Santa Barbara.

I've been to Santa Barbara a handful of times over the last few years.  I've never stayed in town-- always at White Lotus Foundation, on of my yoga schools.  But over the years, I've discovered a few Santa Barbara gems.  Places I love to return, and always made a point of going when I'm in town.  It's such a gorgeous town, I really could live there.

White Lotus Foundation.

I just returned from Santa Barbara, and a week at White Lotus Foundation, where I completed their Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program.  It was fantastic and relaxing and gorgeous.  Sigh.

On Retreat.

I'll be on retreat for the next week in the San Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara at White Lotus Foundation.  It's one of my favorite places on the planet, and I'm excited to go and recharge.  Sit in hot tubs, do yoga, eat delicious food, go on hikes, and return clearer.  I'm sure this will be a highlight of my year, and I'm just delighted to return to a place that's had a huge impact in my life over the last couple of years.

Forth Worth.

I recently spent the weekend in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Rodeo, cowboy boots, swimming pool lounging and eating delicious food.  We saw fantastic art and plenty of cows.

It was super-hot (one-oh-four!) but I had a great time visiting my dad.  Folks here in San Francisco always have disparaging things to say about Texas.  And while I wouldn’t necessarily want to live there, I find it delightful and there are plenty of things to experience that you won't get anywhere else.

Veselka.

When I'm in New York, I always head to Veselka.  When I lived in New York (for one summer, in 2004), I lived just a 20 minute walk from here, and would come at all hours.  This is really my perfect idea of comfort food, and it's open 24 hours.  I love the mushroom and sweet potato pierogies.  And the blintzes.  Oh, heaven.  It's great for groups who want to share.  And it's not such authentic Eastern European fare that it can't accommodate vegetarians.

Behold:

Oh, yes.

Giant Roses on Park Avenue.

Upright Citizens Brigade

Heading to New York.

I'm heading to New York this weekend!  Dan and I are always excited to visit New York, and we especially love to visit together.  We'll be visiting with friends and seeing all of our favorite spots.  Plus, I get to see my sister!  Hurrah!  

 

I'm really looking forward to this trip and getting to do all of my favorite New York things.  See you next week, or something.

Harbin Hot Springs.

What I'm Reading: OMG Edition

So, I've been waiting on news in other areas of my life before I put this out here, but here goes.  My sweetie and I will be going to Southeast Asia (as well as Japan, to visit his family) this summer!  I couldn't be more excited.  It's something we've talked about doing for years (really, years) and now we're actually planning our adventure!  So this is what I'm reading right now:

OMG, yes.

At the moment, we're still developing our itinerary, including the length of time we'll be there, so stay tuned.  We have a number of factors and priorities, but it's just a matter of what makes the most sense for both of us, and our budgets.

My Sister's Birthday.

My sister is one lucky gal.  She got this, from me, for her birthday this year.  I think it's pretty swell, and was thinking of buying it for myself.  But my birthday isn't for a long time.  Happy Birthday, sis.

 

BonJour Frother.  For lattes and such at home.  Cute!

Chicago.

This past weekend, I was in Chicago.  A dear friend from high school is expecting her first bebeh, and this weekend was her baby shower.  It was, as always, fantastic to catch up with my friends from high school.  But I also had the opportunity this time to explore Chicago, which was really great.

Sufjan Stevens.

In honor of my trip this weekend.  And his awesomeness.  I will be listening to Illinois a lot this weekend, I'm sure, to put me in the mood. 

I've also been listening to Age of Adz quite a bit lately.  I love it.

Ferry Building.

Everyone in San Francisco knows about the Ferry Building Farmer's Market.  Dan and I went yesterday to get produce for the week, as well as have our knives sharpened.  We also had Chilequiles for breakfast from Primavera.  (Second week in a row, actually.)

They were phenomenal.  Also: we're cute and make each other laugh.  Good times.

Dan's Birthday.

Dan and I threw a little shindig at our place for Dan's birthday last night.  Our friends are fantastic, Dan got plenty of great stuff (and attention!).  We both had a blast, and I feel so lucky I got to honor my phenomenal partner.  I am impossibly lucky and so in love.

What I'm Reading.

I'm reading two books right now.  One in San Francisco, one in Maryland (where I'm spending quite a bit of my time these days.)  They're both good, but very different.  I highly recommend each, if for different reasons.  I'm also thrilled to finally have The Lacuna in my hot little hands, I've been waiting a long time to get it in paper back.  Having been very patient, it's good to finally be reading it.  I love most of Barbara Kingsolver's books, and Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favorites.

2 Amys.

Oh, holy pizza.  This is one of my favorite pizzas I've ever eaten, and one of my favorite DC spots.  San Francisco is kind of notorious for not having great pizza (or bagels), so when I go east, I always eat Italian.  Recently, I went to 2 Amys, for the first time in years, with one of my best friends.  I remembered it being amazing, as was not disappointed.  Observe:

Pizza is yummy.

Really yummy.

We are really cute.

Amazing.

Deer.

My mom has deer.

They are awfully pretty.

Chantrelle Quiche.

New Camera.

I very sadly lost my camera over the December holidays, and have been using my phone as my primary camera since.  Which, on one hand, has been cool since my phone has some great apps for taking pictures.  But on the other hand kind of bums me out.  I finally bit the bullet and bought a new camera today, and am loving it so far.  Which says a lot since I really adored my last point and shoot; it did my right for a few great years.  So now for an upgrade.  And to actually learn to use my Canon Rebel XT.  I'm also really interested in getting an Instax mini, as well as maybe a Diana.  We'll see.

Lucca Ravioli.

An amazing thing about my neighborhood is all of the specialized food.  Food that isn't just made, it's crafted.  Made in small batches by passionate people.  Which is probably why I end up shopping at four or five groceries or markets every week-- each place has something unique, excellent or special.  This week's delightful spot is Lucca Ravioli on Valencia.  They're an Italian specialty shop that has all kinds of jarred Italian delights, loads of amazing cheese, breads and sauces made in house.  And the ravioli and tortellini (and all the other fresh, handmade pasta) is ah-mazing.  Seriously, it's just so much better than the dried stuff. 

Last night we had their pumpkin ravioli with leeks, mushrooms, browned butter and sage.  Dan's a lucky dude.

More Alexi Murdoch.

I wrote about Alexi Murdoch before, but I recently found (and was then given) one of his unreleased songs.  And I love it.  It is exceptionally beautiful, which is saying a lot for him.  It's just exquisitely touching and haunting.  And it's perfect for yoga class (again!).

Prairie Underground.

I live in this hoodie (the short shawl hoodie).  They no longer make the color I have, but you can see it here.

And this is my favorite yoga-teaching cover-up (or warm-up piece.)  It's the Bandanna Dress in Bruise.

So well-made, all organic materials, and domestically produced (in Seattle).  Their pieces are so flattering and feminine, yet functional (read: I don't have to worry about ruining them, or going about my day).  And the colors!  Oh, yes.  They are deliciously rich and vibrant.  Everything is so beautiful.  Oooh-wee!  All hail Prairie Underground.

I Feel Pretty.

I don't use much in terms of "beauty" products.  But this is really nice.  On the off chance I do want to feel glamorous.

  

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

It makes me feel like I'm at the beach, about to go out for an evening of salsa dancing and caipirinhas.

Blonde Redhead.

Lovely, lovely.  Released late last year, and it's just really gorgeous.  I just let it play round and round.  Perfect bath music.

And my all-time favorite.

Dark Light by Lovers.

Mmmm.  More music!  I've been playing this record by Lovers a lot lately.  It's called Dark Light, was released in October, and sounds kind of like Tegan and Sara.  Or Ladytron.  Or Azure Ray.  None of whom really sound like each other.  But still.  It's quite good and moody with nice beats.  I very much recommend.  I think Boxer is my favorite track right now.  Head boppin', yet heartbreaking.

 

Also, look how cute they are!

Tartine.

Everyone in San Francisco worth her salt knows and loves Tartine.  It's one of my Top 10 You-Have-To-Go-When-In-San-Francisco spots.  It's regarded as one of the best bakeries in the entire city-- with amazing French pastries and bread.  It isn't a stuffy kind of place-- more rich, sumptuous, and rustic, just like the pastries.  Dan and I had a late breakfast there yesterday.  It's fabulous luck to live just a few blocks away.

We split the morning bun-- my very favorite!

Silent Spring.

There are a handful of moments in my life where I can look back and say, “There.  That’s where it changed.”  They don’t come along often, and at the time we are rarely able to recognize them.  One such moment was picking up Silent Spring when I was in sixth grade.  We had to write a paper about a figure in twentieth century American history.  I chose Rachel Carson, and by the end of sixth grade, I'd read each Silent Spring, and all four of the Sea books from cover to cover.

Silent Spring captured my imagination and introduced me to an entire new world.  At the time, I felt a heaviness, that, even today, I have not been able to shake.  The book was published decades ago, but Rachel Carson’s influence on modern environmentalism is still felt, her writings still deeply relevant, and her warnings eerily prescient.

If you haven’t read it, for whatever reason, I strongly urge you to find a copy (or come over to my house, and borrow one of my editions) and read at least the first chapter, which is heart-breaking and exquisite.  Carson was an extraordinary woman with a lovely way of infusing science with deep emotion and passion.  She remains a hero of mine and the person with whom I credit my deep commitment to environmentalism.

Ozetta Cowls.

  One of my favorite Etsy finds.  I have the Tok Thermal in black.  Plus, I am planning to order the Newbern Cowl in glacier.  And another in eggplant. They're so snuggly and warm!  If it's cold and windy where you live, I highly suggest one of these.

My Tok Thermal, pictured, is my new winter essential.

Air Plants.

I've been on a bit of a decorating kick lately.  I don't know whether it's the spring-like weather or the fact that I've lived in my place for six months and haven't decorated it a lick until now.  But I've been doing a whole mess of (little) things to make it more beautiful and feel more like home.  One of the things I've wanted in my new place is some greenery.  But something simple, also, since I tend to kill plants pretty easily.  Ouila!  Air plants!

All they need is a daily misting, so they're really simple!  From Paxton Gate, in San Francisco.

Porcupine.

Dan gave me a print of this photograph for my birthday last year, and I, being the lazy bum I am, just got around to framing it.  It's so cute, and I love looking at it first thing when I get out of bed.  How can this not make you cheerful?

It's by Sharon Montrose, and I love her whole series of animal prints.
(That's just the image, I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of all my artwork hung on the wall yet.)

Moleskine.

So bourgie.  But just so damn useful.  Slim, sleek, well-designed, practical for traveling.  Dan got me hooked on these, and now just I can't help myself.  I got these for upcoming journeys to keep myself organized.  I usually also keep a plain notebook to write down the sequence of each day while traveling, but I think these will also prove useful (especially when I want to go back and refer to specific places).  I always keep large folders in my pack when I travel, but the memo pockets will serve nicely for storing my paper ephemera during the day, as I gather it.

 
Info Book Pocket.

 
Memo Pockets.

You're Perfect.

If you're having a rough day, I invite you to watch.  It brought me to tears.  This person does something beautiful and selfless for so many.  It is so beautiful and earnest and amazing.  The end of the video beautifully sums up much of what's behind my personal spiritual beliefs and many of my life's practices.

And everything answered.

Romantic Street Art.

As someone with a fundamental problem with authority, and as a hopeful romantic, these signs make me exquisitely happy.  I love the idea that someone has so much love that they have to paint it all across public spaces.  It is an important step towards autonomy and toward reclaiming our world, our public spaces and our lives in the name of love.  What's better than that?  Nothing, that's what.

From the internet.
 

From in front of my house!  We woke up one morning, and it was right there, right below our front gate.

What I'm Reading.

Winter's Bone.  

I heard so many amazing things about this book, so I picked up a copy at Modern Times Bookstore (my favorite bookstore in all of San Francisco), and am loving it so far.  I adore the main character (which is a big draw for me) and the language, sense of place and story flow really nicely.  I'm so glad I finally got into it.  I'm also excited to see the movie once I finish the book.

Raincoat.

It's very odd that I live in a place with so much rain and general precipitation and, until recently, didn't own a raincoat.  What?!  The other day, I was cleaning out my place and discovered a Patagonia gift card with credit still left.  So I picked up this little baby:

Patagonia's Torrentshell Jacket

It packs down so nicely!  See?

Seems like it'll be perfect for travel, since it's lightweight and stows away easily, which is always a major plus.  I plan to bring it camping this spring!  (And maybe to rainier climates this summer, hint hint!)  Of course, the day after it arrived, it rained in San Francisco, so I was ultra-happy with my purchase.  It works great, and the color makes me so happy, even when the weather is really crappy.

Glen Canyon Park.

I had never really explored the neighborhood of Glen Park in San Francisco.  So my sweetie and I decided to have a mini-date to go on a mini-hike through Glen Park Canyon.  After almost ten (10!) years of living here, it was high time that A. I explored someplace new, and B. that I made it to this little canyon, full of people and dogs.  It's set back, close to public transit (BART) in a cute neighborhood filled with beautiful homes, adorable shops, and loads of dogs.  Walking, new things, each other and some cute pups: perfect combination for a little date.

 

   

Afterward, we strolled through the neighborhood and stopped in a cute cheese shop to pick up some necessities (Gruyere swiss and Nutella for crepes tomorrow morning).  We even have plans to go back for a dinner date sometime.  Great discovery!

Somewhere.

My sweetie and I went to see Somewhere yesterday.  We both adored it.  And I loved Stephen Dorff.  (Sophia Coppola really knows how to pick her muses, and how to put together a knock-out cast.)  It's a beautiful film; really captures the feel of Los Angeles-- in a biting and clever (but not mean) sort of way.  Heartwarming, lovely look to it, and fabulous script.  You find yourself rooting for the least-likely type of hero.  And assuming that everything works out okay.  I highly recommend.

 

 Sophia Coppola's best since Lost in Translation.   For me, it hit all the same emotional notes.

Judy Bonds.

I never met her, but she was a huge inspiration to me, and I am saddened by her passing.  She will be so incredibly missed.  And we must fight harder in her absence.  Rest in Strength, Judy.

20 x 200

I'm on a bit of a decorating kick right now-- not sure why.  Probably something to do with the new year.  So, due to my need for art and nesting, I just got my first print from 20x200.  Prospect Park in the snow.  It's so pretty, right?  And really, only 20 bucks!  I put it in a frame I already had, so with shipping it was less than $25.  Awesome!  I can't wait to hang it on our bedroom wall.

The Sledding Hill By Joseph O. Holmes.

This has me really excited for my trip to New York in April.

Lemlem.

Loving my new Lemlem scarf.  Got it on sale, after waiting very patiently.  (Their everyday prices are a big rich for my blood.)  I have had designs on one of these for some time as a good all-purpose travel scarf/wrap/blanket/towel for bus and train rides, the beach, etc.  Still hanging onto my $5 sarong I got at a head shop in Delaware 10 years ago, but this will add a bit of class to my typical low-bagger travel look.  Now I just have to book my plane tickets!

From the website.

On me.  Really, it's even more beautiful in person, and I couldn't be happier!

Kiki Smith.

One of my favorite living and working artists today, and a remarkable woman.  I adore her and her whimsy and the way she weaves in themes of women artists' lives.  I was lucky enough to see her show at the Brooklyn Museum in person last year.

Pretty phenomenal, no?

 

a piece from Kiki Smith' Sojourn

 

Kiki Smith's Fawn

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

A somewhat oldie at this point, but I am having a crazy love affair with them. 

It makes me want to skip down the street jubilantly and unabashedly.

"Home is wherever I'm with you."  Oh, yes.

What I'm Reading: Graphic Novel Edition.

I usually don't like anything that has a gross-out factor above that of a Pixar movie.  I'm very particular about the kind of media I consume.  But I am really digging this series.  It's clever, suspenseful, engaging and really well-drawn.  And, yes.  Really pretty gross.  

 

When I asked my comic book guy whether it lived up to the (substantial) hype it received, he gave an enthusiastic yes.  

And he was so very right.

New Phone.

Big news in my life!  New phone!  It's a Droid 2, and I couldn't be happier about the decision to take the Android plunge.  My blackberry was downright awful, and am over-the-moon for my new phone.  It's so pretty!  And has all these fun apps!  And a touchscreen!  I love her.  More than I should love any piece of technology (or want to for that matter).  I took all my Joshua Tree photos with the cool Polandroid app.

Mary Oliver.

Is outstanding.  If you don't know her poetry, please do yourself a favor, and go out and buy (any) one of her volumes.  Or come over to my house and borrow some.  I received American Primitive for Christmas, but I probably own another half dozen collections or so.

...I am touching a few leaves. 
I am noticing the way the yellow butterflies
move together, in a twinkling cloud, over the field.
And I am thinking: maybe just looking and listening
is the real work.
Maybe the world, without us, is the real poem...
– Mary Oliver

And I say to my heart: rave on.
– Mary Oliver

Le sigh.

Joshua Tree.

My sweetie and I went to Joshua Tree National Park for New Year's camping with a passel of friends.  It was very beautiful and very cold.  Campfires, hiking, outdoor cooking, wandering around in the desert.  And hanging out in the hot tubs in Desert Hot Springs.  Fun!

 

Joshua Tree, Self-Portrait

 

Rocks, My Handsome Man

 

Desert/ sky/ the entirety of creation (or what feels like it.)

 

Hiking in a Joshua Tree desert; Me at camp with my friend, Scott

 

More beauty.  Really, the landscape is just unique.