Hey, Baby 👋🏽

It's been a few years since I've been on here, but I've never able to shut the door. For those who have been following the journey, I took a little detour and moved this site over to Squarespace. I prettied it up, but it sat dormant for years. (Truthfully, I never felt that Squarespace was a site optimized for blogging, so I never really connected with it.) At the same time, I poured most, if not all, of my time and energy building my marketing and consulting business (which is still alive and well, so hit me up, y'all 😏). When I was ready to write again, I decided to write a post or two on Medium (wasn't for me) and finally, I followed the crowd on over to Substack. I'm a naturally curious soul, always wanting to explore, so it's not entirely surprising to me that I'd poke around a new space or two. All the while I wondered, "WHAT AM I DOING?" No other space truly felt like me, which is perhaps why this part of the internet has always been around. Call it an unwillingness to let go, or whatever, but here we are again. 

I told myself that it might be silly to revive this old thing, but that then begs the question, "Silly to whom?" In this life, it's a-ok to start over again, switch things up, and change your mind. Nothing is final and you can pivot as many times as you want or need to. And, if there's one thing about me - I'm always going to switch it up until the vibes are right. 

So with that, let's get into it. 

A lot of folks have been messaging me about my favorite baby things. The baby market is a wild one. There are more choices than ever and so much of it is personal preference. When we were getting ready to welcome our little one, I was honestly so overwhelmed with all the options out there. Thankfully, many friends shared their recommendations with me to help make the process a bit easier. 

Now that our little one is here and we've had 12 weeks to test things out, I'm ready to share all the things that we have loved so far. As a reminder, so much of this will depend on you and your baby, but hopefully this can help some of you narrow down a few things on your list. 

Baby Things

• Bottles: Avent Natural Response Bottles with size 2 nipples. If you are needing to introduce a bottle and are also breastfeeding at the same time, LCs and IBCLCs will all tell you to practice paced bottle feeding to help mimic the flow of the breast. We tried so many different bottles (Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, and Comotomo) and found all of them to be too fast flowing and gas-inducing. And, as a breastfeeding mom, I worried that the fast pace would eventually make him reject the boob. Thankfully, our our IBCLC recommended this one and it was the best fit for us. 
• Bottle Warmer: Avent Baby Bottle Warmer. At first, I didn't think this was a necessity. But, we quickly found that little babes don't like cold bottles, or at least ours didn't. So if you pump, you’ll need a fast warmer for any middle of the night feeds and this one is it.
• Diapers & Wipes: Honest diapers and wipes. In the newborn stage, our baby was a slim little dude. As such, he had trouble filling out anything but the Honest diapers until about 4 weeks. Honest provided the best fit and we liked that they're free of fragrances, chemicals, etc. The wipes have good texture, are super easy to get out of the bag, and make cleaning up a breeze. After the 4-week mark, when our little one was a bit bigger, we made the switch to Huggies for a more affordable option. (We use the plant-based Huggies, which have no harsh chemicals.) Costco brand diapers are also apparently Huggies, so you can buy those to save even more. Water Wipes are also really great wipes if you don’t want to splurge on the Honest ones. We also tried Pampers wipes and diapers and I did not like either at all due to the terrible smell. Plus, it gave our baby diaper rash. Best advice here - only get a few diapers and wipes to start to see what your baby likes. If you get a ton as gifts, I've heard that Target will apparently take back unopened boxes of diapers. So, don't open up everything just yet! 
• Breast Pump: Spectra S1. Best pump around and super easy to use. You’ll likely need to buy some silicone flange inserts because the standard flange size it comes with does not fit the average woman. (And silicone inserts are much gentler than the plastic flanges. I got a cheap box off Amazon with sizes 13-21 and recommend doing the same because your size can change multiple times until your body regulates. Be sure to measure often or see an IBCLC to help ensure you are using the right size for best comfort and maximum output. Using the wrong size not only leads to lower output and discomfort, but possible damage, so save yourselves! 
• Manual Breast Pump: Haaka. Helps to catch milk while breastfeeding, especially in the early days. Make sure you also grab a lid. (I also have the ladybug milk collectors and don't think you need those, unless you leak a TON - plus they're really uncomfortable!)
• Nursing Pillow: BrestFriend. Good back support and comfortable to use once you figuring out your best positions with baby. I really like that it has a little pocket, too, so you can stick your water bottle, burb bibs, or whatever you need in there for easy reach. 
• Onesies: Carters two zip onesies - the easiest thing to put baby in for multiple diaper changes a day.
• Baby Carrier: Artipoppe. Yes, it is the priciest one out there, but it really provides the best back and body support for moms and is the easiest to adjust if you only have one hand and no help. Plus, as a fashion girly, it's nice to get a carrier that feels like me. For context, we also have the Solly wrap (good to use when baby is really small, but takes a lot of practice) and the Ergo Embrace (which Derrick prefers but I thought it was too tough to adjust on my own). We also both tried the Konny and don’t recommend because it's pretty limiting and not always a great fit. 
• Sound Machine: Yogasleep Hush Portable Sound Machine. This was recommended to me and it's a 100% must get. Helps baby sleep at night and once we turn it on, he knows it’s time for bed. (We also have the Hatch Baby Sound Machine, but we keep it in the nursery for now and will transition to that one once he sleeps on his own. It’s kind of better for older babies and kids, anyways.)
• Car Camera: Shynerk Baby Car Mirror. So an actual baby mirror isn’t safe, nor approved by AAA, so we switched to this baby camera. It's simple to set up and tiny, so safer to use than those giant mirrors. 
• Newborn bathtub: Angelcare Baby Bath Support. We use it for sink baths, which saves our backs. It offers great support for baby and doesn’t take up too much space. 
• Burb towels: Gerber Cloth Diapers. Yes, cloth diapers - trust me on this and get one pack for for spit ups! I honestly use these for almost everything and don't even bother with all the other ones we bought. 
• Swaddles: SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddles with Velcro. Sandro is freakishly strong and ripped out of every single cloth swaddle from the time he was in the hospital, lol. These velcro swaddles are the only things that have kept him tight at night. We transitioned to the Dreamland Weighted Sleepsack at ~11 weeks after he started to show signs of rolling and scooting. 
• Baby Bouncer: BabyBjorn. It's pricey, so we got ours secondhand and then just got a new cover for it. It's truly a godsend. Sandro loves it for bouncing and daytime naps. And for whatever reason, it's his favorite place to poop, lol. So if you have a gassy baby, the bouncing and position really helps them to go 😂
• Baby Lounger: SnuggleMe. (Pictured above, lol.) When baby is young, they’re going to need something to sleep in when outside of the bassinet. Sandro loved this when he was in the early weeks, but truly hates it now. You can't get away without one, so if I could do it all over again, I'd probably just get one secondhand and purchase a separate cover like we did with the bouncer. 
• Baby Monitor: Nanit. You don’t need the subscription. We just use it as a monitor while he sleeps. 
• Stroller and Car seats are all personal preference. We have the Nuna Triv and Pipa Rx and LOVE, but it all depends on what you like and need. For SF Bay Area folks, I highly recommend going to Sprout in Marin or SF to test out their wide range of baby strollers before you decide on one. We also got a MomCozy Universal Stroller Organizer, which is super clutch on walks. 
• Cribs are also personal preference, but we have the Nestig Cloud 3-in-1 convertible crib (starts as bassinet, turns into full size crib, then toddler bed). It's great quality, sleek looking, and will last for a long time. 
• Other bits and bobs: Stock up on Aquaphor, you need it for everything. Get a 3 pack of mini diaper spatulas to help apply product on baby’s butt and skin. Saves your hands and you will use it every single time you change a poopy diaper. A Slumberpod was also highly reco’d to me via friends. We haven’t used it yet, but if you plan to travel with baby later on or have grandparents watch baby, this helps them to sleep wherever they go. Instant blackout curtains! If you don't get a changing pad with your diaper bag, the Skiphop Portable Baby Changing Pad is really great. 

For mom:

• FridaMom: FridaMom makes so many great things for mom. I had a vaginal birth and found the peri bottle, disposable underwear, and ice pads to be a godsend. You do not need to bring any of these things to the hospital! Save the space in your hospital bag and use all the stuff they give you there. The hospital gave me a Dermaplast Pain Relief Spray and Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads, which I preferred over the FridaMom foam and liners, so stock up on those if you get them, too. 
• Medela Hydrogel Pads: I liked these better than the FridaMom ones. Necessary if you breastfeed. 
• Nursing Bras: Skims. The most comfortable nursing bras, IMO. Wait until they have a sale and consider sizing up as their items tend to run a bit small. 
• Underwear: Kindred Bravely High Waisted Postpartum Underwear. Very supportive and comfortable.
• Nursing Camis: Ingrid and Isabel Crossover Nursing Camis. Get a 2 pack, if you can. Super comfortable, and  easy on days you don’t want to wear a nursing bra. Wear under anything and you're set. 
• Button-up Nightgowns: I got 3-4 oversized nightgowns towards the end of my pregnancy and have been wearing them ever since. Button ups are pretty necessary if you decide to breastfeed. 
• Dresses: Skims Soft Lounge Long Sleeve Dress: I got two of these and they got me through my pregnancy. Hate to say it, but Skims knows what they're doing. These are so flattering and comfortable. 
• Leggings: Lululemon SHR Align. Size up 2 from your normal size and you'll wear them through your pregnancy and beyond. The material has changed from a year ago (less soft, more compressive), but I still think they're worth the spend. These sell out quickly and often, so keep an eye and be ready to buy when they're back in stock. 

"Do You Know What Today is?"

When I was a tiny tot, I looooved to read and one of the very first books my parents gave me was a beautiful, colorfully-illustrated kid-friendly version of the autobiography of Dr. King. There were even days where dad would play vinyls of Dr. King’s speeches and I’d listen as he talked to me about his own personal experiences.

Every single year, whether he got it off or not, dad would always take today as a personal holiday. And he *always* celebrated it. And every single year, on this day, even though he knew I knew, he’d always call or text & say, “you know what today is, right?”

From a young age, my parents found it important that we talk about race because it was simply something that I couldn’t ignore. It was important to my dad that I knew where I came from & remember that I did not get to where I am now on my own.

Today is an important day of celebration & remembrance in my household and I hope that it’s not just another day off for you. Honor, reflect, and find ways that you can make yourself of service today & every day.

Be Water

I've been having a difficult time making decisions lately - crippled by the fear of making the wrong one. Today, my friend reminded me that the beauty of life is that nothing is permanent. People, places, things - they all flow in and out of our lives, constantly changing.

Truth is, there are no “right” & “wrong” decisions. Just the ones you make and the ones you don’t. If something doesn’t feel right, you can always make a change.

As Bruce Lee so wisely said, “be water.” Flow & move. Never be afraid to make a wrong choice, or worse, let your fears paralyze you into not moving at all. Be like water. Flow. 🌊

P.S. If you have the opportunity to, I highly recommend watching Bao Ngyuen’s Be Water, which is part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. There’s so much I never knew about Bruce and his timeless wisdom is the perfect reminder that we still need to hear today.

Flowers of Gratitude

 - Thankful for the stillness this year brought: a reminder that it’s okay and very much possible (& necessary) for a go, go, go gal like me to sloooow down

- Thankful for hugs 🐻 (a note to self to squeeze every single person who allows it once it’s safe to once again)

- Thankful for flowers 🌻 many of which were honestly just downright necessary for some self-love & care

- Thankful for all the healthcare workers who have worked day in and day out to care for our loved ones with kindness and compassion, especially in moments where we couldn’t be there to hold their hands

- Thankful for the many beautiful & kind souls who lifted me up with love this year when my legs couldn’t stand ❤️

- Thankful for the abundance in my life: love, family, friendship, opportunity, passion, and everything in between

- Thankful for the hard lessons this year has taught us. i know the scars will remind us of our strength when tough times come back around.

Although this year brought its ups and downs, i hope the joy continues to outweigh the rain. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone - wishing you all love, warmth, and peace to fill your homes & hearts.

The First Time: Devil's Teeth Baking Co.

For some, this is just a photo of a mouth-watering breakfast sandwich. And, in its simplest form, it is. And yet, it’s also a reminder of the simple pleasures of experiencing something for the first time.

When’s the last time you enjoyed something for the very first time? When’s the last time you did something completely and wildly new-to-you? For me, it was the day we went to Devil’s Teeth Baking Co., an Outer Sunset staple. It’s lauded for its amazing pastries and bakes, as well as its infamous “Special Breakfast” sandwich. Two eggs, bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, generously slapped with some lemon-garlic aioli against a fluffy homemade biscuit. *Chef’s Kiss*

Devil’s Teeth had been on my list for some time and I finally told myself that this was the day. So down to the beach we went. I’ve been spending more time at the beach because it was my dad’s favorite place to go when he wanted to clear his mind. He grew up in the Inner Richmond and being by the water makes me feel like he’s there, too. And, I’ll obviously take any excuse to enjoy a sun, sand, and breakfast sandwich combo.

Needless to say, this place is a must and if you’ve been thinking about going, consider this your sign to finally go. Do the thing. Enjoy the now. Go.

What Was The Best Part of Your Day?

What was the best part of your day? Really, I want to know 🤗

This weekend’s collective joy was one for the books. Seeing so many people laugh, dance, scream out in relief, and honk in celebration was so wonderful to take in. It was as if everyone had been holding their breath for months & was finally able to breathe.

I’ve been doing my best to soak up everything. All the joys, all the tears, all the laughs. the anger, sadness, and grief attacks, too. My grief counselor recently told me that working to find the little joys helps to rewire our brains - it changes the grooves (so to speak) & teaches us how to navigate & process our new lives.

Last weekend’s joy is one that I think we all very much needed. This year has been a hard one for us all; but, just as I was reminded to find the joys, I’m extending that reminder to you, too.

Consider the daily practice of asking yourself (& each other), “what was the best part of your day?” and watch as the grooves in your brain flow towards joy over time.

Here is a photo of one of my recent “bests” - getting this cute happy face nail art from @saundersandjames. I cannot help but smile every single time I see these tiny smiley faces on my hands (& getting a safe + much-needed mani/pedi after monthhhhs also felt really good, so there’s that!) 🙃

Return To Sender

 

So many feels after making it to the last day of @mccalmanco’s "Tell Me Three Things That I Can Do/Return to Sender.”

First, what a treat to meet George and see his work IRL.

“Tell Me Three Things” centers around the triggering phrases @mccalmanco received from white acquaintances following the murder of George Floyd. (& that’s really just the tip of it.)

It’s a beautiful expression of emotions & an artistic summation of the overwhelming feelings many of us have held & processed inside. there was something especially healing about his body of work — realizing the power of returning things to sender & releasing the burden of someone else’s words on you. just “simply” giving them back to whom they belong to.

“This is the stuff that is under our skin, this is the stuff that warps us as a Black community because we are just storing all of this stuff, all this toxicity. And it affects our physical health, it affects our emotional state, it affects our bodies. And the people who’ve given it to us don’t even know they have given it to us.” (via @representcollaborative)

And then, consider his gift to us — offering a space to think, feel, talk about, & reflect on race. the world needs more of this — shared experiences that knock open doors of thought, channel self-reflection, and invite dialog among us. thank you, George, for the reminder that telling our stories is one of the most important things we can do.

If you didn’t get to see this IRL:
📰 Read @representcollaborative’s piece by @erinfeher, here
💭 Marinate on george’s words
💬 And then LMK, how do these pieces make you feel?

Love People Better

At the very beginning of this year, I asked derrick to walk with me to a local coffee shop that I’d been wanting to scope out. The shop is known for its handwritten “notes of joy” on their coffee cups, so you can see how this would be right up my alley. I thought it’d be a nice way to ring in the new year - with my first #pancakewisdom sighting of the year.

my cup said, “2020 resolutions: 𝚖̶𝚊̶𝚔̶𝚎̶ ̶𝚖̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚎̶ ̶$̶; 𝚠̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚔̶ ̶𝚖̶𝚘̶𝚛̶𝚎̶ ̶𝚑̶𝚘̶𝚞̶𝚛̶𝚜̶; love people better.” as life would have it, the pandemic took care of the first two right away.

Up until a few months ago, I didn’t really think much of what it meant to love “better.” I figured I knew? But, the more this year threw my way, the more I re-examined.

What does it mean to love better?

Well, for starters, how are you spending your time? Is it with the people you love? Do the people you love know that you love them? Are you sure? How are you using your energy? Are you making time for the people who are important to you? How do you show them that you care? How do you show your gratitude - even when things are hard? Are you taking care of yourself?

Eight months ago, I did not think of these questions in the same way I do now, if at all. This year has been a lot for all of us. And with each day, it seems like there is more to carry. But, my hope is that as this year continues to force us to slow down, we continue to use our time to re-examine.

I recently read a personal essay that urged that in this time of uncertainty we’re all experiencing, now is the time to love out loud; to “live intentionally in our actions and in the love we show” others.

What does it mean to love people better? I’m unsure there’s a perfect answer; but, I am certain that we can all resolve to do so. Be kind & wrap each other in love.

All it Takes is One

It’s no secret that the last few months have been difficult for more reasons than one. While I was hurting at home, the world was hurting, too.⁣⁣

Throughout my life, I’ve found writing to be a form of therapy. It’s funny because I’m always mistakenly described as a “quiet” gal (because I prefer to listen rather than talk). but I’ve never really been “quiet.” in fact, I find myself to be quite loud with my words. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
These last few months, we saw the world slowly open their eyes to the pain that many of us in the Black community have felt and experienced for years. recently, I had an unfortunate experience with a brand that I formerly supported and like usual, I talked to dad about it. that day, he prayed that we could get someone to share my story. “all it takes is one,” he said. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I didn’t get to share this final piece with him, but I did get to see him smile when I told him that it was coming.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Thank you, to @thebolditalic + @medium for hearing me and giving me the opportunity to share my words. Thank you to everyone who amplified my voice and used their own to help me shout. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
If you take one thing away from this admittedly long post, let it be the reminder that all it takes is one - one person to speak up, one person to make a difference, one person to make a change. never underestimate your ability to be that one. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This one’s for you, dad ❤️

When is it Safe to Run?

When I was younger, my dad used to go out jogging every morning at 5 or 6 am before work. I never really understood it until I got older, but my mom always pleaded that he jog at a different time - “When there’s light out,” she’d say, or “When it safer to.” ⁣

I’m not an early bird and never was, so at that age, I assumed 5 am was a dangerous time for anyone who was out there running. As I got older, my dad kept jogging and I started to understand the real reason behind my mom’s pleas. ⁣
⁣
I can’t pretend to tell any of you how many times my father has gotten stopped while out for a run in our neighborhood. But, I can tell you it’s enough times for me to vividly remember the fear in my mom’s eyes. The anger in my dad’s. The collective sadness in both. ⁣
⁣
I’m much older now and not much has changed. My dad can’t go out for jogs anymore, but if he could, would I now be the one begging him to reconsider? I can’t imagine a life in which my father is not there. Truly. And my heart breaks for those who have to live with the reality a loved one gone... simply because he wanted to go on a jog, or walk home with skittles, or ask for help, or just live. ⁣
⁣
I recognize my immense privileges and implore those of you who read this to take a minute to do the same. It is my responsibility to remind those of you with the privilege of being able to simply live to stand up and use your voice for those whose voices cannot be heard. ⁣

Todo Va A Estar Bien

During this time, taking the time to go out for a short neighborhood walk has been one of the highlights of my day. I love smiling behind my mask & waving at strangers from a distance. I love finding sidewalk chalk with happy messages from the neighborhood kids. I love making derrick stop every five minutes to take a photo of said messages 😅⁣

⁣
Funnily enough, at the beginning of the year when I was making a list of the goals & practices that I wanted to work on, I wrote down “take more walks. explore. get some air.” Little did I know that it would take... a pandemic... to make me appreciate a daily walk outside my doors. ⁣
⁣
Life has a funny way of giving us what we ask for. Perhaps that is why I take comfort in knowing that everything will eventually be okay. As my friend reminded me today, “if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

Joy in Stillness

 Bright side of being inside:⁣

⁣
• Rekindling with my inner child & making time to “play”⁣
⁣
• Finally “having time” to film + edit videos - something that’s been on my to-do list for a handful of years now⁣
⁣
• Learning that working out at home *is* possible & enjoyable ⁣
⁣
• Guilt-free afternoon cat naps 😸⁣
⁣
• And, maybe my favorite thus far: giving myself the time to reset, sloooooow down 🐌 and get comfortable with not having a million things on my to-do list⁣
⁣
For those who can, I hope you’re able to find joy in the stillness, too.

Celebrating Chinese New Year with Toyota

I'm a gal who needs to get places. Client meetings, photo shoots, yoga, dance class, events - you name it and I'm probably on my way there. Having since left the city for the East Bay, my commute has changed in every possible way. Before, I'd call a car, take the bus, or just huff it. Long walk across the city? Been there, done that. Sit on the bus for an hour to move three miles? Unfortunately, yes. Drive myself there, though? That's one I didn't really touch. That is until I moved to the East Bay. 

Now my preferred mode of transportation is almost always the car. And, I'll be honest, before my move, I forgot about the joys of driving. Get there faster? Almost always. Heater on my feet? Oh yeah. Zen out with a podcast or two? For sure. Now, imagine adding in seat warmers, a compact size perfect for city parking, and bright LED headlights to light up night drives like never before. That, my friends, is known as driving with Toyota. As you know, I've been partners with the brand since late last year. Over the course of our time together, I've had the pleasure of testing and driving a handful of cars. Each time, it's always so much fun. This time around, we worked together to celebrate Chinese New Year, which is a really amazing time in the Bay Area. (For all you fact fiends out there, San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest one outside of Asia!). Needless to say, it was a good time out. 

Planning an Easy Escape to Healdsburg: Where to Stay

I think that in another life, I surely lived in a beautiful country home, alongside yards and yards of delicious grapes. I've become quite the wine gal and have been so lucky to experience many beautiful tasting rooms, wineries and such in wine country. I recently spent a weekend Healdsburg with a group of friends and it was such a treat to escape the fog and take an easy jaunt across the bridge. I always tell my SF folks that wine country is closer than you realize, but leaves you feeling like you're more than just a handful of miles away. Because there was a group of us, we all stayed at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites, which is in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. Friends, I cannot tell you enough what a gem of a place this was. Not only were we walking distance from everything (restaurants, tasting rooms, shopping, etc.), but we also each had our own private space to call our own. Intrigued? Read more after the jump.

Get Grill-Ready for the Fourth with #LuckySummer!

The more time I spend at home, the more time I love trying new recipes and putting my kitchen to use. I've gotten pretty good at all of the breakfast and brunch dishes, so have been concentrating on nailing the perfect meals for entertaining now that summer is on the horizon. One thing I love about summer is all of the summer barbeques! Though, I'll admit that I'm usually attending a BBQ rather than hosting one... until now! For the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, I was asked by Carusele to share my grilling chops and recipe ideas for the season, by participating in the #LuckySummer campaign, sponsored by Save Mart. But don't worry, even though I have been compensated, as always, all opinions are my own! Derrick and I were excited to get some pre-4th practice in with a few easy grilling options for veggies and meat. After the jump, see what we made, how we made it, and grab some tips for your own Fourth of July fiesta.

Femme Fair 2018

If you follow me on IG, or know me IRL, then you know that April was my busiest month yet. Along with putting the final touches on a 4-month-long planning process for a big client launch, signing a new client, and starting more new work, I also participated in this year's Femme Fair. There were many points in April where I thought I was losing my mind with just how busy I was (lol), but seeing everything come together and making it through with the support of so many wonderful people made it all worth it.

For those of you haven't seen my oodles of Instas promoting it, Femme Fair is a female-empowerment event that brings together women to connect, inspire, and shop! 2018 marked its second year and I was honored to take part in it alongside 14 other badass blogger babes, a handful of inspiring speakers, and, of course, a team of fiercely talented founding gals. As a gal who has only ever had a small group of gal pals in her life, I was overjoyed to meet, connect, and bond with so many strong and inspiring ladies through this event. I was also utterly impressed by everyone's creativity -- the booths were unreal. Speaking of booths, mine would have been nothing (and I mean nothing) without the help of my endlessly supportive, patient, and loving boyfriend. Did I mention that the stack of pancakes sitting on my table was a surprise from him? Yeah, I know. He wins the "best boyfriend of the year" award for that one.

Well, enough words from me. After the jump, see more of this year's Femme Fair captured by Jess Onesto.

Food Friday: A Visit to Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines

Three Sticks Wines 143 West Spain Street Sonoma, CA 

As you know, wine country is one of my favorite places to visit. It's a short drive from the city - just an hour north and you feel as though you've really escaped into a calming retreat. This February, I had a chance to head back up just after my birthday for a wonderful treat - I had the pleasure of visiting Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines for the first time. It was a beautiful day in wine country, with the mustard flowers in full bloom and the sun shining from up above. Arriving on the Three Sticks Wine property only added to the day. I visited, alongside some other wine-lovers to experience Three Stick's food and wine pairing, in partnership with the girl & the fig. The wines, especially the roseé, really stole the show. Typically, I never really leave tastings ready to instantly buy a bottle, because I'm so indecisive. However, after my tasting with Three Sticks, I immediately pulled out my credit card to take home a bottle of their Casteñada rosé. Sadly, it won't be released until later this spring (only $40!!), so my loss is your gain because I didn't wipe them out and you still have a chance to get some for yourself!

After the jump, take a look at the gorgeous Three Sticks Wines property and learn more about its rich history!

pancakePROFILE: Laundré

Laundré 2401 Mission Street



A little while back, I had the pleasure of meeting, Ariana, the founder/owner of Laundré. For those of you who aren't familiar, Laundré is a dope laundromat meets café (meets flower shop, meets general hang out spot for those in the know).  Located on the corner of Mission and 20th, Laundré offers its patrons a sustainable laundromat experience, as well as an open space to work, drink coffee, and hang. I visited the space when it opened late last year and loved getting to hear Ariana's story. Because I am self-employed, myself, it's always inspiring to meet others who have made the leap towards entrepreneurship, as well as those who are passionate about their work and craft. Every now and then, I like to feature movers and shakers, as well as local community members in SF in a little something I call "pancakePROFILES." Today you get a sticky sweet & inspiration-filled stack featuring none other than Ariana, herself. After the jump, learn more about Laundré and its founder.

Food Friday: Traveling Spoon

I'm big on gatherings around the table. I love to break bread, meet new people over a bite, and discover new-to-me cultures or cuisines. It's honestly one of my favorite things to do. So, whenever there's an opportunity to do just that, that's what I do. Just a few weeks ago, I was recently introduced to Traveling Spoon. I had never heard about it before, but as soon as I learned more about it, I wondered how I hadn't already known about it. If it happens to be new-to-you, too, then here's the 30-second elevator pitch: Traveling Spoon allows you to book a private meal or cooking class with home cooks around the world. Pretty cool, huh? So, let's say you are traveling to Thailand and want to experience true, home-cooked Thai food. Well, you can head to Traveling Spoon, search for the city you are traveling to, and easily book a meal, cooking class or market visit. This time around, I had the pleasure of experiencing true, home-cooked Thai food at a pop-up in SF. It was such a fun night - not only did I learn more about how to cook Thai food (and, of course, enjoy it!), but I also met some rad tablemates. After the jump, see more photos from our feast, prepared by the sweetest visiting host, Pia (pictured with me above!), and learn more about Traveling Spoon.

pancakeLEFTOVERS: February

Yes, yes. I know we are well into March (OKAY, end of March if you want to get technical), but I really wanted to stick with resurrecting my recap series, so here it is! February is always my favorite month of the team. Now, I admit that I am biased, given that February is my birth month, but there are many other reasons why I love it: it's Black History Month, Valentine's Day (albeit a consumer-created holiday, who doesn't love to celebrate love?), President's Day 3-day weekend, and it's a short and sweet month. This February was extra special because it marked my 30th birthday! I can't believe I'm typing that out, but yes, your girl is the big 3-0, and she couldn't be happier about it. I celebrated the day with loved ones and shortly after jetted off on a few little trips. In between, I attended a handful of fun events, so let's get to recapping!