AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival Ticket Giveaway

SanTan Brewing Company presents the 2nd Annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival on Saturday 5-19 from 12-6pm at at the Scottsdale Civic Center. What better way to support and celebrate the craft beer movement during the American Craft Beer Week? My thoughts exactly! Enjoy the tunes of Reel Big Fish and 2Tone Lizard Kings Craft, plus over 150 local and national beers celebrating the canned craft beer revolution.

Check out the Craft Can Award Ceremony*, the Beer Olympics, or find yourself at home in the nano beer garden or the VIP area. General Admission tickets are on sale now for only $25! Admission includes a a 4 oz sample can along with 20 samples from participating breweries! Are you a home brewer or a consider yourself a beer geek? Kick this festival up a notch with VIP tickets for only $100 and get an All-Access VIP lanyard and exclusive entry into the VIP Beer Garden, unlimited catered food and the special opportunity to meet and greet with some of these talented brewers and Beer Gods.

Want to Win 2 FREE General Admission Passes?

Enter to win passes complements of 52Beers52Weeks.com by entering our contest:

Ways to Enter: (Leave a comment on this blog post showing which ones completed)

1. Tweet about AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival with @52Beers52Weeks in tweet. (1 entry per tweet)
2. Like our Facebook Page: Facebook.com/52Beers52Weeks and AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival (1 entry per Like)
3. Share this post on Facebook (1 entry per Share)
4. Load the AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival or 52Beers52Weeks banner to Pinterest (1 entry per banner)
5. Leave a comment on any blog post on 52Beers52Weeks.com (1 entry per comment)

Tickets Awarded on Thursday 5/17/12 at 2:00pm by random drawing.
Winners announced on Facebook, Twitter, and 52Beers52Weeks.com.

*AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Categories:

I.P.A.
American Pale Ale
English Pale Ale
Wheats: Hefe’s, wits, & wheats
Stouts and Porters
Ambers and Browns
Golds: Blondes, pilsners, & light lagers
Fruit beers
Specialty beers

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52Wines52Weeks.com 1st Qtr Poured!

This is Week 12 of 52Wines52Weeks.com wine blog and will give a synopsis of the first quarter wines and their sponsors. What a great way to start out 2012!

Week 1:        Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine          Rating:         
Type:              Sparkling Wine
Thoughts:    Crisp with wonderful overwhelming pear taste accented with Meyer lemons lend to its tartness. I’m a huge chardonnay fan, and I can taste the wonderful Carneros Chardonnay grape in every drop.
Sponsor:       Interior Designer Julie Heiland . Julie has a crazy knack for color and arranging your personal or business space so you actually enjoy being home living in it or working hard in it.

Week 2:        Beaujolais-Villages by Louis Jadot                              Rating:         
Type:              Red Burgundy
Thoughts:     It is very light, fruit forward, and an easy drinking wine with a light fruity finish. It is best decanted and given at least 30 minutes to open up and breathe otherwise it is very jammy and acidic.
Sponsor:       Scrapbook Extraordinaire Kelly Hammonds. Everyone has a story worth saving. Stories Savors shows you how to celebrate relationships through discovering your creativity, preserving your photos, and then sharing the moments that matter the most.

Week 3:        Crush by The Dreaming Tree                                          Rating:         
Type:              Merlot & Zinfandel Blend
Thoughts:    Very fruit forward with a hint of smokiness and starts out very bold and strong. This wine really open ups when paired with food – especially hummus or hard cheeses.
Sponsor:       Single-Not-Broken Founder Lynda Bishop. Lynda is a Masters Level Therapist, a Divorce Recovery Coach, and an awesome Business Coach. As a therapist, coach, and community leader, Lynda loves nothing more than gathering with great women in her community and fostering a sense of unity, collaboration, and purpose for a better future for all of us.

Week 4:        Syrah by Red Bicyclette                                                   Rating:         
Type:              Syrah
Thoughts:     This wine tasted delicious and I could make out the blackberries that stayed on the back of my palate even after the first sip. As the wine opened up, it really had a beautiful velvety texture and had a very full, robust body to it.
Sponsor:       Half Moon Events by Christie Cothrun. Christie’s has her own boutique flower design studio and is an amazing floral designer and specializes in creating beautiful memories in some of our smaller Arizona towns like Globe, Miami, Heber, and Safford and even a few destination weddings.

Week 5:        Layer Cake Malbec                                                             Rating:         
Type:              Malbec
Thoughts:     It opened up into a smooth, rich wine that I kind of liked. It is definitely a wine that needs to breathe – so go ahead and pull the decanter out for this one. I would also pair it with some cheese like Parmesan or a berry fruit.
Sponsor:       Arbonne  Martha Knight. With Arbonne, the products are all natural and plant-based, with none of the harmful chemicals. She shows through Arbonne’s health line how you can rid the toxins from your body which allows you to heal from the inside out.

Week 6:        WineWrights Chardonnay                                               Rating:         
Type:              Chardonnay
Thoughts:     This chardonnay was well rounded with a more citrus tone than buttery. I could taste the pear undertones and the vanilla spice awaked my senses and was quite pleasing.  Definitely serve this wine well chilled and would be great to eat with chicken or grilled salmon.
Sponsor:       Comfortable Weddings by Carol Hushek. Rev. Carol Hushek and her husband Fr. Jim Hushek have been marrying couples for over 30 years! Fr. Hushek is a Married Catholic Priest and is available for those in need of a Catholic ceremony outside the Catholic Church. Their focus is to plan your ceremony specifically to your desires.

Week 7:        Elena by Bodega de Mendoza                                        Rating:         
Type:              Malbec
Thoughts:     This wine was very soft on the nose and had a robust flavor on the tongue. And in an instant it was gone. It doesn’t linger on your palate like some Malbecs. You taste its yummy goodness and then, whoosh, it’s gone.
Sponsor:       Uniquely U Jewelry by Pat Fehlhaber. Uniquely U Jewelry has one-of-a-kind jewelry that makes a lasting impression. These one-of-a-kind pieces are fashioned from hand-blown glass, forks and spoons, Peruvian, fashion, and vintage jewelry.

Week 8:        Pinot Grigio Trentino by Bollini                                      Rating:         
Type:              Pinot Grigio
Thoughts:     So fragrant! I immediately tasted a nice ripe pear, and even a faint taste of melons on the finish. Very crisp, slightly dry, but not overly. And the finish – sweet nuttiness abounds. For me, I could taste the acidity in this grape, but overall, it has a really smooth acidic flavor for Pinot Grigios. It is light, crisp, and well balanced.
Sponsor:       ACN by Esther Zack. ACN has some great products for small business owners such as digital phone services, local and long distance, high speed internet, wireless, television services, home security, home automation, and customer support service.

Week 9:        Syrah by Javelina Leap                                                       Rating:         
Type:              Syrah
Thoughts:     The grapes are 100% Arizona Syrah! The abundance of blackberries hits right on the center of my tongue, is just a tish on the dry side, and opens up beautifully with the taste of vanilla and honey lingering on my palate.
Sponsor:       Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery. Javelina Leap Winery is near Page Springs and Sedona, AZ. They have a Tasting Room open daily from 11am-5pm, and offer free winery tours with your wine tasting purchase every Friday and Saturday. They offer wine tasting flights and premium tastings too! Javelina Leap is offering 10% off any bottle!! Just mention this blog to receive your discount.

Week 10:        Bryan Arden Syrah                                                             Rating:         
Type:              Syrah
Thoughts:     Right away I could taste the deepness in the Syrah, there were so many layers of taste playing on my tongue. From blackberries to ripe black cherries, to the slight hint of pepper and even soft notes of vanilla from the oak barrels was present. It was a medium full-bodied Syrah with a lot of character and was kind of amazingly awesome.
Sponsor:       Kristi Trimmer with Orange Dragonfly Media. ODM is my little boutique marketing firm. At ODM, we pride ourselves on our graphic and web design and create a lot of awesome social media branding pieces like Facebook Cover Photos and custom Twitter Backgrounds. One thing we love to do at ODM is to teach people how to use social media for their small businesses.

Week 11:        Ghost Pines Chardonnay                                                 Rating:         
Type:              Chardonnay
Thoughts:     The wine gives off a citrusy apple aroma that somewhat resembles an apple tart. It has some amazing apple and citrus flavors that came bursting through the buttered toast flavors.
Donated:       Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Muscle Walk Campaign. The Walk aims to raise money and awareness for MDA which is the largest non-government funder of research seeking treatment and cures for more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. Team Double Trouble was captained by Cassandra “Cass” Byrd (@aclevergirl) who’s 4-year old twins have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which is a form of MDA.  Cass, along with her husband Chris (@justchrisbyrd), daughter Jenna, and twins Kyle and Lauren fight tirelessly to raise awareness and money for a cure.

Week 12:    Whoops, no wine was harmed while the blog took a mini vacay. Have you tried any of the wines that were poured this quarter? What are you thoughts on them? Want to sponsor a wine blog for your company or organization? Contact us today to see what week bets fits your needs!

Find Kristi Trimmer with Orange Dragonfly Media here:

Website:    OrangeDragonflyBlog.com and OrangeDragonfly.com

Phone:        602.377.3675

Facebook: Facebook.com/OrangeDragonflyEditing

Twitter:     @dragonflytweet

Pinterest:  Pinterest.com/dragonflytweet

YouTube:  YouTube.com/dragonflytweet

Follow the conversation on Twitter: @52Wines52Weeks and #52W52W

Facebook Page:  Facebook.com/52Wines52Weeks

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Microsoft Keynote at CES

Sitting in the last ever keynote given by Steve Ballmer, current CEO of Microsoft at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), waiting to hear all the amazing things coming to market this year. It is not lost on my that I am writing this post using Microsoft’s Live Writer. I’m a Microsoft junkie. I wish I could have seen Bill Gates here but I am stoked to see what Steve Ballmer has to say.

Photo courtesy of Kotaku.com

Started out showing all the amazing sweaters that Bill Gates has worn over the years. I loved it! Made Microsoft seems personable, like they were my Microsoft. Bill Gates always said – Update your software! It is the 1st question I ask my clients actually. Will admit, was a tad surprised to see Ryan Seacrest helping to emcee the event. Is it sad I didn’t readily recognize him readily and had to turn to the official #CES and #MSFTCES Tweet stream to verify?

Microsoft has shown bold ambition in the past, can they for the future too? You decide – here are a few of the tech loveliness we get to anticipate to release in 2012.

Metro User Interface

Metro User Interface is fast, fluid, and dynamic across all the Microsoft experiences to be able to connect all Microsoft platforms cohesively. Everything being released is based on this interface.

Microsoft 7 Phone

This phone makes it easy to mirror the social world that you have created. You can have groups of people, just like in your real life. Doesn’t use proprietary chat software, so you can use the ones you are most used to, even Facebook Chat. Voice is built throughout Windows Phones so it makes it easy to voice-to-text and be more hands free. One of the great things about the Microsoft Windows Phone is that you can shortcut right into the app that you love without having to go through all the regular screens. << I love this.

HTC Titan 2 just launched today – 4.7 in 16 megapixels << Wowsers!!

Bing

Is truly a decision engine – makes seeing all sorts of information easy to then make an informed decision. Once you select it comes into a Quick Card and then connects to other apps that are related. Such as when researching a restaurant, you can open up the reviews then make a reservation on OpenTable, all from inside just 1 app. << Love that it is all together and makes things so much easier! I think I need a Windows Phone to play with!

Windows 8

Don’t need to unlock the device to see the important things of the day. Gone is typing in a password – now you can hit different points on an image to open up your device. Windows 8 is designed to work with touch or mouse and keyboard. T=Microsoft wants a no compromised experience. Get everything you want with just a single swipe. Through Charms you can access your apps, programs, everything you need at your fingertips. Metro style apps are full screen so the things you want to do are front and center. Every Windows 7 PCs and tablets are able to use Windows 8. All 3 million of them!

Windows App Store

This opens up in late February. The Windows App Store is global and available in every language that Windows is currently offered in – that is incredible reach. The Windows Store is designed to offer something for everyone, both for fun and for work. One cool thing is take these Apps and roam across all your platforms and devices using Windows 8. One cool feature is that you can group apps so if you have kids and they use specific apps, group them together and then you know those are the ones you want for when they are playing on your tablet. It even integrates two apps apps at work together. This I have to try!

Even Internet Explorer has been updated to the new Metro style as well. To be honest, I don’t know the last time I have ever used IE. I will check it out, but I’m holding my breathe.

OMG – The Tweet Choir came on stage and sang some of the tweets from the night. How freaking awesome is that??? I have *never* seen that. Loved it!!

This pic courtesy of TechCrunch

XBOX

What’s new on XBOX? One thing is now you say it and XBOX does it. The new Metro design is central to the experience. The only controller you will need is your voice using Kinect and Bing. Using a single voice command let’s you search across all of XBOX from games, to movies, to apps, to the providers who offer those services. Discovery is more than just through titles, but even actors. It’s awesome that you can use your voice to fast forward, play, or pause the movie. << That is really kind of cool.

All the News Corps brands will be on demand on XBOX in 2012 such as Family Guy, Simpsons, Fringe, New Girl, and even Glee.

Instead of just having a one-way experience with your TV, using Kinect TV it now will become two-way. The demo Microsoft showed was collaborating with Sesame Street and making the episodes truly interactive. For the 1st time ever you can impact what you are seeing on TV. << Wow. Your kids are going to be enthralled. It is truly epic. Wonder if they will do the same thing with some adult shows?

Metro will drive the new magic. Ryan Seacrest asked Steve Ballmer ‘What’s next?’ He replied: ‘Metro Metro Metro and Windows Windows Windows!

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Diner’s Passport

So, you’re out for a bite to eat. You’ve consulted the social coupon sites, as well as the discount options on Yelp and UrbanSpoon, but you still want more. You want to be rewarded for having such good taste in food. Yes, you’re already doing the work necessary to accumulate a wealth of knowledge on your local dish-slingers, so why not share this info and get something in return? Your opinion is valuable… I know mine is!

If you’re anything like me, you’re a super discount hunter. Most of us already check in via FourSquare or Yelp to access discounts and other perks on our phones while we are on location at a certain spot. Plus, we love to give our compliments and complaints to the foodie space via online reviews. Well, Diner’s Passport is essentially a phone app that gives you points for doing just that. You stamp your passport after dining, give a quick review, and taste the benefits. These come in the form of points, which then translate into credits at restaurants, gift certificates, theatre tickets, or whatever the Diner’s Passport affiliates are offering at the time. The flip side of these perks is that your history of dining through Diner’s Passport is converted into an easy way to learn about new places you might like. That said, they do keep all your data private for those of us that are adamant about maintaining control over our contact info.

This whole setup is free. You just need an iPhone or Droid and you can get the app for zilch at app.dinerspassport.com or scan the QR code on Facebook. Then, use it to stamp in at ANY restaurant. The establishment doesn’t have to be part of the system, so you can earn points every time! Just make sure you stamp your passport while at the restaurant, since it relies on your location via GPS. The rest of the process just involves a simple review, but you can complete that later as long as you stamp while onsite. Even better, they’ve just enabled a function within the app where you can check-in on FourSquare and Diner’s Passport simultaneously!

The only downsides are that the app is not yet available for Blackberries, and your rewards are limited to the network of affiliates and these rewards change over time. However, I’m sure this availability will grow with the success of the app! One of the bugs on my Droid X is that sometimes it won’t access the web app. I hope as they work all the kinks out, I won’t have any issues stamping my passport all over town.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it is pretty darn good. How smart of someone to setup the network of restaurants and write an app so the foodmongers of the world can get something for nothing! I’m in.

Disclosure: I was provided with sponsorship to BlogHer in exchange for this review. Any consequent love for stamping my foodie passport or how much I adore the the gang from Diners Passport had no bearing on this review. All opinions are my own as is the gratitude I have for the sponsorship on my blog so I may attend some amazing conferences.

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BlingBlingPoochies.com

With Fashion Week closing and the weather finally starting to cool off, my outerwear bug was starting to bite again. Since my tastes never lean toward the couture, but to what I *think* looks stylish… put me in a shop and I’ll inevitably pick out the most expensive thing without looking at a single price tag. I struggle these days to satiate my desires with affordable items. And, of course, you all know I love my furry friends. So, when I discovered there was an affordable source for cute dog clothes that was easy to shop online, I was pretty excited.

BlingBlingPoochies.com hits it right on the mark! Without breaking my bank, I can deck out my doggies in designer-inspired duds. And, we’re talking designs after Louis Vuitton, Juicy Couture, Ed Hardy, Chanel, and more. They sell reasonably priced couture-inspired dog clothes, along with higher quality accessories, such as carriers, leashes, and collars. There is also a selection of other items, like shoes, placemats, scarves, necklaces, and more. It’s basically all the bling I could ever wish for my pup in one place.

Now Lilly (our fantastic model) can wear her own velour jumpsuit with Juicy emblazoned on her tail. It even has a doggie-specific catchphrase embroidered into the emblem. Complete with toggled drawstrings on the hood and waist, this little running suit will keep my barker warm during the morning jog. There’s a classic Vuitton faux fur-trimmed coat with gold monogrammed snaps for the wagging fashionista in my life. There’s also an Ed Hardy inspired jacket with sporty ribbed trim that would be great on a mini Dobie that I know… she’d look tough and sweet all at the same time. All of these sell for about $24-$30, so how can I go wrong?

Most of the coats are lined with polar fleece, so they seem pretty comfortable. Even though the fabrics and construction on some of these are comparable to the price point, the overall design and style is too much fun for the buck. Take the Vuitton ruffled dress in monogrammed denim and pink twill that rocks a gold rhinestone VL pin, for example. Despite the cheaply serged hem treatments, this outfit is too cute to pass up for $25.99. I will say, however, that the Chanel t-shirt is a little too simple for my taste, since the screenprinting doesn’t live up to my expectations. But, stick to the more constructed outfits and you should be pleased. Sizes seem to run on the small side. 

A little fleece, a little frock, a little bling… BlingBlingPoochies.com provides that. Good selection and good prices equals serious fun! Follow them on Twitter too: @BlingBlingPooch

Disclosure: I was provided with sponsorship to BlogHer and BlogWorld in exchange for this review. Any consequent obsession with fitting my family’s pooches in designer-inspired duds or how much I adore the girls from BlingBlingPoochies.com had no bearing on this review. All opinions are my own as is the gratitude I have for the sponsorship on my blog so I may attend some amazing conferences.

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AZ Restaurant Week–Yummy Time!

I love Arizona Restaurant Week for the one simple reason – I make it my mission to go to at least two restaurants I have never been to before. There are a couple of my faves that are on this list that might also make it into the rotation.  So here are my top 5 choices for where to dine this week. Wanna join me?

Beckett’s Table

I have been enjoying Chef Justin Beckett’s comfort food since he opened last year. I have been about a dozen times and really adore how friendly the staff is mixed with a great atmosphere, and some of my favorite food in the Valley. Beckett’s Table has both Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options as well. Their dinner even comes with a glass of wine or a draught beer – now that is awesome!

This is what I would order:

Chicken meatballs & smoky tomato sauce roasted red onions, eggplant & peppers, bread crumbs, basil

Fire roasted green chili pork stew, corn bread, cotija cheese

chocolate dipped bacon s’mores caramel, house-made marshmallows, whipped peanut butter, graham cracker

Twitter: @BeckettsTable
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeckettsTable

Bonfire Grill & Bar

I have yet to go here and can’t wait to try it out. They serve American Campfire Cuisine – this I have to see. The menu was created by Matt Carter,owner of Zinc Bistro and The Mission – two great restaurants in the Valley. I’m also intrigued because they prepare all of the entrees on an open pecan grill. Yummy! They also have Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options plus you get a beverage too!

This is what I would order:

Grilled sweet corn with charred scallions,smoked paprika aioli, white cheddar

Short ribs & root vegetables: beer braised onions, mashed potatoes, honey carrots and black pepper bourbon sauce

Cast-iron toasted marshmallow with shaved chocolate, graham cracker cookie, ice cream

Twitter: @thebonfireaz
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BonfireGrillandBar

Calistro California Bistro

I went here for lunch recently and was quite impressed with the quality of the food. I had put it on my list to try them for dinner, and Arizona Restaurant Week is the perfect chance. Love seeing that they also have Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options!

This is what I would order:

Gazpacho: Made from AZ grown vegetables with a jicama salad

Pork Roast: Harissa spiced, sweet potato mash, chimichurri, red wine

Coconut Rice Pudding with strawberry compote, local pistachio

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CalistroCaliforniaBistro

Prado

I am probably the only foodie in the Valley who hasn’t been to Prado yet. I know – shameful! I need to rectify that asap. Prado is nestled inside the beautiful Montelucia Resort – what more could you want – beautiful surroundings and amazing cuisine. Definitely need someone to go with me because I really want to taste everything on their menu!

This is what I would order:

Savory Puff Pastry Tart – pears, bacon, cheddar, petite greens, cider dressing

Wood Grilled & Brined Pork Chop – celery root puree, cabbage, caraway, braised apples

Gingerbread Baby Cake – espresso mascarpone, pink peppercorn, crème anglaise

Twitter: @prado_mbar

Province

Province is new to Phoenix and it has been on my list to try. It is an American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain – what a great combination! One thing I really like about Province is that they are a farm-to-table restaurant and the wine list features organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from around the world as well as a selection of local Arizona wines! Now that’s what I call awesome! For an additional $10 there are wine pairings with each course – sign me up!

This is what I would order:

Melted Goat Cheese Fondue with oven dried tomatoes, smoked onions, and herbed crisps

Marinated & Grilled Skirt Steak with artichoke-leek gratin, chimichurri

Chef’s Tasting of Squash Cupcake, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flan, and Seasonal Fruit Tart << OMG!! Wowsers!

Twitter: @provincephx

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProvincePhoenix

Great. Now I’m hungry! Can’t wait to try these restaurants this week – what is on your list?

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Fleming’s 100 Wines

We are 2 weeks into the amazing 5-weeks of wine tasting that Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar hosts every September. The Fleming’s 100 is their elusive wine list that is debuted every year. Each Friday in September taste 20 wines for $25! Now that’s what I call a tasting! Every Fleming’s in the country has the same 80 national selections, which are their heavy hitters and a standout in each wine category. The remaining 20 wines are personally chosen by each restaurant’s Wine Manager for their guests to enjoy. Together, these two groups make up the complete Fleming’s 100.

Last year I had the opportunity to go to to the wine tastings at the DC Ranch location in Scottsdale, AZ. Read about last year’s experience where I fell in love with Fleming’s. I’m not usually a fan of corporate establishments, but Fleming’s has won me over with their outstanding customer service and incredible generosity for their community, not to mention the amazing food paired perfectly with some of the best wines I have ever eaten. I am happy to say that I love Fleming’s – the people that make each visit memorable, and the food that makes me crave my leftovers the next day.

So far this September, I have gone to two different locations and will visit all 4 valley locations before the Fleming’s 100 Wine Event is over and tweeting with the hashtag #Flem100. I started out at the Peoria location, which I had never been to. I met Operating Partner Scot Densford who was so gracious to this little wine blogger. The next Friday night I ventured over to the Scottsdale location where Operating Partner Darrin Visser sure knows how to make a girl feel welcome. He introduced me to Barry Marshall of Marshall Family Wines that just so happened to be there. That was so awesome!

Here are some of my fave wines from the last two weeks.

Started off in Heaven with a little bubbly from DOMAINE CHANDON, étoile Brut Napa-Sonoma Counties NV. This sparkling wine sure has a way with tickling my taste buds with flavors of honey, apple, and a creamy caramel finish. A great bottle to have on hand for a special celebration or to just celebrate the art of life. Twitter: @chandon

Surprise Surprise that I also loved the MIONETTO, Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Italy NV – I am seriously in love with sparkling wines. Bubbles make me oh so happy! I just recently started drinking Proseccos over the last two years and my palate has welcomed the dryness and crispness of these sparklings. Before I had enjoyed mostly sweet sparklings, but now I am happy to say that Prosecco is on my list of favorite bubblies.

I absolutely adored the CONUNDRUM, California, 2010 with its soft creamy finish and with the powerful scent of vanilla and honeysuckle. This wine is very complex and left me wanting more. This is a wine that I should have in my personal wine cabinet to enjoy when I need to smile. It is that yummy! Twitter: @ConundrumWinery

I tend to lean towards a nice buttery Chardonnay and the SILVERADO, Chardonnay Napa Valley, 2008/2009 does not disappoint. This wine has aromas of vanilla and citrus, with great undertones thanks to the oak barreling. This would be a wine I would share with friends to show them my love of whites – it is well balanced and a very easy wine to enjoy after a long day at work.

There was one bottle that just had a simple tag that just said Saldo on it. Nothing else. I was definitely intrigued. When I swirled my ORIN SWIFT, Zinfandel California Saldo, 2009/2010 I was entranced by this wine. I learned that the wine is blended from grapes all over Northern California and uses the best of the best grape lots. It definitely shows!

Another label that made me wonder what was in the bottle was PARDUCCI, Petite Sirah Mendocino True Grit, 2007/2008.  I found this Petite Sirah to have a dry fruity finish, a little peppery, and very heardy – the type you pour with a big juicy steak. I can already see drinking this on a cold winter’s night (yes here in Phoenix!) and enjoying the bold robust flavors that this wine brings forth.

The LADERA, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2007/2008 blew me away with its bold dark fruit flavors of plum and bramble berry with a soft and lush finish. This vineyard married grapes from two mountain estate vineyards and I have to say, it was a match made in Heaven. I love Ladera. Period. The end. It’s awesome! Twitter: @LaderaVineyard

One wine I was ecstatic to see was Arizona Stronghold’s Tazi at the Scottsdale location. Tazi is a great white and am so excited to see Arizona wines be on the wine list of a such a great restaurant. Twitter: @azstronghold

Pic compliments of @myvinespot

I would be remiss if I didn’t share the info about Winesdays this September at Fleming’s: 25% off any bottle from the Fleming’s 100. This is the month to explore the new Fleming’s 100 wine list and find a new favorite. Enjoy 25% off any bottle from the new Fleming’s 100 when you dine on Wednesday evenings in September. Now that is a great deal! Love it.

I can’t wait to taste the other 60 wines on the Fleming’s 100. You should join me!!

Disclosure: I was provided with a free entrance to all of the Fleming’s 100 wine tastings. Any consequent obsession with wine or how much I adore Fleming’s Steakhouse had no bearing on this review of their wines. All opinions are my own as is the gratitude I have for a company that gives so freely to others and supports their community with abundance.

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Comedian Morris and Chester

Some of you might know that I am not a fan of puppets, clowns, or dolls. Thank you Mr. Rogers crazy looking puppets for that. I was not a fan of the Muppets and decapitated every doll that was ever given to me. Don’t even get me started on Barbie. Just something about the creepy fakeness of their lifelike features that made me not want to be around them.

My friend Morris Katzoff started doing comedy about a year ago and I went to see him at a few of his shows to support his new endeavor. You see, when I first created Orange Dragonfly Media, Morris was my  very first client. He believed in me and supported my new business, which I truly appreciated. The least I could do was go and watch his comedy act. I learned so much about him from these acts! Who knew that he had been with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for years as a clown! He was in charge of the elephants and some of his jokes showed what life was like in the Circus world. I had no idea! I saw at least half a dozen of his shows and watched as his comedy blossomed as he tried out new material, became more comfortable on stage, and then he did the unthinkable… he got a puppet.

A puppet! I adore you Morris, but now you’ve crossed the line. I stopped going to his shows. We are both in a couple networking groups and our friends would talk about how great Chester was and that the puppet brought out another side of Morris and his comedy. I wasn’t buying it. Then the unthinkable happened – people started figuring out that I was terrified of puppets. They posted that dang Mr. Rogers puppet on my Facebook Wall, they teased me about it every week, until finally I decided to put on my big girl panties and go see his show and meet Chester.

When Morris and Chester came on stage I was transformed into his world and saw Chester come to life. I never really understood the lure behind ventriloquism before, but I was amazed by how real Chester seemed to be and how Morris had really found his trusty sidekick. He made me laugh, a real belly laugh too. My friends were surprised (of course I brought moral support!) by how much I was enjoying the show, but also by how much they did too. In my age group, we haven’t seen many ventriloquists perform and were surprised by how much we enjoyed the comedy act.

Here is one of my favorite jokes between Morris and Chester:

Chester:   What did you do before you started playing with dolls?
Morris:     I was in the circus. I traveled all over the world and when in Europe we used to set up these big tents that used thousands of yards of canvas. Those were the good ‘ol days you should’ve seen it.
Chester:   Maybe I did, were they black?
Morris:     Oh stop that
Chester:   Excuse me I have to go pee
Morris:     Right now in the middle of our act?
Chester:   Never mind, I’m done
Morris:     What did you do go in your pants?
Chester:   Depends
Chester:   So where was I, Oh yah what did you used to do?
Morris:     I told you I used to be in the circus. I was a circus clown. I wore bright colorful makeup, over sized costumes. You should have seen it Chester.
Chester:   Maybe I did, was it black?

I love the expressions on Chester and when he laughs, Morris has this big genuine smile on his face that is utterly contagious. I was so happy that I enjoyed the show, because to be honest, I was quite afraid that I wouldn’t. I’m looking forward to going again and seeing a longer set with more of the banter between these two. With the help of Chester looking like my grandpa, I have been able to overcome some of my fear of puppets. Not all of it mind you – but enough that I don’t freak out when the topic comes up. Thank you Chester and Morris!!

BTW, you should be following Comedian Morris in social media, check him out here:

Twitter: @ComedianMorris

Facebook: Facebook.com/ComedianMorrisKatzoff

Email: kolonel22@q.com

Phone: 623.344.0315

Disclosure: I was provided with a free ticket to the show and sponsorship to BlogHer in exchange for this review. Any consequent obsession with seeing his comedy shows or how much I adore Morris from BottomDollarShopping.com had no bearing on this glowing review. Neither did my extreme elation at getting over my fear of puppets. All opinions are my own as are the gratitude I have for a man who gives so freely to others and supports his community with abundance.

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Sponsorships Available for BlogHer and BlogWorld 2011!

Onsite Brand Ambassador for BlogHer and BlogWorld 2011

Ever want to go to a Social Media conference, but either can’t afford to, or just don’t have time nor resources? I’ll be your Brand Ambassador before, during, and after BlogHer ’11 or BlogWorld ‘11. Are you launching a new product, trying to increase your brand awareness, looking to expand your PR network, or are even a Social Media Strategist but just can’t make it this time? I can help!

I’m going to BlogHer ’11 in San Diego, CA this August and am looking for either full or partial sponsors. I’ve never been to a BlogHer conference before and am so excited to be able to go and learn and of course, network! With over 3,000 people worldwide attending, this will be an amazing opportunity.

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BlogWorld is in Los Angeles, CA this November and I went last year and this conference literally blew my mind! I learned so many different things and tips and tricks that I shared with my clients. It was by far one of the best financial investments I ever made.

5,000 Bloggers 4 Days Conference Ticket: $700 Overall Costs: ~$1,500

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BlogWorld 3-Day Conference ticket if bought by 7/21/11 is $700, with hotel and transportation costs in Los Angeles,
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Christopher Titus: Stand Up Comic and a Stand Up Man

If you would have asked me 2 days ago who Christopher Titus was, I would have stared at you blankly because I had no clue. Today, the morning after his comedy show at Stand Up Live, I can’t get him or his words out of my mind. He surely did what he set out to do – to make me think. Job well done.

I’m a Twitter whore and started sending tweets back and forth with friends to see who was going to see @TitusNation at @StandUpLive. Now @StandUpLive was quick to jump in on my conversation to persuade us to come down for the show – and I do love when brands do this – but then when there were issues with their venue that I posted on Twitter, it was crickets. #fail

It’s the middle of summer in Phoenix – it’s hot and muggy even after 9:00 at night. One thing I give Stand Up Live props for was passing out Otter Pops to everyone in line. I got there at 8:00pm for a 9:15 show because I had heard from other tweeps about the difficulty in getting seated at this venue. It was past 9:40 before we were finally sat down at the venue! What would have been nice is if they would have passed out water or allowed people to come inside when Haboob 2.0 took over downtown Phoenix. There were a few chairs inside that some older people sat in as they looked visually distressed – more chairs would have gone a long way. None of my tweets to @StandUpLive went answered. None.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a Direct Message from @TitusNation this morning that said:

Sorry about the wait my bad- Titus

I was already sold on him from such a remarkable show, but to reach out and apologize, makes Christopher Titus a Stand Up Man in my books. Thank you for taking the time to listen to your fans. You have definitely made me a fan for life.

I went to his show looking for some good belly laughs. I have had a couple rough weeks and needed some mindless humor. Well, I didn’t get that. I heard humor that made me think, made me cringe, even made me cry a little from how truly raw it was. I knew nothing about this man before tonight, and now, I want to know so much more. I’ve even downloaded all his podcasts this morning! Here are a couple things he said that made me seriously raise an eyebrow.

He did this bit on Casey Anthony and how her defense was paid for. I had no idea that ABC News paid $200,000 towards her defense! Do you know who owns ABC News? DISNEY! Now that’s some serious irony for you! My jaw dropped over that little nugget of information.

One of my other favorite bits was his recollection of what has happened over the last decade and how we as Americans need to step up. I totally agree! The last 10 years have been downright awful and unless we as a society say ‘No More’ this crap is going to just keep continuing. Doesn’t matter if you are Democrat or Republican, those monikers just divide us, we need to stand up and be heard and realize that if we don’t change our mindset then we can never find the true solutions.

I was just talking to my girlfriends about how it takes a village to raise a child and laughed hysterically when Titus did a rant on it. So Titus children be forewarned – if I see you messing up and your dad isn’t there to give you his mean Dad Glare – then I will flick your ear hard or thump you on your head (he gave me his permission ) Too bad I don’t have kids for others to help me out! It’s hard to raise a child, we need to help each other, not stand by and watch a child screw up when their parent’s back is turned. Great ideas Titus! Help one another and we help ourselves.

Thank you Christopher Titus for a great show! I’m kind of glad I didn’t know anything about you before walking into your show. It allowed me to be in the moment and listen to what you said with an unbiased point of view. You asked if what you said had made us think and then to act on it – most definitely! Thank you for that. Sometimes, I need a little perspective and through your comedy, you gave me that. Honestly, can’t wait to see you again and am looking forward to your weekly podcasts and talking to you on the ‘ol Twitter.

At the end, I wanted a picture of you for my blog. Well you saw me trying to get a pic and asked if any came out and I said ‘Nope’. You then took my camera, handed it some guy and took a pic with me because you said that would be better. How right you were! Thank you for the comedy, but really, thank you for being a stand up kind of guy. You are a rare breed.

Follow Christopher Titus:

Twitter: @TitusNation
Facebook: The Real Christopher Titus
Podcasts: iTunes
Website: ChristopherTitus.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @dragonflytweet
Facebook: Orange Dragonfly Editing

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