Author Archives: 4evamaria

Getting Lost

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Hello everyone.

I can’t decide whether or not today feels like the middle of the week or the very end of it. It’s somehow conveniently in between.

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An odd phenomenon seems have happened to me recently, and I’m excited to share. When I first moved back to the Bay Area, my friend Rachel and I bonded over our love of exploring new places. She, unlike I, could keep a cool head while navigating unknown territories. We used my (now outdated) GPS, even Mapquested the location of unfamiliar restaurants, bars, and music venues. I, for some reason, would always make a wrong turn somewhere and start to panic. I could only continue on after making a complete circle and returning to where I went awry. Going off our decided course sent me in to a proverbial tailspin; San Francisco, being the land of the one way street, can be incredibly frustrating to navigate at times, which didn’t help. One of my favorite memories to revisit happened to stem from one of these instances. We had decided to go out dancing, and, in a moment of over-confidence, I entered the incorrect street address: instead of 11th street I punched in 11th avenue. We ended up somewhere near Japantown, outside someone’s personal residence wondering where the entrance was. Rachel, however, would circle about, turn right and left wherever she felt like, going wherever her nose took her. In time, we would end up exactly where we intended.

Today, I wandered. I parked my car, albeit in an area I know relatively well, and ran a few errands. I had a leisurely cup of coffee and just wandered around with absolutely no regard to where I was or where I was going. I took in the people and the architecture, and visited places I had never been before- just because I could. It’s moments like these that remind me of why I enjoy living in the Bay Area so much. I can, essentially, disappear among the rows of houses and people. People who I’d like to think are wandering about, just like me.

EVA♥

Five Things

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Hello all!

It’s another Wednesday, which means another Five Things from yours truly. This last week, I’ve finally caved and committed to an Instagram account. Which means you can now Instagram-stalk me under username “Watchmejuggle.” It’s been rather fun so far, and I do believe I’ve found the one corner of the internet in which selfies are totally acceptable. I’m still going to stand my ground, however,  and say that they are not acceptable in the following places: the bathroom, funerals, in the middle of class, or in the midst of any natural and/or man-made disasters. All those filters, though; they sure are fun to play with…

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My festive Easter dress & hair. After posting this photo, I quickly discovered @instabraid. So fun! Back in the day, the braid was my go-to hairstyle. Who doesn’t like them? They’re relatively easy to do and look beautiful. Meanwhile, it took me ages to master the above fishtail.

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I’ve been on a crepe kick recently. I had them on Sunday for breakfast, and for dinner last night! Granted, it was Taco Tuesday, but they’re like French tacos, right?

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There’s no better way to spend a ‘mental health day’ than with a good friend and good breakfast. Should the cafe you go to have giant coffee cups, even better.

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These are, hands down, the most beautiful garden roses I have ever seen. Snapped on the streets of Berkeley. I love their soft, cabbage-like shape. They remind me somewhat of peonies, which also happen to be one of my other favorite flowers.

Lastly, in fashion news,

barbelljeans@BarbellApparel

Welcome Barbell Apparel! I came across this article on the Huffinton Post the other day and FINALLY! “Anti-Thigh Gap” jeans! This is such a brilliant idea and I’m so glad their Kickstarter campaign made this happen. I can’t tell you how many pairs of jeans that I’ve purchased have either been too tight on my thighs, or too loose in the waist! I’ve actually split my pants before, because they fit my hips and waist, but not my legs. It was embarrassing, to say the least. I’m really excited to see these guys on the market, and will definitely be keeping an eye out for them!

Until next time!

EVA♥

So this is what everyone is doing now, huh?

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Happy Earth Day everyone!

Apologies for the terribly verbose title. (Newsflash: “Verbose” is one of my new favorite words. I use it often, and it amuses me.) Today, I wanted to write about a little phenomenon that seems to be on the upswing in my life right now. Despite, being 26-years-young, I still feel like a teenager, and yes, when my friends tell me they’re getting married or having a baby, I have a moment of slight panic before I realize this is completely socially acceptable. Are we even old enough to be doing this on our own?! Legally, yes. Socially, yes. But, I have to say, it feels a little strange.

First off, let me start with a disclaimer: I love my married friends. I’m so happy that they’re happy. It makes me feel positive about human relationships in general. And given that I love kids so much, am ecstatic whenever I get the “Baby’s On the Way!” announcement. It means I get a little buddy to play with that I can hand back when I’m done. I get to be the “Cool Aunt.”

But, let’s be honest, I’m closer to being a real life Karen Walker than wearing the big poofy dress. I am more than okay with that. Proud would actually be a better description. “Instead of ‘single’ as a relationship status, I prefer ‘independently owned and operated.'”

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“Look everyone! Juice boxes!”

Now, I know that I’m not the only one that feels this way, just visit my favorite snarky blogger at #MyFriendsAreMarried. I also enjoy commiserating with my girlfriends every once in a while. Although things may feel a bit strange, it’s important that you go through life with a sense of humor, or else you’re just setting yourself up for failure. Change is a guarantee, and while my life may be all about me at the moment, it won’t necessarily be like that forever. So, if anything, I find myself taking advantage of the circumstances. Go ahead! Make fun of yourself. Be friends with the kids. Go to a concert in the middle of the week and don’t apologize. Buy shoes instead of groceries for a week. Who cares?!

Just be sure to call me so we can gossip about it afterwards.

Love,

EVA♥

Things I Wish I Knew About in College

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Hello everyone!

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I hope I’m finding you well on yet-another-Monday.

What’s with the random collage, you ask?

Well, today I wanted to write about a few things that I have discovered in my post-grad years that I wish I had known about in college. I’m convinced my quality of life, while pretty good, would have been exponentially improved with these everyday additions.

1. Lululemon

Now, my identity as a college student was primarily “The Dance Major.” Being a part of such a rigorous program and having multiple dance classes daily, I always found myself dashing off to my academic classes in my dance clothes. I would sit down, sweaty and red-faced in the lecture halls with my hair in a bun, in some sort of leotard-pink-tights-sweatpants-tank top combination. Slap on some Ugg boots and you had an outfit that had most people thinking that I had just run straight from my bed to my seat in class. Lovely. Long story short, I wish I had had the means to discover Lululemon earlier. Now, I know they’ve had a bit of a bad rap as of late, but the many Lululemon pieces I own have undoubtedly withstood the test of time. I’ve had the same little jacket for about 5 years now, wear it sometimes multiple times a week, and it’s still in amazing condition. Even when I’m not feeling my best, throwing on a couple of pieces makes me feel instantly put together. I can’t say how much money I spent amassing cheaper activewear in college, but had I known that investing in what I wore to class everyday would have made such a huge difference in my demeanor, I would have done it in a heartbeat!

2. Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo, without a doubt, is my new must-have product. I hate washing my hair everyday. Not only is it time-consuming, but the consistent blowdrying and styling inflicts some serious damage. Besides, who wants to get out of bed an entire hour earlier than usual just to wash their hair? Not me. To top it off, I have the lovely kind of hair that deflates overnight, even when it’s freshly washed. With dry shampoo (Batiste is my favorite, bonus points for the amazing scents in comes in) all you need to do is spray, run your fingers through your hair and go. It instantly mattifies and gives your hair volume. I’ve even used it on freshly washed hair for a little extra ‘oomph.’  I may have a slight addiction. There are worse things.

3. Target

Ah, Target. Possibly one of my favorite post-grad discoveries. Granted, Santa Barbara did not have a Target readily accessible when I was a student there, but my roommates and I did make the hour-long roadtrip on the weekends simply to shop at the nearest one in Ventura. It’s my one-stop-shop, and I go to it for almost everything. It’s well organized and affordable, and you can find almost anything you might need. Need bandaids, cereal, and a cute new bikini? Target. What about vitamins, the latest bestseller, and a Philip Lim-inspired dress? Target has all those things. Now that they’ve even added a grocery department, I’m able to pick up that milk I keep forgetting to buy as well…

4. Decent Beer

I realize this seems counter-intuitive given that the collegiate drink of choice seems to be beer. You will find beer everywhere, no matter what college campus you are on. The one problem that you will often encounter is that it’s horrible, horrible beer. Beer so bad, so cheap, I don’t think it can even legally be sold under the label “Beer.” Oh, Natty Ice. It’s perhaps the equivalent of drinking Arbor Mist and claiming to be a wine connoisseur. No. Just no. It wasn’t until I was in Seattle for my dear friend Brooke’s wedding that I discovered the more complex subtleties of beer, the varieties, the flavors, the unorthodox ingredients. Yes, some beers are absolutely disgusting, but others are rich and amazing. I enjoy drinking them. Who knew?

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The list could go on, yet these are undoubtedly the things I find myself coming back to again and again. I could also include swiffer sweepers, bronzer, glass water bottles, and kombucha. And I’m sure next week I’ll have even more additions. Post-grad life can be not so fun at times, but these things are odd concrete proof that things just keep getting better. Or something…

Love,

EVA♥

What Are You Guys Wearing…?

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Happy Friday everyone!

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Today, I want to write about a question that I’m perhaps infamous for. A question without which I cannot hope to get dressed for any occasion: “What are you wearing?”

To roughly translate, this essentially means:

“Oh dear god, I have no idea what to wear. Please tell me what is cute/appropriate/what I look good in so I don’t show up dressed like a total idiot.”

If I’m going anywhere with you, you will most likely get a frantic text or phone call an hour before with this question. There’s so much to choose from and coordinate: shoes, to bags, to lipstick to layers. Is it in season? Is this outdated? Can I even walk in these heels?! Honestly, I live in fear of being the elephant in the room. The girl in the ball gown when everyone else is in jeans. I know that some of you live for these moments and I admire you, but I am not that kind of gal. I’m the kind of gal who likes her fashion choices to be like her perfume: subtle. I want you to get close to me and notice all the details. On most occasions, I do not want you to see my outfit coming at you a mile away. That’s just my style. 

Now, given that I prefer simple clothing choices does not mean they are not carefully thought out. Quite frankly, I’m getting to the point where I run around in circles questioning myself as to whether or not my outfit of choice looks effortless enough. The irony is that I’ve put more thought and effort into my jeans and t-shirt combo than is sane. It’s somewhat exhausting living like this, I’ll admit it. Which is where you come in. You, my friend, will be my voice of reason without entirely knowing it. Please tell me that a strapless dress is too much for a Monday. Tell me that you’re wearing something entirely reasonable and that it’s okay to wear my favorite sandals two days in a row. What I’m wearing somehow has a huge impact on how I feel on any given occasion. Caitlin Moran, author of How to Be a Woman, astutely said: “When a woman says, ‘I have nothing to wear!’, what she really means is, ‘There’s nothing here for who I’m supposed to be today.” So true.

In conclusion, this is my disclaimer to you, dear reader. I am apologizing in advance. Take pity on me. There will be many moments where I will look at what you are wearing and feel the pang of obligation to change. Do not let me. I’m wearing what I am for a reason, and it’s my fear of being judged by other people that’s making me in to this seemingly high-maintenance person. There. I said it. My friends are my friends because I can rely on them for a good dose of grounded reality and assurance. They’re great people, with fantastic style, and I can always count on them to answer all my questions.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Love,

EVA♥

In Defense of the Bridge-and-Tunnel…

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Hello everyone!

Today, I’m going to write about a little something that has irked me for quite a while now.

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When I tell people I meet in San Francisco that I’m from the East Bay, I get one of the following observant reactions:

“Oh! Where? Alameda? Yeah…I don’t know where that is.”

“Wow…that’s, like, really far away.”

“So you’re from Oakland. Do you own a gun/have you ever been shot?”

or my very favorite: the eye roll.

Alright, disdainful sir and/or madame, I’m going to take this opportunity to set a few things straight. Yes, I live in the East Bay.

It’s fine you don’t know where Alameda is. I will enlighten you and tell you that it’s a nice small town and I would like for it to stay that way. I can also guarantee you that it took less time for me to drive or even take public transportation from Alameda than it did for you to cross town in your overpriced Uber. This means that I can always get to work on time, whereas you, will consistently be 15 minutes behind me. I don’t know how this is even possible, but I assure you it is. (I’m sure you have many qualms with the Muni system as I do, but that’s an entirely different subject.) For further reading, I suggest you check out The Bold Italic’s article here.  Additionally, unlike many of you San Francisco residents, the “Bridge-and-Tunnel” crowd, as you have so flatteringly dubbed us, have been here before you, and will continue to live here long after you’re gone. It’s safe to say that the majority of San Francisco residents will eventually move away when it’s time to “settle down;” even better, many of you that now scoff at me will end up in or around my town, buying property, and sending your kids to the same schools I went to. Funny how that works.

Now, I’m not here to say that I wouldn’t absolutely love living in San Francisco proper. For reference, I did write this post a few months back. But, it’s something that you get quickly and easily disenchanted with. First off, I can’t seem to justify paying three times what I do in rent for an apartment within a 15 mile radius of the one I currently live in (and love). A friend once wisely told me: why live in the city and go to the resort, when you can live in the resort and go to the city? On an entirely different note, despite its awful reputation, I can say for a fact that I have never seen anyone in Oakland defecate in public. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for San Francisco.  Personally, I’ve felt more worried about my personal safety in San Francisco than in Oakland on many an occasion, believe it or not. I won’t disagree that Oakland has quite the questionable reputation, and local media doesn’t do much to help. I spoke to someone recently that was quite convinced that living in Oakland was like living in a war-zone. According to the news, it’s bedlam over here: us shooting at the police, the police shooting at us. If you’ve never been to Oakland for leisure, you would think that the media’s portrayal of us is, hands down, an accurate one. I’m here to say that Oakland is home to some wonderful gems: beautiful neighborhoods, amazing views, fantastic restaurants, and some of my favorite farmer’s markets. Funny thing is, the “across-the-bridge” prejudice often goes both ways. Many people I know are afraid to leave the familiar bubble they live in for the crowded unknown of San Francisco. It’s smelly, it’s loud, people are rude, the driving is scary, it’s so far away…you name it, I’ve heard the excuse. Everyone, please do me a favor and let go of your preconceived ideas of why you need to stay exactly where you are. Stop lumping everyone you meet in one category or another and start taking things at face value. You’ll be all the better for it. I promise.

EVA♥

Five Things

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Hello everyone!

It’s Five Things Wednesday again, and a beautiful day in the Bay. Despite all that, I’m wishing that I could find myself on vacation tomorrow, preferably somewhere searing hot and with a beach. I’m well aware that I’m already spoiled enough at my current job, but I can’t help the fact that I’ve been wishing that my entire life could be a perpetual vacation. I blame tax day. And also the fact that my cousin keeps posting photos of her on the beach in Hawaii. At least I can live vicariously through her on Facebook while looking at photos of my Hawaiian birthday adventures from last year. Speaking of Hawaii…


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I’ve been craving this all week. An acai bowl topped with strawberries, apple bananas, honey, and coconut. Best breakfast ever. Am in awe of both the food, and how tan my hand looks.

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Back in the Bay, I managed to get my hands on the The Girl & the Fig cookbook! And also this tomato that happened to be shaped like a heart. I couldn’t eat it. That’s just how I am.

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I would love to be the kind of adult that owns cups with saucers. I love looking at all the mismatched patterns. It somehow works.

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This is what I do at work sometimes. I’m also wearing pink tights and pointe shoes, so I clearly needed to document this rare occasion.

Once upon a time a prince asked a beautiful princess will you marry me

I love this. So much. Self explanatory.

Happy Wednesday!

EVA♥

Birthday Dinners

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Hello everyone!
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Recently, my father had a birthday. I’ve been told that as you get older, it somehow becomes less socially acceptable to make a big hoopla around that time of the year. My youngest students often come in each weekend with another party on their social calendar that they absolutely have to tell me about. These always involve bounce houses, ice skating, princesses, cake… and whatever else you can think of. As a kid, I imagined adult birthdays to be a sad occasion where balloons were frowned upon and presents were things like calculators or toilet paper. (Ok, in all honesty, I did get facewash one year for my birthday, but so what? It was Clinique!)

This year, I decided to take my parents somewhere they had never been before for the big birthday celebration; partially to expose them to wonderful new things, and partially for my own entertainment. I had had one of the most amazing meals at Foreign Cinema in the Mission last year, and it has quickly become my go-to restaurant for special occasions. It’s airy and non-pretentious, a gem in the most unlikely of neighborhoods. To add a bit of whimsy to an already unique restaurant, the venue doubles as a theater of sorts, showing movies on the white-washed wall of the building overlooking the courtyard.(For more details…you can find them here!) The food there has changed my perception of dining experiences, to say the least. Following  our first course of brandade, (a dish I was completely unfamiliar with until I tasted it here), I told my mother that on my first visit, the dishes here made my cooking seem like something I had pulled out of the garbage disposal and slapped on a plate. Being a self-proclaimed foodie, the presentation and combinations of flavors fascinated me. Luckily, my parents and I had different enough tastes that we were able to all order a variety of dishes and sample them all. My father had the sesame fried chicken, my mother the duck, and I chose the seared tuna. Admittedly, Foreign Cinema is one of the few restaurants that I go to where half of the ingredients on the menu are entirely foreign to me. Just pick something and go with it! Notably, this is also the kind of restaurant that will tell you the origin of the lettuce in your salad. So very California. Luckily, the dishes here are so perfectly portioned, I can always squeeze in dessert. The chevre cheesecake here is amazing, as is the chocolate pot de crème served alongside caramel popcorn.  Possibly one of my favorite moments of the evening had to be when the server presented my father with his requested crème brûlée and a candle, which he insisted on letting melt on to the plate for as long as possible. The ladies at the table next to us all wished him a happy birthday, and I managed to capture a photo of him beaming. 

Sure, turning another year older isn’t that difficult to do, but we sure are lucky when it happens. It’s a good time to be thankful for your health, as well as the pleasure of the company that surrounds you on that day, whoever they may be. Also, it’s a great excuse to eat some really good food.

Cheers,

EVA♥

Typical Saturday…

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Hello everyone!

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I know I’ve been a bit MIA as of late, but I’m back this Monday ready to go! Sort of!
My Mondays are the equivalent of most people’s Sundays, I like to think that it’s one of the most productive times of the week for me. Which, by default, makes my Saturdays like Fridays. Try to keep up.

I desperately covet my Saturdays; it’s one of those rare days where both my friends and I have time off, and no one has to get up early for work the next morning. This also means that my Saturdays are filled with activities revolving around my favorite question (“What are you guys wearing tonight?!” or, on bad days, “I. HAVE.NOTHING.TO.WEAR.”), which subsequently turns in to a night spent hunting for my girlfriends in some ridiculous venue where the music is much too loud. I’m well aware that I will soon be too old for this behavior to become an acceptable weekly activity. In the meantime, I plan on wearing my most impractical shoes, not bringing a jacket, and staying out much later than initially planned. I’m at this odd age where half of my friends are married property owners, and the other half are drunkenly forgetting their phones in the back of cabs. Meanwhile, cheers to a girlfriend of mine who has figured out how to strap her phone to the inside of her purse to ensure that this never happens again. The wonderful thing about living near so many great cities is that there’s never a shortage of things to do, or new places to explore. Following a long day at the studio, this last Saturday involved a little brunch with one of my most favorite ladies complete with blood orange mimosas. With a brief interlude of shopping and a quick nap, I drove in to the city while my friend did her makeup in the passenger seat. (Take note world: we’re intelligent, can multi-task, and show up on time looking more than presentable.) Possibly one of my favorite moments of the evening took place at Bergerac, where we watched a man in a leather butcher’s apron cut a large hunk of ice from a collection of ice blocks at the end of the bar. For a Manhattan, of course. You can’t have an artisan cocktail in San Francisco without a giant ice cube- it’s just not done anymore. After a drink, an aerial acrobatics show, and much dancing/running around, we deemed it a successful evening and eventually made it home. These activities are often repeated to varying degrees every Saturday- it’s good to have a routine, am I right?

I’ve sometimes received criticism for booking myself within an inch of my life. I’m going to readily admit that I’ve double-booked myself on more than one occasion. I almost always say yes to things that I’m invited to, regardless if they’re happy hours, dinners, or networking events. Honestly, I’ve never spent an evening out-and-about and consequently wished I had stayed at home. Even on the worst days, I can find a positive experience or interaction that makes staying at home in bed seem like a paltry endeavor. Look at it as life experience, at the very least. I’m going to sound like a broken record, but you’re only young once…

EVA♥

I Have a Problem

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Hello everyone!

My name is Eva, and I have a problem hoarding bath products. Specifically from Lush.

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This isn’t even all of it…

Most of you already know this, but I thought I would come clean. (Get it, clean? Am horrible person, I know.)

I find FULL BAGS of things I bought months ago, hidden in my house for “later.” I have a drawer in my bathroom, composed entirely of bath bombs, bubble bars, and spare soap. Yes, spare soap. If the world’s supply of soap is devastated in some sort of freak accident, I will have enough to last me a whole year. I kid you not. My shower has also been taken over. Because, let’s face it ladies: you have some days where you want to smell like rose shower gel, and some days where you want to smell like lavender shower gel. In my home you will also find little scrubby bars, “body conditioner,” facial cleansing products, moisturizer, and massage bars. Some things I will decide are way too cute to use (anyone remember the Halloween pumpkin?) and just keep to look at them. Why? WHY??

Like this little guy, the Bunny:

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Sadly, he met his demise yesterday, but I was left with a pink, shea butter-y bath filled with cornflower petals.

I find that there’s just something wonderfully therapeutic about having nice-smelling things  to indulge in every-once-in-a-while. Sure, consistently buying whimsical little bars of solid bubble bath can get a bit pricey, but they’re also about the same price as a happy hour cocktail while being much better for you. I additionally appreciate the emphasis the company places on doing business ethically; their products use only fresh, environmentally friendly and cruelty-free ingredients. They promote charitable giving and are actively involved in a number of ethical campaigns, often to the point of designing products specifically for the purpose of bringing awareness to consumers. There was the ‘Shark Fin soap,’ to encourage the ban on the fin trade; the ‘Jungle soap’ to raise funds for the Rainforest Action Network ; even the ‘Freedom Foamer’ bubble bar for the Freedom to Marry campaign. It’s just cosmetics, really, but it’s so refreshing to support a company that has both fantastic products and something distinctly positive to say.

They’re my favorite.

Ok, so it’s to the point that the store employees know me whenever I go in to “stock up,” but there are much worse things I could do.

Just saying.

EVA♥