pancakestacker: a san francisco bay area lifestyle blog by chandamheer stacker

Hey, Baby 👋🏽

2024-03-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a few years since I've been on here, but I've never able to shut the door. For those who have been following the journey, I took a little detour and moved this site over to Squarespace. I prettied it up, but it sat dormant for years. (Truthfully, I never felt that Squarespace was a site optimized for blogging, so I never really connected with it.) At the same time, I poured most, if not all, of my time and energy building my marketing and consulting business (which is still alive and well, so hit me up, y'all 😏). When I was ready to write again, I decided to write a post or two on Medium (wasn't for me) and finally, I followed the crowd on over to Substack. I'm a naturally curious soul, always wanting to explore, so it's not entirely surprising to me that I'd poke around a new space or two. All the while I wondered, "WHAT AM I DOING?" No other space truly felt like me, which is perhaps why this part of the internet has always been around. Call it an unwillingness to let go, or whatever, but here we are again.

I told myself that it might be silly to revive this old thing, but that then begs the question, "Silly to whom?" In this life, it's a-ok to start over again, switch things up, and change your mind. Nothing is final and you can pivot as many times as you want or need to. And, if there's one thing about me - I'm always going to switch it up until the vibes are right.

So with that, let's get into it.

A lot of folks have been messaging me about my favorite baby things. The baby market is a wild one. There are more choices than ever and so much of it is personal preference. When we were getting ready to welcome our little one, I was honestly so overwhelmed with all the options out there. Thankfully, many friends shared their recommendations with me to help make the process a bit easier.

Now that our little one is here and we've had 12 weeks to test things out, I'm ready to share all the things that we have loved so far. As a reminder, so much of this will depend on you and your baby, but hopefully this can help some of you narrow down a few things on your list.

Baby Things

Bottles: Avent Natural Response Bottles with size 2 nipples. If you are needing to introduce a bottle and are also breastfeeding at the same time, LCs and IBCLCs will all tell you to practice paced bottle feeding to help mimic the flow of the breast. We tried so many different bottles (Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, and Comotomo) and found all of them to be too fast flowing and gas-inducing. And, as a breastfeeding mom, I worried that the fast pace would eventually make him reject the boob. Thankfully, our our IBCLC recommended this one and it was the best fit for us.
Bottle Warmer: Avent Baby Bottle Warmer. At first, I didn't think this was a necessity. But, we quickly found that little babes don't like cold bottles, or at least ours didn't. So if you pump, you’ll need a fast warmer for any middle of the night feeds and this one is it.
Diapers & Wipes: Honest diapers and wipes. In the newborn stage, our baby was a slim little dude. As such, he had trouble filling out anything but the Honest diapers until about 4 weeks. Honest provided the best fit and we liked that they're free of fragrances, chemicals, etc. The wipes have good texture, are super easy to get out of the bag, and make cleaning up a breeze. After the 4-week mark, when our little one was a bit bigger, we made the switch to Huggies for a more affordable option. (We use the plant-based Huggies, which have no harsh chemicals.) Costco brand diapers are also apparently Huggies, so you can buy those to save even more. Water Wipes are also really great wipes if you don’t want to splurge on the Honest ones. We also tried Pampers wipes and diapers and I did not like either at all due to the terrible smell. Plus, it gave our baby diaper rash. Best advice here - only get a few diapers and wipes to start to see what your baby likes. If you get a ton as gifts, I've heard that Target will apparently take back unopened boxes of diapers. So, don't open up everything just yet!
Breast Pump: Spectra S1. Best pump around and super easy to use. You’ll likely need to buy some silicone flange inserts because the standard flange size it comes with does not fit the average woman. (And silicone inserts are much gentler than the plastic flanges. I got a cheap box off Amazon with sizes 13-21 and recommend doing the same because your size can change multiple times until your body regulates. Be sure to measure often or see an IBCLC to help ensure you are using the right size for best comfort and maximum output. Using the wrong size not only leads to lower output and discomfort, but possible damage, so save yourselves!
Manual Breast Pump: Haaka. Helps to catch milk while breastfeeding, especially in the early days. Make sure you also grab a lid. (I also have the ladybug milk collectors and don't think you need those, unless you leak a TON - plus they're really uncomfortable!)
Nursing Pillow: BrestFriend. Good back support and comfortable to use once you figuring out your best positions with baby. I really like that it has a little pocket, too, so you can stick your water bottle, burb bibs, or whatever you need in there for easy reach.
Onesies: Carters two zip onesies - the easiest thing to put baby in for multiple diaper changes a day.
Baby Carrier: Artipoppe. Yes, it is the priciest one out there, but it really provides the best back and body support for moms and is the easiest to adjust if you only have one hand and no help. Plus, as a fashion girly, it's nice to get a carrier that feels like me. For context, we also have the Solly wrap (good to use when baby is really small, but takes a lot of practice) and the Ergo Embrace (which Derrick prefers but I thought it was too tough to adjust on my own). We also both tried the Konny and don’t recommend because it's pretty limiting and not always a great fit.
Sound Machine: Yogasleep Hush Portable Sound Machine. This was recommended to me and it's a 100% must get. Helps baby sleep at night and once we turn it on, he knows it’s time for bed. (We also have the Hatch Baby Sound Machine, but we keep it in the nursery for now and will transition to that one once he sleeps on his own. It’s kind of better for older babies and kids, anyways.)
Car Camera: Shynerk Baby Car Mirror. So an actual baby mirror isn’t safe, nor approved by AAA, so we switched to this baby camera. It's simple to set up and tiny, so safer to use than those giant mirrors.
Newborn bathtub: Angelcare Baby Bath Support. We use it for sink baths, which saves our backs. It offers great support for baby and doesn’t take up too much space.
Burb towels: Gerber Cloth Diapers. Yes, cloth diapers - trust me on this and get one pack for for spit ups! I honestly use these for almost everything and don't even bother with all the other ones we bought.
Swaddles: SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddles with Velcro. Sandro is freakishly strong and ripped out of every single cloth swaddle from the time he was in the hospital, lol. These velcro swaddles are the only things that have kept him tight at night. We transitioned to the Dreamland Weighted Sleepsack at ~11 weeks after he started to show signs of rolling and scooting.
Baby Bouncer: BabyBjorn. It's pricey, so we got ours secondhand and then just got a new cover for it. It's truly a godsend. Sandro loves it for bouncing and daytime naps. And for whatever reason, it's his favorite place to poop, lol. So if you have a gassy baby, the bouncing and position really helps them to go 😂
Baby Lounger: SnuggleMe. (Pictured above, lol.) When baby is young, they’re going to need something to sleep in when outside of the bassinet. Sandro loved this when he was in the early weeks, but truly hates it now. You can't get away without one, so if I could do it all over again, I'd probably just get one secondhand and purchase a separate cover like we did with the bouncer.
Baby Monitor: Nanit. You don’t need the subscription. We just use it as a monitor while he sleeps.
Stroller and Car seats are all personal preference. We have the Nuna Triv and Pipa Rx and LOVE, but it all depends on what you like and need. For SF Bay Area folks, I highly recommend going to Sprout in Marin or SF to test out their wide range of baby strollers before you decide on one. We also got a MomCozy Universal Stroller Organizer, which is super clutch on walks.
Cribs are also personal preference, but we have the Nestig Cloud 3-in-1 convertible crib (starts as bassinet, turns into full size crib, then toddler bed). It's great quality, sleek looking, and will last for a long time.
Other bits and bobs: Stock up on Aquaphor, you need it for everything. Get a 3 pack of mini diaper spatulas to help apply product on baby’s butt and skin. Saves your hands and you will use it every single time you change a poopy diaper. A Slumberpod was also highly reco’d to me via friends. We haven’t used it yet, but if you plan to travel with baby later on or have grandparents watch baby, this helps them to sleep wherever they go. Instant blackout curtains! If you don't get a changing pad with your diaper bag, the Skiphop Portable Baby Changing Pad is really great.

For mom:

FridaMom: FridaMom makes so many great things for mom. I had a vaginal birth and found the peri bottle, disposable underwear, and ice pads to be a godsend. You do not need to bring any of these things to the hospital! Save the space in your hospital bag and use all the stuff they give you there. The hospital gave me a Dermaplast Pain Relief Spray and Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads, which I preferred over the FridaMom foam and liners, so stock up on those if you get them, too.
Medela Hydrogel Pads: I liked these better than the FridaMom ones. Necessary if you breastfeed.
Nursing Bras: Skims. The most comfortable nursing bras, IMO. Wait until they have a sale and consider sizing up as their items tend to run a bit small.
Underwear: Kindred Bravely High Waisted Postpartum Underwear. Very supportive and comfortable.
Nursing Camis: Ingrid and Isabel Crossover Nursing Camis. Get a 2 pack, if you can. Super comfortable, and easy on days you don’t want to wear a nursing bra. Wear under anything and you're set.
Button-up Nightgowns: I got 3-4 oversized nightgowns towards the end of my pregnancy and have been wearing them ever since. Button ups are pretty necessary if you decide to breastfeed.
Dresses: Skims Soft Lounge Long Sleeve Dress: I got two of these and they got me through my pregnancy. Hate to say it, but Skims knows what they're doing. These are so flattering and comfortable.
Leggings: Lululemon SHR Align. Size up 2 from your normal size and you'll wear them through your pregnancy and beyond. The material has changed from a year ago (less soft, more compressive), but I still think they're worth the spend. These sell out quickly and often, so keep an eye and be ready to buy when they're back in stock.

"Do You Know What Today is?"

2021-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

When I was a tiny tot, I looooved to read and one of the very first books my parents gave me was a beautiful, colorfully-illustrated kid-friendly version of the autobiography of Dr. King. There were even days where dad would play vinyls of Dr. King’s speeches and I’d listen as he talked to me about his own personal experiences.

Every single year, whether he got it off or not, dad would always take today as a personal holiday. And he *always* celebrated it. And every single year, on this day, even though he knew I knew, he’d always call or text & say, “you know what today is, right?”

From a young age, my parents found it important that we talk about race because it was simply something that I couldn’t ignore. It was important to my dad that I knew where I came from & remember that I did not get to where I am now on my own.

Today is an important day of celebration & remembrance in my household and I hope that it’s not just another day off for you. Honor, reflect, and find ways that you can make yourself of service today & every day.

Be Water

2020-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

I've been having a difficult time making decisions lately - crippled by the fear of making the wrong one. Today, my friend reminded me that the beauty of life is that nothing is permanent. People, places, things - they all flow in and out of our lives, constantly changing.

Truth is, there are no “right” & “wrong” decisions. Just the ones you make and the ones you don’t. If something doesn’t feel right, you can always make a change.

As Bruce Lee so wisely said, “be water.” Flow & move. Never be afraid to make a wrong choice, or worse, let your fears paralyze you into not moving at all. Be like water. Flow. 🌊

P.S. If you have the opportunity to, I highly recommend watching Bao Ngyuen’s Be Water, which is part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. There’s so much I never knew about Bruce and his timeless wisdom is the perfect reminder that we still need to hear today.

Flowers of Gratitude

2020-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

- Thankful for the stillness this year brought: a reminder that it’s okay and very much possible (& necessary) for a go, go, go gal like me to sloooow down

- Thankful for hugs 🐻 (a note to self to squeeze every single person who allows it once it’s safe to once again)

- Thankful for flowers 🌻 many of which were honestly just downright necessary for some self-love & care

- Thankful for all the healthcare workers who have worked day in and day out to care for our loved ones with kindness and compassion, especially in moments where we couldn’t be there to hold their hands

- Thankful for the many beautiful & kind souls who lifted me up with love this year when my legs couldn’t stand ❤️

- Thankful for the abundance in my life: love, family, friendship, opportunity, passion, and everything in between

- Thankful for the hard lessons this year has taught us. i know the scars will remind us of our strength when tough times come back around.

Although this year brought its ups and downs, i hope the joy continues to outweigh the rain. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone - wishing you all love, warmth, and peace to fill your homes & hearts.

The First Time: Devil's Teeth Baking Co.

2020-11-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

For some, this is just a photo of a mouth-watering breakfast sandwich. And, in its simplest form, it is. And yet, it’s also a reminder of the simple pleasures of experiencing something for the first time.

When’s the last time you enjoyed something for the very first time? When’s the last time you did something completely and wildly new-to-you? For me, it was the day we went to Devil’s Teeth Baking Co., an Outer Sunset staple. It’s lauded for its amazing pastries and bakes, as well as its infamous “Special Breakfast” sandwich. Two eggs, bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, generously slapped with some lemon-garlic aioli against a fluffy homemade biscuit. *Chef’s Kiss*

Devil’s Teeth had been on my list for some time and I finally told myself that this was the day. So down to the beach we went. I’ve been spending more time at the beach because it was my dad’s favorite place to go when he wanted to clear his mind. He grew up in the Inner Richmond and being by the water makes me feel like he’s there, too. And, I’ll obviously take any excuse to enjoy a sun, sand, and breakfast sandwich combo.

Needless to say, this place is a must and if you’ve been thinking about going, consider this your sign to finally go. Do the thing. Enjoy the now. Go.

What Was The Best Part of Your Day?

2020-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

What was the best part of your day? Really, I want to know 🤗

This weekend’s collective joy was one for the books. Seeing so many people laugh, dance, scream out in relief, and honk in celebration was so wonderful to take in. It was as if everyone had been holding their breath for months & was finally able to breathe.

I’ve been doing my best to soak up everything. All the joys, all the tears, all the laughs. the anger, sadness, and grief attacks, too. My grief counselor recently told me that working to find the little joys helps to rewire our brains - it changes the grooves (so to speak) & teaches us how to navigate & process our new lives.

Last weekend’s joy is one that I think we all very much needed. This year has been a hard one for us all; but, just as I was reminded to find the joys, I’m extending that reminder to you, too.

Consider the daily practice of asking yourself (& each other), “what was the best part of your day?” and watch as the grooves in your brain flow towards joy over time.

Here is a photo of one of my recent “bests” - getting this cute happy face nail art from @saundersandjames. I cannot help but smile every single time I see these tiny smiley faces on my hands (& getting a safe + much-needed mani/pedi after monthhhhs also felt really good, so there’s that!) 🙃

Return To Sender

2020-10-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

So many feels after making it to the last day of @mccalmanco’s "Tell Me Three Things That I Can Do/Return to Sender.”

First, what a treat to meet George and see his work IRL.

“Tell Me Three Things” centers around the triggering phrases @mccalmanco received from white acquaintances following the murder of George Floyd. (& that’s really just the tip of it.)

It’s a beautiful expression of emotions & an artistic summation of the overwhelming feelings many of us have held & processed inside. there was something especially healing about his body of work — realizing the power of returning things to sender & releasing the burden of someone else’s words on you. just “simply” giving them back to whom they belong to.

“This is the stuff that is under our skin, this is the stuff that warps us as a Black community because we are just storing all of this stuff, all this toxicity. And it affects our physical health, it affects our emotional state, it affects our bodies. And the people who’ve given it to us don’t even know they have given it to us.” (via @representcollaborative)

And then, consider his gift to us — offering a space to think, feel, talk about, & reflect on race. the world needs more of this — shared experiences that knock open doors of thought, channel self-reflection, and invite dialog among us. thank you, George, for the reminder that telling our stories is one of the most important things we can do.

If you didn’t get to see this IRL:
📰 Read @representcollaborative’s piece by @erinfeher, here
💭 Marinate on george’s words
💬 And then LMK, how do these pieces make you feel?

Love People Better

2020-08-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

At the very beginning of this year, I asked derrick to walk with me to a local coffee shop that I’d been wanting to scope out. The shop is known for its handwritten “notes of joy” on their coffee cups, so you can see how this would be right up my alley. I thought it’d be a nice way to ring in the new year - with my first #pancakewisdom sighting of the year.

my cup said, “2020 resolutions: 𝚖̶𝚊̶𝚔̶𝚎̶ ̶𝚖̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚎̶ ̶$̶; 𝚠̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚔̶ ̶𝚖̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚎̶ ̶𝚑̶𝚘̶𝚞̶𝚛̶𝚜̶; love people better.” as life would have it, the pandemic took care of the first two right away.

Up until a few months ago, I didn’t really think much of what it meant to love “better.” I figured I knew? But, the more this year threw my way, the more I re-examined.

What does it mean to love better?

Well, for starters, how are you spending your time? Is it with the people you love? Do the people you love know that you love them? Are you sure? How are you using your energy? Are you making time for the people who are important to you? How do you show them that you care? How do you show your gratitude - even when things are hard? Are you taking care of yourself?

Eight months ago, I did not think of these questions in the same way I do now, if at all. This year has been a lot for all of us. And with each day, it seems like there is more to carry. But, my hope is that as this year continues to force us to slow down, we continue to use our time to re-examine.

I recently read a personal essay that urged that in this time of uncertainty we’re all experiencing, now is the time to love out loud; to “live intentionally in our actions and in the love we show” others.

What does it mean to love people better? I’m unsure there’s a perfect answer; but, I am certain that we can all resolve to do so. Be kind & wrap each other in love.

All it Takes is One

2020-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

It’s no secret that the last few months have been difficult for more reasons than one. While I was hurting at home, the world was hurting, too.⁣⁣

Throughout my life, I’ve found writing to be a form of therapy. It’s funny because I’m always mistakenly described as a “quiet” gal (because I prefer to listen rather than talk). but I’ve never really been “quiet.” in fact, I find myself to be quite loud with my words. ⁣⁣
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These last few months, we saw the world slowly open their eyes to the pain that many of us in the Black community have felt and experienced for years. recently, I had an unfortunate experience with a brand that I formerly supported and like usual, I talked to dad about it. that day, he prayed that we could get someone to share my story. “all it takes is one,” he said. ⁣⁣
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I didn’t get to share this final piece with him, but I did get to see him smile when I told him that it was coming.⁣⁣
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Thank you, to @thebolditalic + @medium for hearing me and giving me the opportunity to share my words. Thank you to everyone who amplified my voice and used their own to help me shout. ⁣⁣
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If you take one thing away from this admittedly long post, let it be the reminder that all it takes is one - one person to speak up, one person to make a difference, one person to make a change. never underestimate your ability to be that one. ⁣⁣
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This one’s for you, dad ❤️

When is it Safe to Run?

2020-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, my dad used to go out jogging every morning at 5 or 6 am before work. I never really understood it until I got older, but my mom always pleaded that he jog at a different time - “When there’s light out,” she’d say, or “When it safer to.” ⁣

I’m not an early bird and never was, so at that age, I assumed 5 am was a dangerous time for anyone who was out there running. As I got older, my dad kept jogging and I started to understand the real reason behind my mom’s pleas. ⁣
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I can’t pretend to tell any of you how many times my father has gotten stopped while out for a run in our neighborhood. But, I can tell you it’s enough times for me to vividly remember the fear in my mom’s eyes. The anger in my dad’s. The collective sadness in both. ⁣
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I’m much older now and not much has changed. My dad can’t go out for jogs anymore, but if he could, would I now be the one begging him to reconsider? I can’t imagine a life in which my father is not there. Truly. And my heart breaks for those who have to live with the reality a loved one gone... simply because he wanted to go on a jog, or walk home with skittles, or ask for help, or just live. ⁣
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I recognize my immense privileges and implore those of you who read this to take a minute to do the same. It is my responsibility to remind those of you with the privilege of being able to simply live to stand up and use your voice for those whose voices cannot be heard. ⁣

Todo Va A Estar Bien

2020-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

During this time, taking the time to go out for a short neighborhood walk has been one of the highlights of my day. I love smiling behind my mask & waving at strangers from a distance. I love finding sidewalk chalk with happy messages from the neighborhood kids. I love making derrick stop every five minutes to take a photo of said messages 😅⁣

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Funnily enough, at the beginning of the year when I was making a list of the goals & practices that I wanted to work on, I wrote down “take more walks. explore. get some air.” Little did I know that it would take... a pandemic... to make me appreciate a daily walk outside my doors. ⁣
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Life has a funny way of giving us what we ask for. Perhaps that is why I take comfort in knowing that everything will eventually be okay. As my friend reminded me today, “if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

Joy in Stillness

2020-04-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Bright side of being inside:⁣

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• Rekindling with my inner child & making time to “play”⁣
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• Finally “having time” to film + edit videos - something that’s been on my to-do list for a handful of years now⁣
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• Learning that working out at home *is* possible & enjoyable ⁣
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• Guilt-free afternoon cat naps 😸⁣
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• And, maybe my favorite thus far: giving myself the time to reset, sloooooow down 🐌 and get comfortable with not having a million things on my to-do list⁣
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For those who can, I hope you’re able to find joy in the stillness, too.

Celebrating Chinese New Year with Toyota

2019-03-12T11:56:00.004-07:00

I'm a gal who needs to get places. Client meetings, photo shoots, yoga, dance class, events - you name it and I'm probably on my way there. Having since left the city for the East Bay, my commute has changed in every possible way. Before, I'd call a car, take the bus, or just huff it. Long walk across the city? Been there, done that. Sit on the bus for an hour to move three miles? Unfortunately, yes. Drive myself there, though? That's one I didn't really touch. That is until I moved to the East Bay.

Now my preferred mode of transportation is almost always the car. And, I'll be honest, before my move, I forgot about the joys of driving. Get there faster? Almost always. Heater on my feet? Oh yeah. Zen out with a podcast or two? For sure. Now, imagine adding in seat warmers, a compact size perfect for city parking, and bright LED headlights to light up night drives like never before. That, my friends, is known as driving with Toyota. As you know, I've been partners with the brand since late last year. Over the course of our time together, I've had the pleasure of testing and driving a handful of cars. Each time, it's always so much fun. This time around, we worked together to celebrate Chinese New Year, which is a really amazing time in the Bay Area. (For all you fact fiends out there, San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest one outside of Asia!). Needless to say, it was a good time out.

Toyota, a sponsor of San Francisco's Chinatown invited me to celebrate the occasion in their new 2019 Corolla Hatchback XSE. It was the perfect car to drive around town. Given its smaller frame, I was able to squeeze into spots that I, otherwise, wouldn't have been able to fit in. But don't be fooled. Despite its smaller size, the XSE packed a whole 'lotta punch. But, in a very fuel-friendly way, ha. I drove it around for a week and by the end of the week still didn't need to fill-up.

Other things that I loved included the seat warmers - which I know I already called out, but that's how much I loved them. (It's been cooooold in the Bay, so the heat from the seat made all the difference.) And, before Daylight Saving Time hit, we were having some dark nights. I typically hate driving at night, but with the XSE's LED head and tail lights, I always felt seen (not to mention, I could see for lengths away!). All, in all, it was tough having to say goodbye to my car for the week. I mean, we went everywhere together - from a Chinese New Year dinner at Mister Jiu's to a dumpling pick up at my new-local favorite, Shan Dong, me and XSE were like this (*fingers crossed*).

Not to worry, though. Our week together ended with a bang - a literal firework and drum pounding bang. I finally had a chance to see the famed San Francisco Chinese New Year parade in person. And, boy, was it fun. Thanks to Toyota, I went here, there, and everywhere around town. Can't wait to see where we go next!

Special thanks to Toyota for partnering with me!

Planning an Easy Escape to Healdsburg: Where to Stay

2018-08-20T11:26:00.006-07:00

I think that in another life, I surely lived in a beautiful country home, alongside yards and yards of delicious grapes. I've become quite the wine gal and have been so lucky to experience many beautiful tasting rooms, wineries and such in wine country. I recently spent a weekend Healdsburg with a group of friends and it was such a treat to escape the fog and take an easy jaunt across the bridge. I always tell my SF folks that wine country is closer than you realize, but leaves you feeling like you're more than just a handful of miles away. Because there was a group of us, we all stayed at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites, which is in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. Friends, I cannot tell you enough what a gem of a place this was. Not only were we walking distance from everything (restaurants, tasting rooms, shopping, etc.), but we also each had our own private space to call our own. Intrigued? Read more after the jump.

Two Thirty-Five is made up of all three bedroom suites, with a full kitchen and living room. Honestly, it feels like you've walked into a giant home - all the amenities you could need in hotel form. Because we came in a group of 6 (3 couples), we were each able to gather around for wine and cheers when we wanted to, while also being able to retreat back to our own room for a bit of privacy when we needed to. The space felt spacious and intimate all at the same time. It's the perfect pick for families, friends, or couples.

Two Thirty-Five is also just down the way from the best places to eat, shop, and, of course, drink wine. We had the pleasure of visiting a handful of tasting rooms during our visit (Banshee, Grapeseed, Dutcher Crossing - just to name a few!) and we filled our bellies with delicious meals (at Valette and Studio Barndiva). I'll be sharing more on the eat and drink portions of Healdsburg after this post :)

Summer is *almost* at an end, but because we're so close to wine country, a weekend trip any time of the year isn't out of the question. If you're looking for a place to get away be sure to add Two Thirty-Five to your list - you won't regret it.

Speical thanks to Two Thirty-Five for the beautiful stay, as well as Stephanie Hopkins for the wonderful photos!

Don't forget to head back soon for MORE on "Where to Eat & Drink" in the next post!

Get Grill-Ready for the Fourth with #LuckySummer!

2018-06-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

The more time I spend at home, the more time I love trying new recipes and putting my kitchen to use. I've gotten pretty good at all of the breakfast and brunch dishes, so have been concentrating on nailing the perfect meals for entertaining now that summer is on the horizon. One thing I love about summer is all of the summer barbeques! Though, I'll admit that I'm usually attending a BBQ rather than hosting one... until now! For the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, I was asked by Carusele to share my grilling chops and recipe ideas for the season, by participating in the #LuckySummer campaign, sponsored by Save Mart. But don't worry, even though I have been compensated, as always, all opinions are my own! Derrick and I were excited to get some pre-4th practice in with a few easy grilling options for veggies and meat. After the jump, see what we made, how we made it, and grab some tips for your own Fourth of July fiesta.

When it comes to summer BBQ's, anything goes. I, personally, love to mix and match dishes and think that the more dishes to snack on, the better. For this particular pre-4th practice, Derrick and I decided to go heavy on the side dishes (veggies, fruits, appetizers) and focus on one main, that being Angus beef boneless ribeye steaks. Lucky is one of the only grocers in the Bay area to carry certified Angus beef. To be honest, with so many different meat options available at Lucky's, it was tough to narrow it down, but I find ribeye to be tender, juicy and really versatile. We stocked up on a ton of fruits - watermelon, grapes, cherries, and peaches - which are all great for snacking, as well as quite a few veggies that we wanted to pop on the grill - bell peppers, corn, and onions. Even better, living in California, most produce in Lucky is local! And, because I believe no meal is complete with a little vino, we grabbed a bottle of Dark Horse red to enjoy with our meal.

When deciding what to do with our meat, we had a few options - marinate the meat with teriyaki or BBQ sauce, season the steaks with a variety of seasonings, or make a sauce. We decided to go with a fun chimichurri sauce with a little kick! For our recipe, we blended 2 garlic cloves, 3/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 cup of cilantro, 1 cup of parsley, 1/2 cup of olive oil, and 1/3 (or 1/4) cup of red wine vinegar. I ended up adding in a bit more crushed red peppers and less red wine vinegar to make our sauce on the spicier side. We also pre-seasoned our meat with garlic, black pepper, and salt to taste before dropping them on the grill. The steaks don't take long to grill - just 12-15 minutes and they're good to go, depending on the heat of your grill. If serving to a large group, I recommend slicing the steaks into long strips and serving the sauce on the side so everyone can sauce up to their liking. Another fun tip - after you slice your steaks into strips, you can also serve them alongside warm tortillas for more meal options!

It was easy to find everything we needed at Lucky's - from fun red tablecloths and red and blue bowls and plates to set the festive mood to all our meat and grilling needs! Safe to say that Derrick and I are ready for the big day!

Special thanks to Lucky's for partnering on this post!

Disclosure: I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LuckySummer campaign, sponsored by Save Mart. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

Femme Fair 2018

2018-05-13T22:53:00.004-07:00

If you follow me on IG, or know me IRL, then you know that April was my busiest month yet. Along with putting the final touches on a 4-month-long planning process for a big client launch, signing a new client, and starting more new work, I also participated in this year's Femme Fair. There were many points in April where I thought I was losing my mind with just how busy I was (lol), but seeing everything come together and making it through with the support of so many wonderful people made it all worth it.

For those of you haven't seen my oodles of Instas promoting it, Femme Fair is a female-empowerment event that brings together women to connect, inspire, and shop! 2018 marked its second year and I was honored to take part in it alongside 14 other badass blogger babes, a handful of inspiring speakers, and, of course, a team of fiercely talented founding gals. As a gal who has only ever had a small group of gal pals in her life, I was overjoyed to meet, connect, and bond with so many strong and inspiring ladies through this event. I was also utterly impressed by everyone's creativity -- the booths were unreal. Speaking of booths, mine would have been nothing (and I mean nothing) without the help of my endlessly supportive, patient, and loving boyfriend. Did I mention that the stack of pancakes sitting on my table was a surprise from him? Yeah, I know. He wins the "best boyfriend of the year" award for that one.

Well, enough words from me. After the jump, see more of this year's Femme Fair captured by Jess Onesto.

EVENT BY
Founders Stacey de León, Christina Chinn, Melissa San Vicente
Event design Claire Xue
Coordination Ashley-Victoria
Graphic design Nailah Ali
Editorial Weekend Creative
Venue rented through Peerspace
Photographer Jess Onesto
Videographer Marco Bercasio

SPEAKERS
Arnelle Lozada, Chloe Elisa, Mandana Ansari, Melissa San Vicente and Shahida Zareef

BLOGGER PARTICIPANTS
Ashleigh Reddy, Angie Hilem, Chandamheer Stacker, Chantelle Tankson, Christine Yun, Daisy Hernandez, Eden Davis, Emma Ribeira, Gabriella Seviya, Gomada Leone Thomas, Jayme Sy, Julianne Cronin, Kelsey Kaplan, Monica Cruz-Hernandez

DECOR
Macrame wall hangings Lise Silva
Hanging undies Pansy
Event florals Freckled Floral + Claire Xue
Booth florals Landeau
Furniture Archive Rentals + Stacey de León

FOOD
Desserts The Jen Project
Girl power cookies XO Bakes
Yogurt and cheese plate Kite Hill Foods
Granola Nana Joes Granola
Fruit Snacks Bare Snacks
Coffee Lady Falcon Coffee Club
Wines Anna de Codorniu and Windsor Vineyards
Cocktails Purity Organic

ACTIVITIES
Skincare Lounge DHC Skincare
Hair, Makeup & Mani’s Stylebee
Blowout Bar Dyson
Lip Bar NARS
Floral DIY Le Bouquet

POP-UP SHOPS
And.Comfort, Candid Art, Dopp City Shoes, Mandana Blvd, Saje Wellness

GIVEAWAYS
Peerspace, Bumble & Bumble, Cocokind, Dyson Supersonic, SoulCycle, Oui Shave, T3 Micro

GIFT BAG GOODIES
Browology, DHC Skincare, Bare Snacks, Bite Beauty, CreativeLive, Charlotte Russe, Dyson, Greetabl, IBY Beauty, Fat and the Moon, Hush Dotti, Iris and West, Nutri-Rich Vitamins, Lilah Beauty, MGS Accessories, Miss Patisserie, Navitas Organics, OLLY, Pacifica Beauty, Passion Planners, Posh and Wild, Pressed Juicery, SmashMallow, Sunglass LA, TCHO, WinkyLux

Finally, special thanks to Peerspace for providing the space to make this all happen. If you're unfamiliar, Peerspace allows people to find the perfect space to make things they happen. They believe that amazing things happen when we come together to meet, create, and celebrate with others. Thanks to Peerspace, Femme Fair 2018 had a place to call home!

Food Friday: A Visit to Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines

2018-04-06T19:47:00.005-07:00

Three Sticks Wines 143 West Spain Street Sonoma, CA

As you know, wine country is one of my favorite places to visit. It's a short drive from the city - just an hour north and you feel as though you've really escaped into a calming retreat. This February, I had a chance to head back up just after my birthday for a wonderful treat - I had the pleasure of visiting Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines for the first time. It was a beautiful day in wine country, with the mustard flowers in full bloom and the sun shining from up above. Arriving on the Three Sticks Wine property only added to the day. I visited, alongside some other wine-lovers to experience Three Stick's food and wine pairing, in partnership with the girl & the fig. The wines, especially the roseé, really stole the show. Typically, I never really leave tastings ready to instantly buy a bottle, because I'm so indecisive. However, after my tasting with Three Sticks, I immediately pulled out my credit card to take home a bottle of their Casteñada rosé. Sadly, it won't be released until later this spring (only $40!!), so my loss is your gain because I didn't wipe them out and you still have a chance to get some for yourself!

After the jump, take a look at the gorgeous Three Sticks Wines property and learn more about its rich history!

All Three Sticks photos thanks to Elise Aileen Photography. Bathroom photo, mine 😂

The boutique family-owned winery was founded in 2002. It's named for the owner William S. Price III's surfing nickname, "Billy Three Sticks." For those who haven't been, photos really don't do it justice. The property was originally built by Captain Salvador Vallejo, brother of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the Comandante of the northern territory of Mexico (modern-day Sonoma). It's an Adobe-style home that was converted into what is now the Three Sticks Winery property. The space, which was purchased in 2012, oozes of natural history and, truthfully, it felt as if we were in the desert (so, an escape within an escape!). San Francisco-based designer, Ken Fulk designed the interior of the Adobe and his delightful charm is felt within. I spent a good 10-12 minutes in the bathroom alone trying to take a selfie that would do justice to Fulk's beautiful design.

During our tasting, we experienced five wines paired alongside bites to complement by girl and the fig. We enjoyed two whites and three reds. For the wine geeks, Three Sticks' estate vineyards include Durell, One Sky, William James, Gap's Crown and Walala. Their appellations include Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Moon Mountain District. Many of their wines are solely sold on the property, but who doesn't love a reason to visit? If you're interested in a food and wine pairing, pricing is $85 pp. But, if you'd rather sip on wine a three-wine tasting starts at $40 pp. Because of the intimate nature of the Adobe, it's highly recommended you schedule an appointment in advance of your visit. Should you happen to make one, please let them know I sent you! But, advance warning: get ready to sign up for their wine club, because it's just too good of a deal to pass up!

pancakePROFILE: Laundré

2018-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Laundré 2401 Mission Street

A little while back, I had the pleasure of meeting, Ariana, the founder/owner of Laundré. For those of you who aren't familiar, Laundré is a dope laundromat meets café (meets flower shop, meets general hang out spot for those in the know). Located on the corner of Mission and 20th, Laundré offers its patrons a sustainable laundromat experience, as well as an open space to work, drink coffee, and hang. I visited the space when it opened late last year and loved getting to hear Ariana's story. Because I am self-employed, myself, it's always inspiring to meet others who have made the leap towards entrepreneurship, as well as those who are passionate about their work and craft. Every now and then, I like to feature movers and shakers, as well as local community members in SF in a little something I call "pancakePROFILES." Today you get a sticky sweet & inspiration-filled stack featuring none other than Ariana, herself. After the jump, learn more about Laundré and its founder.

First things first - introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from.

Hi! I’m Ariana. I’ve lived in SF for 8 years and am a Bay Area native. I come from a merchandise marketing background but more importantly am a huge lover of mozzarella in any form.

A lady who loves her cheese. I can get down with that as a cheese-lover myself. Tell me, what inspired you to open Laundré?

I had a series of unfortunate laundromat experiences while in college and thought that the overall experience could be better. For my college senior project, I proposed the concept of a laundromat + cafe. It was then that the laundry industry really sparked my interest and a year later, I quit my job in the fashion industry to pursue opening Laundré.

Why did you decide to open Laundré in San Francisco, and what drew you to the Mission?

I thought that San Francisco was the right fit for Laundré given that it's a city that is always looking to improve existing business models. It welcomes new technology and quality which I aimed to incorporate in Laundré.

I love the Mission. It’s alive with diversity, culture and inspiring small businesses. I feel lucky to be among them. The neighborhood is also made up of primarily renters which means that most people don’t have access to in-unit/building laundry facilities making it an ideal location for us. It was important to be easily accessible but I also needed a larger space to house both concepts successfully. There are only a handful of neighborhoods that offer both. The Mission being one of them.

Speaking of the Mission, what's your favorite foodie spot in the neighborhood?

I love 20 Spot! They do such a great job and I love the vibe in there. Perfect after a long day at the laundry lab.

What differentiates Laundré from your typical laundromat or cafe/coffee shop?

Well, at first glance I’d say the cafe component is the most apparent difference but to me, the washers and dryers are the real MVPs. They’re top of the line and unlike any other commercial laundry machines. They save water (big plus!), get you in and out in half the time, and take care of your garments while they’re spinning. We’re also the only full Electrolux store in San Francisco.

And, what kind of impact are you hoping Laundré will make on the local community?

I’d love for Laundré to be a hub for people to gather, work and create. Already I’ve met some incredible people from the neighborhood and beyond. Its been such a great experience to get to know them over the last couple months and am excited to meet more!

What’s the most important piece of advice you received before opening up Laundré, and who gave it to you?

I’m lucky to have a great network of friends who were all very helpful to me along the way. Advice came to me at different stages throughout the process and although I’d say the overarching theme that stuck with me was to not doubt yourself or your idea.

What's your advice for someone who wants to open up or run their own business?

It's one of the most fulfilling things you can do and I encourage those who have an idea to pursue it. Most of the time it's not very glamorous and there are many highs and lows, but the tiny victories are ones to celebrate.

And last, but certainly not least, (because I ask all my pancakePROFILE participants) what is your favorite pancake "flavor" and why? :)

Lemon ricotta!

Special thanks to Ariana for taking the time to answer my questions, and for inviting me into her beautiful space. I hope you all have a chance to check out the beautiful spot that she's created in the community. You can get your wash on seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Food Friday: Traveling Spoon

2018-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm big on gatherings around the table. I love to break bread, meet new people over a bite, and discover new-to-me cultures or cuisines. It's honestly one of my favorite things to do. So, whenever there's an opportunity to do just that, that's what I do. Just a few weeks ago, I was recently introduced to Traveling Spoon. I had never heard about it before, but as soon as I learned more about it, I wondered how I hadn't already known about it. If it happens to be new-to-you, too, then here's the 30-second elevator pitch: Traveling Spoon allows you to book a private meal or cooking class with home cooks around the world. Pretty cool, huh? So, let's say you are traveling to Thailand and want to experience true, home-cooked Thai food. Well, you can head to Traveling Spoon, search for the city you are traveling to, and easily book a meal, cooking class or market visit. This time around, I had the pleasure of experiencing true, home-cooked Thai food at a pop-up in SF. It was such a fun night - not only did I learn more about how to cook Thai food (and, of course, enjoy it!), but I also met some rad tablemates. After the jump, see more photos from our feast, prepared by the sweetest visiting host, Pia (pictured with me above!), and learn more about Traveling Spoon.

Photos a combo of me and thanks to Traveling Spoon

Traveling Spoon was started in 2013 by UC Berkely Haas School of Business graduates Aashi Vei (pictured above) and Steph Lawrence. The pair met while at business school and shared a dream of "helping people connect with authentic foods experiences while traveling." I was invited to experience the service at a special pop-up with Thai chef extraordinaire, Pia. Let me just tell you that Pia is both a talented cook and hilarious cooking instructor. During the pop-up experience, we were welcomed with traditional Thai Iced Tea and experienced three dishes: Som Tum (Isaan Papaya Salad), Gaprao Gai (Stir-fried Thai Pork with Holy Basil), and Panang Curry with Chicken. For dessert with enjoyed Sticky Rice with Sesame Peanut-Banana and Sweet Coconut Milk. Pia walked us through how to make both the Som Tum and Gaprao Gai. She made it fun and easy to learn how to make both. I was surprised with how simple each dish was to make! It goes without saying that everything was delicious, but for me, what was most enjoyable was how authentic the meal was. I truly felt as though I was at a pal's house getting a home-cooked meal from their mom.

If you're making plans to travel out of the country soon, I highly recommend checking out Traveling Spoon. You can learn how to cook like the locals, go to the market to learn what to buy with your host, or just sit and enjoy a warm meal around the table with new friends.

Special thanks to Traveling Spoon for having me!

pancakeLEFTOVERS: February

2018-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes. I know we are well into March (OKAY, end of March if you want to get technical), but I really wanted to stick with resurrecting my recap series, so here it is! February is always my favorite month of the team. Now, I admit that I am biased, given that February is my birth month, but there are many other reasons why I love it: it's Black History Month, Valentine's Day (albeit a consumer-created holiday, who doesn't love to celebrate love?), President's Day 3-day weekend, and it's a short and sweet month. This February was extra special because it marked my 30th birthday! I can't believe I'm typing that out, but yes, your girl is the big 3-0, and she couldn't be happier about it. I celebrated the day with loved ones and shortly after jetted off on a few little trips. In between, I attended a handful of fun events, so let's get to recapping!

Early in the month, I attended an intimate Bermuda Triangle show at Bimbo's 365. Bermuda Triangle is a band featuring besties Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes fame), Becca Mancari, and Jesse Lasfer. It was an impulse ticket buy, but one I'm so glad I pulled the trigger on. Let me set the stage by telling you I love the Shakes - so much so, that Derrick and I traveled to Jazz Fest last year just to see them. Yes, Jazz Fest is in New Orleans, and yes, we are serious about music. Anyways, Bermuda Triangle is really just a band of talented musicians who like to rock out together. The show was so intimate, and so, so good that it quickly made my top 5 list. And let me tell you, I've seen a whole lotta folks. (Current top 5, in case you are wondering, goes a little something like this: LCD Soundsystem at ACL 2016, Moby at Coachella 2013, Zhu at TIMF 2016, Odesza at Coachella 2015, and now, Bermuda Triangle at Bimbo's 365 2018). Anyways, if you're not familiar and love good music to vibe out to, catch a few of their songs here. Speaking of good music to vibe out to, if you are curious cat-ing about what else I'm into these days, I've included my current Spotify playlist, below. Feel free to hit follow and get ready for to jam out.

Another highlight of the month was attending our first Warriors game together with ShopStyle. You can read all about the night and see my Bruno Mars-eque look, here. Short and sweet recap is that it was an amazing experience to sit courtside and see such talented athletes in the flesh. That and the snacks were pretty delish. Woo, sports!

It's not an eventful month unless there's wine, am I right? In all seriousness, I love discovering new wines and this time around I was invited by my pal from Illy to join a special winemaker dinner at Luce. (You may remember my first visit to Luce, here.) We dined with German winemaker, August Kesseler, which was a truly special treat. I love meeting the people behind the bottles and learning more about what inspired them to follow their craft. It was my first time trying German wine and being a reds-kinda-gal, I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed many of Kesseler's whites. If you're a wine-o, like me, grab a bottle of their Riesling (or a glass at Luce), and enjoy.

Early in the month, I turned, what my friends have decided to coin as, my nerdy 30. Not flirty, and definitely not dirty, so nerdy seemed like a relatively appropriate way to describe it, ha. For those who know me personally, we celebrated in the most appropriate way possible - at Drake night. Yes, I love Drake and dancing, so it felt like the best way to ring in the new decade. I also happy to really like Bob Ross and Derrick surprised me with the second-best birthday cake he has ever gotten me. (Second to the Drake cake, cuz well, Drake.) Because Derrick is the best dude ever, he also surprised me with a stay at my favorite place in all of wine country - the Bardessono. It was the best way to kick off a new year.

And, in the last of my February highlights, we traveled to Portland for Valentine's Day / the long weekend. It was our second visit to the city and we surely did it right. Portland is filled with some of the best eats around and each day was filled with nothing but good noshing. I want to save the details for an upcoming recap post so I won't spoil the list of favorites, but I can assure you it's worth waiting for!

Okay, and now my sticky sweet songs for you to vibe to. Hit follow or search me on Spotify for some of my other playlists!

Annnnd, that's all for February, folks! Stop by in... a week or so (!!) for March's leftovers.

Beauty Bites: Whole Foods Market's Beauty Week

2018-03-20T16:19:00.001-07:00

Earlier this month, I attended the most incredibly produced brunch by the Whole Foods team. You already know that I am a Whole Foods fanatic. I love their fresh quality food and their warm service. But, did you know that Whole Foods carries some of the best clean beauty items around town? They've got everything from skin care (think face and body), hair care, and makeup! And, better yet, their Beauty Week starts now! As in today through March 27th. During this time, you can score 25% off skin, hair, and cosmetic products. After the jump, dive deeper into which products I'm currently trying and love, and feast your eyes on the amazing set up that I was fortunate enough to experience at the Fioli Gardens.

Photos thanks to Kai Sotto Photography

The older I get, the more conscious I am about my purchases - whether that's food, fashion, or beauty. I've already transitioned most of my clothing to quality pieces meant to last more than a season, and thanks to many of the upcoming planet and skincare/beauty lines that I've been introduced to, I am slowly, but surely taking a closer look at what goes on my body. My haircare products (aside from one!) are all clean, sustainable, and nontoxic. My skincare -- especially what goes on my face -- is more than halfway there. And now, I'm getting better educated on my makeup and am happy to report that I'm making moves to choose more conscious cosmetic lines. Of course, there will always be cult favorites that are not 100% clean so it may be a while longer until I can claim that my makeup is all clean. That being said, #CleanBeauty oftentimes can be more expensive. But, same can be said about high-quality food and clothing - you get what you pay for, people! I, myself, am not rolling in the dough. I am very lucky to explore and play with many of these products and offerings thanks to my blog. That being said, I know a good deal when I see one, and 25% clean beauty is one I'm jumping on.

From now until the 27th, you can stop by your local Whole Foods and grab a bunch of great goodies for 25% off!

If you're new to clean beauty and are looking for a few to test out, here are some of few of my current favorites. (For those who can't make it to Whole Foods, I've linked a few items you can order online):

Derma E: A longtime favorite! Try their 2-in-1 Purifying Charcoal Mask
Pacifica Beauty: Love their nail polishes, oils, and eyeshadows!
Evanhealy: A new-to-me line, but am already super into their oils and Whipped Shea Butter Lip Balm
Thayer's: A cult favorite, known for their Witch Hazle Mists and Toners. Another new-to-me product, but I'm really enjoying their Cucumber Toner for morning and night
Acure: My last new-to-me share. I've been using their Blue Tansy Night Oil every night and wake up with some seriously soft and glowing skin

Special thanks to the Whole Foods team for having me and introducing me to some seriously amazing new #CleanBeauty goodies!

Food Friday: Ippudo Makes its way to San Francisco

2018-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ippudo SF Yerba Buena 18 Yerba Buena Lane San Francisco, CA 94103

Ever since visiting Ippudo in New York back in 2013, I wished for it to make its way to my little city by the bay. After visiting in 2013, I didn't get to try Ippudo again until 2016, when I visited its Paris location while in France. Then, in 2017, the Berkeley location opened and I knew SF had to be on its way. Finally, this past January, my ramen dreams came true.

Originally founded in 1985, Ippudo began as a small 10-seat ramen house in Japan. It was founded by Shigemi Kawahara, who was named the Ramen King after revolutionizing the ramen culture around the globe. Today, Ippudo has a presence in Asia, Europe, Australia and the US, and some even call it the most famous tonkatsu ramen in the world. Ippudo has two signature dishes - its Shiromaru Classic, which is its original tonaktsu broth and thin noodle ramen, and its Akamaru Modern, which is also pork broth-based with thin noodles but has a special miso paste.

On this special opening night event, Ippudo pulled out all the stops. First of all - we met the Ramen King himself! He passionately told us his story as we all held up our sake and toasted to the new location. We were invited to try all the ramen we could eat. While our eyes begged us to get every ramen on the menu, our stomachs brought us down to earth and convinced us to stick with our one bowl each. Luckily, since there were two of us, we really got to try two bowls - a special one-night-only Lobster Tonkatsu ramen and, my favorite of Ippudo's ramens, the Karaka Spicy ramen. Bowls are reasonably priced ranging from about $14 to $20, depending on what you get. While you wait for ramen, be sure to order a side of their delicious pork buns. And, because it's San Francisco, I recommend lining up early. The wait tends to be a bit long, so be prepared for upwards of an hour depending on the night.

Ippudo remains high on my ramen list, but I'm always on the hunt for the best noods. Have a suggestion, holler at your girl and let me know where you've found your best bowl.

1,000 Miles of Pinot with Sonoma's WALT Wines

2018-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Walt Wines 380 First Street West Sonoma, CA 95476

You may remember from last month's panacakeLEFTOVERS post, or my Instagram Events highlight that I spent one delightful Friday afternoon at One Market restaurant, sipping pinot with Sonoma's WALT Wines. Yes, happy hour did indeed start very early that day. While I usually reserve my wine time for after my work is done, this tasting was in fact, work. That, plus, I couldn't pass up WALT's 1,000 Miles of Pinot experience. For those who are unfamiliar with Walt, the winery was founded in 2010 by Vinters Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall. If you're thinking to yourself that those names sound familiar, then you're probably thinking about HALL Wines. Yes, WALT is part of the HALL Wines family. WALT currently has 12 pinot noirs, 3 chardonnays, and 1 rosé of pinot noir in its portfolio. the 1,000 Miles of Pinot comes from the fact that WALT's portfolio spans 1,000 miles across the Pacific Coast. Vineyards include the Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Los Carneros, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Lucia Highlands and Willamette Valley appellations. For this very special experience, WALT brought their pinots to us. We were lucky enough to experience their Root 101 tasting, which typically only takes place at the WALT winery, at One Market restaurant. Each pinot was deliciously paired alongside a dish prepared by Chef Mark Dommen, curated by Wine Director and Sommelier, Tonya Pitts. We sat, drank, and ate alongside the WALT team, including Winemaker, Megan Paredes and GM, Jeff Zappelli, making the experience a truly special one.

Each pinot was beautifully paired with complementing dishes. Did you SEE all those photos above?Truthfully, each dish got better and better. I appreciated the risks taken with the dishes, too. For instance, I've never had a pickled dish (the bánh mí tacos) specifically paired alongside a wine. And often times, bone marrow can be so indulgent that it's tough to pair with the right drink. Happy to report that WALT and One Market hit the nail on the head dish after dish. It's hard to choose a favorite, but my pinot pick was the 2015 Clos Pepe, which was paired with the grilled kampachi collar. Keep in mind, of course, that everyone's palate is different, so what works for me, may be totally different for you!

For those of you interested in the Root 101 experience at WALT, you can reserve your spot online. There are two tastings daily at 11am and 2pm for $60 per person, or $40 if you're a club member. The experience includes select WALT pinots and chardonnays, paired with bites from "the girl & the fig." This coming April 14th, WALT's 1,000 Miles of Pinot party takes place, where their 2016 vintage of pinot will be unveiled. Early birds can get their tickets, here!

Thank you to WALT and One Market for the wonderful experience! A treat, to say the least.

Stacker Style: What To Wear To A Warriors Game

2018-02-21T13:11:00.001-08:00

A few weeks back, my friends at ShopStyle invited me to attend a Warriors game with them, which can only be described as a bucket list moment. These last few years have been really exciting for Bay Area sports - World Series titles, a Super Bowl game (even though... it wasn't actually ours, lol), and championship rings. As you know, I am a Niners and Giants gal through and through. I love my SF teams. I wish I could claim my die-hard Warriors fan status, but alas, I only own one Warriors hat (see above) compared to my eight Niners and Giants caps combined. That being said, in the last handful of years, I've slowly started to incorporate more of the game onto my "to cheer for" list (thanks to friends who don't mind if I tag along to eat popcorn & ask too many questions while they attentively watch each play and a boyfriend who is actually a die-hard fan). Plus, I'm not one to deny greatness. Steph Curry, anyone?

That being said, I would be lying to you if I said that I wasn't super amped on what my courtside attire was going to be. I sent way too many text messages asking my friends if my new haircut plus snapback combo made me look too much like Bruno Mars. (Please see this photo for reference.) Still unsure about that one, but I went with the hat, anyways...for better or worse. It was an amazing experience to watch such a talented team play live. And of course, there was never a moment when I was without a snack in hand. Seriously.

Get the look:

Levi's Jeans c/o; Keds c/o; Vintage Silk Top (similar here); Gucci Crossbody; Denim Jacket c/o Lulus.com (similar here); Warriors Snapback (similar here)

Now, let's chat ShopStyle, shall we? ShopStyle is "the world’s most fashionable search engine." You can use the site to help you easily find clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids. Even better - you can get alerted when items you're eyeing go on sale. As a blogger, I am part of ShopStyle's Collective. You may have noticed around these here parts of the web, that I include links and widgets to help you shop my looks. Sometimes, when you click or make a purchase through one of my links, I may make a small commission. And let me tell you - it makes a big difference for self-employed gals such as myself!

So, before I go, I can't leave without saying thanks to all of you who continue to support. And, of course, thanks so much to ShopStyle for such a treat.

pancakeLEFTOVERS: January

2018-02-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

I used to do this series way back when in the early years of my blog. I've wanted to resurrect it for a while, but haven't been able to buckle down and get it done. Well, one of my goals for this year is to dedicate more time to thoughtful writing, so even though this one is a few days late (in my book), here it is. For those of you who are new and don't know what this series is all about - let me tell you. At the beginning of each new month, I write a little reflection piece on the month before. No staged photos; no fancy frills - just a leftover assortment of moments (highs and lows), events, and standout adventures. January was a whirlwind. It was long, but not long enough. I was busy in the best way on most days and struggled to keep my sanity on other days, ha. I made it to a haaaandful of events, managed to update my blog a good bit, and met a handful of new people. Overall, I think the month was a great way to kick off 2018. So, let's take a look back, shall we?

At the beginning of January, I took a trip to Earthbound Farms with the FeedFeed team. It was a 2+ hour journey (at 6AM!!) to Carmel Valley. First off, y'all know how much of an early bird I'm not, lol. I surprised myself (and some of you) by getting up at 5 and making it to a farm of all places. (City girl speaking, here!) I love the FeedFeed team, so I was extremely excited to join them for another event. I found that connecting with the earth (something, I'm really trying to do more of) and being around like-minded people, who were all passionate about their crafts (food, photography, farming, etc.) was such a nourishing way to kick off the year. It definitely helped to set the tone for what I want to cultivate more of this year.

January marked a slew of openings - food and otherwise. The Assembly, Marugame, Vive La Tarte, and the most exciting for me, Ippudo SF. Needless to say, I ate a lot this month, ha. As per usual, though, I guess. Of course, true to my interests, I also had plenty of wine. I attended a delicious Pinot Noir tasting thanks to Walt Wines, and I attended Zinfandel Festival thanks to ZinEX. If you know me, you know I love red wine. And, even though I am not too much of a beer drinker these days, I still love me a good brew. I visited Harmonic Brewing for the first time ever thanks to a little soiree thrown by the lovely folks at Kodiak Cakes. Beer flights with uniquely paired dishes all featuring Kodiak Cake mixes = hella good. I'll be doing a dedicated post on a few of these foodie and beverage escapades, but for now, you can catch most of these on my Events highlight on my Instagram to get a taste.

Of course, with all that eating comes the working out. And work out I did. Aside from my on-going love affair with the Bay Club, which you are all so sick of hearing about by now, I had a chance to get my groove on at StudioMix with G-Shock, as part of the launch of their new step tracking watch. The class, taught by the incredibly talented Jessica Rae, was an amazingly fun (and challenging!) workout. And, my new watch, compliments of G-Shock, is my favorite. Seriously, with all that I like to move, it's about time I got a step tracker.

Now, I would be remiss if I did not tell you about all the bomb beauty products and happenings from the month. At the end of last year, I collaborated with Credo Beauty, a clean beauty store located in SF. They kindly asked if I wanted to film a #GRWM (get ready with me)-style video for them, and so I did. I am by no means a beauty guru, and I also have never done such a video, but I'm all about doing something that scares me every now and then. The video finally came out at the end of last year (so this is really not a January leftover, but so close, so why not), and I realized I didn't tell you guys! So if you want to watch my first-ever attempt at doing my own makeup on video, here it is. Things I learned from this: concealer is probably a good investment and maybe doing more videos would be fun.

One beauty event that did take place this month was by DHC Skincare. They recently launched their new Olive Concentrated Cleaning Oil and I cannot wait to try it out. I have heard nothing but good things about their cleansing oil, so I can't wait to see my skincare routine transform for the better. Again, more on this one in an upcoming Beauty Bites, but here's your little sneak peek. We dined at Dumpling Time and as a bun-lover, if you're in SF and haven't yet tried it, it's 100% worth the hype.

And, because we're hitting upon all of the areas of life this month, might as well talk about finance, right? At the very end of the month, I was invited to attend a #FinanciallyFit event with Credit Karma. Along with getting our bodies fit (afternoon yoga, mani/pedis, and deliciously healthy snacks), we learned how to get our credit in tip-top shape. Credit Karma offers its users free credit scores (always great to know where you stand, financially) and, even better, a free tax preparation and filing product. After I learned about both, I went home, researched some, and signed up. Finished my taxes in 20 minutes top (and, let me tell you, mine are not so easy to do, so this was a major come-up!).

So, those are the leftover bites from my January. It was a busy one, you guys! Because it was so busy, I haven't had a proper day to sit down and write about everything above. But it's on my list! Promise. February is my favorite month of the year (you'll see why soon!), so I am already eager with excitement for how this month will play out.