wine'd down weekend

for the last 5 years, mr man and i have taken a trip in february to sip wine and celebrate valentine's day. and, since washington state is kinda well-known for their vino, we haven't had to trek far. this year, we went back east to the red mountain area. if you're thinking of wine tasting, think no more. there is yakima, walla walla, chelan, columbia river, rattlesnake hills, and the list goes on.

i maybe might be a champion wine drinker, and these trips are my absolute favorito! it's so cool to see the vineyards, chat with the folks with the passion to quit day jobs and become wine-makers, and taste some deelish-ious vino. recognizing more obscure wines on various lists around town is also a bonus!

how 'bout a leetle foto montage...

snowy drive over the pass | have work, will travel | chandy love @ hedges estate

fidelitas wall o' wine | vast vineyard views | cooper corkage

deelish dindin @ tagaris | willow crest barrels | on the road again

taking time to stop and smell the roses

i'm trying to be better about taking pictures of life happening around me. i can't tell you how many times i get home and smack myself in the head for not documenting an experience. so, here's the latest glimpse into wha's happenin' 'round these parts.

empty plates @ stellar pizza | wine tasting = my fave sport | heavenly sunshine sunset and water out my front window | cherry red tulips | steamy, yummy goodness 80s cover bands rule | a peek @ baby sister's various weddin' projects

this will be my little reminder to stop and smell the roses. what have you been up to? are you good about documenting all the joy going on around you?

sippin' & seein'

since baby brother's "sip and see", i've decided it is THE best way to welcome baby numero 2, 3, or 4. it's so relaxed, sittin' around chatting and cooing over the new baby. no sniffin' snickers diapers and mama gets to enjoy a bevvy (or 4) like everyone else!

so, last weekend, my lovely (and crazy talented) friend priscilla and i threw a welcome partay for our gal pal, carrie, and her little peanut, drew. i dooo love a party! such a great excuse to dust off the champagne glasses and break out my nana's silver. we set the mood by sending sparkly invites, tucked in charcoal envelopes wrapped in my favorite label.

priscilla whipped up some pennants and garlands, i added 'baby drew', and strung them up over the food and drink tables.

speaking of food...we wanted the shindig to feel like 'happy hour', so i whipped up a few finger foods, and priscilla baked the most delicious cupcakies and brownies. and, of course they're labeled!

as for the sippin', we had a

 a signature drink (complete with cheeky name)

and, bottles and bottles of red vino (do you think i went overboard with the personalized labels? nah!)

tags tied to each glass for guest names and jazzed up water

we sent guests off with hand sanitizer, because babies don't love germs! they say "it was good, clean fun!" (tutorial coming next week)

you wanna see the guest of honor, right?! he was pretty content to be passed around from arms to arms and all he did was snooze snooze snooze.

congratulations to rock star mama, carrie. and, thank you to my partner-in-crime priscilla for all her help pulling this off, and for the use of her images.

and, seriously y'all, any happy hour that ends with 5 empty wine bottles must be a success!