I can’t believe it’s been this long since I last posted. Time has seriously gotten away from me this year. It’s been a busy, but overall good year. I’m sure there are things to go back to in the next few posts, but in the spirit of posting regularly and escaping the pressure of a 1 year lapse in blogging, I’m going to just focus present time and what’s been going on lately.

Golden Gate Bridge

2011 Quick Highlights
Really there is much more that happened than this. We’ve had some fun memories this year, but here are a few big things that happened.

1. Celebrating 1 year in San Francisco. We’ve been lucky to experience some really amazing things here and grow both individually and as a couple. We’ve been to parades, festivals, incredible restaurants, baseball games, theater and explored the various neighborhoods in this 7×7 mile space.
2. Family and Friends visiting us in the city. One of the best parts of living in San Francisco is that we live in a place that people want to see. We have been so lucky to have many friends and our families come visit several times since we’ve moved. It’s always a highlight of that month and gives an excuse to discover more things in this city.
3. Oregon for Annie’s wedding. We went to Portland, Oregon this summer for one of my best friend’s wedding. We got to catch up with friends and see a beautiful new place. I hope we can make it back soon.
4. 2 year anniversary. So much has happened in the 2 years since we got married. We did our annual celebration and dinner out at a fun restaurant that’s been on my wishlist. We went to Michael Mina this year. I also got the best gift ever. See below.
5. Mayzie! If you know me in person or have previously read this blog, you know that I’m a dog person. A French Bulldog puppy joined our little family as our 2nd anniversary present. We researched and looked for a breeder for about 6 months before we found Mayzie, but she was worth the wait. More on her in later posts…
6. Holidays in Southern California. We drove down to visit our families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. It was so nice to be down there and visit people and places we miss. Mayzie also enjoyed the road trip and warm Southern California weather.

2012 To-Do List and Goals
I am not going to say resolutions because I think it’s too easy to break those. These are some general goals that I think are very doable. There is also our San Francisco & Bay Area To-Do list which features many things that I want to do, eat and experience. I won’t share everything here because the list is very long, but mention some overall themes of the list. Here we go…

1. Get back into crafting more. I’m sad to admit I didn’t do too much crafting last year or as much as I would have liked. I miss it though and need the creative outlet. I’m hoping that blogging will encourage me to create new things and find inspiration in the blogging community. I want to incorporate some crafting into parties and entertaining as well.
2. Brush up on photography and photoshop. My senior year in college I took a photography class to fill in some remaining credits and wanted something fun. I was definitely out of place as a psychology major in a land of photoshop gurus, comms majors and others who had spent a majority of their college life on an apple. It ended up being one of my favorite classes, but I’ve lost much of the knowledge over the last few years. Time to get out the camera again.
3. Visit Bay Area destinations. We are an hour drive away from some really incredible places. Time to plan some weekend and day trips to Napa, Sonoma, Monteray, Half Moon Bay, the Redwoods and more.
4. Health, working towards a better me and enjoying it. I got a good start on this at the end of 2011, but I want to continue to make better food choices, find an exercise routine I enjoy and lose the few extra pounds that are hanging on. I don’t enjoy running and often wander around aimlessly at the gym. I hope to find a routine that works for me and that I can enjoy.
5. Cooking more and mastering new things. I hope to try making new things and master a few recipes in my collection of cookbooks that have just been flagged for too long. Along with this I want to use fresh ingredients and ingredients I have not tried before. In a addition to healthy cooking, there a few cookie and dessert recipes from new cookbooks that deserve the splurge.
6. San Francisco To-Dos. I say this generally because there are so many places I want to see and a list of restaurants I hope to try. I want to consciously get out and do new things vs. opting to just stay in or do the same routine on the weekends.
7. Take a vacation. It’s been a few years since we took a true vacation that wasn’t just to go visit family. I hope to get some time away to explore a new place, relax and get quality time with Mark.

That’s it for now. What is on your to-do list for 2012?

Rainy season is starting here in San Francisco.  I’m updating my wardrobe with jackets, umbrellas, scarves and sweaters.  Yes, I will be the person in December waddling down the street in a million layers because I’m cold.  I’m pretty sure I need some rainboots though and you know I love an excuse to shop for shoes.

Are these too unpractical? I mean the bow is so cute!

However these are cute too…

Do you have a need for rainboots where you live?  If you need some here are some more options.

I’m going to the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair this weekend and am SO looking forward to it.  I’ve heard about the craft fair many times but have never been able to make it myself.  Lots of amazing handmade pieces, crafty treasures and basically a live Etsy shop. Can’t wait.

Hoping to find:

Throw Pillows

Necklace to match a blue dress I bought recently

Prints/Posters

Hair Accessories

Candle Holders

Candles

Fun Home Decor Finds

Have you been to a Renegade Craft Fair?  What were your best finds?

Hello?  Anyone still here?  Yes, I know I’ve abandoned the blog for a few weeks.  I just got the point that one more thing on my to-do list was driving me crazy, and when my creative outlet of blogging starts to feel like item 52 on the to-do list, well it’s time to take a small break.

Since I last posted I’m happy to announce we have successfully made it to San Francisco!  We moved into our condo, have unpacked all boxes and are basically settled other than a few blank walls and some random displaced items in the bedroom.

I’ll give a “tour” soon, but here is a sneak peak.

So far we are really enjoying the city.  We live above a grocery store, are in walking distance to work and are exploring the city.  It’s definitely different than our San Diego and Orange County upbringings.

Here is a quick summary of life in the last few weeks:

• With the help of my MIL unpacked the kitchen the same day we moved
• Woke up on our 1st morning to the annual Bay to Breakers run complete with sequins, leotards, giant human carrots, runners with kegs and naked people (just google it)
• Ventured across to the Bay Bride for a trip to Ikea and Target.  Only got lost once.
• Walk back and forth to work everyday
• Watched the season/series finales of LOST and 24 (what did you think?)
• Breakfast at Brenda’s French Soul Food
• Accidentally walking through the Tenderloin on the way home from Brenda’s Soul Food and witnessing a drug deal (Tenderloin is not the best area of SF)
• Dim Sum in Chinatown.  Mark bought the $2 backscratcher he has been talking about for months
• Ate at the delicious A16 with Mark’s mom and our family friend.  Pizza, pasta and the food is to die for.
• Bought umbrellas. Realized we need to add some jackets to the wardrobe.
• Watched In The Heights at the Curran Theater with my aunt and extended family.  Fantastic music!  If you love musicals go see it.
• Fly back down to Southern California for my cousin’s wedding where I finally got to meet the amazing Mrs. Lemon of Weddingbee and Kimberly Michelle, who was the MOH.
• My parents and brother drove us back to SF where we proceeded to have the car transmission die on the 580 and leave us stranded at the bottom of an offramp (thankfully we had made it to civilization and were no longer in fields along the 5).  We got a tow truck and took an hour cab ride back into the city.
• Saw our 1st Giants game with my family.  Super fun, extra innings, Giants lost in the end

I’ll post more about our restaurant experiences here in the city.  Let’s just say I already have a wishlist of where I want to go.

Overall things are really good.  We miss our family, but know that they will be planning trips to visit in the near future.  I’m terribly behind on catching up with friends due to the new schedule.  My phone dates with all my best girl friends used to be on my drive to and from work.  Now with a less than 10 minute walk and long hours, I’m overdue on about 10 calls.  But more than anything we are so excited for what is in store.

Basic summary?  I’m back.  Ready to share new experiences in San Francisco and get back to my regular blogging.

What’s new with you?