How’s your year going so far? 

We’re almost one month into 2022 and already, I’m thinking, dear Lord, do NOT let this year have the ridiculousness of 2021. 

No, ma’am, not going to do that again.

I know it’s been a minute, as the kids say, and I’ve pretty much been missing in action…

Here’s why…

I needed some time to think about how I truly wanted this year to look.  And figure out what MY goals, dreams, and aspirations really are for 2022.   I didn’t want to create another checklist of obligations. I have enough of those already, as I’m sure you do too.

2021 was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Most of the time, I just held on for dear life, screaming and crying, wishing I could get off… 

But there was ONE cause for celebration…

Mr. Wine & Drama and I got married back in late summer!  

Now, why didn’t I mention it before? 

Well, for one, you know I’m a pretty private person. Yet oddly enough, I share a lot of myself here within our little drunken inner circle. 

And since it was my second time joining the wheel of holy matrimony, I decided to be chill and not go bridezilla on you.  I figured you wanted more wine and less about me.

After all, being a bridezilla isn’t cute when you’re 25. 

At over 45…being a bridezilla would just be pathetic.  

We kept our lovely wedding intimate, since we all are still dealing with Covid and it’s ever changing fun-loving variants. 

We held it at the rooftop restaurant where we shared our very first date. And romantically enough, our wedding date fell on the exact third anniversary of our first date.  (Ok, that part I planned! 😉)

But I have to tell you a not-so-well-kept secret…

You see, my original plan was to NEVER get married again.  

Since I got marriage so unbelievably wrong on the first go-round…I figured I’d eventually become some fabulous retiree living in the south of France talking about wine with my butler Robbespiere and my little hypoallergenic dog Mr. Darcy. 

I didn’t think that I’d ever meet a good man like Mr. Wine and Drama.  

So, I did what any divorcee would do who had her life torched post earth shattering divorce. 

I created version 2.0 of myself and purposely did everything opposite of what I would have usually done. 

Because after all, what got me where I was, would not get me where I wanted to go.

And you know what? 

I was right.  

I rebuilt my life, launched my business, created my dream home, traveled the world, dated a silver fox or two, and did whatever I wanted.

Fast forward a dozen or so years later, and I’m a bride! I didn’t see it happening…but I’m over the moon that it did.  

Now, if you’re in a happy, committed relationship, you can skip this next part…

If you think that a special someone DOESN’T exist for you…guess what?  You’re right. I’m not going to argue with you.  

But if you think YOUR significant other DOES exist…Please don’t pigeonhole them into being a specific physical type. 

I say this because you never know what “package” your person will appear in. But stay firm on the intangible qualities.  

I don’t believe in soulmates. I believe in finding someone who has 80% of what you want and the other 20% you can blissfully ignore.  

Like when Mr. W & D leaves his socks on the floor of the living room, or doesn’t want to play Monopoly with me, or asks me where the tape is for the 29th time. Uh, it’s always in the junk drawer. 

As far as the 80/20 rule, what I mean by your intangibles is if you want someone who’s got a solid career, who’s emotionally stable, financially sound, has a decent relationship with the special people in their life, and matches up with the general direction your life is going in. DON’T give in… that 80% matters.  

Stay true to what you want…because people are not projects. There is no magical Chip and Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper reveal.  

Listen, if he was broke down and trifling when you met him or depended on you as a mommy figure, Susan, that shit ain’t gonna change, m’kay?  

So walk away post-haste. Invest your money in an ETF instead of wasting it on THAT person. You’ll be happier and more prosperous in the years to come.

Any who, I digress…

As a 2nd Time Bride…Are Old-Timey Weddings Even a Thing?

Don’t get me wrong. I love a classical wedding.

The bride in white, the nervous groom. It’s cute when you’re younger and not so skeptical of ohh I don’t know everything?

So, what did I want for my wedding? Well, I didn’t want any of the traditional ludicrousness…I already did that.

I wanted a black-tie evening with my nearest and dearest in a private dining room.  

I wore a shimmery champagne colored evening dress. Mr. W&D donned a stylish Ralph Lauren tuxedo. 

My aunt and uncle walked me into the room, and our LGBTQ Pastor gave a beautiful ceremony that honored us. 

He talked about the Universe, God (in whatever incarnation you believe), and even read Maya Angelou and Mark Twain. Our vows were meaningful and funny. 

Then we had a fantastic five-course dinner, which I’ll share in another post. 

Later we partied the night away in our private suite with our family. I was so deliriously happy at the end of the night enjoying the Taittinger Champagne and Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Later on, our little soiree turned into a rip roaring party with music, a game playing in the background, everyone talking in their outside voices, my aunt cackling, and my sisters drunk and giggling at each other… 

I attempted to rub my eyelashes, careful not to smudge the eye makeup, which took me an hour to do. Unfortunately, I forgot I was wearing false eyelashes and ripped them off like a madwoman. I immediately turned and stuck them on Mr. W&D! 

I have to say, he looked even more handsome with eyelashes! It was the funniest part of the night! I guess you had to be there, lol.

Want to know what Cabernet Sauvignon wine I choose for our wedding dinner?

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, A Wine Fit for a 2nd Time Bride

First off, I’m a classic type of a lady. 

I don’t follow trends often, I like classic fashion, give me a Gucci purse, Stan Smith Adidas, old school Hip-Hop from the 80’s and 90’s, a bottle of Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah and I’m happy. Those are my classics. The only thing I constantly upgrade is my cell phone. 

So, why did I choose Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon for our wedding dinner?

I wanted a classic and classy red wine.

I knew the well structured Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon would perfectly complement the seared-aged juicy Del Monico ribeye steak with black truffle butter we chose for our dinner.  

But I didn’t want to break the bank on the bottles.  

Did you know… restaurants usually charge at least 3x what the bottle actually costs? 

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon will run you about $85 per bottle.  You can do the maths on that.

The Phelps family controls some of the most prestigious vineyards in St. Helena, in the Napa Valley. These include my other favorite Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap, and vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, and Oak Knoll.

In fact, the Insignia Bordeaux style blend from Joseph Phelps is often viewed as the benchmark in California winemaking.  

I love that Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon is a Bordeaux style blend, but definitely not a Bordeaux, if that makes sense? It’s made up of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, and 1% Malbec.

This wine ain’t low ABV either it clocks in at 14.5%. But it’s not a Cab that tastes like a vanilla oak fruit bomb! 

You see, lots of New World Cabernet Sauvignons are aged solely in American oak, which can transfer a strong vanilla flavor to the wine.    

This wine is aged for 18 months in 48% new oak (58% French, 42% American) and 52% older French and American oak barrels before bottling. As a result, it’s a complex and refined wine with deep and luscious flavors.  

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon flows easily out of the bottle with heady notes of black cherry, black currants, dark plum, cigar smoke, cinnamon, and blackberries. 

Followed by notes of vanilla bean and fresh green herbs like thyme and sage. It has leathery tannins with a plush, fully structured finish. There are even hints of mocha and anise. The deep reddish amethyst wine is full-bodied and absolutely delightful to sip.

Best of all, you can effortlessly age this wine for 5-10 years. I plan to celebrate with this wine for several of our anniversaries.  

Delicious Food Pairings for Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon is a true crowd-pleaser and best when paired with classic foods like:

• Ribeye steak, of course
• Flat iron, NY Strip, or Porterhouse steaks
• Roast beef or Prime Rib
• Roasted game: lamb, venison, or goat
• Dishes that contain rosemary or thyme like buttery roasted potatoes
• Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, or domestic blue cheese
• Dark chocolate or over 75% cacao desserts
• Roasted vegetables that are on the bitter side:  radicchio and Brussel sprouts
• Sauteed or grilled mushrooms

After all, you have plenty of other opportunities in your life to be that selfless good person you know you’re supposed to be.

Celebrate your memorable moments! And drink great wine like my wedding Cabernet Sauvignon!