The Perfect Sunday
Fresh brewed coffee? Check. Toasted bagel with organic veggies & cream cheese? Check. Kinfolk Magazine? Check. The company of my best friends? Check. The perfect Sunday, indeed. Live slow.
Fade to Blue
blue jeans
drenched from river waters
swaying limp on the line
crying in the heat of the relentless sun
never to darken
but to simply fade
the bluest indigo into the tender hues of morning
a new day
Acai
Okay, I admit it.
I am addicted to coffee.
A day without coffee is a headache. Literally.
I was chatting with a friend about my coffee addiction woes and she said, “Cut out the coffee and drink acai juice. You’ll feel more energy without the crash. Also, it’ll make your hair, skin, and nails look great! I have some in my car. Take some.” She gave me two bottles and said, “In two weeks, you’ll be begging for more! You can buy a box off me then.” Then with a sly wink, she hustled off to meet her friends for coffee. Ironic don’t you think? I’ve been drinking acai juice for a few days now and it tastes amazing. Looking forward to trying out this delicious acai bowl next!
Photo credit @hotforfood
Discovering Port Costa
The quaint town of Port Costa is perfect for a relaxing day trip. Surrounded by rolling green hills, the Carquinez shoreline, and boutiques, there's plenty to see and shop. Start your adventure with brunch at Bull Valley Roadhouse. The restaurant uses spectacular, locally sourced ingredients and also makes a delicious craft cocktail. After you've had your fill, set off to explore the peaceful shoreline dotted with fishermen and spectacular skipping rocks — I finally learned how to skip rocks here! The water is so calm and quiet, you can easily sit here for hours relaxing with a book or just spend some time catching up with friends. Feeling a shopping itch? Stop by the Village Haberdashery for vintage one-of-a-kind hats, steampunk goggles, wooden puppets, and carefully curated second-hand clothes. A short drive away is Eckley pier where you can find more fishing spots (we witnessed a man hooking a small shark!), hiking trails, and open space to picnic.
The Village Haberdashery is filled with finds, like vintage furniture and cool hats — I walked away with a nice wool hat, seen below.
An abandoned brick building at the Eckley pier.
let’s get lost together
maybe then we can find something new
give it a name
and then get lost again
just so we don't forget
being lost is the only way
to be found
Homemade White Sage and Lavender Smudge Stick
Grown in our California Garden. Made with love. Used for healing, blessing, and cleansing.
Along the Shore
I pick up a flat stone, smooth from years of gentle waves crashing over it. It feels cool in my sweaty palm. I rear back my arm with the tension of a slingshot and hurl the rock into the bay. Surprise rushes through my body as the rock skips effortlessly over the calm waters. “WOW!” I scream as I experience my first joy of rock skipping. My celebration is short lived as the lone fisherman at the shore screams, “Hey, stop tossing rocks, you’ll scare the fish!”
I feel like I’m 12 years old again, giddy and in trouble.
Step Into the '70s
Standing on the fringe of this season's '70s trend? Get some skin in the game with these low-risk/high-return finds. From fit and flare jeans to dreamy tunics, your spring wardrobe will thank you.
Scent
The sweet fragrance of jasmine floats through the spring air, transporting me back to a simpler time. Lazy days by the pool and careless nights staring into the stars, asking, "Why?" Knowing the answer would always be love.
Laced Up
The season's must-have shoe is here. Lace-up, strap-in, and enjoy the ride.
Eenie, Meenie, Miney . . .
Anna Sheffield is one of the most inspiring, creative, and badass designers out there. Born in New Mexico, trained in San Francisco, and currently living in NYC, Anna's unique designs come from her multidisciplinary background in sculpture, metalsmithing, and fine art. Every piece embodies a modern-vintage nuance, some of which were inspired by her grandmother's treasured heirlooms, featuring rare gemstones and conflict-free diamonds. See my favorite rings, ranging from rose gold bands to beautiful black diamonds.
The Marquis Bea
Seamless Living
With summer renovations on my mind, I'm looking to this inspiring indoor/outdoor setting in South Africa. The large retractable glass window is a functional option for the anyone looking to convert their garage into livable, usable space.
Photo credit @Marie Claire Maison
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
What Tet (the vietnamese new year) means to me: family. food. renewal. Wishing everyone a healthy, enlightening, and joyous 2015!
J.Crew Sets Up Fall With a Twist
If you thought J.Crew was starting to lose its edge, think again. The retailer showcased its Fall 2015 collection at NYFW featuring a lineup filled with notable twists and turns. There was a clear nod to the '70s, but with a modern oomph that only creative director Jenna Lyons and head of women's design Tom Mora could conjure up. Masterful styling and key statement pieces, like peppermint pullovers and utility jackets trimmed with bold marigold shearling, played key roles in the successful presentation. I guarantee the latter left every fashion editor rushing to find their own perfect khaki and yellow combo to wear right away. That is, until the real thing becomes available.
In-Season
With carrots starting to peek out of the dirt, we're excited to try out a few new recipes. Raw carrots are fine in the summer, but the cold weather is calling for a more exciting serving.
Simple Roasted Carrots With Sage Butter
Ingredients:
1 bunch of carrots
4 tablespoons of butter
1/4 bunch of chopped sage
salt/pepper to taste
Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees and then lower temperature to 325 degrees. Clean, peel, and slice carrots into quarters. In roasting pan toss carrots with butter, chopped sage, salt and pepper under medium heat until the carrots are coated. Place oven-proof pan into oven and roast for 25 minutes until the carrots are tender, tossing occasionally. Serve with roasted chicken and brown rice for a complete meal.
