June 2012
2 posts
Obsessed & Impressed
Miley Cyrus covers Bob Dylan and…it’s awesome?
Potential.
It’s a funny thing, how potential can be both an enormous blessing and a terrible curse.
May 2012
9 posts
Semi-Annual Sales (and a Closet Cleaning)
The resigned shopaholic in me decided to re-appear over the Holiday weekend, but who could blame her with a trip to Old Town Pasadena and a plethora of ridiculous Memorial Day sales?
It always feels so good to complete my semi-annual closet cleaning and purge all of the styles I haven’t worn in ages. It feels even better (and is way more fun!) to replenish it with updated versions of...
Time for Some Southern California Sunshine...
Oh my gosh. Things have been CRAZY LATELY! Lucky for me, it’s a good kind of crazy where I’m spending a ton of time helping build something I love, taking cool classes, going on fun dates and making time for random adventures with friends.
I’m totally looking forward to a fun three day weekend in Southern California where my plans consist of nothing more than a sunset drive...
Where the Land Ends
It seems that I find a brand new reason to love San Francisco every single day. From my obsession with Benefit to constant cravings for a La Boulange granola bowl or Blue Barn salad, there are so many little things that make this city such a perfect place for me to live.
Those minor details aside, the scenery is one of San Francisco’s most obvious draws for me (and the millions of other...
Let's Go.
So it appears that I’ve been totally slacking here, but (and there’s always a but, isn’t there?) in my defense it’s totally just been one of “those weeks” - you know, the ones where you don’t hear from the people you wish you would, you spill your lunch on your brand new white James Perse shirt, you can’t find parking anywhere at anytime and the...
The Soundtrack of Summer
It’s been so incredibly warm in the city during these past few days which makes me the happiest girl alive. Not only did I really enjoy my sunny walk home from the event I attended downtown on Sunday, but I was able to spend the majority of last night writing from our lovely little back porch. As if it could get any better, my tickets for Train & Mat Kearney at the UC Berkeley Greek...
View from the Green Room.
One of the best parts about my job is that I get to spend my time helping women share their passions. While it might seem trivial that my work encourages ladies to create digital lists, the truth is that building tools that enable women to share the things they know and love is incredibly rewarding.
I had the pleasure of attending an afternoon tea at The Green Room yesterday to support Help a...
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I (not surprisingly) skipped out on Kentucky Derby & “Cinco de Drinko” festivities to be productive today, but I still managed to make time for an hour long walk around a few of my favorite San Francisco neighborhoods.
Since I just got an iPhone on Wednesday (so late to the party, I know!), I had a blast using Instagram to capture a few of the pretty things I spotted in the...
Geek Chic?
My allergies have been in full force lately - but these gorgeous ladies make me feel a bit better about having to wear my glasses to work. Who knew the geek chic look was so on trend?
AND…since it’s beyond time to invest in some new glasses (I’m the worst about putting things like this off), how great are these Warby Parker frames?
I’m thinking that I may...
Grateful for Gratitude.
Feeling extra inspired after a lovely evening tonight, I realized that I’m grateful for my appreciation of the beauty in my own life. While it often frustrates me that others miss it in theirs, I never took the time to stop and think about how fortunate I am that I feel it so deeply. Not a day goes by that I don’t say thanks, and that’s a blessing of its own.
April 2012
13 posts
Spring & the Present
Forget Christmas - spring feels like the ultimate gift giving season. Between baby showers, weddings, graduations, spring/summer birthdays and everyday moments that deserve celebration, I feel like I’m constantly searching for the perfect little something that won’t break the bank.
Being a list-lover, I finally put together some of my go-to gifts for girl friends that cost under $50....
she photographs.
So I started something new. I know, I know - it seems like I can never finish something old. Or actually, even maintain something that’s present (cough, this blog). However, I recently discovered that I have more than 15,000 images on my computer and I’ve decided that I need to do something with them. I’ve shared some on city chic, but others never make the cut. Everything I...
What more could you ask for?
American Honey.
One of the best parts about living in the Bay Area is the ability to find any kind of outdoor adventure within a three hour drive. You want cold temps and snow capped mountains? You’ve got Tahoe. You want scenic views that take your breath away and one of the richest eco-systems in the world? You have Monterey Bay. You want hot hot heat and natural wonder? You have Yosemite.
I spent the...
Isn’t that the truth.
My Favorite Coffee Table Books.
I love books, but coffee table books are my absolute favorites. There’s something about the big, glossy pages and gorgeous images that make lounging with a cup of tea the perfect way to unwind. Throw in some candles and a warm blanket and I’m done.
Some of my favorite selections are about design, style, history and photography:
My Coffee Table Book Collection
Which coffee table...
“A love story can never be about full possession. The happy marriage, the...”
– Jeffrey Eugenides
Bunnies, Snakes + Peepshi in Dolores Park
I missed it last year, but couldn’t say no to crazy festivities with friends in the city this year. Having finally attended this famous celebration, I can attest to the fact that it’s true: there are NO words for what Easter in Dolores Park is like.
There are of course, a few pictures:
Peeps on a jacket? It happens here.
“Peepshi” that Nic made after seeing...
Lighthouses, Surfers & CA Sunshine
Sometimes a girl just needs to grab a good friend, get in the car and go.
Today was an exceptional reminder as to why I love living in California. Cruising down the one with my hair blowing in the wind (and the heat blasting) makes my heart so happy. Spontaneous road trips, good playlists and great company are really all I need in life:
Danielle at Pigeon’s Point Lighthouse - a...
I can’t say it to you, so I’ll say it here instead: I really miss you.
A Few Things.
I can’t believe it’s already April - how did that happen!?
March flew by quickly, but not without highlights and small discoveries that made me smile:
My brief trip to Boston - not only was it amazing to speak at the Blog Better conference, but awesome to have made some incredible new friends, spent time with some of my dearest old friends (Marissa! John!) met my best...
A picture is worth a thousand words.
March 2012
15 posts
Today.
It’s just been one of those days.
Blog Better Boston
I’ve FINALLY had a chance to sit down and pull my thoughts together enough to share some bits and pieces of one of the best weekends I’ve had in ages.
I spent last Saturday speaking at the first (and hopefully annual) ‘Blog Better Boston’ conference on behalf of SkinnyScoop, which was held at the Google offices in Cambridge, MA and put on by the incredible Alana and Amy...
Where everyone knows your name.
Hold tight…I’ll be back next week with lots of pictures from the city I used to call home and all of the friends I’m about to meet as a speaker at Blog Better Boston.
Cheers!
“Let’s face it: I want it all— just like you and everybody else. It may not be in...”
– Lauren Bacall (via modernhepburn)
'city chic' turns one!
I’m not sure how I missed it, but Thursday marked the one year anniversary of the creation of ‘city chic’. Holy moly.
It’s kind of unreal for me to think that I’ve been writing in this space for a full year as I’ve been so fickle with my blogging endeavors in the past. When I think about what’s changed this time around, I realize it’s the place...
I might not have known him at all.
“That was the real you, windows down, we could smell the mint fields crying Singing with the radio to a song we can’t name.”
-Mat Kearney, Learning to Love Again
I’ll admit it - I felt a slight wave of joy wash over me yesterday when my sister informed me that my Dad had driven past my ex-boyfriend the other night, noticing that he had gained a (literally)...
I can’t think of a single better way to describe the way I feel about you & I. Our relationship is unparalleled.
I want you to know that you inspire me in so many ways. You always make me think, make me wonder, make me re-consider, make me want to see it from all angles. You make me feel smarter, better, more alive. You also make me feel like, maybe, my ever-changing, forever...
Burma Superstar
One of the things that has changed the most about me in the three years I’ve lived in California is my appreciation of many different types of cuisine. It’s funny to think that I rarely branched out when I lived in New Hampshire - though I suppose it’s fair to say that the lack of truly good, ethnic food contributed to my bland palette.
These days, I love so many different foods...
Berkeley + Marin
Today: Vegan Brunch in Berkeley, a pit stop at Treasure Island and a trip to the Marin Headlands. Does anyone ever drive over both bridges in one day? Check it off my Bay Area bucket list.
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs
Spring in Sacramento
I spent the weekend celebrating my best friend’s birthday in Sacramento. We lucked out and got gorgeous weather - it was nearly 80 degrees!
Palm trees + cherry blossoms lining the streets in Citrus Heights
One of two delicious salads I ate this weekend - this one was from Jack’s Urban Eats, which reminded me a lot of Pluto’s in the Marina. Eating lunch outside is always...
Trend I Want to Try: Red Denim
After months of hating on colored denim, I suddenly decided that owning a pair of red, skinny jeans is a good idea. I’m blaming it on Lauren Conrad (and my closet full of neutral beige tops):
For fun, here’s how I’d style a pair:
If only I had LC’s gorgeous Chloe bag, sigh…
A Few Things.
Never one to wish my life away, I have to admit that I’m seriously happy that February is over.
Despite the stress and ridiculous chaos, there were some bright spots. Here are a few snaps of things that made me smile:
Valentine’s Day balloons lining Union. The seasonal decorations make living on this street extra special.
The famous San Francisco Valentine’s Day Pillow...
February 2012
14 posts
I'm Not Who I Was.
I write about love and such Maybe cause I want it so much I’m not who I was I was thinkin’ maybe I Should let you know That I am not the same That I never did forget your name
Hello…
-Brandon Health, “I’m Not Who I Was”
Holy Smokes, it's Been a Year.
This weekend marked my one year anniversary of living in San Francisco, which seems unbelievable to me. I can’t believe that it was a full 365 days ago that I packed up my life (again) and drove that big old U-Haul truck up these crazy hills with my screaming sister in the passenger seat. I always promised myself that I’d live in a major city for a year at some point in my life,...
Inspiration: Sally King Benedict
I recently stumbled across these works by Sally King Benedict. I love her use of vibrant color and abstract designs, and while I know nothing about art (it’s on my bucket list!) I know that I absolutely love these pieces. I’m definitely inspired.
I can’t decide whether it’s a blessing or a curse to be so incredibly inspired that nothing comes out at all.
Whatever happened to predictability?
Sometimes I still can’t believe that I live here.
Sometimes I have to take the long way home from work and drive all the way down Steiner (& past the Painted Ladies) until I hit Union (home) to actually believe it.
I’m so (beyond) ready for a day like this…
“Without him, I think I’d still be that little girl I was when I was 18...”
– Adele, People Magazine
So Much Love.
I tend to think that Valentine’s Day is pretty silly. I mean really - why wait to celebrate your love for ONE person on only ONE day per year? Psh! I might be a single gal, but there are lots of things that I love to love all of the time.
So today, I’m sharing them.
I love sleeping in, and waking up to the sun filling my pretty little room in one of San Francisco’s most...
Chinese New Year in San Francisco
Like I mentioned in my last post, the things that are unique to certain places are the ones I love best crossing off of my bucket list. While I may have missed out on the cherry blossoms in DC, I was able to cross a different city-specific happening off of my list today - the Chinese New Year’s Parade in San Francisco. Consistently ranked as one of the top 10 parades in the world, the San...
Beauty: California Cherry Blossoms
When I think of cherry blossoms, I always think of Washington, DC in the Spring. It’s a shame that I never made the trip to see them myself when I lived on the East Coast, but pictures my friends have shared with me are engrained in my mind.
It’s been a pleasant, unexpected surprise to notice the cherry blossoms in bloom in San Francisco this week. I remember the gorgeous pink ice...
An Ode to Hard Work.
A reminder to keep on pushing on…
