
Work Play and Chardonnay: January Round-up
Happy February! I hope you have enjoyed your 1/12th of 2019 so far! I’m still trying to figure out how 31 days can go by in what seems like Spaceballs-level “Ludicrous Speed.”
Here are some of the things that have been going on in the Work Play and Chardonnay world throughout the month that didn’t really lend themselves to full-blown blog posts. Or in some cases…too tired to write about them (6.2 miles is a lot, Y’all!)
Monthly Race Report
One of my goals in 2019 is to complete a race a month. Midway through 2018, I signed up for the 10k that was a part of Disney’s Marathon Weekend. At the time of registration, I had every intention to train…
I didn’t train. Not one lick.
But instead of letting the $125 (Disney ain’t cheap) turn into dust, Jared very kindly offered to drive me to the race at 3:30 IN THE MORNING to keep me accountable. When my alarm went off at 2:45 that day, the devil and angel that reside on my shoulders battled royale about getting out of bed. But having the support of such a sweet man made me drag myself out of bed to pull on ALL THE LAYERS for the 40-degree Orlando weather.
Race #1 wasn’t even close to being a PR, but I finished. Thankfully, the Run 4 Love in February doesn’t have such an early start time!


DryISH January and the Sinful Sandwich
I was successful in completing my 10k but not so much “Dry January.” So it is now being referred to as “Dryish January.” Putting an end to my “dry spell” with rosé at Wine Bar George was well worth it. Adding a BLT sandwich coated in a cheese sauce made going bad feel oh so good. No ragrets.
Sorry not sorry, Grammarly. I’m using the We are the Millers spelling of “regrets.”


Membership Has Its Privileges
If you’ve been a regular reader of Work Play and Chardonnay (thank you!!), you know that I am a fan of attending classes at Leu Gardens in Orlando. If you are new to WPC (welcome!), here are a couple of posts here and here about my cheese and wreath-making experiences at the Gardens.
After attending a couple of classes and a Jazz Stroll at Leu last year, I finally realized that I was doing it all wrong. A membership to the Gardens allows you to enjoy nature all year long while providing discounts to on-site events and classes. So guess who is a member now and paying less for classes? ME!!!!

Instagram Discovery
Instagram has been bombarding me with ads for weighted blankets and cosmetics lately. I haven’t hit “shop now” for the blanket YET, but I’ve got a few more pieces of makeup in my Amazon version of Caboodles. The brand that I am so, so, so happy to have recently Insta-discovered? FR & Company – a shop based in a Missouri that has an online boutique featuring women’s apparel, home decor, and gifts. I can’t wait to use my new F&R tote at the local Farmer’s Market and Tim’s Wine Shop!

WPC Chardonnay of the Month
A friend of mine introduced me to Meiomi Pinot Noir a couple of years ago. Although I am not much of a red wine drinker, I became a fan of the winery. So when I saw Meiomi Chardonnay at my local grocery store, I had to pick it up (sadly I didn’t use my new tote!).
I do love me some wine corks, but sometimes a twist-off cap just makes my oenophile life a wee bit easier. Seriously…I waited tables for five years and would pay other servers to open wine for me. It’s like Meiomi just knows me(iomi). Their Chard is fruit forward, not oaky. It’s on the cusp of being too sweet, but somehow they reined in the sugar just right (for me). I didn’t pair it with anything other than a rainy day. It made staying inside a little sweeter.

January Blog Post Round-up
2019 Food & Wine Hopes and Dreams
How was your January? Have you stuck to your resolutions? Or have you “Ish’d” some like I did with “Dry January”? Let me know in the Comments Section below!
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
P.S. Nothing within this post is sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own.


30 Comments
Momica
I had to laugh (hard) at the “no ragrets.” I’m so happy you use that term too. I’ve been saying it since I saw the movie years ago. People think I’m ignorant. Now I see that I’m, in fact, in very good company. Thanks for the January recap. I would like someone to write a life recap for me. It would be like having Cliff Notes to help me remember stuff I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten. Keep these blogs coming. They brighten my day.
lauriegannon1
You are always such wonderful company! No ragrets. Ever!!
I think your version of life recaps is your scrapbooking! You turn moments in your life into artwork!!!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
“no ragrets” – best!
Sounds like you had a great month if you ask me – I don’t think I would have gotten up when my alarm went off that morning to do the 10K!!! Good for you!!
John Mulindi
This looks an interesting wine, I need to check out. Time to take some enjoyable moment.
Joanna
My january was busy and full, I wasn’t home too much. And February started the same, I’m on a plane tomorrow, already. Good that you went to the race and finished, even if you didn’t train. That’s an achievement!
natalielovesbeauty
I’ve been seeing weighted blankets all over social too! I’m close to getting sucked into getting one.
lauriegannon1
There are two things holding me back from getting a weighted blanket – price and being able to wash the blanket at home. I think a weighted blanket might be a bit too much for my washing machine. I might have to invest in a washboard!! 🙂
Amber
It sounds like you had a great January. I might have to try out a run at Disney at some point. I hate to run, but if it’s at Disney, I think I’d be okay with it.
Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
My January has been cold and slow. I need some play like this and want to be outside more.
CANDACE
OMG that BLT sandwich looks heavenly lol I have to admit that I’m a junky for good food and Chardonnay. Can’t get over that bell!! I need it in my life.
Xo
Candace
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
lauriegannon1
Hi!!! The BLT was soooo good!
I got the champagne bell at World Market. I ring the bell all the time and all I get is crickets. 🙂
AnotherFoodBlogger
With a name like work play Chardonnay I wouldn’t expect you to last a whole month without some Chardonnay!! I keep trying and then the weekend comes or the toddler is a toddler and then where’s that wine……
lauriegannon1
Hahahah! I really tried! And then…I wanted the darn wine. So I drank the darn wine.
I don’t have a toddler but I could imagine that a toddler being a toddler would equal Pinot Grigio for me. 🙂
Nabanita Dhar
My January hasn’t been that great but then it wasn’t bad either, I guess. I love that tote though. So hard to find good bags. Sigh!
Cristina Pop
Sounds like you had a full month. January was for me cold and slow :)) I can’t wait for spring to be here already.
Kiwi
I actually have stuck to my resolutions. Making sure to manifest everyday!
HolyVeggies
that sandwich looks so yummy, I wish I could take a bite 🙂
Dalene Ekirapa
My January has been great- ticking some goals off because I’m already done with them. And seems you need to buy one of those blankets since Instagram has decided to bring up those ads lol!
successunscrambled
Your month of January sounded amazing. I cannot even remember what happened in January, haha! I’m so glad that you got up to run the race, I am feeling so proud of you.
Laura Beth
January was crazy for us! Enjoying our dogs and their daily adventures, blogging, chipping away at one of my four fiction WIPs, slowly paying off credit card debt, birthday celebrations – Oh my!
lauriegannon1
That’s a very, very full January!! Oh my, indeed!!!
TheSuperMomLife
It sounds like you had quite a month! I would love to run a marathon one day.
lauriegannon1
A marathon would be quite the feat! My longest race was a half marathon. I think those days are LONG over.
Corinne ❄️ (@WhatCorinneDid)
I didn’t do dry january due to some occasions where I drank but I am doing dry february! january was sill crazy!
lauriegannon1
Dry February is only 28 days! I almost made it 28 days in January! Good luck!
Christine
I love a good Chardonnay so I’ll try this one! Love your sense of fun!
delhifundos2014
Our January was super amazing. Started this month with a long trip. Our 2019 is going so good so far. Completed our first goal.
Sarah Meh
It seems you’ve had a nice month. I like the way you do cardio 🙂 Activities are good for health, we should keep our daily activities enjoyable.
blair villanueva
Glad you enjoyed your January! And time flies so fast it’s February now!
You gave us tips which wine to try next.
Traci Frett
I love the title of your post – it’s so creative!