Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: design, fashion, food, journalism, links, rss, wednesday
I want to start doing installations of blogs I love. One of the things I never get enough of is my Google Reader, and I love catching new blogs. Week to week, I may feature a theme or a topic that all of the blogs may encompass, but for the first installation, I’m just going to do a good mix of new everyday reads and old favorites that I’m a die-hard fan of. Check em out!
from "10 things I adore" VIA bleubird vintage!
- Bleubird Vintage: http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/
I managed to stumble across this the other day by accident, and what a surprise! Though there isn’t much to read here, the thoughts and pictures are wonderful. It IS photo heavy, so if you’re on a slow internet connection, this isn’t the best website to be looking at. You can follow them on twitter: @bleubirdvintage
- Vegansaurus: http://vegansaurus.com/
The writers at Vegansaurus always have pretty interesting content that is local. You can tell they’re excited, and after going vegetarian this past year, I definitely nerd out over their findings and their posts. They recently organized a bake sale for charity near Ike’s Place and it was crazy popular. If you’re interested in the vegan scene in SF, this is definitely a mandatory read. You can follow them on twitter: @vegansaurus
- Sleep Deprivation and Stories of My Bullshit Youth: http://www.gnarlitude.com/
My friend Emma recommended me this blog when I was just getting starting with RSS feeds and that amazing-ness that is the Google Reader. Jen has such a unique girly badass aesthetic to her, it makes me want to seek her out and steal her brain. From her love of Motorhead to Ann Demeulemeester to her awesome sneak peeks at her friend’s lines, she’s always on the cutting edge of something black and beautiful. She also blogs for other favorites Urban Outfitters, Street Carnage and Kill City.
- Not Cot: http://www.notcot.org
Though it has multiple components, including sister blog Not Couture, Not Cot still manages to deliver some of the hottest items of news in the design world. Though it is post heavy during the day [somewhere between 20-30 a day], their site interaction makes it easy to navigate and catch up. Whether its the new Shepard Fairey installation or a cool, random, independent online game, Not Cot usually blogs about it first. You can follow them on twitter: @notcot
- California Beat: http://californiabeat.wordpress.com/
This is a more news-driven site, something that I don’t think I read enough of. This is a great example of a community news blog that does an amazing job of getting transit and regional news out to a large number of people. I really like the way that the reporting is done, and their alerts on twitter are usually some of the first I see. If anything, I would recommend keeping it bookmarked just to check for updates on major news stories that other outlets might fail to discover. You can follow them on twitter: @californiabeat
sadly discontinued vegan burger from mission burger VIA vegansaurus
What are some of your favorite blogs? What would you like featured on the site? Let me know in the comments.
I think its time for a little bit more brainstorming and some Mad Men before bed. Maybe Don will inspire some genius in me. Goodnight!
monica
xoxoxoxoxo
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: food, mission, review, show, tuesday, xpress
i've negelected you, pretty things. don't cry -- i'm back and better than ever!
hey everyone! i’m pretty sure i’m back. considering that i spend a lot more time at home now [because my roommates are AMAZING!] and the fact that i haven’t got jack shit to do until september, you’ll be hearing from me again.
first of all, my new place is awesome. huge, cozy and beautiful, i’m working on turning my room into a little bungalow. i just got my desk this past weekend, and everything is falling into place. although i may only be here for a year, i want it to feel like my place. my roommates, tom and daniella, are hilarious. i’ve forgotten how nice it is to have friends for roommates and to be able to come home for a long day and just get blitzed.
second, i’m managing editor of the paper next semester! i ended this run of the paper with a bang and i’m ready to work my magic on publication next semester. i’m probably going to be stressed, but i can’t deny what i’m good at, no matter how insane it makes me.
and my new job! i basically sit on my ass and listen to music all day and its amazing. i’m working four days a week, which is going to be the perfect amount for being able to
summer is getting off the ground finally. i have been waiting for it to hurry the fuck up forEVER because of some things that happened in the beginning, but it seems to finally have caught up with my spirit. i’m hanging out with tons of people this week and its already improving my mood.
last night, i went to see camera obscura at the fillmore and it was AMAZING. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. i’m pretty sure we caught most of the set, but we ran in mid-song, so i’m hoping that we caught everything. that girl is fucking adorable. i really want to hang out with her and write songs and drink tea and stay up really late joking about boys. yeah, that kind of adorable.
i was a little drunk, but this is what i can remember of the setlist:
“away with murder”
“swans”
“my maudlin career”
“french navy”
“james”
“lloyd i’m ready to be heartbroken”
“lets get out of this country”
“eighties fan”
“books written for girls”
“i don’t want to see you”
“teenager”
there may be a few that i’ve forgotten, but that was the gist of it, which was great. all the songs i wanted to hear, especially “eighties fan”, are all on there. i just tried to upload some of their tunes for you, but mediafire is being a cuntbag right now. i wish i would have bought a t-shirt or something to wear with my skirt and heels, but you know how the fillmore is when you’re trying to get out — its like trying to fit a fat girl in a smart car.
yesterday was also choice, since i got to go to the uptown AND weird fish, all in the same night. their vegan smorgeshborg of deliciousness is still keeping my belly full the next day. also, my company was extremely enjoyable — i hope i get to go out with him again.
until next time, catch up with me at stu’s site. i’ve written some pretty hilarious shit since we last spoke, and i think it deserves a read. :]
i’ve had a lazy day and a great week. first of all, lets get started with ootrff:
- since i started wearing sneaks again after acquring my court forces, i’m all about them now. i’m thinking about buying more and more pairs everyday. the special coraline dunks are super pretty [doesn't that movie look adorable?] and these married to the mob tributes to chanel are gorg. i want em all right now
- this is pretty old but this photo set is still creepy as fuck.
- the indie mart is back! i’m thinking about doing a preview in the paper for it. i’m pretty stoked, since i missed the christmas one. i’m hoping to save a little cash so i can maybe go shopping — they always have pretty cool vendors.
- going out to eat. dammit, it will be the best of me, but i don’t care. i love trying new places and i’m determined more and more to try different types of food. i’m still wanting to go to mission street food hardcore.
i think i’m staying in tonight. after getting baked today and going to stuart’s house and eating way too much [fuck dude, i realized how much i ate after i left and its a little worrisome. it could be because i didn't eat anything but an apple in the morning but shit. hahaha.], i’m pretty tired, sleepy, full and happy. i want to go out, but a lot of my friends are hanging with people i don’t want to hang with or they already have plans with others. plus, its fucking storming out and its been scattered showers all day, which sucks. i feel like i have been wearing the same outfit for the last month because its the only thing that i can wear in layers and i look semi decent. on top of that, i’m flat broke and still trying to go to the grocery store. [though i seem to be avoiding it like crazy.]
this week’s issue was awesome, if you go to state and you get a chance to pick it up, do so. my section looked really good and had little errors in it. a lot of the stuff in the news section ended up looking horrible, but that’s alright. the only thing going in my portfolio is my page.
i need to meet new dudes and people, its one of those feelings coming up again. it happens every time i go through a breakup, i think. which is good, that should be the rule for everyone. i’m just so bad at going out and talking to random people by myself. and i’m convinced that i don’t really look approachable. i’m trying to work on it, but i think a lot of people get intimidated, which i hate.
also, i’m selling tickets for noisepop on craigslist! help a girl out and get cheaper tickets! i’m willing to negotiate.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: food, mission, shopping, sunday, youtube
so after taking a day for myself to go around and run errands, walk around in the sun, smoke a little to relax and going out with a pretty good friend for dinner, i feel immeasurably better. i ate good food and soaked up some carefree-ness that i obviously needed.
since its kind of a crappy day out and the only thing i’m going to be doing today is taking carlos out to lunch [sorry dude, i was just way too tired!], i’m going to spend the day doing homework, drinking coffee, watching movies and
what a beaut!
so on thursday night, i went to this amazing indian place in the tenderloin with daniella and jack. it was byob and a lot of fun, but guess what i found on the street? A TYPEWRITER! and not just any typewriter, but a working, italian typewriter from the ’50′s with working ribbon still in it! i’ve been playing with it on and off all weekend and on friday night, i made valentines on it. its a dream. i’ve always wanted one and it was like a sign when i found it. plus, when i googled it, it was known to be the journalist’s typewriter of choice back in the day, so maybe i’m right? :]
last night, i went to the elbo room and [FINALLY!] weird fish with daniella. weird fish is
me a fat kid, but i’m sold. and the tilapia and cod were both delicious and flaky. sorry i didn’t take pictures — we were having a pretty serious conversation and the place was cute but no bigger than the size of a cardboard box. check out weird fish! its surprisingly affordable and really delish. i’m still looking to go to msf in the coming weeks.the other thing that bummed me out was i found a pair of leather ferragamo flats at a thrift store for $14 [i'm pretty sure the girl upcharged me from the original price, but ev.] and they’re like a 1/2 size too big! i want to cry, i loved them a lot. they even had a bow on the toes with a gold ferragamo piece between them. :[ if anything, i might try and sell them on ebay or to someone i know for the same price. i am determined to find a pair and will keep looking on ebay to find one that fits. i also need to repair this amazing vintage dress i picked up last month...there is always so much to do!
expect more frequent updates...since i will be in the newsroom a lot and because of circumstances i will have a bit more time on my hands, i will work to give you guys some more content.
have a lazy sunday.
ps: also, if joaquin phoenix got off the smack and realized he's a great music video director, maybe he wouldn't be renouncing his acting career, trying to rap or showing up at san francisco planning commission meetings.
this is my favorite by them. favorite favorite favorite. its as if shoegaze and the smashing pumpkins fucked non-stop for a week and had octuplets. its that good. i can’t wait for the new album, or when they come back to town again. [long story short, carlos' boss is the aunt of the keyboardist which means FREE TIX.]
but on a side note, who watches music videos anymore anyway?
if you live in san francisco, drop what you’re doing. RIGHT NOW. and click here.
then, make some plans tomorrow or this weekend involving this sandwich shop.
i will tell you right now that it is not for the faint of heart — only those who aspire to take anything above and beyond, one toke over the line or to the next level will love this place. ike is amazingly nice and he will treat you well — there are a lot of choices, so the website will help you decide what you are feeling. he can help you out with something if you decide to change your mind last minute, as there are about 150 combos on the menu.
i made one of my writer’s review it in this week’s issue of the paper, but the other day i needed an afternoon off so i had to drop by and see it for myself.
i ended up deciding on the “change” sandwich last minute. it was a hasty decision that i wouldn’t have made with a conscious mind, but i was so ravenous by the time i showed up that i would have eaten two pieces of beef jerky between some stale white bread.
my sandwich was the perfect texture and taste — great balance between veggies and meat. the one thing that was a little much was the bbq sauce though. i’m sure they have customers that love them for it, but it was just a bit too messy for me.
anyway, spend this weekend in the castro — do some shopping, some laying out in the sun and GO TO IKES. you won’t be sorry. [emma, lets go!]
today has been infinitely better. i’m updating right before i pick up my brother at the airport — yay! — and its going to be a weekend of madness. i still have so much work to do, but i’m not going to let it get in the way of my last days of freedom. i’m kind of sad that i’m not going to be able to go out with my friend daniella for drinks tonight on her birthday [shout out, woo!], since she’s going to some north beach haunts that i love. nonetheless, i am super excited that my bro is almost here!
chilaquiles!
i spent most of the day in one of my favorite cafe’s in the city with daniella, doing crazy work for the paper. i’m still a little scared as far as what is going to happen, since i’m not satisfied with a majority of the writers and i haven’t finished all of the content. i want this to be the best it can possibly be, but i’m a perfectionist. it will always be the death of me. so hopefully the first issue won’t be totally horrid.
i’m totally in love with everything upper playground — i try not to go by there too often because i always get the need to spend money. i’m mad cause i don’t have that much cash right now, but their 50% off sale is still going on on the website, so i’m definitely going to order this, this and this before the sale is up. i called and they said that the sale ended sunday, but bah! i will overcome!
i also have been seriously regretting all of the time i seem to have wasted over break. i didn’t read the books all the books that i got for christmas, i didn’t do nearly as much writing or art as i had wanted and i haven’t really gotten into the swing with taking pictures with my newly adapted 35mm holga. but, i did have fun and seemed to have spent way too much money. haha. isn’t that the case with everything though?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: coffee, food, mission, north beach, sunday
yesterday was a bit of madness, which i really do like on days where you do nothing but wait for the night, just like yesterday.
i was bumming around the house, debating on going to the gym and finishing up some last minute touches on kayla’s birthday present when i saw my lovely friend, holly, calling. since i don’t get to hang out with holly often because she is so busy [read: artist trying to make it, three different jobs, boyfriend, friends up the yin yang and more projects you can shake a stick at], so when the moment presents itself its almost near impossible to turn down. after hastily getting ready, i ran out the door with kayla’s present and went to meet her.
cappuccino and latte
we headed to clothes contact after catching up and, though i shouldn’t have, i got this awesome black victorian/sexy secretary/slightly gothy dress that is super super amazing. i’m losing more and more weight and it was a little big on me, but nothing a waist belt can’t fix. i’m in love with it — its one of those things that i want to wear all the time, no matter how inappropriate. i also got two lovely scarves. pictures soon to come!
after that, we headed to four barrel coffee, which was so wonderful. i had walked by a few times before on my way to little star, but had never been in. the space is super well designed and filled with ridiculously expensive espresso machinery. but its so rustic — think lots of imperfect, but finished wood, taxidermy, chandeliers and crazy period-referencing wallpaper. they have their own roasting machine in the back, which was quite epic to watch. the tables were perfect and tiny, like little school desks. the coffee was also amazing — not too much bite, but strong and full of great aromatic tones. the only thing i don’t like is they only offer whole milk and soy — something i’m going to have to either make room in my diet for [whole] or get used to [soy -- yuck.]
after dropping by miette and getting kayla an amazing last minute gift [with a great wrap job by holly], i headed to north beach to meet the gang at rogue ale.
now, don’t get me wrong, my best friend has impeccable taste, but i don’t get the lure of rogue. sure they have good beers, but you can buy them in the store. their food didn’t look that great — i had one french fry so i
birthday girl.
i gave her the loot, which she was pretty jazzed over. i was surprised, since i didn’t think the journal was really my best work and i thought it was a little cheesy, but she had everyone sign it and she liked it a whole lot. the winner of the night though was the chocolate mustache on a stick, which everyone had a ride on….multiple times. towards the end of the night, people were on the verge of dirty sanchez’es due to the amount of heat and upper lip coming into contact with the tiny piece of cellophane wrapped around it. the mustache voices that accompanied said rides were even better.
we headed to specs after that, which was still expensive [FOUR DOLLARS FOR A BUD, SERIOUSLY?], but super fun. being drunk in that place must be a trip cause there is so much to look at. i had a few more drinks and wished the birthday troupe goodbye, as i was out of monies and getting really tired at this point from walking to the mission, to hayes valley, through downtown and up into north beach. i’m getting really good at walking the city on foot. its so much more fun than muni, too.
if you live in the mission or are there a lot, you know 24th street is the next big spot. first it was divis, then polk and now 24th street is getting a gentrified, hipster makeover. phat philly has found a great home near mission street, and i hear their sandwiches are to die for [despite the fact that cheese whiz is not used on them! i'm sure philly is outraged, but all in the name of great food, right?]. george’s on 24th already has an avid fan base for their delicious roasted potatoes and tender, juicy meats. but the best one to move in so far? humphry slocombe.
though the ice cream shop is hard to miss with this blue awning, chances are you’ll spot the huge line outside the door first. the hot weather in january has made the perfect atmosphere for an opening — almost to the point where you’d think they’d planned it. but its their great customer service, warm smiles and very unusual flavors that make this place a must visit next time you’re thinking of taking the 14 or the 49.
for just $4.50, you can get three scoops to share with all your friends and, let me assure you, there is something for everyone. we tried the:
- valrhona fudgesicle. [extremely rich -- for serious chocolate lovers only!]
- guinness gingerbread. [with real chunks! delicious and somewhat savory.]
- balsamic caramel. [the real winner. so tangy and amazing. if you doubt it even for a second, just dive straight in. you won't forget it.]
they offer free tastes of everything, just in case you’re a little unsure about the salt and pepper or foie gras. [yes, they really have foie gras ice cream!] and though they are looking to produce the 20-30 or so flavors on the back of their postcards, they are producing small batches for now to ease into the demand. soon they will be offering sundaes and cones as well — i can’t wait!
the ice cream is rich and creamy and is not for the faint of heart. trust me, you’ll want to try them all, but if you’re alone, one scoop will definitely do you. go support some awesome local frozen goodness!
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- scooping up some lovely-ness.
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- yum yum yum.
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- slow and steady…
things that i am loving/talking about/needing to list at the moment:
–shawerma! its basically a great mediterranean wrap with beef, lamb, hummus, tahini sauce, tomatoes, parsley and onions all wrapped in this amazing flat bread. and the hot sauce paste they put on it is TO DIE FOR. seriously, if you’re in the city, go to truly mediterranean. it looks a little dodgy but it was probably one of the yummiest things i’ve had in ages.
–my digital camera. its just a point and shoot, canon powershot, and i didn’t realize its potential until last night. after being out with stuart and fumbling with my camera over and over, i realized that i’ve been lazy and that i don’t really know how to work it, despite the fact it has all manual settings. crazy right? so one of my goals before i go back to school is to get my digital photography back in the biz.
– i miss this show and its probably one of the best episodes i’ve ever seen. there are more links on youtube as well. this is probably what i’m going to be doing all afternoon.
–sit ups! i’ve been doing over 100 per day and i’ve lost an inch over the past couple of weeks. its slow progress, but when you think about it, half an hour of situps and crunches isn’t too big of a commitment. i’m hooked!
– i will probably be here on saturday night. i’m telling everyone right now — get there early!
– i’m thinking about getting one of these. am i crazy, just like the gav, in thinking these are a good idea? i think its just fun, being a card carrying member of sf. god, i’m such a schmuck.
–because of a lawsuit filed against department store cosmetic counters, they are being forced to give away around $175 MILLION DOLLARS IN FREE COSMETICS. though some have been saying you need to sign up ahead of time or that you need to have bought something in the time period listed, its bullshit! just show up and get your free shit! who wants to come with me? emma? kayla? lets get free stuff!
–and finally, i round out with this. so good.
happy friday everyone! i hope i helped all of you start your weekend off right.
again, sorry i haven’t updated! i’ve been doing so many things at once and trying to get all these things together that i’m not really sure where to begin with what i have to say. it seems like all the time i spend on my computer, i’m trying to catch up on my google reader, i’m emailing writers back or i’m transferring money to my account because i’ve been spending way too much of it lately! haha. anyway, i can give you a rundown of the past few days…
- monday — was ridiculously hot by san francisco standards. sat through a meeting with the editor-in-chief, the managing editor and my page designer. was a good few hours long, but definitely what i needed. registered for the rest of my classes. went out for jeremy’s birthday — as typical, got in a fight and everyone left the bar. bought him his first cosmo and got myself my first shawerma. YUM.
- tuesday –had a leisurely breakfast with alexis, la boulange’s granola and fruit bowl is amazing. went grocery shopping, spent the afternoon in japantown. doug took me to little star for dinner — tried the thin crust, and it was just as yummy as the deep dish. i love you little star! then we hit up clothes contact and i got a sweet waistbelt for kayla’s birthday and we made a trip to good vibrations, which is always informational and entertaining…
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- yum!
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- i love these so much.
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- i wanna wear this all the time.
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- i’m jealous that this isn’t mine.
- wednesday – went downtown with kayla EARLY so she could spend her gift card at urban outfitters. of course, the one day we actually get up, they’re doing inventory until 12pm. one free coffee with doug and lots of sunshine later, we decided to hit up dottie’s true blue. i had never been there before, since the line is always a deterrent. it was delicious [i had the blue cheese, bacon and veggie scramble with HOMEMADE wheat toast and potatoes.], and the people were super nice [kayla ordered lunch 30 minutes early but they made it for her anyway.] its super tiny and great, but not worth a two hour wait. we went back to urban and they changed their sign to 1pm, so we flipped them off and left, since kayla was a little under the weather. for some reason, my day took a downturn here, but i ended up going shopping with kelly and doug in haight, which left me with two awesome scores: a great new pair of sunglasses and a classic mickey mouse pullover that i had been looking forever for. [and it was only $8!] after saying hi to matt at comix experience, we had dinner at herbivore. i ordered their veggie shawerma and though it had loads of ingredients, was not impressed. i will stick with truly mediterranean!
- thursday — went to the gym in the morning and sweat my brains out. met up with doug for some fro yo and a little hangout. met with one my writers and discussed the semester ahead of us. he’s worked for the weekly before and seems to be really driven about what he wants to do so i’m really stoked on it. he listens to all the music i don’t [grindcore, black metal, et al], so he’s going to help me out with show reviews and the calendar, which will be perfect! after, i dropped off a roll at photoworks [which i will pick up today!] and went to needles and pens. met up with stuart and saw the devil makes three at amoeba in berkeley. their show was really great — the perfect kind of punky, upbeat bluegrass i like. they will be playing the next two nights at the independent, so check out some great local music! but, let me just say, berkeley pwned us. we couldn’t find one dive bar in one square mile. it was sad. we even bumped into one of my friends, jack, and still to no avail. we ended up having a good night in the city. there should be a post soon here, so check out all the deets.
phew. what a week! i know its going to get even busier when school starts, so hopefully i can keep up with it all. :]
