Monday, July 20, 2009

Yummies: Volume 3

This past weekend my friend and I hosted a small, casual dinner party for six with wine pairings. It was a great group of people and a lot of fun, with some excellent summer plates including a tomato salad, green beans with basil, creamed sweet corn, and spicy pork tenderloin. One of my friends even made an apricot and raspberry pie to finish off the meal. We had a bottle of 2008 and 2007 Dry Riesling from my favorite winery in Napa Valley, Trefethen (most of us preferred the 2007 which was slightly sweeter and a little more carbonated). With dinner we had a Pinot Noir from a small winery in Mendocino called Toulouse, which I highly recommend visiting if you're ever in that area. We finished off the night with some Gruet Champagne, which my friend picked out, and it was fantastic!

The tomato salad I made was a concoction I came up with after dining on something similar at a luncheon a few weeks ago. It was a huge hit with everyone, and so easy to make. If you have access to a local farmers market, I would recommend getting your tomatoes there. The other ingredients can be purchased at a supermarket, but if you have them at your Farmer's Market then you can save some money that way.

Ingredients (serves 6 as a nice first course)
-2 large red tomatoes
-3 small green tomatoes
-2 large purple heirloom tomatoes
-1 small watermelon (of orange or yellow variety is good, but red is fine too)
-fennel
-spring salad mix
-1/3 cup pine nuts
-1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing:
-1/4 cup red wine vinegar
-3/4 cup olive oil
-1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
-salt and pepper to taste
-pinch of sugar
-pour all ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously

Directions:
-cut off the heart of the fennel and slice it into small slivers. Probably want about a cup or so.
-chop tomatoes into chunks
-chop watermelon into smaller chunks
-combine all ingredients (including pine nuts and feta) in bowl. Cover and chill for one hour before serving

To plate:
-put spring salad mix into bottom of bowls or on plates
-add tomato salad
-pour about a 2 Tablespoons or less of the dressing over it

Serve and enjoy!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Breves Cultch

breves: n. the language in which one speaks in shortened words and phrases. i.e. "She's a mast[er] at breves." also: breving, breved

I mentioned in my very first post that I would be using a lot of abbreviations. I've since realized I have strayed from my promise so I thought I would devote an entire post the the art of abbreviation.

I thought that I was a frequent brever, using words like "obvi" and "totes" and "perf" in casual conversation. Then I spent this past weekend with some people who use "breving" as a common language, and I realized I am way behind in this linguistic culture. Some examples you may not know about:
-cultch --> culture
-ovs --> over (i.e. "come ovs")
-fantast --> fantastic
-sched --> schedule
-effish --> efficient (i.e. "breving is way more effish")
-offish --> official
-d-mech --> defense mechanism
-conversash --> conversation
-awky --> awkward

You get the point.
Here are some rules to follow:
1. Any word ending in -ion can be breved to the root word (i.e. reune = reunion)
2. If its 2+ syllables you can cut off the end and add an s (i.e. totes = totally)
3. If you want to be really annoying, you can add an ies or y to a breve (i.e. whenevsies = whenever or flexy --> flexible).
4. Some are better left said than typed because they just start to look unness (unnecessary). For example, I was told that the breve for obnoxious is spelled "obnoxch" but that looks so bizzaro on paper. Wouldn't you just spell it onbox? Apparently when it ends in -ious you have to add a ch. This is one rule I don't quite agree with but I thought I should include it in this offish breakdown of breving.
5. When in doubt, just cut off the last part of the word and breve it how ever it sounds best.

You can also choose to breve with the end of the word instead of the beginning. For example: "spansh". Spansh is the breved version of expansion (dropping the -ion, of course).

Spansh is also a word that is used to describe another type of breving: when you add an expansion to the word that makes it more fun to say. Here are some examples:
-flexies --> flexible
-perfies --> perfect
-wasticles --> wasted
-tomatsies --> tomatoes
-obnoxical --> obnoxious, like this post.

The important thing to remember is that if you're confused by a breve, pay close attention to the context of the sentence and you should be able to figure out what the person is trying to say. And if that still doesn't work then just punch them in the mouth and say "sorrsies!"

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bicoasting

I spent 4th of July Weekend visiting my friends and family in New York. Thought I spent the majority of the weekend in the pristine suburbs of Rye in Westchester County, I did manage to escape to Manhattan and Brooklyn on my first night visiting. It's about a 45 minute train ride from the burbs to Grand Central station, so it's a pretty easy trek. Upon arriving at Grand Central, I hopped on the subway and made my way on two lines to get to Brooklyn. I have to admit, I definitely felt like a tourist when I couldn't figure out which direction was the right way. But I soon caught my bearings and got to my destination, sorority tote bag in hand, with the letters on the inside so no hipster Brooklynites would pass judgement. I began walking the streets of Brooklyn and caught sight of a Buffalo Exchange store, a popular thrift shop that also has a chain in San Francisco! This made me feel right at home.

As some of you may know, I'm not exactly fond of New York City. Maybe it's the competitive attitudes, or the lack of friendliness, or the sheer expense of living there - but something about living there is really unsettling for me. However, visiting for a night is the perfect taste of the city that never sleeps.

I started off the evening sharing some margaritas with my two friends who just moved into a loft in Brooklyn. Their view is spectacular, with panoramic 360 degree views of the entire city. Considering the incredible view from the back of my apartment in San Francisco, it really made me wish I had access to our roof top.

Following happy hour, I took the subway back into the East Village to meet one of my best friends from home for dinner. We ate at The Smith (some of you may recognize it from the hit MTV show The City) on Third Ave and 10th St. We dined on delicious Brooklyn style calamari (they pour spicy marinara sauce on top), Bipbimbap, and a steak salad, washed down with a delicious Martini and half a carafe of Rioja; coming to a grand total of $50 each. I was shocked. Only $50 for a two course meal in the city complete with drinks? I would definitely recommend this place to any small group, but it was a bit too noisy for a crowd of more than four.

After snapping some pics in the old-fashioned photo booth downstairs, my friend and I said our adieus and I headed off to my next destination: my friends apartment in Astor place for a few cocktails before heading out to the bars. This is where it gets a little blurry. I know we went to a bar, where I met up with another friend in the city, exchanged some text messages with another friend I was trying to catch up with, and had quite a few vodka sodas. Suddenly the black out faded and the next thing I knew we were hopping on a Latino party bus to Times Square. After a few teases on the stripper pole and a couple of lap dances, we said our goodbyes to our new friends and began our hunt for 3am New York pizza (I couldn't possibly leave without it).

By the time we get back to Brooklyn, it's nearly 5:30 and we're watching the sun rise on my friends beautiful rooftop. I come to the conclusion that I might as well take the early train back to the burbs and sleep in my own bed, rather than tossing and turning on their couch for an hour. So after scarfing down a New York bagel with cream cheese (also something I couldn't leave without having), I make my way back to Grand Central and board a train for Harrison. Naturally, I fall asleep on the train and end up in Greenwich, where I have to wait another 40 minutes to catch a local train in the opposite direction that will bring me to my car, which is parked at the Harrison train station. At least I've sobered up enough to drive at this point. What a night.

The rest of the weekend was filled with BBQs, boat rides, family, friends, and fireworks; every thing I expected in a weekend in the suburbs. But my all night rendez-vous in Manhattan was certainly a delightful surprise, and I would do it all over again in a second if I could.

Some things Manhattan does better than SF: pizza, bagels, late night bars.
Some things SF does better than NYC: recycling, smiling, and bedtime.

Thanks to everyone for a great trip!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Life Planner Available!

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Are you sick of going to the same old smelly bar for happy hour?

Are you clueless when it comes to things like fine dining and wine tasting, but you want to learn more about it?

Are you looking to adjust your style and attitude to catch that special guy or girl?

Do you want to plan a weekend out of the city, but don't know where to go or how to get there?

DO YOU NEED A LIFE PLANNER?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, I'm the lady for you! Not only do I have ample experience in event planning and trip organizing, but I can also give you some every day tips to make your life less boring! From happy hour to outdoor exercise to hidden parks, I've got your afternoon planned! Want to have a great home-cooked meal but don't know how to make toast? I've got the personal chef for you! And if you're the type that likes to be waited on, I am your own personal yelp system. And in a city like this, be sure not to miss out on trips to the theater, concerts, and museums! Or get out of the city and take a ride up to wine country or the mountains and lakes! Let's not forget about the simple luxuries like shopping and spas; glam yourself up to get the attention of your crush! Even the simple act of using exclamation marks in your every day writing adds a little excitement to your life!

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Seriously though, I don't like working with a budget and I charge a steep commission so don't contact me if you're broke.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

What ever happened to Friday?

As my weekend agenda has began to unfold, I'm starting to realize that I rarely ever make Friday night plans anymore. By the time Thursday rolls around, I am nearly crawling the walls with anxiousness for the weekend to begin, that I forget that I have to work the next day.

The last three Thursdays, I've gone out drinking into the wee hours of the night, only to wake up with a full day of painfully boring work ahead of me. Not to mention an excruciating hangover that can be somewhat remedied by a greasy breakfast, which only makes me feel worse a few hours later. I end up having to cancel my Friday Happy Hour plans because the thought of alcohol at 5pm makes me wretch, and all I want is to get home and indulge in a stoned nap. If I'm lucky, I get myself out of bed by 8, shower, and out of the house by 9. But I usually don't even make it passed midnight, when my level of intoxication combats with my desire to fall asleep at the bar. But by Saturday I manage to sleep until 10am (if I'm not awaken earlier by my lively roommates or my internal alarm clock), squeeze a yoga class in, then head to the park for some weekend relaxation. As soon as 6pm hits, I'm ready to rage again (that is, if I haven't already had an early start at the park or at a neighborhood BBQ). Most Saturday's I can make it until at least 2am, which is when the bars close in San Francisco (I know all you New Yorkers and Chicagoans are smirking right now). The best nights are when I'm strolling home and all the bodegas are already closed and the street is so empty that you would think I'm in the middle of a scene from 28 Days Later. Then I know I've accomplished a good night out.

I suppose it works out rather well this way, because I get a day in between each night of drunken stupor to regain my energy. If only I could find some way to balance it all out; if only I only had to go to work every other day. Then the world would be a perfect place.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Camping in style

This past weekend I went with two of my girlfriends on a little 3.5 hour road trip up to Mendocino, a beautiful area with Redwoods, campground, hiking, beaches, and of course wine tasting. Really can't get any better than that.

I booked a great camp site months ago (Site #25 - I recommend it) in the Russian Gulch State Park, off of Route 1 about 15 miles from Hwy 128. Our site was located on the bend of this stream that lined the campground, right between the toilets and the showers. The space to put our tents was right next to the stream, shaded by a big tree which offered mucho privacy (especially nice for couple camping). The ground came with a fire pit, lock box, picnic table, and parking spot - pretty standard for most car camping sites. We stayed for two nights and woke up each morning to the sounds of birds chirping, water rippling, and the occasional laughing or screaming child (apparently this came ground is also great for families with small children).

On Saturday, after having some breakfast and a couple early morning Bud Lights, we put on our sundresses and hopped in the car to drive a half hour south for some wine tasting. All the wine tasting in Navarro county is free, with the exception of 4 or 5 places (whom charge $10 max). This not only makes for a cheap day, but it gives you a much more relaxed mentality that you certainly won't get in Napa or St. Helena. Our first stop was Roderer, where we sampled some sparking wine and got the evil eye a couple times from the pourer. Needless to say, the wine was decent but the service lacked. Next we drove about 30 feet to Husch, which was one of the very first wineries established in the county. They operate out of a little cabin with some tables out back, and they offer many wines that are only available in the tasting room, including their T-Bud Dry Cuvee Gewurztraminer and Old Vine Zinfandel (both of which I couldn't resist purchasing). They also have a fantastic Chardonnay and some very nice Pinot Noirs (FYI: the entire valley is known for producing sweet whites like Riesling and Gewurztraminer, but also for their bold and fruity Pinot Noirs. This mainly has to do with the cooler climate that is caused by their proximity to the ocean, but for more information click here). We also stopped at Navarro Vineyards, which features a list of 14+ wines to choose from, and you can even taste all of them if you want, FOR FREE! They also have a nice little picnic area to bring some cheese and bread to munch on. Our next stop was a little young winery called Toulouse. It rests on top of the hill, with great views of the mountains and valley, and some excellent wines to taste, including a delicious Rose Pinot Noir, and a 2006 Pinot Noir that makes licorice taste like chocolate when you consume them together. Our last stop was Goldeneye, which is a "fancy" little spot by the same team the produces Duckhorn and Paraduxx in Napa Valley. We sat on their outdoor patio and grazed with some cheese and currants, before taking a walk through the vineyard. The sun was shining and the wine was flowing! Though Goldeneye charges for their tastings, it's totally worth it.

After chowing down on some sandwiches to soak up the day's alcohol intake, we rode back to the campground for some more relaxation. I was in charge of the fire pit for the weekend, and I did a pretty damn good job. I learned how to build a fire from my ex-boyfriend on my last camping trip and I must say it definitely came in handy for this one. My fire rocked! We cooked up some ground turkey and veggie burritos and some grilled veggies and had a little outdoor feast, complete with whiskey and apple juice - my favorite camping beverage. After some card games, star gazing and chit chat, we headed to our tents for another night of slumber in the great outdoors.

After cleaning up the site the next morning, we went on a long hike through the back of the camp grounds. We hiked to the top of a mountain, filled with century-old Redwood trees, purple flowers, and some narrow pathways. Once we reached the top, we descended into a beautiful waterfall, where we took a rest and fed some Cheez-its to a fatty chipmunk. All-in-all, a great hike to cap off a fantastic sunny weekend. If you have an interest in wine, or you just like to camp and be in a serene environment - definitely make the trip to Mendocino this summer.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Gems

Most Gemini creatures are pretty extreme in their astrological qualities. And if you don't fall in line with the zodiac sign, then I feel sorry for you. What makes the Gemini sign so cool is that it's the sign of the Twin, which means we have an astrological excuse to switch into bitch-mode whenever we want to.

I'm a super Gemini. So much so, that I tattooed this symbol on my the back of my left shoulder right around my 21st Birthday when I was studying in Brighton, England. Just to name a few positive qualities; popularity, wit, sharp humor, great thinkers, playfulness, determination, sincerity. Gemini's also pick up on other people's qualities very easily, and can quickly wrap our head around an idea that others may find perplexing.

However, with these excellent attributes come several pitfalls. We're easily distracted, and can get bored quickly with an idea after it is no longer new. We are also competitive with the same sex, and can be manipulative when it comes to maneuvering relationships with the opposite sex. But really, who doesn't play games?

With my birthday coming up next week, I find that this is my peak Gemini time. All of my qualities come through in even stronger ways than usual, and all the signs are aligned for good things to happen.

If you're a fellow Gemini, than you know what I'm talking about. And if you're of a different zodiac sign, than you're probably just insanely jealous right now. Did I mention that Gemini's also have a problem with being modest? ;-)