{good eats} Wooly Pig Cafe

When I met up with some friends in the Inner Sunset area, they took me straight to the Wooly Pig Cafe raving about the Wooly Pig sandwich, a braised caramel pork belly sandwich that is there specialty.  After this pork belly experience just two days earlier, I decided to try the Banh Mi sandwich with Traditional Vietnamese Cold Cuts, Papaya Salad, Thai Chili and Citrus Vinaigrette.  It was an incredible combination of flavors, textures and a kick of spice that I could definitely get used to.

Oh!  I almost forget to mention one of the best part!  Thai Tea Panna Cotta.  [drool]

Photos: Robin West

{photo diary} walls of San Francisco

If walls could talk...well, they would speak volumes.

 

Photos: Robin West [minus one of me, thanks Mykeah!]

{good eats} Tartine Bakery

Another "must" on everyone's journey to San Francisco is the Tartine Bakery located in the Mission.  Somehow, I never really explored this neighborhood until this trip, but definitely seemed to spend a majority of my time exploring all of the hidden treasures.

Tartine is what every bakery should be - simple ideas + the classics executed perfectly with the freshest ingredients and in a lovely open space, perfect for meeting other baked good fanatics.  What else can you really ask for?

at work creating a masterpiece...

this lemon tart was too good to put into words.

Photos + eating: Robin West

{style} here comes the sun

The sun finally decided to come out today, giving me the perfect excuse to wear some color, catch lunch with a friend and walk around my new work stompin' grounds.  Oh, how I wish I lived in the West Village forever...

 

Vintage Akris dress,  vintage sunnies, belt and Coach bag [thanks mom!], Banana Republic flats

See more STYLE posts here

Thanks Amanda for snapping away!

{photo diary} Jean Paul Gaultier at de Young Museum

When I realized I was going to be in SF while the de Young Museum had their Gaultier exhibit opened, I immediately put it to the top of my list.  One of the best things was that they really made sure to not allow a massive amount of people in all at once so everyone was able to get detailed views of each magnificent piece.  

As soon as you walk in, you realize you are experiencing something really unique - each mannequin had a video projection of individual faces blinking, singing + looking right at you.  A little creepy at first, but man, did it make an impression + suck you right in!

I really loved everything.  Each era, collection + detail was seriously beautiful, so much so if I were allowed to sleep on the floor and just 'live it' for a day or two I absolutely would have.  

Madonna's actual wardrobe.

 

hands down my favorite look in the exhibit...

 

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} Farm:Table

Since a photo speaks a thousand words, going to keep this short + sweet.  Farm:Table's breakfast was food that everyone should spend every morning indulging in.  Spring vegetables, egg, perfect polenta, broccolini and just 2 short blocks [uphill] away from my friend's apartment.  Score!

Photos + Eating: Robin West

{new beginnings} + happy friday!

Up until 2 or 3 years ago, I lived my life in fear.  I will always be a work in progress, but "what if I lose my job", "what if I don't have enough money", "what if they don't like how I do this",  "what if I tell them the truth and they get mad", and so on, were thoughts that were in my head every day and thoughts that I allowed to run my life.  I was afraid of trying new things or doing what I wanted to do and failing at them/looking bad, so I never expanded out of my comfort zone.  Which, as you probably know, to succeed you need to fall a few times.  And that's ok!

I know I just serious for a Friday.  It's bittersweet, but today is my last day at my current job and I will be moving on to another agency on Monday.  Am I 100% sure of my decision to move out of a comfortable job and atmosphere that I have been secure in and have been able to roam freely in?  No.  Am I 100% sure that this is absolutely the best fit?  Nope.  What I AM sure about is that for once, I made a decision that seems like the best thing for me at this time.  

Only time will tell how I grow and who I grow with, but today, I have that excited/nervous feeling that I used to get on my first day of school.  And in the long run, I made a decision for myself and know that no matter what happens, I will be ok.

{good eats} The Sycamore

Within 30 minutes of getting off the BART, I walked to The Sycamore to try these Pork Belly Donuts with Maple Makers Mark Glaze that I read about on a few websites.  In my head I thought the donuts would be fried in pork belly fat - to my surprise, it was more like a zeppole with pork belly meat in the middle.  Whoa.  

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} Rye, San Francisco

One thing that I can't get out of my head from my trip?  This beautiful gimlet from Rye.  I asked the bartender for something not too heavy of a liquor taste and she handed me this - watching her create this was pretty amazing, almost as much as drinking it.  

Photo: Robin West

{on the street} Sydney Fashion Week

I never pegged Sydney for a fashion capital, but after seeing these Tommy Ton shots of the street style during their fashion week, methinks I was highly incorrect! 

Photos: Tommy Ton/Style.com