Beer Me: Dubious

I don't believe I've ever had anything by North Peak Brewing Co. before but this will not be my last. We were looking for something to add to our Stout/Porter Beer Night last weekend and came across this little gem from Traverse City, Michigan.

This is Dubious, a black chocolate stout.

From their Site: " Dubious is a Dark Chocolate Stout that has the perfect combination of chocolate roast and black malts resulting in a smooth, rich beer. A swirl of aroma, flavor and body is underscored by the rich chocolate that is added at the end of the boil."


Only 50 IBU's  and 5.3 ABV on this one and it was just what I like to see in a stout. Heavy on the chocolate flavor and the perfect hint of smokiness with the black chocolate. If you are a stout fan, you'll like this one. Liquid candy bar in a bottle.

You can't really tell from the filter I used but the label is pink and that made me smile.

Not cheap. $12.99 for the 6 pack. Try to find a single if you can.

Stitch Fix #3

I hesitated to schedule my third Fix so close to Christmas but when I was disappointed with the second one, I decided I didn't care. As it turns out, I didn't really get that many clothes for Christmas anyway so it's all good.

If you're unfamiliar, StitchFix is an online styling company that will send you 5 pieces for a $20 styling fee after you fill out a detailed questionnaire about your current style, likes, dislikes, sizing and fit. I loved my first one and hated my second one. So, for the third, I requested my original stylist, Cate. I am asking for her every time. It feels like she completely understands my style because with both of her Fixes, I wanted to keep everything. I didn't....but I wanted to.

OK - onto the clothing!

41Hawthorn - Anise Striped Vest, $78

I love a good puffy vest and I liked that this wasn't as thick and puffy as some others in my closet. The navy and white stripe is right up my alley. The gold hardware added a nice touch too. But, I have other vests and I questioned how much I would actually where this. 

Verdict: Sent Back

41Hawthorn - Ivy Abstract Floral Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse, $68

I'm sorry I didn't zoom in enough on this one. The print is a navy and coral medallion with navy accents. This reminded me a bit too much of my mother. Which isn't to say that's a bad thing (calm down, Mom) but the style and print said "Florida" to me. I considered keeping it because I don't have anything like it in my closet but the V was a bit too deep and I would always have to wear a tank top under it. Plus, it was a bit tight at the hips.

Verdict: Sent Back

Kensie Jeans - Sophia Skinny Jeans, $88

The jeans above and below were also included.

I was excited to get these because I currently only have 1 1/2 pairs of workable skinny jeans. The 1/2 is because sometimes I don't think that pair actually works very well at all but sometimes it's fine. Even though these were a bit pricey, I will always spend more than I deem necessary on jeans ever since my first pair of Joe's Jeans. Good jeans are worth every single penny. You can wear the heck out of them and they keep their shape and rinse much better than cheap jeans. Off my soap box....

Back to these Kensie jeans. I loved the rinse and the stretch they had. Unfortunately, the waistband hit me right on my hip bones making them quite uncomfortable and a tad impossible to sit in. Curses.

Verdict: Sent Back

I know I said I loved everything but so far I've sent back 3 things. Stay with me.

41Hawthorn - Queensland Dolman Jersey Top, $48

I have been wanting a dolman sleeve top for a long time. The style is different than anything in my closet and the color is good for lots of seasons. I think this will look great with a long necklace and boots. It's also very comfortable for those fat days.

Verdict: KEEP!

Fun2Fun - Colibri Heart Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse, $48

This heart blouse is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. Before Christmas, the Limited had a heart print sweater that I was dying over. I didn't end up getting it as a gift and could not find it anywhere in my size. I was heartbroken. (Pun intended) I'm pretty sure I squealed with glee when I pulled this out. It's navy blue and the sleeves can be worn 3/4 or rolled up with button tabs. Suffice it to say I will be living in this for the next few months. The fabric has a bit of a sheen but doesn't look cheap. It's going to look great with the brick red cords I got in my first fix and also have been living in.

Verdict: Definite KEEP!

Had I purchased everything my total would have been $232.50 minus the $20 styling fee and with the 25% discount when you keep the whole Fix. A bit rich for my blood....

This time, I told them I didn't want any accessories and I think that worked out great. I have a lot of jewelry already and feel like I have enough options in my closet to accessorize correctly.

I also figured out how to use the timer on my camera because I took these while my chief photographer was shoveling the driveway. What? I offered to help and was turned down.

My next Fix is scheduled for the end of February and I can't wait to see what comes my way. I requested Cate again as my stylist so I know she'll do a great job.

Want to see what I got in my First Fix or my Second Fix? Click those links.

If you'd like to schedule your own fix, click this link here. It's my referral link and I get $25 to spend on my next Fix if you sign up. PRETTY PLEASE!

And Then There Were None

I like a good mystery every now and then but can you believe I had never read anything by Agatha Christie, Mystery Queen? True! I picked this up at the library last week while I was wandering the stacks. (Are they still called stacks in a public library? We called them stacks in college but elsewhere, are they just shelves? These are the questions that keep me up at night.)

Source

This book was first published under another title you may be familiar with, Ten Little Indians. I'm guessing along the line, someone realized that wasn't politically correct and changed the title to And Then There Were None. Can we talk about how this is also the plot of one of my favorite movies? CLUE! You've all seen Clue, yes. If not, PLEASE WATCH IT. I can remember seeing it on TV as a very young girl and thinking it was the best thing ever...even though I didn't understand the majority of the jokes. I especially liked the alternate endings.

A brief but succinct Good Reads' Synopsis:

"Ten people, each with something to hide and something to fear, are invited to a lonely mansion on Soldier Island by a host who fails to appear but leaves a recording accusing all of undetected murder. Cut off by his orders, one by one each die according to a nursery rhyme Ten Little Indians. A confession in a bottle solves how nobody remains alive."

What I Thought: Well, despite knowing the plot because of Clue, I still really enjoyed the mystery behind this and would not have guessed whodunnit. I actually don't like figuring everything out prior to the killer being revealed. I think it spoils the fun. If you're looking for a short but compelling mystery, check this one out!

Rating: * * * 1/2

Recipe Reblog: No Bake Nutella Cheesecake

Mmmmm, nutella. If you've never had it before, you are really missing out and need to get to the store right now. Take your spoon. They will not care if you crack open the jar right in the aisle to test out this yummy goodness. I've loved nutella for a long time but now it will forever remind me of the deliciously warm nutella crepes John and I enjoyed in the rain outside of Notre Dame in Paris last May. All the other tourists in line were sure jealous of us. That was some oozy amazingness.

No Bake Nutella Cheesecake: This recipe, from My Baking Addiction, fit the bill when I was looking for something to serve at a Stout/Porter beer night (last night - more on that later in the week). I wanted something lighter in texture but heavier on flavor to pair with the beers. Because we had indulged in other not so healthy items earlier in the meal, I also wanted a recipe I could easily lighten up. I swapped in fat free cream cheese and cool whip on this one to lower the calorie count. I did use full fat Oreos and Nutella though. Nutella doesn't mess around with reduced fat nonsense. These mixed up quickly and looked extra cute in my mini trifle bowls. John and I tasted some leftovers ahead of time and it was exactly what I was going for. A rich but light dessert.

I can't tell you what our guests thought because I'm writing these prior to them coming over. I'm sure they'll love it like we did though. I hope.

Last week of January. I wish that meant winter was ending......

Life After Life

I am trying to read more meat and less fluff in my books this year. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson was on the 100 Best of 2013 NY Times so I picked it up from the library and dug right in.

Source

Good Reads' Synopsis: On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born, the third child of a wealthy English banker and his wife. Sadly, she dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in any number of ways. Clearly history (and Kate Atkinson) have plans for her: In Ursula rests nothing less than the fate of civilization.

Wildly inventive, darkly comic, startlingly poignant — this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best, playing with time and history, telling a story that is breathtaking for both its audacity and its endless satisfactions.

What I Thought: Yeesh. I had really high hopes for this one but I could not get into it at all. I found the time hopping disorienting, a bit cumbersome, and very repetitive. As a character, I liked Ursula but as her story continued, I found it unbelievable and just really didn't care anymore. The concept was intriguing but fell flat. At 529 pages, it took me quite awhile to get through. I'm not really sure why this gets such good reviews but it was not my cup of tea. If anyone has read it and can tell me why it was so good, PLEASE leave a comment. I don't usually disagree with reviews this much but I don't really recommend this one.

Rating: * * 

Blogilates

We are over halfway through January. If you made a resolution to lose weight and get healthy, how are you doing? Could you use a little more motivation to keep you on track?

I want to share with you something I've been using for the last couple months.

It's a workout website called Blogilates hosted by Cassey Ho.

Through YouTube and on her site, she provides short pilates workouts that are fun and effective. You can also get a monthly workout calendar so you know which videos and how many to do each day working a different muscle group. By doing the suggested videos each day, you end up working out for about an hour. My strength training hasn't been going great lately and while there are no weights involved in pilates, I've been gaining muscle and toning up places that you can't always hit with heavy lifting.

If you subscribe to her YouTube channel, you can find all the videos in one place. You can even watch them through her app on your phone. This is the only app I have ever spent money on because I think buying apps is ridiculous. However, this one is worth it!

I will admit, her voice can be a bit grating at times and after every set of moves she yells "woooo" like it was the hardest thing in the world. Sometimes the videos are extra cheesy too. But once you get past that you're good to go! She's always positive and gives good tips too. If you've never tried pilates, she also has good beginner videos that explain everything really well. There are recipes and other HIIT cardio workout routines on there too. That stands for 'high intensity interval training' and it's the best calorie burner out there.

I started using Blogilates in November and measured myself at that time. Only 3 weeks later, my measurements were down in all areas. Of course, I'm still running 3 days a week as well but I know the pilates is helping my arms, back and core. And all you need is a mat. If you don't have a mat, I'm sure you could just do it on the ground or use a towel. Everyone owns a towel, right? If not, we have bigger problems than losing weight.

If you're looking to tone up and add muscle, give it a try!

Recipe Reblog: Vegetable Meatloaf

Sunday dinner for you this week! Do people prepare a traditional "Sunday Dinner" anymore? I hope so!

Vegetable Meatloaf with Balsamic Glaze: This recipe title, from the tasty Bobby Flay, is a bit misleading because it's actually a turkey meatloaf with extra veggies in the mix. Meatloaf is one of my all time favorite meals. No foolin'! I have loved meatloaf since I was a young eater. While I can be a purist and enjoy a good beef-based loaf, I try to use ground turkey whenever possible. In fact, I couldn't tell you the last time I bought ground beef. Anyway....with the ground turkey is: red pepper, yellow pepper and zucchini. WHAT?! You betcha. The balsamic glaze on top added a nice zippy acidity to complement the sweetness of the veggies. John and I both really liked this one a lot. Don't be scared. Vegetables are your friends! So is Bobby Flay.