perched in the hillside. In my opinion, this is a MUST for anyone’s 2-day itinerary!! The bar menu is perfection and infinitely less expensive than the Dining Room menu and is informal and light. My favorite is the twilight hour, for a glass of rose, followed by a long, lingering dinner. Lingering is the operative word here, as there is just so much to take in— the views, light, sounds, company, conversations around etc…
{photo credits: acme fine wines, nicole mcintosh bruce}
Posted in naughty food
Tagged ACME, auberge, gotts, mrs.-napa, napa-valley-olive-oil, swanson-sip-shoppe, taylors
1 Comment
