Fiesta Friday ~ ChocoVine

Alright, I'm starting this one off with a long run-on/stream-of-conscious sentence that I hope you can follow.  (I just can't seem to figure out the right way to break it off into two or three separate sentences without getting my point across haha).  Here it goes:

If you love chocolate, if you love wine, if you love Yoo-Hoos (throwback) and if you love things that could potentially taste really weird but actually make a good flavor combination to some and are ready and willing to actually try the interesting combination, then I suggest purchasing a nice little bottle of ChocoVine!  Recently, I've seen these chocolate-milk looking wine bottles in grocery stores, but I never got up the nerve to try it.  Then, I made a post for Uniform Advantage that asked everyone in the company what their favorite chocolates are and someone mentioned chocolate wine...aka ChocoVine.  I saw this as a sign to purchase the beverage, not to mention it's $10 a bottle--not bad at all.  Last week, I got a bottle for Jayne, Amy and me to try. 

The outcome?  I was a big fan.  Jayne liked it. And Amy pretty much thought it was revolting.

The verdict?  Try it because you are 66.677777777777% likely to enjoy the taste according to my limited sampling pool.

I checked out the ChocoVine site and they actually have several cocktail recipes you can use the wine in.  They sound pretty interesting and I'm thinking about trying a few!  However, I do think it's pretty tastey plain.  It kind of reminds me of a spiked can of Yoo-Hoo chocolate flavored drink and maybe a dash of Baileys?  Maybe?  Either way, I like it!

Cheers,

Hannah

DIMS ~ Wall Paintings

Not sure if you recall, but a few weeks ago I posted about my take on DIY projects.  Instead of "Do It Yourself", I "Do It Make Shift"...like that mardi gras bead necklace with a bow.  Well, two Sundays ago (which I might add is the day Ben and I got engaged...surprise if you didn't know!  there may or may not be some future posts regarding planning...NBD) we had a little DIMS project of our own.  Since we moved into the condo together back in November, we have been meaning to make a painting for the wall in our kitchen or living room.  So, we bought two blank canvases and had them sitting around for about a month or so until we finally found some good time to paint.  Interestingly enough, it only took us 5 minutes to paint the canvases--something we thought would be a day's work turned into the most efficient work of art ever.  We decided to paint something because it's not only cheaper but also it's a little gem we can say we made ourselves...and brag about if someone comments on them.  OH, and because it's something fun to do.

Here's what we did:

1. Bought two blank canvases.

2. Found some old black paint I had.

3. Grabbed two golf ball from Ben's golf bag.

4. Doused the golf balls in black paint.

5. Dropped the balls onto the canvases and manually rolled them around.  (I'd like to add here that we originally wanted to get marbles to "marble paint" but Ben mentioned golf balls and we thought it would be an interesting twist.)

6. Allowed the canvases to dry.

7. Hung them up behind the couches at wierd angles for a "wow" and "gosh we are so interpretive" effect (to us at least).

 

Love,

Hannah

Concession Confessions: Healthier Hits for your Hips

This Month's SHAPE Magazine had an article on healthier options choose from at the Movie Theater snack bar.  Thought this could be useful since there are lots of good movies out right now (Black Swan...just sayin').  So sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

• Small Popcorn: 225 calories for half a bag (Skip the butter, and you have a bag of whole grains...hello, fiber!)
• Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bar: 80 calories (Those frozen chunks of real strawberries count as fruit? Okay by me.)
• Vitaminwater Zero: zero calories (Although counterintuitive because you will be sitting for the next two hours instead of running around in a heated game of tennis, it's still the better option.)
• Icee Slush: 220 calories (Use a spoon so you don't drink too fast.)
• AMC Clip Gummi Stars: 175 calories for half a bag (Yeah, don't think I've ever heard of these, but they are made with real fruit juice.)
• Hot Dog: 210 calories (Probably the only source of protein at a concession stand.)
• Milk Duds: 170 calories for half a box (These duds are lower in sugar than other candies and take longer to eat because they are so freakin sticky.  I buy these at target all the time and stash them in a desk drawer at work because they taste so good.  Now it's good to know I happen to be choosing the "healthier" candy.)
• Junior Mints: 298 calories for half a box (Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate on the really really thin outer shell...)
• Twizzler Strawberry Twists: 263 calories for half a bag (Nibble on a few strands at a time for optimal portion control and slow chewing time I guess?)

Love,
Hannah

Glamour Free Bag

If you subscribe to any magazines, you know that the magazine you subscribe to is probably owned by some corporate giant magazine company that owns several other magazines.  For example, Conde Naste is a HUGE company that owns the likes of Allure, Lucky, Glamour, Vogue, Teen Vogue, and more.  Last year, Isaac was selling magazine subscription through Pine Crest, so like the totally awesome and supportive big sister that I am when I want to be, I ordered a subscription to both Allure and Lucky from him.  A few months after I started getting my subscription in, I received a little notice in the mail which gave me a special offer for Glamour magazine: $12 subscription and a free bag (they found my address through my subscription to Allure and Lucky...since then I've also received a notice to subscribe to Glamour again and Vogue...I was able to control myself).  COUNT ME IN!  I love magazines--not for their content but because I like looking at the pictures.  And now I love magazines when they give me free things.  Take the purse in the picture below--free from Glamour!  It's definitely not made of quality materialn nor is it big enough to hold everything I prefer to carry around with me, but it's cute and it works. 

By the way, I am currently subscribing to Allure, Lucky, Glamour, Southern Living and SHAPE. What offers will they send me next!?

Keeping the paper industry in business,

Hannah

Fiesta Friday ~ Jim Beam (a.k.a. Jim Bean) and Ginger Ale

I hope Kate and I are not the only ones who thought Jim Beam was actually called Jim Bean.  I mean it's much easier to say and sounds so much better.  If you already knew the it was Beam, this is nothing new for you, but I have a feeling I just gave someone reading this an epiphany.  Truth is, it's Beam not Bean, but I still call it Bean (and so does Kate).

Drink of the week? Jim Beam and Ginger Ale!  Up to you how much of each you'd like to add.  For the sake of giving it a catchy name, we'll call it Jim and Ging.  That way, if you think it's Bean and not Beam or the other way around, there will be no confusion whatsoever. Nor will there be an argument as to what name it should really be.  I vote Bean.

Cheers!
Hannah

LLG Contest Winner!

I had Ben randomly select a number from 1 through 13, and he chose #9....IVANA!  Hahah, I hope you can use the $20 coupon code for your dorm room or something, Ivana!  I'll send you a Facebook message with the code :).

In the end, the contest brought in three new "LIKES" on my Facebook page--better than none!  Please spread the word about LLG Blog!  Follow me on Facebook, Bloglovin', Blogger or Twitter :).

Love,
Hannah

Watching Hannah Zier Unfold...Lesson 1: Photography

Hey all!  I thought it would be kind of fun to continue sharing with you how Hannah Zier is unfolding.  First, I got your help with my Logo, then I shared a little bit of MAGIC from Vegas, and now I learned photography and garment styling!

Last week, Kristen taught me how to use the photography studio at work and how to best style a garment!  With her and Lori's help, I was able to photograph the first two tops that came in.  I can officially call myself a semi-photographer and semi-stylist.  I know how to use a real camera, manage photography lighting equipment, use Apeture and style garments! Here's a pic Lori snapped of us mid-lesson...a little sneak peak at one of our tops too!

Saturday afternoon Ben and I went to the Photography studio so I could take more photos and teach Ben how to use the equipment!  Yay for things coming along slowly but surely!

Baby steppin'

Hannah