Friday, January 13, 2012

I'm off to Market!

This weekend I'm leaving for Atlanta to go visit my friend, Anna. Remember her week long guest blog post she did?  Anna from Atlanta?  Anyway, we love to go to AmericasMart in Atlanta and I'm always amazed at all the great finds there.  Next week, I'll bring you the great items we come up with that you may be seeing in a store near you this spring and summer.  Stay tuned as well, for an all new look to Winetastebeerbudgetnashville.com!  It's exciting!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Wine or Beer, which do you prefer?

Since the name of my blog is Wine Taste Beer Budget Nashville, (not for much longer, but more on that tomorrow!) I was thinking about all my favorite wines and beers and thought I might give you a few ideas to try yourself.  Now, I am by no means a wine, or beer for that matter, connoisseur..... I just happen to really like them both!  For me, it really depends on the setting and my mood on which one I prefer.   Here's a few ideas you may try out this weekend, and please, leave comments for suggestions for the rest of us to try as well.

First up, Cupcake Merlot.  This is one of those wines we just keep stocked at the house.  It's only around $10 a bottle and it is a great wine to pair with chocolate or just to drink while your getting dinner ready. 


 
Next up, Bodega Elena de Mendoza.  The one we have tried is the 2010 red blend, and my husband and I both thought this wine was so yummy and would be pretty expensive.  However, it's only priced around $8 a bottle!  What????  If you can find this one where you live, get it!  It's fantastic.  If you don't believe me, go to wineatfive.net blog to find out more. 

Now onto a white, Conundrum.  This is one of my all time favorite whites we were first introduced to from the movie Sideways. 
This is a great wine to have with girlfriends, especially out on a patio on a nice day...oh I long for spring!  At $20 a bottle it's not a wine we buy all the time but you should try it sometime.

On to beer... this beer my husband and I first had on a trip to St. Maarten a few years ago and we literally drank it everyday we were there.  We got back to the states and couldn't find it here in Nashville.  About a year ago, we started seeing it in a few stores and now you can buy it at the grocery.  It's really good in the summer out by the beach or at the pool.  



The next beer, Yazoo Pale Ale, is a great local Nashville beer that is delicious!  I often get this when I'm out and just feel like having a beer instead of wine.  It's not everywhere, yet, but they are rapidly distributing across the county as we speak.  Just as a side note, there are several new craft beers coming out sometime in the next year from the Black Abbey Brewing Company.  You do not want to miss out on tasting these beers!  They are getting rave reviews all around Nashville.  

Last but not least... Blue Moon.  What girl doesn't like this one with an orange wedge?  It's so yummy, but I only can have two.  It's pretty strong!

Any suggestions from all of you?  Have you tried any of these?  Let me know!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Kate Middleton's Style for less than $100

Kate Middleton has become one of my all time favorite fashion icons in the last few years.  Not only is she such a natural beauty, but she seems to always be spot on when it comes to fashion.  She is clearly setting the stage for many future trends and designer labels, and is generating millions in revenue for the London fashion world.  Now, several of her must have labels are opening up here in the U.S. as well as shipping worldwide.  Here's a few items from her favorite stores in London that you can have too.  The best news is, you can get them all for less than $100!

 $83



$80


Whistles Trousers  

$99 


These are not the exact brand Kate wears, I couldn't get those for less than $100, but these are a great alternative.  I have this pair personally and I love them!

Who's style do you admire?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

How to Use Chalk Paint

Today I'm introducing... How To Tuesday's.  I'll post at least once if not twice a month a "How To" post on a Tuesday.  I'll move these posts to the How To tab on my page, so if you want to go back and see this again, you'll know where to find it!

My new obsession is chalk paint.  Have you all heard of it?  It's not chalk board paint, it's called chalk paint and I'm obsessed!  This paint gives a whole new look to any kind of furniture or home accessories you have sitting around the house you may be thinking of getting rid of.  It gives an antique, french finish to any object worthy of finding in a Parisian market.  This paint is the perfect option for those of us on a beer budget because instead of having to buy something new, you can give something you already have a make over, for not a lot of money or effort.  Watch this four minute "how to" video I made on how to transform something outdated into something fresh and new.






Check out these pictures of the before and after.  Pretty great, right?


The supplies....



My friend Deann painted Union Jack on her sideboard.  Amazing!  She used Aubusson Blue, Emperor's Silk, Duck Egg Blue, and Old White with clear and dark wax.  You have to check out her Facebook page to see more of her beautiful artwork.  www.facebook.com/ArtbyDeann

Let me know if we've inspired you!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cute dresses for the Alabama/LSU game tonight

Let me just start this post by saying,  man...I'm jealous!  This football game tonight is going to go down as one of the most anticipated in college football history, and my beloved UT Vols are not anywhere close to being in it!  If you're an Alabama or LSU fan, this is your night.  Not only are these two great football schools with long standing traditions, but the game is being played in New Orleans of all places.  I mean, come on, who doesn't love going to a game in the Crescent City and then partying it up on Bourbon Street afterwards?  Almost as important as the game is what you will be wearing.  Now I love to dress up for a game and I'm sure most of you do as well.  I'll make any excuse to go buy a fun, new dress in our orange and white colors and go support my team.  We are in the south you know, and us southern women love our SEC football!  I've done some looking around and I found a few great outfits that any Tide or Tiger fan would look adorable in.  Tell me what you think!

 This is the outfit I would be wearing tonight if the Vols were playing.  An off white sheath with an orange scarf and boots.  My favorite game day attire!


This super cute, crimson red dress from Michael Stars is perfect for any Bama fan. At $89, it won't break the bank either. 
Piperlime.com
http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=64441&vid=1&pid=894899&scid=894899002


I saw this dress on one of my favorite blogs, http://turtlesandpearls.blogspot.com/ and it's now sold out.  Something along these lines is perfect for an LSU fan.

What do you like to wear to your favorite team's game?