Lauren Bessette

Name Alloy Wine Works Varietal Pinot Noir Region California Central Coast Country USA Year 2014 Price $8.99 (500ml) Canned wine. It is a thing, and I like it. The concept started in Australia about 20 years ago, and it is just now making some big moves over here in the States. I have heard some buzzing about this new trend and had to try it out! There weren't too many options at the wine shop down the street, but they had this Alloy Wine Works Pinot Noir on a special display.

First big exam of the semester under the belt! Woohoo! We typically have our exams on Mondays, so I make Monday my "day off." Aside from the exams, they are always my favorite day of the week! I make sure I leave all of my notes at school or in my backpack, and I focus all my time on anything BUT school. This past week, we went on a picnic and it was so fun! I have always loved picnics, and with the weather finally cooling down (like under 100 degrees), it was time to gather

You are either thinking one of two things... "People really eat those things?!" or "Holy cow, those are huge!" And the answer to both is YES! They are sooo good and these are the biggest frog legs I have ever seen. Now, I did not grow up eating frog legs. I think I tried them for the first time soon after we moved to Louisiana when I was 14. I remember everyone saying "they taste like chicken!" and they really do. I think the best way to describe them would be like juicy, dar

Name Casal Garcia Varietal Trajadura, Loureiro, Arinto, and Azal Region Vinho Verde Country Portugal Year 2015 Price $7.65 This is my ultimate go-to wine for so many reasons. It is a young wine (hence the name) with slight effervesce, making it so refreshing and delicious! It is minerally and dry, with citrus notes. The classic "patio pounder." It hails from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, which is famous for...you guessed it, Vinho Verde. There are many grape varietals t

Oh the things you will see while driving down Route 66! This was our first stop in Addison's surprise 18th birthday trip. Our mom woke her up super early with a bag already packed and dropped her off at the airport without telling her where she was going. When she realized her ticket said Amarillo, TX, I don't think she was any less confused. Ha! We drove down and surprised her at the airport and set off on our Southwest road trip! Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation

If you know me at all, you know I swear by Blue Apron. We have been getting deliveries once a week, since January, and it is like Christmas every Wednesday afternoon. I have such a busy schedule, so it is SO nice to have my groceries planned out and delivered right to my door! Each week, you choose 3 of the 6 recipe choices, and you get fresh, in-season ingredients, with everything perfectly pre-portioned for each meal delivered on whichever day is best for you. It is serious

Name Olivares Varietal Monastrell Region Jumilla Country Spain Year 2015 Price $9.57 I am loving everyone's new found love for rosé lately! It was long overdue. I remember the first time a glass of rosé was offered to me. My initial reaction was "No way. I am not drinking that sweet pink wine that every housewife in '95 guzzled while making the latest casserole recipe." I think a lot of people have that reaction...maybe not quite as dramatic. But let me tell you, times have c

I have never been a big fan of getting up before the sun. It's just not right. As I set my alarm last night for 4:45am, I momentarily questioned all my life choices. As my alarm went off, I of course pressed snooze...twice. Woke up at 5:15 in a panic, and jumped into the shower. This is a typical morning for me. I struggle with becoming a morning person every. single. day. I am still determined to make it happen! Here are a few things I do to make my early mornings a little m

I love pasta. I could pretty much eat it every single day, but somehow I found the only guy in the world that doesn't really like pasta and decided to live with him! Ha! Since he is out of town this week, I have indulged in my fair share of heaping bowls of pasta. This creamy lemon pappardelle being one of them. You can make this with any kind of noodle, but I love the look and feel of these extra wide noodles. I like this recipe because it has simple ingredients, and it is r

Staying motivated during medical school can be really tough. There are many days that all I want to do is just sit on the couch and binge watch Law & Order: SVU and snuggle my pup, when I really need to be studying. Here are a few tips on how to keep yourself motivated----even when that light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight. 1. Take breaks. When I make my study plan for each week, I always schedule breaks. It is important for me to have something to look forward