Formal living Rooms may be a thing of the past as more homeowners opt for a comfortable open space family room, an extension of the kitchen space, where everyone can be together, without the worry of keeping everything in order. But if you happen to entertain often, or love the idea of a formal living room – as part of your home, I have to say these decor ideas are pretty simple to recreate on any budget.
We’ve had more rain then I remember in a lifetime here in San Francisco, and I couldn’t be happier. We needed it, wish it would be the norm every year – but we know how it goes. Ten years of drought, one year of some rain. This year of course its an exception – or – wait I think we had this much rain back in 2009? So, yup every ten years. 🙂 Anyway, with this much rain, we’ve had to postpone the idea of BBQ outdoors. But, since I am craving BBQ, and some sort of salad today, it is happening – either in a non-stick skillet, or my indoor grill – which is an older model and a pain to clean – I have a few more hours to decide which way to BBQ – either way, this is the salad I am aiming for tonight. And…I am not changing a thing in the recipe. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or tenders 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade 2 cups fresh grilled or frozen thawed corn …
I love it when the weather is pleasant enough to be outdoors, on a weekday walking the streets of downtown San Francisco or just admiring those online – around the world – with the simplest fashion sense and ones I welcome for my tech-business casual style and wardrobe. {source here, here, here}
As I mentioned before, our company decided to move office locations in the city to combat the unreasonable increase in our lease renewal in San Francisco. At the moment the demand is high here in tech-city extension, I call it – after Silicon Valley. So, we had no choice but to move to a new office space – in the underground. Which I am still having trouble getting used to. But you know what happened to me as a result of being eight hours in the deep darkened space with no natural light or air? I have changed my mind about…the underworld places around the world I wanted to see. I am no longer interested, now that I realize I do not like the idea of not having a quick escape, but nevertheless here they are for your consideration. {featured image source}
There are two things I love – Korean BBQ short ribs, and fried or battered chicken of sorts. These are my weaknesses among a million other gastronomical weaknesses. 🙂 Now, although San Francisco has some of the best cuisines or restaurants in the world, I sometimes prefer to try out my favorites at home – in my own kitchen and naturally with a twist to recipes I find here and there. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs (you can use skin on or off, but I used skin off) 1 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3 cups finely crushed corn flakes {or Panko, which is what I am going to use} 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme extra virgin olive oil, for brushing HOT HONEY 6 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons honey {I am going to mix in BBQ sauce, what? Haven’t you heard of honey-BBQ} 2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder kosher salt {more} Side dish – homemade coleslaw – cabbage, Extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, a dash of salt Just in case you are planning a trip to San Francisco, and of …
It was very difficult for me this morning, to get up and get ready for work. Especially after having a week to simply explore my city – San Francisco, for those just joining in the fun here. I realized while commuting in, that my mind is blank, even though I have a list of to-do’s a mile long, which I’ve written down, I feel completely numb this morning, and can only focus on beautiful things I found online: {source}
I did not realize just how much time away from a computer was needed until I decided Monday morning last, to simply not get online, or check work emails, or blog or write. There was a feeling of calm, even while running errands, and doing chores, the idea of not being plugged in made a world of difference in how I felt overall. So, I vowed to myself that – this sort of unplugging will be done several times throughout the year. Where I simply leave my phone on Do Not Disturb mode and my computer logged off and find joy in the simpler things in life. Like walking six miles across the city. Sitting by the ocean and taking in the views. Reading in a park. Lunch in a new farm-to-table eatery I’ve wanted to try out forever. Reconnecting with a solid friend and be completely entertained by her Schnauzer. Taking photographs of everything . Walking across town again, buying a new lipstick or gloss. Enjoy watching a herd of grazing goats for hire …
I am taking next week off from work. A much-needed break, I’ve avoided for four years. Meaning, even while on vacation over the past four years, I tend to check my work emails and respond and or get asked for guidance on various matters from the team – thinking that nothing can get done with me. Well, I am here to say that even if nothing can get done without me at work, my brain needs some time away from the norm – to play tourist, even if it’s just in my town, or a few towns over, I am going to make a point to experience things I have not-yet and things I haven’t for over a decade or more… so stay tuned for some interesting hopefully interesting travel topics. On another travel note – May is my favorite travel time of the year – and I love the idea of this list offering up places I haven’t been yet and are longing to explore, just not this May: {featured image source}
I love spontaneous visits – as my home is always open to family and a handful of friends visiting from out-of-town. In this case, family + her beautiful German Sheppard I cannot wait to hang out with over the weekend. He’s adorable, but not at all interesting to my 15-year old Yokie, who although will have a tough time having T around, I am sure deep down he will be a great host. Here’s the thing about these visits – full on breakfasts and long conversations over coffee, while both of us are curled up on the sofas with our loyal companions at our feet. Best feeling ever, I can assure you. So I looked up breakfast options to prepare – and this recipe popped up for me to alter a bit to fit our dietary needs: INGREDIENTS MAPLE CANDIED BACON {I will be using Uncurred Turkey bacon from trader Joe – best I’ve had so far and bypassing the added ingredients} 1/2 pound thick cut bacon use peppered bacon if possible 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 cup brown sugar …
I normally don’t shock easily – about the goings on around me or even around the world. But recently I’ve raised an eyebrow or twitched an eye at a few strange comments – which I felt the need to share – to either put a smile on your face, or have your jaw drop. Never tell a middle-aged woman you see daily, ‘oh I see you are wearing makeup today,’ when she wears makeup everyday. ♦ At a retail store – while consulting with a makeup artist about a facial primer – he says ‘this one is used on dead people, so it is lasting and oil-free. ♦ ‘This product will help your dull hair look alive, not like a young person, but you know, for your age, you should try it.’ ♦ Ordering a salad with no mention of fat-free in the ingredients, the gal behind the counter asks if I would like fat-free dressing? ♦ Walking in through the front door, you pre-warn you’ve had a bad day, and he decides that moment …
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