Two Birthdays and a Wedding

So last week was crayyyyy.

On Tuesday, Benny, Scott, and Grant came over for an early birthday celebration for Bobes and I. Pizza, beer and far too much fun was had by all.

The next day, I did a glorious dinner with Alene, Aline and Seda at Church and State. We ordered mussels, the charcuterie plate, mac and cheese, a flatbread, steak/frites, lavender honey goat cheese, and market veg plus the salted caramel chocolate tarte and the pot de creme. Yum.

Then I drove up to Santa Cruz and partied it up with Kat (the most lovely host ever), Nika and German, Aimee and Danny, Megan and Molly, Alicia and Conner, and the old/new Wanzer crew: Emil, Raj and Rameet. There was dog beaching, whiskey-drinking, crepe-making and burger-eating. It was wonderful. After Rob gave me the best surprise by showing up at Wanzer on Friday, we hit The Red. So funnnnnnn

Then on Saturday, after recovering with coffee and a walk with Emil, I went to Megan and Mark's crazy gorgeous wedding at Nestldown. It was a fairy-tale, intimate wedding in the redwoods. Megan looked ethereal - I can't even describe it. I was so grateful to be there that day. And then I caught the bouquet. Crazy times.

I hit up the city and met Rob and Eric at their apt. I took it easy, because the next day we did bottomless mimosas at Pasion with Alexandra and Carrie. Then we went to Golden Gate Park for the afternoon while Sophie stole toys from small children. We ordered a ton of Chinese and watched Zero-Dark-Thirty. Phenomenal day with phenomenal people.

So now I'm in a crunch with school and life. More updates on that later.

much love

- A

Weekend in SF

I've been feeling a little up and down for the last couple of weeks. After Halloween, I had a crazy amount of work and then my housemate left for Sierra Leone for the month. I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed and a little uninspired. Enter my cure-all: my besties up in SF. V and I left Friday afternoon with the pup and arrived in SF at 11, after quick pitstops to Target and In n Out.

Max, Grant and Rob were there to meet us at Rob's fancy, beautiful new apartment a couple of blocks from Golden Gate Park (Hellloooo outside lands). We hit Blackthorn Tavern and then a party celebrating a wedding. I'm not sure whose wedding it was, so um yeah.

The next morning, Carrie came over and we did a quick walk in the park and then pick up the posse (plus Will and his lovely gf) and headed to Pasion. Bottomless mimosas. Creed renditions. You know, the normal.

My two fave girls and mimosas

We all went back and napped for a few hours and then Carrie, V and I had wine and siracha hot wings at Social Gastropub. Classsyyyy. It took us a bit to get back in our groove, we were pretty dead but soon picked up some steam. After warming up a bit, we walked back to Rob, Eric and Will's place where a party was well underway. Alicia and Conner came up from Felton and I was so happy to see them. The most wonderful and hilarious couple. Conner was really our knight in shining armor. There was really only a bed in the front area so Sophie, Lolly and I held court in the bed the whole night while the party carried on. 

Carrie, Me and Soph recovering during the party

The always stunning Alicia

My lovely friend Tawsh

Paige, Kevin, Tawsh and Soph

After it wound down at 4, about 12 of us piled up in the room for a massive sleepover. Then the pup woke us up at 9 and Grant, Veronica, Max and I headed out with the pup for coffee from The Beanery, baked goods from Arizmendi, and a jaunt through the farmers market.

Then Grant played a few songs for us, before we (plus Rob and Eric) got dim sum for lunch, and Ritual Coffee for the traditional latte and iced americano time.

private concert NBD

Cuddle Time with Uncle Rob

Max and the baby post party

Then V, Soph and I headed back playing Celine Dion and Hanson for the better part of the ride home.

This was exactly what I needed. To be with the people I love, enjoying good food and drink in a gorgeous city. I can't express how grateful I am for these people to be in my life and supporting me, no matter how much of a drama queen I can be. Love forever.

Oh and then I got published.

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Outside Lands Recap: The Chill(i)est Place

No words.

Outside Lands was amazing. More details to come, but here are a few snapshots.

My faves were:
1. Of Monsters and Men (I almost cried)
2. Regina Spektor
3. Alabama Shakes (Just tooooo crowded)
4. Beck
5. Father John Misty (he's so hot.)

That plus Winelands and the food truck = HEAVEN.

Although it was effing freezing and I wore eight layers and my bone marrow is thawing out.

Winelands:

Mandatory posed pic (don't judge):

My shoes are cool. As is instagram.

 My music partner in crime, Alexandra, and me

 Beer and waiting:

 My new love: J. Tillman.

 So Alabama Shakes was just lil crowded:

 Coconut chai - not as good as mine, but at least it prevented hypothermia:

 Mini-cupcakessssss:

 Fashion: Less Coachella, more R.E.I. status:

 I'm arty:

 We're adorbz:

 That hat is amazing:

 Foggy, gorgeous evening:

 Cause: Bottomless Mimosas. Effect:

 Last one:

Who's going with me next year?

Ritual Coffee and Senor Sisig

Rob took me on a tasting tour of SF the past couple of days. Last Thursday, we strolled around Hayes Valley with the most phenomenal soy lattes from Ritual and sat in the park soaking up the SF sun. After building up an appetite, we headed to Senor Sisig, the famed Filipino food truck, and had pork burritos - California-style. Holy mother of god, it was delicious, especially with Royal soda. If you're in SF, you must try Senor Sisig. The pork was crispy and flavorful and the ingredients fresh. Yummmmmmm.