I used to be in love with Lush. When I was younger, it was only in Canada and was on the top of my list of places to visit when on shopping trips to Vancouver, B.C. The store smells like a dream with unlimited girly products in fun packaging that make you swoon such as fizzy bath bombs dipped in roses and massage oils shaped like chocolate bars. It’s been years since I’ve been in one though, so I was excited to find a Lush near my office in downtown San Francisco!

Last week, I purchased two of their product that are.to.die for, so I thought I’d share them here with my curly headed gals (or those who need a little moisture in their lives). All one or two of you. Bueller… Bueller…

Curly Wurly is a conditioning shampoo that you can use every day (even if you have dried-out curly hair!) It’s like a coconut moisture milkshake with actual slivers of coconut, and I want to eat it then rub it all over my head, over and over. (Weird).

R&B (Restore & Balance) is a leave -in conditioner that smells like the best Hawaiian sunblock ever, combined with the prettiest bouquet of lilacs and lilies. It leaves my hair so soft and adds back in the moisture that’s sucked out from having a frizzy curly Jew fro on top of your head all day. I literally walk down the hall at work, shaking my head back and forth, so I can smell myself. (Weird, again).

AND, I officially reached my limit of using the word “moist” on my blog for the year. Enjoy!

Currently Feeling: Somewhat frustrated, bummed and annoyed, but surprisingly upbeat!
Currently Anticipating: Showing my cancer fundraising support at the Mr. Marina competition tomorrow – should be a bit ridiculous, but a good time!
Currently Needing: To grocery shop – gah! Not having fresh fruit and veggies at my house for meals grosses me out.

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Imagine tens of thousands of people all walking/running the same course through the city, dressed in creative team costumes, crazy attire, tutus, or you know – naked. Throw in some street dance parties, houses with people hanging out the windows and porches crowded up and down the course, and a gigantic city park full of groups lounging – some passed out, some dancing, most drinking. Pepper in boomboxes, bubbles, glitter, shots, fishnets, loud singing, strangers making out, mimosas, and… did I say dance parties? Imagine all of that, and you have Bay to Breakers – the number one weekend to visit San Francisco, if you want to be promised a piece of what makes San Francisco “so San Francisco.”

As my friend Janelle said, and fellow Pink Taco , “Everyone in this city is just loving life.”

You and me too, my friend. You and me too!

Me as a "Pink Taco." Totes inappropriate, I know.
(Sorry whomever - read the disclaimer in my side bar).

Soaking up the sun with my friend Lauren.

Party in the streets.

Two pink tacos are better than one.

Superman?! Wonder Woman?!

Hip hop penguin.

Apparently they "Love Pink Tacos...." errrr.
Probs *a little bit* more than Janelle and I.

It might be worth mentioning that as I was standing in my bathroom at 8 a.m. the morning of Bay to Breakers, dressed in hot pink spandex from head to toe and glitter all over my hair and body, I found myself plucking two GREY HAIRS from my head with tweezers. It was at that moment that I questioned my maturity level. (I know – shocking!) Lest I mention I was about to go hang out at a house full of 23- and 24-year-olds.

And then I realized – if dressing up crazy and “loving life” on B2B is immature, I plan to spend the rest of my life two grey hairs away from a full head.

Currently Feeling: Like working the Monday after B2B should be illegal.
Currently Anticipating: Rotting my brain on episode two of The Bachelorette tonight.
Currently Loving: The phrase, “Peanut butter and jealous sandwich.” Think I’ll make it part of my regular repertoire.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As for my heart – ahh, my heart.

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

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

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

To LOVE (and Wanda)!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ah ha moment!

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

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

I double dog dare you to try it this week!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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