Out to Sea

One of my birthday requests (besides getting this guy up here - fail.) was heading to Tomales Bay Oyster Company for a few hours of shucking in the sun. 

The holiday weekend packed in the picnic tables with more Marina-frat-boys playing beer pong than usual, but it was still a pleasant weekend spent in the shelter of a lone tree and sparse grass (note: tree attracted a family of Asian tourists who took refuge in the rare shade, and camped out in our food!). Once we returned to the city, it was pretty obvious we had made the right decision to get out: the cloud cover was heavy. 

Summer Cocktail

While in Chicago a few summers ago, we stayed at the Affinia Hotel just off Magnificent Mile. The summer heat called for a few afternoon cocktails, and with our travel plans on hold we slipped into the hotel's roofbar bar, C-View. As part of Marcus Samuelsson's C-House (which recently closed), the bar was a perfect mix of comfort and class. 

The Darren

Citrus vodka 

Pomegranate puree 

Fresh lemon

Basil 

Happy Weekend

What are your plans this weekend? 

I'm enjoying what could be one of my last weekends in SoCal for some sunshine, beach and biking. It's been a perfect week in a city I used to call home for nine years, and can't believe that in just a few weeks so much could be changing. 

I hope you have a fabulous, sunny filled Saturday & Sunday!

{via}

A Monkey in Mexico

I step off of the bus, a disparaging piece of public transportation with grimy blue plastic seats littered with empty vending machine wrappers and soda cans, and into a heat that slaps me like a scorned woman. I’m prepared for this, wearing a loose sundress and sandals, but it takes my breath away. It’s well after sundown, nearly 9pm.

The bus chugs away and even in darkness the sidewalk in glimmering in neon hues. The area’s popular nightclub is buzzing with activity, and a steady stream of noisy Australians who followed us off the bus head straight to the lime green sign high above our head. Congo Bongo! It is a club that has been heavily advertised since arriving at the airport just a few days before, shining signs that welcomed guests post-escalator ride and just before customs. 

My head gravitates toward the sky; Vegas comes to mind. There are a handful of glowing signs that keep the area lit enough to mask the evening well. Pockets of tourists surround bars I recognize from home – names that in no way seem to represent the culture I’m allegedly experiencing. In a deep pocket of a run-down mall filled with more familiar restaurants and retailers, grimy men hold up their prized possessions – live animals. I’m not talking about parakeets or puppies, the living creatures that catch my eye are squirrel monkeys and snakes.

I make a beeline for the monkey. Snakes just aren’t my thing. When I approach the man holding his “friend" (rather than merely a job I so mistakenly call it), I avoid his eyes. Instead I lock into the furry creature with soft features who wreaks of something sweet and sour. She’s sucking on a bright green Jolly Rancher, which I can only assume is making her so docile. I outstretch my finger toward her little primped face, and her caretaker throws her on my back. She doesn’t squirm; it’s just part of the routine.

She’s soft and her perfectly groomed blond hair doesn’t stand on edge as she makes her way into my arms. The man keeping guard reveals it's $10 for a picture from his camera. I shake my head and just laugh. I keep petting until the man drops his price, just $5 for a picture on our own camera this time. But just one picture, and no more. After a few more minutes petting what I equate to a house cat with a sweet smell, it's time to walk away. I have experienced enough Mexico for the night. 

Instagram vs. Others

 For anyone who follows me on Instagram, you must know I'm a little obsessed (I'm still a new iPhone user!). I recently started looking into a few more San Francisco start-ups while in search of a real-time passion, and ended up downloading Path. It has a pretty seamless interface similar to Facebook where inner-circle companions can share pictures, locations and more right from the iPhone. 


One of the most appealing aspects of Path is it's visually inspiring board - something that has kept me returning, particularly due in part to its Instagram-like photo sharing tool. Users can upload images from their phone and add a hue or tint similar to the now-Facebook owned Instagram. The only downside to this unique bit is that some tools cost money ($0.99), a bummer but to be expected when Camera+ and others out there are succeeding in a similar price bracket. 

While Path might be appealing in this sense, I'm having trouble understanding why go to Path alone for the photo tool. There are several more options within Instagram alone, and considering Path is still a relatively new tool, very few of my 'close' friends are onboard already. Isn't the whole point of this social media thing to connect with others you might not otherwise have the chance of meeting with? 


What say you? 

Jumping into SF

When you move to a new city, there are a lot of things to learn - navigating a neighborhood alone can tough, let alone an entire county full of new people, roads and restaurants. I've come to realize just in my short time in the Bay Area, despite coming here monthly as a kid, that I know very little. But this naivety is something to treasure, especially as I search for a space to call my own in San Francisco. 


The copious amount of neighborhoods in San Francisco alone is enough to make my head spin. Josh has used the site for international trips, but I haven't yet attempted to rent a space domestically, and moving to a new city seems like the perfect time. When guests come to visit, I'm planning on picking one for fun - maybe David's Old Victorian flat next to Alamo Square, or Tim's place near the Castro. With endless options for variety in the city, it might not be so difficult navigating after all. 

 Pacific Heights from Bobbi

 David's Victorian color

Tim's front room {images 3 & 4; all images from Airbnb} 

Escaping

I've never caught a fish, I don't hunt and I'm not a fan of guns....but I think I would learn all about wild game just to soak up the atmosphere if I were in a place like this. The spot is Brush Creek Ranch & Spa, and if the antlers on the cabin walls weren't enough to offer a little insight into this luxury retreat, the fact that fly fishing is a major attraction probably will. The place was introduced to me through my job - it seems the only downfall that comes with writing about luxurious retreats all day long is that my own experiences pale in comparison. Still, it's fun to imagine.

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting in Temecula this past weekend was a dream come true. It was just the girls, great wine and 90 degree weather to make Sunday fly by. I had been holding out for my flower pants since picking them up on sale at Anthropologie (after returning an Asos pair), but didn't really think about the weather until all the girls showed up in dresses. Luckily we went back and forth between the sun and air conditioned tasting rooms so that I wasn't overwhelmed by the sweet inland heat. 

Leap Day

I didn't really think anything of today's leap day, until I realized my rent check was due. Instead, I can't stop thinking about the leap of faith I'm taking in a few short months that'll completely change everything. I can't sleep at night with the anxious feeling that there is still something to check off my to-do list, and have had trouble concentrating on anything in front of me (except for my favorite shows). When will this end?

{image}

The Oscars

I can hardly believe it has already been a year since I was able to step on the Oscars red carpet myself. The opportunity was unlike anything I could have ever imagined, despite nearly getting arrested and just merely missing an interview with Tim Gunn. 

This year's festivities are expected to be a little more low-key; rather than dining at the Roosevelt, sipping on cocktails by the pool in the middle of the afternoon {like I did on Sunset Blvd recently} and catching celebrities bounce between the streets, I'll be spending the evening at home. I'm guaranteed to have a better seat than last year, but it just won't be the same. 

What are you looking forward to for the 84th annual Academy Awards?

Estancia La Jolla

 

I was lucky enough to be one of the several invited to attend Estancia La Jolla's grand re-opening where executive chef Kimberly Kramer served an endless amount of greasy yet delicious bites, the open bar poured wines from Trinitas Cellars and guests floated around grassy patios while listening to local tunes from Israel Maldonado. I was surprised by the sheer volume of participants, gourmet entrees and decor (it was like a perfectly planned wedding, with floral arrangements in pink and waiters offering bubbly and bite-size apps) but it was great to see the hotel & spa shining again.

Sunset Blvd.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Andaz West Hollywood a few weekends ago and it was pure heaven. Just far enough away from the stars of Hollywood, the sun was out in Los Angeles and there weren't too many tourists chiming to spot a celebrity for Oscar weekend. Our view looked over Sunset Blvd, and the sights of the city. Aside from the quaint rooftop pool, the unique touches - like local art in the lobby, old school records displayed in the room and a very traditional notepad - all made this place extremely original. 

Early-Evening in 'Paris'

I've only been to Paris once, but it stole my heart. The whole place smelled like crepes, but that might have been because we spent a few hours at a small crepe shop right by Notre Dame where we requested an obscene amount of items on our crepes (and then totally confused the chef, who wasn't accustomed to an American girls appetite). I even enjoyed walking around the city alone in the rain with a broken umbrella. 

I got a bit nostalgic this week, so suggested throwing a Parisian evening at home - complete with cheese, cucumber water and a simple cassoulet. We finished the evening by watching Owen Wilson in "Midnight in Paris," just in time for the Academy Award nominations.

LOVE

 

 love is all you need ;) 

Bits and Pieces

Bits and pieces from the Carmel trip.

The stairs remind me of steps in Santa Barbara, right on the outskirt of the mall, where we used to meet as teenagers on the weekends. Our parents would drop us off and pick us up hours later after we had shopped and ate our little hearts out.

In a New York Minute

Shots from our New York trip, which I still can't believe happened more than a month ago. Since the year is starting to wrap up, I thought about everything I got to do this year....Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Chicago, La Paz, New York and probably a few road trips I've forgotten about. I've been wanting to travel more, and instead of waiting around I just booked those tickets, and I'm so glad it worked out {plus, I managed to tackle a lot more than I thought more this wish list}

Santa Barbara Girl

Though I've been living in San Diego for nearly a decade {gasp!}, I still consider Santa Barbara my home. While the city has changed a lot since I left - there are now more chain stores than I'd like to admit - there are a few simple pleasures I love to enjoy when I return home for the holidays. Until those sporadic dates appear, however, I recently discovered the adorable Samantha from Could I Have That. She helps ease my Santa Barbara nostalgia with her high fashion posts, foodie bits and Santa Barbara landscapes.

Simple trip to Italy

He's been back for a few weeks, but since the boy returned from Europe he promised we'd be getting the most amazing truffle oil, Italian olive oil and vinegar, and a special vinegar that goes great on ice cream. Well, it finally arrived a few days ago and the bottles are too pretty I haven't wanted to open them. I'll probably try the ice cream treat first.

Contradictions