Happy National Doughnut Day 2013

One of my favorite memories growing up was when my Dad took us to our neighborhood doughnut shop. After waking up early and enjoying a dose of weekend morning cartoons, my Dad would give us complete control over our doughnut decision. I usually went for the sprinkles, and my brother always tried to get the biggest one on the shelves. The place wasn't anything fancy, in fact I haven't been back to the joint since I could drive (and probably wouldn't want to). I remember being so small that one doughnut was just too big too finish - and usually my Dad polished off my half-eaten fried doughnut like it was no big deal. 

Happy National Doughnut Day 2013.  

{all images via Pinterest}

Links I Love

Following in the footsteps of one of my favorite bloggers (Cupcakes and Cashmere), I've put together a Friday fun list of links I loved this week: 


What happened to the seagulls at AT&T Park? Two San Francisco writers ponder this development in San Francisco Magazine

Finding beauty even in death 

Shut those interns up! (and other areas to avoid putting the new kids)

Enjoy the perfect Pinterest picture, according to science {you're welcome}

Color Block

There's something so refreshing about summer. The colors, the heat, and the long days make it easy to fall it love with the season. I'm getting inspired this year by fun Etsy finds - including Kilim's shoes. Made from hand-woven Turkish rugs and bound by supple leather, they might be the perfect go-to slip on for that unique pop this year. Of course, Ikat pillows are always on my mind, especially when it comes time to find that perfect summer ensemble that'll put me in the right mood. 

{images: pinterest, Etsy, Kilim's, Free People}

BaubleBar Birthday

Today marks one month until my birthday. 

My birthday tends to get overshadowed by the popular drinking holiday that falls on the same day, so there aren't many traditions that I keep for the annual celebration other than some form of red, white and blue appearing in the mix. But there's one thing that always remains an important staple marking another year of birth - I get myself a gift. This year I'm finally going to purchase something from BaubleBar. I've been eyeing their colorful gems on favorite bloggers and Pinterest for too long, and have decided to indulge on my own. Hooray!

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. 

Food Art: Playing with Food

I like food...a lot. I practically moved to San Francisco because the San Diego food scene was a bore, and have continued to develop my passion for cuisine now that I consider myself an official resident. So when The Bold Italic - one of my favorite blogs - featured a conceptual art project that cut favorite foods in half (well, my favorite foods - like hot dogs, ice cream and noodles) - I had to share. 

The project comes from the mind of Beth Galton - see more images here. And read more about the artist online at The Bold Italic. 

Can you say #yum? 

Waiting on Downton Abbey

I don't have a tv in my new San Francisco apartment, but I still get to watch the majority of my favorite shows online. So it's no surprise during the "off season" when reruns of The Real Housewives weren't available I started picking up new shows. Downton Abbey was one of those - and boy, I am addicted.  

When People Magazine did a story about the actors visiting the United States, I was totally thrown off. Why aren't they in their uniform? I had gotten lost in their characters. I can't wait until next season. 

Do you watch?  

A New Outdoor Space

Since I've been back and forth between San Francisco and home lately, I've made it my mission to create an outdoor space in what used to be a garage in my parent's backyard. Santa Barbara's relatively moderate climate calls for an outdoor space that is both comfortable and cozy for those "winter" evenings, and I think that an outdoor living space is the perfect thing to accompany the pool and lush landscape we already have outside. I've been looking through Pinterest for some inspiration, and started watching HGTV ("Design on a Dime" is a new favorite!) for some additional ideas. It's going to be a DIY summer. 

On the State of Foodies in San Francisco (and Oakland's DOPO)

Now that I'm officially a Bay Area resident, I suppose it's my duty to present a semi-tourist, attempt-to-look-cool update on my trials and tribulations. 

Before I arrived to the area I thought I knew what was up regarding the food scene. I got press releases on occasion about new openings, but followed enough Twitter influencers to make me in-the-know. Let me tell you - the Whale's Vagina has got nothing on any Bay Area 'hood. No matter what group I'm in, everyone knows the hottest restaurants, has about 15 recommendations (that are all going to be amazing) and can 'ooh' and 'ahh' from personal experience when I recount my own feeble attempt at dining well here.  

I have decided to keep a virtual list of places to try, but it seems unlikely everything on my list - as was the case for my farewell rendezvous in San Diego - will ever cease to exist. Enough whimpering...here's the latest. 

A co-worker suggested Oakland's Italian restaurant Dopo. Getting a recommendation from a former employee should never be dismissed. These kids have seen the back room - they know if the chefs pick their noses or use canned veggies. Yuck. I wanted something away from College Ave in O-town, and Piedmont with the ever-enticing Fenton's was not pulling my arm. The place elicited a feeling of a neighborhood street-side cafe from Europe, where the maitre'd is consistently waving to friends or chatting with passerby's on the sidewalk. We were delivered sparkling processo while waiting for a table (inevitable on a Friday or Saturday night, especially with no reservations) and got a prime spot inside. The buzz is contagious, especially since most everyone is either hopped up on great wine or cured meats, of which they produce in-house. 

We dined on a selection of salumi, followed by a squid ink spagetti and plate of beans with potatoes, and finally an espresso panna cotta. I suck at remembering the specifics, and since their menu changes daily there's no hope in finding them. I've done a pretty good job convincing friends that Oakland isn't scary. This place helps. 

{images via Yelp}