I am a total notebook junkie. Correction…I’m a Moleskine notebook junkie!
Even though I have three in my bag right now, I couldn’t help myself when I stopped by the stationary store today. While I usually stick with the classic black for work and grey for my personal work, I’m really excited about the colors they have right now.
While I’m fairly boring with mine, I really like the “hacks” they have on the website and all of the examples of how others use theirs.
I’d like to welcome my newest ‘moley’ to the family.
Hi, my name is Daphne and I am a kale-a-phobe. When everyone got on the kale bandwagon, I was a firm hold out. Not that I didn’t try. I blended it in smoothies, put it in stir fry and sauteed it, but honestly I was always gagging it down. That was until I was pressured into eating the kale salad at Presidio Social Club one night. WOW, it opened my eyes to how yummy kale could be.
It’s a really simple salad, just kale, carrots, radishes and sunflower seeds with a vinaigrette dressing. I always add some chicken to it to make it a meal. I asked the chef what made it so yummy and he told me that they massage the dressing into leaves which makes them less prickly.
If you didn’t know, kale is a nutrition powerhouse, with high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K — and sulphur-containing phytonutrients. It also boasts lowering cholesterol and reducing the risks of heart disease and cancer.
Check it out, it just might make you a believer.
Photo Credit: FoodSpotting
A friend just sent me this article after I told them I had no idea how I had so many mosquito bites all over me. I look like I just did a trek down the amazon, rather than living in the middle of a city with concrete everywhere.
It’s hard to believe that during the summer San Francisco has a huge mosquito issue. While it’s pretty normal in the rest of the country to see those little guys out, here in San Francisco, it’s fairly cool at night during the summer so we’re not prepared for hot evenings. Almost no one has air conditioner nor do we have screens on our windows. So when it is hot, everyone has their windows wide open to cool off and those little buggers get in.
I love these illustrations by Isla Bell in the article showing what we are up against.
Illustration Credits: Isla Bell
This weekend was a decorating whirlwind. My favorite part was checking out STUFF, an newer antique store in the Mission. My partner in crime (my Mom) and I spent around an hour walking around checking out everything. I love hearing her stories of things that have come back into style that she used to have in her house when I was young. I was mainly looking for pillows for my apartment re-decorating project which I’ll show you next week, but fell in love with a few other things. If ONLY I had a bigger place, it all would have come home with me.
Photos: Girl in the Fog
Have you ever had fun when you least expected you would?
My youngest sister and I always crack ourselves up doing the most mundane things. Sitting in traffic, grocery shopping or even on one occasion being sick together. We tend to find humor and joy by just being together, which I love about us.
Mac and cheese is my boyfriend John’s favorite food. For him, it’s practically a food group. Not only does he LOVE it, he has become a serious connoisseur of the stuff, tasting and stiffing it like a fine wine. So when I took him to lunch in Oakland at Homeroom for his birthday this week, I was a little nervous that he wouldn’t like it. Boy was I wrong!
Being the mac and cheese traditionalist he is, he stuck with the classic with breadcrumbs which he said was amazing. I couldn’t resist the jalapeno popper mac which had just the right kick and flavor.
If you like mac and cheese and an adorable place with a great vibe, check it out.
Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
Every Wednesday I like to put something on the blog about wellness. It’s a good reminder for me in the middle of each week to focus on something healthy and that is for my general well being.
I like to think that I’m a normal woman, who worries about their health and body like any other. Living in San Francisco, there seems to be an increased focus on eating healthy, working out and looking young. I try hard to do these things, but with unfair genetics and sometimes questionable will power it can be tough.
The last few years, though a lot of hard work, healthy eating and finding what works for me, I lost weight that I’d been struggling with and had kept it off until recently. Moving-in with my boyfriend last year has thrown everything I’d worked so hard for out the window. Frustrated at not fitting into my clothes, I decided it was time to get serious about getting back into shape. With the big 4-0 just around the corner, I’ve been really motivated.
I started working out in March with a new focus and a new trainer. I go twice a week and honestly it is the best money I spend on myself. Seeing a trainer keeps me focused on eating healthy and focused on my goals. He’s great and keeps me motivated and the workouts interesting. Last week I was shocked when I did a circuit of 100 modified pull ups, 200 modified push ups and 300 squats. In February, I could barely do 10 push ups!
With a busy life, it’s important to set a goal and a vision for things you want to accomplish. Without knowing where you are going it’s really easy to lose sight of what you are doing, especially when you have bad days or weeks. Here is my goal-
I want to be on the beach somewhere tropical, in a bikini, feeling healthy and strong on my 40th birthday.
I’m now several months into my plan and am seeing my hard work pay off. My weight hasn’t gone down a lot, but I’m a lot stronger and my clothes fit again. But it hasn’t been without some setbacks. This week has been especially challenging with allergies, four parties and work stress. It’s been important for me to stay focused on my goal and to remember that it’s a slow road, and it should be.
To get back on track, I told myself when I woke up that I’m taking today to get myself back into a good frame of mine and remember the goal.
While the focus of this blog isn’t weight loss, I know it is something that a lot of women struggle with. I’m always inspired by my friends or others that share their journey so I thought I’d share my story. I’ll keep you updated on my progress over the next six months and probably share some recipes, workouts and successes!
The past few weeks, I’ve been dying to do an apartment update. When I head to the flea market at the end of the month, it just might happen (sorry honey!)
My style has morphed into what I’d describe as modern boho. While I don’t have the budget to totally replace everything in my apartment, I can do a few small things that will pull together this look.
1. Bright fabrics, textiles, rugs. These are the things I buy in bulk at the flea market. The rugs and fabrics can be made into pillows or layered over a table or dresser. Larger rugs can be hung on the wall or put on the floor.
2. Plants. My sister jokes that I have half dead plants all over the place, which is partly true. Maybe it’s time to chuck out the straggly guys and get some lush plants. I tend to prefer ferns, fig trees and air plants (hey, I can’t kill those!)
3. Macrame. I swear my mom used to have macrame plant holders all over the house when I was growing up. And yes, it’s hip again…so why not! Plant holders, tapestries, dream catchers all will add that boho element.
4. Unique and vintage furniture and accessories. Small oil paintings, brass vases, baskets, hangings are what give a room that special pop and give it that boho look. it would have white walls, bright fabrics, plants and special vintage accessories. A mid century chair, paired with an indian table create that great mix of styles.
5. Natural elements. Woods, stone, leather and even fur (I like to use faux fur if possible).
Here is my inspiration for my decorating project. I’ll be sure to post before and after photos during the process.
One of my favorite things about living in San Francisco, and our neighborhood, is that there is a magical place just down the street, the Palace of Fine Arts.
Photo by girlinthefog
Built for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition after the 1906 earthquake and fire, the Palace was one of 11 great exhibit palaces that was build to show the world that it had risen from the ashes. Widely considered the most beautiful structure at the exhibition, the Palace of Fine Arts was the work of California architect Bernard Maybeck. Like other features of the fair, the Palace was intended as ephemeral; at the close of the exposition, it would come down. But when the exposition ended, the Palace lived on — saved from demolition. And thank god it did.
Nowadays, the Palace of Fine Arts it is a mecca for tourist busses, wedding and engagement photos. We love to take long evening dog walks there. With the sun setting and the beautiful grounds there is a certain kind of magic wandering around the paths or standing under the rotunda. Not to mention, we find it hilarious to sit and watch everyone take photos of themselves in front of the palace. Some of the poses they get in are beyond funny.
Despite this, the Palace, especially after the crowds have left is a neighborhood park, full of families, runners and couples like us walking our dog. The redwood trees, giant ferns and amazing lighting in the evening make it a really special, maybe even magical.
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