State of Grace

grace noun \ˈgrās\
a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b : a virtue coming from God

Webster Dictionary

"...the strength that lifts us when our tiny walls merge with that stream of being is the sacred luminosity we experience as GRACE." --- Mark Nepo

This is a page from my journal that I created for YOU to print and add your own "State of Grace" statement in the lower right hand corner. Write your own or use a lyric from your favorite song. In my current situation, I am trying to come in to my own as an independent, adult woman and I felt drawn to this song:


"I am unfinished,
I am diminished,
With or without you."
~Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

What lyrics speak of GRACE to you ?

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Wine-Down Wednesday: Fusion Red

Happy Wines-day, Winos!
I have to give props to a St. Louis wine boutique Garland Wines for introducing me to this little beauty!

The Trinity Ridge 2009 Fusion Red
It is smooth, JAMMY, berry-licious, with a hint of smoke! It smells divine on the nose and finishes richly on the palate.I can't find a grape breakdown but I certainly pick up a Syrah/Merlot/Zinfandel friendship in there. I would buy a case of this wine if I were you! The last time I felt this strongly about a California red was the Fess Parker Syrah I bought a case of in back 2009. I love a red that punches me in the face and lets me know it's there. The Fusion Red does this, and yet goes down so smoothly. I was UBER impressed.

To order a case, contact Garland Wines at http://www.garlandwines.com/eMerchantPro/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=199&idproduct=698

To Joy and Jesus Juice!
xoxo
Her LadyMess

Holiday Greetings from Her LadyMess!

What is it about the holidays? I play Christmas music 24 hours a day, baking is suddenly a must-do, and the dark nights are lit up with little lights that glow with warmth and magic. My inner child comes out to play during this time and I am constantly tickled at seeing what she has to have to make her holiday season BRIGHT!

1) Everyone needs a tree! I don't care if it is a baby tree for your coffee table... it doesn't even have to be real! I also have a cool wrought iron one with antique decorations of the twelve days of Christmas (Okay, it's my mama's. She let me borrow some classy decorations for the apartment I am currently residing in because it looked like Beetlejuice's apartment when I moved in - everything was black and white and I mean EVERYTHING. So, if you can change it, DECORATE it!)





2) Baking! Now, I am not much of a cook, but I do love to BAKE! During the holidays, everyone seems to say "I care" through yummy treats! Let's do a combination of naughty and nice, shall we ?

NAUGHTY: My Mama's Chocolate Sheet Cake
It's great frozen too! My personal favorite way to eat it! Make it the day before so that the icing soaks into the cake and then freeze it. It's ridiculous! Oh, and you have to lick the spoon! I used to love cleaning that bowl when my mama was done. Ah, memories :)

Joan’s Chocolate Sheet Cake

1 cookie pan with sides – spray with Pam and set aside

Sift 1 and 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Bring just to a boil:
1 stick margarine
1 cup cold water
6 tablespoons of Hershey cocoa
Remove from heat
Add to dry mixture blend well and add
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Add ½ cup sour milk (*Add 1 teaspoon vinegar to ½ cup milk (use 2 % or whole milk)
Mix well

Pour onto prepared cookie sheet and tap cookie sheet a few times on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes. Check cake after 25 minutes. Middle should spring back when touched.

Prepare icing 5 minutes before cake is done. Pour over cake when cake comes out of oven. (Icing will set up fast)

Icing:
Begin making the icing 5 minutes before the cake is ready to come out of the oven.
Melt 1 stick margarine
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 box (1 lb) of C&H powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix well with portable mixer
Should be smooth, not gritty J and be ready to pour over your cake.

NICE: My love affair with Trader Joe's continues! This gingerbread cake is DIVINE! It's rich in ginger and a hint of molasses. All it calls for in addition to the mix is water, eggs, and oil. So, to cut the calories, I exchanged the 1/2 cup of oil (BLECH!) to a 1/2 cup of applesauce. It also added to the moisture of the cake. Yum Yum Yum.







3) Lights ! Lights! Lights! I love coming home from rehearsal and plugging in my Christmas light! I enjoy keeping little white lights up throughout the year. It's ambiance, people! A lot of places sell CHEAP white lights or colored strands - and the ones that are attached to garland are even better! I have them draped over my giant mirror and one framing my free standing kitchen cabinet. You can also put them around window, doors, etc. Just PUT THEM UP! (Sorry...I'm yelling. I just get excited!)

4) Christmas Jammies!
Remember footy pajamas as a kid ? Or, if you are my sister, you will remember them as an adult. (I bought her some a couple of years ago for Christmas. Yes, Virgina, they DO make adult footie pajamas! If you are looking for some check out : www.jumpinjammerz.com)
I myself have been slipping into a bright cherry red Victoria's Secret flannel baby doll nightie. I got it last year and it's cozy! I just can't give over to a t shirt and boxer shorts. EW. I like feeling like a lady at all hours of the day. (Shocking, I know!) :P

5) Sounds of the season! My two favorite Christmas songs :

"I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" It might sound like a midget or creepy child is singing it... but it makes my heart happy! Never heard it? Take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5vQgKRmnuU&feature=related

And the other would be Karen Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling". Too sentimental for you ? Will you enjoy it as a hilarious music video? You're welcome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I

Let out your sillies and bring some holiday joy to your life and to those around you. It's NEVER too late to decorate. I tend to leave decorations up until my birthday... in February... I will not apologize for trying to prolong the holiday magic well after the new year!


xoxo
Her LadyMess

What's that I see?

Where?

Why! It's Her LadyMess on Twitter!

Debauchery to follow :)

Wines-day : Trader Joes

TRADER JOES!

If you are lucky enough to have one of these stores, you had best be utilizing them! Especially if you are a recession wino, like myself! This is the best way to taste some new things! They carry a plethora of different varietals that are totally affordable. I know people training to be sommeliers (fancy speak for wine stewards ... must I break it down MORE?? Okay, people that know the "Jesus Juice" up and down, in and out!) that buy a variety of wines here weekly just to train their palettes at an affordable rate!

Currently I am doing a show in St. Louis, and their location here sells some of my favorite labels at a GREAT price. (Ex. Bogle, Cupcake, Toasted Head, Mark West, etc.) They have some interesting new and diverse labels as well. Here were some new wines I tried this week :

The 2010 Honey Bunch Chardonnay It tastes just like it sounds... smooth honey with a vanilla finish. It does not bring oak nor butter to the table. It is a chardonnay that I think my sister and I could agree on! For $5.99 at TJ's I was skeptical, but it is a chardonnay to be tested. Especially if you are trying to expand, teach, and challenge your palate.

2006 Reves Priorat I was excited to try this red blend. It sounded like it was right up my alley. A blend of Carignan, Garnacha, and Syrah. YUM. Seems like it would be the "punch me in the face" red that I love... And when I check out, the gal said, "Oh! This is a good one not many people know about yet." So, I saved it as a special bottle to open ... wahWAH! Upon smelling it there was nothing rich about it - then the taste was nothing but tannins! It opened up eventually, but still not a wine I would buy again. After it was dacanted a bit I could pick up some chocolate and wood, but still rough. Previous to this bottle, I had only seen carignan giving a small percentage to the blend. In the Priorat, it holds the most weight. Safe to say, my taste buds would rather the Carignan as an chorus girl : There to support, not to lead.

One that I did fall head over heels for this week was the Spiral Wines Cab Sav! Rex and Goliath used to be my favorite "bang for your buck cab" around, but I was TICKLED with this! It tastes like a blackberry velvet cake. Oh, have you never had a dessert like that before ? Neither have I until this wine! AND I didn't have to waste a billion and a half calories when I devoured it. During the holidays, we have to make choices. I would rather enjoy a GREAT glass of a jesus juice with strong characteristics, than a mediocre dessert that leaves no impression! Unless it is my mama's chocolate sheet cake, my friend Aaron's gooey butter cake, or Graeter's ice cream ... then all of my rules go out the window :)
xoxo
Her LadyMess

Once!

I am obsessed with this new show on ABC. I am a Disney princess at heart. My ten year old girl self has never left me and this show is appeasing me as an adult! GET INTO IT!

It inspired this collage in my journal :

The excerpt is from Goldie Hawn's autobiography "Lotus in the Mud". I judged the cover of the book, but her message is lovely.

Lady Reads: Journey through Womanhood

"This book celebrates our multilayered lives. Imagine a family or a group of women all the roles represented in this pages relaxing around a kitchen table. What an enriching scene for all concerned. The energy and innocence of one generation interacting with the maturity and wisdom of the others, feeding each other, nourishing each other, the women interrelating to create a richer, better whole. And then envision all the roles represented here being naturally internalized within each person present. This is not a vision of an ideal world. The experience is here and now. All we have to do is look for it, recognize it, and work toward it." ~ Tian Dayton, Ph. D.

This is what I want for all women. To stop the caddy, back handed judgement that can go on between us, and sit across from each other, differences and all and
DISCUSS. SHARE. SUPPORT.

We all have our own experience, baggage, outlooks, etc. Why not LISTEN to each other and RESPECT each other. We can't experience everything in one lifetime. So, why not share with each other with open ears and open hearts and live through each other; with each other? Wouldn't that be a nicer world to live in ?

This book breaks down every role we meet as women into prominent archetypes: The Virgin, the Huntress, the Warrior, the Lover, the Wife, the Mother, the Martyr, and the Wise Woman. Then, the book gives a meditation/affirmation to work with. Each allow you to face, greet, and be at peace in the encounter. In the same way that this generation posed, "Am I a Carrie/Miranda/Charlotte/Samantha?" Thanks to "Sex and the City" women were able to feel validated their thoughts and emotions because they were able to relate to those characters at different points/situations in their lives. These archetypes in this book go further with that and it is fascinating! You will find inspirational and challenging messages no matter the path you are currently on. This book is KEY for every female and Her LadyMess says to put it on your Must-Reads this year :) xoxo

Lady Quotes

We've all heard the phrase, "Stop and smell the roses."


I'd prefer it to be, "Stop and put on your lipstick."

Lady Quotes

Lady Wines-days: Cupcake

Little did I know that one of my favorite Chardonnays was holding out on me. In all of our delicious times together, he never introduced me to his family. Would you believe my SHOCK and EMBARRASSMENT when I found out my buttery lover was NOT the best seller in the Cupcake family ?? Not even the second best seller ??? Wowowowowowowow. You think you know someone...

The best seller in the Cupcake Winery family is in fact The Red Velvet. I am not much of a cupcake person in general. I am a salty over sweet gal any day, but put it in liquid form and I am an instant fan! What we have here in this deep red is rich berries with a hint of mocha. It is the equivalent to a naughty cupcake for 1/2 the calories. (And that is still true even if you finish the bottle!) We even chilled this to see how it would fair as a summer red and the taste was not compromised. Yum.Yum.Yum.

The next in line happens to be the Savvy B. Who knew?? Savvy B's are an acquired taste for sure, but this happens to be a light and lovely version that might just help you make the transition. The light yellow color of it ensures you that you aren't going to be over powered with that floral taste that turns so many off to sauvignon blancs. This is more like a soft version of grapefruit and grass and finishing completely soft. No tinge. Test it out as it is one of their best sellers.

When I was on vacation, my friends happened to by the Cupcake Pinot Grigio. My initial reaction ? That water will go down the hatch fast and leave no impression... But, oh contraire, it was delightful. It was the first pinot grigio that I have tried in a while that actually brought something to the table. It wasn't as light as light as I was expecting... randomly medium bodied with a soft finish of pears, lemons, and a hint of lemon to keep it crisp. Delcio-so! Fine, pinot grigio, you are allowed back in...on a TRIAL BASIS ONLY.

Happy Wines-days!


xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Tools: Journal

What is it about august that makes me want to be a school girl again? I envy the kids picking out their lunch boxes, folders, and notebooks to suit their taste and inspire their new year. Too bad they can't drink wine. ENVY OVER. However, I am always inspired to start a new year in the fall rather then the empty January/ New Year - New You time frame. And what better way than through your JOURNAL! Studies prove you are more likely to accomplish tasks if you lay them out visually rather than just a verbal contract with your imaginary friend and "life coach". Here are a few samples of my fall pages! I thought I would show you a work in progress rather than a finished product. Don't get overwhelmed. Pour a glass of wine, get out of your own head, and put your dreams on paper. No one is watching :)

I like to make a list of books I want to read, exhibits or new places I want to visit, restaurants I want to try, etc. Literally, making myself a student of the world. Life is too short to live in the mundane. Challenge yourself to try and see new things. An added bonus ? Checking them off of a list feels oh so good! Yes, I LOVE a list. Judge me. Fine!

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Tools: Morning Pages

Julia Cameron is one of the most inspiration and artistic women of our time. I have completed her 12 week course in spiritual creativity twice. The book is called "Artist's Way" and I have given it to countless friends and even advised it to some crazy lady who would not leave me alone in the dog park. (I thought I would give her something positive and constructive to do with all that crazy... kind of like on Sex and The City when Jennifer Coolidge turns her divorce crazies into purses!)

The tool I want to point out from her books are the Morning Pages. I do them every morning currently because I am into another book of hers : Vein of Gold
I have already discussed the importance of journaling to Her LadyMess readers. But, there is something about waking up and having to write three pages right away.

Before you wash your face, or pour your coffee, or turn on the news even. It's a form of meditation in the way that you get everything out of your head and onto the page. It only takes about thirty minutes and I am here to say it will change the course of your whole day. It doesn't have to be anything deep. It can be : My stomach hurts over and over and over... eventually though, you will have a breakthrough and something beautiful will come from your pages. I find them grounding and inspiring. Inevitably, I always end with the knowledge that I am grateful to be here, and beginning your day with gratitude is the way to go :)

Thanks, Julia :)

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Reads: Ellegance of a Hedgehog

I read a BEAUTIFUL book last year. A french novel by Muriel Barbery that took me on a lovely journey of three unlikely people and the influence you can have over people in your day to day existence. You alone can change someone's day by a smile or a simple act of kindness. My mother taught me this years ago and has inspired me throughout the years in her example. It is so ingrained in her at this point she doesn't even realize she is an actual gift to people in the kindness she shares :) Elegance of a Hedgehog is a similar in its message.

Lucky for all of you it is now a movie as well. I just saw it and it warmed my heart just as the book did when I first read it. Go and be inspired to be the gift to someone else's life. What else are we here to do ?

Watch the trailer here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQFTEv_41HY

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Va-Ca!

Please excuse Her Ladymess for the recent absence. I should have warned you all I was going on vacation! No computers, no cell phones, just the sea and me ... and 4 other folks :)
Vacation is a synonym for "game on". Aka- breaking out of your comfort zones, routines, control issues and try some new things! Like a cocktail BEFORE noon. Wu-oh! Don't worry, I did not abandon my juice, but I tried something NEW :

Bloody Mary's! Heavens to Betsy, what a delightful way to get your veggies in and get a little bit of a buzz! I have never been a mimosa gal. (Not into champagne and not into oj...barf nation). So, Bloody Mary's are NAILING it. I love how hot and spicy they are! Go buy the mix, add a little vodka, and voila!

I tried a new cupcake recipe since we had access to a full kitchen. A simple Hungry Girl recipe :
I box Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 can of 100% pure pumpkin

Mix together and bake at 425 for 12 minutes. It makes about 24 cupcakes.
They were a little bland for me, so my fella had the idea of putting rasberry preserves over the top... nailed it. It would be great with any icing on top :)

I nailed out 3 books in my downtime :

I did pick this book up initially because it was the name of my dog (Gertrude Penelope Pickle-Bottom), but I had no idea the lyrical love fest that I would have over this book. He is so eloquent and beautiful in his writing... I was obsessed. I cannot wait to put Siddartha on my fall reading list!

One of my all time favorites, as you know, is Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. There is something amazing about the author of Superfudge getting a little dirty with some teen fiction. Well, Forever didn't quite hold up to Summer Sisters, but it was still a delicious beach read. Would I recommend it ? Prolly not.

Lastly, I plowed through One Day seeing as how there is no way I would miss an Anne Hathaway film that looks like it will tear my heart out! I sure hope the movie is better. The book started off really well, but I didn't like or root for either of the characters. I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil anything for the movie. But, skip the read and go straight to the flick. Unlike The Help, which was glorious either way. READ AND SEE, PEOPLE.

There is something so peaceful about the ocean. There is a certain magic in the fact that you can't see where it ends. It reminds us all what a small part we are in this vast universe.

That's all for now!
xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Quotes

I have to say I was never much of a Monroe girl despite the fact that I had been dying my hair blonde since I was 10. (Yes, 10. My mama somehow knew mousy brown wasn't going to be great on me. Thanks, mama!) However, two reasons I love her now : This photo of her proves we could be friends, and this quote of hers is what HER LADYMESS is all about :

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

Thanks from one Lady M to another Lady M.

xoxo
Her LadyMess

I am broken. Un-mendable. Nothing's commendable.
Hurt shatters, nothing matters.
Make me. Shake me. Why not just berate me?
Mold me. Hold me. Make something bold of me.
Owning my space. This place.

Lady Wines-day: Lighter Reds!

Okay , okay, okay, so some of you out there couldn't handle the power of the Prisoner last week, eh? Don't you have air conditioning people? I don't and I still rocked the Prisoner. And who complains about a 15.2% alcohol content? Either belly up like a real wino or just have a glass you booze-hound! (Lady vocab meaning :one who might like the sauce a little too much for their own good!)
I will not let you give up on reds for the summer! Especially because red wine tends to be less in sugar and better for your heart... So I hear. To me, the juice is the juice and I am an equal opportunity juicer and REFUSE to shun one color over the other... unless it came out of a boxed wine called FRANZIA.
So, here are a few lighter bodied reds that taste delightful lightly chilled in your fridge:

Angeline Pinot Noir - Totally recession positive! Don't let the twist cap fool you. A lot of wine makers are doing twist tops this days... or as I call it the recession cork :) Tasting notes on this light and lovely little beauty ? I am gonna break it down and say it's like having mixing a Dr. Brown's black cherry soda with his cream soda... without the effervescence of course! Perfect amount of fruit and spice balanced into a wine that is perfect for a summer red.





Beaujolais is a wonderful and inexpensive red wine from France that you can find for under $15! Perfect to chill! Not too sweet and not too heavy. It lacks a bit in character for me, but you pinot grigio lovers out there might really enjoy using this wine as a transition for your palate into red wines. Come on, be brave! Try something new!

Spanish reds are also a great way to go! You think they only drink white wine over there in Spain in the hot summer months with such spicy dishes?? No way! Ask your local wine store owner to suggest a Garnacha, Rioja, or even a Monastrell for you to enjoy! I enjoy the Bodegas Ateca Garnacha, the Marques de Caceres Rioja, and the Wrongo Dongo Monastrell! All of this wines are under $15 and taste great right out of the fridge, but still have the character and flavor that you would typically miss if you were hiding from your red wine friends in the summer time!

Happy Wine Down Wednesday!

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Quotes

A page from my journal that makes me smile. I love a monogram situation. Placing this M on here made me feel like I had placed a personal stamp of approval on this quote :)

Lady Bites: Brunch

Where in NYC is this lady brunching today?

Why this place is magical ... let me count the ways! For the record, it is stellar at all hours - not just brunch! I love their "All Day Menu" that consists of some naughty treats! There is something for everyone here. Oh yea? I can get deviled eggs, jalapeno and cheddar tater tots, AND mussels 4 different ways on the same menu?? WHAT?? (Oh, yea let me repeat that: Mussels 4 different ways. My favorite is the shallots, parsley, and white wine! But, they do a couple with meat that I am sure are delectable as well!) All on the same menu? Oh yea? YEA!
We have also tried the tofu buffalo wings, which, to be honest, taste like a hot dog with buffalo sauce on it. Still yummy, but don't expect a buffalo wing type of consistency on it. So prepare yourself :)

To be here at brunch is fantastic! Totally family friendly for those of you with kiddos and the staff is super friendly. We sat up at the bar which is the entire front room of the place! Such a cool space. The bartender was a blast and a half. Around us, everyone was rocking RIDICULOUS cocktails, but we optioned for the Jesus Juice (duh). To my surprise and delight, my bartender friend informed me that they only serve wine by the half bottle, not by the glass. (Now that is what I am talking about people! You know one of my Lady Rules is 2 drink minimum, 4 drink maximum!) So, I take a peek and what chardonnay do they have ?!?!? The Rombauer! I have blogged about this buttery deliciousness. Full on, 2 sticks of Land o Lakes in a glass. YES, PLEASE! Next, we wanted something lighter, so we tried the Laurent Miguel 2011 Viognier - medium bodied, lovely, and perfect for the rest of our meal!
What did we get ? So glad you asked! I ordered the Lobster Roll with sweet potato chips. I think I am going to dream about this CREAMY RICH sandwich for the whole week. I would have licked the plate, but I didn't want to embarrass my friends. I will be the first to tell you, I won't waste my time on bread if it's not worth it, but this was hands down the best decision I have made in a while... besides late night wine delivery, but that is another subject entirely!) :)
Other crowd pleasers amongst my group were the breakfast tacos : eggs, sausage, cheddar, and PICKLED salsa. (I def wanna make a vegetarian version of that. Looked amazing!) And for the healthy option (which they have TONS of those! Seriously, something for EVERYONE!!) The whole wheat Mediterranean wrap with feta, pepperoncini, cucumber, and smoked tofu.
It is rare to go to a brunch and have EVERYONE pleased as punch and "full as a tick" as my great Grandma Olive used to say! Sick, I know, but it makes sense.
And don't worry, my bartender friend wins again with a complimentary prosecco (the ever so yummy Zardetto Prosecco!!) to send us off on our way. Too bad we were way to full for dessert because those "Ditch Witch ice cream sandwiches" looked INSANE!

Ps- If you were a little too hungover to make it out during brunch hours, (no judgement... we've all been there)! After 4:00 pm on Sundays, Ditch Plains features a Lobster bake for $30! 1 1/2 pound lobster with warm drawn butter to drizzle it on, corn on the cob, coleslaw , and then for you meat and potato lovers, sausage and mashed potatoes! For 30 bones? Ex-SQUEEZE me ?? Yes, please. Oh, and $4 draft beers and $6 blueberry pie! You're welcome. Dudes and ladies alike are happy here :)

Now, as I always say on Sunday, "It's the Lord's day, so drink his juice!"

xoxo
Her LadyMess

Lady Tools : Journals

I have been journaling for as long as I can remember. I think journaling keeps things in perspective. It lays your thoughts and feelings out in front of you so you can see them tangibly and evaluate what is really important to focus on and what to toss out as worthless anxieties.
I like to get a big blank book and decorate the first few pages with collages/magazine clippings, inspiring quotes, and photos that inspire me, empower me, and just speak to how I view myself as a human being. Or even how I aspire to be as a human being. I think they are so important. I also use it to schedule and plan my week, make weekly and monthly goals, or as a notebook where I write down suggestions from friends. If I don't write something down, I will never remember it.I cannot retain information, people! I have made peace with it and so should you. If it ain't written down, it ain't gonna happen! So, if a friend tells me a book to read, a wine to try, or a place I would love to eat for dinner - I write it down in my journal!
Here are a few collages from my current journal to hopefully inspire you to begin your own!

Go out and get a journal today! Vital to keep your lady brain sane! :)

xoxo
Her LadyMess