Words to Remember

Although life as a postgrad can be a time of confusion and disarray as to where your future is headed, try to keep these words in mind. Find what you love to do and focus your energy towards it! 

SF Eats

One of the best things about dining in SF, is there is such a great range of cuisine for every budget. San Francisco offers an incredible amount of restaurants for those of us not wanting to spend a fortune every time when we go out. For some of us it is a struggle to not indulge in eating out every night with all this city has to offer, however life as a postgrad requires some restraint. Here are some of our favorites!

For the Perfect Pizza: Pizzeria Delfina

One of our favorite restaurants in SF, Delfina has near-perfect pizza, an amazing wine selection, and truly unique and delicious appetizers. The Salsiccia Pizza is not to be missed!

Dinner with a Friend: Bistro Central Parc

Bistro Central Parc is one of those small gems in SF that has maintained its cozy neighborhood feel while still producing an incredible menu. It's french bistro fare is extremely reasonable and totally delicious. Some of our favorites items on the menu include the scallops and risotto in lobster sauce (as pictured above), the bouillabaise, and the chocolate lava cake!

Best Date Spot: Frascati

Simply one of the best restaurants in the city, this locals only spot is so intimate and charming! If there were one restaurant in the city to take a date this is the spot. Their menu changes frequently depending on what is fresh and in season! Their pork chop and chocolate bread pudding are absolute perfection!

Show Your Stripes

Looking through my wardrobe, it's safe to say that I have a slight obsession with stripes. My abundant collection of striped staples ranges from t-shirts to sweaters in navys, reds, and blacks. But as of late, I have been pretty bored with the neutrality of my stripe-heavy wardrobe. While my first instinct would be to go stopping for a few new tops to add to the mix, I decided the more creative, frugal option would be to seek out some bright accessories to add pops of color to my daily look. By pairing one of my favorite striped shirts with some electric-hued accessories, jeans, and necklaces, I plan on piecing together some great looks for the Spring months to come.

Saint James shirt- $75

The perfect striped shirt is one of those pieces from which you can build many different types of outfits. This Fall, I purchased a black and white striped shirt from Saint James which has proved to be my go-to shirt for many outfits (Sidenote: while this shirt is a little on the pricey side, the amount of times that you will most likely wear it is well worth the $75 price tag!).

1. Forever 21 - $8.80
2. Kate Spade - $75
3. Old Navy - $15

1. Blue Essence c/o Nordstrom - $88
2. J. Crew - $108
3. Sold Denim - $108

1. Forever 21 - $8.80
2. Modcloth - $50
3. Bauble Bar - $58
4. Bauble Bar - $30

- by Natalie -

Week Wrap-up

Whether you're a New York Giants fan, a football fan, or a Madonna fan, we hope you all had a great Super Bowl Sunday! As this week comes to a close, we can't help but reel in anticipation for the amazing Fall 2012 collections that are going to be on display this upcoming week at New York Fashion Week. Have a fantastic rest of your weekend, and here are a few things that made us smile this week:

- The Super Bowl was okay, but the Puppy Bowl was even better! -

- Lana Del Rey released her highly anticipated new album on Friday. There is just something so interesting and haunting about her voice! Definitely worth a listen -

- Delicious lunch eatery Blue Barn is coming to Corte Madera at the Town Center -

- The Metreon underwent phase one of their renovation, adding many delicious restaurants (including La Boulange, Buckhorn Grill, and Super Duper Burger, to name a few) with the promise of many more opening in the upcoming months -

Bottle It Up

Discovering antique pieces and finding creative ways to use them is always exciting. After happening upon three vintage glass bottles (thanks to a certain grandmother of one of the Postgraduettes!), we thought we'd demonstrate three ways to utilize these bottles. The end results provided us with products that you can gift to your friends, or keep for yourself to liven up your living space!

- Store bath salts -

-Infuse olive oil using rosemary, lemon, & cloves -

- Use as a vase to display fresh flowers -

Week Wrap-up

We hope that you had a productive week and a relaxing weekend! Here are a few things that happened this week that made us smile (and laugh out loud, thanks to a certain viral video on youtube!).

- Fresh florals and Marie Antoinette-inspired looks at the Valentino Spring 2012 Couture show -

- We knew it was only a matter of time before San Francisco got it's own 

Sh*t _______ Say Video! Slightly distasteful at times, but we definitely got a laugh at some of the references that were made in this all-too-true video -

- Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir reopens the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley -

- The delicious Valentine's Day Specials at Susie Cakes have arrived. We'll be checking out all of the delectable goodies at the Chestnut Street store -

Lust vs. Must: Workout Wear

(Lululemon Astro Pant, Athleta Runabout Pant, Old Navy Bootcut Activity Pants, Forever 21 Dotted Waist Athletic Pant, Nike Dri-Fit Training Pants)

DIY: Chalkboard Frame

Keeping organized is never an easy task. If you're a visual person like me, a great way to keep schedules, appointments, and lists sorted is to display them in a conspicuous way. Crafting your own chalkboard frame is a chic and easy way to create an appealing piece on which to display all of your daily 'to-do's.' A thrifted frame and a few coats of chalkboard paint are among the items you will need to create your own chalkboard frame to display anything from your weekly schedule to your favorite quotes. And in true Postgraduette fashion, this project was super affordable: in total, I spent about $25 (frame for $20, supplies for about $5).

To create my frame I used a thrifted picture frame, blue painter's tape, a paint brush, black acrylic paint for the board, and chalkboard paint for the board (I opted not to paint the frame white after all and instead, kept the antique, stippled look)

First, I taped off each of the edges of the frame that touched the board

Then, I painted two coats of black acrylic paint on the board as a primer layer

Let the paint dry completely

Over the dried acrylic paint, I painted a layer of chalkboard paint

The finished product

Week Wrap-up

While mid-week rain and darker evenings certainly remind us that we are in the throws of winter, there is plenty to celebrate this week and to look forward to in the upcoming weeks! Here are a few things that helped chase away the drab feeling of winter weather and brought smiles to our faces.



- Amy Poehler and the Upright Citizen's Brigade will be featured at SF Sketchfest from January 19- February 4 -

- Taylor Swift will grace the February cover of Vogue -

- The CW orders a pilot for a new series The Carrie Diaries- a prequel to Sex and the City -

- The Tonga Room (a legendary S.F. bar located in the Fairmont Hotel) has been getting a lot of love lately, from The Bachelor to Anthony Bourdain's travel/foodie show The Layover. Definitely worth a stop for us in the near future -

Napa Wine Tasting

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of heading out to Napa Valley to go wine tasting with some friends. This was the perfect day trip and a great way to learn about some of our favorite wines. We were lucky enough to have a friend in the wine PR business with us, so we were able to get a great discount on all of the tastings, however most of the tastings were extremely reasonable. We stopped by two wineries and had an excellent lunch in St. Helena.

Mumm Napa

We enjoyed two champagne flights at Mumm, and learned about all of the different varietals among the sparkling wines. Mumm was the perfect start to our napa day-cation!

Market

We had a delicious lunch at Market in St. Helena, and tried their famous mac n' cheese which certainly did not disappoint! 

Franciscan

Our last stop was Franciscan where we tried all of the different red varietals and got to explore the beautiful premises. All in all, a wonderful day in Napa Valley!

Lust vs. Must: Dark Denim

There is no denying that the perfect pair of dark denim is a must-have in any wardrobe. Worn with either a casual top for a styled-down weekend outfit, or a blouse and pumps for a night on the town, dark denim can tie any look together. We do recommend investing in at least one pair of premium denim that will stand the test of time, however, having a closet full of designer denim is pretty unrealistic, especially for those of us on a Postgraduette budget. J Brand jeans are among our favorite lines of premium denim, as they are known for their clean washes and flattering fits. We absolutely love the J Brand Pencil Leg jeans ($169). If you're looking for jeans with no frills and no over-the-top hardware or washes, then J Brand denim is worth the investment. If you are looking for a less expensive yet equally as fashionable option, we recommend the BDG denim line from Urban Outfitters. The BDG Cigarette Mid-rise jean ($54) is an almost identical alternative to the J Brand jeans and comes in a variety of washes and comfortable fits. Whether you opt for designer denim or a more budget-friendly pair, dark denim is a staple to keep in your wardrobe for any occasion.

Week Wrap-up

After having published The Postgraduette a week ago, we are absolutely thrilled and extremely appreciative of all of the feedback and support that we have received!

Here are a few things that made us smile this week:

 

- Opening of the second Forever 21 location in Union Square -

- The pre-sale Black Keys tickets that we scored for their show in Oakland this May! -

- Emma Stone's effortlessly chic Gucci tuxedo look at the People's Choice Awards on Wednesday night -

- The announcement of the return of Off the Grid SF food trucks around the Bay Area starting January 15, and Friday night food trucks at Fort Mason starting in March -

- Hometown heroes! San Francisco 49ers win and advance to the NFC championships -

We hope you have a relaxing rest of your weekend. We're going to finish off this fabulous week by watching the Golden Globes this evening! Cheers!

Fit Friday

As the week comes to an end, it is easy to look at the weekend as a time to lounge around in sweats and forgo all activity until Monday. While sometimes that is definitely a necessity, the weekend can also be a great time to explore the beautiful outdoors and all of the great free workout regimens the Bay Area has to offer. One of our absolute favorite spots in the neighborhood is the Lyon Stairs.

The Lyon Stairs, located in posh Pacific Heights, is not only a great spot for gazing at all of the incredible homes in the area, but also acts as a great free workout. Generally we begin with a short run from lower Pacific Heights over to the steps, and then from there we run/walk the steps three times. On the way up the stairs we do lunges for a great lower body workout. Another great tip is to bring light 2 pound weights and lift them as you are climbing the stairs, strengthening the core muscles. Climbing the stairs with a friend on a Saturday morning is a great way to catch up on the week while working out and staying active.

For the two of us, growing up in Marin County offered countless hiking trails that are just a short trip across the bridge. One of our favorites spots, is Fort Chronkhite in the Marin Headlands. Hiking is such a wonderful way to get outside the city and experience nature first hand. Hiking manages to take us outside ourself and see the world as a much larger place, acting not only as a great workout but a spiritual practice.

Pantry Staples: Breakfast Goods

How many times have we heard that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day? It's true! Starting your day out with a healthy, filling meal will keep you alert, energized, and feeling great (check out this interesting article to learn more about the health benefits of eating breakfast). But as a postgraduette, getting your fill in the morning without spending a small monthly fortune can be tricky! How many times have we been in a rush and stopped into our local coffee house to pick up a quick latté and honey bran muffin? And of course we'll never be ones to snivel at the occasional weekend brunch! But for everyday breakfast that's both quick and inexpensive, we invite you to opt for these breakfast pantry staples.

Oatmeal

Any variety, whether it's steel-cut oats, crushed oats, or rolled oats. And we're talking about plain oatmeal, not the kind that you make from a package with added sugar and preserved, dried fruit! Healthy eaters alike agree that a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is one of the best ways to start your day. Choose a container of classic Quaker Oats or grocery store brand Oatmeal, both of which are guaranteed to be high in fiber and low in fat.

Healthy cereal

We emphasize the word "healthy" for a reason! These days, so many cereals boast that they are full of natural whole grains, but really, they're full of sugar (Kellogg's Raisin Bran has a whopping 19 grams per serving!!). Keep your pantry stocked with a box of high fiber cereal like General Mills Fiber One Original Bran or Post Shredded Wheat.

Yogurt

Just like breakfast cereals, all yogurt is not created equally. Look for low-fat, low-sugar yogurt for a refreshing, high-protein meal. We recommend the ever-popular Fage Greek Yogurt, which is a little on the pricey side, but absolutely delicious and full of protein (one container alone has almost 40% of your daily recommended protein). For a less expensive but equally tasty option, choose Yoplait Greek Yogurt.

  

Eggs

Good old fashioned eggs to cook in a variety of ways: scrambled, over easy, or egg whites. Here is a great scrambled egg recipe from Martha Stewart that can be prepared in 10 minutes and cooked in the microwave!

Fresh fruit

Apples, bananas, and blueberries, oh my! While fresh fruit doesn't keep for very long, it's always wise to have a some on hand. And grocery stores are always having deals on fruit, so keep your eyes open! Fresh fruit can always be added to oatmeal, cereal, or yogurt to enhance the flavor and give you more energy in the morning. Not to mention, it makes a great mid-morning/mid-afternoon snack.

Whole Grain Bread

A pantry staple that can be used to make anything from toast to egg sandwiches. Whole wheat or multigrain bread is both healthy and delicious. Try brands like Milton's Multigrain, or Orowheat 100% Whole Wheat.

Peanut Butter

This classic spread gives you a high boost of protein in the morning and can be eaten with apples or on top of toast. Skippy Natural Peanut Butter can be found in almost any major grocery store, and the brand Better'n Peanut Butter is a delicious, low-fat brand that is carried in most Trader Joe's stores.

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And here's one of our favorite recipes for Homemade Granola that can be stored in your pantry for about two weeks and eaten with yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, or by itself!