#ootd

so, the other day i had to finally cave and google #ootd. i swore to myself i'd figure it out on my own, but too much time passed for me to still be in the dark about this recurring hashtag {since we live in a hashtag universe, now don't we?}.

well, dolls, if you needed a little help like i did cracking this acronym, it stands for outfit of the day. thank you, atlantic-pacific, pink peonies, and sterling style for teaching me the ropes of a fashion blogger.

i decided to take a stab at it myself today. and while i am not up to par to the greats, and this isn't necessarily a fashion or style blog, i thought, well, why not? i did like what i styled this afternoon {and i did win best dressed in high school, after all. i miss those days of matching socks and, apparently, much better style}.

here goes... shirt: chambré from urban outfitters. vest: ann taylor loft {of all places!}. belt: gap. pants: DL1961 skinnies in merlot. shoes: sam edelman.

... and there you have it. thanks for letting me have a little fun!

thank you, photographer. photo taken after a lovely saturday brunch at one of my new favorite sf spots: source cafe and prior to crazy holiday union square shopping adventures.

words.

her life really was an open book. blank pages ready to be filled with adventures and read aloud to the world.

use your best words she thought to herself. the kind that leave people never wanting to put you down.

happy weekend, lovlies. may it be filled with beautiful words on those blank pages of yours. xo.

*photo: art installation on columbus and broadway, san francisco, ca -  my instagram.

entranced.

so last night i attended a cooking class and i swear the instructor could have been involved with the kinfolk crew. naturally, i mentioned kinfolk magazine and she knew just the one!

i realized i've been meaning to post about kinfolk for years and have yet to find the chance. well, darlings, with a little cooking class inspiration, today is the day.

i remember stumbling upon this video one slow afternoon a couple years ago and being completely captivated.



kinfolk magazine is an inspirational space for small gatherings and their belief is that eating together is a sacred act meant to be enjoyed.

get entranced by their promo videos for their magazine. breakfast for two is a favorite of mine... lovers, scones, coffee, sunrise, airplanes. i am completely entranced and want to be in that moment.

just right.

this weekend was positively perfect. do you ever have one of those? completely unplanned. every move in the direction that feels just right. well, just right for me started with an acupuncture appointment that helped kick a cold to the curb {more on my feelings on acupuncture at a later date} followed by a cozy, rainy night in and ten hours of sleep. the next two days of just right were filled with...

getting to spend much needed quality time with some of my bests.

a first-time experience at craftsman & wolves in the mish {a must-go!}.

cost plus holiday décor inspiration.

a leisurely whole foods run.

curled up with a brand new book in my reading nook while being devoured by rain.

another night in with a bff, kale salad, and some wedding mags.

my first yoga class in ten days.

a mani pedi date.

energy work.

a sunday night iloveyoulikefamily friends dinner.

weekends like these are my most favorite of all. and saturdays, oh, nothing beats the feeling of a saturday afternoon at your fingertips. i am oh-so-grateful for weekends like these.

*photo on my pin board.

on being brave.

everywhere i turn these days i continue to witness my dearest friends braving it out. seriously, whether it's moving or breakups or separations or new jobs or quitting jobs or death or injuries or new beginnings, i'm blown away how each and every one digs deep to channel their tallest selves to stand up to any tribulation. it's truly inspiring. i can't help but think of this saying...

you are only as good as the company you keep.

true that! let's keep the brave ones, shall we?

i've never pinned myself for being all that brave. small acts of bravery, yes, but big huge leaps, not exactly my forté.

but lately, i'm surprising myself {maybe it's all of this brave company or maybe i'm just a late bloomer}.

i think the best kind of bravery is the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, allowing you to prove yourself wrong. the kind that makes you stop in your tracks and say to yourself, wow! i never knew i was capable.

life can be scary. sometimes we are not completely sure of ourselves {who am i kidding, most of the time we are not completely sure of ourselves!}, but we must roll up our sleeves, trust, and be daring. because usually when we listen to that voice coming from somewhere deep inside of us that says, i can do it, it's right.

*photo credit: lbo photos. an afternoon at treasure island staring back at our city by the bay.

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale.

i try my very best to cultivate innovative, quick and easy recipes, but i always end up with the very basics, or what i'm comfortable with: roasted veggies. so, when a friend introduced me to the spaghetti squash, you can imagine how excited i was. it's like real pasta! but better! it was truly love at first site, spaghetti squash and i. and, is it just me or does it taste the way cake batter smells? {love when that rare aha moment of synchrony happens between your taste buds and your nose - they get each other!}.

on top of it being simple and delicious, making spaghetti squash is so much fun. you feel like you are doing a bit of an arts and crafts project making your very own spaghetti from scratch {in seconds!}.

tonight i was craving something easy, warm, and nutritious due to an impending cold my body continues to fight. so, i put my very own spin on the spaghetti {squash!} by dolling it up with extra veggies and spices.

...voilà!

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 lemon
• olive oil
• kale
• chili flakes
• cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste

cut both ends off of the spaghetti squash. slice in half {long ways down the center - i never know how to properly cut a vegetable!}, remove seeds. fill medium-size bowl with about a half cup of water. place half of spaghetti squash in the bowl and cover with saran wrap. microwave on high for 8 min. repeat the same process with the other half. let cool. once able to handle, scrape the insides of the squash with a fork into a long string-like formation. 

in frying pan, sautée a few handfuls of kale with olive oil and lemon juice.

add to spaghetti squash {... i mean, noodles!}.

season to taste: lemon, olive oil, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

enjoy! the best part is you can add whatever your heart desires to your base of spaghetti squash, the options are endless.

if you are interested in the nutritional benefits of spaghetti squash like i was, you can check them out here. until our next adventure in cooking, goodnight my little chefs!