I picked up “The Interestings” at the LA Times Festival of Books a while back and have enjoyed escaping into Meg Wolitzer’s intricate, human, and damn funny world. “The Interestings” starts in the summer of 1974 with a group of 15 year-olds huddled together in a teepee at an art camp called Spirit in the Woods. This newly formed crew vows to fulfill their creative destinies as grown ups, calling themselves “The Interestings.” In their trajectory into adulthood, as it does for many, creative dreams work out for some, and not for others. Wolitzer’s humorous and witty take at what it means to face reality as an adult makes for a great read. Add a glass of wine from a bottle designed by Proof Wine Collective and you’ve reached perfection.
My wine pairing with “The Interestings” has nothing to do with the actual wine, but rather the bottle. I look to Proof Wine Collective, a very hip design company that creates killer wine packaging and labels. San Luis Obispo based Proof Wine Collective started with wino artists Josh McFadden and Philip Muzzy, who make true works of art out of their wine bottles.
Angeles Forest Hike and Underwood Pinot Gris
Let’s talk about the Angeles Forest and some good ol’ Pinot Gris.
This past Sunday, the boy and I decided to take a trek out to the Angeles Forest for a morning hike to the Cooper Canyon Waterfalls, a 700 foot descent totaling in a 2 mile hike round trip. When we reached the waterfall, we sat down on a few boulders, unwrapped our turkey sandwiches and cracked open our cans of Underwood Pinot Gris. Drinking on the go was never easier…uh-oh.
What I love about Union Wine Company is their strict “pinkies down” rule. This doesn’t stray away from how quality their wine is. The Pinot Gris was perfect, especially after cooling it in the waterfall.

Joshua Tree and Whiskey Hot Chocolate
Ain’t it a beauty? Joshua Tree. The desert Dr. Seuss illustration that never was, it is a stunning, funky looking place. I love coming to Joshua Tree on weekends because it’s so close to LA, but couldn’t be a more different environment. After days of traffic, smog, and chia seeds (or whatever people in LA are eating these days), an escape to Joshua Tree is the perfect getaway.
This past year I’ve been camping a lot more than I have in the past, and my boyfriend always brings around an odd, but satisfying fireside drink. Whiskey and hot chocolate! I thought it was a weird concoction at first, but now it’s synonymous with camping to me. I know, a detour from wine, but sometimes winos drink whiskey too!