Work Hard, Play Hard: Adventures in Napa

My sister and I, and Ellen & Cindy have been on a few sisterly adventures over the last few years.
(And beyond).
This year, my sister found a really fun Groupon Deal for a Limo up to Wine Country. We parlayed that into an overnight in the City as well. And decided to do this adventure up real nice, and skip our annual ski trip this year.

Cindy booked us in an AWESOME hotel, the Union Square Marriott, with an incredible view.
We checked in and were in our room just in time to see the sun setting behind the buildings around us.

We settled in, and decided to make a reservation at a cute restaurant down the street for later that night.
In the mean time we had a little time to kill, so we headed out to the stores around Union Square.
Being that it was the day after Christmas, there were a ton of lines, and sales, and customers.
So many customers.
We ended up just doing window shopping - the lines inside the stores were too overwhelming to justify any casual shopping.

And then we freshened up for our dinner rezzie.
We ended up a cute little restaurant hidden down a pedestrian alley called Cafe Claude.
In fact, we walked right by the alley almost missing it on our way there.
It might have been because we were distracted doing this:

And we ate cheese.
And it was SO good.

And then we traipsed around a bit.
Exploring a few of the hot-spots and not-so-hot-spots around our hotel.
This place seemed promising, but ended up a dud.

Which left us with no choice but to hit up the Starlight Room.
The rotating sign is always calling my name, and after all these years, I had yet to visit.

The view was spectack.
That alone made it worth the adventure.

Well that and the top 100 billboard jams mixed with dated hits on the dance floor made for an awesome night.
Also, spying on the people in the hotel across the way.
Yes, your windows are open, and yes, people CAN see you walking around naked.

We finished the night sharing onion rings and a banana split at Lori's Diner - which seems to be where we always end up on our Union Square adventures.

In the morning, we woke up to the dinging of the cable car line below, and the promise of hot Starbucks coffee across the street.

The day was about to begin and new adventures (in a limo! with mimosas!) awaited us!

Believe it or not, I lived in wine country for three years, and never once went wine tasting.
Also, it was before I was 21, so I guess that is probably for the better.

Also for the better is the fact that at this point I started using my actual camera.

I haven't been in a limo in quite a while, and all I could say was "I feel like I'm filming a Real Housewives episode right now". Those fools hang out in limos a LOT.

The day was clear, the skies were bright, it was a recipe for a good one.

First stop, Beringer.
It was beautiful. Right out of a coffee table book.

And by this time, we were getting hungry. And I really wanted cheese.
So, we headed down the road to V. Sattui.
Where we loaded up on cheese, salami, grapes, and of course, wine.

The sun felt so good shining down on this crisp December day.
Napa just felt happy.
And it wasn't just the wine, I promise.

Our next stop was Grgich Hills Estates.
Which ended up being one of the best parts of the day - although the whole day was great, it's hard to say there was a true best.

But being unexpectedly escorted into the VIP room, given two extra tastings, including a fancy Cabernet, and extra special treatment was hard to beat.

And even though this was our last winery, the day wasn't completely over yet.
We still had one last limo-celebration to have.
Cupcakes for Cindy's Birthday! (Happy Birthday Cindy!!!)

I'm PRETTY sure by looking at these pictures she loved our serenading her with the birthday song.

And then we were DONE.
We put the nap in Napa.
Limo naps all around, while we were driven back to the City.
A good way to spend the day, with my Soul Sisters.
These girls rock.
So does wine.
And Napa.
And cupcakes.

Until the next one ladies...Cheers!

Thirty-One: Take Two.

It was my thirty-first back in August.
I turned 31 in Florence, Italy.
Fancy, I know.
But I'm a brat, and I have birthday problems.
I never enjoy my real birthday. Ever. I cry every year.
I really try hard not to, like REALLY hard, but I can't help it.
This year was no exception.
It's embarrassing to admit. So let's move on.

The last few years, I have opted out of birthday celebrations - but my sister friends, Laura, Cindy and Ellen weren't going to let me get away with it this year.
Especially since they had the cutest Thirty-One themed birthday adventure planned.

It started with the three of them picking me up on Saturday night, and telling me to make sure my phone had space for plenty of photos - as this would be a blogworthy event. I knew right then it was going to be a great night.

From the backseat, Cindy handed me a card with what would be my first clue. Each of the clues had plenty of Bridemsaids references, and I was able to figure out we were headed to a new restaurant in town that I had been dying to check out, 31st Union.

So, it's no secret that I love all things California these days.
I mean, it's the best state ever.
Well, did you know that California was the 31st state in the Union?
Neither did I.

Well, this ADORABLE and amazing little restaurant was all things California.
A giant chalkboard map of the state, with arrows shot into all of the noteworthy cities.

Everything about this restaurant is local. And not just the food, the wood on the walls and benches was even locally sourced.
It made me proud to be a Californian.
God Bless California.

Small plates, small bites, but crazy good.

We split a cheese board between the four of us (forgot to take a pic!)
And I had the fish & chips (seafood exception comes into play here).
They were SO GOOD.

It was such the most perfect way to celebrate the milestone year of turning the big three-one.

Next thing I knew, I was told there was another destination.
I was given my clue, for thirty-one options of sweet treats.
You know where this is going....

But meanwhile, on our walk to 31 Flavors, we passed another local restaurant - 231 Ellsworth.
It wasn't on the agenda, but an appropriate photo op for my 2nd 31st.

They treated me to anything I wanted.
My Baskin Robbins favs are Pistachio Almond & Cherries Jubilee.
A scoop of each, in a waffle cone.
Also, my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

And me, oh my, this was not my last destination.
There was another clue.
Complete with another Bridesmaids reference (Cindy, you have skills at tying them in).
And we ended our night hanging out at another local fav, laughing, and playing silly card games.

It was a wonderful homegrown celebration with lifelong friends.
Thank you girls.
(Also, I feel like we still need a trip to the mall food court: Food31 to complete the 31 theme!)

10 on 10 December: A Very Merry San Francisco

10 pictures over 10 hours.
I got way more than 10.
But the last few cut out before the 10th hour.
So, work with me.


Started out the day with some Nespresso - and some steamed eggnog.

I don't think I've straightened my hair in a couple weeks. Time to crank that sucker up, there is a fun day ahead, full of photo ops.

Picked up my sister. Then my mom. Then Ellen, Cindy and their mama Martha. We were taking our moms on a lunch date in the city.

Along my favorite route, to my favorite parking lot (yes, I have a favorite parking lot) is this awesome sign. I want a picture of it every time we go. But I'm always driving. Or don't have my camera. Or it's dark out.
Thanks Cinders for co-piloting and co-photoging.

Rumors were flying that SantaCon would be descending on Union Square at 12:30. We hung out for a bit as a few Santas straggled around. Sadly we had the location wrong. But, we got to see the giant tree in Union Square, the tiny ice rink, the wreaths in the Macy's windows, and join the holiday fun.

We took the mama's to lunch. The Oak Room at the Westin St. Francis. Let's put it this way, the Yelp reviews are 100% correct. And our lunch was comped.

After lunch we headed out the revolving doors into the City, where SantaCon had arrived, and was starting to really get rolling. Santas were crossing everywhere.

Our goal was to find the puppies in the Macy's window display. Puppies is a lie. There was one puppy. But he was cute enough to make up for the lack of plurality.  Snickers. And obviously, he was adopted in a snap! Cutie!

We made our way into Macy's and did a little more shopping. Finally meeting up at Holiday Lane, where we got on the "big screen" for "mailing our letters to Santa". But really, the only one mailing the letter was the cute cartoon boy who is trying to photobomb us.

And before we headed home, we strolled through the revolving doors of Neiman Marcus and under their gorgeous rotunda and ginormous Christmas tree.

Totally a fun, and completely exhausting day with friends who I have been making memories with for a lifetime!

Linking up over here:

Sisters on the Town

The Grovers and Steigers go way back.

I'm talking playing with the cardboard bricks, fighting over the sit and spin, and riding side by side on the spring loaded ponies in the nursery at church, back.

So far back that I don't remember when we became friends.

But our mama's are friends.
Which means we are too.

Two sisters.
Three and a half years apart.
Nurse Daughters, or ND's for short.
A sense of wanderlust and adventure.

We had a lot in common.

Which I think is why our friendship has stood the test of time.

I mean, check this photo out. You won't see any forehead.
We girls knew how to rock the solid bangs.
Pouty girl in the middle is my sister.
She perfected the pout before it was the standard MySpace pose.

Our mom's took us into the city to help serve the Seamen's Mission.

I don't remember doing any work.
Just eating their belgian waffles.
Although, now that I look at the picture, maybe they were technically scandinavian waffles?

We talk about those waffles to this day.
I have never EVER had a waffle so good.

Anyway, we have done a lot of adventures together. Disneyland. Hawaii. Tahoe.

Anyway, we were due for another sister date.
So we headed to the city to replicate an adventure we took last spring.
The San Francisco Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building and brunch at the Market Bar.

The morning started with Blue Bottle.
You gotta at least try it once.
But be ready to wait in line for 20 minutes.
The jury is still out on if it is worth the wait.
But their logo is cute.
And their waffle isn't half bad.
Not as good as the mission. But good.

We explored the Ferry Building. And all of its crowded quirky glory.
I bought a super cute succulent.
In a mug.
It's my first.
I don't do plants.
I have a palm tree.
That I water about 6 times a year.
Which reminds me....

The best part of this farmer's market - is that it is in both the front and the back of the building.
The first time we explored, we discovered the entire back section.
Which is way bigger.
And way better.

And this time around, WAY more variety, quality, and even though it was crowded we actually were able to get to a lot of the booths and find out about the products and produce being peddled.
Um, or eat their free samples.
Tomato. Tomahto.

Does everything not look awesome?
Cindy bought us each a pluot.
Which I ate when I got home.
And I kinda wish she bought me seven.


The flowers were fresher.
Brighter.
All around lovelier.

I bought a bundle of lavender.
Which smelled divine.
Lavender scent reminds me of the nap class that I took in college.

You think I'm kidding about the nap class?
No. I got one unit for napping.

Seriously.

And I passed.
Like that was even a question.

I also drew naked people.
But that was a different class.

Those are different posts all together.
Back to the farmer's market.
And fully clothed people.

Like these guys...a live band.
Best comment of the day, was my sister's, regarding them...

"Well....I guess if Needtobreathe isn't available"

They kinda looked like them.
And sounded like them.
I don't know. Maybe that comment was just funny to me.
Moving on...

Some of the vendors get kinda bossy.
You don't want to mess with them.
Especially when they tell you samples are mandatory.
Oh fine.
If you insist.

We wined and dined at the Market Bar.
There was a lot of bacon involved.
And mimosas.
And more bacon.

After a fab brunch, back to the Ferry Building to use the restrooms explore.

I could have bought one of everything.
But the visa bill and my jeans won't allow it.
So I settled for taking pictures.

Yes, that is sombrero shaped pasta.
And rainbow lasagna.
I think the black and white bow ties are adorbs.

These are the baby sisters. One is a hygienist, and got a kick out of the dental fund at the candy shop.
And one is a nurse. Who loves all things nerdy.

We love them both.

Finally, we made a stop in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
We don't have CB&TL in the burbs.
I know, call us underprivileged.

In fact, I have only been to Coffee Bean one time in my life.
When I went to a private Hilary Duff concert a few years back.
And stalked Perez Hilton - at what he then considered his "office".

See, this is the picture we took with him. But I cropped my sister and I out.
2006 wasn't a hot year.
You're welcome.

Anyway, CB&TL is a bit of a novelty around these parts.
So we may have geeked out a bit.
But it was fun.
And Cindy bought me a light blended vanilla whirly doo.
Who knows what they call their drinks.
I can't keep it straight.
But it was delish.

And the nerdy shoe shot?
Taken by my sister.
But not posed.
We actually were just sitting like that.
Do you even care?
Time to stop typing?
Yeah, I thought so.


The good news is tomorrow is my actual blog-i-versary.
And I announce the winner of my mug swap giveaway.

Did you get your mug?
Did you mail your mug?

You have until tomorrow to do it.
Police yourselves people.

And come back tomorrow.
Maybe I'll post one of my sketches of naked people.* **


*I totally won't.
**At least not tomorrow.



Linking up with Heather at Life Made Lovely