Half a Heart in San Francisco.

I lived in San Francisco for a few years in my mid-late twenties.  It was really an important, formative time in my life; I learned a lot about myself, made incredible life-long friends, and most importantly, was able to share the experiences with my best friend, my sister.   I normally visit a few times a year but last year I only went once!  So needless to say, a trip was long overdue.  We had lots of girly time, drinks and snacks, some shopping, some gossip, a free day at the MOMA and more.  I have many fond memories and am often nostalgic about SF, but at the same time, I know I'm in the right place.

Have you ever been?  It truly is an enchanting city with gorgeous views and delicious restaurants.  The biggest tip I could give you?  Go for a walk, get into the neighborhoods.  The Richmond, Mission, NOPA, Hayes Valley, and for a bit of calm, the Presidio.  The main attractions are great, but in all of my travels, I've always had the best time when I strayed from the beaten path.   

What’s your favorite thing to do when on the road, traveling?

(Both photos, at Ocean Beach and the Seward Slides, by Tim Benson.)

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Spring Rituals

Many people have spring rituals when the clock jumps ahead.  Growing up, spring meant washing the windows, flipping your mattress, and tending to the flowerbeds to help the spring blossoms flourish.  As an adult I do many of these things and more; including washing the silverware sorting tray.  I’m crazy about cleaning.  How sad? 

One of my spring rituals is cleaning out my closet.  I share a closet with TimWolf, my fiancé, and our “closet” is one we constructed upon move-in because our loft does not have actual closets.  Not one.  Without doors to hide things behind is very challenging for someone like me, a person who wants everything to look picture perfect.  

Cleaning out my closet is imperative, sad, liberating.  If I haven’t worn an item in years (and would look like a stuffed sausage if I did), I’ll hold onto it for nostalgic reasons.  I find satisfaction in removing worn items that should be replaced, dated clothes, and “statement” pieces I look at and find myself saying out loud, “really?!” It’s important for me to let these things go, because really, it’s just clothes and I don’t need copious amounts of unused clothing (maybe Tyler Durden is whispering in my ear).  And to be honest, visually, my open closet doesn’t need them either.  There is minimal space in my loft’s loft to store winter coats, scarves, gloves and boots – which are traded out for shorts, tank-tops, sundresses and sandals.    

When I’m done, I normally have two large piles to purge.   Piles I turn a blind eye to while my friends rummage for the shirt they may’ve coveted; piles I hand over to Goodwill while maintaining a slow roll in my car, looking away from second thoughts.   With a clean closet I find myself motivated to go for a run (oh, hello shorts!), am reminded of my personal style, and inspired help it flourish. 

Do you have springtime rituals?

-stace

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