Hello, lovelies. Hope you all had a fantastic long Fourth of July weekend, filled with sun and beers and barbecue. Mine was filled with two of those three, and if you know San Francisco, you know which one was missing.
After a short vacation, Ten Things Tuesday is back in action. Here are the things that made my week:
United Barbell
Way back in 2008, I put up a number of posts detailing a new gym Joe had joined, where he participated in a workout called CrossFit. CrossFit sort of changed his life, in that he was able to shed those college beer pounds he’d always wanted to get rid of. It changed my life in that all he wanted to do was eat salad, which was depressing. Our good friend Jenny, a fellow USC grad, was a coach at the old CrossFit gym he attended, and I’m pleased to inform you that she’s opening up her own space in SOMA this July! So for all you folks who live in SF and like subjecting yourself to that kind of thing, go to Jenny’s gym, United Barbell. She’s fantastic and will kick your butt into shape. I’ll be there with you in spirit.
Robert Sinskey Vin Gris
In celebration of United Barbell opening, Jenny and her business partner threw a big kickoff party last Thursday night. Mostly in attendance were old gym clients and fellow CrossFit aficionados. Obviously, I was out of my league. But, I happily fell into conversation with a gent who did not partake in CrossFit, but DID partake in wine. He mentioned Robert Sinskey Vin Gris, and I was intrigued. Already a fan of Sinskey’s pinots, I was happy to spot the vin gris on Local’s wine list last Friday night. It was a perfect domestic rose, one of the best I’ve had in recent memory. Often domestic producers veer towards fruitiness and too much skin exposure (hence the super dark magenta color versus that ethereal pale peachy rose color), probably because they’re scared that if it’s too dry, they can’t attract the white zin lovers. If you want to try a really delicious dry rose, run out and buy a bottle.
L’As du Falafel
I’m ruined for life. Never had I had falafel so delicious as the one I had in Paris at L’As du Falafel. Crisp, moist, pillowy, and oh-so flavorful, I’ve been having major cravings. I try not to think about the fact that it is thousands and thousands of miles away and it could be years before I have another…
Nell Waters’ Massage
After a week back at work, my back was in bad shape again. Thank goodness I’d made an appointment pre-Paris with Ms. Nell Waters. Nell runs two offices, one in DogPatch and one in Pac Heights. I spent my morning yesterday (thank you, holiday weekend!) being kneaded and worked by Nell’s very capable hands. I’ve had a lot of massages in my life, but her’s was definitely top 3, if not the best ever. I’ll be back for sure.
New Belgium Brewing’s Skinny Dip
We downed a six pack of these this past Sunday, to go along with our sausages, potato salad, baked beans and jalapeño cornbread. Skinny Dip has fantastic citrusy notes, and is one of the most refreshing, zippy beers I’ve ever had. It reminds me of summers at the lake house. And I don’t even have a lake house. Drink this one ice cold.
Paper Source maps
My first day back at work last week, I walked by our neighborhood Paper Source shop and noticed these two large pieces of wrapping paper in the window. Of course I had to stop in and see what they were about…and of COURSE since they were vintage maps of Paris, I had to buy them! I plan on framing both and hanging them somewhere in our house. This is a great, inexpesive way to get some art work up on your walls — buy interesting maps or specialty paper (like beautiful fine Japanese or Indian papers), then frame them.
A Fraction of the Whole
My buddy Meredith loaned me this book to read while I was in Paris. I didn’t start it until two days before we left, because Joe commandeered it before I even had a chance to open it. As he giggled his way through it, I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about. Then I got my turn. If you like madcap adventures, crazy characters, irony, some degree of pointless philosophical waxing, and misanthropes, READ THIS BOOK. I thought it was great.
Easy Fashion (in Paris)
I came back to America and was very bleh on what most people were wearing. Paris was inspiring in so many ways, especially in how people present themselves. In an effort to stay inspired, I did a search for Paris fashion blogs, and came across Easy Fashion in Paris. In the spirit of Sartorialist, the photographer shoots everyday folk on the street, asks them a few questions, and gets the lowdown on exactly what they’re wearing. Check it out!
Harry Potter
So last week the first trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I came out. Same thing happens every year. New Harry Potter trailer = time to read the series. Again. Is it embarrassing that Joe and I spent most of the holiday weekend lounging around the house, reading Harry Potter for the umpteenth time? I don’t care. I love it. And whenever you re-read the series, you always catch little details you never noticed before, which only helps you appreciate J.K. Rowling even more.
My Flower Garden
I don’t have a photo of this — yet. The last few days have been very overcast and foggy, so the flowers in my little backyard garden haven’t opened up. But there are blooms galore, and on Saturday, I dragged Joe to Home Depot so I could buy some other flowers to plant and fill in the empty spaces in the garden. I think it looks great. Bear with me until the next sunny afternoon, when I can catch a shot of the flowers in all their glory. Gardening makes me so happy. Apparently, I really am 65.
{Image Credits: United Barbell; Robert Sinskey Vin Gris: K&L Wines; L’As du Falafel; Skinny Dip; Paper Source; A Fraction of the Whole; Easy Fashion}
Filed under: Ten Things
