Toss Totes!

In order to motivate myself to run yesterday, I decided Chestnut street would be my destination. What's more motivating that shopping right? I probably would have gone over anyway, but this way I get a workout in too!

One of my absolute favorite shops (probably in the city) is Toss.  They're known primarily for their fun, colorful tote bags, but their shops also carry a lot of preppy home decor and clothing. It's one of the only places in San Francisco I can find anything Vineyard Vines.  Their bags are adorable and can be used for anything from grocery shopping to a weeklong vacation!
Some of my favorite styles:

Newport Overnighter

Bar Harbor Tote

Expander Tote in Portofino

Their beach and market totes are great too and then come in SO many preppy colors and patterns. You can even purchase a stick on embroidered monogram to personalize it (I have an 'A' one on my computer).

I am very excited about their new canvas line that you can order monogrammed!! This one is definitely on my wish list for fall!

 

If you're not lucky enough to live out on the west coast, they also have an online store here with all there bags and some fun accessories! Happy Shopping!

Happy Weekend!

Hello Lovelies! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend soaking up the last few moments of summer!
I have a weekend full of making to-do lists (for some home improvements), a 4 mile run (haven't quite decided if that's happening today or tomorrow), a trip to the Gap (um, Friends and Family Sale!) and hopefully some beach time!

Thursday Tumbls

Here are some of my favorite "tumbls" from this week!

Cute dress, lovely flowers, sassy pose :)

Chicago? at night, from the sky

Sparkly 'Morning After' Kate Spade Pumps

Love the classic, pale blue monogram

Holiday in Spain

It's so hard to believe that it was already a month ago that I was wandering the streets of Marrakech on the other side of the world!

Everytime we needed a reality check my friend E and I would look at eachother and say: "Um, we're in Africa." It was postively beautiful, in it's own way of course, There was a huge culture shock as it is considered a developing country, but what I couldn't get over (for Spain as well) was how rich in history these places were. The streets I was walking on were the same streets that people walked on hundreds of years ago AND the buildings and the architecture were, for the most, the same as well.
America just doesn't have that history.

Our itinerary was 17 days of craziness, but worth every moment.

4 days Marrakech -> 2 days in Barcelona -> 12 hours in Pamplona -> 2 day in San Sebastian -> 2 more days in Barcelona -> 4 days in Madrid

Pamplona and Madrid definitely top the list of favorite places, San Sebastian was beautiful but I spent 1 day sick and 1 day sunburned to a crisp so my associations are a little biased :)

Here are a few snapshots:

Tea Service on the Dejemaa al fna

Mosque on the walk back to our Riad

Colorful wall at Jardin Majorelle

Much needed Beach time in San Sebastian

Plaza del Toro in Pamplona

Meringue as big as my head from a Patisserie in San Sebastian

The Lord's Prayer in Latin at Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia

An alleyway off La Plaza Major in Madrid

And, of course, a Flamenco Show to top it all off!

Monday Inspiration

I've been fully inspired by the Monthly Goals that Teddi (aka the JGIWC) posts on her blog! I don't quite have a full list put together yet, but there is something I've been thinking about doing for a while and I think I might be ready to make public knowledge.....

Me (circa 2009) at the finish line  with my Tiffany Necklace

Back in April I was playing with the idea of registering for Nike Women's Half-Marathon for a second time. I ran it back in 2009 and I'm sure it's the funnest half out there! The training process was hard, but the day-of there is so much positive, team energy. Women come from all over the country to do it and thus it sells out every year! And nothing is more motivating than a Tiffany Necklace waiting to be handed to you by a Fireman when you cross the finish line! Anyway, I got caught up in work and trip planning and, needless to say, the registration (or the running) never happened. 

Last year I volunteered with the Junior League, at the St. Jude's US Half Marathon which is the first weekend of November and an absolutely gorgeous run through the Marina of San Francisco. Now that things have settled down after my trip, I'm feeling more confident in committing to running it. 

So.....I'm happy to announce my August goal is to start training for the US Half in November! 

Shape Magazine has a great training plan on their website and it's starting today! I'm doing the beginner plan since I haven't done anything besides the Bar Method since....um....well I don't even remember :)

Wish me luck! I'll definitely keep you updated on the process!

Bubbles {& Bitters}

One of my absolute favorite things about my Europe trip was the drinking culture. It's so normal to have a glass of wine with lunch, another one or 2 for happy hour and casual drink a bottle while enjoying good food and conversation at dinner. There's no rush, it's just simply there to enhance the magic of everyday life.
Needless to say we drank a lot of alcohol, but we struggled to find a drink or a wine that wasn't too sweet.  After a little googling last weekend for an 'american' drink for an Opening Ceremony party I was going to I believe I've found the perfect summer drink!

The Americana

served on ice, in a Collins Glass

1/2oz of  Makers Mark

3 dashes of Bitters

chilled Champagne

Garnish with a Peach Slice

Olympic Love

I arrived home from my European/Moroccan adventure last weekend and dove right into Olympic Fever. I've suddenly found myself not only fascinated by everything from gymnastics to road biking.
I've never been anywhere near 'sporty' in my life. I played soccer when I was 4 and remember coming home sobbing because I was covered in mud from the spring grass. I gave it another try freshman year of high school, but after realizing you need actual skill to play in high school, quit.

I do, however, have an appreciation for the dedication and perseverance of these athletes! The citibank (?) commercial comes to mind with the athlete voice overs of "I haven't watched tv in 2 years" and "I haven't had a dessert since I was 10." I guess with great sacrifices (of things I don't think I could go a week without) come great accomplishments and it's quite inspiring to watch! So much so I'm considering starting to train for another half marathon....but I'll have to keep you updated on how long that lasts :)

Mr. Colwill sporting his Ralph Lauren Pull Over

Another that comes with the territory of watching human beings in peak physical condition everyday on TV is a crush. In Beijing my Olympic crush was Chris Colwill of the diving team (I may have even facebook friended him). He is back this year, but considering I've given it 4 years and it hadn't turned into anything I thought I should move on.



There is no doubt that Mr. Lochte tops almost all American single woman's list with those piercing blue eyes that pair so nicely with an, oh so preppy, Ralph Lauren polo. Now don't get me wrong here, I'm #teamlochte all the way; I just think the way he's handled his wins hasn't been exactly gentleman-like and he definitely lost some points with me.

.

 

Luckily, I was able to catch some men's indoor volleyball on Saturday morning and Matt Anderson caught my eye. And coming in at 6' 9' makes him the epitome of tall, dark and handsome.
I'm fully committed to Mr. Anderson being my 2012 Olympic crush. Go Team USA!