Frankfurt in Photos

Now that I've somewhat recovered and the week's about over, reckon I'll do an Update from my 72-hour trip to Germany last weekend for the MTV EMAs. It just goes to show that the last 5+ years of being a boring old banker does have its perks...this being the greatest of them by a long, long shot. From the minute we stepped off the plane in Frankfurt, each and every minute was planned out and paid for by my client: wine tastings, tours, Michelin star rated restaurants and of course the show, which was incredible and definitely the coolest thing I've ever done. Here's a collection of low-quality iphone photos to summarize the highlights...although I only got a few from the actual show before my phone died. Not sure if it's because it's part of my heritage, the warm comfort food, cleanliness of each city, intelligent people (that all speak English and therefore make my life easier) or what but absolutely love Germany.

{Schloss Johannisburg Winery}

{known for their Riesling...which did not disappoint} 

{lunch at the winery: duck, red cabbage and those potato dumpling/ball things that I wish they made in America}

{2003 1er Cru Chablis}

{dinner night 1: Restaurant Francais at Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof}

{a Michelin star meal: butternut pumpkin/curry/scallop soup, oxcheeks w/ périgord truffle, creme brulee w/ spiced apple & nougat ice cream and a variety of chocolate truffles all paired with a 2006 Bordeaux}

{the cute historic town of Heidelberg}

{Heidelberg Castle tour}

{the river Rhine}

{a Heidelberg bakery: what are those puffs of goodness up top?!}

{dinner night 2: Kofler & Kompanie's Villa Merton}

{of course another Michelin star meal: beet juice w/ goat cheese & elderflower on fried spaghetti, salmon first course, veal main course and a double chocolate ice cream / mousse w/ pear and granola for dessert}

{Alicia Keys 'Girl on Fire'}

{No Doubt}

{Taylor Swift}

Cabernet Cords

J. Crew Cords, Chambray Shirt and Scarf (sold out online but similar here and here) | (borrowed) Barbour Jacket | (borrowed) Ray Ban Aviators

As mentioned Monday, a group of us went to the North Fork wine tasting last Saturday. And what better to wear on a party bus wine tasting than these cabernet colored toothpick cords. I must have sloshed at least a liter of red wine (minimum) on them and it blended in perfectly. Paired with a chambray shirt, polka dot scarf (similar here and here) and this Barbour jacket (borrowed from my friend JJ and love) for a perfect fall Saturday. Speaking of weekend, it's finally here and I'm off to Arkansas to visit one of my best friends Elyse. See you Sandy...and the horse wave you rode in on. Praying lights turn on, toilets flush and subways run upon my return Sunday night. Otherwise, I might be moving to Fayetteville. Have a good one everyone!

Weekend Update - 10/29/2012

{the bottom half of Friday night's Halloween costume}

What a weekend...that has fortunately extended into today as my office is closed for Sandy. Between two day-long birthday celebrations and Halloween in between, there's definitely enough booze in the system to outlast the storm. Friday night was a Halloween house party and Saturday woke up early to board a party bus out to the North Fork, Long Island for a day full of birthday wine tasting. Sunday was another birthday brunch on World Yacht on the Hudson River, probably not the safest place to be the day a hurricane's blowing in. Now time to 'batten down the hatches' (as my Mom has instructed me to do) and weather Frakenstorm. Stay safe!

{an early morning start for Ms. Hennessey's birthday celebration}

{mimosas a plenty}

{a mixture of munchkins including pumpkin (my new favorite)}

{additional wine cork DIY inspiration: just glue or stick into styrofoam wreath}

{live music and the first tasting at Lenz Winery}

{Lenz' Gold Label Chardonnay and cheese plate}

{North Fork foliage}

{most of the birthday crew}

{the birthday girl}

{stop #2: Pugliese Vineyards}

{and the final stop: Vineyard 48...actually, that's a lie. Wendy's (and $68 worth of dollar menu items) was the final stop}

{Sunday morning birthday brunch...this time on World Yacht}

{probably not the best place to be on the dawn of a hurricane but Lady Lib and Old Glory were still flyin high}

{cupcakes, coffee and more mimosas to finish off the endless brunch}