Uncorked: Dessert Pairings

 "Life's short. Drink the wine. Order the dessert." - Unknown

Valentine's Day is almost here! This is the perfect time to share some of my favorite wine and dessert pairings! The selections are ideal to enjoy with the special person in your life or with your girlfriends on Galentine's Day

Below I'm sharing some of my favorite wines and the desserts that go together perfectly.

Zinfandel

The Biltmore Estate Limited Release Zinfandel is so delicious! It pairs well with many things, but one of my favorites are truffles.

The Perfect Pair: Dark Chocolate Truffles

 

Chardonnay

I really enjoy a clean and crisp chardonnay. My personal favorite is the Upper Shirley Chardonnay. This wine goes perfectly with anything vanilla!

The Perfect Pair: Vanilla Cupcakes

 

Cabernet Sauvignon

One of my favorite red wines is cabernet. The Caymus Cabernet is to die for, and I absolutely love it ... especially with chocolate!

The Perfect Pair: Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Prosecco

The Tesoro della Regina Prosecco is crisp and has a hint of apple notes. What better dessert to pair with than apple pie?

The Perfect Pair: Apple Pie

 

Champagne

Piper-Heidsieck Brut is a new favorite for me. This will pair well with chocolate covered strawberries. If you aren't fan of chocolate, you can use whipped cream as a substitute. 

The Perfect Pair: Strawberries

 

Merlot

The Rosemont of Virginia Merlot is like velvet and is absolutely great! I love drinking this wine at dinner with an amazing chicken dish, but I definitely save a glass for dessert. This merlot is perfect with a double chocolate brownie!

The Perfect Pair: Brownies

 

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Take Care

"Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort." – Deborah Day

Self-care is something I take very seriously and try to practice. Life can be so busy and overwhelming, it's important to make moments just for you.

Today I'm sharing a few ways I take care of myself on a consistent basis.

  1. Massage therapy. I've been getting massages for seven years now, and it done wonders for me. I see my therapist at least once a month, and it's so worth it. Getting a massage regularly helps reduce my headaches and stress levels. It also increases blood flow throughout the body!
  2. Workout consistently. I workout 3-4 times a week at minimum. Cycle, running, yoga, a regular gym routine are my preferred ways to burn off steam. It is so nice to have some downtime in the gym. It is important for me to really focus on myself and the goals I've set in my fitness journey.
  3. Reading. One of my favorite things to do is to curl up on the couch with a great book. I've enjoyed reading since I was kid, and continue to now as an adult. Lately I've been enjoying autobiographies. I really love to learn about other people and their life experiences. This activity really helps me to expand my knowledge and to grow as an individual. 
  4. Eating healthy and mindfully. It is true what they say, abs are made in the kitchen. I try to ensure that I'm eating a balanced diet. Of course have a cheat meal every now and then, but make it a habit to eat veggies and fruit each day. 
  5. Celebrate successes. Whether it is a small or big milestone, it's important to recognize special moments. I'm making an effort to try and find the good in every situation while being positive. G and I even keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge just in case we need to celebrate something!

What are some ways you take care of yourself?

XO, Analise

Home Made

"Your home should tell the story of who you are, and a collection of what you love." - Nate Berkus

Crate&Barrel has fabulous home decor to make your house very cozy! Today I'm sharing some of my favorite pieces from the wonderful store. Many of these items we own and absolutely adore. My top priority is for our home to be warm and inviting to our guests.

Below are my favorite items I love most! They are a great addition to any home!

What's In Our Home

  1. Marble Board - We love this piece. I use it for cheeses and different items for my guests to nibble on!
  2. Throw Blanket - I get cold very often. Having a few blankets throughout the house is a must.
  3. Vases - Flowers are one of my favorite things. Often times when I go grocery shopping I'm likely to snag a beautiful bouquet of blooms. Also, G gets me flowers quite often. It's wonderful to have a nice vase to display them in!
  4. Red Wine Glass - Olivia Pope is one of my faves! So when I found out Crate&Barrel had the "Scandal" wine glass, it was a game changer for me. I immediately got one, and proudly use it on Thursday nights when the show airs!
  5. Serving Bowl - This is one of my favorite bowls to use when I make a large salad for my guests. It is gorgeous and goes with everything!
  6. Wall Mirror - I love mirrors - they make the room feel bigger and more open!
  7. Marble Wine Cooler - This is perfect after I open a bottle of white wine or champagne! Not only is this piece gorgeous, but it keeps your wine chilled.
  8. Lidded Baskets - These items are so functional! The baskets are very stylish, and can hold whatever you like. I like to throw in extra linens or blankets for guests!
  9. Tray - I enjoy using trays to style my tables and countertops. They organize our books, candles, and keepsakes.
  10. Wreath - We have several wreaths that we swap out for each season throughout the year. They always brighten up our door!
  11. Hurricane Candle Holders - As you all know I love candles! These holders are gorgeous and will go with any home decor.
  12. Grommet Curtains - I absolutely adore these curtains! They have an elegance to them and make our downstairs space so lovely.

What are some of your favorite household items?

Enjoy!

XO, Analise

 

Photos Courtesy of Crate&Barrel

Valentine's Day Gifts For Her

"I like perfume and flowers." - Donatella Versace

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!

G and I got engaged one week before Valentine's Day (and a week and a half after my birthday)! Every V-Day we spend time reflecting on that special holiday. It was such a sweet moment and absolutely lovely. 

Each year we get each other a small gift. My birthday is at the end of January, and our wedding anniversary is in March! We have a lot of milestones to celebrate back-to-back. Our Valentine's Day is a bit more low-key, and we absolutely love it that way. 

This year G and I are having dinner at the restaurant we went to the night we got engaged!

Below are some of my favorite picks for the ladies on Valentine's Day. 

 

Enjoy!

XO, Analise

 

Photo Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography

Valentine's Day Gifts For Him

"Romance is thinking about your significant other, when you are supposed to be thinking about something else." - Nicholas Sparks

I've shared my V-Day selections for the ladies, now it's the guys turn! It is so much fun shopping for G, and I have a blast doing it.

Luckily, G is super easy to shop for. He really sticks to certain brands or stores. Typically, watches and a new pair of Nike's work well for him! I enjoy surprising G here and there with unique gifts.

Below I'm sharing some great gifts for the man in your life!

 

 

Enjoy!

XO, Analise

 

Photo Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography