{hiking mt. tam}

I've hiked this mountain a few times now...& it's one of my favorite things to do here. San Francisco is a great city for many reasons, but one of the best things about it is the fact that you can drive 25 minutes outside it & be in the mountains.

My friend Sam & I packed a small picnic, my camera, & our trusty backpacks & headed up there a few weeks ago. We expected clouds & wind, but ended up getting sun & warm weather! It rose up to the high eighties! As a east coaster & midwesterner, we were soaking it up.

There are a ton of trails & parking lots, but we decided to drive as close to the top as we could. We ended up above the clouds. It was so beautiful...it looked like you could just walk across them. We also had a pretty spectacular view of the city. It was the perfect spot.

^^rock theatre

^^road to the clouds

{san francisco from my phone}

I have so many photos of the city on my phone...so I thought I'd just post them all at once!

If you visit San Francisco, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge & head up to Mt. Tam. The views are pretty insane. Look at those rolling hills! {I have another post on this hike coming soon...}

This photos below are from a work offsite. We were right below the bridge! In a span of two minutes the fog was going

going

gone!

My company has two buildings in San Francisco & both have such amazing views!

From my balcony:

This city is just amazing from every angle.

{movies worth seeing}

Here are four films I've seen recently that I've really enjoyed...


Chef (2014)

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. So fresh & charming, with an all-star cast. Don't go on an empty stomach because you'll be salivating at all the marvelous food. Jon Favreau made the triple play of writing, directing, & starring in a movie seem effortless. Spoiler alert: the grilled cheese he makes looks {& sounds} to die for.

The Sessions (2012)

If you've seen the trailer or know what it's about, it may surprise you that it's on my list. I am too. I watched it as a result of an eeny-meeny-miny-mo situation...& loved it. Helen Hunt was amazing, William H. Macy was perfect, John Hawkes was incredible. Not many movies make me cry, but this one completely moved me. I totally judged it by the plot description & was so pleasantly surprised by it. Though the subject matter may suggest it's raunchy, it is almost the opposite. It's funny, romantic, & totally caught me off guard. I highly recommend it.

Belle (2014)

This movie was not on my radar, but my grandmother chose it...so we went!  The acting wasn't outstanding, but I was enchanted by the costumes, setting, & film score. It's worth seeing though {& watch the trailer for some plot background...I tried to sum it up in a sentence & was having trouble.}

The Sound of Music

Yes, I'm putting this on here...because I recently learned not everyone has seen it!?!  I'm specifically talking about my roommate who, thanks to moi, has now watched 50% of it. {We had to split it up due to the length, but I promise you -- it will be finished. Soon.} The songs, the landscapes...Julie!! It's just a masterpiece.

{old-school trailers makes me laugh...it's so long!} 

{happy fourth!}

Is it sunny where you are? rainy? warm?

It's stormy back east, but I still wish I was there!

There's nothing better than LBI on the USA's birthday. 

Instead of links, here are two festive treats for the weekend.

If you're in need of a last minute dessert, try the deconstructed s'mores!
{no link to that one, just read below the photo}

{melt some hershey bars, spread on the grahams, 

top with marshmallows}

{glasses}

Ahh, the qualms of growing older.

I got glasses.

I was in denial for over two years. My near-perfect eyesight was something I bragged about. That sign a mile away? I could totally read it. My iPhone? I kept it at the normal, respectable distance from my eyes.

But then road signs started becoming blurrier & I moved my phone a dreaded few inches closer to my eyes. So I made an appointment at the eye doctor & what do you know! I needed glasses. Two pairs, to be exact. One for driving & one for when I use the computer. After trying on many different styles, I chose two frames...but bought exactly one. {aka sticker. shock.} I don't really drive a lot in the city, so the computer glasses are good enough for now. 

I settled on a brand that is all the rage these days: Oliver Peoples - "Ashton". I don't remember what I paid for them, but I'm sure the frames are cheaper elsewhere. {They're not on the OP website.} I did the amateur thing of buying them at the eye doctor, which you shouldn't really do since they bump up the price tag. {My mom compared it to the high cost of movie theater popcorn & candy...it's how the doctor makes a chunk of the money.} But in the end, I have pretty good insurance, they're cute, comfortable, & help me see. All worth it. 

So allow me to introduce you to Ashton...

^^you know they're good when they're hand-crafted in Italy

I've had them for about a month now & the difference is crazy. I can see again! The prescription still feels pretty strong, so I try to only wear them towards the end of the day, but I'm very happy I bit the bullet & got them. I also totally recommend this brand, so if you're in need of glasses...try Oliver Peoples!

**not a sponsored post

{inspired by...}

the decor of my chicago hotel room.

so simple, chic, & comfortable.

**I stayed at The Public Chicago. They are not affiliated with this post.