DESTINATION : Portland, OR

Fall, Fall, Fall. 

Portland welcomed us (Nicole, Aly and I) with a burst of autumnal weather: from lightening, thunder and billowing rain clouds, to chill winds, pumpkins and North Face clad locals. Besides the enjoyment of being in a different climate, the city itself completely enthralled us S. Californians. 

Public transportation from the airport to the city was easy and efficient and provided us with some great views of the Willamette River.

We had precisely 3 hours to enjoy the city and based on the recommendation of friends and locals alike, we decided on the Pearl District. 1st stop: Stumptown Coffee (after the 7am flight, we needed energy). 

Located adjacent to the Ace Hotel (a must see, mainly due to their amazing library), Stumptown Coffee has delicious, no need for cream, black coffee and delectable pastries. Coffee in hand and suitcases in tow, we ventured out to a few boutiques:

{I wasn't kidding...}

{Yarn Gallery. In. Love. And want to buy one.}

{Tender Loving Empire for music, graphics and illustration inspiration}

{I was so tempted to buy the turquoise one and throw it in my bag. Very tempted.}

***

After browsing through countless boutiques and chatting it up with some locals, our stomach growls got the best of us and we stopped into "Cha Cha Cha" for some amazing breakfast burritos, empanadas and chips+guac. Talking with some tourists and people watching kept us pretty preoccupied throughout the whole meal. 

All in All, we were impressed by the limitless things to do, people to see, cleanliness of the city, great food, good views and top notch coffee. I will be coming back.

Stay tuned for the main reason for our trip: the Jones' wedding in Bend, OR (!). 

New Music : Sara Bareilles : Kaleidoscope Heart

I love Sara B's music - always have - but it is extra meaningful to me because my brother is her bass player. And I'm just a little bit proud. 

So with that in mind, tomorrow is a very important day for the band and an exciting day for all of their fans: THE RELEASE OF HER NEW ALBUM, KALEIDOSCOPE HEART. 

The album is amazing, her vocals are right on and the talent is evident. Check it out: now available on itunes!

Current Obsession

PTO for Dallas, TX. June 3 - June 7 = approved! With one minor issue: the high in San Francisco averages 65 degrees this time of year and the highs in Dallas as of late have been roughly 100 degrees. 100 degrees. Summer will be welcoming me with a 100 degree slap in the face once I step off the airplane on Thursday night. This calls for some new sandals, hence the "current obsession(s)."

Which pair?

Fryes. Proves they aren't just good for boots. I tried them on today and they are just as comfortable as my Billy cowboy boots.

Simple. Understated. Classy.

So...which pair do I choose?

2.5 Day Week makes for A Lot of Work

This is a two and a half day week!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day as it seems like 1/2 of the office is on vacation. We all have quite a few meetings tomorrow and extra work that we will have to deal with due to the others - seriously, 1/2 the office - being gone. What better way to start the day then with Zucchini Sweet Potato Muffins?

The muffins were not difficult to make and are pretty healthy as I halved the sugar and used whole wheat flour. Can't wait to have one with my HUGE cup of La Boulange coffee tomorrow.

Here is an up close pic of the muffins:

1/2 Yearly Sale!!!

I know they aren't practical, but they are so so so perfect for the summer. I want them. Bad.

Memorial Day

It is Memorial Day Weekend - a three day weekend (!) - and the weather is some of the best I've seen in San Francisco to date. While the weekend has been full, it has been fun and relaxing.

Two close friends were in town on Friday. We spent much of the evening catching up on our lives and eating at one of my faves, The Grove. It was so wonderful to see them and they reminded me that I hadn't purchased She and Him tickets - so disappointing! My friend Jen (blogger for Mermaid Of Honor ) actually got to meet Zoey!

I also went to my friend's going away party that night at McTeague's - for all you Texas transplants living in San Francisco, McTeague's has Shiner Bock on tap. Yes please. The night was ended at Bob's donuts, but I skipped out on that part.

Saturday was spent running, laying out, receiving an 80 minute massage, getting a great hair cut, shopping and seeing friends. Today was spent at church, picnic with friends at the Crissy Field beach, and catching up on my blogging.

The best part of it all: no work tomorrow!!

Bday Cookies

I always find it so difficult to come up with Birthday presents for guys. My big brother's birthday is on Sunday and it was especially difficult this time because he is such a thoughtful gift giver: Vogues (my fav. mag.) from every city, Italian wine wrapped in pieced together scraps of a french fashion newspaper, and even clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls...he is always to creative in what he gives.

Because I live too far away to actually celebrate with him this year, I decided to make him his favorite cookies and purchase a beer glass as he has been very into beer lately. I purchased the beer glass, or mug, if you will, at my neighborhood pub and brewery: Magnolia. Their homemade brews are top notch and they also have a great selection of food. Check it out!

He loves chocolate covered oreos, so I purchased a block of dark chocolate from Trader Joe's and some mini oreos and spent my Sunday afternoon heating up chocolate, dipping the oreos, licking my fingers and sprinkling sprinkles. They turned out perfectly and are one of my new favorite treats.

Finally, his favorite dessert is Lemon Merigne Pie. I wasn't about to figure out how to make and send the pie down to San Diego, so in lieu of the pie, I made lemon cookie crisps. Upon purchasing his mug, I stuffed it chalk full of the treats, wrapped it in Magnolia menus and shipped it off to his house.

I hope he likes it AND I hope he doesn't read this blog...!

Fashion & Food in San Francisco

Too much time has passed since I have last blogged...Life has a tendency to get so busy and I have a tendency to get caught up in the busyness of it (as do many, I'm sure!).

Below you will find an assortment of photos taken throughout the past months of food from delicious restaurants and fashion from some great designers and fashion walks. Most of it is found in Hayes Valley. Ahh Hayes Valley is wonderful for both food and fashion.

The first four photos were taken at the fashion walk in Hayes Valley. It was so inspirational to see such works of art: anything from clothing, to interior design, to accessories and jewelry.

The second photo is of my mum and I at the infamous Zazies in Cole Valley. It was the best brunch I have ever had: ginger pancakes with lemon curd and blueberries on top and a mexican influenced poached egg on a sourdough english muffin. Delightful!

The third is a nutmeg, cinnamon and plum crumble that I made. The plums were taken from my tree in the back yard!

Finally, the last picture was taken at the amazing chocolate shop, "Bittersweet." It is found on fillmore st. and my sis and I shared a delicious mexican hot chocolate cake.

Enjoy :)

FASHION

My first San Francisco fashion blog! My best friend sent me an article that was in Lucky magazine about great boutiques in San Francisco...so tomorrow I will venture out into Inner Richmond, Presidio Heights and Lower Haight to scope them out. I will first stop by Park Life in Inner Richmond, then over to Sample Angel in the Presidio and then down to Doe in Lower Haight. I'm hoping to find the perfect, inexpensive Easter outfit. Expect some photos tomorrow!

Did I mention that I will be biking? Yep, I brought my mountain bike up here and despite the hills, have been getting a lot of use out of it. I biked over the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Marin Headlands on Saturday and I biked to Ocean Beach on Sunday and was actually able to lay out :) It will be fun to bike through the city tomorrow. I will also be making a pit stop at Trader Joe's to purchase some $1.25 (so good!!!) yellow daffodils to give to my two Aunties when i see them for Easter.

San Francisco

I am soooo lame. I haven't updated this blog since February 16...it has almost been two months. I am sorry (I am only saying sorry to like 3 people though because not many actually read this, but still, I'm sorry never the less.)

So I am no longer a San Diego girl. I moved to San Francisco at the end of February to get a change of scenery and a new perspective on my job search. What I have come to realize is how amazing this city is. I've visited for a few days at a time, in the past four years, but have completely enjoyed exploring this amazing city and all it has to offer...which is a lot. It is an ideal city for almost anybody: outdoorsy things, metropolitan life, wonderful little districts, delicious restaurants, great cafes, tons of museums, some of the best and well kept parks, and marin county and napa valley so close by. I LOVE san francisco.

Oh and one of my favorite things that I totally forgot to mention is the fashion and the shopping (pictures to come!). So now starts my san francisco adventure (and new blog). I am feeling fashion inspired, so expect a lot of fashion to come...

In order to save a little bit of money I decided to get my hair cut at the Paul Mitchell Hair School last friday. A few friends of mine have been and have been impressed with the quality of their cuts...though it does take a LONG time. On friday morning I walked down to the salon- a nice 1.5 mile walk through Balboa Park, Banker's Hill, Little Italy and then the outskirts of downtown San Diego. I got to the school at 9:45, was given coffee and explained to my hair cutter exactly what I wanted: a slight trim with long layers. Easy, right?! 2.5 hours later I was near tears with a lop-sided, uneven, $20, extremely short layers hair cut. I know I tend to exagerate a bit, but the cut was awful...even after the teacher "fixed" it, it still looked bad. Moral of the story: don't scrimp and save when it comes to your hair. Now I have to pay the normal price for a hair cut this week to get it fixed. I learned my lesson. On a brighter note, they do offer a shampoo and style for a very low price of $14- with a 5 minute head massage included. Perfect for a hot date or a fun night on the town. In addition, they are currently offering a botanical facial scrub and massage for $5!! So not worth the trip for a hair cut, but worth it for a little bit of pampering.

Paul Mitchell School
410 A Street
San Diego, CA 92101

FASHION

MADEWELL 1937 is amazing. just picture J CREW meets ANTHROPOLOGIE meets AMERICAN APPAREL. so because of that, it is my new favorite store and website. and today they came out with skinny, crop, zip up jeans in all sorts of colors. unfortunately i need to get a job before i can even think of buying them (i haven't purchased clothing since Christmas...and that was with gift money) but hey it's fun to look. they don't have a store set up online but they do have an interactive denim bar, a new spring collection-including the new crop jeans, and MADEWELL Looks...which are fun to try and reproduce. check it out!! http://www.madewell1937.com/JUL08/madewell_looks.html

Ocean Beach Farmer's Market

Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association

FOOD: Ocean Beach Farmer's Market

i love cooking and experimenting with new recipes and i am also into using fresh ingredients and supporting local farmers...which brought me to the OCEAN BEACH FARMER'S MARKET today. i used to go as a poor college student to get free samples of hummus, salsa, tamales, fish, etc (the equivalent to one dinner)...and now i enjoy purchasing the fresh, seasonal produce. the farmer's market is held every wednesday from about 3:30- 8pm and is located on Newport St. the crowd is very eclectic and the vendors are extremely friendly: even offering tips and recipes. today was especially cold outside and while buying my broccoli (a sweet old lady was kind enough to split the 3 lb. bunch with me) i was given a great recipe for broccoli cheese soup:




Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients:
-1 chopped onion
-tbsp olive oil
-2 minced garlic cloves
-3 cups fat free chicken OR veggie broth
-1 bunch of broccoli (cut 1 inch off the bottom of the stem)
-2 1/2 cups plain soy milk (or reg. milk)
-1/3 cup whole wheat flour
-1/4 tsp pepper
-8 ounces shredded soy cheddar or sharp cheese
-1/2 cup soy parmesan cheese

Heat olive oil in a large pan, add the onion and garlic; saute until tender (3 min). Add broth and broccoli; bring to a boil over med-high heat. Reduce to med and cook for 10 minutes.
Combine milk and flour; stir with whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to broccoli mixture; cook 5 min or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Stir in pepper. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
Place 1/3 of soup in a blender and process until smooth. Return pureed soup mixture to pan.
Serve with warm french bread from Con Pane.
Enjoy!

HEAR

Tuesday: the day of new music on iTunes. I love Tuesdays not only due to the new music but also because "free on iTunes" has a fresh batch of new songs. Free = good to this jobless, money saving girl, but today I was a bit disappointed. The two, free songs were not worth the download. Instead I urge you to check out DELTA SPIRIT's new EP, live from SOHO. They have such a great sound. I love his rich, kind of raspy voice and if you aren't up to listening to the whole EP, then at least download "trashcan." Trust me, it is worth it. You will like it. INGRID MICHAELSON is amazing and she also has a new EP: live session. Her "BE OK" album is one of my favorites from 2008 and you will not be disappointed with this EP... She even reworks Radiohead's "Creep." Finally, new on the iTunes music front is a band called PARACHUTE, VA. A friend of my family, Nate McFarland, is the guitarist and their new single is called "She is love" and it is really good. Check out the acoustic version of the song as well. It really is beautiful.

***IF you live in Alexandria, Virginia, GO to SARA BAREILLES' show at Birchmere. Tomorrow, the 11th, at 8 PM. It will be good.

TO DO: Rainy Day = Movie Day

today, for the fourth day in a row, it has been raining in san diego. while it seems to be the perfect day to continue my job search, i decided to take the day off and watch movies with my dear friend erin, all day long. she has the day off so has the wonderful responsibility of easing my boredom.

we are on to movie number 3: THE HOLIDAY. we have seen it before but it just never gets old. how could it with a cast including kate winslet, jack black and jude law. movie number 2: DEFINITELY MAYBE. it was definitely not as good as the blockbuster guy said it was. he said, "this is the best movie of 2008. i cried." NOT the best movie of 2008 AND i did not cry. nope, i did not shed one single tear. movie number 1: VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. it is up for an oscar nomination and while the acting was good, i do not highly recommend the film as the love stories were completely unrealistic. the scenery on the other hand, was breath-taking.