In NY I will...

...walk to work (unless I can't master walking in snow...tricky...)

...buy fresh flowers on the corner for my tiny, tiny apartment

...not fret that I am paying twice what I'd pay in SF for an apartment (and still carry a mortgage)

...spend as much time at High Line Park as possible

...try and stay at a bar until 4am closing at least once (I'm useless past midnight)

...feast at Le Bernardin (and profess my love to Eric Ripert)

...camp out at Mood Fabrics until I run into Tim Gunn (it's bound to happen, right?)

...say hello w/ a smile to every doorman I meet

...wear a Chargers jersey every Sunday during the football season

...try every new trendy workout in town (until my groupon runs out)

...not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats (please, please, please don't let me see a rat)

...spend time in Brooklyn

...go to the 2012 US Open

...kick ass at my job

...make a point of meeting every acquaintance I have for coffee or a drink, since I have zero actual friends out there

...find true love & live happily ever after in a multi-million dollar penthouse.  Right, Carrie?

New chapter...

Well, it's been awhile, and a lot has happened in the past months.

I was laid off from my job.

Went on at least 50 job interviews.

Got offers. Turned down offers. Got turned down w/o offers.

Had my ego and self-esteem take a few kicks.

And finally landed on what could quite possibly be a dream opportunity.

Time to put my money where my mouth is so-to-speak and leave the comfy confines of the advertising agency world behind...onward to a tech startup (well, it's an ad-tech startup...baby steps!)  I've been preaching my entire career about doing what you're passionate about - and it's clear to all that I'm passionate about the startup world.  Luckily, my first foray is at a pretty established startup (already had C-series funding) and rests right on the border of advertising and technology (both what I know and what I love)

Oh, and I may have failed to mention...it's based in NEW YORK!  Yup - I'm doing what I never thought I'd do...leaving the Bay Area.  Let's see what NY has up her sleeve for me. 

The decision-making process was brutal.  And once I got out of the "take a job because I need a job" mode and really settled back into a place of power ("take a job because I want THIS job"), I found that the options were all pretty amazing and seemingly perfect for me.  

I had offers from:

• An ad agency where I could support all of the West region (with some kick-ass leadership and growing like crazy)
• A mobile app startup doing amazing, disruptive things in the industry, young & small but growing...fast...
• And a national position at an ad-tech startup that's almost a grown up, but needs that extra push to get them there.

The first was my comfort zone. The second where I thought I wanted to be.  The third, well, at the end of the day, turned out to be the perfect marriage of size, industry, and growth.  

So, away I go! But don't worry my love, Bay Area, I also support the Palo Alto office and will be back often.  You know I can't stay away long.  

And to my new home: be gentle. I am open to loving you if you treat me with kindness.  Surprise me everyday. Reveal hidden beauties about yourself to me. Introduce me to great people. Let me experience great success professionally and personally.  And keep me safe. 

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do...

New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, street lights will inspire you..."

Torture tools...

My 2 obsessions as of late:

TRX suspension training

Pilates reformer machines

I have to admit, between TRX and the Pilates reformer, workouts aren't quite as miserable. Let's get real: I love food and beer too much to be a lean, mean, fighting machine.  But, with these workouts, I can feel a little less guilty when I down a Big Mac!

My boyfriends...

Remember back a few months ago when my boyfriends Justin and Jimmy performed (flawlessly, I might add) the History of Rap?  (need a reminder?)

Well, I had heard that JT would be visiting Jimmy's show again last night and hoped that they had another brilliant musical number up their sleeves.  Not wanting to disappoint the woman they love (yes, I'm referring to me...this is my blog, I get to be delusional), they came through with History of Rap 2!

*sigh* heart, heart, heart them!

Shop till I drop...

Ahhh...Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  I heart you.  True, after 2 store visits and a dozen logins to nordstrom.com, I am poorer, but definitely more prepared for Fall.  

Lots of basics (hanky pankys, mac makeup sets, dresses (as most know, for me, a basic)...) and a few key pieces:

AG Stilts jeans...heart these...

LOVE the back of this blouse!...

The picture doesn't do these Enzo's justice. The color is a deep berry...gorgeous...and comfy!

I needed some booties...nude, very versatile

Obsessed with this Coach tote.  HUGE and perfect for schlepping around all my stuff...

Michael Kors sunglasses...lots of Summer left in the year!...

I don't think I can spend another dollar (dime, penny...) for the rest of the...year?

Weekender...

Ahhh...gotta say, this past weekend was pretty lovely.  What a perfect representation of Summer!

Friday was a nice, unexpected day off from work.  Tons of errands (and a few big withdrawals from the bank account) later, and I was feeling ready to enjoy the long weekend.  

Saturday, Emily, Margaret and I headed over the bridge to the Tennessee Valley Trail.  It was a nice little hike, but the best part was lunch afterwards.  We must've been hungry because all we talked about was food!  Fish tacos, ceviche, and bbq oysters did the trick for me.  My favorite part, though, ice cold beers from mason jars overlooking the harbor!  

Sunday had me tackling a bunch of home improvement.  I knew I wanted to get my office redecorating done. So, with a few cans of high gloss white spraypaint, I refurbished a few pieces of furniture, bought a perfect-sized bar cart, and did some DIY wall art.  Moved everything into the tiny room and voila...a new office space!

Monday ended with a great little bbq.  Salmon steaks, brussel sprout chips (Marlowe would have been proud!) and for dessert, grilled plums with coconut/pineapple sorbet.  Yum!

A little tough being back at work today...gotta admit...

Summer bounty...

I am always amazed at what my backyard, even with zero attention or love from me, is able to produce.  I count my blessings that at one previous time in history, this house was owned by former Chez Panisse chefs who planted some amazing trees!  Now, I have meyer lemons, green apples, black figs, plums, and persimmons at various times throughout the year!  Summer is always my favorite because its when the lemons and the plums are in full ripeness.  So thankful...

(lemons, plums, and mint from my yard...)

Ramen...

I am a huge fan of ramen.  I admit, I'll eat the freeze-dried, 4 for $1 kind just as happily as I will the miso-broth'd, pork-bellied, $9/bowl kind.  I heart the salty goodness.  So bless you, David Chang (Momofuku) for your first issue of "Lucky Peach" and it's cover-to-cover dedication to one of my favorites.  Ramen has truly arrived. Love.

Get your copy here...

...Oh, and while we're here: special shout out to my favorite ramen of the hour, Hapa Ramen truck.  Currently the best in SF in my humble (but expert) opinion.  :)

Redesign - home office...

The room that is currently my 2nd bedroom, aka the "throw all my junk in there" room, is being converted to a home office.  I've been wanting to do this for awhile, but have been too lazy.  This weekend, I kicked my butt into gear and at least painted the room to get me started.  

I knew I wanted to go Tiffany blue/turquoise'ish for the walls.  There are some great white accents in the room (framing the doors and windows) and I thought it would work well.  I chose Benjamin Moore's Jamaican Aqua.  In the day, the color is pretty mild, and at night, it turns much more "shocking".  I wasn't sure at first, but its growing on me.

Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua

Found this pic online from someone who used the same color for her room

Notice how the 2 colors don't even look the same?  It actually does change when in natural light or in shadow or evening light (though it's closer in shade to the 2nd picture than the 1st from what I can tell).  My room is fairly small so in order to avoid making it seem cold, I'm going with floor lighting instead of ceiling.  

In any case, I'm keeping it both modern...and cheap. Ikea and Overstock.com to the rescue!  Black leather, white epoxy furniture, and yellow accents.  I think it will be interesting.  Pictures to follow once I get it all done.

Something like this...

Staycation...

Though we had decided months ago to go camping Memorial Day weekend, none of us actually got around to planning it! So, staycation it is!  I actually love staying around the city during a holiday weekend. Most people take off and the city is nice and quiet (except for the thousands and thousands of tourists...)

Friday night we caught "Hangover 2". Probably one of the worst movies ever.  But, really, how wrong can you go getting to watch Bradley Cooper for 2 hours?  Exactly.

Saturday we head out to Stinson Beach to go hiking. After some gnarly traffic, we parked, sat on the sand and watched the waves a bit, and suddenly realized it was 1pm and we hadn't had lunch.  Luckily all of us were in a very "go where the wind takes us" mood, so instead of hiking we made our way to Stinson Beach Cafe. I was just coming off my cleanse so decided to keep things "light" (HUGE chicken salad, grilled oysters, mimosas, and bloodys...see?  Light!)  Sushi and drinks later that night down in the Panhandle.

Sunday, we all got on a the Ruby sailboat and took a nice little ride around the bay.  It was GORGEOUS!  The waters got a little choppy (and one of our fellow passengers had a minor meltdown), but all in all, a fantastic time!

German food and some beer boots for our group at Suppenkuche for dinner afterward and I was tuckered by the end of the night. 

Monday provided for some nice needed rest.  All weekends should be 2 days jam-packed and Monday be a day of rest...don't you agree?

Bye, Oprah...

I wouldn't say I'm one of those Oprah-obsessed people, but I really, really appreciate what she's done for our culture and that she has, in fact, made an impact time and again in my life for as long as I can remember. Best to you!

Guess what today is...

...awwww yeah...Nordstrom Half-Yearly: second best sale only to the Nordstrom Anniversary!  Woot! Aiming for a cute maxi dress, comfy fitted tshirt to wear w/ skinny jeans, summer sandals, and some Hanky Panky's.  Bring it!

Knives...

(No need to be concerned. Though my previous posts chronicled a bit of my funk, I do promise that I'm still safe to be around sharp objects! Do not fear. ha!)

What do women do when they're feeling down? Shop...duh!  And though I did a bit of clothes shopping over the weekend, the other thing that brings me pleasure is kitchen stuff!  So, I bought a couple new AWESOME knives by Global.  I've been wanting these - after all, my girl Giada uses them - and though I currently use Wusthof Classics (which I love!), I did need a couple new sizes and thought I'd go for the Globals!  I am SOOOO in love!  I immediately skinned an apple and cut up an onion...JUST BECAUSE (no I didn't eat them together!)

Ahhh...the simple (yet spendy) pleasures of life...

Global 5.5" santoku and 3.5" paring knives...

...along with Wusthof Classic 8" utility, 7" santoku, and 6" chefs knives...

Spring cleaning...

Today I'm starting a cleanse. 

WTF...I know.

My coworker asked if I'd be interested in doing a 5-day cleanse with her.  We both have been in a funk (work, health, life...) and needed a kick start.  So, we signed up for one posted on Lemons and Loafers. Not as intrusive and brutal as others I've seen...I actually think I can do this. (though I do worry about bathroom stuff...if you know me, you know I hate going at work...bah)

What do I want to get out of it?  I don't know yet.  But, we have 20 min journal writing assignment before the cleanse starts to figure it out.  I just want to feel like I'm STARTING something new in my life.  This is as good a way to do it as any, I guess.

Wish me luck...

What'd I miss?...

It's been awhile since I've written a new post.

Let's see:

• Bin Laden was caught & killed
• LinkedIn went public thus starting what everyone fears to be a bubble
• The Rapture came and went
• Oh yeah, and I was told I'm being laid off, I professed my love to my ex-boyfriend who told me he's too F'd up to be in a relationship, I turned 1 year closer to 40, and I may be suffering from depression.  

Ok, I'm being a bit melodramatic, but yes, its been a tough month.  May 2011...I'll always remember how you screwed me over.

I'm actually more in a funk than depressed.

I've never had to look for a job that I actually needed (always found jobs while already gainfully employed.  I actually still have my job until the end of August, but it's pretty impossible to do a job where 1) you're not needed and 2) you're not engaged)  It's scary...I don't want just any job. I want one that I'll LOVE! And I won't compromise.  Thanks to Suze Orman, I've got about 5 months of savings (sorry, Suze, just hadn't gotten to that 8 month mark, yet)...but man, having a mortgage staring you in the face is tough...

After almost 2 years of being broken up with GQ, I realized I've never really gotten over him.  So, instead of wondering "what if", I just told him.  And he, in his kind, gentle way, told me he's got things he needs to work on and just can't be in a relationship right now.  I appreciate his honesty.  That, and he can go to hell. :)  j/k...kinda...  What I do know is that I don't want to have my heart broken by him anymore.  Once was brutal...but twice now just is this close to unbearable.  I HAVE to move on.

Oprah says she loved turning 40.  I guess that's easy to say when you're almost 60.  I always think people who say that mean it because they're married, have kids, and they've already entered into that stage of life.  Me? I don't think I'll be embracing this last year of my 30's...I'll hate every minute of it.  Ha!  At least for the first 8 days thus far...

How many times does one have to pick themself up, dust themself off, and move on?  I feel like I've had a lifetime of these moments to date...I'd like to just stop falling for awhile...

My new toy...

Work has been brutal the last few weeks.  15+ hour days have had their toll on me (thus the silence from the blog recently), and even mustering the energy to eat has been tough.  So, after much encouragement from numerous friends, I decided to buy myself a crock-pot!  A 3-qt programmable beauty!  No more hungry nights for me!

Ok, so I must admit, I was scared at first.  One: I'm terrified of having something cooking in my house while I'm gone...I have nightmares of coming home to a burnt down home!  Two: I wondered, other than pot roast, what one could actually make in a crock pot...can the food be nutritious and delicious?  

Attempt #1 - turkey sloppy joes.  The recipe called for ground beef, but I substituted ground turkey.  I was shocked to find that it was really, really delicious...(though the turkey made it a bit dry, to be honest...may stick with lean ground beef next time)

getting the ingredients ready...ipad is the BEST kitchen appliance ever! :)

precook the turkey, onions, and green peppers...

add the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker

set to simmer for 7 hrs (or 4-5 hours on low)

and...voila!  fill a whole wheat bun (add some pickles!) and a side of baked chips.

I've since made beef stroganoff (didn't love it...too salty and heavy), 4-bean veggie chili (loved, but will probably add meat next time!), "kitchen sink" chicken (took all the ingredients in my fridge that were nearing death, and put them together in the crock pot...chicken, garlic, onion, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, and broth...not bad), and a dijon brussel sprout hash (overcooked it and the brussel sprouts got super mushy and the texture was too offputting...).

This week, provencal beef stew, pork chops, and chicken fajitas...

So, a couple hits and a few misses.  But, I have to say, I'm kinda obsessed with the possibilities!  Hey, don't knock it till you try it.  You CAN use a crock pot and still keep your gourmet cred!  

From Sun to Snow...

Its been a pretty busy month for me.  The loss of my 94-year old grandmother was tough.  Work has been challenging (in both a good and frustrating way). And that nasty cold going around knocked me out.  But even with all that, I had the really amazing opportunity to bookend the madness with a couple wonderful vacation getaways.

SUN:

Cabo for 6 days w/ my friend Lily.  She wanted to get out of town during the shitstorm that Valentines Day often can be. I wanted to do absolutely nothing.  It was perfect.  Amazing pool/beach time (finished 2 books!), such YUMMY food, and just a much-needed relaxing time. 

Gorgeous beach...

Cozy by the pool...

Staying cool...

The girls...

SNOW:

A last minute decision, I signed up for the Kirkwood 3-day Womens' Snowboard Clinic.  It was AMAZING.  I really needed to up my skills and these instructors and my fellow riders were both challenging and encouraging. Epic conditions and an AMAZING experience. 

Gorgeous mountain...

Cozy by the fire...

Staying warm...

The girls...(and our instructor, Rodrigo (far right)...hubba, hubba)

I feel I used up my 2011 quota for vacations already! But so many other plans brewing in this head of mine!!!!  Where to next?

Treasure hunting...

Ahhh...the first Sunday of the month...

ALAMEDA FLEA MARKET (they officially call it the Alameda Antique Mall...whatever).  For those of you LA'ers, you might liken it to the one in Pasadena/Rose Bowl.  I love getting the chance to go and spend the morning here.  Not just because there are some amazing things to be bought (as I found out last time), but also because its gorgeous...there's an amazing view of the SF skyline in the background and its next to the water so its just breezy enough that even on this toasty day, it was bearable.

I woke up at 6am, rode the bus to pick up my zipcar, and headed off.  Yes, it takes some commitment for me, carless and in Berkeley, to get there.  Today, my efforts paid off.  

I went with ONE thing specifically in mind...get an old, vintage bar cart.  I didn't exactly find one that I was looking for, however, at the end of the day, I did find a cool industrial looking cart that I actually think would make for a perfect bar in my soon-to-be-redecorated home office.  

In any case, here's my bounty:

Found this great Danish teak side chair. Comparable ones were going for about $80-$100.  I picked this one up for $40.  

Tip: Don't buy from vendors that "specialize" in something (meaning, all they sell is mid-century modern furniture, for instance.)  Instead, look for the "junk collectors" who sell a hodge-podge of stuff.  Sometimes, they have no idea what gems they have and they price their stuff way low.  

It fits perfectly in the corner of my sunroom.

Found this fantastic 3-tier end table. The vendor was using it to display other stuff (including a plastic plant and a yellow & red polka dot piggy bank...shit you not).  He asked $45, I got it for $40...solid wood!

Tip: Don't be woo'd by the vendors who "showcase" their stuff.  I've found the vendors who have the nicest displays usually overprice their goods.  Also, anything is for sale...including display racks.  And of course, ALWAYS try and talk down the price.

This fits perfectly next to my media console AND I can use it to hide my hideous ventilation grate.  (don't mind the San Francisco picture...it still needs a frame! ...Oh! And there's the old vintage fan I bought last time at the flea market!)

And this: my new bar cart. It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase and I paid $200 for it...but since I couldn't find the one I was looking for, I got excited about this as an alternative. Its bigger than it looks in the picture and really sturdy...(don't mind my weed-infested back yard)

Tip: Some items are worth investing in.  This cart weighs about 200 lbs...no kidding.  I had to have a worker help me load it and I won't even go into how I got it out of the car by myself.  Be open-minded about what you buy and how you'll use it.  I actually really like the restaurant/industrial feel of this.  

ummm...so...really? It sucks living alone.  I tried getting this up my back patio stairs and it tipped over (and probably scared the hell out of every neighbor w/in a 2 block radius w/ the crash).  I have NO idea how I'm going to get this into my house, its SO FREAKING heavy.  

But, when I do, I'm gonna shine it up, display my best liquor on the top (I'm thinking Stoli Elit, No. 209 gin, Basil Hayden bourbon and my crystal decanter filled w/ Oban 14 scotch), and get a pretty vintage ice bucket and tray as well.  

Tip: Plan ahead. Make sure your car is big enough to transport whatever you buy and make sure you have someone there to help you unload!  BAH!

And now...I think I'll have to rest my aching back...looks like Superbowl Sunday plans may have to be changed...