Recently I was looking for a restaurant to meet a former coworker at to catch up. I didn’t feel like going too far from home (Pac Heights), but wanted something that was classy and quiet enough for a convo but with yummy food and a good wine list. I decided to try SPQR on Fillmore St. and ordered their smoked fettucini with sea urchin and smoked bacon, topped with a quail egg, which is now on my “dream about that dish regularly” list.

I’m not a *huge* fan of Italian restaurants – to me, spaghetti is spaghetti. Blasphemous, I know! I want unique pairings, fancy ingredients and combos that wow me. Marina sauce with meatballs and noodles this does not equal. SPQR is an Italian restaurant that does. Their “primi” pasta dishes are unlike any other. I’m talking mustard capellini with a guinea hen ragu and mimolette cheese, cocoa pasta with foraged mushroom, fontina and black truffle; and chestnut tagliatelle with cider and chestnut braised suckling pork. Plus, they have bacon or pork in like half their dishes. All of this makes them a prime candidate for Je’s SF-Best Crown.

BUT, the cherry on top of SPQR’s whipped cream menu – they have a “chef’s counter” that you can make reservations at. It’s basically a six top counter that overlooks the kitchen where you can watch the chefs work their magic and see what each dish looks like. It helped me choose the smoked fettucini… and I am NOT sorry.

Currently Feeling: Exhausted after a crazy busy week sponsoring SF Business Week at work and having personal plans every weekend. It’s hump day, and I’m ready to SLEEP.
Currently Anticipating: Costume shopping for Bay to Breakers tomorrow. I have about four different costume ideas I need to choose between!
Currently Loving: A very flattering compliment I received today that’s left me smiling all evening.

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A "LOVE" bracelet I received in the mail from a friend

I wrote on Valentine’s Day this year about how my word for the year is LOVE and how I’m starting Project Love in 2012.

To remind you, my goals of Project Love are to:

1. Let LOVE back into my life, not only how I’m showing love, but most importantly how I’m finding it
2. LOVE my body more – think positively about what I love about my body and fuel it with the love of healthy food and working out
3. LOVE strangers more through smiling at those I pass on the streets instead of adverting my eyes
4. LOVE my friends and family from afar through handwritten letters instead of texts, phone calls instead of emails and random acts of kindess to surprise them

I know I’ve been silent about where I’m at with all of it, and don’t think it’s because I haven’t been focusing on LOVE. Quite just the opposite, actually.

Before I update you on the matters of my heart, I’ll start with letting you know that I’m loving myself, and my body, a lot more these days (which was one of my top LOVE goals, this year). My intense “clean diet, feet on the street, less drinking” lifestyle change has gifted me back the figure I felt was missing since at least 28. Just last week I zipped up my skinny skinny jeans and favorite white pants I haven’t worn in years. (!!!) With that confidence boost, I feel like I’m flirting more and feeling a bit more “sexy” again…

You guys, this is really personal to admit but I’m going to do it anyway in the spirit of disclosure on my blog: it’s been a long time since I’ve looked in the mirror and felt really good, or even attractive. That’s a big bummer to write – but there’s just so much pressure on girls my age who are single to be super fit, and I just haven’t felt up to standards for too long to admit. It’s really affected my dating life and confidence, and when I moved to SF, I felt it was just time I changed my lifestyle and work on what makes me LOVE myself. And whew boy, it feels so great!

As for my heart – ahh, my heart.

How I know I’m unconditionally LOVING myself, and the woman I am, more these days is that I recently was bummed out over someone I really liked, who didn’t “like” me back enough to date me. And instead of it turning into how I’m not good enough, skinny enough, smart enough, funny enough – not enough, enough, enough. Instead of that old, tired story, I heard myself saying out loud – Man, is he missing out. Because I am smart, and good enough, and pretty, and interesting and funny. I am enough. Today, right now. And only someone who believes that, and really LOVES herself as-is, says that out loud.

And as for this said person I liked and the story there, I’ll leave you with this: I have never been more comfortable blatantly flirting or openly pursuing someone I found attractive. Instead of standing in the wings, waiting for something to happen, for him to make a move, I went after what I wanted for a change. And even if it didn’t exactly go how I’d hoped or planned, it was a detour from how I’ve acted in the past and to me, THAT feels like a huge step forward in Project Love.

AND, in keeping with the “going after what I want” and “be bold” theme, I’m a brewing a crazy dating idea that will kick putting myself back out there in high, high gear and align nicely with Project Love. I’m hoping to have details and an announcement in June, so expect another Project Love update sooner than this one. That update should also include a bit more focus on love goals #3 and #4 too.

To LOVE (and Wanda)!

Currently Feeling: Really great after a good wine and cheese night, connecting with some of the girls at work that I didn’t know that well.
Currently Anticipating: My first SkillShare class tomorrow – on blogging and content creation. If you haven’t heard of SkillShare, check it out!
Currently Needing: To buy my Bay to Breakers costume…figure out Memorial Day weekend plans… and get a tan.

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This time last year I was driving through Washington, Oregon and the first half of California with my sister and cat in my red VW Bug, arriving in San Francisco at 1 a.m. on May 13, 2011. I was *really* unsure of what was ahead of me. I was *really* unsure of leaving my friends and family behind. I was a bit anxious, and really emotional. I didn’t know what to expect – I was just making the leap, sans an official “job” or boyfriend to support my choice. But, I was thrilled to be embarking on the adventure I had talked about wanting to do my entire 20s.

A few people said to me, “Oh the first year is the hardest!” about moving away.

I don’t know if I am luckier than the average bear (oftentimes I think so), or if I’m stronger or more independent… I can’t answer that. But I can say I found little about my first year in San Francisco to be hard. Sure, it was challenging and sometimes I felt homesick or overwhelmed about not knowing anyone or anywhere. But overall, my year was sparkly, fun, magical and new. I laughed a lot; I met the people I’m meant to meet; I’ve eaten at more fabulous restaurants in one year than should be allowed. I’ve grown professionally; I’ve kissed cute boys; I’ve shared the most important pieces of me with new girl friends; I’ve reinvented my reality. I’ve seen more live music than any previous year of my life; I’ve lost weight (hello skinny jeans from 20-years-old!); I’ve tried so many new things and discovered new favorites; I’ve made a special little home for myself.

And to top it off, I feel like I’m just getting started. I feel like my life in San Francisco is really starting to rock and roll… I’m finding the heartbeat of the city, meeting new groups of people, filling out my calendar, and just simply loving life and those who I’ve made my family here.

I can’t wait to see what year two brings, and share those special moments with all of you, blog lovelies.

Here is my first year in San Francisco through my Instagram lens (you can click on each photo to find out details of what the picture is of or where it was taken in the city, if you feel so inclined)…

You can read previous recap posts or thoughts about my move from Seattle in my The Move blog category.

If you’d like to make an Instagram grid on your blog, you can follow this guide I found here.

Currently Feeling: Like sometimes the universe throws you curve balls, and I’ve never been good at curve balls.
Currently Anticipating: A busy week ahead with some fun work events, girls night, blogging class and Thirsty Thursday party party!
Currently Reading: A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana

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For $25, we got to pick our own hand-blown glass, and it was filled up all night with unlimited beer, wine or pop. (Let’s be honest – who chooses pop?!)

Hot Glass, Cold Beer also featured live acoustic music, snacks like homemade guac and chips (always a crowd pleaser) and glass blowing demos.

Jess and I mixed and mingled throughout the packed house, and had a GREAT time. It felt like a creative, artistic way to spend our Saturday night (in a new scene AND with wine).

I’d definitely recommend going to the next Hot Glass, Cold Beer event at Public Glass!

Currently Feeling: A little homesick. I need a quick trip to hang out with my BFFs.
Currently Anticipating: Dinner and an urban hike tonight with a friend.
Currently Needing: A new workout routine, desperately.

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I SOO wish I could remember what Internet rabbit hole it came from, but alas, I can’t retrace my steps. But the blogger made a great point – oatmeal is a grain. Just like couscous, brown rice and bugler wheat. So why does everyone feel the need to make their oatmeal sweet?

Ah ha moment!

I’m a savory breakfast kind of a gal, so have largely strayed from eating oatmeal. But since da oats are so dang good for your heart and health, this recipe makes me HAPPY!

Just take 1/4 – 1/2 cup of uncooked oats and prepare it to instructions. Add one chopped slice of Canadian bacon + shredded Parmesan cheese + a poached egg + hot sauce or just salt/pepper to taste (I prefer Tapatio). The trick is to not have too much oatmeal…the egg and ingredients should “sit” on top of the oatmeal like polenta dishes with poached eggs on top. And the cheese/hot sauce will season the oats so it doesn’t taste bland.

I double dog dare you to try it this week!

Currently Feeling: Relief I got through a tough convo today. Onward and upward!
Currently Anticipating: Heading to bed early tonight, so I can make an early gym trip in the am.
Currently Wanting: An iPad! I admit…now that I leave my laptop at work most nights, and even most weekends, I want something to browse and blog with at home. Ehhhh.

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“I mustache you, do you think I’m still pretty? Meow.”

Currently Feeling: A little Sunday night anxiety. This week is going to be busy and stressful!
Currently Anticipating: Focusing on eating healthy and working out this week to manage stress levels and feel awake and happy!
Currently Loving: The salsa I made in a cooking class today. More deets coming on the blog this week!

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“I better explain what the concept of “going out” with someone meant back then, because time has changed it. I was talking recently to a woman friend whose daughter had come to her in a state of distress. She was in her second term at university, and had been sleeping with a boy who had – openly, and to her knowledge – been sleeping with several other girls at the same time. What he was doing was auditioning them all before deciding which to “go out” with. The daughter was upset, not so much by the system – though she half-perceived its injustice – as by the fact that she hadn’t been the one finally chosen.

This made me feel like a survivor from some antique, bypassed culture whose members were still using carved turnips as a from of monetary exchange. Back in “my day” – though I didn’t claim ownership of it at the time, still less do I now – this is what used to happen: you met a girl, you were attracted to her, you tried to ingratiate yourself, you would invite her to a couple of social events – for instance, the pub – then ask her out on her own, then again, and after a good-night kiss of variable heat, you were somehow, officially, “going out” with her.”

Only when you were semi-publicly committed did you discover what her sexual policy might be.

– an excerpt from The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, Winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize 

Currently Feeling: Excited about a silly new idea I have (hope to launch it in two months)!
Currently Anticipating: Thursday night shenanigans in the City tonight with Jess. I’m thinking black heels and red lipstick will come out to play.
Currently Needing: To slow my pace a bit. Hoping next week will be more low key.

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Well, the Hunky Jesus Competition at Dolores Park on Easter Sunday is “soooooo San Francisco.” Weird, inappropriate, random, hilarious, and NOT.TO.BE.MISSED if you ever happen to find yourself in SF on Easter, or live here.

Twenty plus “hunky Jesus” men took the stage in costumed themes such as “Cheeze-It Christ” (naked with a box of Cheeze-Its) or “Jesus H Christ Takes the Cake” (a Jesus with an H-shaped cross, smeared in cake). Only one walked away a winner: Funky Jesus (the one pictured above with a gigantic cross electronic guitar that he actually played with a bottle of whiskey). Now if that doesn’t say, “he has risen!” I don’t know what does.

And of course, the competition was hosted by drag queens and the park was full of 1,000s of lovely Easter-decorated San Franciscans… I’m talking elaborate Easter-basket hats or coats made with Peeps. It really all was just too spectacular, and it helped to take away the sting of not having my own family Easter celebration or a basket of Peeps and Cadbury Creme Eggs at home.

Currently Feeling: A lot of “chores” hanging over my head – I’m way past due on grocery shopping and have a pile of laundry on my floor I”ve been trying to fold for a week!
Currently Anticipating: My one-year SF-versary is only two weeks away!
Currently Wondering: Why it’s so hard to find a taco with a hard shell to eat these days!

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This past weekend was a balmy 75-80 degrees in the City (weather that only graces San Francisco a couple times a year – it’s sunny here, but it’s not that warm). I got out my shiny sunglasses, warm-weather clothes and spray tan out of a can for a day of glorious, glorious fun and trouble, at a bevvy of spots I haven’t been before. Here’s how you do an 80-degree San Francisco day:

Baker Beach! This little sliver of beach is accessible by walking down 25th St. (off California), through a fancy pants neighborhood with big beautiful houses, until you reach a gate leading to the stretch of sand with a view of the Golden Gate in the background. Music, bathing suits and alcohol permitted! Just follow the rich people road.

Fancy new spring duds from Zara! Have you seen this new “short in the front, long in the back” skirt style that’s been cropping up? I’d like to call it my mullet skirt. OR my business in the front, party in the back skirt. You decide. Only $70 will make you feel like a floaty, girly dream.

Biergarten! This new outdoor beer garden (go figure) is located in Hayes Valley… where I think my boys are at. (My boys being over-30 – oh yeahhh). It’s a bit of a wait in line to get in, but once you’re inside 1-liter beers of German hops are there to greet you, along with a selection of  ”high brow” German bites similar to the owners first venture, their restaurant Suppenkuche.

Hot pink deviled eggs! Well, I never. This little salty treats were delivered to our table at Biergarten, and I literally gasped in delight. Were these not meant for me in every way?! Also worth ordering – speck wrapped white asparagus, pork belly sliders, a good ole German pretzel and the egg sandwich on herbed bread.

Berlin Style Ping Pong from America Tripps! Alert – SF Bucket List item! A friend recently opened my eyes and ears to this little Berlin Style Ping Pong phenom, and I had to see it for myself. I dragged some friends there, and paid $5 for some fancy music, cheap drinks and round-robin ping pong entertainment. Everyone loves a little friendly competition after day drinking. Check it out if you get a chance!

Firecracker Balls! How everyone should end their night – DUH. Clearly we were starving after running around a ping pong table, so we walked up the street to Chili Cha Cha, a thai restaurant in the lower Haight. These Firecracker Balls were essentially spicy tuna sushi rolls, deep fried and drizzled in teriyaki, sriracha and spicy mayo. YUMMO. You can read my entire review of Chili Cha Cha on Yelp.

Currently Feeling: The crunch time at work – we launch in less than two weeks, and there’s so much to be done. Ahhh.
Currently Anticipating: Ignite SF tonight! I’ve been waiting for them to have one in SF. It’s my favorite event (started in Seattle)!
Currently Loving: This little cafe in the alley behind my work called Neeto. They have a Neeto Burrito (breakfast) that’s to die for. Plus, I just like saying Neeto Burrito.

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It’s a piece of advice we often see in quotes or probably fancied up in some “Words to Live By” board on Pinterest, but it works, and it’s helped me get a bit further in life, work and love these days.

SAY WHAT YOU WANT. ASK FOR IT.

It seems so simple – yet, when is the last time you didn’t ask for something because you felt insecure about the outcome. Are you keeping a secret from someone right now because you’re afraid what they’ll think? How they’ll react?

I’ve never had a problem saying what I *think* when there’s no chance of rejection. Those who know me know that I’m probably a bit too honest at times, occasionally I partake in word vomit and regret it later. I’m learning when it’s more appropriate to keep jokes or opinions or snotty comments in my head rather than say them outloud, but that doesn’t ever mean I won’t tell you the truth. (It’s really a trait of mine I think is one of the best, if you look at it from the right angle).

But while I’m learning to keep some stuff in, I’m simultaneously learning to let other stuff out. When there *is* a chance of rejection. And it’s empowering. I’ve asked for the raise. I’ve asked for the promotion I wanted. I’ve told someone I’ve liked them. I’ve approached tough topics that are easily avoided. And each time, I’ve felt better after I found my voice, even if it wasn’t the answer I wanted to receive. EVEN if it’s meant rejection. That’s hard sometimes – sometimes embarrassing – sometimes uncomfortable. But I decided I wanted to live my life with knowing instead of never asking. And you guys, it feels so great. I dare you to try it.

If you could ask for anything today – or tell anyone anything you’ve been holding in -
what would it be? (Come on, chances are they won’t ever see it).

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