Author: MS

photography: light effects in san francisco

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The past three days, it was extremely hot in San Francisco and although it was a pleasant change from the cold and fog, it aggravated alot of locals.  Very strange bunch, we are, the city folk. I, on the other hand, did everything in my power to stay out as long as I could to enjoy the sun and the heat, so after work I walked over to Union Square and enjoyed a nice dinner outdoors atop Macy Department Store, over-looking the  square. When I finally made it back down to the street level, I couldn’t believe how amazingly hot it still was even at 8p.m. So, naturally I grabbed  my hubby’s cell  and snapped some photos of the light effects in San Francisco on a hot Indian Summer night. {Please don’t borrow the photographs without my permission :)}

fall fashion: tory burch

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On Saturday it was super cold in San Francisco, even though the weather reports indicated otherwise.  So, although I made plans to leisurely walk along the beach, I ended up curled up under a blanket on the couch and began shopping online for sweater and warm dresses. First stop, Tory Burch, and I have to say she didn’t disappoint:  1.Cornelia houndstooth dress 395USD. 2.Cornelia in red 395USD 3.Celeste Wool Twill 395USD 4.Jameson 425USD 5.Walden Cashmere 395USD 6.Alora Turtleneck 225USD 7.Carly Tunic 225USD

how do women choose hair and makeup products?

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I often wonder how women choose their hair and makeup products? I mean I circle department stores and small chain stores to study women’s reactions while testing new products or reading the back of one they have heard about and even exchanging opinions at the counter with those who have tried it before, but really what makes a woman finally settle on a product and stick to it, thinking it is the best thing for them? For example: I have used just about every makeup out there and tend to change the brand only when I sense the ingredients, which have been changed to “new and improved”, are no longer working for my face. As for hair products, I have also tried just about every shampoo and hair color out there based on of course what my hair needs are during different seasons throughout the year, as well as the quality my hair has become over the years. One thing, I have found, so far is, although I veer on occasion to try something different, …

autumn in the air – what to look forward to

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When you live in a city like San Francisco, it’s really difficult to tell when the seasons change. Unless of course you are completely in-tuned with nature. Either way,  Autumn has become one of my favorite seasons and one that I look forward to, almost secretly. Autumn is an inspiring season for many reasons: photo credits and merchandise information: photo 1 – click here: photo 2 – click here: photo 3 – click here and here: photo 4 click here: photo 5 – click here

healthy recipe – fig chutney

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I have to admit, I love figs, fresh ones or otherwise. When they are in season, I gorge on them until I am sick to my stomach and just when I swear I wouldn’t eat  anymore, I find myself always in the gourmet section of a grocery store searching for anything made with figs. So, of course, it’s not a surprise that after finishing a jar of fig jam and eating a dozen or so fresh ones out of a basket, like an addict, I began a desperate search for fig chutney to make during the impending holiday season. A good excuse to eat figs again 🙂 Although I search the internet extensively for most any recipe to compare the ingredients so that I can create my own version, for the fig chutney, since it’s my first time making it,  I have decided to go with my favorite chef/author/connoisseur/online mentor if you will and follow the recipe he suggests to the exact just to make sure it’s the right balance in flavor. Fig Chutney Two …

travel journal – holiday end – paris to san francisco

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I am now back in the states and aimlessly trying to get adjusted to everyday life. I avoided it for a couple of days while I recovered from jetlag, but knowing there was no alternative, I put on my work clothes and commuted to work early Thursday morning. Vacations or holidays, as they are referred to, throughout other parts of the world, are the most difficult to return from, especially if they pan out to be as beautifully as you envisioned it while planning. I am aware of the fact. But it’s not so much that I regret it’s over, it’s the fact I had to leave Paris, once again as a tourist. The funny thing about annual vacations, at least for me, is that I use the time to not only regroup, but also to reflect on the past year and decipher what I need to do to improve my life and lifestyle. Whether it be, a career change, a move to a new neighborhood, or realigning our long term plans. And every year …

day 14 – travel journal – london, england for a day

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I had this bright idea of visiting London for a day, since I hadn’t been for 15 plus years. The reason for my madness was the fact I originally wanted to partake in attending the 2012 Olympic games in London but since I couldn’t manage such a trip a month ago, I wanted to be in London this year no matter what .  So, from Paris we took the Eurostar early Thursday morning for our almost three-hour high-speed train ride to London. The important thing to remember is that although Gare de Nord (Eurostar station in Paris) and London St Pancras International Station (Eurostar station in London) are easily accessible and not too difficult to get around, consider showing up one hour before boarding the train to go through the customs lines and border control. It’s funny you don’t think there should be border control between France and England, but there is. The other thing to remember while embarking on such a journey is that the moment you cross border control and customs, the Euro …

day 13 – travel journal – paris france

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There is no way on earth I would pass up Paris, no matter what other destinations I have included in my annual trip to Europe. This year, while the TGV pulled into Gare de Lyon from Cannes at a little after 9p.m. I noticed it had been raining in the city of romance. I didn’t care, the rain is always refreshing in Paris and I have actually been in the city every month out of the year and every single time it had rained. It usually bothered me, but I’ve come to accept it and now even embrace it. Paris isn’t Paris without rain. We hopped on the RER (urban rail network train) from Gare de Lyon to our Hotel in Charles de Gaulle Etoile (between VIIIe and XVIIe arrondissements) and within a five minute walk, landed in front of our quaint hotel with minimal frills and turned in for the night. I usually sleep with the windows open, normally for fresh air, but in the case of Paris, just so I could hear the …