Diamond in the Rough

On my recent annual trip to my "home away from home", San Francisco, Ca, I got to spend one day snapping great photos for my portfolio in West Oakland. Sure, the city is one to be dealt as it's a rough diamond that has yet to be discovered. Naturally, I was scouting the area for some good eats as I was working up quite an appetite. Then along my snapping journey, I came across this stand alone "modern day" soul food restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen. What I admired the most was that this hot spot cooks with locally grown, organic and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. The delicious baked goods and hot entrees are inspired by Tanya Holland's interpretation of soul food. Her influences are a concoction of her African American heritage, her formal training at Le Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in France and her general appreciation for a wide variety of cuisines. You can definitely taste the love in each bite! So next time you take a trip over to the San Francisco area, I highly recommend you treat yourself to something so good!

Brown Sugar Kitchen

Sweet West Oakland

2534 Mandela Parkway

Oakland, California 94007

Stay Sexy

There's nothing better than speaking your mind on matters that mean the most to you. Thus, I was surely impressed with this fresh and edgy, new age hipster clothing company known as, Sober Is Sexy. Sadly, there are many of people out there, including myself, who have known people to succumb under the spell of substance abuse. The good news is there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. To provide those with moral support and several resources to clean up their lives can prove to save lives. Which is why I have much respect for Sober Is Sexy clothing and accessories. There are several ways you can make a statement ranging from loudly stated apparel for both men and women to tote bags and jewelry and 5% of each purchase goes towards a substance abuse organization. So go ahead and be sexy, help save a life and get your shop on.

Visit Sober Is Sexy

Alluring Antiquities

There's nothing this girl loves more than to accessorize my favorite outfits with rustic jewelry. Sure, anyone can go to the local swap meet in hopes of finding that rare vintage jewel to add to your latest collection, but why not go straight to the pot of gold? This is exactly how I felt when I came upon my latest discovery and new favorite jeweler, Erica Weiner. This grassroots gal started out creating her own jewelry in her apartment back in 2005 and since has been collecting amazing treasures throughout her travels to use them in creating a line of jewelry that surely emphasizes exquisite craftsmanship and now her line is being sold in shops all over the world! Her line has a wide variety of jewelry pieces for just about every occasion ranging from necklaces to engagement rings. Check out some of my favorite pieces below.

Pair of Late Victorian Belt Bracelets

Birdcage Earrings

Deco Engagement Ring with Curving Filigree

Visit the Erica Weiner Online Shop

New Kids On the Block

There are many reasons as to why I simply adore where I have grown my own life roots in good old Long Beach, CA. Aside from the sunny days at the Pike to enjoying my Jameson and tonic water at the local Hip-Ster bars on 4th Street, what I appreciate and love most is the diverse and creative counter culture  uprising in the underground. There are many days, if not most, where I still feel young at heart despite the fact that years seem to pass by like months as of late as I recollect the sweet and irreplaceable memories of the more youthful days. Recently, As I was driving in my car, I happened to be driving behind a car that had an unfamiliar bumper sticker which reads "livevil". I was a bit curious but went on with my day forgetting I'd ever seen it. Two days later as I was on the road to the dance studio, I saw that same sticker again on another car! I was then, even more intrigued. Naturally, I turned to Google to inquire about this new "hype" and I liked what I found. So today I wanted to provide you with a peek inside the uprising of the newest kids on the block, who have come together to make their mark starting with their clothing line that speaks for itself, LIVEVIL. Still curious? Visit their online STORE to see what all the hype is going to be. You just might thank me later :)

Let Them Eat Cake

There is nothing better to me than having a few sweet treats! I am a fan of it all...pastries, cupcakes, muffins  and the list goes on. That is why today I wanted to share a special treat with my readers today! During my recent trip up North, I had the pleasure of coming across a cute, vintage style bakery located in Arroyo Grande, called Eclair Bakery. They had everything from Crumble Top muffins and fresh baked bread to irresistible Apple Turnovers and heart warming Red Velvet cupcakes (which is an absolute favorite of yours truly!) Their customer service is surely impressive and most welcoming. You can feel the passion for making special baked treats to share with their customers just by walking into the kitschy bakery, which I feel most standard bakeries lack. So next time your sweet tooth is aching for something special and you are near the area, I highly recommend going to this lovely little bakery! They also specialize in custom orders and decadent wedding cakes!

Eclair Bakery

117 East Branch Street

Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Phone: (805) 481-7654

Animal Style Artillery

One thing this lovely leopard enjoys is to take in every beautiful day in the diverse city of Long Beach, CA. Over the weekend I had the pleasure of heading out to the grassy knolls of the Marina Green to listen to live bands and check out hip new vendors while sipping on a cold and refreshing Blue Moon. One vendor I was pleased to come across is Arm the Animals (ATA). Being an animal lover myself I was so happy to see a clothing company with a purpose I fully believe in. Arming animals with artillery and giving them a voice of preservation. Their collection for both men and women is simple yet strongly stated with images of animal silhouettes  armed with various weapons. Even better than their celebrity supporters such as Andrew Keegan, Shannon Elizabeth and Shilo Fernandez defending the defenseless is their current partnerships with rescue shelters, Bark of Love and Strangest Angels. So go ahead and check out some of this swag with a purpose below, animals all around the world will thank you.

Check out more styles at Arm the Animals