Archive for April, 2008

*For Matt. And Chriz.

How many people spell and/or grammar check each of their blog entries?

If this blog (its design, its photo features, its faux-artsy content) indicates anything about my personality, first and foremost I think it says “This girl always needs A PROJECT.” And it’s true. I’m always working on one or two or eight things at one time. Despite the fact that the pictures I’ve posted of my studio are always sparkling clean, typically all surfaces are covered with SUPPLIES and STUFF and MESS (my sister will tell you. And then yell at me.)

Lately I’ve been on “Mission Reorganize” in partnership with “Mission Downsize” (my goal being that if I ever moved, I wanted to do it in one trip.) I’ve kicked to the curb old kitchenware, close to empty lotions and make ups, given away books, tossed ratty looking towels … the list goes on. And eventually ended up at my closet. As I sorted through my clothes, piece by piece, I discovered really nice things that I had completely forgot about and some things that I should have gotten rid of years ago, but didn’t because they were hiding deep within the depths of my closet.

I found two things that I do love, but I literally never wear and can’t figure out why I bought them to begin with because they are just so NOT my style. Luckily I know a few people who’s style they ARE, so I snapped a couple of photos with the intent on emailing the pics around to see who wanted these items (Brown knee length leather skirt – NEVER WORN, and an embroidered full skirt in grays, pinks and creams from Arden B worn ONCE. To my friend Jenn’s bridal shower – I have the ONE picture of me in it to prove it. Anyone? Anyone? I’ll get pics up of them shortly.)

Anyway, after those two pics I thought “What a great idea.” and spent the afternoon snapping up ALL of my clothes so that I will never again FORGET that I own something and never again utter the phrase “I have nothing to wear.” because guess what? I DO have stuff to wear and I don’t need to buy anything new. I wear the same pair of jeans and same black top CONSTANTLY and just forget to rotate.

The only things I excluded from my shoot are: t-shirts and other like-casual clothes, socks, work out gear and underwear (gross!). Those things don’t really require thought and it’s hard to forget about them.

I decided my next project (sister project to “take pictures of everything”) is to make a Look Book because I am just that nerdy and/or a bitchy fashionista.

Here’s a random sampling of some Look Book prepped clothes … your own peek into my closet as it were (and no this didn’t take long — I have many, many Photoshop tricks up my sleeve).

I considered using Flickr to upload, tag and organize all my clothes, but I don’t know how much I want people poking around my closet and/or making fun of my wardrobe! Ha! But when I’m done laying out the Look Book, if anyone’s interested in seeing a sample to make their own, I’ll consider posting a few pages … as long as you don’t make fun of some of my wacky clothing choices (shut up I love ‘em).

While clearing out my inbox this weekend I found a detailed list of what I did each day in San Francisco and realized I never actually got around to ever posting it. I’ve been there a couple times now and this trip I saw more in 3.5 days than I did over 6 days the last time and all of it was totally worth it.

Day One (trying to reacquaint myself with the city)
Drove around Potrero Hill.
Drove around SoMa.
Walked through Chinatown (it’s huge – the largest Chinatown outside of Asia).
Walked a portion of Downtown.
Walked along the main drag in North Beach.
Got pumpkin fudge at Z. Cioccolato (they let you sample as much as you want!).
Killed time by getting a glass of wine at Tunnel Top before dinner.
Dinner at Bar Crudo (GET THE CRUDO SAMPLER).
Drove home through Nob Hill.
Stayed the night in Pac Heights.

Day Two (walking, walking everywhere)
Breakfast at La Boulange on Fillmore (best breakfast)
Walked along Fillmore Street …
Down in to Cow Hollow …
And along Union Street …
Into The Marina.
Made a quick stop at the Chestnut Street Apple Store to Twitter (follow me!)
Walked up the Lyon Street stairs (yikes! but the view is to die for at the top)
Took an afternoon rest.
Drove over the Golden Gate …
To Mount Tam …
Then went by Stinson Beach …
Over to Muir Woods to go on a short hike and see the red wood trees
Then drove over to Mill Valley …
Where we ate at Avatar’s Punjabi (Indian/Burrito joint: we got a lamb and pumpkin curry burrito. Delicious.)
And then hit the Depot Bookstore.
Drove back into SF over bridge …
Through the Richmond.
Enjoyed some pumpkin beers at Matt’s.
Geeked out for a bit.
Walked to Godzila on Divisadero with Matt and Drew.
Feasted on sushi.
Then walked through Japantown.
Down to Fillmore where we sampled the flavors over at Tango Gelato.
Then, we went home and crashed.

Day Three (Last full day, sniff.)
Went to Tartine for Breakfast (oh. holy. jesus.)
Walked pretty much the entire Mission …
Up and down 19th …
Hit Dolores Park …
Walked Valencia.
Then over to Hayes Valley for some shopping.
Went into Nomads where I found my new awesome laptop bag
Hit Blue Bottle Coffee Kiosk and had the most amazing latte ever. Like seriously. EVER. In my whole life.
Went to see the team over at the Design Public office.
Decided to grab lunch in Russian Hill at Nick’s Crispy Tacos (again, oh. holy. jesus. If you go, make damn sure you get it “Nick’s Way”)
Then drove to North Beach and saw Coit Tower.
Made the obligatory drive down Lombard Street.
Then over to Alamo Square (Full House!).
Went back to Matt’s to shower and change for dinner.
Hit 111 Minna to meet some friends and have a drink.
Then bounced to Zuni (in Hayes Valley area off Market).
Called Genki from Zuni (NERDS) to make sure they were still open.
They were.
Ditched out on dessert at Zuni to head over in the Richmond.
Finished out the evening at Genki with a vanilla banana and nutella crepe. (!!!!!)
Then went home so full I wanted to die.

Day Four (going home. BOO)
Made shrimp and eggs at home.
Walked around Japantown a little more.
Hit Burma Superstar for lunch (GET THE TEA SALAD).
Headed to the airport.
Cried.

(If you’re that ambitious you can actually follow along and have a visual tour to go along with all of those links by checking out the flickr set of my trip.)

Of course I don’t have a lawn of my own to tend to either.

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