[Travel Saturdays] The Mission

Spent Thursday roaming around the Mission with Rob, Max and Tawsh and we were later joined by Carrie. Hit up some great coffee places, including Four Barrel and The Summit. Four Barrel had the best latte I have had in a while, and both cafes had this amazing modern, loft-style vibe going on. Love it. Also, Four Barrel had amazing donuts from Dynamo Donut... We tried the apricot cardamom one and the maple bacon one. Were those good decisions or were those good decisions? The apricot one had a perfect amount of cardamom and was impressively scrumptious. We browsed through the Community Thrift Shop, a few vintage stores and took photos along the way. For lunch, Max, Rob, Tawsh and I had delicious pupusas at El Majahual Restaurant (only $2.50 each!) Carrie met us at The Painted Bird, a tiny, well-curated vintage store and I found a vintage Coach purse I had been searching for.

Our friend Jeff helped organize a fundraiser for STOP AIDS Project at The Thirsty Bear, a brewery/tapas place. The beers were great, especially the IPA and the vanilla one. We then proceeded to drink beers at Zietgeist, Casanova, and Blondie's for more beer and tequila shots (the last part may have been a bit excessive.) However, all in all, it was an amazing day in the city with some amazing people. How much more could I ask for?

[Friday Link Round-Up]

1. I am quickly becoming addicted to LC's new beauty site, The Beauty Department. It's filled with amazing tutorials for hair, makeup, nails, etc. I never really knew how to put on my red lipstick until I read their post about a week ago. Who knew!

2. The sun is shining! It's time to drink up with friends in your backyard. Or, if you don't have a backyard, drink while looking out the window into your neighbor's apartment or something. 

Wine Jello Shots via Martha Stewart

Raspberry and Key Lime Margaritas via Tokyo Terrace

3. I just found one of my new favorite lookbooks. It's by Rachel R., a girl from Madrid. Her style is bold and unapologetic, and if I had enough money lying around, I'd wear those badass Louboutins too. 

Image via lookbook.nu

4. Last week, I found Thought Catalog, and I am so smitten. The stories are succinct, personal, and informative. I'm especially addicted to the Love and Sex articles. 

[Food + Drink Wednesday] Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

I think I have found my niche here, thus I am going to save all my tips and recipes for this particular baked goodness until a later date. I am also working on perfecting this recipe so that it works every time, no fail. In lieu of a recipe, I give you photos. And I also relate to you just how simultaneously crispy and doughy these babies are. When you heat them up in the microwave and then top them with strawberry ice cream and chopped nuts, you have a recipe for dieting disaster. Though, I will reveal, I am working on a low-fat, vegan, and gluten-free version of these cookie cups. Stay tuned.

[Get Involved Tuesdays] The Gardens at Alcatraz

If you love to garden and also love Nicolas Cage movies about Alcatraz, boy, do I have an opportunity for you. Alcatraz needs volunteers to help in their gardens on Wednesday and Friday mornings. In 2003, the gardens were all but non-existent. Weeds had grown over everything and the whole area was a mess. But thanks to all the volunteers who have committed time over the years, the Gardens of Alcatraz are now blossoming and beautiful. This opportunity does require a bit of a commitment, but you can also arrange a group volunteer day. All the training, tools, and a ferry to and from Alcatraz are provided to volunteers.

Get all the details at the website here, and start weeding, pruning, and planting!

Images via Gardens of Alcatraz site

[Music Monday] Oh Daughter

Agh I missed her show in London last week, but everything about her voice and medleys makes me want to sit in a warm, twilight-lit meadow making flower crowns and thinking about a long-lost love. And there is probably a bunny rabbit or two and a chunky knit scarf and a stream somewhere... sorry I just drifted off. Anyway, listen to Oh Daughter because she most definitely has the ability to transport the listener into a different world.

Daughter - Landfill (taken from the 'His Young Heart' EP) by ohDaughter

Daughter - Run (demo) by ohDaughter
Daughter - Candles (taken from the 'His Young Heart' EP) by ohDaughter

Daughter - The Woods (taken from the 'His Young Heart' EP) by ohDaughter

Daughter - Switzerland (taken from the 'His Young Heart' EP) by ohDaughter

[Travel Saturdays] All About Oregon

I'd kill for a road trip right about now. 

Photo Credits:
1. Punch Bowl Falls via HomeTeamsOnline
2. Camping Photo via Travel Oregon
3. Glacier Lake via thundafunda
4. Oregon Coastline, Boardman Beach via Andrew Rader Studios, geography4kids.com

[Friday Link Round-Up]

1. Try upcycling your own furniture. For inspiration, check out this re-nest Furniture Facelift: One IKEA Dresser, Three Ways (not that I condone IKEA furniture. You could find something of much better quality to upcycle). Or check out this idea for creating your own picnic basket from an old suitcase.

2. Get scooting on that business idea you've kept on the backburner for so long with great articles from this week's Design*Sponge and paper n stitch. Check out this post on the difference between PR and marketing (a vital difference indeed). Or read the 3-part series on how to become influential and likable in business. I sort of take issue with the idea that women have to be "likable" to be successful in business, but the ideas in these posts are still totally legit even if gender relations aren't.

3. San Francisco just passed a law allowing people to sell their homegrown produce to restaurants, stores, and so on. This is a huge step for urban farmers. 

Photo via Michael Macor, The Chronicle

4. Today is Earth Day! Stage a rain dance! Kiss a tree! Roll in some grass! Or just look at pretty photos of how majestic the world can be.

Havasu Falls, AZ via here

[Green Thursdays] "Upcycled" Style, the BP Oil Spill, & Earth Day

Yeah, so the three subjects are totally unrelated, but interesting nonetheless.

1. First off, fashion. SFGirlbytheBay posted about poketo, a brand specializing in upcycled goods. Essentially, the company takes remnants of fashion items and creates gorgeous accessories in an eco-friendly and sustainable away. The purses, wallets and even passport cases are phenomenal (which by the way is like my word of the week.) Plus, the goods are affordable; a wallet is a reasonable $32.

2. Catch up on the news of the BP oil spill - it's been a year since the spill and some progress has been made.
BP Sues Rig Partners in Gulf for $40B (Time)
Obama Marks Anniversary of BP Disaster (NY Times)

3. Earth Day is tomorrow! Read about it here and think about making your own pledge.

Mine is to start using a thermos/water bottle when I buy my coffee in the morning and to phase meat out of my diet :-)

[Food + Drink Wednesday] Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Carrot Cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Carrot Cookies

Who would have thought you could combine oatmeal cookies with carrot cake and end up with a somewhat healthy cookie that you just can't get enough of? Certainly, not I. But carrots are my weakness, and I had to try this. It was a success. The cookies are definitely more gummy because of the carrots, but it's something that a little more butter could fix if that's a problem for you.

I started with fresh eggs from the chickens

And continued with King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour (only the best for my cookies)

And organic carrots, ooh la la!

I had a hard time not eating this dough

All laid out

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Carrot Cookies

Ingredients

¾ cup whole-wheat flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon coarse salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
6 tablespoons superfine sugar
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 large egg
1.2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon water
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup grated carrot, from about 1 large carrot
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (I used 60% cacao Ghirardelli chips)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine with a whisk.

2. Combine the butter and sugar in a small bowl. Beat until fluffy, either in a stand mixer or by hand. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

3. Add the egg, vanilla and water. Mix (or beat on low speed) until well incorporated. 

4. Add the dry ingredients and mix (on low speed) to combine. Add the oats, carrot, and chocolate chips. Mix (on low speed) until combined.

5. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour. Twenty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

6. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop rounded spoonfuls of the dough and roll between your palms to make a round ball. Press lightly to create a flat top.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool on a cooling rack.

[Food + Drink Wednesday] Heat = Ice Cream

It's been so warm lately, all I want to do is sit in my backyard, drink lemonade, and eat exorbitant amounts of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream. It's the best thing ever. 

And now for lots of photos of ice cream that I took because that's just how happy it makes me. Sorry, I know this is somewhat cruel. I'm hungry again too. 

[Fashion Attack] Bow Crazy!

Bows are everywhere these days: in hair, on bags, on shoes, adorning necklaces. It's so cute and playful, and adding a bow to your outfit will update it immediately. Tie one on. It's too easy.

In jewelry

In Yo' Hair (Nails Done, Hair Done, Everything Did)

On Your Feet

To cute-ify any outfit

On your underwears

All photos and shopping details can be found via my Pinterest

[Get Involved Tuesdays] Celebrate Earth Day in Style

There are all kinds of fun ways to celebrate the earth this year! You can find tons of eco-friendly and earth-conscious deals and programs that will let you love the earth without being a total hippy (not that there's anything wrong with that either).

1. Visit a National Park this week. All 394 are free until April 24! 
My California recommendation: Sequoia National Park. Giant sequoia trees; absolutely mesmerizing.

Photo via CC

2. Get a free Starbucks coffee when you bring in a travel mug on Earth Day, April 22. Sure, it's Starbuck's and Starbuck's kinda sucks, but it's also free, and I am not one to judge free shit.

3. Read about the 100 Mile Challenge, in which you pledge not to eat any foods that have been shipped over 100 miles to get to your plate. It's a fascinating challenge, one that Barbara Kingsolver took on in her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Or ease yourself into seasonal, sustainable living by checking out the Planet Green website. 

4. Donate your phone to the Verizon HopeLine project, which donates the money to people who are victims of domestic abuse. I mean, you're not using that Nokia anyway, and throwing it in the garbage makes the planet super angry. 

5. Buy some stuff from Etsy vendors who are part of the EcoEtsy network. I mean, you wanted to buy some cute jewelry anyway. It might as well be eco-friendly.

Bike Ring from uncorked

[Music Monday] Thao & Mirah

Wonderful, hispter-chic, upbeat tempo. Perfect spring music.

[Things We Adore Sunday]

1. The separated at birth series by SFgirlbythebay: beautiful photos and decor.

2. Instax Love Feature from From Me To You: I want one!

3. This street style guide from The City Sage

4. Pinterest dress inspiration

Source: fashion-conscience.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: citizencouture.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Amber on Pinterest

5. I love folk.
The Moment by Borissmile