Where to eat: Chicago Edition

This is by no means a comprehensive list but here are some of the things I did eat or wanted to eat in Chicago {and I even got a real-life Midwesterner foodie to weigh in on his favorites}.  I recapped all the things we did on our Chicago trip here: Chicago City Guide.  But if you're a foodie like me and just want to know all about the food {um, probably one of the best things about Chicago} then read on.

So if you read my other post, you know I went to the Goose Island Beer Garden.  Their variety of beer was amazing and their seasonal selections were super tasty.  We also got poutine {which we didn't picture because there's no way you can make poutine look good, sorry it usually looks like bark, but it tastes amazing}.  And their poutine had Wisconsin cheese curds on top and those were so delicious!!  I think I need to go to Wisconsin and eat more cheese!

For dinner on the first day, we went to Boeufhaus, a relatively new steakhouse away from the touristy Chicago spots {don't ask me the neighborhood, but it was a short uber ride away}.  I found this restaurant and others on Chicago Eater, a great site to find amazing and new places to eat.  Their recommendations were on point, no false advertising here.  At Boeufhaus we had their 60-day aged steak and it was quite possibly the best steak I've had in the last 5 years.  

We also found the Chicago Athletic Association on Chicago Eater.  I talked about the view on my Chicago City Guide post, but the drinks from the Game Room or Cindy's was equally impressive.

We couldn't resist stopping by Dylan's Candy Bar located near the Magnificent Mile.  We were literally, yes literally, {big} kids in a candy store.

On Sunday we headed to the West Loop for brunch at The Publican.  Do you see that maple bacon on the pic above.  Yes, it was as amazing as it looks.  I also had some melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder under those eggs.  The West Loop has a large cluster of a amazing restaurants so definitely head out there if you're visiting Chicago.

We went to Giordano's for deep dish pizza because it's "famous" for it, but here's a tip from me to you, you can definitely skip this spot.  It's a {tourist} trap!  For some of the best deep dish pizza go to Lou Malnati's or Pequod's {this is a recommendation from a midwesterner}.  Well there's always next time for me.

And we capped our visit with some pizza from Eataly.  If you are staying near the Magnificent Mile, you can't miss this place.  It was 2 floors of impressive Italian goodies.

It's a restaurant+produce section+cheese sections+bakery+meat counter+seafood counter+wine store all in one.  Their first US location was in NYC, but if you can't make it out there the Chicago one is just as amazing.

So here's the short list of recommendations, of places I've tried or places on my list for next time:

{EAT}

Goose Island Beer Garden

Boeufhaus

The Publican

{other West Loop restaurants: Girl & The Goat, Au Cheval, Avec, and Nellcote}

 Lou Malnati's and Pequod's for deep dish pizza

Eataly

PJ Clarke's

And don't forget to check Chicago Eater before your next Chicago trip for the best new restaurants.

Do you have a favorite Chicago restaurant I haven't listed?  If so, please do share!

Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review part 3 {Updated December 2020}

So if you've been following my Mansur Goldilocks problem with my Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag review and Mansur Gavriel Large Lady Bag review part 2, you know that I've purchased 2 different lady bags and still haven't found the right one. Well my search is finally over!  Last week at the Mansur Gavriel shop relaunch I was able to pick up a regular veg tanned lady bag in black and oro {gold}. And this is it, no more lady bag purchases!

What I love about this bag:  

- the veg-tanned leather: it smells amazing and it's super structured which works out perfectly for this bag style. I've been consistently using the calf-skin lady bag and I've been finding it too slouchy, which makes closing the bag through the loops much harder when carrying it from the top handle. But I find I don't have those minor inconveniences when using the veg-tanned version 

-the size is perfect. I can even fit my dslr and extra lenses, which I did on my recent trip to Chicago. It was the perfect travel bag with the ability to carry it from the top handle or cross body. 

-and that pop of gold whenever you open up the bag.  Yes, it is kind of flashy but that's okay since it's just flashy on the inside.

One thing to be aware of for this bag:

-the gold interior is just a coating on the leather so from reading other people's experience with the metallic interiors in the bucket bags, I know that the coating can scratch and fade.  So I'm taking precautions and putting my keys and any other sharp objects in pouches.  Also, since there is only one pocket on the inside, it can't hold much {I just put my phone in there so it's easy to reach}.  But you can always do a pro-bag lady trick and use purse organizers {which also makes it really easy if you're constantly switching which bags you use}.

{December 2020 Update: Since writing this post I’ve reviewed the Mansur Gavriel Mini Lady Bag (where I’ve compared this bag to the Mini) and I’ve reviewed the Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Lady Bag.}

Everlane Street Shoe Review {updated}

I purchased the Everlane street shoes in chalk a couple weeks ago and I've been wearing them around the house ever since to see how I like them.  

Here's a quick review of these shoes:

-First of all, these run super narrow.  I'm a 7.5 in TOMS but I needed to get an 8.5 in these (I also have Everlane's loafers, which I got in an 8, so these are even narrower than the loafers).

-These shoes are nubuck leather, which means they look great, but the get dirty really easily, especially the chalk color.  But the material is so gorgeous, like velvet.  But I also found that this shoe doesn't stretch out much so if they feel narrow, they'll stay narrow.

-The style: sometimes I look at these and think of Keds, but really they are more stylish than that, especially with the slightly pointed toe.

For my other Everlane reviews (on sweaters, shirts, and their Petra tote) the links are listed on the right if you're on a computer, or scroll to the bottom if you're on your phone (all reviews are done with items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored, but if you'd like to help me purchase more items to review, please use my referral link here Thanks!).

{update: I ended up returning them after a spell because for the life of me they weren't comfortable.  The front was way too narrow and stayed narrow.  And because I had to get the larger size to fit my feet, they were a bit too long.  And I apologize to all those who might have tried them out due to my original glowing review of this.  Sometimes I fall in love with style of the shoe but then realize it doesn't fit my real life and I definitely wrote this when I was still in the honeymoon phase with these shoes.}

Shibori class at Beyond Canvas

Last week I had the pleasure of doing something out of the ordinary: learning Shibori, Japanese indigo dyeing.  This shibori workshop was held by an awesome team of creatives at Beyond Canvas.  You know those painting and wine workshops that people do?  Well it's sort of like that, but even more awesome.  

For shibori, you use rubber bands, twine, poles, and wooden blocks to create interesting patterns on a white cloth.  It's a lot like tie-dye without that 70's look.  If you want to try this at home, I found a great Shibori tutorial here.

When the piece first comes out, it's a greenish color since the indigo needs to oxidize to become that beautiful blue color.

Once you let it oxidize, unwrap and just rinse in the sink (it's non-toxic, but can turn your hands into a smurfy-blue).  Hang to dry and enjoy your artwork.  It really is that simple, though it can be quite messy, so it's nice when the artists at Beyond Canvas do all the heavy lifting for you.

If you live in the Bay and are looking for something fun to do, I highly recommend checking out the various workshops at Beyond Canvas {they have some outdoor ones that look super fun too}.

Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review Part 2: the large lady bag

I've already done a Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review Part 1 and a Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bags Review, but this is to introduce/review my newest addition, the large veg-tanned Lady Bag.  If you read Part 1, you know my main gripe about the smaller calf-leather lady bag was the funky smell.  {And an update on that, after a couple weeks it still smells if you put your nose close to it.  But at least it doesn't smell up the whole room anymore--yea for the first week it was that bad.  I had to "quarantine" my bag in an unused room in my house because the smell was so strong.}

I purchased the large lady bag from The Line, and it was an easy and painless transaction.  The bag shipped the next day and I got it 2 days after that (and there was no tax!) so The Line might quite possibly be one of my new favorite online stores.

Without further ado, here's the review:

Pros:

-Smells perfectly fine.  No strong smells, and in fact it has a good leather smell.

-The veg-tanned leather works really well for this bag.  I would say the veg-tanned leather is way better for the shape of the lady bag than it is for the bucket bags.  Since the bucket bags are so round, the stiff leather makes it too bulky.  But the lady bag doesn't have any of that bulk.  I even prefer the veg-tanned over the calf leather because for the veg-tanned the flap doesn't pucker like it does for the calf leather one {see pic above}.

-Cute contrasting interior.  This one is Ballerina on the inside {though you can't really see it when it's closed.}

-The classic style and the ability to securely close the flap.

Cons:

-The size!  This bag is so enormous! (I'm 5'4" for reference) It's 16.5 x 6.5 x 12.75 inches and it's just too large for me to carry.  Plus I just don't have that many things I need to carry on daily basis.

-I don't think it's The Line (the shop I purchased this from) that did this, but my lovely MG bag came pre-scratched.  I don't know how it already got so many scratches, but I've read else where that someone else had this problem.  So I'm wondering if it's a problem somewhere along the distribution channel.  For over $1000, you'd hope your bag wouldn't have large gouges all over the body.  

So the final verdict on Mansur Gavriel Lady bags?  Not to sound like Goldilocks here, but I'm still having trouble finding the right one.  I think the one that will best suit my needs is the regular size, in veg-tanned leather.  Will I be able to get one during this Tuesday's Mansur Gavriel relaunch?  I have my fingers crossed!

{Some tips about the relaunch on the Mansur Gavriel website: it's on Tuesday 7/28 at 11AM EST, so that's 8AM for us Californians.  And I would say get on the site around 7:45AM, already have the bag you want picked out and just keep clicking refresh from 7:55AM or so.  And if you're lucky enough to snag the one that you want, go to checkout asap.  You only have 5 minutes to complete the purchase once you get it into your cart.  Also, they have a limit of one bag per customer.  If you don't get your first choice, you probably won't be able to get your second unless it's a tote or backpack but it doesn't hurt to try.  I predict the regular Lady Bags are going to go first followed by the bucket bags.  So good luck y'all}

{9.24.15 update: if you're interested, I've decided to sell my MG tote.  Details here on how to buy.}

A sneak peek into next week...

Hi guys, I've just been in recovery mode since last weekend in Vegas (yea, I went again) and so there's not a regular Friday post today, but here's a sneak peek at some of next week's posts:

Hope you all have a great weekend!  

Mansur Gavriel Classic and Mini Bucket Bag Review

Last week I did an impromptu Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag review, so this week I wanted to do a review on Mansur Gavriel's Bucket bag, which is their most well-known bag.  

{Update 12.7.15: I managed to get my hands on the mini mini bucket bag so here's a review of the Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini bucket bag compared to the Mini bucket bag.}

It comes in 3 sizes: The classic or large (which is the largest, and the one in cream canvas below), the mini (which is the royal blue one in the pictures), and a mini mini (which I don't have).

The measurements:

Classic Bucket bag: 12.25” H X 10” W X 6” D

Mini Bucket bag: 9.5” H X 8” W X 4.5” D

I've used the larger canvas bucket bag for traveling and though there's no way to fully close the bag, I felt my items were safe since the bag is so deep.  Also it was really awesome to be able to open up the top and overload the bag with stuff when we went shopping.  The mini bucket bag is not that much smaller and fits a lot of items as well.  I used to have the veg tanned leather one, but it's very stiff and requires some breaking in.  I don't really have the patience for that breaking in period so I rather like the calf leather version (the mini one) and the canvas one.  Both are malleable and easy to carry from the get-go.  However the veg tanned classic bag has fun interior colors and comes with a detachable pouch (these two versions of the bucket bag doesn't come with the pouch).  The straps are adjustable so it's easy to carry it over the shoulder or as a cross-body.  

I used the black canvas one here for traveling and it held up like a champ.  The white canvas one got dirty after the first time I used it (some black scuff marks and color transfer from my jeans).  Even though the cream canvas with natural leather is a cute combo, it's not worth the maintenance.  

You can still find these bags sporadically at various small boutiques.  I got the royal blue mini and the black canvas bucket bags at Mohawk General Store in LA, and the white one at ShopBazaar.  If you want to buy one of your own, the Mansur Gavriel site is going to have a restock in August (but be ready for it, because bags sell out in less than a minute), or just sporadically check Google shopping for stores that might have it in stock.

Not everyone loves a bucket bag, but if you like the style, Mansur Gavriel is the new classic.

{update: I have also written up a new post on how to care for the leather of your Mansur Gavriel bags.}

Looking for a Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag?

Found a new online shop: The Line

Monday Muse: Dr. Frankl on Suffering

An active life serves the purpose of giving man the opportunity to realize values in creative work, while a passive life of enjoyment affords him the opportunity to obtain fulfillment in experiencing beauty, art, or nature.  But there is also purpose in that life which is almost barren of both creation and enjoyment and which admits of but one possibility of high moral behavior: namely, in man's attitude to his existence, an existence restricted by external forces...If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering.  Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death.  Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.  The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity--even under the most difficult circumstances--to add a deeper meaning to his life.

-Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning

Buy on Amazon

Picture source

TGIF Drinks: Blueberry and Meyer Lemon Gin-ade

Did you know it's National Blueberry Month here in the US (and in August for my Canadian friends)?  So here's a simple blueberry cocktail when you want something refreshing right now:

A handful of blueberries

One meyer lemon (I'm so lucky, I got these lemons from my friend Stuart's backyard, picked them myself).  If you don't have a friend with a meyer lemon tree, a regular lemon from the supermarket is fine.

Some sprigs of mint

Gin

Simple syrup (1 cup of water boiled with 1 cup of sugar; I usually just keep this stocked in my fridge)

Soda water/tonic

Just muddle together the blueberries, lemon and mint together.  Add a tablespoon or two of simple syrup and a shot (or 2 of gin).  Top off with soda water.  It's so easy I can't really call this a recipe.

For a non-alcoholic version I made simple syrup with a tablespoon of vanilla (add it after you take the syrup off the stove), and used that for a blueberry lemonade.  The inspiration was Chef Ryan's cake (above) which he calls the Blueberry Boy Bait Cake.

Hope July has been treating you well and have a great weekend!

{edit: And if you're interested in some of the health benefits of blueberries, read this great piece from the Cooking Detective!}

Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review {Updated March 2019}

Hi fellow purse fanatics!  This post is for you!  I usually try to keep my review posts to Wednesdays but I just got this bag and since they haven't been shipped in the US stores yet, as far as I know, I thought I would go ahead and give all the deets for those thinking of buying it.

So this is the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review.  I think the Lady Bag is their next hit after their bucket bags.  I got this one online at the French shop Colette, and lucky for me the Euro is at a fairly low point so I got the bag for only $12 more than if I had waited to buy the Lady Bag at Barney's (which not only doesn't have this color but is also shipping out in October).  $12 more is a small price to pay for next-week gratification.

This is the lady bag in the smaller size (only comes in the small or large size), and is the calf leather, not the veg tan leather.  So that means it comes lined instead of the contrasted coated color inside and it also means the leather is softer and doesn't require a breaking-in period.

The measurements:

10" x 13"x 4.5" 

The long strap is adjustable and goes from 18-20.5" and the short strap is about 6.75 inches (which is just enough to fit my arm in the summer, but definitely wouldn't fit under my arm in the winter when wearing a thick coat).  The bag can be worn over the shoulder or cross body when using the longer strap.

Like I said, this one is lined on the inside with a beige canvas (kind of boring, it would have been cooler if they had gone with different colors).  Inside there's two pockets on either side.  The bag closes using their signature drawstring.  The string can be passed through a loop on the flap and/or a loop on the front of the bag to secure the flap in place.

The pros:

-Love love love the style.  I'm particularly partial to this style of bag with both a handle and a long cross-body strap (see the picture below of the lady bag and the Givenchy pandoras-they're quite similar).  But the simplicity of the lady bag makes it look even more classic.

-Thick durable calf skin, with a canvas lining on the inside

-Ability to close the flap securely using the loops on the flap and on the bag.  This is actually fairly well-designed so that even if you have something heavy that's pulling the flap forward, the flap stays in place when holding it by the short handle.

-Fits a lot of things inside!  I was able to put in my 13" macbook, an old iPad with a bulky case, and still fit my essentials (phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses).

-The bag itself is not that heavy.

The con (wish I could say this bag is perfect, but unfortunately its not):

-My biggest gripe would be the quality of the leather.  Mansur Gavriel is supposed to be all about quality so I'm kind of shocked that the leather on this is kind of funky.  It smells.  It kind of reminds me of the leather in car upholstery.  So in a way it has that "new car smell" except I don't want my bags smelling of car interiors.  Even my Everlane petra tote, which feels like it's made from a similarly thick durable leather, doesn't smell like this.  If I didn't know any better I would think that Colette is selling a fake (especially since the MG stamp is also not perfect on this bag and it didn't come with the usual pink tag, just the white one).  But it's a bit early to be making fakes of a bag that hasn't even been available yet (plus its Colette, a really reputable store).  Also I read that the tumbled leather bucket bags also had a smell so maybe it's just a problem with some of their bags.  I know MG is in a rush to capitalize on the MG craze but if they're not careful they might lose some support.  I'm going to wait and see if the smell goes away, and if possible (and it's a big IF) get my hands on the veg tan one (which is the one I really wanted anyway).  But if anyone has any tips on getting the car leather smell to go away I would really appreciate the help!

Knowing what I know now, would I have still purchased the bag?  Yes, I really love the style of the bag and I'm willing to see what happens with the smell.  I'll keep y'all posted.  Below are various comparisons with other bags just so you get an idea of the size.

For other MG fans, if you were wondering about the measurements:

Classic Bucket bag: 12.25” H X 10” W X 6” D

Lady Bag: 10" H x 13" W x 4.5" D

Mini Bucket bag: 9.5” H X 8” W X 4.5” D

{08.13.15 update: So I've had the bag for about a month and a half now and the bag still slightly smells.  It doesn't smell up the whole room but I can smell it when I put my nose to it.  I also got an MG cross body in calf leather and that smells too, though not as strong.  So I'm thinking it's an issue with their batch of calf leather in general.  I used Chamberlain leather milk on the whole bag and it did help the smell some (I plan to write a whole review of that process soon).    For now here is the rest of the story of my search for the perfect lady: Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review Part 2 (the large lady bag) and Part 3.}

{3.25.16 update: And now I have a Mansur Gavriel Mini Lady Bag Review up!}

I also now have a post up about how to condition and protect your Mansur Gavriel bag.  And find all my other Mansur Gavriel reviews here.

{March 2019 update: Wow I can’t believe it’s already been almost 4 years since I wrote this early review and I’m glad to see the MG is still popular and their styles are still holding people’s attentions. Since the MG craze has died down a bit, you can find quite a few wonderful deals on secondhand MG lady bags. My favorite consignment sites for preowned bags are Fashionphile (find their selection of lady bags here) and TheRealReal (find their selection of lady bags here). If you can score this bag secondhand, you’ll get way more bang for your buck!}

Everlane Sweater and Silk Shirt Review {updated March 2017}

{update 3.2.17: As some of my friends (ok just one friend, hi Tiff! lol) call me Ms. Everlane Guru, I have amassed 50 (maybe 60?) reviews of Everlane items that can be found here sorted by clothing type, or here sorted by my favorites->least favorite}

So this is part 2 of my Everlane clothing review.  Part 1 was the Everlane tee shirt review and before that, I reviewed the Everlane Petra Magazine Tote.  I also have the Everlane Modern Loafer and I the Everlane Street Shoe on the way so I'll be doing reviews about their shoes next.  What can I say, I'm semi-obsessed with their stuff.  But I promise that's it...until I buy anything else from them (though looking at what's coming, I'm a bit iffy about Everlane's next releases).  Hopefully this review will help you figure out your Everlane sizing.

Like the tee shirt review, I'll be listing what I have, a quick note about quality, and what size I wear (I'm usually a size 4 or small on top, size 2 at places like GAP or sometimes Jcrew){note: I like my sweaters on the looser side, so if you are fit and like them fitted I say size down}:

- My first sweater and all-time favorite item from Everlane, is their seed-stitch sweater.  Unfortunately it's no longer being sold, but I would say the closest cousin is the Cotton Crew Neck Sweater.  But the weaves are different and it looks like the Cotton Crew might stretch out a bit {but I don't really know since I've never tried it}.  My black seed-stitch sweater is pictured below.  It's the perfect weight for a layered look during the summer in San Francisco (which as I type this post is a very cool 58 degrees).  I got it in a small, and it's still over-sized, but it's perfect for wearing over a collared shirt for a preppy look.  I've washed this numerous times and it stayed perfectly in shape.  I really hope Everlane brings back this sweater!

- My next purchase was the Everlane Short-Sleeved Sweatshirt (pictured in navy on the model in the top picture).  I purchased it in black and in a small.  The fit, again, is oversized but I think it works well with the look (as long as you're wearing skinny jeans).  The quality is again excellent, with a heavy cotton weight.  I don't wear it as often as I'd like because it's hard to find the right temperature for a sweatshirt but also short sleeves, but I still love the look.

- I also have the Everlane Crew Sweatshirt in Grey Marled (pictured on the model on the right).  I got this in an XS, but wish I had gotten it in the S.  It comes up a bit short around the waist on the XS size, but the fit is boxy.  I think if it's going to be an oversized fit, then it would look better longer than too short.  Quality is also great and I would say the price is reasonable for $40.

-The last sweater I bought was the Everlane French Terry sweater in both cool grey and heather brick.  I bought the heather brick in XS, but it was too snug and I didn't like the color.  So I tried again with the French Terry in grey size small.  But unfortunately I don't really like that one either though the fit was a little better.  The material is wonderfully soft so I could still wear it as loungewear during the winter, however the way the sweater falls on the body is not flattering unless you're literally a model {specifically, if you have any hint of a muffin top, the bottom hem of the sweater kind of clings to it--ick not flattering at all}.  Also the maintenance of washing by hand is just not for me (it's made of polyester, rayon and spandex). 

For other peoples' take on Everlane's sweaters: Review of their cashmere sweater, and another one about cashmere, and a review of their crew sweatshirt. 

I also have Everlane's silk sleeveless blouse in black (on the model on the the left in the picture above).  It's the only silk thing I own from Everlane.  I think the quality of the silk is great; it's feels pretty thick and durable.  It's not cheap for $60 but worth it.  {When writing this post I just took a look at the item on their website, and who knew it only costs $27 to actually produce this item (and $33 for long sleeves).  Just think about the mark-up at places like Equipment, which sells silk shirts for at least $200.}  I bought a size small and it fits perfectly.  I'm eyeing the modern point silk shirt and might do another separate review of their silks if I get that one as well.     

For my other Everlane reviews (on shoes, shirts, and their Petra tote) the links are listed on the right if you're on a computer, or scroll to the bottom if you're on your phone (all reviews are done with items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored, but if you'd like to help me purchase more items to review, my referral link is here, Thanks!).

Monday Muse: My Cookie Recipe for Happiness and Baking with Chef Ryan

After watching Hector and the Search for Happiness (last week's Monday Muse) I had this idea that the pathway to happiness is a lot like a cookie recipe (stay with me on this one, it's gonna be one long metaphor here).  Everyone has their own favorite cookie recipe but all cookie recipes have similar base ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, eggs etc.  And in much the same way, everyone's recipe for happiness is different but with similar foundations (like Maslow's hierarchy of needs).  So here is my personal recipe for happiness.  

5 cups of basic needs: physiological needs (food, water, shelter) and security (living in a safe country and a safe neighborhood)

4 cups of quality friends and family

4 cups of a happy marriage

4 cups of financial security (this may seem high to some, but I'm just being honest here.  I learned in my marketing class that income dictates needs, and I have grown accustomed to certain needs.  For example wifi, LTE, and an iPhone and personal laptop have become needs).

4 cups of finding my element/the thing that gives me "Flow".  For a long time I had trouble finding this ephemeral "flow".  I was bored at my job and bored at home, and thus spent my time passively consuming (food, tv, material items, you name it).  Once I quit my job (and after a prolonged period of consuming--what can I say, old habits die hard), I've finally found my flow in producing (taking pictures, writing this blog, food and drink recipes, etc.). Now there's not enough time in the day to do all the things I want to accomplish.

3 cups of learning.  I just love learning, and do especially well in school-type environments (aka I'm a nerd) but I'm also learning the art of self-teaching (with the internet as my textbook).  Right now I'm learning all I can about marketing and specifically digital marketing, which I'm finding is the art/science of cutting through the daily internet noise so that your target audience can hear you (*wave* hello target audience!).

3 cups of physical activity.  For me this is mostly running and yoga.  For a while I neglected this part of my life and though I wasn't unhappy without it, my moods tended to stay at a lower baseline level.  Physical activity helps me clear my head and is a form of meditation.  Also it allows me to fully enjoy the next ingredient:

2 cups of delicious mouth-watering food (of all kinds).  I live to eat.

2 cups of meditation/a gratitude practice.  I also try to meditate frequently.  I find that by meditating I can bring my focus back to the present, it allows me to step away from my "monkey mind", and I'm grateful for more things in my life {Reading 10% Happier by Dan Harris helped me start my meditation practice.  I really like this book.}

3 cups of helping others/of being useful to people/making contributions to the world around you.

Season with large quantities of free time and a sprinkling of travel and a dash of good music.

Bake in good vibes/luck and at a low temperature.

Was that too cheesy for ya?  Well sometimes we all need a little cheese, or at least cookies.  And if you were expecting an actual recipe with this post, here is my recipe for my favorite chocolate chip cookies (I like mine soft but not too doughy) {found on Allrecipes 6 years ago}.  

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, line cookie sheet with parchment paper

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt

Cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar.  Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk.  Mix in sifted ingredients until just blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Drop 1/4 cup of cookie dough onto cooke sheets about 3 inches apart.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly toasted.  Let it cool (or don't and then burn your mouth like I do).

And to showcase my point of different cookie recipes for different people, here is the recipe to Chef Ryan's cranberry oatmeal cookie (pictured above){adapted from Martha Stewart}:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cups packed light-brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temp

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 and 1/2 cups of dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line cookie sheet with parchment paper

Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar (if using a mixer, mix on medium high).  Beat in the vanilla and eggs (on high).  Mix in sifted ingredients until just blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Sift together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, and wheat germ.  Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low for 10-15 seconds.  Stir in your cranberries.

Drop 1/4 cup of cookie dough onto cooke sheets about 4 inches apart.

Bake for 14-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly toasted.  Rotate rack half-way through for even baking.  Let it cool and store in air tight container for up to a week.

New {SALES} post: Where can I find Mansur Gavriel bags?

Just added this post to my {SALES} section so if you're interested, go check it out: Where can I buy Mansur Gavriel bags?

Just some late Thursday inspiration...

Images from here and here

Everlane V-neck, U-neck, Box Cut, and Drop Shoulder T-Shirt Reviews {updated May 2018}

Pictures from Everlane, compiled by me

Since people seemed to like my Everlane Petra Tote Review post, I thought I would review some of their clothes (especially to get an understanding on Everlane sizing).  I own a lot of clothes from Everlane.  I discovered Everlane about a year and a half ago and have been continually checking their site for new stuff ever since.  And that's because I think the quality of their clothes is pretty good for the price, but it depends on what you purchase.  Since their items are made at different factories, I think it's just natural that quality will vary a little, but they really do try their best to make it the best.  So below I've listed what I have, a quick note about quality, and what size I wear (I'm usually a size 4 or small on top, size 2 at places like GAP or sometimes Jcrew){note: I like my shirts on the looser side, so if you are fit and like them fitted I say go for an XXS when I say I got an XS}:

-I started my collection with the U-neck shirt (I was looking to find a cheaper alternative to the soft shirts from James Perse, Rag & Bone, splendid, etc.).  I usually buy it in an XS and even then it's a very loose fit (so I would say it runs a bit big), except in white where I bought a small since I like my white shirt to be loose since it's on the sheer side.  As for quality: as you can see in the top photo (the U neck is bottom right stack), the neck line does get stretched out a bit, but for $15 I don't mind too much.

-The V-neck shirts hold up quite a bit better, and are my favorite shirts from Everlane.  The V cut isn't too deep but just enough to be flattering.  Again I get XS, unless it's white which I get in S.  They are not as loose as the U-neck shirts.  I have a ton of these shirts, also priced at $15 (they used to have a lot of different colors, but right now they only have a muted black, white, and heather grey).  They're super soft and comfy.  Thought it's a bit hard to see, I'm wearing the heather grey one (the only one priced at $18) in the photo below with the Mansur Gavriel bag.

-The Box Cut Tee is my next favorite shirt.  Since I have a fairly long torso but short legs, I look better with tops that aren't too long.  And the box cut tee is the perfect length for the times I wear higher waisted jeans.  I wear XS for all the box cut tees.  Also these are the only shirts that I have with a higher neckline for those times when I want to be a bit more conservative (like when I'm in Japan).  The box cut tee holds it's structure the most since I think it's made with a  slightly thicker cotton than the other 2 styles.

-I only have one of the Cotton Drop Shoulder Tee, in muted black, which I haven't really worn that often.  But I do like the style of the longer sleeves, for those days when my triceps feel extra flabby.  Again the fit is on the loose side.

{I don't own any of the cotton slub or Ryan shirts because even though I like looser fits, I think those are just too loose and too big for my 5'4" frame.  It's just not the right proportions for me.  So I can't attest to their quality though I've read somewhere the Ryan tee, made of rayon, doesn't hold up so well in the wash (the rayon shrinks). Here are some reviews from other blogs/sites about the ryan tee, the ryan tank, the ryan tank dress (which IMHO is one of the least flattering dresses I've ever seen), and the cotton slub shirts.}

All of these cotton shirts are made in a factory in LA, and so the quality is consistently pretty good (except maybe for the U-neck).  And for $15 each (except for the heather grey color or the cotton drop shoulder tee), I love wearing these as my daily basic shirt.  Though Everlane values these shirts at a "Traditional Retail Price" of $45 (a common gripe I've seen on Reddit is that Everlane overvalues the traditional retail, which I tend to agree with), it's still a good value at $15.

When I wear these shirts I don't have to worry about spilling on myself, which I do fairly often (what can I say... I'm a messy eater).  But be aware, these are not James Perse or Rag & Bone quality tees (different weaves/textures and different cuts).  Yet these aren't your regular 'ole Hanes T shirts either.  They fit a space in between, and for me that space is the perfect daily tee.  

{If you enjoyed this post and feel like helping me out, this link to Everlane, is a referral and if you purchase anything will give me a $25 credit towards my next Everlane purchase/product to review.  Thank you so much!}

{Also here is a 2016 review of Everlane's new shirts: the Slim Crew shirt, the Muscle Tank, and the micro stripe shirts.}

{6.6.16 edit: It's almost been a year since I've purchased these tees and I've been wearing an Everlane tee almost daily.  I should note that the heather gray shirts are made from a different material than the other colors and so they will stretch out the most.  Also if you're looking for a tee that is a bit more polished, I would suggest not getting Everlane tees since the collars on these tees will wrinkle and twist so it doesn't lie flat.  Also the muted black shirt will fade a lot but the true black will hold it's color better.  I'm still a fan of these tees since I use them mostly as work shirts for the garage and so they'll get grease stains or other grime on it.  Plus these tees are really soft and comfy.}

{2.28.17 edit: So thought I would update this post by saying I hardly ever wear Everlane tees anymore.  I've found that their quality just isn't that great after multiple washes and wear.  The gray tees are all super stretched out (which now at least make great PJ tops), the box cut tees shrank a bit and they're too short now, and I got a bunch of holes in my white shirts that got big fast.  Also a lot of the shirts started to lose their softness.  Right now I'm basically wearing Grana tees daily and find that their pima tees are thicker and hold up much better with repeated wear and washes.  Just wanted to give my honest opinion since it's really changed in the last 6 months!}

{May 2018 Update: So I'm back to wearing Everlane tees, especially their cotton crew.  Some of their tees have definitely been redesigned since this review 3 years ago.  I'll be doing an update review soon, but just wanted to let y'all know that my current favorite is their cotton crew tee.  Also I would advise getting any color in Everlane's tees except for their black.  I think something in their dye makes the tee less soft with repeated washings, and they start picking up dog hair like crazy.  At first I thought it might be because dog hair it more noticable on black but I found the same doesn't happen to my Everlane crew tee in olive (and that's a pretty dark color).}

{Also I just wrote this update about all my ethical black tees if you’re interested in how they’ve all held up!}

TV Show to watch: The Crimson Field

Having Downton Abbey withdrawals during their off season?  Well I just found a pretty good remedy: The Crimson Field on PBS.  It's Downton Abbey meets Grey's Anatomy.  We follow the stories of nurses, volunteers, doctors and soldiers at a Red Cross field hospital in France, based loosely on real stories from WWI.

But what do I really watch it for?  The good-looking actors: the 2 main characters who of course are going to fall in love (we're not there yet but we know it's gonna happen) definitely have chemistry.  The female main character, above, looks a bit like Jennifer Love Hewitt and, fun fact, she is the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin.  And the male main character, played by Richard Rankin, is the new Dr. McDreamy.   

Tomorrow I'll be back with some new Everlane reviews so hasta mañana!

TGIF Drinks: Watermelon Mojito

This is the perfect drink for your upcoming 4th of July festivities!  It's so easy, requires no prep work, and nothing tastes more like summer than watermelon!  All you need is a watermelon (definitely go with seedless), mint, lime, club soda and rum.  Take about a cup of watermelon, muddle with a couple leaves of mint, and a wedge of lime in a shaker.  Shake with some ice, pour into a glass, and add about a shot (or two) of rum and club soda to taste.  If you're making a big batch of this I would say go ahead and blend up the watermelon to make it even easier for yourself.  

Hope you all have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

La La La Las Vegas!

This past weekend, Brian and I went on a quick weekend trip to Vegas, the adult Disneyland, and we had a stupendously awesome time.  Now I get it, Vegas is not for everyone.  And I'm not a big gambler myself but I still love Las Vegas.  There's always something new to do, even if you go several times a year like I do.  Also I'm from Hawaii, so the love of Vegas is in my blood.  

We left on one of the few clear summer days in SF.  You can see Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio.  Sorry for the poor quality but all these pictures are iPhone photos.

We stayed at the Nobu Hotel in Caesar's Palace.  This hotel was amazing!!  It's a boutique hotel within Caesar's and run separately from the rest of the hotel.  So you get the special attention to detail that comes with a boutique hotel, but the location within Caesar's that can't be beat.  This meant no lines for checking-in and checking-out, but with the Forum Shops and all the convenience of Caesar's at your fingertips.

Our first stop was Shake Shack (located in NY NY, of course), which opened in December in Vegas.  My former co-worker who frequently went to NYC would always rave about these burgers, and I had the chance to try it once 5 years ago in Washington DC.  And yes, it's delicious!  So when I knew Shake Shack had opened its doors in Vegas at the end of last year, I had to go!  And it was as yummy as I had remembered.  The thing to get is the Shack Stack.  It has a fried portobello mushroom, with their signature Shake Shack sauce inside. Just thinking about it again is making my mouth water...

At night, we tried another new Vegas establishment, the Omnia nightclub in Caesar's.  And it did not disappoint.  The picture above is from the outdoor terrace at Omnia (which had it's own DJ who spun mostly lounge-y electronic music).  The club also had a relatively large hip-hop room.  And the main part of the club (picture below) had a large dance floor and a terrace that ran all around it.  It came complete with a high tech revolving chandelier (not pictured, sorry), and Cirque-du-Soleil-like acts.  Martin Garrix (of "Animals" fame) was the headliner the night we were there.

I like how the guy is reaching up as if she would grab his hand.  She's not gonna touch you bro...

The next day we walked around a bit, gambled a bit, and shopped a bit.  Below is Bellagio's summer display, cute but a bit underwhelming.  I think they do the winter season displays the best.

I also treated myself to a massage and a couple hours at Caesar's Qua Spa.  And it was wonderful!  I remembered their spa was once rated the best in Vegas, so I thought I would give it a try while my husband gambled.  And it was so worth it.  I think it really was the one of the best spas I've ever tried.  You can't take pictures once you get into the spa (because it's clothing optional), so the pictures below are just the entrance.  {Note: for the 18% of males that read my blog (thanks Google Analytics), no it's not a hot mess of naked women.  The only naked ones are the old ones, of course}.  

The spa came complete with Roman Baths (3 pools of different temperatures), a robe sauna (so you can have heated robes while you are in the baths), heated stone chairs (perfect for naps) a very large stone hot tub, a cedar sauna (it smelled amazing), an herbal steam room (with the most intense steam I've ever experienced), and an "arctic room" so you can cool off.  The deep tissue massage was also one of the best I've experienced (ask for Ninnette).  I can't wait to go back again!

Other recommendations for Vegas:

{Stay}

The Nobu Hotel: my new #1 favorite 

Palazzo: If you're with a large group, the Palazzo is one of my favorites because all their rooms have a sunken living room with extra space.

The Wynn and Venetian: The other hotels I've tried, which are fine (but for pretty much the same price, go to the Nobu Hotel!)

{Eat}

Shake Shack 

Bouchon: in the Venetian and it's great for brunch

Delmonico Steakhouse or Carnevino: both are great steakhouses.  Tasty and good service.

Lotus of Siam (off the strip): THE BEST THAI FOOD I'VE EVER HAD.  If you have the chance go there and get the prawns.  MIND-BLOWING!

{And NEVER go to any of Joel Robuchon's restaurants in the MGM.  He should be ashamed at the quality of food and service at those restaurants, and his main, expensive restaurant Joel Robuchon should be stripped of all Michelin stars.  It was awful service and mediocre food at ridiculous prices.}

{Do}

Qua Spa at Caesar's: If you're staying at Caesar's (or Nobu) it's only $25 to use their spa pools and steam/sauna/arctic rooms.  Might just be the best deal in town.  If you purchase a massage, then the use of the spa is free.

My favorite nightclubs: Omnia and XS (in the Wynn).  My not-so-favorites are the Marquee (at the Cosmo, get ready to walk up and walk down some major steps in heels ladies) and Hakkasan (at the MGM, super cramped, and poor layout).

Shop at the Forum shops (they range from high-end luxury to an towering 3-storied H&M), the Palazzo (which has Barneys, ok I'm biased about this one), the Fashion Show Mall (though this is like very other mall in America), and the outlets (going to need to catch a taxi for this one).

Downtown Vegas: cheap tables and the Beef Jerky store (for those from Hawaii but don't live in Hawaii who want local snacks).  I've also heard that Zappos founder Tony Hsieh has revitalized the area for a more hipster appeal, but I have yet to check it out myself (something to do for the next time I come to Vegas).

Aesop's Fable: Aesop Beauty Products Review

Do you remember any of Aesop's fables?  I had a whole book of them and I used to love those stories (all with their self-righteous morals at the end of them).  The only ones I can really remember are the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" (the most famous one) and the "Fox and the Grapes" (a lesser known fable about a fox who try as he might can't reach the hanging grapes and so storms off saying he didn't want them anyway...or something like that).  Why I remember that latter fable is beyond me, but psychoanalyze that how you will.

Well the point is, Aesop of the renowned fables was good at telling stories, much like Aesop, the beauty brand does today.  Their stores are beyond gorgeous with a pleasing rustic look and uniformity to them all.  Those brown bottles are inexplicably appealing and even the linen shopping pouch they give with their products, though inconvenient to carry on its own, is adorable in its fake science-y way.  And like many people I was suckered in by their branding and marketing.  The look of the store draws you in, and if you're lucky and the store is empty, you might get a hand wash/massage with their products from a friendly sale associate who isn't creepy.  But take the products home and what do you get?  Some really overpriced so-so items in beautiful bottles.  

Beauty products are hard to rate, since they affect people differently.  So please take what I say with a grain of salt.  But to me, Aesop products are a total dud.  I bought the Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque, Control (another zit med), the Nurturing Shampoo, and the Classic Conditioner.  A quick rundown of the products:  Both anti-zit meds did nothing for my breakouts and in fact just irritated my skin (And a quick look at beautpedia, a good resource for skin products, tells me why.  There's irritants in them both and nothing that actually prevents or treats zits) .  The shampoo and conditioner just made my hair super flat (though very soft).  The hair products weren't bad but definitely not worth the $49 I paid for each (I know I'm crazy for buying them, but I blame it on vacation brain.  I bought them in Portland when we were on our airstream road trip).  Though the products seem natural (maybe its their aesthetic?) they're not at all.  Nor do they try to be.  Which is fine, but for a non-natural product Neutrogena works two times better at half the price.  So I suggest saving your money and resisting the well-marketed temptations of this store.  But hey at least the bottles photographed nicely (and would look beautiful in a fancy bathroom...if I had a fancy bathroom).