I Miei Cari

Birthday Celebration

2010-04-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, we have been trying some great restaruarnts

For my birthday I got extremely spoiled. First up was dinner the weekend before my birthday at Alice Water's Chez Panisse Cafe restaurant. We were up at the University of California, Davis while my boy took a brewing class. On the way home on Saturday we stopped in Berkley to pick up a Spanish clay cooking pot (ours broke) and ended up trying to see if we could get into Chez Panisse. Well, after a 20minute wait we were in. The food while simple and made of local ingridents was just fabulous. So much flavor in a simple dish. I could taste almost all of the ingredients. We book had a nice night out.

Next, on my birthday (Wednesday) we headed to Absinthe. The Chef, Jamie, was on next top chef a season or two ago and for the last 5 years here in SF I have wanted to stop in. I made reservations, we pre-partied at our house and then headed down to this neighborhood restaruant. Again our meal was fabulous. Even my picky boy was happy!

recipes

2010-04-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

My mom came into town this weekend. We celebrated her birthday with a trip to Boulevard! It is a restaurant here in San Francisco I have been wanting to try since we moved to the city 5 years ago. I have to say ... I was not so impressed. I still really enjoyed Aqua (5 years ago) and Absinthe!

Anyhow, I especially am excited to record some of the recipes my mom made for us!

First off:
Asparagus Salad

Dressing over shaved asparagus and salad.
grated cheese + 1 lemon + warm water + olive oil and S&P

Back at Blogging

2009-10-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

I have been so un-inspired lately... geeze what is the deal? But today I ran across a favorite blog that came back to the blogging world!! Feather! Who has just launch a iphone app! How fabulous is that!! Check it out here:

Haven't you ever thought to you self.... (Feather's moto):
If you’ve ever checked the forecast and wished the weatherman would just tell you what to wear, Feather Report is your place. Each day, to prepare you for the work week, Feather Report breaks down the forecast into style inspiration that actually makes sense.

Sleep

2009-07-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

I had to dedicate a post to my man's sleeping habits... they are quite unique...

Check out some of the images I have been capturing.... He falls asleep everywhere ...

(out to dinner with friends)

(on a very bumpy bus ride in the south of Italy)

You can see why I drive... he falls asleep on the way to and home from work... even when driving...

(coming home from work)

Hilarious ... Right?.....

Car Problems...

2009-07-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Oh boy... was I tested... Yesterday afternoon I dropped my man off at the airport (he has some business in Europe this week)... on the way home a werid light come on in our car... I first thought no way... can it wait for hubby to get home??? I stopped and check our book (car manual) and found out one of our tires had low tire pressure....

I stopped at a gas station filled the tire with air and checked the air pressure with the attached Gauge! Yeah!!.... All with just the help from my mom via the east coast!

Anyhow, in complete denial that anything was really wrong with the tire, i drove home and expected to fill the tire with air all week until hubby got home ! (big Grin)!

Well, to my surprise (not really)... the tire was completely flat this morning. I found out our Ford Roadside Assistance was no more... called the insurance company... had someone come out and put the spare tire on the car.... (oh believe me I tried to change it myself... but the new cars and an SUV has some specialties that my old sedan did not have... i.e I could not just pull out the spare tire from the trunk and attached it to the car... plus, the car is sooo big now! crazy!

(flat tire getting a donut)

Anyhow, I drove it to the dealer and they fix me all up! Accomplishment! CHEER!!!

back to home decorating

2009-07-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I really need to finish what I set out to do this year on our house.

Here are a few things I am thinking about:
1. Kitchen (paint cabinets)?
2. Hall Closets (redesign or paint)?
3. Guest Bathroom (paint vanity)?
4. Hardwood the rest of our living/dining space
5. Buy some 'key pieces' of furniture for the living / dining space
6. hmmmm... I am sure there are more

So, why these things... I have to say I HATE our cabinets (wood work) + Black granite counters in the kitchen and bathrooms... We live in a condo in the city and they basically bought a whole lotta cabinetery and just plopped it everywhere. I personally do not like the honey color and I especially do not like the honey color with the black granite.

I love this color for the vanity in our Guest Bathroom:

I have see a few great ideas on Urban Grace Interiors and I love this Kitchen it is such a great makeover. I already have the black granite countertops and the overall color skeem goes with the rest of our place!

Recap ... Mt. Shasta

2009-07-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Okay so we did it! It was crazy tough but so rewarding....

(the crew at the summit)

It was a lot of fun (now that we are down, breathing regularly, rested and fed)! We really thought this was a great climbing group.

(11:30pm Saturday wake up: went to bed at 7:30pm Saturday)

Route Details:
Bunny Flats trail head (6,950') to Horse Camp (7,800') to Hidden Valley overnight camp spot (9,200') up West Face Gully (portions were up to 40o slope) across top portion of the Whitney Glacier to Misery Hill to Summit Platue (snow field) to the summit (14,162)
The saw a Lake at about 13,000 ft called Sisson Lake, just beautiful.

(Shadow of the mountain over the landscape as the sun rose)

We were so tired on the way down everyone had stated they were giving up climbing and camping for awhile. We ate dinner, crashed for the night and by the time morning and our final drive home came around everyone had a new mountain to add to the 'what mountain should we do next' list! Funny!

Weekend

2009-07-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are off to try to summit Mt. Shasta! My husband and I have a yearly tradition of going up to Shasta.

The first year we had no idea what we needed to do or what it was going to be like... no planning at all... We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and we went straight to the Trailhead. It was there that a ranger recommended we head back to the town and pick up crampons and an Ice Axe for our climbing attempt. When we walked back to the car we realized it was leaking oil... because it was a Saturday we new we had to get the car fix before starting out on the trail. Luckly, we found a car fixing business (still open) and they went to town... We picked up the car at 4:30pm and drove back to the trailhead. Started a 3 hour hike/ climb. We stop just short of Helen Lake on a flat plato, unpacked, pitched a tent and cooked dinner. The wind was so strong it blew hard on our tent all night... the next morning we woke and played around in the snow and explored the area. We were hooked and decided every year to climb a mountain.

The following year we booked a trip with a tour group up Mt. Rainier in Washington State... Awesome (I'll post about that some time).... Last year we headed up to Shasta and almost made it to the top. We experienced some AMS and headed down early.

What will this year bring??? I am sure to share!

Scandal at the Zoo

2009-07-13T15:26:00.001-07:00

This article from 7x7 was just too funny, I had to share... check out the examiner for the full details.

At our local Zoo, there seems to be a scandal brewing in the penguin habitat where a same-sex penguin couple (Its San Francisco), Pepper and Harry, have called it quits. The reason is Linda, a recently widowed penguin of questionable reputation (she been around the block with multiple partners). The zookeeper, David Brown. “To be completely anthropomorphizing, Linda seems conniving," Brown told the Examiner. "She’s got her plan." Harry has joined up with Linda leaving Pepper to be a lonely bachelor... even after successfully raising a chick!

Ana Neuvo

2009-07-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Check out what we were up to this weekend!

Ana Neuvo State parks could easily become one of our favorite local escapes. It is a great drive down south and along Highway One on the way to see the elephant seals. This is the world's largest mainland breeding colony for these massive animals. There is a short hike out to the seals which is gorgeous, too. At this time of year you can view them up close and personal without hordes of people. They are hundreds of pounds of blubber just a few yards away. It's amazing. You'll see males 'play fighting' preparing to return for the mating season...but for now, they are molting (shedding their fur / skin) before heading back out to season until their return in Dec.
This one reminds me of a normal 'human' beach! Ha ha... What makes them unusual is there size and the snot (elephant like!).

Pretty Things

2009-06-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here are some items I have been eying...
I love this bicycle necklace. I am collecting a few items of bicycle everything... I will post a bicycle dedicated post soon... i swear!

How great is this dress? I love the take off the butterflies...

... the ESCAPE...

2009-06-29T22:21:00.001-07:00

Okay, so, more on what has kept me so busy these last 2 weeks!

On June 14th, we did the swim portion of the Escape from Alcatraz, sponsored by my company. The water was rough and we were told of increase sitings of jelly fish. I am a complete freak when it comes to seeing fish in water... especially when I am trying to swim for my life. What was I thinking... this was hard... i give total props to the full triathletes!

Here was our boat, it stopped right next to Alcatraz... 1.5miles from the beach.

Here is a picture of the Kayak helpers coming in after all the swimmers finished...

Here is a picture of us running in... luckly i was hidden behind the girl in the middle... during the swim my husband found me and swam with me all the way in... even though he could have gone faster... i totally freaked and sooo needed him by my side. I felt so lucky to have him there...

Finally, I was on an all girls race team... here I am getting ready for the biker to come in so that I can take the timing chip off her and put it on the runner. It was a great day! I can not wait to do it again next year!

What a break

2009-06-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a break... so sorry.

The next few weeks will be quite busy. It all starting with an urgent request to get wedding invitations designed and printed out to my too be cousin in law. I basically have 2 days to get everything together. I am going to design the invitations while I waited for the paper to arrive. Once it arrives I plan to spend one evening printing, assembling and making lots of ribbon bows. It going to be nuts!

POST Update: I think they can out pretty good. What do you think?

Its Friday!!!!

2009-06-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

I ran across a new blog today and pick up this Chart! I love it. First of all, I definitely need to hear more "Here, have some wine." more from my husband!! That line never gets old... I think if he follows this we are all set!

Second, if you have time, check out everything LEB, she did this wonderful before and after of a $20.00 chair she bought on Craigslist! I am so impressed... Inspiration!!

before:

Have a great weekend!

Coffee

2009-06-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Check out our local coffee shop stop .. Blue Bottle coffee is just the best 'cracked out' coffee in the whole world! We go to the garage door store in Hayes Valley each morning for a soy latte or personalized drip coffee. This photo is from their downtown location... they have all these crazy japanese contraptions to brew coffee....

I just love it....

Week's Obssessions

2009-06-08T21:25:00.001-07:00

There is something about this colored pillar that I just love! We have a long living/dining room layout with tall ceilings. I feel that it would be a great addition in our corner next to the sliding glass doors or between our couch and dining space! I can not wait for the next flea market in Alameda!!

My next obsession this week, is this leather woven floor mirror. I actually purchased this item at Z gallery while attending the Union Street Fair this weekend. The leather is actual leather is not as shiny as the picture here. I now need to figure out 1. how to pick it up (preferably without the husband... he will love it once it is in the house but not so much before) and 2. where exactly I am going to place it in the house!!

Finally, I am loving antlers. I was looking for 2 tall candlesticks to place on our corner fireplace mantel. I think I may get either 2 tall antlers like the ones above or some variation of the above. The picture here is from Roost.

Empanada love

2009-06-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend we traveled to our friends house where they were trying out Empanada recipes. These here are so good, so good i just had to share this with you!

Weekend Post Catch up!

2009-06-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

So a few weeks ago, I blogged about wanting to try and make bagels... Well, I did make some bagels and wanted to share the final results!

I am addicted to them now. They make a perfect breakfast for our weekdays. Small, yummy, quick to eat. I would serve them up with some espresso served in our espresso cups we bought on our Honeymoon!!

Check out the recipe here!

Our Weekend

2009-05-31T23:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Mendocino with our friends and the boys went Abalone diving. It was an absolutely wonderful weekend. May ended like a lion ... we have been so stressed lately, so the chance to get away was perfect. My girlfriend found a great state park campground and a perfect camp site. We left at 4pm on Friday, survived the traffic and made it to our site by 8:00pm. The traffic added about 1 hr to our drive time, but we entertained ourselves with car games.

The next morning we woke up and Ahmad had already started breakfast (eggs, coffee, french toast)... the boys prepared for their morning dive. We drove into Mendocino to pick up a few misc. items and the guys were in the water by 9:30am.

The girls walked the boys down to the water and watched them hunt for Abalone for a short while. We then went back to the campsite for a much needed shower.... Once we freshed up we prepared some hot chocolate and drove back to check on the boys. It was perfect timing... just as we parked the boys were coming out of the water... and WERE WE excited to find they did indeed catch some ABALONE!!

We drove back to the campsite warmed up the boys... hiked around the state park trails and then feasted!

It was super fantastic to get off the grid for a while!!

Random Items

2009-05-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

Wow has it really been that long since my last post.... so sorry... not sure how many people actually missed my posting... but still...

Anyhow, here are a few items I am really liking right now...

First, a french farmhouse milk bottle. I am thinking our kitchen soap would look so great in it or maybe bath salts for the guest bath room...

Next, SHOES... are these shoes not just perfect for summer... I actually agree with Bliss that this is my new favorite shoe buying site!

1. Love, 2. Love more, and 3. may just have to buy... (oh if they were not just a tad out of my price range...)

I have to creadit Bliss for sending me their way!

Has Spring Finaly Sprung

2009-05-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

I was reading some blogs and ran across this great post. Brooke lives in Southern California ... away from her friends who are in NYC. This is similar to us, we are in San Francisco away from our friends and family who live in DC, Phili and NYC. Anyhow, Brooke has pulled together what she calls Spring in a Box!

She fills a box with all things Yellow, Orange and bright to cheer up her friends as the last bit of winter rolls out (with the Rain) and Spring as Sprung!

I love this idea and I think I will pull together something similar to send to my friends and family. I love it... so simple but so sweet and it is definitely something that helps you keep close to friends and family far away!

Check it out her blog inchmark! Pictures taken from her post.

Kids Feeding Kids

2009-04-29T19:42:00.001-07:00

I had to write about my friends little nephew. His name is Carson and he is such a wonderful little boy. I have never met him in person, i only get the scope from his Aunt...

(http://kidsfeedingkids.blogspot.com/)

Please check out this website... Carson, had this idea to do a cookbook for kids to feed kids. He asked his mom if she would help him (he is only 5)!

His book made it onto the Oprah's Angel Network! Check out the blog spot and have your children or neices and nephews submit a recipe for a a great cause!

GO Carson!

Random Post

2009-04-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

So, I am into bags these days... okay what am I not into... I feel like almost everything I have needs to be updated... the house, my closet, my bags, shoes.... me...

Well today I am in love with these bags... The first is a Tory Burch that caught my eye yesterday... I do not need another cosmetic bag... the the color the elephants... they are soo cute!!

(kooba tess bag, neiman marcus)

This week's obsessions

2009-04-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

This week the following are items, I would love in our house, but where... my forever ongoing struggle?

We need more seating... we totally would use them... but how to fit them into the overall flow!

Bagels

2009-04-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

I was reading some blogs and found a recipe for making bagels!! Since moving to San Francisco from the east coast, i have not been able to find a real good New York bagel! Maybe I will pick up some soy cream cheese to go with my homemade bagels!

Ingredients

2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast
3 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
Toppings of your choice!

I am super excited to try this this weekend!! It will make 12 bagels!!

Full recipe was found here with these adjustments:
1. Knead for 15 minutes, not 5
2. Boil face-up without turning over so they don't flatten on top
3. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, so bottom and top are both browned

Fun Ideas

2009-04-20T17:35:00.001-07:00

While reading some blogs today, i ran across one from Jordan Ferney... What a create character... and he lives here in SF!

I think I want to pull together a scavenger hunt that concludes in a BBQ at the beach... the weather has been so great lately... what a fun way to be out and about in the sunshine!!

I may adjust this to include a photo scavenger hunt, since I am not sure how to keep the clues out in their location if I am participating in the actual activity!! We will see... I wrote Jordan... so maybe I'll get a better understanding of how he arranged his outing...

As you can see his blog reminded me of the Swart slides (in the previous blog)... what terrific fun!!!

Hello Fun

2009-04-20T17:26:00.001-07:00

Here is just some random blogging...

WHAT ARE THE PURPOSE OF THESE? I just do not get them? When and with what do these look okay? maybe under tall boots so your toes do not get squished.... but come on...

(www.anthroplogie.com)

Can I please go?! here is a picture of some girl enjoying an adult slide in the Castro of SF! I seriously have wanted to check this place out for a while now.... I have added it to my next weekend list.... that and checking off more 7x7 restaurants!

(www.yelp.com)

Golden Social Rules

2009-04-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

While reading elements of style blog, I ran across her husband's blog The Dark Horse. I love his rules for life... I sometimes feel I am a little old fashion, but I agree with most... think of them as the golden social rules... maybe except #3 and I would say anyone should give up there seat to elderly, handicapped, mother's with small children or pregnant women!

Rules for Life

1. Always open the door for a woman (and for that matter anyone else…it is just a nice thing to do).

2. See rule 1 when it comes to a car door. Especially for your wife…it always lets her know that you love her. Even in a fight…perhaps especially in a fight.

3. Guys pay for dinner. Especially on first dates (really can’t believe I have to say that, but Erin has shared some stories and I am stunned at the lack of class by some people). This rule can be broken on special occasions such as a guy’s birthday, but even then you should put up a fight.

4. On a subway, in this order, give your seat up for: The Handicapped, The Elderly, Men or Women with kids, and finally for women. Men stand until everyone has a seat.

5. The left lane is for passing…always. Not just where it says, “Slow traffic keep to the right”. This is true everywhere there is more than one lane going in the same direction. Even if you are driving a Hybrid.

6. You cannot parallel park by pulling in front first. It does not work.

7. There is no reason to walk around naked in the locker room. Use a towel.

8. If you are lost…it is not everyone else’s problem. The people behind you would like to get by you or have you keep at least a minimum of speed up. It is ok to turn around later if you missed your street. Keep pace.

9. With regards to rule #8, on a highway, do not brake hard and cut across several lanes of traffic so that you can make the exit you are about to miss. Drive the extra 2 miles and get off at the next one and turn around.

10. With regards to rules #8 and #9. Get a GPS. Especially if you are prone to getting lost or are in a new city.

There has been some purchases!

2009-04-07T14:20:00.001-07:00

Filing systems

2009-03-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

What do you guys think of these great filing boxes. I love the idea that they are room accents that do something! We are in need of a file cabinet, if I do anything this month it will be to finally rid our home of my dear hubby's plastic filing system nightmare!

(credit: www.horchow.com)

More living Room Ideas

2009-03-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

What do you think about this coffee table? I like the modernness and the storage....?

(from BoConcept)

Also, I went to room and board this weekend and checked out the following desk bookcase... I am still undecided on the desk bookcase vs. workstation cabinet for the living room? I have a iMac that I would like to have in the living room but want the computer to be as discrete as possible... thoughts?

(from: room and board)

Fabulous Accessories

2009-03-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Are these candles just fabulous?! They are from India Rose. I found them while reading sfgirlbybay blog spot!

On this theme, i am reminded about Eddie Ross's arts and craft snake skin tray. I have the accessory vision... now I need to decided on furniture!

Bedroom

2009-03-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

(image from: The Stamford Wife blog)

I am back on again today! Quick Post!

I am in love with this headboard and even more inlove it comes from Target for under 500.00!! I think I am going to order it!! Thoughts?

Are you A Foodie like me

2009-03-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

My main squeeze and I are really into finding the best restaurants / food in our good ol' city of San Francisco. Today I ran across an article in 7x7 magazine outlining the top 100 things to try in SF. I have to say after reading thru the items... this list is legit! See item 98: FAVORITE!! Now we have been to a lot of the restaraunts on this list.... we just may not have tried the recommended selection listed below... I say this is a CHALLENGE... and to that ... I say....

Game On!

7x7 Mag's - The Big Eat SF: 100 Things To Try Before You Die: (items in Pink we tried)

1. Roast chicken and bread salad at Zuni

2. Coffee-rubbed pork shoulder at Range

3. Carnitas taco at La Taqueria

4. Spicy crab and grits at the Front Porch - shimp and grits... new chef no more spicy crab

5. Chasu ramen at Katana-Ya

6. Burger with fries at Slow Club

7. Shaking beef at the Slanted Door

8. Morning bun at Tartine Bakery

9. Tofu soup with kimchi at My Tofu House

10. Baja-style fish tacos at Nick’s Crispy Tacos

11. Pork sugo with pappardelle at Delfina

12. Salt-and-pepper squid at Yuet Lee

13. Soup dumplings at Shanghai House

14. Beef brisket at Memphis Minnie’s

15. Oysters on the half shell at Swan Oyster Depot

16. Katsu curry from Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill

17. Tea-leaf salad at Burma Superstar

18. Salumi misti plate at Perbacco

19. Tuna tartare at Michael Mina

20. Chicken pot pie at Liberty Café

21. Pizza margherita at Pizzeria Delfina

22. Vietnamese roasted pork sandwich at Saigon Sandwich

23. Beer sausage with sauerkraut and grilled onions at Rosamunde Sausage Grill

24. Blue Bell Bitter from the cask at Magnolia Pub

25. Loaf of bread straight out of the oven at Tartine (bonus: sliced while still warm and slathered with Brillat- Savarin cheese from Bi-Rite, down the block)

26. A classic gin martini at Bourbon & Branch

27. Papaya salad with salty crab at Sai Jai Thai

28. A Gibraltar at Blue Bottle Café

29. Spaetzle at Suppenküche

30. Laughing Buddha cocktail at Cantina

31. Pan con chocolate with sea salt and olive oil at Laïola

32. Pupusas at Balompie Café #3

33. Prime rib at House of Prime Rib

34. Yellowtail collar at Oyaji

35. Salted-caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery

36. Dry-fried chicken wings at San Tung

37. Rotisserie chicken at Limón Rotisserie

38. French fries at Hayes Street Grill

39. Pierna Enchilada torta at La Torta Gorda

40. Cheeseburger at Taylor’s Automatic Refresher

41. Pho ga at Turtle Tower

42. Fried-shrimp po’boy at Brenda’s French Soul Food

43. Mint julep at Alembic

44. Cannelé at Boulangerie Bay Bread

45. Galapagos cocktail at Absinthe

46. Chips and salsa at Papalote

47. Ceviche at La Mar Cebichería Peruana

48. Angels on horseback at Anchor & Hope

49. Ginger snaps at Miette

50. Giant pretzel with mustard at The Monk’s Kettle

51. Maccaronara with ricotta salata at A16

52. Fried brussels sprouts at SPQR

53. Garlic soup at Piperade

54. Spiced-chocolate doughnut at Dynamo Donut with a Four Barrel coffee

55. Milk-roasted pork at L’Osteria del Forno

56. Caponatina with burrata at Beretta

57. Goat stew at Kokkari Estiatorio

58. Absinthe daiquiri at Jardinière

59. Huarache with cactus salad at El Huarache Loco (Saturdays at the Alemany farmers market)

60. The Brass Monkey at Little Star Pizza

61. Crab soufflé at Café Jacqueline

62. Shrimp-and-chive dumplings at Ton Kiang

63. Meatballs with grapes at Aziza

64. Paper masala dosa at Dosa

65. Crispy eggplant at Jai Yun

66. Pig parts at Incanto

67. Sand dabs at Tadich Grill

68. Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe

69. Licorice parfait at South

70. Omakase menu at Sebo

71. A Fernet at R Bar

72. Arancini at Ducca

73. Popovers with strawberry butterat the Rotunda

74. Corned-beef sandwich with Gruyère at the Sentinel

75. Fried green beans at Coco500

76. Chicken hash at Ella’s

77. Eggs benedict on the back patio at Zazie

78. Chilaquiles with a fried egg at Pastores

79. Onion strings at Alfred’s Steakhouse

80. Apple fritter at Bob’s Donuts

81. Chicken curry at Punjab Kabab House

82. Fried chickpeas at Piqueo’s

83. Sweet-potato fries with banana catsup at Poleng Lounge

84. A margarita at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant

85. Pulled-pork sandwich at Roadside BBQ

86. A cheese slice at Arinell Pizza

87. Fresh spring rolls at Out the Door

88. Buckwheat crepe and a French cider at Ti Couz

89. Lamb schawerma at Truly Mediterranean

90. Slow-cooked egg at Coi

91. Albondigas soup at Mijita

92. Bacon-wrapped hot dog from a cart in the Mission (preferably when you’re drunk)

93. Seven courses of beef at Pagolac

94. Mango with chile, lemon and salt at Doña Tere’s cart (At the corner of 21 and Treat Streets, no phone)

95. 3 a.m. bowl of caldo verde soup at Grubstake

96. Baby-coconut ice cream from Mitchell’s

97. Sesame balls at Yank Sing

98. Basil gimlet at Rye

99. Clam chowder at Hog Island Oyster Co.

100. Cheese course at Gary Danko

Bookshelves

2009-02-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am really getting into this... So for today, I have uploaded these Leaning bookshelves. I was thinking maybe .... What do you think? I could put one or two where i have the desk now or between the couch and the dining room. I was even thinking of one set that consists of (1) leaning shelf with one leaning desk self?

Living Room

2009-02-25T13:17:00.001-08:00

Okay, so, I thought for today I would provide you with the layout of our apartment...

The greylines are essentially what our place looks like today. I included some blue outlines of the furniture I am interested in obtaining but would love feedback on overall flow and concept!

Discuss...

I need more seating... The idea would be to buy a chair (square or barrel chair - see post below) and include some ottomans around a new coffee table. I also thought about including a 'daybed' type sofa... but do not want our place to look like it is overflowing with furniture!

Coffee Table Discussion!

2009-02-24T08:59:00.001-08:00

(images from: www.macys.com)

Okay, so here are the final coffee table suggestions... I have it down to three!! I like the clean lines of the wood and metal. I like the glass and drawers of the retangle wood one and I love the round shape of the middle table, however, it lacks drawers and we do tend to use the drawers in our coffee table now!! See the below post to gain an understanding of the chair options we are thinking about...

Not giving up!

2009-02-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, I think I am the worse at this blog thing... but I am back and with more ideas of what to do in our Living Room!

So, living in the bay area for the last 4 years I have been struggling to find a good furniture store that has items what I would consider priced reasonably. That is before adding the insane 8.5% sales tax!! Anyhow, off a suggestion I went to Macy's Furniture store on the peninsula last week and found the following... what do you think?

I need / want a chair that will back our sliding glass doors. The daybed would face our current couch and hold a flat screen above it. I would of course not have it on while guest are over... chatting with us! I suggested this to some friends and they think I am nuts... but we need more seating... but how much furniture is too much???... hmmmm.... what to do?!

Next post will be coffee table discussion!

(all images curtise of www.Macys.com)

Work bleeeekkk!

2009-01-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

I am in the mood for a pick me up! In addition, I have been feeling bad about not posting anything new in a week... I swear I have some recent home pictures to share... but they are still in my camera... at home... So, I thought ... Hey ... at least get something up that is short and funny...

I ran across this cartoon today preparing for a staff meeting... I will have to think of this posting when I meet next with someone difficult... at least I will leave with a smile! I love the word: smartiepants... maybe that is why kids are so funny... they use all the great words in life to explain situations... Enjoy!

("And what would you suggest, Mr. Smartie Pants?" by Mike Baldwin from Cartoonstock.com)

More Designing Dilemmas

2009-01-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

So, for today's entry I thought I would continue with my designing Dilemmas ... One two our livingroom... So we have a 'galley' living / dining room room... it is long and narrow... I find it very hard to fit what I want to in its space and working to make it amazing...

One objective of the redoing the living room is to add more seating space. We want to work with a theme of eclectic unique classic.... We named our theme Hemingway Design stuff... I want to get accessories (once I fix down the furniture) that incorporates different animal leathers, silver, antique items (photos, letters, ect.) and other treasures from our travels...

I like this room, but I am not sure if the stools here would clog up our space... the room is 12' x 16'. We have a low profile TV (52") that in some upcoming blog I will want to discuss what to do with... conceal/ disguise but keep in our living space ...

{images: www.roomservicehome.com}

I like the stools here... Garden stools are so in right now... I am not sure how I feel about them... but I love some of these recycle wood table / stools options from www.vivaterra.com ... I really like the look of recycled wood... but want to keep a classic / clean... look... I think I like the darker colors best!

I think I would like some stools to be placed under our console (glass and metal) table that is in the dinning space)... we will need small round tables to go in between 2 chairs (I think ...) and maybe 2 stools in front of our fire place... Thoughts??

2009 ...

2009-01-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Trying on 2009, I decided to give blogging another try...

At the end of last year I hired a local interior designer to come to our condo and assess our Living / Dining Room and 2 bedrooms. This was an interesting process... Her layout for the living / dining room was almost spot on what I already had laid out (expect she recommended her furniture store's furniture in replace of what we have) and her design for our bedroom did not include my most favorite antique barrister bookcase (which I told her how much I loved that piece of furniture). A long story longer, I spent some time at the store and discussed likes / dislikes and options... so we will see... at least she is helping me with understanding the size of furniture to purchase... ect....

So.... where does that leave me now... hunting down ideas of what I want to do with our place...

I guess for today, I will share some of the ideas I ran across for our bedroom...

{bed from www.vivaterra.com}

My husband LOVES heavy Manly wood beds... okay... well he does not feel beds are necessary, but I do and he likes heavy sturdy things...

Some other options I like are :

{bed from www.vivaterra.com}

I like this bed solely because it seems to blend both of what we want!! I like upholstered bed and he wants heavy wood!!

I bet this bedroom is cute, I like the desk as a nightstand... but that would mean I would have to buy the desk and the bed... hmmm...

We have this desk at home and it is in our bedroom now... I think I love this desk chair?! Or is it I just love the color palate!!

Thoughts???

Tuscany: Wine and Relaxation

2008-10-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

Next we moved up to Tuscany region to spend sometime exploring and relaxing in the area. Are plan was to meet up with our friends and family and spend a week in a collection of farmhouses on the grounds of a 12 century castle. Most of the guests arrived on Wednesday and stayed thru till Saturday.

While in the area we arranged a group wine tour. At each stop we sampled local foods and wines. We learned about the different laws and varietals that go into making Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Chiantis. In general italian vineyards are organic (no pesticides) and the majority of the wine produced is made in the old Italy style. The old Italy style refers to the use of large oak barrels. This is unlike the California style of making wine where winemakers use smaller oak barrels for storage. The result for italian wines are less robust / Oaky flavors.

Ah, I love wine!

The following pictures were taken by a friend who could not sleep in fear that she would miss out in an adventure. So, one restless morning she woke up early and was able to captured the morning mist around the property. I just want to go back .... it was so dreamy!

I love Rome

2008-10-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

So, much to see and do, i just love Rome.... We started our trip with three (3) nights in Rome. We stayed in a fabulous room at the Westin. The location was good (not great but good). When we arrived we met my mom and brother. They already had traveled from Milan, the lake region and Venice before meeting us in Rome.

Here is the Trevi Fountain... just a fabulous fountain. Crazy touristy but really amazing.

The above pictures are from the Vatican museum. The status and the artwork... WOW! We were lucky to have found a great english tour guide. We booked private tours of the Vatican, Roman Forums and the Coliseum while we were in Rome. She was actually a German artist that wanted (needed) extra cash and found an interested in Roman History. We found that if you had a group (4 or more) this was actually reasonably priced. So, we had detailed private tours of the history and artwork that interested our group the most.

So I have time

2008-10-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Here I am again sitting in an airport... waiting for another flight. (I travel A LOT for my job). So, I have about 2 hours till my flight boards... and I thought I share my September adventures with you.

This September my boyfriend and I decided to get married. Both of us are not really into the whole marriage thing... and so, instead of eloping (my family would have had to followed)... we did a small destination wedding. The location Italy.

So, why Italy, I get/got this question a lot... Well, I wanted something in Europe... Originally the concept was to relax in a rather seclude location on an island off of France... But as the guest list grew in size I decided to moved it to somewhere more central (Tuscany). I wanted to give our guests the best opportunity of making it a vacation.

Giving it a Shot!

2008-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

My good friend from Philly has started her own blog. I love it, so I decided to give this a shot. This is my first attempt at what I hope grows into something....

I hope you enjoy!