Happy Weekend!

It's PRIDE weekend here in San Francisco! This weekend is set to be even more celebratory than usual with the amazing Supreme Court victories on California's Prop 8 and DOMA. I used to march in the PRIDE Parade every year, but I'm not sure if the hubs and I will got down to the parade itself this year - but we will be celebrating in spirit, most likely from our roof top weather permitting. 

What will you all be doing? Whatever you have planed, I hope it's fabulous!
Enjoy the link love, I'll see you Monday. xo.

What am I doing with my life?!

This map is bonkers.

How to be in the know.

Like a modern Downton.

Could you unplug for 25 days?

This lady is my hero.

This will blow your pretty little mind.

As will this.

Princesses, nooooo! 

Running of the interns - ha! Been there ... 

How 26 drinks got their names.

This is pretty cool.

VALIDATION!

Images via yours truly. 

Cheers!

It's Friday! What a week - from the President's announcement on climate change, to the historic Supreme Court rulings on both DOMA and Prop 8 - my head's spinning. In a good way. Still, a drink might be nice - and nothing says summer like a pretty pink bevi. 

WATERMELON CUCUMBER COOLER 

Ingredients:

• 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 large English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2/3 cup vodka
• Ice
• Cucumber slices, for garnish

Method:

Set a large fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher. In a food processor or blender, puree watermelon. Pour watermelon puree through sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula (you'll have about 2 cups juice). Puree English cucumber and pour through sieve into watermelon juice.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together lime juice and honey. Add to watermelon and cucumber juices, along with vodka. Make a sweeter drink with more honey if desired. 

To serve, fill four glasses with ice and top each with cocktail. Garnish with cucumber slices.

Enjoy!

Image etc via. 

Friday's Finds

Marchesa's Parfume d’Extase

I'm typically a Marc Jacobs gal when it comes to perfumes - alternating between Lola in the winter and Oh Lola in the summer, both are pretty, feminine scents. But lately I'd found my self looking for something ... special. Which is exactly what this Marchesa scent is. The perfume opens with notes of iris, freesia and violet leaves, gives way to night-blooming jasmine, then closes with subtle notes of iris root, ambrox and musk. Lovely. The bottle, inspired by the crystal closures on Marchesa's hand bags, also looks lovely setting on a dressing table or night stand.

Obviously all perfumes have to mix with your unique body chemistry, so you never know how a scent will work for you until you try it - but for me a little spritze of this and I feel ... special.  

Bloglovin'

So all y'all Google Reader fans out there know that our beloved reader is being phased out. (Boo!) However, all is not lost - you can follow Tickle My Fancy on Bloglovin'!

There, doesn't that feel better?

Image via. 

Thursday's Tidbit

This past Tuesday something happened that I have been waiting a long time for - we started a meaningful discussion about climate change on the federal level.

I work for an environmental organization, so for us, this was a big deal. We all gathered in our main conference room, and (literally) watched the President's speech with baited breath. You may have your own views on the topic, that's all well and good, but you can't deny the science. This is our only planet, and we are fucking it up, so we need to stop. We need to be guardians of our home, of earth, we need to leave our children (and our children's children) some place habitable. Arguing otherwise is like attending a meting of the Flat Earth Society - ain't no body got time for that! 

The President's speech and Climate Action Plan contained a lot of information. So what are the main take aways? The President established: 

• A goal to reduce US CO2 emissions and make a switch to renewable energy sources 
• A goal (and call to local governments) to prepare for and adapt to the negative effects of climate change
• A goal to lead international efforts to combat this issue globally 

Obviously, it remains to be seen how this will all actually come to fruition, but I for one, am happy that we are at least having this conversation and discussing tangible actions. It's a bit of that hope and change I've been waiting for.  

You can read more, and download the actual plan and fact sheet here. 

PS: If you're feeling inspired, here are some actions you can easily take to green your own life. 

Image: NASA / ISS Expedition 13. 

Summer fruits

It's summer, and you know what that means - summer fruits! Sticky, sweet, saturated with color, it's produce on steroids. Except, please don't buy produce actually on steroids, look for organic options. K, thanks. 

BROILED APRICOTS AND CHERRIES WITH RICOTTA AND THYME

via dash and bella, serves 4-6 as a side dish

Ingredients:
12-15 apricots
15-20 cherries
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3/4 cup ricotta or fresh goat cheese (or both!)
1/3 cup chopped parsley

Method: 
Preheat broiler to high. Halve and pit the apricots and the cherries. Place fruit in a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and thyme. Toss to coat. Broil until tender, gooey, juicy, and just starting to brown, maybe even blacken along the edges (about 15 minutes). Remove from the oven and tuck spoonfuls of cheese around the cooked fruit. Broil again until cheese just starts to brown. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with grilled bread and a green salad.

Sounds devine, no?  

Image etc via. 

Bouquet

Sometimes you just need to mix it up, go nuts, and revel in all the beautiful flowers in season. This delightful bundle is a mix of peonies, lilies (two kinds), stock, greens, and eucalyptus.

Image via yours truly. 

Pillow Talk

I don't know what I want to do more, jump on that sofa into that pile of pillows or roll around on that furry rug. Maybe I'll do both ...

Image via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Paint it ... gold. 

I must admit, I'm going through a bit of an ... er ... phase. I've been spray painting things left and right. There are worse things. It's just amazing what a little metallic gold, or matte white paint can do to an object. 

That skull you ask? Well that was a $5 Halloween decoration and (boom!) now look at it. That's some Kelly Wearstler shite right there. There are no limits: old toys, office supplies, shells, antlers, nick knacks, you name it - add a little paint and you've got yourself some quirky home decor that only looks expensive. Go nuts. 

Images via yours truly. 

Weekend Wrap-up

Welp, I wanted some R&R and that's exactly what I got. The weekend started with a movie date and ended with some star gazing on the roof - in between there were massages, naps, wine, late night chats, homemade lattes, mani pedis, and a trip to Trader Joe's. It was just what the doctor ordered.

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

Image via yours truly. 

Monday's Mantra

truthful, gentle, fearless.

buy this print here. 

Happy Weekend!

I don't know about y'all, but I am looking forward to a little R&R this weekend. Do you have any fun plans? The hubs and I are getting a couples massage - such a treat! Aside from that, we'll see where the wind blows.

I hope you all have a relaxing few days as well. See you monday - xo!

GoT Characters, as named by someone's dad.

I dare you not to cry.

Another book I want to read.

Children and their most prized possessions. Powerful.

Girl Rising, also looks powerful, no?

These guys can work it!!

Way to go NYC! (I'm happy we're already doing this here in SF.)

This is the.jam.

Fairy Tales for the modern gal.

Nerdy Gangsta.

What's happening in Brazil?

Does life have purpose?

Image via. 

Cheers!

It's Friday, and the summer solstice (a.k.a. the longest day of the year) to boot! If that's not a reason to celebrate, then I don't know what is. 

Cherry Mojito

Via Cookie and Kate, inspired by Sprouted Kitchen’s Rainier Cherry Muddler

Instructions:

• 1.5 oz white rum
• 8 cherries
• small handful fresh mint leaves
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1 teaspoon raw (turbinado) sugar
• club soda

Ingredients:

1. In a mixing glass, thoroughly muddle cherries, mint, lime juice and sugar.
2. Swirl with rum.
3. Fill a collins glass with ice and pour your mixture into the glass. Top it off with club soda.
4. Mix by pouring the drink back into your mixing glass, then back into your drinking glass.
5. Sip. Relax. Enjoy.

Sounds good to me. 

Image etc via. 

Grilled PBJ

Doesn't this look scrumptious? Grilled PBJ (via cooking architecture)  - why didn't I think of this?!

Ingredients: 
2 slices of your favorite bread (the less holes the better!)Your favorite unsalted peanut butterYour favorite jelly or preserves (raspberry1 teaspoon unsalted butter

Simple Instructions: 
Preheat a cast-iron skillet on low-medium heat. Spread the peanut butter on one slice of bread and the jelly on the other. Put the two slices together to make the sandwich.  Drop the butter in the skillet. Once melted, put the sandwich in the skillet and let it grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and toasted.  Carefully remove the sandwich and cut in half. Serve and enjoy immediately!

Doesn't that sound amazing? The perfect comfort food in my opinion.  

Via. 

Thursday's Tidbit

Can't stop, won't stop, listening to this song. Lorde is my new fave.

Wed Day

Alone.

I'm going to admit something here: I've never lived alone. I moved from my mom's to a dorm, to living with girlfriends, to living with the hubs. While I definitely have alone time, and am fairly comfortable being and doing most things alone, I not that comfortable sleeping alone. Terrified is actually a better word. I'm terrified of sleeping in a apartment/house alone. Tell me I'm not the only one.

So this past weekend when the hubs took his trip up north, I was super thankful to have plans (and a sleep over) with my girlfriends on the books for Saturday, but I was a little more, er, "nervous" about Friday night. Yes, I'm a baby. I know this. I purposefully didn't schedule anything for that evening, because, well, it was time for me to put on my big girl panties and face my fears. And the craziest thing happened ...

I was fine! Duh. I cleaned like the dickens, rented a movie, and may have imbibed the better part of a bottle of Chardonay (hey, I was left to my own devices - or vices, as the case may be). Yes, I was "nervous" when bedtime actually rolled around, but I climbed into bed with my cats (don't judge) and slept like a baby. A baby who's a really light sleeper. But hey, I did it. I survived, and for me this was a little victory.  Next time, maybe, I won't be so "nervous."

I guess my point is that every once in a while, even in a marriage, you gotta take a beat and remember to enjoy your own company.

Image via. 

Bouquet

Sweet peas, aren't they just ... sweet? :-)

Via yours truly. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

All about the cheek bones.

This is a look and a half - I'm totally loving it. Highlight and contour to give those cheek bones some major definition .Don't feel intimidated, you can certainly make it more subtle than this picture, if that's more your speed, but it's summer so I say why not revel in the bronzer a bit? Plus, the cheek bones (or illusion there of) really are the stars of this look. A well defined cheek bone really lifts and sculpts the entire face -- just experiment with it a bit. Keep your eyes subtle, a coat (or four) of mascara should do it, define your brows, and, if you really wanna do it up, line your water line with white liner. Then finish it off with a statement lip in a red orange (or coral if you want a softer look). A poppy mani finishes things off - like a little exclamation point. Perfect for parties, or just when you want an extra zing.

Image via Jonas Bresnan/Trunk Archive.

Weekend Wrap-Up

How were all of your weekends loves? Things were pretty nice around here. The hubs was up in Arcata with one of his buddies to spend the weekend fishing off of the Humboldt Bay with his dad. He came home fully laded up with yummy salmon, so I'd say the trip was a success. ;-)

Meanwhile, back in the city, it was the first time in a long time that all of my girlfriends and I were able to get together. Saturday was a grey, windy, frizzy hair kinda day. We met up on the early side and hoofed it down to the water, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Sausalito for lunch. Whew! From where I started (I walked from my apartment down to our initial meeting place) it was at least a 10 mile trek; which I felt pretty good about. After the adventure, I had everyone over for wine, cheese, and some much needed QT. Sunday was a bit more mellow, a smaller group of us met for brunch and a little shopping. I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all. I hope you all had a nice few days too!

Image via yours truly. 

Monday's Mantra

Just don't.

Via. 

Happy Weekend!

What do you all have planned this weekend? Any special Father's Day plans? I suspect my dad and I will have a nice chat on Sunday, but aside from that I'm looking forward to some serious quality time with my girls. I think a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and lunch in Sausalito might be in my future, as well as a glass of wine or two. Fingers crossed for some sunshine.

Whatever you have planned, I hope you all have a marvelous time. See you monday - xo!

Your day could have been worse.

Spice up your Summer with one of these steamy reads.
Heeye!

Success is sequential. 

Music and yo mind. 

How not to be alone. 

(Since I can't seem to get enough of the NYT.) 

50 years after the Equal Pay Act...

Lena Dunham, on Girls.

Plus Girls, Season 38. 

Are you geting enough ... free time?

Vintage Louis C.K.

Image via. 

Cheers

it's Friday! This week felt like a long one, no? Let's unwind a bit, shall we?

Italian Greyhound with Rosemary Sugar:
1 – 2 ounces gin
4 ounces of pink / red grapefruit juice ( I obviously used pink )
A splash of bitters

Rosemary Sugar:
1 tablespoon of freshly chopped rosemary
1/4 cup sugar

Start off by combining the rosemary and sugar. Rub the rim of your glass with a slice of grapefruit. Dip the rim of the glass into the rosemary sugar until it’s fully covered. Add the ice, gin and juice, and top it off with a splash or two of bitters. Stir gently – enjoy.

Image etc via. 

Friday's Finds

This song, wow, just wow. I definitely remember listening to the original on repeat, singing at the top of my lungs in the back of my mama's car when I was little -- we had a tape deck, big time stuff, and Adele stops me in my tracks every time. Seriously. When she sings, angels pee their pants. (Fun fact, this was our wedding song.) So this combo - no words.

Thursday's Father's Day Tidbit

Still, not sure what to do for Dad this Father's Day? Never fear, Martha is here! 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 3/4 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in seeds.
• Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 6 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll out dough 1 disk at a time to just under a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using templates, cut out letters with a paring knife. Reroll scraps; cut more letters (you'll need 14 D's and 7 A's, total). Freeze on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets until firm, 15 minutes.
• Bake until edges are golden, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cookies cool on sheets set on wire racks.
• Make Dad's day! 

Recipe, image and "DAD" template here. 

Lighten Up

It's summertime - time to lighten up, time for light weight fabrics in light colors. I love the combo of a whisper thin tee, light weight trousers, and a blush colored blazer. Toughen up the look with dark nails, a few touches of black, and modern accessories. Nice, no?

Via. 

Wed Day

Let's talk about diamonds: friend or foe? I love my ring, but lemme tell ya, saving up for, buying, and paying off that baby was not the hubs' favorite part of the whole wedding process - and probably one of the reasons it took us so long to get engaged. So why did we feel like it was so necessary?

Advertising, apparently. I recently read this article detailing De Beers' campaign in the early 1940's to equate a diamond ring with love and social stature. At that time, diamonds weren't really selling, and engagement rings weren't deemed a necessary part of the marriage process. Through clever marketing and market manipulation, they managed to keep prices and demand high. Sneaky, sneaky. "Nearly every American marriage begins with a diamond because a bunch of rich white men in the 1940s convinced everyone that its size determines your self worth. They created this convention - that unless a man purchases a ... diamond, his life is a failure - while sitting in a room, racking their brains on how to sell diamonds that no one wanted." Maybe "failure" is a strong word, but it does feel "important." 

So, what do you think, loves? Diamonds - friend or foe? 

Image via. 

Bouquet

Since summer is just around the corner, why not bring a little sunshine indoors with a sunflower bouquet? This arrangement is simply two bunches of sunflowers with one bunch of purple "filler" flowers from Whole Foods (because you can't go wrong with complementary colors). Pretty, no?

Image via yours truly. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Still trying to master that perfect cat-eye? Try these three easy steps:

1. Start by drawing a thin line from the outside corner of the eye toward the bottom tip of your eyebrow using either liquid liner or gel liner applied with a brush.
2. Next draw a second line to form small triangle at the outside corner of your eye. 
3. Last step, fill in the triangle and thinly line the rest of the eye staying as close to the lash line as possible. 

Finish with a healthy dose of mascara, and some blush, or sex it up for a night out with a bold lip. Boom! Flawless.

Image by, via. 

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was reported that this would be the hottest weekend of the year so far - lies! It was freezing in the City - freezing! Or at least chilly. Very chilly. But, despite the missing heat wave, it was still a nice weekend.

Saturday we headed to the (free) Cultivate Festival in Golden Gate Park put on by Chipotle - the Hubs kept calling it "Burrito Fest 2013." We ate tacos, saw Walk the Moon's set (so fun!), and hung out as long as we could stand the temperature. Once it was simply too cold, we retreated to our friends' place near by for Thai food and movies.

Sunday was all about feeling the love. We headed out to the 'burbs for brunch at the Black Hawk Country Club to celebrate the engagement of one of the hubs' oldest friends and his lovely lady. Such a nice way to celebrate one of our favorite couples. It's funny, we've been spending a lot of time at country clubs lately, I have to be careful, or could get used to this. ;-) Plus, it was actually warm in Danville! Warm!

How did you all spend your weekends? I'd love the hear!

Image of the Black Hawk Country Club by yours truly. 

Monday's Mantra

Yes, yes we do - here's to a week of choosing joy.

Via. 

Happy Weekend!

We survived another week and made it to the weekend - hooray us! What do you all have planed? I have a feeling it will be pretty low key in these parts, which is a-okay with me.

Meet me here Monday? You won't regret it - xo!

What's really happening in Istanbul?

Cute pets in windows.

Why are more women drinking?

A book I may need to read.

Just signed up for this - yikes!

American regional dialects - my kind of nerding out.

Do you suffer from Bitchy Resting Face Disorder?

This wins all the things.

What the voices of Disney characters look like.

Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of Sesame Workshop. Amaze.  

Image via. 

Cheers

it's Friday! Let's have a drink. Champagne grapefruit mojitos anyone?

Ingredients:
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces light rum
3 to 4 ounces chilled champagne (or club soda)
Quartered grapefruit slice for garnish


Method: 
In the bottom of a highball glass (or mason jar!), muddle the mint leaves, sugar, and lime juice until the sugar is dissolved
Add the rum and grapefruit juice 
Fill the glass with ice and top with champagne
Garnish with grapefruit slice
Enjoy!

Image and recipe via. 

Friday's Finds

How rad is this new Longhorn Steer print by the Animal Print Shop? I think this dude wants to live in my appartment ...

Thursday's Tidbit

Isn't this dining room just gorgeous? I love the clean modern lines of the tables and chairs with the whimsy of the chandelier. The wood is maybe the perfect warm cherry hue, and I'm digging the oversized mirror and table top vignette. How 'bout you?

Image via. 

Weekend Wrap-Up

This past weekend was definitely about my cousin's wedding, but we also made time for a few side activities.

We rented a car and hit the road Friday. I love the drive down the 101, costal California really is something else. Driving into Southern California always pulls my heart strings a bit. I love living in San Francisco, I love the people and the culture (I did the groovy vibes man), but there are things a really miss about Southern California. I miss the beach, I miss the way the air feels, the way it smells, and I miss the sun, of course. In odd ways it still feels like home.

Friday evening my mom's  house was over run with family, so we headed to one of my dearest friend's homes. Simply put, it was a lovely evening of dinner, drinks, and conversations that lasted well into the early morning. The calm before the family storm, and exactly what I needed. From Saturday on we were in full force family mode; although I did manage to steal a few moments with my mama's puppies here and there.

It was a weekend to recharge with those who've known me the longest, in the place where my roots live.

Images via yours truly. 

Wed Day

This past weekend the hubs and I headed down to Southern California for my cousin's wedding. It was the first wedding we've been to since our own - which made it all the more special.  I started crying before the bride even made it to the first row of chairs. :-) Ai yi yi.

The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, the kiddos were cute, the country club was very nice, the champagne was bubbly, and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a beautiful day. I've always loved a wedding, but after going through the process myself I have a heightened appreciation for the whole thang now.

Weddings are such a fun expression of the couple's unique tastes, and such a happy excuse to get the family together. My family is pretty big. My mom is one of four siblings who all went out and had broods of their own, plus she has cousins who are just as close to her as siblings, who also went out into the world and procreated. Needless to say, I have a lot of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins that I'm fortunate to be really close with. Family that I don't see often enough, so what better excuse than a wedding to bring us all together?

Photos via yours truly, the bottom row is the hubs and I with my sister and her man. 

Catch a Rainbow

Irish installation artist Mark Garry is fascinated by the way we all uniquely interact with the world and navigate space. In many of his installations, he utilizes pins and beads to attach hundreds of tiny threads to walls and floors, creating highly delicate installations "that flow with the space and geometry of a room." As one interacts with the installation, the light changes and the threads reveal a rainbow of tones and colors. How beautiful. 

Via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

How pretty is this 'do? It looks complicated, but it's surprisingly simple - the trick is the slightly messy nature of this look. It doesn't need to be perfect, I think it actually looks more romantic and pretty slightly un-done. Mainly, you want to part your hair down the middle, then roll your hair back on either side, and finally flip the loose ends up and under themselves to complete this messy chignon. But, if my explanation didn't do it for you - you can watch a video here.

Image via. 

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

I love me a cookie, but let's face it - they are typically not the healthiest option out there. So I was super stoked (yes, stoked) to find this too-good-to-be-true recipe for 99.3 calorie cookies on the Skinny Fork. 

Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

TheSkinnyFork.com


Ingredients: 

• 2 Ripe Bananas, Mashed
• 1/3 C. Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
• 2/3 C. Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
• Dash of Ground Cloves
• Dash of Ground Nutmeg
• 1 1/2 C. Quick or Old Fashioned Oats
• 1/4 C. Nuts (I used dry unsalted peanuts.)
• 1/4 C. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 C. Reduced Fat Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (Optional)

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Mix together the bananas, peanut butter, applesauce, vanilla, and spices. Add in the oats, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut; stir until well combined.

Spoon a rounded 2 tbsp. of the cookie mixture onto the lined baking sheet, leaving an inch or two between each and flatten slightly. I placed a few more chocolate chips on top of each cookie. Bake for 20-30 minutes and allow to cool slightly.

Image, etc via. 

Monday's Mantra

So true, yes? Here's to a week of rolling up our sleeves, and getting shite done.

Via.