A few months ago I did a post on what I think are the best Moscato wines – and to date is has been the highest viewed post of mine so far.  And as much as I think that list is still totally relevant, I have had the opportunity to check out a few more brands and now have a few more “favorites” to share with you!    Though my #1 favorite is still the same – Bartenura Moscato di Asti – a few others are now making the list of what *I* think are the Best Moscato Wines:

1. Bartenura Moscato

Since the very first sip I took of Bartenura Moscato back in 2008 at Skopelo’s Restaurant I have loved this wine.   It is a very light, sweet wine with only 5% alcohol – low for many wines.   It is a bit effervescent giving it almost a champagne-like feel… perfect for any little celebration.

Bartenura Moscato pairs best with fruits, desserts, and cheeses – but to be honest, I drink it with just about anything.

When I first discovered this wine I could only find it at Four Winds – a local specialty food and wine store, but I am happy to say that Publix carries it now as well!

2. Cupcake Moscato

This one was highly recommended on my other post, so I was excited when I found it while in Tennessee for Brandcation.  We picked up a couple bottles and all were big fans.    Cupcake Moscato is also a Moscato di Asti, meaning its comes from the city of Asti, a key wine town in Northwestern Italy.

“Crafted with a passion for celebrating the good and genuine things in life – from food and drink to family and friends – Cupcake Vineyards wines make any occasion delicious.”

3. Fish Eye Moscato

I discovered Fish Eye Moscato this year at Mardi Gras when I was searching for a bottle of Moscato that I could take to the parades – meaning not in a glass bottle.  Sure, they also have bottles, but I was delighted to find a “Cardboardeaux” – wine in a box!

The Fish Eye Moscato ”Cardboardeaux” holds the equivalent of four bottles of wine – perfect for glass-free events like Mardi Gras parades – but I also took a box to the beach during Brandcation and enjoyed sharing with everyone while enjoying the beach… although I wish I had taken two.

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Yesterday my blog looked like this:

I had gotten in a funk.  As much as I loved my design a few months ago, it still just wasn’t quite what I wanted.   I have actually been through 6 or 8 redesigns (yeah, don’t add that up – my accountant almost choked) in the last 2 years, struggling to find something that I really LOVED and felt “at home” in.  It is hard to stay inspired to write in an environment that doesn’t inspire you!

The problem was I could never describe what I wanted.  “Colorful, girly, and fun”  leaves a LOT to a designers imagination.    I am one of those people that can not visualize anything in my head – I have to SEE it to know if I like it or not.  Thankfully Greg is incredibly patient (or seems to be online – though I am sure he thanks God daily that we do not live in the same town) and has come up with some designs that we have scratched entirely.

But this time was different.  I was finally able to say “Greg, I know exactly what I want and I am ready for a complete overhaul.”  

And he did it.

Perfectly. 

I am so stoked about my new design.  And I am excited to offer some new elements and stuff to share with my readers – my new “Oh The Places We Go” which will be all about my travels both for work and pleasure.  “At The Movies” will of course bring you all of the new movie trailers and my personal reviews – have you seen Iron Man 3 yet??  Its AMAZING and I cant WAIT for Hangover 3 – and  you can also easily check  out my other projects – Party Plan Divas, Top Mom Blogger, Guilty or Guilt Free and The Blogging Planner – right from MoscatoMom.

I am totally feeling reenergized and reinspired and ready to get back to blogging with passion again… well, that is after I get back from Brandcation DESTINation.  :)

Thank you SO much to Greg from Engine1Media for putting up with me and continuing to ROCK your designs.  I love love love love love it!

Having a Teenager in the house makes for some pretty hysterical exchanges.   Sami is the light of my life and the air that I breathe – and a constant source of comic relief even on my worst days.   She is a 3.85 student, spent two years in the IB Program before I decided to pull her out, and has already been accepted to the Veterinary Academy for high school.  But some days she says things that make us literally stop and just stare in total disbelief that it actually came out of her mouth.  It happens often enough that I decided to give her her very own spot on MoscatoMom - Sami Says.  

I remember my parents saying that when I hit puberty it was like my brain detached from my mouth.  It has just been recently that I have understood exactly what they meant.

Which Direction?

Me:      Hey, I recorded the Music Awards for you.  One Direction won an award – I didnt realize they were British.

Sami:     MOM, they aren’t BRITISH… they are EUROPEAN….

An Olympic Event

Me:    How was your day?

Sami:    Good, but I am tired, we did the Olympics today in PE.

Me:    Wow, which ones?  Like running or shotput or something?

Sami:    No, Mom, the OLYMPICS. You know, that machine running thing.

Me:   … you mean the ELLIPTICAL?

Cinco de No No

(Driving home from school – passing a Mexican restaurant that had a sign out front)

Sami:    Ohhhh MOM!  We could go there for Cinco de Mayo!!!

Me:   Sure, we can go there.

Sami:    When is that again?

I am so proud of the young lady my daughter is growing up to be, and love her wittiness and sense of humor…. and even her “flakey moments”  where we thank God that she is BOOK smart, since common sense isnt always 100% evident.

She will grow in to that… right?!?

PS – Sami thinks it is “totally awesome” that I am featuring her on my blog, and even laughs at herself when she realizes what she has just said.   Tonight at dinner she said something, and as the silence hung in the air she said “That was another Sami Says moment, wasn’t it?”    Yes baby… that one will be Volume Two.

Mike and I are an incredibly lucky couple.  Even after more than four years together, we hear from a lot of our friends that we are that obnoxiously romantic couple that people are always telling to “get a room”  – sneaking kisses at stoplights and pinching each others behinds in fancy restaurants. (What can I say? The man is hot!)  We live together, work together (from home), and spend a lot of time just the two of us.  In fact we have had a standing Weekly Date Night since the very first week we began dating.  

However, sometimes our lives and romance fall into a slump, just like any other couple.   We get stressed out, stretched too thin, over committed to people other than each other, and just basically fall into the rut of not putting each other first in our lives.   Since I know first hand how detrimental that can be to a relationship, it isn’t long before I am back to planning dates and scheduling fun stuff to do, even when we are crazy busy.

Lately we have been in that slump with Mike playing in some major poker tournaments and me involved in “Conference Season” where  I seem to be out of town more than I am in town.  When I was approached by Durex to be a part of their Get Closer, Go Further Campaign, I knew it was exactly what we needed for this overly stressed out time.  

We know there is nothing sexier than having someone who wants you and only you. And the closer you get the further you can go…together. Durex® is a global leading sexual wellbeing brand worldwide. The brand not only produces condoms which exceeds global testing standards, but also offers lubricants and personal massagers. With over 80 years of experience in the bedroom, Durex is dedicated to inspiring lovers to love sex safely. That is why Durex will never stop innovating with new products that enhance the sexual experience, helping couples get closer and go further together.

Romantic Date Ideas – Inspired by Durex

To help “turn up the heat” with the Durex Get Closer, Go Further campaign, and knowing the next few weeks are ridiculously busy for the both of us, I have secretly set up a few romantic dates without Mike knowing.  (and threatened his life if he read my blog)  Durex is even offering ideas for you to do the same – check out  their “Sparks” for inspiration.

1. Breakfast in Bed.  Listen, I don’t care what time of morning it is, bringing someone breakfast in bed while still wearing a cute little nightie is sexy.  And whether you actually eat the food or not is completely optional.  Since I am much more of an “early bird” than Mike is, this one is easy for me.   Mike and I always begin our days with the “what do you have on your schedule today” talk – usually me having been already showered and dressed and him already heading to the office.  This time however we will be having that same talk over pancakes, orange juice, and each other.

2. Recreate Your First Date.  Whether you met surreptitiously in a bar or maybe it was a blind date to a restaurant, recreate your first date all over again – all the way down to what you ordered.   You can even begin with “Hi, my name is…”  Call the restaurant ahead of time to “warn” the waitress and you may be pleasantly surprised with what all a restaurant can do to help recreate your evening.  *wink* 

3. Go to a Sporting Event.  Mike grew up involved in sports – the man knows just about everything there is to know about every sport on the planet.  And though I have just begun my love affair with sports – namely football and hockey – I still love watching him watch sports and rattle of stories and statistics he knows.  With Springtime here it is the perfect time for baseball games, preseason football, and golfing.  Double bonus – calories from stadium food on sports dates don’t count…  ’specially if you work them off later. 

4. Camping In Your Own Backyard.  Is there anything more romantic than sleeping under the stars with a bathroom close?  With the weather finally warm enough to not make me a grouchy beast, I am excited to plan a weekend “camping” – without ever leaving home.  Complete with a tent, smores, and no electronics!  We will be left to our own… er… “devices.”

5.  Visit a Theme Park.  In the last few years I have gotten to visit several theme parks – without kids!!!  But also without Mike.  I dont care what are you are, running around like a child at a theme park is fun.   Ride rides.  Play games.  Get your faces painted.  Eat junk food.  Take pictures.  And then come home and fall into bed utterly exhausted.

Whether you have been dating one year or ten years, making time for one another is key to the success of any relationship.  And I am so excited to participate and support Durex’s initiative to help couples Get Closer, Go Further both physically and emotionally, and I want to encourage all of my readers to do the same.  After all, in the end, all that really matters in life is who and how we loved, right?

What are some date ideas you have for keeping things romantic in your relationship?

PS – Be sure to enter to win a free vacation to Mexico from Durex!

Disclaimer: I received a “Play Together, Stay Together” Toolkit from Durex for the purpose of this campaign. All opinions are 100% my own.