A Distillery & Santa

Booze and babies do go together!

On one of the rare days the hubby and I had together this month we decided we needed to spend it taking our little baby boy to visit Santa for the first time.  Now, as all of you know, Santa is very well-traveled, and hops around from place to place in order to see as many children as possible.  ;) Lucky for us, Santa just so happened to be visiting a distillery that particular day.  

We loaded-up our little one in his cutest Carter's outfit- long-sleeve thermal and a soft plaid vest- and hit the road for Lewisville, Texas to Witherspoon Distillery. 

Witherspoon has been around since 2011, but had recently opened a brand-new beautiful location in the heart of Old Town Lewisville.  I myself had never been to a distillery before, so visiting Santa there seemed like the perfect idea.

With a mix of wood, brick, and industrial lighting, the facade of Witherspoon is beautiful.  I was impressed with the place before setting foot in the door.  The inside is beautiful as well.  With a large bar that wraps-around the room and comfy couches to lounge on, it's very inviting.

First on the agenda...meet Santa Clause.  We were so grateful to not have to wait to see Santa in a big long-line, AND we didn't have to pay to see Santa either.  We easily walked-up, introduced our little man in red to the big man in red, and... baby immediately grabbed a hold of Santa's beard and didn't let go.  Ha!  His first time meeting Santa and he made sure that he was the real deal; Santa didn't mind though.  Baby might not have been all smiles for St. Nicholas, but he didn't cry either.  My smart little dude just studied him, told him what he wanted for Christmas telepathically, and went on his merry way. 

After I went crazy with the picture taking of Santa and baby, we found a nice couch to set-up camp on, while daddy ordered adult beverages from the bar.  Witherspoon has a great selection of Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rum.  The best part?  They had a huge cocktail menu so I didn't have to drink straight liquor.  LOVE!  We wanted to try half of the menu but settled on one cocktail each. 

A little rum for me, whiskey for the hubby, and a bottle for baby.  

It was the perfect way to spend a day together, and to visit Santa.  I look forward to going to Witherspoon again, but next time without baby, so we can go on a tour and do a little tasting. 

From My Family to Yours

I can't believe it took nearly six months after my little butterball was born to get our family photos done.  It was a gloomier day than I wanted it to be, but my baby boys smile and bright blue eyes were all the sunshine we needed. 

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to coordinate outfits with a little one.  The first thing I did was find his outfit.  I knew I wanted something blue, to match his eyes, but finding something wasn't easy.  When I finally found the blue plaid button-up with cords I knew it was the perfect choice. 

From there I went on to find the hubby a shirt that would match baby.  I myself decided to go with creme to be the neutral one; it was a great excuse to splurge on a lace shirt I had been lusting over from Anthropologie. 

While the outfits weren't a perfect match, I loved how we all came together in these adorable photos. 

I am so thankful for these two boys in my life, today and always.

Happy Thanksgiving...from my family to yours!  

Magnolia at the Silos

Do you watch HGTV?  I do and I love it.  It's such a great channel to have on in the background on a weekend afternoon when you are doing housework.  Every show makes home remodeling seem like a breeze, while in reality that isn't possible for most homeowners.  The channel always has me thinking back to my days as an interior design major in college.  I miss the design world quite a lot, so HGTV is where I go to get my design fix. 

I love two shows on HGTV, Property Brothers and Fixer Upper.  I first got hooked on Fixer Upper because the couple intrigued me.  The show is hosted by Chip & Joanna Gaines (and their adorable little family).  They are a hilarious married couple who live on a farm in Waco, Texas and flip homes in the area.  Aside from their fun personalities, I first found the show appealing because Waco is only an hour drive from where I live. 

I love their decorating style, Modern Farmhouse.  Antique farmhouse elements come together with modern touches and cool colors in nearly all of their projects.  Every time I watch the show I find myself lusting over multiple design elements; if not the entire makeover. 

When I found out that The Gaine's were opening a new design store, Magnolia at the Silos, I knew a mini road-trip was in my future.  I set the date on my calendar for the grand opening and counted down. 

The grand opening was a two day event.  I planned on heading down the first day to snag all the good stuff before it was sold out.  Unfortunately we had severe thunderstorms in the area with flooding that day so we did have to postpone our trip to the second day; we knew it would be crazy busy.

Bright and early on Saturday, October 31st I set out to Waco with my mother-in-law and sweet baby boy; it was his first mini road-trip. 

After an hour and a half drive from Fort Worth we arrived at The Silos at the perfect time.  We lucked out with a parking spot close-by and made it into the building before the rope went -up and a long line formed outside The Silos.  The place was so crowded they had to control how many people were in the building at a given time. 

At first sight we were surprised by the crowds, how were we going to get through the building with the stroller?  Then we were slightly disappointed at how small the actual shop was.  But, we found our groove and started strolling through the aisles.  I loved everything in the store but of course I had to pick and choose what I could buy for my home. 

In the end I walked away very happy with a framed chalkboard, magazine bin, milk jug centerpiece, white vase, and comfy t-shirt. 

After a half-hour in line waiting to pay, we were excited to get our things dropped off at the car so we could go back to The Silos for the outdoor farmers market and food truck lunch.  But, just as we were headed back there, it started to rain.  Afraid that my little dude would get wet and cold we decided to not stay and didn't get to enjoy that part.

Magnolia at the Silos is a great shop for cozy home accessories at a great price and I can't wait to drive to Waco to shop again.  Maybe they will have some new things before Christmas?!?! 

Shop online here. 

Missing in Action

I'm back! 

Where did I go? 

Nowhere, I just had a baby and have been adjusting to my new lifestyle and schedule. 

I have missed Gin & Pearls so much and have been eager to get back at it. 

My baby is already five months old and we have gotten into a "swing of things" balancing my new job and taking care of his cuteness.

Hopefully I still have some readers out there and you didn't give up on me just yet.  I have many posts on my mind that I plan on preparing for you all very soon to continue my adventures in life and style.  

xoxo,

Gin & Pearls  

The Collective Brewing Project: Your Craft Beer Hangout

I have been awaiting this post for a very long time now.  Aside from having a baby on the way, the husband and myself have been quite preoccupied the past few years with The Collective Brewing Project.  

Back in 2012 the hubs, Ryan, and one of our best friends, Mike, decided to open a brewery.  Three years later that idea is a reality; a brewery and taproom in the Near Southside district of Fort Worth known as The Collective Brewing Project. 

It was a long process to go from an idea to an actual working facility, but we have officially been open over six months now and business is booming.  

The Building

We didn't want just another warehouse brewery like most Texas breweries are; we wanted a unique space that was comfortable year-round (thank you air conditioning) with a fun vibe.   Being a taproom in addition to a brewery we needed a space that was inviting, a place that you could bring the family to and enjoy a cold beer at.    

After nearly a year of looking for the perfect space we found it in the Near Southside District of Fort Worth, just a few blocks South of downtown and North of Magnolia.  The building was built in the 1920's, which we loved, and has a history of being a paper mill, a church, a tannery, and more.  

The space had been sitting empty for a few decades so it was a mess when we found it.  We spent the long hot summer of 2014 renovating the space by ourselves, which was not easy.  We destroyed, built, and re-modeled the 4,700 square foot building. 

The bar was meticulously built from the ground-up using a combination of steel, metal, and old ship-lap, that we re-purposed from a closet within the building.  The exposed brick walls were cleaned-up and all the old broken windows were replaced.  

As you enter the building you find yourself in the taproom; bar to the left and plenty of seating ranging from handmade high top tables to stained picnic tables.  Edison bulbs hang from industrial cords wrapped around wooden beams, the taproom wall is covered in a selection of beers handwritten on chalkboards, and string lights lace in and out of the exposed ceiling beams and air ducts.  

As you walk past the taproom you are greeted by the brew-house, where the magic happens.  The walls are lined in beautiful stainless steel tanks and dozens of re-purposed barrels, housing fermenting beer (Please Don't Touch Our Bungholes).  Complete with a puppy friendly patio out back, it is the perfect taproom/brewery for the neighborhood.

The Beer

The reason to have a brewery in the first place...the beer.  My husband Ryan, the head brewer, makes some of the best beer I have ever had.  No, I am not saying that because I am biased, I truly believe it.  His beer is damn good!  

We have three 'beer concepts' at The CBP, Standard Pours, Taproom Projects, and a Funkytown Series.  

The Standard Pours are our everyday beers that started us off.  We most always have our Mustache Rye'd Rye Porter, Tropic Thunder Green Tea Saison, and Pale Galaxy Session IPA.  Other Standard Pours at times have been our Apes in Space Apricot IPA and Fantastikolsch.  

As we move into the Taproom Projects we get a little bit more creative and selective.  These are our experimental beers that are brewed for a one-time limited edition release, or brewed multiple times because of overwhelming demand.  Our Brown IPA has made its way onto the projects board more than once.  We have also offered beers such as the Citra Citrus Elderflower Wheat, Mr. Green Pale Ale, and What's the Angle of Your Galangal?  Thai Spiced Wit.  

The Funkytown Series is what we have made our mark on the town with.  Making a name for Sour beer in the DFW Metroplex, the Funkytown Series is all about wild yeast, brettanomoyces, and barrel fermentation.   Our Petite Golden Sour is our most popular beer; both at the taproom and in local beer watering holes around DFW.  Our most recent 'baby' is our Sour Red aged in Cabernet Barrels, as well as our Farmhouse Belma Brett Saison Dry-Hopped with Belma.  These beers are very limited and AMAZING. 

Ryan and Mike (with a little bit of me) have been friends for over twenty years and share a love for craft beer.  What they have created in the heart of Fort Worth is a craft beer experience like no other.  They have put their blood, sweat, and tears into The Collective Brewing Project, and it does not go unnoticed the second you take a step into the taproom or a cold CBP beer touches your lips.  

With the help of Ben, our cellarman, as well as an amazing taproom staff of friends, The Collective Brewing Project is a brewery that will long indulge craft beer lovers. 

Come out to the taproom for a few beers with friends or family, or even by yourself, and enjoy the atmosphere.  Whether you want to sit at the bar and strike-up a conversation with the bartenders about our Crowler machine, play a round of giant jenga with your best friend, or sit on the patio with a few half pints and a bag of kettle chips, The CBP is a great hangout.  

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Follow The CBP on facebook, twitter, and instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest events including:

Trivia Night

Yoga & Beer

Live Music and Food Trucks

Festivals

Bikes- Beer- Donuts- Coffee

#funkytownbeer 

Adventures in Pregnancy

I am officially almost done being pregnant; with my due date in a mere 17 days the end is in sight.  It has been a very long 9 1/2 months; in a sense I feel like my life has been put on hold since September.  And of course being so close to the due date I am super uncomfortable, sleep terrible, and ready to meet our little man.  

 I have a lot to do in the next 17 days to prepare for baby boy Tucker's arrival, but the hubby and myself are so excited to see our baby boy for the first time and to bring him home. 

A lot has happened in the past few months...

we painted the nursery, we had our baby showers, we spent a ton of money on baby stuff, we set-up the nursery, we decorated the nursery, we got an outside ultrasound done, I have been to tons of doctors appointments, attended birthing classes, have read some baby literature, pre-registered at the hospital, and much more.  

We still have some organization to do to the house before his arrival, as well as a deep cleaning of the house, and a few more baby purchases, but we are mostly ready.  Luckily I have the next couple of weeks to get it all done.  

Our baby boy has been doing very well, he is measuring perfectly, head-down like he should be, and moves like crazy all the time.  His favorite thing to do is move his little feet under my ribs so you can see his bony heels poking out of my belly- so cute.  His daddy loves to talk to him and tell him how loved he is.  

Our dog, Roxy, is definitely aware of his presence.  She loves to follow me around the house, even to the bathroom; I have a new shadow that won't leave my side- haha.  She also loves to go into Tucker's room and stare out the windows; we always find her there when we get home. 

We find ourselves daydreaming about Tucker being here and all the fun we will have as a family.  Our lives are about to change drastically, and while it can be a little scary to think about at times, we are looking forward to all the new adventures in front of us and can't wait to experience them all. 

Drink of the Week #13: Green Moss

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day I give you a delicious green drink.  No, it's not green beer, or a margarita, or even a mojito, it's a healthy breakfast smoothie. 

The hubs and I enjoy a little bit of moss every morning for breakfast.  A refreshing blend of fruit, green vegetables, almond milk, and some heart-healthy seeds is a way to start the day feeling great.

The base for Green Moss is Spinach; we tried Kale a few times but it yields a grittier-vegetable character that we aren't a fan of in our moss.  The addition of banana gives the moss a creamy character while the peaches, my favorite ingredient, give a vibrant acidity and fill-out the moss.  Any fruit can be used of course, but after trying different variations of berries, pineapple, and more, peaches win everytime.  

To add a boost of health to the moss we add flax seeds and chia seeds.  Not only do the seeds add protein, fiber, and omega-3s to the drink, but they are also heart-healthy (just make sure you have a quality blender or the seeds won't breakdown).  

The last component is some liquid.  You could simply use water, but water takes away flavor, so we add almond milk and fresh-squeezed 100% orange juice.  Any milk works, soy and cashew also add a great flavor component. 

 A quick, easy, deliciously healthy green breakfast, or even afternoon pick-me-up.  Green Moss is my favorite green beverage hands-down.