boden.

Have you ever bought anything from Boden? I get their catalogue every month, and every month I flip through and see one or two things that I like, but I have never followed through. This dress and silk shirt caught my eye last night going through the latest, aren't they great?!

face time.

The best gifts are the ones you would never buy for yourself and you love them so much, you end up buying them for yourself after that. My two best examples are the Earth tu Face Serum that Hannah got me for my birthday this year and the Confidence in a Cream face lotion that Alison gave me. I love them both (and apparently I was in need of some face products and treatment)! The Serum is lovely. It smells and feels like a spa on my face for a couple minutes every day. And the face lotion is buttery and cooling - I actually look forward to lotioning my face.

I have never been good at taking care of my face and skin and honestly a lot of times at night I am so tired and lazy that I end up going straight to bed. But turns out some amazing products can also be just the kind of motivation you need. In short, if you are looking for a serum or face lotion, would recommend them both - all thanks to Hannah & Alison!

blousey.

A colleague at work has this Everlane blouse and it is beautiful. In fact, she loves it so much she has it in white, black and rose! Isn't it simple and lovely? They are currently sold out in my size, but she told me that regularly happens, so I am just checking and waiting for it to come back in stock to buy my own in white...and just thought you might like it too!

weekend warrior.

I swear I'm not avoiding you - I just haven't been able to keep up with everything of late. But not to worry - lots of updates coming. This giant eyeball is from a quick trip to Dallas last week - how cool is that?

And in the meantime, happy weekend and some links to distract you for a little while - be back soon!

• I read this New Yorker Georgia O'Keefe piece before Santa Fe. It's a take on her style and an awesome read! 

• Who didn't love Maggie Gyllenhaal already? I love this about parenting her children in the Trump era...

• I don't really wear hats, but loving this JCrew classic ball cap! 

• We are headed to Walloon over the 4th of July and the countdown is on - Ben and I both are checking the live webcam regularly!

• More NoMa news - Politics and Prose announced it is opening in the Union Market lot - super exciting. 

• And on the other coast, Tartine is opening a Coffee Manufactory in Oakland! 

• Ben's brother, Adam, and his wife Christina - just welcome our nephew to the world last week - Sam - and this piece about raising a feminist son feel timely. 

basket case.

I've had my eye out for some cool baskets, both for the top of our bookshelves but also as a catchall for blankets and throws. Right after we said goodbye to Emmy and Raffi in Santa Fe a couple weeks ago, we wandered by a random corner store and happened upon some baskets that I was loving and picked up this one - it was cheap and I love the color and it reminds me of Santa Fe - so win - win - win.

friday. friday.

Happy Friday! What is everyone doing this weekend? Last weekend, we hung out with Sarah and Dave who were in town for a visit and they brought us these awesome flowers...aren't they cool? Hope you have a great weekend and including some links below in case they are of interest....

• We are excited about this cool new cocktail bar that is going to open soon right by our apartment!

• We had a couple minutes to kill before the HRW event on Wednesday and we walked through the West Elm in Palo Alto. I was to report back that their outdoor pillow collection is killing it. I basically stood there and hugged the pillows for a couple minutes.  Example 1, Example 2, and Example 3. 

• When we have kids, I was to raise good people like this. 

• How gorgeous are these photos from down by LA and the super flower bloom that is on in CA? 

• Ben and I watched Dave Chappelle's new stand-up on Netflix a couple weeks ago and who knew Chappelle is so funny? Apparently, everyone. And turns out on top of being funny - he is smart AF and interesting. Ben sent me this NYTimes piece from yesterday, great read!

week's end.

Oh man, I am really ready for the weekend. What are your plans? We don't have all that much scheduled. We are, of course, going to MK's spinning class tomorrow and a long training run on Sunday morning. And we'll be watching the Final Four games tomorrow night and going to dinner up at my brother's in-law's house in Orinda on Sunday night. A nice and casual spring weekend...hope that you have something good planned!

And, for your weekend reading, here are some links of interest...

• Loving this throw - especially the price point on it. 

• Hannah - my sister-in-law - started a new blog all about her reads and you'll love it!

• This NYTimes Magazine piece from a couple weeks ago about public schools. 

• San Francisco Date Spots according to Eater.

• I really want to buy this side table for our patio. Thoughts?!

• We are a strong PB&J house - this is a great NPR spot. 

• Bay Area real-estate is nuts. Nuts!

• Mike sent me this song this week - happy listening!

windbreaking.

I know, I know. I have been terrible on posting the last couple of weeks. I'll make it up to all three of you at some point soon! In the meantime, happy Friday. I am on a plane coming back from Dublin and I just bought this windbreaker from Cotopaxi. Cute, right?!

another thursday.

Yikes! Sorry to keep you all hanging - busy couple weeks! Ben and I took a quick trip up to Tahoe last weekend to get some QT with Emmy and Raffi while they were there and to get a day of skiing in. It was just the fill of fresh air we both needed!

• This made me laugh - Gwyneth Paltrow is absurd.

• Here are this year's James Beard winners and La Taqueria won a James Beard!

• Just love these onesies - if you're in my life and having a baby - you're likely getting one!

• My birthday is on Sunday and all we have planned is a big Indian dinner so I can feast on butter chicken and naan - for those in SF - here is a map of indian food in the city!

• Sarah Hurwitz is the epitome of classy and awesome and this piece is a great read. 

• Sigh. Sheryl Sandberg. 

• Hitting far too close to home - read of the week. 

• Loving this dress - is it summer yet?!

heath.

We love Heath! Hannah and Jordan gave us a bowl from Heath years ago and we have loved it so much and over the last couple of years we have collected a couple different serving dishes and pieces. They make simply beautiful pottery. It is heavy and thick and the style is perfectly San Franciscan. And now that we are in SF, we live just a couple blocks away from their store and factory in San Francisco.

Ben's Mom was in town last week and stayed the weekend, and on Saturday we drove over to Sausalito to the Heath Factory and Showroom. We took a tour that turned out to exceed all our expectations and we learned so much about the company that made us love it all the more if you can believe it! It was founded in 1948 by Edith and Brian Heath and Edith was the trailblazer, feminist, environmentalist and artist behind the pottery and design. She sounded like quite the eccentric and brilliant artist. It was such a cool behind the scenes look at how they make their pieces.

If you're looking for a great wedding gift - this is one of our favorite things to give and we would definitely recommend it!

pillow cased.

Oh hey hey. I can't remember how I happened upon this Etsy store - ZDkilimspillow - but just take a look at the pillows. I love them. Apparently, I especially love anything striped. They are beautiful and come in all colors, patterns, textures and sizes. I can't attest to the quality yet, but given the price point, worth taking a chance and looks like it is supporting a Turkish businesswoman....

monday mania.

It's Monday already. Brutal! But to start you off this week, here are some links to jump start the week....

• According to Test Kitchen, which Ben and I watched a little bit of this weekend, this is the best paper towel holder out there. 

• This Politico piece, Putin's Real Long Game, about Putin and Russia has been stuck in my head since I read it last week (hat tip to Ben for this recommended read). 

• This makes me love Wendy's. So great.

• I have a weak spot for pitchers - so here is a handsome looking one in case you need a gift at some point soon...

• NYTimes did a highlight piece on NoMa and Union Market in DC a couple weeks ago, here it is in all its glory - Historic Designation Sets Stage for a Washington Market District's Future. 

• Need some new recipes for 2017 - this Bon Appetit - 40 KitchenAid Recipes that Stand, Mix and Deliver should help with that. 

And last but not least, we are headed to Yosemite in two weeks to get away from the TV, avoid all things inauguration and to talk with the trees. If you have any recommendations - send my way, I would love to hear!

shoe it.

Happy Friday! How great are these shoes from Sezanne? Seriously though....

Hapi. Hapi. Hapi.

Loving all the prints over on Hapi. 

I happened to spot one in an instagram post earlier this week and hunted it down to this site and really loving all the color, and apparently I am taken by stripes! Also, totally reasonable price-tags on these, in case you are still on the hunt for good holiday gifts and this hits the spot...here a couple of my favorites. 

holiday cheer.

Yay for December - the new year can't come soon enough! After a couple days in Palm Springs, we are headed to Denver to celebrate Christmas with my family. In case you are still gift buying, figured I would throw out some quick ideas - hope they help!

1. Recycled Glassware / 2. Be Nice to People Print  / 3. Guitar Hook / 4. Gingham patterned pillow from Etsy

 

 

5. Rodin Olio Lusso / 6. Time 100 Photographs Book / 7. White & Black Buffalo Check Throw / 8. Make Your Own Bird Wings

TIME 100 photos.

TIME is out with an updated book - The Most Influential Images of All Time. I am a total sucker for these books (also a great holiday gift idea for any photography lovers you know). And even if you aren't going to get the book, their interactive website with the photos and background is a fantastic procrastination tool for this fine Monday...

sun time.

We went over to Tartine Manufactory to grab lunch yesterday and while we were waiting in line, we ended up talking with the nicest couple and their son. And the woman was wearing the coolest pair of sunglasses, I couldn't help but ask her where she got them. Turns out they are from Sunskis. I came home, promptly checked out the website, and ended up ordering a pair of the Dipseas in Marine Slate. They are a reasonable price and I loved the blue color she was rocking. Here is a sampling of some of their sunglasses on their website...

sport it.

Maybe I am late to the party but JCrew now has a sports line and, while I will be the first to admit I am taken by anything involving stripes, color-blocking or polka dots, I am loving what they are putting out.

old meets new.

How great are these classic books with new Rifle Paper Co. designed covers? I hung out with Hannah + Jordan + Stella + Djuna this weekend on Sunday morning, and they had just bought two of the books - the girls were loving them! These would make such great gifts for the kids of reading age.