Yearly Archives: 2011

Danger! I want to buy pretty much everything that Diane von Furstenberg has on sale right now. Simple and modern for spring, count me in.

This recipe was more work than previous cioppinos I’ve made but so worth it! The Tadich Grill broth starts with a whole lot of chopping. The fennel is really key. Cioppino is perfect for a large party because there is so little to do once you’ve made the broth. For the party on Monday, I…

We celebrated the 105th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and the 5th anniversary of this annual party last night in style. Two good friends RSVP’d at last minute, bringing the total for dinner to 19. Even by my crazy standards, that was a little intense. Guests arrived at 7:00, complete with dogs, babies and dates…

I’ve been so inspired by this video of the The Walker Library of Human Imagination in Connecticut. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a big library like this, full of books, models and curiosities? Reminds me of the atlas scene with Hugh Grant from Sense and Sensibility.

This was a great weekend! On Friday, we took the train with Margaret to go see at flamenco show at the de Young. On Friday nights, the museum puts on fun events with music and a bar. Amazing musicians and dancers with the flamenco group. Burritos in the inner sunset for dinner. Rob and I…

Goodbye Hawaii Week! Kauai, we’ll see you in a few weeks.

Big thanks to Lindsay for the recommendation of Plantation Gardens. Looks like an awesome place in Kauai for a “step-out” dinner. Too bad it’s on the other side of the island. Banana lumpia for dessert? Yes, please.

Hawaii offers up a lot of terrible souvenirs, but there are a few gems for careful shoppers. Macadamia nut chocolates are never a bad choice and there are some nice handmade items here and there. On Etsy, this hand printed tablecloth featuring Hawaiian flora is a great example.

And when Hawaii is too far away, there’s always the Tonga Room here in San Francisco. It’s a masterpiece of tiki-cheesiness, complete with indoor rain and an all-you-can-eat appetizer buffet. A perfect place to hide out from the fog and dream of warmer climates.

I always like to bring a book on vacation that’s related to the area. However, there are surprisingly few books set in Hawaii. No idea why; it seems like the perfect setting for a flouncy 1920’s historical novel to me. Mark Twain’s Letters from Hawaii seems to fits the bill…and has that great vintage cover,…