LINKS ; JOAN DIDION & TOO MUCH DIY

Jessica Hopper has always been one of my role models, doing real music journalism in the so-called "boy's world" of rock. Reading her praise Joan Didion (also way up there on my list of girlcrushes) was the highlight of my day.

Iced coffee is easy, yo, but it's more than just plopping ice cubes in regular coffee.

The Pomodoro Technique reminds me of polyphasic sleeping (I've never tried either). Wonder if it'd really keep me focused..?

Reason #234978 to love Mason jars - keeps a good layered salad fresh (and makes for good photos)!

Seriously trying this next time with my smartphone addict friends (myself now included, what with my brand new iPhone): put your phones in the middle of the table at dinner, & whoever caves first picks up the tab.

I can't do legit DIY to save my life, even 'easy' ones, but it's always nice to have options.

Oh yes, we judge books by their covers. And these are probably all great reads as well.

LINKS ; THE NEW TARTINE & JUSTIN BIEBER

In an effort to push myself to blog more I thought it'd be nice to regularly post random articles and videos and such from around the web, because I like to share but more to keep track for myself. Here goes!

William Werner, the chef behind up-and-coming bakery Craftsman & Wolves, shares his favorite Mission spots. By the way, can't wait to try his place. It's being hailed as "the new Tartine" & hopefully it'll make both a little less crowded.

Soooo the new Justin Bieber album dropped today. The Drake track is pretty sweet (more for Drake than Bieber), but all the other collabs are pretty cringeworthy ("all I need is a beauty & a beat"?) Whatever, "Boyfriend" is still the best track, #noshame.

What to look forward to (dread?) in my 20s, and what to do when I'm bitching about it.

I'm always crazy late in discovering good blogs...here are two I only came across today: Conundrum & Design Love Fest.

Sneak peek at the Alexa Chung for Maje campaign. The photos perfectly encapsulate '60s Nouvelle Vague film. Love.

Events around NYC:
6/18 - 6/24: Malaysia Restaurant Week (come to me Fatty Crab)
6/19 - 6/24: J.Crew sample sale!
6/22 - 7/1: Photoville at the Brooklyn Bridge Park


bg photo | aubrie pick ; sf eater

GUIDE ; THE MISSION DISTRICT - ROUND ONE.

In my down time I like reviewing places on Yelp, mostly because I love recommending good eats and stores to as many people as possible (and also sipping major haterade on the subpar ones). Once that was enough, but recently I've been thinking I should organize these thoughts in some way, so here goes a test drive.

The Mission District is one of my favorite places, both in San Francisco and out. It was the first place I went to after venturing out of tourist-centric spots such as Union Square and Pier 39. Sure, the escalator ride emerging out of the BART station really gives a wrong (scary) impression, but walking up a block will lead you to some of the city's best boutiques and restaurants as well as Dolores Park, a hipster haven.  Here are my five essential pit stops.

Candystore Collective - For unique goods made by local San Franciscan artists, visit Candystore Collective on 16th and Albion. Jewelry is truly one-of-a-kind here and you can be ensured of its quality, although items are on the pricier side. I frequently buy handmade cards here - even though they're $5 a pop, the intricate typography and cute illustrations can't be bought at your local Walgreens.

Clarion Alley - Tucked away in a narrow alley on 17th and Mission is a full block of colorful, inspiring street art perfect for an afternoon photoshoot. Stroll through to see political activist murals alongside cute animals or neon geometric prints. This is the best place to take any tourist, whether it be your camera-happy parents or your best friend from home.

Community Thrift Store - If The Mission is your area of choice to go shopping, be ready to take on some intense thrift shopping. Amidst lots of junk are some great finds to be had. I rarely have the patience to sift through all the clothes but the store has a great selection of frames, kitchenware, and old books. Be sure to donate your items here as well: you can donate the proceeds to your charity of choice!

El Farolito - The Mission District is known for the Mission Burrito, of course. There are a slew of Mexican joints to feed your appetite and locals are constantly divided on which one's the best. My personal favorite (along with over 2000 Yelp reviewers who rated it an average of 4.5 stars) is El Farolito, a dirty but authentic joint right next to the 24th St. Mission BART station. The carne asada is incredibly tender and flavorful, and any burrito will satiate your appetite - and your wallet. 

Painted Bird - Painted Bird on 24th and Valencia looks just like all the other expensive boutiques lining Valencia Street, but there's one big difference -- most of the inexpensive, trendy pieces you'll find here are under $50. The racks are organized by color for an aesthetically pleasing experience, and they have multiple fitting rooms as well. Find a chunky cream knit sweater for $9 or a real fur store for $30, and be sure to browse their shoe collection.

photo | candystore collective

MUSE ; WHY, WHY NOT?

Eight months. Eight months that you've looked at this blog in passing, dismissing writing something because it's been too long, because it takes too much effort, because you forgot how, because you have nothing to write about that you want to share on the internet, because you don't need to write.

It's always hard to start again, but the day comes. Maybe it's some external force that makes you realize the world around you is writing, writing, and yet you come home after a long day and just waste time on Youtube before letting your computer slide down from your lap while you fall asleep. Maybe it's something inside you, missing what used to flow out of your mind, marveling at the words you used to write, words that aren't too impressive but seem pretty damn impressive to you who hasn't written in a long, long time.

You think you'll forget to write. You don't forget. What you do keep forgetting is that all it takes is the will to start again. It doesn't need to be good. Hell, it isn't good. But you have started, and that is enough.

You say you have nothing to write about. This is no diary, and you would never want it to be. Your days of teenage angst are past and you're either in a state of emotional apathy or it's too much to share in public. You want to pour it all out, but only the things you want to share. And what does that even leave you? You neglect to think of the little things - the way you're glued to your iPhone camera lately, how meeting new people makes you feel, why you think you need a new pair of heels. Things that seem mundane, things you wouldn't remember on your own, but nevertheless things you'll want to remember someday.

And that's why you write, despite the laziness beckoning you not to. You write to remember, to look back, to never forget.

photo | miyawichawa ; flickr