Food and Security and Love

Happy Hearts Day!

2012-02-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

I got a little creative, emphasis on "little."

Made into cards.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bad Girls Do It Well

2012-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

I want

2012-02-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

32" Elephant

8' Giraffe (yes, that's FEET)

Do I think they're excessive?

A resounding NO.

2012-02-04T14:03:00.001-08:00

I am going to learn to ride a bike in the next month.

Count it.

Bookstores

2012-02-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

I am daydreaming.

These bookstores are absolutely gorgeous. I dream of books, bookshelves, bookcases...

In planning my trip in May, I am debating whether or not I want to go somewhere where I can see one of these.

Below are pictures of a few of my favorites.

See and read about more at Flavorwire.

Speechless

2012-02-04T10:11:00.001-08:00

December's issue of AD has some pretty great things in their "Discoveries" section.

Casamidy is based out of Mexico and makes beautiful artisanal furniture and accessories.

Find more at Casamidy.

This Morning's Breakfast

2012-02-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

McQueen

2012-02-03T07:44:00.001-08:00

I can't decide how I feel about this. It's simultaneously awesome and sea-y. That's right, folks. I just said sea-y. I feel like someone's clutch got stuck in the sunken Titanic and some diver just found it, put the McQueen skull on it, and POOF! It's costing you dolla dolla bills, y'all.

Buy it at NM.

Cute shoes. I like your shoes.

2012-02-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

Obvi Loubs

YSL

Buy at NM

More Martial Arts

2012-02-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

I just sent an email to my family with the following:

This is what H., E., and I looked like. [siblings]

This is what W. and W. can hope to look like. [nephews]

http://i.imgur.com/VV2cv.gif

[Props to M.Rod]

Ridiculous footnotes

2012-01-31T21:25:00.000-08:00

B: and he like sent me his note, first draft, and cited like ridiculous things as footnotes
me: HAHAHAHA
LIKE WHAT
B: he talked about "the dog days of summer" in the text, and put a footnote to explain "Meaning the hottest days of the year, usually July through August"

B: or ..."The United States...", with a footnote explaining "Meaning the federal government"
not cool dude

B: there are some bad ones
like "...US industry" with a footnote saying "e.g. manufacturers

Note: a "note" is an article that is required for all journal members.

Oh man...

2012-01-30T22:33:00.000-08:00

Remember how excited I was for this?

Oh man, and now this...

The Last Foie Gras

2012-01-29T17:27:00.000-08:00

Say it out loud.

Indeed. California has banned the production of foie gras. The law goes into effect July 1, 2012.

6 days shy of my birthday.

C. and P. are holding a dinner party, 6 courses or so, to celebrate the life of foie gras in California. Each course will incorporate foie gras.

I cannot wait to attend. I shall take pictures. And blog.

Magic Flute

2012-01-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am so fortunate to continue finding gems in San Francisco in the last part of my run here. Seven Hills and now this.

San Francisco, and actually California, is going through an intense drought. It's January, and the mountains have seen very little, if any, snow. It's been a real buzzkill for those of us who look forward to the ski season all year. But for purposes of a pleasant brunch, I am willing to overlook this slight.

C., L., and I went to Magic Flute today. It was on the list of places that I've been meaning to try out.

It was a gorgeous day for a walk to brunch in Laurel Heights. Laurel Heights is such an endearing neighborhood. Of course, I would have never known it because the only other time I've been is for dinner at Spruce, where we were all too hungover to know what was really going on. In any event, it is a quiet neighborhood with cute storefronts. Love it. L. and I pointed out boutiques that we wanted to stop into after brunch.

The owner of Magic Flute is working the front and seats you. Friendly man. I can tell he definitely has a personality.

We were seated in the back patio. L.'s been here a few times and never knew there was a back patio.

The babies were OUT in full force today. Kids everywhere. There was one table of 6 women, and I think only one of them did not have a stroller with her.

We started with bacon-wrapped medjool dates.

I had my obligatory Bloody Mary. When did I start loving Bloody Mary's? Actually, I can tell you when. When I had brunch with K. at the Brixton last year.

I had the Alaskan salmon scramble.

The food was good. The patio adorable. The service friendly. I really really loved it. The food wasn't anything extraordinary, but the restaurant as a whole really leaves such a good impression.

I can't wait to go back on a beautiful weekend day.

2012-01-28T11:47:00.001-08:00

DYING!

2012-01-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

혹시 너 나를 아프게 하면

나를 슬프게 하면
너의 눈을 따갑게 할거야

아무도 너를 갖지 못하게

나를 묻혀 둘거야
내 향기는 지울 수 없을 걸

The boys

2012-01-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to get stuff like this for W. and W.

The only way it could get better is if it talked or blew fire.

Shut the front door.

2012-01-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

Say WHAT?

White Tuxedo Jacket

2012-01-24T07:18:00.001-08:00

I have been looking for you for months. And you are quite skilled at escaping me.

I thought I found you in Vegas.

And now I'm just going jacket-crazy.

Stella McCartney

Yigal Azrouel

Derek Lam

10 Crosby by Derek Lam

Rochas Karina + Paulie

2012-01-23T23:25:00.000-08:00

How precious is this? I definitely prefer the Karina tote.

And to those of you that say that I post things that are unreasonably priced, I say to you - nom nomeroo.

Valentine's Day

2012-01-23T23:22:00.000-08:00

is quickly approaching.

I have a semi-crafty idea that I am very excited about! Cannot wait for the day to pass so I can post a picture!

I'm really loving

2012-01-23T23:17:00.000-08:00

men's striped socks.

Two from Saks:

Two from J.Crew:

They make me so happy!

God save the Princess.

2012-01-20T22:33:00.001-08:00

From herself.

When did I become such a bluthering idiot? Falling victim to stories of rose petals and pink bubbles, blah blah blah...

This story about marital love kills me at the end ... Though I did tear up throughout.

And this one converting ambivalence into a life choice.

How about this choice quote: There is something relentlessly compelling about the kind of love that causes you to change your life in a way that friends insist is insane and causes your family to wince and ask, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

And by bluthering idiot, I mean develop some form of emotional intelligence. The kind that leaves you in a mess of tears and crumpled Kleenexes on the floor of your room. If you're lucky, you'll have a bottle of not-too-shabby table wine. But the kind that allows you to feel a kind of pain that you didn't know before. And the kind that you don't want to know, but come to appreciate for the depth that your life now has as a result of it.

Seven Hills

2012-01-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

I had read one obscure review praising this restaurant as one of the best Italian restaurants in San Francisco. I don’t remember what article it was, but recollect that the only restaurant I took mental note of (and wrote in an ever-growing gmail draft to myself) was this one.

I made a reservation via Opentable just in case it was going to be difficult to get a table. Easy peasy.

I showed up with fifteen minutes to spare and sat in front of the restaurant on benches constructed around a tree, gabbing on the phone. J. was prompt (so appreciated).

The exterior of the restaurant is so unassuming I’d never seen it before, and I’ve done my share of walking down Hyde. The interior is what I’ve described to many as “muted classy.” I recognize that it’s not very descriptive. It’s not flashy nor overly decorative. It’s not staid nor in want of more. It has, from what I remember, tones of gray and silver among other warm colors that do not distract from the service and food.

The restaurant itself is rather small. It probably accommodates around 35-40 people. I know this because I started counting the two-tops I would need to have my graduation dinner there.

HOPR, you’ve got a run for your money.

I was in love before I even had a bite of food. I worried that something would disappoint. Anything, from the bread, service, or wine, could have ruined my budding love affair.

To my delight, absolutely nothing did. Everything was spot on.

The service was great – I love a man with an accent who is goodlooking and is serving me food.

Let me just say - I don't remember the last time I had an amuse bouche. They had amuse bouche. LOVE!

The bread was great. We started with a burrata panna cotta. Essentially burrata on top of a pomegranate panna cotta, thinly assembled over the plate.

The ravioli uovo – AMAZING. A green ravioli with a farm egg in the middle. One large piece to split between the table.

The mushroom something or another (a different kind of ravioli that doesn’t go by ravioli) was amazing. Again, more brown butter.

Brown butter sauce is life. J. and I went through two baskets of bread, soaking up all the butter sauce.

The wines!!! Affordable, delicious.

And dessert was spot on too with Tcho Bavarese.

And the servers knew the people coming in. Gave them hugs, extra glasses of wine. The diners were young, old, but all possessed this je ne sais quos that I loved.

All to say, I want to be back within a week. Who’s with me?

The lazy man's post.

2012-01-19T07:55:00.001-08:00

This burst my ovaries.

I discovered a new favorite restaurant. Post to come soon!

Look at this magic.

2012-01-01T02:19:00.001-08:00

Tell me what I don't like about this look.

Soft colors.

Flat oxfords.

Fun, full skirt.

And a well-fitted peacoat.

Pre-fall Thakoon.

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

I feel compelled to write some sort of post - OH SHOOT. I just realized that I've not met my goal of finishing the current journal I'm on by the end of the calendar year.

In any event, I feel compelled to write some denouement or commencement post. I've not much to say. I prefer to write the sappy stuff by hand and keep it in the privacy of my moleskine.

But instead, I'm going to share a new favorite blog of mine calle Tomboy Style. I fear that sharing this might pigeonhole my style as that of a tomboy. And another particular reader might feel a bit frustrated in seeing me share this after I've shared a frustration of mine that is likely to be further frustrated by this post.

Some of the posts are too... messy for me. Somewhat juvenile. Borderline hippie. But for the most part, I identify with and enjoy the style.

RRL watch cap

Barbour jacket (not my favorite but one I could definitely use)

2011-12-29T18:01:00.001-08:00

This is pretty sweet.

2011-12-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

And not like rad sweet. Like sweet sweet.

2011-12-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

I've been reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger the last few days. It's one of those books that you cannot put down and read late into the night. You force yourself to fold down a page, put it away, and push thoughts away as you lull yourself into rest.

The book as a whole has moments of such tenderness and innocence despite the harsh cold and severity of events.

One description of a woman:

The firelight had restored his face to a healthy color and she, all Frenchbraided, scarf unslung, resembled an opportunity missed by Rembrandt.

The quote doesn't mean much until you know how she's come into the picture and what the protagonist's first impression of her was.

Another quote:

But Roxanna Cawley was exempt from assumption. She knew, and her neighbors knew, that when the land lies buried in the miseries of winter, and loose boards twist with the cold, and the air hangs glassy and absolute over the world, that is when the merriest of all picnics happen. Anyone can tell you these are the times you need a picnic most, and the fact is, if you were lucky enough to live in the North Dakota Badlands in 1963, you could load up and have one at will.

Friends

2011-12-27T22:11:00.001-08:00

I had a conversation today with a friend about why I adore our mutual friend. There were very specific reasons and then also the unidentifiable, je ne sais quoi.

But for the most part, the friends I hold dearest to me are the ones that challenge me, support me, love me, and those for whom I do the same - hopefully.

In any event, one of these beloved friends and I are having a conversation about how to convince a particular someone to do something. The conclusion is that whatever it is you want to elicit, whatever conduct or behavior you want, or finale, you have to frame it in a way that is relevant, appealing, and advantageous to your target.

A la (and no sex is not the message here):

How fewer people are having their baby boys circumcised

and I was like instead of saying "it's cleaner,"

they should say "your kid will get laid more" because let's be honest, sex sells.

Instead of telling obese people, "stop eating you're gonna get a heart attack,"

what if doctors were like "if you wanna get laid, you better lose some weight."

Juice Cleanse

2011-12-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

No, I am not doing Blueprint.

I am a grad student with a modest budget. Blueprint doesn't necessarily fit in my budget.

It's cleanse time. Post holidays. Since the new year isn't really a big holiday in the Hwang family.

We've got a blender at home. No juicer. H. and I are going to start tomorrow.

Today we bought spinach, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, beets, celery, and parsley to start!

The last cleanse I did was two months ago. Not very succ

essful. I'm hoping this will be better given that I have a partner in crime.

What will our last pre-cleanse meal be? Going all out! Last time around, I believe it was House of Prime Rib!

If I'm going to look like Salma after this, I'm in! Maybe I'll sprout some boobs too.

2011-12-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

"Great love, like great genius, can never be a duty: both are life's gracious gifts to the elect. There can be no other standard of morality for him who loves more than once than for him who loves only one: that of the enhancement of life. He who in a new love hears the singing of a dried-up springs, feels the sap rising in dead boughs, the renewal of life's creatives forces; he who is prompted anew to magnanimity and truth, to gentleness and generosity, he who finds strength as well as intoxication in his new love, nourishment as well as a feast - that man has a right to the experience."

- Ellen Key, Love and Marriage

Now don't go thinking that I'm quoting Ellen Key here because I'm thinking about marriage. During the holidays, I get a tad emotional and pensive. Introspective. I reflect on the things that I've done, not done, said, not said, the relationships made, and the relationships lost. I read this in Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. Easy vacation read.

Broken

2011-12-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

While watching the edits, Haggis fielded calls from a plastic surgeon who was planning to go on the trip, and from a priest in Haiti, Father Rick Frechette, whose organization is the main beneficiary of Haggis’s charity. “Father Rick is a lot like me—a cynical optimist,” Haggis told me. He also said of himself, “I’m a deeply broken person, and broken institutions fascinate me.”

Read more here.

Paraiso

2011-12-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

Some delightful pictures that will eventually make it's way to the almighty facebook, but a sneak preview for my dedicated readership (namely, H., M., . . . I think that's it.)

Maybe my problem with increasing readership is that there's nothing relevant to other people. HAHA.

HONESTLY. How cute are his swim trunks? I die!!!

The KING made an appearance for the PRINCESS' trip to Mexico!

The backyard of my vacation home in Tulum has a cliff and clear waters off of it.

Manatees!

Perfection.

Working through SF, part II

2011-12-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

I've been a naughty naughty blogger.

Here, I go again, this time making my way through the last few weeks (I hope!)

Johnny Foley's (Union Square, San Francisco)

This place is famous for their dueling pianos, but early November, C. was in town, the MPRE was over, and people (including myself) were ready to PAR-TAY! [said in Kristen Wiig's drunk voice in "Bridesmaids."]

C. and I showed up after I got a little cranky because all the options I had thrown out for mid-day drinking on a Saturday were still closed. "It's like people don't want to make money!"

Finally, we made our way there, and drank through bloody mary's, vodka tonics, Ketel martinis, beers, and at S.'s prompting, shots of something I don't remember. GOOD TIMES. GOOD TIMES.

C. and I somehow made our way to dinner at SPQR eventually. (Pacific Heights, San Francisco)

SPQR, too, had been on my list of places to go for a special occasion. C. being in town has a light dusting of specialness to it. So we went. Small restaurant, intimate, dark.

It was all fine. The wine was SO dry. Good going, C. And I remember (through all the haze from daydrinking at Johnny Foley's) that I was UNDERwhelmed. There was one good dish, but for the life of me, I cannot remember what it was.

After that, another underwhelming night at Silver Clouds.

Wow. I think that might be it. Well, at least for new restaurants. I made the rounds again at Ideale and Park Tavern.

Working through SF, part I

2011-12-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sushi Zone (Castro, San Francisco)

I think I was having a pretty gnarly bout of something. It was gnarly enough for M. to feel pressured into taking me to dinner. It was a random weeknight, definitely not a Thursday. Maybe not even a Wednesday. We showed up around 7 and was told that there was an hour wait. Ridiculous! It is a small joint. What you see in the picture above is pretty much the extent of seating, plus a few more sushi counter seats and maybe four seats at a table.

We hit up the Clock Bar across the street for overpriced bougie cocktails that were fairly disappointing and made our way back. Still another hour wait. We worked our way through beer.

When we finally sat at the bar, I had some pretty good sushi. And by pretty good sushi, I mean it's now made it into the few places in SF I would come back to. The sushi chef in the picture is pretty rad. M. bought a round of beers for the chef, the runner, the washer, and the hostess. Fun times. Good food.

House of Prime Rib (Russian Hill/Nob Hill, San Francisco)

Dear, why did it take me so long to come here? It was well-intentioned. I wanted to go with a festive group, but schedules never aligned. Another random weeknight, J. and I both had pretty rough days and decided to make our way over. Were it nor for the Oracle convention and the several cadre of men in the restaurant, we would have been seated immediately. But that only gave us occasion to enjoy a HOPR martini. Two for one! Huge martinis that come with the shakers because there's always enough for a second fill.

I love it here. It's like Lawry's, but in SF. T or F: I may have my graduation dinner here.

Jane (Pacific Heights, San Francisco)

This is my new favorite cafe. Good egg sandwich, good oatcake, good lattes. It's gotten progressively crowded since having discovered it. And I generally run into a familiar face or two when there. Which always breaks up the monotony of studying.

I called my momz once walking home after a productive study sesh there.

me: Ummah, I'm walking home.

Ummah: From where?

me: My favorite cafe in San Francisco. I have something fun to tell you.

Ummah: Eung.

me: My favorite cafe in San Francisco is called Jane. My favorite bakery in LA is called Sweet Lady Jane. And remember where we had brunch last weekend in New York?

Ummah: No.

[Note - I had told her REPEATEDLY the name of the restaurant so she knew where to tell my cousins to go.]

Me: Ummah! It's called Jane! It's now one of my favorite brunch spots in New York! All my favorite places are named after you!

Ummah: Hehehe.

Foreign Cinema (Mission, San Francisco)

This place too, for some reason or another, I had been saving for a special occasion. What special occasion? Apparently a brunch with a long-lost friend was the occasion I had been waiting for. Long-lost: hadn't seen in a few months. It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend in San Francisco. Actually, the weather in SF has been very accommodating this fall and early winter. I even started to glimmer a bit on the way there.

M. and I had a table under a canopy in the back and indulged in delicious brunch items. While the weather was great, the scene interesting, and the food good, I don't know that I would go back. Just a touch too much effort.

Jasper's (Union Sq/Tendernob, San Francisco)

Jasper's opened up recently in the area that straddles both Union Square and Tendernob. It's got a gastropub feel. The food is fine. The margaritas are GOOD. But unless I'm in the area, I'm not going to make the effort to go back.

Just two days until

2011-12-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

This photo of The Royal in Cancun is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Best bookcase

2011-12-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

If you've been reading for a while, and it must have been a long while indeed, then you have an inkling of an idea that I adore bookcases. Creative bookcases. Refer to post from years ago.

Earlier this year, H. gifted me with a few years' subscription of Architectural Digest, a magazine I grew up with as my parents subscribed to a magazine they never looked at. We had WALLS of it at home. And I plan on saving every one that I to line my beautiful bookcases with.

There will also be real literary works in the bookcase.

In any event, life happened and I fell behind in my reading. I am just now going through the October issue.

And then it happened.

I found this.

Bookshelves by Janson Goldstein frame the living room of Barneys CEO Mark Lee and KCD co-president Ed Filipowski.

I love you.

So Shiny!!!

2011-12-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

From the Vogue Perfectly Extravagant Holiday Gift Guide.

...

2011-12-01T20:29:00.001-08:00

How can I understand so little of tax?

I went to every class when I wasn't out of town...

2011-11-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

I put my heart and soul in this game, I'm feelin' drained
Unappreciated, unalleviated

Yea, let's see God I know you only do what's best for me But is it cool if we negotiate my destinyThey always tellin' me it's temporary Than why it's feeling like a cemetary My dreams ain't got no obituaries My city hurting and none of us were equipped here You heard me say I was ballin' I probably make tears I'm trying to get clear I'm tryna quit fear Who wrote the scripts here

Finals have got me all worked up. Hope it explains the last few lyric-filled posts.

Or just emotional posts.

Thinly veiled, I know.

I have no poker face.

I'm going to put some pictures now to break it up. Hmm, what pretty things? Hmm..

H.'s favorite!

And my favorite!

If I had a bike, maybe...

2011-11-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

It's a whole wide world for you to go and get your hands on
Until then, just come and get your dance on now

...

I know it's like a whole lot going on
Things going right, things going wrong
Maybe baby, I've been waiting for you so long
Know that in this world you're never really on your own
God got a number get him on the phone
He'll never put you places where you don't belong
Put you through the pain, to put you on the throne
And I know that from the bottom of my corazon
And if they looking at you sideways
You just wave right back, tell 'em hi hater
Mad you ain't hanging with 'em in the driveway
Nah we going to keep it moving to the highway
(Strong's putting on) week is all over like Friday, chilling
Shout out to King David for bringing in philly
And I'mma put the independent women in the building, let's go

Louisa Parris

2011-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

Louisa Parris

Cold December Night

2011-11-27T10:09:00.001-08:00

I'll wear you like a Christmas sweater

Walk you proudly to the mistletoe tonight.

-Michael Buble

Neon Hitch

2011-11-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

Hitch was born in the south England countryside in London.[2] For a time being, she was resentful towards her parents for giving her the birth name, Neon, wanting to change her name to a more conventional name, such as Melanie.[3] Her father was a lighting technician.

Thank you Wikipedia.

Remember when...

2011-11-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

I would sit at my sturdily-constructed, light maple wood desk in EC (East Campus) and Wien, listening to Damien Rice, head in hands, and cry?

It was either a gentle weeping or a hyperventilating sob.

There are very particular musicians with whom I associate my emotional growth.

Damien Rice holds a special place there. This particular video is emotional. I blame S. for the emotional distraction.

And... surprisingly, so does Jimmy Eat World for "Hear You Me."

Good morning, Monday!

2011-11-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Women in Tuxedos

2011-11-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

I love it. It's so sexy.

What I look like when dancing alone in my room

2011-11-12T10:28:00.001-08:00

Why has it taken me SO LONG to see this video?

Everything about it makes me so happy!!!

Happy Pepero Day!

2011-11-11T12:34:00.001-08:00

It's the Korean version of Valentine's Day.

The sticks covered in chocolate are exchanged between young couples. Fun times! I grew up on these things, as well as other yummy Korean snacks.

I want

2011-11-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

The Cambridge Satchel Company is a mother-daughter operation in, guess it... England.

These bags are adorable! And you can have them monogrammed!

Get your sweater on.

2011-11-10T08:29:00.001-08:00

BEST.

EVER.

Foodie Simpsons

2011-11-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

This is too funny to not post.

Grub Street posted that the Simpsons is going to have a foodie episode this weekend.

Two of my favorite pictures from the slideshow.

If you don't know who this is, I don't know if we can be friends.

I love that the sriracha has korean written on it and both bottles have exotic Asian women on them.

And... there's going to be a Bourdain cameo. Woot woot!

Again, a big props to J.

!!!

2011-11-07T21:45:00.001-08:00

SUSHI YASUDA, I AM COMING BACK FOR YOU!!!

Apples again

2011-11-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

The middle and end of October were a whirlwind of activity. And I am just catching up on blogging.

Tropicana Pool at the Roosevelt Hotel (Hollywood)

L. and I were long overdue for a night out. We started here with Miami Vices. There were no pitchers a la Vegas, but the kind bartender did us good. Super retro vibe. Very chill during the day (and not a weekend).

I'm so lame. I'm 25 and this was my first time here. E. was frequenting this place when he was 17.

Magnolia (Sunset)

Off to dinner we went. Let's just say that what I remember most is the dirty martini. AMAZEBALLS.

Oh wait, no. We had a tartare. And some red meat. I remember that. :)

Spare Room at the Roosevelt (Hollywood)

My new best friend works here. I'm pretty sure we have a mini love affair. Two bowling lanes. A very discreet photo booth. Very fun.

Drai's (Hollywood)

I know. I'm so lame. When did I become so lame? Maybe when I moved out of LA. In any event, this was my first time here too. And a good night was enhanced by all the adorably precious men that work at Google and don't know how to dance or socially interact. One more club in LA.

Though it is nice that it's indoor and out, leading to the pool at the W.

Babbo (Greenwich Village, New York)

What a disaster. We were a half hour late. The maitre d' was not pleased. Finally seated. Ate and drank. Same table as last time!

Prune (East Village, New York)

I read this article, was not pleased, but C. suggested we go. Darn good bloody mary. I will definitely rec that. And a small place so do be sure to go early. But otherwise, I thought the food was overpriced and somewhat mediocre.

Treasure & Bond (Soho, New York)

There are no Nordstroms in Manhattan. But the company has opened a brick and mortar in which all proceeds (post salaries and cost) go to a different charity every quarter. It's definitely an interesting shop to go check out, but I don't know how much of it is actually marketable - or profitable.

C. Wonder (Soho, New York)

Christopher Burch (yes, yes, of Tory Burch fame - but ex-husband). He's a venture capitalist and his fund basically just launches retail brands. This was super fun. C. and I went opening day, snacks and drinks, and tons of people. The remote iPhone purchasing system-ish is awesome. The dressing rooms have these little gadgets that adjust lighting, music, volume - super interactive. The style is a more affordable Tory Burch, maybe more prep and less ikat. Seems like a fun place to go shop and peruse with girlfriends.

Cuba (Greenwich Village, New York)

Dinner was at Cuba with E., C., and C. E. had suggested this spot. Live music, cigars rolled in the corner. We had a reservation but still had to wait a good 45 minutes. The hostess was kind enough to give us a pitcher of sangria for making us wait. The pitcher showed up after our order of a pitcher of sangria and a round of tequila shots.

Another round of tequila shots later.

The food was good, the restaurant fun, the music great, the company greatest. I am definitely recommending this place. E. always knows what's up and what I would enjoy.

Jane (West Village, New York)

This place is OUT. OF. CONTROL. OOC.

Seriously. We had a reservation at 12:30 and still had to wait. There was a HORDE of people outside waiting to get in. No joke.

But it was well worth it.

Great bread basket.

Great food.

And the brunch items come with a drink! Two bloody marys for me in one weekend might be a record. One of my new favorite brunch spots - but only if we have a reservation.

#802

2011-11-07T18:52:00.000-08:00

This is my 802nd blog post!

There is nothing special about that number, but I just noticed.

Rather than do my business associations reading, which I do quite honestly find interesting, I'm going to blog about how Jaeger may or may not be my new favorite ish. And by ish I mean reasonably-priced and within my budget ish.

This Valentine Cocoon coat. Nice lines.

Navy and black stripe dress is staid, retro, but just so adorable. And imagine that with a pop of color on the lips and shoes! I love colorful shoes. I think I've determined my look. I am always wanting to dress more "youthful," whatever that means. But I think that who I am, stylistically, is conservative with splash.

Catwalk clutch is my splash here.

I just really really want to shop.

New York in 5 minutes

2011-11-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

The parallel to the video for San Francisco.

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

Thank you, J.!

Petit H

2011-11-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Petit H is Hermes' stab at sustainability - of sorts. It takes the discarded and imperfect materials from Hermes' atelier and creates other little knick knacks. The shop opened up in its Madison Ave store for the month on November 2.

I love this swing.

A few pictures from Ecouterre.

San Francisco, you tug at my heart.

2011-11-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

San Francisco 1958 from Jeff Altman on Vimeo.

Thank you, M.

My first mile-high Thanksgiving

2011-11-01T07:45:00.001-07:00

is this year.

I love Thanksgiving. One of my favorite holidays, if not my favorite.

I had a dream last night where Virgin America was offering a Thanksgiving meal. I was in my seat ordering food, and I saw it pop up as an option.

You can imagine my delight.

And then my disappointment as I remembered the dream this morning while studying the presumption against extraterritoriality in International Business Transactions.

My first "adult" Halloween in San Francisco

2011-10-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

My first Halloween in San Francisco, I was the Morton salt girl. I had a few drinks at the bar.

My second Halloween in San Francisco, I went down the peninsula and trick-or-treated with my one year old nephew.

My third Halloween in San Francisco, I saw what an urban Halloween looks like.

Snapshots:

4 year old Tigger with tigers and stripes up top and blue striped pajama pants on bottom.

Everyone did Peter Pan + cast this year.

The businesses give out candy. Shops that generally close earlier stay open later and give out candy. Families and children are patronizing these stores. Strange.

I grew up in a city and neighborhood that other children came to for treats. All I did was walk out of my front door, leave one parent at home to give out candy, and walk a few blocks around my house. I had never gone to a store or restaurant.

This is my first sober urban Halloween. And I like it this way.

This may be my last San Francisco Halloween.

Early Kitchen Wish List

2011-10-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have been in need of a basting brush for years now. And whenever I need it, I say to myself, I should really pick one up.

The OXO basting brush does the job.

And an olive oil cruet would be so much simpler to cook with than pouring out of a wide-mouth evoo bottle.

The Rosendahl's quite attractive.

The Chef's Planet Glass cruet does the job.

Ideally, I'd have three just for olive oil: standard evoo, rosemary, and garlic.

One mo 'gain.

2011-10-29T12:53:00.001-07:00

I'll be in New York November 21 - 24.

See you then.

Sniffly

2011-10-29T11:28:00.001-07:00

Girl knows how to sing to the hurt.

Now to talk about the RELEVANT season...

2011-10-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

I love fur.

Can't teach an old dog new tricks. Nope.

I love it.

I want a fur cuff.

I want a fur collar.

I want a fur stole.

And I want more fur jackets!

There was a LOT of "I want"s in there.

I tried on this Alice and Olivia dress at Heidi Says and it was SO adorable but so unnecessary.

This Oscar de la Renta stole is a beautiful, deep color.

And St. John. I have a strange relationship with you. I grew up with my mom wearing exclusively St. John to events. I hated it. I hated that she was so hidebound. But now that I'm a little bit older, a wee bit wiser, I recognize that some of the knits are indeed beautiful and some pieces worthwhile. Still feel it's kind of granny though.

In any event, I like this collar.

I love this Adrienne Landau coat. Makes me feel like a glamorous Red Riding Hood. And minus the red.

And... my little girl is going to have a jacket JUST like this Juicy one.

Everything from Saks.

Booked, Part II

2011-10-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

Remember this post?

Well... I've started thinking.

I went home to LA a week ago and went through my closet down there,

picked out a few dresses, tops, wraps, hats, and swimsuits,

packed 'em into my suitcase to NY, back to LA, and up to SF.

They will eventually be taken to there.

Yes, that's a 30 Rock reference. I'm not illiterate.

Talking to S. gets me going on all my vices.

So I started shopping.

And remember the last post where I outed that I don't like maxis?

Well, let's just say it's not a hard and fast rule.

I can be flexible.

I don't consider myself a retro person. But I am TOTALLY digging the Norma Kamali suits!

This Zimmerman suit is.. half joke. It's playful. But I would never buy it.

ALSO, CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

Which means my annually posted and overlooked wish list should be coming out soon.

WAIT WITH BATED BREATH!

Everything is from Net-a-porter.

How much do I love this?

2011-10-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Anita Ko ring, but I want it as a cuff.

I'd wear it with jeans and an oxford.

I'd wear it with a maxi, even though I don't like maxis.

I'd wear it with a bangin' Brazilian-cut bikini.

I'd wear it to bed.

When is Goyard NOT an obsession of mine?

I could do a different color though.

You know how people get Mondrian tattoos?

Imagine the hand-painted Goyard pattern as a tattoo.

Kind of insane.

TRAGEDY!

2011-10-28T10:43:00.001-07:00

Laduree in Paris is on fire!!!!

C. has just informed me via Huffington Post.

H.Bloom

2011-10-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

is a subscription flower service.

The arrangements are affordable because they are able to predict how much to buy given the number of subscribers, their arrangement preference, and their weekly special.

My favorite collections are Tall and Exotics. While the Classics is nice and easy, I love Tall because I adore high ceilings and Exotics because it's DIFFERENT and has a touch of weird.

This seems like a thoughtful gift - fresh flowers weekly or even monthly. Right now they're only servicing Manhattan, DC, and Chicago.

Check it out at H.Bloom.

The Christmas lights are up...

2011-10-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Which means only one thing . . .

'Tis the season for excessive cough drop consumption.

I do not play around when I feel a hint of a hair in my throat. I buy the big bags and literally carry the bag wherever I go.

I googled: excessive consumption of cough drops.

Apparently, you can OD on menthol. But I'm not addicted!

Post-Master Cleanse

2011-10-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am making an effort to cook more and also healthier.

Last night, I made a pasta-less lasagna that used zucchini in place of the pasta.

It turned out beautifully, and I am excited for lunch!

Proud Owner of

2011-10-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

the British GQ cover with Hugh Laurie.

It's like C. wants me to find another man.

1 am apple fritter?

2011-10-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, please!

I got into SF rather late last night. Despite being exhausted from traveling for over 12 hours and sleeping in, count it, 1,2,3,4,5, 6 beds over the course of a week, I NEEDED an apple fritter.

Delicious.

No regrets.

Mission Accomplished

2011-10-24T15:06:00.001-07:00

I got back from NY late last night and found two packages.

One contained coasters! Guess by who! And we stopped by the store on Saturday - not a peep out of C.

I finally have two. And two is perfect! One for my coffee and one for my water. Years of searching. Come to an end.

And they are adorable.

My morning americano was enhanced by the coaster.

Thank you, C.!

So I guess this thing works.

2011-10-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

I posted about this almost four years ago.

And now I have my very own.

Package two contained my boyfriend pillow - a nice placeholder.

Day 9

2011-10-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

It's strange.

I can't eat, but to distract me from my hunger, I bake.

So far, I've made:

brownies,

sticky rice cake with pear,

and banana bread and raspberry jam.

2011-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

One beautiful April morning, on a narrow side street in Tokyo's fashionable Harujuku neighborhood, I walked past the 100% perfect girl.

Haruki Murakami

Day 8

2011-10-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

I've cheated.

I had malt balls.

I had a little bit of a meltdown, but I'm feeling better. I've exercised quite a bit too.

Played some tennis today.

Two more days.

I wouldn't have any left over...

2011-10-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Countdown

2011-10-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

So many reasons I love this song, lyrics, and video.

2011-10-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've just started the Master Cleanse. The goal is to do it for all ten days.

This morning after having the saltwater solution and on the way out of the kitchen, I reached out to grab some chocolate out of a basket. It's habit. And also totally unnecessary to be eating chocolate at 8 in the morning when I'm not hungry. Or just 8 in the morning.

I have an abusive relationship with food.

While shedding a few pounds would be great, I'm doing the cleanse for other reasons.

I've had a gnarly few weeks. I want to start over. Clean up my life, clean up my body. Just refresh.

While the next few weeks going into mid-November are going to be rather intense, I recognized that I needed to shift gears and concentrate on myself for a bit.

I'm looking forward to clearing up my breathing.

I'm looking forward to cleaner intestines (TMI?).

I'm looking forward to clearer skin.

And,

I'm looking forward to my Jurlique facial. This isn't part of the cleanse but I'm rewarding myself.

I apologize in advance for my foul mood the next ten days.

2011-10-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

The principle runs through all life from top to bottom. Give up your self, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favourite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end: submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised form the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay.

- C.S. Lewis

Booked!

2011-10-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

We've got our plane tickets and our resort booked!

Sun, sand, and ice-blended drinks in the middle of December!

My Last Year

2011-10-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know how much longer I'm going to be in San Francisco.

So yesterday, I decided to eat at all the places I've been saving for special occasions.

Made a few reservations, hit one last night.

I'm going to do what I did my senior year of college - eat everything.

Prepare yourselves.

2011-10-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

Bottle Cap (North Beach, San Francisco)

This little spot opened up recently. But you can't tell it exists behind all the foliage. I went recently with J. who is new to the city. I don't think the food disappointed. The space is pretty blase, though there are relatively high ceilings. The service was absolutely atrocious. And I am rarely that blunt. We split the grilled nectarine, which wasn't bad. I had the chili pork chop and J. the burger. Everything was decent. I imagine I may eat there again as it's so close to me. But wouldn't necessarily be itching to go.

Plant (Embarcadero, San Francisco)

I am trying to be healthy. And eat less. Neither of which were accomplished over Labor Day weekend. I had heard SO much about the burger, that J. and I HAD to go.

We both got the California burger. Mind you, the patties aren't made of meat. All vegetable. And we split a roll and the cheese plate. Amazing grace. The burger was amazing. I may go back to eat it. I got it on wheat bread. So delicious and interesting. You definitely have to be in a particular kind of mood to eat it.

The space is interesting as the kitchen is actually in a different building. So servers are literally walking from one building to another through sliding doors.

Brown Jug (Tenderloin, San Francisco)

You should know that if the location between the parantheses above is in the Tenderloin to not expect very much. Same of the Brown Jug. One of J.'s favorites. I realized that this post and the two above it all require J.'s. They're all different. I swear. I promise I have real friends. And they're not all my imaginary friend J.

A group of us, about 6, headed there after BOB. The group soon swelled to over 20. Beers for a buck fifty. Smoking inside. Sketchy patrons. And overly-friendly owner.

What's not to love? There's definitely a lot of character. I look forward to being here after every BOB.

Baker and Banker (Pacific Heights, San Francisco)

I had heard such rave reviews of this place that I made it a priority the weekend C. was here. The space is a small square in Pac Heights in a fairly residential neighborhood. The service was shoddy, and the food mediocre. Maybe we shouldn't have done the tasting menu with a wine pairing? You generally don't come across tasting menus that disappoint.

I don't plan on going back.

Sam's (Tiburon)

On a beautiful San Francisco afternoon, Sam's is definitely the best. The ferry ride over from Fisherman's Wharf is great, and Sam's is a short walk from when you get off the ferry.

The food's what you expect of a waterfront restaurant that's known for daytime drinking.

The drinks aren't cheap.

But it's a fun day, and one I would do again gladly.

28 minutes of busy signal and 9 minutes on hold later,

2011-09-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have a reservation to Babbo.

I don't recall it being this difficult in college to get a ressie.

Twice in one year - booya!

Love this place.

So much to catch up on food! Also making a jaunt to Dallas this weekend to see the 'ol J-man.

Will come back with pictures!

2011-09-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Could I love this man any more?

My next CD purchase come September 20.

I remember hearing and seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl on more than one occasion.

An artist for the ages.

;;swoon;;

Terrible Person

2011-09-16T08:40:00.001-07:00

I shake my fist at you.

In other news, this cheered me up.

2011-09-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

I don't have high ceilings for 'nuthin...

2011-09-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

7.8 feet tall. Perfect for my bedside.

Buy at FAO.

2011-09-11T20:58:00.001-07:00

2011-09-11T20:35:00.001-07:00

2011-08-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: shameless plug.

Deal Decor is the groupon for furniture.

How it works: a critical mass needs to purchase the item for anyone to get it at all.

First deal launches soon!

Check out the blog in the meantime.

Two soft smiles

2011-08-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

I noticed in Professional Responsibility today that Professor Hazard calls us "my dears."

E.g. "If you read the comment following Rule 1.13, my dears, you will notice a lot of sponge-y language."

Before every yoga class, Wataya leads us in a chant. Today, she said something I've never heard her say.

"Raise your hands to your sweet hearts."

Set to "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding

Dictionary

2011-08-28T16:31:00.001-07:00

Bound to succumb to gravity.

Sometimes, you hope that food is bound to smooth over the bumps on the way to security and love.

Gravity:

a : dignity or sobriety of bearing b : importance, significance; especially : seriousness c : a serious situation or problem

: weight

a (1) : the gravitational attraction of the mass of the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near its surface (2) : a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions which occur because of mass between particles, between aggregations of matter (as stars and planets), and between particles (as photons) and aggregations of matter, that is 10^-39 times the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over macroscopic distances especially between aggregations of matter —called also gravitation, gravitational force

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

I don't live in New York. I don't live remotely close to the Eastern Seaboard. But with the man, sis, and other besties living out there, I think I, too, am hiding out from Irene.

I did go on a quick run, but before that, I hadn't gotten out of bed or my pajamas except to eat.

That means, I did two things:

a) study

and

b) shop.

ALSO! H. HAS MOVED TO NEW YORK!!! Ergo, she is in need of interior design.

This is an adorably cute board from Anthropologie.

And guess what? I'm still in the market for coasters. Another pick from Anthro.

I'm trying to decide whether I'd like to be more consistent with this lil thang.

How AMAZING

2011-08-27T20:04:00.001-07:00

are these Hermes horn earrings? I think I may have met my two favorite men in San Francisco, Ian and Jared.

2011-08-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't looked at this in a while, and I'm not sure what drove me to it.

It's definitely a time-killer, especially when you sit in a class where you feel like your ears are bleeding.

Apparently an app is coming out.

More reason to NOT get an iPhone.

Food [and Security] and Love Part IV

2011-07-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

I feel fairly comfortable with the placement of brackets in the title of this post.

Pizzeria Delfina (Mission, San Francisco)

B. and I got here on a Tuesday night or so at 8 pm and STILL had to wait an hour for a table. We had two pizzas - funghi and another one... hmm... and a salad. I could have eaten the leftovers but B. admonished me. So I didn't. And instead ate it for lunch the next day. Good pizza, but I'm generally loathe to wait an hour for thin crust pizza. I just don't get it. If there was no wait, I'd go back. I would probably go back too if guests wanted to go.

Tacolicious (Marina, San Francisco)

Met up with T. here for a casual dinner. The ahi tuna tostadas were great - because of the aioli. Yummy. The salsa's great. Drinks are fine. Laiola used to be here. I had a great meal here. One of my first in San Francisco. There was a wait when we got there but as it was a party of two, we quickly sat at the bar. I'll probably be back for a quick bite and drink.

Maialino (Gramercy Park, New York)

I liked you, Maialino. You're cute. Good food. Good service. And you gave us a great corner table.

We definitely ordered enough food for the two of us. It's remarkably quiet inside. I loved it. I loved that I could hear C. I loved that I could hear myself. I loved that it was well-lit.

Basically, I am an old person.

Would love to go back.

Gramercy Park Terrace (Gramercy Park - duh, New York)

My new favorite bar. Seriously. Retractable roof, old-paned windows, vines growing overhead, tables well-spaced, and a very casual vibe. A fantastic place to go for a drink, sit on a sofa, and just bask in Manhattan's dusk.

I was thinking that this would be a great place for a _____ party. Apparently, C. was on a similar wavelength and said that it would be a great place for an intimate wedding. Insert reference to appropriate bracketing above.

I will be back next time I'm in New York.

Foodparc (Chelsea, New York)

This is another one of those monstrous food hall things. The inside feels way too space-y, white, and round. I dislike round things. It was way too round. That's really the only way I can describe it. The food was fine - actually decent serving sizes, but again - it's a food hall.

Ippudo (East Village, New York)

REALLY? REALLY? Really. There was a pretty decent wait, so C. and I went and had margaritas while waiting. I had a bit of a talk with a gentleman this past weekend at Camp Atherton discussing Ippudo. The ramen ain't that great. Again, I may be biased because I think that ramen's hot MSJ and sodium plus some noodles. But I was underwhelmed.

But, Ippudo does have some delicious smaller dishes. One of my favorites was the octopus with wasabi.

Not going back unless someone REALLY wants to go and can justify it with some occasion. Which is how I feel about clubs.

The Palace New York (Midtown East, New York)

Standard hotel brunch. The steak wasn't great. Hotel quality steak.

I do love the silverware at hotel restaurants though. Great quality, used, and abused.

Alta (Greenwich Village, New York)

A wonderful birthday surprise, courtesy of C. and Y. C. and I took the subway down, which I didn't mind until we got the platform and I started dripping even when not moving. We get to the restaurant and tell the host the name under which the reservation is.

Host: C. S., party of nine?
Me: No, party of two.
I look over at Chris.
Chris, sheepishly hunches his shoulders: Yes, party of nine.

The host took us over to the table and no one was there. And we were 15 minutes late! E. and C. were at the bar, and I walked right past them not seeing them. E. was also at the bar, and I didn't notice her either.

The food was delicious. Tapas generally are. And the sangrias definitely got us a little excited.

I would love to go back here. Good memories, good food, and great friends.