Five Things

Posted on November 5, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone, and Happy Wednesday.

Five Things is back! This week features lots of dessert, some inspiration, and a few giggles. You know, the usual. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but it’s important to remember all the little things that make you happy. It’s my #1 cure for any and all anxiety life might chuck at you. When I’m having a bad day, for example, I like to curl up at home and watch Golden Girls reruns. Yes, that’s right. I am a frequent Hallmark channel-watcher. Top this off with some take-out comfort food and maybe a bubble bath. Even better, watch re-runs in the bath. I do that too. Don’t judge me- we all have our things!

Anyway, first off is a fabulous pumpkin flan that I had for dessert last week. Imagine rich, crust-less pumpkin pie. YUM!

{Please forgive the grainy photo- it was all that ambient lighting in the restaurant!}

{The view from the Starlight Room, post all-night dancing. Mark of a good night.}

{I was feeling a little crafty the other day, so I whipped up a little cinnamon crumb coffee cafe. I literally had cake for breakfast multiple times in the week.}

{Love….I probably should have picked this up from the Urban Outfitters book section, to be quite honest.}

and lastly, if any of you remember Jimmy Kimmel’s past holiday pranks, here’s this year’s Halloween prank.

{Both horrifying and hilarious at the same time. Ah, the joy of children.}

Hope everyone is having a good week thus far!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on October 8, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

It’s still Blogtober, but I’m going rogue today! And, by going rogue, I mean I’m doing the exact same thing I do every Wednesday: Five Things! Yes! It wouldn’t be a normal Wednesday without it. Let’s hop to it!

What’s a Watch Me Juggle post without an ode to doughnuts? Lucky for me, my favorite little SF doughnut shop has a kiosk walking distance from P’s house. (Yes, I’m calling him “P,” I’m not quite that clever yet.) When you walk up, they have all their flavors on display in a pretty cake stand. On this day, I opted for something out of left field: a gluten-free doughnut. Now, before you accuse me of jumping on that bandwagon, it was the only chocolate-y one there, with raspberry glaze. So good!

I discovered this gem hidden on my phone this week! A little throwback to this summer’s St. Helena adventures at the Castello di Amorosa.

In the beginning of the school year, I introduced the boss lady to the world of Instagram. We celebrated this last week’s World Ballet Day by watching the livestream of San Francisco Ballet’s rehearsals in the studio, while documenting it, of course.

The lovely crepe dessert from a mother-daughter lunch last week out in Pleasanton. Filled with warm, crushed berries, it was one of the best desserts I’ve shared in a long time.

Photo c/o Bath & Body Works

I recently splurged on one of my favorite fall-scented candles. I know, it’s a silly little thing to consider a “splurge.” I must say, Bath & Body Works does their seasonal scented candles right! What I love about this particular scent is that it’s not horribly sickly or overwhelming, like some scents can be.

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on September 24, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

Despite what I initially stated on Monday’s post, yesterday was, in fact, the first day of Autumn. Whoops! Either way, things have been continuing the same as always, and it’s still absurdly warm here in the Bay Area. So, while cooking alive in my little apartment despite having all my fans going, I give you: Five Things.

This past Saturday was our school’s annual trip to San Francisco for the newest pointe students. This is a huge rite of passage, and often something a dancer remembers for the rest of her life. I was so glad to be a part of it this year. I was feeling creative and snagged a fun picture of everyone on the escalator.

My dance outfit of the day, also a workplace selfie. I’m sporting my newest Sonoya style Yumiko leotard. It’s wonderfully comfortable, and a fabulous replacement for one I lost earlier this month. Please ignore my frightening dancer feet.

A beautiful little piece of graffiti art found on last week’s hike. The view while sitting in this decorated bench was just as lovely, if not more so.

Photo c/o Gimme Some Oven

I recently made these coconut oil chocolate chip cookies from food blogger Ali Ebright at Gimme Some Oven. Despite the lack of butter, they were utterly amazing! You can find the recipe here. The coconut oil added some fantastic flavor, and I don’t feel badly about eating more than one…or two…or five, whatever!

And, lastly, on a more serious note…

UN Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women Emma Watson is so genuine and eloquent in her speech advocating for gender equality. You absolutely need to watch this. It’s my honest belief that many people don’t, in fact, understand the true meaning of the term ‘feminist.’ It’s uncomplicated, and fundamentally a human rights issue, above all else.

Food for thought.

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on September 17, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hi everyone!

Between running boring, adult errands (fingerprinting and insurance, anyone?), watching complete drivel on Youtube, and teaching what feels like constant ballet classes, I’ve come across a few little gems throughout the week. First off, I’ve been lucky enough to have a mailbox full of notes recently, which is a refreshing change from the junk/bills I usually get. Below is one of my favorites:

My friend Emily sent me this surprise “just because” postcard in the mail! Love the diamond in the middle. She knows me so well.

I’m relishing the last remnants of summer with my produce lately. I cut into this beautiful nectarine the other morning and its natural heart shape made just me happy.

Apparently Yan-Yan now has “educational” phrases on each cookie, stick…thing. Star+Fish.

Also, I have giant hands. It’s not an illusion at all.

The most delicious seared ahi tuna and avocado taco at Garaje in San Francisco. I highly recommend.

and finally,

15 Career Tips from Smart Women

as featured on the amazing, and oft-frequented Joanna Goddard’s blog, “A Cup of Jo.” I think my favorite tip is from Hilary Rodham Clinton on the “perfectionist gene.” It’s something that I can wholeheartedly relate to. Do you think men worry about wearing the wrong shoes in a meeting? Um, no. Go forth, ladies, and conquer!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on September 10, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hi everyone!

I’m gonna be frank: this first week back to teaching is rough. I’m sure many of you can agree with me, perhaps not on the teaching front, but on the fact that it’s always a bit of a stretch when returning to a long-established routine. No matter- I’m so excited to get back to dancing everyday. The excitement is exacerbated when you consider that you’re greeted with so many familiar, equally excited faces. But, even excitement can’t discount for the fact that I come home every evening entirely wiped out. So much so that even lifting my fingers to type this seems like the biggest chore.

Totally kidding.

I try to write a little bit before bed everyday, even when I don’t entirely feel like it. Like any routine or ritual, it’s wonderfully grounding, and somehow makes me feel like I’ve done something good and productive with my day. With that being said, let’s get to my weekly Wednesday ritual of Five Things!

A beautiful mural I found while taking a stroll near the Haight in San Francisco. I take such beautiful old homes for granted sometimes. Reason #749 why living in the Bay Area is wonderful.

Did you know, readers, that I have some mean cappuccino-making skills? Because I do. Back in my college days you would get a latte if ever you visited my cozy home.

A refreshing breakfast of raspberries, almonds, and vanilla yogurt from this last week. My favorite combination has always been freshly cut strawberries and Trader Joe’s vanilla bean yogurt. So yummy!

A hallway selfie, and Outfit of the Night (OOTN). I was particularly impressed with myself that evening, as I managed to throw this ensemble together in 5 minutes. No joke, I even timed myself! I have my trusty Le Pliage bag from Longchamps, denim blazer from Juicy Couture, my favorite tank from H&M, skirt from J.Crew, and sandals from DV by Dolce Vita. I even managed to haphazardly slap some makeup on my face before running out the door.

This is the part of my blog that features insufferably cute things. This week, we see The Adventures of Charlie Bronson the French Bulldog. I have a bit of an obsession with Frenchies, in case you haven’t noticed. Especially Frenchies with “real person” names. The baby also ups the cute factor. So cute, you may not want to look.

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on August 27, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hi everyone!

I somehow went into complete zombie mode yesterday, and I ended up abandoning my blog-post-in-progress about halfway through, which is something I rarely do. It was there to greet me this morning, however, and instill the appropriate amount of shame in me to get me rolling. And, here I am! It’s this week’s Five Things- a little photo-collage glimpse into my life over the last week.

I tend not to wear any ostentatious or noticeable colors on my nails when my classes are in session. I like to look appropriate and well-groomed, and, let’s face it, bright blue nail polish somehow screams “I’m a teenager!” to parents of prospective students. Solution: I wear the heck out of them in summertime. Pictured above are two of my favorites from Essie: Bikini So Teeny and Mint Candy Apple, which I have on my nails now.

I finally jumped on the fashion-blogger bandwagon and bought myself some skater shoes. These were such a steal, and I’ve gotten so many compliments already. Bonus points for the leopard print, they make me feel instantly chic even when I’m wearing sneakers and cutoffs to go grocery shopping.

My mother gifted me a refill of one of my favorite perfumes from Philosophy recently. I after finally cracking it open, I realized it was the exact same color as my bathroom walls. Coincidence? I think not.

I received a very cool, belated birthday card in the mail a while back from a good friend of mine. It took me about a week to finally realize that it wasn’t just awkwardly thick, but was in fact designed so that I could mount it on a wall like a piece of artwork. A very clever idea!

Here’s a little sneak preview of tomorrow’s blog. I may not be the biggest fan of sports, but I do enjoy the atmosphere of live sporting events. Sure, I use the majority of my time there to eat all of the junk food available to me and to gossip with my girlfriends in between doing the wave/the Bernie lean, but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? I’m well aware that I”m a living female stereotype.

Don’t judge me.

EVA ♥

Five Things

Posted on August 20, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

I must admit, today’s Five Things is probably being published at a record-breaking late hour. Though I don’t feel as if I’ve done anything extraordinary today, I do feel like I’ve managed to cram a whole hell of a lot of things in one day. Taking in the morning news, dropping off the dry cleaning, commuting to work, catching a quick happy hour cocktail, and dashing back across the bridge home. Of course, The less glamorous part of the day involved me eating a very large burrito bowl in record time while in my pajamas in bed, but who doesn’t do that every once-in-a-while? We all deserve the occasional break from socially acceptable behavior.

Speaking of breaks in socially acceptable behavior, I spent a weekend afternoon at my parents house in this outfit:

It’s a traditional dirndl dress straight from Austria. I agreed to model it for my mother, who was convinced it would fit me better than her. The charm of this dress is most certainly in the details- the sweetheart neckline is complimented by actual hearts in the lace trim of the sleeves, and there are festive little green reindeer printed on the apron accompanying the skirt. I could think of a few occasions in which this dress would be a hit, namely the annual Sound of Music Sing-Along at the Castro Theater in San Francisco.

This would be an avatar of the mastermind behind Watch Me Juggle. My friend Rachel created it and sent it to me last week, during a slow afternoon at work. There’s, of course, an app for that! I appreciate all the lovely details; the knobby little ballerina bun and almond-shaped eyes are an adorable touch.

If I came with directions…

I recently discovered the online shop Thug Life. Ever since acquiring my infamous “Ain’t No Wifey” shirt from Dimepiece LA, I’ve developed an affinity for witty shirts like this one.

Like many aspiring adults I know, I have a soft spot for the occasional cold glass of beer. However, when the contents of said glass turn tepid and flat, it becomes decidedly less delightful. Enter the “pony beer-” slightly smaller than your average 12 oz. beverage, it’s the perfect size. It always stays cold, and is just enough to refresh you without that pesky full feeling.

Meet my favorite new breakfast. I’ve been loving slices of large white peaches straight from the market, especially while they’re still firm. They’re crisp and delicious, and pair amazingly with a warm cup of coffee. They’ve brought a glimpse of summer to even the foggiest of mornings here in the Bay Area. And, boy, have there been some foggy mornings…

There you have it, post #150 on Watch Me Juggle. How time has flown!

Have a wonderful rest of your week, everyone!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on August 13, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello everyone!

We’re officially half-way through the week and still alive, so give yourself a great big pat on the back! This week, I’ve developed the rather unhealthy bedtime habit of changing into sweats, turning on the tv, and subsequently watching Youtube beauty videos on my phone until I completely lose consciousness. My life is clearly very glamorous. Remember the concept of “blackout” that I once wrote about? I think now might be a good time to instate it. I promise one day I will, but for now, enjoy this week’s Five Things- courtesy of a few blackout free nights.

I enjoyed my beautiful birthday flowers so much this last week. These Stargazer lilies from Trader Joe’s made my apartment smell so amazing. Better than any candle I could have burned.

I’m rather a rare breed in that I’m a dancer who rejoices (maybe sometimes too frequently) in the occasional cheeseburger. Ok, make that a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate shake. My absolute favorite as of late is Super Duper Burger in San Francisco. It’s comfort food at it’s finest, in my humble opinion. While it may not be the healthiest option, I do feel like I’m not eating anything overly processed or frighteningly manufactured. They’re house-made pickles are also some of the best I’ve ever had, and I often end up eating several of them as a makeshift appetizer while waiting for my meal.

I came across this amazing clip of the famous Nederlands Dans Theater while perusing Youtube the other day. While I had the privilege of seeing them perform live a few years ago, I have to say that I find the most beauty in the studio work that dancers do. I love how this video is essentially a collage of that work, showcasing the intensity and evolution of the pieces we come to enjoy on stage.

Along with a few birthday festivities came a Saturday night out on the town, complete with dancing of course. My favorite spot of the night had to be a relatively no frills bar in San Francisco, that is, of course, if you happened to miss the staggering amount of disco balls on the ceiling.

and, lastly…

How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys Talk.

A good friend of mine introduced me to this fantastic dialect quiz courtesy of the New York Times. Quite a few of us took it at the most recent family dinner, and had some fun comparing our results. Essentially, it analyzes your everyday idioms and pronunciation to predict where you’re initially from in the United States. It’s incredibly accurate, for the most part. According to this quiz, I was either originally from Fremont, San Jose, or Corona, California. I guess it picked up on my stint of living in Southern California!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on July 30, 2014 by 4evamaria

Happy Wednesday all!

We’re exactly halfway through the week, yet I remain convinced it’s Thursday. Don’t you hate those kinds of weeks? They just seem to drag on forever. Between all the work-related gigs, Taco Tuesdays, thrifting, and requisite summertime fun, I’ve been frantically searching for new content and topics to write about. Funnily enough, it’s always the minute I stop making a concerted effort that I have the most prolific ideas. Everyone has a different creative process, I guess. Enough chatter- on to the weekly Five Things!

If you happened to be anywhere near a beauty blog yesterday, you’ll have been made aware that it was #NationalLipstickDay. In a nod to many people’s (myself included) love of lipstick, I recommend that you check out a piece on the lovely Joanna’s blog, A Cup of Jo, where her new editorial assistant executed a “Lipstick Challenge.” Digging in to the depths of her lipstick drawer, she wore a new shade every work day over several weeks. I might just be a huge beauty junkie, but I found this weirdly fascinating. And also now want to own blue lipstick. Yes, it sounds strange, but just check out her look on week two! So pretty.

Yes, here’s a gratuitous sunset shot for the week. We’ve been having the most spectacular sunsets in the Bay Area as of late, so I naturally have to document them as soon as I get a chance.

If you’ve ever been to Starbuck’s, you are totally familiar with the baristas propensities to utterly screw up the most basic names in existence. I get a lot of Ava and April, but never before have I seen a “Hayva.” Extra points for creativity to that one. For more funny misspells, check out Buzzfeed’s 27 Times Starbucks Failed So Hard It Almost Won.

Photo c/o Daybreak & The Bold Italic

Did everyone know that the early morning dance party is now a thing in San Francisco? I happened upon this latest trend while perusing the Bold Italic this morning. For those people who genuinely enjoy dancing, but don’t always have the energy to go out-and-about every Saturday night, you can attend this dance party on a random Tuesday, right before work. Lasting from 7:30-9:30am, next week’s fun offers atypical fare- no cocktails, but coffee, tea, and breakfast treats in abundance. This is way better than running on the elliptical at the gym for an hour. Just saying.

With the big birthday fast approaching, I’ve been frequenting Sosh, an app that I can best describe as a more personal Yelp that’s strictly for social events and activities. While only available for certain US cities at the moment, Sosh allows you to search by the activity you’re interested in- be it happy hours, fitness classes, concerts, or restaurants, within your neighborhood of choice. You can also write reviews and bookmark activities and events you hope to attend in the future. I have 33 events bookmarked currently,inlcuding Dim Sum at Yank Sing, cocktails at the “Vegas inspired” Drake lounge, and an outdoor movie screening in Washington Park. I’m looking forward to chipping away at them very soon!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Wednesday!

EVA♥

Five Things

Posted on July 23, 2014 by 4evamaria

Hello all,

Get ready for the most random barrage of imagery you’ve ever seen! I realized today that my weekly Five Things has intermittently become a dumping ground for the photos I have sitting on my laptop, waiting to be used, but completely without context. It’s not a bad thing necessarily- unless it’s driving you nuts, dear readers. Those of you who know me outside of my blog, know that I like to talk about whatever pops into my head during any available moment of silence. I realize that this results in the most disjointed conversation ever, so much so that I like to preface some of my statements by explaining how I got there. This isn’t at all strange, I’m sure of it.

Unfortunately, I can’t really preface this week’s things with any kind of explanation, other than the fact that they’re a conglomeration of things I’ve come across in my immediate, everyday life that have stood out to me. Now, I realize that many bloggers out there have similar routine lists on their blog; it’s reassuring for me to recall how much I enjoy reading those, and hope you find my posts equally amusing/intriguing/entertaining, or whatever adjective floats your boat!

First off is a shot of the LA sky through the vine and fairy light covered gazebo that housed my friend’s birthday party for the majority of the day on Saturday. Downtown Los Angeles isn’t particularly green, so this was such the refreshing touch to an otherwise concrete patio.

Photo c/o Shopbop. Click on the link below to check it out!

I would like you to meet my new boyfriend: Mini MAC. Rebecca Minkoff states that M.A.C really stands for “Morning After Clutch,” but I enjoy taking this guy out all day. Having been on my wish list for ages, this purse was such an excellent find at the Nordstrom sale the other day I couldn’t pass it up! More than 50% off, mind you. I thought there had been a mistake, that’s how good of a deal I got. It’s my new favorite.

In a little nod to the ever-popular Instagram trend of #ThrowbackThursday, I wanted to post a picture taken what seems like ages ago. This was at a birthday party in San Francisco, and is one of my favorites of our little crew. I’m in a Rachel Sandwich!

So, I was admittedly tooling around Instagram at work the other day and came across this cocktail special at the W Hotel. It’s some sort of birthday concoction that they began serving this last week, for a limited time. I believe it contains vodka, Chambord, and Canton ginger liqueur. Oh, and whipped cream and sprinkles, of course! Though it’s not really my birthday yet, I’m tempted to stop by and ask them for this thing. It’s like the cocktail equivalent of a cupcake!

And, possibly the most random thing of all….

The Enneagram Test

Last weekend’s birthday girl (who also happens to be studying for her PH.D in clinical psychology) introduced us to the above test. It’s supposed to be accurately indicative of all aspects of your personality- how you handle stress, how you see the world, etc. It’s quite an in depth test, but I’m itching to take it and to see how I feel about the results. I know it’s an oddly cerebral thing to include on here, but let me know what you think! It’s certainly got me thinking.

Happy Wednesday!

EVA♥