Time for a new calendar

I am a big fan of using an old school pen and paper calendar. For some reason, things only make it into my brain permanently when I go through the physical act of writing them down. I also love putting all my plans on a calendar on the wall, it makes me feel busy, focused and loved. I also have so many weddings that its easier to manage my travel schedule when I can see it in at least 3 month spans. I have clearly continued my love of mid century design with the chair calendar but I also love the typography. I saw this amazing reproduction of the alphabet done in 1776 in Germany by an architect. Each building etching corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. I love love love it, and think it would be SICK to put in an office one day. I'll see if i can scrounge up a picture.

Pop Up Stores

The idea of cool pop up stores have been ubiquitous in the last few years, publicizing everyone from Target to Rachel Zoe and her partnership with Piperlime. I have also seen an Earnest Sewn pop up shop within a shop here on Fillmore in SF. That takes it to a new level.

Either way, this one in Oakland looks pretty cool. I wish I could go but i don't have a reason at this point to haul ass to Oakland to visit a furniture store when I currently reside in the basement in my dads home. Clearly I am being influenced by the California Mid-Century Modern design aesthetics that dot the left coast.

http://www.deedee914.com/popup/

Eichler moment

I must be transitioning to California well because I am having a major Eichler moment. I am lucky enough to get to see some of these beautiful homes weekly, and am having fun searching out captivating photos of more. How much fun would it be to redo one! Bucket List.

Beautiful Photo

I am obsessing over this photo. I love the jazz age. I love Vogue. I love the colors and I love photography. Boo Anna Wintour. I have been an avid fan and follower. Read her bio and watched September Issue but not thrilled she axed this shot. I think it is so beautiful.

Location Based Networking

I am not sure how I personally feel about Location Based Networking such as FB Places and Foursquare, but in terms of marketing, advertising and reaching consumers I believe in it completely. There is enough general interest and action for it to become a way to continue customer service efforts as well as increased visibility due to discounts. Basically, you are giving your audience a reason to mention, talk, express to their micro-audience feelings and thoughts about your brand for very little expense.

Great article on some creative ways to harness location based features: http://mashable.com/2011/01/10/facebook-places-campaigns/

mouthwatering potato chips

i have such fond memories of my grandmother making homemade baked potato chips. i decided they would be a tasty side to my loaded
dogs. (full disclosure i also served a chopped salad and roasted brussel sprouts to use up food and add veggies to our dinner.)



4 Idaho potatoes washed and sliced (1/8 inch)
salt/pepper
olive oil
sheet pan



anyway, pretty easy. turn oven on to 450 degrees. take potato slices and mix with 2 large dashes of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper. lay slices on a sheet pan in 1 layer. bake for 25-27 minutes.

remove from oven, let sit for 2-3 minutes. put into bowl and toss with more salt and serve.

homemade loaded dogs and chips. yum yum

The holiday season is winding down and for some reason my family ended up with a bunch of chicken and turkey sausage that we never ended up grilling because this december was particularly rainy. I wanted to use what we had in the fridge with a few additions from the local store down the street. I made 2 types of sausage, a mild turkey and a sweet italian chicken. With that, I decided on 2 different toppings. The mild turkey got topped with spicy onion, tomato and pepper and melted monterrey jack cheese. The sweet got topped with roasted red onion and sauteed mushroom and a bit of fresh relish from the local School Street Farm.

grill sausages per normal directions, medium high grill for 20-25 minutes. check every 8-10 minutes and turn. grill large french bread buns.

Dog # 1: mild turkey w/ spicy onion, tomato and pepper and melted monterrey jack cheese.
1/2 red pepper sliced
1/2 onion sliced
1 tomato sliced
1 tspn red pepper
olive oil for sauteing
butter for sauteing
salt/pepper
3 large dashes white wine
2 large dashes balsamic
1 tablespoon oregano
2 cloves garlic chopped

1/4 block melted monterrey jack cheese (easy on a double boiled with 1/4 TSPN of butter. add milk as desired.

heat a saute pan on medium with some olive oil and butter. cook pepper slices, onion slices and tomato, salt and pepper for 5 minutes. add garlic, oregano and red pepper, cook til veggies are soft and caramelized. add white wine and deglaze, add balsamic. cook down til incorporated.

top dog with veggies and then melted cheese sauce.

Dog # 2: sweet chicken w/ roasted red onion & sauteed mushroom and a bit of fresh relish from the local School Street Farm.

1/2 red onion sliced
8-10 cremini mushrooms cleaned and sliced thinly
1 pad butter
olive oil
salt/pepper
fresh relish

coat red onion w/ olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for 15 minutes at 450 degrees. at the same time, heat up a saute pan with olive oil and butter and add mushrooms. cook down. add onion to pan. top dog and grilled bun with caramelized onions and mushrooms and add fresh relish.

Exploring SF

Fantastic hike on Mt Tam yesterday. So peaceful, great fresh air and some fun girl time. Great activity to do while thinking about my NY resolutions. I love making resolutions because it involves thinking and evaluating your behavior and trying to become a better person which I am constantly trying to do. I actually feel lucky that I get 2 New Years Holidays a year. I try and make inwardly personal resolutions in the Fall and lighter "easier" resolutions at the end of the calendar year.




I really want to check this place out: Alemany Flea