Archive for the ‘San Francisco’ Category
Friendships in Your Thirties
Recently, an article was written for the New York Times (coincidentally by the husband of one of my favorite bloggers, Joanna from Cup of Joe) about how it can be difficult to make friends after 30. The post has sparked a lot of conversation, and I’ve seen a lot of commentary and social shares from people agreeing or disagreeing with the sentiment of the author, Alex Williams. Williams writes that making friends later in life (your 30s and beyond) can be difficult and is often attributed to us all being a little bit more busy, and a little pickier with what our priorities are and expectations in friendship.
//image// D. Sharon Pruitt
Personally, I’ve been particularly hyper-aware of this during my first year in San Francisco as I’ve been working to fill my “pool of friends,” as Williams calls it. I’ve met a lot of people over this past year and have had many conversations with those who are also in different stages of making new friends: either brand new to a city and what sometimes equates to desperately searching for new friends, struggling to understand the idiosyncrasies of new or changing friendships, or unfortunately, sometimes removing friendships that aren’t working.
I’ve been really lucky in life with friends – close female and male relationships seemingly have come naturally and easily to me thus far. I feel surrounded by friends who feel like my family and a good list I could dial up if shit completely hit the fan, and I needed someone to talk to, pick me up, rescue me, rub my feet and feed me bonbons (just joking – that’s gross).
A Beautiful Little Wine Fool
Saturday I had the immense pleasure of attending a Great-Gastby-themed wine party at CE Cellars Estate in Napa Valley. I first heard about CE Cellars because they were the wine sponsor at a Clue-themed party I attended in May, and the description for their summer kick-off party they were advertising was everything I stand for in life: costumes, games, music, good food, wine and friends. It doesn’t get better than that, people.
I really dig what CE Cellars stands for – CE is an acronym for “casual entertaining” – and they’re about bringing a more personal, less snobby approach to their wine through a social club. Yesterday they poured a wine called, “Fish,” which pairs with – you guessed it – fish. And a super yummy red called, “Steak…” I’ll leave you to finish that one. I’m also kinda in love with their packaging for Bash, their proprietary red blend. The bottle has repeating symbols on it, but features ONE symbol that isn’t repeated. When the wine owner, Preston O’Connor, told me this at the Clue party, I immediately had to search the bottle to find the one non-repeating symbol. It’s fun little schticks like this that I appreciate (why not make a game out of everything in life?!)
Preston hosted the Great Gastby party at his family’s estate in Napa Valley – a breathtaking homestead with gorgeous vineyards leading up to a house in the middle of gardens and a backyard set up with family-style tables for wine tasting and lunch. The grounds even had a pool, poolhouse and outdoor barbecues! How lucky to have grown up in such beauty.
The Best of SF is Secret Slides in the Castro District
Secret slides! Secret slides, you guys. I probably don’t even need to explain why this qualifies for one of Je’s SF-Best Crowns. My friend Jess dug up an article on these secret slides from Broke Ass Stuart (a well-known SF blogger, for those of you not located here), and we immediately worked visiting these slides into the first weekend we could.
It’s not necessarily that they’re the best slides ever, but it’s just so random and fun to go on a hunt for secret slides. Plus, anytime someone tells me something is “SECRET” or “UNDERGROUND,” I immediately need to experience it for myself. I’m like that 5 year old child that hates naps cause I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun.
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The Best of SF is Asparagus with a Truffle Poached Egg and Pancetta at District
I’ve really been on a poached egg kick as of late. I eat one every morning in my oatmeal, I add one to the top of polenta I make at home (with a sprinkle of shaved parmesan), and I gravitate toward everything on a menu with a poached egg. Everything is made better with poached eggs! I cannot tell a lie.
This dish was one of the best dishes I’ve had since I’ve lived in San Francisco – so simple, yet so tasty, with a little bit of naughty (bacon and eggs) and nice (no carbs). Warm, local asparagus, topped with crispy house-made pancetta, a poached egg (poached in truffle oil!) and drizzled with vinaigrette.
My dining partner and I both ordered it, and both licked the plate and then talked at least twice since then about how good it was. I’m definitely going to try to recreate it at home!
If you’d rather eat the original, it can be found at a bar called District in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco. District is a super cool wine bar with a great atmosphere and a good looking crowd – perfect for after-work drinks!
Currently Feeling: A little under the weather – boo sniffly nose.
Currently Anticipating: 70 degrees in SF on Thursday and Friday!
Currently Needing: About 14 extra hours in the day. Oh, and someone to grocery shop and clean my house.
Bay to Breakers Crazytown USA
Bay to Breakers… where do I even begin?! I recently heard someone refer to the annual San Francisco celebration as “Pride for Straight People,” which I suppose is pretty accurate (although, as you’ll find from my below pics, B2B is not just “straight people.” But, I digress.
Imagine tens of thousands of people all walking/running the same course through the city, dressed in creative team costumes, crazy attire, tutus, or you know – naked. Throw in some street dance parties, houses with people hanging out the windows and porches crowded up and down the course, and a gigantic city park full of groups lounging – some passed out, some dancing, most drinking. Pepper in boomboxes, bubbles, glitter, shots, fishnets, loud singing, strangers making out, mimosas, and… did I say dance parties? Imagine all of that, and you have Bay to Breakers – the number one weekend to visit San Francisco, if you want to be promised a piece of what makes San Francisco “so San Francisco.”
As my friend Janelle said, and fellow Pink Taco , “Everyone in this city is just loving life.”
You and me too, my friend. You and me too!
Me as a "Pink Taco." Totes inappropriate, I know. (Sorry whomever - read the disclaimer in my side bar).
Soaking up the sun with my friend Lauren.
The Best of SF is Smoked Fettuccini with sea urchin and bacon at SPQR
Recently I was looking for a restaurant to meet a former coworker at to catch up. I didn’t feel like going too far from home (Pac Heights), but wanted something that was classy and quiet enough for a convo but with yummy food and a good wine list. I decided to try SPQR on Fillmore St. and ordered their smoked fettucini with sea urchin and smoked bacon, topped with a quail egg, which is now on my “dream about that dish regularly” list.
I’m not a *huge* fan of Italian restaurants – to me, spaghetti is spaghetti. Blasphemous, I know! I want unique pairings, fancy ingredients and combos that wow me. Marina sauce with meatballs and noodles this does not equal. SPQR is an Italian restaurant that does. Their “primi” pasta dishes are unlike any other. I’m talking mustard capellini with a guinea hen ragu and mimolette cheese, cocoa pasta with foraged mushroom, fontina and black truffle; and chestnut tagliatelle with cider and chestnut braised suckling pork. Plus, they have bacon or pork in like half their dishes. All of this makes them a prime candidate for Je’s SF-Best Crown.
BUT, the cherry on top of SPQR’s whipped cream menu – they have a “chef’s counter” that you can make reservations at. It’s basically a six top counter that overlooks the kitchen where you can watch the chefs work their magic and see what each dish looks like. It helped me choose the smoked fettucini… and I am NOT sorry.
Currently Feeling: Exhausted after a crazy busy week sponsoring SF Business Week at work and having personal plans every weekend. It’s hump day, and I’m ready to SLEEP.
Currently Anticipating: Costume shopping for Bay to Breakers tomorrow. I have about four different costume ideas I need to choose between!
Currently Loving: A very flattering compliment I received today that’s left me smiling all evening.
One Year SFversary through Instagram
You guys, I made it. Today marks my first official year of living in San Francisco.
This time last year I was driving through Washington, Oregon and the first half of California with my sister and cat in my red VW Bug, arriving in San Francisco at 1 a.m. on May 13, 2011. I was *really* unsure of what was ahead of me. I was *really* unsure of leaving my friends and family behind. I was a bit anxious, and really emotional. I didn’t know what to expect – I was just making the leap, sans an official “job” or boyfriend to support my choice. But, I was thrilled to be embarking on the adventure I had talked about wanting to do my entire 20s.
A few people said to me, “Oh the first year is the hardest!” about moving away.
I don’t know if I am luckier than the average bear (oftentimes I think so), or if I’m stronger or more independent… I can’t answer that. But I can say I found little about my first year in San Francisco to be hard. Sure, it was challenging and sometimes I felt homesick or overwhelmed about not knowing anyone or anywhere. But overall, my year was sparkly, fun, magical and new. I laughed a lot; I met the people I’m meant to meet; I’ve eaten at more fabulous restaurants in one year than should be allowed. I’ve grown professionally; I’ve kissed cute boys; I’ve shared the most important pieces of me with new girl friends; I’ve reinvented my reality. I’ve seen more live music than any previous year of my life; I’ve lost weight (hello skinny jeans from 20-years-old!); I’ve tried so many new things and discovered new favorites; I’ve made a special little home for myself.
And to top it off, I feel like I’m just getting started. I feel like my life in San Francisco is really starting to rock and roll… I’m finding the heartbeat of the city, meeting new groups of people, filling out my calendar, and just simply loving life and those who I’ve made my family here.
I can’t wait to see what year two brings, and share those special moments with all of you, blog lovelies.
Here is my first year in San Francisco through my Instagram lens (you can click on each photo to find out details of what the picture is of or where it was taken in the city, if you feel so inclined)…
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The Best of SF is a glass blowing and beer party at Public Glass
Last Saturday, my friend Jess and I went to an event at Public Glass, a nonprofit glass blowing studio in San Francisco. The event was called Hot Glass, Cold Beer, and I heard about it on Twitter through @jeannebee.
For $25, we got to pick our own hand-blown glass, and it was filled up all night with unlimited beer, wine or pop. (Let’s be honest – who chooses pop?!)
Hot Glass, Cold Beer also featured live acoustic music, snacks like homemade guac and chips (always a crowd pleaser) and glass blowing demos.
Jess and I mixed and mingled throughout the packed house, and had a GREAT time. It felt like a creative, artistic way to spend our Saturday night (in a new scene AND with wine).
I’d definitely recommend going to the next Hot Glass, Cold Beer event at Public Glass!
Currently Feeling: A little homesick. I need a quick trip to hang out with my BFFs.
Currently Anticipating: Dinner and an urban hike tonight with a friend.
Currently Needing: A new workout routine, desperately.
The Best of SF is the Hunky Jesus Competition at Dolores Park
I can’t say this enough about San Francisco (and you’ll probably hear it 100 more times) – this is the most fun, random city that has weirdest events to attend daily. *cough* Air Sex Competition *cough* I’m still debating if I want to write about that one here… you might just have to send me a personal note to get the details. Anyway, there’s a saying I myself say or hear probably once at day, “That is SOOOO San Francisco.”
Well, the Hunky Jesus Competition at Dolores Park on Easter Sunday is “soooooo San Francisco.” Weird, inappropriate, random, hilarious, and NOT.TO.BE.MISSED if you ever happen to find yourself in SF on Easter, or live here.
Twenty plus “hunky Jesus” men took the stage in costumed themes such as “Cheeze-It Christ” (naked with a box of Cheeze-Its) or “Jesus H Christ Takes the Cake” (a Jesus with an H-shaped cross, smeared in cake). Only one walked away a winner: Funky Jesus (the one pictured above with a gigantic cross electronic guitar that he actually played with a bottle of whiskey). Now if that doesn’t say, “he has risen!” I don’t know what does.
And of course, the competition was hosted by drag queens and the park was full of 1,000s of lovely Easter-decorated San Franciscans… I’m talking elaborate Easter-basket hats or coats made with Peeps. It really all was just too spectacular, and it helped to take away the sting of not having my own family Easter celebration or a basket of Peeps and Cadbury Creme Eggs at home. 
Currently Feeling: A lot of “chores” hanging over my head – I’m way past due on grocery shopping and have a pile of laundry on my floor I”ve been trying to fold for a week!
Currently Anticipating: My one-year SF-versary is only two weeks away!
Currently Wondering: Why it’s so hard to find a taco with a hard shell to eat these days!
This is how you do hot days in San Francisco
This past weekend was a balmy 75-80 degrees in the City (weather that only graces San Francisco a couple times a year – it’s sunny here, but it’s not that warm). I got out my shiny sunglasses, warm-weather clothes and spray tan out of a can for a day of glorious, glorious fun and trouble, at a bevvy of spots I haven’t been before. Here’s how you do an 80-degree San Francisco day:
Baker Beach! This little sliver of beach is accessible by walking down 25th St. (off California), through a fancy pants neighborhood with big beautiful houses, until you reach a gate leading to the stretch of sand with a view of the Golden Gate in the background. Music, bathing suits and alcohol permitted! Just follow the rich people road.
Fancy new spring duds from Zara! Have you seen this new “short in the front, long in the back” skirt style that’s been cropping up? I’d like to call it my mullet skirt. OR my business in the front, party in the back skirt. You decide. Only $70 will make you feel like a floaty, girly dream.
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