Craziest thing I did all weekend (and in the last ten years maybe) - plus videos!

On Sunday, for a dear friend's bachelorette party, we went to Trapeze Arts in Oakland for some crazy good fun.


We started off harmlessly enough - a long round of stretches on the ground.  The instructors were very patient and moved us slowly but surely from one thing to another.  They had us first practice hanging from our knees on a stationary trapeze, very close to the ground.  Then, they had us practice our takeoffs, but on the ground.  Takeoff posture is very important to ensuring a good launch.

Then, the platform.  40 feet in the air!  This is where I got really nervous.  I don't know if you remember having to jump from the high dive during swimming lessons as a kid, but that terror--it was exactly the same. Even with the net, and the safety ropes, and the assurance that Jake would let us down easy if we landed incorrectly (which I did--multiple times) instead of letting us "eat it" facedown on the net.  We practiced swinging, bringing our legs up, hanging by our knees, arching our backs, and finally landing on our backs.

I sat out the second trick (simple backflip) - the first two runs really shook me up.  But I did the last trick, the "catch," where Hans, this beefy guy who has probably been trapezing for decades, swung on another trapeze and caught us as we arched our backs and held our hands outstretched.

If you're looking for a thrill but haven't quite worked up the nerve to go bungee jumping, sky-diving, or base-jumping...trapezing may be a fun and ALMOST TOTALLY SAFE alternative for you.

Below, there's 1) a video of the bachelorette backflipping like a pro, 2) Jake showing us how flying trapeze is really done, and 3), me doing the catch, though you have to fast-forward to 0:51 because there is a lot of downtime at the beginning of the vid.

A Test of Efficiency/Efficacy: Diary of sh*t I bought in the last 4 months.

Posted simultaneously to wearability.posterous.com.

I feel like I'm spilling all my secrets. 

Don't think for one minute that, with all my mooning about beautiful shoes and things, I somehow lose track or control of my spending or, as I've heard some people say, "have nothing to show for it."  Au contraire, I know exactly where every penny has gone and try to make purchases through careful deliberation (doesn't always work, of course).

I definitely make mistakes - I'm still a fledgling shopper, still learning the ropes, still buying things I regret later (or immediately).  I know it will take some time, but what I'm really working towards is developing my taste, my ability to quickly assess fit, style, quality, and value--understanding what I like and what I don't like, what works and what won't, slowly getting more confident making this assessment, and slowly becoming faster at it.  

I've come a long way in the last few years--it all started when I realized that I was a) buying pretty stuff I didn't wear and b) not wearing it out of laziness, defaulting to jeans and t-shirts, and, even worse, c) not wearing it because I lacked confidence/self esteem.  I realized I didn't wear half the stuff I bought because I did not like calling attention to myself.  I have been very lucky to have always worked in offices that allow a lot of room for creativity.  I realized that if I could work up the nerve to pull off some of the stuff I bought, and get used to the attention it would bring, perhaps that gumption would seep into other areas of my life.  I also realized that it would be fun to to approach style as another form of self-expression.  As Garry tells me, "wear it and hold your head up!"

I digress.

As I said, I keep close tabs on my credit card statement, the wad of receipts in my wallet, and the accumulation of "stuff" around my room.  I thought it might be a good exercise to do a recap/roundup of what I bought in the last few months, much of which you may have seen on this blog, along with my thoughts on each item.

April: Some may remember I gave up shopping for Lent.  As soon as Easter came, I bought stuff. A crapton of it.
  • Yellow bag: My first real-leather handbag.  From Marshall's. Besides being a steal, I use it almost every day.  Definite winner.
  • World According to Jess "crossword" case: It is a fantastic overnighter.  I love the separate compartment on the bottom for shoes.
  • Black hoodie, gray sweater, blue top from the Gap: The hoodie replaced one that was falling apart and will come in handy as soon as autumn hits.  The gray sweater I ruined in the dryer - but at least it was only $10 and may make some cozy armwarmers.  The blue top I absolutely love.
  • Shoshanna floral print dress: Huge mistake.  It is sized a true 4 (as opposed to the generous sizing at most chain stores), so I can't even zip it up.  I can't decide if I want to donate it, resell it, try to alter it to fit me, or lose a crapton of weight.
  • Franco Sarto clogs: I love them.  They were totally affordable, the grommets on the side add edge to any outfit, and they are so versatile!
  • RSVP silver sandals: They served their purpose (my friend's wedding).  At $13, does it really matter if I ever wear them again?
  • Frye lace-up boots: One of my most expensive shoe purchases to date.  I like them a lot, but still can't figure out how to wear them. (Help!)
May: This was a month of scouring eBay and traveling.
  • Cotton "tropical toile" sundress: I bought this dress from the fantastic Moule in the Pearl District of Portland, a fantastic purchase from an amazing retail store.  It was a one-of-a-kind sample, made either by Rachel Mara or Michelle Mason (the designer later decided to turn the design into a top instead of a dress).  It has a balloon-y silhouette, is light as air, and I love everything from the pattern of the toile to the black bands that define it at the top and bottom.  The icing on the cake was that it was heavily discounted, and there's no sales tax in Portland.  Score.
  • Black fedora: a random buy at the Saturday Market in Portland.  I like the way it looks/fits but have not figured out where on earth I can wear it with a straight face.
  • Vintage Selby loafers: From one of my favorite sellers on Etsy.  At $10 they were a steal, and I love the extra-long tongues and little gold hardware.
  • Vintage striped secretary blouse: It was also a steal, but it's a bit shapeless.  I need to figure out how to wear it without looking like a referee or a flight attendant.
  • Random jewelry: All purchased on eBay.  You all witnessed the deliberation over the owl, but the blue orchid was an unexpected find, and I was surprised at how much I love that splash of blue against everything.  The bracelets are fine, not super excited about them.
  • Custom pencil skirt from Louise Hedley: I was disappointed with the purchase and ended up giving the Etsy seller neutral feedback (she was very nice/lovely to work with but the color and fit was just not what I expected based on the item description).  Haven't worn it out but maybe one of these days.  Not worth the $ at all.
June: Showed a bit more restraint this month.
  • Plaid "farmer girl" shirt: I can't for the life of me remember the name of the designer even though I chatted with her for a few minutes atSF's Indie Mart.  She very cleverly cuts off the sleeves of things and arranges them in flower patterns on the chest.  I was debating between this and a vest made out of a repurposed blazer, but Garry was right that I would wear this more.  I do, and I love it!
  • Eva Brann cream crochet cardigan: It was the one thing I wanted to buy in all of Beacon Hill when I visited Boston last month.  The preppy, yacht-club style of New England does not jive with me.  I was surprised to find this unexpectedly romantic piece at Boutique Eskil.  It was expensive, but it's beautiful, you can't go wrong with a pretty white cardigan, and there's no sales tax in Boston.  Score.
July:  So far.  This does not include the sh*t I ordered last week from Anthro.  Including the enchanting dark bouquet dress.
  • Look from London plaid tights: The only thing at Jeremy's SF worth buying.  Sushmita and I thought Jeremy's was like a big, disorganized, and appallingly expensive version of Ross.  There were very few good deals to be had, and the selection was awful.  But I salvaged the day with this quirky find - they are super comfortable and lots of fun (and not pricey!).
  • Emily Katz "wish" top: One of the very few things I was moved to buy at the giant DIY flea market that was the Renegade Craft Fair.  Not only was this sample hugely discounted, but I got to chat with Emily herself for a while.  I'll be featuring her in a later post.
  • Elie Tahari snakeskin sandals: You already know all about this one.  They fit all right, but one major negative is that the slingback slips so easily off my heels.  I don't know if I should try to return them, if I just need to break them in, if I should get some kind of heel insert, or if I just need to totter around like a deer in them.

We're all "sheeple" apparently

via xkcd.com

Be honest... how often have you thought this exact same thought?

me: I'm a yupster. it's different. yuppies shop at pottery barn and crate and barrel.  i, on the other hand, am a unique and wonderful snowflake.
Stephen (my brother): contrary to popular belief, you are the same as everyone
me: am not. i am a snowflake.
Stephen: i am not a snowflake
me: what are you then
Stephen: a space monkey
me: ...you're a monkey?

On sale: "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster

SFgirlbybay, one of the many awesome home design blogs that are filling that large Domino-sized hole in my heart, got a mention in NYTimes and is celebrating by offering all her "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters at 20% off.  These posters have become rather ubiquitous, kind of like the rabid popularity the "For Like Ever" poster from vllg.com enjoyed a couple years ago.  

I like the poster a lot, and the only reason I hesitated was because of its very ubiquity, and also because I'm a bit of an anglo-phobe (maybe a more accurate term is imperialist-phobe).  I calmed down a bit after reading the history of the original poster (developed as a propaganda slogan during WWII Britain) here.

At any rate, you can't deny the ingenious, appealing graphic design and the pop of color.  My problem is I can't decide which color to get!

You can get a poster for yourself at SFgirlbybay's etsy shop.

Posted simultaneously to homing.posterous.com.

Reverse Jailbait: Taylor Lautner in Interview Magazine

How many ways do I love thee?? Let me count the ways:

1. Love how you are so humble - the more days pass the more down to earth you seem
2. Love how you bob your head to some far away music
3. Love those natural canines of yours
4. Love the way you talk about fans
5. Love the way you always seem to find words with out stuttering or running your hands through the hair
6. Love the way your skin must feel *sigh*
7. Love the way you smile at every sentence
8. Love the way you look at someone from under your lashes
9. Love the way you seem so Jacob-like with out any effort
10. Love the way you just seem so easy going, friendly and absolutely JAILBAIT for us!

via newmoonmovie.org

That was a comment from an eager (presumably over-age) Twilight fan about the new interview that surfaced from Interview Magazine. I appreciate the not-so-subtle jab at the film's other heartthrob, Rob Pattinson, who always seems to "stutter" and run his hands through his hair. TEAM JACOB all the way.

I am watching this and trying not to think inappropriate thoughts as in the opening sentence, he lets the world know just how young and fresh-faced he is.

Foodie Tuesday: Pupusas

It's been a LONG while since my last Foodie Tuesday.  Again, this is where I talk about some relatively obscure food, or food-related topic, that is nevertheless delicious.  

Right now I'd like to highlight the pupusa.  Those who live in places with lots of Salvadoreans (e.g. the Mission in SF or close to downtown/Koreatown in LA) know what I'm talking about.  It's got to be one of the most ingenious food inventions (besides the burrito): the best way to describe it is a pan-fried corn pancake stuffed with cheese, or some mix of cheese and meat, or cheese and veggies.  Such a neat little package that packs such a tasty punch.  And yes, it's a specialty of El Salvador, often served with a kind of pickled cole slaw.

When it's done wrong, a pupusa is too-greasy, mealy, bland, limp, or burned.  When it's done right, a pupusa can be transcendent.  

One of my favorite places to get a pupusa is this tiny hole-in-the-wall on the outskirts of the Mission/Bernal Heights called Los Panchos, just up the street from Mi Lindo Peru and Good Frikin Chicken.  I discovered it completely by accident, probably because the wait was so long at Mi Lindo Peru that I had to find a snack to tide me over.  Their pupusas are phenomenal - thick and greasy with meat, oozing cheese, and full of flavor.  

Another place I found recently, further down on Mission at Richland, is Balompie Cafe No. 03 (I guess the first two were THAT popular) where the $2 pupusas are practically as good, and you can watch the lady make them in her skillful and nimble fingers and chat with the guy at the register.  Here's a video I took of the lady at Balompie stuffing pupusas:

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY TO ALL...

via wondercomments.com

...and to all a good day!

Bastille Day is one of those foreign holidays I inexplicably get excited about every year. Maybe because one of my fondest memories of, of all places, NYC, was browsing Bastille Day street stalls in the Upper East Side, buying a big bowlful of moules et frites (mussels and french fries) and settling down on a grassy island median in the middle of Park Ave. and eating it with friends.

That was the summer of 2002, a legendary summer!