Pillow Talk

We were talking the other day about how your bedroom is so indicative of your personality. For example, mine's very cluttered, I hate blank walls, I love bright colors, I save almost everything to put on display and my bed is rarely made.

If I've had a bad day (which is rare, living in such a beautiful place), my favorite thing to do is come home, get into my super comfy bed (thanks Landlord!), light some incense (nag champa, preferably) and read a book or a blog or watch movies. Being in a comfortable environment with so many of my favorite things surrounding me immediately lifts my mood and gets me back on track for the day or night.

  

1. Anthropologie comforter: Although after four years and it has holes and some questionable stains, I don't think I'll ever get rid of this thing. I love it!

2. Bamboo plant: It's the first plant I've been able to keep alive for more than a week. I've actually had it five months now, a gift for my 22nd birthday from my good friend, Carey.

3. Patterned flask from Urban Outfitters: Another gift from my friend, Kelsey. Besides being absolutely precious, and I think, very "me," this has to be one of my most useful favorite things.

4. Very first published article: in San Diego Magazine. It was the best feeling in the world to see my name on an article in such a legit magazine. Little did I know it'd be the first of many, and I can't lie, every time it feels just as good.

5. Red Strip vase: If you know me, there are few beers I like better than Red Stripe. Since sadly I can't always afford them, I decided a vase might be a way to make them last longer.

6. Buddha: I bought this with one of my first paychecks at an imports store I used to work at in Florida. The "Hey Ya'll" card is from my best friend, AJ, and I thought it looked quirky/adorable in Buddha's arms. A little reminder of Texas.

7. Real Madrid scarf + blanket: (sigh) I am most nostalgic when thinking about my time living in Madrid where I was able to take weekend getaways all around Europe or even to Morocco (my favorite). It's hard to imagine a future time in my life that will be more amazing than my time spent at la casa de Concha (my senora) in Madrid. The blanket underneath the scarf was yet another gift from my good friend, Hillary, who brought it back for me from Mexico. I think it's beautiful. And yes, I'm obsessed with travelling.

"But I'm pretty good at drinkin' beer."

I'm not really sure where my love for beer came from. I remember my first sip from my mom's glass when I was 10, I thought it was amazing and couldn't wait until I was older to have a whole glass to myself. As I got older, I experimented with all the usuals: Natty Light, Bud Light and Busch, then upgraded a bit to Dos Equis and Corona and then discovered Red Stripe, which I call my favorite standard beer. I love Red Stripe, don't get me wrong. But there are times when I just want a real beer, where you can actually taste and distinguish the ingredients. Beers that are heavy enough to fill you up (not Guiness heavy, though) and are strong enough to give you a buzz after just one brew. And that's when I fell in love...

      

Both can sometimes be found at Whole Foods or BevMo, but the best is walking into a restaurant or bar and seeing one of them on the menu 'cause then you'll know that it's gonna be a gooooooood night! aka TONIGHT!  

      Coachella 2010; drinkin' subpar beer, definitely not Hennepin, but still refreshing 

What will they think of next?

While reading through The New York Times today, after tossing the Business section aside and skipping straight to the Arts and Home sections, I got to "Thursday Style" and went immediately to the sixth page and down to one of my favorite columns, "10 Things To Talk About This Weekend" by Henry Alford. Number one on the list this week was particularly interesting and prompted me to do a little research of my own.

Please tell me I'm dreaming. I mean, I know this family lives in Egypt, a very different country from the U.S. and I'm not one to judge, and I, of all people, am guilty of spending far too much time on Facebook, but naming your child after a social media network? Too far, people, too far.
According to a report in Al-Ahram, one of the largest newspapers in Egypt, Gamal Ibrahim named his daughter Facebook "to express his joy at the achievements made by the January 25 youth" (CNN.com).
This is flattering and all, assuming that I'm part of this "youth group" (har dee har har), but I'm not sure a child's name should be based on a societal achievement. Maybe it's a culture difference... and like my mom always says, "to each their own."

Guilty Pleasure #1

The Bachelor
This is extremely embarrassing for a person who only watches Entourage, Californication and Weeds... really anything on HBO or SHO. But this show is just so absurdly ridiculous that I can't help but watch. My roommates got me into it this season and I just can't stop. First of all, this Brad guy, is he kidding? He has NO personality. He's decently attractive, but he doesn't seem to be deeper than, "I can really see myself with this girl." And that announcer, who comes out just one time during the entire show, just to say, "Ladies, this is the final rose." How does he feel having such a pointless profession? I don't even want to know how much money he makes for that. And I just can't seem to think the whole thing is even possible. Falling in love on national television? Going on dates that the guy didn't even come up with himself? These girls aren't falling for Brad, they're falling for Hollywood's made-up-multi-million dollar dates that are completely unrealistic. Don't get me wrong, I'd be enjoying those dates if I were in the girls' positions, but in real life, who actually has the money for such extravagant outings? And speaking of money, I also don't want to know how much money is spent on the production of this show, none of which is going to a good cause.
Despite all of these cons, I am guilty and The Bachelor has my viewership. I can't help but find myself rushing home on Monday nights after class (and before karaoke) to "oooohhh" and "awwww" at the latest disaster, drama or emotional meltdown on this truly ludicrous show. At least it's entertaining? And it makes for the perfect pre-game for karaoke at the Sandbar... andddd I'm semi addicted to the absurdity, who will he choose? If I were the girls, I'd get outta there fast and send myself home. After all of the glitz and glamour is done, he'll be just another semi-decent-but-pretty-average dude without any game. I think I'll stick to karaoke.

I wish I had a better camera...

...so that I could have properly documented the deliciousness of this feast. I started college with a rough relationship with breakfast foods, they were just never my favorite. But after exploring San Diego and the MILLIONS of amazing breakfast and brunch joints, I have officially converted... especially after the latest feast at Cafe 222.

I knew I was going to be a fan of this place when on their website (where I was infamously  perusing the menu) it stated that they served "quirky, American cuisine" and that one of their dishes, Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast (YUM DOOD) was featured on the Food Network. This place was destined to be amazing.

Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast

The Mexican Egg Scramble

Precious tea cup chandelier
The only downer? They don't take reservations and we had to wait in the cold for 40 minutes. But it was 100% worth the wait! nom nom nom