Happy Weekend!

Hello weekend, I thought you'd never get here. This week was loong, and left me a bit worse for wear. I may have caught cold! I'm one of those annoying "I never get sick" types, so I'm not very good at it. I think I can keep doing what I normally do, yeah running is totally good for chest congestion, I think not. So this weekend will be a far cry from the last, but I'm set on making the most of it regardless.

What do you all have planned? I'd love to hear.

See you monday, I hope the link love will hold you over til then. xo!

The most famous shoes ever? Perhaps.

Call me, maybe?

We are so small ... doesn't this just make you feel lucky to be here?

This story restored my faith in people just a little bit.

Wake the F*CK Up!

Want to create healthier habits?

60 years of marriage, yowza.

Oh, Diana.

It's almost the weekend ...

let's celebrate!

French 75 Popsicles

yield: 10 popsicles (plus a little bit left over to drink! heeye)

• 12 oz. of champagne
• 4 oz. of cognac or gin 
• 4 oz. of simple syrup
• 3 oz. of fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients together into a large measuring cup, then evenly distribute into popsicle molds, leaving about 1/4 inch of room at the top. (You’ll have around 3 oz. left over after filling the molds.)

Image and recipe via. 

Friday's Find

You may be aware that cold brewed coffee is the rage du jour. I was introduced to the craze by my sweet friend Christine who had recently purchased a Toddy Coffee maker, and in her enthusiasm convinced me (unintentionally) to order my own. Boom.

So what's good about cold brewed coffee? It's less acidic, less bitter, has less cholesterol, is smoother, and (surprisingly) more concentrated than other types of brewed coffee. Plus, you make a bunch at a time and it keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. When you're ready to consume it, you just mix a bit of the coffee concentrate with hot or cold water and a bit of cream/sugar to taste. Here's how it works:

You follow the set-up instructions (duh), then layer water and coffee grounds (12 ounces of grounds total) in the brewing container.

Let sit and brew for at least 12 hours - I usually do all of the above in the evening and let sit over night. After it's brewed, pull the stopper out of the container and let the coffee drip into the pitcher. You may or may not have an audience for this step.

The pitcher will fill up with delicious coffee and you are ready to enjoy! super nummy ...

Top image via, others via yours truly.

Thursday's Tidbit

This is what a feminist looks like:

Yep, I am a feminist and I'm not afraid to say it. It's funny, I used to talk about it a lot more. At university, I referred to myself as a lipstick feminist, because like you can like totally be a feminist and be like totally cute and like love to party. It must be siad that I went to school in San Diego.  

Recently I read How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran and was inspired to start talking about this again. Because A. Caitlin Moran is a bad ass, and B. it seems like women are more and more hesitant to claim feminism, like it became a dirty word somehow synonymous with man-hater. Or maybe we think that it's unnecessary at this point, not true: women still don't earn equal pay for equal work with men and our reproductive rights are constantly under fire, just scratching the surface here.

According to Moran: “[Feminism’s] a word that’s sadly been hijacked. People think it just means an angry lady who hates all men and dresses very badly and probably hasn’t had sex for awhile. Whereas of course feminism is a very simple and straightforward thing: it just simply means being equal to boys. That’s such a lovely and beautiful and revolutionary idea.

As an old hag of 37, I became very sad when I met people from the younger generation — whose knees have not yet gone and who have beautiful, dewy skin — who say ‘I’m not a feminist.’ You just go ‘What do you mean? You don’t want to be equal to boys?’ And they go ‘Oh yeah, is that what it means?’”

We still need to stand up for ourselves and for each other, because as Moran points out in her book: "These days, a plethora of shitty attitudes to women have become diffuse, indistinct, or almost entirely concealed. Fighting them feels like trying to combat a moldy mildew smell in the hallway, using only a bread knife. Because - like racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia - modern sexism has become cunning. Sly. Codified ... The more women argue, loudly, against feminism, the more they both prove it exists and that they enjoy its hard-won privileges."

You can be a feminist and still flirt, have sex, wear skin-tight jeans, and do your hair (or don't, whateves), but do what you do because it makes you feel good and because you want to, not because you felt it was dictated or socially prescribed. Please don't think that feminism is obsolete, or that we don't need it, or that it means you have to be a crazy biotch. Just do you.  

Images of me via yours truly. 

Gas & breaks

So my sweet and funny friend Katie has a theory, (almost) everyone is either a gas or the breaks, a pusher or a holder, an extrovert or an introvert. What's more, gases usually end up with breaks and vice versa. This is theory my friends and I have come to adopt, it's fun deciding who's what (we decided to call people who fall in the middle the clutch). I am a classic gas, and the hubs is definitely the breaks.

Let me be clear, there are no judgements here, one's not better than the other. They're just different. For example: I'm just the one that's more likely to be found dancing on a table while the hubs might be playing pool, I'm the one who gets a wild hair and decides we need a new place, books seven open houses while the hubs say's "let's not get carried away," I'll make the inappropriate comment to get a laugh while the hubs might stick to a pun. It's a give and take, a balance that works most of the time. I think the main thing is to understand that you are different with different needs, and then to be okay with that.

Sounds simple right? :-)

So what do you think - are you a gas or are you the breaks? Or do you think this is a bunch of bologna?

Image of Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor. 

Wed day

Don't these fries look sophisticated? I never thought I'd say that - I guess it's a testament to the difference packaging and context can make. I got me thinking though, wouldn't something like this make for fun finger food durring a cocktail hour? Just a thought.

Via.  

Fuzzy face

These hazy portraits by Tinca Veerman are soo haunting and a bit voyeuristic - like catching a glimpse of something you weren't suposed to see, but then again ... maybe you were.

They also remind me of that moment when you first step out of the shower and look at your face in the mirror; you're sure it's you because just enough of you shines through the steam, but the edges are fuzzy.

In any case, I kind of love them.

Via.

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

I am a big fan of scrubs - body scrubs, foot scrubs, face scrubs, you name it I've tried it. With in reason of course. So I was pretty excited to come across this easy (and affordable) DIY lip scrub recipe. Plus after a weekend at the lake, my skin could use a little extra tender lovin care.

You just need:

1 tsp of (brown or raw) sugar, 1/2 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp olive oil - That's it - done - boom.  

Just mix the sugar (exfoliating), honey (yummy and nourishing), and olive oil (moisturizing) together in a small bowl, and scrub at will. Simple, no?

Recipe via, image via yours truly.  

Lake Shasta Weekend

It seems that all my friends are slowly crossing over into their thirties. The latest brave soul to cross over, my friend John, rented a house boat on Lake Shasta to celebrate and invited a bunch of us to come stay the weekend. My pal, Val, and I made a game time decision to join. We rented a car, headed up friday evening, and stayed through Sunday afternoon.

Best. Decision. Ever. I'd never been to Lake Shasta before and was not disappointed - it was gorgeous. House boating was also a first for me and I'm officially smitten, it was the perfect combo of outdoorsy activities and the usual party antics. There were dance parties (in costume, of course), big family style dinners, wake boarding (I'm awful), lake floating (that was far better), water sliding, and late night hot tubbing. 

It was so nice to get away, take a moment, and catch my breath. For me, the best part was spending some real quality time with friends I don't get to see as often as I'd like. I am so thankful for the very special people in my life, it was amazing to spend time reconnecting and catching up.

Happy birthday John - thanks for an amazing time!

How were all of your weekends? I'd love to hear ... 

Photos and gif by yours truly. 

Monday's Mantra

In the end, it's all you can do. Here's to a fresh new week!

Happy weekend!

We made it! What a week, am I right? Luckily I have time with friends scheduled for some r&r. What's on the docket for all of you lovlies?

Whatever you do, I hope it's wonderful and that you have the chance for a little "you" time as well. See you Monday - xo!

Barbie's birth story.

Don't play with your food - or do.

An inspiring home tour.

Beautiful deer beds.

The worst drinks for yo body.

Wanna take your clothes back to school?

2012 Emmy Predictions - what are your thoughts?

Image via. 

Since it's almost the weekend ...

let's have a drink! How about one with rum?

Cider Rum Punch

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces dark rum
• 3 ounces lemon juice
• 4 ounces thyme simple syrup
• 12 ounces apple cider
• 4 ounces water
• 4 ounces club soda
• 8 dashed of Angostura Bitters
• sprigs of thyme, garnish
• apple wheels, garnish

Prep:

1. To make thyme simple syrup, combine 2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups of water and 6 thyme sprigs in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring up to a boil and reduce to simmer, until the sugar has fully dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place the syrup in the fridge to cool.
2. Place all the ingredients in a large picture or carafe with ice and stir.
3. Fill your glasses with crushed ice and fill. Place a sprig of thyme inside and put an apple wheel on the rim.
4. Enjoy - perfect for "back to school" ;-) 

Image and recipe via. 

Friday's Finds

How cool are these Bad Girls Throughout History postcards? Which one is your favorite? I'm partial to the great Ms. Elizabeth Taylor myself. Send them to all the strong ladies in your life, because well behaved women rarely make history. Don't you agree?

Thursday's Tidbit

As we move into fall, take a que from this pretty Parisian (via Lee Oliveira) and pair a structured skirt and neutral cross body bag with a loose fit graphic blouse. The top adds a bit of whimsy to an outfit that could have appeared too buttoned up otherwise. Plus, I'm still loving this mustard color that seemed to be everywhere last winter.

Image via. 

Challah

L'shana tova everyone! Monday the 17th was Rosh Hashana, well I guess technically the holiday lasted from sundown on the 16th to the 18th, but we celebrated on the 17th with apples and honey. So we're now in the Jewish High Holidays, culminating with Yom Kippur.  

To mark the occasion, I might try my hand at making challah, I braid my hair, so this can't be that different, right? right? I guess we'll see. Wish me luck! 

Image and recipe via. 

Wed day

Aw ... first dates. They bring out the best and worst in all of us, don't they? What was your best first date like? Did you even realize it was a "date?" The hubs and I met in college, so there were lot's of opportunities to meet up accidentally-on-purpose. Then one evening he offered to come over and make dinner - and it hit me, "oh, this is a date."

Luckily, that ended up being a great first date, but I've had my share of awkward dates too. What was your most memorable date like?

Image from 500 Days of Summer. 

A someday daydream

Ooh. This room is my dream. As much as I love color and pattern, for the most part the pallet in our own home is made up of white and neutrals - so this speaks to me in that sense. I also love a hard wood floor (we are spoiled by their abundance in San Francisco), plus those window - can you get enough of them? I can't. But aside from all this loveliness (I didn't even mention the marble counter, or those built in shelves), what I really (actually) dream of, is one day having a backyard! Mmm, what a luxury... Someday, not today, but someday when there are munchkins to enjoy it. Until then, this is a lovely daydream.

Image via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

One thing I love about the seasons changing from summer to fall (and into winter) is the return of the dark mani. I am especially loving the differing textures on this little number courtesy of the Beauty Department. Experiment with matte and glossy top coats, using black or any darker color as a base. Too fun - this might be a weekend project.

From the weekend

This past weekend was yellow mellow, which was really nice. I think this might be the calm before we move into the holiday storm. Saturday was spent sunning at Washington Square Park in North Beach, followed by a night out in the Mission. Then Sunday was saved for his and hers "Fun-days." The hubs watched football (Go Niners!) while I went to brunch with ze girls at one of our favorite spots. In my opinion, a good time was had by all.

How were all of your weekends? I'd love to hear!

Photo of ze girls: Mer, moi, Val, & Di. 

Monday's Mantra

Be cool ...

Print via. 

Happy weekend!

The weekend - we finally made it! This week has been BUSY, not only have there been a few changes around here, but work's been particularly hectic. Better to be busy than bored, right? It's also been a week for remembering and for gratitude. How were all of your weeks? Any fun weekend plans? I for one, am happy to have these two little days for some unscheduled bliss.

See you monday, here are some links to hold you over.

"Amazing" beauty tips from the 1900's - will you try any?

Fashion Week eye candy.

Internet habits.

Oh, Mindy - I heart you so much!

I love this photo of Hill.

All natural room fresheners. (I'm a total fan of the rosemary lemon.)

Things you should know about every sign.

What's with you [us] creative types?

Kimmy K's lip slip.

Image via. 

It's almost the weekend

let's celebrate! 

Raspberry Prosecco Sorbet

Ingredients

2 cups frozen raspberries

1 1/2 cups Prosecco

1/3 cup powdered erythritol

Instructions

1. Combine raspberries, prosecco, erythritol and water in food processor and puree until smooth, about 30 seconds.
2. Transfer mixture to a mesh sieve set over a medium bowl and let drain, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible. Discard solids and chill liquids one hour.
3. Pour into the canister of an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to an airtight container, press plastic wrap flush to the surface and freeze until firm but not rock hard, 1 to 2 hours.

Image and recipe via.

Friday's Finds

Anyone looking to dive into a new book? Check out this Flavorwire guide to anticipated fall book releases. I'm almost done with this book, and think I might make Astray, by Emma Donohue, my next read. Any of these catch you eye?

Thursday's Tidbit

While the clothes at NYFW are the definite stars - I can't help but get twitterpated over the make-up. Here were a few of the looks that really stood out to me.

Perhaps you've noticed, but lately I've been drawn to a look that emphasizes glowing skin, a strong brow, neutral lip, and done "un-done" hair. I think it's a great go-to, I tried but not too hard, kinda look that's perfect for everyday. Polished enough without feeling stuffy, plus easily makes the day to night transition. Thoughts? Love it? Hate it? 

Top row: DKNY photos by Amelia Alpaugh, second row: Derek Lam Spring photos by Gunnar Larson, third row: Rebecca Minkoff photos by Amelia Alpaugh (photo's via), bottom row: Marc Jacobs photos via. 

Chocolate Mousse

Mmm, how can you say no to mousse? Light and tasty, plus it's rather sophisticated don't you think? Serve it at a dinner party and your guests will think you worked way harder than was actually required. 

• Ingredients: 
  3/4 cup (6 ounces) water
  8 ounces chocolate (we used 70% bittersweet — choose a high quality chocolate you love)
  ice
  whipped cream for topping (optional)
• 
  
  Method: 
  Simply pour water into a saucepan Then, over medium-low heat, whisk in the chocolate, creating a consistant sauce.
  
  
  Put the saucepan in a bowl partly filled with ice cubes (or pour into another bowl over the ice -- it will chill faster), then whisk the chocolate sauce, either manually with a whisk or with an electric mixer (if using an electric mixer, watch closely -- it will thicken faster). After a while strands of chocolate form inside the loops of the whisk. Pour or spoon immediately into ramekins, small bowls, or jars and let set.
  
  
  Note: Three things can go wrong. Here's how to fix them. If your chocolate doesn't contain enough fat, melt the mixture again, add some chocolate, and then whisk it again. If the mousse is not light enough, melt the mixture again, add some water, and whisk it once more. If you whisk it too much, so that it becomes grainy, this means that the foam has turned into an emulsion. In that case simply melt the mixture and whisk it again, adding nothing. 
  
  
  Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate. Whipped cream optional.
  
  
  Image via, recipe via. 
   

Wed Day

Some bride needs to rock the hell outta this BCBG Max Azria S/S '13 dress. 

And I imagine she would also be all about this wedding band. Maybe she would even do her nails like this ... Man, I hope so. 

Switching gears

Look who got a make over!

After almost a year (!) of blogging, I finally decided to spruce things up a bit around here. I took a que from this post by Theresa of Inspiration Cooperative, and headed over to Blog Milk to check out Ana's beautiful templates.  The hardest part, truly, was picking my favorite one.

Once I decided, I purchased, I downloaded and I went about installing the template. Which I did about 80% correctly. Thankfully, Ana was really responsive to my cry for help and sorted everything out for me. She was great - quick, professional, and reassuring. And, if I do say so myself, the result is pretty... well, pretty.

There will still be a few tweaks here and there, the hubs (an art director) is helping me with a new header design - so there's that to look forward to. But for the most part, I think this is home.

Thanks again Ana for facilitating the makeover! Also, big thanks to all of you who take the time to stop by - it really means so much to me. I'm still relatively new to this brave new world of blogging, but so far the experience has been more rewarding than I would have thought. I'm excited to keep sharing, evolving, and connecting with all of you here.

So ... whaddya think?

Photo of Christy Turlington, by Pamela Hanson, 1992.

September 11th

Can you believe it's been over 10 years? It feels very surreal to me. 9/11 feels recent and distant at once, yet almost omnipresent - maybe that's how all great tragedies are.

Where were you the morning the towers fell? I was in the shower in Southern California, getting ready for school, when the first plane hit. By the time the towers actually fell I was sitting in a towel, in front of the TV in my mom's room, watching wide-eyed as people's lives literally came crashing down.

At first I was just confused, had this actually happened? What did it mean? What was next? Would we go to war? I was 17, all my male friends were about to turn 18 - would they be drafted? Luckily, no, they wouldn't be drafted, but that didn't prevent many of them from signing up and going overseas under false pretense anyway. Eventually, I got myself to school and sat with my peers as we collectively tried to absorb the enormity of what had just happened.

Now, I feel a lingering sadness, like an emotional bruise that you accidentally bump every once in a while. I was lucky, my family was safe and far from the actual danger. My heart truly goes out to all that were directly affected.

Image via. 

Monday's Mantra

This past Saturday I woke up next to my handsome hubby, with two sleepy kitties, in an appartment that is safe and warm - and I felt so thankful, and so lucky.

The hubs and I moved to San Francisco five years ago, we were two kids with a vague plan. Our first appartment was much less safe, and much less warm, and without kitties. I'm grateful that in these past five years we've been able to pull it together, grow up a bit, and create a life for ourselves that we both feel good about.  I'm grateful to have found my partner, and excited to see where we go from here.

Happy Monday loves! What are you thankful for?

Pardon my dust

Hi there, If you haven't noticed. I'm in the middle of a blog make over. I hope to have everything completed in a day or so. Please pardon my dust, and excuse anything that isn't "just right," in the meantime. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your support. It means SO much to me!

xoxo!

Happy weekend!

What do you all have planed this weekend dear readers? We have no real plans, I think we're still recovering from an overly scheduled August. I just have my fingers crossed for some sunshine, some roof time, and some quality time.

We'll see what develops. Until then, enjoy the link love and I'll see you monday. xo!

NYC in 50 Objects.

Lady Gaga, photoshop and the September Issue.

Don't you know this squid is loco?

Thank God they made an Internet Map, I was feeling lost.

This is something I need to get better about doing.

Nine eyes of Google.

Who says you can't wear white after Lador Day?

Gangnam Style, and of course Umma Gangam Style.

Image elie saab spring couture 2012.