Birthday Week Part 2: 83 Proof

It was exciting to have my birthday fall on a Friday night!

It meant that all my friends could come out to one of my favorite bars to celebrate. 83 Proof is the perfect mix of expert cocktails, casually yet classy atmosphere, easy to get to, and comfy decor.

Located behind the Walgreens on First Street between Market and Mission, it was a central location for all my wonderful friends who came from as far away as Sacramento and Fresno. (Have I mentioned that I am the luckiest girl in the world for having such AMAZING friends!)

We hung out in the mezzanine, overlooking the bar. It was perfect for a party, because we could all hang out and be relaxed...it was like having a private space.

I drank my favorite drink all night, Sweet Tea infused Vodka with 7-up, twist of lime and bitters....sooo yummy! (Thank you Skye, nobody makes a drink like you!)

It was the perfect night and I couldn't have asked for more from a birthday. Thanks for hosting, 83 Proof!

Birthday Week Part 1: Sauce

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been MIA...my birthday week kicked my butt! It was SUPER fun and I think it was one of the best I can remember, but it wore me out. Don't worry, I will fill you all in on the details.

The birthday celebrations officially started with Sunday's A Drag, which I already told you about.

Then on Wednesday, some of my BFF's and I had our first of the Birthday Dinners at Sauce in Hayes Valley. It's one of my fave backup restaurants. They have good food that you can depend on and that can please the whole range of taste buds. My faves are the Portobello Mushroom Fries, Tomato Bisque (it comes with little mini grilled cheese sandwiches, how perfect!) and the Beet Salad. Oh, and they always have yummy desserts!

Give it a try and let me know what you fave is.

Trendy Mayo?

Being a creative-type, I've always kept my eye out for clever advertising. I can't help it. That's how my design teachers taught me. Living in SF is a great place for checking out the most clever ads -- especially the campaigns that blanket the underground MUNI stations.

The most recent one that caught my eye was for Miracle Whip. Yes, really. I know, I was completely surprised, too. They were being quite agressive, clever and avant garde, especially for a condiment. Their concept centers around "Are you mayo or are you miracle whip?"

And then it directly ties the consumer and their personal identity to the product, by putting sayings like "Are you bland or bold?" on the walls. "No mayo allowed beyond this point" on the floor. The background is all done to look like painted plywood billboard space. This is totallly not what I was expecting from mayo.

Oh, excuse me.

Apparently Miracle Whip is NOT Mayo.

I never knew that! But now I sure do.

Here's some more pics of the Powell Street eastern most entrance:

Sweet, spicy cole slaw is heavenly

This memorial day, my friends and I got together for a rooftop barbeque in SF. Except for the wind and a couple of missing buddies, it was perfect. Yummy steak, chicken, beer, wine, grandma's secret recipe coffee cake (the best ever, Susan!) and lots of other great eats.

I decided to make a new coleslaw recipe I found and it was delish. The recipe made two big containers full and we ate almost all of it! It's a little bit sweet and a little spicy, which in my opinion, is the perfect combo. The Food Network has lots of great recipes...I'm always finding something that's unique, yet still pretty simple to make.

Let me know if you give this one a try for yourself!

Cole Slaw with Pecans and Spicy Dressing
courtesy Food Network and Tyler Florence

Sunday's A Drag is anything but!

Today some of my best buds and I went to Harry Denton's Starlight Room for a fun-filled Sunday brunch full of delish eats, yummy mimosas and a fabulous drag show.

I'm not really the type to get starstruck, so I don't know what it is about these ladies that gets to me...but every time I see a drag queen I freak out as if it's really Madonna, not someone dressed like her circa 1995. I mean, seriously. Just take a look at my expression in this picture. It's like a kid meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.

Anyways, for a "tourist event" this was pretty freakin' fun. Miss Donna Sachet was an amazing hostess and the girls really did an awesome job on the stage. The highlight for me was seeing "Beyonce" doing "All the Single Ladies." It took all the strength I had not to jump up and start dancing along. And my new Drag Crush is totally and completely Cassandra Cass, this transsexual diva is like a real life Barbie...only way more fun! She's amazing to watch perform and I can't wait to see her on her upcoming reality show.

Whether you're gay or straight, this is one of the most delightful and entertaining ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. If anyone wants to go check it out, count me in! I'd love an encore.

The way to happiness...in list form.

So I was going through some of the clippings and notes that I keep...I have so many of them it's scary! If these were actual pieces of paper and not computer files, my apartment would be wallpapered with randomness.

Anyway, I came across this list of things to do to make life a little easier...and consequently, less stressed and happier. It was in a doc titled "Be Happier Right Now."

I don't remember where I got it from, but I do know I didn't come up with it myself. I apologize to the writer, and please let me know if you've seen this before so I can give them proper credit (and check out what else they've written).

A few of the items here I do already, and some I KNOW I have to work on.

• Laugh at yourself.
• Keep stamps in the house.
• Keep extra cash in the house.
• Have a good book to read.
• Bring a hat and an umbrella.
• Don’t wear tight pants or uncomfortable shoes.
• Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
• Make a list.
• Always keep your passport in the same place.
• Always put your keys away in the same place — and keep an extra set of keys.
• Keep a Band-Aid and a small bottle of pain reliever in your purse.
• Make your bed.
• Never let your car’s gas level fall into the "empty" zone.
• Have at least one friend who lives in your neighborhood.
• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual.
• Get up 20 minutes earlier than usual.

So, what do you think of this list?

This kitty LOVES his broccoli

And now combining topics from the last two posts...

Here is an adorable kitten crying over giving up his yummy broccoli. No joke!

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen. (Sorry, Archie!)