weekend kickoff

Posted on by samenewsong

It is Friday and finally work, is sort of over.  Tomorrow is Weezy’s birthday party at a place she has been wanting and begging to have a party at.  I often send the kiddos with our sitter to this place because it is such a rad zone for them!  I am not prepared for the party, but it will come together.  I am not channeling pinterest, I am doing what will make Weez happy, which is climbing and SUGAR!  So we have plenty of Minecraft cupcakes and lots of building decor.  We have 24 kids coming, followed by dinner at the club with friends.  My bestie, Jen, is making sure it is extra special at the family night.  Weasel will be the queen bee and it will be special.    Couldn’t be a better kick-off to six years of love with and of my girl.

It is also Oscar Sunday, which we normally celebrate with crab legs and bubbles.  We haven’t seen a lot of the films.  But WHO cares.  It should be a fun Sunday to just sit and watch.

That’s my Friday update.

life changer, and jewels

Posted on by samenewsong

I am very particular about my hair.  I do not like washing my hair very often, because when it is wet and clean, the process to get it to a state that I can deal with is lengthy.  There are stages it goes thru to get a few days on the books without a washing.  First, I do a stick straight blow out followed by the flat iron.  That style lasts two days.  Day three I will add beach waves with my arched flat iron.  I have owned two in my life, and have used it over the course of ten years.  If I am lucky, I can get two more days out of the curls with a healthy dose of dry shampoo.

Lately, my arched flat iron isn’t cutting it.  I am not sure what the life cycle is for such an appliance, but I think it isn’t heating properly, which makes the curls barely there.  At this point I should in this post, I should probably introduce my dearest friend Julie.  She and I have exchanged beauty secrets, amazing finds and all kids of other things over the past twenty years we’ve known each other.  She too extends her hair without wash for long periods of time.  She sent me a video of her curling her hair with the Beach Waver Pro.  Immediately I was on board.  I went to Ulta, bought exactly what she said (get the pro not the S because it has a longer barrel), and ran home to try it.  I love the results!  Perfect beach waves and saved me so much time.  Worth every penny.  If you like beach waves too, this is a product you must have!waves.jpg

new in the hood

Posted on by samenewsong

We live in the Silverado Country Club community.  Most of my life, the club has been a part of it.. Because of the proximity, we dine at the Grill a lot, grab cocktails in the Mansion bar, if I am out of Moroccan Oil, I will run up to the spa and get some.  For months, the club has been advertising this new cafe that was coming to the grounds.  It was supposed to open last fall before the big golf tournament.  Like most things, there were delays and I was convinced it would never come to fruition.  The club really does need a little casual spot for people to grab coffee without a waiter, or the usual formality.  It is a big resort in addition to a country club, and I think they are finally starting to realize that.

Last Thursday was the soft opening of the Market & Bakery.  We of course had the art show to attend at rival Napa Valley Country Club, so we missed it.  I promised the kids we would go check it out on the weekend.  Since the weather was nice enough, we hopped on our bikes and cruised over to the new spot.  It is perfectly placed in the center of the grounds.  It has red awnings that dot the familiar white siding that’s on all of the other buildings.  There is a fire pit, tables with lots of chairs, and built in heaters hanging from the patio columns.  Inside, there’s a typical counter where you can order.  They have breads, pastries and cookies from Bouchon Bakery.  You can order specialty coffees made to order.  They have pre-wrapped sandwiches and salads that looked yummy.  Plus, there’s an actual market.  Chilled wines, craft beers, artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, nuts, ships, crackers plus nice tequila and vodka!  They have Napa logo gear, the tasteful kind.  I was so impressed.

We sat outside and enjoyed the surroundings.  H ate his pain au raisin quickly, Weez dismantled her muffin.  The coffee was strong and hot.  To have this option when wine reserves are low, or when dinner just needs a bag of pasta…this market could really become an asset.  When otherwise I would have to get in the car and schlep to Whole Foods.  Same goes for the morning.  On the weekends, we might scoot down to Model or Starbucks.  Why bother when we can ride our bikes to an even better spot!  I am so thrilled the Market & Bakery are open.  Good job, Silverado!

 

month of love round-up

Posted on by samenewsong

I haven’t done a real list of love yet on this silly bog.  Here it goes, before the month is over.

  • DREAMS: I have the funniest, most bizarre dreams.  They are so real, and last for so long, I often times reflect throughout the week what was real and what was in my dreams.  Funny the people your mind allows into those unconscious moments.
  • FAMILY: Being close to family is just amazing.  We can travel an hour and be with our closest in age family.  Up the street is my own mom.  We are lucky and love it.
  • FRIENDS: My tribe has continued to swell, however the additions fit in like they have always been a part of the fabric.  My Napa friends are just irreplaceable.  30 years ago if you would have guessed that all of these folks would be my tribe, I would have laughed.  Stay classy, Napa.
  • CARE: Between my nails, my hair, let’s go spray tan, my chiropractor (aka my Love Bomb), the Dailey, even the folks at Whole Foods have my back.
  • FOOD: between the high hat sumo mandarins, and the driscoll strawberries, the bounty has been unreal.  While at our best Auntie’s house, she made us overnight oats with all kinds of amazingness.  We have tried to copy.  Still working.
  • PETS:  June is the most lovey dovey cat these days.  She is old, that’s true.  Every morning you can count on a snuggle that is tough to get away from.  Max, the cat at Auntie and Uncles is still such a gem in our minds.  Take a look.  Huge love.
  • RANDOM NOTES: I love my job.  I love the new WHO WHAT WEAR line at Target.  I love what I bought at Coast Carmel.  I love Church Key wine.  I love having a blog again.

XOXO

weekend redux

Posted on by samenewsong

This past weekend was a bit of a tradition, transformed.  When we lived in Utah, our dear friends Eddie, Katie and their daughter Taylor would come to visit us.  We would ski and dine around.  The kids would have a ball day and night.  It became our tradition.  We were so thankful and excited for their visit each year during President’s Day weekend, coming all the way to Utah to be with us.  Shift to now.  We obviously don’t live in Utah any longer.  So we’ve adjusted to California.  Instead, now we go to Carmel for the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach; the boys walk the course while the girls spa.  We meet up later for dinner and fun.

This year, much like last year, the weather was unbelievable.  Sunshine and warmth abound.  My spa time with Katie was so fantastic; the best salad with prawns, a glass of wine, peanut fruit bars before our massages.  We sat in the fireplace room at Casa Palmero until we needed to meet the boys back at Katie’s place in town.  There, we had a true cocktail hour with her parents – cheese straws and vodka tonics.  Dinner was wonderful and the revelry after, even better.  The Hog’s Breath (an essential part of the tradition) was packed with all kinds of fun folks from the tournament.  It was a blast.

You are probably asking, where were the kids in all of this?  Good question.  We dropped them off at G’s brother’s house in Morgan Hill Friday night.  They recently purchased a compound of sorts that has land for miles, including an old, funky house they are making their own, plus tractors and bugs and lizards.  Oh, and a 25lbs cat named Max.  They never looked back when we left.

Memories were made by all.  This is what life is made of.  See next post for further weekend details…

star sighting

Posted on by samenewsong

Michael Chiarello is a good looking older gentleman even if he follows the typical star-in-real-life rule, being shorter and much smaller in person.  However, I have always been a fan of his.  He has such an engaging personality, perfectly built for a Napa restaurant (like Tra Vigne-RIP, or Bottega), or for television.  If he was in town, and happened to be working at Bottega when we were there, he would always make an effort to say hello and air kiss.  He likes ladies, that’s no mystery.  Regardless, we always left charmed, blinking and gesticulating about the wine he poured for us, gratis.

As I was sitting at the car wash today, I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw a late model Lexus with writing on the side “Official Car of Bottega Restaurant.”  Well, well. How official indeed!  He was at the driver’s seat, blowing his nose, picking his teeth.  But I watched and swooned, noting in my mind that everyone has a runny nose or lunch in their teeth.  After he got out and paid, the small talk began.  I desperately wanted to ask for a selfie with him.  But, I didn’t, even though I knew there was snot on his hand and that his porchetta sammie was still in his mouth.  I smiled and agreed with passion as he talked about the weather and the lines and the taco truck.

It was my Tuesday Star Sighting.  At the car wash.  Don’t judge me.

truths

Posted on by samenewsong

I am not embarrassed to admit that currently:

  1. I smell like a campfire from dinner at Rutherford Grill
  2. We went there after the bar at Auberge because they were rude and well, rude
  3. I have horrible dandruff around my hairline
  4. My skin is terrible
  5. I didn’t lose a pound from 30 Clean
  6. My anti-anxiety medicine no longer works
  7. My favorite wardrobe items are from Target
  8. I need to stop following supermodels on instagram
  9. I haven’t brushed my teeth before bed in several days
  10. I brush my teeth around 3am
  11. Toenail polish is non-existent
  12. I am praying for no rain for our trip this weekend
  13. I am singing a song in my head that I made up to Hot Blooded by Foreigner
  14. The song is about hot feet, that I call “tutahs”
  15. I miss my mom even though she lives just up the street!

win, win

Posted on by samenewsong

My husband loves the Broncos, has forever.  It is his team, and he has never cheered for another.  Ever.  We have experienced three Superbowl wins together over nearly twenty years.  This week was much like the others in the past.  My husband also has the nickname, Dr. Doom, for his usual lack of enthusiasm and less than positive attitude.  This time, despite the consistent commentary directed toward a Panthers victory, he kept a great attitude and listened quietly.  The victory was so sweet.  He was beyond happy.  The joy on his face is obvious.  Oh what a season!

saturday spring

Posted on by samenewsong

I had not washed my hair in four days.  It was one day too long.  My head itched from all the dry shampoo settling into my scalp.  Taking the situation seriously, I grabbed the apple cider vinegar and headed into the shower.  The sour solution would be the only way to get my head clean.  So I dumped a liter on my head and let it soak.  It burned a little.

After my full scrubbing, I filed my toenails and oiled myself.  Sitting with wet hair and staring out to the sunshine filled day, I asked G if he wanted to go for a hike.  Rather than responding to my question with an answer, he did what he normally does and answered my question with a question.  “You want to go out into the wild with your freshly showered self and do what?”  Things didn’t appear to be going the way I had hoped, but I was determined to get outside and do something.  It was 65 and sunny.  Come on.

I got the kids dressed and loaded into the car.  Greg reluctantly followed us out the door and had his backpack, which meant he was serious.  I had to quickly scan google for a place that was not only close but not that difficult since the kids weren’t really into my idea either.  Snap to Skyline Wilderness Park.  South and east of our house, it is a whole series of trails.  You pay to get inside, park, and head out to the trail head.  Immediately the conversation shifted to mountain lions, wild pigs and poop – all of the things you are warned about before heading into the open.

We hiked for about two and a half hours.  At times it was up hill and Eloise howled about the intense hunger she was experiencing, how her feet weren’t working and how she was scared of the “trees parts.”  Harry told endless stories, both fictional and embellished.  We passed lots of people.  I had no idea how awesome this place was.  On our way down the Buckeye Trail, an older legit hiker (walking sticks, tick protector leg things, beekeeper hat) pointed out the tips of the Golden Gate Bridge to us.  After some squinting, there was the red spire poking out of the fog far out into the distance.

I took another shower.  This time without the acid wash.  It was a good day.

bottlerock

Posted on by samenewsong

I am so proud of the people that have turned Bottlerock around from its inception.  The havoc it left on our little town during the first year was terrible.  A few guys I went to high school with bought the rights and turned it completely around.  Not to mention the Napa sponsors have ponied up to be involved, it has now become a local labor of love that is beyond awesome.  Literally all of our favorites (music, restaurants, wines, etc) have a presence at Bottlerock.  We haven’t ever bought a ticket.  All of our friends think we are so strange and offensive for not being supportive.  I was given a ticket once, and it was great. But I have never been overwhelmed to buy the three day VIP tickets.  That’s a big commitment.

Well shift to now, this red head took the headliner spot.  I mentioned it to the organizers long ago as one of the best performers to consider.  Florence is an amazing live performer. I went last fall with three friends, two of which had never been to see Florence in concert, and weren’t super fans heading in.  They were in awe of the overall performance; the energy is relentless and her talent is undeniable.  To have her as a headliner, oh my word.

So, we are going.  We aren’t hanging in the general admission either. Even Greg who loved Florence at Bridge Benefit is thrilled.  We all win.