Factery Labs, which is a cool site that delivers ‘just the facts’ of any given news story is giving away $25 iTunes gift cards daily all next week, and all you have to do is provide them with your juiciest Oscar fact in answer to the daily question on their Facebook or Twitter page (half of you probably know more than you think – you know how the Oscars go…. Sometimes it feels like the whole year is awards season with us talking about who wore what well into the next season.  Its great.  Sick a little bit, but GREAT!).  Just be sure to use #Oscars and #FacteryLabs if you’re on Twitter.  Super simple – and again, why not enter a contest via Facebook or Twitter instead of stalking that guy you knew in middle school who just started dating that new girl and now you know ALL about their budding relationship even though you haven’t talked to him in 10 years (yes, we all do it, but a contest is way more productive and fun, right?!).

Another site giving into our Oscar lust is Square Eyes, which gives great articles and introspection on shows that we’re watching.  Their Starry Eyes Oscar prediction contest starting on March 2^nd gives you a chance to win 6 months worth of Netflix.  I know I always have an opinion, so why not get something free out of it?  Just be sure to visit their site on the 2^nd to get all the details.

These two contests seemed fun and easy, and are a great way to bring the excitement of Oscar season into your daily life.  Plus winning free stuff is always awesome.  Good luck!

Peace and love Xo

I recently tried the vegetarian eatery Herbivore in this locale, and it was delicious and super fresh.  They have a massive menu, so you don’t feel limited, and there are options for people on more than just a veggie diet – gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.  Very awesome!  I had a delicious salad full of rice noodles, fruit, and nuts, paired with a fresh organic berry smoothie.  I felt healthier after eating, which if you are like me is usually not the case.  It’s affordable, too, at under $10 for most lunch options.   And remember that ambiance is key – outside patio seating is available in the back AND front at this trendy joint.  Eating in the back is slightly more subdued than the front, which in this neighborhood allows for some great people watching.  And trust me, in this region of the City, you will NOT be disappointed at the people to watch – and lucky for us, with a spot like Herbivore, you won’t be with the food either.

Peace and love Xo

As you walk into the center, a sense of calm washes over you.  The people attending are friendly and ready to relax their minds. Good vibes abound.  Once the instructor comes in (we had Gene, who was AMAZING.  What a comforting presence, and a cute smile, to boot…), you set straight to meditating.  It’s guided, so initially, Gene led our breathing.  Then you meditate on your own – take whatever thought comes in and reflect, observe.  An almost trans-like state comes over you as this occurs, and it’s truly empowering.  Taking 30 minutes to feel your body and feel your mind is incredible.  Why we never do this is now beyond me.

After the meditation ended, Gene led a discussion on participant questions, observations, etc.  Being a gifted orator, in my opinion, he brought humor, emotion, and comfort to all aspects of what he taught.  It was truly amazing to hear him clarify questions we all had on how and why to meditate.

This is one of those experiences that I feel blessed to have had.  Best part is, it’s every Friday at 7:30pm, and so I’m able to go back time and time again.  Definitely check it out if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or if you need to find some clarity.  The calm that meditation brings to the mind is a true gift, and thankfully for me, I’ve now opened the box.

Peace and love Xo

A place I’ve recently discovered will definitely be added to this list, I’m sure.  I’ve gone on a gluten and dairy-free diet as of late, and this is one of the places that has options galore for a high-maintenance gal like me.  Thai Spice, located on Polk Street in between

Clay and Washington serves up some of, if not the, best Thai I’ve had in the City.  With rice noodles and coconut milk being their staple ingredients, Thai has fast become one of the food options that I can still go out and eat with naught a worry.  Not only is their establishment located in the fun and hip location of Nob Hill, but everything from the tables to the décor to the amazing dishes you are served are presented like, well, presents.  Wonderful ambiance and feel then leads you in to some downright amazing Thai food.  Not only do they have the best Pad Thai I have ever eaten, but their other dishes are equally as remarkable and leave you wanting to try everything on the menu.  Dishes to definitely check out – the Pumpkin Curry with tofu or chicken and the Spinach Rolls appetizer.  Both are simply incredible, and I have no doubt from the ooh’s and ah’s from friends that the other dishes leave nothing to be desired – except maybe a second helping (portions aren’t small though, so you really won’t even have to worry about that).  There are plenty of wines, beers, teas, and Thai teas to pair with these dishes, as well, which make for a fun outing anytime.

Service is easy and relaxed, where they know what is in their food and also can suggest favorites.  It’s not a pretentious, overly expensive place though looks swanky from all aspects.  I don’t know how they do it, but that God they do.  It’s rare to find an affordable, delicious, and all around relaxing spot in such a posh neighborhood, but Thai Spice is breaking the mold and doing it night after night.  Definitely check out this healthy and delicious spot that will keep you craving it long after you leave.

Offered in innovative 3D – the film’s director James Cameron has used pioneering 3D cameras in all shots of the film – Avatar follows the story of an ex-Marine who travels to the distant planet of Pandora to assist the other humans there in the mining of a rare and very precious metal set to make them million.  In a desultory effort to be diplomatic, they have allowed scientists on the planet, not only to gain knowledge about their surroundings, but also to learn the ways of the native species, called the Na’vi.  The scientists have developed the ability to put the brain of a human into an alien body, which they call Avatars.  Soon, the greed and overwhelming entitlement of the human race acts as a catalyst in the attempted take-over of the planet, and hostilities between these two species comes to a head.  With a love story between Na’vi and human, action, and a not so secret political and environmental directorial subtext, it’s a modern day ‘Dances with Wolves’, but oh so much cooler.

You will literally be taken to another world for three hours as the enigmatic, sweeping shots are so beautiful and so flawlessly executed that you can’t help the escape – you are taken to Pandora and don’t want to come back.  Each shot takes its time, but is perfectly paced, so you finally feel like not just character development, but also setting development, becomes wonderfully apparent.  With sweeping landscapes and an entirely new language created for the film, Cameron spared no expense – lucky us.  The 3D element only adds to the escape, as well, as you actually do feel like you are flying, running, and in fact, among the indigenous group.  With color, music, and sensory overload at every turn, it just keeps getting better and better with each passing scene – what film have you seen recently can boast that?  With Cameron working on this project for the past 15 years, though, it’s hardly surprising.

Get ready to experience where movies are headed for in the future, as Avatar indeed shows us what we were previously missing in the theater experience.  With big screen HD televisions becoming more and more ubiquitous in the modern household, this finally gives us a reason to go to the theater.  This film is epic and, like Cameron’s film Titanic, will define a period in filmmaking, I have no doubt whatsoever.  I cannot rave enough, and in fact, would go see it again in a heartbeat (probably will).  Go… just go – you will certainly not regret this slide into another world.

Peace and love Xo

Keep in mind that this place in some aspects is more a place to be scene than a place to get the best sushi, and I don’t know if I would seek it out as a normal sushi place if they didn’t have such a great happy hour, but as it’s located cattycorner to the fantastic Chestnut Street shopping district and is in the middle of it all, it’s a place I’m sure I’ll be visiting time and time again – hopefully, though, each time it’s a weeknight… and before 7pm.

Peace and love Xo

Peace and love Xo

Taking a walk in Union Square is enough to bring out the holiday spirit, alone, but when you get to experience the sights and smells of the area, it’s even better.  Check out Macy’s of Union Square’s annual tree lighting ceremony (tonight!) and take a stroll through Tiffany’s and Saks for your visual delight.  With the weeks of decoration preparation that go into these classic places, simply being there is a way to feel more connected to your inner elf.  I wouldn’t recommend hitting the crazy after Thanksgiving weekend sales, as it’s simply too nuts, and no amount of “exclusive sales” is worth the 4am wake up call or herded masses, as far as I’m concerned.

For a non-traditional holiday feast while you are in the Downtown area, try The Oriental Pearl on Clay and Kearny.  While a wily little Chinatown hole-in-the-wall, their food is scrumptious and will leave you wanting more – must haves are the pork buns and the seriously perfect vegetable spring rolls.  It’s only minutes from the shopping madness of Union Square by foot, but will be so much more pleasant for your sanity than trying to wait in line at one of the Union Square hot spots.  Around Christmas, it feels reminiscent of  “A Christmas Story” where they go out for Chinese when the dogs eat their turkey, except with The Oriental Pearl, it’s much more deliberate I’m glad to say.

If you want to get out of the Square (and hey, I don’t blame you at times), try heading over to another tourist destination (they are so much fun at Christmas time!), Fisherman’s Wharf, where now through the 31^st of December you can view the especially set up “Holiday Festival of Lights”.  It’s a beautiful way to spend your shopping hours, albeit a little hectic as these destinations usually can be.

While I don’t hit up these spots often, as the masses of people generally deter me, it’s always fun during the holiday season to morph into a bona fide tourist and experience what our city is famous for.

Peace and love Xo

To be outdoors but also keep you from freezing, take a trek and go boutiquing in Pacific Heights.  The hills are intensely steep, making the cold bearable.  It’s the only time of year that these hills don’t make you sweat uncontrollably when hiked.  This is such a fun activity this time of year as all of the holiday essentials are out and affordable in small doses.  Visit ‘Heidi Says’ or ‘Nest’ on Fillmore for some great holiday ideas – expensive, of course (being in Pacific Heights and all), but cute.

For a cozy meal in an eclectic atmosphere, check out The Café at Café du Nord.  Next door to the affiliate music venue on Market, they have great sandwiches and gigantic cups of coffee.  Delish!  The best part is if you are catching a show next door, you can finally grab a bite to eat for a reasonable price.  If you aren’t catching a show, it’s a great location for a Mission/Castro shopping break, as well as the obligatory people watching – my favorite.

Since being indoors is something to cherish during these months, I like to hold off during the summer and visit museums and art exhibitions now.  Next weekend, the Second Annual Erotic Art Exhibition comes to the California Modern Art Gallery, and is only $15.  What a fun way to spend a fall day!  I went to the Sex Museum in Paris once, and it was incredible.  The show will definitely keep the blood pumping, to say the least.

I can’t wait to experience more of the City as we delve into winter.   It’s the perfect time to explore and see what hidden treasures are at our fingertips.  While I love summer in San Francisco, the cold is starting to warm on me.

Peace and love Xo

The atmosphere immediately draws you in and gives cause to pause.  Located on the water of the Embarcadero with the lights of the luminous Bay Bridge high overhead, it’s a view of the City that shouldn’t be missed.  With an earthy vibe, it’s a new age in trend, I think.  The rustic feel was accompanied by the soft glow of candles and modern touches.  Very cool scene.  We ordered salads to start and then main meals, and I must advise to split a small salad.  It was so big, that when dinner comes, you’re almost too full.  While I appreciate the size for the money, I hate to waste and want to enjoy the entrée, too.  The salads themselves though, were delicious and fresh.  They have about six options to choose from, which is nice if you don’t want the standard spinach, Cesar, or house.  For our entrée, my vegetarian counter-part ordered the tempeh with pumpkin puree and I ordered the shrimp green curry.  While I was amazed with the tempeh – and wish I’d ordered it myself – the curry was too busy and the shrimp seemed almost a little undercooked for my taste.  The tempeh, which if you haven’t heard of, it is a type of cake made out of soybeans, came with a pumpkin mash that was incredible.  Savory and full of flavor, I was definitely asking for tastes of that.  The green curry, which in itself had good flavor, came with about 7 different veggies, jasmine rice, and the undercooked shrimp, which just, in my opinion, gave it too many flavors that didn’t necessarily go together.  Other than this, everything was very good and tasted fresh.  It’s just a bummer my main entrée was the one I wasn’t thrilled with.

Good service and great ambiance, however, added to the experience of the Plant, so I would definitely go again to try some other dishes.  I’m feeling lighter just thinking about it.  Ah, healthy eating… so worth it.

Peace and love Xo