Year: 2013

three bars and a cafe – san francisco

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I’ve decided to launch a weekly blog entry, introducing you to some of my favorite hang outs in the city by the bay, being of course San Francisco and sometimes even the greater bay area. Just in case you are visiting this part of the world or are new to the city and want to explore what you’ve gotten yourself in to :), For my first edition of three bars and a cafe, I want to suggest the following – click on each photo to access their website and learn more about each place, or just google map it and venture out like I do. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

having paris withdrawals

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While Tuesday was the first actual cold day in San Francisco. Let me clarify, Fall cold, because technically our summers are cold too. Anyway, while yesterday we got a taste of bitter cold, I couldn’t help but check the weather for Paris – something I crazily do on a daily basis to compare. It showed the same temperatures as we had in San Francisco. low 50s to cool 70s (F), throughout the day and I have to say, I smiled.  Although the two cities are often compared in so many ways, all I ever see are all the difference, favoring Paris all the way. Trivial you might say for this blog entry. I suppose. But just the thought of Paris makes me smile, any time of the year and I needed to express that right about now.

holiday party dress on a shoestring

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 I know you may think it’s too early to shop for party dresses for the impending holiday season, but in all reality it’s just around the corner.  Company events, cocktail parties, get together(s) and even weddings – in less than a month away. . So, it’s not that early. The benefit of shopping now is to, save yourself from the agony of looking for something in your size, reasonably prices and versatile.  I always go black and on occasion, I shift my choice to very subtle colors or a pop of red.  Nordstrom is promoting their holiday dresses at the moment by means of email blast and since I happen to be on their list, I got a first (or not) look at their inventory and here are my picks for the perfectly priced party dress.  

healthy recipe: pear pizza as comfort food

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Definitely during the colder months I crave nothing but pizza, pasta and fresh-baked breads – also known as comfort foods – to sooth my soul. However, this year, having been on a work-out kick plus healthy eating, I am a little nervous about the holiday get togethers and menu planning. So, to ease my anxiety and help me get through the season, I decided to compile healthy alternatives for my comfort food cravings. Here’s a pear pizza recipe I found to try and to share. Let me know what you think. Ingredients pizza dough, rolled thin olive oil with some minced garlic 1 almost ripe pear, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch) 1/3 cup (or more), grated pecorino 1 ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced part of a red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup good feta cheese 1/4 cup pine nuts handful of arugula sage leaves, fried salt optional: a few pinches of red pepper flakes optional: drizzle of honey Instructions Brush pizza dough with olive oil, garlic and a bit of salt. Evenly sprinkle with grated …

photography: something amazing

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In light of the fact, most Americans are in some sort of turmoil, wondering where this country is headed, I try to find ways to stay positive and focus on all the good and wonderful things just so I could endure.  I mean what can we do?  Change is in order and yet most of our hands are tied, unless there is a massive uproar and then – in all reality nothing will matter. While I clicked through website after another, gathering inspiration and ideas for my next blog entry, I stumbled upon this amazing photograph of where the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean meet – Elucthera, Bahamas,  which not only inspired me,  but also managed to put a smile across my worried face. I knew I needed to share the photo, in hopes it would do the same to you. Hang in there Americans, and don’t give up hope. We can overcome anything, if we find a way to at least meet half way.

a nostalgic october

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October was never my favorite month and for the longest time I looked at it as a time of year getting closer to winter, the colder weather, the shorter days. But in the past two or three years, I’ve embraced the month for more reasons than I care to list here; foremost because of the changing of the leaves. The only trouble is, San Francisco doesn’t experience such a transition since most of the trees planted are evergreen. So as always I long to travel East to Vermont or Canada just so I could get a glimpse of this: {photo reference click here}

designer coats – must have and could have

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Coat 1: Must – Pyrex New Morphing Fox trimmed down USD 1595 Could – Mackage Liz Long Down Coat USD690 Caot 2: Must – Saint Luarent Quilted Jacket USD1650 Could – BCBG Max Azaria down coat USD278 Coat 3: Must – Gucci quilted down biker USD1900 Could – Mackage down coat alysha satin leather USD890 Coat 4: Must – Jill Sander pontiac padded coat USD1590 Could – Marc by NY down coat USD250 Coat 5: Must – Burberry London down USD995 Could – SAM freestyle down USD2295 Source: Must – click here Could – click here

farmers of america – thank you

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Every Fall I pay homage to the farmers of America by dedicating a weekend to visit a different farming community. This year I gathered my family and drove up to Apple Hill – past Placerville, California on the way to Lake Tahoe to appreciate their hard work and give back, in this case by hopefully by picking apples and enjoying a picnic with wholesome food and local wines. What I got was much more. What I love the most about simple farming communities are the reminders of how ‘uncomplex’ life used to be up until the early seventies.; best described through Norman Rockwell paintings. I’ve always been fascinated by the era and wish I had the opportunity to live through it as a child.  

halloween party recipes and treats

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Every year, we pot-luck desserts or treats for an office Halloween party and every year I try to be as creative as I can with my dessert of choice. This year, it’s a choice between these four and if you want to know where I found them, click on the photo and it will take you to the recipe link: What’s your favorite recipe?