SYLEEGURL IN THE CITY

In NY I will...

2011-10-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

...walk to work (unless I can't master walking in snow...tricky...)

...buy fresh flowers on the corner for my tiny, tiny apartment

...not fret that I am paying twice what I'd pay in SF for an apartment (and still carry a mortgage)

...spend as much time at High Line Park as possible

...try and stay at a bar until 4am closing at least once (I'm useless past midnight)

...feast at Le Bernardin (and profess my love to Eric Ripert)

...camp out at Mood Fabrics until I run into Tim Gunn (it's bound to happen, right?)

...say hello w/ a smile to every doorman I meet

...wear a Chargers jersey every Sunday during the football season

...try every new trendy workout in town (until my groupon runs out)

...not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats (please, please, please don't let me see a rat)

...spend time in Brooklyn

...go to the 2012 US Open

...kick ass at my job

...make a point of meeting every acquaintance I have for coffee or a drink, since I have zero actual friends out there

...find true love & live happily ever after in a multi-million dollar penthouse. Right, Carrie?

New chapter...

2011-10-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been awhile, and a lot has happened in the past months.

I was laid off from my job.

Went on at least 50 job interviews.

Got offers. Turned down offers. Got turned down w/o offers.

Had my ego and self-esteem take a few kicks.

And finally landed on what could quite possibly be a dream opportunity.

Time to put my money where my mouth is so-to-speak and leave the comfy confines of the advertising agency world behind...onward to a tech startup (well, it's an ad-tech startup...baby steps!) I've been preaching my entire career about doing what you're passionate about - and it's clear to all that I'm passionate about the startup world. Luckily, my first foray is at a pretty established startup (already had C-series funding) and rests right on the border of advertising and technology (both what I know and what I love)

Oh, and I may have failed to mention...it's based in NEW YORK! Yup - I'm doing what I never thought I'd do...leaving the Bay Area. Let's see what NY has up her sleeve for me.

The decision-making process was brutal. And once I got out of the "take a job because I need a job" mode and really settled back into a place of power ("take a job because I want THIS job"), I found that the options were all pretty amazing and seemingly perfect for me.

I had offers from:

An ad agency where I could support all of the West region (with some kick-ass leadership and growing like crazy)
A mobile app startup doing amazing, disruptive things in the industry, young & small but growing...fast...
And a national position at an ad-tech startup that's almost a grown up, but needs that extra push to get them there.

The first was my comfort zone. The second where I thought I wanted to be. The third, well, at the end of the day, turned out to be the perfect marriage of size, industry, and growth.

So, away I go! But don't worry my love, Bay Area, I also support the Palo Alto office and will be back often. You know I can't stay away long.

And to my new home: be gentle. I am open to loving you if you treat me with kindness. Surprise me everyday. Reveal hidden beauties about yourself to me. Introduce me to great people. Let me experience great success professionally and personally. And keep me safe.

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do...

New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, street lights will inspire you..."

Torture tools...

2011-08-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

My 2 obsessions as of late:

TRX suspension training

Pilates reformer machines

I have to admit, between TRX and the Pilates reformer, workouts aren't quite as miserable. Let's get real: I love food and beer too much to be a lean, mean, fighting machine. But, with these workouts, I can feel a little less guilty when I down a Big Mac!

My boyfriends...

2011-07-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Remember back a few months ago when my boyfriends Justin and Jimmy performed (flawlessly, I might add) the History of Rap? (need a reminder?)

Well, I had heard that JT would be visiting Jimmy's show again last night and hoped that they had another brilliant musical number up their sleeves. Not wanting to disappoint the woman they love (yes, I'm referring to me...this is my blog, I get to be delusional), they came through with History of Rap 2!

*sigh* heart, heart, heart them!

Shop till I drop...

2011-07-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I heart you. True, after 2 store visits and a dozen logins to nordstrom.com, I am poorer, but definitely more prepared for Fall.

Lots of basics (hanky pankys, mac makeup sets, dresses (as most know, for me, a basic)...) and a few key pieces:

AG Stilts jeans...heart these...

LOVE the back of this blouse!...

The picture doesn't do these Enzo's justice. The color is a deep berry...gorgeous...and comfy!

I needed some booties...nude, very versatile

Obsessed with this Coach tote. HUGE and perfect for schlepping around all my stuff...

Michael Kors sunglasses...lots of Summer left in the year!...

I don't think I can spend another dollar (dime, penny...) for the rest of the...year?

Weekender...

2011-07-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...gotta say, this past weekend was pretty lovely. What a perfect representation of Summer!

Friday was a nice, unexpected day off from work. Tons of errands (and a few big withdrawals from the bank account) later, and I was feeling ready to enjoy the long weekend.

Saturday, Emily, Margaret and I headed over the bridge to the Tennessee Valley Trail. It was a nice little hike, but the best part was lunch afterwards. We must've been hungry because all we talked about was food! Fish tacos, ceviche, and bbq oysters did the trick for me. My favorite part, though, ice cold beers from mason jars overlooking the harbor!

Sunday had me tackling a bunch of home improvement. I knew I wanted to get my office redecorating done. So, with a few cans of high gloss white spraypaint, I refurbished a few pieces of furniture, bought a perfect-sized bar cart, and did some DIY wall art. Moved everything into the tiny room and voila...a new office space!

Monday ended with a great little bbq. Salmon steaks, brussel sprout chips (Marlowe would have been proud!) and for dessert, grilled plums with coconut/pineapple sorbet. Yum!

A little tough being back at work today...gotta admit...

Summer bounty...

2011-06-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed at what my backyard, even with zero attention or love from me, is able to produce. I count my blessings that at one previous time in history, this house was owned by former Chez Panisse chefs who planted some amazing trees! Now, I have meyer lemons, green apples, black figs, plums, and persimmons at various times throughout the year! Summer is always my favorite because its when the lemons and the plums are in full ripeness. So thankful...

(lemons, plums, and mint from my yard...)

Ramen...

2011-06-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of ramen. I admit, I'll eat the freeze-dried, 4 for $1 kind just as happily as I will the miso-broth'd, pork-bellied, $9/bowl kind. I heart the salty goodness. So bless you, David Chang (Momofuku) for your first issue of "Lucky Peach" and it's cover-to-cover dedication to one of my favorites. Ramen has truly arrived. Love.

Get your copy here...

...Oh, and while we're here: special shout out to my favorite ramen of the hour, Hapa Ramen truck. Currently the best in SF in my humble (but expert) opinion. :)

Redesign - home office...

2011-06-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

The room that is currently my 2nd bedroom, aka the "throw all my junk in there" room, is being converted to a home office. I've been wanting to do this for awhile, but have been too lazy. This weekend, I kicked my butt into gear and at least painted the room to get me started.

I knew I wanted to go Tiffany blue/turquoise'ish for the walls. There are some great white accents in the room (framing the doors and windows) and I thought it would work well. I chose Benjamin Moore's Jamaican Aqua. In the day, the color is pretty mild, and at night, it turns much more "shocking". I wasn't sure at first, but its growing on me.

Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua

Found this pic online from someone who used the same color for her room

Notice how the 2 colors don't even look the same? It actually does change when in natural light or in shadow or evening light (though it's closer in shade to the 2nd picture than the 1st from what I can tell). My room is fairly small so in order to avoid making it seem cold, I'm going with floor lighting instead of ceiling.

In any case, I'm keeping it both modern...and cheap. Ikea and Overstock.com to the rescue! Black leather, white epoxy furniture, and yellow accents. I think it will be interesting. Pictures to follow once I get it all done.

Something like this...

Staycation...

2011-05-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Though we had decided months ago to go camping Memorial Day weekend, none of us actually got around to planning it! So, staycation it is! I actually love staying around the city during a holiday weekend. Most people take off and the city is nice and quiet (except for the thousands and thousands of tourists...)

Friday night we caught "Hangover 2". Probably one of the worst movies ever. But, really, how wrong can you go getting to watch Bradley Cooper for 2 hours? Exactly.

Saturday we head out to Stinson Beach to go hiking. After some gnarly traffic, we parked, sat on the sand and watched the waves a bit, and suddenly realized it was 1pm and we hadn't had lunch. Luckily all of us were in a very "go where the wind takes us" mood, so instead of hiking we made our way to Stinson Beach Cafe. I was just coming off my cleanse so decided to keep things "light" (HUGE chicken salad, grilled oysters, mimosas, and bloodys...see? Light!) Sushi and drinks later that night down in the Panhandle.

Sunday, we all got on a the Ruby sailboat and took a nice little ride around the bay. It was GORGEOUS! The waters got a little choppy (and one of our fellow passengers had a minor meltdown), but all in all, a fantastic time!

German food and some beer boots for our group at Suppenkuche for dinner afterward and I was tuckered by the end of the night.

Monday provided for some nice needed rest. All weekends should be 2 days jam-packed and Monday be a day of rest...don't you agree?

Bye, Oprah...

2011-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't say I'm one of those Oprah-obsessed people, but I really, really appreciate what she's done for our culture and that she has, in fact, made an impact time and again in my life for as long as I can remember. Best to you!

Guess what today is...

2011-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

...awwww yeah...Nordstrom Half-Yearly: second best sale only to the Nordstrom Anniversary! Woot! Aiming for a cute maxi dress, comfy fitted tshirt to wear w/ skinny jeans, summer sandals, and some Hanky Panky's. Bring it!

Knives...

2011-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

(No need to be concerned. Though my previous posts chronicled a bit of my funk, I do promise that I'm still safe to be around sharp objects! Do not fear. ha!)

What do women do when they're feeling down? Shop...duh! And though I did a bit of clothes shopping over the weekend, the other thing that brings me pleasure is kitchen stuff! So, I bought a couple new AWESOME knives by Global. I've been wanting these - after all, my girl Giada uses them - and though I currently use Wusthof Classics (which I love!), I did need a couple new sizes and thought I'd go for the Globals! I am SOOOO in love! I immediately skinned an apple and cut up an onion...JUST BECAUSE (no I didn't eat them together!)

Ahhh...the simple (yet spendy) pleasures of life...

Global 5.5" santoku and 3.5" paring knives...

...along with Wusthof Classic 8" utility, 7" santoku, and 6" chefs knives...

Spring cleaning...

2011-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm starting a cleanse.

WTF...I know.

My coworker asked if I'd be interested in doing a 5-day cleanse with her. We both have been in a funk (work, health, life...) and needed a kick start. So, we signed up for one posted on Lemons and Loafers. Not as intrusive and brutal as others I've seen...I actually think I can do this. (though I do worry about bathroom stuff...if you know me, you know I hate going at work...bah)

What do I want to get out of it? I don't know yet. But, we have 20 min journal writing assignment before the cleanse starts to figure it out. I just want to feel like I'm STARTING something new in my life. This is as good a way to do it as any, I guess.

Wish me luck...

What'd I miss?...

2011-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've written a new post.

Let's see:

Bin Laden was caught & killed
LinkedIn went public thus starting what everyone fears to be a bubble
The Rapture came and went
Oh yeah, and I was told I'm being laid off, I professed my love to my ex-boyfriend who told me he's too F'd up to be in a relationship, I turned 1 year closer to 40, and I may be suffering from depression.

Ok, I'm being a bit melodramatic, but yes, its been a tough month. May 2011...I'll always remember how you screwed me over.

I'm actually more in a funk than depressed.

I've never had to look for a job that I actually needed (always found jobs while already gainfully employed. I actually still have my job until the end of August, but it's pretty impossible to do a job where 1) you're not needed and 2) you're not engaged) It's scary...I don't want just any job. I want one that I'll LOVE! And I won't compromise. Thanks to Suze Orman, I've got about 5 months of savings (sorry, Suze, just hadn't gotten to that 8 month mark, yet)...but man, having a mortgage staring you in the face is tough...

After almost 2 years of being broken up with GQ, I realized I've never really gotten over him. So, instead of wondering "what if", I just told him. And he, in his kind, gentle way, told me he's got things he needs to work on and just can't be in a relationship right now. I appreciate his honesty. That, and he can go to hell. :) j/k...kinda... What I do know is that I don't want to have my heart broken by him anymore. Once was brutal...but twice now just is this close to unbearable. I HAVE to move on.

Oprah says she loved turning 40. I guess that's easy to say when you're almost 60. I always think people who say that mean it because they're married, have kids, and they've already entered into that stage of life. Me? I don't think I'll be embracing this last year of my 30's...I'll hate every minute of it. Ha! At least for the first 8 days thus far...

How many times does one have to pick themself up, dust themself off, and move on? I feel like I've had a lifetime of these moments to date...I'd like to just stop falling for awhile...

My new toy...

2011-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Work has been brutal the last few weeks. 15+ hour days have had their toll on me (thus the silence from the blog recently), and even mustering the energy to eat has been tough. So, after much encouragement from numerous friends, I decided to buy myself a crock-pot! A 3-qt programmable beauty! No more hungry nights for me!

Ok, so I must admit, I was scared at first. One: I'm terrified of having something cooking in my house while I'm gone...I have nightmares of coming home to a burnt down home! Two: I wondered, other than pot roast, what one could actually make in a crock pot...can the food be nutritious and delicious?

Attempt #1 - turkey sloppy joes. The recipe called for ground beef, but I substituted ground turkey. I was shocked to find that it was really, really delicious...(though the turkey made it a bit dry, to be honest...may stick with lean ground beef next time)

getting the ingredients ready...ipad is the BEST kitchen appliance ever! :)

precook the turkey, onions, and green peppers...

add the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker

set to simmer for 7 hrs (or 4-5 hours on low)

and...voila! fill a whole wheat bun (add some pickles!) and a side of baked chips.

I've since made beef stroganoff (didn't love it...too salty and heavy), 4-bean veggie chili (loved, but will probably add meat next time!), "kitchen sink" chicken (took all the ingredients in my fridge that were nearing death, and put them together in the crock pot...chicken, garlic, onion, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, and broth...not bad), and a dijon brussel sprout hash (overcooked it and the brussel sprouts got super mushy and the texture was too offputting...).

This week, provencal beef stew, pork chops, and chicken fajitas...

So, a couple hits and a few misses. But, I have to say, I'm kinda obsessed with the possibilities! Hey, don't knock it till you try it. You CAN use a crock pot and still keep your gourmet cred!

From Sun to Snow...

2011-03-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Its been a pretty busy month for me. The loss of my 94-year old grandmother was tough. Work has been challenging (in both a good and frustrating way). And that nasty cold going around knocked me out. But even with all that, I had the really amazing opportunity to bookend the madness with a couple wonderful vacation getaways.

SUN:

Cabo for 6 days w/ my friend Lily. She wanted to get out of town during the shitstorm that Valentines Day often can be. I wanted to do absolutely nothing. It was perfect. Amazing pool/beach time (finished 2 books!), such YUMMY food, and just a much-needed relaxing time.

Gorgeous beach...

Cozy by the pool...

Staying cool...

The girls...

SNOW:

A last minute decision, I signed up for the Kirkwood 3-day Womens' Snowboard Clinic. It was AMAZING. I really needed to up my skills and these instructors and my fellow riders were both challenging and encouraging. Epic conditions and an AMAZING experience.

Gorgeous mountain...

Cozy by the fire...

Staying warm...

The girls...(and our instructor, Rodrigo (far right)...hubba, hubba)

I feel I used up my 2011 quota for vacations already! But so many other plans brewing in this head of mine!!!! Where to next?

Treasure hunting...

2011-02-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...the first Sunday of the month...

ALAMEDA FLEA MARKET (they officially call it the Alameda Antique Mall...whatever). For those of you LA'ers, you might liken it to the one in Pasadena/Rose Bowl. I love getting the chance to go and spend the morning here. Not just because there are some amazing things to be bought (as I found out last time), but also because its gorgeous...there's an amazing view of the SF skyline in the background and its next to the water so its just breezy enough that even on this toasty day, it was bearable.

I woke up at 6am, rode the bus to pick up my zipcar, and headed off. Yes, it takes some commitment for me, carless and in Berkeley, to get there. Today, my efforts paid off.

I went with ONE thing specifically in mind...get an old, vintage bar cart. I didn't exactly find one that I was looking for, however, at the end of the day, I did find a cool industrial looking cart that I actually think would make for a perfect bar in my soon-to-be-redecorated home office.

In any case, here's my bounty:

Found this great Danish teak side chair. Comparable ones were going for about $80-$100. I picked this one up for $40.

Tip: Don't buy from vendors that "specialize" in something (meaning, all they sell is mid-century modern furniture, for instance.) Instead, look for the "junk collectors" who sell a hodge-podge of stuff. Sometimes, they have no idea what gems they have and they price their stuff way low.

It fits perfectly in the corner of my sunroom.

Found this fantastic 3-tier end table. The vendor was using it to display other stuff (including a plastic plant and a yellow & red polka dot piggy bank...shit you not). He asked $45, I got it for $40...solid wood!

Tip: Don't be woo'd by the vendors who "showcase" their stuff. I've found the vendors who have the nicest displays usually overprice their goods. Also, anything is for sale...including display racks. And of course, ALWAYS try and talk down the price.

This fits perfectly next to my media console AND I can use it to hide my hideous ventilation grate. (don't mind the San Francisco picture...it still needs a frame! ...Oh! And there's the old vintage fan I bought last time at the flea market!)

And this: my new bar cart. It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase and I paid $200 for it...but since I couldn't find the one I was looking for, I got excited about this as an alternative. Its bigger than it looks in the picture and really sturdy...(don't mind my weed-infested back yard)

Tip: Some items are worth investing in. This cart weighs about 200 lbs...no kidding. I had to have a worker help me load it and I won't even go into how I got it out of the car by myself. Be open-minded about what you buy and how you'll use it. I actually really like the restaurant/industrial feel of this.

ummm...so...really? It sucks living alone. I tried getting this up my back patio stairs and it tipped over (and probably scared the hell out of every neighbor w/in a 2 block radius w/ the crash). I have NO idea how I'm going to get this into my house, its SO FREAKING heavy.

But, when I do, I'm gonna shine it up, display my best liquor on the top (I'm thinking Stoli Elit, No. 209 gin, Basil Hayden bourbon and my crystal decanter filled w/ Oban 14 scotch), and get a pretty vintage ice bucket and tray as well.

Tip: Plan ahead. Make sure your car is big enough to transport whatever you buy and make sure you have someone there to help you unload! BAH!

And now...I think I'll have to rest my aching back...looks like Superbowl Sunday plans may have to be changed...

Terrorized...

2011-01-18T23:16:00.000-08:00

Ok, its no secret. I am scared shitless of raccoons. Most people think they're the cutest little things. Adorable. How could anyone be scared of them?

Well, when you come face-to-face with one the size of a small german shepherd, with fangs ready to bite, hissing at you (which I have), then you'd understand my fear. Also, I've read too many stories of vicious raccoon attacks to know they are NOT nice creatures.

It just so happens that they are ALL over the place in Berkeley. I have yet to actually SEE one, but evidence is everywhere that they've been in my yard, on my roof, and I suspect, living under my house.

The other night I heard a cat screech a blood-curdling sound, clearly being attacked.

I hear footsteps all around my house and they sound HEAVY (not a rat, not a cat, not even a dog).

I blocked a hole between my front steps and my crawlspace with a very large concrete block. The next morning, that block was pushed to the side.

I'm scared every night I come home from work that I'll run into one waiting for me.

I'm scared every night when I go to bed that one will find its way into my home.

I'm scared every night that they're under my house gnawing away at my electrical wires.

When I first starting hearing the sounds, I used to be afraid that it was a burglar, an attacker, or even a ghost. But now that I know its a raccoon, I have to say, nothing compares to the fear of the mutha-f'ing raccoon.

Seriously...how do raccoon-proof my home? Any ideas?

My current obsessions...

2011-01-07T22:15:00.000-08:00

House Hunters International
Quora
Spending $200 at a time (I have no explanation...)
Planning snowboarding trips
The Hawaiian Dreams collection on airbnb
Mascara application
Kicking ass at my new job
Not looking back at the insane asylum that is my old job
OWN - the Oprah Winfrey Network (don't judge)
Scrabble app on my ipad
Redfin.com
Finding the perfect aqua paint color for my home office walls
The mac app store
My right knee & the weird ball rolling around under the skin of my kneecap
Coconut water
Tying my scarf in a "Nordstrom knot"
Acme pan de san francisco bread

That's all.

Me in 2011...

2011-01-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm a bit late to the game with 2011. I wasn't ready for it to come so quickly and though I typically have a handful of specific goals I set for myself each year, I haven't had any time to even really think about what I want to accomplish in 2011. Moreso than any specific milestone, there are some attitude adjustments I'd love to focus on this year:

Stop spending money on frivilous things.

But rather...

Spend money unapologetically on things that bring me pleasure.

Stop spending time on relationships w/ no return on investment.

But rather...

Invest in more relationships.

Stop wasting time.

But rather...

Enjoy the "doing nothing" moments.

Take better care of myself.

Feed my creative side.

Be present more (yes, I did get that from Oprah...but it struck a chord w/ me)

Stand up for myself.

Minimize my "mean girl" moments.

Move forward.

Talk slower. (ha! Lame...but its true)

Yup...that about sums it up.

Snow on the mind...

2010-12-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

This is ALL I want to be doing right now. I can't think of anything else. I'm dying to get on the mountain. Soon...but not soon enough...

Me? Nope, I'm goofy-footed...but I like how mellow this picture looks...

My own naive political rant...

2010-12-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

Arggghhh! I keep asking myself if there's SOMETHING else going on that we all don't know about because NONE of this makes sense...at ALL! Doesn't compromise mean you give some and I give some, you get some and I get some?

Why wouldn't we stop the tax breaks for the richest Americans? Heck, if I made that much, I would expect to pay more! And if we need a compromise, if the amount of $250k includes too many small business owners, how about we raise it to $500k?

Why should we extend the tax breaks if its going to add $407B to the deficit? And if we need a compromise, why not only extend it for one year and not two?

Why is it ok to add $407B to the deficit, but apparently the $56B that would be added to the deficit by extending unemployment benefits is something the Republicans cannot tolerate? And if we need a compromise, why don't we make it just a little bit harder for people to receive the unemployment payout (meaning, more proof that you're actually looking for employment, etc...) in order to make abuse of the benefit less prevalent?

Is it better to get nothing done or something done that you don't quite agree with?

I hate the power trip the Republicans are on.

How are we THIS broken? And how do we fix it?

Is either side right?

How do I get the tea party reps to shut up?

Holy shit...I'm now one of those "frustrated Americans".

Its Christmas Time...

2010-12-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Christmas! I go bezerk every year...crazy in decorating, buying presents, wrapping, spending money. I'm a scene. This past weekend I took the time to spruce up the homestead. I admit, it looks a bit like Christmas just vomited itself all over my house, but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. LITERALLY, no REALLY, SERIOUSLY, the most WONDERFUL time of the year! :)

O tannenbaum, O tannenbaum...

Hanging snowflakes...love this...

This is only 1 angle...doesn't even show the other 4 poinsettias and 6 other hanging Christmas paraphernalia!

Someone came and stole my poinsettia. :( But at least its preserved in pictures!

I have a problem...

2010-12-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

...I'm a shopaholic. Sometimes, I can control myself. But around the holidays, I let loose and become a maniac. Case in point: Black Friday. 7 retail sites, 10 orders, 4-digit damage. Look at all the boxes that are trickling into my office each day...and this isn't even HALF of it! I may need a U-Haul to take it all home.

Now that I'm over the high of ordering it all, I'm stressing about wrapping, packing, and transporting it all during the Christmas rush. (Ok, I'll be honest...at least 1/2 of it is for meeeeee!!!!!)

Taking the plunge...

2010-11-30T11:27:00.000-08:00

Not me...just someone with a much hotter body...

After what seemed to be a marathon process, I finally can announce that I got a new job! Woot! More details to come, but all I can say is that I'm excited for a new opportunity and the chance to be challenged to do the things that I love to do! I think this is gonna be a great next step for me in my career.

Now, here's to ending well at my current job and being totally prepared for success at my new one! Cheers!

Boots!...

2010-11-09T15:26:00.000-08:00

I bought 2 new pairs of boots...and I want to wear them every day!!!!!

These are boots from Fergie (who knew she designed shoes?). I am OBSESSED with these...

And these Mia boots...I love, love, love...

Now, on to a perfectly-fit cardigan (no such luck so far) and a really great tote bag, and my winter shopping is done...maybe...

What a parade!...

2010-11-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

Having never lived in a city who's won a world championship (I don't count the time I was in LA and the Lakers won because, well...its the Lakers...and its LA...), I wanted to take in EVERY part of the Giants World Series victory and celebration.

Yesterday was the Victory Parade. Some amazing things about this day:

It went off w/o a hitch (or so it seemed). The crowds were massive but well-behaved!
I met people who flew in from the East Coast for this! The Giants FIRST championship since they moved to SF in 1958, these fans have waited a LONG, torturous time.
It was estimated that 1 million+ fans were in attendance. Amazing! But the numbers didn't scare anyone. No one wanted to miss this!

The Giants organization paid for the parade, not the tax payers.
This band of "misfits" seemed just as in awe and excited as the fans did! They were taking pictures and filming the whole thing as well!

(Tim Lincecum...seemed in awe, himself! Kinda love this guy!)

What a day of camaraderie, community, celebration...what a blast! And best of all, me, as a long-time Padres fan, got to have a tiny bit of additional satisfaction that both the head coach (Bruce Bochy) and the 3rd base coach (Tim Flannery), played for the Padres back in the day!

(Bruce & the trophy)

Thanks for this, Giants!

(photo via Emilystyle)

Special Birthday wishes...

2010-11-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

...to my girl, Jeannie.

You are truly one of the most amazing women I've ever met.

I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Happy Birthday!

World Champions!

2010-11-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Look, I'm a San Diego native and a Padres fan at heart. But, it has been impossible NOT to jump on the bandwagon for the Giants in their quest for the World Series title. The entire city has an energy and excitement that is contagious! So, it was really, really exciting to see "our" boys win it all last night! Way to go, Giants! The Bay Area loves you. Thank you!

Bender...

2010-11-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

This past week was a whirlwind of activity and has left me exhausted and my liver, quite possibly, pickled by all the alcohol consumption.

Monday - 1st date w/ a guy I met on BART. I know, random. But, promising. We went to Jupiter in downtown Berkeley, which I thought I'd hate, but actually found to be pretty awesome.

Tuesday - hosted the LAC meeting for October. The theme was mixology and I taught the gals some tips and tricks to bartending along with making a bunch of classic cocktails. It was a blast!

Wednesday - Game 1 of the World Series. What a scene! I camped out at Jillian's from 2:30pm just to save a section for the friends to arrive (yes, it was THAT crowded)! Ran into an old friend, had way too many pints of Bass, and enjoyed a Giants victory...the first of more to come...

Thursday - Date w/ GG (Google Guy - he works there). This was our 5th. I enjoy his company. This time, we met at The Refuge in San Carlos and had some crazy-good pastrami sandwiches, Belgian beers (Kwak is my new fav), and watched the Giants bring it home again!

Friday - Happy Hour bar crawl in the 11th & Folsom area. Some great new (and old) bars lining these streets. We hit up Bar Agricole, Butter, Wish, Mercury Lounge, and Nihon. So much fun. So very tired.

Saturday - Giants game on Polk St (Royal Oak, R Bar, Mayes), brief stop at a house party, and Halloween in North Beach.

Sunday - did nothing. spoke to no one. did not have alcohol. BEST DAY EVER.

I am too old for this much fun.

Inspired...

2010-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have a great desire to do something amazing with my life...heroic...inspiring. But, to think of myself...flawed, mediocre at times, a midget, lazy...as someone's hero? Well, its a stretch. I don't have superhuman strength. I'm not a genius. I'm not a gifted mobilizer nor a major influencer.

When I first heard about the trapped Chilean miners, I just couldn't believe how LONG it was going to take to get them out! Darkness. Cramped quarters. Limited supplies. You could imagine how crazy the situation could drive someone and no one would blame them for being angry, bitter, and even turning on each other. Yet, when the cameras finally made their way down, it wasn't images of fighting, sadness, frustration, but rather singing, smiles, community.

Yesterday, the world was captivated by the effort as one by one, the miners were rescued and finally today, Luis Urzua, the 54-yr old shift lead credited for keeping the men calm and the supplies rationed, was the last to reach the surface. Strangers were brought to tears, people from nation to nation celebrated, and amazingly, we adopted the miners into our hearts and lauded them.

Heroes. Yes, the rescue workers for their efforts - but, the miners themselves...Not for anything requiring super-human strength. Not for anything requiring genius-level IQ's. Not for anything requiring the mobilization or influence of the masses. But for simply remaining positive in an intensely difficult situation; for having great attitudes, patience, resilience, and hope.

I'm inspired. Looks like heroism doesn't have to be so far out of my reach. Great attitude. Patience. Resilience. Hope.

I definitely can strive to do that.

Alameda Flea Market...

2010-10-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have been DYING to go to this since buying my house but never took the time to do so. This past weekend I FINALLY did and I'm so glad!

What a treasure chest of goodies! If you're thinking of coming, be prepared to walk...this place is HUGE. Wear layers. Bring cash. And your own fold-up cart will come in handy (or you can rent a grocery cart for $5).

Here are some of the things that caught my eye:

I really wanted one of these old gas lanterns. I thought they'd be gorgeous outside in my patio. But alas, these were genuine railroad lanterns going for $60/ea!

Would have loved to buy and refurbish these beauties, but for my first visit, I decided to focus on small items.

WANT!

So cool! If only I had the space in my house...and enough wine bottles to fill it up!

Gorgeous vintage radios. Love the teak one on the top right.

But when all was said and done, I made 3 AWESOME purchases:

This small vintage desk fan...(and it works!)

These cute owl trivets...

And this amazing genuine Baccarat crystal scotch decanter...

I'm officially hooked. I can't wait to go back next month! I want a vintage bar cart, a vintage typewriter, a small chandelier, and possibly a teak side table...and...and...and...

Fourth quarter...

2010-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Its a given that the fourth quarter in a football game is the most important. You've gotta dig deep, push, and end strong.

October 1st...start of the fourth quarter...3 months to go...

Here's what I'm going to tackle Q4'10:

I'm going to become a bouldering machine. Just you watch. And my arms are gonna be sick! :)

I'm going to DC for 4 days...to visit my beloved Jeannie...and to see my heroes, Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert

The parentals have decided to visit the Bay Area over Thanksgiving...which means, I'm cooking my first TURKEY!

I'm painting and redecorating my spare bedroom and office...even if it KILLS me!

I HAVE to get the hell out of Dodge, yo's! I want to take an EXTENDED vacay...far, far away...

Good times, good times. Ending strong.

Oh Justin...

2010-09-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

...how I heart thee. Really.

Justin Timberlake is the man of my dreams. I just saw him on ESPN's NFL Countdown talking football. And now he's rapping with Jimmy Fallon. And as always, looking smoooooth...

If he can't be my luvah, can I at least spend one night with him at a club dancing the night away? Just one?

...And Jimmy Fallon...he's the guy I'd want as my best friend.

Just sayin'...

Grown up tastes...

2010-09-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

I want to simplify my bar from this:

to this:

I'd rather spend $200 paying off this:

than buying this (not really, but kinda...):

Saturday nights feel happier with this:

than this:

Oh yeah, and I found this:

OLD.

Armed and dangerous...

2010-09-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Last night, battling a bout of insomnia, I sat and watched tv in my living room. About midnight, I heard someone walk up my front porch stairs (creaky old wooden stairs...unmistakable when someone's there, really...). My front door has a fan window so you can see who's standing outside, but I had already turned the porch light off for the night. My heart stopped, but the sounds went away and I reminded myself that I'm inside, behind a locked door, and whoever I heard is not.

An hour later, I went to bed, turned off the lights, and nervously went under my covers. I swore I heard things moving in my living room and kitchen. I have wood floors with a crawl space underneath. You have to really tip toe around my house not to be heard. But still, I was paralyzed with fear. I prayed "please don't let this be happening to me". I gripped my phone, ready to call 911...and in the other hand had my pepper spray. I couldn't breathe. I thought of an escape plan. I thought of how I'd fight back. I even thought of what it would feel like to be shot. I even wished I had one of these:

(No this is not a real gun. Its an airgun. My 9 year old nephew even has one. But, I felt that if I had one of these at that moment, I'd feel safe.)

Its all insane...fear. Paralyzing. Debilitating.

And for the first time, I felt that with all the freedoms of living alone, FEAR made it the one thing in my life I wish I could change.

Back in the saddle...

2010-09-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Remember when my bike got stolen?

Well its been almost a year now, and I think I've finally started getting over the trauma! (hey, I'm a slow healer). To prove it, I bought myself this:

Yes, its pretty much the exact same bike. But upgraded just a bit. And it actually has 2 tires now! And, I got it for almost 1/2 the price of the original (so if it gets stolen again, I don't have to feel so sad). Oh, but just in case, I also got these:

You can never be too careful.

Lastly, I'm also on the brink of getting this:

Yes, I do realize that makes TWO new bikes. But one is for grocery shopping and the other is for off-roading. :)

Beware women and children and small pets...I'm back on the road!

And I ended up wearing...

2010-08-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

...this one (purple'ish):

Found it in my sister's closet. She bought it for a wedding she's attending in October. She didn't want to even show me...sneaky sister! But, after agreeing to buy her an entirely new dress just to let me BORROW the one she had, she agreed. She drives a tough bargain. And me? I was comfy, colorful, and had a great time at my friend's wedding. Success!

Love him...

2010-08-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, I still love him! So all you haters can just back off! :) This picture makes me want to go on a vacation on a lake...even in Florida. And that, in turn, would be good for the economy. So, he's doing his job. Done. 'Nuff said. :)

(August 15, 2010, St. Andrews Bay, FL - official White House photo)

Grouchy...

2010-08-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

You know what I just don't get?

San Francisco weather. Holy crap. It jumps from 65 to 95 in a day and apparently, right back down again this weekend
Men and their mixed signals. They say women are emotional? Sheesh...men are the moodiest mo-fo's around
The people in the city sitting at the outdoor cafes in the Marina or Russian Hill at 2pm. Don't you have jobs?
Stores that charge $300 for a really ugly dress.
A woman's metabolism after 35. Seriously. Can't I eat ANYTHING without gaining weight these days?
Salespeople that think its ok to be rude to the customer.
People who just don't know how to accept hospitality. No, your whole family is NOT all sleeping on my 1 guest bed. You're not putting me out by sleeping on my bed (clean sheets) when I'm not even there!
Refusing to put on your AC when its 100+ degrees. Goddamn cheapskates.
Not dressing for your body type...I know random...but it confuses me.
The lady who puts her bag on the bus seat next to her hoping that no one sits there...even when the bus is FULL. (Trust me lady, I WILL sit there...and I'll push myself uncomfortably close to you.)
Women who wear heels that they CLEARLY can't walk in. Take a class or wear flats.
Jerks who try and cross the street when the countdown is at 3, 2, 1...you're NOT gonna make it before the light turns AND you're in the way of the cars trying to make a left turn. Share the road, people!
Men who wear bike shorts (and the full get up, frankly) when they're only riding casually to work
Men with ponytails
Why hot weather makes me this grouchy...

What to wear?!!...

2010-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Laura and her dear fiance Cameron are getting married next weekend. So, all of us are packing up and heading out to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho for 4 days of madness. Laura and Cam are two of the most FUN and CRAZY people you'll ever meet and their relationship is all about laughing and loving. It speaks volumes that so many of their friends are making the trip to a state none of us have any business being in to help them celebrate! Trust...this will be the party of the year...and we ALL know it!

With that being said, between the 1st night out on the town, the Friday night rehearsal dinner cruise, Saturday's ceremony, and Sunday brunch, its crucial that the wardrobe be JUST right. Leave it to me, the "Girl With 100 Dresses", to have NOTHING to wear. I'm at a loss. Friends have found their dresses months ago. Me? I've gone through 10-15 purchases...none of which have been a keeper. I'm starting to stress.

Bright color? Solid or print? Nothing that requires Spanx since its a warm, outdoor wedding. Nothing form fitting...I plan to eat and drink a lot. Something comfortable...there will be the "dance party of the century" during the reception! MUST FEEL SUPER FLY! :) Cleavage or none? Shoes...strappy sandals (sexier) or wedges (we're on grass)? Ack.

Some options still in the running (namely because some haven't arrived yet, I haven't tried them on, and in my warped mind, I imagine them looking fabulous on me...I'm in for a rude awakening, I'm sure):

Great color. Pretty cut. But the fabric is unforgiving and if I sweat (given), game over. Wonder if my belly pooch will be pronounced in this get-up...

This dress would allow eating, drinking, spanx-less-ing, and breathing. But, I fear I'll look like a tent. I hoped the embellished neckline would make it feel fancier. Who knows. The key: length. If its short enough, could be cute. Too long and it will look matronly.

I ordered this dress in a dark purple. The shoulder "strap" is embellished. Its a nice loose fit (jersey). Waiting for it to be shipped so I can see if 1)my left boob will look HUMONGOUS and 2) will back fat be an issue?

The beige dress in the middle (from my shopping spree in LA a couple months ago) is still in consideration. It fits well and I feel comfy in it. HOWEVER, its a high, buttoned neck (potential sweat issue), and its beige (will it photograph "dirty looking" next to the bride in white?)

Lastly, I bought this dress tonight. I know what you're thinking...BUT it actually looks a lot cuter on than in this picture. It fits well and I like that its different. Now, there's no boob support in this dress and I'm having trouble getting over the fact there's a giant bow draped across the front. It actually looks less "frou frou prom" when on...or maybe I was so tired of trying on dresses, I just talked myself into it. I'll try it again tomorrow...

Not really loving any of them...and that's proving to be a problem. Well, I've got until next Thursday to figure this out. Wish me luck...

Dream man...

2010-08-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

So, I spent the greater part of my Saturday afternoon hungover (shocker, I know), in front of the tv (even more unbelievable, I know), watching a bravo marathon (I'm nothing if not predictable) of "Bethanny Getting Married". Holy shitballs (as she'd say)! I am in LOVE with Jason Hoppy! Is this guy for REAL? I mean, he is just about the sweetest, most endearing, most devoted, most patient, most able-to-deal-with-a-crazy-lady man of all time! How this guy stayed single for 38 years is beyond me. I just gotta say, Bethanny, you're lucky he didn't meet ME first because he'd NATURALLY fall madly in love with me and all my INSANITY and commitment-phobic ways before ever knowing about YOU!

Breakout star of 2010...ladies and gentlemen...Jason Hoppy...my love...

Project Runway...

2010-07-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

...starts tonight! Yippee! Now, I must admit that this season may be a bit of overkill. They have 17 designers and every episode is 90 minutes long. I might OD on this. But, I can't help but be excited. What, with the sad Top Chef season so far, and the Real Housewives getting nastier and nastier, I need a little reality tv love. And how GREAT does Heidi Look?

Can't wait!

Sad trombone...

2010-07-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

http://sadtrombone.com/

Do you think that life is HARD sprinkled with GOOD times, or GOOD sprinkled with HARD times?

My life has been kicking me in the proverbial nuts as of recently and I'm starting to get pissed! Work has been discouraging and beating me down lately. I've been on this date-a-thon the past few weekends (more info on that to come) trying to meet up with 6 different guys in 2 weeks (a couple REALLY bad dates in the mix) and I am exhausted and quite frankly disheartened. Financially, things are starting to feel tighter than usual (supplemental tax bill, anyone?). And I CANNOT stop eating...weight gain is out of control! All of this and I have a high school reunion coming up that I'm just not feeling...

Yet, with all life's efforts to break me, I'm still doing ok...not quite knocked down...which is a good thing. Surprising, actually.

No inspiring goals or efforts necessarily to get me out of the hole...just an attitude that screams, "Whatever...this too shall pass..."

I do feel like kicking some ass though. :)

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale...

2010-07-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

...aka, my yearly road to near bankruptcy...

I forced myself to stay up until midnight last Thursday in order to be the first in "line" on nordstrom.com for the Anniversary Sale. Chomping at the bit to see what new Fall/Winter merch would be previewed and sold at reduced prices...

Honestly, not much. But, still...I managed to spend a pretty penny...especially on the essentials: bras, panties, spanx (a 30-something's best friend), winter tights...

Here's a sampling of the other goodies I bought:

PS - I was on a business trip in a hotel room when I made my Nordstrom online purchases way past my mid-week bedtime. When I got home, I noticed I had lost my Amex card. Calling the hotel, they said they had found my card and on it was a note from housekeeping: "this card was found in between the sheets of the bed". Nice. Thanks housekeeping, for your judgement...

A Year Ago Today...

2010-06-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

...this house became mine.

A year of headache, heartbreak, penny-pinching, debt, fear, second-guessing, and many, many tears later...

I've never been happier.

Thank you, Home...you've surprised me with your ability to envelope me with love, protect me from life's storms, challenge me to be an adult, and proving daily that you were worth it all.

Lessons I learned from "Lost"...

2010-05-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

First off, thank you Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. I loved every single minute of it. Not just the finale...but each and every episode for six seasons. Well done.

Now, after much reflection...

"Lessons I learned from Lost"

Everyone is flawed. Even the pretty people who are able to look amazing when dirty, sweaty, and make-up less...they, too, are flawed. Hallelujah. I don't have to hate.
There's never a good explanation for running into a polar bear on an island.
Hollywood will always find a way to find a young actor w/ an uncanny resemblance to an adult actor to play them in a flashback (young Jacob...hello? Holy teenage doppelganger!)
I may be wrong about Asian men...I'd date Jin and/or definitely Miles in a heartbeat.
Never wear white or jeans when flying...in case of crash. I'd hate to be stuck on a sweaty island with jeans on...and a white "shows every spot" tank top.
Become a stronger swimmer, paddler, gun shooter, puncher, liar...you never know when these skills can come in handy.
The success of a really smart show is in direct correlation to how many Asians are in the cast. (Fast Forward = 1. Lost = 4 (don't forget the head Dharma dude))
Star Wars references make every scene better.
When stranded on an island, always ask yourself if this is actually purgatory...you could save yourself a lot of stress and headache.
Doctors are ALWAYS the hero. (Dangit, I should've listened to my Korean parents who said I'd be a failure if I studied anything other than medicine)
I am dumb. Seriously. I read some analysis of the finale and series as a whole and I didn't pick up ANY of the clues! I didn't even figure out the finale...AT ALL! What the?

Man...I'm gonna miss this show. Can't wait for the box set to come out with all the seasons. Lost marathon sounds amazing now that I know what they were trying to do from the beginning! Ha!

I don't care what I should do...

2010-05-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday last week. Its normally around this time that people reflect on the year past and make some goals for the year forward. I've noticed when you reach a "certain" age (not sure when exactly that is), it becomes less about where you're going and more about where you're not or where you haven't been.

By this point in my life, I know, I know...

I should be married.

I should have children.

I should be thinner.

I should eat better.

I should exercise more.

I should drink less.

I should make more money.

I should reapply sunscreen.

I should consider botox.

I should wear more sensible shoes.

I should take a multivitamin.

I should dress my age.

I should be more accomplished.

Thinking over all of this, for one brief moment, I felt totally depressed. What the hell have I been doing with my life for the past ** years? How come I'm not where I SHOULD be?

And then it hit me...

I'm at a really great place in my life. Simply:

I AM happy.

I AM a good person.

I AM kind to people for the most part.

I AM generous.

I AM loyal.

I AM fun.

I AM having fun.

I AM dressed with a smile on my face 90% of the day.

All, in all, that sounds pretty awesome. So, happy birthday to me! I'm exactly where I should be and excited for the year ahead to see where I'm going!

The San Francisco treat...

2010-05-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Bay to Breakers 2010 was, as usual, ridonkulous! I am always impressed and amazed at how creative people get with their costumes. Some of the best ones would walk by and I'd think, "man, I wish he was my friend". (and no, I'm not talking about the wrinkly, hairy, naked guys...) ha! Don't worry; no x-rated photos from my camera... *wink* (at least not posted!)

Well done, SF...

...the house from "Up"...

...Conan...

...everything's better with bacon...

...never too old (the guys underneath these lego costumes were like 50!)

...I heart this DJ! He was awesome...

...can't forget the Jersey Shore crew...

New office space...

2010-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Our offices just recently got a facelift and MAN, it truly makes all the difference! We used to be in a cubicle farm with high walls and a real call-center type environment. There was nothing creative about it. Monday was our first day in our newly renovated space (after 5 months in our temporary digs...dreadful).

Tada!

Iconic images of SF when you get off the elevator

Modern yet inviting lobby area

Open, counter-height workspaces & concrete floors for the Creative Dept

...ping pong...our true passion...

Open offices & conference rooms...transparency...

...lots and lots of natural light...

Loads of space for eating & socializing

Little details...quotes in the light fixtures...

The "Great Room"...plenty of space for multimedia and collaboration...

Loving it...you can feel the rejuvenated energy and buzz already!

April showers bring...

2010-05-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

...MAY FLOWERS!

Trial and error, trial and error. I've spent a pretty penny and invested hours and hours of time into my backyard...only to have it look lovely, then disastrous (weeds!), then bare, and now...lovely!

I admit that some of the things I've planted have past away to Garden Heaven. But others are alive and well and have really flourished! And now with Spring (and Summer around the corner), I'm amazed at what's blooming in my backyard! (I'd include the names of the flowers, but honestly, I have no idea...)

Oh! And my flagstone pavers were getting really beat up and weeds were taken over the in-between parts. So, I planted some Irish moss as filler. Its supposed to grow and spread and eventually be full like a nice outdoor carpet! Fingers crossed!

Before...

After...

Come on over! The weather's gorgeous and my outdoor space if itchin' for some company!

On the road again...

2010-04-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe...

Before I get all Willie Nelson on you, I'll preface by saying that I'm still debating.

Its been almost 2 years that I've been car-less. This is a BIG deal for a girl raised in Southern California - where your car is your home-away-from-home. Having a car, and the kind of car you have is all a part of who you are in SoCal. But, not so much up here in the Bay Area.

Obviously, when I was living in the city, I realized that having a car payment, an insurance payment, AND paying for a garage in order to keep a car handy to be used MAYBE once a week was becoming a waste. So, I got rid of it all. With Muni, cable cars, BART, taxis, and my good 'ol 2 feet, getting around the city was a piece of cake.

But now, *sigh*, I am an East Bay resident. (give me a moment...)

Ok...

And being without a car has proven difficult. Not impossible, mind you...but inconvenient.

So, I'm thinking of taking the plunge. Nothing fancy. Just something small, reliable, cheap, and nothing I have to really care about at all. Everyone's encouraging me to buy used, but I just don't know how to do that. Too much to consider and be careful about. I'd rather just buy new.

My frontrunner: the Nissan Versa. Not bad. Reliable. Hecka-cheap.

Ack, we'll see. Not having a car was getting me serious street-cred in Berkeley. It made up for my poor eating, drinking, recycling habits...and for the fact that I like myself a 20 minute shower every now and again. Shhhh...don't tell the neighbors...

Lifelong dream fulfilled...

2010-04-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe "lifelong" is a bit of an exaggeration. However, for many a moon now, I have been DYING to see my main guy, my UMC himself, Conan O'Brien, live. And now, the day has finally come!

Tomorrow night I get to see Conan on his live tour before starting his new gig at TBS! 2 hours of pure hilarity, bliss, and yes, maybe wetting myself a bit (sorry...). I hope and pray his hair has that extra little wave and bounce I have come to love. *le sigh*

See you tomorrow night, my love...(no, not you Janet...)

Dinner party...

2010-04-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Emily, party planner extraordinaire, hosted an SF earthquake blackout-themed dinner party last night on the anniversary of the SF Earthquake back on April 18th, 1906. Cioppino, sourdough, and candlelight as well as "teaching" games about making splints, building shelters, shock positions, and "30-2-can do"...(courtesy of our NERT-certified host, Rob).

Great information in light of all the major earthquakes around the world lately. And the food was amazing! Thanks, Emily & Rob, for a lovely time!

gorgeous table setting...

...including emergency preparedness pamphlets

...candles lit as it got darker

Yum, cioppino and sourdough...

Remembering the great earthquake that devastated the city in 1906

When life gives you lemons...

2010-04-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

...make Limoncello! I've made 5 bottles to date! They have to "stew" for a month...counting the days to ice this puppy up and have a sip!

Peanut butter jelly time...

2010-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late in posting this, but this past April 2nd was National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day! And at my office, this is a BIG deal! We had our 3rd annual celebration and it was, as usual, a blast...

The big 100!...

2010-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Although my house is "new" to me, she's actually been around the block! April 2010 celebrates her 100th birthday and I didn't want this to go by without a big celebration! I bought a new bbq grill and was ready to have friends over for a party. The weather didn't cooperate, but an amazing brunch was still had by all. My girl kept us all warm and safe from the storm and everyone left with full bellies!

The menu:

phyllo-wrapped parmesan asparagus
spinach artichoke dip w/ crackers
caprese
grilled cheese sandwiches w/ apples & ham (yeah, new grill!)
ham & asparagus frittata
pesto foccaccia bread
chocolate croissants
banana crunch muffins
ruby red mimosas
white sangria
coffee

photo courtesy of Anna's tumblr...forgot to take a picture when the whole spread was put out. this is about 2/3 of the way through!

Thanks everyone for braving the rain and joining in the celebration!

Spring flings...

2010-04-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so gorgeous lately in the city! And though another storm is right around the corner, I can't help but be swept away by ALL THINGS SPRING! I'm looking forward to wearing sandals and going to baseball day games and sitting outside at restaurants.

Spring dresses...I must have...

3.1 Phillip Lim

Diane Von Furstenberg

Leifsdottir

Milly

Yeah, yeah, I know...like I need any more dresses in my closet...

Still, *j'adore*...

Damn weeds...

2010-03-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

I don't think I can properly describe to you how overrun by weeds my backyard had become. It was embarrassing and downright out-of-control. I finally decided that this would be the weekend to tackle the project...by hiring some guys to come and pick them for me! ha!

My good friend Brian, always willing to make an extra dollar (or dime, more like it), came over and with the help of Anna and myself, we went to TOWN on those things. 5+ hours later (plus 3+ hours on my own on Sunday to pick through the front yard), my outdoor space is FINALLY livable again! We celebrated over an amazing Korean meal!

This morning, I feel like this (worse clip art ever, yes I know...):

This was already 3 hours in...check out those piles of weeds (it was literally 10 times worse when we started:

And here's the "after" shot...the sun is already starting to set...long day:

When all was said and done, 16 garbage bags filled with weeds from the backyard and 2 from the front yard:

I am so sore...but my house is ready for some warm-weather bbq'ing! Come on over...

Baby-daddy...

2010-03-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Calm down...no, I am not "with child". But if I were, I'd want HIM to be the father:

Peter Krause as Adam Braverman in "Parenthood". Gosh, I love this show. Its really good...AND, set in Berkeley...woot!

And if Adam Braverman isn't available, I wouldn't turn down Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) in "Modern Family"...HA! Love him, kooky adorable lunatic!

And if all else fails, I GUESS I'd consider letting Michael Vartan do the honors. If I HAVE to... (hubba, hubba! *sigh* *drool*)

I seriously need a life. Def.

Bike-owner once more...

2010-03-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was a little scarred by my "bike thievery" experience this past October. Its been 5 mos and I've yet to muster the will to buy a replacement...until now. Snowboard season is coming to an end and I'm getting that itch to hit the mountain bike trails and put my body through the ringer that its been begging me to avoid.

Forget the cruiser. Forget the hybrid. Forget the vintage, cool looking bike. Forget the front basket. I'm going hardcore (well, entry-level hardcore) trail bike. And though I'm certain it will get more mileage as a grocery-carrier on the mean streets of Berkeley than it will on the trails of China Camp, I'm happy to kid myself in the meantime and believe, for now, that I'll actually ride this thing on some single tracks come Summer.

So, the 2 contenders are:

'09 Raleigh EVA 8.0 (better of the two bikes but, even on sale, about $100 more)

'10 Cannondale F7

Going for a test ride the weekend...a mild one, of course. SO EXCITED!

Oh, and PS, forget the 1 little lock business...I'm getting 3-4 hardcore locks and using them ALL EVERY TIME! Good luck taking this bike from me you hooligan thieves! NEVER!

Hubba, hubba...

2010-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Good call Band of Outsiders. Yes, you can make pretty much any man wearing your clothing look beautiful. But, picking the most-excellently gorgeous Matthew Goode to feature on your website, well, you just made this girl very, very happy...

Remedy...

2010-03-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Viciously sick the last few days and SUPER annoyed at work this morning...

The cure: a Gilt shopping spree...Sam Edelman-style...

Peep toe delights

Perfect for Spring

Yup, definitely made me feel better! In fact, I think I sneezed less today after purchasing these boots! And work was almost tolerable. Easy fix. All better now.

Harvest time...

2010-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

It never ceases to amaze what the earth produces with such little effort. I planted a bunch of veggies a few months back and thanks to a rainy season and zero doing on my part, I found a bounty more abundant than I ever imagined (I sound like a pilgrim or a Quaker...I know...)

Hello greeny-goodness! (kale, parsley, lettuce, rosemary)

I love kale!

Salad for days with this lettuce!

ALL those lemons came from my tree! (I'm making limoncello!)

Now, if I can only bear down and clear the rest of the yard of all my weeds, I might be able to plant some new stuff and not be see averse to spending time in the backyard! Berkeley soil is dang fertile...I have the weeds, and now the foodstuff, to prove it!

***awww...just found this "before" shot when I first planted back in September...how quickly they grow up! (I'd show an after shot but I'm too ashamed of all the weeds...but that kale there is about 14 inches high now!)

Bravo...

2010-03-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

Congrats to the "Hurt Locker" for their best picture Oscar. Great movie.

And to Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director (previous claim to fame: director of the cinematic classic "Point Break").

And my two favorite looks of the evening: Tom Ford (hubba, hubba) and Demi Moore (holy hotness!)

Are you suuure?...

2010-03-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

Just watched the Oprah episode from last week with Jessica Simpson. She said that in the infamous "mom jeans" photos, she was a size 6. Really? She's been looking big lately...but she's only a size 6...allegedly...

Shredding...

2010-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love snowboarding.

I've always wanted to be better at it.

None of my friends are passionate about it to go often with me.

I've always wanted to take a solo vacation.

Never really had the funds to do it.

Couldn't ever find one that made me feel safe enough to go alone.

Thanks to homeownership and a fairly fat tax return...

Thanks to Northstar and their commitment to and passion for snowboarders...

Thanks to being overworked and basically in a get-me-outta-here frame of mind...

...I'm leaving...

3 Days.

Northstar, Tahoe.

Women's snowboard camp.

Yoga, wine, new friendships.

The Designer Suite @ The Cedar Sport Hotel.

On my own.

Spending a shitload of money.

Doing what I love.

Bliss.

GLORIOUS.

On my mind...

2010-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Would you rather be the best at something you kinda like OR just pretty good at something you're absolutely passionate about?

Would it effect you if you were in love with something/someone that didn't have a great reputation?

If you knew your relationship couldn't give you everything you wanted or deserved yet you felt satisfied every day, is it worth it?

Hmmm...

I have a super busy week coming up.

Work, work, work...kick-my-ass busy, but not miserable, just exhausting
The SF screening of "Lemonade The Movie" - stories of advertising professionals who were laid off and ended up finding their real passions
Dinner w/ the girls...finally...we really need to catch up.
"The Real Men and Women of Madison Avenue" opening - an exhibit about the heroes and heroines of advertising
Pack
Get my board tuned
Rent a car
Leave for Tahoe

I wish I had more time to just...think...

...find the answers to my own questions...

Hmmm...

Droid...

2010-02-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

After 2 months of ownership, I felt it about time to give my new phone a review. Mind you, I'm no CNET or TechCrunch...I'm merely a finicky phone user who likes things simple, logical, and reliable.

With that said, I converted to the Droid from having previously owned the Blackberry Pearl (hated it) and the Blackberry Curve (didn't hate it, but the internet was SUPER slow). Never had an iPhone and do not intend to make any comparisons here.

So here goes:

Phone - I really do not like the actual phone function. I feel like every call I get isn't clear and I have trouble hearing what the other person is saying...even with the volume turned up. I almost think the speaker phone is better than the handheld.

Touchscreen - I like it...very responsive. But it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep this thing clean. The smudges are disgusting. I feel like I'm wiping it down after every use. The vertical keyboard is impossibly tiny...I have small fingers and I still can't get it correct. The horizontal keyboard is much easier to use. The pull out qwerty keyboard is nice, but honestly, I never use it. It was a selling point for me, but ultimately, it just adds bulk. Oddly, the 3 keyboards are not the same...so if you use qwerty, don't expect the same buttons as if you use touchscreen.

Camera - I hate the camera on this thing. When you press the button, it has a slight delay that's hard to time. AND, with the delay, it makes it near impossible to take a picture while moving...it turns out blurry. Plus, frustratingly, when I upload pictures to twitter, they open rotated to the side, no matter if I take the picture portrait or landscape. Ugh.

Battery life - THE WORST! I sometimes can't get through the entire day before getting in to the yellow. I not only have to charge every night, all night...but I have to plan to plug in early evening before running out of juice.

Applications - so far so good. I've downloaded a bunch but really only used Twitdroid and Mahjongg. Ha! Oh, and sometimes Yelp.

Just a couple more things...I like the alarm clock, but the alarm sound options are limited and all are annoying. I hate how the text messages don't show the time sent once you hit a new date (ie: if its 2/18 and you received a text on 2/17, it doesn't show what time it was sent. SO annoying). The network is super fast and I could essentially use this as my mobile internet in place of a laptop if I needed to. Well done Google Android system and Verizon 3G

All in all, its fairly intuitive and the features are impressive. Its just bulky and the little things listed above kinda bug.

I have to believe the iPhone is better than this or why would so many people have it? I don't know that I'd recommend this one if there were other/better options...which there seem to be...

Just my two cents...

Woof...

2010-02-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

Since moving into my new home, I've been thinking about getting a dog. I've been scouring the Milo Foundation website frequently trying to find just the right one. Lots of things to think about: big or small, puppy or full-grown, male or female...and just most importantly, does my lifestyle today invite all the responsibility that having a dog requires...

In any case, as I consider my options, take a look at a few of the beauties that have been tugging at my heart these days:

Lady Gaga (hey, I don't choose the names) is an 8-wk old shepherd terrier mix, female. Will grow to be medium size. Adorable.

Pup1 (name TBD apparently) is a 6-wk old saint bernard boxer mix (cool!), male. Will grow to be medium size. Saint bernard, how cool is that?

Valentine is a 3-yr old husky siberian mix, female. Medium sized. Beautiful.

Tinker is a 10-mos old fox terrier, male. My family dog, Junior, is a white/black fox terrier and is such an awesome dog. This breed has a great disposition. How pretty is the coloring on him? Adore.

And then there's this guy...Kite...cracks me up EVERY time I see his picture...poor kid...:

Hoping to make a decision soon...to adopt or not to adopt...I'll keep you posted...

Music Monday

2010-02-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Seriously, Adele's voice just kills me. No matter what she sings, I am reduced to blubbering tears. That's the effect she has on me. Love her version of this song...

"To Make You Feel My Love"

When the rain

Is blowing in your face

And the whole world

Is on your case

I could offer you

A warm embrace

To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows

And the stars appear

And there is no one there

To dry your tears

I could hold you

For a million years

To make you feel my love

I know you

Haven't made

Your mind up yet

But I would never

Do you wrong

I've known it

From the moment

That we met

No doubt in my mind

Where you belong

I'd go hungry

I'd go black and blue

I'd go crawling

Down the avenue

No, there's nothing

That I wouldn't do

To make you feel my love

The storms are raging

On the rolling sea

And on the highway of regret

Though winds of change

Are throwing wild and free

You ain't seen nothing

Like me yet

I could make you happy

Make your dreams come true

Nothing that I wouldn't do

Go to the ends

Of the Earth for you

To make you feel my love

Dancing...

2010-02-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

Friday night's farewell happy hour for a coworker turned into an impromptu pub crawl which led to a spontaneous visit to Fiddler's in North Beach for a dance party. I was tired, still in work clothes, feeling gross, drunk, and sleepy. But, I rallied and am so glad I did...

Its been awhile since I'd gone out dancing and it was such a blast. My coworkers are all a hoot and were letting loose to Britney, GaGa, MJ, and of course Jay-Z. PS: I'd forgotten how attractive it is when a guy can really dance...

Speaking of, have you all witnessed the uber-amazingness of LXD? Jaw-dropping. Take a look at their performance last season on "So You Think You Can Dance". Trust me, its well worth it. And pay special attention to my boyfriend (in my dreams) at the :51 and 1:16 marks (grey sweater, yellow belt...)

Enjoy!

Brussels sprouts...go figure...

2010-01-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

Until this past Christmas, I had never, in my life, tasted brussel sprouts. No conscious effort on my part - just never really came across them too often. But, there at our family Christmas dinner, was a lovely side dish of roasted brussel sprouts...and I LOVED THEM! So good.

I'm now obsessed. I've had them at least once a week every week in January (sometimes twice) and have searched all over online for some great recipes.

Here is my effort to make Tyler Florence's brussel sprout hash:

I chopped up 1/2 an onion, quartered 6-10 brussel sprouts, cubed 6-10 fingerling potatoes, and though his recipe called for bacon, I used chicken jalapeno sausage from Trader Joe's.

In one skillet, fry up the brussel sprouts, onions, and potatoes in olive oil w/ salt and pepper to taste. In a separate pan, cook your sausage.

Once the onions are translucent and the brussel sprouts bright green, add about a cup of chicken broth and bring to a simmer.

When all the broth is reduced and the potatoes soft, add the sausage to the mix, toss, and ready to serve!

I shaved some parm cheese on top of my hash and had it with a fried egg sprinkled with tobasco and a piece of toast.

Super easy! Bon appetit!

I've been a good girl...

2010-01-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

I am amazed at how much money one can spend, especially in San Francisco, on food and alcohol. I am too frightened to even try and tally my monthly totals. And since December was particularly devoted to all things hedonistic and gluttonous, I spent at least 5 times more than my norm. I needed a spending detox.

I stocked up the fridge with the best of Trader Joe's and the farmers' market and decided NOT to spend any money on coffee, breakfast, or lunch. And have only allowed myself to spend money on the "meeting a friend for dinner" (which I've only done twice!), after work happy hour (once), and the "special occasions" (ie: football playoffs = brunch & beers). I had no idea I had it in me to practice such restraint. And honestly, it wasn't as hard as I had expected!

Now, with that being said, I pretty much spent all that money saved on other things! I had 7 friends (and my dad) with birthdays in January. And, Tahoe is having quite the season so far so I also treated myself to a new snowboard. *sheepish grin* And, the Marc by Marc Jacobs' sale on Gilt last week was just a little too desirable to pass up.

But, it has been a fun little experiment...and I'm also super happy with my new goodies!

My Burton Avenue snowboard 143

Marc by Marc Jacobs Nettie Dot Dress...

...with the super cute back...

Not sure what the plan is for February...we'll play it by ear...

My man, Matt Morris...

2010-01-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

Last year I tagged along with a friend to see a concert with a little known singer, Matt Morris. I was immediately hooked and have been a fan since. His full album just dropped this month.

Friday night I'm watching the special for Haitian relief, and on comes Justin Timberlake singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"...and I hear an amazing guitar accompaniment and vocal harmony. Who do I see next to him...my man Matt! WHAT? I jump on youtube to see if I can post the video on Twitter and I see Matt all over the place! He's been on Ellen and Letterman...and he's singing "Bloodline" with Justin Timberlake. Holy cow! Where have I been and when did he blow up so quickly?

I'm super excited about his growing fame...if you get a chance, take a look at the videos below...and jump on board the fan-train.

Let's just be clear: he's mine.

And so it goes...

2010-01-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

Man, its already the 11th of January? Are you serious?

New years came and went. I didn't make any resolutions. I didn't make any goals. I thought about working out. I thought about cleaning up my yard. I thought about detoxing this month.

And now its already the 11th.

This past weekend was the first time I'd been alone with time to myself since December 13th of last year. Go figure. No wonder I was already so exhausted this year. So, I spent this entire past weekend enjoying my own company...no apologies for being on my own...just cleaning my house, doing my laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, watching football, reading. It was bliss.

Ok, NOW I'm ready for 2010.

I'm ready to cook more. Read more. Sleep more.

I'm ready to jog more (maybe). Stretch more. Moisturize more.

I'm ready to interact more. Connect more. Care more.

I'm ready to invest more. Save more. Restrain more.

I'm ready to love more. Like more. Lust more.

I'm ready to get a dog.

I'm ready to get a new bike.

I'm ready to get a car (maybe).

I'm ready to take the next step at work.

I'm ready to make my blog more interesting (sorry!).

I'm ready to get to know my parents better.

I'm ready to leave some old friendships and relationships behind.

I'm ready to build some new bonds.

I'm ready to tackle some new projects and endeavors.

I'm ready to grow up a little bit.

I'm ready to stop kidding myself so much.

I'm ready to have some fun.

I'm (almost) ready to be adored.

I'm ready to start things.

I'm ready to finish things.

Ok...NOW I'm ready...set...GO...

G.Y.S.T...

2010-01-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2010. Your close neighbor 2009 was kind of a pain in the ass. But, I have hopes for you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Looking back, I accomplished all my goals for 2009 (except for running the 10k...but really, who honestly believed that one was gonna happen?). Yet, I didn't end the year feeling a sense of victory! I didn't leave 2009 feeling on top of my game. I felt a bit beat down, tired, and worn.

So, I've decided that for 2010, there will be no resolutions or goal settings. I have but one purpose for 2010:

GYST - Get Your Shit Together

What I need to do, I'll do.

What I want to do, I'll do.

And I'll do it all to the best of my ability. And I'll choose to be happy and to feel fulfilled and to to grow.

Done and done. :)

Bring it on twenty-ten...I'm ready...

Bon Iver, my love...

2009-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

This interview is so amazing...I love this man...raw...

Its a little long, but so, so worth it...(PS: thanks for reminding me, Jeans...)

Trees, trees, trees...

2009-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post the token picture of my Christmas tree, but I also noticed how gorgeous my persimmon and lemon trees were looking this December! Yummmm...

All the leaves drop away and all that's left are the beautiful orange persimmons!!!

Lemonade anyone???

Pretty...

Men, take note...

2009-12-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

I've been dabbling in online dating. Its been quite the trip. I'll just say that there are ALL KINDS out there and to each his own. However, can I just make a few suggestions?

Men, in your online profiles:

Don't try too hard.
Listing MMA as one of your interests attracts maybe .005% of women, and those women don't shave (except their facial hair)
Posting a picture w/o your shirt on is indeed classified as douchebag worthy.
A picture with sunglasses on doesn't do you any favors either.
When the site asks "The most private thing you're willing to admit here", your answer of "well that won't make it private then" is just lame...better off leaving it blank...

Simple.

I'm attaching bits of one of my favorite profiles...neverthemind that this guy is hot. His profile was equal part cheesy and charming...(I hope he doesn't mind...)

Ladies, agree...swoonworthy? Or at least kinda cute, right?

My Self-Summary

I spend a lot of my spare time with friends and family. I have a reputation for re-telling stories to the same people, which I think will be a charming quirk when I get older. It’s nearly impossible to offend me, and I find comedy in just about everything. I have a reputation for re-telling stories to the same people, which I think will be a charming quirk when I get older.

I’m a sucker for affection. If you like me, touch me.

What I’m doing with my life

I figured out in college that I’m a “techie”—good at math, engineering, etc.—who wishes he were a “fuzzy”—good at writing, art, and the like. I was lucky enough to get a job that straddles that line, where the techie me can create software that works, and the fuzzy me has the creative outlet of designing something worth having. Fuzzy me.

The first things people usually notice about me

I did a quick survey. I heard: 1) my eyes (blue, blueish green, or green, depending on, um, whatever you like best), 2) my blip on the gaydar screen (it’s caused trouble), 3) my ass (see #2), and 4) my sweet nature plus the fact that I am kind to animals and a true gem. 

My mother was included in this survey.

My favorite books, movies, music, and food

Food deserves its own paragraph. Here you go, Food. This one’s for you. I’ve been thinking about you all day. You look really hot in that miniskirt steak, by the way. Did you change your angel hairstyle? Your scent is fantastic. I’d love to drizzle hot chocolate all over you. I’m getting carried away.

The most private thing I’m willing to admit here

I know pi to 26 places, which has proven useful -2 times. I can also recite the entire script of The Princess Bride, which has proven useful +2 times.

Welcome December...

2009-12-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

So, over a few glasses of bourbon ('cuz we're classy like that), my friend Aaron and I were discussing the world of dating. Aaron is recently married to this saucy, wonderful woman...the man scored. But, he always has interesting insight into the singles scene. As I shared with him the ridiculousness that has been my you-can't-be-serious November dating life, he came up with this theory. November brings all the nutcases out from the woodwork. The men can smell the desperation in the air of women who shudder to think of spending holidays single. And in the stress of finding a date to various holiday parties and social gatherings, women drop their standards a bit...a warm body, any one really, will do. Interesting...

Let's recap my November, shall we?

Did I tell you about Worst-First-Date-Ever guy? Have I mentioned that since that date, he has called, text'd, and email'd me at least 20 times? And after finally having to email him to tell him straight up I'm not interested, he still text me again a week later.

Did I tell you about Perfectly-Happy-Being-Unemployed guy? Have I mentioned that he's living off his unemployment checks (which he refers to as "free money...cash for doing nothing") and wants to "ride this train" until it runs out? And I might also mention that after putting in his order, he told the lady at Starbucks that the drinks were on me.

Did I tell you about Can-I-Ask-You-For-Career-Advice guy? Have I mentioned that over drinks, after finding out what I do for a living, he went on to tell me how miserable he was at his career, stuck, depressed, and asked me how to make a life change? And I did consider charging him a consult fee after the date.

Did I tell you about "You're-a-bad-bad-girl" guy? Have I mentioned that throughout our first conversation he would randomly (and I do mean RANDOMLY) respond to things I said in a weird wanna-be-porn-star voice with "you're a bad, bad girl"? And I swear to you I was talking about things like work or family or Thanksgiving...or the weather or sports...or healthcare...

What a month. Needless to say, December could not have come soon enough!

Oh, and hey douchebags, deadbeats, and crazies. I'm letting you know here and now, I'm ok with being single through the holidays. So, please crawl back under the rocks from whence you came...

It's NOT what you think...

2009-12-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

...I know, I know...I'm supposed to be curbing the spending. And yes, I'm supposed to be avoiding Gilt Groupe like the plague. BUT, I just wanted to peek. And I actually have a nice hefty credit on file from all my invited friends buying stuff (sounds like a pyramid scheme). SO...

Let me introduce you to my new dresses...bless you Geren Ford... :)

Kinda loving the ruffle collar on this one...and though you can't tell, its a super cute geometric pattern...

Red silk cowl neck...pretty classic...

I have no guilt whatsoever...my conscience is clean...

I'm thankful for...

2009-11-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

...the fact that sometimes, I am just foolish enough to say "what the heck", throw caution to the wind, and make a move that absolutely pleases me.

Today, at 5:47am, I made such a move. Half asleep, but filled with lustful desire, I welcomed this new edition to my family:

I don't need it. My MacBook will probably be a bit jealous if it. But, I wanted it. So, I bought it. And I'm happy. And I'm thankful...

SYLEEGURL IN THE CITY

In NY I will...

New chapter...

Torture tools...

My boyfriends...

Shop till I drop...

Weekender...

Summer bounty...

Ramen...

Redesign - home office...

Staycation...

Bye, Oprah...

Guess what today is...

Knives...

Spring cleaning...

What'd I miss?...

My new toy...

From Sun to Snow...

Treasure hunting...

Terrorized...

My current obsessions...

Me in 2011...

Snow on the mind...

My own naive political rant...

Its Christmas Time...

I have a problem...

Taking the plunge...

Boots!...

What a parade!...

Special Birthday wishes...

World Champions!

Bender...

Inspired...

Alameda Flea Market...

Fourth quarter...

Oh Justin...

Grown up tastes...

Armed and dangerous...

Back in the saddle...

And I ended up wearing...

Love him...

Grouchy...

What to wear?!!...

Dream man...

Project Runway...

Sad trombone...

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale...

A Year Ago Today...

Lessons I learned from "Lost"...

I don't care what I *should* do...

The San Francisco treat...

New office space...

April showers bring...

On the road again...

Lifelong dream fulfilled...

Dinner party...

When life gives you lemons...

Peanut butter jelly time...

The big 100!...

Spring flings...

Damn weeds...

Baby-daddy...

Bike-owner once more...

Hubba, hubba...

Remedy...

Harvest time...

Bravo...

Are you suuure?...

Shredding...

On my mind...

Droid...

Woof...

Music Monday

Dancing...

Brussels sprouts...go figure...

I've been a good girl...

My man, Matt Morris...

And so it goes...

G.Y.S.T...

Bon Iver, my love...

I don't care what I should do...