Author: MS

Lifestyle: You Know What I Miss The Most?

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A proper gathering of family and friends, outside of the holidays…that’s what I miss the most. Life has certainly taken a toll on most of my friends and family who seldom get-together at someone’s home for dinner, or cocktails and appetizers and a good old classic film or a board game. No two individuals I know can spare the time to make the time…if you know what I mean. Maybe, it’s an age thing. The older we get the less we make the effort…or we figure Facebook will just have to do…to stay in touch. I would love to  mail, the old-fashioned way, an invite to my family and friends and invite them over for a proper dinner and some good old conversation, and this is how I see it going down: Indoor/Outdoor Set Up:  *inspiration from here and here Pre-Dinner Wine and Cheese Pairing & Catching Up: Salad Exotic for Appetizer:   Main Dish – Coq au Vin & Perfectly seasoned asparagus  Dessert Cake – You had Me with Coconuts and Fresh Fruits: 

Travel: Some Travel Lists Are Better Then…

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Around this time of the year, lists of places to travel pop up all over the internet. Sites suggesting this and that place, some even cross-referencing destinations. Everything making it really difficult for me to plot out my travel destinations for the rest of my life of places I want to see and experience: Here are some suggestions for 2016 according to this list. Actually, the places below take priority for me in the near future:  

Culture: Recommended Reads for June and Beyond

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I buy the best of novels in European bookstores, particularly in Paris (believe it or not). I return for a dozen paperbacks and place them all on my bookshelf in the not-yet-read pile. Picking and choosing each novel based on my mood and need for inspiration. For my own writings. So, here’s the list, and here’s my picks to add to the pile of books to read in 2016:  

lifestyle: Just Something to Share About A Film

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Me Before You opens in the U.S. on Friday  and I couldn’t be more excited to go see the film about a novel I read weeks ago, and loved every word of it. The novel which has left such an impression on me, in every sense of the word, from the author’s writing style, which I admire, to the story, to the characters, and how well she managed to weave together all of it to create  the perfect a story –  I cannot seem to stop thinking about. So, until Friday, I have been obsessively reading the reviews, the actors interviews, and all that’s been said on social media about the story turned film. (I suppose keeping the momentum). What is it about love stories where one person is terminally ill? Is it the unconditional love expressed in between the pages or on screen? The fact, there is an expiration date to their forever, breaking our hearts? Or is it simply a reminder of how wonderful and caring people can be? Anyway, let me know …

Food: Recipe For Hot Summer Nights – Watermelon Salad

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Over the miserably hot weekend, where I “chored” my days away rather than simply enjoy, I had no appetite. The temperatures were in the 90’s by 7:00 a.m. and too hot to feel hungry enough for this San Franciscan spoiled rotten by  temperatures reaching only ‘coastal’ 60’s or less. So you know what I did. I ate mostly watermelon with salty Cotija cheese for lack of good goat cheese or Feta, and then I found this recipe today. Which made me laugh – since its based on my Mediterranean upbringing.

The Strangest Weekend – How to Detox From It

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This past weekend wasn’t the best I’ve had. Even though I was away from home, thinking I would spend the three days  to refresh, regroup, revamp and just relax. Instead it went something like, run crazy errands, clean up, and too many other unplanned chores. So, in order to shake off the damage this weekend caused my nerves. I decided to plan a few things the next few days  to help clear up my negative thinking: Tuesday: After work – go out to dinner here for the best El Salvadorian food. Wednesday: Outdoor lunch with a friend here since we are going to have  beautiful weather in SF before the foggy summer. And then go watch hubs play softball in suburbia. 🙂 Thursday: Go trekking along the coast, and have drinks here Friday:  Go see this matinée  – and make a special dinner at home Saturday:  Attend a graduation party to which I originally said No to. But why not? Sunday: Buy a new phone (its time) and head to  Napa I think this sort of …

Boutique Hotel Pick – Hotel Panache – Paris, France

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There are those who understand Paris in the same way that I do.  I know you are out there. 🙂  But just in case… For years the hubs had trouble understanding my love for this wonderful city – not so much the romantic aspect of it. But because of the fact, Paris stands for everything  a creative mind needs to feel inspired, and from that infuse, be able to create the most magical of things, tapping into emotions within us that we often times have trouble seeing or not see… intentionally. And so I spend a lot of time in my day, researching for all things Paris that I find inspiring and this time around, I discovered Hotel Panache – the decor alone says it all…