Big Sur

 

 

Saturday, Kat, Matt, Adam, (my 3 closest friends in SF) and I drove (well...I drove) 2.5 hours south(ish) to enjoy a sunny day in Big Sur. As it turn out, it wasn't all that sunny, but we still LOVED it. These getaway weekends are kind of becoming our thing. How could we not take advantage of the opportunities all around San Francisco proper? Too much beauty, too little time.

Big Sur (per Wiki):

Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big country of the south", referring to its location south of the Monterey Peninsula. The terrain offers stunning views, making Big Sur a popular tourist destination. Big Sur's Cone Peak is the highest coastal mountain in the contiguous 48 states, ascending nearly a mile (5,155 feet/1571 m) above sea level, only three miles (4.8 km) from the ocean.

Ballet in Stern Grove

As part of the Stern Grove Festival, Kat and I attended a free, outdoor ballet this past Sunday in Stern Grove instead of attending SF's Dore Alley festivities (Google at your own risk). Per Stern Grove Website:

Stern Grove Festival Association is a non-profit cultural organization committed to providing the people of the Bay Area with admission-free access to diverse performing arts.

Every year since 1938, the organization presents Stern Grove Festival, an admission-free performing arts series, in Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco.

It was so romantic, and moving forward will become a regular date spot. Even in the middle of July, Kat and I bundled up prepping for the low 60 degree weather, grabbed coffee and a blanket, and eventually found a spot way up in the hills (we showed up a little late - only 45 minute before the ballet began). Yes, we had to duck under trees and branches, but I think that made the experience that much more fun. Yet another example of one of the many offerings this city has. Love.

TMN STYLE: Napa Pool Day

Saturday, Adam and Kat picked me up in the morning before heading to Napa for a day of pooling, relaxing, drinking fancy wine (not that fancy), and eating. Before I contorted myself into the tiny back seat of her mini (along with Adam's guitar) I couldn't help myself - I had to take a picture of Adam's outfit. Essentially, he was serving everything-I-want-to-look-like realness. There was really nothing special about it (sorry, Adam) but I found beauty in simplicity. Easy, vintage, light wash Levi's cut-offs, a muted coral tank, and a basic sweatshirt complete with your standard white Chucks gave a casual but pulled-together look. Top it off with a SF Giants flat-billed hat, and he was good to go. Perfect.

San Francisco Symphony

This past Sunday, the SF Symphony serenaded Dolores Park with their truly magical sounds. Then again, this is coming from someone who their warm ups were actual songs. Literally, they were just making noise. #nailedit. Katherine, Matt, Adam, and I met up with a few friends, threw down blankets, de-layered (the temperature warmed up what seems like 20 degrees after the clouds dissipated), and enjoyed the show. Free, fun, outdoor things like this really make me appreciate living in a city that's nearly bursting with culture and diversity. I love it.

TMN STYLE: 30 Under 30

Last night, Katherine and I met up with our friend, Adam, to attend a 30 Under 30 party. Other than that fact that it was swanky as shit, you needed to be on a list, and free cocktails were involved, I honestly don't know too, too much about it. I will say this - everyone TURNED. IT. OUT. Staying in the Castro bubble, it's easy to forget that people still dress up, hipster out, and w.e.r.k.

In a sea of ombre hair, high buns and bangs, bold lips, and printed rompers stood Katherine (per usual) in a league of her own. Here's the breakdown of her threads:

Shirt: Forever 21
Pants: American Apparel
Clutch: Vintage Haight St. Find
Bracelet: from Jeremy's (high end thrift)
Ring: Tiffany's
Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Well that was a weekend...

Okay - I know this has pictures from a night out which I usually reserve for Facebook, but I couldn't help sharing.

Joe, one of my best friends from Louisiana, is in town visiting for a few days and we decided to start his visit off BIG. It was one of those nights that began with a few drinks at HiTops, my favorite Castro bar that...somehow ended up with Joe, me, and my three best friends in the city dancing until 5:30am at a questionable establishment in SOME called The End Up. Literally, it was nonstop dancing from 2 until 5:30. Like - I know how ridiculous that sounds, but you know how it is. ANYthing can be fun if you're with the right people. What I really loved most was what happened after: We thought it would be a good idea to run to Safeway, wait for 10 minutes until 6:00 when we could buy champagne (see the picture of Katherine (above) perusing the isles to waste time), and head to Dolores Park to watch the sunrise. It. Was. Everything. Granted, I'm a little tired after not sleeping at all, but it was totally worth it. This city...I just can't.

Happy Friday

Let the weekend begin!

Angel Island

A few weekends ago, some friends and I took a ferry past the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz (first picture) over to Angel Island to enjoy a day of warm sun, good food, flag football, good times with friends, and relaxation. "I really just need to get out of the city this weekend" is a phrase just as common in San Francisco as it is it Manhattan. Sometimes you just need a break from the hustle and bustle and the best way to do that...is to just leave. SF is perfect because depending on the direction you're traveling, in just a short time you can be in wine country or in the mountains or at the beach. Perfection.

This trip was something else. For starters, friends, Sarah, Matt, Korey, and I almost missed the ferry (there was running involved circa Home Alone Airport scene) because our Uber (like a fancy cab) driver simply would not hurry...until Nicole Sscherzinger's Jai Ho came on. Literally. Then while we were there, these Asian girls (which honestly I'm not even positive they were a part of our group) started posing with me and taking pictures while I was sleeping. I'm 90% positive they didn't speak English and didn't seem to know anyone. But like...they were laying next to me and giving peace signs while the other would take pictures. Da fuq?

Long story short, I am (once again) reminding you of how perfect SF is. Like I had to grab a slightly warmer jacket when I left this morning because it was pretty chilly. It's July. JULY. I LOVE IT!

The Fourth

 

 

Happy 4th of July (yesterday)! As I'm writing this post, I'm bundled up in my living room, drinking coffee and nursing a hang over from yesterday's activities. It's cold and overcast - perfect weather for updating my neglected blog.

Yesterday was amazing: great food, great people, roof top fireworks, popsicles...and all in San Francisco. How did I get so lucky? We started the day at 1:00pm at our friend, Matt's house right in the middle of Lower Haight. His apartment (with it's spacious kitchen and patio) was the perfect venue for hosting a 4th party. The weather...was everything. 100% opposite from today. It was warm, sunny, and breezy. I actually don't think there was one person there not in a tank top now that I think about it. Afterwards, it was off to the bars, friends houses for fire works, then back out (obviously). I'm not sure if I could think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July. Go America!

Academy of Art

Last night, I attended  the Pride Nightlife at the Academy with  a few friends in Golden Gate Park. The normal party is hosted every Thursday at the Academy, but taking SF Pride into consideration, this one was complete with Drag shows (with special guests from RuPaul's Drag Race). A few Kentucky Mules in, and I was having the time of my life because what does a gay love more than a cocktail hour at a bougie venue? We so klassy.

#pride

Between DOMA and San Francisco Pride, my life is in gay overload and I couldn't be happier. I am so proud to be me. Similar to how people are proud to be smart, tall, thin (don't ask me - I wouldn't know), or anything else, I would never ever change my sexual orientation. There isn't an insult anyone could throw at me that would make me ashamed of who I am or who I love. This week has helped solidify that. No offense, heteros, but like - being gay is kind of the best.

TMN STYLE: San Francisco Rain

Finally - some less than perfect weather. I literally never thought I'd say this, but 70 degrees, 0% humidity, and not a cloud in the sky can get a little boring after weeks of it at a time. With this rain, I've had a chance to bust out some rain gear, layer up, and enjoy some humidity (am I drunk?). 

Scarf: Haight Street thrift find

Jacket: J.Crew (similar here)

Shirt: Gap - Modern Oxford (Blue)

Jeans: Levi's 511

Shoes: L.L.Bean Duck Boot 8"

Glasses: Ran-Ban Folding Wayfarer

#sissie

I've talked about this before. I have my friends, best friends, and people even closer than that. Then - I have my sissies, Matt (Puss) and Ryan. It's a weird relation that really is more of a family bond than a friendship. We've known each other for forever and there is (quite literally) nothing we don't know about each other.

While Matt was unavailable, Ryan treated himself to an SF visit after recently graduating from his Master's program at LSU. It was everything I wanted it to be, and I cannot type in words how absolutely incredible it felt to have him here. It's funny - we talk every single day, so it's not like we had to do any catching up to do. We both talked about how we've gained weight, but after that it was business as usual.

To say we were busy would be an understatement. Upon landing Thursday afternoon, we squeezed in as much SF sightseeing as someone could handle. On top of that, it was out every night, Dolores Park days, rooftop drinks, yummy dinner dates. As I assumed, all of my friends here instantly fell in love with him, and were just as sad to see him go as he was to leave. While he may not want to move here, I would still say that the trip was a success!

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I post here almost daily - so much easier than blogspot. #sorryboutit

No worries - I'll still keep TMN updated, but with more dialog. Talk soon!

TMN STYLE: Kat

Can you even? This is the outfit that Katherine wore the morning that we went to Plow for brunch. How could I not sneak a picture?