REVISITING PUMPKIN BEER

According to Starbucks, it's fall.

But more important than the Pumpkin Spice Latte, my favorite Pumpkin Cider is back on the shelf. Since these awesome pumpkin beers are coming back, I figured it would be worthwhile to take a trip back to one of my favorite posts from last year -- my pumpkin beer review.

Go ahead, check it out, and enjoy some pumpkin beer!

November Recap.

It's already December. I can't believe it and I'm also incredibly relieved. 2012 has been such a terrible year and I can't wait for it to be over. I have big hopes for 2013 (KNOCK ON WOOD).

Even though most of the year has been shitty (no, seriously, this year has been terrible), I've done some really cool things in November.

- I went to Washington D.C.
- I went to Philadelphia.
- I went to Zoo Lights - my favorite winter activity here in Phoenix.

December Goals:
- Stick with my spending diet. (More on this later)
- Sell more books.
- Stick to my running schedule.

And November Instagramming...

1&2: I definitely need a haircut. 3; Simba made a nest. 4; PBR Thanksgiving. 5; Migraine. 6; Does Not Compute. 

I hope everyone else had a good November. I can't wait to knock out December and start 2013.

Happy Halloweenie!

Halloween weekend was kind of a bust for me.

I was really excited about my costume - which, for the record, is incredibly weird because I do not ever dress up. (Last year, I was Frank from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. So, I carried around a Coke can of red wine and wore my glasses).

This year, I was Harry Potter. These are the only pictures to survive (Which is also very typical for me).

But, I actually dressed up and I didn't totally half-ass it, which was one of my 23 for 23 goals.

The costume part was a letdown. And, so was my pumpkin carving.
No one ever told me how hard it is to carve a pumpkin, but I made do.

I obviously wish it came out better, but not bad. And for those that can't tell - it says Feminist KILLJOY.

And, here's Nate's pumpkin.

Tonight, I'll be drinking beer, eating pizza, trick-or-treating with my family, and checking out all the haunted houses in my neighborhood - I've seen two so far.

This popped out at me and I had a bunch of firemen laugh at me for jumping.


Have a safe and happy Halloweenie!

Happy Birthday Mommy.

Today is my Mom's birthday.

My mom, me, and my Aunt on her birthday in 1995. And my Papa hiding on the side with his Coors Light.


My mom and my little brother Nate.


My mom, me, and my Papa on my Graduation in May. (Also noticing how crooked this picture is - my brother is the worst photographer).

My mom is the best. I kept asking if we could go to the new Hooters for her birthday tonight, but she said no. Her loss. Papa, Nate, and I were very excited for some wings and Hooters.

Pumpkin Beer Review

I can't control myself around pumpkin flavored things. I think I might actually turn into a pumpkin this fall. So, everytime I walk through the liquor department at the grocery store, my eyes bulge out of my head and I want to buy ALL the pumpkin beers.

Here is my completely biased reviews on what I've tried so far...

1.

Ace's Pumpkin Cider

Technically not a beer, but delicious nonetheless. Want something that actually tastes like pumpkin without all those nutmegy spices? This is your drink. It's sweet and goes down easy. I think I've converted most of my friends. Also, this is gluten-free. Only bad thing? It's difficult to find. I haven't ever been able to find it in my regular grocery store and I have to go to one particular liquor store that I know always has it in the fall. And it's a little more expensive, but definitely worth it. 10/10.

2.

Blue Moon's Harvest Moon

This was my first ever pumpkin beer. I tried it immediately after turning 21 and I fell in love. I ran out and bought a 12-pack. It's still delicious and I always recommend it to people. Very easy to find - I get it at both grocery stores by my house. And, the price isn't too bad. It does not have a distinct pumpkin flavor - there's definitely more of the spices, but it's really good. 9/10

3.

Punk'n

First off, the name is adorable and the label is really well done. Those were the first things that caught my eye. Also, this was way cheaper than Sam Adam's pumpkin beer, so that's why I got a 6-pack of this at the grocery store instead of trying Sam Adams. Definitely not a strong pumpkin flavor, but it's a delicious beer nevertheless. It's pretty dark and I really enjoy it. It's a really good ale despite the lack of pumpkin. 8/10

4.

Four Peaks' Pumpkin Porter

This dark and delicious beer is my favorite actual pumpkin beer. However, I HATE going to Four Peaks - parking sucks and it's humid inside (YES, I know it's a brewery, but I just don't like being in there). But, I always try to make it in to buy a growler of this seasonal favorite. I cannot recommend it enough. 10/10

Not a Pumpkin beer, but still a fall flavor...

Harvest Moon Caramel Apple Spiced Ale

I think the problem was that my expectations were high. I love Blue Moon, so I was thinking I just got myself a new fall favorite. But alas, this was terrible. I tried pawning it off on my family and they weren't having any of it. There's no flavor whatsoever. I have 3 left in my fridge from the fall variety pack if anyone wants them. I don't think I can handle drinking it again. 0/10

I definitely want to try the Sam Adams pumpkin beer this year. Any other pumpkin favorites you think I should try? Let me know.

weekend review.

Things from this weekend:

- I finally caught up on Downton Abbey.

- I love pumpkin bagels.

- Still training for that 5K, guys.

- And, it's always a bad decision to go to Mill on a Saturday night after a home football game.

Pumpkin Spice VIA.

Fall is my favorite time of year, even though I live in Arizona and I don't get to see the leaves change colors. But, I do get to enjoy all things pumpkin. Pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin cider, pumpkin bagels. I love it all.

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice lattes are my favorite, but I can only get a few because they're so expensive. This year, Starbucks introduced Pumpkin Spice VIA - instant coffee. It recommends you use hot milk, but hot water works just fine. And, it's a lot cheaper than the Pumpkin Spice latte.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still be splurging on a few Pumpkin Spice lattes this fall, but for a cheap, pumpkin fix, I love the VIA.

Fall Wishlist.

Striped Maxi Dress from Lulu's - $41

J.Crew Matchstick jeans - $120

Raygun GOP shirt - $19

In God We Trust necklace - personalized with "Men Are Disgusting" - $60




Button Thigh-High Socks in grey - $14