Year: 2015

How My Brain Works

I wear many hats past being a blogger: I am an author, an event planner, software dev quality expert,  avid traveller, photographer fashion consultant, and a supporter of healthy eating and healthy lifestyle.  Not to forget mentioning,  film buff. Oh, and I do love the San Francisco Giants. Because of all that, my brain goes something like this:   {source}

decor: rustic taste and a flare for french country design

I think if I had the means I would decorate my house differently every six months or so. But since reality dictates otherwise, I choose to decorate over time not really sticking to one style or another, and including everything that I makes me feel happy. With that said, here’s a few decor styles I’ve been slowly incorporating in my current state of transforming my studio-loft lucky for me attached to a beautiful garden: {source}

healthy eats: lentil, yogurt and prosciutto

Some night, well mostly Friday nights, I prefer an array of appetizer-sort eats  paired with a bottle of my favorite cab, than a full meal. It’s my way of winding down. I pick a film or two on Netflix, organize the appetizers and uncork the bottle…and I have to tell you I couldn’t ask for a better evening. Here’s a recipe of one appetizer I have put together way before finding it online. Except, I keep the yogurt in a separate bowl, drizzle it with olive oil and mint, the prosciutto on a platter with olives and cheese, and the lentil I buy pre-cooked, and shrink-wrapped from Trader Joe, seasoning it exactly as it says here. It’s funny how great chefs think alike. 🙂 How do you wind down? What is your favorite fun appetizer recipe?   {source credit}  

Travel: European Cities To Add To Your Travel Plans

I just got back from my annual trip to Europe in May, and I am already thinking about planning the next one. This year, my travel partner and I decided to change it up a bit, adding a few new destinations, seeking some adventure.  We opted for Lisbon, Porto, Edinburgh, back to Madrid, then through the norm, the French Rivera, and ending up in Paris. And I have to say it was the best decision we made. Based on the article here, I would like to say that I have to agree with Porto, Salzburg, Seville, Edinburgh, Bruges, Verona being underrated destinations, but most definitely places worth seeing and exploring. As for the rest of the places on the list, I need to add to my list of places to see. The problem is, I have to wait until 2016.      

St. John pre-fall collection 2015

I challenge myself every year to create my style from the collections released by designers.  I don’t normally follow trend, I simply create my own.  So, here are some of my favorite wears  from St. John, which I will add to other designer pieces and create my own style – which by the way I will be launching on this blog soon.

fine bit of finds on my birthday

I was in a famous bookstore the other day, City Lights in Northbeach, aiming to promote my second novel Nob Hill.  By the way if you haven’t been, do make it a point to visit during your visit to San Francisco.  Anyway, I laughed so hard in the quiet of the store, certainly needing to take a picture. So this is what happened decades ago on my birthday… And, this is what’s happening today (June 26) on my birthday… And I laugh, either way. {click here to get there-cake blog}

What Would You Say To Your Younger Self If You Had The Chance

My birthday is fast approaching, and every year around this time, I panic, thinking I haven’t accomplished all the things in life I needed to just yet, and getting old is really not helping me get there. But I do wonder, if I could go back, knowing what I know now, what is the one thing I would tell myself to do? Don’t you ever wonder? I’d love to hear from you…drop me a line. Oh and in case you are wondering what I would say to my younger self: It would be to follow your dream no matter what…Because at the end of the day, it is what will make you the happiest. {photo source}

Is It Bad To Compare Amal Clooney to Jackie Onassis – in fashion that is

I don’t know about you but the first glimpse of George Clooney’s then girlfriend, Amal, and all I could think about was how much she resembled Jackie Onassis.  A modern day version of course.   Same sort of flair I think, and I am seeing more and more each day why George has fallen in love with this mediterranean beauty and brains. Lucky for some of us,  Bazaar has posted some of Amal’s most stylish looks, which naturally I love. Take a look and let me know what you think?