finally, friday

Festive decor at a local taqueria

Is this not the cutest personal sized Panettone you've ever seen?

First time trying a Danish Kringle and it was right up my alley with the marzipan.

Celebrating the Holidays and getting dolled up, as you do.

And even though it's not Monday, another song for you just because. :)

Good morning and happy Friday! So guys, we've weathered through #hellastorm aka #stormageddon and I have to admit, while I didn't get stuck in any of the major flooding, or experiencing any of the blackouts, etc, seeing photos of it was a little cray. I'm happy that it's raining though, we've definitely needed it. On another not, can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? I'll be celebrating a few things this weekend, one of them being a Christmas party with a bunch of close friends. Hope you all have a great weekend, cheers!

I love this food blog from these two sisters. Their food photos and recipes are drool worthy.

The sea star disease solved.

Love described in 23 languages.

to get you through hump day...

This talented, super cute couple does an awesome mashup of 2014's top hits. Not to mention their story is super cute!

monday music

Hello, Monday

finally, friday

Look at all that marbled fat! Seeing this beautiful case of meat makes me wanna go back to eating it on the regular. Sorta.

Breakfast this week: Egg frittata with bell peppers, zucchini, olives and of course, cheese.

Super excited to see this heirloom spinach at Trader Joe's. Go TJ's! It's also very delicious and is a little bit thicker than the spinach you're used to.

Oh, and by the way if you're at Trader Joe's don't forget to pick up the bake at home Kouign Amann. Soooo amazing considering it's frozen and ready-to-bake.

Shrimp Sinigang for the rainy weather and perfect for using up whatever leftover veggies are in the fridge.

Happy Friday everyone. Is it just me or are you loving the rain too? It's been really nice to get some rain since California is in a drought and I really can't wait for it to rain tomorrow (as forecasted) again. We need all the rain we can get! On another note, I haven't been feeling to well lately, so it'll be a good time to rest up and get better for the big Thanksgiving week ahead.

What Chef's eat after work.

Not sure how you're going to prepare your sweet potatoes this year? This recipe sounds amazing.

Men: Not much of a dancing machine? Here are some tips to what will make women swoon at your dance moves, lol.

I am so obsessed with the Fiber Florist. It's one girl that makes amazing floral arrangements all out of felt and you would never be able to tell.

Loving this small, but intimate tablescape for the Holidays. 

the most wonderful tropical green smoothie

Besides eating a ton of greens throughout the day or during your meals, there's no better way to get your veggies in than juicing or making smoothies. A couple years ago I started juicing everyday. Everyday. For three months straight. While it was very good for me and my skin glowed everyday it just wasn't feasible for every day. There's a lot to juicing. There's the prep from buying ingredients, to washing and chopping, juicing, then the clean up. Not to mention it gets super expensive, especially if you choose to use organic ingredients. I've never really been into making green smoothies-- I'm not sure if it was because I didn't like the thickness of them, or maybe I was just so burnt out from the three months of juicing, or maybe I never found one I really, really enjoyed, but after recently making the above smoothie I was kind of hooked. I've been having a smoothie almost every day since and the process has been so easy I could definitely see myself doing this long-term.

It's packed with greens (and the fiber I lost when I only drank the juice), some protein (from the chia seeds and kale), and it tastes like you should be on a white sandy beach, bikini and sunblock on. I've made variations since, but this combo still wins. I've even been drinking it on the go in my insulated Klean Kanteen to keep it ice cold or enjoying it at home with my new stainless steel eco-friendly straws (yay for never using those plastic ones again!).

Tropical Green Smoothie
(Serving size is 2 large smoothies or 3 smaller ones)

- 1 1/2 cups of very packed spinach
- 1/4 or 1/2 cup of very packed baby kale (I like baby kale it seems to have less of a bitterness to it)
- 1 ripe banana (feel free to freeze the banana if you want)
- 3/4 cup of pineapple (I like the frozen pieces from Trader Joe's)
- 1/2 a ripe pear (or any other fruit you want to add really... mango is also very good)
- 1/2 cup of OJ (I like the not from concentrate)
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds depending on how much you want
- 2 ice cubes

Add the spinach and baby kale into the blender first and pack it down as much as you can. Pour in the OJ and water (it will seep down in between the greens and help everything to blend). Top with the banana, pineapple, chia seeds and other fruit if you have it. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.

Sometimes I add more greens depending on how I'm feeling, but for starters this is a great amount. I realize this is packed with a good amount of sugar (but hey at least it's natural sugar right?) so might try switching out some of the fruit and using ginger as a flavor replacement. I'll be sure to give you an update once I do. Let me know how you get along with this recipe and leave a comment of your yummy smoothie concoctions if you have any!

music mondays

october favorites

This new hair product has made a huge difference in how my hair behaves and feels. I used to use the Bumble and Bumble color-minded shampoo and conditioner, but now that they have come out with this new Hairdresser's invisible oil line I'm never going back. This new line of theirs makes my hair so soft and leaves it feeling moisturized yet still weightless-- a really good thing especially since I have fine hair that can be weighed down easily.

I was browsing NARS's new audacious lipstick formula and was instantly wooed by the super pigmented, gorgeous range of colors. I was tempted to get a vampy red or deep berry color, but since I already have many a shade like them at home, I opted for this color called Anna. It's a purple-toned neutral and like nothing I have at home. I have been wearing it non-stop since I got it and that trend will likely carry over into November too.

How I had not had a cosmetics bag/pouch is beyond me. Now I can keep all the makeup I usually throw into my handbag in one place and don't have to worry about caps or lids falling off and ruining the inside of my purse. This pouch in particular I made myself from remnant fabric I bought from my trip to Portland a couple years back and I love it so much.

I've wanted a leather backpack for a while now and this one from Madewell totally fits the bill. I really love that I can wear the weight evenly on my back now instead of carrying around a shoulder bag that tires out only one of my shoulders. The only downside (or could be a good thing) is the space inside is quite large so I've been filling it up with all kinds of things and man is it heavy!

I really love a messy, undone hair style so you'll rarely see me with a completely polished look, instead I like rocking that matte, choppy, piecey 'do and these two products have been helping me achieve that lately with the utmost ease.

These boots from Madewell are surprisingly comfy even with the short heel on them. They have been the perfect addition to Fall and slightly dressing up casual outfits to avoid looking frumpy has been effortless.

I haven't yet finished this book but I'm more than half way through and it's been so entertaining a little funny, and just really refreshing to read. If you're interested in reading about a company that saw a need for a product, filled that need by making quality products, turned it into a growing business that started to boom, and through that growth continued it's philosophy on business then this one's for you. Totally recommend this one and I haven't even finished it yet.

music mondays

finally, friday

 

This morning's sunrise was gorgeous. It's rare that I'm up and at 'em when it's still dark outside... Fall has definitely arrived (and the rain too)!

 

 

Went "foraging" with my mom this week and got some lovely cherry tomatoes and strawberries.

 

Made savory tomato jam-- what a wonderful way to preserve something and eat it out of season.

 

Happy Halloween folks and happy Friday! This weekend should be a relaxing one as there's just a few things going on, but nothing big. The rain should only last for today and then the rest of the weekend looks clear, although I wouldn't mind a little more rain. California needs it and what better excuse than a rainy day to cozy up and read a book. I hope you have a beautiful day!

 

I'm hooked on watching these videos from Free People on loving what you do.

 

Looking for a cute holiday project to help decorate and get in the spirit? Here's a cute DIY.

Don't these just sound amazing for breakfast... right now.

This DIY of a whale is so cool, and thank goodness for Google translate.

heirloom tomato jam

I don't like wasting food, but honestly, sometimes it's sadly the case with produce, especially organic produce that just doesn't keep as long. I was determined this time to not waste this lovely batch of heirloom tomatoes that I knew I wasn't going to be able to consume before they went bad. So, I decided that I was going to whip up some tomato jam that could be stored in the fridge for a lot longer than they would keep fresh. The first time I tried anything like it was at the ever popular Brenda's French soul food a few years ago on their egg and bacon tartine. Since it's been a few years that I've gone to Brenda's I completely forgot about it... until about a week ago at the Big Sur Bakery where they served it on their grilled cheese sandwich. The perfect complement to the salty gruyere cheese. It is seriously the perfect way to preserve those beautiful tomatoes. So far, I've had it on toast with avocado, in a grilled cheese sandwich, and atop a zucchini omelet. Such a wonderful little condiment to enjoy and feel guilt free about (both on the waist and not in waste)!

Tomato Jam

1 cup of organic heirloom tomatoes
2 tsp. of sugar

Throw tomatoes into a saucepan on med heat. Once the tomatoes are heated through start breaking them up and mashing slightly (or just take a knife and cut slits in them). Turn heat down to low-med heat so the tomatoes are simmering in their juice. Add sugar (depending on how sweet the tomatoes are you might want to adjust your sugar, so add 1 tsp. first, taste, then add more if needed. The jam should be slightly sweet but still a little tangy). Stir occasionally in the beginning, but once the mixture gets thicker you'll need to stir more often so the bottom doesn't burn. Continue cooking until the mixture has reduced and becomes a jam like consistency. Put in a jar or container and enjoy for the week!

music mondays

finally, friday

Lunch at the Big Sur Bakery -- this place is so worth the stop and their shortbread cookies are great on the go. 

Oh, you know, just some camp food for ya.

Breakfast on deck (literally) overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Another one of those breathtaking sites.

Just before the sun went down...

This past week has been pretty busy with work but I'm so glad the first part of it was spent enjoying the outdoors and some quality time away from everything and everyone. Anyway, I'm glad the weekend is here and hope that you'll have a happy one!

The only three Michelin star restaurant I've wanted to go to is The Restaurant at Meadowood. It just looks so unique and I love that they forage for some of the ingredients... and then of course I still want to go to Kusakabe for obvious reasons, sushi!

The moment I own a house I'm building a wood fire oven in my backyard, but for now... there are other options for making a crisp thin crust pizza.

A new designer I discovered and all of her pieces look like they fit heavenly.

Is it really true that eating mackerel over shrimp will help to reduce your carbon footprint?

I've never been into dressing up for Halloween, but in preparation for next week if you're thinking of that sexy _____ costume but aren't quite sure watch this video about guys trying sexy costumes on-- it might change your mind (or maybe not... then more power to you sista!).

big sur big love

The California Coastline boasts some beautiful views and Big Sur definitely has some of the best. Big Sur is such a magical place, I could return over and over. It's waters range from a beautiful aqua blue (you'd think you're somewhere tropical) all the way to the deepest, darkest sapphire blue. There's an enormous range of creatures to see from pods of whales and dolphins frolicking out of the waters, butterflies and birds freely flying, otters holding hands in the kelp and elephant seals barking in the distance. There's also the majestic redwood forests and relaxing sounds of waterfalls. Breathtaking sunsets. And you can't forget the sight of a billion stars at night.

We took a trip down the coast mainly because I wanted to experience Treebones, a resort where you can glamp, camp, or stay in a human nest all while overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Since I didn't get to camp this past summer, I took the opportunity to stay in one of their Sibley tents, already set up with a front row view of the Big Blue. It was amazing to say the least... my favorite parts being the incredible sunset, stargazing at nighttime, and waking up to that view. It's a place I would definitely return to and hope it's not long before I do.

music mondays

finally, friday

All aboard the USS America. So glad I got to tour the carrier before it took off for San Diego. Was a great Columbus day spent. 

On the flight deck of the USS America.

Also enjoying that last bit of the Bay Area's Indian Summer. Hopefully there's a few more weeks of this left (and then hopefully the rain, we need it!).

Finally made a couple pouches out of remnant fabric I got at the Pendleton store in Oregon from two years ago.

I'm so, so excited for this weekend. We're headed to a place I've been before a few hours away, but that's not the exciting part-- well, it is part of it, but there's something even more exciting. We will be staying at a place I've been wanting to stay at for quite some time now and I could not be more excited. Hopefully it lives up to it's expectations. I can't wait to share with you all once the weekend is over, but until then, enjoy your weekend and I'll be back Monday!

So this is why my guilty pleasure junk food are flaming hot cheetos. 

Very cool website dedicated to adventuring!

A fun and silly quiz to find out which 90's fragrance you were... I got Bath and Body Works spray, too funny! Also a reminder how fragrances can bring back certain memories or times in your life...

music mondays

Aside from the lyrics, there's something so romantic about this tune... I want to dance under the light of a thousand stars...

finally, friday

A snapshot from one of my favorite places to frequent during one of the most beautiful nights

One of the most delicious brunch places in the city-- it's standard American breakfast, but so well done. Those potatoes... and the lemon ricotta pancakes...

Practice makes perfect right? Just practicing my soldering to make these silver rings.

One of the lovely meals I had this week-- I love me a good portobello steak

San Francisco, still beautiful even on a foggy day.

Happy Friday everyone! I almost lost track of the days and forgot it was Friday! Yay for the weekend and for fleet week, my favorite event in the city. Will you be getting out and enjoying the events?

Sushi myths, busted.

I enjoy watching the show Naked and Afraid and the fact that this lady survived (albeit, clothed) is crazy!

This outfit is so good, too bad the weather has gone down about 20 degrees for me to wear something like it!

So I watched this documentary this past week and I literally was tearing up at how beautiful the relationship and interactions between humans and nature are. I pretty much can't believe this is a real story. A must watch!