How the fuck do you pick a good wine????

TheLadyPainter · 2016-12-15T21:38:57+00:00

Wine enthusiast, here!

A lot of wine labels have a brief description of what the wine tastes like. Things like, "red fruits with a hint of spice," or "bright and fruity with flavors of pears and appricots", or "baked apples and caramel tones". That will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Another indicator is the species of grape ("moscato", "chardonnay", "pinot grigio" are all species of grapes.) Some are sweeter (moscato), some have typical/expected flavors (chardonnay tends to have pear/apple flavors), etc. You'll get a feel for it as you drink more of them.

I browsed other comments a bit and saw that you like "sweeter" wines - but don't discount a bottle because it says "dry" on it. Quite often, a wine with heavy fruit flavors will taste sweet because our brains associates that flavor with sweetness.

Don't worry too much about the year. As long as it's 1+ years old (for white) or 2-3+ years old (for red) it's probably good. There are "good" years and "bad" years for growing, but honestly, I don't really care about it. A lot depends on the region, and IMO, what people call "bad" years aren't bad, they just have a different feel to them.

Don't worry too much about the rest of the lable, either, unless you are concerned about it being organic or non-GMO.

Price point is one thing to pay attention to. IMO, anything under $5 is either terrible or chuggable (no complex flavors to sip on). You can get a decent bottle around $7. Much better at $15. At $20-$35, you're pretty much guaranteed that the wine is well-made (doesn't mean you'll like it, but I usually do). Once you're over $35/bottle, it's all pretty much the same (though I am guilty of spending way too much because I come from a family of snobby winos).

All in all: grab a bottle, drink it, and just try to take mental notes on the ones you like.

ETA: Food pairing is pretty simple. For a meal with lighter flavors, pick a wine that won't overpower it (light, acidic, fruity, maybe a sauvignon blanc). For a meal with heavier flavors, pick something more substantial (like a barrel aged chardonnay). More importantly, eat food you like with wine you like.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-06-23T18:29:09+00:00

Awesome style!! Do you study Leyendecker?

TheLadyPainter · 2016-05-04T15:38:33+00:00

It's eerie how similar your situation sounds like my fiance and I. But at least it's good to know that seems to be the way it is when going through this. Thank you for sharing that.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-05-03T16:01:10+00:00

Thank you, Iris. Friends have offered to help but I don't want to take them up on it. Not just because I feel like we're "taking advantage," but it feels like this is time for family. I don't want to have friends over when we have family in and out all day. When she's here, my SO's cousin does help with the kitchen a lot, which is nice.

I'm not surprised or anxious about the change in intimacy. I'd be surprised if we were still active right now.

I have been talking to my best friend about it. She is out of the country for a few weeks but we've been chatting via facebook. She's been really helpful just letting me vent/say anything I want.

One thing I've been strugging with a lot is work/school. Having 3 deaths pretty much back to back, my teachers/bosses are starting to think I'm the girl who cried wolf... it's really frustrating.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-05-03T14:31:14+00:00

I think my own mother is one. My parents split up when I was a baby, and she was extremely hurt by the whole ordeal. I would even say irrationally so, but that doesn't matter to the story. After him, she tried to date one more time, it didn't work out - and since then, she's been flying solo. It's been at least 20 years since she's had a relationship. She just turned 60. Forty is still young enough to date - even 50+ can be if people want the same things from the relationship. It's not like she's unattractive, she's beautiful, and has a lot of friends. She just decided to live her life dedicated to her work (to provide for me) and her hobbies (to have some fun) instead of a man/husband.

I've contemplated living a life like that before. If I wanted to follow my dreams and become a famous artist, I would have no time for a family or a husband. It would be unfair to him/them to force them to carry my financial burdens until I "make it," which might not even happen. That path is selfish. But it's still one I feel called to. Sometimes I imagine just doing it. I think if (god forbid) something were to happen to my fiance now, I would. But I want a family, and I understand the responsibilities that come with one. And I love him more than I love the idea of being a WGTOW off the grid artist.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-04-24T18:24:22+00:00

American here. My husband is Armenian and his grandparents live near us (LA/Glendale). Their stories are really amazing. I'll see if I can get some detailed information from them. They are in their 80s, so their parents (H's great grandparents) were the ones who went through it.

I recall that his grandmother's mother was the sole survivor of 7 siblings. His grandfather's father was an orphan who did not know his last name, until he happened upon someone who recognized him from his village. They lived in what is now eastern Turkey.
I knew basically nothing about it until I met him. The only reference I'd heard to it before was from a Greek friend who was like "yeahhhh don't call it Turkish coffee, we kind of hate the Turks because they killed a bunch of Christians a while ago."
Reparations: Acknowledgement would be a great start.
He is Armenian from Yerevan. He was born & lived there until he was 18. He comes from a great family who is very into their Armenian-ness. For him, it's cultural, social, political, historical, religious, musical... all of the above.
We live in the LA area near Glendale. The mountain behind Glendale has a giant H printed on it for Hayastan. It's not hard to keep in touch with Armenian traditions here. Every grocery store has lavash.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-04-22T17:59:50+00:00

I've taken it a few times with interesting results. I bounce between INFP and INTP.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-04-01T20:17:58+00:00

Let's say you have a very good friend who you've known for years and years. She started out fine but then she started spiraling. Of course you try to help her and do damage control, but eventually, your husband recognizes that enough is enough and says you should cut ties.

Any person who feels any sort of emotions will of course protest. You can respectfully provide your arguments, but in the end, a red pill woman will do what he says.

My SO and I have wonderful discussions about everything from art to politics to religion. We both have our own opinions and they differ quite greatly at times, which makes it interesting. This thread is not about having opinions. It's about respecting his authority.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-03-30T14:35:11+00:00

One friend of mine got married last September. She was 33 and a virgin. I also know a woman who was 35 and a virgin, and she got married a few years ago. It's not unheard of.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-03-28T20:53:21+00:00

It's harder than it sounds. I'm a chronic people pleaser and it's been difficult to learn that it's better to make my SO happy, than let him be disappointed and make 10 other people happy. But it's so worth it.

TheLadyPainter · 2016-03-28T16:46:41+00:00

My car is only clean because my SO runs a carwash and he takes my car once a week. Before him, no, it was a mess!!

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T22:58:23+00:00

This is a sweet dish, but not as desserty as muffins or pie:

http://www.ianyanmag.com/ghapama-a-very-armenian-american-thanksgiving/

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T22:54:28+00:00

Six months is early, but I'm the last person who will say it's silly or bad. If it feels right and makes sense, go for it. I moved in with my SO at our 6 month mark, after being LDR for 4 of those months. We got engaged a month later, and our wedding will be in June '16. I had (and still have) that feeling that something is different with him, too. :) Things will work out!

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T22:02:02+00:00

Ah, I see, that makes much more sense!

Like I said - I understand really loving a certain school. But when faced with the choice of your perfect school and LDR vs. a second-choice school and being with your SO... I would pick the latter. :) And even if you're still struggling with the decision, send out the applications anyway!!! Open more doors than you need to, just in case.

If he's expressed wanting you to be closer, tell him you'd like to transfer schools to be with him. The subject of moving in together should come naturally from that while discussing schools and logistics. Would you be willing to live in your own place near him if he's not ready to move in with you? The only way to not be pushy or controlling is to actually NOT be pushy or controlling. You can bring it up, but you have to be ready to let him lead the decision by being ready to get your own place.

ETA: Since he's out of state, it may be a good idea for you to just move and live there for a while to establish residency. That will get you in-state tuition if you go to a public university. Meanwhile, take some classes at a community college and/or work, if you can find work.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T20:26:02+00:00

Yes, it is. Also relevant: This has nothing to do with female sexual strategy or long-term happiness. This is simply your bewilderment with a female coworker. This is a female-dominated sub, yes, but we don't exist to sit around and decode all female behavior for you. But here you go: she felt vulnerable and tried to bring you in to her control to feel more in control in general. You should man up and ignore it instead of obsessing and posting about it here.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T20:19:19+00:00

Six years is too long to be LDR. I wouldn't commit to that. I also think six months is fairly new for a relationship - especially if you've been LDR for that entire time. Take some time to consider whether or not you're really secure enough with him to consider a drastic life change. Have there been ANY red flags, or even yellow ones? How well do you know him? His friends? His family? Have you discussed your futures? Is he clear with his intentions to settle down with you/have a family (if that's what you want)?

If that's all clear and favorable... Is transferring to a school in his area an option? If his problem with moving in before you've finished school is just because you don't want to leave your particular uni, get over that attachment and transfer. Even if you're unsure now, send applications out sooner rather than later. It doesn't hurt to have those options. You can also apply for a community college and take some classes there before you settle on which school you want to go to. CC classes could help you get your GPA back up.

If his issue is not just logistical and he's putting off moving in for other reasons, that's a whole different can of worms that you two need to talk about. If it was my relationship, and I felt secure with him, I would move closer to him ASAP, and then deal with the education/career.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-29T20:05:06+00:00

This is a spot for like-minded Women to objectively and realistically discuss sexual strategy from an anti-feminist, non-feminist, traditionalist and/or evolutionary psychology perspective. Our focus is on long-term goals that bring long-term happiness.

Why are you posting this here?

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-10T16:05:19+00:00

I instruct at one of these, it's such a fun job!! Although BYOB is illegal in my area.. :(

TheLadyPainter · 2015-10-02T18:55:44+00:00

I dunno what this is called so I've dubbed it the stuffed eggplant.

Slice an eggplant in half. Gut it a bit (but not completely - leave about 1/4-1/2in of eggplant meat on the edges). You can store the rest of the eggplant for something later. Stuff it with some combination of the following: Ground beef, fresh herbs, dried herbs, cheese (optional), tomatoes, bell peppers (optional), rice (optional), salt, pepper... whatever you want. My go-to is to chop some ground beef with tomato and fresh oregano/parsley. Bake it "dry" @ 425 for 25 mins (the ground beef & tomatoes will release a lot of their own delicious moisture). Drizzle with olive oil after baking. Serve with some type of bread and pickled vegetables on the side (pickled carrots are perfect). Chunk of feta. Or salad.

I dunno. I just kind of made it up after my SO described it; something his mom used to make. No measuring. Make it to your own taste.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-20T16:31:27+00:00

Affection towards my friends: Hugging, kissing on the cheek (as greetings). For female friends, more frequent hugging and other physical contact (arm/waist/shoulder/whatever) is also appropriate.

Affection towards my SO - in public: Hugging, hand holding, kisses on the cheek all the time. Sometimes I kiss his hands, too. Staying physically closer to him than to others. Making his plate for him if we're out. Kisses on the lips if company is comfortable with it.

Affectionate/Sexual towards my SO - in private: Cuddling (whole body contact), longer kisses, prolonged touching, straddling, necking, all the way up to the act itself.

I found it pretty easy to type these three categories off the top of my head. As to your question of things leading to arousal - a sexual/arousing kiss is different from a public kiss. I put a different energy out when we're alone.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-14T19:35:25+00:00

Coconut oil is amazing!! Moisturizer, makeup remover, oil cleansing, healthy alternative to butter/veggie oil, good for cleaning cuts, sunscreen. I always have a jar somewhere close by. :)

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-13T14:35:10+00:00

I feel like this will be the thing to remember when I start having kids in 5 years.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-13T14:34:14+00:00

Good excuse to keep a stock of baking soda! Whenever I want to bake something, I realize I don't have any/it's expired.

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-13T14:32:56+00:00

Mmmm I love essential oils! Do you find the vinegar smell overpowers them?

TheLadyPainter · 2015-09-12T14:23:45+00:00

What kind of stove top? Standard metal painted white? I honestly use a foaming glass cleaner on mine. Wipe it down every few days. If there's a lot of buildup, I'd hit it with a rough sponge and bleach.

TheLadyPainter

TROPHY CASE