Wonderlust

Food for Thought Friday

2012-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

I came across this letterpress artwork featuring the following quote by philosopher Bertrand Russel, "The time you enjoy is not wasted time". I appreciate this thought, especially considering I found it on Pinterest, a site full of visual inspiration that some may or may not consider a total waste of time. For me Pinterest has provided endless inspiration for new projects, recipes (like the strawberry salmon salad above, which I made this week and it was in fact as delicious as it looks), and style inspiration like the mod hair and peplum jacket above.

Here's to time wasting time enjoying yourself. I will certainly be doing just that during my first visit to Wine Country this weekend! Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend!

Clockwise from left 1, 2, 3

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Projects + Preparing

2012-07-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

I have been busy the past couple weeks working on projects around the house (including a shelf inspired by this), spreading the word about my new Etsy store, and preparing for house guests. I would love to say that we have an amazing guest room, but the rental market in San Francisco is not so generous. The little lady has been with family during her summer break so her room has become the landing place for projects in transition and visitors from out of town.

via

After having a few visitors over the past several months, I have learned that there are a few things that you can easily do to make a space feel more accommodating.

Have a folding luggage rack on hand so that they can easily access what they need from their suitcase from day to day.
Provide them with extra blankets and pillows to ensure that they are comfortable at night.
Keep a stash of extra toiletries including a few toothbrushes.
Have hooks for them to hang items like purses, scarves, or accessories. An over-the-door hook is an easy solution.
If you have extra room in a closet provide space for them to hang clothes.
Ask if they have any food allergies or favorite breakfast items. Do they prefer coffee or tea? My mom was recently in town and her long list of dietary restrictions was a little easier to manage because I planned ahead of time to have a few things like almond milk, soy yogurt, and glutton free snacks on hand.

via

Little things go a long way and people really are appreciative of the extra effort and thoughtfulness. Are there any special things that you do to make overnight guests feel at home?

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Hello + Happy Friday!

2012-07-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

It's a bit overcast in San Francisco today and I am craving some sunshine and warm temps. This scarf would be perfect for a pop of color on a dreary day. For nonstop cheerfulness at home, maybe a pink counter top would do the trick? We plan on checking out the Silent Film Festival tomorrow and we might escape the city for four a few hours of warmth on Sunday. Hope you have an amazing weekend!

see more inspiring images at my Pinterest page

clockwise from top left 1, 2, 3, 4

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Mad Over Molly M

2012-07-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

On my way back from hiking in the North Bay last weekend I stopped to pop in Trouve, a little boutique featuring vintage home decor, new jewelry, and art. Jewelry by local San Francisco designer, Molly McGrath, immediately caught my attention. Her geometric and organic laser cut forms are right up my alley. At top of my wish list are her superwax necklaces.

I took the time to check out her site once I got home (and couldn't get her necklaces out of my head) and was really inspired by Molly's story. While in school for architecture she began considering how much she could do with the laser cutting machine she used to build her models. I am sure that Molly would have been an amazing architect, but I think she definitely found her calling with the jewelry and home decor she creates.

Check out molly m designs to learn more about Molly and her collection.
(photos from molly m designs)

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Say Hello to My New Etsy Shop!

2012-07-07T11:05:00.004-07:00

Drumrolll please... my Etsy shop, The Bells & Whistles, finally went live this week! The store features vintage jewelry and home decor. There will be more products added over the next few weeks and I have some fun up-cycling projects in the works. It's honestly a little more work than I imagined, from researching to photographing and measuring each item, but I have enjoyed every minute. If you have a moment, please take a look at my shop and if you feel so inclined "like" it on Facebook.

On a side note, I am getting back into the swing of things after having my mom here for a week and a half. I had fun playing tourist with her, stay tuned for photos from our explorations. Today, we are off to the North Bay for a hike with the pups. Hope you have some fun adventures this weekend!

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A Midweek Thought

2012-06-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have been staying super busy playing tourist with my mom in town and while walking from the Financial District to Chinatown yesterday I came across this incredibly random building addition.

It goes to show that you never know what you are going to discover when you allow yourself to really absorb all of the sights and sounds around you.

P.S. I would love to know more about it so if you do please let me know!

Update: A friend sent me this article after seeing the post. Local designer Jenny Chapman created the cabin from reclaimed wood from an old barn in Ohio. Read more about it here.

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My Mom's Comin' to Town!

2012-06-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's been about six months since my move to San Francisco and the day before we drove out of Atlanta was the last time I saw my mom. She had recently discovered that she had thyroid cancer and underwent one surgery a couple weeks before I left, and then another to remove the remainder of her thyroid just after. It was hard not being there when she got out of the hospital the second time. She is the sweetest, most loving person I know and I cannot wait to give her a huge hug.

Me + my mom on Easter, many moons ago...

Always stylishly feminine, she is a rocking a polka dot dress with a ruffled peplum-like detail.

On a side note I have a new project in the works, very soon I will be launching an Etsy store featuring vintage items like this lovely horse silhouette in the photo below.

Stay tuned for news on the store!

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Starting the Weekend Off Right

2012-06-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

My spring cleaning has turned into summer purging and I spent last night going though my dresses and skirts in order to streamline my closet. What I decided not to keep I sorted for donating and re-selling. It's amazing how long you can hold on to a piece of clothing because you have good memories attached to it. I suggest enlisting someone close that isn't scared of being honest to help you with your wardrobe cleansing.

photo from Santa Cruz

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Drumroll, please...

2012-06-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Our shelves are finally finished!

The project began back in Atlanta when I spotted some old mill spools in an antique store, Vintage Village. Right away we began brainstorming ideas for re-purposing them. During our last few months in Atlanta our collection of spools grew along with the idea for a large wall shelf. Once we got settled in San Francisco we began the hunt for salvaged wood. We drove to a few places in Oakland and Berkeley in search for just the right thing, finally finding it close to home in the City at Building REsource.

Our apartment has one large L-shaped room that we have divided into dining, office, and living areas. The shelves connect the office and dining area, grounding the space.

A collection of old shelter magazines that includes Domino,
Metropolitan Home, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Pattern by Orla Kiely is chock-full of inspiration.

The entire project from start to finish took a few months to complete because we only worked on it during the late evening (who wants to spend their weekends indoors drilling when you can be out and about exploring San Francisco or hiking through some gorgeous forest in the Bay Area?). We started off by making a template from an old CD for marking where we needed to drill holes in the spools. We then spent several evenings marking and drilling the 64 spools before screwing them together into sets of two (luckily the little lady is heavy sleeper). Once the spools were ready, we spent a few days days measuring, cutting, and sanding the wood. Assembling the shelves took us another two days.

The addition of the shelves has not only introduced a large amount of much needed storage, they also make the space finally feel like home. I think it's the combination of antiquity, memories, beloved books, and warm wood that does it.

take a look at how they were built

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DIY Spool Shelves Update!

2012-06-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

We have made some serious progress on our custom spool shelves this week! Here is a peek at our progress...

Have an amazing weekend and stay tuned for photos of the completed project!

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Instagram: A Visual Journey

2012-06-05T11:27:00.001-07:00

I have blogged in the past about my love for Instagram and after reading a post by fellow San Franciscoan, Anne Sage, I started thinking about what makes the platform so successful. The appeal for me is the simple creation of a visual diary logging my journey through the everyday.

Here are a few recent snapshots from my "diary"...

Heading off to score some treasure at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.

Delicious lunch at the faire - we will be going to the restaurant.

My guy with some of the goodies we scored.

A pretty site near the neighborhood dog park.

Sunday night movie watchin' with the pups.
(Layla apparently enjoys wearing blankets like a cape)

A productive Monday evening!

I measured and he cut the wood for our shelves, I think we make a good team.

Do you Instagram? If so check me out @wonderluslife and leave a comment below with your name so that I can take a peek into your journey.

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Cleaning House

2012-06-01T10:15:00.001-07:00

With the little lady gone for the summer I have turned my attention towards purging and cleaning our home. Apparently it's not officially summer for 19 more days so I can still call this spring cleaning. As we have settled into the space I have learned what does and doesn't work in regards to the furniture we brought from Atlanta. I want to make room for our custom shelves and some new pieces that will suit the space better. It's funny how you become attached to things...

We have already sold a few pieces over the past couple days and I am hoping that everything else will be gone by Monday. This weekend we are heading to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire where I am hoping to find a couple wall mounted lights for the bedside (they will replace the chrome standing lamps, top right) and a stool for my bedroom vanity / desk (my beloved Saarinen chair was just too large for the space, top left). We no longer need the Lane chest or shipping crate shown above because we plan on purchasing a bed with drawers for extra storage. I am considering one from our local Oysterbed, aptly named The San Fransciso Chestbed.

Tell me, do you have any summer projects in the works? Any re-decorating going on in your home?

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Summertime

2012-05-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

On my summer to-do list...

Source: cheapthrilllls.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Tell me, what are you going to make more time for this summer?

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Day Trip --> Santa Cruz

2012-05-29T09:57:00.001-07:00

A couple weekends back we sought out warmer temps in Santa Cruz. We made our first stop at Henry Cowell Redwoods park for a short hike (one of the few parks in the area with dog friendly trails).

Afterwards we drove west for some relaxation in the sand at Twin Lakes State Beach. From my research I learned it tends to be warmer than some of the other beaches in the area due to the close vicinity of a lagoon.

We wrapped up our visit at Johnny's Harborside seated at a corner table overlooking the harbor. The view was nice, service was great, and the seafood was delicious.

The day definitely left everyone happily worn out...

Until next time!

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Catalog Love: J. Crew Style Guide

2012-05-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

One glance at the cover of the J. Crew Style Guide when it arrived in the mail and I had to open it immediately. Their lucky crew flew off to Bali where they took advantage of the 1,000-year-old temples and the lush landscape to create an ad campaign that makes me to hop on a plan ASAP. My infatuation with the idea of a Bali vacation first took hold while reading the infamous Eat, Pray, Love.

For my dream getaway I wouldn't mind packing a lovely navy print dress with the perfect pink accessories.

I also wouldn't mind adding another striped item to my closet...

There is definitely room in my luggage for this necklace...

A quick flip through left me wishing that I could simultaneously jump on on a plane and go shopping. I was also left wondering how true the images are to the real Bali experience. A friend of mine from Atlanta, Amanda Brown, is currently in Bali (one of the stops during her adventure of a lifetime). From what I have read of her accounts, those in Eat, Pray, Love, and of other lucky visitors, it is in fact incredibly beautiful, and the people are incredibly friendly. If you are considering a trip to Bali, I suggest checking out Amanda's recommendations and tips.

Are you a curious traveler? Check out Hello World, a new Facebook page where I have partnered with Amanda Brown of Amanda's Big World Adventure and Sucheta Rawal of Go Eat Give to share our passion for exploration.

. . .

On a side note, the author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, is one of my favorite authors. Her book, The Last American Man, is a must read.

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LEIF Lustin'

2012-05-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

A close friend came across this necklace and said it made her think of me. She knows my style pretty well and was right on target. I have crossed paths with a few of their home goods (these salt + pepper shakers seem to be everywhere) but this is my first meeting with their jewelry.This piece along with many others at LEIF are now on my wishlist.

Wouldn't this be absolute perfection with a simple white tee?
I am also loving this version with red + pink accents!

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Beautiful Science

2012-05-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday we headed to Golden Gate Park to check out the California Academy of Sciences. The combination museum / planetarium / aquarium / rain forest was pretty amazing. It was busy but not too crowded to relax and thoroughly enjoy the experience. There is a vast amount of information to absorb (it is a science museum after all) so allow yourself plenty of time to explore so that you get the most out of your visit. My favorite part, the planetarium, is the largest in the world.

All new earthquake exhibit scheduled to open later this month.
(I slept through my first earthquake so I am extra curious about this.)

Information is projected on fluid-like displays with encasing aquariums.

The multifaceted museum experience is topped off, literally, with a green roof that visitors can explore.

Exploring the space I was reminded how much I love exhibit design. When considering well designed museums the Insectarium in New Orleans often comes to mind. The exhibits drew me in with pattern and color, renewing my child-like fascination with insects.

A few photos from my 2009 visit to New Orleans...

The next day we packed everyone up in the car and drove about an hour and a half to Santa Cruz. This past weekend was the little lady's last in SF before she heads off for the summer so we wanted make it memorable... stay tuned for details!

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DIY Spool Shelves

2012-05-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

Remember this custom shelving project we hunted down reclaimed wood for a couple months ago? Well it had been pushed to the back burner for a bit but things are back on track. We now have all of the shelf supports (old cotton mill spools) screwed together in sets of two.

Next up we need measure and cut the wood for the shelves. Cannot wait to share the final product!

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West Coast Adventures

2012-05-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

One of the best things about living in San Francisco is our close vicinity to so many other interesting cities and destinations. The little lady will be spending the summer with family and we plan to take advantage of our adult time to do a little (well maybe a lot) of exploring. It just so happens to be unseasonably cold in SF during the summer so it will be nice to escape to some warmer temperatures on the weekends.

Blithedale Summit trail, Mount Tamalpais in the North Bay

A few of the cities/destinations on our list:

Santa Cruz - Beach and about 10 degrees warmer than SF. Done and done.
Sacramento - History - I was never very good at memorizing dates in History class but I am a total nerd when it comes to seeing stuff in person.
Sausalito - We made a quick stop here recently, after a hike at Mount Tamalpais, and both agreed that we must come back to lounge on a patio.

View of the Bay and SF from Sausalito

Point Reyes Beaches - Have you seen the 1980 movie The Fog? This is where the movie was filmed.
Napa Valley - For obvious most obvious of reasons.
Gilroy - Garlic Fest - Need I say more? We drove through during our cross-country trip and we were enamored with all of the natural beauty and farm town quaintness.

Road Trip!
Portland
Seattle (apparently July - September the weather is near perfect)
Los Angeles

I am sure that the list will change over the next few months but I am looking forward to a lot fun and adventures with my fella (and our four-legged side-kicks).

Until next time!

Style - Hair Bungees

2012-05-03T10:55:00.003-07:00

Selecting a new hair salon is never easy, especially when you are new to a city. It's even more difficult when you seeking a cut for under $60 from a well reviewed salon. I stumbled upon Mes Amis and decided to give them try. Fortunately, I made a good choice and my stylist, Jerry, turned out to be both friendly and knowledgeable. So thorough that he almost immediately pointed out that my hair was damaged due to my affinity for ponytails and buns. Eeks! Not something a girl wants to hear. Ironically I often wear my hear up to avoid damage from heat styling. What did this mean for my morning routine? What about those extra windy days when gusts from the Pacific make wearing my hair down a nuisance?

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

I knew that this just wasn't going to work for me. So I did a little research and came across ponytail hooks, also known as hair bungees. I was honestly a little skeptical at how easy they would be to use. After some searching I found this little video on Birch Box that demonstrates how to easily hook them into your hair.

I have very fine hair so it does take some finagling to secure the hooks and I do find myself missing the ease of my old elastics. I plan on also giving the Twistband style a try.

Have you tried out the ponytail hook or the Twistband?

. . .

You can find hair bungees at your local Sally Beauty and Amazon.

Tasty Mornings

2012-05-01T09:46:00.001-07:00

With more time at home it's easy to do one of two things: focus energy on healthy eating or get lost snaking. I am trying to make sure the latter doesn't happen. I recently received this yummy smoothie recipe in my inbox from Spoon Fork Bacon. The addition of cinnamon to the blueberries and banana is perfection. I switched things up a bit by replacing the buttermilk for a few spoonfuls of vanilla Greek yogurt.

Since then I have been experimenting with other fruit combinations like peaches, blackberries, and banana. Each time I include at least one frozen fruit and one fresh fruit, making sure to add a banana in the mix for protein so that I am not immediately hungry. During my smoothie experiments I discovered that the key ingredient to a smooth smoothie is the Greek yogurt, specifically brands with a runnier consistency (like Wallaby and Brown Cow).

Do you have any favorite smoothie recipes that I should try?

I think I can. Wait - I know I can.

2012-04-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Wow - I cannot believe it is already Friday again. The job hunt took priority this past week and I have been busy researching local companies and available opportunities. I have really enjoyed having some extra time to get settled in San Francisco, but I am very ready to get back into the office! Until then I am focusing on doing all of the things that usually take the back burner: painting my nails every few days (currently a fun shade of pink!), reading, deep conditioning my hair, trying out new artistic endeavors, replacing that random missing button, and so on.

Remember when everyone was fawning over Penguin's clothbound classics series with cover designs by Coralie Bickford-Smith? I have a few from the line including Jane Austen's Emma. The book has been on display in my home for some time and I have finally cracked it open. I have also been reading Change By Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovations, a book that I shamefully started some time ago and have not finished. On a mission to take advantage of my free time and the quiet house during the day, I have been experimenting with acrylic paint on inexpensive canvas panels. It has been years since I picked up a paint brush, and I forgot how therapeutic the experience is. Painting just might be my new favorite pastime.

Do you have any new hobbies that you have recently delved into? Painting? Knitting? Scuba diving?

A positive thought for your weekend:

Source: live-inspired.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Happy Friday!

2012-04-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Melanie on Pinterest

I have been longing for warmer spring time temps here in San Francisco, which I am sure only added to my recent homesickness. Well it appears my wishes have been granted! Yesterday the temps reached the lower 70's (and I went bare-legged in a dress WITH open toe shoes) and tomorrow the forecast shows a high of 77. Weekend plans for a picnic and kite flying are underway! I have not flown a kite since I was a kid and I am looking forward to sharing the experience with our little lady.

Speaking of the little lady I am going to get a little personal and admit: transitioning to the mom role has been very very tough. I not only left my friends and family in Atlanta, but also my single-self. The decision to move had to be made very quickly and in the blink of an eye life as I knew it was over and I became part of a family unit. It went from being just me and my pup, Langley, to also including my fella, his 9 yr old daughter, and their pup, Layla. Everyone has had a lot of adjusting to do and I feel like I have been playing catch up with this parenting stuff. None of my close friends have been able relate to my current situation so I did what any modern day lady would do - I turned to the internet hoping to find similar stories. In my search I came across a fantastic book, The Package Deal: My (not-so) Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom.

The book details the author's similar experience which ironically involved a move from San Francisco to Austin. Not only did I find comfort in her story but she made me laugh out loud, more than a few times. It's a quick read that touched my emotions without getting too heavy - I highly recommend it.

On a closing note - remember these?

Bon Weekend!

Style - The Scarf

2012-04-16T12:03:00.001-07:00

It seems that scarves have become a prerequisite to my daily ensemble here in San Francisco. So much so I am already beginning to tire of my decent-sized collection. Until I find a job in the city my budget is slim and I welcome any ideas to reinvent my current wardrobe. You can imagine my delight when I happened upon this fantastic video via Aussie Blue from Wendy's Lookbook.

Enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by!

Missing Atlanta (just a bit!)

2012-04-09T08:34:00.003-07:00

source

Here are a few things I have been a bit homesick for...

my family living close - but not too close :)
my dearest friends
having girls' night and laughing with those dear friends
80-degree spring time temps
sandals
bare legs with skirts + dresses
sleeveless shirts
my favorite vintage + antique stores
Piedmont Park
Holeman & Finch
Antico Pizza
Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl House

source

As much as I miss the wonderfulness Atlanta has to offer I am beginning to grow rather fond of San Francisco.

Here are a few of my favorite things...

sunny days
layering - I am forced to play with my clothes and be more creative with my wardrobe
less pressure to straighten my hair, wear a ton of makeup, and be tan year round - it's OK here to be a little fair-skinned
all of the natural beauty the Bay Area has to offer
exploring a new city every day
some of the most beautiful dog parks I have ever visited (had to include this for the pups' sake)
the fact that I can easily walk to several museums, Union Square, and China Town
Burma Superstar
Yamo
Pazzia
Ike's place
Wooly Pig Cafe

I look forward to welcoming house guests from Atlanta this summer!