Resolutions: 2012

2011 resolutions were largely culinary, and we did pretty well, aside from some weight gain:
*produce from the farmers markets, go weekly. (this turned into a CSA box instead)
*pick up our wine shipment in person at least 4 times a year (good reason to get out of the city for the day)
*meal plan weekly
*try at least two new recipes a week
*leave the country at least once

So, for 2012 I'm resolving to:
*buy only seasonal veggies if more than the CSA is needed --this means no tomatoes for a while, and right now it's meaning a LOT of bitter winter greens and squash.
*fight the inappropriate growth of my body
*run a race
*limit meat to one meal a week, if that
*allow myself the freedom to be a better friend, even if I can't be a perfect one
*deepen my relationships at work
*leave the country at least once

Top 5 Right Now Nails

1. OPI Dutch Tulips
2. Essie Geranium
3. Dior Electric Tropics "Aloha"
4. Essie Turquoise and Caicos
5. Essie Ballet Slippers

Hello June, if only you weren't so rainy.

Resurrected: Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Buying and sending other people's handmade cards, especially those from Letter Press Delicacies and Humunuku Shoppe
2. Finally: the perfect peach polish color I've been searching for is a mixed combo of a single layer of Chanel Allegoria with a single layer of Essie Mademoiselle on top.
3. OPI Over the Taupe. A lovely nail color to complement all the layers of mixed neutrals on the rest of your body this season (and next it seems from Fashion Week.)
4. Layers of neutrals, and especially those done by Christopher Bailey in this season's Burberry, and next season in Alberta Ferretti.
5. A bouquet of daffodils and their lovely note that came to me at work today, delivered by the champion of all men, a gold medalist in dating
6. Winter Olympic downhill skiing, and curling, especially when watched on TV under a blanket with a chalice of cold Leffe
7. Fabulously hip restaurants that are just run of the mill here, with gorgeous design, tastey micro-brew or all-too-missed imports, and crazy delicious food.
8. Longer days as the sun stays up later and later.
9. Dreaming of Summer Sundays in sundresses and swimming in the river after getting out of town.
10. Cozy shops with candles lit and great music playing that make perusing the racks and tables worth every penny spent on a new dress.


Happy Spring everyone!

Ready Go (round two)

five things about me RIGHT NOW:

1. I just drank a glass of 100% grapefruit juice.
2. I really LOVE my romantic little life and am very happy, possibly happier than I have ever been.
3. I need to repaint my nails, my red polish is chipping.
4. While I, too, am saddened by the state of Haiti, I am annoyed by an email I received from my boss assuring us that they were finding out ways for us to help instead of telling us how we can help Teresa from housekeeping who's house burnt down almost two weeks ago. I'd rather raise money to help Teresa pay the deductible on her homeowner's insurance (assuming she has) and get her kids some new school clothes than to raise money for the Red Cross to pay it's "administrative costs."
5. I have plenty of books to read, but only WANT to read Devil In a White City, which I still DON'T have, and have refused to buy because I know I can borrow it from someone --except that proves be to be harder than I think it should be.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Christian Louboutain's "Claudia" stilettos in smokin' hot pink.
2. Running my first Half Marathon [and beating my goal timae by 8 minutes]!
3. Finally hemming a pair of jeans after wearing them turned under for over a year.
4. Nordstrom At Home towels --so soft and fluffy, the mornings they are in the wash are not nearly as nice as mornings one waits for me outside my tub.
5. Big ladylike gems and baubles
6. Liberty prints
7. Mustard yellow --will I ever get tired of this perfect color? I almost fear the day.
8. The cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
9. Princeton, New Jersey!
10. Fun! (Well done Nate, delightful as usual, thank you very much.) Here, have a listen and see for yourself.

Top 5 Records

Happy Birthday! Top five records of all time (in no particular order):

Radiohead: OK Computer
Simon & Garfunkel: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme
The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow
The Beatles: White Album
Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Nights with my best girls and their best men
2. Packing for five days and bringing four sundresses
3. Peacock feathers everwhere for fall, especially in this new scarf, and in Milly's fall collection.
4. Summer rain storms
5. Chicken Foot dominoes with The Folks
6. Bottle of 2004 Amante from Faulkner Winery in Temecula
7. Throwing horseshoes
8. Jonathan Wright (printed letterpress by hand on a hundred-year-old Chandler and Price platen press)
9. Seawolf and homemade pizza for my one-year anniversary with my favorite boy.
10. Stone Brewery's outdoor beer garden in Escondido, CA

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Scarface --not what I thought it was going to be, (thanks Alcatraz tour guide) and a few [too] bloody parts, but overall, and unbelievable win of a film.
2. Francis Ford Copola Winery, and wine --who's wine club we joined and are thilled to no end with
3. Swimming in rivers and Healdsburg [which, you COULD say, is for lovers]
4. Opi "No Spain, No Gain" --the perfect transition color for pre-fall, and my new constant color
5. Lake Tahoe! That thing really is so blue it's unreal. Like Disneyland water blue.
6. Figs
7. Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes
8. Pedro Garcia flats, with a hidden platform in the heel similar to Lanvin, but for less... and, they're hecho en Espana.
9. headbands, which keep my out-growing, messy hair under wraps
10. Public access to private property, such as the public walking trails at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. My new living room makeover
2. Farm Fresh To Me box!
3. A quick visit to my hometown and catching up with the dearest friends who made time for me.
4. A weekend in AZ with my grandfolks, with my grandfather doing much better, praise the Lord, and telling me about his younger years: the war, flying army planes made out of canvas they'd build themselves, hunting Gustav, and the beginning of his legacy, meeting and marrying my grandmother.
5. Amazing pedicure I got while in SoCal, where great pedicures are standard, inexpensive and available on every block, unlike in SF where they are harder to find and expensive when found.
6. Cucumber Mint Lemonade!
7. Red Hawk cheese from Cowgirl Creamery
8. 4th of July!! my favorite holiday, and it felt like it should, bbq, Taboo! decent weather (or just enough sweaters and blankets), sitting on the marina lawn and actually seeing the fireworks, margaritas, and great friends.
9. My mom, who loves me, and wants the best for me, but lets me be me.
10. Thursday morning farmers market at the ferry building (and especially THIS thursday's visit and morning with the amazing C-star Green.)

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Friends visiting San Francisco!!! (The Heidens, The Souza's, and my cousin Rachel and her boyfriend who will be here tonight and tomorrow.) (We have a GUESTROOM in our little flat and it is **usually** open...)
2. Knowing I've still got my flower skillz, and using them for my dear friend Jessika's wedding.
3. Andy's new Versace suit. (HOT.)
4. Selling on ebay! Cleaning out my closet and making some extra cash.
5. Oregon. I fell a little bit in love with the green state of OR this weekend.
6. My espresso machine which finally moved it's way up to SF from SD (courtesy of my dad and sister) and learning how to make it work properly.
7. Basil Lime [gin] Gimlets
8. New Jimmy Choos for 60% off PLUS my discount --I love designer finale.
9. Dritz Easy Hem, ahhh, my sewing life is about to get easier again.
10. Gustav --the deer head of the household who has safely made his way from Seattle to my home (courtesy of the Coughlin men).

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. My new little niece, Hannah Jeanne Stensler. Born May 11.

2. The apron my mom [and I] made me for Christmas.

3. Lanvin flats, with their hidden wedge in the heel which make them both comfortable and gorgeous, and make me want to wear no other designer's flats ever.

4. Fabulous interesting documentary films like Helvetica, Bomb It, and Man on Wire that get me so excited.

5. Having a job, I am repeatedly reminded of how thankful I need to be for that.

6. Taking the Alcatraz night tour and seeing a gull get protective of the egg she was sitting on (!!!) a few feet from us.

7. Eight bars of my sister's soap as a late Birthday gift.

8. Spur of the moment swimming in the **Russian** River on Memorial Day.

9. Dior Skinflash Radience Booster Pen: concealer with an ingredient to help relieve my undereye circles and puffiness as it covers them.

10. Fondest memories of my grandfather, a man of most character, integrity, strength, wisdom, and joy.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Heat waves and warm nights that don't require a sweater

2. This John Varvatos pirate tie:

3. Jersey dresses that feel like pajamas

4. Special K Red Berries

5. Goat Hill Pizza's all you can eat Monday nights

6. When dogs howl at sirens

7. Hymns

8. Aquariums, especially the Monterey Bay Aquarium

9. Big Chunky statement jewelry

10. The posters for SMUIN Ballet: (located on Haight St on the side of Andy's builing)

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. St. Patty's Day!
2. That we are becoming pub quiz friends with Only One of Us Likes Girls.
3. Baking successfully!!
4. OPI Designer Series Top Coat (with the silver lid/cap) It's the amazing secret to a great polish, and while a little pricey at $12.50 a bottle, it's worth it's weight in gold.
5. King of Thai Noodle House on Geary (especially for a lunch date in Union Square)
6. Sundays
7. Maxi dresses; especially this one by Elizabeth and James, which I want to wear with big earings, no necklace, and either a big cuff or several chunky bangles.
8. Hippie Chic lines making gorgeously feminine and easy peices with a carefully carefree look, like Haute Hippie (I'm in love with everything they make) and Elizabeth and James.
9. Smallish dogs with wirey hair and nice faces, chubby or stalky who are also polite.
10. Peet's Coffee Major Dickinson's Blend. I'm not an overall fan of Peet's, but this blend takes the Sweet Storybook Cake. Black please.

10 Things That Make Me Happy, 100th Post Edition!

1. This is my 100th post!
2. Cross-country skiing --especially somewhere beautiful with someone wonderful.
3. Crossword puzzles
4. Girl Scout cookies. Thank you Little Brownie Bakers and Rose Vogt who's daughter is a scout, I'll take two boxes of Thin Mints please!
5. The bow tie I made Andy for Valentine's Day
6. Deschutes Brewing Company and their delicious craft brews.
7. Nicholas Kirkwood shoes: funky, hot, amazingly gorgeous, what fashion is and needs right now.
8. Risotto, especially this mushroom recipe I made last week.
9. Wearig boots when it's cold, rainy, snowy, and feeling so secure cause I'm warm and dry, like anything could happen, and I could take it.
10. San Francisco's fantastic events, like the pillow fight on Valentine's Day, the Grilled Cheese Invitational, and next week's Pie Fight.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. Tissue-weight cashmere scarfs in gorgeous colors
2. Whole Days and date nights
3. Pub quiz at Elixer
4. The Grandfather cardigan
5. Slumdog Millionaire and brilliant films that make me ache to impact the world more powerfully
6. Thick dark porter stouts in clear pint glasses
7. YSL Nail Lacquer in Black Tulipe, rediscovered in my polish box
8. My Mom and a weekend with the whole fam together
9. Kettle Corn, made in the microwave, a sweet and delicious snack for anytime
10. Longchamp 'Le Pliage' totes and weekenders: posh, resiliant, classic

For Auld Lang Syne

May 2009 be the year of consistancy (as that seems to be the theme of my hopes for the year) and may I strive for these things:

-cook more, bake some.
-throw dinner parties (or participate in them)
-identify key goals and create a 3-year plan to acheive them
-bring my lunch on a consistant basis, a habit that I have gotten out of since returning downtown
-take a Zissou submarine car tour
-get involved and invest in a church, specifically a small group
-take a class (dance, yoga, pilates, a language?)
-save money NOT in a pre-set management program of any sort
-take only one cab-ride a week (or less)
-pray consistantly (thanks Jen)
-try new places
-yelp consistantly the new places I try
-bike, run, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
-create at least twice a month
-finish Dark Star Safari
-be a better boss by inspiring my team, coaching for independance and excellence, and through continued servant leadership
-recognize all wins, no matter how small (both for my team and for me)
-write letters consistantly
-create, follow, stick-to a budget
-(this one's a secret)
-leave the country at least twice
-be no more than 10 minutes late (baby steps)
-check off at least one thing on my Adventure Goals list.
-let go and allow myself to be secure and confident in love

For 2009, goodnight, and goodluck.

we'll take a cup of kindness yet

2008 [the year of kindness] brought:
-some new friends in, some old [new] friends out
-eight different roommates in three different apartments (all in three months!) which brought me to a different neighborhood
-a new department in a new store with new challenges
-Portugal and Spain in the spring, and Boston in the fall
-A striking realization that prompted another one, which was met with tears and healed with scissors and time.
-another year with amazing music opportunities including: Ryan Adams, Death Cab, The Cure, SeaWolf, Stars, Fujiya and Miyagi
-two seasons of kickball and a new favorite wednesday night activity
-an increased understanding of my desire and need to create
-a terrific 27th Birthday spent among true and wonderful new friends
-my first ever adventure to a tow-lot
-a LOT of shakin' it.
-the most clever of Halloween costumes yet
-Finding out I'm getting a neice next year
-six beautiful new pairs of shoes. (Minus one for losing the snake Cavallis)
-long, short and shorter hair
-Birthday Haikus
-setting up shop and selling three handbags so far on Ebay
-Hiking in Muir Woods
-finally winning a few bar tabs at Elixer's Trivia night
-a new Driver's License with a San Francisco permanent address on it
-plenty of learning, and hopefully a movement towards kindness.

Thanks 2008, you were a riot of good times, bad times, and adventures; heartbreak, healing, and growth. All in all, you were very kind to me, and I only hope I was and will continue to be kind right back.

10 things that make me happy

1. Christmas cards from friends, especially with a picture.
2. ZYRTEC Allergy
3. John Varvatos Vintage fragrence
4. My perfect Vince cardigan, cozy and wonderful for every aspect of life. I have worn it almost every day and will continue to throughout the winter and spring I'm sure. (Also seen in the Thanksgiving episode of Brothers and Sisters on the brother's wife.)
5. The journal I created for Andy, which I think turned out marvelously and I wish I had taken some pictures of.
6. Hot coffee drinks, especially with Christmas cookies dunked in them.
7. Flossing twice daily for good oral health.
8. New [pajama] lounge pants on sale from the Gap, cozy, soft, lovely.
9. Finding out that I will be the Aunt to a NEICE.
10. It's a Wonderful Life: a new favorite movie.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Chanel Vamp and OPI Vodka and Caviar nail polishes-- two reds that could take over the world and which equal a nail color for every situation.
2. Leave It Better Than You Found It by Bruce A. Nordstrom, which I am reading and loving.
3. Thanksgiving plans with friends who are my family, since family is far.
4. Valentino's Nuage bag, in black calfskin. Someone else, is going to get a steal on this bag and going to look fabulous with it for the rest of their life. How I wish it were me. As Valentino is retiring, this iconic bag will be even more special next year, and in the years to come.
5. Ultrasound photographs of my niece or nephew.
6. Tom Brosseau finally in my same city again, tonight!!
7. Brian Atwood Tonya pumps in purple suede.
8. Picnics
9. Clean sheets freshly put on the bed.
10. Church bells and fog horns heard from my bedroom window.

you + me + mistletoe

Things to include to my holiday to-do list are:
i. Ice skating at embarcadero plaza
ii. Find roasted chestnuts and eat them hot
iii. See the Barney’s and Macy’s (with puppies!) holiday windows
iv. Make mulled wine and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”
v. Egg nog latte in a red cup held with two hands
vi. Attend lighting ceremonies around town, beginning with the Market Street Lighting on the 16th.

Sign-up sheets will be available in the foyer after the service.