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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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