All posts filed under: Lifestyle

Travel: San Francisco Coffee Shops Worth an Uber Ride from Union Square

I couldn’t stop at just “San Francisco Coffee shops” when I was thinking about the title of this post 🙂 Becaaaauuuusseee….San Francisco, Uber, Union Square and coffee are a package deal – in terms of the order of things to do for tourists while visiting this fine city, I call home.  (Mouthful I know) Anyway, if you are coming to town, or simply commuting in fron the Bay Area for some fun or shopping or a museum visit or just to get a glimpse of the ocean in October, then I suggest your first stop to be  one of these fine coffee shops that I have tested and love:    

Food: Healthy Snacks I Load Up On

Snacking is something I do more often on a stressful or a super busy day. I suppose it’s because I burn more energy. The worst is I crave sugar, and in our office, there is a bowl of mini-candies all over the place. I used ot head right to them, but now, I avoid them like the plague and bring my own snacks from this helpful list I found:  I usually pair up the almonds with an apple – or Hummus and cauliflower, which does  wonders to your tastebuds, Eggs and Avocado is my favorite and asparagus just by itself.  

RS&S Topic of Interest: Friday The 13th Explained

I am not superstitious much – but I do have to bring to attention that today is Friday the 13th – and although the day and date has not much meaning to me, it does to some folks. So I decided to find out what the hype is all about. Check out what I discovered: According to the Brits, the Mirror reports: National Geographic explains the history behind the superstition: The Irish have their take on the matter: And then there is a list of 13 blizzare historical events according to ABC7 News

Lifestyle: How To’s

Today’s list of how-to’s are for those of us – sometimes in need of a reminder or a new outlook on doing the same old thing. For example: How to CULL your wardrobe. Since I’ve taken this week off from work to do my bit of ‘AUTUMN’ cleaning – I am having trouble deciding what goes and stays in my closet. These suggestions from Chronicles of Her are pretty cool to keep in mind, to strip your closet of all things cluttering it. Here’s what they say: “Things that are out of sight, out of mind and not missed over the next few weeks are begging to be sold, swapped or donated to charity.” ASK YOURSELF: “Does it suit my current style? Is it flattering on me? If I saw someone wearing it, would I wonder where they got it? What are my reasons for keeping it?” (more) ♦ Best make up tips to learn, although the article states before you turn thirty – I think we can all learn a few things at any age.  Especially if you look at yourself …

Doing a Bit Of Thinking Lately

I realize that there are more important concerns, or worries on everyone’s minds these days about everything that’s going on around the world, and/or in their own homes. And it would be insensitive of me not to say that I am fully aware and feeling just as down and helpless as the next person. I even contemplate  daily if I should simply stop the ‘all things beautiful’ outlook on this blog and open up a forum to allow folks to express their feelings and fears and just talk about whatever it is that’s bothering them so that perhaps together, we can figure out how to repair the damages we are causing to ourselves with every single headline we read on social media. Everyone is angry, everyone has something to bring to light – and I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. But it is definitely a scary and worrisome thing that most topics today are stemming from anger rather than for the sake of making a positive change. …

Stay-cation in Full Gear and What’s On My Mind

I decided to take two weeks off from work to simply do ‘Autumn’ cleaning, and a few minor projects around the house.  I realized when I woke up this morning, while unable to breathe from the smog blanketing over San Francisco, due to the Napa/Sonoma fires, that our country has had one of the most challenging years so far in the 21st century.  Whether it is because of natural disasters, or otherwise, there is a certain, it almost feels, an incurable chaos, and madness taking  shape at an accelerated pace. And no matter how hard I try to avoid expressing my concerns on RS&S; I can’t get past the fact: If we don’t make a collective effort to put the breaks on, we are going to be the producers of our own demise. {source}  

Lifestyle: Distractions Are Always A Good Idea…

Distractions are always a good idea during trying times to help get you through the fears and the stress. I am not saying to ignore what is going on around the world, or in your own hometown, but please try not to dwell. Dwelling intensifies the fear factor which then turns into an obsession and combined together; can paralyze you sometimes to the point that you are too worried about – well, just about everything, and suddenly you forget how to live in harmony. How I cope is by shutting off social media, and tuning in to Pandora. Next I meditate for twenty minutes at the least, to find clarity. Then I make time to watch the sunset, and take pictures. Afterwards, I read an actual paperback – a novel I picked up in the UK or France, or I draw/doodle. This time to myself is priceless, because it helps me become less angry, more rational and even allow me to see the best of the world and the people in it.

Lifestyle: Humor Circa 1955

I’ve been binge-watching the Dick Van Dyke show on Netflix – aiming to see all 5 seasons before the holiday months are upon us.  Now, if you don’t know anything about Dick Van Dyke or the show. It’s about a married couple, in this case Rob played by Dick Van Dyke and his wife Laura, (Mary Tyler Moore), as always going through struggles or just day-to-day stuff – like any other show, but this one is set in the late 50’s to early 60’s. At times I laugh so hard, and at times I smirk at the things the men in the show say to the women   – although efforts to be sensitive to the gender’s feelings are expressed throughout, the comments are still made.  Nevertheless, those were the times, and I  laugh, taking everything said and done with a grain of salt. I’m not one to freak out over every word that comes out of every person’s mouth on any given day nor take offense on a level that I need to blast …

Lifestyle: What Makes You Instantly Attractive

Based on a list in Town & Country mag, what makes you instantly attractive is everything cosmetic, and based on my own observations on the street, in restaurants, department stores, and even buying a car. The more you look your best, the better the service you get. One day I decided to look my worst. Meaning to say, not paid too much attention to how I was dressed in an ill-fitting pair of jeans, an old T-shirt, and tennis shoes. My hair was collected up in a bun, and I wore my glasses instead of my contacts. That day, I walked into various high-end department stores, and not a single person took me seriously, nor approached me. Getting the attention of the waiter during lunch was also difficult. A week later, I dressed the part. A Pencil skirt, and top in black, and high heels in nude. full make up, hair done up and I went to the same stores. And I was not only welcomed in, but quickly offered personal attention to my shopping …