dear me,
please stop being such a lazy bastard. you may have had to say your good byes. you may have had to pack. you may have had to drive across country but let's face it - you are not that busy. you are not that popular. you are just making excuses. so, i politely request that you buck the f up and start posting again. oh and why not add a few more design based posts while you're at it. it is what you love, might as well start acting like it.
love,
me
the west coast is so cool. it's the younger, hipper version of east coast and it knows it. it's laid back, beautiful, and forward thinking. the west coast is culmination of all things perfect. at least it thinks so. sadly however, sometimes being so awesome just isn't enough.
we're leaving wine country and moving back east. following a career path that we think will pay off in the future. leaving will not be easy. outside of missing our family and friends, new and old, there are a few exceptional things i hate to say good bye to....
In-N-Out Burger: bless the family that started and still runs this amazing burger joint. it may be a chain, it may be fast food, but i sometimes think it is the only proof that god exists.
The Coast: ok, so this is the actual proof that god exists. it lives me speechless.
Wine Country: a must visit when traveling through california. the chef and i had the priviledge of living and tasting here. it was a wonderful experience and i am now officially a wine-o.
anne dtimeyer stole my thunder ;) not too long ago anne noted Mundane Journeys as one of the things she loves on the popular design*sponge website. i couldn't agree more with anne but now i appear to be an utter copy cat. although i totally love Mudane Journeys, and the artist behind it, I loved her first. Having had the privledge of knowing Kate Pocrass years ago in college, it was evident to me then that she ruled and would undoubtedly go on to conquer the art world. She has always been and continues to be an incredible artist. Being a textile designer, her primary medium is fabric. In addition, her abilities extend into graphic design, prose as well as photography.
After living in the sf bay area for the last year or so, I can say without reservation that Mundane Journeys; Volume 1 and 2, are the best guides to the city and all its colorful glory. please support this fabulous artist and check out www.mundanejourneys.com
As we prepare to move, dinner parties are not something we can manage. but a girl can dream and i fantasize about delicate tea parties and killer pot lucks all the time. when i daydream, i make believe i have lots of money to blow on multiple sets of designer plates and around each i create a theme party. maybe someday my dreams will come true....
I understand it might seems strange to theme a party after one of the most influential architecture and design movements in modern history but i can't help myself. when there are plates like the ones shown above, what is a designer to do. From the cleverly titled company, People will always need Plates, comes the 1930s Modernist Homes of London Collection. bold and straight forward, i picture German food, strong cocktails, depression era inspired clothing and Peter Murphy serenading the party. best brunch ever!
when i dream up the perfect anniversary dinner for the chef and i, these are plates i imagine using. seriously, they make every girl go "aaawwweeee". Jessica Rust tapped into the psyche of most wives and produced the Birch Tree, the Family Tree and the Love Bird collections. simply lovely designs the you can customize with your initials and wedding date. all that's needed now is a little lauren hill or monster ballads playing in the background. whatever gets you going.
Pandora Design is well known for the their fantastic disposable plate and flatware, and this set is no exception to their rule. affordable at under $25 and gorgeous, these sets always make me smile. the classic baroque style is brought to life using a rainbow of color, ideal for any Lewis Carroll inspired event. i fantasize that mis-matched tea sets, bright garden roses and this cutlery are scattered all over the table and i'm gorging on delicate cupcakes and cookies. i think the Hatter, Dormouse, and March Hare would approve.
the chef and i currently live in california wine country. in a few short weeks we'll be moving back east. in the meantime, we plan on eating and drinking our way through the country side. soaking up all the fermented grape juice and goring on fresh produce for as long as we can. this has been a constant in our relationship and i feel a little trashy.
you see, the chef is a professional gourmet, i am just obsessed. or as I recently determined on Wikipedia, a "foodie". I now shake my head in disapproval. I have always shied away from the term. somehow associating it with the whore at the rock show who rolls up on the band just hopping to get a piece. a groupie, who can't play an instrument but loves to going to the show.
food might as well be the sexy lead singer and wine, the shirt less drummer because i throw myself at them each and every time i get the chance. no reserve, just smutty abandon. its out of control. i want to know the details - the how, the who, the what and why. and like any good groupie, i don't stop until i get what i want. so from time to time, i'll write about my lecherous escapades and late night romps with the dynamic duo. below are just a few of the quick trysts i've had throughout the sf bay area...
Delfina (sf - mission):
it was recently voted best italian in SF by the 7x7 Readers Poll and i absolutely agree. excellently prepared italian food with a knowledgeable staff. simple menu - perfect portions - what i want when i ask for pasta. it's not covered in thick sauce and overdone. they make it look easy although it is clearly not. for a more romantic seating, try the outside patio.
Maverick (sf - mission):
this is one of those neighborhood spots you hope people don't find out about. the word is already out on their brunch, so i suggest going on a monday - when bottles of wine are half off. it's small and intimate with a home style menu and quality preparation. The service was fantastic. The wine director/co-owner, poured most of our glasses and had excellent suggestions. the Rieslings he pours are stellar.
Bar Tartine (sf - mission):
i just adore it. the food is interesting but not overly complicated. it had the best sweetbreads ever. super considerate staff. nice cheese selection and a gnocchi that is so scrumptious it's hard to select anything else off the menu. however because the food is that good - i always force myself to try something new and in the end i'm never disappointed.
