My love first began on Instagram. Following these quirky, loveable home organizers and their IG stories was such a welcomed break from the usual stream of influencers. Then I became a full-fledged fan. Saw them speak, got their book, watched the show on Netflix.

Needing to do SOMETHING with my nervous pre-election energy, I decided to tackle my kitchen. It is the one place in my house that needed the most organization…and I was inspired by Clea + Joanna of The Home Edit. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on random plastic boxes from Home Goods, The Container Store, Target and Amazon. Armed with loose plan of attack, I started with my pantry zone.

My pantry has deep, high shelves that were grossly underutilized. After purging most of my plastic water cups and bottles and crap, I had a vision for using the area for actually storing food. THIS can thing is my very organizing thing and got them on Amazon. These helped tame the insane amount of canned goods I felt compelled to buy early in the COVID season. I have over 2 dozen cans of beans, y’all. Not ok.

Another area that desperately needed purging and organizing was my coffee/tea situation. Again, after pulling everything out, I do not need more tea. I repeat, I do not need more tea. WTF made me buy this much decaf Earl Grey? My kids had a fun time sorting all the packets into little plastic bins I got at the Dollar Tree. Kept them busy for 15 min and I got my shit sorted. WIN WIN.

Before I continue, I need to admit something. I have a spice problem. LIKE FOR REAL. Very few things make me happier than the promise of a new spice blend. Everytime I buy another one: All my food will taste delicious now! I’ve tried a few times to organize my spices in a coherant way, but it was time for the nuclear option: decanting and alphabetizing.

Went with these guys on Amazon and sat down for an afternoon of tossing old spices and dumping all the keepable ones into new containers. They came with labels that were really helpful and actually had a few Penzeys spice blend labels in there! I appreciated that…considering my addiction to Penzeys is strong. This took an inordinate amount of time and work…but so worth it. My spices have never looked so good. I can actually find the ones I want now! And I clearly don’t need more salt. Yeah. Definitely not.

After those top problem areas were solved, I felt emboldened to do the rest of my kitchen. Junk drawers, baking supplies and pasta were no match for my labels and matching containers from Homegoods and these labels…which look eerily similar to my own handwriting. I ruthlessly purged and sorted. We no longer have five bags of tortilla chips and that gluten-free mac and cheese no one will ever eat. Even my kids were impressed.

Now if we can keep it this way…praise be.

For a wine lover, the dreaded “what is your favorite wine” question always comes up and we feel like we are forced to pick our favorite child.

The brutal heat and torture of this summer has made my answer easy lately: Rosé. And not just any pink drink. It has to be dry, witty, blushing with a whiff of the sea. It has to compliment all the summer food favorites and best served chilled.

Here are a few of my current go-tos…grab them before they are gone.  Drink them on a warm summer night, bossa nova on the speakers and a loved one by your side.  <3

2017 Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé – $8.99 from Trader Joe’s
Blend of 62% Grenache Noir, 12.5% Cinsault, 6.9% Grenache Blanc, 8.6% Syrah, 3.4% Carignan

Look, the Tavel region of southern France does NOT mess around with their Rosé – it is the only thing they make.Unlike its neighbor Provence,Tavel tends to be deeper in color and fuller in body. Honestly, I was shocked to get a good one for under $10. This one is dark, gorgeous and full of ripe strawberry flavors. Grab this before it is gone.

2019 Parés Baltà Ros de Pacs – $13 from The Wine Cabinet
Blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon

Spanish? Check.
Women winemakers? Check.
Certified Organic and Biodynamic? Check.
Under $15? Check.
Delicious as all get out? Check.

2019 Three Wives Germaine Gabrielle Rosé – $19 from Remy Wines
100% Pinot Noir

Another incredible wine from Remy. Remy Drabkin is an incredible winemaker in OR and wanted to try her stuff. Out of the four I purchased, this was the first I tried. This Rosé of Pinot Noir went down so fast, I was legitimately sad when I realized I only had one bottle of it. Had a depth of raspberry and white pepper – truly one of my favorites of 2020.

2019 Walsh Family Wines Rosé – $28 from Walsh Family Wines
100% Cabernet Franc

There was a reason why I chose to share this with the folks at Jancis Robinson.com Between their pet-nat Plateau (which I opened my last bottle on my birthday) and the Weatherlea Rosé, I have survived quarantine thus far.

I swear I don’t work for them. But DAMN their wine is fantastic. The 2019 Rosé is 100% Cabernet Franc and an incredible example of what Virginia wines are possible of these days. Strawberries with a bit of minerality. YUM. Shop and support local….and pretty awesome wine-making family.

McBride Sisters SHECAN Rosé – $28 for 4-pack from McBride Sisters
When I first heard of the McBride Sisters, I heard about their SHECAN Professional Development Fund. Trust me, this is the ONLY reason why I would go to Walmart – wine and supporting women in wine.

I masked up, entered Wallyworld in search of this stuff. And it took me a while….it was hidden behind other cans of crap. But I grabbed a few cans of the rosé and Sauv Blanc, mumbling all the way back to my car, “this shit better be worth it.”

And it was. Light, refreshing, easy to drink on my porch. But the best part, sipping this you know you are directly supporting women of color in the wine industry. Now that makes it even more delicious.

But I’m ordering directly from them next time.

2019 Lumen Starry Rosé – $28 from Lumen
Blend of Grenache and Pinot Noir

This was the first wine by Lane Tanner I ever had.  And damn, she makes a good wine.  In the gorgeous Santa Barbara sunshine, Lane and her winemaking partner Will Henry produce incredible, sustainable wines.  This particular rose reminded me of the Taval a bit – deep salmon with massive cranberry and watermelon flavors.  Yum yum.  

Your favorite not listed? Recommend one in the comments!