Francis's birthday weekend

For Francis's birthday last weekend we ventured over to the San Diego Zoo, bought ourselves memberships, and traipsed around admiring the wildlife. After the zoo we swung by Del Taco to grab our (classy) dinner, and zipped over to the movie theater in time to catch a matinee (cheaper) showing of 'Men Who Stare at Goats'. It was a good day.

Check out the video of tigers playing below. You don't need sound for this one, but the crowd's "ooo's and ahhh's" are a tad amusing. The tigers are sisters, about 1.5 years old. Adorable. Giant.

It is rumored that some of the plant life at the SD zoo
is more valuable than the animals..

roots

We didn't notice this guy at first

Wildest animal at the zoo...was this guy.

Sleeping hippos

Aww

'Men Who Stare at Goats' stubs

Flower child

Isn't it amazing AND wonderful how a small vase full of fresh cut flowers can make your room, apartment, etc feel pretty and chic? It is such an instant pick-me-up. I have my usual go-to's at TJs and the flower shop: orange sunflowers, hot pink carnations, yellow tea roses...but I love to see how others class up their place with that little touch of floral elegance. I believe my brown thumb may just be turning the slightest shade of green...

Inspirations from Apartment Therapy

Dare to dream..

I really wish I could pull off red lipstick gracefully. I love the fifties pin-up look of simple makeup with that pop of red lipstick. Unfortunately I always look ridiculous and look like a 4 year old who has gotten a hold of her mom's makeup...

Marilyn Monroe

New boot goofin'...

My most satisfying purchase of the fall season thus far has been a pair of two-tone black Seychelles boots. Tres chic, no?

boot self portrait 1

My first attempt at a self-boot-portrait turned our suprisingly cool...

Attempted boot self portrait 1

Thank you, Loehmann's, for your unbeatable prices on brand name items.

You say anthropology, I say Anthropologie

Does anyone else literally squeal with delight when they enter the store or even simply upon seeing the new catalog in their mailbox?

I'm in love...aannd officially obsessed with this corset top from Anthropologie. Now I only need to find a way to justify spending the $118 on it...I guess the news hasn't gotten around to Anthropologie that we are in a recession...pssh.

I added a few more personal Anthropologie favorites below...

Images from anthropologie.com

Fall is here

Eeek! It finally feels like autumn here and it's exciting!

Some fabulous pumpkins from Chino's in Rancho Santa Fe

Fall leaves

The first full November weekend

This weekend was cloudy and delicious. The Londonesque weather makes me feel lazy and excited at the same time. Saturday was productive and relaxing. A winning combination. I had the day mostly to myself so I did some reading, got some artsy work done (pics to come soon) and did a little flower shopping. Saturday night Francis and I decided to splurge and head downtown for dinner at Pokez, a vegetarian/Mexican restaurant.

After dinner we poked (heh) around downtown a bit, window shopping and checking out some classic cars. We decided (begrudingly) against splurging on dessert and returned home to relax and finish 'Burn After Reading'. The highlight of the night was spying a French bulldog puppy at a bar (questionable locale but adorable pup) and squealing when it pounced on me.

Sunday was what a Sunday should be: relaxing and peaceful. We set out for an early, brisk walk to Banker's Hill for some coffee and reading..stopping every so often to salivate over the beautiful historic homes.

A great start to November.

Arctic walk-in fridge of flowers galore

Carnations! I believe them to be acceptable if they are all the same color.

Pink sage

Fran intently looking over the Pokez menu. He got the (faux) chorizo plate. Veggie burrito for me. Both delish!

Classic car show/sale

Couldn't resist popping in for quick look. JUST a look.

Tea and extra extra dark chocolate for dessert.

Historic house in Banker's Hill with the coolest name ever. Good eye, Francis.

Reading and coffee at a cafe in Banker's Hill

A lovely little jar of pink carnations

Ambiance!

Fall and winter are full of ambient lighting and I'm finding myself surrounded by it as the days shorten. Beautiful lighting is a (mild) obsession of mine. It's so cozy and warm!

Fran and I lit the first fire of the season last night and may or may not have murdered a family of birds living in the chimney.

Hung up an old favorite in Fran's house (thanks again Tor).

Recently started making my second (and larger ) hemp pendant light. Tedious and messy, but so rewarding. Photos to follow upon its completion...it currently sits in an unfinished heap under my stairs.

Alas...whenever I light a candle in this lantern I'm reminded of how satisfying the purchase was.

Top five favorite camping spots

Look at me slacking on my top fives. Busy week at work and this one just can't get used to the time change (that's my excuse for being so exhausted lately). But 'tis Friday once again and I feel a blogging mood coming on.

I've been itching to get out into the wild for the past few months so today I'll be sharing my top five favorite camping spots. This years Christmas list will include a new camp stove and a kleen kanteen...hint..hint....

(These are in no particular order)

1. Joshua Tree National Park- for its beauty and character. I remember going on a hike by light of a full moon.


2. Sequoia National Park- for its majesty. So many great memories from this place. Crystal Cave, General Sherman, black bear sightings, oh my!


3. El Capitan/Refugio State Beach- for their nostalgia. Spent so many great summers group camping here with friends and family. Snipe hunting, midnight freight trains, digging sand holes so big we'd get stuck in them. The best summers!

4. Yosemite National Park- I haven't been here enough and I'm itching to make it back up one of these days. Half Dome here I come...except not in the middle of the night like Tory and Carl.

5. Zion National Park- for its beauty. This one is so picturesque and there are so many Germans! (They love ze desert)

Top five favorite TV shows of all time

TV...I don't watch it so much anymore because there isn't too much worth watching. But over the years there have been some diamonds in the rough. Presenting my top five favorite TV shows of ALL time. Although they are in no particular order I do pledge my undying allegiance to number one.

1. Arrested Development.


2. 30 Rock


3. Sex and the City


4. Avatar


5. Family Guy

Top five favorite restaurants

Today I'm sharing with the world my top five favorite restaurants. I think it's safe to say my classiness and culture is revealed through these.


1. Paul's Place slash Volcano Burger. Two words: fried zucchini.


2. Del Taco. Equation: burrito + tostada = euphoria.

3. Lotus Thai. They charge for rice now (B.S.) but their spicy eggplant is AMAZING.


4. In n Out. Jealous everywhere east of Arizona/Nevada?

5. BJs Pizza...deep dish pizza and Pizookie. Done.