DATING YOUR CAREER BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for mastering the principles of dating your career. Dating is just like working. Seriously. So to better frame your mindset for your next date or your next role, just know that the common denominator among both are building relationships effectively; knowing balance; setting boundaries, and starting over fresh every time. Mastering those on both frontiers will set you up to be smarter for the long run. 1
DIGITAL NETWORKING BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for turning any digital networking efforts into active opportunities – no matter your seniority, bandwidth or budget. Let’s face it. The. craft is widely used every day in some way, yet highly under-estimated, under-maximized and under-funded most of the time. When done right, digital networking compliments offline, in-person networking efforts and gets you more results than just an email thank you. 1 always follow up to every communication,
RESUME & CV BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for creating, tweaking, revamping or overhauling your resume or cv. While a resume is just a conversation starter, it must make your reader fall in love with you in just 6 seconds. Crazy, right? Focusing on the first-impressions, heavy hitters, and wow statements, like these below, are proven to work – and increase your chances of getting hired faster. 1 MAKE YOUR LOCATION COMPETITIVE When updating your
My photographer friend Diana and I decided to go camping last weekend in Santa Barbara. Little did we know how windy, muddy and cold it would be. Yet despite our lack of sleep, our adventures made up for it.
After Jackie and Will’s pomegranate wedding came to a bittersweet end, two fellow wedding friends told me they only had one day left in Southern California. With 24 hours left at our disposal, I played host.
Best wedding I’ve ever been a part of. My two life-long friends said “I Do” on a pomegranate farm, inside that tree. No wifi, only friends, all weekend long, UH-mazing.
Do you know where one of the best spots is to watch a San Diego sunset? It’s a tough call–there’s so many in this city–but I know one. It’s on top of Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, CA.
I surfed, I dogged, and I conquered. That day the tide was low and my Surfline app reported good surf weather. So with my brick of a Costco 8″ board, I trekked to San Diego’s original “Dog Beach.”
And just when I thought I’d seen it all, life surprised me. Tonight, on a warm summer night in June, Austin’s bat colony decided to take flight in their annual migration from this bridge, where 1.5 million bats flew from in under 3 hours. YIKES!
When your little bro turns 27 and you realize you’re not getting any younger, measures need to be taken. Luckily, we knew a guy with a sweet view to the Denver skyline to throw Kevin an epic 27th.
Laguna Beach wasn’t all beaches, billionaires and babes. Somewhere in the back of a hole-in-the-wall dive bar called The Marine Room, I found a funky, blue grass band and a man who defied the “Cali” norm.
I’m always on par for challenging my inner taco snob and today I came face to face with my match, the Slapfish Taco. These noshes hail from a tiny dive, so don’t blink because you might just miss them.
DATING YOUR CAREER BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for mastering the principles of dating your career. Dating is just like working. Seriously. So to better frame your mindset for your next date or your next role, just know that the common denominator among both are building relationships effectively; knowing balance; setting boundaries, and starting over fresh every time. Mastering those on both frontiers will set you up to be smarter for the long run. 1
DIGITAL NETWORKING BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for turning any digital networking efforts into active opportunities – no matter your seniority, bandwidth or budget. Let’s face it. The. craft is widely used every day in some way, yet highly under-estimated, under-maximized and under-funded most of the time. When done right, digital networking compliments offline, in-person networking efforts and gets you more results than just an email thank you. 1 always follow up to every communication,
RESUME & CV BOOTCAMP 10 ridiculously useful tips for creating, tweaking, revamping or overhauling your resume or cv. While a resume is just a conversation starter, it must make your reader fall in love with you in just 6 seconds. Crazy, right? Focusing on the first-impressions, heavy hitters, and wow statements, like these below, are proven to work – and increase your chances of getting hired faster. 1 MAKE YOUR LOCATION COMPETITIVE When updating your
My photographer friend Diana and I decided to go camping last weekend in Santa Barbara. Little did we know how windy, muddy and cold it would be. Yet despite our lack of sleep, our adventures made up for it.
After Jackie and Will’s pomegranate wedding came to a bittersweet end, two fellow wedding friends told me they only had one day left in Southern California. With 24 hours left at our disposal, I played host.
Best wedding I’ve ever been a part of. My two life-long friends said “I Do” on a pomegranate farm, inside that tree. No wifi, only friends, all weekend long, UH-mazing.
Do you know where one of the best spots is to watch a San Diego sunset? It’s a tough call–there’s so many in this city–but I know one. It’s on top of Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, CA.
I surfed, I dogged, and I conquered. That day the tide was low and my Surfline app reported good surf weather. So with my brick of a Costco 8″ board, I trekked to San Diego’s original “Dog Beach.”
And just when I thought I’d seen it all, life surprised me. Tonight, on a warm summer night in June, Austin’s bat colony decided to take flight in their annual migration from this bridge, where 1.5 million bats flew from in under 3 hours. YIKES!
When your little bro turns 27 and you realize you’re not getting any younger, measures need to be taken. Luckily, we knew a guy with a sweet view to the Denver skyline to throw Kevin an epic 27th.
Laguna Beach wasn’t all beaches, billionaires and babes. Somewhere in the back of a hole-in-the-wall dive bar called The Marine Room, I found a funky, blue grass band and a man who defied the “Cali” norm.
I’m always on par for challenging my inner taco snob and today I came face to face with my match, the Slapfish Taco. These noshes hail from a tiny dive, so don’t blink because you might just miss them.
Think I found my new mission in life: Try every single taco joint on the West Coast and decide, once and for all, which taco looks, smells and ultimately TASTES the best. Well today, that mission was accomplished.
San Diego has been waiting for the Liberty Public Market to open for a while but his lucky duck moved here just in time for its Grand Opening. Today I came, I saw, and well, I half conquered what my belly could hold.
After attending today’s Ocean Beach San Diego Writer’s Group, I learned the ultimate “can’t-judge-a-book-by-its-cover” lesson: Everyone has an interesting story to tell, but not everyone is a good storyteller.
DO I WANT TO VOTE?! let’s just say, Frank–my ardent, democratic roommate–and I were so excited to vote we named our apartment internet Wi-Fi name accordingly. “Trump Your Own Horn.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean might be stopping by later. Because here, at Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco the rum is NEVER GONE. The Goonies… no One-Eyed-Willie… no Jack Sparrow would have been proud.
Perfect Sunday Funday: Dining al fresco, cozying up with a hot coffee, chatting with my old roommate, scarfing down, I mean eating, delicious French toast comfort food, surrounded by a real cottage-like atmosphere. YES, please.
It really is true. Great bands become great by starting off in small venues. Walking down the narrow hall of The Independent (a venue I never knew existed until about 10 minutes ago), I was immediately star-struck by all the glossy, framed photos. Green Day, Beck, Springsteen, Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz all played here once upon a time. Wow. I wonder what band I’ll see next who will really be somebody in 10 years. Two hours, two lagunitas and three new
I don’t get enough attention. EVER. Play with me. Please!
Ya know those friends you don’t see for a while, but it’s like yesterday when you catch up? Keren and I picked up like it was just yesterday when we were sitting on the sand with margaritas in Cabo San Lucas. The topics of conversation ranged from boyfriend woes to freelancing gigs to doggie troubles. Three hours, one quattro formaggi pizza and a bottle of delish robust wine later, it turns out, there was one thing we both were missing
She was just as divine as I imagined. And her vine-covered, cottage-esque chateau was too. Tucked away in the California countryside, it was like something out of Southern Living magazine or Travel Channel or Dream Listings. My dream house. And my new boss’s house. Who knew a little leap of faith on an unexpected freelance gig would lead me to working with a famous designer in her own home studio? Am I dreaming? Don’t wake me up
Aunt Mollie and Uncle Ray were in town last week visiting their old stomping grounds where they had lived for 4 years, my surfer and boat-bound cousin, and my new San Diego home. Funny, even after 4 years of them being gone, they were still well connected. So connected, they scored a 2-week stay at a penthouse overlooking San Diego’s ball park, Petco Park. Yep. That close. Any closer, and they could have caught a fly ball. Jealous? Maybe…
Aunt Mollie will always be the funny, happy-go-lucky, wicked awesome aunt from Boston I remember. “Hello sweetie. So I tried that coffee place across the street but wasn’t impressed. Was wicked expensive. Get that California craft shit outta here. Where’s the Dunkin’ Donuts? Let’s go find one.”
When I say we explored San Diego’s Cabrillo National Monument, I don’t mean for fun. My outdoorsy and adventurous roommate Frank went exploring here yesterday yet lost his keys somewhere on the rocky beach. 3 long miles of rocky shoreline, that is. Clutching flashlights and liquid courage, we came back here this morning bright and early to hopefully find said keys. Fingers crossed they’re not fish food. Yet. Hello Lost & Found!
Officially named “The Last Bookstore” this quaint Downtown LA bookstore might as well be THE LAST bookstore with the inside walls built entirely out of books. Yep, 22,000 sq. ft. of books With the demise of most bookstores around the country except for Barnes & Noble, you’d wonder how this place was still in business. But it’s still very much alive, and kicking and defying all odds.
It’s America’s most popular roadtrip for a reason. Many a honeymoon has been spent, a novel born and a virgin road trip consummated (*raises hands in excitement*) along the Pacific Coast Highway’s breathtaking, winding coastal route. Travel Channel says it’s ideal to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from North to South. But like the unconventional traveler I am, I did it from South to North. Survey says? Mind-blowing scenery, quirky stop-offs and that wind-in-your-hair serendipity of wondering
*Tear* We said our last goodbyes to Dennis tonight. He was leaving his San Diego crew and the sunshine for San Francisco fog and a little company you may have heard of, Salesforce. Goodbye for now, Dennis! You’ll be back.
When you can’t have the famous apple pie from Julian, drink Julian Apple Pie instead. Cheers.
Pro-tip: If your family’s in town and you’re hungry for a nice brunch, take them to Little Italy’s Queenstown Public House, the Queen of brunch spots.
Why visit the YMCA? It’s cheaper with a no-hidden-fees style membership. Has all the amenities anyone really needs. You won’t find too many fake or high-maintenance patrons or over zealous personal trainers. There’s free extra classes and surprisingly cute guys. And the pool will rival the best of ’em. Now, I’ve held many gym memberships, temp passes, one-day cards and almost-memberships in these past 30 years. But so far, the Y is one of the best, if not THE best. Give
Easy on the eyes like a Saturday brunch at Union Kitchen & Tap.
I don’t really go to Church. I pray when I run. And tonight the Sun Gods were good to me.
Never mind the pickle, what IS that creature? It’s the Hail Mary of Bloody Mary’s. The Man Meat Bloody Mary, topping the Sunday brunch drink menu at The Attic in Long Beach, Los Angeles. And it was last cherry on top of our delicious brunch.
Friend Megan and I finally caught up after weeks of missing each other. She suggested this off-the-beaten-path trail in the deep woods of East San Diego. A four-mile hike to a waterfall? YES! Little did I know, some creatures would be joining us on our hike. Every five minutes, we had to watch our feet for rattle snakes. A lovely morning overall, really.
No panicking at this coffee shop. With open-air seating and carefree ambiance meets southern California style and restored farmhouse-turned coffee shop feel, there’s really no reason to stress here. Three hours later, it’s been the most productive morning in San Diego so far.
When you remember that one amazing turkey sandwich in that little hole-in-the-wall-deli in a San Diego strip mall… and go back and show them this exact picture so they can recreate it again. 🙂 #noshame
The closest thing to living my National Geographic dream was meeting one of their top designers today at a hole-in-the-wall bar in Venice Beach, CA. Although our chat only lasted only 45 min (and it took me 2 hours and 45 min to get here), it was absolutely 110% worth it. He said something I’ll never forget: Never play your “Ace” card on the 1st hand. Wait for the right moment when you’ve got everything in you and
I’ve always thought about working for a flower company. So five months ago, the day after Thanksgiving, I accepted an offer for a short-term freelance gig at ProFlowers. A quick paycheck, free flowers and easy things to write about, right? Nope, way more. Fast forward to today, five months later, I know more about tulips, peonies and succulents than probably your average florist. But most of all, I’ve found that writing about flowers is way harder and
Give me all of the toppings. Now. Please and thank you. Nom, nom, nom.
These succulents are brave little guys, but I think they can survive a summer in my care. 🙂
Filing your taxes when you’re freelancer slash contractor is a PAIN IN THE ARSE. I’ve done it two years in a row now, and learned a few things. Opt for a good tax guy. It will cost you a pretty penny, but worth it in the end. What’s worse: hiring a cheap tax guy, him missing something and you facing tax payments later. Go with an online tax service, like Turbo Tax. (It’s suppper easy and walks you through
Found a new reason to stick around San Diego today: South Park. It’s an underestimated, funky, off-beat neighborhood located in the southern part of downtown San Diego. Though I just discovered it about 2 hours ago, it’s now one of my new fave hoods. With hidden dives, hoppy beers and one decadent chocolate shop called Eclipse, I’m surprised more folks haven’t stumbled upon it yet. But, better we keep it that way. I don’t know if I want to
Friend, Dennis and I were just looking for a simple, local San Diego bar with a couple board games and a lively atmosphere to tide us over until the weekend fun started. It was a chilly Monday evening and not much was open. But then we found Tabletop Commons. Turns out, it was THE board game bar. With at least 72 titles on the shelf. A DJ. A game host. A game ref. A jumbo-movie screen. And oh, a
There’s a sweet side to Newport Beach, California that you don’t typically hear when mentioning Orange County, CA. Turns out, Newport Beach is no frozen force to be reckoned with. It may be a small, quaint island town with only one bridge connecting it to the mainland, but the number of sweets shops lining Main Street (FroYo, Ice Cream, Frozen Bananas, Chocolate, Fudge, Tiramisu –– you name it) almost out number the boats in the water.
Arguably one of the best farmer’s market in the U.S. (if not THE best, by many), the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market really is sight for sore eyes and hungry bellies. Where –– if you wake up early enough on a Saturday morning somewhere in the nearby Los Angeles area –– you can find a confluence of brilliant color, decadent cuisine, world cultures, ripe fruits, crisp veggies, aspiring and famous chefs, sweating farmers and beach cities all squeezed
An amusement park in itself, Hollywood Boulevard is a spectacle of ALL sorts. From the Chinese Theatre to the Wax Museum to the Stars’ Footprints to the Dolby Theatre to the packed grungy sidewalks to postcard stands on ever corner, this star-studded, theatre-lined street should be a city all on its own. Yet despite the stereotyped reputation this Hollywood drag gets, it is quite possible to spend a pleasant day on Hollywood Boulevard and have a good time.
Hey, Hollywood! What’s your dream?
After leaving the LACMA earlier this morning in Los Angeles, friend Dennis and I headed for the famous Griffith Observatory, navigating through the streets of Downtown LA, La Brea, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and North Los Angeles to get to there. Being a first timer, I had no idea what to expect. Now –– 2 hours, a windy, slow drive up the mountain, one amazing James Dean Statue and a couple dozen photos later –– this is
Two reasons to come to The Mustard Seed Cafe: 1) You were either waiting in line at The Alcove Cafe across the street for 20 minutes and realized it would be another 2 hours before even sitting down; or 2) You found this gem of a corner deli from yelp, a map or a local review. Take it from this foodie, long-line-hater, brunch-goer and mom-and-pop-shop-lover, try this place first. Take a chance on those corner delis you only hear
Bad news, guys. There actually is no lake in Silver Lake; it was built around what used to be a city reservoir, and now is an empty canyon. Yet despite the serious lack of water in my new found discovery, I immediately fell in love with this hipster neighborhood. It feels NOTHING like L.A., which appeals to me even more. After an hour of strolling through with personal tour guide and friend, Dennis, I found a confluence of Southern California charm,
If you know a bartender here at this bar, you’ll make the Honor Roll. After a long day of spontaneous road-tripping and neighborhood strolling around vast Los Angeles, friend Dennis and I need some libations to wash down the thirst of our sunny, sweaty day. Luckily, Dennis knew a watering hole, Public School in downtown Los Angeles and a trusty bartender named Jim. Jim treated us like “A” students. With unlimited play on a life-size Jenga time, a foot
Ahhhh… the best nights are often times the unplanned, spontaneous ones. That happy hour we decided to go to last minute on a random breezy Saturday evening in downtown LA turned out to be one of the best nights EVER. Like EVER ever. Thirsty and dog tired, friend Dennis and I strolled in just wanting to rest for a minute and grab a cocktail. Turns out, we stumbled upon a rooftop party with a packed show
A king side bed, a beautiful bathroom, a view to the indoor courtyard and pool, a sweet suite friend Dennis and I scored two hours before on Hotels Tonight. AWESOME! The only thing missing? A chocolate mint on my pillow and a glass of wine on the bedside table. Guess we can find some crushed grapes somewhere else in L.A. Until then, think I need a 5 minute nap. 🙂
Of ALL the celebrity-loved, world-class-inspired, 5-star award-winning restaurants and cuisines in the entire LA metropolis, Anthony Bordain raved about this particular 3-mile stretch of LA: Koreatown. So, I –– obsessed with anything Mr. Bordain loved and curious about such a place –– and friend Dennis ventured to these “Parts Unknown.” And what did we find? A confluence of North and South Korean influence, enough Beer Belly to drown all of Wilshire Boulevard, sinfully delicious Mexican-American-inspired tacos (Colonel Saunders, eat
From almond soy lattes to pupusieras to homemade flax granola to hundreds of international vendors, L.A.’s Grand Central Market is a my favorite foodie destination and coffee drinking hole I’ve ever been to. If your eyes don’t pop from the food-porn-like egg sandwiches from Egg Slut or the too-perfect-looking lattes, then your nose will surely go insane from the smell of the intoxicating bean roasts, sizzling bacon or juicy strawberries. Indecisive and overwhelmed by all our options, photographer
Another landmark checked off the bucket list today: Los Angeles’ Urban Light. Ripe for both appreciation and dissection, it’s a fascinating pop phenomenon you just can’t help but stare at in awe. Artist Chris Burden assembled this sculpture collection of vintage lampposts back in 2006 as a way to preserve all the posts around Los Angeles that were going to be removed and destroyed. Turns out he transformed both the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) entrance
The little Mamacita in me ALWAYS wants deliciously spicy, pepper-infused Mexican food, no matter what time of the day or year or place. Luckily, Costa Rican friend Dennis was on par with my slight foodie obsession and knew a good spot for a Sunday Mexican brunch after our long, exhausting and fun-filled weekend of exploring Los Angeles. KaynDaves satisfied our tastebuds, and then some.
Hidden gem in Venice Beach, CA. I never knew these charming quiet canals were nestled here in the suburbs of crazy Venice.
What makes any Monday a little better? A breath of fresh air and skyline views on top of Mount Soledad. You get fantastic 360˙ views, and on clear days you get a clear stretch of San Diego County all the way to Mexico.
Nice hike! Glorious beauty! Hang gliders overhead! Oh… and some serious bare butt surprises!
Being Easter Sunday, my favorite holiday, I wanted to spend it out side burying easter eggs. Instead I buried my feet in the sand and appreciate the fact that every day is spring in San Diego.
A TOAST!!!…. To delicious, mouth-watering California wines, in general. To the never-ending grape varieties and flavors that keep my tastebuds wanting more. To the entrepreneurs who bring dreamy, far-off vineyards to urban reality. To the architects who know just how to put an urban touch on a classic winery feel. To roommates who have an inside scoop on watering hole and a guy who owns it. I knew I picked a good roommate. Frank had
Yep, I’m a little obsessed with Mazdas. I had a Mazda3 for 3 years, 3 years before this. Now I’m biting the bullet again. This time, a Fire Engine Red 2014 Certified Mazda2 Sport Hatchback. She’s zippy, zoomy, gas-friendly and a parallel-parking Queen. Oh, and her name is Lucy. (Thanks for the suggestion, Dad!)
Ahh, that holy trinity of meals that I can’t ever pass up: BRUNCH. With Mom in town this week, it’s been way too tempting to just skip work and show her the town instead. So, today I may or may not have pulled a Ferris Bueller (**cue the Edward Rooney face**), and called in sick and took Mom out to Brunch. To a holy trinity of brunch spots, Great Maple. Her review? I’m stuffed. That was delish. Sadly,
What’s the best gift to give Mom on Mother’s Day? Not roses. Or chocolate. Orrrr a mani-pedi. Instead, surprise her with a morning hike at Torrey Pines, a rocky beach reception and plenty of selfies. Miss you Mom! Come back to the west coast soon! Psssttt… let’s stay in that AirBnB again. 🙂
The U.S. has several spots where you can be in two places at once. Turns out, San Diego has neighborhoods like that. You can stand one foot in Encinitas and one foot in Solana Beach.
What’s better than watching a San Diego sunset? Watching a San Diego sunset right on the beach. With the sand at your fingertips. The cliffs at eye level. The refreshing cold water rushing at your feet. Your best friend next to you.
Bucket list item complete: I traversed the rocky plain of Torrey Pines State Beach without falling, being attacked by seaweed, or getting pummeled by a wave. Am I San Diego-fied yet?
Livin’ on the edge. Literally.
Look what Mom and I found right outside our Airbnb in San Diego?! A larger-than-life mailbox about 15 foot high. For those extra tall mailmen, apparently. Dazed and confused, I don’t know what I was more curious about: how the mail man stuck mail up there in the first place, or how he got mail down. Meanwhile… back at our bungalow, life was jammin’. The place was incredible –– most likely designed by a fab gay
Any San Diego local will nonchalantly tell you there is more to this town than just sunshine, beaches and fish tacos. (although, sadly, those are my favorite things.) There’s hiking trails nobody’s heard of, secret back door cafes, juicy western-style burgers, beers hoppier than a bunny, architecture to make any designer jealous, iced coffee to send you out of this world, robust wines rivaling the likes of Napa, enough ahi tuna to sink a ship, avocado trees as far as the eye
With its gorgeous bluffs and shimmering waters, one would think La Jolla Cove –– the jewel of Southern California –– has tourists just flocking to its streets, cafes and beaches. The streets and cafes, yes. But one beach in particular, no. The Children’s Beach has some lovely tenants who are quite smelly: the harbor seals. Unfortunately their lazy antics are driving some people crazy and smelling up cove. Note to self: two things to bring –– Febreeze and a clothespin.
Though expensive, the trip was worth every penny of my $90 ticket, every animal sighting (GIRAFFES, my favorite!), every inch of the 4.5 mile course, and every bite of the surprisingly delicious turkey sandwich. And it even got me a free ticket to the Safari Park.
Ahh bring me that horizon!
Living by the Pacific Ocean, it’s only natural for this pescatarian foodie to crave as much fresh caught seafood as she can possibly eat (without turning into a crab, of course). So today, instead of eating out at a most-delicious-but-expensive seafood grille (there’s a few in San Diego), I bought fresh fish from the local market to pan-sear instead. Survey says: Pretty damn good, only short a little old bay.
Holy shipwreck, what IS that thing?? A pirate tower? Yep, it actually is. Known to some Laguna Beach locals as “The Pirate Tower”, this mysterious, enchanting and crumbling structure on Victoria Beach looks more like something from a storybook than anything you’d find in the OC.
Eat your heart out, stair master. Today I got double my exercise’s worth and not a penny paid. A killer leg and glute workout. Whew.
Virgin America. Best airline ever. If not for its excellent flight attendants, stellar airport check-in process, free drinks on any cross-Atlantic flight, or really comfy legroom that seems to only expand in the air… for its amazing and utterly inspiring CEO, Sir Richard Branson. God that man knows what a good company looks like. ***Psstt… are you hiring?*** Open skies, I’m comin’ for ya.
The BIG day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! My cousin got married to the woman of her dreams.
Charleston, SC: the perfect place for a deep fried, delicious, family-centric, intoxicating, turkey-filled Thanksgiving. Wait… make that two turkeys to carve this year. One turkey that’s roasted, for the kiddos and health nuts (**Raises hand in sheepish faith**), and one that’s deep fried and garnished with green tomatoes. After all, we’re in the South.
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The Golden State holds just about any challenge you could ask for –– waves to surf, coastal rides to ride, mountains to climb –– and this bucket list item has topped them all so far. After 7 good driving hours, 75 mini pitstops (yes, I counted) and 1000+ shots through the Big Sur later, it was nothing less than adrenaline-pumping and eye-popping. (Best of all: all shot on my LG G4 smartphone with 16-megapixel camera!) The waterfall that
I’ve lived in Cali for over 2 years now. You can probably tell; I’ve lived here for just enough time to call it “Cali”. But, like every twenty-something and new millennial and resilient “young whipper snapper” (my 96-year-old granddad’s words, not mine), I’ve grown accustomed to picking up, selling, moving and readjusting “just like that” every couple years. And being totally OK with it. So in that same kind of “whatever-doesn’t-kill-me-only-makes-me-stronger” cliche-but-true motto of living, I’ve done it again. Picked up my
Pumpkin carving, in all its guts, glam and glory. This past Halloween was a ghastly sight of epic costumes, pumpkin carving, chili making and party hopping. Best of all, the three of us roommates – Steph, Linds and I – carved, gutted, skinned, baked, waited and baked our way to a yummy, memorable pumpkin-infused Halloween.
Mouth still watering. Belly still wanting more pickles, salsa and mango slaw. Eyes still as big as avocados looking at the leftovers. Must. Wait. Until. Dinner. To. Finish. So stuffed and so good. Hashtag can’t hardly wait. It was an epic meal and memorable experience going to Lucha Libre experience. Let me just say that anyone and everyone must make the pilgrimage to this colorful burrito joint in San Diego. Its an institution for authentic Mexican
Living in San Francisco means… Never leaving the house with layers. Owning lots of hoodies, jackets and colorful scarves for you. And your dog. No matter when you wake up; where in the city you live; what the weather is like that morning or that night or in middle of the day (sunny, rainy, not a cloud in the sky, foggy or 80 degrees), you always wear layers. Jackets and boots, here, are your best friends. Your peas and
I’ve had many a farmers market weekends. So many I can’t count. Or remember which weekend was the epic Boudin bread eating (I ate an entire pumpkin seed loaf by myself); which weekend was the Cow Girl cheese shaving (I witnessed boiling Gouda cheese being shaved onto a plate of toasted sourdough, diced tomatoes and proscuitto); or which weekend was the free-styling violin playing by a child savant. So many glorious tastes. And smells. And fond memories. That blend
Take a seat at any table in California and almost without exception or expectation, you will face its holy trinity: wine. This triumvirate is the cornerstone of California living. Like eating in Italy is a revelation, drinking wine in California is to understand where its heart is at –– what is most important. One year here and counting, I’ve tried more grapes than remembered. I’ve swirled enough stemmed glasses of robust deliciousness to make my pinkies dexterous. I’ve feasted
Today was on par with a Man vs. Food episode. My chef roommate, her restaurant crew and I were man-hungry, craving every taste the city had to offer, hankering for sweet and sour and feeling a wicked hair of the dog. So, we ventured out to the annual San Francisco Street Food Festival to satiate our bellies. Eating our way through the city, we found – six hours, 87 puestos (semi-permanent street stalls), 27 spices, 10 tapas-sized meals, 11 eccentric
A former co-worker at Restoration Hardware (hi, Shante!) turned me onto Sol Food. Now I can’t get the taste of its delicious veggie sandwich out of my head. And neither can she. Here’s a few reasons why: #1: You walk into this open-air café and it’s like you’re stepping into Puerto ico. Instantly upon walking in, you’re surrounded by festive wall decorations, palm trees and charming vintage appeal. Your ears pick up the lively downbeat of the la musica playing semi-loudly in
If you’re craving brunch during the week; want oversized muffins, sweets or treats any time before 6:00 PM; or need a cozy and inviting place to do work, Jane coffee shop is probably one of the best in the city. This past Labor Day weekend my mom and cousin were in town from the East Coast and craving the taste of cinnamon rolls and muffins, the smell of strong coffee and wondering what west coast ambiance felt like. Only once place came to