Shiloh Jolie-Pitt: Rough Rider

First, a very important disclaimer: I am all about kids expressing themselves however they choose (I mean unless they choose a swastika t-shirt or fishnets & a leather bra).  If I have a son one day and he wants to wear dresses, he can have at it.  Same goes for a girl who wants to wear "boy clothes." I think it's important to nurture children's confidence by allowing them to make choices regarding their appearance.

Disclaimer #2: I think our harsh gender lines can be dangerous.  Dressing infant girls in pink princess onesies and newborn boys in monster truck jammies can begin the process of setting up unrealistic (and even unhealthy) gender expectations.

But serious talk aside, check out Shiloh Jolie-Pitt:

(all images from google image)

Basically, I'm just fascinated.  These are clearly very stylized outfits, here . . . an oversized tie, seersucker blazer, leather jacket "casually" layered over gray hoodie.  Clearly some adults were involved in creating these (pretty admirable, style-wise) outfits.  

I hope the reason behind this is that Shiloh has a very strong sense of self and style, and that she's requesting to wear her brothers' clothes.  Or maybe Brad & Angelina are just trying to fashion Shiloh into the polar opposite of my girl, Suri:

What do you think?

Because the blog community is pretty amazing

I thought I'd put this one out there:

This is my friend Peaches and her adorable family.

Peaches and I went to high school together.  She is every bit as sweet as she looks!  And I'm a little bit obsessed with her kids . . . I mean just look at them:

Gabriella

Kruz

They're wonderkids, cause not only are they perfect looking, but they are as charming and well-mannered as can be.  It's pretty incredible.

And speaking of incredible . . . Peaches and her husband, Kad, have recently made a huge decision.  After scrupulous research, they've decided to adopt siblings from Honduras.  Siblings!  Honduras has way too many orphans, and Peaches wants to adopt siblings so that they can stay together/have each other.  And even though those kids will likely endure trauma in their early lives, I can assure you that once they get to this family, they will be the most loved and cared-for babes around.

The problem is that this process is going to cost over $35,000 (since they are adopting siblings).  Peaches is knee-deep in mountains of paperwork, applications, home study forms, etc . . . some of which she can't even file until they've raised a few thousand dollars.  And so, she's on a mission!  She has spearheaded a couple of fundraisers already:

1. SIPPYS 4 SIBLINGS 

(Peaches will mail you a sippy cup, you fill it up with spare change, and mail it back to her)

2. THE ADOPTION AUCTION

(Calling all crafty folk--got any handmade wares you'd be willing to donate to an auction in support of their adoption?)

If you're into the quick-&-easy kinda help, you can donate through Paypal.  Peaches has set up an account that will go straight to their adoption funds.  I know times are tough, financially, but if you have $5 or $10 to spare, it would mean the world to my sweet friend.  Her family can't do this on their own . . . and so they rely on the kindness of friends and strangers.  If you are willing/able to donate, participate in either of her fundraisers, or just want to check out their story, check out her blog here!

It makes me sad that it costs so much to adopt children who so desperately need homes.  But I have faith that somehow, Peaches and her family will be able to raise the money . . . because there are two Honduran kids who need to meet their parents, brother, and sister!  If you donate, please be sure to let me know so I can thank you. :)

Click here to help!

Weekend Review

I'm trying to look at Mondays differently, just as an experiment . . . "it's a new week!" or "yay for a clean slate!" . . . not sure how well it's working, but I'll keep repeating these little slogans till I get in the Monday groove. ;)

I had to work late Friday, so I stayed in the city & met my crew in the Mission before we trekked down to Truong's art show at SOMArts.  It was spectacular--both Truong's work and that of his fellow artist, Peter Max Lawrence:

At War: showing at SOMArts through 2/29

I highly recommend you check it out!

Truong Tran

Peter Max Lawrence

After the show, we had a delicious Thai feast at Ozone before heading back across the Bay Bridge.  I was super excited to crawl into bed with my book . . . I'm reading The Help and I can't put it down!  I need some book suggestions, cause at this point, I don't think anything is going to live up to The Help.  It's so good!

I got to be a little bit lazy on Saturday, which was nice.  The weather was beautiful here, so when Matt went to The Bone Room in Berkeley, I opted to stay home and go for a short run instead.  He did bring me back this extremely strange/slightly creepy souvenir: 

headless, limbless pregnant "woman" with removable belly keychain

???

As for Superbowl Sunday, it was really nice albeit a bit anticlimactic.  Heather and Serkan were gonna come over for homemade pizzas, beer, & football, but they (+ Rowan!) were sick, and Matt was in bed half the day recovering from a pretty fierce cold, which left me on the couch alone with these things:

Blue Moon & sesame sticks

Eventually I got restless and woke Matt up--we ordered pizza and he kindly watched the 4th quarter with me, despite his utter disinterest in football.  Truth be told, I watched more for the cultural experience than for any real concern over the outcome.  That last NY touchdown was pretty great, although I was eager to switch to Super Mario Bros. 3 on the wii as soon as the final score was called.  :)

Hope your weekends were all lovely & full of either fun or rest.  And here's to hating Monday a little bit less!  

Happy things to end the week with ♥

I've had a gnarly stomach bug this week, but I'm finally feeling better & I'm so glad I have these things to be happy about this Friday:

1. Faiza, Marianne, and Micaela are coming to San Francisco in early May for a girls' trip/stalking mission! Marianne has as obsessive a personality as I do, and she's got quite the crush on new Angels' pitcher CJ Wilson.  Because I, of all people, understand the irresistible urge to stalk hot celebs, I perked up when she suggested that we trek down to LA to see an Angels game (and also find out where he is staying/stake out at his favorite sushi bar/etc.).  

Fortunately for Marianne, CJ has already tweeted her twice (!!!), so we're not exactly starting from scratch.  In any case, I can't wait to see my girls!  Any LA peeps willing to bail us out if we get arrested for trespassing?

*p.s. Might I point out that Charlie Hunnam, aka Jax Teller, resides in LA?

2. My dear friend Truong's new art show is opening tonight after months of grueling preparation:

Truong is a brave ass poet-turned-artist whose work will have you gawking & thinking for days.  The opening reception is tonight at SOMArts from 6-9, so if you're in the Bay Area, swing by!

3.  I'm finally reading The Help (takes me longer than most with these well-hyped books) and I don't want to do anything but stay in bed and read all day.  It's SO GOOD.  Such a great feeling to be so immersed in a book.  Now I'm afraid anything I read next won't live up to it!

4. Susan G. Komen wised up and reversed their horrible decision.  Looks like there is still work to be done, but it's progress.  Let this be evidence that loud public outcry, petition-signing, etc. can be incredibly effective!

Happy Superbowl Weekend!  Wish I cared about either of the teams playing. :)

(Play along with Micaela's Happy Things to End the Week With series here)

February Goals

I'm loving this whole monthly goal thing.  I'm finding that sticking to my goals is so much more doable when I've got a four-week time frame.  I set just two goals for January (with a bonus):

1. No cheese for the entire month
2. Clean and organize my closet
(bonus): Clean and organize my car

I was perfectly well-behaved with goal #1.  In the interest of full disclosure, I had a minor (accidental!) slip-up one night when Matt and I were out to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant in North Beach, Cafe Zoetrope.  I dutifully ordered a vegan entree, but then Matt ordered a cannoli for dessert, and I took a little bite without thinking (it looked like whipped cream!).  He reminded me that it indeed contained ricotta cheese, but it was too late to spit it out.  Altogether a pretty minor indiscretion, though, I think.

As for the closet, I'd say it's about 75% complete.  I removed garbage bags full of trash and old clothes and shoes to donate, but there's still a little work to be done.  The good news is that I can walk in it now!

The car is another story.  That goal will have to transfer to February. ;)

Here are my February goals:

Are any of you working on monthly goals?  If so, please share them!

p.s. Another reason Mitt Romney is an enormous asshole. As if transporting his family dog on the roof of his car wasn't enough.

Miscellaneous

1. I'm back on the Green Monster train.

from

Initially, I used a very basic recipe: 1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1 banana, 2 large handfuls baby spinach, 1 c almond milk.  But lately I've been experimenting, and I've discovered that in addition to the ingredients above, I also like 1 tbsp natural peanut butter and roughly juice of 1/4 Meyer lemon.  Yum!  It makes just about enough for two.  

2. Cracking up over the front page of Huffington Post today:

p.s. Newt is from my hometown, and used to have a house account at my parents' restaurant.  Shudder.

3. Tomorrow, I get to have cheese again.  Which is good since lately there's been only one thing on my mind: PIZZA.  

4. What on earth happened on The Bachelor last night (stop reading immediately if you haven't watched it!)??  That was a real shocker at the end.  Ben and Jennifer had that "wonderful" one-on-one date, and didn't he say she was the best kisser of all the girls?  Weird.  I totally thought he was gonna send Emily packing for dissing Courtney yet again.  And speaking of Courtney, I can't wait till Ben recognizes her for the vile beast of evil incarnate that she is.  Her stupid pursed lips kill me:

from

5. I've fallen hard for a nail polish.  I recently discovered Essie's Sew Psyched, and I'm smitten.  Here's a pic--not of my nails, cause I just couldn't get the color to come out right in a photo.  So pretty, right???

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Also--yay, Monday's over!!

Happy Weekend!

This Friday's a little bittersweet for me, cause the past two Fridays have marked the beginning of a glorious three-day weekend . . . so this weekend already feels short.  But I should stop whining, because the weather's already pretty again, and on Wednesday I get to have cheese again!

Today I have some tips for you:

1. I have a new favorite breakfast: a toasted wheat sandwich thin, sliced avocado, and Papalote salsa.  The problem is, it has to be Papalote salsa.  Here is what it looks like:

from

I can't really explain it except to tell you that it blows any other salsa I have ever had out of the water.  It's legendary around San Francisco, and frankly, it should be legendary all over the country.  The good news is that you can order it here.  I know it seems ridiculous to order salsa from another state (if you're in another state), but I promise you that it will be worth it.  It will arrive at your door, you will taste it, and you will immediately email me and tell me how very right I was.  

2. Lesley is my oldest friend in the world.  Her mama and my mama are BFFs, and Lesley is 6 months older than me.  She was waiting for me at the hospital when I was being born!  So literally, we go back forever.   Ha.  In any case, she has recently quit her job to do two things: 1) stay home with her adorable & hilarious daughter Matilda, and 2) pursue her dream of creating and selling amazing wares.  In the past, she's been very successful selling one-of-a-kind little girls' dresses, but recently she's started making these carryalls that have me swooning.  This is the one I'm in love with:

Tiny Fete Pink Arrow Carryall

I tell you, I'm snatching that one up as soon as I can afford it!  Check out her blog and her shop for other patterns/designs.  I'm both in awe of her and jealous that she can make such beautiful things.  What a talent!

3. And lastly, I recommend for you an article on Obama by Andrew Sullivan (the recommendation comes courtesy of my sister, Kate).  It's a longish article about Obama's "long game," and it really puts into perspective that which he has done over the past four years, and that which he is putting into place for the next four.  It encourages us to consider the context--the economic and political ambience into which Obama (and Bush before him) entered, which I think is crucial when considering a president's successes and failures.  Whatever your political stance, I think this article will be informative.

. . . And after last night's GOP debate, I'm fantasizing about Newt and Mitt in a boxing ring (Mitt would bust him in the jowls and it would be over before it started).  

Happy Friday!

This Week's Pros & Cons

By Thursday, I'm always itching for the weekend.  Friday is almost upon us, and I can feel the weekend beckoning.  Sometimes I need to remind myself to stop wishing away the week days and enjoy each moment.  I have a fulfilling job, lots of wonderful people in my life, and Jersey Shore comes on tonight. ;)

Some things I'm loving this week:

*My sister found the following sign at our grandmother's old folks' home.  Crotchety old people are hilarious!

p.s. find me on Instagram (clairekiefer)

. . . or find my sister; she's funnier

*Speaking of my sister, she sent me this picture and it cracked me up.  This is how she found her husband and their enormous dog the other morning.  LOVERS, I tell you:

*This car was parked beside me in a parking lot Monday night!  I almost creeped out and waited for him/her to come out of the store so I could bust out with "I went to Tulane tooooooo!"  Solidarity, son.

*I had a date with Heather Tuesday night that involved wine, spaghetti, and making lots of little crafty treasures for Rowan's FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY this weekend.  Can't believe that little guy is already one:

how cute are my cupcake toppers??

*Matt got me a Zone 3 literary magazine & wrote this inside ♥:

*My writing date with Diana this week was at Souley Vegan.  I finally got that fried okra I'd been dreaming about!

Some things I'm not loving this week:

*A notice from our landlord that he is raising the rent.  UGH.

*Monday night, I drove all the way out to San Quentin to teach my weekly class . . . only to be turned away at the East Gate by the mean guard who looks and acts like Ignatius J. Reilly because my prison ID had expired two days prior.  No big deal that it's a 30 minute drive each way and a $6 toll.  Homeboy is ruthless.    

from

There's a visual for those of you who haven't read A Confederacy of Dunces.  But if you haven't, stop reading my blog and head to a book store or library immediately.  Your life is incomplete.

*The combination of a sinus infection and insomnia.  Misery cocktail.

Here's hoping the Pros list keeps goin' strong and that the rest of the week sails by breezily into the weekend.  At least I have Snooki tonight.  GTL!

Funny Dating Sites

These days, we're all familiar with the 9,624,614 dating sites out there.  There's J Date for Jewish folks, Adult Friend Finder for tryst-seekers, BBW Personals for plus size daters, Amo Latina for Latina women seeking older men, Gaydating.com, and my new favorite: SugarDaddyForMe.com, which is pretty self-explanatory. :)  Man, are we a categorized people!

Despite knowing that these sites are rampant, imagine my surprise when I saw this email in my inbox this morning:

Hello,

I'm Ellie, and I own BestSeniorDatingSites.org. I noticed you've accepted guest posts on bicoastally.blogspot.com in the past, and I wondered if you'd extend me the opportunity to also write a guest post for you?

I can research and compose an original article specifically written for your site, on any topic of your choosing. I'd only ask that you let me put a discreet link to my own website, BestSeniorDatingSites.org, at the end of my post.

All you'd have to do is review/approve my completed article to make sure that it coincides with the theme of your site.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Ellie Stevens
Blogger | Owner
Best Senior Dating Sites
P.S. If you would like to see some of my past work before deciding, don't hesitate to ask!

What?!?!  Why on earth would the owner of BEST SENIOR DATING SITES think that her product was of any relevance to my blog?  At least I got a chuckle out of it. ;)

(all images from)

Godspeed, senior daters!  

What to do on a rainy, gray day

I don't think I could ever live some place where it rains all the time.

Luckily, Bay Area weather is essentially perfect all year round.  It's never freezing, nor blazing hot (though I've been oh so jealous of people posting snow pics lately!).  But here in San Francisco, we're in the midst of a predicted 5-day rain streak, and I'm trying to keep my chin up and brainstorm means by which I can enjoy the rain.  Here are my ideas:

Source: pattersonmaker.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Hot chocolate with Kahlua!  The other night, at an unreasonably late hour, I announced that I was having a severe coffee craving (but that I knew it was way too late for coffee), to which my roommate responded, "Have some hot chocolate instead!"  I grumbled into the kitchen to start the kettle, when suddenly it dawned on me: I could add Kahlua to my hot chocolate, which would potentially satisfy my coffee craving!  Et voila.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Taelor on Pinterest

A Modern Family marathon on my couch.  They're just all so funny.  Especially Cam.  Lighthearted humor: a perfect antidote to relentless rain.

Source: 4time2fun.blogspot.com via Veronica on Pinterest

Stretching.  Lately I've been feeling so tight and inflexible; usually I'm pretty limber!  I'm trying to commit to stretching every night before bed (usually I stretch several times throughout the day) in hopes that it will help my vicious insomnia.  How amazing is this picture?  I suppose this pose could be the ultimate goal of stretching.

Source: thecurvycarrot.com via Thomas on Pinterest

Vegetarian French Onion soup . . . how incredible does this look?  I've been all about soup lately: butternut squash, roasted tomato, minestrone, three bean chili.  Unfortunately this particular soup (the veggie French Onion) will have to wait until February when I resume eating cheese, but you better believe I'm pinning it so I can make it the first week of next month!

Tell me: do you have any rainy day tips?