Work It, Berk: September 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Mane Message Giveaway

The Woodland Package, featuring eight of Mane Message's signature hair ties

After the success of the Irene Møller Jewelry Giveaway last month (there were 120 total entries!), I'm excited to announce another giveaway. I've partnered up with Olivia Hayward of Mane Message to give one lucky reader The Woodland Package, a set of eight adorable hair ties in fox print, floral, and solid colors.

Here's a little background about Olivia: She's a bit of a superhero. She started Mane Message out of her college dorm room, while graduating with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in Studio Art. Based out of Berkeley, Mane Message features hair ties that double-up as bracelets. You can follow Mane Message on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

I've decided to use Rafflecopter again to allow you guys to enter in as many ways as you wish. You'll receive a point for each method you choose. The last day to enter is Sunday, October 6th. The winner will be notified via email on Monday, October 7th. This giveaway is limited to domestic readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Eat in San Francisco: Boba Guys

Jasmine Milk Tea

I kind of have a thing for milk tea. I have an even bigger thing for Boba Guys. I've been a big fan of theirs ever since reading about them on GOOD. When they were handing out full-size samples at my work last year, that sealed the deal. Since then, I've tried their teas on a monthly basis at my current job and the love affair has only grown stronger. I even make it a point to tweet about my drink before, during, and after consuming it because hello social media.

Today, I finally visited their store on 19th and Valencia in the Mission. While I wasn't received with open arms from complete strangers like I daydreamed and I didn't have a half-hour long conversation with the owners about how the Jasmine Milk Tea is life-altering, I left with a damn fine beverage, which is A-OK by me.

I've tried a few flavors of their milk tea, most notably the Classic Milk Tea and the Jasmine Milk Tea with and without boba. Their tea tastes very creamy and high-quality, while the boba is just the right amount of chewy. You can tell they've put their hearts into working out all the kinks to make the best tea they can. And they have. My current favorite is the Jasmine. What I really like about this tea is its very subtle, flowery aftertaste that almost makes the tea seem like a dream.

The only downside to Boba Guys is that when you order it without boba and use a wide straw, it's gone before you know it. Sadface.

Because apparently I like to end my restaurant reviews with hashtags... #BobaAllNight

Boba Guys
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
3491 19th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 12 - 9, Friday - Saturday 12 - 10, Sunday 12 - 5

Check out more posts from San Francisco.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Eat in San Francisco: Garaje

Seared ahi tuna taco with guacamole, salsa, and cabbage

The Cadillac taco with prawns, steak, and guacamole

Earlier this week I tried a couple of tacos at Garaje, an inconspicuous Mexican restaurant located on 3rd between Harrison and Bryant in SOMA. I'm not a taco expert by any means, but I can say that these were a nice after-work treat.

The tacos are pretty big and they're stuffed to the brim, making them worth about $5 a pop. I tried the ahi tuna, which was great because hello seared ahi is the best, as well as The Cadillac, which is a bit of a surf and turf with its hearty portion of steak and prawns.

Apparently Garaje is very busy around lunchtime, so I'd suggest coming in a bit later so you can eat your tacos in peace. #tacos4peace...?

Garaje
Website | Facebook | Yelp
475 3rd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Open: Monday - Friday 11:30 - 10

Check out more posts from San Francisco.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Friday, September 13, 2013

Now and Later: Heather Ross

Heather as a spunky kid and as a stylish adult

For the third installment of Now and Later, the series that examines a subject's style in the past and present, I'd like to introduce you to Heather Ross. I first met Heather when I photographed her for the co-op series way back in April 2011. Since then, we've left our co-op roots, graduated college, and have become fancy working people in the city. Fortunately, Heather has not lost her sense of style along the way. She's clearly had it since the beginning.

What's your name? What do you do? Where do you live? (In other words, A/S/L?)

My name is Heather and I live and work in San Francisco. By day I'm the editor of Healthline News, and after hours I design jewelry.

What was your style like as a kid? How would you describe it now?

My parents, to their credit, let me wear just about whatever I wanted to as a kid, which meant I went through every phase in the book: punk, goth (for a hot minute), grungy, girlie, hippie, hipster, and "screw this, I'm late for school." I also had (and still have) a huge collection of theater costumes, so I played dress-up constantly as a child. In fact, I've never really stopped.

Today, I'd say I'm firmly on the hipster spectrum, though I still like to experiment—some days a bit more boho, others more punk, and the rest pretty feminine. And I never shy away from BIG—big hats, big rings, and big statements.

Did you have any style icons growing up? How about now?

As a very little kid, Esmeralda from my favorite movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was the end-all be-all. In high school, I idolized the "dolls," a group of girls with bobbed hair cuts who shopped at Urban Outfitters before I knew what that was.

Nowadays, I read tons of street style blogs (The Sartorialist, Vanessa Jackman, Chictopia, Lookbook, and of course Work It, Berk), and Anne-Catherine Frey may be my biggest fashion crush. I also really admire my mother, who in addition to collecting all those costumes for me, also made and modified many of her own clothes.

How has your approach to dressing changed?

In middle and high school I was a big proponent of the "try on everything in your closet until something comes together, then add Chucks" method of dressing. Now I try to dive into my overstuffed closet with a purpose. I'll either find a picture of what I'm going for and try to recreate it, or I'll find an item I really want to wear and build an outfit around it.

See more of Heather on her blog and Facebook page for her jewelry line.

Want to be in the series? Let's make it happen.

Check out more photos from Now and Later.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Work It, Berk: Gold Details

Spotted at Center and Oxford.
Check out more photos from Berkeley.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Work It, Berk: Complementary Colors

You can follow Roberta Rimbaud on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Spotted on Shattuck and Kittredge.
Check out more photos from Berkeley.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Friday, September 6, 2013

Eat in Berkeley: Purple Kow

Hazelnut Milk (Black) Tea with boba

This was the first time I tried Purple Kow after my friend told me good things about its new location in downtown Berkeley. Being the hazelnut fiend that I am, I ordered the hazelnut milk tea with boba. It was everything I hoped for and more. The tea was silky and higher quality than other boba drinks I've tried. The tapioca pearls were the right proportions of soft and chewy.

Overall, it was a great drink I'd definitely recommend to Berkeley bobaheads.

Purple Kow
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
2164 Center St., Berkeley, CA 94704
Open: Monday - Thursday 11 - 6, Friday 11 - 8, Saturday 12:30 - 8

Check out more posts from Berkeley.

Hey there! Have you entered the Irene Møller Jewelry Giveaway? The last day to enter is September 8th.
Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Eat in San Francisco: Ozone Thai Restaurant and Lounge

Sommaa Manhattan with Bulleit bourbon, Cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, and angostura bitters

Mango Margarita with Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, and mango puree

Vegetarian crispy rolls stuffed with silver noodles, cabbage, carrot, and black mushrooms, served with sweet and sour sauce

Garlic quail marinated with black pepper and garlic, served with sriracha and Thai sweet chili sauce

Chicken Satay marinated with Thai coconut curry powder, served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad

I've visited Ozone twice during happy hour after work. Located in SOMA, this Thai restaurant serves $5 cocktails and $4 appetizers. The drinks are a delicious and refreshing way to end the workday. The chicken satay is complemented by a tasty peanut sauce, while the quail is worth getting your fingers messy over. They have an outside patio area that lets you to watch busy passersby while feeling the cool, afternoon San Francisco air on your skin.

If you're looking for a solid Thai treat after work, I'd recommend giving Ozone a try.

Ozone Thai Restaurant and Lounge
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
598 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Open: Monday - Friday 11 - 10:45, Saturday - Sunday 5 - 10:45

Check out more posts from San Francisco.

Hey there! Have you entered the Irene Møller Jewelry Giveaway? The last day to enter is September 8th.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Now and Later: Kathleen Murillo

A denim fiend through and through: Kathleen as a toddler and Kathleen now, in front of Durant Hall at UC Berkeley

I'm excited to share a series that has been in the works for way too many months. I call it Now and Later. It's a look at how subjects used to dress growing up and how they dress now. I chose this name for the series as a ode to those chewy candy squares us 90's kids grew up on (or tossed out in favor of Reese's, in my case).

My first subject is no stranger to the blog. In fact, she's probably been on it more than anyone else; this is her fifth time to be exact. She deserves her own tag, alongside denim and booties. Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Kathleen Murillo, as a toddler and as an adult.

What's your name? What do you do? Where do you live? (In other words, A/S/L?)

Kathleen Murillo. I work in Finance at Kaiser Permanente. I live in the East Bay.

What was your style like as a kid? How would you describe it now?

At first, I'd describe my younger style as very girly in frilly cute and pink dresses, but as I've developed my own style, I believe it really started in middle school, I developed a greater love for fashion. In middle school I was into L.E.I., Limited Too, and in high school went on to American Eagle and Hollister. It has dramatically changed now -- as soon as I figured out what Zara was, I was more in tune with the trends of every season ;). I went from girly trendy to urban boho and carefree.

Did you have any style icons growing up? How about now?

Always my mom of course. She introduced me to thrift stores and finding unique designer pieces for amazing deals. Besides my mom, growing up I've also loved the Olsen twins -- when they were younger up until now, their style really grew with my style over the years. In particular, I've loved Mary Kate and her effortless boho style.

How has your approach to dressing changed?

I put a lot more thought into what I wear (as a result my room looks like a tornado passed through). I wear what I'm comfortable in -- before in middle school I was self-conscious and would wear what others were wearing instead of just dressing how I felt like. Also, I am more aware of texture and color -- I try to have more fun with these aspects of fashion when styling outfits.

See more of Kathleen on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

Want to be in the series? Let's make it happen.
Check out more photos from Now and Later.

Hey there! Have you entered the Irene Møller Jewelry Giveaway? The last day to enter is September 8th.

Pssst! Have you heard our September Playlist?

Follow Work It, Berk:

Sunday, September 1, 2013

September Playlist by Allie McNay

The musical lady in action, Ms. Allie McNay

I've known Allie for years and it would be an understatement to say that music runs in her blood. She's an extremely talented vocalist and musical therapist (...and apparently she can play the drums, too. Talk about a Jill of all trades). When I asked my Twitter followers about creating a playlist, I was excited to see that Allie volunteered.

Without further ado, I'd like to share our September Playlist with you, featuring the likes of Vampire Weekend, Lorde, and The Civil Wars.

This photo was used with Allie's permission and seal of approval.

Hey there! Have you entered the Irene Møller Jewelry Giveaway? The last day to enter is September 8th.

Check out more of our monthly playlists.