If you’re in the East Bay this weekend, come join us at Convert Saturday, May 18th from 1-4! One of our favorite people, the super cool Katie Cornell (who also happens to be the Events Editor at Via Magazine and What’s In Store Editor at DiabloMag.com) will be hosting. We can’t wait to sip cocktails with her and find the perfect eco-friendly outfit! And while I don’t have any vacations booked yet, but I can definitely pretend with one of these!
{image from here}
I’m a bit captivated by all things vintage, so when I came across this video of a trip on a Berkeley trolley from, get this, 1906, I knew I had to share! It was filmed just a month after the notorious San Francisco Earthquake, at the beginning of a mass migration out of the city to escape the quake’s aftermath. If you look closely at the image below, you can see a man walking right in the middle of the train tracks. The drama that ensues from this event shows that, even back then, Berkeley was a place where people weren’t afraid to do things a little bit differently. We’ll miss you Berkeley. Only three more days until we move!
Here at Ruby Press, we are already in the Christmas mood {yep, we are listening to Christmas music already!}, so this couldn’t come at a better time…
Come visit Berkeley’s creativity emporium, Castle in the Air, this Friday evening {5 to 7pm} and join us in celebrating their holiday windows {they are known for them!} and all of the Christmas merchandise in the store. Meet Castle in the Air owner Karima Cammill and co-host Honestly…WTF‘s Erica Chan- and of course we’ll be there sipping a little bubbly and shopping at a discount {25% off all merchandise except vintage} too!
In need of a total body recharge? We love Berkeley, CA -based Vita Wellness juices and smoothies. Their customized juice packages are delivered to your door by 8am, and are refreshing, delicious, and made with organic, local, and seasonal ingredients. {I could guzzle the pineapple/green apple/lime/mint combo all day, every day!}
Founder and holistic nutrition consultant Melissa Rousseau will work with you to identify your goals, and create a program to address your individual needs. Her mix of green juices, lemon and ginger, raw cacoa tea with dates and vanilla, chia seed tea, and heavenly pineapple blend left me feeling much more energized than usual. If you’re not in Berkeley, Melissa posts tips and recipes on her site – I’m trying the Beet + Apple Refresher this week!
Have you been to C.R.E.A.M.? If you happen to live near our home-base of Berkeley, you simply must drop everything and go. Their freshly baked cookies- still warm from the oven- sandwiching a creamy scoop of ice cream is absolute heaven. I went here with two girlfriends last week and we couldn’t stop squealing in delight! And did I mention they’re just $2 a pop?
We’re so excited to welcome Comal to Downtown Berkeley! We’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of this Mexican restaurant and Friday is the day! Serving Oaxacan fare and drinks by SF’s Bon Vivants, we know it will be our new favorite spot in the neighborhood. I think there’s a plate of rock cod tacos waiting for me now!
{image via Daily Candy}
Below is the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten – thinly sliced roast beef, salty white cheddar cheese, pickled red onions, peppery arugula, and green garlic aioli, all on a baguette. The Local Butcher Shop, just down the street from Cheeseboard in Berkeley, offers one delicious sandwich a day, along with sustainably raised meats from within 150 miles. It’s my new favorite spot, so if you’re in the area and have a hankering for meat, I highly suggest checking it out! (Check their Twitter feed to see their daily, mouthwatering sandwich.)
Hands down, the best part of working in downtown Berkeley is the abundance of delicious food. Some days, it’s hard to choose between a crispy fish taco at Cancun, a slice of pizza at Cheeseboard, or huge piece of tomato and olive focaccia at PIQ. We have a new favorite though, and it’s Phil’s Sliders. Their juicy burgers and crispy tater tots are mouthwatering, but my favorite is definitely their milkshakes. In addition to standard vanilla and chocolate, they have a rotating lineup that includes salted caramel, toasted marshmallow, and cookies-n-cream. If you can’t make it to Phil’s (or you just have a craving for a toasted marshmallow shake), try Joy the Baker’s recipe! (I think I’m making one tonight!)
{image from here}
After months of peeking into the construction zone underneath our office, we finally found out what is going into the space – and we could not be more excited!!!!! Grubstreet reported that former Phish manager John Paluska is opening Comal in 2012, a Mexican restaurant focused on the Oaxaca region, with former Delfina chef Matt Gandin cooking. I honestly cannot think of anything else we’d rather have below us. Welcome to Berkeley, Comal!!
{image from Saveur}
These Antik Batik shoes may be my favorites, but sadly I barely ever wear them as my feet slip around in them when I walk. Well, I just noticed last night that if I had extra holes punched in the straps, they would fit properly. I took them to Paul’s Shoe Repair in downtown Berkeley {2281 Shattuck Avenue, 510-843-1570} and the charming gentlemen who run the shop punched them for me within seconds, free of charge.
Don’t you just love good old fashioned customer service- and a pleasant surprise like that? I love the shop- they always do a great job and the vintage signage and old timey wooden cabinets {filled with shoe polish that looks like it’s from 1940- and maybe is??} are almost as charming as the men who work there.
