Wisdom Wednesday

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." -- Buddha

Candice Swanepoel and Ian Somerhalder by Mario Testino for Allure Magazine, September 2011

I usually like to add some commentary for my Wisdom Wednesdays, but something about this quote is just so simple and perfect, I don't want to taint it. It says everything you need to know. Don't let your thoughts become polluted with the negativity of others. Keep it pure, and the joy will follow. Simple as that.

pancakeLEFTOVERS: November..and October and September too..

It’s been a while since I’ve truly dedicated the time and care that I once had for my blog. And truth be told, it breaks my heart that something so dear to me has taken a backseat to everything else going on in my life. I miss spending hours at a time creating posts, going through and responding to touching comments, and discovering other blogs that fill me with the same inspiration and passion I hope my blog provides for others.  And now, it’s December (can you even believe that?). Amazing how fast time has flown isn’t it? Now that a new month (and practically a new year) is upon us, I find it to be the perfect time to start over again…to go back to something that has provided me with unconditional joy and creativity. My blog started as a sort of fun buddy (like that new friend who leaves you starry-eyed with smiles) and today, while it definitely is still that fun friend, it’s more than that. It’s become that sort of best friend type (the one you can always pick up the phone and talk to even if it’s been a while). So, this means I'll finally be getting back to regular outfit and food posts. But, I also have some new things cookin' and can't wait to share those with you too. For now, here are a few snaps from the last month or so... please excuse the fact that 90% of these pictures are of food. I eat a lot. I've taken a new liking (read: obsession) to Instagram and thought I'd share the view from my iPhone for all my non-Instagrammers out there. For the rest of you, follow me @pancakestacker and get ready for some iPhone magic.

From left to right, top to bottom: A little cocktail from EOS (do try their calamari appetizer - amazing!); a cute card I picked up on Fillmore Street (recently named one of the 10 best streets to shop on in America); homemade pho with some extra siracha; leftovers from Thanksgiving; Saturday afternoon drinks with my mister <3; pumpkin macarons from Chantal Guillon on Hayes; a little wall art from Nest; Sunday brunch with pumpkin pancakes (made by yours truly, of course); San Francisco cityscape (love this city more and more each day).

Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing

Our first picture of the night! (picture c/o PoshMark)

Last week, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a PoshParty with the fabulous team at PoshMark and Kristen of Fashion Fate. Before I get into the nitty gritty of how purrfect  (see what I did there?) our "Wild Things" themed party was, let me cover a few basics. For those of you who aren't sure of what PoshMark is, get ready because your whole shopping and iPhone experience is about to change.

PoshMark is a free iPhone application that connects fashion and shopping lovers from all over with just the click of a button. Essentially, it's a shopping application that allows you to peruse through listings from fellow fashionistas and buy what you fancy. Even better, you can list your own items that haven't been getting as much TLC and watch it go to a new home that will give it some extra lovin' (while making some easy peasy cash monies of your own). Now that's a win-win if I do say so myself. So if you are reading this and you still don't have this app on your phone, pause, download it, and get ready for some addicting fun.

Left to right: Me, LyAnn, Tracy, Carlina, and Kristen. (picture c/o PoshMark)

Every week, PoshMark has a few PoshParties, which are virtual online parties that you can attend with the app, where you can browse, buy, and list items that correspond with the party's theme for that day. I was lucky enough to co-host an animal themed PoshParty and had so much fun with all the listings. We laughed, devoured delicious Japanese food, listened to some Britney, Justin, and other 90's jams, drank some wine, and let our inner animals out to play. Overall, it was an amazing experience to be apart of. Big, big thanks to Carlina, LyAnn, Tracy, Manish, and the rest of the PoshMark team for allowing me to join in on the fun!

My seriously soft scarf and first PoshMark sale!

Scrumptious food & wine 

Just PoshMarkin' around 

Me and my beautiful co-host, SweeetKristen, haha! (picture c/o PoshMark)

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty pumped for this Friday's launch of ShoeMint. If you've been living under a rock and haven't heard yet, ShoeMint is a new shoe collection designed by Rachel Bilson and celebrity stylist Nicole Chavez, in collaboration with Steve Madden. I can only image how beautifully stylish and comfortable all of these shoes will be. And if this picture of Rachel is any indication of what's to come, I think it's safe to say our bank accounts are in bad shape. Sign up now for your chance to win some free shoes for an entire YEAR. That's right - a brand new pair for your feet every month for 12 months. But you have to hurry! The contest ends this Wednesday, November 23.

Wisdom Wednesday

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” -- Sir Cecil Beaton

"We're All Mad Here," Winter 2011 Look book, Threadsence 

Every now and then, I am reminded never to settle for less than I deserve. These reminders come at me in little ways, yet, regardless of how little they may be, they are still there. So, I listen. I am reminded that every single day is full of possibility and that I am to bring some sort of purpose, some meaning to it. Just the other day, I was having a relaxing lunch with a coworker, and before heading back to the grind we decided to crack open our fortunes. We both smiled as we read words that seemed to be made just for us. Mine read, "You will take a chance in the near future, and win." I was thrilled that my fortune was as sweet as the cookie it came in. I sat there thinking about all the opportunities that were just waiting for me to reach out and grab them. Then, I sat some more and asked myself why I wasn't out in the world grabbing them with both hands. I went home that night and seriously contemplated some of my dreams, goals, plans... you name it. It was then that I stumbled upon this quote, and realized once again, that settling is not an option. Playing it safe is not an option. So, I dare to dream. I dare to be different. I dare to make choices that some would call "impractical." I'm betting on myself, because like my fortune says, I know I'm bound to win. So, that's my wisdom for this Wednesday. Hope I've inspired you to take a chance on yourself and win big.