Beretta Cocktail Class

Jay and I tried our hand at a Gin 101 Mixology Class at one of our favorite restaurants, Beretta (located in the Mission). And to our surprise, we learned that gin is simply a vodka infused with juniper and many other botanicals including coriander, anise, citrus peels, cardamom, almonds and cinnamon. 

We learned how to create a stirred cocktail (classic martini), a built cocktail (gin and tonic) and a shaken cocktail (the Last Word, a cocktail actually developed at the Detroit Athletic Club). My favorite was the classic martini, and I learned that proper martinis should not be shaken like the old saying, but stirred! 

Jay and I were so inspired by this new art that we decided to turn one of our bookcases into a bar display, take a look below! Next time you are in Noe Valley, stop by and we will be happy to demonstrate our new mixology skills by building you a perfect gin cocktail!

Photos by K. Mears

I heart Julian Casablancas

Image Source Unknown

Those who know me, know that I am a huge fan of The Strokes and their front man Julian Casablancas. So I was super excited when my friend reminded me that their new album was out last week! I listened to Angles all weekend and I am definitely pleased, but I have to say it didn't knock my socks off. I think I was partly so excited to listen to something new from them, that it made me enjoy the album a little more than deserved. That being said though, I think that it's a good listen and if you are a fan of The Stokes, you are going to be happy with the purchase. I just wish they could capture the chemistry from Is this it? But perhaps part of the fun had to do with the album releasing just after college graduation and it was a fun soundtrack for those carefree days of my early 20s. No matter what though, I will forever heart this band!

Le Charm

Photos by K. Mears

I had no idea when we moved to San Francisco that we we would be eating so much French inspired food. We recently discovered yet another French bistro in the city, Le Charm. We went there for dinner with a group of friends but I would highly recommend this little bistro for a romantic evening for two. Since it was the weekend, I threw caution to the wind and went for the prix fixe menu, which gave me an option for an appetizer, main course and dessert. It was tough to choose but I went for the endive and arugula salad, risotto with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms and profiteroles (which my brother-in-law pointed out sounds like medication, although he swallowed his words once he took a bite). All three courses were delicious! I think Jay and I will definitely be back next time we are looking for a night on the town!

Rainbow Bookshelf

Photo by K. Mears

I got a bit of the spring cleaning bug last weekend, and decided to change up our living room bookshelf. Jay and I donated much of our library to Goodwill before moving to San Francisco since our apartment has limited space, so we don't have too much to work with anymore (also we are addicted to the iPad and Kindle). Never the less, I wanted to display our books in a more interesting way than a hodgepodge. So I did a little research and came across the rainbow approach on Fresh Home and Honey We're Home. The only rhyme or reason to this organizational method is the sleeve color. What do you think? I think it adds a little fun to our cozy space!

Bouquets to Art

Image from  bouquetstoart.famsf.org

The de Young Museum is always a pleasure, but from March 15 to 19, there's additional incentive to visit, the Bouquets to Art exhibition. Created by San Francisco's most talented floral designers, 150 floral arrangements inspired by the artwork will be placed throughout the museum. It is said that not only are the floral displays beautiful, but walking into the museum will give you a fragrance lesson as well. The displays will only be up for a limited time, so don't miss it! Spring is here!

Weekend Wishes

Photo by J. Mears

This has been a week of ups and downs and I am very much looking forward to the down time that this weekend has to offer. Thank goodness for Saturday and Sunday!

Most of you probably also woke up to the devastating earthquake report from Japan. For those looking for more information on how to help, here's a link with relief options.

Have a safe weekend friends.

Ambiance San Francisco

Image from ambiancesf.com

I would love to say I'm a boutique kind of gal, but the truth is, typically you will find me purchasing much of my wardrobe online. A tempting 20% off  and free shipping coupon from J.Crew or Banana Republic and I'm theirs. But since moving to San Francisco, I've grown a new appreciation for the fine details and even deals found in cute boutiques with enticing store fronts. One of my favorites is Ambiance. There are a few locations throughout the city, and luckily one is on 24th street in the heart of Noe Valley. I visit Ambiance often and have found it's a great place for anything from flats with a bit of sparkle to the perfect little San Francisco winter coat. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, I would encourage you to stop by. If you need more of an incentive, they have a 10% offer going on all of March!

Craving Home Cooked Indian Food

Image from indianasapplepie.com

I definitely took for granted when I lived so close to my parents in Michigan that home cooked Indian food was just a 40 minute drive away. Now that I live across the country from my world class chef of a mom, I am left to try out Indian recipes on my own. I do have a handful of my favorites documented but am a really inefficient chef and what should take 30 minutes takes 90. However, I recently came across The Indian Slow Cooker and I think I may have finally found the Indian cooking solution I've been searching for! The author, Anupy Singla, really breaks down Indian cooking simply and has converted classics such as dal, palak paneer and butter chicken for the slow cooker. I am hoping this works as simply as: ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, hot home cooked Indian dinner in the evening. I can't wait to get started!

We're in Brides Michigan

Image from ksenijasavicphotography.com

Our wedding photographer, Ksenija Savic, sent a us a note with a pleasant surprise over the weekend! One of our wedding images was chosen for the article (above), One Location, Four Photographers in Brides Michigan. We cannot give enough positive praise to Ksenija for capturing our wedding. It was such a blast, and then to be shown in a bridal magazine (last year images popped up here) is such a thrill!

If you would like to see more from our garden wedding, just visit here. Enjoy!

Weekend Wishes

Photo by J. Mears

Hooray! The weekend is here! We had a great visit with my brother all week. I'm going to miss him being in the city with us. Perhaps we can convince more friends and family to give the west coast a try! We still have his company for a few more days, perhaps we will check out the Haight Street Art Walk and maybe even the SF Cupcake Challenge!

Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Wish You Were Here

Image from  detroit.aiga.org

AIGA Detroit has come up with a wonderful contest to promote our home state! Folks were asked to submit Michigan theme postcard designs (150 entries were received), which have already been sorted through and narrowed to 48. Now we are being asked to vote on our favorites to determine the top 25 postcard designs. You can vote once a day until March 9. Above are a few of my personal favorites!

(Thanks Manan)

La Boulange Cafe & Bakery

Photos by K. Mears

One of my favorite places to grab breakfast or lunch in the city is La Boulange (another French inspired spot of course). There are several locations throughout the city as well as a few in Marin County and the East Bay. No matter the kind of day I have had, La Boulange always cheers me up! From a morning pastry (chocolate croissant!) to an open face sandwich (hummus, avocado, cucumber featured above), there is really something for everyone or for whatever mood you may be in! The Noe Valley location was a staple for me last year, as I trudged around the city looking for a job. I'll forever be grateful to La Boulange for the sweet macaron pick me ups that got me through those tough days!

San Francisco Dream House Raffle, Fingers Crossed!

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I'm so excited that the San Francisco Dream House Raffle is back again this year! Jay and I gave a ticket to each other for our birthdays last spring. We had high hopes that we would win and that it would be the best material gift ever! Plus the money from the raffle tickets goes to a great cause, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. This year's rules appear to be that same as last time. Raffle tickets are $150 each and you can purchase as many as you want (and gift tickets as well). There are a limited amount sold, so if they sell out you have a 1 in 40,000 chance of winning the house (you can also pass on the house and opt for $1.4 million cash). In addition, there are a number of cash prize drawings that will happen from April to the Grand Prize on July 9th! Wish us luck, I think we are going to have to give it another try this year!