Take Note: City Stay

When accommodations were impossible to come by during the America's Cup, I took note of Jackson Court, where my friend's Mother stayed during her visit to San Francisco for the races. Thus, when my Mother visited this past weekend, she stayed at Jackson Court for the first time. The inn, a historic brownstone mansion from 1900, is perched atop Jackson and Buchanan streets, prime Pacific Heights territory. Nestled among the tree-lined street, the inn is a rather attractive specimen that will greet you with an arched entrance and lush courtyard that will make you feel as if you never left home. I personally think the inn is perfect for parents or in-laws visiting if you live nearby. (Above some photographs snapped by yours truly). See more, here.

The Ultimate Luxury

  This weekend certainly had me thinking. I spent it with my two best friends, soaking up the sunshine across the Golden Gate bridge at a dear friend's home. Early mornings were spent with refreshing swims in the pool, followed by coffee on the terrace while listening to the birds hum their morning tune and watching the sun fill the yard with its warmth. We hunted for fresh cherry tomatoes and scallions in the garden for omelet ingredients, and later poured ourselves into books and magazines by the dark-bottomed pool. I found myself reflecting on how simple our days were, yet how happy they made me. Perhaps this is the definition of summer to many, however that definition changes when you live in San Francisco. Just the vision of lush shrubs and greenery and the act of sourcing our breakfast ingredients from the garden filled my soul with delight. A joyful garden, in my opinion, is an ultimate luxury. I am devoting this post to the simplicities of life and the beauty and luxury they often bestow. Images above are from Mark D. Sikes' curated collection via Pinterest. Be sure to follow his blog, also, a C&C favorite!

Delish!

I love beets and this recipe looks like a fun one to try at home - perhaps even an excellent menu item when hosting brunch. See more simple toast recipes here.

Chef

I just saw 'Chef' the delightful feel-good flick meets culinary comedy about a chef who in the depth of his career, takes a risk to follow his passion for cooking, ultimately bringing him close to the things that matter most in his life, namely, his son. Thematically, we've all seen films of this sort, however I found it refreshing as a new-age, lighthearted reminder of the things dear to our personal joy. The film is accompanied by a fun cast, snappy soundtrack, and a road trip to some good old-fashioned cuisine capitals. View the trailer, here.