A Day In SF

My boyfriend and I went to San Francisco last Saturday to see Best Coast and Wavves in concert. We went up early in the day to eat and do a bit of shopping.


I had to go to Chamalyn for bubble tea! Last time we went it was closed and I really love the girl behind the counter and the selections of kawaii stuff and vegan bubble tea! I got a strawberry bubble tea, some litche candy and some cute toys! This is one of my favorite San Francisco stores!


We then headed over to Gracias Madre for lunch. We both held off on this place for a long time because we are Mexican food snobs. There were some major hits and some dishes I was not so happy with. The best part were the gorditas! So yummy and dream worthy. I also should state - I had sangria, I got a bit tipsy and my boyfriend discovered the best beer ever!

While in the Mission we went to Good Vibrations and encountered a guy who made a purchase from my boyfriend's Etsy store the day before. I noticed his Lego brooch, not my boyfriend's design, we all started talking and he recognized my boyfriend's name! What a cool event right? We also headed over to Needles and Pens where I picked up some food zines for inspiration.

We then headed back to BART and made our way to West Field mall to do some shopping there and around Union Square. My two favorite shops in West Field this time around was Melvita where I bought some new products I will review soon and Lupicia - for tea time (I bought Strawberry Vanilla tea - so yummy).


We were not really hungry after our huge lunch so we got combo plates from Loving Hut for dinner before the concert. After the concert we took a taxi back to BART and made our way home! Fun day and night!

Greens Market

I am happy that Modesto got a great lil specialty market in it's corner - about time. We went to the opening of Greens Market today and we're happy with what we saw.


First vegan thing we came across were these nicely priced sticky buns!


Local organic produce!


We walked away with fresh guacamole, roasted veggies, fresh bread and sticky buns. Everything was top notch and I can't wait to see what else they get in. I hope they take our vegan comments to heart and get more stuff we request in!

Fabric Aisle - Finding Inspiration

Are you like me and can spend hours looking at fabric? Walking down the aisles in the fabric store is almost zen like as I touch, think, group and decide on what to get. I have certain sections I go to first and then usually walk up and down the aisles as I make my way - arms full up to the cut counter. I often walk away with more than I came in for! What is your approach to finding new fabric?

Skin Care Products I am Loving Right Now

By now everyone knows how much I love cosmetics. I love trying new products, I love it even more when the products turn out to be awesome. Here are a few of my current favorites right now!

Clear Skin Protection Oil by NATURALLOGIC: After buying a sample of this complexion oil and using it for a few days I bought the full size. I have oily skin, and the thought of putting oil on my skin kinda made me pause but this oil is great at hydrating without stressing my skin out. I like using it at night before bed, that way it works it's magic overnight, I wake up with soft glowing skin. I find it a tad bit dewy to wear under my makeup so stick to your usual SPF if your makeup consists of foundation and powder. Most of NATURALLOGIC'S products are vegan, each vegan product will state so in the listing. Also most full sized products have a sample size so you can try it before buying a full sized product.

Super Hyper Hydrator by Dr. Nicholas Perricone: Another moisturizer I am loving right now. I was in Sephora last week looking at skin care when a associate pointed me to the Super line. I was drawn to a few products but this was my favorite of the samples I took home (on my shopping list now). It is thick and creamy and a tiny bit goes a long way. My skin feels velvety and refreshed after using it and the coconut scent is subtle and clean. Most of the line is vegan, a few contain milk or bee products - read the labels.


Bubble Gum Lollipop Shampoo, Shower Gel, Bubble Bath by Philosophy: This is why I went to Sephora in the first place. This is the perfect sweet pink pick me up I have been craving. It is sweet without making you gag, lathers perfectly and makes your skin soft! I will be back for the other scents soon, I have no shower space to house more products currently!


Thai Spice Epic Vegan Lip Balm By EpicallyEpicSoap: I am a lip balm lover, I prefer it over lipstick, mixed in with a bit of gloss. I have tried a lot, and have been weary about trying more from Etsy sellers. In the past they have tasted off, went rancid in a few weeks or felt gritty. EpicallyEpicSoap's lip balm is tasty, not gritty and has held up in my bag for awhile now! It is my go to balm, sweet but not funky sweet, it also moisturizes nicely.

If you are currently loving a product, let me know! I am always looking for new stuff to try out!

Simple Things

When I first met my boyfriend almost five years ago we both rode the bus, found free or cheap activities to do around town and enjoyed walking around exploring. Over the last few years that had dwindled.
When Valentine's came around and our plans fell through I decided to plan a surprise mini picnic. When I first met Matt I was hooked on inari, Matt even went downtown on the bus one day, got me a order and traveled to my apartment to surprise me! Sweet! We also spent time in a little park like setting downtown on sunny days. Well, v-day weekend was full of sunshine so I bought us some takeout and we enjoyed the sun and park's water fall...More picinis in the future!



Now the rain is back and things are gloomy and I look forward to our next sunny day. However I got to pick some flowers from our front yard and brought them in. Flowers are great pick me ups, and I believe they look great in anything - not just pricey vases...I am using a jam jar currently to hold the happy blooms I picked.



So enjoy the simple things in life, a picnic with someone you love and flowers from the yard are just two things on my simple list to enjoy currently. What are yours?

Dropping Love

I am dropping off these little hearts all around town at random locations! I hope they bring a smile to people's faces. I am leaving my blog link on the back - maybe it will stir up some correspondence! I love random acts of kindness!

Another Easy Vegan Dinner: Meatball Subs

['Meatball' Subs - Easy And Tasty]
1/2 package of Trader Joe's meatless vegan meatballs
1 Jar (or less - depends if you like lots of sauce) of Trader Joe';s Marinara Sauce
1 package of whole weat hot dog buns
a few thin slices of your favorite vegan mozzarella

Simmer your pasta sauce for 5 minutes, to get things cooking. Add the meatballs and gently stir to coat meatballs with the sauce. Lid your pot and do not touch for 15-20 minutes and toast your buns on a low setting in the oven. TIP: If you try to stir the sauce your meatballs will become mush - you do not want that. Slice, shred or chunk the mozzarella, place in the toasted buns, add your meatballs and top with extra sauce! Yum! Add some chips and you have dinner in about 30 minutes!

Leslie Loves Veggies - Cook Book Giveaway

Leslie Loves Veggies is giving away a copy of Veganize This on her blog. I have this book on my 'want list' with about a billion more books! Ahhh book madness! Go enter and win!

Hearts And Love - On A Budget

It is almost Valentine's day, if you are like most people, your credit card bills from the holiday season are still stacked on the table. Money is tight but your love is in full force! What to do? Get crafty!

The first Valentine's Matt and I spent together I made him a blanket out of fleece and hand sewed on a tiny red fleece heart. I made him this with no sewing skills and it cost under $15. At the time he was living at home and one of his mom's cats got into his room and used his blankets as a litter box (naughty cat!). To think of him cold without blankets made me feel sad and want to make him something cozy! Gifts like these are thoughtful and do not cost a lot!

Here are some crafty links and resources to help get you in the mood for hearts!


Martha Stewart has tons of ideas! Most of them are even appropriate for the newbie crafter. I drink a lot of tea and think love tea is a cute idea. You can pair it up with a 'decorate your own mug' kit that comes from the craft store (costs around $2, comes with mug & markers) or buy a pretty thrifted vintage cup!


I think the idea of a edible Valentine that is not sugar related is so clever. These stickers from Twig & Thistle are so cute - they are also free to print out!


Look at these super cute lil hearts from Mochimochi Land! The pattern is free and looks like something I can even knit! *Note: it calls for felting, you can use a acrylic scratchy yarn for the same effect - or so I have been told in the past!


Now these vegan peanut butter bonbons sound interesting since the recipe calls for nutritional yeast! Make some and place them in a cute decorated box and you are good to go!


Have fun and happy Valentine's day!

Knitting Progress

I have been knitting for 8 years or so and have not moved past knitting rib stitch rectangles. I want to change this. I have been browsing on Ravelry and hanging out at my LYS.


Currently I am knitting these chunky lil hats for charity - as modeled by my yoga block. All I did was cast on 32 stitches (us size 8 needles) k2p2 for six rows then stockinette for 10 inches (end on a knit row) and k2p2 for 6 rows, cast off and sew up the sides inside out, then flip over. After using some more of my stash, I am moving on and will be trying to knit in the round even! Wish me luck!