This Deal Is A Steal: Xhilaration Round Bracelet Watch

I have family coming into town in a week.  In my house that means one thing.  There is suddenly a mad rush to complete all of the projects that we just haven't gotten to.  My home is pretty much torn apart, because it seems that things have to become completely chaotic before they become organized.  I haven't had a lot of time to blog or uncluttered spaces to take pictures, so please forgive my sporadic posts.  I hope to be back to a regular schedule soon.

Xhilaration Round Bracelet Watch- Mint  $12.99

On a completely unrelated note,  I picked up the cutest watch on a Target run this week (I have a small watch obsession).  I know that mint has been a big color this spring and summer, so I thought some of you might be interested.  In person, the color reminds me of a Tiffany's box. It retails for only $12.99, which is a great deal on such a trendy piece.  I did a test to see how well it kept time before actually taking it out of the box, and I don't have any complaints yet.  It is worth checking out the next time you are in the store.

It also comes in hot pink and yellow.  

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old

I did not grow up in the Bay Area.  I actually moved here from the east coast after I graduated college (with a short stay in Atlanta in-between).  That means that there is close to 3000 miles between me and the friends and family that I grew up with.  Luckily, I live in a great vacation area, and from time to time I will get tourists visitors.  

This past weekend, one of my best friends from high school, Monica, was in town.  I hadn't seen her in about 10 years, so I was excited to head into the city for some breakfast and gossip.  That is the stuff friendships are built on.  

I chose the Hollywood Cafe, based solely off of the area of the city is was in and Yelp Reviews.  My experience here was very positive, service was fast, and the food was good.  I would highly recommend this place if you are in the area.  Another Yelp success story!   

The menu was adorable, and I loved that most entrees came with a giant bowl of fresh fruit.  

I had the dolce French toast with grilled bananas and fresh fruit and nuts.  It tasted as good as it looks. 

Monica and my husband both ordered the Clark Gable.  Their reviews were extremely positive.

After breakfast, we took a little walk .  This is a view of Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf (Pier 39).

There were lots of sea lions sunning themselves.  Fact:  You can tell the difference between a seal and a seal lion by looking at their ears.  Sea lions have visible ears, and seals appear earless.

Friends for 22 years, and counting.  We actually took about 8 pictures, and my eyes were closed in almost every single one of them.  

There is something special about the friends you make when you are growing up.  It is a kind of magic that is very hard to recreate once you are out in the working world.  Even though Monica and I have been in and out of touch since high school, every time we get back together, it is like no time has passed.  There is never a break in conversation, even for a minute.  It is the kind of friendship that will definitely last a lifetime.

What about you?  Where did you meet your lifelong friends?  Do you find that making friends has changes since you graduated high school/college?

What To Expect When You Are Expecting (Me To Catsit For You)

Recently, some dear friends went out of town and asked me if I would swing by their house and take care of their cats.  They left me with a key, an entire roll of plastic poop bags, and the longest list of instructions ever.  If one of the cats had decided to set the other cats on fire, I was well-prepared.  As the parent of three spoiled dogs, I totally get it.  

The cats and I had a fun time together all week.  OK, that is a lie.  Puma is the only cat that ever came out of hiding, so we had a fun time together.  The other two hunkered down under the bed for the entire week, only coming out to eat, poop, and throw as much litter around the bathroom as felinely possible.  Once, I did catch one of them peering at me from around the corner when I was cleaning out her box.  I felt a little bit like she was judging me.

My friends asked if I would send them an occasional picture, and I was more than happy to oblige.  I might not get asked to catsit again.  

Puma is my buddy, and he followed me around the house meowing and angling for a good head scratching from the time I walked through the door.  I do forgive him for that one time he bit me (mostly because it was totally my fault).

Cartoon Puma

I mean, they HAD TO be inviting their cat friends over when I wasn't around.  I just can't believe that three cats can poop that much.  It doesn't seem physically possible.

I like to refer to this one simply as "Us"

Yep, it felt that creepy too.

Things To Do In San Francisco: The de Young Museum

A few months ago, I told you about the John Paul Gaultier exhibit at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.  The museum also hosts many other collections, as well as an observation tower that has incredible views of the city, gift shops, and a cafe.  Here are some of the other pictures I took while visiting.

 The museum from the Music Concourse.  There is an 144' tall observation tower on the far right side.

There is a continuous crack that runs north from the edge of the Music Concourse roadway in the front of the museum, up the main walkway, through the courtyard, and up to the main entrance.  The crack bisects these stone slabs which serve as outdoor seating.  This piece is called Drawn Stone by Andy Goldsworthy.      

Mel Ramos: Superman, 1963

The Fern Garden

The observation tower as seen from the other side of the building.  

Half of the the Music Concourse as pictured from the observation tower.  The California Academy of Sciences is the building with the rooftop garden across the street.

The other half of the Music Concourse, with Sutro Tower on the hillside in the background.

The top of the Golden Gate Bridge, peeking over the hills, as viewed from the top of the observation tower.

What I Need...Now (September 12)

When I take a peek at the pieces I have recently been saving to my wishlist, I notice that there are a lot of animals represented.  If you read my blog regularly, you may already know of my love for elephants and owls (and of course, dogs).  My love is spreading.  I don't know if there are currently more animal themed items out right now, or if I just seem to find them in every store I peruse.  Whatever the case may be, here are some of the things on my current wishlist.

I bought a cozy robe during the Nordstrom sale in July, and it is currently sitting in a neat pile in my bedroom.  I want to put it on a pretty hook, (something that will make me smile when the robe is not on it) and I really love this one.  There is also an elephant hook that I like almost as much.

View From Here Hook  $20

What is not to adore about this sweater?  

French Hen Sweater  $95

I love the colors and the sheerness of this butterfly scarf.

Butterfly Print Scarf  $25.90

I am a wedge hoarder fan (I can be taller and comfortable at the same time).  The bow detailing on these makes the whole shoe.

Jeffrey Campbell Ladylike Wedge Pump  $119.95

I MUST have this jewelry box.

Baby Elephant Jewel Box  $26.95

 For shorter hikes, I think it would be great to have this all in one.  Aside from water, it is designed to carry an energy bar, gel, cash, keys, and media (and hey, it's pink). 

2012 Delaney Plus  $40

I already have a spot picked out for this guy in my living room.  I love the tongue-in-cheek-ness  of a resin animal head.  It is sure to be the start of many conversations. 

Rhino Head Wall Plaque 12"  $49.95

What is on your current wishlist?  Anything animal oriented?

My So-Called Instagram Life

Meatball's favorite place to lie on warm summer nights.

Yes, we made our own beef jerky (and it was tasty).

 

I tried to get them to both look up at the same time and failed miserably.

We found these purple potatoes at our local Sprouts, and were excited to find that they were purple on the inside as well as the outside.

A pre-work self portrait.

Petunia was digging for something under the cabinet for a good ten minutes. I don't think she ever found what she was after (and I certainly couldn't find it).

Did you guys watch the finale of Bachelor Pad?  I was blown away by all of the bad luck that fell upon Rachel (she was my favorite), and also obsessed with her nail color.  Luckily, I had a bottle of Nice Is Nice (by Essie) in my cabinet and recreated the look myself.  

I am always amazed by the tiny little balls Petunia is able to curl up into.

This is my niece Daisy.  She is quite a character.

Harriet, asleep with her one-eyed best friend, Pinkdog.

The perfect shade of baby blue nail polish, Borrowed and Blue.

A beautiful weekend day in the Bay Area, taken from Grizzly Peak.  San Francisco is across the bay, through the fog.

Three little kitchen beggars.

We dried out the red corn we grew and popped it on the cob.

We ended up with this.

He crossed directly in front of my car.

I created the perfect little snuggle nest in my lap.  

The Oakland Heart Walk

Community service is a part of my yearly work goals.  My company encourages it (and gives us time to do it).  Every year I participate in the Heart Walk, which is sponsored by the company I work for (and several others).  It is always held on a warm September day (which is Oakland, means it was at least 70 degrees).  The walk is 3.1 miles around Lake Merritt, and it is a great opportunity to get up and away from my desk, as well as to get some fresh air and exercise.  Here are some highlights from around the lake. 

Everyone gathers at Snow Park.

Bottles of water are a necessity.

All funds raised for the Heart Walk go to the American Heart Association.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light is a landmark along Lake Merritt.

One of many sobering reminders placed around the lake to remind us of why we are walking.  

A view across the lake.  Unfortunately, it looks better than it smells.

The Rotary Nature Center (home to the nation's oldest nature preserve)

Downtown Oakland from across the lake.

Man made islands that serve as a bird refuge.

The official mascot.

Who said there is no such thing as a free lunch (provided by our sponsors)?