Local Edition: Lands End Trail to Baker Beach & the Golden Gate Bridge

Due to the fact that we've had some abnormal weather the past several weeks DH and I have had the ability to spend more time outside wandering our city. One of our favorite weekend activities is to just start walking and see where we end up, sometimes stopping for a bite along the way.

This past Saturday we took the 38L to the last stop at Lands End and decided to trek to the Golden Gate bridge. Along the way we found a labyrinth, took in stunning views of the ocean and the coast, and enjoyed the sunshine. And the best part? Aside from the bus fare our trek was completely free.

The Lands End trail starts near the Sutro bath ruins, which are a sight to be seen themselves. Once used as a private bath house until it burned down in 1966 offer great views of the Pacific.

We started the trail and from there encountered Eagle Point and the labyrinth and watched a cargo boat on on the horizon get closer and closer until it passed under the Golden Gate.

From there, we kept on the trail until we cut over at the Legion of Honor and through Sea Cliff (amazing houses with even better views!) until finally reaching Baker Beach - a place I've been wanting to go to. We watched crabbers and fishermen, tourists playing in the sun, and walked the length of the beach before continuing to the Golden Gate.

And once we reached the bridge itself, we crossed to almost the first tower before we stopped to watch the sunset go down.

Yeah, so I might be a little obsessed with how photogenic the bridge is, especially around twilight. We finished our trek off with a burger dinner (we thought we deserved it) at one of our favorite burger spots, Barneys Burgers.

If you go: 

Easy access to Lands End & it's the trail, Sutro baths, and the Cliffhouse via the 38L Geary bus.

Barneys Burgers Marina: 3344 Steiner St between Lombard and Chestnut.

Favorite things

Things lately have been so busy - in fact I can't even believe that we are almost at the 90 day mark to the wedding countdown. Where does the time go?! Even though we are knee-deep in May here's some things I've been loving lately..

All shades of blue:

Blouse and skirt: JCrew, Cardigan: Banana Republic, Shoes: Anthropologie

Legging jeans and blazer: Gap, Lace shell: Banana Republic, Scarf: H&M (thanks mom!)

Ladybugs in my in the back garden near my windows..




This leopard print blouse from Zara:
 

The JCrew biennal satchel I picked up on uber sale...

Seattle for 24 hours with my future MIL to meet the President...

And that's about it! It's Friday, the sun is out, it's also payday, and I can't complain!

What are some of your favorite things as of late?

 

Weekend Review

A little hard to believe that its already 7:20 on Sunday night - where did this weekend go?  Here's some shots from this weekend...

My friend Nikki walking the runway at a Mary Kay/White House Black Market event. Her hair and dress were outstanding!

Pretty pumps that may or may not have hitched a ride home in a shopping bag...

My work outfit on Fridayin the newest section of my office. Sweater and striped buttondown, Madewell. Jeans and shoes, Banana Republic.

Hipstamatic photos from a bar called The Owl's Nest on Friday night with friends. Loved the lighting in the place!

 Not quite sure what's better than a Louis Vuitton cupcake... If only all cupcakes came with a Vuitton bag as a cherry on top then I'd be happy!

Grey suede pumps that may or may not have also stolen into my bag today.... decisions! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend - January is almost over! I'm so excited to move toward another new month and see what February has in store. Plus... its a short month, the super bowl is coming up, and how about that Jason Wu collection for target that's being released on Sunday? (Get ready ladies, I'm first in line!)

Weekend photo replay

Some photos that I snapped this weekend... the first three are from my massive walk on Saturday morning throughout Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach, Telegraph Hill, and the Embarcadero.

I love sidewalk art... little reminders to be happy and smile

There was some major pollination going on at the top of the hill...

I loved this perfect pink little rose hiding on the stairs to Coit Tower

The last one is how Rosie got her nickname Chomps...

Watch out, she'll chomp your feet..

Also in big news we're about to sign our wedding contract for August 11, 2012! I can feel the stress leaving my shoulders as I type this. The next big thing I want to knock out right away is our photographer.

So that's about it for now - I can't believe July is already coming to a close and August is knocking on our doors. Odd to think that I'll be 27 in a month - jeesh that sounds... old. :O

Happy Monday!

The Challenge.

While stumbling around various blogs that I read and following links to others I found the blog of Kendi Lea. I was immediately drawn to her awesome outfits, whimsy accessories and loved her commentary. And then I spotted her challenge - 30 for 30. You take 30 items from your closet (coats and accessories excluded) and remix them into 30 outfits for 30 different days. Oh, and no clothes shopping.

Holy cow - no shopping? How will you ever survive! you are probably asking. But... for some reason... I think I'll be okay. My closet has grown to a beastly proportion and I think by shopping it more often and remixing items that I'll not only curb my shopping hunger but learn to appreciate what I have.

So - here's my question to you. Are you in?

Kendi Everyday: Announcing...

And so this post kinda stays on track with my photo theme - I saw this while walking around potrero hill the other day. I thought it was pretty so I snapped a photo. It kinda made my day. Also - for anyone in the bay area - Arch drafting on Missouri and 17th is one of the coolest stores I've ever been in. I'll have to go back when I have more time and just wander. And when I have money, too.

Anyway. Still thinking long and hard about a few things... hopefully more on that later.

Have a great Thursday!

overpass

You know, there are just some days when you are wandering around, nose to the floor thinking 'what the heck am i doing?' (okay, perhaps you don't have those days but i do). And then you just stumble upon something that makes you feel better - its like someone is watching out for you and there's a bit of a lightbulb moment. That somehow, someway, it's going to be okay.

Such was my fate yesterday on my lunch break after a particularly rough week. Blaring Taylor Swift through my iphone and just walking to get out of the office i looked down and spotted this attached to the side of an overpass. In the greyness of an overpass in one of the most industrial parts of the city protrudes an antique looking photoframe, spraypainted bright red and with blue paper revealing something that i just so badly needed to hear "Where there's a will, there's a way". Strike me down on the spot - was there a stranger looking out for me? Seeing this girl who seems sad and needing a pick-me-up that even a cupcake couldn't handle was this reminder, glaring at me and saying "Hey, look down, look at me!".

So i did what any other person who may have stumbled on this before - whipped out the iphone and snapped a photo because sometimes you really just need a reminder that this, whatever it is, is worth fighting for. That even though today sucks - and tomorrow might look bleak too, you gotta just keep on chugging.

Yes, my anonymous friend - where there's a will, there is a way.

And happy friday to anyone out there in internet land who happens to be reading. :)

Home.

My city by the bay. I don't think I could ever get tired of this. Embarcadero with piers stretching out its wooden fingers to touch the water, if you squint hard enough it looks as if it goes on forever. Rollerbladers, walkers, dogs galore, a never ending hustle that extends from one part of the city to another, ballpark and peanuts, popcorn, hot dots and fly balls to the crazy bustle of the wharf with tourists wandering in various directions, come get your clam chowder and did you see the size of that fish?

Mr bay bridge, constantly with cars streaming across it in and out of the city, such a sight to behold on dark clear nights with downtown twinkling, rows upon rows of city streets lit up and racing up and down hills, faster and longer until they eventually flow so high up you can't see them come down the other side.

A bow and arrow straight to your heart trying to keep you here even though if i had the chance i doubt i would leave.

taken with iphone 3gs hipstamatic app.