Air travel can be pretty dismal. Overworked flight attendants, grouchy passengers, Disneyland-esque lines at security—the whole experience can make even the calmest personalities embrace their inner Jekyll. But while most of what happens at the airport or on the plane is out of your control, there are a few things you can do to make your trip a lot less stressful, my favorite of which is the BYO-Picnic.
Read on – the full story is on TDM!
Again I have another horribly delayed post to share that essentially covers the last few weeks, but I figure it’s better late than never! Even when you spend all your time studying, you still have to make room for some fun…
Like the date D took me on to Rose’s Cafe a couple days before my exam…
nothing like a crisp glass of bubbly to calm one’s nerves!
Their bread is really delicious…
they make it fresh each day at the restaurant!
bruschetta of grilled peach, crescenza cheese, mint & a saba glaze
fried squash blossoms
salmon with green beans and a sweet corn & tomato salad
rigatoni alla carbonara with english peas
On the eve of the exam I headed over to the Claremont in Berkeley (go bears!) where I was taking it, so I’d be ready to go the next morning and not stressing over traffic or other uncontrollable situations. I just love hotels. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I love nice hotels. And the Claremont was lovely. They even upgraded me to a bay-view room in the spa section of the hotel. Thanks James at the front desk! That was super cool of you!
I love the little tower logo on their products
more lovely smelling products
mini nail files… too cute
one of the best parts about hotel stays is ordering room service
the worlds largest turkey club sandwich and creme brulee
I know creme brulee isn’t cool anymore, but still, it’s and oldie but goodie
As much fun as room service is though, it’s much more fun when your boyfriend comes over and treats you to a lovely dinner at Paragon on your second night there.
D started with the lobster roll sliders… what a fun presentation
I started with the ahi tuna tartare tacos served in crispy taro root shells
We shared a salad of local lettuces, goat cheese, hazelnuts, & toy box tomatoes
and split the roast chicken w macaroni & cheese, sauteed spinach, & thyme jus
sorry the pic isn’t great, I had a bite and then remembered I hadn’t taken a photo!
Look who came home with us!
My very own personal cheer bear from the gift shop!
After the exam the bartender at the hotel placed this glass of bubbles in front of me… much needed, much much needed.
home at last, I admired all my hotel goodies
I’m a klepto, what can I say?
I was finally able to start reading (and finishing) the Hunger Games books!
and go for a very overdue mani-pedi
shellac is amazing btw if you haven’t tried it yet
a sunny picnic down at fort mason the day after the exam
more celebration bubbles
isn’t our garden pretty?
my DODOcase arrived… love how it looks like a book
as did our K&L champagne club shipment
and I can start back up the Golden Gate bridge pictures on my runs again…
I’ve had a bit of a hiatus!
I also finally have time for wine with friends like Sara! On the floor, since her and her hubby are moving away from our neck of the woods and had no furniture left. The good news is they are moving closer to Flour & Water so stay tuned for a future picture-heavy post with lots of pizza and pasta!
Happy Days are here again!
gladiolus in a huge vase
tart frozen yogurt with strawberries and mini dark chocolate chips
vitamix smoothies w fresh summer fruit
picnic dinners at fort mason when our apartment is too hot to cook in
especially with bubbly served in mason jars
clever martha stewart picnic ideas
farm fresh to you delivery boxes every two weeks
taking a saturday off from studying to go wine tasting with my friends
bubbly flights at Domaine Carneros
sunlight shining through pretty trees
wine in the woods
sandis on wooden picnic tables
cabernet & cupcakes
sunday runs along crissy field
prosciutto & the best melon I think D & I have ever had
yummy salads for dinner
bachelorette drama on tv
The Fleet Week Air Show is one of my favorite activities to do here in the city each October, and this year did not disappoint. Normally I go to the Saturday show, but we were over in Berkeley watching Cal beat UCLA (GO BEARS!) so we planned on watching the Sunday show instead.
D & I woke up ridiculously early, packed up our handy backpack chairs
some dry salame, italian fontina, irish cheddar & the best brie ever
(which of course I can not remember the name of, but they do sell it at Safeway and Whole Foods, and it begins w a ‘D’ and has an apostrophe somewhere in it’s name.)
