Happy Thanksgiving

While most folks here in the US are celebrating Thanksgiving by feasting on way too much food its still important to remember why we are thankful in the first place. This last year has been a whirlwind of excitement and merriment with our upcoming bundle of joy growing daily, I didn't even mind waking up at 4:30 this morning thanks to her getting the hiccups. I am so thankful for being able to expand my family and look forward to meeting her in a few short months.

I am thankful for this guy right here, my loving husband. He is my rock, my best friend and my biggest supporter. I swear I don't think I can really do wrong in his eyes and I will forever love him for it. He always keeps me laughing, in fact, I shot this picture because he kept saying take a picture of me. I did and he simply said, there, now I was here! And because of the memory, this is one of my favorite pictures of him, just because he was there.

I am thankful we are able to live in our dream city. Ever since I can remember I always wanted to live in San Francisco and for the last year and a half the husband and I have made that dream come true. Its been a time of some serious ups and a few downs but we managed to stay strong and thrive in our little {big} city. This is the view of my neighborhood and golden gate park- our place is somewhere tucked into those buildings. We can't wait to be able to bring a little one into our busy world.

And of course I can't forget my little Uli, our first "baby". She has been with us for almost 3 years now and I am thankful for such an awesome dog. We saved her from the shelter in L.A and haven't looked back since; spoiling her rotten. As you can see. She is the most patient and loving dog...she even says goodbye and snuggles people on command. She's pretty special.

images by our designed life

I am also very thankful for having such a supporting family and loving friends that have been nothing but supportive throughout the years. So please, before you sit down to gorge yourself silly or perhaps join the masses in black Friday shopping, remember why you are thankful.

Out with the old in with the new

I simply adore my wedding ring, like love love love it. Its vintage, its super detailed and in my opinion completely stunning. Yet its a bit of a baby problem...you see, the intricacy of it is so delicate and ornate that it is a huge magnet for things to get caught in it. Like baby poop. And puke. When we started looking for rings I had originally just wanted a simple band but then the husband took me to a vintage and estate clothing and jewelry expo and a week later it was mine. For three years it has lived on my finger all regal like but in the back of my mind I always knew it would need to be put aside when baby comes...so when the husband suggested for our three year anniversary we get me a new wedding band you better believe I jumped at the chance. I didn't want anything fancy and had been looking on Etsy for a while for something sweet and simple but without trying it on I was having trouble making a decision. Then one day we were walking in our neighborhood and stopped in on a shop just to get my finger sized; 30 minutes later I had purchased my new band. I had never given this store a second thought but after walking into Pearl and seeing their contemporary pieces I just had to try a few on. Though my new band may not be as flashy as my original wedding ring, it has character and was made by a local designer. I love to support local businesses and this rings artist is so local I could literally walk to her neighborhood from my house!

I have a few jewelry boxes that I have been storing bits and pieces in but something so cherished as my wedding ring might just need its own box. I'm loving these individual ring boxes from Oh Dier, made from salvaged oak wooden banisters and givin a bit of life with a touch of paint. I might just have to pick one up for something so near and dear to me, after all, I will be having a daughter that will no doubt be eyeing my ring in no time.

ring images by our designed life. box image via oh dier\

Etta + Billie

I've had the opportunity to meet Alana, creator of Etta + Billie a while ago at Unique SF and fell in love with her natural and oh so smelly {in a good way} products. I even surprised her when I pulled out her lip balm from my purse that I had picked up at Urban Bazaar a few weeks prior. I not only love to be able to support local artists and crafts people but throw in natural ingredients and you have yourself one happy shopper. And when I got her newest email giving great news of Etta + Billie now being carried in the SF Made pop up shops at select Banana Republics I just had to share her good news. You can find the full list of participating retailers here. So show a little love and help a creative and super nice gal out! And to make room for her new beautiful packaging, she is also offering a little deal in her etsy shop for her existing inventory so be sure to check it out.

images via etta & billie

VeganMOFO day 11: The Red Victorian review

images by our designed life

Sometimes you need a sweet pick me up mid afternoon and finding a decent cup of coffee that provides anything other then soy milk {at an additional cost} for a mixed drink can be pretty tough. Luckily nestled in the heart of the Haight district is The Red Victorian, an adorable cafe and bed and breakfast that not only gives you a full menu of drinks with the option of soy or almond milk, they also have a variety of vegetarian and vegan eats. I have yet to try out their wraps though every time I visit I am always intrigued just never hungry enough. The husband and I have been known to walk all the way there from our place, which now with this big ol belly of mine takes a nice 40 minutes, but the treat at the end is always worth it. This last visit I snacked on an iced half decaf half regular almond milk latte with a vegan ginger cookie. So good! Not only is this a great place for people watching but the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere reminds me of our old stomping grounds in Venice Beach. If you are browsing in the area I would highly recommend stopping in for a cup of coffee, it beats out those large chain coffee shops any day.

VeganMOFO day 10: Underdog review

images by our designed life

Sometimes you just need a quick fix of something good and thankfully for me I have access to Underdog an "organic sausage joint" within walking distance from my house. With a vegetarian and vegan menu {they also have regular meat dogs so watch what you order} full of tasty things to choose from its always a fun treat to stop in. My go to dog is the Polish on a wheat bun {pictured above} while the husband always goes for the spicy smoked chipotle and a side of vegan potato salad. Made with all organic products, their vegan dogs are made with soy and wheat meat so there is a little something for everyone to try. And they don't stop at just hot dogs, you can also find fun snacks like vegan chocolate pudding, the best, and an array of quick snacks to go. Not to say these are for everyday eating, but every once and a while you've just got to have a little something bad. There were a few days at the beginning of my pregnancy that these were pretty much the only thing I could keep down, glad it was at least organic and vegan. The shop itself is super tiny- we are talking blink and you may miss it small, and only has 7 seats available but with Golden Gate Park just a block and a half away why not take it to go and have a picnic?

Note: there is also another restaurant within a few blocks with a very similar name {The taco shop at Underdogs} not the same thing and not vegan!

Vegan MOFO day 7: Gracias Madre review

When I became vegetarian then vegan one thing that was very difficult for me to give up was my Mexican food. Being raised on this cuisine sure left a big hole in my heart... one of my first foods as a baby was a rolled up tortilla dipped in beans! But thanks to a little restaurant in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco all of my tasty dreams have come true. When the husband and I moved here you better believe it was one of the first places we stopped in at and boy was I not disappointed  I even asked to go there for my birthday dinner its that good. We have been so often I have tried almost everything on the menu, I think my favorites have got to be their tacos stuffed with sauteed greens {kale} and their nopales {cactus} plate {not sure if its just a seasonal thing- we went over the weekend and it was missing on the menu}. Oh and the beans. Pure deliciousness right there. And did I mention they hand make their own corn tortillas for all to see, so good! You really can't go wrong with anything on their menu its that good. It may be a bit on the pricier side and get ready to sit with other diners especially if you are a small party, but the food is so worth it. I would highly recommend you check out Gracias Madre for a bit of authentic tasting food filled with amazing flavor. I'm about to dig in to my leftover totopos and black beans for good measure...no shame in my preggo game.

images via gracias madre 

Vegan MOFO day 6: Vegans in hotels

Don't you just love when your routine gets all jumbled up? So you know the other day when we woke up with a waterfall in our bathroom...turns out there is way more work to be done to our little apartment that the construction crew that caused the damage put us up in a hotel for a week. While I wouldn't normally mind, I've got a million things to do and just this week have a doctor and dentist appointment. Not the best when you are living out of a suitcase. But it could always be worse. That's been my mantra. So I've been making the best of it, last night the husband and I got to visit a new to us Indian restaurant that was surprisingly delicious and had a variety of veggie options to choose from. So for the next few days I'll be blogging from that chaise in Hotel Kabuki, right in the heart of Japantown. PS, that top photo is from our wrap around balcony- something I thought I could never do since I am super afraid of heights. Lets just say I walked out, snapped the picture and ran back inside before my nerves got the best of me!

Thankfully over the weekend the husband and I attended the World Veg Festival and sat through a workshop on Optimal nourishment on the go with Raw vegan travel snacks {did you know you can open an avocado with your bare hands!? By far the funnest fact I learned all workshop}. I was able to pick up this variety  of snacks from the store a few blocks away {not pictured, rice milk and a fresh loaf of sourdough bread}. I was able to get a giant bowl of granola, rice milk and banana for breakfast and chose a few healthy snacks to hold me over between meals. Apples and celery are perfect snacking items since you can eat them as is and they both have that crunch factor that most of us crave. Plus those Orchard Bars I picked up were on sale and totally vegan! I think Uli just spotted that orange when I snapped that picture, she wont stop going over to it and giving it a sniff or two...lets be honest, I totally picked that up with her in mind. She doesn't really get the whole idea of just hanging out in a hotel room. Poor thing is so bored. 

How do you manage to get in proper nutrition while you are on the go away from your stove and beloved cooking gadgets?

images by our designed life

Vegan MOFO day 4: Judahlicious review

One of the best perks of being a vegan in San Francisco has to be all the amazing restaurants to try out. Its not everyday we vegans get to go to a restaurant and have more then one or two options so to have an entire menu to choose from can get totally overwhelming! Thankfully the husband and I have made it our goal to visit as many places as we can and as part of VeganMOFO I wanted to showcase a few of my favorite eateries. If you are in the area or are planning a trip to our foggy city, I would highly recommend trying out these wonderful places. Trust me, you won't be sorry.
First up on our whirlwind of must go to's is Judahlicious in Outter Sunset. I am lucky enough to live just 2 miles from this place and let me tell you, if I could go every week I would. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner there is a bit of something for everyone. My all time favorite breakfast meal has got to be their Jungle style Acai bowl {pictured below}. Made with blueberry, raw acai, banana, raw house made granola {featuring an array of oh so good for you seeds} and orange juice this meal truly keeps you full for hours.

This last trip the husband and I decided to throw in a few drinks for good measure and picked up a Sunset smoothie {orange juice, banana, strawberry, raspberry, pineapple, lemon and dates} and a shot of Blue green algae. Now don't get me wrong I am all for trying new things but this shot was a bit strange for me. The husband loved it and gave him a shot of energy and oh so good for you feelings but to me it just tasted like a mixture of green tea and the smell of aquarium water. Yum?

We have tried a few other lunch items as well, the homemade chili is a MUST try with its spicy goodness and I can't ever get enough of the No Shirt No Shoes plate {a large plate filled with rice, beans, veggies, bits of pineapple, hemp seeds, spicy sauces and avocado}. Every time we are in there and look around at others dishes I have such a hard time deciding on what to get, it all looks so good.

And at 5 months preggers the baby sure does love all things Judahlicious. Being able to provide my growing belly with good for you food is the best feeling in the world and throw in the fact that I don't have to cook or clean and you have yourself one seriously happy pregnant lady.

images by our designed life

Guys, we have news!

Hi friends I have a bit of exciting news to finally share....my husband Evan and I are expecting! Now that I am out of my first trimester and finally feeling a bit more up and at em, we both wanted to share our big news with everyone. And what better way then with a little photo shoot throughout our city. Our little bundle of joy is expected right around Valentines day 2013 and we really cannot wait to meet our little lady or mister. I've been doing great so far, a few weeks had me doing nothing but laying around trying to keep food down...and that my friends is why the blog has been a little quiet lately. But as you can see it was all for a wonderful reason. So far both I and baby are doing very well and have been dining on a completely vegan diet, so stay tuned for more updates, cravings and a growing bump. It was so hard to keep this news from all our friends and family members, hopefully now you guys all understand why the husband and I have been a little m.i.a lately.

Of course we couldn't forget about our little Uli, we are trying to get her used to the idea of a baby...she heard a newborn crying on tv and freaked out. Poor thing hasn't left my side since I got pregnant, she freaks out when I leave and insists on sleeping up against me most nights. I think she knows.

images by jared elizares

Air pods

I have a major love for all things plant related and these neon wooden air plant pods from Bird and Feather are so up my alley its a bit ridiculous. When we first moved to San Francisco the husband and I happened upon Hortica, a lovely little shop filled to the brim with unusual plants, supplies and an owner with a wealth of knowledge. I picked up several air plants on a whim and thankfully a year later they are still alive and producing more and more...gotta love a plant that you barely have to water and it still thrives. These tiny pods would be the perfect little accessory to my growing buds and at only 6 dollars a piece I might have to get all 3!

found via design love fest, images via bird and feather

Happy birthday Golden Gate

Over the weekend the husband and I got to celebrate with a few friends for San Francisco's main gal. That's right, the Golden Gate bridge is a lady and oh was she on full display Sunday for her 75th anniversary. After munching and sipping home brewed beer, we walked across the lawn for the main event {talk about an awesome location!} and starting oohing with the rest of the crowd. The sky was filled with beautiful hues that lingered in the ocean breeze making it the perfect evening for a 3 day weekend.

images by our designed life

Tasty snacks

Over the weekend the husband treated us to a few sweet treats and handed over a bag of these tasty morsels from Peasant Pies. I pass by this place almost daily and after a year we finally gave them a whirl...and oh man were they good. Serving both savory and sweet pies- meat filled and even a few vegan, this place has a little something for everyone. I think the only problem was that they were so itty bitty....I could have easily put away two by myself! There are currently 3 locations throughout San Francisco, so go grab yourself a snack to go and take a walk through the beautiful city.

image by our designed life

Lomography fun

Last week the husband and I made it downtown to the Lomography gallery store for a few margaritas and to welcome that brightly colored beauty into the world of fun photography. I've been wanting to get my hands on a fun analog piece and thanks to a good buddy who gets to work and play with these all day I got to snap a few shots around the store...can't wait to see how they turn out! There are so many fun options to choose from when it comes to film cameras I simply can't decided which one I want, though I think I'm leaning more towards something instant. Not in the area? You can get your hands on all kinds of film related fun over in the online shop too!

images via ocondesign and lomography 

Walking

Spring is definitely in the air and yesterday while walking through the park I caught a glimpse of mother nature at its finest with a flurry of light pink petals floating through the air.

Metronomy madness

Last week as part of the husbands birthday gift we made it across the city in a torrential downpour to feast our eyes on the creativeness that is Metronomy. And lets just say they did not disappoint. After shaking off pounds of water and wading through a sold out crowd of slightly damp folks, we scored a front row spot right in front of my favoritest band member {Gbenga, the super cool base player} and got our dance on. Now, if you haven't heard of them its ok, as of a year ago I hadn't either but now they are always on my go to list of bands that deserve some round the clock play time. Self described as "a little bit electronic, a little bit guitary", this England born band is crazy addicting.  And love this live and acoustic version of the look, they make it look so darn effortless! I would highly reccomend trying to check them out live, not only do you get a way cool light show but Oscar, the keyboardist is a sight to see just on his own. 

Hey, cookie!

Last week while the husband and I were out and about celebrating a friends birthday at The Homestead we came across Hey, cookie an adorable little lady 'delivering homemade treats to your favorite spot in the park or pub'. That's right, a cookie delivery! And lets just say at 1:30 in the morning it was a welcoming surprise to  get a handmade vegan cookie, bar side. So for all you locals, be sure to check out the whereabouts of the charming Christa on twitter, it was quite the tasty cookie.

photo via hey cookie

Dibs!

These San Francisco tiled cupcakes are pretty sweet don't you think? The image may be a little hard to decipher for those who don't get to wait forever at bus stops like me, but its pretty darn accurate. Made by Cups and cakes bakery for a San Francisco meet up, I left my heart in inner sunset.

found via sfist, photo via cups and cakes bakery

Surrounded by talent

I am always blown away by the art that comes out of my friends though I shouldn't be, they are all incredible in their own ways. And thanks to the many ways of documentation and online sharing, I have got to share my dearest buddy's work. We've been friends for nearly forever... high school that is, and after years of living in different cities and states we are finally within 30 minutes of hanging out and I am so stoked. With cameras in hand {he's been known to travel with a backpack filled with cameras and loads of film} Jared is able to capture life's moments at any given time. After perusing his Flickr account I just had to share this shot from the Oakland occupy movement, such wonderful color and contrast. There is just something about film that makes me smile just a little bigger, compared to digital it just feels more 'artsy'. So go check out his work, a few of my favorites are Worlds largest pillow fight, Unintentional MX and Small city.

And, I had no idea these even existed, so glad I scrolled through all Jared's photos because its my husband! The three of us took a morning trip out to ocean beach and had fun shooting the scenery. I love love love these images. The grain is due to the film being underexposed but I think it gives it a very raw and gritty feeling. It somehow captures the morning cold perfectly. Thanks Jared for being such an inspiration, now all I want to do is snap away in my neighborhood. 

photo via jared elizares

Morning colors

Yesterday the husband called me outside as he was leaving for work to look at the amazing sky and I couldn't believe the color. At about 7:10 the sky was alive with color and shape I just had to run into the house to grab the camera. Nature at its finest.

I lightened the above photo to show the church detail but the bottom is untouched! The sky looked like cotton candy with its pinks and blues.

photos for our designed life

Early morning

Over the weekend the husband and I decided to wake up super early and watch the lunar eclipse. At 5:45 AM I opened up the bedroom blinds and could see the moon nice and clear from the bed! It took us about 5 minutes to decide to drive on up to the highest point in our neighborhood to check it out and my goodness the view was breath taking. We stood up there for almost an hour (the poor dog gave up 40 mins in and demanded to be held it was that cold!), if you've never gotten up early to look up in the sky its a very surreal moment, especially if you live in a big city.  And always being the ones to go against the crowd, while everyone was oohing and awing over the moon, we were fixed in the other direction watching the sun rise. Pretty, don't you think?

photo by our designed life