SF FIND: Illy

I typically work in Mountain View, CA onsite at my two new clients' locations, but occasionally (whenever I can) I'll from from one of their downtown SF office (cutting my commute down by 75%). Umm - yes please.

Since I was able to work in SF this morning, I had a quick coffee date with my friend, Katherine (before I jumped on the subway heading downtown) at a new espresso shop in The Castro: Illy. No, it's not SF local, but it IS amazing with such a great clean, funky, airy ambiance. Obviously, it was the perfect way to start this beautiful Friday.

Steven Allen

View from my living room window

Over the weekend, I treated myself to some essentials: new boots and glasses. Neither of them I needed. Both of them I would have killed for.

It was the perfect SF rainy, cold, winter day this past Saturday - a rarity considering it's usually pretty perfect. I got up, walked to a coffee shop down the street for an overpriced latte and muffin, then headed over to the Steven Allen store in Hayes Valley "just to look around" on the way to the Mini dealership. After buying the Willard Glasses in Matte Red, I was leaving when a pair of Thorogood X boots caught my eye. I literally walked right back into the store, asked for a size ten, checked out again, and left with a pair of boots I've been looking at for 6 months. Granted, I wanted the Redwing version, but since these are essentially the same exact thing (but 100 dollars off) how could I resist?

#oopsididitagain

Wedding According to New Orleans

Over the Christmas break, I was the date of the maid of honor for my friend, Mary Grace's wedding in New Orleans. Umm...she nailed it. The church, reception, dress, bridesmaid's dresses (gold sequin - YAS), on and on were all PERFECT.

The wedding was at Immaculate Conception (across from the Roosevelt) so obviously I had a cocktail and saw the lobby of the gorgeous hotel decorated for Christmas before walking into the church. After the ceremony, we party-bussed over to the reception at The Omni Royal Hotel in the French Quarter where we drank and ate and drank and danced and drank all night. I love weddings in general, but this one was really great. She did an amazing job - and of course none of us were surprised.

The next morning, I struggled to get up, walk around the quarter enjoying it for it's beauty and uniqueness, had a bloody mary, and headed back to the Northshore for the rest of my vacation. Perfection.