Monthly Archives: January 2013

We F$#&ing Heart You

IMG_6825Who doesn’t love these conversation hearts?!  Well we do and here’s a way to have some sweet treat offerings without looking too soft.  We got these glittery skulls in a post Halloween splurge (don’t ask why, we have no method to our madness) and I was thinking, when else am I going to display this sassy table decor?  Light bulb! Valentine’s Day.  I think it’s the perfect combo of the devil and angel that usually sit on your shoulders tempting you, to eat the candy or not to eat the candy – that is the question.

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IMG_6823I mean let’s be honest, these won’t make it to Valentine’s Day.  We still have two weeks until then so make sure you grab a couple bags of the candy for back stock and make it the good kind (I prefer Brachs, the old school candies that some compare to tasting like chalk.  The best chalk I’ve ever had).

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I think we should be responsible for making the type on these candies and if we could, we would make one that says “We F$#&ing Heart You.”  What would yours say?

Bowling For/With Dummies

SeaBowl

Remember this post? Well, once we got to the top I showed my friend the local bowling alley called Sea Bowl. He promptly started walking towards it (across the highway) and I realized we were going bowling. I don’t like to brag but I was a co-founder of my high school’s Bowling Club so I know a thing or two about the sport. I have put together a simple “how to” to get you started.

Walking Sign(Step 1: If you are walking across the street, follow the guide;  it will keep you safest)

Make Friends(Step 2: Make friends, say hello, and be jolly in general. It will help you to get a lane faster)

Spongebob Squarepants(Step 3: Put on those snazzy bowling shoes. Thank goodness I was wearing my Spongebob socks, that could have been embarrassing…)

bowling balls(Step 4: Select the ball color of your choice, the color is very important)

smile(Step 5: Smile and get ready to bowl, for if you are not smiling you are not truly bowling)

bowling(Step 6: NEVER LOSE FOCUS!)

If you follow these easy steps, I GUARANTEE you will be the next Lebowski. My bowling how-to guide will be hitting the bookshelves this Fall so look forward to that!

When in Doubt, Bling it Out

IMG_6935You know, I have a really hard time pulling together great outfits but if there’s one thing that makes a person look fancier without really trying it’s BLING.  You can throw on a spicy piece of bling with a plain t-shirt and be work ready in an instant.  I am the queen of trying to save time in the morning just so I can sleep in an extra 10 minutes so I’ve stocked up on bling to help me pull it together for work in a moments notice.

IMG_6923(Nordstrom BP studded clutch, Forever 21 ring)

IMG_6933(This wrap bracelet I got for Christmas and it’s the perfect piece of edgy bling to add to some jeans and a tank top)

IMG_6932(Beaded bling clutch)

IMG_6931(Forever 21 gold cuff)

IMG_6920(blingy bobby pins)

So don’t forget that when in doubt, bling it out!

Mori Point Walk

This weekend was full of clear blue skies and my friend and I wanted to take advantage of that so we headed South about 10 minutes to a sleepy beach town called Pacifica. It is a popular spot for surfing and has the most amazing Taco Bell you will ever see, it literally sits on the beach and has a walk-up window for people with sandy feet! We didn’t eat there but we did take a nice walk up to the top of Mori Point to get a great view of the beach. I lived there for a few months and would often walk up on my own to sit and relax. Sometimes the sound of the waves can bring a lot of peace to your mind.

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France’s Culture Club.

DSC_0435Trying to soak in all of the culture that France has to offer was no easy task but I sure enjoyed trying! From the food to the fashion to the GIANT buildings, I was in love. I am sad to report that this is my last post on France because it means that I have to come to terms with the reality that I don’t live there.

French Street(This picture was taken on a Monday evening around 7:30. So many people were out and about, grabbing drinks, dinner, and socializing)

Rue de Rivoli

(This picture was taken at 9 am when the sun was rising. We were in awe of how beautiful the streets were as we were searching for croissants)

Metro(We took the Paris Metro everywhere. It was pretty easy to figure out and a lot of fun too. One time there was a musician playing the accordion on the train!)

2013(The New Year is a big event in France. This was taken of a store window in Bordeaux)

bikes in Bordeaux(Just a few picturesque bicycles hanging out)

Arc de Triomphe(Finally, this statue belongs to the outside of the Arc de Triomphe. Monuments are part of the daily culture in France;  they are so lucky to be surrounded by beauty every day)

I can’t wait to go back to Europe! I had such a blast in France and thank my lucky stars that I had the opportunity to visit. I was able to learn so much about their culture and work on learning more about mine.

You’re Such a Lovely Cup

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OK, since my last post I attributed to a song (“Sweater Weather” by Neighbourhood) I thought I’d give this one the appropriate “Lovely Cup” by Grouplove.  We are HUGE music lovers and always on the hunt for good music or listening to music we consider classics so feel free to share with us anytime!  Anyway, sorry I got distracted.  With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s such a great ‘holiday’ to gorge on sweet treats and hang out with your friends and/or lover.  This is a perfect sweet treat to have or even possibly make with your friends/lover.  Cake in a cup – genius!

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What you will need:

– Glass mugs
– Cake mix of your liking (with needed ingredients: eggs, vanilla, etc.)
– Fun sprinkles or toppings

I only made two cups so I didn’t need much cake mix at all.  Half a batch of cake mix from a box will be plenty for two mugs.

IMG_6858(While the oven is pre-heating, I greased the mugs and mixed up the cake batter)

IMG_6862(I then filled the cups a little less than halfway full)

IMG_6864(You can then place the mugs directly on the oven rack once the oven is pre-heated)

IMG_6872(I started the timer with about 20 minutes but kept checking back as they actually finished around 30 minutes.  It’s a trial and error depending on how much cake mix you used.  I tried to follow the instructions on the cake box for cupcakes though)

IMG_6829(These sprinkles that I found at Target, are a gift from the baking gods.  I use them for sooo many things as you will see throughout the blog)

IMG_6877(I then added pretty/delicious sprinkles and a few marshmallows for some added sugar 😀  Valentine’s Day is worth splurging for)

IMG_6878Then, after you eat the cake, just fill up your mug with some coffee.  It’s perfection really.  It’s a great way to bribe people to spend some quality time with you.  I mean, I’d be sold!

Under Construction.

French Canal

It goes without saying that France has some pretty unbelievable buildings; I couldn’t help but take a million pictures of my favorites. And believe me, they were ALL my favorite!

DSC_0026(The French Opera House glows at night. I don’t think there is one dim building in the evening)

Notre Dame(Notre Dame. It’s magical)

Monmartre(Montmartre was one of my favorite areas. It was so alive and they shot parts of Amelie there!)

Eiffel Tower(The Eiffel Tower. Yup, it’s pretty giant!)

Bordeaux(We got an overexposed version of Place de la Bourse but I like the way it turned out)

Hall of Mirrors(I never thought I would go here but I have always wanted to. The Palace of Versailles was incredible and the Hall of Mirrors was no exception)

Marie Antionette(Marie Antionette‘s bedroom was unreal! It was so over the top!!)

Palace of Versailles(Nick outside the golden gates of the Palace of Versailles. Can you tell we loved that place?)

I can’t get over how every building in France was clearly constructed with such calculated care. Everything is lavish in it’s own way and I just love it.

Winter Walks

IMG_6774Since it hasn’t been too rainy, I’ve been trying to enjoy the outdoors on the weekends.  The trick to this is layering your clothing because naturally you will get warm from a hike but it’s not worth sucking up the cold at the beginning in just a long sleeve shirt.  Adding a warm beanie or ear covering fleece headband can help too.  I hit some East Bay trails this past weekend with my mom and we really enjoyed the colors and paths that the hiking trails had to offer.  The same trails can look different throughout all the seasons.

IMG_6799Blue skies

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IMG_6775We had to go through a farm gate or two because some areas cows were roaming freely.

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IMG_6796Mt. Diablo

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It’s always nice to get exercise with fresh air.  I’d prefer working out outdoors over a gym any day.  I can’t wait for the nights when it’s light out longer and I can enjoy being outdoors after work.  There are a TON of trail heads throughout the bay area that are worthy of checking out.  You never know, there could be one right in your back yard!

Got Me Sprung.

Spring can’t come soon enough for us! This brisk Winter weather is becoming a bit annoying in San Francisco! Every time we go outside we have to add about 3 inches of layers, we are over it. I recently took a look at what can be expected in stores for Spring and I am loving what I am seeing; I just can’t wait to get into these trends!

Stripes (I love stripes, especially when they can be brought into something elegant!)

neon(Neon is back in full force, this beautiful dress is a bit risqué but I dig it)

white(I love adding white back into my wardrobe; this long sleeved baby doll dress is adorable)

accessories(Chunky & vibrant necklaces are the perfect accessory to any simple outfit)

orange lips(Orange lips are one of my favorite makeup trends in a while)

Let’s not get it twisted, not all of Spring styles are worthy of a wear. Here are some styles we are skipping.

skipping(The globetrotting trend looks like a bit much to us. Window slits are not cute. And leather fringe? No, thanks!)

We can’t wait for the weather to warm up a bit so that we can wear baby doll dresses, bright colors, and put flowers in our hair.

You Gotta Have Faith.

DSC_0125Let’s start at the beginning. Notre Dame de Paris. It is MAGNIFICENT! I have never in my life seen something so spectacular and moving, the moment I entered the building I was literally speechless. My art history classes in college could not prepare me for how overwhelmed I would be. To think that this church was built 850 years ago leaves me with so many thoughts but mostly “how did they do it?”

DSC_0123(The exterior holds hundreds of statues that depict passages of the bible and because it was Winter, garlands were placed around the church adding something special)

DSC_0138(The stained glass is intricate and delicate as the light passes through to illuminate the interior)

DSC_0141(There are nooks that display different pieces of art, this was one of my favorites)

Sacre-Couer, Paris

DSC_0381(At the top of a large stairway sits Sacre-Coeur. At night it is a place of gathering for young  people who spend the evening drinking wine, singing, and gazing at the view of Paris in it’s entirety)

DSC_0395(Behind Sacre-Coeur lies an alley of vendors and restaurants)

Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux

DSC_0548(Basilica of St. Michael  is not at the caliber of Notre Dame but it is also very breathtaking inside. The ceilings are higher than I can count and the hall stretches hundreds of feet long. It is very grand)

DSC_0551(It was so bright inside which gave this church a softer feeling)

France does not mess around when it comes to their churches. Aside from being incomparable inside, they are also very welcoming. Each church was a nice place to walk around quietly in peace, and take in all of the history that the walls held. I liked to think of who sat in the pews hundreds of years ago and what they were wearing, praying about, and hoping for.