Picnics & Paninis...

This past weekend, I decided to prepare a picnic for the husband's birthday.  I have this really nice picnic basket and never use it.  Since the husband loves activities more than getting a wrapped gift, I thought this would put a huge smile on his face.  I put together the food and he picked up the kite...yes we flew a kite too.  We had the best time!  It was easy to prepare, the weather was great, and the memories are priceless.  Loving Cali! 

Here's a few photos of the day...

baked brie along with grapes, strawberries, and wine. 

grilled chicken panini sandwiches

ingredients:

fresh ciabatta bread or any rustic bread

pesto sauce (used jar from Trader Joe's)

fresh mozzarella sliced

tomato sliced

basil (leave whole)

roasted red/yellow peppers (used jar from Trader Joe's)

chicken breast cut thinly

how to: 

grill chicken in grill pan or outdoor grill

cut bread 

spread each side of the bread with pesto sauce

layer bread with tomato, mozzarella, basil, roasted red/yellow peppers, and grilled chicken 

close up sandwich and press flat using a panini press

enjoy the gooey goodness

after eating we just enjoyed the beach and flew our kite...

good times! 

my long weekend...

hubby and I being tourists

cute shirt with meaning at Zara

birthday breakfast

coffee break with blue bottle coffee and heath ceramics

hubby enjoying our tasting at Brown Estate

waiting for the hop on, hop off bus in Union Square

jiggyloves 1975 classic perfume by Le Labo

chocolate and cabernet

yummy rose' from 1300 on filmore 

kept the touristy thing up

hubby and I self portrait

room service

birthday peach cobbler at 1300 on filmore

empanadas that will make you sing

wishing tree

birthday concert

dessert, wine, cheese, and a movie at the foreign cinema

cindy sherman exhibit at SFMOMA

relaxing and taking it all in

birthday hair

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!!!! 

and I'm off and running..
.

My Weekend...

Happy Monday!!

Hope your weekend was great!  Mine was again relaxing, but productive.  Friday, was date night as usual.  We went to see Spike Lee's new joint, Red Hook Summer.  Disappointed that it was not a packed theater, but we definitely enjoyed it and suggest you all check it out!

Ha!

Saturday, we got up early and finally got our condo cleaned and ready for renting.  I was hating it, but we did it.  I like when I get things done that I've really dreaded doing.  After all of that, I went to my usual acupuncture session, then met a close friend for an early dinner at  the newly opened ROFL Cafe (yummy yummy) and cocktails at Post & Beam, both owned by Chef Govind.

pictures of the  clean condo

Mint Julep from Post & Beam

Sunday, was totally dedicated to going through old papers/files and washing my hair (major deal).   When we moved out of our condo, we left a lot of old papers and clothes that we needed to give away.  I found cards from almost every birthday.  Lots of letters from my mom and dad while I was in college.  My mom use to send me care packages and have a list of stuff for me to remember to do and a list of what was in the box.  So sweet!  My Dad sent me articles on whatever he felt was interesting at that moment, financial stuff, and cards from every holiday (Halloween, Easter, Valentines Day, etc.)  I found all of that in my old files.    I found letters from friends in high school and college.  I love how we wrote to each other often, no email.  Wish we still did that more often!  I enjoyed going through it all.  It was hard to throw stuff away, but I definitely kept all of the letters and many cards from my family and close friends.  So many memories and lots of love!

special pile of love

Other pics of the weekend...

yummy green drink from charlie's pantry

greek chicken salad with a side of guacamole

 hairstyles of the weekend

really having fun doing different styles

How was your weekend?

Have a great week! 

and I'm off and running...
 

My Weekend...

date night with the hubby at Stella Rosa Pizza Bar...

 The chef let me make my own pizza. Of course you know I was asking him all kinds of questions, then he just said come on back here and let me show you.  So amazing!

 our italian sausage pizza...so yummy! 

brunch with my dear friend, Kim at Dolce Isola...

Dolce Isola is such a neighborhood gem.  Almost like we were on vacay somewhere in Europe.  

I had the crab omelet and a cafe au lait!  

beautiful flowers at Dolce Isola...

The rest of the weekend... I went to see the movie Sparkle, which was really good and spent Sunday with family and relaxed at home.  Great weekend!

Happy Monday!

and I'm off and running...