things i dig but definitely don't need

As the holidays approach, I find myself scouring the Internet for potential presents for my family and friends... and of course some things to fill my own Christmas wish list. How cute is number four, though? An artsy bottle opener that comes in several different styles! If any of my friends are reading this, don't be surprised if it's your Christmas present this year!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

a bit of chicago

Friends, if it didn't get so freezing cold in Chicago, I think I'd be just dying to live there. Between the picturesque brick buildings, the perfect fall leaves and the incredible food, I was in heaven.

As one of my best friends and an epic tour guide, AJ (second from the left) took us to the top of the Trump Tower for a beer, Portillos for quintessential Chicago noms, Chicago Bagel Authority for probably the best bagel ever (over 80 bagel sandwiches on their menu!), Farmhouse for our special dinner out and of course a walk around Bucktown/Wicker Park... my dream neighborhood. Chicago, I love you and I will return (when it's a bit warmer).

things i've learned from my mom

In honor of my mom's birthday today, I've decided to share with you some of the most important and valuable pearls of wisdom I've gotten from my dear mother over the years. As a mother who's been the most understanding and non-judgmental (most of the time) person in my life for my whole life, I hope she gasp reads my blog for once and enjoys this... see Mom, I was listening, even when I was the most awful teenager and it didn't seem like it. Happy Birthday, Mom!

[Please note: this post is adapted from a series on Laura's blog.]

mom and i at our cooking class in bangkok, thailand last year. 

i know it's shocking from the information below that we aren't 500 pounds.

Learn how to cook and cook well. Food always brings people together.
Learn how to sew. It'll save you money.

Be selfless.

(My mom is the most selfless person I know.)

Sometimes, you just need make fudge.

Nothing beats lying on the couch drinking iced tea and watching the Food Network for hours.

Don’t text and drive.

You can never have too many sayings or family traditions.

Chocolate cake with chocolate icing always always beats vanilla.

You should always invest in a little black dress.

Don’t overpluck; someday, you’ll embrace those furry caterpillar-things above your eyes.

(I think this day has finally come.)

Pay yourself first (as in, always put money in a savings account). 

Don’t spend money you don’t have.

When it comes to guys, don’t be too available. Also don’t make them a priority when they don’t make you one.
If you cooked, you don't have to do the dishes.

Don’t buy your kids Barbies; it portrays an unrealistic body image for little girls to live up to.

(This one makes me laugh; she never ever bought me a Barbie and I'm okay with with my small chest haha)

Families that eat together, stay together.

If you can’t sleep, read a book and have some milk… maybe a cookie, too.

Start putting vasoline under your eyes as soon as you turn 18. 

You won’t have wrinkles until you’re at least 60.

"To each their own."

inspired by locals: tim from the donkeys

One of my favorite parts of living in North Park is that no matter what local business you frequent, you always seem to meet the coolest people. On a few particular occasions, I crossed paths with Tim from The Donkeys at our favorite coffee stand... ever... and after casually chatting with him and listening to  his bands' amazing music (on repeat), I knew we needed to be friends. Embarrassingly enough, I hadn't heard of The Donkeys until I met Tim. I wish I had. But in all honesty, they're my perfect band: a mix of chill and relaxing sounds with an oldies kind of vibe. In one word, their music is timeless.

How did The Donkeys come to be?

We've all known each other from high school. We're from Orange County and Sam and I went to the same high school. We were all in bands for years and shared a practice space. Eventually all the bands broke up and so the people who were left kept jamming and The Donkeys were formed.

What has been your proudest moment thus far in your career with The Donkeys?

When we got a song on Lost. The producer contacted us; there's a ficticous band throughout the series and he heard one of our songs and he loved it. So we rerecorded it to make it more "Lost-centric" and it was really exciting! It felt really cool. Also, last summer we were on tour with the Hold Steady. They were a lot bigger than us and the crowd was great in DC. It was cool to have a room that full of people excited to see us. And it made me realize that I want that crowd.

What artists do you look up to?
I was raised on David Bowie; he was a big influence on me. Same with the Rolling Stones. And I love Brian Eno; I spent a lot of time buying records that he was on or that he made.

What's the biggest struggle you and the band have faced as musicians?
I'd love to make a living making music but I'm still forced to have a day job. It's hard. I work every night on the weekends when I'm not playing a show and I work two jobs to support the one job that doesn’t make any money. I told myself I'd do it until it didn’t make sense anymore but it still makes sense because each record has been better than the last. The new record has some of my favorite songs thus far. I like the direction that it's going on.

As a band, we weirdly didn’t have to struggle with the usual touring troubles. A friend needed a backup and opening band so he took us with him and it opened doors for us. Since we were touring, we could get to everyone and play for them. Everything fell into place. But there are four of us, all creatively in control and trying to make decisions and we're always 50/50. I can see how a solo career might be easier though I've never thought of going solo. I like collaborating; I like making music with these guys.

How would you say The Donkeys' music has progressed?

When you listen, there's a bit of a progression from the previous albums but right now, it's going in the same direction. It has a little more of a cohesive vibe and energy throughout. It feels “beachy” and we sound like southern California. 

Your album art is pretty awesome. Tell us about it!
This is one of the things that we "fight" over! The four of us trying make a decision on the art for our albums. Anthony is a graphic artist and we're all aesthetically inclined and want our own say. But anyways! We hired someone this time named Tony Millionaire who's done some comic strips and graphic novels .

What are your (and The Donkeys) long term goals?

I really want to get to Europe on the next record; it's gotta happen. We have label representation over there so we'd hopefully start in London or somewhere in Spain. 

What can we look forward to from The Donkeys in the future?
We're almost done with the newest record. I'd say we're 99.9 percent done recording it. We just need to finish some tracking and mix it.

If you had 24 hours to show an out-of-towner around San Diego, where would you take them?
Definitely coffee at Roast Coach or Coffee & Tea Collective. I go to Influx a lot… they make all their own pastries, so maybe there too. Mitch's Seafood in Point Loma for lunch... Whistle Stop for some drinks and depending on who is visiting, I'd take them to Hamilton's... though I'm kind of into cider right now. If someone cool is playing at the Casbah, I'd take them there; it's quintessential San Diego. Finally, I'd take them to see the Star of India (a ship) and then we'd stop at Mona Lisa for an eggplant parmesan sandwich or a caprese sandwich… those are some of my favorite past times.

"Like" them on Facebook.

Listen to their music (which is also on Spotify).

Do whatever you have to do... but The Donkeys will be your new favorite band!

insta-lately

Recently, I've really taken a liking to Instagram. For the longest time, I couldn't figure it out... but now I kind of love it! This is what my life's been looking like lately... San Francisco and Chicago with some of my favorite people and lots of snacks. Life is good. 

Let's be Insta-Pals! 

@AllieSafran