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. 

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.

Getting Ready for Lunar New Year with Ling Ling Asian Kitchen

This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

One of the resolutions I made going into the new year was to cook at home more. Last year, I spent a fortune on take-out and wanted to find a way to cut down on costs. Well, the universe must have been listening to me because I was recently invited to take part in a Lunar New Year-themed cooking class with Ling Ling Asian Kitchen, hosted by Chef Katie Chin. Who here is familiar with them? I remember when I was younger, my mom used to purchase the Ling Ling brand potstickers for me at Costco (and boy did I love them!). So, imagine my glee when I got invited to cook with the brand! Full circle moment, you guys. I had always been familiar with the brand's potstickers but had no idea that they also made noodles and fried rice products. If you're just finding out about these products, or even the brand for the first time, then keep on reading - because I've got more for you. 

Stacker Style: Kickin' it with Keds

Time and time again, I will tell you that I cannot settle when it comes comfort. In fact, the older I get, the less I'm willing to compromise when it comes to what makes me feel good and happy. And, because I'm embracing the less is more mantra, it's even more important that the things I fill my closet with are good quality, versatile, and, of course, worth my money! I recently slipped on a pair of Keds and took them for a whirl. I had always known about the brand, but never had the opportunity to try a pair on for size. First off, I had no idea how many different styles of Keds there are out there! I'm a classic gal and really wanted a pair of basic white sneakers, so I went with these. I couldn't have been happier with my selection - not only do they go with everything (jeans & tee? yeah! dress? no problem!), they also happen to be comfortable as comfortable gets. I've been wearing them on long walks around town, to work, and everywhere in between. I even wore them to Outside Lands. What's a better test than a 3-day music festival, right? And yes, my feet survived and my favorite new sneaks passed the festival footwear test. 

Stacker Style: #SayHi to My New Favorite Jeans Thanks to Old Navy

There's a lot of simple pleasures in life, and one of mine is finding a really good pair of jeans. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that many women get just as giddy when they find a pair that feels and looks good. Think about it - think about how many pairs of jeans you have in your closet that are stretchy, comfy, feel good, make your legs look long, and make your bum look good. Theoretically, all our clothes should make us feel that good, but the truth is sometimes we strike out! A few months back, I was introduced to a pair of jeans that I now have two of in my closet. Want to hear more? Of course you do, so read more after the jump!

48 Hours in London: The Ultimate Travel Guide

You may have noticed on the gram that I've been hit by the travel bug again. I've been taking my weekend escapes seriously and jetting off just about every chance I've been able to. So far this year, we've been to Palm Springs, New Orleans, LA, and of course, wine country. Not so bad for the first half the year, if I do say so myself. Now that summer is in full swing, I've got longer itineraries on my mind. Although nothing is booked yet, I'm thinking I may pull the trigger with all of these international deals. But where to? Well, for starters, the pound is at a 31-year low. Yes, 31-year low. Can you imagine how much you can save on travel to London right now? (If not, refer to this handy Brexit Calculator that Virgin put together to help you calculate your savings!) If you're itching to head across the pond, then I've got the perfect post for you. I've partnered with Virgin Atlantic to put together a handy guide for all the things to see, do and eat in London in 48 hours. Of course, if you're heading all the way over, may as well stay longer.. but just in case, here's all the musts.

How I Stay Motivated to Work Out

It's been nearly two months since I've started embracing my new routine and hitting gym nonstop. I push myself to make it to the gym at least 4 days a week. And for me, that's a lot. At my one month mark I lost a total of 6 lbs, which was a happy surprise. My jeans fit a little better, and better yet, I feel stronger, happier and more confident. (Those endorphins are real, guys - get out there and collect them.) Of course, just like everyone else, there are good days and bad days. There are days I really don't want to go to the gym - maybe it's a long day at work, or I'm just being flat out lazy. Yet, one thing has always been the case - I have never regret a trip to the gym. It's my happy place. For the one hour I'm dancing away at one of my classes, I'm solely focused on the here and now of my class. I'm present and everything else (work, to-do list, stress, etc.) disappears. It's just me and the gym for 60 minutes straight. So, how do I stay motivated to go to the gym on days I maybe just want to go home and veg out? Read on to find out my some of workout secrets.

#bayclubhappy

Jacket, Custom Tank (similar), Sports Bra, Leggings, Similar Shoes, Sunnies

Photos by: Julia O Test

Remember, how I said that I was hitting the gym like a crazy lady? If not, refresh your mem, here (or just peep my millions of Instagram story snaps praising my seemingly newfound love of the gym). As I mentioned in my last post, this year, I really wanted to carve out time for myself. Part of that "me" time meant moving my body & regaining my energy. In 2016, I spent a lot of time not working out, lol. On the contrary, I spent a lot of money to work out. Basically, I was giving away my money like a fool. Instead of hitting the gym, I'd hit up an event. Long story short, I was extremely inconsistent with my routine, and as a result, I ended up mentally beating myself up for being such a bad gym rat. So, once the new year hit, I couldn't have been more excited to reignite my love of working out.

Stacker Style: Outside Lands 2016 - Day 3

We made it! The final day of Outside Lands and what do you know... the sun came out to play! Which couldn't have worked out better because I saved this pretty set for last in hopes that it'd be warm enough to wear. Luckily for me, it was. You know from posts past that I love me a good maxi. What do I love more than a good maxi? A good maxi set. Tobi, you sure came through for your girl.

Stacker Style: Outside Lands 2016 - Day 2

Day two was colder than the first, which surprisingly enough, wasn't something I prepared for. Yeah, yeah - I went on and on about how prepared I was for day one, but couldn't get it together for day two? Well, let me just tell you that everyone I was with was equally as surprised by how much colder it was on Saturday. Thanks a lot, weather app! But, in all seriousness, I didn't do too bad. On day two, I came back in black. At one point I looked like I was from The Craft - I wore this beautiful matte brown lippie that actually made me look super goth, so I had to pull a switcheroo right before stepping out the door to a deeper tone. All in all? I think I nailed it... (come on, I had to!).

Stacker Style: Outside Lands 2016 - Day 1

There's no place that makes me happier than a festival - the music, the food, the good vibes - it's all bliss. Outside Lands is my second festival of 2016 (Coachella being my first of the year), and I still have two more to go (Austin City Limits at the end of next month and Treasure Island in October)! In fact, I think this year marks my sixth year in a row of OSL-ing (check out some of my past OSL years, here). So, yeah, I guess you can say I know a thing or two about that festival life. One of the best things about festivals is the creativity associated with what to wear - I, myself, am much more partial to the warmer festivals, because it seems sort of wrong having to lug around a parka, scarf, beanie, and more, right? Well, OSL is one of the festivals where the cold is just a given (thanks, Karl). Luckily for me, this year Tobi had my back.  

Food Friday: Charcuterie with Columbus Craft Meats

If there's one thing I love, it's a three-day weekend. They're far and few, so when they come around, I'm all about them. More often than not, I prefer to get out of town and get to exploring. But, when an extra day is involved, I love hosting, having people over, and sometimes, taking that extra day just for me! Sometimes, it's nice to put together a little somethin' somethin' - whatever the occasion. Girls' night? You betcha. Date night for two? Yes, yes. Solo night in? Absolutely. So, in the spirit of the three day weekend, I've partnered with Columbus Craft Meats to give you three easy peasy charcuterie plate ideas. You can take one, take all, mix, match - whatever works for you!

Coachella 2016 Recap

Ah, the long-awaited Coachella recap. I know, I know - it's been a long-time coming, but better late than never, right? This year's Coachella will go down as one of my favorites. Truth be told, I'd seen nearly everyone on the bill at least once before, 2013's dust storm had nothing on whatever this year's deal was, and I inhaled pounds and pounds of dust and dirt. But, I spent three days in the desert (aka my favorite place) with my best friend and got to dance around like a flower child more than you know. Hence, another successful festival in the books.

Festival Footwear with Restricted Shoes + GIVEAWAY!

WooHoo! It's my favorite time of the year - you know what it is. Festival season! I'm a festival girl at heart - the music, the food, the atmosphere, the overall joy of dancing with zero inhibitions - it's all my favorite. I've gone to a my fair share of festivals -  Outside Lands, Treasure Island, Austin City Limits, BottleRock - but there's nothing like the one that kicks off the season, my dear, Coachella. This year, I'm partnering with Restricted for another round of my take on festive footwear and all-day dancing shoes. You may remember we worked together for Coachella (here) and Outside Lands (here), so I'm super stoked to head to another festival with them! I'm obviously a big proponent of comfortable, but fashionable footwear, and if it matters anywhere, it matters at a music festival. You're on your feet for hours on end, dancing, walking, running, you name it, so it's important to keep your feet happy - especially if you want to make it for a full three-day stint! Read more to see what I've picked out to keep my feet company this time around, to learn about my Coachella plans and how you can see live updates from the festival, anddd, to find out how you can find a gift card to Restricted! 

Stacker Style: #SettingTheBar with Macy's

Hey girl, hey (or guys, you're welcome, too). I know it's been a minute since you've seen my face on your screen. You might have even noticed that the blog got a little bit of a lift. In the time that I've been away, I had a chance to regain some of my blogging juices and now, here I am! I don't want to promise too much just yet, but for those who are still with me, let's just say some tasty stacks will be back and better than ever. For now, let's take a moment to salivate over this style stack -- more, specifically, this delicious cropped coat. I will be honest - when I saw it online, I wasn't completely sold. It took a trip to mall and a minute in the fitting room to realize what a treasure I had just found for my closet. And, as soon as I hit the register and found out that it was just under $50, I knew that I was comin' up. I've been looking for a furry jacket all season long and could not be more stoked that I found this guy. Paired my new coat with a pair of skinny motos from True Religion, some classic black OTK boots, and some big, round frames for the ultimate 70's girl glam. What other statement making outfits will come together with this coat? We shall see. We shall see.

Stacker Style: #FoundAtSimon

I'm on a boat! Just kidding. I'm on a parklet, but it looks like the interior of a boat, no? Non-sequiturs, aside, these are the rest of the shots from my day with Melissa. On this day, we shot some hair shots (you saw them, here), had brunch at one of my favorite neighborhood spots, Marengo on Union, and caught up with some girl talk and coffee in the sun. Going back to Marengo - they've got mean chicken and waffle sliders, legit biscuits and bomb Bloody Marys. We got there early and were able to sneak a seat in the back patio - talk about your perfect morning. Even better? It was 90 degrees out! In hindsight, wearing all black probabbbbbly wasn't the best idea. Was I hot? Yes. But, I was really excited to wear some of my new finds from my event the weekend before with Teen Vogue at Stoneridge Mall. I came out like a bandit that day - a couple new pairs of jeans, some fall staples (jacket, poncho, hat) and a rocking new pair of flats. You'll undoubtedly see many of these pieces on rotation coming up on the blog (or on my Instagram), but the first full outfit feature is this ole post right here.

Beauty Bites: VERB Hair Products

One of the trickiest things about having naturally curly hair is finding the proper products to make it shine. I have my set of favorites, but every now and then I love testing out some new stuff to see if there's anything else that will give my hair life. Earliest this month, I was introduced to Austin-bred hair care brand, VERB. I've been using the brand now for about a month and can't say enough great things.

Crunch Gym: Free Membership Giveaway!

It's been a crazy couple of months. Between the long hours in the office, weekend trips and overall adult responsibilities (they're real, you guys!), I've found myself spending less of my free time in front of the screen and more of it out and about, doing the things I love. One thing I've found myself trying to do more of is work on my fitness routine. Yes, summer trips require two piece sets and swimsuits galore, but more than anything working out has helped me take a breather from a busy day, giving my mind some "me" time to wind down. And my favorite form of "me" time? Yoga. Don't get me wrong, I love trying other workouts - from spin to dance to rock climbing and boxing - but the one thing that I always go back to is yoga.

Beauty Bites: Beauty Packing List with Ulta

When it comes to packing for trips, I've always tried to get everything I need into one carry-on and tote bag. Past years have taught me that no one wants to be that person with the huge suitcases trying to navigate from point A to point B. So, along with cutting down on my clothes, I've also tried to be very smart about my makeup stash. Luckily for me, skincare and beauty products are so tiny, I can always get away with packing jusssst a little more than I should. But, for those quick weekend trips and shorter summer getaways, there's a few things you will always find in my bags.

Food Friday: Four Favorite Foodie Spots in San Mateo

Alright, you guys. Here's the scoop. I recently partnered with HP, who is currently on tour with Meghan Trainor (you know her from her catchy "All About the Bass" hit), to #BendTheRules bring you a different kind of Food Friday stack today. Taking inspiration from their HP x360's four modes (laptop, tablet, tent and stand), they've asked me to interpret the number four in any way I'd like. What a better way to do so than with a super stacked Food Friday post, right? (Four times the noms, y'all!)

You know that I'm always sharing what I eat with you over on Instagram, but not all the places I dine at are SF-based. Take for instance, last week's trip to Oakland. Thought I'd flip the script once again and take you to the other side of town. Having grown up in the Peninsula, I have more than a couple of favorite places that I like to give my money to on the regular. And because I love them, I thought you just might, too. So, if you find yourself in San Mateo, here are four foodie spots you've just got to visit.