A little peek inside

I thought it’d be fun to show my blog lovelies a peek inside my San Francisco apartment*! (Taken from my iPhone, which is the reason for the video shape):

Humble San Francisco Abode from Je on Vimeo.

After living with roommates my entire 20s (minus one year I first lived alone, post college), I knew I wanted to try living by myself again when I moved to SF. At first I was a bit nervous that I’d hate living alone as much as I did in my early 20s. I’m somewhat of a “social butterfly” and have always liked having someone around to chat with, make dinner and watch reality TV with, or be there if I’m sick or something goes wrong.

But over the past three months (!!!) I’ve been in San Francisco, I’m happy to report that I freakin’ love living on my own and am so glad with the decision I made. It’s not anything against my roommates in the past because I’ve had some great ones who I miss (minus the one absolute crazy roommate off Craigslist who owned more than 20 houseplants and a cat that rubbed its butt across the floor, collected antiques, left all the cupboards in the entire house open and only bought in bulk at Costco).

Ahem, tangent.

Anywho, there’s just something so nice about having your own apartment. I’ve loved decorating it just the way I want, and have gone on many “skies the limit” trips to Pier 1 (my favorite home store) and am constantly perusing Etsy for homemade decor.

I also love only worrying about my mess, and the couch and DVR is always mine! And I can buy flowers for my kitchen every week and play music loudly when I’m getting ready without worrying about someone sleeping, I never have to fight for the bathroom, or who’s cleaning it, and there’s no tempting bad food around to steal and then have to replace later.

My apartment just feels so special, and all mine, and is my own personal oasis to relax. Le sigh.

Do you live alone or with roommates? What do you like/dislike about it?

*You can see the before photos of my apartment here.

Currently Feeling: In love with lulu’s WunderUnder crops – I think I might love them better than the Groove pant now.
Currently Anticipating: A fresh new haircut, a meeting with a potential new (fitness) client, and the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah concert tonight. Great day!
Currently Loving: White peaches. Or summer fruit in general. Been devouring homemade fruit salads left and right.

NYE Dress Swoooooon

I want, I want, I want!

This fabulous dress from Betsy Johnson (my fav designer) came up on RueLaLa.com yesterday, and I’ve thought about it nearly every hour of the day.

“I’ll wear it to New Years, and find the man of my dreams who can’t resist me!”

“I’ll be ‘the girl in the best dress at the party’!”

“It’ll swish when I walk and fit me in all the right places, and it’s shaped to hide my flaws.”

“The glitter says celebration in just the right way.”

“It’ll look fabulous with hot pink heels… or, oooh red!”

“It’ll start out 2011 for me in the MOST perfect way!”

“It’ll be the dress I meet my husband in!”

Turns out the dress sold out.

Looks like I’m not getting married in 2011. Darn.

I didn’t really want to spend $180 on a NYE dress, so that’s why I hesitated. But the above is precisely why I never hesitate and usually always just buy. Now I’ll just be thinking about how I won’t be dancing in the perfect NYE dress I wanted so much. Woe is me.

To balance out the spoiled bratty of this post, you should all know that I’m attending a holiday benefit tomorrow for orphans in Cambodia, so I’m not all that bad.

Currently Feeling: So sleepy, but need to work on a lot of stuff this evening. I just want to curl up and read, so tea it is for a mini shot of caffeine!
Currently Anticipating: A Mashable Holiday event tomorrow, followed by a holiday fundraiser party. Double dipping holiday parties tomorrow. Good thing I have Friday off!
Currently Loving: That I received a full set of eyelash extensions from a friend for Christmas. So cool!

Getting Mauied

Friday I received an e-mail digest I subscribe to for last-minute travel deals, and one-way tickets from Seattle to Maui came up for $300 – a deal I just couldn’t refuse. So this girl is heading to Hawaii for the first time ever in February! Fifty-six day countdown began today baby!

Destination360 Beaches in Hawaii

Traveling to a tropical vacation in Seattle’s tail-end of the rainy, cold season – February and March – is a tradition I like to keep year after year. I’ve been to Miami, and Mexico four times, and now I’m off to the Aloha State.

I’m most excited about reading on the beach for seven days, hiking to volcanos, snorkeling with turtles and swimming with dolphins, which just so happens to be an item I’ll be able to cross off my bucket list soon.

And no trip is complete without some cocktails and amazing dinners on the beach! Hello pineapples, sushi and Mai Tais!

I’ll be traveling with one of my long-time friends, Haley, whom I met when I worked at a salon in Bellingham during college. Although she’s seven years older than me, we were instantly friends. She’s always been the big sister I’ve never had. It’s exciting because we’ve never had the opportunity to vacation together!

I’ve been put in charge of the planning – dinners, excursions, room, board and the whole shebang, so give me your recommendations if you’ve been to Maui and have them!

Currently Feeling: Like today was a total success – Pilates at lunch, booked the spot for my super fun themed birthday part I have coming up, made a healthy dinner of squash and salmon, then starting making handmade soaps for Christmas gifts!
Currently Anticipating: A week full of Holiday parties – I have four! Yowza.
Currently Reading: Room by Emma Donoghue. So intense.

Rethinking the whole barefoot and pregnant thing

Saturday I attended Seattle Fashion Week for the first time with part of the Girl Power Hour Power Team… we got all gussied up and hit the town in bright, springtime dresses. I felt like a princess, not only were we given front row VIP tickets, but Vera Wang was showing her Spring and Fall 2010 line at the show (her first time ever in Seattle!)

I’ve never been to a legit fashion show before, and I’m not much of a wedding girl. But, of the fabulousness of these dresses was just unbelievable. From the fabric, to the feathers and sashes, to the buttons down the back. Everyone of her dresses took my breath away. I am now fully on the Vera Wang bandwagon and rethinking the whole “I don’t know that I want a wedding/I’ll just do it barefoot and pregnant on a beach.”

Sound the alarms!

Currently Feeling: Wide awake after an 8-9 p.m. workout and downing a Diet Coke. Awesome. I really aught to work on this staying up too late on a Sunday night thing.
Currently Anticipating: The start to another super busy May week – I hope the weather holds out!
Currently Wanting to “Feel This Week:” Good at my job.

Because the tea steamed in front of me

A couple months ago I started reading a blog called Hello Vodka, It’s Me… Kassy. The title immediately grabbed me – vodka is by far my only liquor of choice for a night out. Tequila = puke my brains out. Too many memories from trips to Mexico. Rum = yuck, yuck, double yuck. And, I’m not even going to mention how I feel about whiskey. Anyhoo, this post is about poetry, not alcohol, I swear. Kassy is a super cute blogger with an obsession for shoes, fashion, food… I like her stuff. But the coolest thing is that she’s a POET. (A Master’s I believe). You don’t meet too many poets, let alone cute female poets. In her recent post, she referenced a poem she wrote that was published, and I loved it so much; I wanted to share it here with you. (Not to mention, I’m buying those boots immediately. Um, a hidden heel?! Yes please!) Check her out!

Because the tea steamed in front of me

by Kassy Scrivner

A woman talking to her ex-lover on the phone
To a voice she has loved, has hated, has feared.
She has worshiped every modulation, its tone. The silence.
She studies, out the window, the thin shapes
of trees. The kind that grow everywhere in the desert, that
withstand the haboob. The desert monsoon’s arched chambers
of deep blue, tiny earthen walls, something bedded in the skies.
A wish descending, air, funnel or cloud,
lovers or vegetation in the sweet scent of the orangery.
Outside, dawning sky, tangled vines, a long bitter history, and rain.

Currently Feeling: Super pumped after pushing myself through a strenuous run this AM. Thanks for being my inspiration to push myself, Kristen.
Currently Anticipating: The 100th feed reader! We’re only three away folks, then I’m choosing one of you to receive a special package of my favorite things, since that’s what the majority of you voted for in my poll.
Currently Hating: A picture that was recently taken of me at an event – I look like I heifer! I’m cutting it out and posting it on my bathroom mirror for running inspiration.

Excuse me while I kiss the sky

A couple weekends ago, I went on a trip to Orcas Island in the San Juans Islands. I went there last year with Baby Daddy, and we just loved the place so much, we went again this year. For those of you who are local and pay attention to my Washington-focused food, wine and camping blog, you’ve probably seen my post about Orcas Island already. But, I just wanted to share a few of the sunset pics that I took while there for the readers here.

I have always been a lover of the sun. Always. Sometimes I wonder why the hec I can’t be like all the other Seattlelites who rave about the grey and clouds – some people here live for that weather. Me, I live for the three, sometimes four, months a year we get sunshine. But my trip to Orcas made me realize that as much as I love the sun, I love watching it set just as much.

When I was little, my mom used to tell me that a sunset happened when the Angels were baking cookies. While it’s not my MO to be all religious, I still like to think of Angels baking cookies each night the sun sinks down behind the clouds and glowing oranges spread out over the sky. For some reason, it still comforts me just as it did when I was a little girl.

Shadows just look so much better in the glow of a sunset – holding hands is that much more romantic – night is less depressing and scary – and the thought that you get to wake up again tomorrow and watch the sunset all over again just makes it great to be alive.

Currently Feeling: Sleepy after a night out on the town with my twin besties from high school (one lives in San Diego and is in town for the week)!
Currently Anticipating: The Flaming Lips concert tomorrow and one of my bestie’s wedding barbecue wedding reception on Saturday. (The one who got married in Mexico in April).
Currently Loving: That I’ve had a former college acquaintance AND a former coworker move into my building! How fun! I’ve never had girls I’ve known in my building before… lots of girly wine nights on patios and realty TV parties in my future.

Blogs & Tea = Love

I’ve fallen victim to Etsy once again. Folks, this is only the beginning of the end, I believe.

I recently started reading quite the lovely, sincere blog called your wishcake.

This weekend she posted that her sister sent a print to her from Etsy that she fell in love with.

I followed the link, and instantly fell in love as well.

It couldn’t be more me. Each morning, I start off with a cup of tea (I don’t drink coffee, and if you’re wondering what I’m currently in love with, it’s Gypsy Tea’s Coconut Chai) and blog reading or writing.

I love the print because it’s so simple, chic and in colors that match my room. Luckily, there was one print left when I checked the site. I can’t wait to proudly display it on my wall.

Blogs & Tea. Oh how you make me smile.

Currently Feeling: A little strung out. I’m up way too late, and I’ve been working on a work project for the past eight hours. Blech.
Currently Anticipating: The fab weather planned for later this week, and my sushi making class on Thursday. (!!!)
Currently Loving: The book I’m reading. Man it’s a great, quick read.

I’m stuck somewhere in Meximerica

Hola! I’m back and currently still trying to stop saying, Gracias to everyone. Since that’s the extent of the Spanish I know besides Me casa es su casa (My house is your house), which isn’t really appropriate to be throwing around in Mexico, I got really excited to say Gracias when it was appropriate (and sometimes when it wasn’t). So now I’m embarrassingly still saying Gracias to everyone, everywhere. And you can only imagine what people are thinking when I’m clearly a non-Mexican, light-skinned, fair-haired female that is paying for my bottle of wine at Metropolitan Market and saying, “GRACIAS!” It garners a some funny looks, not gonna lie.

I guess that’s just one tiny part of the “coming down” from vacation.

You know what else is part of “coming down” from vacation?

Realizing that lying poolside every day, stuffing your face with fried shrimp tacos, nachos and anything with refried beans and cheese while doub-fisting a daiquiri and Corona is a whole hell of a lot more fun than counting calories and gyming it every day.

Oh, and sitting at your desk, reading through your emails and feeling so headachy, stressed and sick to your stomach that you think, yet again, “Hey. I don’t think I dig this whole Corporate America schtick.”

So far in these 20s of mine, I’ve been pretty career driven – just striving for the next level, working, working, working, volunteering, volunteering and volunteering. And now I want to just kinda of throw my hands up in the air and say, “I just don’t give a f****ck.” Cause what’s money and success if you don’t love getting up and going to work every day? So, I sent my resume off to a resort and spa in Puerto Vallarta yesterday for an Internet marketing and social media job that I found posted. Am I crazy? Maybe. It was kinda a whim, and I guess if it makes the 9-5 culture shock wear off a bit, it’ll all be okay.

So yeah, vacation – making us all hate realty since 1805. Actually that probably deserves a B.C. in front of it.

On the short, because I said I’d spare you too much of a recap, my vacation was SUPER fabulous. I’ve never actually been on a trip with a boyfriend before, and hot damn do they make great travel partners. We couldn’t have been more two Mexican peas in a pod. Or would that be Mexican beans in a corn tortilla? Mexican tequila in a margarita?

If I had to pinpoint a few of my absolute favorite moments, they’d be: sitting for hours at a local bar, listening to pretty much the best damn cover band I’ve ever heard play every Seattle-era grunge rock songs you’d want to hear, including kick-ass cover of Pearl Jam (which I usually think is blasphemous); waking up every morning to the sound of the waves, and falling asleep again at night to them; reading by the pool on the sweetest lounge chairs EVER that had attached sun shades on the top that you could pull down to shade your eyes; taking 30-minute long hot showers every day in our shower the size of a walk-in closet – I forgot what it’s like to not have to rush out of the shower every day; zip-lining through the trees (350 feet high and 1,650 feet long!) and finally, all the exploring and eating we did through downtown Puerto Vallarta.

So, GRACIAS to ALL of you who kept my spot here warm while I was gone by guest blogging, and HOLA to the new readers who signed up from my guest bloggers’ sites. Here are a few pics of my trip:

Currently Feeling: Like every week should be two days of work and two days off. Who the hell created the five-day work week?
Currently Anticipating: Finding a fancy new apartment!
Currently Loving: The weather warming up a bit! I love spring and summer!

A rare weekend devoid of hangovers

I had quite a lovely couple of days this past weekend. Although I could have done with about 24 more hours per usual, the 48 hours I did have turned out just perfect – with just the right balance of partying, relaxing, friends, boyfriend and staying healthy and active.

Friday I met up with a good college friend at one of my (latest) favorite happy hours – Ascada Bistro. If you’re from Seattle, you should check it out. I think the little place gets lost in the shadow of Peso’s since they always seem to be dead, but they have really great food starting out at $2.99 (including stuffed mushrooms that are to.die.for!), $5 martinis and other drink specials. Plus the atmosphere is there is pretty darn good and allows for easy conversation flow without shouting over music or others. In fact, I like it so much that I’ve been there three times in the last two weeks. Whoops.

Afterward, I headed to TheatreSports in Post Alley for a double date with Bestie Amanda and her new boytoy (I’m unsure if it’s safe to call him a boyfriend yet). The last time I went to TheatreSports was high school, and I’ve been wanting to go back ever since. It’s a live comedy improve competition between two teams – sort of like “Who’s Line is It Anways?” We weren’t allowed to drink in the theater during the show, so my buzz was kinda killed, which effectively made me super tired. BUT, the show was hilarious, and to me there’s nothing quite like a good laugh.

There’s also nothing quite like waking up on Saturday morning without a hang over. I don’t do it often… This past Saturday I bounded out of bed to sunshine filling my entire apartment. My energy is through the roof when it’s sunny (hence why I want to move to Cali). I opened the windows and cooked breakfast while my mind reeled over all the sunny Saturday possibilities. After RUNNING outside in the sunshine (I know. Big shocker. This is the first jog I’ve taken outside in more than a year), I planned a day trip to Vashon Island with my BF and his mini.

The Mini is in love with everything that has to do with boats, sharks, fish, etc, so I figured a ferry boat to an island with beaches and a lighthouse would tickle his fancy. I was right, which felt SO good since I still feel pretty new to this “wooing a 5-year-old” stuff. After the short ride to the island, we stopped at The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie – an awesome little general store type organic coffee shop that had no less than 100 loose teas to choose from in gigantic jars. (Heaven for me since I’ve been on an anti-coffee, pro-tea kick for the last couple months). We then drove to Point Robinson Park where we combed the beach for seashells. The Mini wanted to take home every seashell he found – “LOOK! OH! MY! GOSH!” he’d shout, and show us a half broken clam shell with seaweed attached. Thing are always 100x more exciting through the eyes of a child…it’s a little humbling. After the park, we stopped at a salmon stand and bought fresh salmon for $9 a pound. I’m super excited to make it this week for dinner, so if any of you have a salmon recipe to share, please do so in the comments or email me. We wrapped up our day trip with pizza and pasta at a little restaurant, which was sorta tacky but had a fireplace to warm up with, so I was content. The whole car ride back, the Mini kept saying, “Can we do this again? When do we get to do this again?” so I felt my island Saturday plan deserved an A+.

And then I wrapped up my entire weekend of being active and healthy with eating about 500 pounds of my homemade caramel corn during the Super Bowl party I attended. Diet FAIL. But oh well, the weekend was over all a SUCCEED, so I’ll just let that one slip this time.

Currently Feeling: Like avoiding a situation that should probably be dealt with.
Currently Anticipating: Getting my workout over with so I can tan and make salmon!
Currently Loving: My new, blonder hair from Bestie Amanda’s awesome balayage.

A tisket, a tasket – a flower making, margarita?!

I received flowers at work yesterday – such a nice surprise! Some girls I’ve known have said that receiving flowers at work would be super embarrassing for them. Not me, no sirree. Send me flowers every day, if you feel so inclined.

After work, Baby Daddy explained to me how he ordered the flowers:

“Usually I just call and say, “Red roses.”

“But I saw this pic, and I told the guy, ‘I want the big margarita glass with all the pink in it.’”

Booze and pink – so me.

Currently Feeling: Frustrated that the steps I’m taking to remedy a situation aren’t panning out.
Currently Anticipating: Headin’ to the Kube 93.3 Haunted House with John and Sue tonight! – It’s Halloween date night!
Currently Wanting: These boots.