Weekend Roundup: Super

This was another weekend of funny San Francisco events! On Friday, we went to an "ugly sweater" party to celebrate Margaret's birthday. I had loads of photos of my neon green monstrosity and the cake with dinosaurs and clowns that we brought for the occasion - but I left my camera behind. It was a great time!

Up pretty early on Saturday. Breakfast with Rob before her went off for a bike ride. I went running and swung by the Wholesale Flower Market on the way home. Really pretty light orange garden roses and kumquat branches:





















Flower arranging and chores at home. Rob returned from his ride and we had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. In the afternoon, we drove out to Sports Basement and then to San Bruno Mountain for a few miles of hiking. Yet another perfect warm January day in California:
















We took the long way home and stopped at Joe's Cable Car Burgers in Glen Park for an early dinner. I don't eat ground beef and haven't had a real hamburger in over 10 years - but made an exception for this spot with organic, fresh ground meat. Paired with fries and strawberry shake - super tasty!
















Home in time to rest up a bit and change into party clothes for a fundraiser at Rickshaw Stop for a city bike project. It was a warm night for riding the tandem across town:





















Home at midnight. On Sunday, we woke up very late and Rob was definitely sick with a cold. Coffee, sweet rolls and the newspaper for breakfast. We watched some episodes of The IT Crowd (my favorite) and had egg tacos for a late lunch. Cleaned house just in time for LisaRuth to stop in for a visit. Tea, snacks and bananagrams.





















I made the good ol' family casserole recipe and a big green salad for dinner. Rob and I watched the documentary Senna about the Brazilian race car driver, which was really well done. I love a lazy Sunday!

Inspired: New Chairs

It's one for the baby book! Nine years after my first apartment, I finally have a matching set of dining room chairs.

Rob and I picked out a set of eight French tolix-style chairs online. We're still getting used to them, but I'm so inspired by all the online styling.

With our mismatched old chairs in the storage room, we now have seating for 14 at the giant dining table. No more borrowing folding chairs or BYOC for our big dinner parties!

What to Wear: To Lose an Award to Twitter

Out hobnobbing tonight with the Silicon Valley elites. Didn't bring home a trophy, but it was a good excuse to get dressed up.

Not pictured: nude fishnet tights, beige suede and gold pumps, smart phone. Do you recognize the earrings from this 2009 What to Wear post?

What to Wear: NY Wedding

Sarah wrote in asking for a $200 or under dress that would work at a NY wedding and back in her normal life in Oregon:

I have an upcoming event that made me think of you. I'm traveling to NY for a wedding on March 10 at 1 pm and I desperately need help on what to wear. I'm from Portland, OR and I have a feeling that my idea of dressing up for an afternoon wedding isn't going to cut it there. I'm 5'3'' and 130 lbs with a pixi hair cut. My skin in more olive tone and I have dark brown hair so I don't wear most yellows or oranges. I would love some inspiration or thoughts on a killer outfit to wear!

Dress - A bright colored wrap dress, or in this case faux wrap, is always flattering. I think this plum selection will be a perfect match for Sarah's pixie style.
Boots - New Yorkers do love their shoes, so if Sarah is comfortable wearing heels this is a great time to splurge on a pair of booties for the rest of winter.
Earrings - Gold and green beads are so festive.
Clutch - From Etsy in light green faux snakeskin.


Cardigan - When it's time to wear this dress at work, top it with a basic cardigan from Target.
Belt - And add a cute belt from Zara in comfy elastic.
Boots - For Portland, a pair of Hunter boots in olive green are right for almost any situation.

Weekend Roundup: North and South

This weekend reminded me so much of when Rob and I used to live in San Luis Obispo (aka: SLO). Even though we're in Northern California now, this weekend felt like Southern. A relaxing time, sunny weather and lots of casual hanging out with friends!

On Friday, Rob, Margaret and I went on a small roadtrip to see a friend perform in the band of a local theater group. In SLO, our routine was to take a 40 minute drive south to see PCPA. For this show, we drove over an hour to Newark and stopped for delicious Taiwanese noodles before.





















Stage 1 put on an amazing production of Hair Spray at the local high school auditorium. I honestly didn't expect much from the show. But everything was so well done! The main characters were perfectly cast, the choreography and singing were very professional, and of course the live band was our favorite part. It was the best production of Hair Spray I've ever seen - you should definitely go if you have a chance! I've had You Can't Stop the Beat in my head ever since.















On Saturday morning, Rob went off on a bike ride and I did some gardening. Margaret came over and we went to lunch at Epicenter and then walked over to TJ Maxx. It was supposed to be a short visit, but we found so many great things. I came home with a sequined French Connection dress, duck boots, throw pillows, cupcake toppers and eye cream! In SLO, Margaret and I would have similarly epic shopping trips at Ross all the time.






















After dropping off our bags, we met up with Rob at home. It was such a warm nice day, that we walked downtown to get pints on the sidewalk patio at The Grove (a lot like our old routine at Spike's in SLO). Cream puffs from Beard Papa in the park. Margaret headed home and we met up with Nicole to see The Artist at the independent movie theater (equivalent to the Palm Theater in SLO).

















Lazy Sunday morning. Rob and I had coffee and oatmeal with the paper. At 11:00, we met up with Seth & Amy and their baby for a day at the beach (very SLO). We drove over together to Muir Beach and stopped in at the Pelican Inn for a classic pub lunch.





















From there, we set up camp on the beach with chairs, blankets, the dog and the baby. Rob, Seth and I hiked to the overlook.
















And we played rounds of bocce ball on the sand.





















We only packed up to go home when it started getting overcast.

















Quick stop at Trader Joe's on the way home and then a quiet pizza dinner.

Hold On

Because, sometimes, you just need to take a break to hike the sierras in a blazer or go to the beach in a velvet gown. Either way there should be red lipstick, hoop earrings and taking yourself too seriously. Happy Friday!

To Do: Spring Social Calendar

So many of my favorite San Francisco events come in the spring and early summer each year! Start marking your calendars now for:

Chinese New Year - February 11 - It's year of the dragon, an auspicious time to celebrate with the city. The flower market fair that takes over Chinatown the weekend after is almost more fun than seeing all the local school kids dressed up in costumes during the parade.

Bouquets to Art - March 13-17 - A wonderful event where local florists create hundreds of arrangements inspired by the art at the Legion of Honor. Past members-only events have been a zoo, so I may take a day off work to visit when it's quieter this year.

Big Bang Gala - April 19 - Rob and I went to this for the first time last April thanks to the invitation of a friend whose wife works at the museum. By arriving right on time, we had total run of the place for a while. Plenty of delicious food, strong drinks, clever decorations and fun entertainment.

Black & White Ball - June 2 - Moved from May to June for 2012, this is one of my all time favorite events. It's so big, that they only hold it every other year. I've been reminding friends since October! Get your tuxedo and gown ready and fundraiser for the symphony in their centennial year.