Things are happening on the BoozyLife front in California, and the shift has started!
I’m making the move from print blogging to live video streaming–you’ll be able to see FIRST HAND what I’m drinking, what tattoo convention we’re headed to next, our adventures on the road, and meet some VERY cool artists along the way!
So, now the important questions–what do YOU want to see? Wine, tattoo art, tiny houses? Otters? Well?
Comment here, on my FB, or any of the BoozyLife social media platforms…we’ll be getting a schedule plan worked out soon, and if you’d like to be featured? Drop me a line!
I’m here in Santa Rosa this weekend for my third –and most attended–Wine Blogger Conference in Santa Rosa, California!
Keep your eye on my social media channels, including Instagram and Twitter (@BoozyLife), lots of wine tasting and meeting of the minds will be happening, along with writing workshops and networking galore…always fun to meet new bloggers–or, you might know me as the tattooed lady, or as the blue haired girl (it’s platinum at the moment) from the last three years. If you’re here this year, please stop me and say hello!
Moving to California has definitely been fantastic, but we’ve had to make some tough travel decisions and sit out some great tattoo events in 2017. We’re adulting! We’re not homeless! All the good things….but we miss our friends. Friends we enjoy running into and working along side, all over the world.
International artists like Rich Handford, who we see in Montreal, in the States, in Paris at the Mondial du Tatouage Convention–who, this time, had his own show, loaded with a roster of international tattoo talent in Winnipeg!
Sadly, August 18-20th, tattooer husband Lefty and I had to miss the 1st Annual Winnipeg Tattoo Convention, sponsored by Kapala Tattoo and Good Guy Supply.
Organized and promoted in a CRAZY short span of time (about six months) by artist Rich Handford (Instagram @richhandford) and his incredible wife Sheri, they are also proud owners of Kapala Tattoo Winnipeg.
Two more friend and professional tattoo industry couples, Rob and Natalie Jobe (pictured with Rich) along with Lucas and Jaime Ford, are the force behind Good Guy Supply, the second show sponsor. Tattoo supplies for tattoo artists, by other accomplished tattoo artists, of the highest quality!
The dedication, hard work, and tireless effort that it takes a team to put on a convention is gnarly, but in a five month crunch, it would be hard to even imagine the logistics. These folks made it happen in a big way! According to tattoo wife extraordinaire and Winnipeg convention promoter Sheri Handford–
“We’re still married!! We planned an amazing show in 5 months–There was very little that went wrong, and we had an amazing team that helped make everything possible! We all worked tirelessly and it showed–We had plan A, B, C and maybe a D!! We can’t wait to do it again next year! Hopefully you and Eddie will make it, but also glad you’re not homeless!”
With a successful and well received first year behind them, we look forward to Winnipeg Tattoo Convention next year in 2018 for the Molina’s! Congrats to all of the Winnipeg Convention’s crew, team of volunteers, and sponsors for a hugely successful show– we can’t stop hearing glowing reviews from a weekend of tremendous talent–you guys killed it! See you out there!
I’ve been on an unofficial, quasi-forced BoozyLife hiatus this last month! Changing work locations, moving into our tiny house, and general life exhaustion have made everything else a higher priority. I am so happy to say we are starting to settle in, and there will be LOTS of upcoming Paso Robles wine events I’ll be checking in from, plus a quick trip to the Finger Lakes in late September….but, as for this last week…
a boutique, family owned operation, with an adorable four room inn and hall space for events. The owners, Roberto and Kimberly Morelli, are expanding the already gorgeous grounds with a fenced garden–complete with forty year old olive trees that were transplanted this past week! I was lucky enough to be a witness to the process, and take a few ‘as it’s happening’ shots…
Driving Rte 46 from Paso Robles towards Cayucos, you will see several mountain vistas–stop and enjoy the view! Fog was rolling in from the ocean, creating a beautiful layer of clouds between the water and the sky…
These pockets of microclimates are incredibly important for growing grapes, and the temperature between inland and the coast often differs by twenty degrees–Paso might be at 101 degrees Fahrenheit, but Cayucos on the ocean might be in the mid 70’s range. Location is everything!
Something wonderful showed up in SLO, California for me the other day…a box. A box from the Finger Lakes. A box for me, full of wine! A delivery of happy from Ian Barry and family, proprietors of Barry Family Cellars in Burdett, NY…Grapes that I helped hand harvest, the fall before we left the Finger Lakes, now bottled and ready to drink….Chardonnay, Riesling….and of course, the 2016 Rosé of Cabernet Franc…because Rosé is my JAM, and Ian knows that! Lucky Boozy woman that I am…
Barry Family Cellars 2016 Rosé of Cabernet Franc is a light, dry, slightly floral, herbaceous, fruity delight. Pairs beautifully with flavors of tart juicy strawberry and red fruit, bright acidity, and a clean crisp finish. Lovely with a picnic by the pool, at the beach, or on the lake. It was absolutely a perfect match to my spicy Thai Green Curry with chicken–tempered the heat and still held up with a lovely finish. This is a smaller batch wine, so, if you’re in the Finger Lakes, get thee to Barry! You won’t be sorry, and say hi for me…I miss those crazy guys! 3821 Main Street, in tiny Burdett, NY…garagiste winemaking at its best 🍷
This past weekend was the annual Cayucos Sea Glass Festival, a fun weekend on the Central Coast –full of beach glass jewelry, music, wine, and mermaids!
The jewelers and artisans of the juried sea glass portion of the show are the main event, with a dizzying array of jewelry, exclusively featuring beach glass. There were unfortunately no photos allowed in the art tent; however, I did ask to feature a couple of artists, whose pieces especially caught my eye. There was just so much incredible work to see, luckily most have Etsy stores as well.
Kate Samson Design out of San Diego, CA (you can check out her Etsy store here: Kate Samson Design) had some gorgeous pieces, very simple and elegant. My favorites were her heart shaped necklaces in a rainbow of colors, perfect for bridesmaids gifts or matching sister pieces 💙💚💜💛
Kate’s background in graphic design is evident, with clean lines and beautifully structured pieces. Her booth was busy and I had to run, but I’ll be putting my own Etsy order in! Check out some of her rings as well, and if you DO buy anything lovely, tell her BoozyLife sent you!
Suzanne Morgan is the artisan behind Saltwater Silver (SaltwaterSilver on Etsy is on a short break, but you can reach Suzanne through email or be alerted when she’s back), also from San Diego, CA.
I finally ended up buying a pair of her simply styled silver hoops, threaded with silver beads and a lovely piece of pale green blue colored beach glass. She also makes incredible, mermaid scale-like necklaces that held several pieces of beach glass that I wish I could have taken pictures of. Stunning!
I love promoting local artists work, especially from our new coastal location–be it tattoo art, or something that I enjoy and want to share with all of you!
Photo by Cayucos Cellars
Cayucos Cellars was pouring tastings of some of their wines as well, so of course I had to swing by! They are a very local, all family run and operated affair that has been making their wines since the 1980’s–and have continued in the same fashion to today.
I especially liked the 2012 Petit Sirah, an earthy red with lovely deep color, and the fruity, light, easy drinking Zinfandel Rosé. Small batch, family vineyard wines, right here on the Central Coast. Have a look at their website for operating hours at their new tasting room, and more info on their wine club.
One of my passions in this crazy life is the ocean. I fancy myself a landlocked mermaid, and also have a sleeve tattoo expressing my ocean love–complete with a mermaid and little octopus dude!I enjoy exploring the sea life in and around our local areas, and photography is much more fun for me here on the central coast. We have California starfish. STARFISH!!Today was our first hike to the tide pools at Montaña de Oro State Park. Low tide is the best time to check out the pools, so check a tide chart before you go. Anemone, starfish, crabs, mussels, are all visible for a short time when the tides recede.
Anemone in tide pool
Starfish
Gorgeous life inhabit each puddle, but you need to take your time and watch your step.
Not terrible life advice, all in all. It was definitely a bucket list afternoon–Bring a picnic lunch for the view and enjoy!
Here we are–I can’t believe I started this boozy journey FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY!
There have been so many adventures in that relatively short time…and with our recent move to the West Coast, it looks like there will be many more to look forward to…
On this anniversary, I wanted to share FIVE of my favorite posts:
Paris Tattoo Convention 2015 was my first trip to Paris, largest convention I had ever attended (sponsored by MTV and Fender Guitar) and a complete, 100% change in tattooing in an international scale.
FLX Damiani Dry Rhysling Special Release was special because two little boys, from two different families, born with heart issues, inspired their parents to do incredible things–from art to wine–to raise money for other heart babies ❤
HOW TO GET A TATTOO AT A TATTOO CONVENTION –something I get asked constantly–“what happens at a convention? Are they actually TATTOOING PEOPLE?” Why yes…have a look for more tips…
Thank you to everyone reading, following, and adding to the adventure along this Boozy Life!! Here’s to the next travels, wine tastings, and adventures…I look forward to sharing them all with you!
First tattoo convention for this tattoo wife in 2017 (as a visitor) was this past weekend –the 13th annual Bay Area Tattoo Convention…and, as you know, we love our 13’s! Perfect way to start my first year on the West coast….
The Bay Area Tattoo Convention is held at the Hyatt SFO, and the hotel is attached to the convention venue (always nice for an escape to the room or the pool to breathe)
Nick and Ellen Chaboya
The show is on the smaller side, but with a high caliber of artists tattooing. Inspiration is everywhere. Jeff Gogue
The Bay Area convention is put on every year by powerhouse shop State of Grace Tattoo (Taki is the creator of the viral phenomenon Monmon Cats by Horitomo. Molly, his wife and accomplished chef in her own right, is the author of Knives and Needles blog…a very striking companion to The BoozyLife, for sure! Tattoos, food, booze, and travel….hell yes…)
The show itself had smaller crowds on Sunday, undoubtedly due to downpouring rain the in the area.Lefty, Grime, Brian 2017
We were able to walk around, checking out work and goings on, and of course socialize with friends that until now were a Coast away.
This was my first visit to the area, entirely too short, and focused almost entirely on the convention…but we did get to check out Golden Moon Gallery, a stunning new art space in San Mateo.
Operated and curated by SF tattoo artist Nick Chaboya and his lovely wife Ellen, the gallery features work by internationally known artists, including fellow tattooists. Really quite fantastic to see a space for this incredible artwork, crafted by several of our talented friends–from paintings, to jewelry and sculpture, all slightly flavored with tattoo culture, yet vastly different and always changing. We wish them luck and continued success! Can’t wait to explore this region and spend more time on wine 🍷
Organized and promoted in a CRAZY short span of time (about six months) by artist Rich Handford (Instagram 
