B&W

San Francisco has to be the only city that is currently cold.  And while I hate the cold, I somehow find myself back here again and again this summer.  Go figure.  Luckily, every time I come, there are:

New side streets with charm.

New buildings I notice for the first time.

 

Great porches and architectural design.

 

Fancy shoes from my sister's closet.

 



 

Good times with Hammy!

Milk

Although I love gorgeous dessert photos, I actually don't have much of a sweet tooth (except in the form of a chai or latte drink). So, when I do actually have a craving, I go all out...as I did this weekend:

Blueberry, red velvet, and grasshopper ice cream sandwiches from Milk.  Paige jeans. J crew tee. Via Spiga flats. Gucci vintage bag.

Nishimura

Los Angeles Magazine recently featured its top 15 sushi joints in LA. Naturally, I set out on a mission to try (and rank) them all.  So far, Nishimura has the greatest facade. 5 out of 15 down.

Entrance to Nishimura. No sign needed.

A peep into the sushi bar. Subdued vibe featuring Sade and Norah Jones playlist.

And...well, because Prada and sushi go together. Obviously.

American Apparel spandex leggings. James Perse top. Isabel Marant black beckett sneakers. Zara scarf. Prada bag. And yes, the fitbit!

Neon

As some of you may know, after mourning the tragic death of Piggie Smalls (due to an incurable infection), my sister recently got another teacup pig.

This past weekend, I was not only able to meet the adorable Hamilton Abner (with predetermined nicknames "Ham" and "Hammy"), but was also able to rock a new neon sweater (thanks to the cold SF summers), hang out on fire escapes, check out the new Flour & Co. bakery (try the lox pretzel), and spend time with the sister.

 ou

 

Maison Scotch sweater. SOLD Design Lab boyfriend jeans (seen here). Christian Louboutin suede pumps. Jewelry: Kate Spade, Stella + Dot, Jennifer Zeuner. 

District Favorites

A belated post on some other DC favorites:

Georgetown shopping.

Treasury (best vintage store I have found).

.
Little Serow (excluding waiting in line in the heat for 45 minutes).  Seven-course northern Thai/Laotian cuisine.  One of the best restaurants in DC (which reflects both my feelings on food in DC and this restaurant).

The BFF's vintage chair and fashion inspiration board.

Cocktails anytime, anywhere.

Hot (and humid) summer nights drinking wine and sharing dreams on balconies.  Overall, just good food and great friends!

Other goodies from the weekend not pictured: Jeff Mills' craft cocktails, Dukem (best Ethiopian), Red Hen, Bukom, Tryst, Les Diplomate, Green Pig Bistro.

A Capitol Celebration

Over the last decade, I've spent a lot of time in this nation's great Capitol thanks to the BFF, but this year was the first time I spent Fourth of July there.  There was something especially patriotic about it all:

From fishing on a rowboat on the Potomac River (while enjoying Prosecco and cheese)...

To rocking red, white, and blue...Forever 21 romper (old). Vintage purse. Jcrew hat. 

While making a pit stop at a Peach Farm in Maryland...

And wine tasting at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard...

After saluting the flag at the entrance (which was across the street from a house with a giant cross on the lawn...oh America!).

Happy Belated Independence Day!

Hot As Hell

Girls trip booked in advance, check.  Summer visit to Parker Hotel in Palm Springs when rates are low, check.  Record-breaking temperatures...check?  (Note: there is nothing dry about dry heat.)  Fortunately, it was still as relaxing and beautiful as planned.

In all seriousness though, 'girls trips' become rarer and harder to plan as one gets older and life's obligatory tasks or milestones take over, so I cannot be more grateful for the opportunities - big or small, hot or cold, short or long - and especially when they involve:

Plenty of hammocks.  (We also had our own private one outside our room!)

 

 

Secret gardens.

Poolside, fresh-squeezed lemonade cocktails...  Sass and Bide cover up.  Hat Attack hat. 

With the option of moving to an indoor salt water pool and spa.

And generally, just the opportunity to bust out a floppy hat.  Joie top.