Summer Fun!

 

I know that summer is already over, but here are some highlights of the past couple of months. I went down to SoCal to visit my dear old friend from high school that is currently pregnant and awaiting the arrival of her first baby. It was lovely to see old friends and reminisce about high school/college years.  Z and I stopped by San Diego and revisited some of our old regular spots and of course--enjoyed one too many burritos. The Mexican food in San Diego is definitely superior to that found in San Francisco. I have searched for taquerias that are similar to the flavors of salsas and meats in San Diego, but my search has been fruitless. If any of you know of delicious places here in the Bay Area, let me know! 

At the beginning of August, my Grandpa celebrated his 88th birthday! All of my aunts and uncles (there are so many of them--total of 8 kids!), came to California and I was lucky to spend time with everyone. We went to Santa Barbara and Solvang (a cute tourist Danish village located on the central coast that my family used to live near and visit quite frequently when I was growing up).

August also was a month of change for me. I chopped off a couple of inches of my hair and joined the long bob club and got fitted for glasses so that I can drive at night. Overall, it was a busy summer and I'm ready for fall to begin even though right  now it decided to become summer in the Bay Area with our warm temperatures. I am sitting here writing this post wearing a dress (with no tights), a light cardigan, and sandals. What the heck! That almost never happens. Gotta get back to letting my pasty legs see some form of sun while it lasts. Toodles!

Homeroom

Z and I decided to explore the other side of the bay and check out some places we've been wanting to try. Just traveling to the East bay, it was automatically 10 degrees warmer and sunny compared to the fog-engulfed San Francisco. I was reminded that it was actually summer! The first stop on our list was to check out Homeroom on 40th street for their delicious varieties of Mac n' Cheese dishes.You can't go wrong with noodles and cheese! Zane decided to try their "Macximus" (Greek style mac with artichoke hearts, spinach, shallots, and feta) and I chose the "Mexican Mac" (Niman ranch chorizo, chipotle peppers, jack cheese, cilantro, bread crumbs with a wedge of lime). Everything was so good. Mac n' cheese is definitely one of those dishes that I could eat again and again...if only it did not go straight to my thighs. After lunch, we walked next door to 1-2-3-4 Go Records! and perused the selection of vinyl. I bought a Bel Biv DeVoe cassette tape for $1 and some Useless Eaters records. Afterwards, we wanted to try Doughnut Dolly, but they were sold out! We ended up visiting some thrift stores in the area and then headed over to College Ave, so I could cry over all the pretty little vintage clothes and shoes at Pretty Penny. 

Outfit Details:

Striped Crop Top // Forever 21

Black high waisted skirt // Thrifted

Cinnamon Cardigan (not pictured) // Clothing by the Pound

Sam Edelman Boots 

Later in the evening, we came home to this lazy pug lounging on the couch. He had managed to wrap himself up in the blanket and did not move at all. He did not seem to care that we were home since we are so bothersome to him and just disturb his restful slumber. 

Hope you all have a nice weekend! I start my volunteering at a local hospital and rehabilitation center tomorrow and I can't wait to start helping the residents there!

Monkey Business

As a child, it seems like the only times you are able to visit museums or zoo's are through school field trips. I cannot really remember the last time that I went to the zoo. All memories consist of me having to wear a little name tag, staying with a field trip buddy in case you get lost, and my chaperon mom monitoring my every move. San Francisco is such a little city with a small town feel. After living here for awhile, you start to see the same people over and over again through Muni/BART commutes or restaurants/bars. It was amazing to me that San Francisco had room for a zoo! When you're young, you don't really think about how the animals end up here or the kind of strange sadness you feel seeing animals living in such a confined space compared to the vast wilderness of their natural environment.  Z and I were lucky enough to go to the zoo on a day that the sun was out and it was warm enough for me to wear shorts. (Holy crap! That never happens!) I seemed to enjoy all the attractions that were probably meant for the little kids--mini train ride, petting zoo, insect and reptile house--oh well! Unfortunately, there were not too many animals out during our visit and the ones that I had managed to capture on film did not develop for some reason which was a bit annoying later on when I took the roll in to be processed. 

Outfit Details:
Vintage Cinnamon Cardigan // Clothes By the Pound
Blue ruffle tank top // Urban Outfitters
Grey and White Striped High Waist Shorts // Thrifted
Brown Woven Belt // Thrifted
Vintage Gold Casio Watch // Gift from Z
Sunglasses // Swap meet in San Diego
Vintage Black backpack // Goodwill
Grey Socks // Target
Brown Woven Oxfords // Etsy

The zoo is located right next to Ocean beach, so as the day progressed a thick dense fog started to roll in and cover up everything in its path. I can't believe that the summer is almost over. It is usually mild weather all year round here in the Bay area and I've forgotten what summer heat is like. I'll probably be heading back down to Southern California in a week and a half to visit family, so I can catch up on my sun then. Hope your summer has been going well so far!

Night at the Museum

There's something about viewing portraits/paintings from the past...it makes me wonder what the story was behind the painting, who the person was, and what he or she was thinking. I  do not think I could have had the patience to sit for hours while an artist painted my likeness onto canvas, but I'm ok with admiring these works from afar. These photos were taken while visiting the various museums comprising Washington, D.C's center and sadly before my flight back. The District was quite beautiful and I wish I had more time to check out everything...as was the theme for most of the trip. Z and I will definitely plan another visit soon now that his sisters are out there on the East coast...and possibly for future school visits (fingers crossed). I present to you now...photos of Z and I being awkward in front of various paintings and animal figures. My favorite was posing in front of an elegant lady and her prized pet pug...my dream! I will have to set up and commission someone for a  portrait painting session of Finnegan and I. I'd like to hang it in my huge library (adjacent to my huge music room in my huge mansion) when I'm an old lady. Crazy pug lady dreams!

Outfit Details:
White Polka Dot Dress // Forever 21
Dooney & Bourke Bucket Bag // Vintage
Woven Oxfords // Vintage
Ginger Ottoman Jacket // American Apparel
Sunglasses // H&M