this b life

2013-01-21T14:14:00.001-08:00

A stranger taking a nap while listening to waves crash. Ocean Beach, San Francisco.

2013-01-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

The best part about living in the Inner Richmond is the proximity to Gold Gate Park.

The Best Way To Start A New Year

2013-01-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

New Years Day Marin hike with my roommate. Best way to start the new year.

2013-01-01T17:56:00.001-08:00

Personally, I'm beyond excited that 2012 is over and a fresh starts awaits me with 2013. This year is going to be the year of adventures! I want to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, explore new places, and push myself to learn and grow. Here is to the new year and new beginnings.

2012-12-21T20:21:00.001-08:00

I seem to be developing a theme of taking photos of elderly men's back.

2012-12-15T20:08:00.002-08:00

Came upon this man painting in Golden Gate Park this morning. What a lovely way to start your day.

2012-12-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

feel free to follow along @brandivannevel

Playing tourist at Golden Gate Bridge//Capturing strangers at Fort Point//Surfers at Ocean Beach

Another day at Lands End//Thoughtful man//Sunset at Sutro Baths

Small local theater//Color scheme of the Outer Sunset//Braving the Storm

While I love Instagram I need to start using my other cameras, perhaps I'll even shoot a few rolls.

2012-11-29T12:43:00.001-08:00

photo via Instagram

In effort to refocus on what's important in life, I've decided to revisit a practice I use to do, write thankful lists. This week I'm thankful for the following: my job, my new white duvet cover which is incredibly soft, Katrina's CSS class and various tutorials, and last but not least my friends-without them I would be lost.

2012-11-04T18:35:00.002-08:00

Something Good by alt-J on Grooveshark

Sunset at Sutro Baths and Lands End Lookout is possibly the best way to end the week. Mark Zuckerberg agrees with me (I ran into him waiting for the bus).

Walking Around At Lunch

2012-10-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

I've been making it a point to get out of the office and take short walks around downtown during my lunch hour. These moments of fresh air and sunshine help me stay sane.

Watching Strangers at Sutro Baths

2012-10-21T15:43:00.001-07:00

2012-10-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Weekends are meant for adventures and lately those adventures have lead me to Ocean beach. I get caught up listening to the crashing waves and surfer watching. While San Francisco isn't known for it's warm beaches it is still my go to place to relax.

2012-09-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

The year has been slipping past me faster then I like. How the hell is it already September!!!! I guess times flies when you are having fun.

The photos above were from my first trip to Baker Beach. I'm ashamed to admit that I have lived in the city for nearly five years and this was my first trip out there.

Below are a few snapshots I took while spending three days on Catalina for my best friend's bachelorette party. I have many many photos from the trip, none of which are suitable to share on the blog:)

Sun by Two Door Cinema Club on Grooveshark

2012-07-28T16:49:00.001-07:00

Fineshrine by Purity Ring on Grooveshark

Life lately=Spending lots of time with my noise in a book(s), walking around Golden Gate Park, drinking too much coffee, staying up late, rearranging my room, and listening to the song the above. All in all life is good.

2012-07-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

A funny thing about San Francisco, people tend to put all unwanted items on the street, including large pieces of furniture. On an average I see one to two couches per walk around the city. Over the weekend I found these two (the last happened to be occupied).

2012-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Can't stop listening to this song

Lighthouse by Patrick Watson on Grooveshark

2012-07-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Mission Pie photo take with iPhone VSCO app

At the beginning of the year I wrote a post about courage, and my goal of not letting fear control my life. I wrote the post knowing, deep in my heart, that I needed to make a major life change, and that change was to end my four and a half year relationship. At the beginning of May I did just that.

So here I am, embarking on a new journey. I've moved into a new apartment located right next to Gold Gate Park (get ready for lots and lots of park pictures) and I'm slowing finding my way as a newly single woman in the city.

At times, I must admit, I am nervous about being alone and starting over, but those moments are few and far between and more often then not I look forward to all the awaits me. A huge weight has been lifted off my chest and for the first time in over a year I am truly happy.

Graffiti On The Beach

2012-04-14T09:28:00.001-07:00

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. I'm off to enjoy the sun and explore new parts of the city.

2012-03-28T10:04:00.001-07:00

I'm having a deep and passionate love affair with my Polaroid Spectra. I try not to be biased against my cameras,espically my Polaroids, but so far the spectra is the easiest and least fickle of the group.

Below we have a succulent I discovered while walking up Dolores St, a view of Corana Heights Park, and a lonely piece of wood found on office beach.

2012-03-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

all photos taken with my iPhone

Another day another adventure, this time to it in a hike through Lands End. This weekend will be spent indoors trying to stay dry, cuddling up with a good book, and cooking up a storm.

2012-03-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

A few weekends spent with my Polaroid Spectra camera and Impossible Project Old Gen Film.

Sutro Baths, San Francisco 2012

Bernal Hill Park, San Francisco 2012

Corona Heights

2012-02-27T15:03:00.001-08:00

The wonderful thing about San Francisco is one minute you can be in the heart of the city, walking down streets that reek of urine, surrounded by tourist, and dodging cars at busy intersections, and the next minute you are climbing up hill, not a person in sight, and resting on a rock over looking the city.

My 7 x7 city is small but it holds so much beauty. It is not often that I am able to get out of town (I hate driving with a passion) so I am making an effort to get out and explore new places, preferably ones with beaches and/or lots of trees. My most recent adventure took me to Corona Heights Park, which is surprisingly close to my apartment. It's an easy hike and once you reach the top you're treated to epic city views. If you live in the city, or planning to visit, it is a must see.

All of the above photos were taken with my iPhone. For more of my adventures follow me on Instagram (my user name is bvannevel).

2012-02-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

February what a month you have been and you are not even over yet.

Highlights include:

The best Valentines Day EVER! Brandon and I have never been big on celebrating Valentines Day, so it came as a complete surprise when I came home the other day to find him in the kitchen cooking dinner.
Spending the weekend in Sacramento helping my best friend plan her wedding.
Exploring new areas of San Francisco, especially random trails to hike and make me feel as though I have left the city.
Reading and loving The Marriage Plot.
A new to me phone (thanks Liz)!!!
Walking home from work... the best way to clear my head after a daunting day.

Less exciting parts of my life:
Feeling very lonely and longing to be closer to support system (family and friends).
Too exhausted to do anything creative...cameras and blog are getting very dusty.
Lack of motivation. I would love to spend more time doing things I love (hiking, cooking, reading, etc) but I just don't have the drive to do anything. I think this is a sign that I need a vacation.

A New Addition To The Collection

2012-02-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

In my previous post I mentioned I went a little crazy and bought a number of new cameras. Hands down the one I'm most excited about it my Yashica Mat-124 G. It needs a new battery, and a good cleaning, but otherwise it is in great condition. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use it :)

2012-02-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Life has been both complicated and busy lately. Since I am unable to escape the city I find relief by taking long walks on the beach. Gone are the sounds and smells of the busy city and after about 10 minutes on a beach I feel like a new person. Nothing helps me ease my mind like a long walk alone, especially when the walk involves taking off my shoes and playing in the water.