Honestly...

Calling all those antioxidant fans out there! I just have to dish about my new favorite thing. In case you haven't realized it yet, I most always have a "new favorite thing." I am SO loving the USDA Organic line of "Honest Teas." Low cal, high in antioxidants... which I desperately need after a few weeks of... fun ;)

Cool name, even cooler bottle of tea. My personal choice selection is the Moroccan Mint Green. Light, refreshing and perfect for hot Florida days. Can't get enough of it, really. When you go pick up your first bottle don't forget to take a peek under the cap. Each bottle cap has a different quote or saying on the inside. Like I said, LOVE it!

Honest Tea even has a Facebook fan page! You can check out the site to find out who sells and distributes: http://www.honesttea.com/products/glass/

Where have you Bin?

18 that is... the Blonde and one of her girls escaped a Saturday afternoon rain shower by hiding out in the Design District of Miami... at a favorite little bistro & wine bar. Yep, that's it, Bin 18. Just don't look for Turning Leaf or Woodbridge on the list. Not gonna find 'em here...this place is full of wonderful boutique wine treasures! Preview the wine menu at http://www.bin18miami.com/cellar.html

We sipped on the zippy Huber Hugo Austrian Gruner Veltliner, but I have to say that the Pretty Sally Cabernet Rose will always have a special place in my heart (one of the few "pink"wines I will ever put in my glass). The Cab/Zin blend is outstanding as well.

To learn more about Pretty Sally cool climate Australian wines check out: http://www.prettysally.com/

Sweet Treats

So cool! I have to share! I've seen several magazine articles on Dylan's Candy Bar and finally checked out the site. Just about any and every magnificent confection you've ever dreamed of can be ordered online or by visiting the shop in NYC.

There's old favorites like Chupa Chups, Jelly Bellies, Warheads, Pez dispensers of every kind, Peeps, even sugar free and kosher candy! Too fun! And, if you are looking for the most fabulous Easter baskets on the planet for your top girlfriends, look no further... http://www.dylanscandybar.com/gift-baskets/

Saturday Night Torture!

After my past three weekends of wine fest-ing, Latin boy rendezvous-ing, and Ritz Carlton High Tea-ing... I've grounded myself on a Saturday. So sad, but so true. This Leonine social butterfly is feeling oh so cooped up and tortured! Ok, well life isn't that bad.

I shouldn't complain, I had the best "girl" day ever. Started out at the Waterside Shops in Naples. You've never been?! Oooo, you really have to pay a visit, you won't be sorry, promise! They just opened a fabulous new Nordstrom, I was able to drool over the 1837 line at Tiffanys, and they even have a Swarovski Crystal store! Check out some of the gorgeous Swarovski Crystal baubles at: http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/0110/category/Jewellery/Pierced_Earrings.html

Even made it to work out with my personal trainer at 6 PM... admirable... but, no fun to behave!

Just Wining About Messages

These days we have this incredibly novel feature that comes with our cell phone service packages... even if you live in the dark ages and still operate from a landline, landlines have it too... it's called VOICEMAIL. Yes, and all but the worst of communicators know how to use it. Sorry boys, I hate to be the one to inform you that if you call, we SEE it on our caller id. Ummm, yeah, might as well leave a message. Make it something clever and witty. After all, the pressure is on. Must be, otherwise why would recording your voice at the tone be such a frightening experience? Hmmm, maybe in my case, the Spanish to English translation under the gun throws them off.

Speaking of phones, I have to tell you that I absolutely adore my iPhone and the coolest cork cover that my girlfriend found and gifted to me!!! Wanna see? Check it out: http://news.softpedia.com/news/iPhone-Cork-Case-78806.shtml

It's awesome because it doesn't collect all the random pieces of lint and dirt from the bottom of your purse and reminds me of one of my favorite hobbies... drinking wine!

BTW, I learned after this past weekend, Chilean reds do me no favors the next morning. The Twomey Merlot that my Chicago gal pal and I enjoyed this past weekend is a completely different story. Trust me, I was never a merlot fan either... until Twomey was poured in my glass. If you are looking for a splurge, go for it! It's 110% worth the $50 price tag. I've heard the Pinot is just as fab, but it sells out in a hurry. Read about Twomey Cellars and the Soutirage Traditional method of winemaking: http://www.twomeycellars.com/main/index.html

What a Beach!

Although I still owe a few details from last weekend, (I promise that I haven't forgotten) I can't help but cue you in on the upcoming weekend plans! One of my top ten Chicago gal pals and I are heading to the gorgeous white sands of Sanibel and Captiva Islands for some long overdue bonding time and vitamin D. The Lighthouse Beach and Turner Beach are two of my absolute favorites. Turner wins out when it comes time for sunset though. For a complete list of the beaches on these Islands, check out: http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/play/beaches.asp

Time to pack the beach bag, then grab the OJ and Veuve Clicquot! Anything better than sun, sand and a few mimosas? Hardly!

Have to start out early to beat the seasonal traffic (blasted Midwestern snowbirds), so we have plans to caffeinate first by stopping at the Sanibel Bean. These people know coffee and it's an absolute pit stop every time I cross the Causeway. http://www.sanibelbean.com/

Feelin' Bleau

The crystal chandeliers and glamorous intrigue of the Bleau Bar caused a serious sensory rush the instant my black stilettos stepped through the glass door. I was 100% sure that I could live here and never, ever go back. Without question, I was head over Via Spiga heels in love with this hotel!

Given that it was a picture perfect Miami Beach day in the mid 70's, not a cloud in the sky and just a light breeze off the Atlantic, I dialed my gorgeous Saturday sidekick and asked about the plan for the next few hours. Ok, so maybe I couldn't understand the nuances of the conversation due to the thick latin accent, but I knew it was beach or pool... the options were clear. Only, in my haste to leave the condo, I had forgotten to pack my bikini! 911! I remained calm, poured a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, walked downstairs to Aquamarine and (although we women all know how hard it is to find a hot suit on the fly) somehow made it happen. Thanks Lenny! http://www.lennyswimwear.com/

Saturday afternoon with a fab new suit, a bottle of wine, my own cabana boy and the hottest pool scene ever... life is good.