Out and About.

Spring has officially arrived and San Francisco is finally flooded with a blanket of sunshine! With my Mom in town last weekend and the great weather recently, I have had an increased urge to get out and explore the city and surrounding area. Here are some of my recently discovered treasure spots... 
{Dining around town.} Amidst the bustle of Hyde Street in Russian Hill is a new sushi GEM that moved into the neighborhood! Elephant Sushi is a small sushi restaurant with an intimate atmosphere, reggae music, and an impressive menu. From the house pickled ginger to the house-made soy sauce and every last roll, the food is fresh, unique, and simply a treat! 

{For Inspiration.} Expanding from Brooklyn and Manhattan to San Francisco, The Future Perfect recently arrived on Sacramento Street. This boutique is a mecca for home decor inspiration! The Future Perfect features their own line of furniture, as well as pieces by Piet Hein Eek and Russell Pinch, lighting by Lindsey Adelman and Charles de Lisle, and accessories from Lobmeyr, Artel, Michele Quan and Fort Standard. Go, go, go there.

{Just a Touch of Nature.} Leaving the urban life behind for an afternoon, I recently ventured up to Marin to hike the 8 mile Cataract Trail. After driving along narrow winding roads overlooking Marin tree tops and a picturesque lake and golf course, we arrived at a very nondescript trail head. The first hour or so of the trek traveled alongside a series of waterfalls. Although it was long, the terrain was frequently changing from waterfalls, to a meadow, to a long grove of trees, rocky downhill trails, and ending alongside a quiet lake. We look our time and had a picnic. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon!

{Guilty Pleasure.} When the ice cream craving comes on... go to Smitten Ice Cream! Located at the heart of Hayes Valley, Smitten Ice Cream makes every scoop right in front of you, from raw ingredients to finished ice cream in about a minute using liquid nitrogen. Ending result: the freshest, most intensely flavorful guilty pleasure you can imagine.