paris in san francisco

When I can't jet set off to Paris whenever I want, I can find bits of the charming city here in San Francisco. Crissy and I had breakfast at the Hayes Valley La Boulange and sipped cafe au laits from bowls in a quiet, sunny corner of an otherwise busy boulangerie. The soft light and vibrant storefront get me every time. Special thanks to Crissy for being the prettiest model and sweetest friend.

south lake tahoe

Snow has always been a magical, foreign, slightly frightening thing to me. Even though I grew up within easy driving distance of Lake Tahoe, my family only went once or twice and I hardly remember it.

Having just driven up for a long weekend, I think it's something special. There's something about the way the cold radiates off the snow and makes everything so fresh. The way it blankets homes and cars and anything else that'll give it a chance. Even the way it encourages us to hurry on inside to get cozy.

I'm hoping to make a point of it to visit more often.

ramen family dinner

One Sunday in September, we rented an enormous San Francisco apartment, invited our friends over, and hosted a homemade ramen family dinner.

Ingredients: miso paste (for the broth), nori, ramen noodles, corn, soft boiled eggs, edamame, fish cakes, mushrooms, spicy pepper and oil, and good company.

sullivan's island

I'm in the midst of my first trip to the South and am in Charleston, South Carolina. Within the first 24 hours, I've had fried green tomatoes, been bit at least 10 times, and heard "y'all" more times than I can count. It's cute (minus the mosquito bites).

Savannah and Rebecca took me out to Sullivan's Island and we floated along the sandbars in perfect, late summer weather. I don't remember my hair ever being so salty and tangled (quite mermaid-esque) but my first time dipping my toes in the Atlantic was the warmest of welcomes.

a lakeside picnic

It's wonderful to see how something as simple as a picnic can brighten up a day.

It wasn't much, when you think about it: strawberries and figs, pretzel and seed-filled breads, chilled lambrusco, and a tiny chocolate fondue set.

It was something we were looking forward to since it'd been planned. When the time came, there was something special about knowing that we were exactly where we wanted to be.



Plus, we got some sweet cityscaped-silhouette shots.

demera

Ethiopian food could be my new favorite solely based on common etiquette: eating with your hands and sharing everything family style.

Can I have multiple "best parts" of the meal?

Tej (honey wine). Sambussas (filled with lentils). Injera (in general). Awaze (so spicy I almost cried). Shahi (spice tea).

And most importantly, sharing everything with Hiyabel-- Ethiopian/Eritrean food expert and dinner companion magnifique.

the river & the lake

Chicago is the first time this summer has felt like summer. It was hot and sticky, and a breeze has never before felt like a such godsend.

We took a long trip along the river and out onto the lake, gazing up and watching the sky slowly change colors. By the time we made it out on the lake, the skyline was lined with the moodiest clouds swirling behind the red sunset. Beautiful in its own formidable way.