Want to give back this holiday season? Join Junior League of Baltimore then

                                                                                                  It’s a shame that this holiday season is saturated with a poor economy, troubling politics and job insecurities. Though this holiday season is known for giving presents to loved ones, eating well and reconnecting with family members. Most people do forget that this is the season to give back to your community.

Charity work strenghthens human morality, gives purpose and helps communities. It’s better than giving someone a brand name sweater since what you really give back is time, patience and effort into doing good.

With that said, next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Baltimore organization and for the past 99 years ( its still 2011, fyi), this wonderful non-profit has been rebuilding lives, giving children purpose and has been creating solidarity amongst women of different classes, races and beliefs.

Instead of buying a loved one something that will be probably used once, why not get someone you love a membership and an opportunity to do good in their community?  Click here to learn more about membership to this great organization and about special events happening for Jr. Leaguers..

Interested? Want to meet the ladies who make this great organization possible? Well come to their Open House December 17th from 10 a.m to 12 p.m and click here to RSVP!!   

Being a member of the Junior League of Baltimore is the gift that keeps on giving—all year long!!

Check out Graeters new Blog

 Graeters not only has ice cream fans but they also have strong social media fans ( such as myself). Because of Graeter’s strong connection with their online ( as well as offline) fans, they created this really adorable blog.

I just perused the blog and totally enjoyed reading stories from Graeters fans in the Midwest ( and hopefully from the East coast, Maryland to be precise). My favorite story on the blog came from Dale K, from Grand Rapids, MI.  His daughter Kelsey and her husband Jay replaced their wedding cake with an array of Graeters flavors.

Here is an excerpt:

Graeter’s wonderfully replaced wedding cake at our daughter Kelsey’s wedding! Her groom, Jay, grew up loving Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip as a favorite Cincinnati Food and they had their hearts set on serving Graeter’s – instead of wedding cake – at their wedding in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Read the rest here.
Aside from interesting entries, this blog is a great way for fans to  get Graeter’s News straight from the source about grocery store expansion, seasonal ice cream flavors, bakery and candy items as well as other Graeter’s news you won’t find anywhere else on the website.

 Graeters will also feature “Ice Cream Stories” that come straight from fans who complete a form on their website.

I’ve been a Graeters fan since December of 2010 and have proudly swayed close to 30 people in my hometown in Silver Spring Maryland to choose Graeters as their ice cream of choice.  I’ve written a few entries about my love of Graeters and have also hosted a rather succesful Ice cream party at a good friend’s house. If you want to read more of my past entries, read and click below.

1.) Ohio: Decadent treats in an unexpected place

If you drive two hours away from Cleveland Ohio, you reach Columbus. And my oh my, you hit a region jam-packed with Graeters ice cream. I am not much of fan of ice cream, more like a hardcore enemy ..Read the rest here.

2.) We need Graeters in Maryland, Pronto!

Alcoholics, smokers and other addicts tend to suffer from withdrawal effects if they aren’t able to satisfy their inner desires. Withdrawal symptoms stem from shaking, sweating and anxiety. Addiction and withdrawel symptoms don’t  always have to spring from drug usage but it’s also found in not feeding an inherent infatuation for–Read the rest here.

3.) Gourmet Ice Cream Social Featuring Graeters Icecream

Anyways, I presented my friends and their guests 12 flavors ranging from peanut butter, coconut, butter pecan, vanilla with chocolate chunks all the way down to Graeter’s creme of the crop, their black raspberry chip.

I was quite shocked that my guests…Read the rest here.

What’s not to love about Graeters? They not only make delicious ice cream that gourmet foodies, celebs and every-day average people love but are also social media saavy! Kudos to a great brand

Boordy Vineyards: Best winery in all of Maryland

                                                                                                                           

Around mid-November, I decided to pay a visit to Boordy Vineyards so I could sample some of their best reds, whites, and dessert wines. It was a special treat for me since Boordy is my favorite Maryland-based wine. I looked forward to this visit for three or so months and even bothered close friends about how amazing, spectacular and perfect this place was going to be.

When I first visited the location, I was in awe over the spread of land, long lines for wine tasting and with the overall structure of their immediate building designed for guests. Interior doors were constructed to slide open, wooden floors were glossy enough to shine, and there was a spiraling staircase that led guests into this palacial area where they can dine and wine on a wide arrangement of goodies.

Everything was arranged in such a cordial way that I wished I brought my camera that day. There’s not enough words in the English dictionary for me to paint this robust, wonderful and memorable experience I had at this vineyard.

However, I will try my best to recreate it on this blog.  Before I get into my wonderful experience, here’s a bit of their backstory that can be found in fuller detail on their website:

The winery is housed in a 19th century stone barn whose massive walls provide an ideal environment for the production and aging of wine. Rob Deford, who received training in enology at the University of California, Davis manages Boordy with his wife Julie Colhoun Deford.  Boordy currently produces 97,000 gallons of wine annually and cultivates forty acres of grapes in the Long Green Valley (Central Piedmont region) and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western Maryland.

Anyways, I was able to partake in a wonderful selection of wines from their Landmark, Icons of Maryland and Just for Fun series.  For 65 years, Boordy has been crafting the finest regional wines in the east coast and just by sampling their 2010 Chardonnay, I can taste the quality. 

Landmark series

“These handcrafted wines are the finest representations of vintage year, varietal character, the soil of our region and the soul of our winemaker.  Beginning with the 2010 vintage, our Landmark wines are sourced from 100% Maryland grown grapes, principally from Boordy’s estate vineyards.”

Icons of Maryland

“The wines in this series are crafted with food in mind but are friendly enough to enjoy on the porch with friends. Their labels feature original engravings of iconic Maryland wildlife such as the Baltimore Oriole and the Rockfish, and symbolize Boordy’s iconic stature in the history of Maryland winemaking. The grapes from our Icon wines are sourced from within Maryland and from other states.”

Just for Fun

“We offer five wines in a series that express our belief there is always a time & occasion for wine.  As their name suggests, these are sweet party styled wines that may be served over ice, chilled, or warmed for chilly night sipping.”

As was previously aforementioned on this entry, I was humbled to have sampled a little bit of everything from each of Boordy Winery’s series. My taste buds are highly selective and I did have personal favorites that I highly recommend to all Wine-o’s out there. And here they are:

Landmark  Series

Eisling 2009: This was my favorite of this particular series.  It’s a beautifully balanced sweet reisling reserve that compliments several high-end creme brulees, custards, fruit pasteries and soft cheeses. Boordy was able to balance a soft but subtle aroma of orange, honeysuckle and melon into this addictive concotion. It’s so good that there’s only a limited production of 524 cases left. Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines.

Icons of Maryland

Chambourcin Merlot:  This wine has a medium body, supple residual sweetness and a lovely dark red hue.  It’s aromas of raspberry and cherry accompany the wine’s smooth but tender sweetness. It goes great swedish meatballs, dishes with spicey red sauces, and creamy soft cheeses. Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines

Just for Fun

Tango Peach: It’s a celebration in your mouth. A kick to the right direction. A great way to commemorate a fun occassion. Which is why Tango Peach is Sherryn Daniel’s Blogs choice wine.  It’s honeyed aromas of melon, peach and citrus can allure anyone to its tart yet sweet flavor.  If you can’t vacation in  a hot, and summery place this winter. Then crack open this bottle with close girlfriends and have a ball. This website highly recommends it.Check out Boordy’s website for more information on this and other wines

Here you have it, www.SherrynDaniel.com’s choice wine and choice vineyard for 2011. Contact Boordy Vineyards if you ever want to visit their lovely vineyards or if you want to order the best riesling this side of the East coast.

Holiday Fashion Fierce: How to Dress to Impress at Holiday Parties

This is the season to be jolly fashionista; do you know how you will do it this holiday season? If you are uncertain, we are here to help. Read below to find out how you can be sexy, classy and fierce for all your holiday parties.

Not every party is the same.

 It is crucial that you realize not every holiday party is the same. Some holiday parties are casual while other holiday parties are tremendously formal. Make sure you ask the host what type of attire you should wear. A formal holiday party, you should wear a figure fitting dress with a hint of glam.

 Do not let it be too tight and short. Do not let it be too baggy or long. Wear a dress that compliments your figure but maintains a little mystery, especially if you are looking to attract a gentleman. 

Less is more. 

For casual parties, tone down the attire a bit. You can wear a casual dress. You can wear jeans and a spunky holiday top. You can wear kaki pants and a stunning sweater. Speaking of sweaters, wear a sweater dress. You can not go wrong with a sweater dress!

Be comfortable 

No matter the party, make sure you are comfortable from head to toe.  Cute flats or low-heel shoes will keep you chic and comfortable for the party and the after-party. Dance the night away. You do not want to be the girl known for going home with sore and injured feet. Do not be that chick. 

For more lifestyle enrichment tips (including jewelry accessories and makeup) check us out Fromgirltogirl.com and stay tune to our guest blogs on Sherryn Daniel’s Blog . Let us know how your holiday party fashion goes!

By Briana Booker

Briana Booker is the creator of Fromgirltogirl www.fromgirltogirl.com which is a refreshing lifestyles enrichment magazine & public relation company that promotes healthy community development and empowers girls. Check out her website as well as well as www.sherryndaniel.com for more guest entries by her.